Azarr Johnson
VICE PRESIDENT Deshaun Jones
Editor Damion Trent
Editor Victoria Tyles
Contributing Writer
Jesse Hagan
Contributing Writer Jeziel Jimenez
Graphic Design/Layout Sir Richard Harris Intern Caressa Irving
AZARR JOHNSON (left)– During the process of creating this magazine/ movement we call Enveonline Magazine we have come across all obstacles and challenges that would make the average person quit or give up but not us. We here at Enve decided to go against the grain when everybody said that you will never make it, the print movement is dead, theres no money to be made and maybe just maybe we would have believed it if it was true. The fact of the matter is it is not the truth at all and far from it. These are the same comments that are told to the female emcee and about them from a dying industry that has no clue what they are talking about and evidently wrong i.e. Nikki Minaj. Like any artist or movement, if you have the right push and the artist with the heart, desire and skills to possess to make it, they will succeed against all odds. The women in this female issue possess those same set of skills and like this movement will defeat all the obstacles that go against them, As Enve has stated before we represent the hip-hop culture and the female emcee is part of it, which is obvious that other so called hip-hop publications have forgotten. Thats okay though, because like the female emcee we will come out on top, as Jada stated Hard work beats talent, ENVE lets gooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!
DESHAUN JONES (right) – After suffering some devastating set backs Enveonline Magazine managed to pull through of what some thought was the impossible. Just like the famous saying goes is not about how hard you get knocked down but how you get up to keep fighting. This issue we put together represents the struggles of the industry many people told us the concept was boring, people won’t get it; no other publication is touching that topic. All I could think of is “Yes we have a winner”! A successful person in business never follows trends but takes chance and dare’s to be different. Salute to all the female emcee’s to ever touch a Mic Enveonline recognizes you hard work and talent. I just want to thank every team member that saw the bigger picture and stuck through the hard times with us and all the family and friends that support this movement. As always “Much Love And Success To All”
Nyemiah: As kid, riding on the bus to school, about just captivated me. they give you and how did help your career? cool. Since I’m from Queens, met Slow before they were even me with my music. When went the studio they gave me space You were featured on some big records with Jim Jones, what Nyemiah: Anything want, can have. Being able to work female artist, very serious. new sounds coming out, what Nyemiah Supreme contributing Nyemiah: I’m performer. love to put on show for my fans, performance that will show you all can do. how he puts his words together. Others like, Juelz Santana, from party songs relationship songs. How will your next project differ from this one? Nyemiah: My next project going to be little bit more hyper. It’s called “Wow,” so be sure to look out for It’s going outgoing person and I’m going to let that show through my How do you plan stay ahead of all of the competition? independent, I’ve been grinding and pushing myself and that’s how I’m going stay ahead. What’s the hardest part about being independent? more resources available put your music, freestyles, and highest in authority. was working with producer named
Family, we following trend. We want timeless. - The message I want to promote to the young females you’re beautiful, have my own business, I’m twenty-one years-old, I’m driven, and I’m not lookcan be and there’s not always positive influence out there.
- Holding off on a label was more about making a statement for the indie side me special. just think that would make me part the system. For me, stay - As a woman, we have always been subject to criticism since the beginning
putting together right now.
Why do you think that is? so dominated by men, and when woman comes up there pre the glamour expensive. When you have to pour money into female theres always the issue that she might not end up being worth Nikki Do you think can be easy for woman in this industry to get woman wants to rap and not sexy she can still have go hard, you don’t you’re going to get walked on others. Just Nyemiah: Nyemiah: There will be more shows, especially outside of New York. Follow Nyemiah on Twitter: @Nyemiahsupreme
“...I am independent, I’ve been grinding and pushing myself in and that’s how I’m going to stay ahead.”
channel or website, you send to everybody. It’s how you get other sites to support you and then return you support whatever they’re sending you. was able develop would pick up, all the big sites would pick it up. send my shit to Media Takeout still, every show that do on this 50 radio gets blasted to Media My sister actually just moved back to Miami. She was in New York this whole time and we lived together. When first came out here, she over again. My sister was working and wrote lot records for Kelis. She [Kelis] did some shady shit to
“...there is a difference to rap and to have the ability to put together words that rhyme. I don’t think it’s that hard.”
INTERVIEW BY DESHAUN JONES
FROM WU TANG INTERN TO SIRIUS RADIO AND POWER105 PERSONALITY
“looking at things from another side, before I was always on the artist side of things.”
Q- How did you get your start in the industry?
A- My first job I was working for Wu Tang and I interned for them while I was in college; I was the assistant to the CEO. After, I worked for Eminem and then for Eminem radio station which was how I was recruited by Power105 radio.
Q- What did you take away from that experience?
A- That was a great first job for me. Most people were never in the office that used to work there, so I had a lot of control. I got to go on the road, deal with finances and payroll, and also sit in on meetings… my boss was cool about that. I would be sitting in a meeting with Steve Rifkin at Loud Records, the president of Epic/Sony, or Silvia Rome at Electric and it was great to see how business was conducted at an early age.
Q- How is managing an artist different from being a radio personality?
A- Really looking at things from another side, before I was always on the artist side of things. Working with artist you’re always running late and people are always canceling things. Now, being a radio personality I’m a lot more understanding than the average person. Also, being on the radio side you have to say, “You guys have to show up on time and show some respect.” It’s definitely not easy to get that slot on the radio.
Q- How did the Lip Service show come about?
A- Lip Service started when I worked for Sirius Radio. I recorded my show at night and my friends used to come up, we would have drinks and talk about girl stuff which was usually raunchy. People liked it so much that Sirius Radio asked me to have my own show.
Q- How did previous relationship experiences play a part in creating the Decision and Relationship advice segments on the morning show?
A- Many people in my life
come to me for advice…I’m like an unlicensed psychiatrist. I think a lot of time when we are in a situation, it’s hard to step back and look at it from a rational point of view because it’s so emotional. If you tell me a problem I can give you some insight on what the real deal is because I have my own experiences with guys and friends that have been through so many things, I’ve learned to give good advice.
Q - What was it that made you leave Shade105 to work on Power105 with two other DJs?
A-I don’t think that many people could turn down a job on the number one market in radio. Some people work their whole lives in radio and never get that chance… It is prestigious to be on the morning show in New York City. Hot 97 offered me a spot on their morning show as well and I turned it down to have my own show at Sirius Radio. At Sirius I could develop my show in the way I wanted to…If I would have left and went to Hot97, I would have just been the girl that just does the news and rumors. When the opportunity with Power105 came, they said we [DJ Envy and Charlemagne the God] would have equal roles in the morning show, I felt that it would be a good opportunity to work with two other strong personalities.
Q – What was the best Interview you have done so far?
A- It would have to be Jay Z at Siruis. It was one of my first interviews when I was starting out, I was such a rookie. It was such a funny interview, you would probably never hear Jay Z talk like that at any other interview and he stayed a lot longer than he was supposed to. That interview solidified me at Sirius.
Q - You are known for the saying, “Hoes be winning.” What sparked that statement?
A- That came from when we were doing a report on Kim Kardashian and how much money the Kardashian family
is making. It just made me realize and say, “Wow, hoes be winning!” We were actually on the air when, all of a sudden, it just came out my mouth. It wasn’t intended to be an offensive remark. Kim’s fame is based off who she is in a relationship with. It’s like a person can really be “winning” based off who she has been with. I think, in society the most popular people that we pay attention to is women that are promiscuous. The statement is also ironic because the most offensive thing to call a woman is a hoe. It’s like saying, “oh you want to call a woman a hoe, well guess what, hoes be winning.”
Q- Do you feel the same holds true for the entertainment industry and does that affect a hard working woman like yourself on the rise?
A - I think it’s all relative. The rules have changed so much of what is acceptable and what is not, because of reality television. I think men always have been allowed to do what they want to do, like getting praised for their sexual conquests. For women, it’s always been a negative thing. Right now it’s changed a lot, look at Rihanna, people think she is promiscuous and that doesn’t take away from what people think about her. A lot of it has to do with the changing rules in society because there are more women getting into power.
Q - What ways do you help Power105 stay ahead of the competition?
A - We do a lot of stuff virally, by putting a lot of stuff on the internet, and that gives us our edge. Also, we don’t ask typical questions like other stations. We make sure that whoever comes on our show gets to promote what they’re about.
Q- What artists do you listen to?
A- I like Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, School Boy Q, and I still listen to Wu Tang all the time. Santigold, she is one of my favorite artists and her album just came out. And I like Waka Flacka too. I like fun music. If I’m at home, I might be listening
to Adele or Katy Perry…I’m all over with my musical taste.
Q- What do you have planned for the future other than being a radio host?
A- Currently, I’m putting a book together. I always wanted to be a writer since kindergarten. I’m also negotiating to do something on TV, so when that works out I’ll be able to talk about it.
Follow Angela Yee on Twitter: @Angelayee
“
Jay-Z at Sirius was one of my first interviews when I was starting out, I was such a rookie. It was such a funny interview, you would probably never hear Jay Z talk like that...”
Q- Tell us, how did you get into the rap game?
A- My parents were a big influence on me. My mother is a writer and my father was a DJ. I started writing poetry at a young age. When I started, I didn’t know it was a form of hip hop until years later.
Q- You’re from Minnesota, how is the hip hop scene out there and why did you move to LA?
A- The hip hop scene is alive and thriving we have Prince Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, NEXT, Atmosphere, and Brother Ali. I was raised in San Diego, California, and then I moved to LA for high school. After high school, I moved back to southern California because my mother wanted me to. When I was 18 I made the choice to move back to LA, and started school there and the rest is history.
Q- Being a female in the game can be difficult, what were some of the negative feedback you heard coming into the game?
A- I don’t know how it is being a guy, I never will, and guys will never know how to be a girl. For me, being in the semi spot light in the music scene, I think people are going to talk about you whether it is good or bad. Being able to work through the bullshit and constructive criticism is a part of it, but you can’t let any of that keep you down.
Q- How was your style of music embraced when you came into the game?
A- Right now, as far as females in hip hop the presence isn’t felt. I have that element to me. I don’t categorize myself, but I am a rapper amongst all other things. There is a void that needs to be filled and I fill that void by bringing the rapping, the singing, and all my other influences to the table. I stay true to myself and that’s always going to get you respect. I don’t have millions of fans yet but the ones that I do have, have shown me a lot of love… I’m happy.
Q- How did you link up with Smoke Dza for the track Live Life?
A- Through the same management. I heard some things of Smoke Dza then, we meet and it was cool. We knocked the song out in a couple of hours. When I was out in New York I saw him a couple of times, we plan to work again together. It’s all love, Smoke Dza is a good dude.
Q- Outside of music you stated you went to school and graduated with a degree in filming. How has your education contributed to your life outside of the music scene?
A- Education is a huge part of life in music and out of music that’s not to say college is the route for everybody. I wasn’t the best high school student I was smart but my mind wasn’t there so college wasn’t in my plans I thought about it and I might go back. For the people that does well its great my best friend is studying aboard in her third year in college school is for her. That’s why I went the route to film, the artsy route, hands on project because that’s what I like, I like hands on things, things that I fell is more meaningful to my life. I tried Community college I dropped out it wasn’t for me I found something that I finished and it feels good
Q- You created your own web series, “Life on Marz,” on YouTube, what would you like the world to know about Marz Love Joy?
A- I want people to get to know who I am. Once you know who someone is and see their motives then you can feel like you can relate more. It’s easy to judge someone right away, but once you get to know somebody then you can make decisions on whether you like them and whether you support what they stand for.
Q- In your web series you talk about being able to open up for people like Wu Tang, Lauren Hill, and a few others. What were your most memorial moments from those concerts?
A- It wasn’t Lauren Hill, it might have been Erica Boyd. If I ever do open
up for Lauren Hill, I would be so obliged… not to bring down Erica or Wu Tang because opening up for them was surreal. Before Wu Tang went on I was back stage eating potato chips with Ghost face, RZA was right there, it was insane. I just finished reading RZA, “The Towel of WU,” I had this vision, just knowing there story and hearing RZA’s side of it and when I opened up for them it was crazy. Then, Erica just has this crazy aura about her that’s so powerful and warming. She is a queen in her own right. I gave her a necklace because I’m such a huge fan and supporter of her work. Just being able to talk to her and have her say, “You remind me of myself,” hearing that from one of your idols is something no one can buy. Just an experience that I will always remember, I’m blessed and thankful of that. Hopefully, I will get a chance to work with this artist in the future.
Q- What advice did those artist offer if any?
A- I didn’t get a chance to talk to everybody, but I asked U-God how Wu-Tang remained so relevant and he said, “Resilience, just keep doing what you’re doing,” that stuck with me. You have this idea of certain people who you want to meet, you might think they’re rude, sweet, or might not have any idea… Then when you meet them it’s just better than anything you expected. Erica had said that I reminded her of her. Erica is saying this from hearing about me before. She also told me that she listened to some of my stuff and checked me out. She also followed me on twitter the day before. It humbles me and I’m happy about that.
Q- What projects are you currently working on?
A- I’m working on an album, also with A3C (All Three Coast), there coming out with a compilation of the entire artist performing at the festival and I will be on that. My album is untitled, so far. I got in the studio with Cardo and he’s actually from Minneapolis. I’m working on more music, for sure. I’m also trying to get into acting and filming to keep the ball rolling.
Q- What do you want your legacy to be?
A- I want just my music to stay around. I am a part of my music and my music is a part of me. If my music stays around and remains relevant, I would be so happy. I do this because I was born to, not because of all the extra shit that comes with it.
Follow Marz Love Joy on Twitter: @marzlovejoy
“I want people to get to know who I am. Once you know who someone is and see their motives then you can feel like you can relate more”
“I stay true to myself and that’s always going to get you respect. I don’t have millions of fans yet but the ones that I do have, have shown me a lot of love… I’m happy.”
INTERVIEW BY DESHAUN JONES
Q- How did you get into the hip hop lifestyle, and what influenced you to start rapping?
A- I grew up listening to a lot of old school Hip-Hop artist such as Queen Latifah, that’s where I got my influence from.
Q - What was the turning point that made you realize you wanted to make this your career?
A- I used to battle, when cyphers were the popular thing to do. I used to kill every battle, and that was when I knew I had something. After that I knew I could do this forever.
Q- Was the music industry at all what you expected it to be when you first started out?
A- I didn’t realize it was so much hard work and that politics came along with it. For example, doing drops with certain radio stations that may be in competition with another radio station, and having to put out certain songs because you couldn’t put out the hard stuff first.
Q- How did you get introduced to the Timberland Beat Club movement?
A - My manager, Charlie, and also Omar. They made a lot of connections for me in the industry. When we initially went to shop some beats, and went to New York I was signed to a production company. The person I was working with was friends with Jay Brown who works with Electra Records. He told Jay Brown, “I got this young girl from Philly, she’s the truth,” so we waited in the studio for about five hours. I rapped for him and he was floored. Then he said, “Missy is up stairs,” took me up stairs and I rapped for her, she called Timberland on the phone and I rapped for him. They asked me what I came for and I told them, “a deal.”
Q- When you first started under the Beat Club movement you and Bubba Sparks were the first artists to represent that label. Sparks first single “Get Ugly” was noted for representing who he was as an emcee. Some critics felt that your singles “Big Head” and “Ching Ching” didn’t fully represent your lyrical abilities. Do you agree with this, and what were your creative reasons for those singles?
A- There wasn’t a whole lot of lyrics in the song and I don’t think it represented my lyrical ability. It represented my commercial ability.
Q- It was quoted, that Bubba Sparks and Timberland said they were surprised and disappointed because the album didn’t do as well as expected. Do you feel Timberland dropped the ball on your project?
A- At the time, I didn’t think it was his fault that it didn’t do numbers and I have a strong belief that everything happens for a reason. When I put out “Philly Girl” people were checking for me, but because I took so long to release the album nobody was checking for it then. A lack of promotions and a lack of putting out different singles that could have showed my lyrical ability had a lot to do with it.
Enveonline - After that, it seemed like you remained close with Nicole Wary, Tweet, Missy and Bubba Sparks but out the clear blue we stopped hearing from you music wise. What actually happen during that time?
Ms. Jade - I never fell back from the music scene, and I still wrote and did underground material. Basically life happened when I came back to Philly, and I felt like I had to start over. There was a time I wondered if I still wanted to do this, but I never stopped writing, and I never stopped spitting. People just didn’t see me as much.
Q- What changed you mind to cause you not to give up?
A - I think God doesn’t put talent in your face to waste and I can’t just throw what I have away because things don’t happen the way I want them to.
Q- Was it your choice to not join Timberland’s Mosley Music Group?
A - No, I just haven’t talked to him in years and when he started the Mosley Music Group we weren’t speaking. He didn’t reach out to me and I didn’t reach out to him.
Q- Why do you think the industry is leaving female artists out or not giving them the same chance as male artists?
A- It seems like only one female can reign supreme at a time. It can’t be a lot female rappers and I think that’s a problem. There are tons of male artist from Wiz, Common, Kanye, Jay Z, to Jeezy that are big.
Q- What female emcees do you listen to and support?
A- I support all female artists because I know how hard it is for females. I like Missy, Shawnna, Lady Luck, and I love Trina. Right now, I’m on Lox, Jadakiss, and Styles P.
Q- We are in a new era of hip hop and a lot of major labels aren’t getting behind the artist like they use to. How do you adapt to this?
A- Independent is good for me, that means I don’t need to chase that major label around for a deal. I need to just put out as many songs and mix tapes as I can to build my fan base back up. My fans can always reach me through Twitter or Facebook. I like independent over the major labels right now.
Q- Philly has bread some great artist such as Cassidy, State Property, you, as well as many others. Is there anyone from Philly you are currently working with?
A- Chris and Free are on my mix tape. Freeway just did a show with me. I like to stay neutral and be cool with everybody as long as I can call them up and get a verse because they can always call me when they need me.
Q- What projects are you working on?
A- The premix is about to come out and then, “Straight no Chaser” is my next mix tape. I just started song writing and trying to get some R&B songs placed. I’m just trying to stay in the loop of it all.
Q- What does hip hop mean to Ms. Jade?
A - Hip Hop means everything to me. I speak the language of hip hop, I can express myself. I write it down and put it behind the beat and it shows who I am.
“Basically life happened when I came back to Philly, and I felt like I had to start over. There was a time I wondered if I still wanted to do this, but I never stopped writing, and I never stopped spitting. People just didn’t see me as much.”
“Hip Hop means everything to me. I speak the language of hip hop, I can express myself. I write it down and put it behind the beat and it shows who I am.”
“...there is a difference to rap and to have the ability to put together words that rhyme. I don’t think it’s that hard.”
Q- In Doobies X Popsicle Sticks, you talk about your first summer in the game. What was your favorite part of that summer and why?
A- The hip hop festival, I felt a part of something that was bigger than just me. I connected with the same people who inspired me to do what I do now. As a new artist, to share the stage with someone who was an influence… that was crazy. It was a beautiful day, the weather was great, I was back stage politicking with Rah Digga, Shawn Price, and Kendrick Lamar. It was a whole community of likeminded artists rocking out on a summer day.
Q- What are some emcees that inspire you?
A- I’m definitely inspired by Slum Village, they’re from Michigan and I’m from Michigan. “Fall in Love” by Slum Village is my favorite record of all time. Also, definitely Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, and Black Thought inspired me. I’m just a big fan of lyricist and real dope word smiths that have longevity. People that I was able to watch evolve overtime, grow and experiment with sound… I respect that very much.
Q- Break down the difference between a rapper and an emcee, in your opinion?
A- For me, there is a difference to rap and to have the ability to put together words that rhyme. I don’t think it’s that hard. I think an elementary school child can make a poem with words that rhyme. In order to be an emcee, a person needs the ability to “move the crowd,” to really rock the mic. I have a line about it where I say, “Easy to kill it where you’re singing alone, but can you move the crowd when the crowd don’t know the song.” That’s the truth. An emcee can get in front of a group of people that do not know his or her record and still have the people walking away amped and feeling apart of the show.
Q- How do you embody the culture of hip hop?
A- I felt like I have been able to find the balance of being able to move the culture forward with respect of the roots. Some people fell like there’s no way to do it without being outdated. You can still have respect for the values of the artist who paved the way for you and also be a part of the modern day scene. I feel like I’m able to bridge the gap. I can use my influence to carry the torch of the legacy and expose it to my generation. Lifestyle, individuality, and community are all a part of hip hop culture, before we called it a culture.
Q- As an independent artist, how are you helping the Boom Box Family move through the commercial industry?
A- I remain creative. I guess the state of hip hop leaves you with grass root options. It forces you to wear many hats, which I am open
to doing; it makes me a more rounded artist. I feel like the internet did help to saturate the situation, where anyone can throw a mix tape up on “Datpiff.” The radio is completely corrupted now; it’s all driven by money. It’s like the internet still belongs to us and we take complete advantage of that. That’s what we do as the Boom Box Family, we keep it very organic. We take our time to build a solid fan base as opposed to following a trend. We want to be timeless.
Q- How does do you empower not be that “Duck” you rap about?
A- The message I want to promote to the young females is, “If you’re beautiful, that’s great. But, that’s not it and you’re not entitled to a life of riches.” I’m out here really pursuing something that not only benefits me, but others as well. I have my own business, I’m twenty-one years-old, I’m driven, and I’m not looking for a man to take care of me. I feel I can represent something for a lot of young girls. When you turn on the TV, you see all these examples of what you can be and there’s not always a positive influence out there.
Q- In previous interviews you talked about what labels were interested, but you remained independent. What made you feel uncomfortable about those labels?
A- Holding off on a label was more about making a statement for the indie side of things. I’m trying to be a barrier breaker. I fell like if I was just to start off looking for that cookie cutter formula of success, I don’t think that would make me special. I just think that would make me a part of the system. For me, to stay true to myself and to continue to empower the listeners to exercise their right to support whatever they want is more important.
Q- What is important to you about being yourself and not conforming to the industry standard of how a woman should look?
A- As a woman, we have always been subject to criticism since the beginning of time. If you go back to biblical days they talk about how a woman should conduct themselves, it’s always something that’s been debated in society. I always have to be myself. I fell that every woman should be able to be herself regardless of what she is representing.
Q- What is the BYOB project?
A- The Bring Your Own Boom Box Tour, that’s something that we are still putting together right now.
Follow Nitty Scott on Twitter: @NittyScottMc
INTERVIEW BY DESHAUN JONES & AZARR JOHNSON
Q: What was your introduction to hip hop?
A: As a kid, riding on the bus to school, I listened to Dipset and G-Unit mixtapes. Something about it just captivated me.
Q:How did you get introduced to slowbucks, what advice did they give to you to help your career?
A: I went to high school with Bucks, we have always been cool. Since I’m from Queens, I met Slow before they were even Slowbucks, I always saw them around in the summer. They helped me get a job as an assistant to Juelz and had always encouraged me with my music. When I went to the studio they gave me space to do whatever I wanted.
Q:You were featured on some big records with Jim Jones, what did you take away from that experience?
A: Anything I want, I can have. Being able to work with someone that was a part of the dipset movement helped me realize that I need to take myself, as a solo female artist, very serious.
Q: It's a new era in hip hop, there are a lot of new acts coming out, what is Nyemiah Supreme contributing to this new era of music?
A: I’m a performer. I love to put on a show for my fans, you’ll see me dancing and bouncing around. I’m not going to just be standing and rapping your ear off, I try to bring a whole performance that will show you all I can do.
Q:What artists influence you?
A: TLC and Salt-N-Pepa, the live female rappers that would be rapping to you and still dancing. Lloyd Banks, I love how he puts his words together. Others like, Juelz Santana, Camron, and Jay-Z, the real New York artists always influenced me since I’m a New York artist.
Q: On your "Bad" mixtape you had a wide range of music from party songs to relationship songs, how will your next project differ from this one?
A: My next project is going to be a little bit more hyper. It’s called “Wow,” so be sure to look out for it. It’s going to be little bit more energetic and more live. I am really fun outgoing person and I’m going to let that show through my music this time around.
Q: How do you plan to stay ahead of the competition?
A: The same way I got into the industry, I am independent, I’ve been grinding and pushing myself in and that’s how I’m going to stay ahead.
Q: What's the hardest part about being independant?
A: When you’re backed by somebody there are more resources available to put your music, freestyles, and music videos out. I’ve been getting all the support by the word of mouth, but it is hard to have all the same resources that other artists have.
Q: How did you come up with the name Nyemiah Supreme?
A: Nyemiah is my real name, but at first I was going by Supreme because the meaning of Supreme is the upmost highest in authority. I was working with a producer named Rockwilder when I told him my real name, Nyemiah, and rap name, Supreme, he then said, “Oh, Nyemiah Supreme, “I stuck with the name from there.
Q: When creating this issue, we spoken with a lot of females
in the industry and we've heard that there is a lack of female emcees and the only one is Nicki Minaj. Why do you think that is?
A: I think there is a lack of faith in female artists. The industry is so dominated by men, and when a woman comes up there is a pre conceived idea that a woman is hard to work with. There are other expenses that women will have that men don’t need, for example all the glamour is expensive. When you have to pour money into a female theres always the issue that she might not end up being worth it. Nikki proved that it can be worth it.
Q: Do you think it can be easy for a women in this industry to get notice if they are more provactive?
A: If a woman wants to rap and not be sexy she can still make it. She just has to put that in her mind that she can still do it. You have to go hard, if you don’t you’re going to get walked on by others. Just be you, and its going to work. Don’t let the idea that “sex sells” to stop you from being who you want to be.
Q: Who is an artist that you would like to work on a track with?
A: I would like to work with Nikki. She is fun and I like her energy on a track. She has an interesting sound , when it’s not just music, its art.
Q:What's next for Nyemiah Supreme other than the mixtape?
A: There will be more shows, especially outside of New York. I want to show everybody that I can rap!
Follow Nyemiah on Twitter: @Nyemiahsupreme
“...I am independent, I’ve been grinding and pushing myself in and that’s how I’m going to stay ahead.”
INTERVIEW BY DESHAUN JONES & AZARR JOHNSON
Q- A few years prior, you had the chance to work with 50 Cent, how crucial was it for you to persevere while waiting for that second chance to come?
A- Naturally, as a struggling artist you get discouraged. There were times when I would quit or when I just did not want to do it anymore. Ultimately, I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try to go all the way. Then, if it doesn’t happen, at least I tried.
Q- What was the greatest adversity that you endured during that time?
A- Sometimes feeling stagnant or the people that you’re working with are not looking out for your best interest. Also, I found it difficult to learn how to separate the good from the bad people within my circle. I try to keep positive people, with positive energy on my side, not the people that have hidden agendas. There are a lot of road blocks, haters, and a lot of people who tell me I can’t make it.
Q- Precious, what does hip-hop mean to you?
A- Everything, it’s all I know! I eat, sleep, and do everything hip-hop.
Q- What was your strongest attribute that you contribute to G-Unit?
A- A lot of us in G-Unit are from Queens, including myself. 50 and I have the same story, except mine is from a woman’s perspective. There are different struggles that I’m going through because I am woman. However, our stories coincide because we are going down the same road. I fit in perfectly and I don’t want to be anywhere else.
Q- When listening to your latest mix tape “From Paris with Love,” it was one hundred percent hip-hop. Unlike most artists, you avoided sounding commercial. Is it important for you to appear as only a hip-hop emcee?
A- I remember meeting Snoop Dogg a long time ago when I was in a club, although I’m sure he doesn’t remember meeting me. His record came on in the club and everybody was jumping to it, and this is a fifteen year-old record. I asked him how he did it and he responded with, ‘I spit from my heart.’ That’s what I did for this album, I didn’t care what people thought, nothing fake or fabricated.
Q- In the song, “Everything is Ok” you portray a lifestyle of coming from poverty to making it. What has changed for you since you have been signed?
A- A lot of things have changed. I don’t have to drive anymore, I just get in the back seat and I go. I’m not late anymore! I can’t just go out to the club anymore and chill with my friends. My lifestyle has changed, but not enough!
Q- What goals are you hoping to accomplish?
A- My overall goal is to be a boss. I want to have a label under G-Unit and Ryder Gang. I’m focused on my future and making sure I’m staying in the game.
Q- With the success of first mix tape, how do you plan to follow it?
A- I don’t feel the first mix tape was successful and I feel like I can do better, but that’s how I always feel. I’m always looking at what’s coming up next, and how I can improve. You say it’s successful, but next time I want more.
Q- What was the best advice that 50 Cent gave you?
A- He taught me the four qualities that I needed to have to
be an artist; great music, stage presence, your look, and your personality. He said, ‘If you have that, you’re good.’ I just work on everything, I’m a perfectionist.
Q- Why do you think it takes a female artist longer to become successful in hip-hop, today?
A- The game has changed. Labels don’t want to work with you anymore. They expect you to come in ready without having to put in time and effort. Some of the women that come in expect to have everything served to them on a silver platter, and that’s not how it goes. I’m focused and I’m not playing.
Follow Precious Paris on Twitter: @Preciousparis
“I remember meeting Snoop Dogg a long time ago when I was in a club, although I’m sure he doesn’t remember meeting me. His record came on in the club and everybody was jumping to it, and this is a fifteen yearold record. I asked him how he did it and he responded with, ‘I spit from my heart.’
It’s a Hip-Hop adage that seems to be becoming increasingly more true with each passing month: every time you see Nicki Minaj’s face on something, a promotional team somewhere gives birth to the next big female rapper/pop singer/fashion icon.
To be clear, this phenomenon is generally a positive one. Hip-Hop as a whole has long misrepresented women, if and when it has attempted to represent them at all. 2012 has already seen a greater proliferation of female talent (beyond hook-singing) in Hip-Hop than any year prior, and for the masses of talented young women rhymers out there, the trend will hopefully continue onward.
That said, with any new cultural or subcultural development, it takes time to set standards and build a bustling community. Often times, the best way for such a thing to happen seems to be an organic process that sees older pioneers making way for younger talent who they help mold and shape artistically (think MC Serch:Nas, Jaz-O:Jay-Z). Such is the case with DJ Jazzy Joyce, herself a pioneering female DJ, and Titles are Played Out, a new EP from her protégé, Nina B.
The project displays some promise, but isn’t entirely cohesive. This admittedly may be more a symptom of current music media’s hyper-coverage, which scrutinizes a new artist’s every move, right down to their most mundane Tweet. Cohesively structured debuts were more common when the developmental stage of an artist happened backstage, before the curtains went up.
So yes,Titles Are Played Out, like many modern debuts, could use a bit more seasoning, but there are some noteworthy moments.“How Y’all Want It” opens things up with digital synth blips, sword-swing sound effects, and a rapid electronic pulse served over a bevy of stomping drums, which combine to form a fitting backdrop for Nina’s impressively frenetic flow.
Most of the beats, courtesy of Joyce, are undercooked. However, with cheap sounding synth filters, the album sounds like it was recorded on lackluster equipment, but that doesn’t mean the production is uninspired. “Hey Girl” has a trace of bounce and jubilance that has been noticeably absent from Hip-Hop since as far back as Lupe Fiasco’s “I Gotcha.”
Throughout, Nina’s confidence in her delivery is deserved, as she makes the most of her limited production value, proving herself to be a capable lyricist. Still, her subject range is limited, and she could explore into some of her chosen topics with more depth and zeal.
Like many up-and-comers (male and female), Nina B. has not yet learned the slight subtleties and distinguishing factors that help artists transcend that intangible line from commoner to legend, and that’s all right. Female emceeing is still such an unexplored art form (especially from an album sense), that many of the hallmarks set by male counterparts have yet to be set for female rappers.
Nina boasts some undeniable talent on Titles Are Played Out, but the project also shows a need for experimentation followed by a period of refinement and definition.The important part for Nina is in scoring that initial invitation to the table. Now she just needs to make sure that for the next potluck, she doesn’t bring take-out pizza again.
A: My little sister is singer; she has been signed to Sony when she was fourteen years-old. She has had a couple deals on the table, her last deal which was with SRC when she was about eighteen years-old. I was in college, interning at the radio station in New York, I was more behind the scenes at that time. I didn’t really know yet that I had the ability to get in front of a camera and interview people. I was still like on my business shit, thinking that maybe I could do marketing and promotion, be on some tour shit, or manage producers. That was one of my first jobs when I came to New York, managing producers. I will never manage anybody again in my life! It’s like managing another human being is such a big responsibility, because I can barely manage myself, and then I have check somebody else who’s not going to listen to me no matter what I say. Then, I started to do DVD magazines called Fuack and it was a financial magazine just focusing on videos. Kind of like what Smack DVD and the Cocaine City’s, all those magazines. It was kind of like a big thing to have a video, so we kind of did one that focused on the entertainers, and how they got it, how they kept it, all that kind of stuff. At that time I was just a partner in and a producer. I started helping with the segments and I started being the one asking all the questions. From being behind the camera I started to develop relationships with artists, I carried over my promotions background from Lawson into New York.
When I saw people, they kind of liked me, and they would give up information easily. It was not because I was dooping them or trying to instigate any situation, but just on some real shit. Like, I don’t ever try to start any beef, I think that’s what people like that about me. I’m comfortable, but I am going to ask you what I want to know. I don’t give a fuck about what everyone else wants to know.
Anyway, that’s how I got to New York. It was a crazy, crazy ride that just kind of fell into my lap. I was always working a 9 to 5 in some sort of marketing or internet marketing job, which really helped get me prepared for the online boom. As soon as I got my online show, I knew how to syndicate. I was really one of the first people to syndicate, which means you don’t just broadcast your show on only your channel or website, you send it to everybody. It’s how you get other sites to support you and then in return you support whatever they’re sending you. I was able to develop these relationships with other artists. That whole thing gave me an edge on everybody else, who didn’t understand how to optimize their online efforts. I really knew how to optimize that shit, to where search engines would pick it up, all the big sites would pick it up. I send my shit to Media Takeout still, every show that I do on this is 50 radio gets blasted to Media Takeout and TMZ. I want my shit out there.
A: My sister actually just moved back to Miami. She was in New York this whole time and we lived together. When I first came out here, she was living with her boyfriend, she broke up with him and I broke up with my boyfriend in Boston, and then we moved in together. There was nothing else for me to do in Boston and we both just started all over again. My sister was working and wrote a lot of records for Kelis. She [Kelis] did some shady shit to my sister. It has been corrected, but it was just so blatant.
A: Kelis stole a record from my sister; it was painful for me, because it was my sister’s single on SRC back when she was signed. It was her sound and I just remember being there when she made it and it got her a deal. She sold that record to Kelis. When Kelis took the credit for writing the record and she definitely did not write the record. The album came out, and I remember my mom bought like 20 of those fucking CDs and when we looked inside, we didn’t see my sister’s name. I was in tears.
Q: Would you like to talk about the other dude that was part of the roundtable?
A: I don’t know what Big Lyte is actually doing now… we didn’t have fallout. It was just his convictions in the past that were hindering us from
getting a corporation to sign with us. Because when you have record, an extensive record, it’s more difficult.
Q: How did you get Hynaken to come over there and why did Rosenburg drop off?
A: Rosenburg wasn’t doing my show, he had his own show. I think itwas just too much for him. It’s hard when you know you got to wake up at 4 or 5 A.M. for work and then to also be at the G-Unit offices once a week at night. I’m pretty sure it didn’t mesh with his schedule that well. I definitely fuck with Peter Rosenburg. Hynaken came into the picture from “Truestories Radio”. I was always a huge fan of “Truestories”, they’re funny as fuck. I like Hynaken’s interview style and he has sat in on a few of the syndicate shows, he always brought a funny kind of twist to it.
Q: Do you ever run into artists that he has problems with?
A: No!!!!
Q: Angela Yee has a term, “Hoes Be Winning.” How do you think terms like this one reflect on women in the hiphop industry?
A: We are following this formula that men have created for us. They’ve made us into sex objects and we have adapted to it. That is the problem.
Q: When we talk to some of the female emcees in the game, they talked about guys who were trying to get with them. Have you had to go through a situation like that?
A: Okay, this is how it is. I’m a cool chick; I’m not a video model, I don’t look like one, I’m just a cool chick. I can watch sports, play video games, and I’m not asking for anything, I don’t feel the need to even go there. I am the queen of curving, I’m too focused on my work right now.
Q: So, you don’t messed around with anybody in the industry?
A: Yeah, I have because it’s unavoidable. I don’t make it a habit, though. I don’t fraternize with the rappers at all because they are the biggest birds of them all. You should hear how they talk about chicks! Since I’m cool with all of them, I hear everything.
Q: What was your most memorable interview?
A: God, there are so many, probably the one with Raekwon and Inspectah Deck. Inspectah Deck is such a smart individual, when we did the interview and the Wu album just came out, people were not happy with it, but he was just being completely real. Like, this is Rza album, this is what happened; I really respect when people can go all out because they want you to understand. I hate when people are just closed off, I will just be wondering ‘why the fuck are you here?’ Get yourself out there so you are known.
Follow Maya The B on Twitter: @Mayatheb
Q: How did you get your start in the industry?
“...I really respect when people can go all out because they want you to understand...”
