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Written by Devin Cobbs
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The California cool, calm and collective twenty-two year old, Tyga is impacting the genre of Hip-Hop dramatically as of late. The swagger-filled lyricist uttered his first lyrics at the tender age of thirteen, embracing the essence of music videos Tyga drew inspiration from both Busta Rhymes and Michael Jackson’s music videos. These days he’s diligently recording with the intentions of shining brightly amongst his star studded label mates. With the release of highly successful commercial albums from the YMCMB camp that include, The Carter IV by Lil Wayne and Drake’s sophomore release Take Care, there is constant on pressure on Tyga to match up equally against his YMCMB family with his upcoming venture, Careless World. With an astronomical work ethic Tyga has somehow managed to release thirteen mixtapes between the years 2007-2011. Adding to the list of his mixtapes the recent release, #BitchImTheShit, it is no question Tyga has an eye on the throne.
As a young child, Tyga appreciated the essence of Hip-Hop as well as music in its entirety, developing a pulsating passion at a tender age. When he was just thirteen he collected his thoughts, rapped his first lyrics, and it has been history since that day. His first major bit of recognition came as he rapped lyrics next to the multi-platinum artist, lead vocalist of Gym Class Heroes and cousin, Travie McCoy. The two encountered each other on Melrose Blvd in his hometown California. The two conversed for just the right amount of time for the then young Tyga to put his demo in the hands of Travie McCoy. They later collaborated, working on music during the beginnings on Tyga’s career leading them to take the stage together at the 2007 MTV Music Video Awards performing Fall Out Boy’s “Arms Race” featuring Kanye West, Paul Wall, Skinhead Rob, Lupe Fiasco, Travie McCoy, Lil’ Wayne and Tyga. After the performance Tyga took away from the stage much more than the experience, he had also made a connection with Lil’ Wayne. “At the award show I just walked up to him and told him I’m a rapper and I really wanted to pursue a career in music, he then gave me his phone number. I was shocked like if somebody comes up to me and say I’m a rapper I wouldn’t automatically give them my phone number, but Wayne did,” Tyga recalls. The contact proved to be the first step for the biggest move of Tyga’s career.
In 2008, Tyga inked a deal to Young Money Records, and shortly thereafter he released his debut single titled, “Coconut Juice” featuring another collaboration with his cousin, Travie McCoy. The single garnered moderate success but placed Tyga on the map and he was finally making a name for himself. “Coconut Juice” prepped him for him for his freshman release of “No Introduction”. Before the release of his first album Tyga released two separate mixtapes, No Introduction The Series to give his fans “quick snacks”. No Introduction was released that Summer to his anxious fans, independently. The album wasn’t a commercial success but it provided Tyga an opportunity to release another album.
In the musical careers of any great artist they have a “statement release.” For example, Usher’s 2004 release of Confessions, Lil’ Wayne’s Carter III and Kanye West’s College Dropout are some examples. For Tyga, Fan of a Fan, the mixtape with Chris Brown may have served a that “statement release.” The project successfully brought the essence of Rap and R & B collaborations even providing a platform for Chris Brown to express himself rapping, leading to the Hip-Hop/R & B anthem, “Deuces.” Taking social media by storm, Tyga attracted a whole new fan base with trending topics and record breaking numbers of views on his Youtube page. Tyga reemerged on the scene, leaving the Rookie tag behind and establishing himself as an artist to be reckoned with. The success of “Deuces” led to a Grammy nomination, the first for the then twenty-one year old. Nervously he sat on Grammy night only to see someone else walk away with the trophy. That would only fire Tyga up to furiously attack all non-believers with great music.
Post Grammy nomination Tyga has been on a roll, becoming the epitome of a trendsetter and once again branding himself and broadening his fan base. In 2011 Tyga released a few more “quick snacks” referring to mixtapes. Titles include, Black Thoughts 2, Well Done 2 and his most recent “#BitchImTheShit” prepping fans as well as himself for a sophomore album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King.
Tyga explains Careless World: Rise Of the Last King is “the best music I’ve recorded in my life.” The album takes you on a trip through Tyga’s day to day life with the analogy of being a modern day king. The album was led by an emotional single “Far Away,” which featured American idol Chris Richardson. The album is expected to feature production and guest appearances from Drake, Nicki Minaj, Pharell Williams, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Game, Snoop Dogg, Wale and long time friend Chris Brown. The album is expected to be released in 2012.
Consistently working to broaden his fan base, Tyga’s passion and work ethic is insurmountable. When the question actually arises on “whether he is next?” The answer is a simple, Yes. Tyga will impact the genre of Hip-Hop dramatically with his sophomore release, undoubtedly a rise of new Hip-Hop royalty.
The California cool, calm and collective twenty-two year old, Tyga is impacting the genre of Hip-Hop dramatically as of late. The swagger-filled lyricist uttered his first lyrics at the tender age of thirteen, embracing the essence of music videos Tyga drew inspiration from both Busta Rhymes and Michael Jackson’s music videos. These days he’s diligently recording with the intentions of shining brightly amongst his star studded label mates. With the release of highly successful commercial albums from the YMCMB camp that include, The Carter IV by Lil Wayne and Drake’s sophomore release Take Care, there is constant on pressure on Tyga to match up equally against his YMCMB family with his upcoming venture, Careless World. With an astronomical work ethic Tyga has somehow managed to release thirteen mixtapes between the years 2007-2011. Adding to the list of his mixtapes the recent release, #BitchImTheShit, it is no question Tyga has an eye on the throne.
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Written by Devin Cobbs
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G-Unit records newest signee Genasis is ready to embark on a new beginning. Surrounded by success and intelligence Genasis went against the grain by pursuing a career in music that wasn't approved by most. Determined, Genasis used non-believers and life's experience to propel him to the top. After years of a constant grind Genasis caught the eye of the many also catching the eye of Hip-Hop mogul 50 cent. Talented southern and swagger filled artist will use his unique flow and diligence to equate the formula need to crown him Rookie of the Year.
Strong, humble and determined Genasis equates the meaning of hard work. Beginning in the classroom the then young artist would write kuru agile in class unknowingly building his craft. "I would write lyrics in class, sometimes I would just zone off and write" Genasis said. Intelligent but a bit of a rebel Genasis attended six high schools in four years, citing his bad behavior as the reason. Active in sports he also played football and ran track, both falling off due to bad grades. Music stayed relevant in his life, he penned his first song entitled "You Motherfuckers" inspired by a reinvented gangsta rap era. Consistently grinding Genasis began building his fan base after performing in talent shows and a weekly pep rally at his high school. Thinking deeply he compared the benefits of pursuing a career in what he loved which was music. "I sat and thought about how I could possibly make money of doing what I love" Genasis said. Working diligently to perfect a craft that his mother at first didn't approve of.
Growing up around an intelligent, successful and well educated mother had a major impact on Genasis. A route of high education is what his mother wanted him to pursue, instead he convincingly explained that wasn't the route for him. Feeling the pressure Genasis worked even harder to not only prove to non-believers but to his own family that he could achieve true success with his musical talent. "I thought to myself failure is not an option" Genasis said affirmatively.
Insisting his southern style music is just a small tool in his arsenal. The eclectic artist says music like his hit single Jackie Chan is music he can make easily make. "I have music like Jackie Chan then I have music that's way different" Genasis said describing his musical style. Priding himself of possessing creativity he uttered "I don't believe an artist is an artist until he is creative, you have to have an open ear" Genasis said.
"Tell then the ink is still wet" was the advice 50 cent gave Genasis when approached by haters. Genasis caught the eye of many when his single Jackie Chan hit the net, fellow southern artist Dorough Music makes a cameo. Creating a buzz through his highly active twitter page, Genasis one day had no idea his twitter accountant would lead him to his big break. On an early afternoon while helping his cousin move he received an abnormal amount of request for him to answer his phone, his phone was dead. Searching through tweets he seen people telling him "answer your phone 50 Cent wants to talk to you. His immediate reply was Bullshit, he thought to himself "what's the chances of 50 Cent calling me" he said. Finally he got on a conference call, Five other people were on. Amongst the five one happened to be Hip-Hop mogul 50 Cent. "Gen wassup nigga" were the first words spoken, and needlessly to say the rest is history. He soon inked a deal that made him a proud member of the G-Unit family.
Genasis, an ambitious,well gifted and determined artist will do whatever it takes to get to the top. Wanting his legacy of his music to be defined as a great time also wanting to touch the world. Embarking on a journey to become the new artist, releasing a mixtape scheduled for an early January release. Genasis in due time will impact the music scene with his eclectic and unique style. Genasis is here.
Twitter.com/Genasisishere
Facebook.Com/Genasisishere
YouTube.com/Genasisishere
G-Note records newest signee, Genasis is ready to embark on a new beginning. Surrounded by success and intelligence Genasis went against the grain by pursuing a career in music that wasn't approved by most. Determined, Genasis used non-believers and life's experience to propel him to the top. After years of a constant grind Genasis caught the eye of many including that of Hip-Hop mogul 50 cent. The talented southern swagger filled artist plans to use his unique flow and diligence to equate the formula needed to crown him Rookie of the Year.
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Written by Alaina Latham
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Incorporating yourself into the music that you make is something that every artist tries to do. Every album and every track is a piece of the path that they chose or the path that chose them but getting that across to the listeners can be difficult. Ledisi’s fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, is just what her fans have been waiting for from her—a deeper look. A soulful voice who’s been making her rounds in the world of R & B since the late 90’s, Ledisi is finally receiving mainstream success, a long time coming for an artist that’s been long deserving. With a growing fan base, a new label to back her and a soulful sound all her own, Ledisi is eager to finally give her all to the art, even if it’s just a little piece at a time.
Born Ledisi (a Yoruba word meaning “to come forth”) Anibade Young with musical roots in New Orleans, Louisiana, she set out to follow her dream of singing by any means. Raised in Oakland, California she has blended the perfect mix of funk and jazz to create the eclectic sound that she has developed and honed over the years. She also thanks New Orleans for providing her with the resilience she needed to get her through the journey. “With that in my blood, I could never give up on my dreams,” she explains.
Early on, she formed the group “Anibade” on her way to obtaining her dream, eventually releasing the album Take Time through her own record label LeSun Records. Ledisi released her first solo jazz album, Soulsinger: The Revival in 2000 followed by Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue in 2003, which garnered her “Outstanding Jazz Album” at the California Music Awards. Over the years she has tapped into her jazz roots, some funk, and even a Christmas album, so it’s safe to say she has fans from every genre of music. For the moment however, R & B is the focus.
The success and the accolades were coming in slowly but surely, but around the same time Ledisi was dealing with a lot of doubts. She was performing often—admittedly the same seven songs—but she was on the verge of giving it all up. Independently funding your own project, a touring band and having to handle all the day to day operations of an artist can be very time consuming, not to mention an incredible financial burden. It was during this period that she had a five year lapse between albums. Thoughts of giving up were real, but other plans were in store. “It cost so much money keeping afloat, it was hard, I was broke, I was sleeping on the floor in New York City,” Ledisi remembers. It took a turn for the better all in one night. “I had one show where I performed and Verve came, which was the same label that said no to me years ago, they came and said we need to sign her.”
It took another year in a half before the five year hiatus would come to an end with a deal coming by way of Verve/Forecast Records. A record deal wasn’t ever the goal, but the timing seemed to be perfect. Ledisi still owns the masters for her first two albums so she is technically getting the best of both worlds. In 2007, she released, Lost and Found, her third album. The album was nominated for two Grammy’s, Best New Artist & Best R & B album. It was then that Ledisi really began to see her hard work coming to pass.
Genre bending continued to play a consistent part in her music over the years. Obviously, being boxed in isn’t what Ledisi wants to be known for. “I make music based on who I am so all my fans can wiggle to which record they like.” Her fourth studio album release Turn Me Loose, which featured the lead single “Alright” showcased her skills of breaking out of the mold that the industry tried to confine her in. She garnered another Grammy Nomination for the project, again in the Best R & B album category.
Pieces of Me, her fifth album is set for her fans, an open letter to let them know that not only is she still here, but that she’s a real person with real emotions who is just looking to make real music. “There’s a certain confidence that I regained about myself this year. I’m not fighting to be something I’m not. I’m not fighting for people to notice me, I’m just saying I don’t want to be unnoticed.”
Pieces of Me is the title of the album, but it is also the title of one of the tracks on the album, the last song written for the album. The track was put together by Ledisi and legendary producer Chuck Harmony to help define “the complexity of a woman,” of course with Ledisi in mind. It was the conclusion of the album, but it marked yet another step in the growth of a person. Fans will notice that Ledisi’s personal style has also changed as she becomes more open with herself and the image that she is putting across. “I would hide behind my hair because I don’t like people to see me,” she admits. “On stage I’m somebody else, but off stage I am very shy. When I first saw myself like this I was like ‘wow, I am a little edgy, I am a little jazzy, this is me… I’m a red head.”
She credits the change in style to her stylist Michele London and her glam team who helped her understand the importance of image. “I didn’t know how important imagery was until Black Girls Rock, until the changing of the hairstyle, until people started to recognize me.” Now, not only does she get the recognition, but she’s comfortable with herself and that’s a message all women should appreciate.
Her grind is reminiscent of an underground rapper selling mixtapes out a trunk, or an independent author hustling books on a corner book stand. For musicians, entrepreneurs or anyone hustling to get to their dreams, Ledisi should be a great inspiration.
After our interview, Ledisi took a minute to compliment the Parlé grind, going as far as comparing the early one-man army approach to how she started off her career. When the doors were seemingly closed for her, she opened them by starting her own label, releasing albums and touring using her own team and her own resources. While she continues to be recognized on different levels, Ledisi took time to reassure us that as long as we continued the grind, success was inevitable. Of course, she is a shining example of this. “I came up like Too Short, struggling in the streets of Oakland, I was on the underground,” she recalls.
She’s come a long way.
Pieces of Me will be released on June 14, 2011. Still looking for more pieces of Ledisi? Just listen to her music, listen to her lyrics and maybe you’ll find some pieces of you in her.
Incorporating yourself into the music that you make is something that every artist tries to do. Every album and every track is a piece of the path that they chose or the path that chose them but getting that across to the listeners can be difficult. Ledisi’s fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, is just what her fans have been waiting for from her—a deeper look. A soulful voice who’s been making her rounds in the world of R & B since the late 90’s, Ledisi is finally receiving mainstream success, a long time coming for an artist that’s been long deserving. With a growing fan base, a new label to back her and a soulful sound all her own, Ledisi is eager to finally give her all to the art, even if it’s just a little piece at a time.
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Written by Devin Cobbs
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After a hiatus from the industry, Soulful songstress Goapele is back with her new album, Break of Dawn which features the lead single, "Play". Calling the new album a "new revelation" Goapele next release is highly anticipated and long-awaited. Listening to Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Bob Marley at an early age citing these iconic singers as influences on her musically. Capturing the essence of rhythm and blues at an early age. Goapele's passionate vocals and beautiful lyrics impact crowds all across the world, diversity and creativity allow Goapele to stand out in a populated genre duh as R&B. Getting back to the era of just releasing good music is what Goapele intends to do stating "I'm happy that R&B music and urban music is expanding, I'm into Frank Ocean right now I think he's a real good example of someone just putting out good music".
After the albums "Even Closer" and "Change it All" singer/song-writer Goapele took a hiatus to begin a family. When asked about the hiatus taken Goapele responded " It was helpful, I had some time to get off the grind mode of constantly doing shows and got my energy back". Returning with a more sensual and seductive vibe Goapele has let go of the style many of her fans have come to know and love. Shedding the neo-soul layer and replacing it with a sweet and seductive ensemble.. With a vibrant audience anticipating a new release Goapele cited her previous albums as the foundation that created her following, also stating that music allows her to tell her story and evolve with music as well as her life."Break of Dawn" revels a more liberal and confident Goapele, leaving many to say this will be the most complete album.
Passionate vocals pack the track-list of every Goapele release, delivering empowering music endlessly. Although "Break of Dawn" does include a sensual side of Goapele many fans have yet to explore this upcoming album won't be anything short of amazing. After the years Goapele has maintained a strong foundation of family and fans that continue to be supportive as she evolves musically and personally. With the single "Play" and "Break of Dawn" in it's entirety Goapele has emerged back onto the music scene, reiterating she is the modern day queen of soul.
After a hiatus from the industry, soulful songstress Goapele is back with her new album, Break of Dawn which features the lead single, "Play". Calling the new album a "new revelation" Goapele next release is highly anticipated and long-awaited. Goapele cites listening to Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Bob Marley at an early age as one of her biggest influences musically. It was the exposure to that type of music that helped her capture the essence of rhythm and blues at an early age.
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Spotlight Feature
Sometimes, it must fall upon the journalist to ensure that what they are hearing in an interview is clear enough that they can truthfully and accurately present their subject's words as quotations. This may require asking for an answer repeatedly, admitting you missed something that could have been important, or actively picking and choosing which quotes should be completely captured in a form of verbal triage. Other times, it may simply require asking the subject to slow down because your cell phone's speaker is woefully inadequate. Such was the case with Kirko Bangz, and regrettably, I did not follow the advice laid out above. The following is what I can transcribe from my conversation with the Houston hopeful, whose Drake on promethazine approach has been reverberating within the scene.
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