ON AIR by TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE

hether you’re in Japan celebrating “Labor Thanksgiving Day”, in the West African country of Liberia celebrating on the first Thursday of November, or gathered around the dining room table saying grace before carving your Butterball Turkey, we have lots to be thankful for…and I’m not talking about all the deals you get shopping on Black Friday. Way too often we take for granted the roofs over our heads, the jobs we constantly complain about, the food on our plates, and that one family member that gets on our last nerve. We’re raising children devoid of respect and appreciation and replacing them with stuck up, snobbish beings who feel entitled to EVERYTHING and willing to work for NOTHING. What’s happening to us? Could the break down of the family unit possibly be to blame for every psychological, behavioral, and criminal problem in the world? How can we fix it? Take responsibility not only for your actions, but the actions of your sons, daughters, your neighbors, your community. It’s time to make the changes we expect the Big Wigs on Capital Hill to make, take back our streets, clean up our neighborhoods and respect one another. Tolerance doesn’t have to be a negative thing, but it should be something we practice on a daily basis. We may not always have extra to give, but make an effort to give what you can, whether it’s volunteering at a local soup kitchen, donating food or clothing, visiting the elderly at a retirement home, there are many ways to show you care. Humility is the greatest characteristic any one person can have. Strive to stay in humble as you work to accomplish your goals, remember the people that helped you on your climb up the ladder to success.

With that being said, on behalf of all of us at Trap Door Magazine, we’d like to thank all of our contributors and business partners, we appreciate your help and dedication. This Thanksgiving we are especially thankful for YOU our readers, we know without you we are nothing more the words and pictures, thank you for your support and interest in our little company and helping make our dreams a reality. -Alexis “lexxi” Ortiz 5

PRESIDENT/FOUNDER Russell “Trapp” Tucker

VICE PRESIDENT CO-FOUNDER Eric “E.B” Brown

Editor-in-Chief Alexis Ortiz

THE BALTIMORE DRUG MARKET 11 SUM REAL NICCA ISH 19 BEAUTY IN THE STREETS 22 FOR MY KIDZ 28

ON AIR 36 100 BARZ & RUNNING 50 7

ver the past year, City Paper has published a series of loosely related stories about what we've come to call the "shadow economy." The articles spotlighted the ostensibly legitimate business interests of those charged and/or convicted with crimes relating to dealing drugs or laundering drug money, and the way that those interests intertwine with the more respectable aspects of the city's economy. As we pursued these stories, several names of certain people came up but due to our respect for the streets and its code we have decided to not to implement those names. There remain more questions than answers about the city's drug economy and who its players are, but with a new year here, and with hard numbers quantifying the city's "informal economy" in hand, it seems like a good time to examine the situation. In April 2009, Mexico's ruthless Gulf Cartel had a Baltimore problem. Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration had found an associate of

the cartel in an Inner Harbor hotel room with more than $600,000 in alleged drug proceeds. When the officers seized the money, prosecutors say, the cartel wanted answers. But the man they sent to investigate would himself be snatched by the FBI. Damn the Mexican Mafia right here in Baltimore? Now that’s gangsta. Estimates on how much money is sent south each year range from $10 to 30 billion. For Mexican traffickers along the Southwest border, the money is literally driven across the border in bulk amounts and then deposited into Mexican banks. "John Doe” who was involved with the Mexican cartels in money laundering, explains this process…

I CAN’T FEEL MY FACE

For Colombians, the process is more complicated because dollars are not negotiable in the Colombian economy due to currency controls.

That combined with the fact that Colombia can only be reached by sea or air, has led to all kinds of ingenious methods for repatriating their proceeds. When the drug money ultimately makes its way into the foreign economy, it is used to pay the salaries of shippers and processors, as well as the bribes that supplement the incomes of government officials on both sides of the border. Whole regions of Mexico, Colombia and points in between have large scale drug organizations such as the once powerful Cali cartel in Colombia or the Mexican Arellano Felix brothers are said to resemble corporate organizations with division of labor and huge cash reserves designed to keep their operations moving smoothly. What keeps the drug industry going, is its huge profit margins. Producing drugs is a very cheap process. Like any other commodities business the closer you are to the source the cheaper the product.. People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand that when buying weight, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not paying for the actual product but all the bull shit one puts up to get the product to them. Processed cocaine is available in Colombia for $1,500 dollars per kilo and sold on the streets of America for as much as $66,000 a kilo (retail). Heroin costs $2,600/kilo in Pakistan, but can be sold on the streets of America for $130,000/kilo (retail). Synthetics like methamphetamine are often even cheaper to manufacture costing approximately $300 to500 per kilo to produce in clandestine labs in the US and abroad and sold on US streets for up to $60,000/kilo (retail).The C.I.A and other U.S intelligence sources believe that synthetics like amphetamines and designer drugs like Ecstasy will garner a larger and larger share of the market in years to come. No agriculture 12

people arrested back on March 10th 2011 in a drug sweep of players in a major heroin/ marijuana ring in Baltimore. Snoop was busted as part of a five month investigation into the drug ring. The staff of TRAP DOOR MAGAZINE attempted to get a visitation interview with the sister while she was being held at the DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SUPERMAX facility, but was denied because of a 30 day term due to D.O.C visitation regulations. The Baltimore Sun released an article stating on June 19, 2009 that a kilo of cocaine now costs $32,000, up a full $10,000 from 2006. Bulk quantities of the drug are more expensive here than in Washington, where a kilo costs $30,000, and in Richmond, Va., where it goes for $26,000. 13 Felecia "Snoop" Pearson

based commodities industry in the world operates on the same price differentials as cocaine and heroin, while requiring relatively little in the way of expertise. The average drug trafficking organization, meaning from Medellin to the streets of New York, could afford to lose 90% of its profit and still be profitable," says Robert Stuntman, a former DEA Agent. Now think of this analogy: GM builds a million Chevrolets a year. Doesn't sell 900,000 of them and still comes out profitable. That is a hell of a business, homie. That is the dope business.According to The Baltimore Sun, Felecia "Snoop" Pearson was one of 30

According to the University of Baltimore there’s a whopping $872 million of UN-COUNTED income. With over 50,000 addicts in the city I would guess that sounds about right. Dope fiends spend that money. Crack heads spends that money, but the question that we would like our readers to ask him/herself is where does it all come from, who profits from it and where does it go. The publishers of these newspapers don’t really know…none of them mother fuckers come from our environment. They haven’t grown up in an environment bombarded with people who didn’t want to be like Regis and Kelly. They didn’t come up in an environment where the hero was the brother that turned the fire hydrant on in the summer time because the hood didn’t have any swimming pools. They don’t come from the environments where there are no father figures because they’re all locked up doing 30 years before they reach the age of 30.

Processed cocaine is available in Colombia for $1,500 dollars per kilo and sold on the streets of America for as much as $66,000 a kilo (retail). Heroin costs $2,600/kilo in Pakistan, but can be sold on the streets of America for $130,000/kilo (retail).

“Sometimes the hardest part about being successful is separating myself from the people I have built relationships with, but yet I must do it do it because I understand that they are incapable of doing the right thing.” -50 Cent “Oh, you think you better than me.” “Yo, you got your big hat on.” “Yo, you changed. Why you don’t come around the way no more?” These are just a few of things I hear often… (shrugs shoulders) Sometimes the best response is no response, but yet I often have to tell a mother fucker that I didn’t change I just simply grew up. Let’s face it, it’s about to be 2013. The “I’m on the block, with pants hanging off my ass, going half on a nickel bag of weed” is so “1996”. I don’t think a lot of these brothers and sisters understand that. I often swing through the hood when I come back to Baltimore, just to say “hello” and see how everyone is doing …and for some reason I never stay long. I’m reminded of why I left each and every time I come back. It’s the same old shit, absolutely nothing. The same brothers that was on the corner selling which ever drug they called themselves selling, is still on the corner selling which ever drug that they call themselves selling. Such and such is still freaking off, being illogical about her choice in men and this stupid mother fucker is still talking that “I go hard” shit. (Like somebody cares).

I remember I had a conversation with a brother about local gangs in Baltimore city. He went on to tell me that he was a revolutionary. I simply asked him what type. He looked at me puzzled and asked what I meant. I then answered him by asking what type of revolutionary was he; social, political, etc. He said political. I then responded by saying, “well, that’s the reason why you keep bumping your head and going through what you’ve been going through because the war the people are fighting in today’s time is not political, it’s economical. I’m not going to sit here and push the conspiracy theory. I’m not at all saying that the history of African American people is “relevant.” I’m saying that in today’s time it’s “irrelevant”. The present condition of African American people is self-inflicted. The problems lie with every individual person. Some of you just need to simply stop standing in your own way. What this means is just as much effort as you put into doing nothing with yourselves, apply that same energy to doing something productive with yourselves. Grab you a trade or some type of skill to be able to offer society something when you’re released. You will be able to stand on your own two feet in this world. The remedy to being successful at anything in this land of milk and honey is to choose a goal, mark out a plan, and any time you’re upset, happy, etc., apply that energy to the plan. One day when you look up, you will have achieved that goal, trust me I know. Allow me to conclude: If a drop of water can penetrate a carbon steal pipe by hitting the same spot repeatedly, then one can do literally whatever they please by staying consistent. Now, that’s “sum real nicca ish!” 20

SUBSCRIPTIONS 6 Month Subscription ...$24 1 Year Subscription â&#x20AC;Ś$36 *Single issue retail $5.00 each For more info contact us at: trapdoormagazine@gmail.com ----------------------------------Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: ____________________ 21

CharelleMarie

eet Trap Door’s November Beauty in the Streets: CharelleMarie Trap Door: Where are you originally from and where do you currently reside? CharelleMarie: I’m from New Orleans, LA (9th ward) and I reside in Atlanta, GA.

Trap Door: How and when did you get started in modeling? commercial. CharelleMarie: I got started Trap Door: What are some of modeling at the age of 5 in local fashion shows. I picked my career your hobbies? up in 2012 after having my daughCharelleMarie: Some of my hobter. bies would be bowling and dancTrap Door: What type of modeling. ing do you prefer, runway, swimTrap Door: Where have we seen suit, etc.? you before (in what publications)? CharelleMarie: I prefer runway, CharelleMarie: This will be my but due to height I’m facing a first publication. challenge. I also like print and 24

Trap Door: And we’re honored Trap Door: What do you think is to have you!Trap Door: What do your sexiest body part? you like most about modeling? CharelleMarie: My legs, they CharelleMarie: What I like most give my body different illusions. about modeling is the creativity you can have. Trap Door: What turns you on, and Trap Door: what turns you off? I have no preferWhere would CharelleMarie: Great your ideal photo conversation turns me ence when it shoot take place, on and not having the and what would comes to men. willingness to try turns you be wearing? I vibe off their me off. CharelleMarie: My ideal photo personality and Trap Door: What kind shoot would be in the connection of man do you prefer? a setting of Africa with kids surmade between CharelleMarie: I have rounding me and no preference when it I’m the teacher. us. comes to men. I vibe off their personality and the connection made beTrap Door: Name one thing, no tween us. model should go without, and why? CharelleMarie: Lip Gloss and that’s because even with no makeup on your lips must still shine bright like a diamond.

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?

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

CharelleMarie: Twitter @CharelleMarie, FB Charelle Marie, Instagram CharelleMarie

CharelleMarie

CharelleMarie: I would love to be a cover model, as well as, do TV, movies, and some videos.

Trap Door: Where can your new fans find you?

CharelleMarie: Never give up, even when told NO, cause a powerful YES comes when you work and strive for your goal.

Trap Door: What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given to you in regards to modeling? CharelleMarie: Don’t let the industry change who you are. 26

uvenile delinquency rates and trends have varied over time and rose to national attention in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with the emergence of the crack epidemic and the toll it exerted on African American adolescents in the United States. In 2005, African American youths comprised 17 % of the youths population, but accounted for more than 30% of arrests; an overrepresentation greater than any other minority youths. It has long been debated why this overrepresentation exists; one explanation is that minority overrepresentation reflects race and ethnic differences in the incidences that are occurring and the second is that it is attributed to inequities in juvenile justice. For My Kidz Inc. (FMK Inc.), was founded in 2006 with the goal in mind to help at risk youth achieve their personal goals. Based out of Baltimore, Maryland FMK not only serves youth, but the whole community. Through endorsements from NFL greats Keion Carpenter, Tommy Polly, and Allen Rossum and partnerships with The Carpenter House Inc., FMK is a growing organization reaching not only Baltimore’s youth, but America’s youth making a positive impact on the lives of all those they serve. Trap Door Magazine had the opportunity to talk with FMK’s Director of Crisis Intervention, Dominic Nell and this is what he had to say… 28

Dominic Nell

Dominic Nell: Former Atlanta Falcon, Keion Carpenter is our President. It has been a great asset & blessing to have the support of such icons & it enables us to reach youths in other regions with similar demographical issues. Trap Door: What ages do you serve? Dominic Nell: 8-21

Trap Door: What exactly is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;no rejectâ&#x20AC;? policy? Is your staff equipped to deal with children Trap Door: For My Kidz Inc., was who may have behavioral/ founded in 2006, who were the psychological problems, and or founding members of the organiphysical disabilities? zation? Dominic Nell: A "non-refusal" Dominic Nell: Jerel Wilson & policy means, not limited to only Jerome Lowry. special cases & that no child will Trap Door: I understand you be refused any of the services have the endorsement of several that For My Kidz, Inc. provides. retired NFL players and one of them is your President? How has that helped FMK, as far as, gaining support from not only the community, but the state of Maryland and beyond? 29

Trap Door: What types of programs do you offer? How many Dominic Nell: No, but they are youth would you say are currentstrongly encouraged to do so. ly enrolled in these programs?

Dominic Nell: We offer behavior therapy, one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, athletic training, holistic living & alternative solutions, as well as, a family outreach program. About 112 youths are currently enrolled or participating in one or more of these programs.

Trap Door: I see youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re partnered up with The Carpenter House Inc., what has this partnership meant to the families in the Baltimore metropolitan area? What type of family outreach services do you provide?

Trap Door: Are there any fees associated with participating in your program?

Dominic Nell: A $50/month per child donation fee is welcomed, but not required.

Trap Door: Are parents required to participate in the program in order for their kids to be accepted? 30

Dominic Nell: The Carpenter's House Inc. has been a great influence on the community & has had a positive impact in the Baltimore metro area & is expanding to the Atlanta metro area also. We find job leads & substance abuse facilities for those whom apply & we offer lifecoaching for parents as needed.

Trap Door: What does the Director of Crisis Prevention do? What type of crisis situations do you deal with? How would someone in a crisis reach you, do you have a 24 hour hotline?

sues in the bud before violence arose. Unfortunately I do not have a 24 hour hotline, but my phone is on at least 20 hours a day.

Trap Door: How has FMK been able to rehabilitate young gang members? What specific programs do you have in place to help keep them off the streets and out of prison?

Dominic Nell: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I find common solutions for issues through the use of alternative & sometimes unorthodoxed methods. I look to help prevent a sitution before it escalates & intervene a situation upon escalation. I have dealt with domestic quarles between youths & households, I also have nipped neighborhood gang is31

Dominic Nell: Yes. For My Kidz Inc. works with other organizations such as Living Classrooms & Safe Streets to help assure maximum success, we also arrange yearly prison tours for our most at risk youth. Trap Door: Why is athletic training and nutrition so important to FMK? What has having professional trainer Chris Einlrich, meant to the success of this program? Dominic Nell: A healthy mind, body & soul equals a healthy individual & healthy individuals have been proven to perform more effectively. Chris has been a very valuable asset to FMK in that he Dominic Nell: Like For My Kidz works with professional athletes on Facebook. We are a non-profit on a daily basis & still made time organization, therefore, if you for us & our youth. The youth are have any funding suggestions or able to be tangible to things that donation inquiries please contact the normally would not. us at formykidz.fmk@gmail.com. Once a youth turns 18 or completes high school, they automatically become a youth-mentor & are obligated to volunteer when time permits. 32 Trap Door: Tell our readers what they can do to help support For My Kidz Inc. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about your organization?

Effective intervention plays a key role in lowering rates of juvenile delinquency and recidivism rates. But which interventions are most effective in dealing with those juveniles who have a potential for a becoming career criminals and are likely to recidivate while at an age of peak offending? Behavioral programs proved to be the most effective of the traditional intervention methods in reducing recidivism. These programs included: court ordered family counseling as a condition of probation, behavior therapy, treatment techniques, intensive services, and also included intensive case management and follow up. For My Kidz Inc., is an exceptional program making differences in the lives of every youth who participates in their program. “Make a donation today, make a difference tomorrow.” Whether you donate your time by volunteering (mentoring, tutoring, or helping out with the annual Thanksgiving food drive or Christmas toy drive) or donate clothes, school supplies, or money…THE KIDZ aren’t the only ones who will benefit, the entire community benefits too. For more information on how you can help go to www.formykidz.net 33

EDDIE KAYNE

n the D.C. Metropolitan area there are very few outlets for indie artists wanting to gain exposure through mainstream radio. In fact, without the backing of a major record label, most indie artists will never get airplay on mainstream radio. Why? The “Big Business” of the music industry- CASH (for promotion), is king and struggling artists usually don’t have much. What does that mean for indie artists?

WKYS 93.9 FM prides itself for helping local acts like Wale, Mario, Dru Hill, Ginuwine, Mya and Tank gain national exposure, college radio is another avenue; there are hundreds of these stations throughout the U.S. that are looking for quality music of all genres to play, but internet radio with its prospect of much easier access to listening via mobile devices, numerous apps for smart phones, and podcasts a key format for mobile handsets and mp3 players, is a likely place to find your favorite indie star. before they went ON-AIR… 36

Eddie Kayne, the host of the #1 Indie Show, the Eddie Kayne Show took his love for Hip Hop and developed a platform that would showcase the hottest independent artists not only in the DMV, but around the globe. His syndicated LIVE weekly broadcasts boasts listenership and viewership from over 82 countries worldwide. Trap Door Magazine caught up with Eddie and his partner DJ Sinbad right before they went ON-AIRâ&#x20AC;Ś Trap Door: Please introduce yourselves. Sinbad: I'm DJ Sinbad. Eddie: I'm Eddie Kayne, some call me the "Ambassador to Indie Hip Hop," innovator. We are the lead show that highlight s independent artists and try to take them to the next level. What we love is to break records. We know regionally, a radio show in this area can only reach so many people because it's only going through the DMV. Me and Sinbad have the capability and the ability to reach over 82 countries

because we are heard in 82 countries, so it gives us the ability to not only reach the people in the states, but outside the states and create a fan base for independent artists around the world.

We are the lead show that highlights independent artists and try to take them to the next level. What we love is to break records.

Trap Door: How did you decide to work with independent artists? Eddie: I started this 20 years ago. I'm going to say 20 to 25 years ago... Trap Door: (giggles)...how old are you? Eddie: I used to dance with DC Scorpio when Stone Cold Hustler was hot, I was in the video. Stone Cold Hustler Pt. 2 was one of the first videos from this area to be on MTV, so I've been doing it every since then. I have a passion for music. I've worked with everybody in the DMV from the Vinnie Ds, the Tony Blunts, to the Stinky Dinks, to the Nonchalants, Black Indian...I've worked with all the majors that have come out of the DMV, so in doing so we saw there was a lack...a lacking for independent artists, them not having a platform to have their music heard. Really the five majors monopolize ...wouldn't you say that Sinbad.

Sinbad: Absolutely. Eddie: They monopolize the industry so if you're not listening to 2 Chainz, Gucci, French Montana...someone of that statue you're not getting any air play. I know for me listening to the radio is sickening because the format is the same five to ten records every hour. Trap Door: I don't even listen to the radio anymore. Eddie: It's funny that you don't because what we started, some of the innovations we started, I've been doing this for three years with internet radio (there have been people before us). But what I will say is that it's a platform for independent artists, to take the artists to the next level.

EDDIE KAYNE/DJ SINBAD

Sinbad stuck with me when I had nothing, just like this interview, today it was scheduled for me. I pay homage to my DJ, I show him the same respect, he's owed and he's due that. 39

Trap Door: What made you decide to go from being in the videos to being on the radio, and putting people out there?

Sinbad: ...That's a powerful thing, music. Being able to create another lane, being able to get people out of an environment and get them into an environEddie: It really wasn't the same. ment they dream about, that I came from being an artist...you they aspire to be, powerful, it's a can't really help the movement, powerful movement. So, every but being behind the movement week we have artist hit us up and supporting the movement with music. We actually listen to and pushing the movement alit and the amount of talent and lows me to facilitate more and production level in our area is I'm older now, so I'm on the busijust as good as mainstream. ness side of the table versus bePound for pound they can go ing young. When I was in it, it round for round with any mainwasn't cool to be a Hip Hop artist, stream record and they are comnot coming from this area, as you parable. They need a voice, so know D.C. is predominately Go the Ambassador to indie music, Go. So when we were doing it, my man Eddie Kayne gives it to we were looked at as being bamthem. mas. It wasn't until these last few years that they've really started to accept and embrace Hip Hop music in the DMV...when I met my DJ and we hooked up it was the best thing that happened. He understood me and I understood him and we understood where we were going with the movement...elaborate on it a little bit Sinbad. 40

He's really a personality that in the bathroom, or if it's obviinspires people to gravitate toous they just don't have the skill, wards our movement, where then we try to at least educate people can have a them, but never disvoice and get their we don't criminate shine... Sinbad: Production is charge. Trap Door: That the first screen, basically leads me to the next What we be- if you believe in yourquestion. I'm sure self, when you put your lieve is help- product out, when it you get music thrown at you all the ing artist to comes to a DJ it should time, how do you be at a level that is godetermine what gets see their val- ing to sound good complayed, what's valid, ing out of a loud system. what's relevant, and ue and to let A lot of music gets filwhat's even worthy? them see tered right there. Put a lot of effort in your muEddie: That's a real sic because if producthat people good question. We, tion is right, then we're first of all don't disreally do listening to the next criminate. What care about part, the beat and the doesn't sound good hook...the beat and the to us sometimes may hook, that's what makes them insound good to the a record so if they put next person...I think stead of try- that together right, all music needs to be they'll get at least one ing to heard. The only ones spin and depending on we do discredit are the reaction. It may go "work" the ones not mixed into rotation. down, or if it sounds them. like they recorded it 41

Trap Door: Educate the artist...so what do you do to educate the artist because there are a lot of artists that one, don't want to spend the money or time to not only promote themselves or invest in themselves, as far as, going to a quality studio...copyright and things like that, how do you help assist them? Eddie: What we do is basically...first of all we dialogue with everyone, we're not the "Hollywood" type DJ and Personality. You can reach out and touch us and we're gonna tell you the REAL. One out of a million is going to make it, so you're going to have to put yourself out there to make it, which means the quality sound, the quality production and if you don't have those things, chances of you making it is slim to none...so what are you going to do to take yourself to the next level? Trap Door: You made yourself into someone very popular...you have syndication and sponsor-

ship. How does someone get to your level? Eddie: Work hard, we work hard (Sinbad and I), NO days off, every day we put into our business because we understand that any given day we could be knocked off the horse and someone else could take this spot. So, in order to stay relevant we have to keep pushing ...(repeats). We've shown and set those standards pretty high...you'll see our teamwork Trap Door: That's a good thing, without teamwork, the show wouldn't be the success that it is. How did you know you were a perfect fit? Eddie: First of all I'm a loyal person. Sinbad stuck with me when I had nothing, just like this interview, today it was scheduled for me. I pay homage to my DJ, I show him the same respect, he's owed and he's due that. If you stick with someone when they have nothing like my PR and my manager (which is my wife)...they stuck with me 42

when I had nothing. So, as we are now growing the circle is tight. This is my circle, I love everybody, but these are the people I have to take care of they have families and this is my family. Sponsorship wise, you have to just keep reaching out until someone picks you up, they have to see your value, and you have to show them you work.

Eddie: We do in store broadcasts for Cricket Wireless. We go to each store, we were on a D.C. tour where we did everything within the DMV with the exception of VA, and we went all the way to Baltimore and couple other spots. We increase value and sales by bringing the MUVE music independent artists into the store and do a live broadcast.

EDDIE KAYNE

Trap Door: Besides radio you have a lot of other projects, tell us about them.

Eddie: I'm part owner, we're an independent website that showcases all independent artists worldwide, a FREE platform, because World Star and other sites like it charge, we don't charge. What we believe is helping artist to see their value and to let them see that people really do care about them instead of trying to "work" them. A lot of artists are the way they are because they've been used, lied to, and misled.

Trap Door: What bout UrbanE TV? 43

Trap Door: Is there anything else you want your fans (or those Eddie: Let me give you this... who may not know you) to EVERY other city, in Atlanta, in know? Tennessee, Miami, in Texas, in all those cities/states when you go to their clubs, they play their Eddie: I want people to judge us "own" music. In the DMV, we based off our actions, don't go by have to be one of the only ones hearsay, we support everybody. that won't support our artists I'd like to find a way to help the without getting our hands people in the institutions, some greased. That's why I created way for them to have an outlet, DMV United, where we play all to be able to see our shows. So our "own," music from this area. they can have something to look We don't discriminate against forward to. There are a lot of any other indie artist, we support great artists that are incarcerated indie artists worldwide, but we right now...we want to be able to just trying to put our City offer them a platform. on...STAY TUNED! Sinbad: I'd just like to say to any independent artists and fans of independent artists, SUPPORT EACH OTHER...they gotta show love, you have to come out to the events. At the end of the day that's what's going to make the movement grow and flourish...so you don't have to depend on mainstream to be successful. 44

With sponsorship from Cricket Wireless MUVE Music and as the coowner of UrbanE TV (website dedicated to independent music, films, music videos, fashion and TV) Eddie Kayne’s dedication to indie artists will undoubtedly help them gain the exposure they’re looking for, all the while expanding their fan base. Radio play means more CD and digital media sales, plus more gigs. The next couple of steps should be followed if you are serious about being in the Music Industry: STEP 1-Register your song with The Library of Congress Log onto http://www.copyright.gov STEP 2-Sign Up with ASCAP Log onto http:// www.ascap.com/about or BMI Log onto http:// www.bmi.com STEP 3-Get Song Encoded with Broadcast Data System (BDS) Log onto http://www.bdsonline.com AND Media Base Log onto http://www.mediabase.com STEP 4: Get CD professionally pressed up STEP 5: Promote your music (Posters, Performances, Fliers, Street Team, etc)

he very first time I heard Napoleon Da Legend (NDL) I was an instant fan. I found him on ReverbNation and like a school girl with a crush; I fell in love with Hip Hop all over again. I was surprised to get a response back from the comment I posted on his page, but unlike many of these self proclaimed superstars, Napoleon was not only humble but very genuinely appreciative to add me to the numbers of fans he already had. Napoleon Da Legend aka Pharoah-Gamo was born in Paris, France to African immigrants from Comoros, an island nation located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel off the eastern coast Africa. At the age of four NDL and his family immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Washington, D.C. With his parents divorce at 16, Napoleon made the decision to stay in the U.S. instead of returning overseas with either of his parents. Over the next year Napoleon began penning projects inspired by his unique background and life experiences. One of his first successful projects was a limited edition maxi-single vinyl “Prison” released in 2005 by the indie label “Savoir-Faire” in Europe (now considered a collector’s item by many Hip Hop Purists). Not since the “Golden Era” of Hip Hop have there been true lyricists, but with his ability to deliver pure emotion, NDL is a legend in the making. Coining the phrase “Reality Rap” NDL is a storyteller that embellishes his music with “historic, larger than life imagery and vibrant street flow.” 50

With a resume that boasts features from artists like Bad Boy’s Red Café, Universal /Barclay artist Matt Houston (Shawty a Gangsta), Trina (Sex Toy), NDL proves he has that superstar quality. He was even enlisted by the former Dr. Dre prodigy Knoc-Turn’ Al, for features on his comeback record “Red Rum Mindset”. His buzz in Europe had icons like French artist Rockin’ Squat of the pioneer Hip Hop group Assassin and Hip Hop group Saian Supa Crew seeking him out for features. NDL’s Deep Cover 2010 video tribute to Big Pun put him on the fast track to success with exposure on numerous blogs and websites (www.Allhiphop.com, www.kevinnottingham.com, www.HipHopDX.com). In 2010 the release of The Myth or Legend EP (10,000 units distributed and sold), helped NDL secure his own radio show on Pandora Radio. Napoleon was also featured on the full length mixtape The Sugar Cayne Experiment Vol.1 a collaboration with producer/personality/ director Crazy Al Cayne (www.cac-tv.com Recently, Napoleon was featured on the legendary Video Music Box and his videos are currently in rotation on VMB being aired throughout NY, NJ, and CT on the NYC-TV Life Channel. He was also interviewed on Thermal Sound Waves Radio WHCR 90.3 FM the longest running Hip Hop radio show in NY. In 2011 he was awarded the Nobel Mic of the Year award for his lyrical prowess. With his recent relocation to Brooklyn, NY, NDL had the honor to perform at the 2012 Show and Prove in Harlem featuring Rakim and Brand Nubian. Napoleon is currently working on his solo album Awakening featuring Wu-Tang

Clan’s Raekwon and Sean Price. He also made his acting debut in a web drama series Back to Basics directed by Cyril Mahe. Featured in over 80 videos and over 600,000 views and counting on YouTube, NDL is slated to becoming a definite Legend. But don’t take my word for it I’m just a girl with a crush, a groupie in love with Hip Hop…Raekwon said it best "When I first heard the beat by Napoleon Da Legend, I knew it was gonna be special, but when I heard his vocals and the beat combined, it reminded me of myself being a hungry cat coming up bout to take the game by storm. I’m very conscious about who I record with far as new artists is concerned, but when I wrote my verse I followed his lead because it was so powerful. It was that great that I contemplating about buying the record from him. But this will be a cat y’all will be hearing from in the near future I’m cosigning that!" – Rae

You can fall in love too; follow Napoleon at www.facebook.com/ napoleondalegend , @TeamNDL on Twitter & Instagram,

www.napoleondalegend.com and at www.youtube.com/NDLfilms 52

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