SUMMER 2013
Editor In Chief: Krystal Foster Photographers: Krystal Kourtney Photograpy Publisher: Konnectwork
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Every successful individual has a testimony of their past. Things just happen overnight for some, but for others like Dametre (D-Simp) Simpson there was a lot of headaches,chest pains,and lost years. Born in Chester,South Carolina DSimp was a product of a single parent home, same scenario with most young black males in poverty stricken communities. D-Simp learned the tricks and the trades of street life as early as the age of 11,where his passion for music first was created. Time progressed and fast money become more of an addiction instead of a hobby, puttin music as well as school as second priority. It took a few run-ins with law enforcement and a prison term of 4yrs.for D-Simp the artists to emerge from a troubled past that he was determined to leave behind. He later linked up with several independent labels such as Floss Records" with dreams of finally letting the world here his story. The success of the independent label and their crew "Floss Ballas",launched him into superstar status on a regional base. The success of his 1st single "Hold Up" as well as the video gave him street buzz that would later gain him radio exposure. Now the future looks even brighter for the artist as he just landed a deal with the legendary label "Shine Time Records" D-Simp's work ethic is like no other already spawning 2 new singles for the label "Hit Me A Lick" feat. Mr.Flip & “Face Down� .The videos for these highly anticipated releases will premire this summer following D-Simp's new mixtape "Headaches,Chest Pains,and Lost Years."D-Simp has managed to use the same gangsta mentality. He learned in the street ands incorporated it into a promising music career. The testimony D-Simp has given us has not only made him successful but, it has made him a legend in his city with thousands of followers.
BORN CHRISTOPHER PETERS ON NOVEMBER 18, 1979, THE SECOND SON OF BARBARA RUTH PETERS…AT A VERY YOUNG AGE CHRIS ALWAYS HAD A BOND WITH MUSIC…BORN IN FIELDCREST VILLAGE AND RAISED UP IN THE COMMUNITY OF NICHOLTOWN, AROUND DRUGS AND VIOLENCE,” MUSIC WAS ALWAYS MY ESCAPE! “BEFORE HE BEGAN RAPPING,HE USED TO WRITE RHYMES FOR HIS TEENAGE COUNTERPARTS BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE BEGAN TO PEN RHYMES AND LYRICS FOR HIS FRIENDS EVERYTIME THEY WENT TO THE RECORDING STUDIO. IT WAS ONLY THEN THAT CHRIS BEGAN TO RECEIVE AN HERENDOUS AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK FROM HIS PEERS. IN THE SUMMER OF 1994 CHRISTOPHER AUDITIONED FOR A PRODUCER IN THE GREENVILLE AREA, AND WAS GIVEN PRAISE FOR HIS TALENT. HE QUOTED “THIS IS THE REASON WHY I AM HERE TILL THIS VERY DAY”! CASSO HAS ALWAYS FAVORED MUSICAL ARTIST SUCH AS NAS, NOTORIOUS BIG, THE WU TANG CLAN, RAKIM,ETC…OLD SCHOOL REAL HIPHOP…HE QUOTED”IN THE ERA OF ALL MY HARD HEAD MISTAKES PLUS MY MOTHER BEING DIAGNOSED WIT BREAST CANCER, I TURNED TO WRITING TO EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ON PAPER! “MY FAMILY IS MY MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCE WHEN IT COMES TO MY MUSIC”….AFTER NUMEROUS MIXTAPES STRICTLY FOR THE STREETS, CASSO FEELS THAT HE HAS FINALLY ELEVATED TO A STATUS OF COMFORT ABILITY IN HIS MUSIC. CASSO HAS A MISSION TO FULFIL ALONG WITH ROLL READY RECORDS TO BRING REAL HIP HOP BACK. HE QUOTES” I FEEL LIKE THE ERA OF MUSIC GENERATING NOW IS OK BUT DOESN’T MEET THE CRITERA OF WHAT WE CALL HIP HOP…I AM HIP HOP AND HIP HOP MADE ME.WITH MY NEXT PROJECT IN THE MAKING, ENTITLED “MONTANA’S THEORY” I OPEN UP A DIFFERENT PART OF MY MIND. DDRESSING MANY ISSUES I HAVE WITH MUSIC AND CRITICS WHICH WILL DEBUT LATER IN THE SUMMER OF 2012 …WITH A SMOOTH AND DIVERSE FLOW, CASSO DELIVERS POETIC RHYMES OVER SOLIDIFIED BEATS THAT ATTRACTS ALL AUDIENCES. HE IS ONE OF ROLL READY RECORD’S SECRET WEAPONS, WITH HIS 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GAME, HE IS SURE TO BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH! CASSO MONTANA…THE TRUTH!
WWW.PICASSOMONTANA.COM
MR MONE Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Ramon 'Mr Mone' Oneal started chasing his dreams of becoming a rap ar st as a kid in middle school. Influenced by ar sts such as Tupac Shakur, Scarface, NWA, LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane, Mr Mone embodies the elements of what rap was in it's best days; lyrical content, passion, and vision. Over the years he recorded numerous songs which never got out due to him being incarcerated and conflict with local producers who was wan ng him to change his style. Hearing Mr Mone music, it captures the inner most souls of his listeners. Songs like 'DREAMS" speaks of his childhood, being raised in poverty, and dreaming for a be er day. The song "A PLACE 2 CALL HOME' he raps about a young girl lost in the street life with no direc on of where she is going as a young pros tute. All in all, Mr Mone brings a breath of fresh air; something different than just alcohol, drugs, and sex. Mr Mone has also decided to start his own Independent Record Label, 'INNA CITY INNATAINMENT'. He will be releasing his own work as well as the loca ng and signing other ar sts with similar music as himself. HIs new single 'DREAMS' is being considered as one of the best to ever come out of his city!!
When did you first realize you wanted to become a rapper? I knew I wanted to be a rapper when I took my first check from working after school and put a drum machine on lay away. Even though I needed new shoes, I invested on my love for music How do you separate yourself from other artists? The difference between me and a lot of the other artist currently in the game is that I speak about what's actually happened in my life as well as what I've seen. Reality rap is what I call it. Who influenced your style? My style is mostly influenced by 2pac but if you listen close you can hear the Scarface, Biggie, Nas, L.L., and OutKasts influences as well. But people associates me with 2pac because of the passion in my voice and lyrical content. Do you have any regrets in pursuing this career? I have no regrets at all about pursuing a rap/music career simply because it's what I love doing the most! What obstacles did you have to overcome to get this far? I had to overcome the struggles of ghetto life as well as doing time in prison not mention losing my mother while incarcerated. Is there any advice you'd like to give to young aspiring artists? My advice to any up and coming artist is to never give up. If music is your love, keep pushing it,keep grinding it until they know you're serious about your craft, make em hear you. If you had to tell someone why they should listen to your music, what would you tell them? If you a person that's been thru some things in life, you wanna listen to my music. If you loved music with thoughtful lyrics, you wanna hear my music. I would tell them to listen to my music and will get a breath of fresh air from all the garbage that's polluting the industry right.
So, what are your thoughts on the current state of the game? My thoughts of the current game is most new rappers have failed to create a timeless identity. Most are the same run of the mill artist mostly talking about sex, drugs and violence, nothing that's game changing, only music for the moment. Can your fans expect any live performances/shows coming up? Yes my fans can expect a show/concert in the next few months after more people are introduced to my music. What would your dream collaboration be and why? Well my dream collab would have been with Pac but that want ever happen, well at least not in this world. But I would say a collab with Dr Dre or Jay-Z would be special. What do you think of the indie hip hop scene? I think the indie hip hop scene is flourishing. It's easier to be heard with all the social media outlets .Nowadays you don't have to be shopping demos, just do your thing and put it up on YouTube. When you’re not making music, what other types of music and artists do you enjoy listening to? When I'm listening to other artist I'm listening to Jay-Z, T.I., Jeezy, Kendrick Lamar and hip hop classics of yesteryear. How do you motivate yourself to stay in this industry? My motivation to stay in the industry is mostly derived from my love for hip hop.I can't ever divorce my music, I'm stuck forever, unconditional love. Lastly, when you’re at home, and not making music, what do you do for fun? When I ain't making music I'm either travelling or at the gym working out. But you can definitely catch me at a book store trying to find an intriguing book to read. Ain't much to do out there these days. Might catch a club here and there but I basically stay out the way from all the bs out there.
ALBUM AVAILABLE JULY 21ST, 2013 RAMONE O’NEAL
www.MRMONE.com
Attached to you since the day you held me in your arms It took my heart away when I heard them say that you was gone No shoulder to lean on in my hardest times I'm still crying It never crossed my mind, I thought you'd be here til the end of time Imagine a love one dying, it's hard when it's your mother And even though they'll try, there never will be another —MR MONE
Collaboi Collaboi is a solo artist from Charleston, SC. He is working with many producers and artist from indie to major. He has written hooks to feature Gotti, Where my niggas at; D-cutta, Dirt Dickerson. Producers include Sekay music group, Carlos aka C-lo, Young C note, Brayl Mak, Tdrop aka Roxe, and Karvell to name a few. He has performed at many venues like Savoy Red Light in Atlanta. New music stay tuned www.reverbnation.com/collaboi http://www.hulkshare.com/collaboi
You can find all his pages on Google by searching collaboiswagg Follow on twitter: collaboiswagg Facebook: collaboi scatl
Contact info: 980-819-9724-Personal Chae’Tae Management (704)534-6785
Hood Proof Ent. Promo ons,founded by CEO Raymond Johnson(Ray Money/ Big Pook) from Spartanburg,S.C. Ini ally as a vehicle to promote music from Spartanburg,S.C. but now has grown to a company and brand that promotes music camps/teams,indie ar sts/labels,dancers,videographers,basically all forms of talent from all over the en re state of South Carolina and the southeast. we have grown state to state tenn,sc,ny,nj.texas,atl,vir.nc.alba,miss,pi s,and a.. Over the past seven years Hood Proof Ent. has been very ac ve in the music/entertainment scene by pu ng on local/independent ar st showcases, shoo ng videos and commercials for local/independent ar sts also teaming up with other entertainment camps, organiza ons and social clubs to bring posi ve entertaining events, with the main purpose of promo ng undiscovered talent. CEO Ray Money along with ac ng co-CEO Lamont McCravy(Nizza) are pushing Hood Proof from being a company to becoming a movement and household name. To help one further understand the goal and purpose of Hood Proof Ent. let's go behind the name; a bullet proof vest is designed to protect and prevent you from being killed by bullets...Hood Proof's desire is to inspire people to not let "da hood" kill your dreams, hopes, talents and aspira ons, basically become Hood Proof! In conclusion Hood Proof has and always will work with serious promoters, ar sts, social clubs, models, dancers, photographers, small businesses, producers, music camps and other entertainment companies to help promote and get involved in your event and movement. Lastly asking everyone to stay Hood Proof all day-everyday!!!