ThaWilsonBlock Magazine Issue131 by Mistah Wilson

Fo r Th a R e v i v a l & P r e s e r v a t i o n o f

Local Arts

Issue131 SUMMER 2020

DJ Neebor Ready Ron

Rufio

E. Castro

Akeem Mair on Enter tainment, Education, and Life Growing Up in Pasadena, Califor nia t

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Mistah Wilson Mistah Wilson specializes in helping local artists and entrepreneurs share their story through exclusive interviews and special features.

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This Song Is Exclusively Available in ThaWilsonBlock Magazine Issue131

“Tread Lightly” Dominance Tha MC @tha_coolest1

DJ Neebor talks Local Music, Audio Engineering, & Production (Exclusive Interview)

Ready Ron Beats talks Seattle Hip Hop, Overcoming Obstacles, and Producing Music

206 rapper Ajane talks Life in West Seattle, New Music, Zooited Gang, & more...

Taye Zooited talks Seattle Hoods, Musical Influences, and Life in Washington

E. Castro

Renton, WA Artist talks New Music, Life in the Pacific Northwest, and Fighting Cancer in an Exclusive Interview w/ Mistah Wilson

Seven Da Pantha talks Musical Projects, Performance History, and East Coast West Coast Perspectives

Real Quick, tho Premiere: Listen to “Persephone” by March to May Premiering on Northwest Music Scene is “Persephone” by March to May, a talented Seattle based duo who is making a name for themselves by melding elements of folk and chamber pop, while adding touches of indie rock to the mix.

Premiere: Listen to “Look Straight Ahead” by Paula Boggs Band Premiering today on Northwest Music Scene is a new song with a powerful message called “Look Straight Ahead” by the purveyors of Seattle -Brewed Soulgrass, Paula Boggs Band.

Review: Omari Jazz — ‘Dream Child’ Premiering today on Northwest Music Scene is a new song with a powerful message called “Look Straight Ahead” by the purveyors of Seattle -Brewed Soulgrass, Paula Boggs Band.

Mark 4ord – “Breakin Down Doors” (Video) “Breakin Down Doors”, new video premiere from Oxnard rhyme spitter Mark 4ord produced by illien rosewell, cuts by DJ Yeti off the “Opioids LP: Good Ending” album. Visual shot and edited by DMT Media Brothers.

Brick City rapper & producer Az Izz of legendary New Jersey group The Outsidaz drops new album â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dopelissâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Together with Pace Won, Young Zee, Rah Digga and D.U., the Brick City crew were noted for their work with The Fugees, Wu Tang and a new emerging force from Detroit, D12. More recently pursuing a career in tv, film and sports music production, Az has returned to the hip hop fold with his first major solo album in several years. Largely self produced with additional contributions by Qua Z Mo, DJ 3rdRell and DJ Profluent, the guest featured artists include several of his fellow former group members and further luminaries from the local independent scene including Drift, Rube the Difference and Jaja Kenyatta.

Nug Life Kicks Off Summer With “Sigils” Ft. Self Provoked, Vel the Wonder, Blu

Prod by NugLife , featuring L.A.’s Self Provoked, Vel the Wonder & Blu (Blu & Exile), the new single “Sigils”, kicks off the summer with poolside vibes & witty bars over a vibrant instrumental. This collaboration gives an avant -garde yet rooted hip hop essence with a production twist by NugLife , dropping a gritty “boom bap” beat in-and-out of the melodies. Also diving into the chaotic mind of Self Provoked, expressing the madness of the current world, also displaying romantic bars, with a chorus full of roma ntic attitude and style from both Vel & Self lyrically. The legendary Blu, closes out the last verse on a sensual note, using his tongue twisted song writing, overall making this an underground super -collaboration for the culture & a record to be played on repeat i n years to come.

Jimmie Bishop & ZachTheHero – “Ransom”

Riverside, CA artists Jimmie Bishop & ZachTheHero return with a new single premiere, “Ransom“, addressing the current state of policing worldwide.

DJ Skarface – “Rage The Jewels” (Rage Against The Machine vs Run The Jewels)

Shared by El-P on his Twitter account, check out this mix which takes the vocals from Rage Against The Machine and puts them over beats by Run The Jewels by DJ Skarface.

Maverick Gawain – ”Black Tears”

Chicago Mc/Producer Maverick Gawain (pronounced Ju -Wan) formerly known as International Maverick returns with a new self produced single entitled ”Black Tears” touching on the current state of Black America.

Big B – “San Felipe Blues”

Just a week before the release of his comeback album Welcome to the Club, the Vegas hooligan himself Big B drops it’s 4th single “San Felipe Blues”.

BAPS University – “Quarantine Tape 11” (Mixtape Review)

Sir 7000 and Ambeeka make up the duo known as BAPS University. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the two have decided to release a new mixtape each week as apart of their Quartine Tape series. Eleven weeks later, the BAPS collective is still going as they just released their “Quartine Tape 11” project. After this much music, the group has built an undeniable amount of chemistry, but is it strong enough to make this their best work yet?

Cover Story

"You have to wake up and know instantly what needs to be done.â&#x20AC;?

Exclusive Interview w/ Actor Akeem Mair

Actor Akeem Mair talks Entertainment, Education, and Experiences in an Exclusive Interview w/ Mistah Wilson Mistah Wilson: Yo, Akeem Mair! Thank you so much for coming thru for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock Magazine! How's everything? Akeem Mair : Honestly, everything in my life right now has been evidence that God is real! If you would have asked me that question 2 years ago I would have told you I am miserable and felt like I wanted to die. I was just going to work and watching my life take its own course. It wasn’t until January 3rd, 2019 I had a conversation with my brothers at the 7 Eleven on Orange Grove blvd and Lake Ave that I decide to stop feeling sorry for myself and bought me a notebook to write down my goals and what I wanted to accomplish. That led me back to Mike Pointer and everything changed! So how’s everything? A blessing!! Mistah Wilson: For our audience reading this, could you give us a quick background on yourself? Akeem Mair : Hi my name is Akeem Jahmal Mair, and I am born and raised in Pasadena, CA. I was named after Eddie Murphy's character in the box office 1988 hit “Coming to America” and has starred in award -winning independent films screened by Warner Brother studios including “Kidnap” and “The Fine Line.” I’ve worked for CBS and Comedy Central on the hit show “NCIS: LA”, and “Key and Peele.” Additionally, he has landed principal roles for live performances across major Southern California Universities. I also appeared in national television commercials for eHarmony, The Clippers, and most recently for The Dominguez Firm and has played the lead in numerous music videos. Additionally, I perform in high traffic original content on the web in numerous roles such as Allistair, a vampire seeking to exterminate vampire hunters, in “The Blood of the Dead” and appears on the Youtube channel “Girls Going Viral.” Most recently he appeared on The Ellen Show, helping garner over 5+ million views. Whether I am bringing life to characters in film and television, on small and big screens, or in high traffic original content on the web, he remains in Southern California always bringing his upbeat attitude and infectious energy to every project and role on my rise to

stardom.

Mistah Wilson: What were some of your best experiences growing up in Pasadena and what street(s) did you live on? Akeem Mair : Pasadena has always been my home! I tell people all the time I’ll visit places and countries around the world but I will never move from Pasadena. I will always represent. I’ve lived on Altadena Dr. and Woodbury, Altadena Dr. and Fair Oaks, Summit and Hammond, Altadena Dr. and Brigden Rd, and now I’m up in the Meadows. My experiences growing up in Dena has always been great. From me being born at the Huntington Hospital in 1988. To riding my first bike and playing football at the age of 10 with my brother Wesley Mair and my cousin Aaron Winston. To graduating at John Marshall Fundamental in 2007 to get my High School Diploma. To practicing my driving skills with my Dad or my Aunt some nights at the Rose Bowl to get my driver’s license at 19 from the Rosemead DMV. To filming the Dominguez Firm commercial across the street from my High School. Just too many memories to pull from. Mistah Wilson: What are your favorite movie genres and why? Akeem Mair : My favorite types of genres is romance and action packed films. As for romance I always love it when the guy who beats all odds end up with the beautiful woman. When he finds his true love and they end up happily ever after. Someday I would love to find my own princess and be happily married. I don’t want no part of getting a divorce. I’ve seen happy many times, even to the best of them and some actors don’t recover from it. So the romantic films fill me with hope. As for the action, I’m all for superhero movies. When you watch movies like the Black Panther, Spider-Man or the Avengers you can’t help but visualize yourself as one of those heroes. These types of movies always empowers me in some form. You see your favorite heroes rise from impossible odds and that motivates me to do the same.

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“I was named after Eddie Murphy's character in the box office 1988 hit “Coming to America”

Actor Akeem Mair talks Entertainment, Education, and Experiences in an Exclusive Interview w/ Mistah Wilson Mistah Wilson: What are your personal favorite productions you've worked on and/or been featured in? Akeem Mair : It’s gotta be the Ellen Show!! Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for everything I’ve been able to in but the Ellen’s Show brought so many blessings out of it. I was in class when my friends and family kept hitting my phone every 5 mins with texts like, “what??? you were on The Ellen Show??? You gotta call me!!” Everybody was so excited for me to be on her segment show, “Speak The Lyrics.” A show where one of Ellen’s writers walks up to a complete stranger and begins speaking to them in song lyrics. I was so shocked and wonder how everyone is able to see it. I was in David Rountree’s “On Set/On Camera” class learning about how to commit to a scene and make it real. Now I had no way of knowing I was on The Ellen Show. See a couple months back, I wanted to go check out some books at Barnes and Noble in Burbank. As I approached the building I notice a bunch of film crew just standing outside. I asked one of them, “What’s going on?”But they all pretended to be confused. Alright so I go inside to look around and didn’t find anything interesting. I was able to walkout when I notice my favorite rapper 2pac’s record “All Eyes On Me,” in the record section. As I’m looking at it I swear Lauren literally came out of nowhere! I remember Coach Mike is teaching us as actors to be prepared for any moment and to never let the moment to take you out of what’s happening now. So I played into what she was saying and a bunch of producers came running towards after we were done. It airs on TV and Ellen calling it, “The best episode she’s ever seen!” I’m speechless. It was generating over 5 million views on instagram and for some miracle it landed in my future agent, Sarah Angeli from Commercial Talent Agency, Instagram feed. Unbelievable! Funny thing is I just sent her my headshots and resume with the help of my good friend and mentor Mike Dolphy. So when I walked into her office for my agent meeting, boom!! She had already up on her computer. When she said, “I just saw this yesterday and here you are,” I just felt the power of Jesus. She played it again and we both smiled and laughed. I’ll never forget it!

Mistah Wilson: How do you feel about stage plays or possibly starring in roles on Broadway as oppose to acting on screen? Akeem Mair : I am open to stage and broadway I think it’s an amazing experience, but if it takes me away from feature films I would have to decline because I understand my focus. I know what I want and that is to be on screen. You have to know where you want to end up or your career can go all over the place without any direction. But stage is really good for developing an actor. Denzel and Sydney Poitier both started with Stage/Plays. I myself have done a lot of plays at my First AME Church in Los Angeles, UCLA, USC, and at Long Beach University.

“I’ve lived on Altadena Dr. and Woodbury, Altadena Dr. and Fair Oaks, Summit and Hammond, Altadena Dr. and Brigden Rd”

DJ Battlecat – “They Can’t Tame Us”

Check out Break out promotions debut single “They Can’t Tame Us” by legendary Los Angeles, CA based DJ Battlecat. He is spear heading his hard-hitting single that features 2Eleven, Glasses Malone, Snoop Dogg, Rucci, and new comer Vidal Sebastian on the hook. This single showcases 2 Bloods and 2 Crips all part of DJ Battlecat’s One Love Movement which is all about changing the narrative of on how opposing gangs can work together in business and on the streets. Follow him on Instagram @djbattlecat.

AP YCM – “Chrysalis” (Album)

Out of Buffalo, NY rising Hip Hop artist AP YCM releases his new album “Chrysalis“, which focuses on progression both artistically and intellectually. The project is meant to showcase AP’s versatility and ability to hit any genre, expressing himself no matter the mood. Follow him on Instagram @ap_ycm.

Binakaj – “The Menu” (Album)

Rising Albanian Hip Hop producer Binakaj out of Sweden releases his third project titled “The Menu“, featuring real Hip Hop heavyweights Guilty Simpson, El Da sensei, Confucious and more from USA, Albania, Sweden, Kosovo, Belgium and Spain. This is a must listen for all true underground heads worldwide! Follow him on Instagram @binakajbeats.

J-Mundo – “High Stakes” EP

Success is the only thing that quenches J-Mundo‘s thirst! Stream, “High Stakes”, the new hard hitting EP by the Inland Empire based rapper.

Twiztid – “We Just Wanna Be Heard”

Detroit’s demented duo Twiztid continue their busy 2020 by dropping the new song “We Just Wanna Be Heard”.

Rae Monique – “No Sleep” (Album)

As ya’ll know, Pomona’s rising star Rae Monique stopped by a few weeks ago to campaign her new project and dropped a Mic Session performing, “All I Know“. The full length album, “No Sleep”, is finally here and it’s everything we expected, track for track, filled with hard hitting beats complimented by her powerful signature flow.

T.R.3 – “Another Cold Night” Ft. Gavlyn (Produced. By Ariano)

Rising Atlanta based Hip Hop artist T.R.3 releases his new single titled “Another Cold Night” featuring West Coast sensation Gavlyn. Track produced by Ariano.

Patrick Antonian – “Beautifully Ugly”

Los Angeles, CA based underground Hip Hop artist Patrick Antonian releases his new hard-hitting single titled “Beautifully Ugly” featuring A-F-R-O. Follow him on Instagram @patrickantonian.

Myka 9 & Factor Chandelier – “People Into Making Progress”

“People Into Making Progress” is the sound for the climate of the world right now. Los Angeles alternative hip hop pioneer Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship and Haiku D’Etat is teaming up with Canada’s powerhouse producer Factor Chandelier for an extremely limited new 7” release of their forthcoming record together, titled “People Into Making Progress”. A truly unique collaboration for the underground, it’s only right we premiere this single today!

UnLearn The World – “Light Years” (Album Review)

UnLearn the World is an upcoming rapper from San Francisco, California. Since 2017, the young MC has been building up a name for himself with projects like 2017s “I Saint I Sinner I Self ” and 2018s “Universes”. He has just released his brand new album titled “Light Years“. With everything stated, can this Bay Area mc create the classic he needs?

Reggie Rare – “If The Moon Could Talk” (Album Review)

Reggie Rare is an upcoming rapper from Palmdale, California. Since 2019, the aspiring MC has been working nonstop as he’s put out four projects in the past year and a half. He has just released his newest album titled “If The Moon Could Talk“. Will Reggie prove that he can release quality in his quantity, or will he become the next mediocre artist handing out mixtapes for free?

MaccyP – “Miss Me”

Kentucky’s very own MaccyP releases the nocturnal banger “Miss Me”.

Q&A With Rising Minneapolis Based Hip Hop Artist Anuahyahu

Barbaydose – “Future Reminiscent” (Album Review)

Rising Bay Area group Barbaydose drops a new project titled “Future Reminiscent“. The ten track album is a cohesive body of work with spiritual elements and revolutionary overtones. At 1st glance the cover gave me epic feels like something needed to be payed attention too. The Chemistry between the artist seems seamlessly as the 1st song kicks off “Wiseman”. I was defiantly impressed with the substance and content of the song using uplifting lyrics with hard hitting bars in one punch. The visual concept of the 3 wise man makes the symbolic value much more important, especially when the lyrics are poetry in a sense.

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