MR DREAMZ LAYZIE BONE by Mr Dreamz Magazine

Suga Kayne

Layzie Bone Sweet yJ

24 Suzanne Loh

Ziggy

The Rockst ar

Rello Shimmer Baby

CONTRIBUTORS MR DREAMZ “SECTIONS” Publisher We So Smooth Entertainment LLC Editor in chief The Dreamaker Contributing writers Joha Brown, Winnie MC, B.B Bouk, Trish Cassis Photographers Christopher Levet

Contributing illustrator The Dreamsignerz, Solomon Reece Mr Dreamz Canada Officer Mathew Perrault/ C.R.E.A.M Communication PR/ Marketting We So Smooth Entertainment LLC/ C.R.E.A.M Communication Cover Design

WORDS ABOUT MY WORLD. 14

And God created Woman... 10/22/38

From Florida to UK, Mr Dreamz celebrates the urban scene with our 2 special guests RELLO & SHIMMER BABY.

Special focus on italian & malaysian models with Mr Dreamz. New style, New faces, Mr Dreamz opens the window on the world.

SPOTLIGHTS ON. 20

LAYZIE BONE: FAMILY FIRST! 42

SODMG is the building with the new Soulja boy’s signature ZIGGY the teen Rockstar!

ALL EYEZ ON ME. 24

The Next Big Thing is here! Listen to the underground voice from the Hood! Starring the Nigerian rapper SUGAKAYNE.

Special LAYZIE BONE issue! He gives for Mr Dreamz magazine an exclusive interview, sharing with us his incredible career & the secret of his longevity.

HEART OF ART. 46

FIRST PART of our Harlem Renaissance Saga! We cant know who we are today if we ignore the heritage of the past.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE NEW ERA FOR A NEW GENERATION OF DREAMERZâ&#x20AC;?

Music or the Art to transcribe emotions through melodies, sounds, words... Some notes on a piano, some drums on the MPC, a few words on paper ... and suddenly ... the magic happens. From Paris to Miami, NY to Tokyo, London to L.A, Mr Dreamz captures the urban art in all its forms in order to let the street talk. Cultures, languages differ but the message remains the same. With the social networks and new technologies, the magazine aims at openning the door to all these underground artists whose the talent just waiting to be put in front of the stage. We got Dreamz, we got Hope, we got Talents... We are the future... Success always comes from dreamz. Working from Paris to Miami, via Montreal, Mr. Dreamz has developed over the years an extensive international network involving all the continents. Travels, cultural experiences and discoveries made all over the globe by Dreamaker (CEO), are the starting point of the adventure. Working with more than 50 professionals worldwide, the magazine plays its card on the international field. Art... beyond the borders. By providing opportunities for younger generations, the mag has created the movement to help underground talents to get a real exposure and acquire a solid presence through medias, digital and print. Mr Dreamz is positioned as a new springboard for a whole new niche of artists, from rapper, singer, producer, models etc ... Special thanks to LAYZIE BONE & Qween Ching for that new release. Dream Kayris aka Dreamaker.

First Letter Three months since his first interview with Mr. Dreamz Magazine, First Letter has been a very busy young man. The budding young producer has since gone to produce new material for comeback acts such as Ruff Ryders artist Drag-On and Flo’Rida protege, Ghostwridah from the Miami area. He has also gained himself an endorsement deal through Boy London clothing, an independent fashion brand from the UK. “I’m just trying to have my hands in everything for 2012” claims First Letter. Currently, he is in the studio working on his debut album which is five months in the making. Along with producing new material, he is steadily building his network amongst music industry insiders in order to place his feet further in the door, so to speak. “I’m getting into the habit of contacting artist I want to work with much more aggressively this year than ever before. I’m not limiting myself to just music. I’m working with a couple fashion labels from Europe in order to catch an international buzz as well. I think outside of the box, looking at the bigger picture. These days, companies are interested in how well you brand yourself and hustle. I’m out to do both”. Follow me @Firstletter1

J LADY BURLESQUE

SWEETY

Photo by Enzo Calcagni

SEXY CLASSY

FRESH STYLE Interview by B.B Book Nino

“

Each of my tattoos tells something about me with the same level of importance...”

At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to be a model? Just after posing for a friend photographer, I realized I would love doing this as my job. I really enjoyed myself during the shootings, in changing dresses, make up etc... Why Sweety Jamaica is your model name ? What does it mean? Sweety J is the stage name I use for burlesque. The “J” in the name recalls my real name, that is Jamaica. Sweety represents my intimate nature; you can easily see a very aggressive look, but the name has to represent something else. How is the modeling industry in Italy? Do you feel that there are a lot of opportunities for young upcoming models ? Modeling market in Italy is much overinflated. Unfortunately there are plenty of girls defining themselves as “models” from out of nowhere, just by doing some bad quality pictures at home, using a compact camera! Only a small number of them can pose professionally. I think there would be some opportunities, but this job is too often seen as insignificant. Is Modeling your full time job ? No, I’m not just a model, I’m also a burlesque performer, painter, singer... I mean... everything that is art, is my job! Can you explain us what is the BURLESQUE for italian? Burlesque is a newcomer in Italy and people are still quite ignorant about it. Only in a few cities there are dedicated clubs or theaters. For many people is just a kind of strip tease, but there is much more !

How many tattoos you got ? Which is your favorite one ? I have 10 tattoos on my body, but there’s still a lot of room to fill in! I haven’t got a favorite one, each of them tells something about me with the same level of importance. For you, what characteristics are the most important to succeed in this industry? Important features in this industry are, in my opinion, humbleness, endurance, simpleness. But first, you have to be able to enjoy and love both yourself and your job! Who would you say is the personn that did really inspire you? I’m not inspired by anyone in particular. On the contrary there are a lot of people and fantastic sets that have made their contribution to create my character. What are your other talents? I can draw and paint, dance, sing and doing funny imitations of people I love! I should maybe do cabaret! If you were a flower...You would be ? A red rose... passional but full of thorns! An animal.... ? A cat, of course! A song... ? Imagine (Perfect Circle version) A book... ? The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley) www.youtube.com/OfficialSweetyJ

@mrdreamzmag

Success always comes from Dreams

www.godforgivesidont.com

RELLO ROCSTAR LIVE... Rocstar live was a well known entertainment company owned by Mr Matthews who is actually my older brother so they were already making a name for themselves as a company while i was a younging in middle school rapping on headsets trying to figure out who i was. When i graduated high school and really had the time to develop as an artist is when Rocstar live took notice and took me under the wing. It was changing for my career and my life in general. Without that professional guidance who knows where my career would be right now. I feel like everyone needs someone to look up too. I never had anybody with any ties to the industry at all to teach me how to be a pro so that’s where Rocstar Live comes in, us being able to learn and grow together is a beautiful thing, who knows we may be the next Roc-a-fella or Def Jam one day. MILITARY KIDS TAPE... Yeah and my fans and support system is responsible for that buzz on the net. They really embrace what i’m doing. The whole idea of Military kids came off of the streghth of me writing my best music when im at home which is a military town. I’m deeply fascinated with the craziness of my city. I wanted to give my city something to be proud of, and something the world could be proud of too cuz thats what gives music, that good feeling when a large number of people really “feel” you. So i took it serious and wanted to put out a good product i knew could take me to the next level. No one from my city has ever had success or made any noise in the “industry”. My city and state is my hollywood, i put on for them. This is my life, and because i felt like this is the project that can spark things for me it was special. In my mind i have finally found myself musically.

HIGHLIGHTS... I could name a few. Opening for Spitta was pretty great, The whole process of creating my first real project in Military Kids, Doing my first out of state show in Kansas where girls showed tiddies and danced on stage, Having drops and support from some dudes that are really doing it big right now in 9th wonder, Big Krit, Nepsy Phibs, Smoke Dza and YG. And headlining my first show where people actually paid to see ME was pretty dope. That opening stuff gets old, when no one knows the words! haha everyone wants to be the main attraction, if they say otherwie they are lying. « I KNOW»... NEW SINGLE... It’s more like a street single, my first real single is about to drop called “3 strikes” which is a real big record. I think it has the potential to make noise on the charts. It’s a real fun song and different from what i’d usually stray towards musically. But I like to have fun with music sometimes man. I feel like if you’re not having fun and making something people can have fun to sometimes, there’s a problem. FUTURE... Couple Gold or platinum albums to show off, I wanna be considered a great in my era no doubt about it. Definitley be producing for other young artist 10 years from now. Have some Grammy’s under my belt. My own label with other platinum artist on it, and i want people to think of me when they think of authentic true to yourself hip hop and say “I wouldnt mind being like Rello” that kid did some great things musically. The industrys gotten so crazy because now ya grandpa might could get on, too many people doing it not enough’s good, But i wanna be the one to restore it so when people think of the industry, they dont have such a bad taste in the mouth.

“everyone wants to be the main attraction, if they say otherwie they are lying.

from Jacksonville

FOLLOW ME @rello910 Photo by C.Jefferson

“

Hip-Hop is ever changing and is the height of fashion and creativity. Hip-Hop is all about being bigger and better” Interview by M.Brown INFLUENCES... Although I live in the UK, my ethnic background is very mixed and I grew up listening to a multitude of sounds. My greatest influence to date, however, is definitely the Queen herself, Lil Kim.

HIGHLIGHTS... I’ve had many highlights but personally, to date, it’s releasing my first EP, Easy Like Sundae? I think it showcases my versatility and offers a sample of what’s yet to come. Better yet, it’s free here:

YOUR NAME... Oh dear! Well the truth is, I used to try my hand at a spot of graffiti. *Covers face* Shimmer was my tag name and I felt like a big mean bitch changing it and turning my back on my earlier years…*blushes*

http://hoodtapes.co.uk/shimmer-baby-easy-likesundae/

ORIGINALITY... Nerdy chic with a London accent sprinkled on top… who needs cherries huh? ARTIST SITUATION... I’m an independent artist, currently managed by Mr Johnson, head of Media Production Company, @ UrbanFlash. Flash is to thank for all my juicy visuals. Together, the team and I, are running with the “Baby” movement and I couldn’t have hoped for things to go better. “LONE SOLDIER”... Gee Thanks! :D The new Video Lone Soldier, is kinda Ghetto Fab yet sprinkled with a beautiful Bashment vibe, thanks to my babes, Miss Lisa Mercedez. Produced by C.Dot, it’s a good listen…even if I say so myself.

EASY LIKE SUNDAE... My fans are always so lovely and have welcomed it. Many of the UK sites did Shimmer take over’s, splashing my banners all over their front pages to support the release. It’s really sweet to receive so much encouragement. I’m truly thankful and am now ready to start work on my Album. 10 YEARS FROM NOW... Oh my! I’m so bad at these future questions. I can’t even pick my bag for the day…maaaan! FUTURE OF HIP HOP... Wow, another future question…surely that’s bullying no? Erm, well Hip-Hop is ever changing and is the height of fashion and creativity. Hip-Hop is all about being bigger and better so it can only grow and continue to incorporate other musical elements, for instance recent years saw a heavy Dance influence…Hip-Hop will continue to evolve and that’s certified! :D

www.twitter.com/shimmerbaby 16

Shimmer Baby

“Nerdy chic with a London accent sprinkled on top…...”

www.rozayraw.com

ZIGGY THE ROCKSTAR “We wanted “Follow yourto start a movement dreams and work that has hardour at city them.” never seen before.” Interview by Joha Brown How long have you been seriously in the music industry? My career got really serious about 2 years ago. I accomplished hundreds of live shows and several film features and became known as a Young Teen Celebrity . How did you hook up with SODMG? I was chosen to be a celebrity ball player at the CORE DJ Celebrity Basketball game. After the game Steve Brock, The CEO of SODMG and I met in VIP and connected. The rest is history and my future with SODMG begins. For a teen, you already have thousands live performances under your belt ! What has been your best one ? The top#1 in your memory? Well I wouldn’t say thousands but definitely hundreds. They all have been great because I love being on stage. The one performance that stands out the most has to be performing for the PeachDrop Celebration in Atlanta New Years Eve. It was hour long set for me, the longest set I ever performed and I had my band backing me up.. Straight Rocked It!! It was #EPIC How can you describe your music style ? My music is a mixture of Hip Hop, Rock and Pop. I can relate to all genres and love to create music with a different style to keep my fans attention. That’s so impressive to create such a big buzz being a very young solo artist? So what has been your secret? Your strategy? Well this passion I have for entertaining is deep so its kind of easy for me to keep it 100 and not burn out because I love what I do. However I could not do it without my management team who are my parents. They work around the clock making sure I have all it takes and the right people in place to make it happen. I can’t thank them enough for all they do.

What are you cooking for the summer? I just released my very first mixtape, POETIC JUSTICE Volume 1, at the beginning of summer and now I am working on my EP. You can listen and download a complimentary copy of my mixtape on my site www.teamziggy.net The EP is gonna be even better and will have a few surprise guests on it. I don’t have a release date for the EP yet. Who is the best emcees in the game currently? There are so many emcees doing it big right now. I must admit its hard for me to even narrow it down because the music game has really stepped up to the plate. I learn so much from all types of artists and genres. Any particular message for all the Mr Dreamz magazine readers? Follow your dreams and work hard at them. Nothing is ever given to you and I’m not saying its gonna be easy but it’s definitely going to be worth it once you have reached your goal. I wanna send a shout to my fans #teamziggy and my management team & label 7Records South. Also much love to my CEO of SODMG Soulja Boy and my SODMG COO Steve Brock. Check out www.teamziggy.net and www.sodmgclothingstore.com. Stayed tuned for the Ziggy The Rockstar inspired SODMG clothing line.. Thank you Mr. Dreamz Magazines for this opportunity.

Follow me @ ROCKSTARZIGGY 20 20

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Photos by mike parker/lane studios photography.

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Photos by Royale Images www.royaleimages.com

Photos by Soho/ Hong Kong

eated And God cr

E N N A Z U S LOH

SEXY EXOTIC

FRESH STYLE Interview by Winnie MC

www.princesstalking.blogspot.com

“ I’ve been showing the potential of Asian models to the world modeling industry...” What characteristics are the most important to succeed in this industry? Self believing and confidence. I don’t think a person could handle themselves perfectly if they never have confidence. Meanwhile, to self believing is a way to keep myself not to give up easily. Other than your look, what do you bring to the modeling industry? As an Asian face model, I believe that I’ve been showing the potential of Asian models to the world modeling industry. Besides bringing the opportunity for the people discover the Asian side, as well telling the possibility to the Asian model that we could archive something. Are you full time model? Yes, I work as a full time model. For you, what is the most important issue in the world today and why? Respectful. Obviously nowadays, we are in high technology century, our world grow bigger and bigger but I’ve found some people has missing the basic behavior of a human being. We can’t avoid natural disaster, but we can avoid hurting people’ feeling and being disrespectful. What are your origins? I am Malaysian.

I guess you have already traveled a lot... What is your favorite destination and why? I have not only one favorite place and I prefer leisure environment. Such as Pulau Pinang (Malaysia), Taipei (Taiwan), Bled (Slovenia). These three are completely different culture and languages but I do found something in common which I really admire. I always get to feel relax and release while I’m living in these three places. For the fans, are you single? ( dont break hearts! :-) I’m pretty sure my official statement still remains as single. But I’m seeing somebody. What is the most creative thing a guy has said or done to approach you? I remember when I was in Macau, there’s a singer approached me by singing a song with my name on stage which written by himself. What is your definition of BEAUTY? I have to admit outlook beauty is an “automatically scanning” when we meet someone. But I believe, women are like red wines. The more we grow, the more experience we gain, the beauty are distribute from inner and keep you impress more than each time. The person you would most like to meet is ... David Chiang. He is “Really beautiful” for Karl Lagerfeld.

Can you describe your music in three words? I would say my music is unique, relateable & needed How & when did you found “S2 Entertainment”? Who is the team behind that label? I started the label with my cousin Shadow P. out of Chicago right after i was out from jail back in 04. We were tired of getting in legal issues so we buckled down and got serious but nothing really started to create a buzz until about 09 when i released my first mixtape. It’s comprised of the artist a.K.a out of Chicago, production team Pulling Stringz (Shadow P & Kyle Pierce out of Chicago), my A&R Nate Blanchfield, my P.R. rep Benjamin ‘Trey’ Petrose & myself. We also have affiliates of the label like the Young boy B.Morris out of Milton, FL, the prod team Sonicoustics [Code E Keyz & Psy Fidelity] & prod Vay Mega. Bone Thugs n Harmony... How did this group influence you lyrically & musically? Bone was the first group i heard that made me feel like this dream was actually possible to live out. They were unique - doing things musically in hip hop that had never been heard before and i knew i didn’t want to do it like everyone else. They sang WHILE spitting hip hop. I’ve always been a fan of melody so it just hit me hard and as a kid i was just infatuated with them haha! Being from Nigeria, living is usa... Are you still rapping for your brother in Africa? Yes. That’s a big reason i work hard toward this helping my country. About 98% of my family is still in Nigeria and i think GOD does everything for a reason. It could have been any one of my cousins to grow up in America the way i did and go through the things i’ve been through to be able to write about....but it was me. i have projects i want to begin in Nigeria like opening schools & pharmacy stores. i never take things for granted for the simple fact that i have family living life with just about nothing. Not all of Nigeria is like that but i would like to begin to bring my town Makurdi into modern age just as i live it here in America.

“The indie album Evolution 8008 drops late August 2012. I’m dropping it for FREE on www.sugakayne.net so keep your money. I’m dropping videos for the 1st 2 singles in late July 1 is a more R&B track and the other is straight hip hop. This is a great QUALITY album with bangers & real life issues/stories.” Tell us more about the single WHO I AM... “Who I Am” is a mixtape track that was produced by a long time friend of mine Chandler “J.R.” Davis in Pensacola, FL. He gave me a disc of about 10 beats and that was the first beat that caught my attention. Right when i heard it i basically blacked out haha. i was talked about so much for wanting to do music but people considered it “wack”. So i wanted to do a track to basically be cocky on and let them know what they were up against - lyrically & just in the general sense of a total song. It got pretty big and got about 40,000 views on my youtube page within about 3-4 weeks which helped my mixtape Anointed II get into some national spotlight. What is your bigger challenge for 2012? My bigger challenge is spreading the word about this independent album Evolution 8008 & trying to keep up with my schedule since it’s been getting busier and busier. John Christopher of Knucklhead Promotions has taken me in and opened up like 10 doors and i’m thankful for that. So we’re working hard on this album and just trying to bring good music

Photo by Ordell Candler

Follow me @SugaKayneMusic 25

“We make sure to always give our audiance quality music that is original and authentic.” www.twitter.com/gnaxmusic

Where did you meet? We met while working on an R&B mixtape back in 2006. That’s how we were first introduced to one another. How can you describe G.NAX music? G.NAX music is a mixture of R&B/Soul/HipHop with carribbean and african flavors. What gives you the inspiration in your songs? It could be life expericences, music we hear on the radio or songs we grew up listenning to. Being from Canada, is it harder to shine for an underground artist ? It depends how you consider “shine”. As far as G.NAX is concerned, we get recognition and support from a lot of people but still we’re aiming to become mainstream artists. Put your city on the map is your goal ? We know where we come from! Are we going to be the ones to put the city on the map? Hopefully, but only time will tell… How did you hook up with Bizzy Bone for your new single « Killin’ It » ? Actually, it all started with a tweet which basically said we wanted to do a track with him. His people got in touch with us and that’s how it happened.

How do you choose the tracks you sing on? It really depends. Sometimes we get beats from producers, other times we approach them with a concept, an idea. We both have a different approach as far as recording and creating. But we always work together and consult each other for any musical decision we make. What are your motivations & projects? We’re woking on our 1st album which will be out before the end of the year. We also have a mixtape coming out soon What makes you got next as a top artists coming from Canada? We make sure to always give our audiance quality music that is original and authentic. But most importantly, we always make music we enjoy and we believe that this will keep us growing as artists. To this date what is the hottest verse you’ve said on your songs? The problem with this question is that everytime we create something new we feel like it’s the hottest verse we’ve ever made (laugh). Sherley : I think Orphee’s hottest verse is his remix to Drake’s I’m On One. Hands down ! He killed it !! Mr.Accent: My favorite verse from Sherley is the one she did for the T-Pain contest on the song Motivated ! She should have won but guess T-Pain never heard our version (laugh)

“We know where we come from!”

Your music sounds really Caribbean... Being from Kansas, I guess that the majority of artists would got into hip hop. How & why did you choose that musical style? I listen to everything but i grew up on Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Garnet Silk, Maxi Priest. So naturally im going to go with what I know the smoother softer side of Reggae. How did you choose your artist name? It started out as a child hood pet name and just never went away, i ended up liking it more than i thought. What are your main influences? Any mentors? A specific mentor? No. And im strongly influenced by life, whether it be mine or the ones surrounding me. I’m highly driven by emotion anything i can feel, i write. What has been your best experience so far as an artist? :) Ive had some good times but i have yet to experience the best moment in my career. We couldn’t make this interview without talking about your HELP US track. Can you share with us the story behind that song? that song was birthed the same week as the earthquake in Haiti. i was in Jamaica at the time and i just remember waking up to the news and seeing the photos hearing how much destruction was still taking place even after the natural disaster had passed. I couldn’t imagine living in such turmoil, but i could feel the hurt. As an artist, what are you trying to accomplish? Reggae music is sprinkled across the world becoming more watered down each generation, but i want to douse the music industry with it. there is more to reggae music than dancehall and dj-ing. Whats are your coming projects for the summer? MORE WRITING. Putting together a treatment for my first single “Leaving” but mostly in studio work.

“Reggae music is sprinkled across the world becoming more watered down each generation” What is your best verse you ever written? I’ll let you know when i reach #1 on the billboard charts exactly what verse is my favorite. :) www.cateyesmusic.com

Photo by Berman Fenelus /Allarearew

presented by WAJU BEATS

“Stay in the fast lane” Being from NJ, Who are the producers who did influence your music? There are only a few producers in NJ that have really impacted the way I produce music. I currently live in Pennsauken, South of New Jersey, about 5 min outside Philly. So, with that said, producers who have impacted me indirectly and directly are Jahlil Beats, Tone the Beat Bully, Wala Beats, as well as Stephen “Stro” Tucker. These are producers in my area who I enjoy listening to, and whose music I can constantly learn something from. How did you choose your artist name? Well, my artist name is WajuBeats, and to be honest with you, my girlfriend Hannah gave it to me one day as I was making music. It’s a funny story because people use to call me Ldezze and she made fun of the name to the point that I thought I needed to change it hahaha, so I did. And, since I consider her my good luck charm I’m sticking with it! Tell us more about the STREET RACERS. Is it a label? A movement? StreetRacer Productions is a music production company founded by Warren “Wala Beatz” Adams, Cameron Price, as well as myself Lanre “WajuBeats” Odunlami. The company name is a metaphor. Usually street racers are fast, cool, calm, and fresh, which are all things we see in our company and ourselves. Because of the nature of a street racer, our motto is: “Stay in the fast lane”. We pride ourselves in making original high quality music that is able to spark emotion amongst our listeners and artists we deal with. Our team consists of: Myself, as the head producer, Wala beatz, as another head producer, Cameron Price, as Video Director, Marty Mar, the engineer, Chaz Moss, our A&R to prospect new talent, Hannah Magnusson, who handles the social media aspect of things.

With all those new software & equipments, is it easier to make a beat today? Yes it is, and it does saturate the market but it makes for fun competition! Please describe your sound? The sound that we like to classify our beats with is swag music! Hahah very simple. The chords, sounds, instruments, and drums aim at provoking a significant emotion and ultimately, we call that emotion swag! More importantly, our music has a unique and versatile sound, one that can complement many artists across multiple genres. Do you listen to other genre of music? Yes of course. We don’t only make hip hop music. We also produce a ton of cinematic music, rock music, pop/house music, and more. These are all genres of music that brings out musical passion, inspiration as well as motivation in all of us, which ultimately steps up our game and helps us feed off of one another’s creations. Whats are your upcoming projects for 2012? This year we produced beats for a couple of artists, Peedi Crakk, E.Dott, Damian Johnson, Marty Mar amongst others. Currently the new projects we are dealing with are coming out of Canada with an artist who is on the Degrasse show, and London, with an agent by the name Adele Armas. So this year should be exciting, and we hope that our fans enjoy the music we make!

www.therealstreetracers.com

Being from Kansas, Who are the artists who did influence your music? Got some mentors? I spent a lot of time with my Aunt Susan, who listened to a variety of genres. She exposed me to various artists such as: Gladys Knight, Cher, The Carpenters, Jimmie Hendrix, and The Judds & Many more. I am more influenced by eras of music opposed to specific artists. I absorbed the 80’s Pop/Rock, the 90’s R&B, and I observed the establishment of Hip Hop. Instruments also hold sway over the music I conceive, primarily the Wood Winds section. In music, I have two Mentors: Tupac and Selena Quintanilla. My admiration stems from the music and cultural barriers they crossed, the struggles they endured, their accolades and achievements, and most importantly the legacy they left behind. I can only dream to leave such an impact on the world as they did. Who are the people who work with you? Who is the team behind your work? I have purchased beats from: Swollen Drumz, Vybe Beatz, Purps, Prince and Jaywan, Inc. I have been honored to be placed on several mix tapes, starting with: DJ Ransom Dollars, DJ Chronic, DJ Tsunami, DJ Young Cee, Hugo the Boss Promo, and Coast2Coast Mix tapes, Rude Dobe, Dank Nitty, Mr. Dreamz & Many More to Come. The “team” behind my music is: Preach & Quior Boi of Dead Soul Jahs, A.J. Plunkett & Aida Irene of Empress Entertainment©. They each contribute different yet complimentary elements to the music I create. Can you share with us the concept behind your recent EP “Confession of an Empress”... I am an Independent artist from a hidden land that receives seldom recognition from the music industry. There have been no founding forefathers to pave the way for artist here. The chance of a Major Label “discovering” a small-town Kansas artist is second to none. In order to ascertain acknowledgment I must reach out, create a fan base, & bring awareness to my music, my brand and my State, on my own; constructing an Empire. My EP consists of publications that reveal several personal experiences I have encountered while creating this Dynasty, hence, the title “Confessions of an Empress”.

“I can only dream to leave such an impact on the world as TUPAC & Selena QUINTANILLA did” Photo by Reckless Robot Photography

Where can the fans download/Buy it? The World Wide Web!! You can DL my music by visiting these websites: www.misstai.com , www.soundclick/taidotcom , www.reverbnation/taidotcom, www.million-dollar-models. com/Miss_Tai. Just Google Me!! The possibilities are endless!!! Do you plan to shoot new videos to promote that release? Yes sir. Within the next 6 weeks I anticipate shooting my first Flick. I will most likely do a few Infomercials as a slight introduction and then drop my first video for my track “The Plug (It’s A Wrap)”.

FOLLOW ME @taidotcom

Through your visuals & music, we observe that Seduction has a really important presence. Is Miss Tai a great seducer? :-) I can show you better than I can tell you!

For people who dosent know you,where you come from? I come from Cincinnati,Ohio, United States. MWG IS THE FUTURE: THE NEW RELIGION IS NOW!! What does that mean for you? For me MWG IS THE FUTURE means that my group (MWG) will be the new face of the music industry & other entertainment as well. ”The New Religion is out Now” is referring to my Island def jam digital Debut Album which is available now for purchase at digital retailers worldwide.The title means “change”, trying something new or different. On the album, I did less songs about violence,drugs,etc. & more songs about my life outside of that, like family & growing up where I come from. How long have you really been in the game & how has your music evoluated so far? My first official release came out in 09. As far as my music, my content has changed. The radio, media, magazines, blogs & collaborations with other artist in different regions changed what I use to rap about, which is because i’m in a different environment, interacting, networking & doing business with different artist & different people. Why are you so original? I try not to get into trends & bad wagons. They come & go so fast, its hard to keep up with them, So I stay the true to myself but branch out every once in a while, as oppose to other artists mimicking whatever they see on tv, or hear on the radio.

CP BABY self ” DEE’VYNE

“stay the true to my-

What are your projects? I just released my APP titled “CP BABY WORLD” which is available for free at app stores worldwide. Im releasing the third installment of my mixtape series “Welcome to Da nati vol.3”, & “SO COLD” which is a instrumental album produced by me, look out for my new single coming out real soon.

Follow me @ 513cpbaby

As a dancehall/ Reggae artist, who did influence your music? Growing up as a child without my father around I spent a lot of time with my uncle Tom. Whenever I was around him, he would always be listening to old school music like, KRS 1, Dougie Fresh, Run DMC, and people of that nature. Also, him being from Honduras, he also had that connection with the Non-Americans, and because of this and his influece from friends, he was introduced to reggae. He’d listen to Bob Marley, Gregory Isiac, Beres Hammond, etc and this led to him listening to next generations. He started listening to Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Red Rat, Buju Banton, and Supercat. For some strange reason, I never got into hip hop when he listen to it but when he listened to reggae, he had my undivided attention. I think I was just fascinated by how he switch up his accent to sing along to songs. I thought it was so cool. I feel in love with Jamaican dialect and pursued to learn how to talk like them, act like them, and dress like them. How is the reggae local scene in MA? Are there real outlets? Real buzz? The Reggae scene is decent in Boston and only looking to get bigger and bigger dat by day. It’s all over the radio stations and played at all of the parties. I see it moving from parties to concert. Your outlets are only as great as you make them. If you go out and network with other artist and djs, then you will have more opportunities to get your music heard. I know plenty of artists, djs, promoters, etc. It’s not what you know nor who you know, it’s who knows you. Whats are your upcoming projects for 2012? For 2012, I plan on releasing my first two mixtapes, “Age ah di Creature” and “Gallis King.” Age ah di Creature being a way of just expressing how I am feeling at this point in life and letting the Dance Hall World that I am here and not going anywhere. Gallis King is the mixtape that will put in back in to focus. It is for the ladies. The ladies are what makes this happen. Get the ladies attention and her friends and her man will follow, and it’s just a chain reaction from then on. But besides that I will be doing some collab’s with a good friend in some Reggaeton tracks with an artist by the name of Leo Perez. I am also working on a few Soca tracks to be played in this year’s Caribbean Carnival in Boston, MA and hopefully in NY. Big things coming for the yute POME. “Mi ah gahn tek mi 15 and extend it. Mi love mi life, ooo its suh splendid. Mi hawt fiyah, mi nah pretend. Stay weh badmind, yuh nuh end it.” POME AHA!!!

POME

Follow me @GoldenChild881

“It’s not what you know nor who you know, it’s who knows you.”

Where did you meet? How would you describe your music? We’ve known each other since the 4th grade and grew up together. We consider ourselves brothers and family for life. We always had the mentality to become artists since we were younger. We spoke about it and agreed to give it a shot, which has led us to where we are today. Our music is dance/house which is also unique because were also bilingual which we add the Spanglish vibe to our tracks. We feel that there’s really not any other group out there that does what we do. What gives you your inspiration in your songs? For us, the easiest and best way is to play with words. We may have ideas going through our minds that are somewhat like poetry. We will often play with these words until we get them to sound like we want, never thinking of the music that will accompany these words until the lyrics are pretty much in place. Personally, we don’t usually sit down at our desk and say, “OK, I think I’ll write a song today.” For us, this would be one of the quickest ways to get a bad case of writer’s block. In fact, sitting at our desk is probably the last place where any sort of creative inspiration would come to us when it comes to songwriting. Being from Miami, is it harder to shine for an underground artist? We think it is and not to a certain extent. It depends on how strong your contacts are in the industry and how you are perceived from your fans, contacts, and society as whole. Have you already received some interest from majors & big labels? Well we submitted our material to Slip-N-Slide Records and they sent us paperwork to be considered for SNS On Da Grind. SNS On Da Grind is an opportunity they present to select up and coming talent that gives worldwide exposure, promotion and at the end of the day, an opportunity to be signed. Other than that were remaining patient and seeing what interest we garner from majors & big labels. What are your motivations & projects? Our motivation is to someday work with an artist like Pitbull, LMFAO, Far East Movement, or Usher on a hot collab and someday be signed to a big label and known throughout the world

“You must be able to think outside of the box!”

Photo by Destiny Brown

as amazing artists and pure role models. By working extremely hard and having the right people behind your back you can accomplish anything. We recently released two singles, “Es Tuyo” Feat. Anthony Viviano and “Around You” produced by our official producer Leonardo D’Avicii. We have upcoming projects with two amazing artists from the UK, Redd and Heidi Anne Burford. Redd has had the honor to work with Pitbull, Qwote, Akon, and Snoop Dogg while Heidi Anne has had the honor to work with T-Pain, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne.

What makes you got next as a top artists coming from Miami? We feel our music, lyrics, image, and having an amazing talented publicist (Kareff Rodgers) that is behind us 24-7 pushing us makes us a got next top artist coming out of Miami. Anyone can be a great artist, but to become a supurb artist, the best of the best, you must be able to think outside of the box, to see farther than anyone could even imagine.

SELF XPLANATORY

Follow me @sxthegod How can you define your music background? I’ve always loved many forms of music but I grew up listening to blues, hip hop, jazz, r&b, easy listening, alternative, etc... As far as family and genetics involvement in music, my cousin Pappa Bowie and I are the only ones heavily involved in music. I started out writing 3 or more full songs a day back in 1994 with my brother Big Lue as a duo, then as a group called Raw Uncut later on in the years, which lead me to the perfection I’ve attained presently as a solo artist. Where do you come from and who were your artistic/musical influences growing up? I grew up in Flint, Michigan up until I was 10yrs old then relocated to Texarcana,Tx for a year then moved again, to Hazel Green, Alabama. My roots are from Greenville, Mississippi, which is also where I spent alot of time growing up, as well. Such artists in particular like Frankie Beverly and Maze, Portishead who I absolutely love a lot, Fresh Prince, 2 Live crew, Beastie Boys, Johnnie Taylor, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob James, Scarface, Dayton Family, MC Breed (R.I.P) and so on, but very diversified none the less. What’s your best experience so far? None in particular, with the exception of all my accomplishments. When I complete a goal and it shows physically and it’s Ice Cold, then I’m the happiest dude around. The best experience for me is knowing I’ve made it to a professional and financial level, which can take me up any ladder I choose, because the product is right. Like Fabolous says, “NICE”. What are your upcoming projects? I’ve just released my comedy skit cd called “DMFN RADIO”, which is an album full of nothing but funny skits of situations people experience or hear about but too afraid to speak on it or laugh. My mixtape called, “ALMOST FAMOUS” hosted by DJ Spade will be released July, as a prelude to my album called, “THE NEW FRESHMAN”, which is due for release December 31st 2012.

“I see so many folks lie to themselves everyday... lookin 4 help from the sky, when the real help is at the end of your own arms. YOUR HANDS. I’m where I’m at today, cuz I don’t procrastinate. If I want it, then I’m go get...”

JOIN US @MRDREAMZ MAGAZINE

How did you get your artist name? I came up with the name INFAMATIC about 4 years ago. When I was in the elementary and jr. High school. I would always get into fights, Get suspended from school and trash talk my teachers. I was the kid the principal and dean knew by first and last name. I was INFAMOUS from causing trouble. The MATIC in INFAMATIC came from when ever there was an oppertunity to get, take or make money, I was AUTOMATICALLY in no questions asked. So one day I was writing to an instrumental in my home studio and all those thought came to mind and I mumbled INFAMATIC. My name is all those thing combined in one. We did notice that your music sounds Dirty south...Tell us more. Believe it or not. Eventhough i’m from the west, I listen to a lot of down south mainstream. I love west coast beats but its just somthing about that down south style. I guess its in my blood because my Grandmother was from Atlanta, GA and my grand father is from Little Rock, Arkansas. How is the local hip hop scene in your city? I grew up in Inglewood, CA. The hip hop scene in my city is fairly large. There are some talented artist/producers where I come from. I guess thats one of the reasons I work so hard at what I do because there is so much competition. What makes you out of the mass? I feel I have a marketable image, Sound and style. You need that to succeed in an industry like this. It’s a business and talent alone can’t just cut the check if you dont have something to market with and good sound & style. I understand it’s more than just music and videos. A small percentage of artist understand that so that’s one of the reason im different from others. Please describe your Musical World? My musical world is pretty much underground for the time being. I’m perfecting my craft then shooting for the stars non stop regardless to what an one has to say. I will be that next house hold name. My sound is a universal sound. People ask me am i from New York, Down South. I take that as a compliment because that means I can do a variety of things with my music. I can Feature, do an album or different genres and bring what is requried

“My artist name reminds me where I come from and where im trying to go.” to get that unique sound for and specific project. Through your art, What do you try to accomplish? I want to give people something different but similar to todays hip hop world. I want to bring more money to me or what ever entity im working with. Im trying to accomplish success and work with some of the larger names in the industry then sustain a level of status and maintain that level of status. For all the fans, what’s is your upcoming project? Im always working on projects but i plan to release an official album in the summer of 2013. Until then i’m always droping singles via the internet at reverbnation.com/infamatic2.

FOLLOW ME @infamatic2

ILLNIQUE

As a music producer who did influence your music? And as an Emcee? I was always inspired by the music production of Timbaland, Dr. Dre, the Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes and many more that really inspired me. As far as who has influenced me being an emcee, everyone from the golden era of Hip-Hop like Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, LL. Cool J, De La Soul, UMC’s, Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy ,Rakim, Ice Cube so on and so on. Any artist or producer that puts their heart into their music inspires me to create something that will hopefully inspire the next person to keep music evolving as a whole. With all those new software & equipments, is it easier to make a beat today? Yes I do believe it is easier to make a beat today but it still requires experience and knowledge when it comes to producing real good music. The new software and equipment that is available now is amazing and adds a new dimension of creativity for producers to experiment with. It is like today you don’t even need to know how to play an instrument to make a beat. Me personally I appreciate my music more when I make it from scratch without relying on too many sound effects and samples. I think it is important for a producer to at least learn how to play an instrument and compose a song. You have a lot producers today that just relying on samples to make a beat which only gives you so much control over how you can manipulate the overall sound of your project. I value complete control so I can stay satisfied with the end result of my project. What is the concept behind the Divine Retribution EP? Tell us more about that. Just letting people know that real Hip-Hop is still alive. Proving to the non-believers that Hip Hop is here to stay and it is not going anywhere.

Follow me @illnique

Whats are your upcoming projects for 2012? I will be dropping the Paradigm Shift LP this year be on the lookout for that it’s gonna be a sic album. I am also going to be more involved in producing for other artist as well this year. There will be some other projects I will be involved in as well but I don’t wanna spoil any surprises.

Where do you come from and who were your artistic/musical influences growing up? Peasy: We are all from Philly, but growing up, my influences were 50CENT, T.I, and JEEZY. Young Tay: 50Cent and Rick Ross RonHead: Styles P, Big L, and Jeezy Dot: Jay-Z and Fab Explain to us the name of the crew « G.R.E »? What does it stand for ? Peasy: We all started as solo artists under the label GoldRush Ent until one night we had a show in Philly. The host called us G.R.E instead of saying the whole name which is GoldRush Ent and we liked how it sounded! Why do you got Next? RonHead: We got next because we choose to be next. And its too much fake clouding the real shit out here. Young Tay: Cause we all putting our all in everything we do. Dot: Because we are one of the best groups and the most dedicated. Peasy: we on a mission to get it! What do you want people to think when they hear your name (name of the group)? Peasy: I want people to think that we’re crazy with it (performing) Young Tay: Just to say that GRE are one of the best and talented! Dot: when people hear our name, i want them to think of us being the hottest group What are your upcoming projects? RonHead: We just dropped our latest mixtape DaVault Is Open pt.2 its on datpiff along with our NWA tribute cd we did last month. We are all over the internet Twitter,Fb, Youtube. And you can check out our website www.GOLDRUSHENT.net R.I.P Tana #GRE

G.R.E

Follow me @goldrushent24

“We got next because we choose to be next”

Who were the producers who did influence your music? I come from a little town in PA called Hanover. It’s about 45 minutes from Baltimore. The producers that had and still have a huge influence on my music is Hans Zimmer, Beethoven, Lex Luger, Drummer Boy and last but not least Dr. Dre. I get more inspiration from philosophy and my inner thoughts than anything else though. How did you choose your artist name? Good question, it came to me one night after I been studying. There is no light where a shadow is and that reason will forever be a mystery. What production setup do you have? I am currently using FL Studio 9! After I complete schooling I will be branching out to other programs. Is it easier to make a beat today? Yes, after reading about what older producers had to do, we definitely have it easy. Much respect to them all for showing us that you can create anything you desire. Please describe your sound? I have a very deep, dark and mysterious sound to my beats. What is your vision of Hip Hop future? I believe the future of hip hop is going to be very different than what it is now. The productions are going to get more intense bringing more realistic visuals to mind of the listener/artist. I could also see different categories of hip hop depending on what the artist is talking about. Maybe a more intelligent song will benefit the listener on an educational level. Music, in general, is going to change in such revolutionary way. More can be done with music than most people realize. Do you listen to other genre of music? I really enjoy listening to film scores. I also enjoy blues, electronic music and definitely some classic rock.

Whats are your upcoming projects for 2012? A extremely unique one of a kind mix-tape.

“The productions are going to get more intense bringing more realistic visuals to mind...” FOLLOW ME @arcaneshadows

JOE HESS BEATS

Who are the producers who did influence your music? The producer who influenced me the most would have to be Lex Luger. How he came up in the game & remained humble was and is a huge inspiration for me. Metro is another producer who has a big influence on me. He probably doesn’t remember but he tweeted me how to run windows off my MacBook awhile back which was a big help. One of my favorite producers right there. Others are Lil Keis, Dee Money, Cardo, J-Moss, Young Chop & Drumma Boy. What production setup do you have? I run fl studio on my MacBook Pro, Dr. Dre beats pro headphones, a tv to connect my mac up to, and a M-Audio keyboard. With all those new software & equipments, is it easier to make a beat today? Thats a good question. Yes it is definitely easier to make beats with software, the technology is crazy. Anyone can make beats, but having the patience and the work ethic to mix them down is key. Mixing can easily make your music sound 10x better. How can you describe your sound? My sound leans toward the trap style, but I add my own spin to it. I add alot of different choir’s and bells to my beats. It’s like a mysterious, midevil trap sound. I also like to switch it up and make chill laid back type beats too.

Follow me @JoeHessBeats Follow me @ @StedLee

“My sound leans toward the trap style...”

What is your vision of Hip Hop future? I think hip hop is going to continuously get better. You can already see how much the style has changed in ten years. As long as producers and artists keep looking for a new sound, unique ideas, and creativity, hip hop will be in a good direction. Whats are your upcoming projects for 2012? My dude Zeph Goode is coming out with a mixtape soon called “golden links” I got some tracks on there. Make sure you all follow him on twitter @ZephGoode. I’ll be on Lil Keis’s we got next 4 beat instrumental mixtape. Ill also be on malcolm kelley’s new mixtape with goontronics clothing out of chicago. I have a couple more artists out of cleveland I’m working with. I’ve also worked wit Seth Lee. The easiest way is to contact me is on twitter. Follow me @JoeHessBeats. Always looking for new artists to work with.

Where do you come from and who were your artistic/musical influences growing up? I come from New Mexico deep in the heart of Lincoln County which is the most famous area of New Mexico Originally famous for the Legendary Old West OutLaw “Billy The Kid”.. Which is why i now represent the Lincoln County Regulators they were an historical group put together by a man by the name of John Tunstall in1878 . After he was murdered by political hired hit men. The Lincoln County Regulators Were deputized & sent to arrest the killers of John Tunstall which is where the legend of Billy The Kid took place he Shot & killed the hit men for revenge of John Tunstall’s murder thus firing the second shot leading to the historical “Lincoln County War” in 1878 the group was then known as OutLaw’s. Now 134 years later in 2012 & years past my Music has been highly political. Politics have been a point of interest since i was a child as i grew up and studied deeper into politics around the world it became more & more disturbing. I feel that GOD put me here do do a specific task and thats to expose the political corruption that has became death it self upon the world and thats exactly what my music is about. Influences: First of all is JESUS CHRIST(John14:6), & GOD.

LC REGULATORS

Tell us more about your recent release « WAR GAMES » “WAR GAMES” deals with the politics of the world and how our surrounding reality truly is one big game of War played by the elite political powers of the world. & also deals with the “War On Drugs” which is a waste of American Tax Dollars for example why are the feds still raiding legal Medical Marijuana Dispensary’s? When they should be raiding the Pharmacy’s who are the real drug distributors whom are now statistically the #1 cause of overdose & death in America.

“My Second album “Classified” will be releasing World Wide on 07-01-12 threw my record label Regulator Recordings Inc...” Was your global distribution deal (signed in 2011) a changing moment in your career ? Why ? Yes at that point in my life in 2011 i was low in spirits all my friends had turned on me even certain members of my family. I felt lost but i kept making music a few months passed and i had received an E-mail from Mike Thompson the VP of JMD Records. We talked over my current and future projects which eventually lead to a 3 year distribution deal. With there Distribution Company JMD Distribution they changed there name in 2012 to MondoTunes. They now offer many great music distribution services for all artist world wide. Follow me @LCRegulators

“My motivation is my Family!”

FLACO ESCOBAR What is your main inspiration? My inspiration comes from life and my sensitivity to what occurs around me. I tend to notice things, sometimes unknowingly, then me and my clan might be rappin’, just chopping it up and I’ll have a response for whatever the discussion might be on. I’ll have this feeling of déjà vu, like I was there or that I was a part of it as it was taking place. It’s weird, but I believe it’s a gift, so I try and remain humble while these blessings happen. To be honest, this is my first time ever openly speaking on that publicly. Like, ever revealing to anyone, my thought processes. Ha, it feels like this was the time to though. SHOUTS OUT TO MR. DREAMZ MAGAZINE! For giving me my first ANYTHING in a magazine! That’s word! How all that connects is, whatever I’ve been through or witnessed first hand growing up, I give those accounts. Story telling without telling stories. The way my sound differs is through my delivery and how I’ll recount what happened. Even if its a raw topic like drugs, time spent w/ women, or my OG s and friends passing, I’ll «paint a picture», so to speak, and give it back cinematically, if that’s even a word ? Almost like a movie or reading a book. Of course, hip-hop. The first song I heard that made me fall for hip-hop is when she introduced me to Pete Rock and CL Smooth. The first time I heard «T.R.O.Y». The way the horns come in, the COMPOSITION imposed in that track, was ILL. Slowly but surely, I started searching for more sounds that gave me that…I could call it a «high», T.R.O.Y did.

We’re not the types to do « static ». We’re active when its a progressive, power-type move, but manage to be low key. «Canadian Cowboys» (or C.C.L.$ - Canadian Cowboys Life$tyle) as a whole are just overall, unique. The world has never heard of a «Canadian Cowboy» (UNTIL NOW). That’s how we’re seen here in Baltimore. People arent used to people (or a COLLECTIVE) like us. Being an artist from Baltimore can be tough though. It’s a city full of people with missed opportunities and a lack of ambition. «Culture», as the world sees it, is rare here because there arent many avenues like there used to be, to express whatever talent we’ve been given. Because of that, the atmosphere is «all for self». I hope to change that by showing them that you can follow a passion, to chase dreams and to dream BIG b/c one day it’ll be rewarded. And that passionate, dedicated people that grind do exist. WE’RE HERE.

Being from Canada, is it harder to shine for an underground artist? Ha, the wild part is, nobody in the clan is from Canada. My brother Soda, co-founder of the group (along w/ my brother Reez..whatitdo?) are from New York and Baltimore. Soda decided to call the group Canadian Cowboys because those two words sum up our sensibilities. Its pretty deep actually. To start, Canada was chosen because Canada, herself, is cool. The climate, the atmosphere and the people that make it so dope. (shout to my sister through hip-hop, now and until forever : BOTCHO !) Even Canada’s herb has an elegance to it. Its fine. (shoutout to whoever plugged B-More w/ the Blackberry Kush & Purple Rain. Thats word.) That’s how the clan is. We’re known as «the cool niggas in the room». We’ll walk in to a party, not say much, find a corner and hold it down. 15 minutes later, we’re the reason the party’s live. Our style bleeds «cool». People always wanna know where we get our threads from or we’ ll have pieces that nobody’s either never seen, or rarely sees. A lot of times, we go thrift diving and steez it that way. The «Cowboys» part of it symbolizes our comradary. Our outlaw, rebel side. We’re cool (Canadian) but we can mount up and mob to protect ours. (Cowboys) Otherwise, we keep it cool.

What makes you got next as a top artists coming from Baltimore? It’s because I take hip-hop, my craft and my passion, very serious. I take her personal. My friends always tell me «I think too deep into the music». I can’t help it. I get submerged. What I come out with is perception. Hip-hop to me is a course. It’s like a school or a dojo or temple. A righteous place for those who embrace and were born of her elements : music-fashion-b-boying’ (breaking, locking, tutting, popping) and tagging (graffiti or art as a whole): and if we answer her call (she found me through T.R.O.Y) then we take on this responsibility of learning what she has to teach. We study and train, constantly, occassionally giving reports (our writtens and freestyles) and we get graded by our peers (the world). Graduation comes when an artist reaches their dream. Hip-hop, overall, influences every part of how songs come together because I feel she represents one of life’s biggest lessons : to always remain a student, but be a teacher when called upon. Im stepping up.

What are your motivations & projects? My biggest motivation is my little brother Davontay (aka Gav, what it do, bruh ? Love you, bro.), My family period ! (Mom Dukes, Mr. Mike, Brandy, My nieces J’Myah and Janae’ : uncle loves yall ! and Jamarie ). Hip-hop (always and forever. Love you, shorty), The Almighty (thanks for everything…till I’m home again). Lastly, my upbringing and how I was bred. My 20th St. (GMB) fam, whats good ? Projects ? Definitely ! Be on the look out for Apelif3 : The Liberation – COMING SOON ! (more from C.C.L.$ coming too !)

follow me @flacoescobar_cc

Created And God

SOPHIE LAMOUR

Photo by Alex Comaschi

SEXY ITALIAN

FRESH STYLE

“

I believe I reflect the curvy women of yesteryear, real women...”

How long have you been in the modeling industry? I’m a pin-up model and burlesque performer in Italy. When I was a teenager, I started my career and my studies in the theater world. Posing for a photographer is a very important milestone for a girl that wants to play art and entertainment. At 14, I did my first photo shoot, and in that occasion, I started my career as a fashion model, who accompanied in parallel my growth as an actress. The experience on the stage allowed me to work hard for my expression and body movements. For me “to pose” means “to play a role”, a character created by the fictional world of the photographer; experimenting new projects and playing with the image is the secret to become a wild good model. What do you bring to the modeling industry? I think I’m different because I love to pose in past time like 1930, 1940, 1950. I love the black and white photography and vintage. Also as far as my body type, I believe I reflect the curvy women of yesteryear, real women like Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida. I believe that an actress manages to give a depth and intensity of expression with the ability to play with the selfirony. It’s very interesting for a photographer. Any Highlights so far in your career? Beyond the theater, when, years ago, I took courage and began to study burlesque, after seeing the film Moulin Rouge with faboulous Nicole Kidman: I found my way, because it meets my femininity, my body and my creativity without reviling, and when I pose for a photographer, I really enjoy to perform! I like to communicate the sensuality of the past, without ever exaggerating.

Who would you say is the personn that did really inspire you? The women who inspire me are all great actresses of Italian cinema from the 50: Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Anita Ekberg, Silvana Mangano. Then the ultimate American Pin Up Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page, who inspired my book on the Pin Up (The Book of True Pin Up in Italian). And finally today, the beauty of Monica Bellucci and Immodesty Blaize: two extraordinary models to follow… this is my opinion. What do you do in your spare time when you are not modeling? I like to watch old films of the Golden Age, dancing, experimenting in the kitchen recipes new revisiting of traditional Italian dishes, playing with my dog, taking long walks in the woods or on the beach the sunset ... and especially to write: I’m finishing it my second book about burlesque! How old were you when you had your first kiss and paint us the picture? I was 13 ... it was funny because I had no idea how to do it ... I was very shy, but I have to tell the truth: I didn’t love it so much! Tell us something your parents don’t know about you… Once upon a time…I told to my parents that I had to go to a school trip to Vienna for three days …Instead of that, I went alone to Paris to learn the “Can-Can” dance in a special workshop of one day near the legendary Moulin Rouge. They were memorable days: 72 hours devoted to art. I went to the Louvre, I ate at Café in Montmartre, even I visited the cemetery in Paris an unforgettable experience! www.pinup2010.style.it 39

www.creamcommunication.ca Publicité, Infographie, Clothing C.R.E.A.M. Promotion, Site Web, T-shirt Impression, & modeles. Site Web, Infographie, Impression de T-Shirt - Impres, Promotion, Création de Logo, Désing, Cd Covers, Cd Print, Cartes D’afaire & Bcp Plus !! creamcommunication@hotmail.com

MARVIN CRUZ PRODUCTIONS

FOLLOW ME @marvincruz94 “My work is considered unparalleled and innovative by many & myself. In an industry where dreams are fed through tunes, adjustments, and notes...I strive everyday to inspire others with harmonic tunes and vibes....To me music is everything. It’s a universal language, a form of self expression, and a gateway to my own realm of creativity.

When I get in the studio nothing can stop me. For years I’ve had the desire, determination, and dedication to achieve my dreams of becoming a successful music producer in the industry.”

www.marvincruzproductions.webs.com

LAYZIE BONE “be tireless at accomplishing your goals... have your heart into what you’re doing and be true to it!”

Beginning with Eazy E, you have been in the game for so many years now! What is your vision of Hip Hop’s evolution? Are you nostalgic? I’ve seen an heavenly revolution… That has happened in the last 20 years. We had to take one way ticket to actually meet someone who was going to help us out, and put us to where we wanted to be in front of the right audience.. From out of the back of our trunk, selling cds that way and having to be onfoot... We had to travel all around the universe to really spread our message.. to now where the internet is in everybody’s back yard! So that evolution where we went from cassettes, cds to cds, to mp3s and things of that nature... I think the evolution that took place has been tremendous where our loyal fan base, of the size that we have, can be reached by a push a button- every single one of them!

What are, according to you, the main qualities an artist should have to get longetivity in the game? The first quality is the love of the art of music. Gotta appreciate the art and, also, you have to keep a dedication to what you’re doing and determination to all that, which shows that you’re tireless at accomplishing your goals. Have a go getters mentality and not sit in your ass and expect things to happen for you... You have to get up and go get it..you have to

really have your heart into what you’re doing and be true to it..not let anyone tell you what you want or need to do. You have to know what you’re doing… that’s what adds to the longevity of an artist.

How has your music evoluated for the last years? How can u define your sound today? LAYZIE BONE’s world? Our sound evolved from five guys growing up together and listening to old school music of our parents like Gladys Knight, the Temptations, and all that and our music like New Edition, Michael Jackson up to RUN DMC and that evolution of where we started from gave us years and years to develop our sound before we were discovered by Eazie E -which ultimately was the sound that was being heard in the radio as far as harmonies and rappers singing and all that thing. So i think we came about from ninety nine to worldwide… and it’s the sound of today! So far, you have lived so many big events but what has been your number one Highlight? Could you pick one in particular? The most amazing highlight to me, was meeting Eazie E! That was the first famous person I had ever met! To be from Cleveland ohio and to meet him that was like super amazing! Just to see him as short as he was! i coulnt believe i was taller than him... I couldn’t believe it

at 18 years old! It just triped me out...

You are an artist, but a businessman as well! Can you tell us more about “Harmony Howse Ent»? How does it differ from MoThug Records? All the difference between them is that Mothug Records was a record company and, at the time, that’s what it was about... to become a record company to be able to put out artists and music. HHE is just a division of MTR… HHE is a full blown entertainment company. It is not about records any more. It’s the whole package... which is music, sports, non-profit organization, concerts, clothing. It’s the whole spectrum of the entertainment field. So we took the records off, we’re still MoThugs, which is “More True, Humbled United Gathereing Souls” and now it’s just HHE like my last name Howse... It’s just refurbishing the brand. it’s like planting a seed of a tree and you watch it bloom and blossom and it grows different branches… BoneThugs n Harmony was the main seed where you had MoThug, and other brands like 7th Sign, Thug Line... All those things brought it up from there and HHE is a division of Mothug Records just like a tree that has blossomed… You grow every ten years. It takes about that 10 years to establish a brand.. So after I established Mo Thug as a serious brand and over nine million records sold, I said “it’s time to start over again”!

“Barack Obama is doing a good job, and I don’t pay attention to Fox and all these different negative channels and outlets out there providing news to the masses.” Do you work with many underground Artists? I work with a lot of underground artists but the main artists I work with is the family which is the F.B.G (Flesh N Bone Global), my wife Felicia who is the CEO of CHOSEN Empire over the “children division” and the different things that they tend to... But yes, I work with a lot of underground artists like Qween Ching, Thug Queen... We got the young female artists, and young kids too. We got the eight to twelve division, the thirteen to nineteen, the twenty to twenty four, and the twenty four to thirty and then you get to my club which is the Double O G’s.. We got a lot of things... So many aspects of what im doing! I feel like the united states army, I do more before 6am than most people do all day! I got help of course. Thanks to Rob who works the HHE website, Lisa Smith, TY, Drego.. I got plemty of help, it’s not solely upon me. It’s a virtue to have a team of people that have the same common goals and that’s my motto for T.E.A.M. “Together Everyone Achieves More” and that’s what we been doing. It is a slow walk when you doing so much but at the same time, when you moving kinda slow, you can pay attention to everything and stop and smell the roses here and there... Getting back to Qween Ching, tell us about this particular female artist. What’s your opinion? The gang needs a person like her. We also got Thug Queen. But Qween Ching brings realism and real situations about what’s going on in life to the table. Like a BoneThugs and Harmony. That, from a female perspective and ninety percent of the world can relate to and the other ten percent is superficial and materialistic and that’s something Qween ching is not... She’s just a from the heart rapper, She has concepts and things like that which are entertainment, but at the same time, you get a message and that’s what I adore about her! During this 2012 presidential year, i guess you follow the newscasts regularly... What is your opinion about the current situation for the minorities living in the hood? Do you see a difference between now and the early 90’s? We have all evolved. I think that, by our president BO running the first time, it brought awareness to the young generation from the

hood that this election process is very, very important. We got to select leaders that care about us. If u ask my opinion we need obama again. He had to clean up a mess that was near uncleanable... But he’s doing a good job, and I don’t pay attention to Fox and all these different negative channels and outlets out there providing news to the masses. I think we just gotta take the time and dig deeper and see what’s really been done.. a lot of people don’t state their presidential candidates preference like that. But I think we need Obama again one more time! I think we need him! I’m rooting for him... Your last Mixtape “Law of Attraction” got a real good buzz on internet? How did the public welcome that tape? What was the message behind that release? The public embraced it beautifully. Most of the messages I get via emails and all correspondence, I hear the same. They tell me that it’s my best work up to date, which makes me feel very good and very proud. The message behind is the law of attraction: You can do, be and have anything that you want as long as you put your mind to it and do the work that’s required. That’s the law of attraction! A lot of people don’t know that when you’re doing your work, it’s actually ninetynine percent thought and one percent actions so you really have to engage your brain! A lot of people get told that you can’t do this, that you cant do that, or I wont... A lot of disbelief and disconcern about what a person feels they can do. The law of attraction is basically to say that no matter what they say or what they do to you, you can always put your mind in a place to be successful, so that’s what it all means! that’s the message! That’s what the law of attraction is. What are your upcoming 2012 Project? More solo projects ? What’s new about your project with Fredro Starr? Fredro star, firestarter project.. is a couple of legends that have been doing this since the early nineties, who come together to show the world that you only get younger when you express yourself, so we’re showing that we get better with time, just like fine wine, as well as a project with Young Noble out at the end ot the year “Perfect Timing”. Then, I have the HHE compilation which consists of the younger generation like Little Red Scotty, my son as well...

and that project is called “Welcome to the Howse”. And we have a compilation of like never heard before music that the record company never put out which we call the lost archives. It will be available actually this month on househarmonyent.com. Also a book of poetry i’m realeasing, that’s called “Invisible Ink”, also the Thugs and Harmony book, “First of the Month Movie” which is a comedy slash drama, a dramedy, which tells us all about the real parables of the hood, how we came up on food stamps and then millions of millions of dollars... There are many more but I keep throwing them out as we go along...

“Another thing is to keep educated... It is very important to be educated, because a fool and his money will soon depart…”

Are you living now the best time in your life? I’m priming baby! This is my primetime! Right here! Even though I have twenty years of platinum hits and all! Me, being at the age that i’m now, I can truly express myself in a way that people can relate to without being so personal. I look at other celebrities who were priming at this age, like LL Cool J, all these people who went through a whole bunch of shit, but ultimately went through that stuff to get stronger in life and it prepared them to what was comin up in their futures and that’s where I think I am at right now. I believe as long as I play my cards right, and I do the work that’s required of me, through my heavenly father, and give him back, and being a philanthropist, the sky is the limit, and there is no limit to the sky... Do you plan to work with more artists beyond the borders ? In Europe? Theres a ton of people i’m working with overseas. I’m not in liberty to really say everyone im working with, I like to keep my ducks in a row, cause I think If I talk too fast, people will try to read this interview and shot me down and try to distract me and...the info im giving is quite a bit, at the same time I need to hold on to some informations as sacred as jewels... But Yes! im working with people in canada, in Germany, in South America, Africa, Australia… I got these different branches of Mo Thugs that i’m working with. It’s making us more of a global pheomenon, because we’re putting people in a place were they can actually touch superstars in their own town, and have someone to look up to besides Mo thugs and HHE that are six thousand miles away....

What is your advice for young upcoming artists who dream to shine in the music industry? I think that an artist should basically learn about this industry, this business before they get in this game. There are a couple of books out there that you can read that talk about the industry, and other books to keep you inspired.. Some people think that ‘tunnelvision’ is a bad thing, but I don’t think so because when you set ur eyes in your prize, I think its good… it just makes you move forwad because if your scope is too wide, you can easily get distracted, but once you keep your eyes on what you need, you gonna go get it… and then, you set another plan and you go get that! You gotta put one foot in front of the other one to walk, you gotta crawl before you walk! Another thing is to keep educated... It’s very important to be educated, because a fool and his money will soon depart… so I think if you keep God first, ( that’s the main ingredient, whatever you call your heavenly father essentially it is the same thing, just get a direct line between you and tour creator.) Keep your entourage to the minimum, made up of your workers and the people who believe in you... these are the things that work with success! Any particular message for our readers? My self, BoneThugs and all the subsidiary companies believe it’s all about family first. Keep your family first and everything else will fall in line... and family is not just blood relatives, it’s those who look out for you when no one else will..That’s your family!

“Keep your family first and everything else will fall in line...” Follow me @LayzieBTNH

THE BLACK

MECCA

While more and more young people are still fighting against discrimination in 2012, The majority of them don’t really know what the Harlem Renaissance embodies. Having for references the heroic fights of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, they forget then the roots of this long struggle. Indeed, the fight for the civil rights of the 60’s is, in reality, the logical result of that Newyorker black movement from the 1920’s. The theater of this tremendous era is Harlem, NY alias the BLACK MECCA.

The Harlem Renaissance: Intro.

Supported by sponsors and a generation of talented artists, the Renaissance of Harlem marks a major bend in the American black culture which knows the recognition nationally and worldwide and get a bigger echoe among the American white elite. The black literature and the culture know its golden era and Harlem become the “world capital of the black culture“. Our first chapter, aims at introducing the context which give the opportunity to thousands of blacks to migrate to Harlem. After the abolition of slavery and the period called “the Reconstruction”, New York attracts numerous blacks at the end of the century. They are confronted with Racism, discrimination, and are rejected from the center by the Whites. They move together into the district of Harlem, in the North of Manhattan. In the first decades of the XXth century, new artists and Afro-American intellectuals move towards the Big Apple and most become established or work in Harlem: the activist Marcus Garvey in 1918, the musician Duke Ellington in 1923 or still Louis Armstrong in 1924-1925. Harlem becomes a major artistic home of creation with the installation of painters, sculptors and photographers. Although reserved for the white bourgeoisie, Harlem, a new residential area built on swamps, undergoes quite hard the real estate crisis during the end of the XIXth century. Real Estate agencies & owners, go bankrupt! Black migrants come, White people leave to not have to live near this population “of Negroes”. This gathering marks, for the first time in Afro American History, a major bend: a black, free community, establishes itself and is about to build its own identity.

Common values, common past, common hopes and ambitions. The conditions are combined to cook the melting pot of the American black culture. The Renaissance of Harlem is a movement of revival of the Afro-American culture in the Interwar period, among which the cradle and the main home is Harlem. This movement spread to several domains of the artistic creation, going of the photography, painting... But it is especially the literature which established the most remarkable element of this blooming. Harlem becomes the place to be, the place to live for the Afro-American elites of New York, and reaches to the rank of the World City of the Culture.

another vector of the promotion of the Afro-American culture. So, the magazine The Crisis, founded in 1910 within the NAACP in the offices of New York Evening Post (New York Post), publishes pamphlets and articles of the black authors. The monthly magazine also published the literary works of Arna Bontemps known, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Jean Toomer in the 1920s. New York Amsterdam News which countered in Harlem in 1909, participates in the distribution of the papers of the activists W.E.B. DuBois, Roy Wilkins and Adam Clayton Powell Jr... Article by HVT. Chou

Then, the university of East Harlem train a new Afro-American elite. For example, the journalist, writer and poet Langston Hughes obtains his diploma of the university Columbia at the beginning of 1920s. The City College of New York is opened for the most discriminated and for the ethnic minorities from the middle of the XIXth century. The poet and the novelist Jean Toomer studies there. But most of the writers and the artists of the Renaissance of Harlem studied in higher education in Harvard or in other universities. Associations and Black medias (newspapers) are also very active. That blooming is also supported by sponsors and black defenders (Alain Locke) and whites: the photographer and writer Carl van Vechten (1880-1964) is one of them. We owe him numerous pictures of the major figures of the Renaissance of Harlem. The press is another vector of the promotion of the Afro-American culture. The press is

In our next magazine issue, we will try to understand the key concept of the Harlem Renaissance: The New Negro... Who is he?

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