Untapped Hip Hop Issue 13 Spring 2021

issue 13

spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 1

PUBLISHER ISSUU.COM ART DIRECTORS David “DWIL” Williams Justin Paul “VECtore” Valdivia COPY WRITERS Justin Paul “VECtore” Valdivia ADVERTISERS UNTAPPED HIP HOP EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS INTEREST untappedhiphop@gmail.com STAY CONNECTED facebook.com/untappedhiphop instagram.com/untappedhiphop twitter.com/untappedhiphop

YouTube: Untapped Hip Hop Magazine untappedhiphopmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS GLK (@glkclothing) NASA LAMODE (@nasalamode) MALDITOMONO (@malditomono) NINJA STARR (@ninjastarr) FINTAKOL (@fintakol) CAL (@_cal_art_) YADNYANG PAWAR (@yadnyang.pawar) INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING CONTACT US untappedhiphop@gmail.com untappedhiphopmagazine.com

2 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 3

Letter From The Editor He we are a year later after the pandemic the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to take shape. Documentary is still being edited, and were starting a clothing line, but most of all the world is almost back to normal.

While it has been difficult for many of us we should take the time to be proud of ourselves to remain resilient, driven, creative, and surviving!

One Love Yo! -VECtore 4 Spring 2021

UNTAPPED HIP HOP SPRING 2021 ISSUE C O N T E N T S

P A G E

A R T I S T

4

R O W

P A G E 4 6

F E A T

NINIJASTARR CAL ART YADNYANG MALDITOMONO

P A G E 5 2

M F NASA LAMODE C E FINTAKOL C O R N E R

A T

D F GLK R E I A T P G E A R

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 5

6 Spring 2019

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 7

I am a 36 years old, self-taught Japanese hip-hop pen artist. I grew up and live in the countryside of Japan. I have a 9-5 job and spend a couple of hours for my artworks at nights and weekends. Since Feb. 2019 so it’s been over two years.

It was a book called “STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST” by Austin Kleon.The book taught me “It is ok to be creative by copying somebody you like” but “Don’t just steal the style, steal the thinking behind the style.” The lines stuck with me because I thought that is the fundamental of Hip Hop. I have always enjoyed listening to 90’s Hip Hop, collecting records as well as looking at arts but I never thought of creating something myself. But one day, I was listening to J Dilla beats, picked up a pen then began drawing a J Dilla portrait on a piece of paper. It took me 5 mins to finish and it was a silly, primitive drawing but I created an IG account and uploaded it. The next 6 months, I enjoyed drawing and getting likes and comments from people around the world on IG. I thought they were all I needed. Then someone from The Biggie inspires art contest DMed me if I wanted to join the contest. For the first time I felt like I was recognized as an artist and I started to believe that I was an artist.

Unfortunately, my art was not selected but this opportunity made me come up with my artist name, Ninjastarr.

Since I live in the countryside of Japan, nobody I know listens to real Hip Hop. have not really told anyone about my artworks except a few close friends.

But thanks to the internet, I can connect with people from all over the world who share the same passion with me. Maintaining motivation has always been a challenge for me.

Sometimes I keep going for days and weeks but sometimes I don’t at all.

When it happens, I just tell myself that “Creativity has seasons” which 8 Spring 2021

I

I

learned from another book by Austin Kleon (Keep Going). Creating art is not a short-time thing for me, it is a lifetime project so I try not to put pressure on myself. lI have never had a proper art training so I had never paid attention to the shadows, wrinkles, how lights would change colors of eyes, etc.before starting this journey.

However, the more I draw, the more I realize there are no identical things in the world. In a nutshell, I started observing what I see more closely not only when I’m drawing but also in everyday life. Also my confidence has evolved as an artist as my life has gradually changed.Since I grabbed my pen, so many good things have happened to me and my life is richer. For example, I received comments from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Load Finesse, Diamond D, Questlove, Jeru The Damaja, and J Dilla’s mom Ma Dukes. To me, they are someone who live in a different world but my artwork changed it. Direct feedback from them meant a lot to me and helped evolve my confidence.

I can only speak from my experiences but if I were to give advice…

I love Hip Hop music, specifically 90’s east-coast Hip-Hop. so I stick with it. Spend your time on what you love. Do not widen your theme. Narrow your theme. People who have the same passion with you will find your art.

If you do not want to feel like doing your art, take a break. Check out others arts, travel, talk to your fellow and get inspired. Because creativity has seasons.

Represent your culture and take it into your art. When I was enjoying other’s art on IG, I found someone drew his art on an old English dictionary page. I thought it was very cool. I stole this idea and started drawing my art on an old Japanese novel book page because I thought vertical writings may be interesting for non-Japanese people. Also, the idea of using an old material is very much like Hip Hop, sampling from someone’s lyrics or music from any genres.

When you get stuck, stop and observe what you have. You already have something special; your own skill, your own sense, and your own culture.

www.instagram.com/ninjastarr_art @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 9

10 Summer 2020

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 11

12 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 13

14 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 15

Follow Us On All Social Media

@untappedhiphop

16 Spring 2021

CAL

ART

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 17

18 Spring 2021

My names CAL I’m the owner of Cal Art and I’m currently based in Charleston South Carolina.

Truth be told there’s a lot of artist in the game, and it can be intimidating, but I think what differentiates a true artist is passion. I think people get too lost in the sauce trying to become a millionaire, or become famous, but what’s important is loving what you do. The inspiration for my work comes from all the things I’ve been through, and the need to always elevate. Within every piece I make really trying to create, innovate, and leave a lasting impression on the art game. As a young artist I want to be an example for others, to show them, no matter your background, no matter your financial status, no matter where you’ve come from, that when you’re passionate about something anything is possible..everyday is an opportunity to create , that’s why I grind, to show you that you can turn nothing into something you just have to have heart. www.instagram.com/_cal_art_

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 19

20 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 21

22 Summer 2020

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 23

24 Spring 2019

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 25

Knowledge Of Self

Podcast Watch it on Untapped Hip Hop TV live episodes on Twitch Monthly! Catch the video on our YouTube Channel Untapped Hip Hop TV Tocay!

26 Spring 2021

YADNYANG PAWAR @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 27

28 Spring 2021

My name is Yadnyang Pawar, I am an artist, I lived all of my life in a suburb located fifty kilometres away from Mumbai, named “Dombivli”, I have been a professional illustrator, color artist, scribble artist and most importantly as a poster and cover artist. I’ve been drawing since a long time, I have developed myself from a doodler in school life who amazed others with my art, to teen-ager who won few local art state level competitions, and till today, a professional hitting deadlines, in this creative field, who has worked in various ways, from storyboarding till illustrations, and this journey of approximately 20 years has been great.

In my childhood, I remember the bed time stories my dad told me, were about “Phantom” , for those who don’t know this character, “Phantom” is the first ever superhero ever appeared on comics panels, and from those days till now, I have been a comics fan, and have always been interested to be a professional comics @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 29

artist. My father was an artist, and of course that’s the reason why he told his son, stories of that time famous, comics character “Phantom”, the moment when he showed me the actual comics collection he had of the issues of Phantom comics, I got really attracted to these awesome culture, and only the love towards that culture, has led me to this creative field, the only purpose behind the artistic hustle I do on a daily basis, is the love towards comics. An innocent urge to draw dynamic scenes, and to tell stories in artistic ways. how do your current surroundings view your work? is it accepted where you’re from?

Like I said my father was an artist, so He faced some problems from the surrounding, as he was the first one in my family, to enter the creative field, but later I personally never faced any problem, being an artist, in fact people appreciate my artworks and my art. what were some of the challenges you had to overcome during your journey?

I used to be a great procrastinator, I used to be lazy as well, but most importantly I carried self doubt about myself which was the core reason for all of the other habits, I have faced saturation modes frequently through all these years, but I have always realized that when a specific idea or a concept gets in my mind, which is groundbreaking and awesome according to me, I just forget everything and I just do it, I used to wait for people’s opinion or response , I just believe in the approach and that process in what excites me. I just trust my process.

30 Spring 2021

from the very first drawing to sitting here answering these questions today how have you evolved as an artist? I have evolved as a person, the most important thing is, I have learned empathy, and that helps me learn any other person’s perspective, and that part plays real well when I create a design an artwork or even a small commission, I get to live that character that I create, every poster art that I have made, every story that I have drawn or sketched or colored, I always have got a chance to live their perspective for a while, during the while when I was in the process of creating that art, I get to live their life, And successful or not, heavily paid or less, It is always a great experience, Although saying all that I have also learned to maintain the value of my art whenever I am concerned with the market, I always try to charge in a way that is quite convenient for me, as well as reasonable to the client in front of me. what advice could you give a younger artist about to start their own journey in art?

If you want to be a success in the artist or creative industry either improve your craft at a god level in your own style or learn how to Hit deadlines faster, either provide a great type of quality or a great amount of quantity. Be better than your yesterday, sharpen the skills before you use it, Practice is the magic pill. Don’t compare your art style with anyone, and ALWAYS level up your art style! better to chase your best self than any other. Get inspired from others but never get influenced by others, and if you love someone’s style badly, steal like an artist, make it sexier when you recreate it! “Machines copy, Humans recreate !” and if you are just copying, stop saying the lie that you are an artist, you are not. If you have an art style that’s mediocre,Keep doing for a long time, you will be your best self. Todd McFarlane , Rob Liefeld , John Romita Jr are mediocre artists according to many people, but in reality they are the superstars in the Comics Industry, Period. https://www.talenthouse.com/yadnyang-pawar https://www.instagram.com/yadnyang.pawar/

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 31

32 Spring 2019

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 33

34 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 35

A story and rich history the ie has been waiting to hear will finally be told...

202x

#historyofhiphopie

For more info Follow Us On All Social Media

@untappedhiphop

36 Spring 2021

MALDITOMONO

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 37

38 Spring 2021

“The eternal fight against the police, It’s like someone stopping you in the middle of sex. I love painting and put so much time into it.”

I’m a graffiti artist and illustrator from Gran Canaria. Most of my work is influenced by video games, cartoons, sneakers, Hip-Hop, good weather, palm trees and everyday situations. As a kid everybody draws, I just never stopped. I started painting graffiti around 2006. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember.

My brother was a DJ and had many Hip-Hop magazines and albums, I remember being inspired by the artwork at a young age. Year’s later my friend RAMC who was already a writer got me into graffiti Being creative comes naturally to me, I paint and draw at every spare moment.

I always knew this was something I wanted to do. Ask them.. Some people appreciate what I do, some people call the police to get rid of me. Everyone has a different opinion, I try not to let that influence me. The eternal fight against the police, It’s like someone stopping you in the middle of sex. I love painting and put so much time into it. For me painting is healing and comes from a place of love, I always try to be respectful in the process. Another challenge has been getting to know myself and being comfortable with who I am In the beginning I wanted to be good and recognised on the scene in my City. Now I care more about the content I create and just enjoy painting with friends having a beer under the sun. I’m less focussed on improving my skills and instead owning what makes me unique. Do what makes you happy and be true to yourself. Enjoy your journey and create a positive community and spread good vibes @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 39

40 Summer 2020

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 41

42 Summer 2020

44 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 45

GLAMOROUS L IVING

K

IDS

46 Spring 2021

Hello everyone, and thank you for your time. My name is Christian Thompson II. I am from Victorville, CA. and I am an artist specializing in graphic design, photography and apparel design. I have a passion for art and creating exciting things for others to enjoy.

I am someone that can be inspired by pushing myself I have been fascinated with art as far back as my childhood years.

Art has been a major part of my life due to the many influences from my family. With that upbringing, I knew my purpose in life was to create, and it wasn’t until high school did, I discover that graphic design would be my calling in the arts world.

Since then, I have been a graphic designer for fifteen years.

My journey in graphic design came about in high school from my close buddy Isaiah Diaz and our Advance Placement Arts teacher Ms. Blum. Ms. Blum had observed a graffiti drawing I was working on and commented that my lettering and illustrations had a graphic design quality to them.

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 47

I had never heard of graphic design, but thankfully Isaiah was already on the same path and was able to should me what it was. He was the “Guru” to me, showing me everything you could do in Photoshop. Till this day I still thank him for getting me my first bootleg version of Photoshop!

With apparel, I knew I wanted to pursue this route in my life the moment our high school hosted its first fashion show event. I was in a clique of like-minded fashion forward creatives. It was like being in a gang that looked good! We put together the show and I remember the moment my brand partner Julian Fontanez and I stepped on stage to introduce the apparel we worked on; it was a wrap! I saw the future I definitely knew was for me.

I feel like the nature of what I create has always been well accepted where I’m from, its hard to be mad at the guy that gives free clothes away! But its not been entirely sunshine and rainbows on this journey. I have dealt with burning bridges that were my fault and friendships ending because there was a lack of communication and 48 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 49

leadership. Ive made these mistakes when I was young and early in my field. Thankful they were momentary learning lessons.

Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced have been consistency in production, financial support and not having a team. With a business/ brand, you can only do so much by yourself.

I’ve tried many times to bring friends and family on and at the end, I’ve had to stand firmly in my faith that the brand will succeed regardless if others were there or not.

From my first ever shirt design to now becoming a studio owner, the best way to say I have evolved is I went from making art for art’s sake, to understanding the Art of Business. I started with the mindset that this would be easy and blow up overnight because my friends like it, to diversifying my resources in ways that still represent the brand while bringing in income. I love art obviously, but there’s a business side to all of this that we as young artist need to understand. I feared “selling out” as many artist think will happen, but I’ve learned that people will become and remain your fan if you stay authentic to your purpose and be someone they can connect with.

50 Spring 2021

The Advice I would give Any artist would be to remain a student in your field, but lead those that need guidance. Be flexible to learn new perspectives, not everything you’re told is correct or the only way to do something. What helped me early was that I reached out to others that I saw were in need of my services and I offered to help them for free. I built those levels of trust and relationships while building my portfolio and skills. Also remember, were artist! We have the most creative look on life so always enjoy every moment. Peace&Blessings.

IG: @glkclothingco Website: glkclothing.co/ @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 51

NASA

LAMODE

52 Spring 2021

“I started making beats when I was 17 years old. After I graduated high school, I went to Milwaukee Area Technical College to be a music engineer; this was back in 2013. I thought I was gonna be an engineer, but that all changed. ” Who are you? Where you are from? What do you do?

My name is Nasa Lamode. I’m from Milwaukee, WI, but I right now I live in Houston, TX. I’m a rapper, singer-songwriter and a music producer. I’m also in the works of putting together an independent record label called “Cream City Studios”.

How long have you been practicing your craft?

I started making beats when I was 17 years old. After I graduated high school, I @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 53

went to Milwaukee Area Technical College to be a music engineer; this was back in 2013. I thought I was gonna be an engineer, but that all changed. While I was in school, I decided that I wanted to be a music artist instead. I moved to Houston and started recording and performing since 2018.

What or who got you started on your journey?

I’m blessed to be able to say that my pops is and always was, my biggest influence and support system in this music game. He definitely made sure that my creative needs were locked.

There was never a time where he doubted my creative ear or musical capabilities. I’m also mad self-motivated and secure of who I am and what I want, so getting started on my own was never a problem for me, based off all the art that was always around me.

At what point did you know that this was the path you wanted to walk?

I’ve been in love with music since as far back as I could remember. I always knew this was gonna be where I ended up. My dad used to play old vinyls of all kinds of music from Prince to Eric B & Rakim, so my musical range was pretty much always diverse.

Being able to have exposure to music from the 60’s and up is what really set the tone.

How do your current surroundings view your work? is it accepted where you’re from?

I can honestly say that I’m blessed in this aspect. I get criticism all the time, being 54 Spring 2021

an artist; some good, and some bad. Fortunately, I get more positive over the negative. I’m still new though, so I got mad room for improvement. I ain’t about to sit here and cap like I’m just the absolute best in the world, but I can honestly say that most people actually rock with me and show genuine love. I get more love in Houston than I do in Milwaukee, but I haven’t had no haters say nothing to me in my face.

What were some of the challenges you had to overcome during your journey?

Sheesh! There have been way too many challenges. More than I can count. This music career journey ain’t nothing what it look like in the media. It takes scarifies, dedication, persistence, and tough skin. Communication is probably my biggest problem though. I’m super blunt and all about business. I don’t do well with feelings and emotions, and I had to learn to be considerate of peoples feelings. I had to learn to listen and respect.

The way I’m set up though, I’m a “let’s get straight to the point; what can you do for me, and what can I do for you” type person, and that ruined a lot of business opportunities for me. People like genuine friendships, but I’m introverted. I still struggle with this, but I’m getting better. Aside from that, the business side of music really whooped me. I was not prepared for that.

From very first song to sitting here answering these questions today how have you evolved as an artist?

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 55

So much has changed for me. On the creative side, I’m able to whip up a quality song faster than ever before. I learned my scales and improved my rhythm. I got a stronger flow and a more recognizable image. But on the business side of things, I learned how to communicate better. As of now, I’m an independent and self managed artist, so I had to understand the proper ways to build relationships that will get me further. Above all, money management, time management, and emotional control were the single handed, most important things that I had to learn.

8.What advice could you give a younger artist about to start their own journey in art.

Start now. I would recommend that they jump right in. Don’t waste time or listen to critics. You can always change. You can always adjust and reinvent. You can always change your mind later. But you can’t get back time that has passed.

Website: https://nasalamode.com IG: @nasalamode Twitter: @nasalamode Facebok: https://www.youtube.com/c/NasaLamode Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5RfltFBaWhfeSCjKTuJ48F?si=6Ch7irMRmm0nASN4qSznA Website: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hazed/1560762834?i=1560762919 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/realnasalamode/hazed

56 Spring 2021

F I N T A K O L @UNTAPPED HIP HOP 57

WHO ARE YOU ? WHERE ARE YOU FROM ?

Fintakol, hip-hop artist. FMNART living in Paris, France, of Guinean origin (French Guinea). I am independent and in the development phase. A modern day amazon who poses on all types of productions as long as the words are right. An urban warrior in search of a good life and auditory discoveries that stimulate the senses.

French chic in hip-hop. laughs The titles that best express my state of mind ...

Women of art, Feminism in tears, Jane Doe, BLM, Militante, Hip-hop women and I am in the problems which pose the decoration of my daily life. I am this Frenchie who likes to fix her French on any bpm as long as the collaboration happens naturally.

Fintakol, artiste hip-hop. FMNART vivant à Paris, France, d’origine guinéenne (Guinée française). Je suis indépendante et en phase de développement. Une amazone des temps modernes qui posent sur des prods de tous types du moment

58 Spring 2021

que les mots tombent justes. Une guerrière urbaine à la recherche du bon vivre et de découvertes auditives qui stimulent les sens. Le chic à la française dans le hiphop. rires Les titres qui expriment le mieux mon état d’esprit ... Femmes de l’art, Féminisme en larmes, Jane Doe, BLM, Militante, Hip-hop de femmes et je suis dans les problèmes qui posent le décor de mon quotidien. Je suis cette frenchie qui aime caler son français sur n’importe quel bpm du moment que la collaboration se fait naturellement.

FMNART ARTIST AND NOT FEMINIST ?

I prefer the term that frees me from any obligation. What I like about the creative process is the maturation phase until it clicks that pushes you to write because the rhythm no longer comes out of your head. I felt that, one Sunday morning after spending the evening working on Voisey, I hear Zarenzo and his Ricola challenge.

I went back there because I said to myself, but it’s like the day after concerts and afters. laughs. By the way, will discover his networks, this guy gives off a trapcosmic atmosphere. I try to keep this chance to be able to feel the music. By picking up a signal, an instrument, a melody, in short an emotion, I have a collaborative inspiration, because I do not compose the productions on which I pose. So, very often, it’s while listening to what the beatmaker composed that I pick up what I was telling you. In the FMNART League title, I freeze this atmosphere during the hook.

My boy from Birmingham, @ Lr2productions figured out what it takes for a good screen cypher session. Similarly, if you want to understand my concept, go to his page, he regularly publishes my sessions and at the same time, you will discover how hip-hop invades Voisey. A lot of rappers use his prods.

Je préfère le terme qui me libère de toute obligation. Ce qui me plaît dans le processus créatif, c’est la phase de maturation jusqu’au déclic qui te pousse à écrire parce que le rythme ne sort plus de ta tête. J’ai ressenti ça, un dimanche matin après avoir passé la soirée à bosser sur Voisey, j’entends Zarenzo et son Ricola challenge. J’y suis rentrée parce que je me disais, mais c’est comme un lendemain de concerts et d’afters. rires. Au passage, va découvrir ses réseaux, ce mec dégage une atmosphère trapcosmique. J’essaie de conserver cette chance de pouvoir sentir la musique. En captant un signal, un instrument, une mélodie, bref une émotion,

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 59

j’ai une inspiration collaborative, car je ne compose pas les productions sur lesquelles je pose. Donc, très souvent, c’est en écoutant ce que le beatmaker a composé que je capte ce que je te disais. Dans le titre FMNART Ligue, je fige cette atmosphère lors du hook. Mon gars de Birmingham, @Lr2productions a compris ce qu’il faut pour une bonne session cypher par écrans interposés. Pareil, si tu veux comprendre mon concept, va sur sa page, il publie régulièrement mes sessions et par la même, tu vas découvrir comment le hip-hop envahit Voisey. Beaucoup de rappeurs utilisent ses prods.

WHAT DO YOU DO ?

Hip-Hop music creation and production mainly in video format, that’s my concept, FMNART Creative Hip-Hop. I like to put words, feelings, images, questions in music and with a touch of dance and interpretation. Over time, I got to know myself and I call myself a musical explorer, because I am constantly inspired, also touched by other musical styles. I am spontaneous in creation. In addition, today, it is difficult to hang on to one era. I soak up all these things that make me vibrate 60 Spring 2021

and I think little at first. I pose and I try to act and tell this everyday scene that goes through my mind. This is what I explain in the title New era, new school. Let us live free to understand the other. Take a look at the collaborations and other artist remix sequences to realize the richness of the service that Voisey provides for independent artists. I worked and designed most of the sequences of the live streams to come from the technology at my disposal.

De la création et production musicale Hip-Hop essentiellement au format vidéo, c’est mon concept, FMNART Creative Hip-Hop. J’aime mettre des mots, des ressentis, des images, des questions en musique et avec une touche de danse et d’interprétation. Avec le temps, j’ai appris à me connaître et je me qualifie d’exploratrice musicale, car je suis sans cesse inspirée, touchée également par d’autres styles musicaux. Je suis spontanée dans la création. En plus, aujourd’hui, c’est difficile de se raccrocher à une seule époque. Je m’imprègne de toutes ces choses qui me font vibrer et je réfléchis peu au départ. Je pose et j’essaie de jouer et raconter cette scène du quotidien qui me passe par la tête. C’est ce que j’explique dans le titre Nouvelle époque, nouvelle école. Vivons libre pour comprendre l’autre. Regarde les séquences collaborations et remix other artist pour te rendre compte de la richesse du service que fournit Voisey pour les artistes indépendants. J’ai travaillé et pensé la plupart des séquences des lives streams à venir à partir de la technologie mise à ma disposition.

WHAT’S FMNART CREATIVE HIP-HOP ?

It is a state of mind, a creative space that adapts and seeks to do even with little.

Since the first confinement, I have been on Voisey. This app has changed the way I approach things. I was able to edit my series of live streams via the application. The advantage of working on it is to test with the visual that goes with your title. I think of my Voiseys like concerts to feel like I’m on stage, in my place, for a moment, outside of everyday life but in tune with the rhythm. It’s great. You put yourself in a real position as in major with the expectation of the first feedback. You have the trending that highlights the sounds of the day, the hits, the tops. The industry environment is recreated. Ditto, when you have little visibility it allows you to directly show who you are and all your potential in a more precise environment. This is what interested

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 61

the partners with whom I negotiate. But I will have the opportunity to talk about it again in a few weeks. In any case, I thank Voisey, I am the French ambassador for the application which is not a label but one of the most complete creation tools for an independent artist. Imagine, I rap in French and the majority of artists put on one in English. Frankly, I am well received in the community. By the way, devote one of your issues to Voisey and introduce people from the community like Peace Le Fly, the CEO of #aliennationradio, he will explain to you his vision and his way of managing the thing. @ my.lane_ just released her title “taking chances”, she has a real universe and such a deep voice. Lilsleepy202 is preparing his second project, the first was heavy ditto will listen. Frankly, the list is long, every week, the app offers us challenges to appear on the remixes of those who release their tracks. We are shadow soldiers, Dear Summer, just feeling. I just posted a “Alone” remix for @ an3ekah’s track, “Lonely” released last week. An artist with an incredible voice. Titles posed for these occasions. Everything goes to 360, you can quickly find yourself in zoom for a conference on how to manage your career within the app, to prepare a cypher, battle, challenge or EP or even duo in Live Nation organization mode. It’s Click and takes off, my title represents our time well.

C’est un état d’esprit, un espace de création qui s’adapte et qui cherche à faire même avec peu. Depuis le premier confinement, je suis sur Voisey. Cette appli a changé ma manière d’aborder les choses. J’ai pu monter ma série de lives streams via l’application. L’intérêt de bosser dessus, c’est de tester avec le visuel qui va avec ton titre. Je pense mes Voiseys comme des concerts pour me sentir comme sur scène, à ma place, l’espace d’un instant, hors du quotidien mais en phase avec le rythme. C’est top. Tu te mets en position réelle comme en major avec l’attente des premiers feed-back. Tu as le trending qui met en avant les sons du jour, les hits, les tops. L’environnement de l’industrie est recréé. Idem, quand tu as peu de visibilité ça te permets de montrer directement qui tu es et tout ton potentiel dans un environnement plus précis. C’est ce qui a intéressé les partenaires avec lesquels je négocie. Mais j’aurai l’occasion d’en reparler d’ici quelques semaines.

En tout cas, je remercie Voisey, je suis ambassadrice France pour l’application qui n’est pas un label mais un des outils de création les plus complets pour un artiste 62 Spring 2021

indépendant. Imagine, je rappe en français et la majorité des artistes mis en une en anglais. Franchement, je suis bien accueillie au sein de la communauté.

Au passage, consacre un de tes numéros à Voisey et présente des gens de la communauté comme Peace Le Fly, le CEO of #aliennationradio, il t’expliquera sa vision et sa manière de manager le truc. @my.lane_ vient de sortir son titre “taking chances”, elle a un véritable univers et une voix si profonde. Lilsleepy202 prépare son second projet, le premier était lourd idem va écouter. Franchement, la liste est longue, toutes les semaines, l’appli nous propose des challenges pour apparaître sur les remix de ceux qui sortent leurs titres. Nous sommes des soldats de l’ombre, Dear Summer, que du feeling. Je viens de poster un remix “Seule” pour le titre de @an3ekah, “Lonely” sorti la semaine dernière. Une artiste à la voix incroyable.

Des titres posés pour ces occasions. Tout va à 360, tu peux vite te retrouver sur zoom pour une conférence sur comment manager ta carrière au sein de l’appli, à préparer un cypher, battle, challenge ou EP voir duo en mode organisation Live Nation. C’est du Click et décolle, mon titre représente bien notre époque.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING YOUR CRAFT ?

Since childhood, with no major attempts to launch more officially. So many artists and classics over the last few decades so I was taking my time. And then, I had to live other life experiences to nourish my artistic spirituality. I have always raped, often in small groups and in freestyle mode. But listening and observing is work too. Laughs. Afterwards, I rubbed shoulders with established artists and very quickly, I understood that artistic maturity is important to settle in the long term and to do as a priority what we like. I describe it in, We want the crown ... fun before aiming for the throne.

Five years ago, I still published a title at the time of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Too many questions which remains relevant for me. It was unsettling to feel that way in Paris. Now it’s the Covid, suddenly I only have the art to understand all of what is happening to us. I produce even more now because I have more perspective to photograph and script things. And I feel ready to share these titles and bring them to life with all lovers of the genre around the world. Listen, the title Freestyle Voisey, I answer all those who wonder what the point of endlessly posing texts and making

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 63

visuals. You ask more questions, I come to last and entertain with art, Hip-Hop. Depuis l’enfance, avec sans grandes tentatives de lancement plus officiel. Tellement d’artistes et de classiques sur ces dernières décennies donc je prenais mon temps.

Et puis, je devais vivre d’autres expériences de vie pour nourrir ma spiritualité artistique. J’ai toujours rapé, souvent en petit comité et en mode freestyle. Mais écouter et observer, c’est du travail aussi. Rires. Après, je côtoyais des artistes confirmés et très vite, j’ai compris que la maturité artistique est importante pour s’installer dans la durée et faire en priorité ce que l’on aime. Je le décris dans, On veut la couronne… du plaisir avant de viser le trône.

Il y a 5 ans, j’avais quand même publié un titre au moment des attentats de Charlie Hebdo, Trop de questions qui reste pour moi d’actualité. C’était troublant de ressentir ça à Paris. Maintenant, c’est le Covid, du coup, je n’ai que l’art pour comprendre tous ce qui nous arrive. Je produis encore plus actuellement parce que j’ai plus de recul pour photographier et scénariser les choses. Et je me sens prête à partager ces titres et les faire vivre avec l’ensemble des amoureux du genre à travers le monde. Écoute, le titre Freestyle Voisey, je réponds à tous ceux qui se demandent à quoi cela sert de poser sans cesse des textes et faire des visuels. Vous posez plus de questions, je viens pour durer et divertir avec de l’art, du Hip-Hop. HOW DO YOUR CURRENT SURROUNDINGS VIEW YOUR WORK ? IS IT ACCEPTED WHERE YOU’RE FROM ?

Making and defending your music is complicated in the current context. Suddenly, I am encouraged by telling me that it is good to do with what I have. I say it, we make gold bars on this app. laughs In addition, with this crisis, we must support art as a whole. This is why I imagined playing my shows in cultural places initially in Paris to be able to create an artistic unity. During my shows, you will be able to see pieces exhibited to the public in normal times for a museum, or even feel with us on the Bataclan stage or at the foot of the Louvre pyramid or even in the middle of the fashion week parade ... in short, Paris is full of places and programs that are perfect for bringing our art to life. What also interests me with my various partners is to present to the world the different talents of our discipline (dance, fashion, graffiti, 64 Spring 2021

cinema, humor ...) within the same artistic composition.

Faire et défendre ta musique, c’est compliqué dans le contexte actuel. Du coup, on m’encourage en me disant que c’est bien de faire avec ce que j’ai. Je le dis, on fait de l’or en barre sur cette appli. rires En plus, avec cette crise, il faut soutenir l’art dans son ensemble. C’est pourquoi j’ai imaginé jouer mes shows dans les lieux culturels dans un premier temps parisiens pour pouvoir créer une unité artistique.

Tu pourras voir lors de mes shows des pièces exposées au public en temps normal pour un musée, ou encore te sentir avec nous sur la scène du Bataclan ou au pied de la pyramide du Louvre ou encore en plein défilé de la fashion week ... bref Paris regorge de lieux et programmes parfaits pour faire vivre notre art. Ce qui m’intéresse également avec mes différents partenaires, c’est de présenter au monde les différents talents de notre discipline (danse, mode, graff, cinéma, humour ...) au sein d’une même composition artistique.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAD TO OVERCOME DURING YOUR JOURNEY ?

Age, because after thirty years people think you are old, while maturity gives you energy to carry out your plans. The mode of consumption of music, it goes quickly, limits as soon as a title is released, as soon as it is forgotten. It is not obvious so I place the artistic project rather than the ephemeral visibility in the development strategy. I want to make the girls dance this summer, we have suffered too much with these confinements and repeated curfews. There is also to manage the egos which distort certain relationships in music, or even with certain relatives. Also not like many of us the financing of projects. You have to have several hats when your head is full of ideas. It is also hard to find complementary, available and competent talents at the right time. A real ideal suspect, but as I say in this title a hip-hop prod and I dare now.

L’âge, car après trente ans, les gens pensent que tu es vieux alors que la maturité ça donne de l’énergie pour réaliser tes projets. Le mode de consommation de la musique, ça va vite, limite aussitôt qu’un titre est sorti, aussitôt, il est oublié. Ce n’est pas évident donc je place le projet artistique plutôt que la visibilité éphémère

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 65

dans la stratégie de développement. Je veux faire danser les filles cet été, on a trop souffert avec ces confinements et couvre-feu à répétition. Il y aussi à gérer les egos qui faussent certains rapports dans la musique voir avec certains proches. Aussi non comme beaucoup d’entre nous le financement des projets. Tu es obligé d’avoir plusieurs casquettes alors que tu as des idées plein la tête. Dur aussi de dénicher les talents complémentaires, disponibles et compétents au bon moment. Une vraie suspecte idéale, mais comme je dis dans ce titre une prod hip-hop et j’ose de suite.

FROM THE VERY FIRST DRAWING TO SITTING HERE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS TODAY HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS AN ARTIST ?

I feel like an FMNART artist, creative and respectful of our discipline, but without attachment. I like working on music with others, sharing, polishing in the atmosphere of a working community and at the same time being in my bubble.

Plus today, you brainstorm with people from all over the world at any time of the day. Art evolves and does not let itself be contaminated, I am a bit like him, I try to stay positive. Enter the #gointothefmnartvibe, it’s my state of mind. Today, I have so many titles that I need to go to the studio while continuing to use the means at my disposal in this health crisis to put on my show. It’s hard for artists, but I think some of our current thinking is a source for creating and developing this new type of management. I focus on the content. I admit that I am developing more and more the direct relationship with the amateurs of my musical proposals.

Je me sens une artiste FMNART, créative et respectueuse de notre discipline, mais sans attache. J’aime travailler la musique avec les autres, partager, peaufiner dans l’ambiance d’une communauté de travail et en même temps être dans ma bulle. En plus aujourd’hui, tu brainstorm avec des gens aux 4 coins du monde à tout moment de la journée. L’art évolue et ne se laisse pas contaminer, je suis un peu comme lui, j’essaie de rester positive. Rentre dans la #gointothefmnartvibe, c’est mon état d’esprit. Aujourd’hui, j’ai tellement de titres que j’ai besoin d’aller en studio tout en continuant à utiliser les moyens mis à ma disposition dans cette crise sanitaire pour monter mon show. C’est dur pour les artistes, mais je pense que certaines de nos réflexions actuelles sont une source pour créer et développer ce nouveau type de management. Je me concentre sur le contenu. J’avoue que je développe de plus 66 Spring 2021

en plus la relation directe avec les amateurs de mes propositions musicales.

WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU GIVE A YOUNGER ARTIST ABOUT TO START THEIR OWN JOURNEY IN ART ?

Take the time to get to know yourself, start when you are able to discern what is good and what is not for your art. From there done.

The art is multiple, hip-hop is a discipline for which the piece of the pie is large enough for all. I quite agree with this Madison principle, as the country is said to come and eat. Have fun and assume as in the title Shrinkage. And also listen, the track I posed for a remix challenge of a track from @themannyhouston and start wrestling, you’ll waste less time. And don’t worry, FMNART is structured to support you in your development. That’s basically what I’ll say, in big sister mode wink and laugh Prends le temps de te connaître, commence quand tu es en capacité de discerner ce qui est bon ou pas pour ton art. À partir de là fait.

L’art est multiple, le hip-hop est une discipline pour laquelle la part du gâteau est assez grande pour tous. Je suis assez d’accord avec ce principe de Madison, comme on dit au pays faut venir manger. Éclate-toi et assume comme dans le titre Shrinkage. Et écoute aussi, le titre que j’ai posé pour un challenge remix d’un titre de @themannyhouston et commence à lutter, tu perdras moins de temps. Et t’inquiètes pas

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 67

FMNART se structure pour t’accompagner dans ton développement. Voilà en gros ce que je dirai, en mode grande soeur clin d’oeil et rires TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS FMNART is developing and is looking for collaborators and partners of choice to live this creative adventure: gointothefmnartvibe@gmail.com All of the titles mentioned in this interview are accessible via the Voisey application.

Follow FMNART on Foli so you don’t miss a thing.

FMNART se développe et recherche des collaborateurs et partenaires de choix pour vivre cette aventure créative : gointothefmnartvibe@gmail.com L’ensemble des titres cités dans la présente interview sont accessibles via l’application voisey Suivre FMNART sur Foli pour ne rien manquer.

68 Spring 2021

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 69

RIP TO SHOCK G

70 Spring 2021

RIP TO SHOCK G

@UNTAPPED HIP HOP 71

Follow Us On All Social Media

@untappedhiphop

72 Spring 2021