Features

Online Exclusives - Thursday, July 2, 2009 14:21 - 2 Comments

SIHHN - Heat

THE SOURCE . COM – When did you first start rapping?

HEAT – That was back in 1994 in a familiar tunnel in Atlantic City , NJ .
Me and my friends used to meet up in this tunnel and just freestyle. I used to beat box for my friends to rap, they asked me to rap one time and I just killed it . They then encouraged me to take it serious.

THE SOURCE . COM – How was school for you during these years?

HEAT – I was like a freshman in high school when I started rapping and I also used to play ball in ATLANTIC CITY HIGH SCHOOL. I got kicked out once and I was allowed to come back because they wanted me to play ball for the school. I got kicked out again when I was in my junior year. I am a good person from the people that know me, but with school , I was off the wall.

THE SOURCE . COM – What’s the difference between making mixtapes in the underground and actually making albums?

HEAT – Making mixtapes in the underground scene comes with a whole lot of freedom, you could really do what you want with your mixtapes. When it comes to albums, you have to be serious. Making an album comes with some commercial sense, that’s your money right there. Mixtapes are for the streets, you have the freedom to express yourself the street way.

THE SOURCE . COM – Why did you decide to go independent after you had already been with two labels.

HEAT – What happened was when I was with BLACK WALL STREET, the contract took so long to be signed, I dropped two mixtapes whiles there and worked on an album. With TOP OF THE WORLD, the deal got sour, the owner of the label had money to invest but didn’t know anything about music and made things difficult for me . I’m now with GRANITE INC, an independent label made up of me and my other two dudes but I’m the only artist on the label as of now.

THE SOURCE . COM – ÒBACK FROM HELLÓ is your upcoming project, what does the title mean?

HEAT – I called it ÒBACK FROM HELLÓ because my whole career, I had been rolling with this dude in NEW JERSEY DEVIL who didn’t want my career to function. When I got a deal with TOP OF THE WORLD I tried to pull him in and get him a deal but it never happened. He got jealous of my deal and started hurting my career. I got out of TOP OF THE WORLD and did not have to deal with DEVIL again, hence the name of my album, ÒBACK FROM HELLÓ. It also comes from my name HEAT20because I spit hard lyrics and there was a period of my career that saw me out of the game for two years and the album signaled my return.

THE SOURCE . COM – What impact did working with THE GAME have on you?

HEAT – THE GAME is a cool dude. He’s my man, I lived in his crib and everything. I was at his video shoots, interviews, and a lot more, seeing everything he was doing, and the success. He has got me more focused and motivated.

THE SOURCE . COM – With nine underground releases, 30,000 records sold, do you think you’re ready to take off?

HEAT – Oh yeah , I’ve been ready to take off, with all the works done already and what is coming out, I think I’m built up now for the game. My promotion is also tight. I have connected with THE SOURCE and that is also helping me promote my career.

Take A Listen To HEAT
heat

Live On Stage, Online Exclusives - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 15:34 - 0 Comments

The Source Returns for Evolution of Music

The Source was in the building for the Evolution of Music Showcase on Friday, June 19th at Drom in NYC. General Steele of Smiff-N-Wessun co-hosted the event alongside Brooklyn MC Mic Handler where acts such as Kel Spencer, Megabone and Madison Ave Boys blessed the mic with a fusion of hip hop and rock, drawing a diverse crowd to the venue.
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Homepage, Online Exclusives - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:19 - 2 Comments

My Hero…Written By Phonte of Little Brother/The Foreign Exchange

My Hero Ain’t Molest Them B*tch A*s Kids: Phonte’s teary-eyed tribute to The King
I haven’t been compelled to blog in a long time.

In an era where everybody is twittering and text-messaging their lives away, a well-thought out essay that extends past 140 characters is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

But when our universe lost its brightest star on June 25, 2009, I felt a deep, overwhelming sadness that I haven’t experienced in many years and I felt moved to say….something.

My hero, Michael Joseph Jackson, is dead.

Honestly I’m still trying to process it, almost like the loss of a much-loved family member. I mean, hell, to many of us Michael WAS family. Much like Nike, or Coca-Cola, or McDonalds, Michael Jackson wasn’t so much a person as he was a living, breathing, American institution; a ubiquitous force that has seemingly existed forever and one that we couldn’t imagine a world without. Seeing Michael onstage was less like watching a musician perform and more akin to witnessing a magician at work.

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Music, Online Exclusives - Monday, June 29, 2009 15:45 - 7 Comments

S.I.H.H.N. - Gregory B. a.ka. Goldhands

THE SOURCE . COM – How long have you been producing and making beats and when did you start ?

GREGORY B - I have been producing music and making beats for quite a while now. My love for music began at a young age. I attended school to learn how to read and write notes, as well as play the piano but at the age of 15 was when I made a decision to really focus on producing music. It was like the blood that runs through my veins, allowing me to live for something I love to do. I have been doing this for a minute now and it’s a blessing to have this talent.

THE SOURCE . COM — What does it take to put together a beat for a song ?

GREGORY B - To put together a beat for a song is different for each individual. As for me I can say there really is no strategy to do this, you don’t even need a plan to start. To make a beat for a song, the number one thing any person needs is the skill to do so. As I said to be successful in making beats, you have to be talented and dedicated. Secondly, you need to be able to put melodies and instruments together, if you cannot do this, I advise you not to try. lol. Every artist has their own vibe, so when creating a beat for a certain artist, you always need to get into their vibe and study it, which allows the beat your making to fit the concept of the artist and their song. For myself, I always have beats ready on hand for any and every occasion so artist will always have and get what they need.

THE SOURCE . COM – Do you make beats for just hip hop or all other types of music ?

GREGORY B – Honestly speaking, I have the ability to produce music and make beats for many genres, such as reggae, dirty south, pop, dance and of course Hip Hop and R&B. I like to keep an open mind in this business, because as you see now at days you have rappers collaborating with rock artist, reggae artist and even pop artist. Even without this trend, I believe a truly talented producer is capable of producing and making beats for artist, putting aside what type of music they sell. Its what I call International Versatility in my productions.

THE SOURCE . COM – Are there any producers in the mainstream that you admire and look up to ?

GREGORY B - As an adolescent I admired and gained my interest through producers such as Jazzy Jeff, Dj Premier, RZA, Dr. Dre and for right now I could say Kanye West has given me more motivation to continue what I am doing, as well as Timbaland for their ability to produce other styles of music as well. At the end of the day, I must say that I admire and look up to myself, because there is nobody in this world better to look up to than myself. Not to sound as if nobody has inspired me, but I got myself here with my own talents and capabilities. Everyone should always admire from within their self, because that is true inspiration.

THE SOURCE . COM – Moving from Italy to the US , do you think the music is any different from each other ?

GREGORY B – Anywhere you go, the music is bound to be different from the next country , but from Italy to the U.S. the music is different on the bases of its delivery. Many people in Italy listen to hip hop but don’t have a hip hop appearance. The lyrics here in the U.S. hit harder, in terms of verbal delivery than over in Italy. The U.S. has more icons. The flow that Italians use when rapping comes off differently because our language is different, but overall , I personally believe no matter what country you walk into the vibe is never the same. It’s all about individuality in this music game.

THE SOURCE . COM – We have seen a lot of producers singing or rapping, is that something you also do or looking to do ?

GREGORY B – Nah. I have always been set on producing, but back in the day I used to rap . Of course in my native Italian language because it sounds cool. Now being in the United States I am here to show my true talent which is producing music and making my name known. I intend on being one of the greatest, and that’s my primary focus.

THE SOURCE . COM – As a producer , what has been your main challenges and how are you dealing with them ?

GREGORY B – Right now in my life I can just say that I am blessed to be where I am at with my music. There are a lot of people out there who are waiting to at least be where I am in the game. I can say my only challenge I dealt with, and have very much overcome was learning English as a second language. Now that I got that down packed, I am good!

THE SOURCE . COM –What are you currently working on and what do you have coming out that people should look out for ?

GREGORY B – I been working on a lot projects…I’ve been working on singles with majors that at the moment I don’t want mention names!!! I have a few projects coming soon!! One EP with MIKKEY HALSTED “LOST LEGEND” MIKKEY formerly had a deal with CASH MONEY records while he was working with KANYE WEST etc.. now working closely with other Famous Producer NO-ID..A New Project with a new Artist named VENDETTA..I produced two tracks for the new REGIME CHANGE album “INTERNATIONAL PARTY” for my fams OKAY,STUPID & MAXIMILL. Another EP “CRIMINAL MINDED” with My bro TY NITTY “INFAMOUS MOBB” MOBB DEEP FAMILY both EP’s all produced by me. I also have a new compilation with “PLAIN TRUTH ENT” of course with the best partner multi platinum engineer/producer STEVE SOLA AKA THE MIXKING me and SOLA are like COOL N DRE, together we have the best sounds that you can get out here… solo project with my man STUMIK “ICEWATER” RAEKWON CHEF CAMP (WUTANG AFFILIATED) a lot new street singles with the all ICEWATER CAMP….As you can see I have a lot of events taken place, you can also find me back overseas doing shows. Keep checking my myspace and twitter for all the up to date information on what Iv got going on.

Listen to AB the White Boy feat. Kaliko - That;s Right (Produced By Greg B.)
thatsright_abthewhiteboy_feat_kaliko_prodbygregoryb

Interviews, Online Exclusives - Friday, June 26, 2009 13:15 - 1 Comment

S.I.H.H.N. - Mr. Harvey

THE SOURCE . COM – Being raised on soul and gospel music, when did you first realize your rap talent ?

MR HARVEY – Yea my family raised me on soul and gospel music , but in 5th grade, I was part of the basketball team and we was asked to write verses to make a song for the basketball coach on parents and teachers day . I wrote my verse and everybody was like “this is hot “ , then I realized with much focus on rap , I could go hard at it . I began writing verses and lines and eventually became good at it.

THE SOURCE . COM — What has been your major challenge since you started and how are you dealing with it ?

MR HARVEY – My major challenge like any underground rapper has been about building a fan base and getting people to accept and follow what I am doing. I don’t do what everybody else does , I try to be different , I try to come out in a unique way. It was hard to get people to accept what I do in the beginning , but I have been able to bridge that gap now. I get acceptance and recognition everywhere I go , and the fans have been supportive till now.

THE SOURCE . COM — Tell us about the 50 MIC COMPETITION which you won in Boston and the upcoming NATIONAL ALBUM that will feature you ?

MR HARVEY – It was on THE BOSTON MIX 101 and they had 10 acts competing which I ended up winning . They sent me to New York where I competed with a lot more stronger MC’s and I won that as well. I got there through REMY MA’s DJ and a lot of other ones who had been staging battles for underground rappers. We are working on the NATIONAL ALBUM with all the other winners , I am not sure when it will be released though , but they have winners from Boston to Miami on it.

THE SOURCE . COM – How do you plan to make maximum sales as an under current economic down turn ?
MR HARVEY – That’s an amazing question , my main plan is to come out with hot singles and get some airplay on radios . I can even go door to door to let people hear my singles through headphones and if they like it , I could sell it to them for a dollar. That’s how eager I am to succeed. But basically, I will focus on a lot of good singles , get the airplay , hit the internet, let people know what I am doing and through that I know I will make good sales on my albums.

THE SOURCE . COM – Name your major influences in the hip hop game and how they have shaped your career as a rapper ?

MR HARVEY – I have been influenced by JAY-Z , my uncle CALVIN and my older cousin EL SUPREMO . I grew up listening to JAY-Z and SCARFACE . I admire the hustle of KANYE WEST and also LIL WAYNE’s phenomenal drive.

THE SOURCE . COM — Why did you make a sports remix to your BOSTON track when the CELTICS hit the playoffs ?

MR HARVEY — We basically did the BOSTON joint for the love of Boston. When THE CELTICS hit the NBA playoffs , we thought of making it for them and they liked it. Big stars like KEVIN GARNETT had the tracks on their myspace pages , it was also played in clubs and shows. It did not get a lot of radio play because it is hard to get radio play here in Boston . Its kind of political to get radio play here in Boston .

THE SOURCE . COM –How is your latest release WORST OF THE WORST doing ?

MR HARVEY — WORST OF THE WORST is on DECIPHER ENTERTAINMENT and its doing pretty good , it actually did better out of state than it did here in Boston. We took it to New York, California, Miami and it did well . We had a lot of calls from people who actually liked it and encouraged us to be on our grind . We are working on a mixtape now and it is coming out in and around July , we already shot a video for the single , MOVE ON , and its been posted on YOUTUBE and MYSPACE.

Listen To Mr. Harvey’s - Move On
mr-harvey05-move-on

Downloads, Homepage, Music, Online Exclusives - Friday, June 26, 2009 12:23 - 5 Comments

The Source Remembers Michael Jackson : “Better On The Other Side”

DJ Skee just hit us with this TheSource.Com exclusive tribute to Michael Jackson. “Better On The Other Side featuring The Game, Diddy, Chris Brown, Boyz II Men, Mario Winans, Usher and Polow Da Don.