The Big Urban Mixtape
Bringing unsigned artist to the forefront for the furture of Hip-Hop
Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts

Rock Meets Hip-Hop, the Metermaids

Category: , , , By Mr Sykes

By YaBoyJavi

Since the Beastie Boys there hasn’t been another rap group to combined rock and hip-hop with a touch of old school Motown funk to deliver a much needed change of pace in this cliché rap world. With that said I’d like to introduce Vibe Source readers to the Metermaids. 
 
Unconventional by today’s hip-hop standards, Swell and Sentence’s musical fusion of mash up rock n’ roll alongside gritty break beats and heartfelt lyrics have the Metermaids steadily climbing the CMJ Hip Hop Chart - coming in at #9 this week ahead of notable artists like The Roots, Gnarls Barkley and Immortal Technique.
 
With songs like the synthesizer-laced “Feel Alive” and “Funk Terrorist,” on their new album Nightlife the duo is establishing quite an underground buzz for themselves.
 
Listen for yourself. Here is “Funk Terrorist” of their Nightlife album. 
 
Check the Metermaids out at www.metermaidsnyc.com and www.myspace.com/metermaids.
Here is the YouTube link to Funk Terrorist:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OKJ6qua9nSk
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Set Tha Stage On Fire!

Category: , , , , , By Mr Sykes
NG Records Presents “Set tha Stage On Fire” Hip-Hop and R&B showcase Sponsored by Rap Fanatic Magazine on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Don Hills (511 Greenwich St. @ Spring St.) in New York City.


The winner-take-all showcase will feature 10 talented underground artists from the tri-state area. These artists wil be spewing flames and hitting high notes. There's going to be music for the playa and hustla in you, sensual tunes for ladies and gentlemen, and, of course, lyrics with substance.


Headline the night is NG Records recording artist T-Eazy. The Brooklyn-bred emcee will be performing songs live off his new mixtape "Tha Future in Tha Present.
"

Save the date in your PDA or mark it down on your calendar, but don't wait to long to buy your tickets because there going fast.


Email SetThaStageOnFire@gmail.com for artist booking or tickets.


Set tha Stage On Fire frt
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I Want THOSE Flashing Lights

Category: , , , , By New Jack
This track needs to be in your MP3 player immediately...


Please, visit his Myspace and show some LOVE!
To top it off...
The REAL Flashing Lights video by Kanye West
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Mr. Sykes Interviews T-Eazy [I'm About Making Good Music]

Category: , , , , By Mr Sykes


I got some time to chill with Brooklyn born rapper T-Eazy. This dude is two mixtapes deep and definitely making a buzz in the New York hip-hop scene. He was really down to earth and I felt like was talking to an old friend.

Mr. Sykes: You’ve been rapping since you were 14 so how as your style changed from then ‘til now?

T: It’s changed drastically; it’s gotten better and better, perfecting my craft doing what I do. Of course the more you do something the better you get at it, keep going the better you are at it. I’ve been doing it since I was 14, I mean doing as far as not just saying I rhyme. I mean doing it was far as going on stage and performing and having a CD, moving and things of that nature. But of course with each Mixtape that drops your marketing ideas become better, your flow, your delivery, everything is just going up…

Mr. Sykes: So Hip-Hop is a movement so how are you moving the movement?

T: I’m bringing great Hip-Hop back into the Hip-Hop world, industry, the community. A lot of people are just doing cliché, which is cool I’m not knocking anybody get your money baby. But what I’m doing is just delivering great music, and delivering it with a consistent flow. Hard lyrics, just that Brooklyn swagger…

Mr. Sykes: So what’s the best song you’ve written so far? Best track you’ve done?

T: Let me say this, I’ve got different songs that get different reviews. And as far as me I feel that…On my last Mixtape “7-1-8 Wit’ Me 2nd dose” hosted by DJ Joker. I had a song on that called “Never Let You Go” Featuring Neat Streetz produced by my man M-Extra…I would say that it was good song because it got a great response, we performed it great everywhere, touched everyone. Neat Streetz is featured on the song but I wrote her verse. So I wrote from a female perspective, so for me that was something different for me (Mr. Sykes: as far as input goes) Yeah I just showed that it was a great song.. I think it was good concept, but I still deliver great consistent music on different levels.

Mr. Sykes: Who are you listening to right now?

T: T-Eazy! [Laughs] My Mixtape just dropped April 22nd so I’m still fresh out, so I’m still banging me. But you know definitely you gotta still listen to people, you gotta know what’s out there. But I really don’t listen to the radio all day everyday that’s not what I do…

Mr. Sykes: So what your favorite place to go?

T: Studio, that’s where I create all the magic at!

Mr. Sykes: Music matters to you because?

T: Because it’s genuine and it’s pure… you there’s a lot of people that do it for money, some probably just do it for fame. Some people just do it for whatever reason that there may be. But I do it because I love to do it, and that’s the art that I create. I touch people on different levels, different emotions, song topics, and still create that good music the only way I could do it.

Get More From T-Eazy @ http://www.myspace.com/ngdafuture

Click Here to post a Myspace Bulletin or a Facebook Note On this post
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Mr. Sykes Interviews Barbershop Quartet [ Hip-Hop Is True Expression]

Category: , , , , , , By Mr Sykes

I finally got the chance to do an interview with Hip-Hop group The Barbershop Quartet. A rap group that I'm actually a member of, scheduling was a little tight since we're working on our album, but it was good just to sit down and talk. This group has a strong history starting from way before I even joined. With influences from Spanish boleros to the heavy hitters of underground hip-hop. The Group consist of S. Kai, Geo ( The God Of Diction), Remmus, and yours truly Mr. Sykes all haling from Brooklyn New York. Our motivation is to be the saviors of hip-hop. Our music is real, and we talk about real issues...Album coming soon so watch out for us.





Mr. Sykes: So how long as the group been going on?

Geo: The group as been going since....

Kai: Gotta be three years now.

Mr. Sykes: How did it start?

Kai: We had this group called GS9, we had my man Wize, Geo, Remmus, MAC 40, L Ripper, Hurtz, Element... Anyway I guess you could say we were a hip-hop super group. And just started ripping tracks it was one of those high school things where we started making tracks. And the group already existed before we hopped in. But eventually whole shit split up so we started this new shit. Me , Geo, Remmus, and also you. (Mr. Sykes: every now and then) But still we this new shit going on and we making a lot of movement, working hard.


Mr. Sykes: [Paraphrasing] It's funny how you should mention not being in GS9 from the start, because when I had joined this group after you guys had been together for a while. And I remember being over at your crib one day just joking around saying like: this is like the Fugees and I'm like lauryn hill, I'm here but I'm really not. Then you said 'well I'll be damned if I call Remmus Mr. Roncal, or Geo Mr. Remirez.' And that's how I kinda got my name when I was just like well you can call me Mr. Sykes.

Mr. Sykes: Your Music Is different than everyone else's... There arent really a lot of rap groups out there now. So how are you going to bring back the rap group, in essence?

Geo: Just be real with it, just be real. There's no other way you can do it, as your real with yourself even when you're up there spitting a verse you're not just spitting a verse. You're expressing yourself, people can tell your being truthful. But if you're there just spitting Verses trying to make some money, just writing verses to write the verses, and cash in on it. Then you can tell you're being a fake it doesn't sound as good.

Mr. Sykes: Your music is different also in that fact that you guys flip a lot of Spanish samples, and like old school music, so where does that sound come from?


Geo: Well I grew up listening to a lot of Spanish music and stuff. In the house my mother would always play these old school boleros with sick organs and shit, and crazy singing. I just got the idea to start sampling Spanish stuff originally from my bother, he was the one who started looking thru Spanish stuff. And I'm just the one who caught on to it and I got more deep into it. And eventually I came across this group "The Enemy Of Mankind" and I was already switching all these Spanish samples. When somebody introduced me to this group and that inspired me even more. Cuz he wasn't just sampling English stuff, he was sampling Italian stuff, Spanish stuff and it still rocked as English hip-hop. He didn't even have to spit a Spanish verse and it still rocked.

Mr. Sykes: So with that said, best rap album of the past ten years?

Geo: There is no best... Kai: If you had to chose like one honorable mention?

Mr. Sykes: On a good day what joint could you rock all day and not be bothered by it?

Geo: well on a good day, recently "So. illaquists Of Sound" that one and "Ur Turn" That shit is ill

Kai: I'd Have to say "Blackstar" and it doesn't matter if it's a good day or a bad day...That Mos' and Kweli right there, you gotta feel that.

Mr. Sykes: Mine most people already know, is the "Unplugged" album from Lauryn Hill...I can rock that and it's been 8 years now I still feel it.

...

Mr. Sykes: whats the message behind the music?

Kai: The Message behind the music is life itself. Cuz everything we kick is life itself. It always has a relevance to something. We don't pick up a pen " and oh I'ma start some beef with this cat." Cuz i'm trying to make records sale. Naw it's like, this is going on, we're gonna write about it. We come with a concept we come a beat, we got an idea and we flip it. It's life itself.

Mr. Sykes: Vodka or Cognac?

Kai: I'm not really a drinker...

Mr. Sykes: sure make me look like the alcoholic of the group... I'll go with the 'gnac.

Mr. Sykes: Favorite Video game?

Geo: Metal Gear Solid 1

....

Mr. Sykes: What is hip-hop?

Geo: Hip-Hop is being yourself Kai: Hip-Hop is true expression

Mr. Sykes: What are we going to change the game?

Kai: We trying to bring good music to the peoples ears it's just as simple as that. Like what I just said about the TV and how I don't turn it on. It's the same thing with the radio. I really don't turn it on cuz there's not to much good hip-hop on there. You turn it on and everything is sounding the same. We want it to come to a point where you turn on the radio and you hear good shit playing. and it doesn't have to be us . But if one person or one group can get in there and rock that shit and make people understand it more than just this, chain, bling bling. That's bullshit, that's just jokes and stuff, it's gimmicks. Geo: It's not about trying to act gangster and trying to look cool. It's about making music.

Mr. Sykes: It is all about the music and we're knocking anybody per se. all that shit is valid but thats not all hip-hop is, it's better to have a balance.

Kai: All that shit has it's purpose like you said ain't gon' be no Crank barbershop quartet.


For more from the Barbershop Quartet Check Out: http://www.myspace.com/kaigs9
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Mr. Sykes Speaks w/ Adé Marie [I Can only be Adé Marie]

Category: , , , By Mr Sykes

So I got a chance to sit down and talk to the spirited R&B singer Adé Marie. She was preparing to leave to fly out to ATL to do a show, so I was glad to catch a moment with her. Generally I don’t speak this way about artists, but it was a real blessing to speak to this girl… I was not in the best mood that day and she encouraged me so much and made me laugh. She is definitely on the rise so watch out for her.





Mr. Sykes: There are a myriad of female artists out there, you have your Beyonce’s, your Ciara’s, your Ashanti’s, so how do you differentiate yourself from those people?

Adé: I differentiate myself by remaining true to myself always! Everything I do has to be a reflection of myself; I’m not trying to be Beyonce, or Ciara, or Rihanna or anyone like that. Every time I sing, I try to immerse my heart and soul into everything I do. When I’m working with other artists, songwriters, or producers I try to let them know who I am. I want them to know about the journeys I’ve been through in my life so that they can understand me. Also I wanna be a trend setter not a trend follower. I definitely don’t wanna be like anyone, I’m Adé Marie.

Mr. Sykes: When did you realize you where mean to be a singer? How did you know you were meant to be a singer?

Adé Marie: I realized I was meant to be a singer ‘cause God told me I was supposed to be singer. He gave me this voice, since I could talk. And When I was 4 years old I was given the opportunity to sing in front of a large crowd, and I embraced it. I enjoyed being in the spotlight and ever since that day I’ve always had the urge to be on stage. Going to concerts and seeing various artists on stage I always wished that I was in their spot, I envisioned their fans as my fans. So That’s always a feeling that was set in my heart…

Mr. Sykes: So who’s in your ipod right now?

Adé: Well I listen to various type of music, it ranges from Sam Cooke all the way to Maroon 5. I’m not just focused on any one artist…

Mr. Sykes: What do you feel is wrong with the current state of the music industry, what do you feel is right with it?

Adé: Lets do this backwards lets start with the positive. Music first and foremost makes the world go round so it’s necessary. But unfortunately music lacks the effectiveness that it used to have. Now a day’s people can just make a hit song if you have a hot beat. But the context of the music is not where it needs to be. I feel that’s a problem that needs to be changed immediately.

Mr. Sykes: Where in the world would you most like to visit?

Adé: I would love to visit the motherland that being Africa, if you haven’t known my father is Nigerian, so I’m part Nigerian. I would love to go back to the motherland and help out as much as I can…Mr. Sykes: What song did you sing in the shower this morning?

Adé: Oooo what song did I try to sing in the shower this morning? Well normally when I get up in the morning I try to do my vocal warm up, you know a little 20 min la, la, la before I start singing. Yesterday I started working on this new song so I was actually trying to figure out some lyrics to the new song I’m putting together.

Mr. Sykes: I think that’s common with singers; we come up with stuff in the shower. I know personally I’ve written some of my best songs in the shower like, ‘Man I wish I had some paper in here this is great
[Laughs]

Mr. Sykes: If you where offered a recording contract right now would you take it?

Adé: It all depends on the contents of the contract; I don’t want to be quick to take anything. But if you know anybody who’s offering a contract tell em’ feel free to holla me and my manager. [Smiles]

Get more from Adé Marie check @ http://www.myspace.com/ademarie
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Yung Squad [ Not Your Average Dudes!]

Category: , , , , , By Mr Sykes

So I made my way up to the BX (The Bronx for non New Yorkers) to talk to rap group Yung Squad. The group is made up of two gentlemen that go by the names Hollywood Hood, and Body Baggs. I first heard these catz at a performance at 50 Mics Tournament a few weeks back, and as I said then, it was the most hype, energetic, live rap performance I've ever witnessed. This dudes have some serious swagger, with something which consider to be a new sound. And as a group the posses a realness which makes the music they create all the more appealing. These Catz are not your average rappers.

Mr. Sykes: How long have you guys been a group?

Body Baggs: It's been like 3 or 4 years now. I met my man Hollywood about three years ago, doing a little battle in the streets.... Actually they wanted me to battle him, but you know they made a big deal about it. I realized I had a little talent in the game, so we hooked up from there.

Mr. Sykes: Your sound is real different from mainstream Hip-Hop, like at 50 Mics Jay-Z could have been on stage and it wouldn't have been that hype. So where does that sound come from?

Hollywood: ... That's us we're bringing a whole new movement from the last mixtape. You're gonna hear the difference from this mixtape. We got a whole new style, a whole new swagger we're bringing a whole new movement at the end of the day. Cuz it's Yung Squad! I bring the new style, the lyrics, the hype to it. He brings the swagger that's a whole 'nother kind of energy so when that comes together... It's YS

Body Baggs: To feed on to that, we're a little different than the average rappers, than the average dudes....

Mr. Sykes: With that said, if you guys got signed to a major lable what artists/ producers would you like to work with?

Body Baggs: I like Kanye...

Hollywood: I need a Dre beat off jump... I gotta get on a legendary, late, great Dr. Dre beat. It's everybody.... Pharrell, gotta be on that list, Swizz Beats.



Mr. Sykes: So who makes your beats now?

Hollywood: We have different producers, like whoever wants to work with us. We don't have an "Official" YS producer. But it's like we turn nothing into something all the time...(Thanks) 3rd Street Beats

Body Baggs: Shout out to Chris he did a lot of work with us too.

Hollywood: And we're working with Buddha " The Future" you already know Buddha.... (He did) That joint we performed at 50 Mics "Yung Squad Anthem"

Mr. Sykes: What's the message behind you music? What are you trying to bring to game?

Hollywood: Hip-Hop back, no gimmicks all the gimmicks are out the window. Everybody's using it all up. All the T-Pains'. Can be like T-Pain, can't do nobody's dancing not more. We gotta bring back lyrics back, and make real music we're trying to bring y'all that....

Yung Squad[Paraphrased] : We're not hating on anybody out there making paper...but it's time to change

Mr. Sykes: Oatmeal or Grits?

Body Baggs: Grits

Mr. Sykes: Favorite Video Games?

Hollywood: 2k8, 2k Sports

Body Baggs: Y'all wanna know, I really suck at all the games [Laughs] I don't know I'ma say Madden... Yeah I'll be with Madden on this one

Mr. Sykes: What is Hip-Hop?

Hollywood: Hip-Hop is a culture, it's a whole movement, it's society. Everything in Hip-Hop reflects what you do daily, you get up you get dressed in the morning. Whatever you got it's a Hip-Hop swagger that how I feel music motivates you to do different things. That's why we make music, not for "old" heads but for the middle crowd for everybody that's getting into Hip-Hop. They're gonna feel us, those who always been into Hip-Hop they definitely gon' feel us.

Body Baggs: I definitely agree with that.... But it's true Hip-Hop is a culture from the way we dress to the slang we use, it's how we present ourselves in general that's Hip-Hop


Mr. Sykes: Music matters to you because?

Hollywood: Cuz That's the way we gon' get rich and take over this game. That's how I'ma feed my mother, put a better roof over her head.... Take care of all my niggas

Body Baggs: There's a lot that comes with it. I'm not doing it just to do it [Music] Like I said I started out with the poet thing I realized I had talent, I don't wanna be a waste. Music is everything it's like in general.


Get More From Your Boyz Yung Squad @ http://www.myspace.com/yungsquad2
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Big Urban Mixtape TV Interviews Yung Mac

Category: , , , , By Mr Sykes
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Mr. Sykes Interview Yung Mac [ I'm Not Just That Asian Rapper ]

Category: , , , , , By Mr Sykes

I met up with Yung Mac and the crew from AVS records, at his car shop in Sunset Park Brooklyn. Actually we do things real down home on The Big Urban Mixtape, so I hitched a ride with them to the car shop.

Dudes had me cracking up in the car! He was really down to earth, and cool with jokes for days. And I think with Yung Mac it's more than just an image, the kid has dreams. It's important to know that Hip-Hop comes in many colors, shapes, and vessels.

Mr. Sykes: How long have you been rapping?


Yung Mac: I been rapping since way long ago, from when I first heard Diddy.... I started rapping early. Believe it or not 6-7 (years old) Everybody I went to like Jr. High with they all knew I was doing my thing. They wanted me to blow, but not everything works out the way it's supposed to.... Yeah buy I've been rapping for a long time.

Mr. Sykes: So who are your greatest musical influences?

Yung Mac: Tupac, I listened to Big L when I was growing up, Big Pun. I don't really like listen to rap to much cuz I kinda start sounding like the person I'm listening to. But I still listen to rap I ain't gon' like.

Mr Sykes: If you didn't rap you'd probably be a?

Yung Mac: I'd probably be still doing what I'm doing now, making money you know whatever... Anyway there is to make money I'd be doing that.... I'm not gonna say I'd be a lawyer or some shit thats not true. Wherever the market is to make money you'll see me there.


Mr. Sykes: Whats your writing process like?

Yung Mac: Yo I go in the booth and I'm off the top of the...Naw [Laughing] I sit down in the booth for a couple of hours. I open up my sidekick (LX of course) go to note pad and I rocks with it. Most of the them it comes out good, I'm my own worst critic so if the shit is wack I won't put it out.

Mr. Sykes: Now you mentioned Diddy, but who made you want to rap?

Yung Mac: I know Diddy isn't lyrical or nothing like that but that kid got the most swag in the world! Pretty much just watching him swag around and shit I just wanted to be like him: young entrepreneur, fly, flashy, having sex with R&B bitches....( I was cracking up) Why not? Why wouldn't you want to live that life, that's the life I wanna live minus the R&B bitches.

Mr. Sykes: Grilled cheese or Bread & Butter?

Yung Mac: Grilled cheese

Mr. Sykes: Love or Money?

Yung Mac: Love...and Money...Louney!

.... The love of money?

Yung Mac: Mofve....Ha!

Mr. Sykes: Favorite food?

Yung Mac: Big Mac

Mr. Sykes: hottest chick in the game?

Yung Mac: My girl

Mr. Sykes: 7th or 10th grade?

Yung Mac: 10th grade was my prime had a lot of R&B bitches there.

Mr. Sykes: What has your experience been being an Asian rapper? ( By the way he's Vietnamese not Chinese just to clarify)

Yung Mac: I try to drift away from being THAT Asian rapper but somehow it always pulls me back in. I'm just trying to go with the flow... The Asian community, I can't say that they accepted me or anything like that. Cuz I haven't really blown up or anything like that. From how my career has been going I really don't mind, I like the way it's going.

Mr. Sykes: Do you feel that they will support you?

Yung Mac: Once I get that deal and start making them hits! I'M THE BEST!!!

Mr. Sykes: Have you faced any backlash for other hip-hop artist...?

Yung Mac: Just me being the person that I am, being Asian, dressing fly having money. Not only in hip-hop, that's just pure jealousy from the get go. But the fact that I rap will just add to more envy, and stuff like that... That's with anybody.

Mr. Sykes: What are you doing to changing the game?

Yung Mac: .... Just doing me... I'd open the door for people, shout to Jin who I feel he tried to open the door for me. But I'm willing to open he door for people, But I ain't gonna hold the door for that long tho'. Cuz there's money to be made... Just fucking be a millionaire, I'm trying to be a trillionaire... WE THE BEST! I'd be a trillionaire; is that away of changing the game? Let me be real, I wanna make hit music cuz I know me and my team are capable of making hit music. Turning pop, making records with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, why not? and for no fucking reason do a record with Nas!

For more from Yung Mac and the Crew from AVS Check out: http://www.Avsquad.blogspot.com & http://www.yungmac.blogspot.com
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Mr. Sykes Goes To 50 Mics

Category: , , , , , , , , , , By Mr Sykes
So this past Thursday I was invited to the 50 Mics competition @ spotlight live in time square. I'm very shy (even though most people can't tell) so when I got there, initially I didn't speak to anyone. I took a few pictures of people that where around before the show, and the venue itself. I spoke to my connect there Kareem Davis of Sandbox TV, had a drink and took in the atmosphere. And I realized how strange it was for me being at a show and not having to perform myself. I mean you hear people warming up in bathroom, and in green room. You see them pacing back and forth, nervously talking to their managers and friends; and for the time I'm on the other side of that.

The show started a little @ around 9:50pm when I was supposed to start at 8:30pm. But it was very well but together and excellently organized, so shout out to the production time at 50mic.
But this is the first time I felt like a real journalist.... I mean I was out there cover a story with my camera, filming this artist as the pour sweat, hard work and raw talent right in front of me. I don't think I could have been anymore excited it I was writing it for rolling stone.

But I digress, the artist where hot (some of them) and the judges where very competant.
And were fair.





Right Side up: Female Rap/R&B group (in the style of Floetry) from Baltimore MD, the track was nice but to performance was over hyped and unpolished.....but the girls have talent.




A Rapper from Baton Rouge Louisiana who's name I didn't catch...I wish I did because his performance was great.


Niki-Bond: performance would have been fantastic but before it rhymed he gave the crowd some weak speech about how file sharing killed Hip-Hop. I'll tell what killed Hip-Hop Niki and it wasn't file sharing.








Sharp: Rap group from Long Island....All have to say is I really didn't remember them.







Melissa Duncan: Was definitely the diva of the night. Dressed in a very chic black flowing evening gown. The track the she sung almost threw me off because I wasn't expecting it to be so hard. She gave a performance that could give Pattie Labell a run for her money.







Ade Marie: Gave one of the most hype performances I've every seen. The stage wasn't big enough for her and her dancers (literarily) so they performed right on the floor, which gave it a subtle intimacy. The choreography was excellent, it was sharp and strong, with this edge to it. Even though the judges tried to clown her on a vocal performance (Hey you try singing loud and dancing like that!) she came back with an amazing a cappella rendition of "I'm Going Down" by Mary J.




Receptor: in an effort to express how 50 Mics isn't just Hip-Hop, they had a metal band play. And to my surprise the crowed was feeling it or at lest acted like they did. I enjoyed them greatly to spite the fact they had sound difficulties. In addition, the lead singer had a lot of energy, and some pretty good pipes.



Philly Spade: Had a dynamic performance at one point he jumped into the audience and started rhyming. He had a swagger kind of like Kanye West when he performs.



Yung Squad: Was crazy, I don’t think if it was Jay-Z on stage the crowd could have been more hype. There energy was remarkable, and they embody what a true Hip-Hop performance of that nature is supposed to be….




Please Check Out: http://www.50mics.com

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Yung Mac Freestyle's For Big Urban Mixtape TV

Category: , , , , By Mr Sykes

Online Videos by Veoh.com
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Mr. Sykes Interview's Jimmie Reign

Category: , , , , , , By Mr Sykes








The First Lady of the Bay Jimmie Reign called in to talk this ours truly. I love this girl, she has a great personality, friendly and warm, and one of the best interviews I've had in a long time. She is a very busy woman so I'm glad she had the time to call in and talk with me. She had just flown in from Miami, working on Pleasure's (formerly of Pretty Ricky) debut album. This Girl is gonna be huge in a minute so keep an eye out, but this is what she had to say:

Mr. Sykes: When did you start singing?

Jimmie: I started singing professionally when I was about 14. My God-brothers had a rap group and they asked me to sing on a hook. And that was the first time I got in a booth and from there it's been non-stopped. Something I really like to do

Mr. Sykes: Could you tell us some recent work you've done?

Jimmie: Well I actually just came came back from working on Pleasure's album. I don't know if people know Pretty Ricky, He's a singer from Pretty Ricky They basically split so he's working on his album. I did some song writing and some vocal production on there. I worked with J-Valentine on his album he's on J-Records, I've also worked with Clyde Carson who's on Capital Records. I do a lot of songwriting and a lot of vocal production, and vocal arranging. But those are the most recent things that I've been working on.

Mr. Sykes: Are there any records that we would know? or instantly recognize... "Oh that's a Jimmie Reign record!"

Jimmie: Mmm I think the biggest thing I've done was actually something in Japan so I don't know if anyone in the United States would know it. But In Japan I had a single off a really well known artist over there. It did really well a couple of years ago. Right now we're just trying to see if I made that next big hit and hopefully I'll have that with Pleasure's album or J-valentine's album.

Mr. Sykes: So what your favorite color?

Jimmie: It's Purple

e.g. The color of this article....

Mr. Sykes: Handbags or shoes what do you have more of?

Jimmie: Shoes!

Mr.Sykes: So when did things start to pick up for you, I mean your notoriety. 'Cause I know your really huge in the Bay Area (and other places)...So when did things become big for Jimmie Reign?

Jimmie: I think probably about 3 years ago my songs started playing on the radio, and I don't know...I started having way more shows. My buzz has gotten a lot bigger 'cause from the shows came magazine interviews and internet interviews. So I guess more people know who I am now.

Mr. Sykes: "Make You Wait" I really like that song. How Important is waiting in a relationship [to you] and is this song a womens anthem....?

Jimmie: Wow I don't know if I would say that it's an anthem, it's something that a lot of women relate with. It's something That I think women should do; "Make You Wait" is from a personal experience I think it's important in a relationship. If a person doesn't know who you are going into it. And they're not willing to find out who you are before taking that next step...Then they probably aren't the best person to be with. Everybody's different but for me it's important to wait...At lest a little while.

Mr. Sykes: What artist have inspired you most in your music?

Jimmie: Definitely Amel Larrieux, she's a very big inspiration to me and her voice is amazing. El debarge, is also someone who influenced my sound. There are the great people like, Stevie Wonder, I always listen to Minnie Ripperton. I love Mariah Carey, Beyonce is a very big inspiration to a lot of up and coming R&B singers who are female right now.

Mr. Sykes: What are you doing to change the game?

Jimmie: I think that I bring a different kind of "swag," and I hate saying that word 'cause it's a little bit played out right now. I bring a different swagger to R&B I definitely, I think I'm "The Pretty Girl" but I have an edge to me. And I think that's what's missing in R&B. You get "The Pretty Girl" and you get this really gritty "hardcore urban girl" there's really no mix. So I'm kinda trying to bring both to the table. And I think that's a little bit different I that's a change.

Get more from Jimmie Reigh @: http://www.jimmiereignworld.com & http://myspace.com/JimmieReign1





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Mr. Sykes Talks w/ Future

Category: , , , , , , , By Mr Sykes



So I sat down with Brooklyn rapper, and West Palm Florida native Future, to actually discuss the "future" of hip-hop. This bright and talent young man had many things to say. In trying to bring life back to hip-hop and positivity back in the music.

"What I am trying to do is bring Hip-Hop back to the light now everybody's saying hip-hop is dead..."
  
Mr. Sykes: How long have you been living in New York?

Future: I've been in New York for 4 years, I came up from West Palm Beach Florida. I was 13 or 14 I came up here to live with my father, you know to follow my dream of being in the music industry. I got my first equipment at the age of 14 that was my inbox Protools, and that started me off getting me into a course I wanted to do.

Mr. Sykes: So what made you decide to come up here?

Future: I was having problems with my mother at the time and was going through a lot. So I decided it would be better for me to... separate myself from that environment with her. And come live with my father where I could get a man's guidance and learn how to be a man. 
Mr. Sykes: Who are you biggest musical influences? 

Future: Probably 50... 'cause of his determination I know everybody's gonna be like why is he choosing 50. It's really not about image to me its really about his heart and his determination... What he's been through and the fact that he put it into his music raw. I like that fact he's raw and I really feel what he's saying as an artist.

" We're not gonna hold it against you [laugh]"

Mr. Sykes: ...You have a clothing store, you do merchandising?

Future: Yeah, we have FMM clothing store, it's been shut down for a while now. 

Mr. Sykes: Do you actually design clothing?

Future: Nah we doing design clothing we have people that actually do that for us....

Mr. Sykes: How does it work having a parent as a manager having had?

Future: It's tough, its real rough you gotta separate business with pleasure. So you can't really catch too much emotions when dealing with your father as your manager. It's hard, but we stopped that whole situation because it wasn't working and I found the proper manager. 

Mr. Sykes: Do you think it can work?

Future: It can work if you're disciplined enough and if you, 'I'm saying from a parents perspective' if you have control over your child in that type of way of course its gonna work. But if you don't then its gonna get crazy. 

Mr. Sykes: "Humility is an attribute I can't rebuke. I want the finer things and its not necessarily." What inspired you to write that song?

Future: Finer things in life is basically a description of me, the person that I am. Everybody is out there for different reasons and doing what they do for different reasons. I do me just because I want to live this dream of being in the music industry, and I just want to tell people my story... the finer things in life is not diamonds, nice cars or fancy clothing, the finer things are living out your dreams and as far as the finer things in life I am trying to say: Your family, different aspects of your life could be the finer things in life; not necessarily something materialistic. 

" I ask this because people don't write songs of this nature and genre anymore, so it's refreshing to see a younger artist say those things."

Future: What I am trying to do is bring hip-hip back to the light. Right now everybody's saying hip-hop is dead. It is dead! But you know someone in the future would back and revive that situation, get back to normal....

Mr. Sykes: Who was the last person that text message you?

Future: My girl...

Mr. Sykes: What's your most prized possession? 

Future: My Girlfriend [Smiles]

Mr. Sykes: What are you doing to change the game?

Future: I'm bringing the realness back to hip-hop, there's nothing fake about me. I'm trying to be more positive in my music, lead the next generation into something that's gonna be more positive and successful, more enlightening. You fill enlightened by my music, your learning something. How to be a better person and how to live out your dreams. Focus, knowing that you need determination; so basically I'm gonna be the future. "Focus on the future, forget about the past." Thats my whole motto, to my career, to my theme, everything, my music, "Focus on the future, forget about the past."

Get more from Future @: http://myspace.com/youngfuture


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Future Freestyles For Big Urban Mixtape TV

Category: , , , By Mr Sykes

Online Videos by Veoh.com
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Mr. Sykes Interview's Chanes

Category: , , , By Mr Sykes













This amazing MC from Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, Called Chanes came through and spoke with us. And let me tell you his views, and his story are just as dope as his rhymes. We discussed how Hip-hop is moving into the digital future, everyday life, acknowledging your family, respecting women
"... It's not exactly bashing women, well some of them are. But some of them don't put them in a favorable light. I mean I love my moms to death,
so there's no way I could go on recording and degrade a woman..."

Mr. Sykes: When did you start rapping?

Chanes: Mmm about 12 years ago actually. So I've been rapping since I was real, real young when my name had the ending "fresh."

Mr. Sykes: So what was your original name?

Chanes: One of them was "Trent Fresh" another one was "EZ-Rock," I had a lot of Hip-Hop names.

Mr. Sykes: Well how did you come up with this one?

Chanes: Well this one I just simplified, it's actually my last name with two letters cut off. Try to make more personal, Instead of having like an actual stage name.

Mr. Sykes: Who inspired you to start rapping?

Chanes: Well initially I listened to like Run DMC, like a group that inspired me. I just took from them, you know the creativity that they have as being a group, as well just because they were on the forefront. Then from there I guess it kinda trickles down into the many artist that we have now but I am really inspired by a lot the rappers from the 90's. Mainly because I feel like during that time period it was a variety of rap. I mean you had De-La-Soul, you had Biggie when he first came out Mobb Deep, everybody was different.

Mr. Sykes: What's your all time favorite song?

Chanes: I really don't have one, I have a few Hip-Hop songs that I'd say stand out to me. "Children's Story" Slick Rick, a classic of mine. Also I like Jay-Z, "Dead Presidents" So it's a few...

Mr. Sykes: What do you think is happening with underground Hip-Hop in the streets right now?

Chanes: Well I actually think it's improving. being underground is a good thing, as opposed to being on a major [label.] Where they don't really give you the push, unless they see you with a hot ringtone or a song that maybe hot for a moment. And being underground to me means longevity, being there for the grind, you start from a low pint and you bring it to the next level. So being underground to me is being major.

Mr. Sykes: So where do you see Hip-Hop in ten years?

Chanes: I just see it expanding you know, it went from selling records out of your trunk for underground artist and now it's a whole new outlet and medium on the web. So it's defiantly becoming digital so I see the digital aspect of it becoming good with itunes, you tube and even myspace. Making it expand to the next level, I see it getting bigger and bigger.

Mr. Sykes: Do you have kids I wanna make sure my info is correct...

Chanes: Yes I have a son. [He smiles and looks a little surprised that I knew that or ask that, Like "Where is he going with this?"]

Mr. Sykes: How do you balance having children and your career?

Chanes: It's tricky, it's hard just like with anything else it's a grind. It's exactly what you said it's a balance of your time. I spend time with my son, I also work and I do music as well so you know it's just like balance in every aspect of my like from one to the next. I'm giving a 110% in everything I do. It can be hard at times but it's really not hard if you set your goal to want to do it.

Mr. Sykes: At what age did you lose your parents?

Chanes: Well my mom I actually lost her last year on April the 16th, 2006, and my father was December 31, '92 eve of '93.

Mr. Sykes: How has that influenced your music in anyway?

Chanes: I 'm largely inspired by my parents and family. Where as some people take inspiration from millionaires, and people that they don't even know. I'm really inspired by people who made a valuable impression on my life. And even though they passed away they're definitely a big part of why I do music and write the type of songs I write. Cuz I write a lot of songs that deal with family and relationships.

This part of the interview really spoke to me it's not often that we hear young men speak about how much their family and experiences touch, inspire and motivate them. But on a lighter NOTE!!

Mr. Sykes: Nas or Jay-Z?

Chanes: I like both of them for different reasons. I like Nas for not being a conformist.... In certain articles you read that he won't do certain endorsements, because he doesn't believe in them. Like Budweiser, he wouldn't do that, he would want his kids....[or] anybody drinking Budweiser. (Mr. Sykes: Thank God!) On the other hand Jay-Z is an artist that went from an independent level and took it way beyond that! So I admirer him for his grind. But I admirer Nas for not conforming, positive lyricism, and always bringing himself up for the game.

Mr. Sykes: Hypnotized or Life After Death favorite Biggie album?

Chanes: I Like life After Death, I really do only because at that point Biggie had gotten to a certain level.... You could tell he was real comfortable where he was at. Everything he was flowing on was just smooth I think he was at a real good point in his life.

Mr. Sykes: Who Left you, your last comment on Myspace?

Chanes: I think it was a friend og mine I'm not to sure.... I think it was a friend of mine from work I believe.

Well I know who is was....

Mr. Sykes: Favorite Childhood Pet?

Chanes: A Cat, I lived in VA for a little while, I had a big gray cat and I name him rakim.

Mr. Sykes: What do you feel is the best song you've written so far, a song you put together?

Chanes: I got a song called "Get It How." To me it's a good song because it's probably the best song that I've written. Because it's a song celebrating women, as apposed to all the songs that are out right now. It's not exactly bashing women, but you know some are. But you have some of them that don't put them in a favorable light. I mean I love my moms to death so there's no way I could go on record and degrade a woman. I want to use this as a means to think outside of the box. Instead of doing what everybody else is doing NOT to celebrate women, to celebrate women.

Mr. Sykes: Finally, what are you doing to change the game?

Chanes: For me changing the game is just really thinking outside the box and not writing the same material that everybody else is. People just stick with certain topics so much that, but there's so many things you do in a day as a person, that you can relate to in song. That other people will relate too, so I definitely don't just wanna stick into that or be botched into one type of song "we only make dance records" and so forth; its just creativity really.

Get more from Chanes @ : http://www.myspace.com/chanemusick






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