NEW MUSIC: Chris Brown - Changed Man

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Mike Tyson Opens Up About Daughter's Death

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Michael Vick is BACK!!!

Mike Vick is back in the NFL, and he's soaring with the Eagles! We'll soon be seeing what Vick can do on the field.

Check out the 60 Minutes interview below.


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Crown Jewelz

Check out the insight of this young man. Confident in his skills he stands at the edge of the game awaiting his time to shine. Introducing Rick Jewelz a young man showing tons of potential from Denver, Colorado. He is currently unsigned however he has worked with super producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. This young man is making some major moves. His diversity and creativity should carry him far. Look for Rick to be on a stage or TV near you soon!

 

With so many artists now entering the game, what sets you apart from the others? What should people know about your music before they listen?

I'm very versitile. Listening to an album by me would be similar to listening to a mix playlist on an iPod. I don't feel I have a sound like somebody else, it's just me. You might hear me do an RnB song, and rap on a verse, then the following track could be me rhyming on a pop track, or a techno, whatever.

Many artists have muses or find inspiration in many different ways. What inspires you to create, and how do you keep it new and refreshing?

I'd say life inspires me the most. I usually write about what I see, or experiences I've been in. Also I'd say established songwriters inspire me. I look at how they create and it helps me to be more creative.

Hip hop is an ever changing landscape, and people feel in different ways about it. Looking at the industry where do see both hip hop and yourself in the next 5 years?

I see Hip-Hop still being around, just maybe a different form of Hip-Hop, listening to it now it's not the same as it was in the 80's or even 90's, but I think it'll be around in maybe a different format to how it sounds. It seems like people are leaning more towards dance/rap nowadays so who knows.  And as for myself I see me as one of the top 10 Songwriter/Producers in the game. I work at perfecting my craft daily so I know in 5 years i'll be gettin the recognition i deserve.

When people hear your music, what message are you sending and what do you want them to walk away with from your music?

The message I feel I send is to just be yourself. Don't try to be what everybody else is, or sound how everybody else does, just be yourself and keep it refreshing.

There are some very memorable acts in hip hop that will be remembered throughout history. Where do you want to be placed in the history of hip hop?

I want to be placed as one of the best of course. Not saying that to be cliche, but I feel that what I offer to music will classify me as one of the best to do it. I'm only 19 years old and feel that by the time i'm even 22 I'll be one of the top 5-10 in the game.

Producers often time kick it into over drive to create new and amazing tracks. When you can tell the producer has really got it in on the track, does it cause you to step your game up to match their effort? And do you feel that some artists don't step up to their production (without naming anyone)?

Of course, when I hear certain producers tracks that are just crazy it makes me want to load up my program right then and try to top it, I listen to EVERY little sound in the beat to see what it is they did different then what I usually do. And as for artists not stepping up to their production. I do feel a lot of them don't. They may have a hot beat, but barely get along as far as the track goes overall.

With so many amazing hits on the radio and TV right now, which tracks have you heard, and wished you could've thought of or been featured on?

I'd say Turn My Swag On, cause the beat and the hook is so similar to something I would make. Best I Ever Had by Drake, cause I've said almost everything he was saying on that track to females I've dated, but never formed it into a song. Shouts to Drake though he's mad talented.

 

There has been a rise in artists that produce as well. This is an incredible display of talent. Do you also produce as well as write?

 

I produce and write. I'm apart of the group Team Green Productions. Concept and Win schooled me on how to be the producer I am today. They're currently signed to Beat Bangers.

 

Where you're from how does the local market receive local artists, and do your local radio stations help to promote the local hip hop scene? Also how important is it for local radio to support their local artists?

 

Simple as this, nobody really supports anybody out here honestly. It's get it how you live. Its a shame that people in their own state don't get love from their peers because everybody is so focused on themselves. Radio stations out here won't play anyone's track unless you cough up about 70 G's and nobody's throwin that out. I think it is important for local stations to play local artists though, it shows support.

 

Now artists have a plethora of mediums at their disposal to get music to their fans, however records sales are still failing. Do you think this is due to the economy, leaks, and downloading?

 

I think it's due to the leaks and downloading. The economy in my opinion isn't so bad that you can't go out and spend $12 to support your favorite artist. Its the fact that you can easily get the album you want online for free.

Speaking of downloading, many artists have taken the approach of "buy or download my music however you can get it just get it." This seems to be prevalent because artists are getting paid from touring in the absence of record sales. Would you agree with this sentiment? Why or why not?

Yeah I'd agree with it, because at the end of the day, they're paying more to see you on tour than buying your album. And as long as you have the fanbase for your tour you'll get your bread back.

Who were you influences as a child and how have they changed as you've matured?

Snoop and Dr. Dre influenced me to first start rapping, then when I got serious with it around 7th or 8th grade Fabolous has always been one of my main influences.

 

How important is it to show growth and mature as an artist?

 

Very important, I've grown ALOT since '99 when i first recorded. And even since 2007 when I released The Rebellion. Growth shows that you can move with the times but still be as good as your fans expect you to be.

 

Do you feel that there is a difference between Hip-Hop and Rap? Please explain?

 

Kinda/Sorta. It used to be "Rap" was more hardcore, and Hip-Hop was more socially conscious. But nowadays I feel they're almost one in the same.

Who are your top five dead or alive emcees?

I'll just list 'em, no specific order. Jay-Z, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Kanye, and I'd say Drake, cause he's the only person I feel that's young and really saying something.

Mega City's Finest

You're one of the sensations from across the northern border that is making some noise down here in the Southern U.S. Would you tell us a little about you and where you're from?

I'm from Toronto, Canada. I was born and raised in the east end of the city in Scarborough. My first record to really take off internationally was I BANG with Remo Da Rapstar, it was on over 150 different mixtapes and spun in high rotation on several stations including Shade 45. Since then I’ve been putting out music consistently, just trying to make a name for myself.

When did you first know that you wanted to pursue a career in Music?

The last time I got out jail. I spent a good portion of my late teens in and out jail. I knew if I stayed on the negative path I was on I would probably spend the rest of my life in jail or dead. I’ve always been passionate about music and I decided it was time for me to make a career out of it.

 

Many Hip-Hop artists often venture into other areas, are you looking at expanding into producing, label owner, clothier, or even acting?

I want to do everything. I'm a pretty creative person I have a lot of ideas. I’ll probably end up venturing into the television/film industry, if not with acting probably with writing.  I'm very observant of my surroundings, and I’m constantly finding myself witnessing the funniest situations, so writing comedy just comes naturally to me.

 A lot of cities have virtually unknown Hip-Hop scenes, however very few people think about Canada and Hip-Hop. Even though this year it looks like Toronto could take the world by storm. What are your thoughts on the Hip-Hop scene in Toronto, and its ability to influence the American scene?

 

Toronto is definitely on the come up. Last summer Kardinal had tremendous success. He had a giant billboard with smash with Akon. This summer Drake has the industry on smash. His situation with Wayne is a beautiful thing, he’s constantly letting it be known that he’s from Toronto which is great. The pressure is definitely on Toronto right now, Drake has set the bar real high and the world watching to see what we have to offer next.

Some other artists from your area have crews behind them i.e. Kardinal Offishall has TDOT and Drake has ATF. Do you currently have a crew of producers or rappers waiting in the wings?

Of course. The Count Money Cartel (CMC) is loaded with talented individuals from across Toronto. From a music standpoint we got rappers, including: Bambi Bugatti and Knoxx Hoffa. We also got my lead engineer Sunny Diamonds, my photographer David Wilder. My team is loaded with talented producers as well; I’m managed by the biggest producer management company in the game, The Trafficker Management. Our production team consists of Mega Man, Y-Not, Soundsmith, Boi-1da to list a few.

Different areas have different slang, vernacular, or lingo. Most notable is the Bay Area. Will you put us on some of the Toronto slang game?

Strong Back: a girl with a fat ass.

Wah Pop: how’s it going

Dun kno: you know what I’m saying

Seen: yes/ok

I am quite sure that you've heard all the talk about Hip-Hop being dead or struggling just to breathe. What are you're thoughts on that,  and are you going to be the one to provide the much needed kick to put it back on track?

Hip hop is not dead and will never die.  Record sales are down on a whole. No release in all of music during the first quarter of 2009 went platinum in that time period. We can’t judge the health of HipHop on record sales. Hip Hop is alive and thriving as a culture. From a fiscal standpoint, Eminem’s got his album dropping this spring, that’s going to revitalize record sales for the first time since Lil Wayne’s album dropped.

Personally, I’m always trying to push life into hip hop. Every time I write a record or chose a beat, I always ask myself “has this been done before?” What I’m trying to do with music is express myself creatively in an innovative way that hasn’t been done before. With any art-form in order to have progression and in order to move forward you got to have innovation and originality.

You are dropping tracks like Nadya Suleman is pumping out children. At this point are you currently signed or in the works of closing a deal?

I’ve had a lot of offers recently, but getting signed doesn’t make you a star. I’m trying to put myself in a situation where the demand is so high for my music that a record deal makes sense. As of right now, a record deal doesn’t make sense for me, I'm still getting my music out to the world and making a name for myself. I’ve got a tremendous team surrounding me, allowing me to advance independently. Hopefully after I drop this next project I’m working on, containing all original production, my buzz will be high enough that I’ll feel comfortable signing on to a major label.

Since you seem to post new links to songs on the daily basis, how often are you in the studio?

 

I record probably twice a week a couple hours a session. A lot of rappers go to the studio to hang out and have fun. I enjoy recording, but I treat it like work, I go in and try to record quality over quantity. I try to keep my time in the studio as efficient as possible. Oh yeah, shouts out to Sunny Diamonds, Diamond Factory Studios, if you’re in Toronto it’s the best place to record.

What is in store for the upcoming year any tours, albums, or mixtapes?

You’re going to be hearing a lot from me. I have been doing a lot of features for artists. There are a couple mixtape projects dropping, I'm going to continue my SAMPLE ME series, Volume 2 is pretty much finished, hosted by homie Boodoo, Infamous Soundcrew.  I’m also recording an album, its all original production. It’s untitled as of right now, I’m trying to have it ready for this summer. It’s a very conceptual album, I’m having a lot of fun recording it and the production on it is incredible. I feel like I got the greatest producers, I’m experimenting with new sounds, it’s a real personal project and I can’t wait to release it.

For those that don't know you, what mixtape, album, or song would you say best embodies you as an artist?

 

Nothing that has been released yet, truly embodies my creative capabilities as an artist.  



What major artists and producers have you worked with and will there be any future collaborations with anymore?

Most notably I’ve done a few records with Drake. Production wise I’ve worked with Megaman and Boi-1Da, they’ve produced for G-Unit, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne etc. On my upcoming album I have a few crazy features.

What artists and producers do you want to work with both locally and nationally?

Locally I feel that I have already had the opportunity to work with most of the people that I’d want to. Internationally, there’s a lot of artists that I’d want to collaborate with. I’d have to say I’d want to work with Keri Hilson, she’s an amazing talent. There’s also a lot of artists outside of the hiphop genre who I’d hope to work with in the future.

From a production standpoint, I have been very fortunate to be part of The Trafficker Management. Our whole movement has tremendously talented and contains established producers including Mega Man, Y-Not & Soundsmith, Boi-1Da, Zalezy etc.

Internationally, from a production standpoint I’d want to work with Danja/Timbo, Kanye and Dr. Dre.

There are many legends in the game, of those who is your Top five dead or alive MC's?

I grew up listening to Big  L, Rakim, Ghostface, Nas, Kool G Rap. Those are the artists that have influenced me the most.

If someone wanted to feature with you or request you for a show, how would they get in touch with you?

Send me a message a on facebook, twitter or myspace and I’ll forward you my contacts for my management team.