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Publisher/Editor In Chief - Jessica Hagmaier aka Mz. fuSHion Head of Business Operations - Tonga Williams Sales/ Advertising Dept - Tonga Williams Antionette Torrengano Jessica Hagmaier Sean Celestine Layout Deisgn - Jessica Hagmaier Photo Gallery Editor - Markese Donley Cover Design - Jae One (Urban Nerd Studios) Contents Photo Credit - Jessica Hagmaier Public Relations - Courtney Taylor
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Contributors - Antionette Torrengano Sean “100” Celestine Tee Rex Jessica Hagmaier Kandy Man Anson Watts
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Markese Donley Photographers - Positive Images
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Jesse James Jessica Hagmaier Tre Dubb
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Street Teams - Colorado - Ro Bennett G. Johnson Los Angeles, CA - Ant Wright Atlanta, GA - Alex Merriweather The Bay, CA - Rob J Official Vonda Rogers Houston, TX - Sean “100” Celestine St. Louis, MO - Jesse James Central Texas - Billy Mack Dallas, TX - Markese Donley New Orleans, LA - Antionette Torrengano Distribution - Eboni and Ivori Management LLC The fuSHion Magazine thefushionmagazine@gmail.com info@thefushiononline.com
www.thefushiononline.com (832) 594 6874 Triple Threat Submissions - thefushionmodels@gmail.com Radio Submissions - thefushionradio@gmail.com CD Review Submissions - thefushionreviews@gmail.com Media Inquiries - courtneytaylor01@gmail.com “The Voice of Urban Sports and Entertainment”
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s t n e t Con
B4 We Get Started 6 Keep It 100 8 Sex Ed: 9 Symptoms of REX 10 Letter From The Inside 12 Triple Threat 16 Who U Been Sleepin On 22 Masters Of The Tables 24 Battle of the Sexes 32 Glasses Malone 34 Got Beats? 54 2009 NFL Wrap Up 56 Trent Shelton 58
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Cover S
tories
Young Twinn - Confident 36 I Am Juice - 42 Amar’e Stoudemire - 46 The Union - 48
B4 WE get started THE STATE OF HATE It’s time for me to get back to the writing, to expressing my opinions and points of view. I try to be as unbiased as possible when encountering everything life throws my direction, and try to mirror that throughout the pages of The fuSHion Magazine. I try to research and not fall victim to the latest round of gossip and controversy that floods every single facet of our lives. But I feel, that coming into 2010 it is time for me, for us to evolve, and make the upcoming year an experiment in opinions and verbalized frustration. For better or worse this will be the first of many installments.
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As Twitter has grown in popularity over the last year, so too has our ability to practice our first amendment rights, unfortunately in mostly negatives ways. With this Global instant messenger it has become apparent to me that we as a society, have began to thrive off of seeing others suffering, pain, and shortcomings. In America the same people we claim to love are the same people we are ready to see fail. It’s is a glitch, a flaw in our genetic makeup, that we as human beings seem incapable of achieving happiness without relishing the pain of others.
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The State of Hate in our country is at an all time high. Hard work and determination has been replaced with the sense of people thinking they are owed something from others in this world. Instant gratification has become the name of the game, and when it isn’t granted, we view other’s constructive criticism or lack of hand-outs as hate, as a way to keep us down. No one takes responsibility for their own actions any more. The child molester is a pedophile because he himself was abused, the robber steals from others because the system set him up for failure, and the single mother is a stripper because the corporate world won’t work around her schedule. Now-a-days it seems like every dude is a “rapper” and every female a “model.” The advent of auto-tune and Photoshop, along with the ease of access to the world, and the people in power, through social networking sites, has given false hope to untalented, undetermined, complacent, and lazy individuals. AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, if you are one of those individuals you will be quick to say that I only say this because I am just an ugly bitch who is jealous of your beauty, or I’m mad because I was turned down by some famous rapper somewhere along the way. And you would be wrong in both cases. I merely say this to illustrate a point and ask a question: When did we stop seeing the good in the world and lust for the negative? We seek out fame, success, and money, and for some reason, feel that when another person succeeds, our chances for doing so are lessened. And so we attack their success, smile in their face and plot their downfall as soon as their back is turned. Many take the advice of those who made it as hate, rather than as an effort to help you see things from a different perspective. Many times on twitter I have seen the Joe Blow rapper attack the “talentless” multimillion dollar rapper, not wanting to admit the “talentless” rapper obviously did or is doing something right that The Joe Blow rapper has tried to unsuccessfully mimic. I ask a simple question: Who the hell are you? This is not a personal attack, just a generalized question. When did becoming a rapper or model become the short, easy way to fame? Most rappers breaking in the game now are in their 30’s. Ladies if you don’t make it as a model by 22, you probably never will. So why do most of us strive for those titles, those things in life? If you keep trying to do what is already done you will never achieve success, you will surely fail in your career of choice. And once you try to create success by exploiting others failures or misfortunes, then you have failed as a human being. Bottom Line: Create your own path, observe and learn from the mistakes of others, and don’t allow yourself to believe constructive criticism or advice is hate. Stop being so damn sensitive and accept the fact that there will always be someone, somewhere, who will always find a reason to hate no matter what you do or say. And understand the more successful you become the more humble you must remain. The more humble you are the fewer reasons you give others have to hate, as arrogance only breeds contempt. But most of all remember: The success of another is not your failure. BUT your failure will always be another’s success.
ays,
n o i H S u Mz. f M
e Alw uch Lov
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WE MANAGE YOUR DREAMS
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Keep It 100:
I Jus Wanna Be Succesful
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By: One Hunnidt
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What does success mean and just how much do we lose trying to fit the perception given to those who are “successful.” In today’s society, the majority of everything people pay attention to is based on a fundamental necessity that most of us strive for daily, personal success. Whether viewing a celebrity’s every move on twitter, getting an in-depth visualization of their personality on reality TV, or tailoring your actions and image to model that of a preferred idol, you have submitted more than you may realize towards success, and rate your growth on the success of others. Those who have reached a certain standard of success not only have the fame and fortune, they now also have what is priceless, our minds and our attention. Think about it. A dollar amount expresses a sense of value. The “American Dream” is defined as “the opportunity for citizens of every rank to feel that they can achieve a better, richer, and happier life.” In other words material things, that are given power from the value of the dollar, are necessary for people in our society to feel happiness. This sense of obligation increases as societal status milestones are reached. If that is true, that is a sad truth.
In a world where perception is EVERYTHING, success is determined by the characteristics we perceive that successful people utilize and the possessions they have attained. If a rich and powerful (“successful”) mogul drives a certain car, it is largely viewed that one is not truly successful until they are in the same whip. Same rules apply to fashion, spouses, house size, jewelry, etc. Value is a comparison. The catch 22 of it all is that trends change constantly. So while people spend their lives splurging on material possessions trying to determine their self worth, they miss the fact that the “hot” car, rims, clothing, and image as a whole will be different soon. It is a never ending uphill battle to fit in with the who’s who of any industry. Even industry leaders can get old and lose their appeal, plus any material wealth can easily be lost. Personally I think that we should redefine our current definition of success. One of the definitions Webster gives is: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence. All of our lives we reach higher and higher, but what happens when that attainment is lost? If a multimillionaire goes to jail for tax evasion and the IRS seizes all of his possessions does that put him/her back at square one for life?
So, since people all strive to be included in the top of the social ladder, and the rungs to climb higher are made from rectangle green sheets, how does one define success?
Just something to think about while you flood the malls, making the rich richer while hoping to be approved by the upper Echelon because it’s what your radio told you to do.
Drake sings “I want the money, money and the cars… Cars and the clothes, the hoes… I suppose. I just wanna be I just wanna be successful”.
Food for thought, here’s the meal ticket. Be sure to clean your plate. -100
Sex ed:
Pussy Eatin 101
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By:Kandy Man
When your fingers are inside that coochie, bend them ugly ass finger of yours into a U SHAPE and move your fingers back and forth.
Unlike a real feline, a woman’s kitty must be wet during a sex-capade. You might say, “Oh, I don’t need to ever eat a b*tch out to get her wet,” but look here muhf*ckah! We men need to think of eating the kitty as our way of saying to her, “even though I am about put you to sleep with this dick better then Nyquil can, here’s a treat to show you how I really feel about you.” Which means that eating pussy is not suppose to be for just any woman, but rather your main (we all know you’re f*cking another b*tch). If she’s not your main, why the f*ck would you even think about eating her out? Dumb muhf*cka that random b*tch prolly done f*cked 3 cows, a whole football team, and or a pet turtle before she met up with you. You need to know where that pussy has been before you go in!
Your eyes must be open at all times while giving her head dummy. The f*ck your eyes closed for? Once you look up at her face and body movements, you’ll know when you’re doing it right. That oh my god will turn into ooooohhhhhhhh mmmmmmyy gooddd fuckkkk.....JESUS. Facial expressions are the key! After you feel like you’ve satisfied her with the tongue action, you know what to do next. Don’t let a b*tch fake you out either when it comes to how you satisfied her with the tongue action. Woman are good for that faking sh*t. I wouldn’t know but I’m just saying.
That brings us to actually eating the pussy. Men suck at eating pussy (no pun attended.) Not because they don’t like it but because it’s really fucking hard. You have to learn it. You must know the spots. “The A-Spot”, “The U-Spot,” & most importantly the “G-Spot, which when stimulated can lead to high levels of sexual arousal and powerful orgasms. You want your b*tch to cum right? Yea, thought so. Women love to be teased. The inner part of her thigh is her most sensitive spot. Lick it, kiss it, spell yo mutha fuck*n name on it with the tip of your tongue. Come close to her pussy, then slide yo ass away. Make her feen for that sh*t like a crack head. Then part the lips with your tongue, like Moses parted the red sea. Fellas, once you parted them “P” lips, dive in. Lick her “clit”. Don’t tongue fuck her in and out. Silly rabbit. You don’t want to make your girl say, “Oh he must be new to this.” After your hunny’s wet, THEN enter your two fingers. Not one, not three, but two.
Ladies, trying to make your man feel good about his skills, when you know damn well u want to kick him on the back of his neck with the back of your heel needs to stop. Let the sorry muhf*ckah know how and where you like it. Let’s rewind to the part where you and your man had your clothes on and you ask yourself: “Is my kitty clean or is he about to have a fresh plate of seafood?” That’s one of the main reasons men don’t eat women’s “va- jay jay’s”. Let me find one of y’all nasty b*tches wanting some head with a fish fillet pussy. I personally will sock you in your coochie bone and call it a day, but that’s just me. Oh yea, one more thing. Ladies, I beg of you to all have the kitty shaved at all times. Being able to corn-roll your pussy hairs is NOT CUTE. Moral of the story fellas: Tease it, Eat it, Beat it THEN... Sleep it. Shout out to the men who act like they don’t eat pussy but know damn well they be feastin!
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Fellas, first things first: If you’re not eating pussy, you’re sucking dick! “There is nothing wrong with giving head!”
Attitude by Tee Rex
Symptoms of
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To begin with I have nothing funny or witty to say. I can only speak the truth and how I perceive things. If you wanna debate me on it cool. If not, that’s cool too, but you better lace up and kick rocks if that’s the case. You can tell em Tee Rex said that. I’ll tell ya mama too. Opinions are a dime a dozen. I got plenty dimes and more than a dozen opinions in case you thinking otherwise.
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Any and everything I say also is my opinion and mine alone. Don’t attach my words on to anybody I’m affiliated with. I don’t care who it is. If I said it, it is for me to answer to. So don’t go running to someone I ride with trying to have a survey on why I said Plies is a chump. I stand on my own two feet, got my own mind. Come see me if you got an issue. Get acquainted with the streets and understand my perspective. Yea, I’m into politics tough because it affects the streets. So sue me n***a. And yes, I’m knee deep in the street because it gives me the best view of what’s really going on. If you don’t like it, call yourself Justin and cry me a river. I see, I assess, and I form an opinion. Let’s discuss these things on a serious level. If you get your advice from Wendy Williams then you reading the wrong column. If you don’t think southern music has its fault then you’re deaf. And if you idolize Nicki Minaj I’m surprised you can even read. I was jamming Rick Ross’ verse on Trae’s latest single Inkredible today. He had a line where he says “look into my eyes, do you see a C.O.?” and I was thinking “hell yeah my n***a. I saw YOU in that uniform…” Don’t get it twisted, Ross my n***a but the truth is the truth and it doesn’t stop me from co-signing his talent. I could care less about what a n***a has going on outside that booth (for the most part). If the music jamming I’m with it. I need the music to be on point; if the artist is authentic that’s just a plus. On the flip side of that, if you a clown in real life and your music is too then it just makes you an easy target. I can’t even lie; I would hate to be in Drake’s position right now. I mean, outside of access to fucking every girl in the world of course. He got nominated for two Grammy’s before he dropped his debut LP. He has the whole world watching for what he’s gonna come with next. But be clear: if that album doesn’t make your ears go numb from being that crack, the world as we know it will implode. That’s crazy pressure. Don’t let ya free shit end up better than the shit you want us to buy. That’s the kind of logic that kills careers. He got Jay-Z tweeting his rap lines and shit. Jay-Z doesn’t even answer his cell phone. Don’t believe me, ask Beanie Sigel. I’m still trying to figure out why artists nobody knows get so ahead of themselves. They don’t even have a buzz in the booth they record in, let alone their hood, but they want a free beat. They asking DJs to spin their
REX mixtape cuts and didn’t even bother to drop the mixtape. Let me get this straight, you want to go on and perform before Jeezy and after Trey Songz and all you plan on doing is freestyling? Well we left your show money inside a volcano, you come back alive the spot is yours. Clown ass n***a. There is no logic in a lot of upcoming artists. It’s a handouts first, grind later mentality. At the same time a lot of these DJs must be broke. If you trying to charge an artist just to listen to some music you a fuck n***a. I’m not talking about spinning it, placing it on a mixtape or even consulting the artist on it. I’m literally just talking about listening to it on your own time and that’s it. Please believe there are DJs out here on that ho shit. And please stop telling artists you’ll spin their shit in the club and not do it. Ya’ll must be making big money selling all those wolf tickets. On a random note there is nothing worse than the cashier at the corner store looking at you crazy when you buying condoms. As if they ain’t fucking. That’s some selfish ass shit. Don’t be mad at me n***a, ya’ll sell the condoms. If you want me to be dirty just say so. I’ll leave here and go burn ya daughter first. That’s what I fucking thought; give me my rubbers bitch ass n***a. You ain’t about to make me feel stupid for strapping up. You can miss me with that rap shit. I still don’t understand why we’re in a recession either. My bro Rick-D made a great point, everything costs money. I can’t even drive on the freeway without paying. Drive thru menus went up, cereal costs a grip and you have to decide on paying your mortgage or filling up your gas tank. How are we broke? If they were smart they would legalize weed and cocaine and tax it. Yea I said it, cocaine too. If it was legal and you openly buying it that is your fault. On the real, I’m really just trying to see if anybody I know is a base head. The tragedy in Haiti this month brought out an outpouring of support from the international community. It also brought a fresh wave of clown ass opinions too. Stop thinking recovery efforts after disasters are the responsibility of celebrities, it makes no sense. If that’s how you feel, get rich and let’s see how you handle it. The same people that think like that burn $8 on drink at a club but couldn’t send $5 for relief efforts. You the chick sitting in church accepting club invites on Facebook from your iPhone talking about someone needs to do something? Don’t talk to me about Haiti, you live in a nightclub. Literally, I saw your futon in VIP, don’t act brand new.
Tee Rex is a member of ABN Entertainment. His next project “oveREXposure” is coming….eventually (he told us not to say soon). Follow him on twitter @TerminatorREX
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Letters From The Inside From The Pen of Grandaddy Souf
On Oct 19, 2009, I, Anson Watts, publicly known as Grandaddy Souf, turned myself into authorities at the Orange County jail to begin a 3.5yr minimum mandatory prison sentence for conspiracy to traffic in MDMA (ecstasy.) Oct 22, 2009, I was transported at 4 a.m. to Central Florida Reception Center (Dept. of Corrections) for orientation which consist of immediate strip search upon arrival, a bare face and bald head shave, fingerprinting, photographing, educational testing, psychological evaluation and a classification interview. Oh yea, I forgot, a lot of damn screaming, shouting, hooping, and hollering from the intake officers, lol. My first meal was a bag lunch, in which we were given 3 minutes to eat two sandwiches, an orange, piece of cake, or a cookie. The food sucks, hogs and dogs probably eat better, so I normally hit the canteen, ordering ramen noodles, fish, steaks, tuna, etc.
Respectfully, Grandaddy Souf Write Me At: Anson D. Watts DC#0-326703 Central Florida Reception Center 7000 H.C. Kelly Rd. Orlando, FL 32831 I hope everybody enjoyed your thanksgiving meals with your families. Although I don’t celebrate holidays, I still miss the camaraderie of my kids and my homeboys. I hung out with my dawg “Big E” last year this time with him and his dad. His pops cooked a Raccoon with sweet potatoes! Pops offered me a serving and me being the bizarre food connoisseur that I am, I tried it, not bad! Well, no “coon” this year, the Department of Corrections Thanksgiving feast consisted of shit, served with a side of bullshit, nothing special or exotic on the menu. We get 21 meals per week and I only eat 6 of them. I’m a routine canteen eater! Now check this out, while attending my psychological evaluation required by the Florida department of corrections, I revealed to the psychologist that I was a recording artist. She told me that this bid should help my credibility. I told her that authentication needs no validation! Then she goes on talking about this other dude that came through the system before me and now he’s doing a stellar hob with his rap career, but then she said, “Oh I’m sorry, he used to work in the system.” WOW. I couldn’t wait to get back to the dorm and share the news with the few cats from Dade County in my quad. This leads me to touch base on a situation brought to my attention last week on the recreation yard. This cat from Orlando that I know from the street wanted me to expose the fact that this up and coming rapper from Orlando had did an interview with the Orange County Sheriff’s office, fingering him in multiple homicides. The cat gave me the police interviews that were conducted with this so called real/street/thug n***A. Boy I tell ya, this n***a told the law everything with the exception of nothing being left out! Long story short, “MC Tell It” helped get this dude convicted and dude is now serving 2 life sentences plus 25 year running wild! I’m sick of the fuckery, stay away from the street life, it’s not for everybody and in closing I’m going to leave ya’ll with 4 bars from a verse I wrote. 1. See action speaks louder/than any words spoken 2. And time gone tell/if the code of silence gets broken 3. When they bring the handcuffs/ Don’t take the stand bruh 4. Do like Grandaddy Souf did/and gone and man up! Now food for thought, until next time, please be safe and productive, enjoy life and shine while your light’s bright! Respectfully, Granddaddy Souf
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Well that concludes my first installment of prison diaries, until next time, ya’ll be easy, stay blessed, and make progress.
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The food is nauseating, but more disgusting is wearing the same boxers and t-shirts that other inmates have worn! Out of all things, it’s disturbing to see men fighting over other men! They refer to the gay men as babies, bullshit! I don’t care what they try to act like or want to be, if you were born a boy, then you’re not a girl! These fucks be all up under these sissy ass n****s like they are women, then get out and fuck women, not cool! If I ever catch a n***a I know with a fucking punk, I’m putting his ass on blast, no exceptions!
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Dave Chappelle said it best “you can’t become un-famous. You can become infamous, but not un-famous.” Hello world, meet Infamous KP. As if getting law firm money wasn’t enough, this queen of the nightlife scene also is an event planner and avid church goer. Stop staring and read on to find out a sure fire way to get her number locked in your phone. We wasting no time, you single? Ohhh YES! HAPPILY AND PROUDLY SINGLE!!! Explain your name. Well most people misunderstand the definition of “infamous.” The definition is almost synonymous with “notorious” which means “known widely for bein bad.” So I guess you could say I’m known widely for bein a bad lil broad! (laughs) What got you interested in modeling? I was actually more interested in furthering my singing but I got the opportunity to model first. I found out I was kinda beastie at it, and it became a passion! So I got a Boost Mobile phone and a fresh pair of skinny jeans. I still have a good chance right? Don’t judge a book by its cover... I mean, how skinny are the pants?! (laughs) If I can see your calf muscles, it’s a NO-GO! But his smile and personality could POSSIBLY make up for the attack of the skinnies if they don’t make him look ZESTY!! Dine out or cook in? As long as I’m eating at all, I’m in Heaven. Period.
If you could, tell us one thing you would outlaw from the Houston nightlife scene: Ugh. ALL CHILDISH BEHAVIOR. The groping and pelvic thrusting while dancing, the gang issues, the fighting, etc. People need to be worried more about having a good time. I mean, what are you there for? What do you hope the future holds for you? I don’t have to have a lot of money. I just want to exceed all of my goals and be happy in whatever route I choose in life. If I could utilize ALL of my skills, that’d be even better!
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If a guy walks up in the club and randomly starts singing the Family Guy theme song to you, your reaction is? Laugh hysterically as I sing with him! He immediately gets my number also. (laughs)
Be honest, if he likes it does he HAVE to put a ring on it? (laughs) Funny question. No, he doesn’t HAVE to unless he wants it FOREVER MAYNE! I mean come on, it doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant, just thoughtful and I’m HAPPY! Was 2009 close to what you expected it to be? 2009 definitely exceeded any of my expectations! I’m blessed to still be living so anything that hasn’t been done, I still have time!! Fat Albert, Nemo, Bart Simpson. Love one, Cheat with one, Marry one, GO: Okay, (laughs) I’m not about to play! Ya’ll are doing the most with this question! How old is Nemo by now? Is he under 18 still? I might just have to love him. I’ll marry Fat Albert because he’s a sweetheart and he’ll treat me right and Bart old as hell so he can be the sugar daddy I cheat with! BWAHAHAHA! Last but not least you know we gotta show love to the stalkers. How can they find you? Stalkers, wow! Facebook: search: Infamous KP Twitter: @theinfamouskp E-mail: theinfamouskp@hotmail.com
The Infamous KP
Mz. fuSHion’s Triple Threat Words By: Tee Rex
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Outside of modeling, what else are you interested in getting involved in? I’m a SINGER and a dancer! I was singing coming out of the womb! I’ve never tried acting but that looks 17 hella fun so that would be dynamic!
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Schmoca Stills
Words By: Tee Rex
Mz. fuSHion’s Triple Threat www.thefushiononline.com
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Official Name: SCHMOCA STILLS Measurements: 34 - 29 - 40 Height: 5’9 Ethnicity: BLACK Hometown: HOUSTON Are you single or cake’n? Single
What got you interested in modeling? My look and fashion, basically just the beauty of modeling.
So I got a Boost Mobile phone and a fresh pair of skinny jeans. I still have a good chance right? Don’t judge a book by its cover... Right, don’t judge a book by its cover, but no, there is no chance. Sorry, style is a plus.
If you weren’t interested in modeling what would you be doing? The same thing I’m doing now, going to work everyday making money.
Guys that mispronounce your name: turnoff? (I’m looking out for my illiterate brethren.) No you get a free pass since my name is not common, but if you continue to mispronounce it after I tell you the correct pronunciation then we have a problem. That’s a total turnoff.
Favorite album of all time: That’s a hard one. Jennifer Hudson, and Epiphany by Crisette Michelle.
Help these ladies out. They have bad toes but their open toed heels really make the outfit. Red light or green light? Red Light!!!! Sorry ladies but we can’t all be blessed with pretty feet.
What do you hope the future holds for you? I hope to have much success in the modeling industry, good success.
Big Bird, Barney, Fat Albert. Love one, Cheat with one, Marry one, GO: I would have to love one, and it would be Barney because Barney loves everyone back no matter what!
With great beauty comes great fans. With great fans comes even greater stalkers. Give us a headstart: MODELMAYEHM.COM/MOCA713 FACEBOOK.COM/SCHMOCASTILLS
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Jennifer Korine
Mz. fuSHion’s Triple Threat Words By: Tee Rex
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Trae the Truth “Nuthing to Boss” Millionbucks Slim Thug feat. Ray J “Keep it Player” Academy Sports & Outdoor - Commercial Riochet- Movie Diamond Kut- Movie Blacks on Broadway- Stage Play Rasin In the Sun- Stage Play Gladitor Sportswear - Print Ad
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Official Name: Jennifer Korine Measurements: 36-28-44 Height: 5’9 Ethnicity: Black & Irish Hometown: Houston
What got you interested in modeling? Well I’ve been interested in modeling since I was a child so it’s always been something deep within.
Are you single or in cuddle mode? 100% Single.
Cricket phone, turn-off or turn-on? Remember now, you might call and he needs to turn it on, literally... I’m not going for a man for what he got but the reality is Cricket is a poor man’s phone. It does say something about your financial status.
You have a very serious resume. Have these assignments changed you as a person in any way? No I am still very humble, but it has given me more confidence.
Without hesitation, favorite album of all time: Sasha Fierce by Beyonce.
How do you handle so-called professionals hitting on you at photo shoots, commercial sets, etc? I ignore them its business not personal.
I’m standing 100 yards away from you in a field with $10,000,000 cash. The money is yours once you get to it. Thing is, you have to get to it before the bear behind you gets to you. Are you game? (laughs) That bear just motivation for me to get to the money quicker.
Does modeling affect your ability to date or who you choose to date? No, it does not affect my ability to date, but you have to be a very strong confident man to date a model.
Inspector Gadget, Spongebob, Pinocchio. Love one, cheat with one, marry one, GO: Oh My God, tough one (laughs) ok I would love Spongebob cause he would always come in useful; I would marry Inspector Gadget because he’s so damn clever and he always know how to get to the bottom of things; and I would cheat with Pinocchio because he’s made of wood.
You are insane if you thought we didn’t have love for all our stalking subscribers. C’mon now, how can they find you? Best way to keep in touch with me is go to my twitter page and yes I do respond. www.twitter.com/jenniferkorine
Credits: Real Talk with Jennifer Korine Radio Blogshow Mike Jones “American Dreams - Movie Nephew Pimp C “I’m a Player Slim Thug “Theme Song”
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You guys have an original hip hop element. Is that the goal that you are trying to push? Yea the goal we try to bring to the stage is “We are here to party and have a good time. We aren’t scared of nothing except failure, what’s the worst that can happen?” How have you guys gained such a huge following? You have to win people over by being a good person first. I learned that from by brother who taught me whether you are broke or not you have to be good to people. People have to respect you or like you as a person, and then their eyes and ears will be open to what you say and do. When its all said and done, how do want to be remembered? Personally, and I think this will be congruent with the group, I want people to be able to say These dudes tried to affect change, did something honest, and tried to be good people. You know that once you start reaching a level of success and you get a spotlight on you it starts to taint and poison you. As long as you are trying to be someone who’s not going to fall victim to that, that’s good. But what’s even better is when you don’t have to try, when it’s natural and that’s what you want to do because that’s what you are. I want people to be able to look back and say those guys were successful, I want to remember them and they made me feel good about things in general. Real talk, if someone can say I was having a bad day, but then I heard to a Nice Guys song and now I’m not having a bad day anymore, that says a lot. I hear a lot of artists say that the music industry is 20% talent and 80% business and politics. Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Allow me to neither agree nor disagree. The real talent in music or any art is the talent to get better. You can get stale. Staying at a single level is not good enough. Being “okay” through time might as well be getting worse. Eventually people will get tired of you. Yes you have to have business moves but those moves mean nothing if you don’t have the talent. There are some people who have made it without talent because of business moves but did they last? Talent keeps people liking you after the smoke clears and there is no more glitz and glamour. (Laughs) it’s like a pretty but dumb broad. Yeah you were cute a second ago, but you keep talking, and you’re not so hot anymore. Basically you need 100% of both business and talent. As an artist from another coast do you feel there is a different culture here you have to fit into get accepted given the brand of music that you deliver? I didn’t complain much but in my mind was like man I’m not here but my brother Lotto, who is on lock right now, and my n***a Goose told me if you are an ill n***a you can go anywhere. You just learn your surroundings and then get with the program. It’s hard to adjust. When you realize it’s about your music but it’s really about YOU its good. Watching your performances, hearing your rhyme patterns, and knowing you are from NY, I can kind of get a Jigga vibe. Who are your biggest influences? Even if I didn’t listen to Jay Z, how can you not be influenced by Shawn Corey Carter? He’s everywhere. Hip hop is in me, I don’t really have to look to anyone
What would you like to see changed in how the music industry moves? N****s need to stop lying. I mean people need to be truthful to themselves. You can lie to me, but don’t lie to yourself. When you lie to yourself you are doing yourself a serious injustice. At the end of the day when people put out music, they should ask themselves “Do I really like that?” (Laughs,) Seriously on your quiet time you really thought that was good? You got to be real with yourself. Are you going to blame it on yes men? Man, go to work! I want to see a little more honesty, authenticity, and a lot more genuine behavior from artists. Being around this area the “Nice Guy’s Look” tees are everywhere. Is fashion something you are looking into? How can we not go into fashion? We do it because it’s part of us. It’s harder to turn the switch off. We definitely like clothes. Are you looking towards signing to a major are do you want to do the independent thing? Honesty, I don’t know enough. We are wet behind the ears and need to get our feet wet. I don’t know enough about how the major label thing works, all I ever hear is complaints. But I am not stupid; I understand that being independent takes a lot of work. I think that you need a few more bargaining chips before you get to a major for it to work. You have to be something on your own first. They won’t give you something for nothing. You not needing them is going to make them want to do more for you, just like anything else in life period. In Houston you will see Free out taking pics, Candlestick DJing, and you MC’n and DJ’n. How do you balance that with recording and performing as well as regular life? I’ll be real. I don’t have to balance anything. If you want to do something you will make time for it period. People always make excuses. If you are rapping and you make this a career you are making more in a day than a teacher can make in a semester. I’m tired of complaining. If you want to rap but it’s too hard go get a day job. Nobody wants to hear a bitch so don’t complain. Either you manage and make time for what you need to do, or you don’t want to do it. It’s simple Any dream collaborations? I want to do a lot of female interactions with songs that are more than the original Rap and R&B. I want to work with Regina Specter really bad and also Amy Whinehouse, I like her vibe. I want to do female collaborations and convey the interaction between males and females and different types of females. I think dudes have lost that, (laughs) they don’t even look females in the eyes anymore.
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How did you put such a collaborative movement together? Yes it’s a new concept and really it was organic. We were all friends and we decided to put our focus and goals together. We believe that anything will work if people can come together, put their goals together, and turn their egos off.
else as far as hip hop for inspiration. The things I try to look for as far as making songs is evoking emotions out of people. I listen to a lot of baroque, classical music. The way the way they piece music is so original and ingenious. They make your body move a certain way, make you feel a certain way. I listen to a lot of Cold Play, John Mayer, and Regina Specter.
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Well we’ve been following you guys for a little while, but for all fans who may not be familiar, who are the Nice Guys? I’m Easy Yves Saint Sinner, the rapper, from queens NY. We have Free Free outta Grand Prairie Texas, right outside of Dallas, he’s a producer and hype man on stage, we have Christolph from Beaumont, Texas also a producer and hype man, and Go DJ Candlestick.
What can people expect from The Nice Guys coming up? Expect layers. Expect replay value and expect music. We try to make sure we honestly stay true with what we are doing. If you are a musician make music as a craftsman with words be a technician. Anything you want to add? I want to give a shout out to the Nice Guys - Free, Christolph, Candlestick, OrangiePorangie.com and my baby Orange out in LA, to Queens, New York, my brother Lotto, my nephew Isiah, both Shootas in NY and Houston, my boy JR, Ardinary Clothing and Sydnee Simone. Shout to everyone who is believing in what we are doing, this is not for ye of little faith, this is for the riders. If you are coming, come on.
nyc/htx: The nice guys Words By One Hunnidt
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denver: dj stupac Words By: Mz. fuSHion
First and foremost, explain the name. Glad you asked, “Stupac” has been my nick name since I was 12. I was and still am a huge 2 Pac fan, that’s all I used to listen too, so my friends all started calling me “Stupac” The name stuck with me and when I began to DJ at age 19 there was no question what my DJ name was gonna be. You’re originally from Dallas, The Triple D, what brought you to the Big D, Denver? After college in Kansas I decided to try something new, instead of moving back to Dallas, I moved to Denver to pursue my music career. One of my homies from Dallas went to CU so I visited Denver frequently throughout college and loved it, now I’m here! How does the Denver hip hop scene vary from the Dallas scene? It’s funny how no matter where you go everyone has their own “scene.” The Dallas scene is the shit; there are clubs everywhere so you will definitely find something you like. Dallas has been setting trends left and right the last few years with dances, music and style. I know my homie DJ K-Tone just went to Dallas and saw the hospitality we give to outta-towners, its all LOVE. Since I’ve moved to Denver I’ve seen the scene just grow and grow. It seemed like when I first got here a lot of MC’s and DJs weren’t working together like we all should. Now that has changed and I’m seeing everyone push the politics aside and work together. How does DJing in Dallas differ from DJing in Denver? There’s not too much of a difference, everywhere I spin I do blends/remixes and break records, it’s just what the crowd is feeling at that time. If they are Crunk, I’m gonna slap some Lil Jon, if they are mellow I’ll slap some Charles Hamilton, just depends on that crowd. Being from Dallas do you support the Dallas boogie/dance movement as having a positive influence on hip hop? Dancing is really what got me into DJ’n. I used to go to B-Boy battles in Dallas when I was real young and watch the DJ’s and the dancers, I was amazed. To me there’s no better compliment than someone dancing to your music. Like I said, Dallas really sets trends w/ dances and music, and yes it’s very positive, it keeps a lot of kids off the street and focused on something good.
What are the top three attributes that separate a True DJ from a Record Player? First off, if you’re not breaking records, you’re not a DJ, that’s so important to me. I see a lot of DJ’s that just do mixtapes w/ major artists, and they never fuck w/ Indy artists or local artists from their town, that to me it’s disrespectful and makes you a record player not a DJ. Second, if you aren’t mixing you’re tracks you are a record player. I don’t know how anyone can call themselves a DJ that doesn’t know how to mix, that’s DJ 101. Last, a True DJ has to know his/her audience. Just because you like a song doesn’t mean the crowd does too! Always play off the crowd! Number three Pet peeves from artists trying to get you to play their record? We all know there are a million people trying to rap these days, and with that comes people who have no idea what they are doing. I would say the 35-40 messages I get a day on MySpace are “up and coming” artists trying to post a music player w/ their song on my page. First off, that’s a huge fail. I don’t know one DJ that would post that to their page, I’m not trying to promote anyone’s music on my own music page, that’s crazy, don’t do that artists! TACKY. Second, when an artist approaches me with attitude like “you need to fuck with me.” I’m 10 years deep in this game and it has taken that long for me to build a team, what makes you think just because you got a cod I’m gonna mess with you? Nah nah nah, that doesn’t work either! Last, when I get emails all day from artists I’ve never heard of. Just so everyone knows I delete every email I get if I don’t know that person. Instead of blasting people with your music, how about an email first introducing yourself and maybe offering something in order for me to listen. People that introduce themselves first show they have respect, and I will most definitely critique anyone’s music, just say “what’s up” first! What is the one thing you want to address about the current state of the game? Man, it’s like a rollercoaster! I love and respect music so much that when I hear a horrible track on the radio I’m like “what the fuck is goin on?!?!” I understand the young kids are into a lot of BAD RAP, that’s just what’s hot right now. I can’t be mad, but it’s concerning I’ll say that. I fuck with some real talented indy artists, as long as I got them, I’m good. Like The Alumni? Yea! I met The Alumni (Big Sant and Big Krit) at the 2009 SEA’s last year and I’ve been fuckin w/ em since. They are the new UGK/Outkast, I know I know, I said that, go listen to the music, it speaks for itself!!! What are you working on now? Right now I’m working on my solo album. The name is yet to be determined, but I’ve got so much damn heat on this thing its crazy! I’m about to drop my 2nd single “Take it There” ft. Paul Wall and Big Krit, you’re the first to know that! It’s a slow jam and I REALLY think the people will love it! Other artists that will be on are Tum Tum, Roccett, Yung Texxus, Big Sant, Rockie and much more! I’m takin it slow, but ya’ll will hear the music as it comes out, and I won’t be putting out any bullshit!! Anything u wanna add? Shout out to The fuSHion Magazine for the interview, Be sure to check out www.myspace.com/djstupac www.twitter.com/djstupac www.mixtape-dj.com
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There’s a huge set of DJs, all reppin Denver and CO as a whole that have reach outside the state. What are ya’ll doing to get artists heard in other regions? Do you feel obligated to do so? Like I said, we are all working together, and yes a lot of people are finding huge talent out of state, Indies fuckin w/ Indies, it’s a beautiful thing. I don’t feel obligated to do shit,(laughs,) but if I’m feelin the shit outta your music, let’s talk!
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How are you separating yourself from every other DJs in the game right now? Just staying creative and new. There are a hundred DJ’s that put out the same 20 tracks every week, unless you’re DJ White Owl that shit just ain’t gonna cut it anymore. My favorite thing to do is blends, always has been. It really shows that a DJ can mix, that was my whole thing when I started to DJ, I didn’t want anyone to question whether I’m legit or not, you hear my blends you know!
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For the people who may be unaware, can you please break down the difference between an N Genius artist and a Prime Time Click artist? NGenius is a label. Prime Time Click is an imprint of one of NGenius’ artists, Dorrough. NGenius decided to sign Dorrough’s artists, Da Blockboi & Ace Boogie, to the label. NGenius and PTC used to run hand in hand but after a few additions and subtractions we decided it would be best to make each brand its own separate entity.
They say the industry changes people; do you feel this is a true conclusion? Do you have any “frienemies” since reaching success? The industry definitely does change people. It’s like, people expect so much from you once they see you get a little success. For the most part I’ve kept in touch with all my real friends because I have no reason to act “Hollywood” or be arrogant. We’re independent and still struggle just like everyone else. We’re now in a position to make bigger moves but it’s still a struggle.
Is NGenius looking for more artists? I see that you recently signed a few new acts on, what kind of music do you look for in new artists? We were looking for new artists but our roster is superb beyond any other right now. I recently picked up Lil Tony (Dallas) and Sean D Blanco (Houston). What I was really looking for to complete our roster I found in those 2 artists. Lil Tony is the outrageous character that says what he wants and doesn’t give a fuck. He’s the type of rapper that people will become obsessed with and want to know every detail of his life. Sean D Blanco is a superstar. He raps and sings. He’s an artist to the truest definition of the word. The ladies will love him because he looks like a Calvin Klein model (laughs.)
I graduated from Prairie View A&M, as did you. With Dorrough, Supastaar of Halle Berry fame, Party Boyz of Flex fame, and HeirBone of Homegurl fame, all being former or current PV students, it seems like a good portion of today’s successful artists have come through our Alma Mata. Why do you think that PV has become one of the staples for Texas music outside of Houston and Dallas? I think PV is like a Mecca for music. You have people from all over Texas and other states in one spot. If you work it right, you can easily influence them to fall in love with your music and when they take that music back home during breaks, that’s how your name and music gets spread.
Are there any hip hop moguls that you model your business decisions behind? Which greats influence you the most? P Diddy and Russell Simmons. Those are the two I most like to parallel myself with. Both started off young and were ambitious like myself. Russell started Def Jam in college, just like me and Cash Capone did with NGenius. P Diddy worked with Notorious BIG from the ground up, just like I’m doing with my artists. I look up to both and hope to be as successful one day.
Biggest pet peeves about artists trying to get signed and/or get their music played? I hate when people just flat out ask me “how can I get down with NGenius?” It’s like bud, if we wanted to sign you, we would sign you. Don’t come asking to get signed. Then with people getting music played, my biggest pet peeve is when artists bother me while I’m in the mix by either standing in or around the booth waiting for me to play their song. Get the fuck from around me, (laughs.)
Do you have a song that changed the way you looked at life or made you think differently after hearing it? The song that kind of changed the way I think is In Love with My Money by Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. When that came out in high school, I stopped caring about all the stupid little girls and started grinding to make money, DJing, and throwing parties.
Are there any other business endeavors you are interested in expanding to besides music? (Laughs,) if you knew what I’m working on right now you would laugh. Two of the producers I work with, Todd Hamburger and Dangerous, are working on a project. It’s in the entertainment field but it’s out of the norm. I don’t want to speak too much on it because I like to make stuff happen before I go running my mouth.
DALLAS: DJ MERK Words By: One Hunnidt
Words By: Mz. fuSHion
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atlanta: dj aaries
Words By: Mz. fuSHion
www.thefushiononline.com
M as Th e ter ta s ble of s:
What’s going on with the Roc-A-Wear I Will Not Lose campaign? That campaign is now over. I still speak with the people from Roc-A-Wear from time to time. Both of us have a lot of new and bigger things coming in 2010. All I can say is just stay tuned. What are you doing in the realm of artist management? I do manage a few artists, BUT from previous experiences I only manage artists who want to go the extra mile and who are investing in themselves. I don’t waste my time pushing artists who want me to make it happen while they’re not giving 100%. Do you think an artist can have a successful career with a DJ as a manager? Any current ones you can think of? I think so, but from what I see the artists expects more out of the DJ then they expect from themselves. Most artists say I’m hungry but they really wanna be spoon fed, or they’re looking for a financial backer, not just a manager. But I can’t think of any {successful artist/DJ managers} at the moment. What is the Pinnacle of success for the DJ? What is the DJs Holy Grail? I don’t know for other DJs, but for me I just want financial stability and to be happy. That’s it for me. What do you see yourself as achieving by the end of your career? I see more movie roles, Mixtapes, breaking more artists, meeting great fans all over the world and having a great time while I’m alive. How do DJs need to adjust their game/hustle in the digital game of music? Has it impacted DJs on the same level its impacted record sales?
Has ATL had its 15 minutes? Will the Mecca of Hip Hop shift to another region in coming months/year? I think ATL has a lot in store for the world. As long as people like to dance they’re gonna always love ATL. Where is the ATL music scene right now? What’s the style/sound coming from the A that’s impacting the game the most? Same place it always is, new artists, new music. I think the sound can just be called the ATL sound. Each side of ATL has a different sound but they all are tight. There’s a lot of music that don’t make it out of this city but is still fire. What are you doing to stay relevant? To be real with you, I never been trying to stay “Relevant.” I’ve just been doing what I like. When I stop loving this then I’ll stop. Club, Radio, or Mixtape, if you could only do one the rest of your life which would you choose and why? You shoulda said concert and I would have chosen that one. More people, more shine, more money and more fun! How do you set yourself apart from other DJs? Great question, like I said before I have no Idea what everybody else is doing, I’m just doing me and havin fun. I guess a great way to describe me is organized confusion. (laughs.) What are you working on now? Mixtapes w/ Parlae, Nappy Roots, Nicole Wray, Big Bank Black, Alley Boy, SEC, DJ Michael 5000 Watts, and a few others, a few movie roles. That’s about it. Anything you want to add? I guess the usual, hit me on: www.twitter.com/djaaries www.blackplanet.com/djaaries www.myspace.com/djaaries
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How has the movement expanded since its inception a few years ago? Besides getting more DJs to be a part of the movement we have been working even closer with artists like Nappy Roots, Parlae, Nicole Wray, & a few others. We have also been doing more music videos too, for “The ordinary and extraordinary.”
I think a DJ’s adjustments depend on where they are trying to go. I can only speak for myself, and as far as I can tell I’m doin what I gotta do to stay ahead of the game I’m playing. As for impacting DJs on sales, I’m sure it affects DJs because artists and promoters don’t make the money they used to make so they can pay us.
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What’s going on with Hood Hard Day and the Hood Hard DJs? The DJs are definitely doing their thing. Since the last hood Hard day we have expanded quite a bit. We now have DJs in Canada & Europe! Hood Hard Day is actually coming up in February and all I can say is that it hasn’t gotten any smaller since the 1st one. You can find more info on www.hoodharddjs.com.
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There is no industry more male dominated then the hip hop of the sexes, a battle of wit vs. braun, brains vs. beauty, sin
So where exactly do female MCs stand compared to their ma train will it be before we ar
Houston’s own Troublesum and Kiotti sound What have you had to do to set yourself apart from other females MCs? How has that affected the respect you receive from Male MCs? Troublesum - I didn’t really “have to do” anything to set myself apart, I just do me...nah meen. I can say I get RESPECT in and out my city. Every REAL dude stamps me from The Outlaws, to JadaKiss & Styles P, back home to Houston you got Trae Tha Truth and Chamillionaire. My grind speaks for itself on and off the Mic.
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Why aren’t most female MCs taken seriously in the hip hop industry? Troublesum - There are several reasons. There’s A LOT of stereotypes about females rappers, your either the “Raunchy Rapper” or the “Overly Gangsta Chick” however, I don’t fall into either category. Not only that, there so many fake and egotistical con-artists, looking to get “in your business,” instead of helping you get in the business. And some women fall for it. I’m looking for longevity. I write my own music, self-lived lyrics, with substance. Kiotti - It depends on the artist. Reputation has a lot to do with it. We need more female MCs who speak on life issues, and issues that pertain to women. If they did, more women would support them. How relevant are female rappers in influencing the overall state of the hip hop industry? Kiotti - They are very important. Female MCs have a huge audience, Women. Troublesum - We’re one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. Our music is given through a women’s perspective. Were able to convey to women what the dudes can’t get across, because they’ve never walked in our shoes. And even with dudes. I’m sure they would rather hear a woman expressing her love to them, let them know that there appreciated for their hard work and just for being a good man. We’re the heart of Hip Hop.
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Battle Words By: Mz. fuSHion
Of
How heavily do looks come into play in determining the success of a female rapper? Troublesum - I really don’t think looks have that big of a role when it comes to the success of a female rapper, maybe for R&B or Pop, but not Rap. I believe to be a successful artist you have to fill a void in your audience. You have to be able to reach them when no one else can. They have to feel like they’ve known you but you’ve never met. And they “Thank You” for helping them get through a struggle that you didn’t even know you were assisting in, but your MUSIC was able to bridge you to whatever situation they were going through. See first you get there ears, then you get there hearts, then you WIN! Kiotti - Sex sells. But you have certain artists who transcend the “sex sells.” One of my personal faves, Mia X. Real recognize real. Looks are only important if the lyrics are lacking. Why do you think there is such a big distinction made between male and female rappers? Why does society separate the two? Kiotti - That’s just the way it is in life. Double standards... I think that should motivate change. But as long as women are fine with it, it won’t change. We’ve made so much progress in other areas, like homosexuals and race relations. Its time for music to catch up. Do females MC have to be sexually explicit or have a sexed up image to gain a national following? Troublesum - Of course not! Look at Lauren Hill, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte. They NEVER took that rout, and they’re legends. What does that tell you? Kiotti - No. But that depends on any rappers moral standards. It’s sad some people will sell their soul for success. Does exploiting one’s sexual image in turn lead to others not taking her seriously as a lyrical threat?
p industry. But men and women have been locked in a battle nce we have been fortunate enough to walk on this planet.
ale counterparts? How much further down the evolutionary re indeed all created equal?
d off. And their answers amy just shock you. Troublesum - It can if it’s done tacky and tasteless, if it’s done without a meaning. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being sexy, I’m a sexy young lady (smiles.) However there are boundaries. There’s a BIG difference between sexy and slutty. Kiotti - Not really. Just depends on the artist. Jackie O and Trina are good examples. They’re super sexual, but they have lyrical content. How do Houston females MCs stack up to their male counterparts? Troublesum - We have a lot of dope female rappers here! Given the right opportunity we could definitely balance out the hip hop scale in the city. Kiotti - Being honest, the female MCs have work to do. I think the first female mc who accurately shows how Houston women feel, will win. Troublesum, Raw LT, Kenika, Candi Redd, Surreal, Kharma, Carmen Sandiego, etc...
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To nationally known female MCs? Troublesum - We have a few artists that’ll do well on a national level; some others will do better on a regional level, others overseas. We all have different roles, lanes, you just gotta be the best you. Kiotti – They’re looking good. Candi Redd sounds good with Candy and Rasheeda on the Independent Bitches Remix. In what ways do female MC’s have an advantage over male MCs? Are there any? Troublesum - None! We have to fight harder just to be taken seriously, music has to be hotter, our buzz has to be bigger. There are no advantages, (laughs.) Kiotti - The power of the P! Women unite. The ratio of women to men is crazy. I don’t know why it’s so hard for women to support each other.
What’s your take on the BARBIE epidemic that has swept the industry since Nicki Minaj’s exposure to the national spotlight? Troublesum - Nicki’s Barbie movement is really big right now, she’s doing her thang. I respect her; she’s brought the hunger back for female rappers. Kiotti - Nicki do you baby girl. People are followers. I can’t blame her. But if I see one more @ShaniquaManaj or @blackbarbieBoneleyshia I’m going cry. What are you working on now? Troublesum - Just wrapped up a Hip Hop Documentary w/Conscious Median, mixtape number seven Stiletto To The Pedal is dropping really soon (smiles) I’m featured on a boat load of other mixtapes, and I have a couple of movie auditions, that’s always exciting. Kiotti - New TV show, reality show, radio position, new album, live band project with “The Unit.” Fly Houston is the movement! Follow me on Twitter @kiotti Anything you want to add? Kiotti - Did I say follow me on Twitter already? @kiotti Thanks to the whole fuSHion staff. They came to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving. Much love and respect. Stop talking about change and make a change.
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What is your advice for any younger female MCs trying to break into the game? Troublesum - I’d suggest you put out dope mixtapes, get out and network with other artists in your city. Get your digital game up. Meet the DJs, promoters, go to these music conferences where they give you game on how to promote and establish yourself. And most importantly know who you are and be true to yourself, because you will be tested! Have a SOLID team. Grind, grind, grind! Pray and keep God first. Kiotti - Get you a good team: manager, publicist, street team. Keep your legs closed. Sex doesn’t speed up your success. Real talk.
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lasses Malone:
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Words By: Antionette Torrengano
Most artists, seasoned or new, trying to break into the industry, or at least deeper into the mainstream, have recognized and adapted to the digital revolution that has swept hip hop culture. However, Glasses Malone isn’t most artists. A true product of the streets, not the result of a manufactured image, he doesn’t look corporate America to dictate his next move. His life started in the streets, his career was shaped in the streets, and his moves run the streets. His grind is everything anti-industry and as a result he’s become one of the hottest, most respected, in the streets and in the boardroom, and most saught after artists in the game. Take Notes. This is how the west was ONE.
When did you start rapping? Truthfully it was probably bout 1998. My boy D started me off battle rapping; it was just telling jokes and rapping at the same time. I’m kind of good at telling jokes and bagging on people so that came kind of natural. Then in 2000 I started recording songs with my Lil bro, trying to keep him out of trouble. Is it true about you signing with Interscope? Naw, that’s just my family. Everybody at Interscope truly raised me in the business, I can’t even front. But I’m really signed to Cash Money Records. Ok so you are signed with Cash Money? Yeah, In fact I’m in Miami right now. How’d you hook up with Cash Money? Just being the hottest in L.A. When you the hottest In L.A., or New York you tend to attract many big wigs, so it’s kind of been the same story here. How comfortable are you signing with another rappers label? It’s a lot of work, but it ain’t no big thing. I actually like it, when you signed to another rapper he can appreciate what you’re doing. It means something to him because A&R’s really only choose all hit record songs. But being signed to Cash Money I’m allowed more leniency because I am nice on the mic. For a West Coast Artist you seem to do a lot of work with the South, why is that? I do songs with everybody; I really have songs with almost everyone from the West Coast. It just seems like the songs that everyone is listening to are these songs that I’m doing with artists from the South. Actually a lot of people out the South are cool, they work, and they’re some cool muthafuckas. They get in the studio and they want to just work. I saw Rick Ross last night and he was just like “Yeah its bout time we do some more songs.” I go see T-Pain and I’m like “T what you got for me.” I ask Baby and Wayne the same thing, their whole work ethic is crazy. They’re still working no matter how successful they are. It’s the same thing with Bun B, and with Pimp C, rest in peace, they don’t play. It’s really for real with all of them. They don’t feel like they need to exclude themselves from anybody, they’ll work with you if you have an album out or if you have 37 albums out. They’re just the truth at what they do. You’ve been in the game for awhile now. How would you describe where the West is now and how it got that way. I feel like we’re on the verge of making nice return. We’ve been down for awhile; I mean when Tupac died a lot of people really didn’t want to bring the business out this way. Snoop tried to do what he could, everyone was successful but it just didn’t keep going. Then the Game surfaced in 2005 and it just went crazy. Right now it’s just been a dogfight, just like everyone else had to fight to get noticed that’s what
Have you changed up your grind? And is that the reason you’ve had so many labels vying for your attention? I stay at it, I don’t back down. No matter how hard it gets, I don’t whine I just suck it up and go at this shit. I don’t do nothing else but go hard, and I keep myself as relevant as possible. Being a real street dude matters. People knew they have someone that’s not going to stop working, and I’m never going to stop working. I’ve been signed since 2006; this’ll be the 4th year. It’s nonstop and you have to keep working. Every label knows as long as I remain relevant in Los Angeles hip hop, ima remain relevant in hip hop in general. I’ve developed better work habits. Every year my work habits get more and more ferocious. How has the Internet influenced how you do your business? It’s the same to me. I get asked that a lot but I don’t make the Internet the basis of my existence like a lot of MC’s do. I pay attention to it but pretty much I’m still in the streets every day. I’m still at the club with the CD’s in hand, in the swap meet being one of the #1 selling artists from where I’m from. I’m still in the streets with it. We putting 35,000 CD’s out in the streets alone. I still believe in the street grind. The Internet kind of spoiled everybody and made it to simple. People are taking advantage of it, and don’t really formulate a plan. It makes it a lot easier for n****s like me in the streets, putting CD’s out for people to listen to. So the Internet really isn’t hurting your sales at all? Naw, it can’t hurt your sells. Whatever I sell is a lot more than I’ve ever sold before. Right now I’ve sold more than 700,000 digital singles, so it’s just a matter of finishing the job What’s your end goal? Do you want to keep rapping or do you want to pursue other things? I want to really produce films. I have a few things that I do, but producing films is something I really want to do. Have you started producing any films so far? I produced my first film which is coming out in April. It’s a 40 minute film with my independent label Blue Division. Its short but it the first one I’ve produced so I’m really excited. What do you have planned for 2010? I just want to get my label in full swing. I’m out here with Baby right now. We were in the studio yesterday and got a new single coming, I don’t even want to talk about it, it’s just so ignorant. It’s going kill everybody. People are going to be surprised at what I’ve been doing. I’ve got my artist Stage dropping the same day I am on my independent label; his videos are gonna be everywhere. {So that} and getting that movie in stores and just working from there. What are your keys to success? Drive hard, don’t stop driving. No matter what, as long as you keep pushing you can’t do anything but move forward. You got any messages for the doubters, or anybody that wants to do what you do. You can’t doubt me, I come from nothing. If I only sell 10 records that’s 10 more than I thought I was going to ever sell at one time. At this point I don’t think I have doubters, I just have people that don’t want to see me make it happen.
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It’s no secret that you were once involved in a gang, but what made you change your lifestyle and pursue other things? I don’t think being in a gang means you can’t pursue anything less then what you want to pursue. It’s just a common bond amongst people. A lot of times it’s taken out of context, but it’s more or less a brotherhood with the same type of goals any brotherhood has. Everybody can’t get into the Boy Scouts but anybody can get into a gang. You can become anything you want to be, the game doesn’t stop it, you can do whatever you want to do it’s up to you.
the West is doing now. Fighting to get noticed again. At one time I remember when OutKast first stepped in the building; we all loved them but they were still really fighting. And if you’re willing to fight you’re going to get noticed.
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Where are you originally from? I’m from Watts, really Compton and Watts.
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Confident
[kon-fi-duhnt]
-adjective 1. sure of oneself; having no uncertainty about one's own abilities, correctness, successfulness, etc.; self-confident; bold:
Ok, so then expand a little bit more on how you got your name. Yung Twinn came from the two different styles of music, but as I grew I began to look at it more as having the best of both genres of music. I feel like I have the streets, the streets support me a lot. I do make a lot of motivational music, and of course I have a big female fan base so the ladies rock with me to you know? I just look at it as I can step outside of my element and touch any style of music whether it’s hip hop, or R&B, or Rock Alternative or whatever, and I won’t feel uncomfortable. I can step out and do those types of music and still be identical to myself. I’m still me. So that’s Yung Twinn. What are you working on now? I just released my latest Mixtape/pre-album called Theme Muzik. It was beautiful man, within the first two weeks I had 40,000 downloads and I was just stunned by that. The feedback was crazy, everyone on Twitter has just been retweeting punch lines. That’s the latest project I have out right now. I’m still in the process of writing for some other up and coming artists and working on my album. Jive is really behind me 110% so I’m really going hard. I’m trying to figure out some titles for the album, I’m just looking forward to that. We anticipating a really, really big impact in the new year. I’m calling myself, and I could care less if anyone doesn’t like it, I am the self-proclaimed H Town Hero, I said it, they can hate it, but it is what it is, and they’ll see why. Houston isn’t what it used to be. I hate that TX is even known for a lot of these dingy records now. Texas period has been labeled as a dance market, when we are so not that. But that is the trend that’s been made, so with my album I plan on saving the day, just putting my cape on and saving not only my city, but the state period from what we’re not. Just saving our reputation for gritty, quality music, just good, ride-to-it music, and just motivational music.I feel like we steered away from that just out of being desperate to get on, or have fame, or to get money or whatever. It’s not worth that. Then what’s your overall purpose of rapping? Is it the money? Fame? To make a change? What’s the end goal? Everybody loves the money, but I’m blessed to come into the music industry at a time and point when it’s not about the money, money is
down, record sales are down, so you really just learn to appreciate the craft more. I really love to do it, because it’s showing people I’m doing something they said I couldn’t do. It’s more of an inner purpose, then actually trying to prove a point though. It’s just me doing what I love to do. I’ve fucked with it for so long that I’m used to it, it’s what I like to do, so I do it. It’s life for me. So whats the deal with the deal? Major? Minor? Distribution? Independent? I actually signed with Jive Records about four months ago. Those who know me know that I’ve been out there for a long time. I used to be signed to Sean Kingston’s label Time Is Money. That was a big thing that kick started my career in terms of crossing over to the mainstream. It was pretty good but it didn’t really go the way I needed it to go. He was really more focused on his craft, and he’s still young and new to the game himself, he just put out his second album you know? I just felt that I needed to be my own boss. I’ve always been used to holding my own weight and I just moved on. That led me to signing with Jive. Mark Pitt signed me, the same guy who signed Chris Brown and put on Ciara, Usher, you know, everyone over there on the Urban Side, and I got it poppin from that point 37 on. Now I am under Jive Records and I do have my own label under Jive as well, Undertaker Entertainment. www.thefushiononline.com
How did you get started? What got you into music? I experimented a lot when I was in middle school, you know, beating on the tables, free-stylin with the homies, and just trying to get everything going. I was into sports as well, but my heart was just always with music. My mama listened to music all the time, whenever she cleaned the house, whenever she did the dishes, there was constantly music around me. I even sang in the Church choir. I actually battled between singing and rapping, just tried to figure out which one I really wanted to do because I do both, that’s why I am Yung Twinn. But that’s how it got started and it just progressed into putting together my own mixtapes, getting in the studio, and taking it from there. Focusing on my writing, R&B, hip hop, rock alternative, everything. It just went from there and that now I’m rockin and rollin.
How did the relationship with Sean Kingston even come about? I was living in Miami for about two years; I just wanted different scenery, wanted better recording studios. I’m always going to be Houston, TX first. A lot of other artists might not admit it, but everyone has to branch out make a name for themselves elsewhere. I went to Miami and I was just grinding out there, and I saw a lot more opportunities, better studios, more connections, they just embraced me a lot better. I was making some noise out there, doing a lot of free shows, working with a promotional group, and that was just like my hustle. I met a lot of industry people through the promotions, and one of them was a friend from Texas that knew Sean. My name came up when Sean was speaking about starting his own label. Sean contacted me through email, told me that he loved my music, and we just really vibed. We exchanged numbers from there and got into the studio and started working on different records. We did the She Said Stop Record, but that actually got sold to Gorilla Zoe. We’re still really good friends to this day, it just took me a couple months worth of legal battles to get out of the contract, but we still managed to keep our friendship. So since you’ve been through it personally, would you recommend as an artist signing to another artist’s label? I don’t. Unless you have a very solid relationship with that artist it’s really not a good look. I mean, it’s not like we’re selfish or we want the spotlight, but you step into this industry because you want to be all that you can be. There are limitations when you sign with another artist because, I feel, you’ll never be the star that you want to be until that artist is ready to fall back. For example, I really respect what Weezy’s doin with his entire camp, but it’s easier for someone like Wayne to do that, or Jay Z to do that, Words and Photos By: Mz. fuSHion
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or Dre, because these are artists who have nothing to prove. They could up and retire tomorrow if they wanted to because their point is proven, they’ve sold multi-platinum albums, they’ve made millions and millions of dollars, they have investments, they’re good. So it’s easier for them to break new artists and be a CEO. You can’t be a CEO and still try to be a full-fledged artist at the same time. That’s what I feel Sean Kingston battled with when it came to me. He was so focused on his own thing, versus trying to push me into doing what I had to do. I didn’t sign to the label to be doing the same things I was doing when I was independent. I could have stayed by myself, and then you still want me to break bread with you? That was kinda pointless to me so I don’t recommend it. I feel like, get it by yourself, you came in by yourself, you gonna leave out of here by yourself. At the end of the day all you have is yourself. Strategically build your own team. If you’re going to team up with somebody, join forces, don’t hand everything over to them. Make it one big movement.
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Musically then, what’s the biggest difference between Houston and Miami cultures? The culture itself really isn’t any different; it’s really more of the atmosphere. In Houston, people are really selfish, and I’ll tell that to any artist in their face. Everybody doesn’t understand that there’s strength in numbers, if we really wanna put our city back on the map then we can’t wait for artists to blow up and then wanna work with them. That’s what a lot of Texas artists do. A few years ago I was in the club, doing the hand to hand thing, and doing that real street grind. I would go up to these artists and I’d be like, “yo, I got the money; whatever it is you charge lets work.” I know its costs to grind; I know it takes money to make money so I’m not trippin on that. I used to try and work with the artists, a lot of the big names out here, and they would look at me like, who is this cat? Get out my face type shit, you minor to me, move around. And these same cats who now, when they see me, they dap me up and show me respect, but it’s like, they still won’t work with you. It’s like they wanna work with you when they wanna work with you and that’s not what it is. Going to a place like Miami, everybody is just grind oriented. They have a different vision for the level of talent. That’s why I moved out there because I really respected the fact that they embraced me without knowing who I was, or what I was about, or where I came from. It was like they just saw the star quality and were down to work. I went out there and worked with {Sean} Kingston, I worked with Lloyd, I worked with Pleasure P, Cool & Dre, Jim Jonsin, the list goes on and on. The resume is solid, just from being out there. They just love to work, they don’t really care who you are. They know tomorrow is a new day, at any given moment, a new star is born, and they don’t wanna be left in the dust. I love my city; I love the artists here, if it wasn’t for the names, the people who put on for the city, there wouldn’t be me, but at the same it sucks when those same people that you look up to and wanna work with just blow you off. That’s not a good look. Then what do you think is holding you back from a national breakthrough? I think I’m just about there right now, but as far as a national breakthrough, I think that’s where a major label comes into play. I didn’t really need them. I’m blessed, I’ve been doin my thing, I’m grindin. I’m fortunate enough to make decent enough money to take care of myself, but you get to a point as an artist where you wanna touch the world, you want your sound to be
heard overseas. You want that success. It’s not necessarily the fame; you just want to know that what you’re doing is bigger. What drove me to sign with a major was really just the lack of respect within my own town. I’m not one of those people who is afraid to say I don’t have my city. My city doesn’t have my back, and at the end of the day it’s the same way for a lot of artists no matter where they’re from. You’ll get embraced in other cities because you’re home town is more like the followers, not the leaders. Once everyone else accepts you and the world loves you and you’re a hot commodity, then everyone will be like “oh, he’s from Houston! Yea, yea Ima rock with him.” And you know it sucks, but that’s just how it is. That’s what drove me to really keep pushing this and let people know, this is not just a hobby to me; this is what I really do. Expanding on that a little bit then, Houston, for the most part, has a pretty standard sound, one that yours doesn’t quite fit into. How would you describe your sound and do you think that it may have actually contributed in holding you back? Exactly, that’s a good one. I would define my sound as universal. I feel like I can touch any record and it won’t sound strange. You know you finish how you start. I came in doing these crazy records; it wasn’t something I grew into. I came in doing pop tracks, working with bands, R&B records, everything. I didn’t come in saying I’m just going to do hip hop, I’m just going to rap. So when people hear an out of this world record from me they’re not like What the hell is this left field shit? It doesn’t throw people off to where I lose fans because they’re used to it already. That’s really my sound, just being universal. I wouldn’t say it’s held me back, I actually think that’s the one thing that has really helped me because it’s something that separated me from all other artists. So then would you define yourself as a hip hop artist or a rap artist? I define myself as an artist period. Nothing in front of it. Of course people will label me as a hip hop artist because that’s what I mostly focus on. But I sing a lot of my own hooks and bridges, I co-produce. We touch a lot of different things, but I always come out rapping on the song somewhere. Hip hop is my first passion obviously, but I just look at myself as an artist first and foremost. I love all kinds of music and I won’t be defined or stick to that one type of music because there are so many other genres of music out here and honestly hip hop is not the most successful. I wouldn’t even allow myself to just cater to hip hop when hip hop wouldn’t really pay the bills. You have to have a larger mind frame and a broader view on your music and your sound if you really wanna hang with the big dogs. Look at Drake, look at Weezy, look at Jay Z even. With his last album he touched a lot of different genres, from him working with Linkin Park to all kind of others. They know that. They know you can’t just keep it hip hop because hip hop is hurting. You have to bring hip hop together, sad to say it, with the white folks. You gotta smash it together with the people who are still willing to go out and buy records. Its business at the end of the day. Well that’s all I had for you unless you wanted to add something? Definitely, big ups to fuSHion Mag, and there’s hope. I see that much because this is just an honor to see that there is someone within TX that would reach out to me and make things happen. Like I said, that’s what’s lacking in the state, that hometown support and that hometown love. It’s an honor.
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The experience of the streets. The mind of a hustler. The work ethic of a CEO. The intelligence of a politician. The backing of Two Moguls in the Making.
J
The will to never stop. Never Quit. Never take no for an answer. The voice of a generation?
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I AM The fuSHion Magazine
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UICE
Without giving too much info out just completely revealing your government, There is no J in your name anywhere. So, how did the name “Juice” come about? My grandma use to call me Juice back in the day. I played basketball and that was kind of a big deal. I also use to play football, and people would always say “That kid got juice.” When it came down to me starting to brand myself as an artist and rapper, I didn’t want to go for something so left field and using something that didn’t define me for who I was, so the name Juice stuck with me and that’s what you have today. So why use the name Juice McCain, what’s the story behind that? Basically, I’m from a city with its back against the wall; we don’t have a major music scene such as L.A. or New York or Miami or even Texas. John McCain, is the senator of our state and he doesn’t support my people, so I took it amongst myself to be the voice of the city and state. I’ve been branded by the people and they call me Juice McCain because I’m so active in my community and I live by that. Why do you feel that Arizona is so looked over and misunderstood by the hip hop industry? We have a lot of artist’s that are making major buzz here but because we haven’t been looked at by the mainstream in the past they don’t think to recognize us now. But that’s about to change. Do you feel you have more to prove being from Phoenix? Of course; I remember I was in New York at MTV with The Game and he was like this a new kid from Phoenix and n****s was like “Phoenix, What the fuck is in Phoenix” and I took offence to it at first cause I was like if you don’t know about it, you got to learn about it and it made me work that much harder. People can respect my flow, my movement and what I’m about, but I think at this point being branded by The Game in music and having business savvy skills long with a partnership with Amar’e Stoudemire I think that automatically puts me in a different category compared to a ordinary rapper coming from a nowhere ass state. I think people are now taking my music and my city serious so it’s really coming in from all corners. Why do you think the Hip Hop community automatically overlooks the area between California and St. Louis, MO when looking for/referring to talent?/overlooks the West; It goes from Cali to the South to the East? I really don’t think people have witnessed the movement from here or have been here to really see what’s going on and therefore are qualified to give judgment. That’s like any city you haven’t been to; it’s automatic to down play something you’re not accustomed to. Look at Texas. They took it among
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There are really three major artists in Arizona: Juice – Black Wall Street. Willy Northpole – DTP. Hot Rod – G Unit. What separates you all? What’s so different? For me it’s a number of things; the people I have behind me, the knowledge that I have. I’m a student of the game. I’ve set back, watched, and studied a lot of great artists. The expectation I have for myself is higher than the average artist wants to achieve. I make a lot of calculated moves. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the chance to sit behind The Game and see how he created an album, to see what made it successful or what didn’t bring his view to a maximum point. Then I have the opportunity to sit in board meetings with Amar’e and see him make hundred million dollar moves and trades for his company. I really feel I’m in all the right situations and I can’t fail. I take full advantage of everyone and everything around me so that I can create my own path. And this isn’t to take away from Willy or Rod. True, Hot Rod was the first to sign his deal and Willy North Pole was the first to drop an album but I’ll be the first to hang a plaque. Believe that. There have been rumors of unrest between you and Willy in the past. Anything you want to address? It is what it is, when you got two artists from the same state and both are trying to up lift it you’re going to have some “friendly” competition. We see each other out and it’s all good though. We have that respect for each other. Then diving a little deeper into your previous answer, which connection came first, The Game or Amar’e? The Game situation came first; he was in Phoenix promoting his album. After I found out he was in town I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I saw him out, and handed him my demo. He listened to it and that was it, done deal. I was on a flight to LA the next day. After I signed with The Game I created an even bigger buzz in the city and people started really getting down with my music. I became really big in the city by flooding the streets with my music and getting out to all the clubs to give people a visual of who I was. Amar’e really respected my music and I respected him as a ballplayer and businessmen, so we sat down to came up with the idea about Hypocalypto Records and started the process of gettin my album ready to be launched in the right way.
American Me is different because it’s not conformed to mainstream ways. It’s all me, 100% good music. The reason I pushed it back was because I felt it wasn’t ready. There were key elements that weren’t where they needed to be. Everyone knows the name Juice but not too many people know the man, so I wanted to make sure I had my buzz up and that I have some heavy shit on there. I have features from Bun B, Ace Hood, Slick Pulla, the whole Black Wall Street, and my label mate Judge. I have some major stuff and this is only a mixtape. I treat my mixtapes like albums. I’m very big on making sure everything is done the right way, because I like to make sure my fans are happy. What are the singles you’re pushing off the mixtape? However You Want It and Can’t Crush My Cool really aren’t the singles I’m pushing; those are just what got leaked. But I’m glad they were because now I’m reaching new markets. So, expanding on that, how did you establish a relationship with Bun B, and what kind of relationship is that now? I grew up on Bun and UGK’s music. He really has that grown man music. I had an opportunity to meet him in Houston, and he was just giving me knowledge and game. I can call bun any day of the week if I have a question about a record and he’s going to give it to me 1000 with no chaser. He’s one of those dudes in the game that’s so respected, the only thing you can do is appreciate the wisdom that he gives you. The way the industry is headed right now do you think you have to appeal to the ladies in order to have sell records? However you want it wasn’t just done for the ladies. I’m not saying you have to go that route; it was just a record about how I was feeling at the time. You don’t necessarily have to have a female record too sell. I think as long as you have good music, quality music, it’ll happen. Do you feel that’s hip hop is straying away from its roots in the lyrical and becoming more commercial? Yea, I would defiantly say hip hop has changed. I feel that people look at it more like a fad than as a way of life and a voice for our culture. Corporate America has a way of capitalizing on what’s hot and conforming it into something to “their” liking and monetary benefit.
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themselves to come together and get their sound heard and that’s impacted the stage we’re currently in. I feel in due time hip hop will start to recognize and give respect where it’s due, despite its source.
What part of the industry would you like to see change or plan on changing? The industry used to have principle and structure but now it’s so cut throat, you get the chance to sell one record and nine times outta ten, it’s a wrap. The companies that I’m involved with are interested in the project as a whole, by bringing stability, respect and 45 discipline back to the business. They will give a budget for a project that will allow all parties involved to reap the benefits, and not rape and exploit them.
So let me get a clear understanding, are you signed to Black Wall Street or Hypocalypto? Both. It’s a joint deal and when the album drops I will be under both. They are both powerful tycoons I’m really blessed to have on my side. A lot of artists never have that.
Ok let’s go in to some random questions, and delve a little bit more into the mind of Juice. What is your greatest strength? Your greatest weakness? My greatest strength is my pride, my will to win. I have more passion to win and succeed then the average artist. My weakness… well I don’t have any. But if I had to say, it would be my trust issues. The industry is so Hollywood and “plastic”, that it’s hard for to trust a lot.
Then are you an Arizona artist, a West Coast artist? What defines Juice? I would say I’m an artist, period. It don’t matter where I’m from or where I am the point is I make good music across the board. I have that talent where I can go anywhere and get the love. You’re such a young artist, but have already been on a world tour with a major artist. Where do you go from here? It was really needed for me to go on tour so that I could go out on the road and see the ups and downs, the good and the bad, and basically how to handle myself as an artist away from home so that when I’m ready to go out on my own I will be prepared and ready. Why is your approach to the industry so slow and steady? Why are you not flooding the streets with mixtapes? The game changes every day and in order for you to really execute it you need to reformat it to fit your certain needs to be really successful. I’ve known artist to drop 60 mixtapes and still not be known on a national level, so why drop mixtape after mixtape when it only goes so far. I push myself and brand myself on a national level and I understand that it takes more than just an artist putting music together. Everything must be in a certain order. Aside from that what sets you apart from other artists? One of the main things that sets me apart from other rappers is my sound is global. Even though I’m from the West I’m not put into a box or afraid to take a risk in different markets because I’m confident about my sound. American Me was suppose to drop a few weeks ago, on Jan.15th. What’s the hold up?
What would be your dream collaboration living or dead in your genre be? Real talk I would say Nas, he’s one of my top influences. The second would have to be Pink. I’m a real big fan of hers. I already have the record I wanna do with her, I don’t have the beat to it yet, and I haven’t reached out to her but I plan on calling it The Cries Of a Broken Man. Once everything gets situated I’m going to make sure me and her do a collaboration together. What is a day in the life of Juice? I’m up before anybody, and I’m In the gym early. I get back and take a little time for myself and get my day planned out. I contact my manager, hop on the phone and email my publicist and label. Then I start off my day very calculated, very cool, but I’m a very hard worker. I don’t accept mediocrity. I want to be an over achiever. Even to be given a little time and space. I want to do what the next person can’t be. And that is the most completely perfectly successful man possible. I will always raise my standards and push my limits until I’m there. What are some of the projects you’re currently working on? Right now I’m working on American Me mixtape/EP I got a part 1 and a Part 2. It’s a real hot project. Then I’m also getting prepared to hop on this tour, the NBA Live Nation Tour. I’ll be traveling to different cities and get it popping, selling the “Juice” brand, as well as Black Wall Street and Hypocalypto. Any more words before you go? fuSHion Magazine I appreciate you. Make sure you check out your boy Juice, The New Face of America. American Me coming soon, and check me on IAmJuice.com and on Twitter and MySpace.
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What made Game take the time out to listen to your music when it is clearly not in the same category as his own? Game said I always reminded him of him just “fresher.” He took the hood route and I took the street route with a fresher sound, but that’s the way I do things, that’s just me. But we still have so many similar traits which connects us. It’s kind of like Jordan and Kobe. Jordan set the standards but Kobe came and put his own twist to it.
AMAR’E
There are two faces to every coin, two sides to every story, at least two paths at every fork in the road, and two choices for every decision made. But what happens when you can’t let go of one of those choices? What happens when two dreams pull equally at your heart strings? Do you give one up? Or go balls to wall in an effort to acheive greatness, twice over? Amar’e Stoudemire didnt start playing basketball until he was 14, but his passion for music has been life long. The teen prodigy played two years of High School ball, and then declared for the NBA. He was drafted 9th in the 02 draft, was 03’s Rookie of the Year, is a 5 Time NBA Allstar, and Olympic Bronze Medal winner. So what could be left? Besides the ever ellusive NBA championship ring? Why not a Record Label, maybe even a Grammy, by way of his Hypocalypto Artist: Juice.
What role do you play in his career? How much do you have to do with what he does on a daily basis? Right now, with Juice, he’s self motivated. A lot of the things he does, he pretty much does on his own. He’s always in LA. He always hanging out with Game and Black Wall Street. Even though he’s signed to us, he still hangs out with them. He has his own type of plan in mind, so he grinds on his end, and on our end we make sure everything is legit from a corporate standpoint, as far as shows and just trying to keep his career lined up. At the beginning of last year there was a huge buzz about you, Hypocalypto, and TI, and Grand Hustle coming together to work on artist and athlete management. What’s going on with that situation? The thing about myself and Grand Hustle is, we have a friendship first of all, and that grew into a business venture. Me and TI became good friends, so we decided to come together and help each other out in our individual fields. Unfortunately, TI had to go away for a while so that was put on pause, but I still work with Grand Hustle and we still collaborate. We currently have Baby Boy, an R&B singer down in Atlanta that we are both currently working with right now. What is the meaning behind the name of the label? Hypocalypto is a name that I actually came up with. I was sitting back thinking about a positive movement because a lot of times in hip hop you need something positive, so I took the words Hypothesis, and Apocalypto and came up with the name, which means an educated guess about a new beginning. Melo has a label, Artest has a label; Shaq, Kobe, AI, all tried their hand at rapping. Do you think it’s becoming a trend for ball players to crossover (no pun intended) into hip hop? I think, for one, rappers and basketball players have a certain swag about themselves. It’s a similar swag. Rappers love to play basketball and vice versa. I think with that being said, we just have a passion for music and try to get involved. Any other business ventures? I have a lot of other stuff I’m taking on, but right now, from an urban standpoint the label is what we’re focusing on. As well as Baby Boy in ATL and Juice, we also have Judge out here in Phoenix. We’re focusing on getting out artists out there and in the right direction with their careers.
z By: M Words
Stoudemire
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How did you come across Juice and how did that develop into the business relationship you have now? I knew Juice before we actually signed him. The situation he was in prior to me wasn’t working out well for him so I invited him over to Hypocalypto. We sat down and came up with an idea together of what we wanted to do with him as a project. Now he’s Hypocalypto and we go from there.
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How did you make the transition from the basketball court to the hip hop side of the industry and what prompted it? I have a huge passion for music. I wanted an opportunity to explore that side of it, so I started the record label to see if I could be successful at it. There are a lot of quality artists out here who just don’t get the opportunity to prosper, so I started it as a way to help, for one, and secondly to fill my passion for hip hop and music.
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fuSHio
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The Union:
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Space Shuttle Muzic www.thefushiononline.com
What are your individual roles in the group and how does that affect the overall dynamic of the group? Verse – For the most part I just bring verses to the table for right now. I’m part of another group called 4th & Inchez, which is an entity under The Union, and consists of Me, Kizza, and KB. I’m a New Yorker, so being that we are in Houston, the East Coast flavor is what I bring. We merge that with the southern flavor and that’s what gives The Union its dynamic sound. KB- I’m a producer, I’m a writer, I sing, and I rap too. I bring the songs to life as far as the concepts and they pretty much take it from there. Besides hip hop I actually do pop too. I do R&B. I wanna test myself and touch on every genre of music.
O.N.E.
Kizza – My role in the group is really to sit back, watch, and learn. As far as the sound goes, I’m versatile, I can jump on anything. My preference lyrically though is to say something that will make you think, that will amuse. I’m more into amusing my peers then amusing my fans. That’s my style. I’m a team player; I’ll jump on any track. The uniqueness of the group is that we can blend the different group styles and backgrounds together very well. We’ve gotten to the point where it’s not easy, but we do it seamlessly.
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O.N.E. – My role outside of rapping, along with Kizza, is to handle the internet and marketing. As far as music, I do it all. Rapping, I can hit you at any angle, whatever you want me to shoot at, I got it. I sing, I write. I don’t have a set identity, or a set style. I do what I need to do. Dee Wreck – I really research what’s hot in the streets, she what everybody else is doing then just make sure we staying in their deck, staying in their face. Know what everybody is talking about, what they’re speaking on because you have to know what’s going on. If an artist drops a song I wanna hear it because I wanna see where their minds at. I listen to a lot of people to figure out how I can top them.
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H-KANE
H Kane – My role is more of a general with his platoon. I make sure we orchestrate and we execute everything that needs to be done to our maximum ability, and just get shit done. I also play twenty-five other roles that obviously need to be played by me because of my stature in the city. Rap wise, I like rapping; it’s really just amusing to me. Its real fun, it gives me that juice, that adrenaline I need sometimes. But I’m more of a musical producer by heart, because I love to make music. I love producing more than I love rapping. With the group, I look at everyone’s individual pros and cons, their strengths and weaknesses and I bring what needs to be put in those gaps. That is what will make this group that complete group that no one can fuck with. If you look at what everyone has described, no one can fuck with us. Period. How did the group itself come together? H Kane – Actually Kamikaze, shout out indmix.com, he was actually the brain child behind the whole group thing. He was the first to say “ya’ll need to come together as a group,” and then we as men sat down and said let’s make it happen. So we put legs behind it, we dug into it, we dug a whole and it’s here now.” So how long have you guys been “The Union?” H Kane – About a year now.
DEE WRECK
With the state of the game as it is right now, why form a group instead of focusing on individual careers? H Kane – Very good question. From my experience, especially in the south, people respect movements more then they respect hit songs. The types of things we brought to the table, the types of things everyone was doing, we were trying to get away from the norm. WE were trying to get away from the whole, make a club hit, try to get on the radio,
typical way to get in the game because that will only lead to a hit record, that’s it. If you look at the statistics for the last six years, no one has really had a hit album, unless they were already established. We decided to take the route of getting a foundation established before we tackle everything that we need to tackle. We need a core group of fans and a core group of people that just fuck with us. So I sat down and said we need to get a marketing plan for this and it basically focused around building street level respect. Get out in the streets, get everyone to know who you are, get them to respect what you do, and see the fact that you are passionate about what you do so that they can in turn give you that opportunity you might need. A lot of people don’t understand that respect goes a long way when it comes to opportunity. You could be the most talented rapper in the world but if you’re not respected you’re not going to get heard. Period. It’s extremely hard to break five guys nobody knows or get people to respect them the same way they respect me. There’s a whole lot of different personalities and attributes in the group and that’s what makes the group. When you pull all that together and put one mission behind it, that’s our strength.
VERSE
Verse – In all honesty the selling point of forming a coalition is to put resources together as a single unit. Granted we were all trying to really get out there, and there really wasn’t a better person out there then Kane for the things than Kane for the things that he can bring to the table. He can rap his ass off and he has respect. Respect as we know is something that can’t be bought; it is something that has to be earned. We’re not from Houston, it’d be a lot harder to gain respect down here because of that. But people down here respect the grind, and he grinds hard. So does he {points to Dee Wreck} and so does he {points to O.N.E.} so if people see us out constantly grinding because we’re associated with these people, they’ll respect The Union as a Unit. So we don’t really focus on that. If he {Kane} shines, The Union shines because he represents us as a movement. We in turn learn from each other, further our career, and put ourselves in a better place.
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Given the fact that Kane is such a prominent character, how do the rest of you ensure you don’t get lost behind the scenes? KB – That’s mostly on the individual. The Union is obviously is a coalition of entities. But we decided to sit down and bring all of our resources together because we all believe in Kane’s statement that movements are respected more than individual artists or songs. The material is not a question. We can make really, really great songs, not just good songs, great songs. But now how do you market that? How do you put legs behind it? How do you get heard? How do you force the industry to deal with you? So that’s one of our strengths. We’re from different cultures, we have the Nigerian culture plus the east coast culture plus the southern culture, all really embedded in our music. Put that with the lyrical factor, the hip hop culture, not rap, the hip hop culture itself, and that why you can’t compare the movement to anything, to no movement you’ve ever seen before. But it’s up to us to make sure the world knows that.
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So then elaborating on street respect, how important is it compared to mainstream success? H Kane- It goes hand in hand actually. Look at an artist like Flo Rida. I didn’t know that Flo Rida was grinding his music way before that little pop shit came out. When I did my research I actually looked dude up and I pulled up some songs, and he can actually rap. He was on the ground level hustling street music. Then along the way he decided to go the pop route to make that money. He made that decision and obviously you see the success. My point is it was the fact that Florida embraced him when he was grinding the mixtapes first, that they embraced him after as one of Florida’s top artists. That’s Flo Rida, you can’t knock his hustle. You cannot knock him. Regardless if the song is whack in the streets, or doesn’t get played in the streets, you can’t knock Flo Rida. You can’t knock what he’s doing.
K.B.
KIZZA
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How has Kane’s schedule, and dominance in the Houston club scene affected how ya’ll move and work? Would you be where you’re at no without Kane being in the position he is? Wreck – That’s simple. Without the Go DJs getting behind us, I mean really getting behind The Union and saying, “We fuck with ya’ll,” it’s pretty much self-explanatory: Nah, not at all. We were still in the streets doing our thing, pushing music, getting connected with people, this and that. But once that certain respect level, that certain cosign, you can’t knock that. He {Kane} is just an A+, an A++.
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Besides Dorrough, the only artists from Texas getting recognition by the rest of the nation are groups doing dances. How do you guys plan to combat that or will you guys just fall into that lane? (All laugh) H Kane – I’m just going to state the facts first, because I don’t want to just give away my marketing plan, (laughs) but the way we combat it is just by being anti-everything because when you look at The Union you can’t associate our music with the typical club music. In our city, and in our culture, there’s a certain type of music that’s being played in the clubs right now, that is a given. That goes back to the foundation, going back to being in the streets. As a group since we’re so lyrical and since we’re real artists there’s no way that we could try to fight against what’s out there as the star. One thing I’ve in business, not just the music business, but business in general, is that everything has to have a compliment. Burger King has to have a Jack In The Box; you have to have that competition. As long as we’re doing what we’re doing and put 300% behind it, their helping us. That’s the way I see it. The dance craze is helping us because what people are going to say is, the dance scene is far right, but The Union is far left. And that far left is still going to get recognized because it’s so far left. That’s just how people operate; they want the ying and the yang. Wreck – Were all hip hop heads in here. In 94, 95, all the earlier years of hip hop, it was never just one distinct sound. The one thing that stood out about hip hop was that everybody had a unique sound. If you distinctly stand behind one sound and follow everybody else you won’t stand out. Once you really just decide, we’re going to stand out, be different, that’s really what draws people to you. If you express yourself the way you want to express yourself, why not? So do you think it’ll be harder for you guys to attain a high level of mainstream success, being that ya’ll aren’t flexin, or showin your legs, or any of that? O.N.E. – (laughs) I wouldn’t say yes based on the fact that hip hop is diverse. Our style and the music that we put out isn’t dead, it’s just not what’s hot right now. It’s important to bring notoriety back to the city, so if it takes that type of song for them to look at Houston again, they’re automatically going to hear The Union, and whatever music is poppin in the city. Once they hear that they going to realize The Union isn’t The Stanky Legg, but the music goes hard. It won’t be as hard, but it does go in waves. But once the see The Union, and they hear the hit music, it’s on from there. Kizza – Were in a capitalist market. The key to that is that there are options that people have choices to make. Those artists have made a conscious
effort to go that route because that’s what they want to do, that’s what they feel like they have to do to get in the game. They want that one hit that you don’t know the words to, but people are going to know the chorus and the dance, and after two, three months, they’ll either have another one like that or they’re done. They made that decision and that’s the easy way out. Anybody can make a quick dance song. We have made a conscious effort to be relevant in the culture. I would rather have my song played in somebody’s car then to be in the club. We have made that decision and that’s what we’re sticking with. You choose what you want to do and you have to put 100% into it. Is it harder? We’re not even competing with that. It’s an alternative. There are people who want that and that’s why their successful. We can’t say it whack because people want it. But were over here. People are going to want us too. Ok, now you guys have dropped 3 mixtapes, one after the other. When you droppin the album? H Kane – When the money right. Dee Wreck – (laughs) #Stamp. Straight Up. H Kane – Because I’m a member of the Go DJ’s my influence is obviously large on the DJs fuckin with The Union. But I look at all the rappers I see that constantly come up to me with their music, constantly putting out music, just doing nothing other than making songs, and not putting any real leg work behind them. But what we’re doing, and how we’re doing it, it’s not time to push an album yet, because there’s so much more to accomplish from the ground level, for us to be focusing on that right now. It really takes a solidified movement, it takes your heart to get out there and do what we’re doing, to be recognized and known for your music. The album will come when these labels start trippin. I’m very well connected, I know what’s up. The budgets aren’t freed up yet. I keep getting calls telling us to keep the movement going, keep workin. But the only thing that keeps me going is the fact that people are respecting what we’re doing, and they’re waiting. It’s not a fact there’s six of us and we have four different entities that can drop an album, it’s the fact that they’re respecting what we’re doing, and at any given time once the money’s right, or once everything is right, they’re going to fuck with us. And that’s when well drop the album. Kizza – Gone are the days where you could just be talented musically and be successful. You have to look at it from a business standpoint, and in any business you have to have leverage. Either you have money or you have the fans or you have the knowhow. You have to have some type of leverage because business is an even exchange. It’s not the right time to drop the album because we don’t have that leverage yet. WE don’t want to go into a situation where we just have to sit back and take what we can get. We want to get to the point where we can demand stuff. Then how do you plan on staying relevant between now and the time that happens? Kizza- That’s easy. We’re going to have different markets and demographics that were going to target individually. Hip Hop is a conglomerate of different cultures, and were going to hit these different
O.N.E. – Like you said earlier, were three mixtapes in as The Union, they know the name, they know the brand. Now, before the next Union project comes out, you’re going to get to know us personally. Kane’s coming out with a solo mixtape, all of us are. 2010 you’re going to get to know everyone more intimately.
Kizza – That’s a very good question because it is a cycle. This sound comes in for a while, then this sound, it’s a cycle. I think the advantage that we have is that one sound that may be hot at the time or on the way out at a certain time, you can’t label us with that one sound because we don’t have one sound. That’s the uniqueness of the group. If the southern sound is in right now, were not the typical southern sound, that’s why I feel like we’re going to be relevant no matter what sound is the trend at the moment. If you listen to our music, wave done everything from the southern, to the east coast, the west coast, to pop, to reggae, we are so diverse, but in a good way, not where people are confused. We can do pretty much whatever we want.
Touching on what you said about penetrating different markets, being that you’re not established yet, or Household names, aren’t you afraid by trying to get into so many different markets at once people will just see you guys as trying to get in where you fit in? Maybe even selling out? H Kane – We were talking about this. Is there such a thing as oversaturation? When you’re developing a marketing strategy, whether you’re selling CDs or selling frogs, you’re targeting. My marketing strategy is based off targeting what’s best for us, not targeting everybody. I know our market, the Houston market and I know the influence it has on the music industry. A lot of people don’t know that Houston music is so copied, our swag is sop copied in the south, and people run with it. So I know if we conquer our market, which is Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, region, and we get to the point where were relevant in our market then well have that leeway we need to attack other markets. You need that quote-unquote co-sign from your market in order to do that. That market will market you once you conquer it. Hip Hop is known for creating trends with an exceedingly high turnover rate. When hip hop first started in the 80’s the Mecca was the East coast and based in lyrical content, we transitioned to the west and the development of the hip hop side of rap in the 90’s, and then to the south were the focused shifted to the beat, the club since Y2K. That being said, it’s almost time for the trend to move again. Are you guys afraid your coming into the game, out of the south to late miss the boat? H Kane – Not at all. Not at all. You hit it on the head when you said, it does this. All music makes that full circle. The wave is coming, it’s coming, but it’s not going to leave per say where it is. What its doing is, the music is changing, that’s all. The southern culture has already embraced what we do down here. If you look at when the East Coast was selling 3, 4, 5, 6 million records an album, that was because we {the south} were buying theme. At the time in NY there weren’t that many rap fans buying records. It’s because we were buying them. So it’s not the fact that it was an east coast thing at one time or a south thing at one time, it was the fact that we were embracing their music. They type of music that’s playing right now, with the Drake’s, the B.o.B.’s, etc, that it’s going to make that lyrical turn again. It’s happening right in our face. I don’t think we’ll be in the position to say awe man we missed the wave. In my opinion we started the wave, we chose to go that route. Honestly I think hip hop is going to end up on the west coast in a couple of years because the music is coming back. The music started on the west coast, the lyrics started on the East Coast, and when it got to the south it was all about the bass. If you look
Wreck – you can’t force music. A lot of people go in the studio like, we need to do this because this is what everyone else is doing, so let’s try to dumb down real quick and make this type of song. Then it comes out and everyone’s like… “What?” Versus if you just get in there and follow your heart on what you wanna do, on what you’re really feelin, and it all comes out smoothly, you can’t beat that. You can’t force it. H Kane – As you can see were opinionated Verse – I feel like the south has made such a major mark on the rap and hip hop industry as a whole, I feel like it’s not going anywhere. I don’t care if it circles back around and people want more lyrics, the south has influenced hip hop, period. If you listen to Jigga’s raps, he’s talking about UGK stuff; he’s using slang from Houston, ten years ago. When I was in New York I didn’t even know who UGK was, but he knew. He knew that even though it wasn’t in the south at the time, ok they got something down there that the world needs to here. As far as The Union goes, were from New York, [Verse, Kizza, KB] there from Houston. {Wreck, O.N.E., Kane} If you want the New York flavor we can give it to you, if you want the Southern flavor we got that. AS far as being lyrical, everyone in here can hold his own against the best of them. The Union is more of a movement. We have producers, photographers, DJs. It doesn’t matter to me what aspect of the game were in right now. We do us regardless. Everything each one of these regions has brought to the game we have to offer in at least one of our songs. So what is the overall end goal for The Union? H Kane – Very good question. To have very successful careers in the entertainment industry from every entity. Period. Verse and Wreck - #Stamp Anything you want to add? H Kane – 2010, expect all of the entities in The Union to drop solo projects. Verse – The Union, we already in it.
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at what’s going on, the south had their impact from one idea, the east had their impact from obviously inventing the shit, and the west coast took it and made it music. That’s what happened.
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markets and drop songs, mixtapes, do shows, stay in their faces. They know that were working and they know that we are hitting every aspect of this hip hop culture.
For the folks that don’t know, where were you born and raised? I was born in New Jersey, however because my mother was a Navy dentist I lived all over the world, from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Paris, Africa, Dubai, Bahrain, and to Abu Dhabi. Who’s most influential to you in the industry today? Timbaland, Kanye, Pharrell, Jay Z, Lil Wayne Who have you produced for any mainstream artists? Bow Wow, Ya Boy, Gudda Gudda, DMX, De La Soul, Crooked I, and Hell Rell. Why do you feel like your particular marketing plan works? I have a unique and exciting brand that I keep consistent with my design, clothing, and shades. I have a wide, diverse following which I developed through my production customer base, and marketing my music virally on the web, over 500 pages on Google linking, and fans across the world. What’s your newest project on the table? My mixtape “Internet Entrepreneur “- Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar, also the DJ Ill Will Album The Alumni coming this Spring. How do you set yourself apart from others in the industry? I’m an artist first, so the instrumentals I produce are guaranteed to be ready to rap over by other artists. I produce with the artist in mind first. Its 2010 now, is there anything you’re going to do differently? I’m going to lead my team to greatness. In the past I was a one man show, now I have a team of 8 producers, songwriters, singers, and an engineer.
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When can we expect from you this year, grind wise? Album, tour, many productions, merchandise, and more mixtapes.
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How did you link up With DJ Ill Will? DJ Ill Will came across a beat that I produced called No One Else Matters. At the time he was workin on the Guddaville Mixtape. DJ ILL WILL is the Mixtape King and he has an incredible ability to place the right tracks with the artists is superb, so he put together a sick lineup for the record. The Rest Is History! What was the first beat you sold to a major artist? The first major song? Hell Rell was the first major Artist. The first major song was No One Else Matters by Gudda Gudda, Bow Wow, and Ya Boy, with a Ryan Leslie Sample. How have you gotten to the point you are being based out of Colorado Springs? The internet allows me to work from anywhere in the world, just happened that I wound up in Colorado Springs where our music studio is located. How did you make the transition from rapping to producing or vice versa? I was rapping, working with many producers, traveling around to different studios to record. It wasn’t working. The production was weak. I picked up a beat making program called Reasons and started going through the tutorials. I’m and Artist first so I made beats that I would rap on. What the single most important relationship you’ve established to get to where you are? My Business Team, Lead Alliance, which is G. Preston Tyiir, Adrian Smith, and Mike Downey. They are my Super Agents! There isn’t anything they can’t do! Also Shout Out To My Dudes DJ ILL WILL & DJ Rockstar! Where do you go from here? To The Top! What would be the one thing that would make you exit the music scene? I am Music. I cannot leave Myself. What’s your end goal? I Just Want To Be Successful, in my best Trey Songz Voice. What are you working on now? I’m working on my Singles for my Artist Career and I’m working on tracks for DJ ILL WILL’s Album The Alumni, coming in spring. I’m Focusing on making hits! Anything you want to add? Let the Others Make Beats, I Make HITS.
GOT BEATS?
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got beats
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Exploring The Technical Side Of
The Industry: Kajmir
Royale
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D E A T H
a r W
p U p
2009 was indeed a dark year for football. I know some of you are wondering how I could even begin to make that statement when on the field, The Saints and The Colts went into week 14 undefeated, the first time ever two teams had done so in the same season, and now will square off in the Super Bowl. Mark Sanchez became only the 4th Rookie in NFL history with a post season win, and Peyton Manning won the NFL MVP award for a record breaking 4th time. Speaking of seasoned QB’s, arguably the most loved, and hated, quarterback of all time, Brett Favre, not only led the Vikings on a dramatic winning streak and into the playoffs, he also broke the record for playing in the most consecutive games, at 283, and Drew Brees of the #WhoDat nation broke the completion percentage set 17 years earlier by Ken Anderson, finishing the regular season at 70.6% DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, of the Carolina Panthers, became the first running backs on the same team to rush for over 1,000 yards a piece since the merger, Brandon Marshall broke the record for most receptions in a game, set previously by legendary Bronco Terrell Owens, by nabbing 21 in week 13 against the Colts, and Joshua Cribbs, of The Cleveland Browns, gained his 8th scoring return of his career, another NFL first. Last but not least, we have The Tennessee Titans. After dropping its first 6 games, with the return of Vince Young to the QB position, they went on a 5 game winning streak, the first team to do so in NFL history. And of course you can’t mention the Titans without mentioning Chris Johnson. With the mess in the Titans Quarterback situation lasting midway through the season, the Running Back carried the team for much of the year, rushing for an unheard of 2,509 rushing yards, eclipsing Marshall Faulk’s previous record, set in 1999, of 2429. And with that he became only the 6th player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in the regular season and the first to have 3 Touchdowns of 85 or more in an NFL career, doing so in only one season. But for all the records, and triumphs, and personal victories, one fact cannot be ignored: off the field, 2009 was devastating for its players. Truth be told, this was a devastating DECADE for the NFL. Yet somehow, a number of the tragedies, conspiracies, and legal battles of the last decade found a way to resurface in 2009. And no, I’m not referencing Braylon Edwards’ baby mama drama. Famed quarterback Michael Vick made headlines in August of 2007 when he plead guilty to federal felony charges and served 23 months in prison, being released to home confinement in May of 2009, and managed to find himself in the role of back up to the backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Plaxico Burress shot himself in New York night club on November 28th, 2008 and began serving a 20 month prison sentence in the later part of 09 after accepting a Plea Deal. Perhaps even more disturbing, on March 14th, 2009, Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, struck and killed a man while driving under the influence in Miami Beach, Florida. He received only 24 days in jail for the charge of second degree manslaughter. Fighting and killing pitbulls and gambling = 2 years in federal prison. Shooting Yourself = Almost 2 years in prison. Killing another person while driving drunk = Less than a month in jail. Am I the only one who sees fault in these sentences? I, in no way, shape, or form agree with any form of animal cruelty, but in a pinch I would have to chose a man’s life over that of an animals, so why such a lenient term for taking the life of a grandfather? I digress. January 1st, 2007. Anyone who knows me knows I’m from Denver, that is my home, that is what I rep, and that is what I love. Anyone from Denver
However, the Darrent Williams murder case again became headline news in 2009 when Harvey Steinberg, a Denver Defense Attorney who made his name defending Broncos players, like Brandon Marshall and Travis Henry, in their off field difficulties, took on Brian Hicks as a client. Brian Hicks was the registered owner of the SUV that was used to spray Williams limo, and is the alleged leader of Denver’s Notorious Elite 8 Gang. The gang which alleged trigger man Willy Clark is a proud member of. Hicks was charged with attempted murder once before, in an unrelated case, but charges were dropped when the lead witness was found murdered. Can we say conflict of interest? A known defense attorney for Broncos players is now defending the man at the center of the murder of a Cherished Broncos player. And again, we enter another year, with the case still unsolved. Sean Taylor, of the Washington Redskins, also lost his life in 2007. A botched robbery ended in his murder, while his girlfriend and eighteen month old daughter hid, and heard their loved one struggle to survive in the next room. Fred Lane was also a household name early in the decade. A strong running back for The Carolina Panthers, he was set to continue his career in Indy, backing up Edgerrin James. He never got the opportunity. After a strained and tumultuous marriage to Deidra Lane, his life was ended when she shot him twice in their family home. Even though the judge determined the murder to be pre-meditated, and carried out because of Deidra’s desire to inherit his $5 million life insurance policy, she was only charged with Voluntary manslaughter, even after the autopsy showed the second shot to his helpless body was overkill, a sentence that carried a maximum of only eight years. Maybe not my men, but I know all my ladies saw her episode on Snapped. She even made the top 10 marathon of the most gruesome and over top cases. I believe in battered women’s syndrome, which was Diedra’s defense. I know what it’s like to have a man TRY and put their hands on you and, pardon the cliché, something inside you snaps and your fight or flight instincts kick into overdrive. However, after researching and looking at the case from the outside, I don’t believe it as her defense. If roles were reversed, if it was Fred Lane claiming self defense after shooting his wife twice, he would be on death row now as I am typing this editorial. But his wife? Deidra Lane was released on March 3, 2009. She got eight years, eight years for the premeditated crime of deliberately taking Fred Lane’s life for money. Eight years for taking the life of a husband, a son, a father.
In May of 2002, Pat Tillman turned down a 3.6 million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the United States Army Rangers, following the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country. On April 22nd, 2002, Tillman lost his life in Afghanistan, to “Friendly Fire.” The autopsy showed he was shot in the head three times, and the controversy surrounding the case and actual manner of his death continues to this day. And last year, in 2009, President Barak Obama approved upwards of 30,000 additional US Troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, another reminder we could be fighting a never ending war, the sad fact being that if this does happen, Pat Tillman, and thousands of others of our sons, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, mothers, and friends, may have indeed died in vain. Perhaps most shockingly and unexpected this year, Steve McNair lost his life, the victim of a murder-suicide at the hands of his alleged girlfriend, over the July 4th weekend. And before we could escape into the comfort of the holidays and the passing of another year, the beginning of a new decade, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, was involved in a puzzling, and fatal car crash. He was just 26 years old, and the father of three young children, at the time of his passing in the early morning hours of December 17th. A week from our publishing date the Saints and Colts will meet in Super Bowl 44. One team will win, one will lose, and another season will be over. We will finally return to life as normal, all the while itching for the 2010-2011 football season to begin in September. We are a society that lives, breathes, eats, sleeps, and, well you know, football. We idolize the players, and demonize them at the same time. When Chris Henry died the media made a point of drudging up his criminal background. Burress became the asshole that shot himself while putting the lives of hundreds of others at danger. There were whispers of Williams causing the argument that ended his life, and even though I did not go into detail in this article, more people are concerned with Braylon Edwards’ Ego and court room battles with his son’s mother, then the fact that Mark Sanchez made history. They’re glad Edwards didn’t taste victory. But why? Our society is an unjust one. We build up the talented, educated, and desirable only to tear them down to make ourselves feel better. To reassure ourselves we are not living our own lives in vain because we may not be able to achieve what our “heroes” have. Looking back at 2009, and the decade as a whole, we have to realize that the burden of being legendary should be reserved for Greek Gods and Children’s fairytales. We are all human, flawed by faults, and so caught up in hero worship and the blinding status of celebrity that we forget our beloved footballers are indeed human too; prone to mistakes, hardships, indiscretions, and are indeed not invincible to the power of the bullet. It is a new season, a new year, a new decade, and we’ve already lost Gaines Adams, become the 9th death in the NFL since 2007. While we all aspire to greatness we must remember that no man can be great without first making mistakes. No man is above fault, no man is above sin, no man is above death. And as we develop and seek out new heroes and demons, our Gods on the field, the absolute best at what they do, remember: Off the field, in the realm of the everyday, we are all equal in the eyes of, and must ONLY answer to, our maker.
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And the Broncos haven’t been the same since. That year they fell one game short of making the playoffs, and had their worst and first losing season since 1999. In 2008, not only did they fail to make an appearance in the playoffs again, Mike Shannahan, the long standing head coach and Colorado icon was fired. And we all know how this season ended; after the Broncos started 6-0, they finished 8-8, and once again, not even a wild card appearance.
This was a story reminiscent of the November 1999 Rae Carruth murder trial, also a Carolina panther at the time, who was convicted in 2000 of the murder of his pregnant girlfriend and one of his unborn twins. He was sentenced to 18-24 years. Call me Hammurabi but I’m sorry, I believe if you WILLINGLY take a life, which is what I believe Diedra did, then you give yours. Her sentence should have reflected Carruths. Point. Blank. Period. Eye for an Eye, your life in jail for taking his life, and in turn taking the father and lives his children will never know.
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knows the significance of that date. Anyone from Dallas/Ft. Worth knows the significance of that date. The ringing in of 2009 marked the beginning of the second year of the Darrent Williams murder investigation, and as of close of business December 31st, 2009, yet another year went by with the case still remaining unsolved. Williams, a Denver Broncos Corner Back at the time, was murdered on January 31st, 2007, when his limo was sprayed with bullets after leaving the club. It was not a simple drive by on the party goers of the night, Williams and his teammates were targeted. And Williams lost his life in the arms of teammate and friend Javon Walker. If that wasn’t tragic enough, Damien Nash, Broncos Running Back, died just 2 months later after collapsing at a Charity Basketball game. Doctors were never able to pinpoint the cause of death, only that it was of cardiac origin.
The fuSHion Magazine
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Trent Shelton:
Gridiron - Grammys - God
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You’ve had a less than traditional basketball career; why is that and where do you go from here? I put the blame on myself for anything that I do. You can ask anyone in the NFL coming in as a free agent, I wasn’t drafted, it’s like swimming upstream, it’s like climbing a building from ground zero. You have to prove yourself and I feel that I’ve done that, but I also leave it in God’s hands. I haven’t been in the right places at the right time. For me, a successful football career would be making the Pro Bowl and being a top wide receiver. I feel like if you’re not going to try and be the best then what are you doing it for? That’s my motivation. I feel the time is coming. I leave it in God’s hands and I do my part which is just work hard, stay focused and keep my dream alive. How did you start rappin? It started growing up in New Orleans. If you go to New Orleans you hear a lot of bounce music, which is basically just feel good, have a good time, enjoy your life type of music. I think that’s where it started for me as an artist, and I think it reflects in the music that I do today. Not necessarily the bounce aspect, but we just go into the booth and have fun and just be ourselves. When I was just in hip hop/rap lane I wasn’t havin fun, because in that lane you have to say things that you don’t do on a regular basis, you’re not being yourself. With Game 7 we’re able to do whatever we wanna do, and it’s about having fun. If you’re not havin fun doing what you’re doing then people can see through it. So that’s basically where it started, I pretty much get everything from New Orleans. I’m not dissing rappers or hip hop, because that was me for a long time, I just liked to be consider an artist, and my musicians as wee, because we do more than just rap, we do more than just hip hop, we go through different lanes with our music, to wherever it takes us. How do you balance the two careers? It simple. Two words: Hard work. When others are sleepin I’m working. They both have their own time. During football season its football time, during the off season it’s time for music. But it comes down to hard work. When others a sleepin, I’m workin, when others are eatin, I’m workin. I firmly believe that if you want your dreams you have to go all out for your dreams. I live by the quote “Dreams have no room for schedules.” Dreams and success are both inconvenient. They’re not easy, so you have to have a will to go out and risk anything, even dying if it comes down to it. And that’s the point I’m at. I work hard, all day every day. I really don’t sleep, and I feel like when I get older it will pay off. Why do you think so many athletes try to make the transition into hip hop? I can’t speak for other athletes, but as far as for myself, it’s more me making the transition from music into football. Music is my heart. I started getting into music as a little boy, and that’s the way I express myself, that’s the way that I relieve stress, that’s the way that I show my creativity. That’s what I love to do. Football and music battle in my heart for who has the top spot everyday all day. As far as other athletes, I wish most wouldn’t do it, at least those who aren’t serious because it takes away from athletes who are really trying to do so. As soon as you say you’re an athlete people never want to listen to your music. That’s why I never mix the two. I’ll never say Trent Shelton who plays football is doing this song. Most people that know my music don’t know I play football and most people who know I play football don’t know my music. I leave the two separate. I think that’s what most athletes should do. Don’t try to build your name from your sports career, to help your music career, because most of the time it doesn’t work.
So what’s going on with the Stylin on Em campaign? Not as much. We’re kinda of off that. I try to stay three steps ahead so you’ll never catch up. But I’ve heard a lot of people talkin about the Stylin On Em campaign, and I want to address it. It came from a YouTube video, and I said plenty of times when I started that campaign where it came from. I think I just took it to the next level. It’s just like the word Swag. Everybody started using it. I got tired of people using “swags this,” and “swag that” so I started using the word stylin, let’s kill swag. And if you listen around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area a lot of people are starting to use the word stylin. Now I’m not saying that they got it from me. But hey, I just brought it to the forefront. So shout out to the dude that came up the term. Explain what ShellyWorld Entertainment does exactly. The first thing ShellyWorld does is try to make people’s dreams come true. I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to live a good life and experience things, so I try to bring that experience to people who might never be able to experience what I experience. I try to bring celebrities to the city; I try to things for the kids so I have football camps. I try to give back to the homeless with turkeys at Thanksgiving, gifts at Christmas. Our whole thing is giving back. We try to help people live through our music; we try to give back to the community so they can have those same experiences. I’m a firm believer in the fact that we’re here to help people. I’m here to help to people. If you’re here just for yourself what’s the point? You should always give back, always lend a helping hand, and help society grow as a whole. I think that’s why we’re here. When you do stuff for yourself, it doesn’t last long. My whole thing is bringing up the whole city of Fort Worth. Bringing Ft. Worth to the world and showing that there is a lot of talent here. Do you manage artists? I manage a band called Game 7. I’m part of that band; we also have an artist named D Flo, Tru Soundz, Shelly The Beast, which is my brother, Big Marv and a singer, Aaron. I’m glad you used the word artist because that’s what we are. I wouldn’t call us rappers because rappers stay in one lane, which is fine, but as artists you go to wherever the music takes you. You might here us to Rock, Country, Electronica music, a little bit of hip hop, we’ve done everything. To me, when you stay in that lane you can be yourself. In the rap game you have I feel you have to lie a lot. It’s like 80% rap lie, if they say they don’t they’re in denial. It’s quite obvious that you do far more then play football. What else are you involved in? On top of ShellyWorld I co-own an interactive media company. And also Rehab Time, which is my heart. Rehab Time is a place where we all change for the better. We all accept who we are, but recognize that we need to change for the better and get involved with Christ. A lot of people think you have t be perfect or some type of preacher, or an extra holy Christian to talk about God, and I think that’s people excuse to not talk about him. I think the only time you’re a hypocrite is when you don’t change. So Rehab Time is a place where you’re acknowledging God for what he’s done for you, for what he can do for you, and you’re changing your mind, body, and soul to better yourself as a person, and in doing that you progress to your dreams by doing it in the right way. Rehab Time is a place where people can come, they can be themselves, and they can be accepted and still show God his praise and his glory. You can check that out at www.rehabtime.org. I edit videos, I engineer tracks, I guess that’s about it, all the important things anyway, oh I’m a motivational speaker as well, so if you need anybody, holla at me. (laughs) You’re very strong in your belief in God. How has that shaped your career? I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for my belief in God. Everything I’ve done, he gets the Glory out of, everything I get, he gets the Glory out of, everything I see, he gets the Glory out of, it all comes back to God. I can say today, that if God does nothing else for me, he’s done enough for me. He’s blessed me so much and I think he’s put me in the position to bless other people. I recognize that and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to make it cool to talk about God. I’m trying to show the kids that you can talk about God, and still be yourself, and still be cool. Let’s face it; football isn’t a long range career. What are your plans after? The main thing that I want to do after football is get with a couple other football players, or ex-football players, and my father, who is the Pastor of The Lord’s House, and I open a Rehab Time facility. A place where kids can come train, to better themselves athletically, where they can learn life skills, and a place where they can get God in their life and understand that whatever we do we need to glorify him, because at the end of the day he died for us so we have to give back to him. Of course I’ll be doing all the ShellyWorld stuff and all the other stuff I named. But when I’m done with football I don’t want to take a break, I want to hit it rollin. I want everything to be already ready to go so when I get done with football, I’m back workin.
Words By: Antionette Torrengano Picture By: Susan Blair Leach
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Are you more interested in pursuing a career as a football player or an artist? Truthfully I’m more interested in being an entrepreneur, a CEO, taking ShellyWorld to the next level. I don’t feel my future is being an artist. I love doing it, but I would rather see my artists like D Flo, or my brother, or Aaron be the artists. I wanna sit back and be the Diddy or be the Baby and Slim of Cash Money. I wanna be that type of guy that sits back and let them work their magic and I want to be the entrepreneur type, make the moves, call the shots, that’s what I love doing. I would say though, after football, then that. Football will open up a lot of doors financially for me to do that. So football first, and then the CEO of a successful company.
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Do you think it would be easier for a rapper to become a professional athlete and win a championship or an athlete to become a rapper and win a Grammy? Oh wow. I would have to say an athlete becoming a rapper and winning a Grammy, just for the simple fact that you have control of your own destiny for the most part. You have to have the creativity, you have to make the songs, you have to pick out the beats and you can push that within yourself. The hard thing about sports is that you depend on so many other people. You have to depend on the right game, the right time, the right team. There’s a lot of stuff that has to fall into place for you to win a championship. So yea, I would say the athlete turned rapper, you can’t do it solo but you have a big hand in making that dream come true.
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“The Voice for Sports and Urban Entertainment”
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