Features

Online Exclusives - Monday, February 8, 2010 14:19 - 0 Comments

S.I.H.H.N - Birch Boy

The Source: Birch Boy Barie, what’s good fam, let the people know who you?

Birch Boy: Well I’m from Oakland California, there’s a whole lot of shit that goes down out here. I’ve been doing this music, so I can better myself, so I don’t have to be in any situation that ain’t for me right now. Instead of being in the streets, I rather be in the studio to do something positive, you feel me.

The Source: When did you first realize that the world needed to hear Birch Boy Barie?

Birch Boy: When I was like fifteen years old, I started putting little songs together around my neighborhood, and a lot of people started saying that I had something special. So that’s when I first realize that I needed to take this seriously.

The Source: Who are some of your musical influences?

Birch Boy: I’ll have to say Soulja Slim from New Orleans, Master P, Cash money, basically everybody involve with Cash money inspired me to do what I’m doing.

The Source: What inspired the name Birch Boy Barie?

Birch Boy: Cause I’m from 88th and Birch, my name is Barie so I basically put that together. Also Soulja Slim influenced me to do that, when he first came out he was known as Magnolia Slim. I saw how he was from Magnolia and he used his name and blend that together, and I respect that, plus it was creative.

The Source: Lets take it back to when you were fifteen, what experiences were you going through that motivated you to produce those records?

Birch Boy: I was hanging around older people, and I was basically doing those things that they were doing that a fifteen year old had no business knowing. So I took those experiences and basically made those records for them since they can relate to it, you know.

The Source: What do you have for us this year any special projects?

Birch Boy: Yea, I’ve got this new mix tape called Birch Street and also have an album dropping real soon. I don’t have an official album titled, but I am considering calling it “Organized Crime”.

The Source: What do you think you have to offer to the industry that we’ve never seen before?

Birch Boy: I got to offer a whole lot of things, I’m not like anybody else out there in the music industry. I’ve got my own style, swag, delivery, I’m the full package. I don’t sound like anybody else and I’m doing me.

The Source: So let us know since you have all this momentum going your way any plans in going major?

Birch Boy: Yea, I’m trying to go major with it, the world needs to hear what the bay area has to offer, we’ve got good music out here, we’re more than Hyphy you feel me.

The Source: So do you think that being that you’re not involve with that movement, it’s difficult to get on?

Birch Boy: No not really, nobody is really on hyphy like that anymore. Everybody realize that how much of an impact that had on us in a bad way. It did good because we got some attention, but really it did more bad than good. Before hyphy we didn’t see anybody from the bay area on TV. and if you did it was for two week or less. Only person you really see is E-40 and that’s because he’s been in the game for so long, so you have to give him that respect. But I don’t know there’s talent out here that’s being slept on if you ask me.

The Source: So what is Birch Boy Barie going to do to stand out amongst the rest

Birch Boy: I’m going to continue to do my thing to the fullest, I’m a good hard as I can to get that number slot.

The Source: Okay well how can the people get in contact with you.

Birch Boy: You can check me out on www.myspace.com/88thbirch or hit me on face book type in Jabarie Allen, so check me out.

Online Exclusives - Friday, February 5, 2010 19:32 - 0 Comments

Ta’via Jenkins - S.I.H.H.N

The Source: Ta’via Jenkins, Tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Ta’via Jenkins: My name is Ta’via Jenkins, and I’m from Sacramento, California. I’m a mother, an entrepreneur, a superstar already in the making. I’m just ready to give the world a dose of who I am.

The Source: When did you first realize that the world needed to hear Ta’via Jenkins?

Ta’via Jenkins: I dibble and dabbled in the world of hip-hop culture when I was 8 years old. I loved break dancing, I use to be a B-Girl. It wasn’t until about a year ago I got involve with the music aspect. When I was a child I played with writing a verse or two nothing serious up until now, I realized that I was really good at this. I’m a hair stylist here in Sacramento and I’m one of the top leading hairstylist you know, I run this city when it comes to hair. I was doing a documentary called “How we living in hair”, it was like a volume two documentary, so I was like let me do a single for this film. After I produced the singe I realize that I was really hot, you know what, I want to do an album. So I started working with different producers, people started to hear me and they were like “wow”, where have you been? You have it and that’s when I knew you know, it’s something that’s in your spirit. When you know that something its good and it feels right, it’s a go for me.

The Source: Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

Ta’via Jenkins: Growing up I looked up to Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Yo-yo, Nas, Run-DMC, another artist by the name of C- Bo, I really respected his drive and he’s an excellent lyricist from Sacramento. I grew up listening to C- Bo, oh yeah can’t for get NWA. They’re so many artist I grew up listening, I’ve always loved A Tribe Called Quest. These people have always been an inspiration to me, not just by their music, but also by fashion and the way they carried themselves.

The Source: How would you define your style as an artist?

Ta’via Jenkins: I’m kind of like the forecast, I’m very unpredictable. you think you’re getting sunshine and here she comes with thunder. It’s unpredictable but at the same time it’s very strong, the sound is different, and my image just kills it. You know, my hair is hot, you’re not going to find a hair style that looks like mine. I’m just different, I’m organic, I’m utterly amazing.

The Source: I understand you’ve open up for Dorrough, Keak da Sneak, and Doey Rock. Tell us about that experience?

Ta’via Jenkins: That was so amazing, here you have a rising star, right after I opened for him or actually before I opened for Dorrough. He was in the BET awards and that was his first time being on that platform. I was like wow, I’m getting ready to open for this artist with a number one song in the charts, that was just an amazing experience. It just shows that I’m pushing and people are hearing me and I’m creating a buzz, so that made me feel good. Plus the support that I have is truly a blessing, I firmly believe one of the keys to life is support. It starts with believing in you first, and than everybody else can believe in you. Those doors opening up for me, Keak da Sneak, he is an amazing artist I totally look up to him, I love his artistry. He has great energy, see you can have some artist who are talent musicians with horrible personalities. He’s one of those artist when you are around him he’s energy is great, always has gives great advices, and you know he’s amazing. Same for Doey Rock, who’s another great artist and lyricist. I’m just totally bless again to be amongst wonderful people and recording artist.

The Source: I understand you were the grand prize winner of the Dame-Fame and Ozone Magazines showcase in San Francisco, Tell us more about that?

Ta’via Jenkins: That was another amazing experience that happened last year. I was totally excited at the time and also nervous. This was my first competition, like I said at the time I’d been doing this music thing for about 7 months, going strong. There were a lot of talent artist in attendance and that’s one thing about me, when I’m on stage I’m a different person. I’m more strong, but off stage I’m very soft spoken, it’s like I have an alter ego. But when you see me perform and when you see me on stage, you’re like wow, who is this person, you know. I always do this when I get nervous, but it’s like when ever I hit the stage, I own it. And when they announced the winner, I just couldn’t believe it. Wow, they’re really feeling me, I’m surrounded by all these amazing artist and I still won. So after that everything started moving very quickly for me. The music is hot and I know what I’m putting out is great music. After they announced that I was the winner, I went on stage to perform again, I was so excited, it was truly a wonderful night. I think another thing that makes my music so great is that I don’t have to curse, I don’t use fool language. My music is clean, and it’s great music. I don’t have to exploit my sexuality, but let’s not get it twisted, I am sexy, we can’t forget that. But I don’t have to exploit that in my music. Not to take anything from anyone who does that. I’m just saying that’s what makes me stand out more.

The Source: How is it balancing being a recording artist and an entrepreneur in another industry?

Ta’via Jenkins: It is very hard, I must stay that hair is my first love, but it almost appears to me like hair is my husband and here comes music and that’s like my boyfriend. And right now, music is taking over. I’m getting ready to divorce hair, because this music is so fresh, so new. and it’s like I’m ready to do this. The love that I have for music is amazing and it is very difficult because I feel bad. I am a great hairstylist, I’ve won many awards in the hair industry, but I’m trying to balance it but it’s getting very tough for me.

The Source: What project are you working on that our readers should look out for?

Ta’via Jenkins: My album is due to come out this year, it’s titled “The Forecast”. I’m also attending the 50 Mics showcase. just really pushing and promoting my album and also the new single “Starring at Me” from city to city. it’s a really hot song, that’s really taking over right now, by far it’s one of my best work.

The Source: What advice would you give to any inspiring artist that are trying to reach what you have so far?

Ta’via Jenkins: it is imperative that you believe in yourself, that you have a great support system, because you can’t do this alone. you have to have people that are willing to push you for the same common goal. Just having a great marketing plan, and just being you, don’t try to do anybody else. If you like wearing your hair a certain way, wear your hair that way you don’t have to blend in. Do what comes natural to you and the rest will come. Don’t just say you want to be an artist, study the greats, people who’ve already been in the game. There is a saying that I always say “Be”, “Do”, and “Have”. Be committed, Do what it takes, and you’ll Have what you want.

Online Exclusives - Friday, February 5, 2010 19:26 - 0 Comments

Kevin Pistol - S.I.H.H.N

The Source: Kevin Pistol, Tell our readers a little bit about yourself?
KP- I’ve been recording in Denver, Colorado since 1999, I’ve been actually recording since 1997, but I put out my first CD in the stores in 1999. But yea, I’ve been through it all out here in the streets. You know what I saying, but music is what keeps me focus about my career and not worrying about the streets. Denver is like a little island that’s surrounded by an ocean of land. You see what I’m saying, once you leave Denver, it’s 12 hours to any major city, so we’re just kind of trap in here along with our problem, and our music is trapped here as well. We got through our struggle, but I think it’s made our style more unique.

The Source: How has you experience in Denver shape your music?

KP: Well, I started to rap when I lived out in Boston, I was out there from 1991 to 1996. I started rapping out there when I was 11 years old. So I was really into all the east coast music out there at the time. And about 16, I head back to Denver, I got jumped by some Crips in school, because the neighborhood I lived in was all blood, so we got racked up with that and started gang-banging’. I started listening to all this west coast gangster music, you know what I’m saying. Going through my experience of hustling, being the only child, having to grow to understand that, and everything else I got involved with shape my music. I can discuss any topic, you feel me, I’ve been through it all. I’ve also seen the finer things in life as well, because when I lived in Boston I had a rich Jamaican homeboy and his family took me around the world. So I’ve been around some rich kids and seen that situation by fooling with them. So I think I can pretty much discuss anything with you in any level and I think having a 160 IQ probably helps as well. (Laughing)

The Source: So when you left Boston and landed to Denver, you mentioned that you listened to a lot of west coast music, who was your favorite west coast artist?

KP: It was like crazy for me, I think when I first got here, Tupac was probably my favorite west coast artist. He was like everybody’s favorite west coast artist, you know what I’m saying. I was catching hell, because I had this east coast accent and east coast image. But Tupac is in the middle of tripping on the east coast at that time so when I get out here they’re like “you old east coast ass nigga”, you know what I’m saying. The first people I caught on to out here was Brotha Lynch and C-Bo, you know what I’m saying. Lynch had to be the hardest nigga when it came to spitting that real life gangsta shit I’ve ever heard. When I first heard him I was like yo, who is this nigga? And C-Bo was a beast you know what I’m saying, he was spitting all the hustle shit that we were doing. It’s like I’d be riding through the hood with my homeboy, he’d pop in a C-Bo tape, and he’d talk about everything that we were doing. I was like “yo is this nigga watching us” (laughing) I honestly, those two dudes were the two artist that made me take it seriously.

The Source: Tell us about Hustlin’ Flow music group, how did you get involve with that?

KP: Hustlin’ Flow music group is comprised of myself, I got this young up and coming artist that go by “Young J.R”, my big bro “Headache”, and we got another artist name “Drettie”. Drettie and Headache are probably the two main people that influence me as far as keeping me in the studio. I was probably like 17 and I was running around the block free-styling and the whole hood was talking about me staying that “KP” is the tightest. But I wasn’t thinking about getting into the studio and record. So my partner Drettie came through and was like, you want to do an album? he took me to the studio, and we recorded our first project in 1999. Drettie had went to the penitentiary, he caught an 8 year sentence on some other shit. So I ran to another big homie in the hood name “headache”, he’s like a real Ol’ G in the hood, he had a studio and he was serious about his music. The man produces beats, raps, and sings, better than most people in all three categories. So I jumped in his studio and we pretty much recorded everything I had. Collectively, we got over like 14 albums worth of mix tapes, bumping around the city of Denver. You come to Denver and you say my name, they’re going to know who you are talking about immediately.

The Source: So what are you working this year that we should kept an eye out for?

KP: Right now, we got Kevin Pistol “ Klappin’ the Klassics” mix tape that’s my personal mix tape that I’m about to drop. For that mix tape, I pretty much took some of the greatest hip-hop beats of all time and I did my own thing to it. To show that I can compete with some of the greatest emcees of all time. I’m not in any local category or nothing, I plan to be legendary with it when my career is over, you feel me.

The Source: Where can we get your mix tape?

KP: you’ll be able to download the mix tape on www.hustlinflow.com , following the mix tape, I’m going to release my album, and the title of my album is “Here’s Kevin Pistol”, which will be available in July. This will be my third release, but it will be my first national distribute album, you’ll be able to download it on hustlinflow.com and itunes.

The Source: Do you have any special feature on this album?

KP: Nah, there’s no special features, it’s strictly me. I look forward to the day when I’m able to have some of these produces to feature on my album. But everybody keeps jumping over Denver, every year! I got a song on my mix tape called “we rap for the world”, because it seems like you know they keep on avoiding these 8 million people. Like they don’t want no money from these 8 million people here, who are waiting for somebody in the industry to really give us a shot.

The Source: So what do you think the future holds for you as a Denver recording artist, where can we expect to see you 5 years from now?

KP: Five years from now you can expect to see me in a lil Wayne slot, you know what I’m saying. That’s not to be too conceded, because I’m very humble, I’m just confident. I know that I’ve got what it takes to reach that position. I’m expecting to kick in the door this year. And that’s proper talk, you know cats out here call that proper talk. My homie from the south tells me that I sound like a white man when I speak. That’s because in Denver we don’t have any accent, so we call this proper talk. I think that’s what also helps a Denver emcee, because we don’t have an accent to lean back on.

The Source: So what are your thoughts on rappers who use their accent as an excuse to dumb down their lyrical content?

KP: I think it’s a cop out, I think rappers that cuss too much, I think rappers that invent words, rappers that use their accent, are taking away from the craft itself. You see Hip- Hop without lyricism is like the periodic table without elements. When I was growing up an emcee had to be able to speak, read, and write well. if you couldn’t do any of those three things there wasn’t no point in you trying to be a rapper. We get these amazing beats from this protools, reason, and fruity loops. We throw some big booty trick in the middle of it, some big old whip with some spinners. And it’s like Damn, you’re not even buying the music anymore, you’re buying the image. I’ve been saying this for years, if I’m in the hood and I’m broke right, with only twenty bucks. And I go to the record store or online to buy me some music, right? And that’s why most poor people love music because after we pay all of our bills that’s all the money we’ve got. So here I get this music right, and all I hear is two hours of what this nigga is doing with my money, and I get two hours of how I ain’t shit because I’m broke.(laughing)

Features, Homepage - Sunday, January 31, 2010 17:59 - 2 Comments

Nas, Common and Salaam Remi Appear at BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” Grammy Panel

On Saturday, January 30th, U.S. performing right organization BMI put on a special Grammy edition of its “How I Wrote That Song” discussion series. The event was held at the House of Blues in Los Angeles and was sponsored by The Los Angeles Times, Brand X, and Levis. Nas, Common, and producer Salaam Remi were featured as panelists at the event, and represented for Hip-Hop alongside musicians from other genres.

Additional Photos after the jump. Continue…

Online Exclusives - Thursday, January 21, 2010 16:01 - 0 Comments

Interview With Honest

The Source: Honest what’s going on, tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Honest: What’s good America, it’s your boy “Honest”, aka “Honest BoB”, from the west coast. I’m the CEO of Power Move Entertainment and Bay Beauty Magazine. I’m an entertainer, I’m a recording artist, background in theater, and also a comedian.

The Source: Who are some of your musical influences?

Honest: I grew up in a soulful household, so I like Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, people that my mother listened to I became a fan of. As I got older, I started gravitating to Run. I admired his presentation and the way he would get it in back in the days, you know. Too Short is another one, definitely Snoop and in the east coast definitely all the pioneers.

The Source: I see that not only are you a recording artist but also a CEO in several business ventures. Tell us more about Bay Beauty Magazine?

Honest: I shot a music video for a song that I did called “wet”, I did a couple of casting calls, I wasn’t really satisfied with the type of models we got. I shot the video anyway, but vowed that i would do something about that next time. So I wanted to provide a database of female talent to service other artist who needed them in their videos. It started off as a calender, but as i did some more research, financially, a 20 page start-up magazine was more affordable.

The Source: I see that you had Bay Bay Bay from The Real Chance of Love on the Front Cover, How did you manage to put that together?

Honest: One of my partners is a promoter, and he knows Bay Bay Bay. So the promoter set up a meeting to discuss our interest in having her in the front cover. She like what I was doing so she got involved. I appreciate her business, got her in the front cover, didi an interview and that’s how we got it in. She’s a great person and a cool person to work with

The Source: What inspired you to establish Power Moves Entertainment?

Honest: I dropped a record in 2004 called “Just ain’t heard of me yet”. The reason why i called it that is because, i’ve been in the San francisco bay area, busting a lot of raps and doing my thing while i was locked up in the prison system. Banging on tables, you know rapping and being just, yo Honest is nice with it, you know! When I came out, I got serious about my craft, did “just ain’t heard of me yet” Being the leader that I am, it just seems that a lot of people would just gravitate towards me. asking me for advice, can I put them on, and things of that nature. One artist would come along and a producer would reach out to me and with that i started Power Moves Entertainment. Power Moves entertainment is just a vehicle for myself and other artist and we’re going to try to make a major impact not just in the west coast, but nationally.

The Source: I see that you also put a lot of energy in giving back to the community especially when dealing with youth violence. What encouraged you to be more involved in your community?

Honest: I came from the struggle, grew up in a family that hustles. In that process, you get in trouble and i don’t know too many people that make it all the way through. I did the system, you know what i mean, the county jails, the prison. One day I decided it was time for me to wise up and slow down. I have some opportunities to take my life experiences and share it with others. I got into the business by a brother name Jack jaqua. Here we have an organization called Omega, Omega boys and girls club. Dr. Marshall and Jack Jaqua, Dr. Marshall is a man that everybody knows politically. Oprah Winfrey and others donate money to him and Jack, If you’ve ever been in trouble in the last forty years in San francisco. You’re going to know Jack, a caucasian Ol’ G, white bearded, long haired man. Helped me when I was locked up, so When i got out of jail, he put me under his wings and the rest is history. i go into the schools, juvenile hall systems, I have a curriculum that I teach is called “Real Talk”. Where I share with the students my life experiences and I’ve been doing this for a number of years.

The Source: What projects do you have lined up for 2010?

Honest: “ Buggz with it” video was on demand for two months, it also was featured on BET.com as the “Ya Heard” video of the month. I have a new video called “Go Girl” produced by The Detail Shop and that just got added to MTV jams. I’ll be dropping an album this year, currently untitled. I’ll be hosting the West Coast Hip Hop awards for a third year straight. I also hosted The Bay Area Raps Awards twice, we’re going to be doing another one of those. It’s going to be The Independent Artist Awards, I’m going to be one of the executive producers. I’m looking to do more acting, again that’s one of the flavors that i bring, I rap but I’m not a rapper. I sing and I can host you know, I really look up to Jaime Fox, because he’s an inspiration to me.

The Source: How can the people get in contact with you?

Honest: Find me in myspace.com/ honestbob or twitter @honest_bob, or email me programpmp@yahoo.com. the website for bay beauty mag will drop soon. If you want to contact me in another perspective, you can contact my publicist Theodore Palmer of Creative Edge Marketing.

Online Exclusives - Thursday, January 21, 2010 15:56 - 0 Comments

Interview With Show-Time, Founder of “Hunnid Racks” Brand Energy Beverage

The Source: So Show-time why won’t you introduce yourself to our readers?

Show time: I’m Show time, the CEO and founder of The Brand “Hunnid Racks” energy beverage.

The Source: What inspired you to develop Hunid Racks?

Show Time: I created the product because I felt that companies such as Red Bull, Rock Star, and Monster. Weren’t properly targeting urban communities and as a result those communities didn’t value their product.

The Source: So What makes Hunid Racks better than other urban energy drinks such as Nelly’s “Pimp Juice”, Cocaine, and Hyphy Juice?

Show Time: Well, The difference between Hunid Racks and I saw…Pimp Juice and Hyphy Juice is the taste. It has a much fruiter taste, it’s not too sweet, nor too strong of an energy drink. Most Black folks don’t like The Red Bull taste and can’t stand anything that too sweet. So in other words, Hunid Racks is a Lite energy beverage.

The Source: I see that you’ve manage to incorporate some highly respected major recording and indie recording artist from the west coast into your marketing campaign, Tell us a little bit more about that?

Show-Time: Yea, we use several artist such as “Yukmouth”, “Messy Marv” and “Keak da Sneak” to promote the brand. We mostly prefer to use indie artist to push the brand to help us market Hunid Racks.

The Source: A lot of schools are removing high carbonated food and beverages and are promoting healthy eating guidelines with the rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes amongst young children. How has this effect Hunid Racks position in trying to gain a younger market?

Show-time: Well the drinks are not for everyone, we don’t necessarily go out of way to target children. There’s a lot of young kids that love our product as well as older people. So we don’t necessarily go after a younger market.

The Source: Well, How can we get in contact with you?

Show-Time: You can check out our website www.100racks.com or email me info@100racks.com.