INTERVIEW WITH
ZANE By: Tonya Richardson In 1997, while residing in North Carolina employed as a sales representative, Zane began writing erotic stories in order to pass time after her children went to bed. She began writing stories on the Internet, where her fan base began to grow, four years later she signed with Simon & Schuster Publishing. Zane is presently New York Times bestselling author of several titles: Addicted, Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, the Flava series, and Dear G-Spot. Many fans have also become familiar with the characters that appear on “Zane’s Sex Chronicles,” an original After Dark series on Cinemax.
I got an opportunity to interview Zane, and was able to learn about her bubbly, down to earth, “keeping it real” personality. It looks like the year of 2013 will be a big hit for the fans of Zane. Tonya: When you were a little girl did you ever think that you would be an author? Zane: Somewhat, but I never took it seriously; all of my teachers would always say that I would be a writer; I never made
a concise decision to become a writer until much later on. Tonya: So would you say that your teachers inspired you to write? Zane: They always said that I would be a writer because I had such a vivid imagination. They always said I would grow up to be a writer, but I never took it seriously. In other words there was a talent that they saw early on in my life. Tonya: When you are writing your books, do you use your own personal experiences? Zane: Not necessarily, it’s a mixture; my life is not that exciting! But you know some stuff, I guess it’s all stuff that I can relate to, or what I’m passionate about, or that I see people go through. Like most writers are very observant so it’s not necessarily stuff that’s going on in my life its stuff that I see other people dealing with, struggling with, that’s my outlook on it.
Tonya: Would you say that you use real life facts based on true stories of individuals that you know or stories that you hear? Zane: Not necessarily true stories but for example like when I wrote Afterburn I saw a lot of people, really struggling and with life, stressed out not appreciating life and that kind of stuff. So I wrote a book that kind of concentrated on that. When I did Total Eclipse Of The Heart, I wrote that because I noticed a lot of people being involved in toxic relationships and not willing to give up, not wanting to walk away from it, even though they knew the relationships were toxic. So it’s not necessarily one particular person that I write about, its life in general. Tonya: How has your personal experiences affected your writing? Zane: Actually writing to me is almost like escaping so it’s not really based on my experiences. That’s how I get away from things in life I just go get lost.
Tonya: Within your personal life, does your husband and kids affect your writing, are you conscious about what you write or do you just let it all come out? Zane: My life is a lot different from my characters because I don’t have any drama!! I have a very peaceful household, no man or kids drama. I have a very peaceful household and that’s because I know how to avoid it and I won’t tolerate it and that’s what a lot of women need to be able to do. Tonya: How many hours in a day would you say that you spend on writing? Zane: When I’m writing I pretty much go into a zone and concentrate on writing for however long it takes for me to get it done but I don’t write every day. Tonya: Do you have a certain remedy once you begin to write, in other words how do you begin to write once you start, and how do you develop a story line? Zane: Well, at the end of the day I have about 200 books in my head so by the time I sit down and write a book, I pretty much have the story line figured out. It’s just a matter of sitting down and writing it and as I start to write different things,
it’s sort of like a game piece and I create the characters. They kind of play out in a movie in my head, so it’s hard to explain but I have an overall concept of something. The fun part to me is actually sitting down and letting it flow out of me. You know a lot of stuff that I put in my book it just happens to pop into my head and I’m like ok that’s funny or you know let me put that in there. You know, that kind of thing. Tonya: Who is your target audience? Zane: I don’t have a target audience, you know I’ve never sat down and said, “oh let me write a book so all these different people will read it or I’m going to get women that date to read my book or women that meditate to read my book.” I write today for the same reason that I started writing when I didn’t even have a plan putting out a book; and that is for self-entertainment. And I say if it entertains me or means something to me, then it will mean something to someone else but I never ever write with a target audience in mind. Tonya: When you are naming your characters do you actually give any thought to the meaning or do you just come up with names? Zane: When I name a character I kind of know their personality. I try to find something that fits their personality. For example, there‘s Tempest in “The Heat Seekers,” I knew she was going to be real fiery, and all that; she has an attitude. The character to one of the books that I’m working on now, her name is Prodigy and I named her that because she really was a child prodigy and you can’t tell her that she’s not everything under the sun. A lot of times I like for their names to be
diversified in the book, I mean I have three or four people whose names begin with an “M” but I concentrate more on spreading the alphabet out. I try to do the same thing with my show, if there are 15 different characters I will make sure that they all start with different letters. Tonya: What genre of books do you like to read or do you limit yourself to the type of books that you write? Zane: I rarely read erotica books believe it or not, I mean I publish 32 books a year and they are all different genres. I read a lot of self-help books. I read all types of books. Tonya: What is your single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing? Zane: Finding the time to do it because most writers write full time and that’s all they do but me, I do so many other things. Once I find the time to write it‘s easy but between publishing and everything else it’s hard for me, I guess it’s just finding the time. Tonya: Throughout the course of your career have you had to do away with a lot of people, family members or friends? Zane: No not really, I know that some people around me have changed and I have to be very cautious about knowing where people are coming from. I have people that call me out of the blue that I haven’t seen in five years, they’ll call asking for a quarter of a million dollars or call asking me to pay their mortgage and it‘s people that haven’t even called to ask how I’m doing! Tonya: What do you consider to be your biggest failure?
Zane: That’s not a word in my vocabulary, and I hope that it never becomes one, I’m just being honest. That’s how I was brought up, for me failure is not an option and so far I haven’t failed at anything knock on wood thank goodness. Tonya: What advice would you give to the younger generation that aspires to be writers? Zane: Be determined and don’t give up and if you want to write then try to write every single day because it all comes down to writing. I get this question all the time, how did you become a writer? Well writers write, right? You have to write and you have to be patient and determined and realize that the competition is thick when it comes to getting a publishing deal so you have to be very determined. Tonya: How do you react to a bad review? Zane: I don’t most of the time; I don’t even read that. When I let a book go I’m content with it. I knew before I put out my first book the” Sex Chronicles,” there would be controversy; people would be talking junk, it‘s whatever I have a lot of confidence in what I do, I enjoy it and there is no apology for it. Once I put a book out people always have their opinions. If they don’t like my work then they don’t have to read it, they don’t have to go watch the movie when it comes to theatres. What kills me is some of my biggest critics in the past have been people that have read every single one of my books. If I read someone’s book and I don’t like it, why am I going to go out and buy 12 more? I don’t get that; I don’t pay attention to it because those people have no effect on me. I’m not changing anything that I do for anyone, it is what it is. It’s just like watching a show, I watched Basketball Wives and I can’t take it, it’s not for me. I haven’t watched it since, I don’t watch Love and Hip Hop but my daughter loves it and if that makes her
if she likes it, I love it. I don’t pay attention to criticism. EGM (For more information on additional projects that Zane is working on, please visit her Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/ AuthorZane)
TUNE YARDS: Ok so it‘s time to put a lil bit more diversity into the mix. When I say this I‘m talking about a small band that goes by the name of Tune Yards. This band comes with a soft, smooth, relaxing bass guitar player by the name of Nate Brenner and the infamous lead singer Merrill Garbus who‘s from England. Now if you like Adele and the late Amy Whinehouse then blend those voices together and you get Merrill Garbus, her voice is nothing short of amazing! It has so much soul and attitude and Powa! Which brings me to the next thing, the song that you need to checkout is also called “Powa.” When I first heard it I was amazed at her voice, never heard anything like it, she had me at a lost for words.
When she sings she makes you listen, wonder, and think… When she sings, she sings through you. Her voice is unique and weird but in a good way. Now I know this may be a lil different then what y‘all are use to but when it comes to music, I don‘t listen to just one specific genre; I love to explore all kinds of music. It gives you a different mind frame. But enough of my rambling, if you want to dip into something different you should check out this song. I promise after you‘re done listening you’ll be saying her voice rocks you like a lullaby.
LUNI MOFO:
Is it Chief Keef, Kanye West? No, it‘s just Luni Mofo ft. Renizance in this remake of “I Don‘t Like.” Coming straight out of Forth Worth, TX a.k.a. Funky Town. If you really want to know what I think, I would play this version more often then the original. Even though it may be risky by saying that, I‘m going to stand by it. Whenever Luni Mofo and Renizance collaborate, its nothing but success that comes their way. I‘m telling you guys, Texas is coming up in this world, before long we’re going to be taking over. I feel like a lot of Texas artists are under-rated and don‘t get the credit that they really deserve. (That‘s that shit I don‘t like) so this is why I have this blog, to do what I feel is best and that means putting the world on artists that don’t get enough
recognition, I live for this! So make sure you check out the remake of “I Don‘t Like” with Luni Mofo ft. Renizance, and me let me know what y’all think.
CY JACKSON: Ladies I have a question for you all? Any of ya’ll ever had or wanted a man to make your walls come down and show you what’s really real?? Well take a second to sit back, relax and listen to this beautiful talented artist by the name of Cy Jackson coming straight out of Houston, TX. I’m telling you ladies if you really want to know where a sister is coming from, listen to her single called “Walls,” she explains it so clearly, how she’s tired of boys and wants a man that’s trying to put a ring on it. (Like B says if you like it then you better put a ring on it). So ladies please if you will look a sister up, show her some love.
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In this day and age, Hip-hop is changing. And in a world where everything is changing hip hop recording artist B-Hamp seems to be embracing the change with his creativity and originality. With his family support and the streets on fire, B-Hamp isn’t all just music. Photo by: Sham Sharp Vision Photography
Bryan: At what age did you find interest in music? B-Hamp: Three or four, my dad use to have the amps back when people had the tens and the twelve’s. My dad use to play these hard bass line songs and it was that hard bass line that got me into music. Bryan: Who are your biggest motivations? B-Hamp: My kids are my biggest motivations. Bryan: How does your family feel about your rap career? B-Hamp: They love it, everything happened so fast, nobody had time to even really ask me “are you sure this what you want to do?“ My family is very suppor-
tive of me and my music. Bryan: Tell me about your 106 & Park experience. B-Hamp: It was a crazy experience, I thought I was going to perform and just say a few words and be done. No, I got to sit on the couch, it was a humbling experience to be the first Dallas artist to be on 106. And it was also my first time in New York City. Bryan: Did you meet anybody special while you were visiting New York? B-Hamp: Yeah, I met Mike Epps in 106 & Park Studios. We chopped it up, and when he visits Dallas if our schedules permit we still chop it up.
Bryan: What kind of things were you offered after being on a national show such as 106? B-Hamp: I got a endorsement deal with a glass wear company called Forever K Michael, a lot of movie production companies wanting to use Ricky Bobby in their films, and some movie roles, but a lot of it didn‘t fall through because of time and scheduling. Bryan: How did this make you feel? You went from being this kid that dreamed about making it to 106 & Park to being around celebrities, YOU are a celebrity. How did you feel about actually having your dreams come true? B-Hamp: It was crazy, you‘re sitting
at home working a 9 to 5 job one day and then the next day you can‘t even walk into the mall without people seeing you or can‘t even drive down the highway. It‘s a crazy feeling but at the same time if you‘re a humble person, you‘ll adapt to it. Those are the things you love to see, hear and do. You‘re going to want to take pictures with people and give them whatever they need, an autograph or whatever because those are the people that support you, those are the people that got you where you are. Bryan: What do you like or dislike about the industry? B-Hamp: What I dislike is, there are a lot of haters and they try to hate in the worst way that they can but if that‘s
my worst thing that I think about the industry then the industry isn‘t that bad at all because I feel you need those haters. If you‘ve got people hating on you then that means you‘re doing something right. I‘m glad people hate because that‘s going to do nothing but motivate me more to show them what I‘m doing. The thing that I love about the industry is traveling. I‘ve been to Germany, Hawaii, places that people wouldn‘t even think about going to. I never thought I would get to see Germany. Bryan: Did you go on a tour? B-Hamp: Not necessarily a tour but I did travel and perform my own shows and on other people‘s sets.
Bryan: Some people say you are a one hit wonder. How does that make you feel? B-Hamp: Back in the day it would get to me but honestly if you think about it, a lot of people don‘t know how the industry works. To everybody else you can be a one hit wonder, but in your city you can put out many songs, in your region you can have many many things moving. What is a one hit wonder? If you took one hit and did something with it, you can always come up with another. Everybody has their destiny and to me God does everything for a reason. When I was young I feel that God gave me that chance. My first go-round wasn‘t right, it was good but it wasn‘t my time yet. So now I feel that my time is coming because I have so many things going on for myself, I have so many things that I didn‘t do when I was Ricky Bobby that I‘m doing now. If you think about it, all of the most successful rappers took a break at a period of time in their career. Jay Z, Lil Wayne, I think Drake‘s taking a break now. Bryan: Do you consider yourself to be just a rapper? B-Hamp: I’m a rapper, but I have a business side also. I‘m working on a clothing line called BMX (Bout Makin Xtra), we already have people that can’t wait to get their hands on it! It will be released in the spring of 2013, you can order on bmxclothing.com or bhamp.com Bryan: What can we expect from B - Hamp in the future? B-Hamp: My mix tape is about to drop in early 2013, it‘s featuring all types of artist; I believe my fans are going to love it.
Born March 24,1989 in Hattiesburg Mississippi. Sharokee Watts started singing at the early age of 3 when her sister introduced her to the choir. She moved to Dallas Texas when she was 6 and has been on a mission to get heard and seen. Now 23, this versatile diva has mastered the art of Musical Theatre, Opera and she also raps, just pass her the mic and see what she does with it. Her voice will inspire you.
This amazing artist is a recent Engineering school graduate who is also working on getting a M.B.A and taking over the music industry. His music is electric. Every song sounds like he knew it would be his last. Born on January 28, 1988 in Macon, GA and raised in nearby Juliette, GA Young R is the voice of the yet to be respected Middle GA area as far as hip hop music. Making music became an early hobby, playing saxophone in grade school. At this time his presence as one of the top unsigned artist in Georgia was undeniable. In 2009 he recorded and released his most successful single to date Anotha Planet. Anotha Planet would spark millions of MySpace plays and YouTube Views, thousands of digital downloads and a
business negotiation with Jive Records which would cause a verse from multi-platinum artist Lil-Wayne to be recorded for the song. Young R has also performed with numerous major artists ranging from Monica to the Plain White Ts. All this was done while being a full time student in engineering school. With a B.S in Industrial Management to fall back on he has his sights set on becoming a hip hop legend and mogul. In his own words, his goal is to prove that nice guys dont finish last! Young R was also a recent finalist in the Georgia Lottery All Access Music Search. As a finalist, Young R was able to perform during halftime of the Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers game in front of 70,000 people and also perform on national
TV during the finale of the music search while being judged by major music industry names like Dallas Austin and Monica.
Marques Donell Williams (born June 19,1983) better known by his stage name Money Banks, is an all American rapper from Dallas, Texas. Growing up on the 2600 block of LeaCrest (a neighborhood in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Tx) the gang and drug infested atmosphere became appealing to Money Banks but after seeing childhood friends lose their lives or going to prison, reality finally began to set in. Money Banks started seriously pursing his love for music. With no knowledge of the industry he teamed up with a neighborhood friend who was also pursuing music named Lil Wunz in 2000. Lil Wunz had a studio inside his house where Marques finally had his first chance to record and transform to Bankhead whom eventually matured to who we now know as Money Banks. In 2005 he ran across a childhood friend by the name of Greg London also known as Solja Rubilotti who was signed to a local record label called Million Records. While teaming up with Solja Rubilotti, Money Banks was reintroduced to former associates Bobby Williams & Demitrich Scott. After creating a bond they later formed the group SwaggaBoiz. For-
tunately, while in the streets grinding, Money Banks ran into Co-founder and Co-C.E.O of Hawkeye Muzic, Damion Crawford better known as Terra Boi. After the exchange of music and a few phone conversations, Swaggaboiz began to record tracks at Hawkeye Music studios and later had a sit down with the Founder and C.E.O of Hawkeye Music Dakendrick Williams known as Big Smoove and became a part of the Hawkeye family. Not long after, SwaggaBoiz began to face irreconcilable differences within the group that ultimately cause them split. Being able to always hold his own and with the encouraging words from those that mattered the most, MoneyBanks continued on to follow his vision. With already being known in the streets he begin to build his own buzz by releasing singles with other well known local artist like; Low Deezie, Play Bleezy, Big Jig, Jheaven, Mike Dubb of Prime Time Click, Young Poody, King Fresh, War, Street, Nina E, Black Page just to name a few. He continues to add to his profile by being an artist that refuses to go nameless in all genres of music. Money Banks will be releasing his first debut album “The Vault� in 2013 that is already highly anticipated.