DA INSIDER MAGAZINE 18

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Da Insider 18

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#18

EXCLUSIVE

FEATURE STORY

Lil Baby Taking over one hit at a time

EXCLUSIVE

FEATURED ARTISTS Tok the Outcast B. Myers Pedro Breeze Jookz

Inside LOOK!!!

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Coming to you live and direct from Charlotte, North Carolina, is a very talented up-andcoming artist who's carving out his own path to success in the music world. With a style and sound that can't be boxed in any one particular genre, this young man pours all of himself into his music. He's authentic and remains true to himself, and he goes by the name of B. Myers.

FINEST Almost two years ago marked the beginning of a musical adventure for Myers. What began as a need to get some things off his chest and blow off some steam in a way that would make people listen, evolved into a love for creating and recording music. Living conveniently down the road from Platinum Plus studios, Myers began recoding there, crafting musical stories of his past and present. With a vibe that naturally gravitates toward a country sound, Myers definitely doesn't limit himself to the label "country artist", dabbling in a little hip-hop as well. Even some of the DJs around Charlotte agree that B. Myers kind of creates his own genre.

S R E Y M .

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His music is genuine and rings with authenticity. He becomes a story teller, giving listeners a glance into where he's from and how he grew up. B. Myers' "Out The Mud" is a perfect example of him portraying his life through music, with lyrics that refer to the tractor and truck pulls he's been to at "Big Lick", or the cows and bulls he's seen, or sitting out by a fire on the weekends.

B. Myers continues to be inspired not only by other artists, but by the people who reach out and show love to him and his music, the ones on social media who encourage him to keep going because they love what he's done so far.

Being the people person that he is, Myers' ultimate goal is to unite people of all backgrounds, races and ethnicities through his music. A more short term goal of his is to bring a potential project with Ty Dolla Sign to fruition, and he's looking forward to keeping all of social media updated on all of his upcoming releases.

B. Myer s would like to s Special houtout Thanks : the Ca to @DJ @SlimH rolin D oo TEC #Ju stKnow a Coalition, als Roc, Ka d and @DJ PO o za LO, Exp @Sunny ression Beatz SinFlam r, Dj Karz, DJ I , Sa J e, check him out lute and WERC Prag, EastCoas too, He's t AROLIN ATV, an a dope a d Rrtist.

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Lil In this exclusive issue, we've decided to cover an artist who is making major moves and does not slack on his lyrical assault. He is an artist who has managed to strategically balance dope rhymes with a catchy delivery consistently. For those of you who are not familiar with the raspy tones and the infectious cadence of Lil Baby, it's time we helped put him officially on your radar.

Born Dominique Armani Jones on December 3 in 1994, Lil Baby is a trap rapper hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. If you know Atlanta, then you know there's no shortage of great artists in the "A", so it's no surprise another super talent has emerged to carry the torch.

As a youngster growing up, there were always criminal elements in his surroundings, and with the allure of making money like a lot of the local criminals, it was surely going to be an uphill battle. Having little interest in scholastic achievements resulted in real concerns from his parents for what would become of his future. Like so many young urban kids in America, the hiphop music culture had a heavy influence, and the magnetic pull it had on Lil Baby would prove to be undeniable.

Pursuing a rap career was never the initial goal for Lil Baby, but his passion for making music put him on a course that far exceeded his humble beginnings. This course consisted of time spent with his bros bonding and trapping (selling drugs) to keep the money coming in. Even with some of his friends taking off with successful music careers, his only focus was his thriving street hustle. Lil Baby has always maintained a desire for music, but sometimes we become creatures of habit, and trapping was his easy way out. It didn't take long before he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for selling narcotics.

During his time in jail, he exhibited behavior that was rewarded with an early release after serving only two years. After his release he decided to make some necessary changes in his life to ensure his success musically, and with the help of a childhood buddy named Kevin (Coach K) Lee, he was well on his way.

The two of them, along with Pierre Thomas aka 'Pee', decided to start their own music label called 'Quality Control', and it was showtime. During this time, Lil Baby had been cooking up his debut mixtape to knock the hip hop world off its axis.

April 2017 is the date Lil Baby released his debut mixtape entitled ‘Perfect Timing', and this musical collaboration of childhood friends rapping over hypnotic base lines made this project a sure thing. Creating the project only took approximately two days, and upon its completion it had become evident to him that he was built for the music industry. The mixtape hit the ATL music world like a comet, and could be heard in every car, bar and club throughout all of Georgia.

Lil Baby was showered with support from all over for his superb wordplay. The inspiration for his lyrics were drawn from his life in the streets, infused with all the things prison had instilled.

His next mixtape 'Harder than Hard' to new

took his popularity to new heights and garnered a real appreciation for the emotion you can hear and feel in each lyrical nuance. A few tracks like 'Ride or Die', My Drip' and 'My Dawg' off of the 'Harder than Hard' mixtape would climb the charts.

If by chance you listen to rap music and you still haven't heard tracks like "Drip too Hard" or "Yes Indeed" ft. Drake, you should definitely check to see if you have a pulse because Lil Baby is truly on an upward slope. Lil Baby has the recipe for making hit songs, so as long as he's in the kitchen you can expect something that's going to be beautifully plated and sonically delectable.

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Listen to "MY CITY" on Spotify now!

by FLO FLOCKO

JOOKZ Uu

BROOKLYN STAND UP for this heavy hitter who's staking his claim in the rap game and ready to take the industry by storm. His witty and gritty nature is New York to the core, and it's evident in his music as well as in his swagger. He's making major career moves, not just at home in the Big Apple but internationally as well, so it goes with saying that it's time to learn more about the artist known as Jookz.

Q: How'd you come up with the name Jookz?

A:

Jookz stands for Just Opposite Of Kin. Shoutout to 24 (XXIV records) They the fam!

Q: How would you describe your music?

A:

Hip-Hop. Very New York influenced cuz that’s where I was born and raised. Brooklyn

to be exact!

Q: At what age did you start making music?

A:

I wrote my first rhyme at 9 years old. Was writing to no beats. Didn’t know about bar

counts or instrumentals until middle school. I bought a cheap Radio Shack microphone and had audacity on a Dell computer. Got into a legit studio for the first time in high school. Then in college I met a producer, we worked on two records that was my sound, but we had creative differences that lead into us not working on anymore music. Now I have a portable set up at home, so I can record reference tracks before going to my brother Jakkah’s studio and laying them down.

Q:

What made you want to become an artist?

A:

Had a love for music. Was raised listening to Michael

Jackson, Prince, Luther Vandross just to name a few singers. One day I was watching the news and something about Biggie’s death came up. During the news they played Biggie’s "Juicy". That was my first introduction to hip-hop. I knew the original song. At first I thought wait, that’s not his beat, but as I was listening the lyrics was dope so I went to a bootleg dvd store and asked for Biggie and any other rap music that's hot. I listened more and more and fell in love with it til' the point that I wanted to start writing my own lyrics.

Q: How does where you're from affect your music?

A:

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Park Slope, Crown Heights and

Sunset Park. It inspired me to stay true to myself and have a New York spin to my music.

Q: Who inspires you musically?

A:

I would say I’m a combination of Fabolous - his witty,

clever, flamboyant style, and Dave East - his aggressive tone.

Q: What are some of the things you've accomplished in your music career so far?

A:

I’ve had records played on Hot 97 by DJ Lead. I have been on BRIC TV multiple

times, even years ago when it was originally BCAT TV. I have been on News 12 Brooklyn (both tv and online) and I have performed all over New York, as well as over seas.

London & Rome.

Q: Any upcoming events or releases you would like to mention?

A:

March 10th Tunage Tuesday’s @ Starr Bar. "Day Ones" ft. Jakkah music video currently

being edited by Tedd Films. EP with Jakkah and mixtape hosted by DJ Fat Fingaz from the legendary DJ Crew of The Heavy Hitters currently being worked on. For updates join my New Jookz City Facebook group or follow me on IG @NewJookzCity

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The Outcast ing K Meet Tok The Outcast King, a truly gifted upand-coming artist from Brockton Massachusetts.

This spit-fire prodigy is everything hip-hop fans are looking for and then some. From his rhythmic, lyrical flow to the positivity he radiates in and out of music, Tok clearly stands out from the masses. With the intent not only to inspire his listeners and promote self-love, but to also assist and support other new artists, Tok uses his music as a vessel to carry his message to the listeners.

Let's find out a little more about what makes Tok, The Outcast King.

Tok, tell us what your name means and how you came up with it.

I go by the stage name of “Tok The Outcast King”. Originally Tok was a spinoff of the racial slur Token. It was a means of turning past experiences into a positive outlook.

Where are you from and how does that affect your music?

I'm from Brockton MA. I live and die by the Rock and the 5ive. The neighborhoods I grew up in mean everything to me. I look to seek positive change to the mentality of our streets. Music is the easiest way to communicate my thoughts and be comprehensible.

When did you begin making music and how did you realize you were good at it?

I've been creating music on and off since I was 8. I started recording in 2016, and since then I have taken it seriously by dedicating my life to it. I started recording radio over cassette tapes and practiced rapping as a kid. My cousins also had me dabble in garage band as teenagers. At that point, it was still a hobby but after high school, people started noticing I was really good at making music so I decided to give making a legitimate song a try. I would record in other people’s home studios with shoebox mics, until I stepped into the Soundlab recording studio in 2016.

How would you describe your sound?

You can consider it a clash of hip-hop and trap. I am very versatile and love to provide multiple vibes. My message is what I focus on and the message creates the sound.

What aspect of the music-making process excites you the most?

When it all comes together. The recording, mixing, and mastering process is fun, but nothing beats goosebumps from the final product.

Who are some of the artists that inspire you musically?

Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Eminem, Lil Wayne, T.I., Kanye West, Big Sean, Drake, and many more. I have different inspirations for different aspects of music: delivery, presence, impact, lyrics, flow, and intent.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?

I feel the industry is very clout based, which is understandable. This industry is a business, and clout equivalates to profit and influence. But there should be no reason why a talented artist should be dismissed with a "who are you" mentality. The past few years, however, have shown me that the concerns of independent artists are being acknowledged. Slowly but surely, more opportunities are being given to the people who are stuck in limbo between paying their rent and investing in their craft. I respect and appreciate that.

What goals are you looking forward to achieving in the future?

I plan on taking advantage of the opportunities given to me, and use those resources to impact my community. I would also love to create a label in the future for startup artists.

I'm always telling new artists to keep going and to never give up, but I wish there was more I could do.

What can listeners and fans look forward to from you?

I just dropped a new project called "Marketing Soul Pt.1: Marketing". The project is available on all platforms including Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music. Marketing Soul Pt.2: Soul is hopefully going to be dropping the first quarter of 2020. This second part of the MS series is a different vibe and more personal a "sit back, relax and let's talk" kind of vibe. I’m looking forward to everyone hearing it. I appreciate all the love that has been shown throughout the streams I have received. I'd like to end this by saying to all local artists: K.T.D.A (Keep The Dream Alive)!

LISTEN TO TOK ON SPOTIFY NOW!

How to Make the most

of your

Studio Time

The recording studio is an undeniable staple in the lives of aspiring and successful artists.

It's like a second home for many musicians, especially those who are lucky enough to have access to free studio time.

Unfortunately for many aspiring artists, free studio time is not a luxury that's accessible to them, and paying for studio time can become a very costly investment. For many artists who have a limited budget, making the most of that precious recording time is of the utmost importance. Without the proper preparation, the valuable time that you do have in the studio will slip away before you know it, with little progress to show for it. So how do you ensure that you make every moment count and get the most out of your recording session? Here are a few simple measures you can take to increase the likelihood that you leave the studio feeling satisfied.

COME PREPARED. There's no way to stress enough how important it is to come to the studio completely ready to make things happen, beginning with the basics, such as simply arriving on time.

Arriving late to a session is never a good look. It's not cool to have the engineer waiting on you, and quite frankly, it's a waste of your time and money as well. However, the most important part of being prepared is making sure you have thoroughly rehearsed your material. Knowing your song meticulously means having to go through fewer takes to get it right, which means more time to work on other stuff. It's even a good idea to pre-record your songs before arriving to the studio.Your session probably shouldn't be the first place you hear your song recorded, even if you're just using your cell phone to do it. If you can avoid having to re-write lyrics in the studio, it can save you some valuable time.

BE REALISTIC. It's important to set realistic goals for your recording time. Anyone who's ever been in the studio knows that it could take hours just to record a 3 minute song. From the numerous attempts to get it just right, to all of the last minute changes and adjustments, it is to be expected that it may take quite a bit of time to get to the point where you are completely satisfied. If you go in with unrealistic goals of how much you can achieve in a span of time, you will leave sorely disappointed with the progress you've made.

STAY ON TOP OF TIME MANAGEMENT. It's easy to lose track of time when your creative juices are flowing, or even when they're not and you're stuck repeating the same take over and over again. Do your best to stay on schedule during your session.You may be trying to generate a certain sound and won't be pleased until you hear it. Don't get overly hung up on doing take after take of the same section. Time constraints can be great decision makers. For the sake of time management, you will at some point have to accept that a take is good enough and move on, knowing that you can always circle back again at the end if time allows. Put someone on your team in charge of time management, or do it yourself.

The engineer can be helpful, but don't just rely on him.You can even use a timer if you have to.

PICK THE RIGHT STUDIO. It's critical to a successful session to work with the right engineer. Your engineer should be completely familiar with your genre of music and have a good idea of the vibe you're trying to produce.Your engineer, yourself and your team should all be on the same page about the direction you want to go in and should be able to develop a foundation to build upon. Also, the studio you're recording in should be well equipped to support the needs of your genre of music, whether that includes certain instruments you need to incorporate or sound effects you would like to add.

ALLOW FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY. Having your musical plan perfectly laid out is always a good idea.

But being a stickler for a certain format or sound may limit your creative flow in the studio. Allowing a bit of spontaneity and leaving room for happy accidents can really add depth and character to your finished product. Be open to new ideas and concepts, and just let the creative juices flow.

GET IN THE MIX. Once you've gotten through the recording phase it's time to begin the mixing process. As an artist, you may or may not be directly involved in the mixing of the records. Some producers prefer to work on the mixes independently, then send them to you for approval, while others don't mind having you present and giving input while they work. If you do decide to hang around, it's important not to get hung up on small details that will likely not have any effect on the finished product. As important as it is to know when to move on, it's just as important to listen carefully to what's being done and discuss any changes you want to make to ensure your satisfaction with the outcome. Mixes need to be finalized before heading to mastering, which your producer may offer to do as well. Sometimes it may be useful to have a fresh pair of objective ears listening to the track who may find some things that were previously missed. On the other hand, you may prefer to stick with the producer that's familiar with the process so far, familiar with the vibe you're trying to convey, and has been involved from the beginning.

COMPANY'S COOL, BUT NOT A CROWD. Be mindful of the people you invite into your studio session, not just the number of people, but the type of people as well. Having your team with you is useful, and sometimes you can even have a couple of friends or loved ones for support. But recording a song takes focus, keen listening and concentration, and a bunch of people making a lot of racket in the studio is not conducive with a productive session. A lot of people equate studio time with party time, and will use it as an opportunity to party and have fun. But remember, you're paying for this time, not just for the studio itself, but also for the engineer and his expertise, and you don't want the engineer to be distracted or frustrated with the atmosphere in the studio.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME BY GETTING WASTED. Again, you're not paying to party in the studio, you're paying to record your music.

Don't get wasted before or during your recording session. Overconsumption of alcohol or any other drug of choice will absolutely limit your ability to do your best work and remain focused. It's okay to get the creative juices flowing and get your feel-good energy going, but know when to put it on pause.You've got a job to do focus now and party afterwards to celebrate your accomplishment.

Whether recording an album or simply putting together a demo to shop around, when it comes to having a successful studio session, it's important that you have fun with it and enjoy the process. The good energy and positive vibes will come across to the listeners through your music. Plan ahead, prepare well, remain focused, but overall, just be open to the experience and what good things may come out of it.

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PEDRO BREEZE The future of hip-hop is here, and it's taking form in the shape of artists like this next one. Straight from South Jersey comes a talented young man who's made more moves in three years than many aspiring artists make throughout their whole quest for stardom. His entire vibe is a musical breath of fresh air, so it's no wonder that he goes by the name Pedro Breeze. Here's a sneak peek into what this dope new artist is all about.

What made you want to begin a career in music?

I started because deep down inside, I felt like I had a message to share, and I loved being able to do so by painting vivid pictures with my words and sounds. I asked a close friend to listen to my first demo; he told me I was amazing and spread

My artist name is Pedro Breeze, most people that know me call me Breeze.

I'm from a small town in South Jersey.

How would you describe your music?

I create hip-hop. I really love old school rap and jazz, so I like to incorporate smooth jazz in my music somehow, often creating a "lofi" vibe.

When did you start making music?

I started creating music professionally about 3 years ago. I got what's considered a "late start" because I wasn't sure if the dream was worth the jump. I'm glad I jumped - I fell in love with recording and performing.

the word in my town. It was the push I needed to get serious. I got an overwhelming amount of good feedback from my hometown, and ended up getting asked to do showcases and features. The acceptance and want for my sound was definitely an eye-opening experience and really confirmed that I should keep doing this.

How does where you're from affect your music?

My surroundings completely affect my music. From the drugs, guns and arrests, to my personal family/love life, it all plays a part in my lyrics. I'm very open as an artist, I only rap about what I know and what I've experienced in life thus far.

Who in the industry are you inspired by right now?

This list would be too long but the number one artist at the moment is J. Cole. I resonate with him telling his stories based on his experiences, while at the same time trying to spread a message.

Tell us some of the things you've achieved so far in your music career.

In regards to personal achievements, music has helped me find out more about myself, and for that I am most grateful.

Professionally, I've opened up for Dave East, and I have a song with artist Beanz from Netflix show "Rythm and Flow". Two songs (Vibes & We Out) from my new album made it on Arizona 105 the block radio, one song (Vibes) made it on California 92.3 Stay ready radio. I've dropped 4 professional music videos (fellow artists know how difficult it is to invest in that), I have won almost every rap battle I've entered, TV personality Moe Money from Love and HipHop New York recently gave me some words of encouragement via video after hearing my song "Cake Pokin", and I have been able to create a genuine following with fans that really support my music, along with a team that believes in me as much as I do.

What goals do you have for the future?

My goals are to perform all over the world and to inspire those who don't believe they can do this.

What can followers and fans look forward to from Pedro Breeze?

My newest album IN CHARGE recently dropped, so definitely go bump that asap; you can also expect Pedro Breeze merchandise and I will be touring in Canada all later this year. Make sure you follow me on social media for my exact dates and merch drop.

PEDRO BREEZE's LINKS SoundCloud "Vibes"

YouTube Instagram

SoundCloud "We-Out"

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