E.BLEU by TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

don’t know maybe it’s me, but I personally can’t just allow for my life to pass me by. I often sit back and look at the advancement of TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE and sometimes say to myself “damn, I’m really doing what I love to do.” At times it becomes very exhausting and stressful, but at the end of the day I’m cool because I’m showing results. Not too many people can actually say that they’ve done anything like this. At one time I had no publication to call my own. All I had was a vision and a business plan written on the back of a sick call slip. I remember sitting at me and my ex-wife’s house going over the same paper work trying to figure this shit out. I finally came up with

E. BLEU

a solution to the problem. And I have no complaints.

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Wrinkling My School Cloths PG 10 BEAUTY IN THE STREETS PG 14 E.BLEU PG 22 SUM REAL NICCA ISH PG 30 100 BARS & RUNNING “SAMPLE DAT”PG 40

Moving along I’d like to thank all those that have contributed to this issue, Kia Sample, Mia Fire, Alexis Ortiz, Jay Royal, and of course the beautiful and talented E. Bleu. Usually I acknowledge a lot of different people, but to be honest with you them mother fuckers ain’t worth the space on my pages. So, I’ll leave you with the same shit my mother use to say, “Mother made them, mother had them, so mother fuck them.” Thanks and enjoy. Sincerely, Russell “Trapp” Tucker

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month PG 7

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

Publisher: PRESIDENT/FOUNDER RUSSELL “TRAPP” TUCKER

EDITOR: ALEXIS ORTIZ CONTRTIBUTING WRITERS: KIA SAMPLE

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ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is the annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages. Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and enter blood vessels or lymph vessels, which can branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer travels to other parts of the body it can begin damaging other tissues and organs, but with early detection and treatment, most people continue a normal life. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization. In recent years we have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women 50 and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part due to better screening and detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

No one knows the exact know that breast cancer is cell’s DNA. There are cerare associated with breast

cause of breast cancer. We do always caused by damage to a tain established risk factors that cancer…

Genetic Factors: gender, genetic factors, personal reproductive history, cerbreast tissue

age, race, family history and health history, menstrual and tain genome changes, and dense

Environmental and Lifepoor diet, being overweight tion to the chest, and comTherapy (HRT)

style: lack of physical activity, or obese, drinking alcohol, radiabined Hormone Replacement

The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps detect the disease in its early stages. Women should perform a self breast exam each month and any changes or abnormalities should be discussed with a doctor. Clinical breast exams and mammograms are an important part of early detection and prevention. Even women with no known risks factors for breast cancer should have regularly scheduled mammograms. For more information on breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment go to http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-breast-cancer

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer, although rare (less than 1% of all breast cancer develops in males). Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

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mer with the track entitled School Clothes. Jay Royale reps the Gritty Gang alongside, Sierra “Si Notes” Carter, Damond Blue and Sonny Reddz. I first came across Jay Royale’s music when he laid his vocals on the late, Big “L” Ebonics’ track. Jay Royale took the track and broke down Baltimore’s culture. Now when I heard it, I said to myself, “ok…he did pretty good on that,” but you know how complicated it is to establish your identity on a track that has already been recorded by another artist, especially a great artist such as, Harlem native Big L, it’s a very complicated process. .

o there I was doing my two step rapping in the mirror… “Bling game flossy ring real sporty / jeans dark denim / (something, something I didn’t quite catch these words, LOL) /real sporty / fuck what it cost me I can put it on my tab/ Shorty said I had her since I caught her with the swag/put in a bag/ homie we are differ-rent /you just plain cheap and I tell her keep the difference.” I mean I saw myself in the booth. I was doing the damn thing. (Smile) well, at least I thought I was. I know, I know, I was messing the damn song up, but it’s cool though. “Why y’all still hating / why y’all wrinkling my school clothes / Aye!” Justin Johnson “Mr. Jay Royale”, “Mr. Shoe Box Money”, “Mr. Crow Bars”, “Mr. What For”…man the brother Jay Royale, hands down had the hottest single this past sum-

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE JAY ROYAL

On Wrinkling My School Clothes he’s different. Delivering punch line after punch line, Jay shows his fans his more creative side. The verse “wrinkling my school clothes” comes from the 1990 American comedy film released by New Line Cinema, entitled HOUSE PARTY it stars Kid and Play of the popular hip hop duo Kid 'n Play. If you recall there is a scene in the movie when Christopher aka "Kid" Reid is confronted by two school bullies and when the bullies touched him he replied “Come on man your wrinkling my school clothes.” When I first heard the song I instantly wanted to do an interview with the brother. So, I reached out to the brother (facebook is a great networking tool), he and I agreed to put it on our “something to do” list. Months past and then one day I was coming out the house, on my way to my day job, when who do I see (walking down the middle of the street with a bottle of Crown Royale hand) my man. So, I yelled out, “Jay Royale!” We chopped it up for about 20 minutes, I made sure before we parted, to confirm our interview and now…

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE Jay Royale the Interview

JR: Well I got a nigga named De-Nero and every time we would be in the studio I would hear the music that he would create and compare it to mine. So I was trying to figure out a way to mesh our styles. I mean because this nigga swag is just incredible. So the KID –N- PLAY shit came to my mind and I was like, “Yo, I’m going to use that as a metaphor for niggas that always hates”. You know what I mean …like, “nigga we fresh and we fly and you coming up to us and you dummying our style, you wrinkling our clothes.” (Laughs) I ran all my shit past my niggas you know because the streets will tell you what’s real. So, for like three

or four months they used that as their metaphor for niggas hating. Trapp: You know man I use to be an artist but I’m not relevant to what’s going on in Hip-Hop right now….I sound like a 2003 50 Cent. (Laughs) JR: My nigga you may not be relevant as far as Hip-Hop, but your love for Hip hop is about to be gigantic, and thank you for keeping the love from a different angle. Trapp: So, tell me something real quick … how did you get in with Gritty Gang? JR: Oh shit, (laughs) I actually grew up with Sonny Reddz and Eddie Hitler. So you know I was hungry in the rap shit and I didn’t have a home. I had went to the Sonar one night and I seen this nigga Sonny on stage…so after the show I got up with Sonny and I linked up with Ogun and the Gritty Gang and we have been having fun with this.

Continue pg. 44

Trapp: Jay, you have to be one of the most … “relevant” artist out the city right now. That’s the reason I named your article “SCHOOL CLOTHES” because it’s just “creative”. How did you come up with that concept?

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MiaFire: I started modeling five years ago. I got my photographer, Vegas’ number online from one of his other models. Trap Door: Do you want to be known as CinnaBunz or MiaFire? Where did these names come from?

MiaFire: Call me MiaFire. How I came up with CinnaBunz was kind of silly. I used to joke about becoming a stripper. I was working at McDonalds; I sold a butt Meet Trap Door’s October Beauty load of cinnabuns one day, and I said I’m in the Streets: CinnaBunz MiaFire going to be stripper named CinnaBunz. MiaFire came from my grandmother Trap Door: Where are you originally always calling me Mia and I picked Fire from and where do you currently reside? because I thought I was hot, LOL. No, I MiaFire: I am from Philadelphia, PA, but picked Fire because I didn’t like Couture I live in Columbus, OH.

MiaFire

Trap Door: How and when did you get started in modeling?

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE MiaFire

see them on camera, whether it looks good or not. You know what works and what doesn’t. Trap Door: Where would your ideal photo shoot take place, and what would you be wearing?

MiaFire: I kind of want to do like a jungle shoot, wearing nothing but an albino pyMiaFire: thon, LOL. Hmm Trap Door: Name one thing, no model hobshould go without, and why? bies…I like to MiaFire: Her shoes…period. At any moread. ment you should be ready to throw them But if on and hit your cat walk; in the grocery there’s store, laundry mat, bookstore, LOL, girl nothing to do, my sisters and I get a mean you better work! game of Uno going. Our Uno games get Trap Door: What do you think is your real, LOL. sexiest body part?MiaFire: I’m going to Trap Door: Where have we seen you besay my legs…I’m 5’3” and the fact that I fore (in what publications)? can look taller in my pictures and people not know my height, is cool. Plus, I get a MiaFire: I have been featured in the 1st lot of compliments. issue of Fiyah Magazine and now Trap Door Magazine. Trap Door: What do you like most about modeling? MiaFire: I like that I can try my ideas and

Trap Door: What are some of your hobbies?

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Trap Door: What are your ultimate goals in this field, for example do you want to be a runway model, cover model, or are you interested in TV, videos, or movies? MiaFire: My goal is to be the best mode l can be, even if I don’t make it past being in local magazines. At least I know I’m still being real with my people. Not saying anyone is fake, but I’m comfortable where I am right now. Trap Door: What turns you on, and what turns you off?

MiaFire: I like a man that knows what he wants in life and is willing to work hard to get it. I like him bad enough to be known by the thugs, but good enough to hold my door. I like a smart man…book and street smart. But, I really want him to carry himself so well, that his mother would be so proud to tell people that’s her son.

MiaFire

Trap Door: What kind of man or woman (if that’s your style, lol) do you prefer?

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE Trap Door: Do you have any advice for other girls or women that may want to consider modeling?

Trap Door: Where can your new fans find you?

Trap Door: What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given to you in regards to modeling? MiaFire: Exercise, I guess, LOL. No, but you got to learn your comfort level, watch your angles, and practice.

Trap Door: Do you have anything else you’d like to share? MiaFire: I just want to shout out Shots by Vegas for being so great to me. He is so awesome. It’s Fiyah baby!! LOL.

to work hard to get it. I like him bad enough to be known by the thugs, but good enough to hold my door. I like a smart man… book and street smart. But, I really want him to carry himself so well, that his mother would be so proud to tell people that’s her son.

MiaFire: Facebook, www.facebook.com/ CinnaBunzVsMiaFire I’m no longer on Twitter, so feel free to send those requests MiaFire: If this is what you want to do be to FB. ready to work, work, work. There is always another girl that can take your place or even copy your work. It’s a dog eat dog kind of thing going on. Everyman for himself, but if this is what you like or love I like a man that knows what go for it. I did and I have no regrets. I’m proud of my work he wants in life and is willing

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hen I first came across Ms. Ameerah “E. Bleu” Saleem, I thought I was interviewing Trap Door Magazine’s next Beauty in the Streets model. What I found out was (although she certainly could be on the cover of any magazine) she was no model. E. Bleu is actually a hip hop artist trying her best to create a name for herself, in a city full of celebrities and superstars Los Angeles, CA. This issue is dedicated to all my readers on the West Coast and now…

E. Bleu the Interview Trapp: Hello, how are you? E. Bleu: [laughs] I’m good. Trapp: What’s going on? E. Bleu: Ain’t nothing just trying to get this record done. That’s about it. Trapp: Could you introduce yourself to the reader’s for all those that don’t know you. E. Bleu: I am E. Bleu.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE Trapp: Did you like the last magazine issue?

E. Bleu: Damn you going put my age out there [laughs]? Trapp: I mean I know you get your fair share of attention, correct? E. Bleu: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. [laughs] I think every woman deals with that. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a gift and a curse. Trapp: I mean ask because some of our readers are locked up and they are going to see you on the cover and they will want to know about you. Well disregard the last question, are you single? E. Bleu: Uh yea. [laughs] for the most part I am very single.

Trapp: So, ok tell me about youâ&#x20AC;Śhow old are you?

Picture caption

E. Bleu: Yes, it comes across as Myspace/ facebook issue that publicizes local events so yeah I really like the issue.

Trapp: How long have you been doing music?

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E. Bleu: Well [pause] I’m about to do a Trapp: I just caught that (it’s been a long record with this cat called Ambitious. I’m time coming) Are you into acting or anyalso dealing with an artist out of Compton thing else? named Black Diamond. She is just super dope. She is the hard core gangster version of me. I really like her a lot and I respect her a lot.

E. Bleu: Well I’ve been doing music since Trapp: What projects are you working on I was about eight, but I’ve been recording now? for about five years. E. Bleu: Well, right now I’m working on Trapp: Who inspired you? my album which is entitled Bleu Balls. It basically just means that it’s been a long E. Bleu: All the greats. You know from time coming for me. Jay-z to his wife Beyoncé. I just love both of their work ethic. I just feel that they go Trapp: So from what I understand, [the hard at whatever that they do. name of her album dawned on me] hold on did you just say that the name of your Trapp: Are you connected with a lot of album was “Bleu Balls”? artist in Los Angles? E. Bleu: [laughs] Yeah, it’s Bleu Balls. E. Bleu: Yeah, but that’s everybody. We are all connected. Trapp: You mean like blue balls, Bleu Balls? Trapp: Out of Los Angles what artist have you worked with and what artist do you E. Bleu: [laughs] Yeah, like the real blue respect? balls. “It’s been a long time coming.”

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Trapp: Well, Bleu when looking at you, you do give off the impression that you’re expensive. E. Bleu: A lot of people stereotype me a little bit. Now I think it’s true to an extent, [laughs] but for the most part that’s not me at all. Trapp: So basically what you’re saying is that a man can approach you?

E. Bleu: No, I’m not doing anything like that right now, but I would love to take on something like a TV role. I’m a clown. Some people may think I’m real serious. Some people have said that when they see me they think I’m real siddity or stuck up, but when they talk to me they say I’m so cool. I be like damn I’m just a real person.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE E. Bleu: Oh yeah most definitely I’m very approachable. I’m actually too approachable. One time this guy told me he couldn’t approach me because I’m too approachable.

E. Bleu: [laughs] um…yeah. Trapp: What’s the lamest thing you ever heard?

Trapp: Do a lot of people mistake you for a model? E. Bleu: That’s actually what all people think I am. [laughs] Trapp: You know what’s crazy? I remember you from 2007 on Myspace. E. Bleu: That’s where everybody remembers me from.

E. Bleu: This dude had told me after Trapp: You were just gorgeous. I rememknowing each other for two days that the ber saying to myself “Oh my God” but reason him and I should have sex is that it you had an artist page. So one day I was would break the ice. [laughs] fucking with my Myspace page and I had Trapp: What type of men are you attract- remembered you …so I had went back to ed to? my Myspace page and I looked at my friends list and put your name on faceE. Bleu: I can honestly say that I’m not book and that’s how I found you. But my attracted to looks because I’ve dated a dumb ass forgot that you’re not even a lot of commercially non- attractive dudes, model you’re an artist, I apologize. but what I like is a man that has goals and that has drive and who is very intellectu- E. Bleu: It’s all good I still have to work al. That’s what turns me on. Oh yeah, I on a way for people not look at the extelove a man that can do all those things rior so much. [laughs] I want people to

Trapp: So a lot of guys do approach you?

and can still keep it street too.

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E. Bleu: Most definitely. As long as an artist is talented, I’d definitely work with him or her. I ain’t going to lie I get a little discouraged if the music is not that good.

The City of Angels definitely has an angel in their midst. E. Bleu is charming, sweet and real. Her beauty will get the doors opened for her but her talent is what’s going to keep them opening. Be on the look out for E. Bleu’s latest project Bleu Balls coming soon.

Trapp: Wow that’s one hell of a thing to tell a person, but I think that what they told you was probably the best damn advice one could have told you. On another note are you interested in working with any artist outside of LA?

Trapp: Well I’ll make sure I’ll pull some strings and make that happen.

Picture caption

whatever else they want to know me for. A lot of people get trapped in the looks they don’t take the time to know what’s underneath. But one thing a friend told me is that I have to make sure my talent is bigger than my ass.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

BROKE ASS BROTHER

told me about her husband to be. “Why couldn’t this engineer, who bought you this three carat diamond ring, give you $150?” She responded with the excuse “he lost his bank card.” I laughed and said “Ok, I’ll take care of it. ”MEN LIE, WOMEN LIE,

NUMBERS DON’T”

I’m not the type of person to lie about anything. I mean it’s just too much work. The problem with lying is, once you tell one lie you have to cover that lie up with another one and by the time it comes back to the original lie you’ve forgotten it. The next thing you know, you’ve been caught by the lies Women have been known to be many things, especially exaggerators and liars, when it comes down to men.

o there I was working on my magazine when I got the text. It read “I need a favor.” It was from a sister I had met out in D.C. a lil’ over a year ago. We hadn’t talked to each other in a few months. The last thing I knew she was engaged to some brother, who from what she had said was an engineer, who had bought her a three carat diamond ring. I had already known what the favor was, but I wanted to be sure so I asked her “what is it that you need?” She had gone on to tell me via text that she needed a $150. I, of course said “no problem,” but I also stated I had some things to ask her. She told me to ask, so of course I questioned EVERYTHING she had

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE I mean really these sisters be pumping these brothers up. I guess my point is...for what? Who are they trying to impress?

SICK TIRED OF BEING SICK TIRED BLACK WOMAN

asked her to borrow some money because he (here comes the well-known lie) “had lost his bank card”. She also forgot to say that when they went out, the I remember when my exbrother came dressed in a wife and I separated, she U.S. Polo shirt (that’s some stared dealing with this lil’ fugazi…you know, not audude. One day I came past thentic) I laughed and said the house to get the rest of “whatever” and kept it my things and there he moving. was. So, I just looked at him and looked at my exTHE ROLE OF A MAN wife while laughing and IN A RELATIONSHIP said, “Really” the brother Women have a hard time looked like he smokes understanding why things coke. She went on to say that the brother was a pro- can be so complicated while in a relationship with ject manager for some a man. Well, it’s because company and his money women base their deciwas long. Yeah, yeah, sions off of emotion and yeah, all that, blow it out your ass. I guess she forgot not logic. First and foremost, at the end of the day that she told me, the brother had called her and a man is responsible for-

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

FUSTRAITED SISTER

being the provider and the protector in a relationship. A lot of brothers seem to believe that women are gold diggers, if they inquire about how much a man makes or if he’s employed. A lot of the times that’s not the case. Most times women aren’t gold diggers. They just want and need to know, that if they do need anything, that the brother they chose is able to provide. As men we are responsible for the women we have personal relationships with, period. But nowadays brothers are either childish and/or irresponsible when it comes down to the women in their lives or hell just simply selfish when it comes down to women. Brothers understand this, I don’t personally care if you’re with mother of your children or not; if she is the mother of your child then she is your responsibility to a certain extent. This doesn’t mean that you cater to her (getting her hair, nails, and feet done is NOT what I’m talking about), what it means is that she should never be in a messed up situation; if you got it to give, then give it. Now that’s some real nicca ish.

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TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE SONNY REDS

His versatility can take his listeners from the streets to the radio, and the club, then back again to back to inner most depths of their thoughts. Reddz has shut it down on the mic at venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. When asked about his plans for 2013 Sonny stated, “To be who I am, an artist striving to be impeccable and to fulfill my purpose of exposing the world to Bmore!”. Recently he released a video entitled “SLIMY” with Dime Poe. On the track Sonny concludes, he’s to raw for rap ,he’s to grimy for beats, to real, to street to be felt by the weak. I would half to say I agree because by far the brother is holding up to the Gritty gang name.

hris Gencel B.KA Sonny Reds is a native of Baltimore city and comes out of the Gritty Gang Movemnt. I guess the thing that made decide to do the 100 BARZ & RUNNING SECTION on Sonny Reds in this month’s issue of TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE was just the fact I’ve been taking note of the brother’s grind through the mixtape circuit in Baltimore city. He has been featured on numerous mixtapes and albums throughout the tristate area. Reddz has also dropped numerous songs such as “Doe Cheese” which is featured on Street Radio Vol. 6 hosted by Street Sweepers own Dj Radio. With consistent accolades and positive response from various blogs and websites

such as Governmentnames.blogspot.com, 410yo.com, Spittsmcman.com & Allbmorehiphop.com, Sonny Reddz is quickly gaining notoriety. His gritty street anthem-type style and musical versatility will make him the up and coming hip hop artist to look for in 2013.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

ne of the best gifts that any man can give his daughter/sisters is to advise them not to get involved with a drug dealer. We (women) can easily be tempted with the fancy gifts, nice cars, jewelry, and money, but the dark side (the world of a hustler) is never glorified until after a man is dead (whether he was killed or not) or sentenced to years in a federal prison

Ms. Kia Sample “Never Fall In Love With A Hustler Because They Will Never Love You More Than The Streets"-Corey Pointer”

Women are targeted by hustlers. Usually they chase after the ones who have something going for themselves, the ones that work or those that have good credit and it’s not because they are what we call a "bad bitch" neither. The reason why these guys go after these types of women is to use them, convincing women to put the things that they want, in the unsuspecting woman’s name, jeopardizing her

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE majority of his life inside those walls, he might even realize that you really do love him, but how long will it be before he's back playing in the streets? You see, life in the streets is like an addiction, one that most have been dealing with all of their lives. They grew up admiring notorious gangsters, or idolizing characters in fictional movies Money attracts women so please note: you'll never be the only one, the other one will more than likely know about you and depending on how much money your man is worth, she won’t jeopardize losing him, so of course she's gonna play her part. You’ll more than likely find out about the other women during his time in jail. I have witnessed young women’s lives fall apart after their man has been shipped away to a federal prison

freedom, right along with his. There are a lot of down sides to dating a hustler and one of them is losing your life. Plenty of men become targets when they are worth a certain amount of money on the streets and the closest thing to him is his woman, who can end up being kidnapped and held for ransom. Usually, when a person is kidnapped they are killed whether the money is paid or not. The streets are cold and a hard place to escape from. Once a man starts asking you to hold this or that in your house, or if he can bag up in your house, or if he can use your car to drop stuff off, you need to question your relationship, but I'm going to be honest with you, you have no relationship, you're being used. It’s true that yes, drug dealers have feelings too, but when it comes to choosing between you and the streets, the streets are gonna win every time...until he is behind bars. When that time comes, he will call you collect, need commissary, want letters, and pictures, and maybe even phone sex, then and only then will he put you first, sad but very true. If he is lucky enough to not have to spend a

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

SHOE BOX MONEY

I was arrested in a house raid before and I was lucky enough to have a man who loved me enough to go into the court room and take his own charges, it was a once in a lifetime thing that I was blessed to have not had to serve time. Every man is not going to do that for a woman because more than likely your record isn’t filled with numerous drug charges and you wouldn’t get as much time as he would. Be careful of the men out here that say that they love you, because if any man loved you they wouldn’t involve you in any unlawful activity. A real man gets up, goes to work, pay bills, and takes care of his family. He does not put himself in a

predicament that could possibly make him lose you and/or his kids. Things happen, it’s life, but a good man will not do that and if he has, he will try everything in his power to never do it again. Be smart....Don’t be Dumb

They "used to" look nice all the time, drive nice cars, hair stayed done, soon as he got arrested they weren’t able to keep up with their car notes, let alone afford to treat themselves to a day at anybody's salon. The thought of the dealer that they loved being shipped away for ten or more years never crossed their minds, they were too busy being spoiled and flaunting it. Lucky for them they weren't caught up in a house raid and shipped off along with him.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE fame. Yo, I seen Los chew niggas up in the “One” line battles on Pennsylvania Avenue. Man I had DVD’s of these niggas rocking they Wednesday gear on Saturdays for the stage. That was those niggas lives. Trapp: How does it feel to play a track and then it hits you like, damn that’s me?

JR: I try to be humble no matter the outcome or the response… it’s about my music, but deep inside I go crazy. You know how it feel to be rapping in the mirror in your bath room and your peoples be like Trapp: How long have you been rapping “Shut that shit up”, your teachers be like, Jay? “Do you really think that’s going to get JR: Shit man, I’ve been rapping since be- you somewhere.” So for my name to be on the radio or in a conversation that nigfore middle school. gas are having about up and coming artist, Trapp: Who did you grow up listening to? and to be shaking hands and doing tracks with Skarr Akbar and niggas like Ogun it JR: Nas, AZ…as far as Baltimore, I ain’t does something to me. gonna lie, Skarr Akbar, Bossman, I didn’t just listen to them I was a fan of theirs. I listen to Ogun, Backland. Backland was the first to make BET's 106&Park hall of

. So you know at the moment I was just looking for rap thing to be down with. So you know Sonny just started reaching out and he would tell me shit like, “Yo, we going to the DMV Hip-Hop awards, come and rock out with us.” For the longest, them niggas didn’t even know that I can rap I was just drinking with them niggas. So one day I came to Ogun and I was like, “Yo I rhyme.” And you know Yo brushed me off. So you know I let Yo hear the Ebonics track and Yo eyes got big, and from there we been making history.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE Trapp: Yo creative wise …like I told you before I’m an artist, but I’m not relevant. Now, as far as niggas coming out of the city…Yeah, you one of the most relevant, you make that shit look easy. JR: Naw homie, it’s definitely not. Trapp: Before we bring the interview to a close where can my readers find your music? JR: www.jayroyale.com or on www.allbmorehiphop.com Trapp: Thanks for your time brother. JR: Thanks for having me Trapp. TRAPP’S CONCLUSION

I think that most people misunderstand that there’s a difference between being HOT and being NICE, when it comes to this music thing. Hot is what’s popping, a hot Trapp: Shorty …not on some you a little artist is everywhere flooding the streets, nigga shit, but on some Baltimore shit…Yo the airwaves, TV, and the net. Every artist that track was the hottest thing in the city. wants to be HOT! Nice will get your head JR: I thank you for that. bobbing, nice has star potential, but hasn’t JR: Yo, on some real shit…I put a lot of time and effort into everything you just said.

Trapp: You know this may come across as arrogant but fuck it, it is what it is, I’m in a position where if I say a nigga hot than he’s hot; simply because I control the information and when I say you are the hottest thing in the city right now then you are the hottest thing in the city right now, period. I base music off of three things: beat, hook, and rhyme. When it comes down to the creative part of it, the beat, the hook, and the rhyme is just crazy. When I say to you, “You let your nuts hang”, brother you let your nuts hang. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. I don’t stroke any egos, but I am also not the type of person, to not give people there proper dues.

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE quite made it yet. Can you be both, hot and nice? Hell yeah, in fact a true artist aspires to be both. What’s particularly interesting about Jay Royale is that he’s relevant, his content and creativity paired with his lyricism and charisma makes him not only nice but hot. A true entertainer…so be prepared to be entertained.

JAY ROYAL

TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE