Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Premier

38 Pages Premier Issue

Untapped Hip Hop Jonnie Bars The Art of Word Play

Art By: Orlynda Vales & Ryan Kelley.

Photos By: Hong Kong Street Art & Shannon Dorn

September 2017

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Letter From The Editors Untapped Hip Hop is a company that believes in the Hip Hop Culture and its ability to impact our communities in a positive way. Whether its is through the 4 elements of Hip Hop or it is expressed through other mediums of art, Untapped Hip Hop will showcase it in our magazine quarterly. My team and I are building this to pay homage to Hip Hop and the culture our quarterly magazine. Untapped Hip Hop will pay respects to the culture by creating a positive feed back loop, by providing and showcasing the positivity of the culture that seems to be over looked in the mainstream of Hip Hop. This is a movement that Untapped Hip Hop would like to bring into communities around the world.

We believe that the Hip Hop culture has the ability to heal, inspire, and rebuild, Untapped HIp Hop’s goal is to bring you nothing less than pure passion and respect for the culture!

What is Untapped Hip Hop? Untapped Hip Hop is a platform for any artist of any genre who is inspired by the Hip Hop Culture to showcase their work! If you’re an MC, B-Boy or Girl, Dj, Graffiti artist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, or baker we want to meet YOU!

If you are and artist interested in submitting your work you can reach us at untappedhiphop@gmail.com

Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Contents pg. 6-Artist Avenue Feat. Orlynda Vales, Hong Kong Street Art, Ryan Kelly, & Shannon Dorn

Pg. 22 -Jonnie Bars The Art of Word Play

Pg. 28 - Nova El Bringing A New Sound To The Game!!

Pg. 30 -Poets Corner Feat. Ashley Soul-singer Hicks Alston, Nova El, & VECtore

Artist Ave. A collection of art work submitted by talented artist from around the world! In the premier issue we will be showcasing the works of Orlynda Vales (illustrator), Hong Kong Street Art (Photographer), Ryan Kelley (illustrator), & Shannon Dorn (Photographer).

Contact us: untappedhiphop@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out how to submit work to be featured in future ISSUES of Untapped Hip Hop Magazine!

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Artist name: Orlynda Vales Social Media Instagram: @orlyndavales Facebook: Orlynda Vales artist page and Orlynda Vales personal page Contact Email: orlynda29@hotmail.com Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ orlyndavalesart Country of Origin Country: Canada, MontrĂŠal (Qc.).

Description: I’m an Afro-feminist visual artist specializing in illustration, portrait and painting. My art style is inspired by manga/anime from the Japanese culture, Afro culture, edgy styles and colors. It also has an activist vibe to it! I like to represent the beauty and diversity of women, mostly women of color. I touch the subjects of selflove, love one another, strength and struggles as a women that we are living on a daily basis. I aspire to inspire!

Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Artist name: Hong Kong Street Art Social Media Instagram: @hongkongstreetart Country of Origin Country: China, Hong Kong Genre: Photography Description: Photographer of street art around the the back alleys and streets of Hong Kong.

Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Artist name: Ryan Kelley Social Media Instagram: @11RTK Country of Origin Country: United States Genre: Illustration Description: An Illustrator coming out of the Inland Empire in California, Graphic Designer & Tattooist by trade. Ryan’s black and gray style of art is a pleasue to admire.

Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Hit up The Dope Spot Studios for more info on renting, studio supplies, and recording sessions. www.thedopespotstudios.com or @thedopespotstudios on Instagram.

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Artist name: Shannon Dorn Social Media Instagram: @shannon.dorn,photography Country of Origin United State, Las Vegas, Nevada Genre: Photography Description: Shannon Dorn is a the photographer and co founder of Hip Hop Bodies of Art, a collective of artist / models that do hip hop themed body art demos around the U.S.

Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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LiHai has all of you Art, Photography, and Hip Hop needs in Los Angeles, California.

Contact: @lihaiclothing / @lihaiart www.lihaiart.com

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Jonnie Bars The Art Of Word Play!

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Jonnie Bars a Pomona based emcee with an awesome ability to play with words as if he were playing a video game. With his velvety smooth flow and cadence that will undoubtedly leave you singing along with his songs, but what stands out the most about Bars is his low key way of manipulating words and phrases in his music. I was one of the individuals after a few plays of his “Bars Vegas” LP caught on to this, by taking everyday phrases and words that are coming used in the lexicon of the hip hop and pop culture and flip them on their head to drive the point of the story he’s telling. The art of word play to me is an art form that can make an artist stand out from the pack or get’s exposed as “The rapper that doesn’t understand the meaning of the words they’re using.” For example Aesop Rock a phenomenal lyricist with an vast knowledge of the English language, and yes there are time that I 24 | Sept 2017

have to open up a dictionary to truly understand what it is he’s saying, but that’s what his music appealing to me, and I’ve probably learned more for him than I have from my high school English classes. That’s the same feeling I get when it comes to Jonnie Bars’s music, that feeling of seeking out knowledge and learning what something means. After interviewing and frequent chit chats with Bars it is apparent that a lot of thought goes into what he writes and raps, he is a true lyricist in that aspect of hip hop, and it is obvious that there is a sense of pride in his craft. A lyricist that can deliver a thought provoking verse in this age of hip hop, and stay culturally relevant among mainstream pop culture type rappers is something that can be admired.

To Be A Lyricist You Can’ t Be Generic, You Have To Find A Way To Deliver Your Lines In A Unique Way! -Jonnie Bars

Check out Jonnie Bars on soundcloud.com/jonniebars & pick up his latest project “The American Dream”

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Nova El originated from San Diego, California, she was

raised in Georgia while also maintaining roots in Chi-Town and Ohio. Though if you were to ask her she would tell you she’s from Cali because home is where the heart is, and it’s funny I came up with her nickname Cali Girl due to her love for the state as well. So far, she has worked with artists like Kastro from the Outlawz, West Coast Rapper Nutzo, Zayd Malik of the RGB Community and many other independent artists around the country. When I asked what it was like working with Kastro Nova response was “Working with Kastro from the Outlawz was a true blessing. When I found out he was feeling my music I was very excited. I grew up on Tupac and The Outlawz so to work with Kastro showed me how deep of an impact my influences really have on my music and I was honored to be able to work with him. I’ve received compliments from E.D.I. as well and hope to work with him in the near future.” Nova has been composing her own music since she was 6 years old.

She began taking piano lessons in 1992. She has stated “Though I am no Alicia Keys, I am very good at playing the piano by ear.” Nova always had a keyboard for as far as she can remember. The 1st beat she ever made was at the age of 17. She used a Triton and floppy disk to record.

In 2011 She taught herself how to use Garageband on Mac and once she outgrew that program Nova moved up to Logic Pro. she still uses Logic Pro today. The thing that inspired the young producer to say yo I want to do this was making music at an early age. This is what motivated her to really start creating her own. Having a good ear for music allowed Nova to be very creative at an early age. “I grew up listening to a lot of R&B, jazz and soul music so my beats have a more soulful feel to them. I do look up to producers like Pharrell, Timberland & Magoo,, Kanye, DJ Quik and many others.”

When I asked Nova what her creative process was in terms of making a beat she had this to say “Honestly, some of my best beats are made just based off specific moods or emotions. I could be having a bad day and i’ll just zone out. The finished project usually interprets how I was feeling at the time. It’s a form of venting for me. Also, since I am self taught, I play around in logic to learn new techniques or to experiment with different sounds and settings just as practice.

My eagerness to learn more and grow play a big part in the process.” When creating a beat Nova always run a beat back and thinks to herself, who will sound good on this? She would imagine artists like Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and many others. Musically Nova believes often a story is told, a lot of her music is based on a mood or a feeling, She finds it somewhat therapeutic to express those

feelings when creating her music.

Nova view on Hip Hop is that it isn’t dead like most would say it is, because she believes there are so many really good lyrical artists who represent the hip hop community who have yet to be heard. She also feels like Hip Hop is not represented like it used to be. “Hip Hop music, in my day, was uplifting and empowering. It was educational and often motivated people to “get up, get out and get something.” There was... really relate to. You don’t hear allot of that on the radio anymore. A lot of mainstream music these days promote sex, drugs and even murder. I feel like lyrical content, word play, good vocabulary, things like that play a big role when it comes to really good hip hop music. I have a difficult time understanding what allot of these new artist are even saying… some of the things they say don’t even make sense.”

When it comes to what she would like to do for hip-hop, and dose she want to see more of the positive aspect/ and or People coming together for the community; Nova had this to say For Hip-Hop, I really want to highlight creativity. Nova had this to say For Hip-Hop, I really want to highlight creativity. I want to show variety and versatility. I want people to learn and appreciate being different instead of sounding like someone else simply because they “made it” in the game.

I am also very spiritual so being able to incorporate uplifting sounds, frequencies, effects and levels to really bring about positive vibes to the listener is a big thing for me. Nova El is currently working and seeking artists of all types to help build her 1st mixtape. She is dropping a tap with every track produced by her. It will be a total of 11 songs.

She plan to have this all completed by June 2016, so if anyone is interested in collaborating feel free to hit her up via twitter handle is N1k1a, and be sure to follow her Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/nova_el Instagram: el.noval11 Nova would also like to give these special shout outs: Asinia Tyehimba. He introduced me to allot of the software I use and was always a huge supporter. I’d also like to shout out mom dukes for making me play piano in my youth. My father [RIP] who gave me the musical gene and to all my fans, supporters and day 1 folks who always tell me i am good at what I do and encourage me to keep going. St.Raw from Team Arli$$ And shout out to the magazine for blessing me with this interview and the opportunity to get myself out there.

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Shattered like glass, there is no future because you’re stuck in the past. Let it go, or you’ll be as cold as snow..the reality around you is consuming, while you sit there assuming that change will happen on its own, you need to stop it! you’re too grown... but never feel as though you’re alone. You’ve got family & friends...so pick up the phone! call for help, let them know you’re in need of support. You have a vision--yet you are blind...you live your life focused on time....while its passing you by...you sit there and feed yourself empty lies. Look in the mirror and tell me what you see...oh wait...I guess its actually me....

Conflict with my reflection because i see that Im stuck in deception...trying to put these thoughts into sections... trying to make sense of my life and its direction.

Tired of people telling me its all in my preception... tell me whats the right question??? Will i get a true answer?

Soul searching at its best...Im forever in this quest.

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We collide into patience Through storms of mystery Forever existing While having no memory We are made whole Energy in motion From far beyond places With the notion to grow All occupied spaces hold Our restless souls Falling into pieces With no where to go Depths of the unknown Molding minds so small Forever persisting Knowing nothing at all

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People seem to get off by tearing others apart from the inside secretly exchanging words that are not visible nor can you hear Don’t give into the negativity my skin is not my sin there’s different tones and shades, but that doesn’t define the person you are. Human nature can be so ugly but what I come to learn is some monsters are actually human. Hey you did you ever hate yourself, try to change your appearance like a chameleon blending in to the crowd cause your not comfortable in your own skin.

Society brainwashes the majority into putting on masks or could it be people are afraid to be naked in front of one another, to bare ones soul, to be left out in the open, only to be rejected and left vulnerable for the shield is down. Conditioned since birth or listened what the television says, what’s an acceptable type of sin is ok for our skin, peep the deception look past the meaning of the words, they try to force feed us with our eyes instead of our mouths, yet we still eat it up is the greater tragedy time to make a change eliminate this type of inner hate and say my skin is not my sin.

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I Was Just Thinking!

Hip Hop has turned 44 years old this year. This got me thinking of the legacy of the culture, and how much it has changed since I was introduced to it. I’ve grown through my share of transitions in the culture from my introduction to Gangster Rap through Snoop Dogg & Ice Cube, and I will always have a place in my heart for that genre of hip hop, but I couldn’t relate entirely to gangster lifestyle seeing that I was a black kid living in the burbs for most of my life. It wasn’t until I hit my freshman year in high school that I got hip to the conscious side of hip hop, I found myself listening to more artist like Mos Def, Andre 3000 & Common when I hit that age where I thought I was a bit more of a deeper thinker (spoiler alert I wasn’t any deeper.) But none the less I felt more comfortable with the genre of conscious rap, because I could relate more. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I came across Lupe Fiasco, now this was a game changer for me, Lupe’s first album was about my life! His music made me see hip hop in a new light, were before I just felt like a poser trying to act like a gangster. It help me embrace my inner self the anime watching, comic book reading, lunch room chess playing hip hop nerd, and ever since then I’ve felt like I had a place in hip hop culture. Now like I stated before hip hop has turned 44 this year and I’m seeing a lot of new trends in the culture pop up and die out over time, some I like some I don’t, but just witnessing the evolution of hip hop amazes me, and I’m excited to see where it goes next what will the next 44 years be like?

What’s your story? How has hip hop effected your life? Let us know by hitting us up on our Instagram and Twitter by tagging us and using the #IWasJustThinking.

Pressure Can Only Do 2 Things...

Make Diamonds And Break Fighters.

So Keep Shinning Fam!

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Art Work On Display Is Copywritten & Owned By The Artist Mentioned above.

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