I listen to a lot of music each week. Not too often can I just sit down and enjoy a project from front to back without interruption. This past Friday while journeying from Upstate to Downstate NY, I hit play on Rocky Rivera's latest offering, Pop Killer.
The replay factor in today's music is important. Pop Killer has that replay factor through the roof. I played the mixtape over a dozen times in the last week since first downloading it. Rocky Rivera is dope.
Anyway, she decided to take the challenge this week. See how she answered Five Random Questions after the jump. Chea!
L.A. is having one of the best weeks ever. Late Sunday she released the killer track “Spitting Out Blood”, which has been making its waves on the internet including a DJBooth.net debut. Then today she locked up one of the two spots on the upcoming Show & Prove showcase presented by The Brooklyn Bodega and 2DopeBoyz.com to compete for a spot on this year’s Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival in July. And to think, she’s only been rapping for 11 months, having just released her first project in January, with a follow up due out July. The girl is dope, and her music embodies such a raw uncut energy.
Anyway, this week she decided to take the challenge. Check out how L.A. answered five random questions after the jump.
The first time I heard Geeter rhyme, I was immediately impressed. He's currently working on an EP with Halifax producer Ritchcraft. He has that type of sound that needs to be heard. As Ritchcraft so perfectly put it, "he has a powerful voice and speaks on real issues." I'm definitely looking forward to the music.
Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. And we decided to do it a little differently, with the assist from Ritchcraft, Geeter answered five random questions on video. Enjoy.
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama Current City: Halifax, N.S., canada How long have you been doing music: 11 years Discography: none Label: none Describe your music in five words or less: Real life
ScienZe is a cool dude. I first caught him and his music around the time that he released The Phone Tap(e). I immediately thought he had a dope sound and produced quality music. His latest project Hall Pass is among my favorite joints released in the last year. The energy he delivers in his music is fresh.
Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how ScienZe answered five random questions after the jump.
We all know I rock boat shoes, so with that one line Theo Martins instantly became a favorite. Ha!
I caught Theo just around the time he was putting out You Can't Do That on Television. I hit play on that project, which starts with "The Letter" and immediately thought the dude was dope. His latest project Sincerely Yours, The Dance Floor takes you into a slightly different direction. Some folks would be scared to test the waters musically but for Theo he doesn't let a genre define his style and with that his latest is making waves musically.
With two fresh videos for his recent project, Theo has a style that is outside the box. In today's music of so many cookie-cutter-rappers-so-called-emcees, Theo Martins is a breath of fresh air.
Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how Theo answered five random questions after the jump.
Stalley is another one of those guys whose name I heard floating around musically before I finally decided to give it a play. I'm happy I finally did. When I started checking out his music last year I became a fast fan. The dude is fresh and his music is dope. Back in February Stalley put out Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music), which is one of my favorite releases this year. For me, it's still in rotation. Tracks like "330", "Hercules", "She Hates The Bass" and "Assassin" are among my favorite cuts on the project.
Like I said, the guy makes dope music. Enjoyable, quality music.
Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how Stalley answered five random questions after the jump.
Top $ Raz is the Far Rock Queens emcee who made a splash with his project Spilled Milk and is set to release his follow up, The New Flesh, February 22. His new project is packed with some great production, cool features and dope rhymes.
Raz is fresh.
Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how he answered five random questions after the jump.
Yes, Friday's Five Random Questions is back. I know you missed it. Ha!
And next up is The Real Jay Mills.
The first time I heard her was on the track "Trouble," featuring two other dynamite female emcees out of the DMV, Emperess and RAtheMC. I started checking for more music from her and found some of her older spoken word stuff and some of her raw and edgy Hip-Hop stuff. A few months back she responded to a request for a female emcee to rhyme over the "Devil In A New Dress" instrumental and delivered the fresh "feMC DIARY (Devil In A New Dress).”
Just recently she released a pretty fresh project, "Winter Sadness: PoetReMixtape Volume IV".
The Real Jay Mills is dope.
Anyway, this week she decided to take the challenge. Check out how she answered five random questions after the jump.
Psalm One is an impressive emcee, who just happens to be a woman. Will Hermes, Entertainment Weekly wrote about Psalm, "Kanye West and Common gave Chicago its reputation as a breeding ground for innovative rap, Psalm One furthers this tradition." I agree.
The Lady of Rhymesayers Entertainment delivers dope rhymes and fresh music, and continues to further quality Hip-Hop music, regardless of her gender. I'd heard her name and a few loose tracks but it wasn't until her Woman at Work: Volumes 1-3 (kind of late in the game, considering her discography) that I really started paying close attention. After Woman at Work, I started backtracking and checking out some of her older material. She's talented and probably one of the most slept on. You should definitely be checking for Psalm One if you aren't already.
Anyway, this week Psalm One decided to take the challenge. Check out how she answer five random questions after the jump.
I feel like I had heard more about Fresh Daily before I had heard any of his actual music. Then I finally got a hold of one of his tracks and was impressed by the Brooklyn emcee with a keen sense of style and straight lyrical abilities. His vision shows through his music. His art. Anyway, if you're unfamiliar with Fresh Daily, you should definitely get familiar with the dude. He's dope.
So, Fresh decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how he answered five random questions after the jump.
Tiye Phoenix is a dope emcee, who just happens to be a woman. A strong woman. I won't front and say that I've been following Tiye throughout the span of her career but since discovering her sound last year, I've been a fan of what she does. She's been featured on the blog a gang of times, with the likes of Eternia, Little Brother and on a few episodes of both The Mad Bloggers Show and Hip-Hop Breakfast. Her music, it's dope.
Until September, Tiye flew under the radar of a lot of folks, until her comments on Nicki Minaj on the the BET Documentary, My Mic Sounds Nice. I agreed with her words. Every word. Tiye doesn't hold her tongue. You'll see that below in the answers to her questions. With that said, Tiye decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how she answered five random questions, after the jump.
Rapper Big Pooh is a dope emcee. For those unfamiliar, he's one half of one of my favorite groups, Little Brother. With a gang of solo projects under his belt too, he's also one of my favorite solo artists. The dude is talented. And with new music on the way, Big Pooh continues to make his mark through his music.
Big Pooh is also good peoples. This week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how he answered five random questions, after the jump.
The first time I heard Dremur's music was his track "Asian Lover" featuring Scienze and produced by Jinesis. I've been checking his music since. He's currently working on his newest project, One Step Away ... Miles 2 Go. The Bronx born emcee does his thing and after hearing a few of his new tracks, I'm excited to hear the new project. Anyway, this week Dremur decided to take the challenge. Check out how he answered five random questions, after the jump.
His name is Donwill. Not Don Will. Or DonWill. Just Donwill. And this year, he released one of my favorite albums, Don Cusack In High Fidelity. He's also 1/3 of Tanya Morgan. The Cincinnati native is dope and his music, whether a feature or his own project, is always fresh. I definitely dig what he does. Anyway, this week Donwill decided to take the challenge. Check out how he answered five random questions, after the jump.
Her name is Carlitta Durand, and she sings. The North Carolina songstress, while unsigned has a gang of features under her belt. With features on Little Brother, Tanya Morgan, Joe Scudda tracks, among others, she's getting her name and sound out there. Her soulful voice is unmistakable and leaves an everlasting impression on your ears.
Carlitta Durand is dope.
She's also good people. She decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how Carlitta answered five random questions, after the jump.
It was his Vandalyzm is Not the Father project that first introduced me to the St Louis emcee. I've been checking his music since. The dude is pretty dope. Recently Vandalyzm released his latest project, Megatron Majorz Redux. Another fresh offering. After a two week break, Friday's Five Random Questions are back and this week Vandalyzm decided to take the challenge. With a new question in the line up, he doesn't hold back. Check his answers after the jump. Enjoy!
Jean Grae has for a long time been a dope emcee. Her music stays on point.
In recent months her name has been mentioned with Nicki Minaj, often comparing the two. In most circles, Jean wins. While she may appreciate the compliment, she'd rather the two co-exist. As she said in an interview back in June with Karen Civil, “seriously, I’m fine with what she does.”
She went on to say, “let Nicki do what she does and let me do what I do … let us all be out there ... I don’t want to be the only person standing in rap.”
Along with music, Jean has been keeping it real on twitter, hosting a weekly show on Da Beatminerz Radio (www.dabeatminerz.com) and so much more.
Jean is good people, who always keeps shit real. And she's hilarious too. She decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how Jean answered five random questions.
Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa. Current City: New York City How long have you been doing music: I don't like the fact that you're insinuating I have an intimate relationship with music. No. I'm not "doing" music... ew. *smacks in the mouth* with glove. Discography: Google it. That's ridiculous. Label: They label me a "femcee"... I label myself a "murderer"... Cheers! Describe your music in five words or less: Five, four, three, two ... EPIC.
TMB: Okay, first question. Your celebrity crush at age 10, 15 and now?
Jean Grae: Johnny Depp, Johnny Depp and Johnny Deep.
TMB: What TV character would you be and why?
JG: Kenny Powers. I don't think I have to explain that. Or, if Kenny Powers fucked Larry David who fucked that hooker in the HBO hooker series that didn't come back on. Apparently I would be a lot of HBO motherfuckers. Huh. Go figure.
TMB: You're at dinner with five people from history (living or dead) who are they? What's the conversation?
JG: I think that is also a ridiculous question. Clearly, I would want them to be alive. Otherwise, that's terribly creepy. It's also unsanitary. Also doesn't make for very good conversation. If they were dead, I mean. Unless it was a seance. That's REALLY creepy though.
TMB: Which three songs would be on the soundtrack of your life and why?
JG: "I Would Do Anything For Love (but I won't do that)" Meatloaf. "Living On A Prayer" Bon Jovi. "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ" Big Big, on Sesame Street. I believe you know why.
TMB: Okay, last question. You walk in the studio for a session and find out Jesus (yes, that Jesus) and Kanye West are producing the track. What's the first line in your rhyme?
JG: Jesus doesn't do co-production. That's a trick question. I see what you did there.
When Melanie Fiona hit the scene, I was like damn!!! Her soulful voice just blew me away. Her album, The Bridge, was dope from front to back. Most recently Melanie teamed up with John Legend, The Roots and Common for a remake of "Wake Up Everybody."
The North of the Border songstress is currently working on the follow up to her debut album. I'm looking forward to that.
Anyway, thanks to my homeboy Kozza, Melanie Fiona decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how she answered five random questions.
Hometown: Toronto, ON Canada Current City: Today... Chicago How long have you been doing music: Since '86 Discography: The Bridge (2009), The MF Life (forthcoming 2011) Label: Titlenine/SRC/Universal Motown Describe your music in five words or less: Classic, Real, Live, Soulful, GOOD!
Picture via Rocawear NEXT Ad Campaign
TMB: Okay, first question. Your celebrity crush at age 10, 15 and now?
MF: 10- Larenz Tate. 15- Kobe Bryant. Now- Common
TMB: What TV character would you be and why?
MF: Buffy The Vampire Slayer- I feel I possess that unexpected super human strength in a female who can kick ass!
TMB: You're at dinner with five people from history (living or dead) who are they? What's the conversation?
MF: Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, Gandhi, Lauryn Hill, President Obama. The Conversation: Knowledge on how to make it as a revolutionary, musical, peaceful, female artist who will lead people to a better day.
TMB: Which three songs would be on the soundtrack of your life and why?
MF: "Part Of Your World" The Little Mermaid. "The Greatest Love of All" Whitney Houston. "Ay Yo" Melanie Fiona.
Cause I've always been a simple girl with big dreams, who believes in love, hope and the will to succeed. And I'll always be that way. All 3 songs are individually sooo special to me.
TMB: Okay, last question. You walk in the studio for a session and find out Jesus (yes, that Jesus) and Kanye West are producing the track for you. What's the name of the song?
RaTheMc is the fresh emcee out of the DMV with the unique style, who always stays fashionable. Even before I got into blogging, I'd heard her name kicking around. Over the last year, I've become a fan of much of her work. Her verse on one of my favorite joints, "Trouble" (featuring Jay Mills and Emperess) is crazy. RaTheMc is talented.
Anyway, RaTheMc decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how she answered five random questions.
STATS Hometown: NE Washington DC Current City: Largo, MD How long have you been doing music: I've been doing music for about 8 years now but I put my 1st mixtape out in 2006. Discography: The Resume (2006) Produced by Neako, A Mixtape about something...I think (2007) Produced by Judah, A Trip To Neptune (2008) Produced by Judah, Are You Not Entertained (2008) Produced by Judah, Trending Topics (2009) Produced by Judah, Heart of a Champion (AUG 31st 2010) Produced by AB the Producer Label: Studio 43 Describe your music in five words or less: Organic, Fresh, Fun, Introspective
TMB: Okay, first question. Your celebrity crush at age 10, 15 and now?
R: At 10 - Batman of Immature. At 15 - Usher. Now - Lebron James
TMB: What TV character would you be and why?
R: I'd be Huey from the Boondocks because he's brilliant and rocks a ill fro.
TMB: You're at dinner with five people from history (living or dead) who are they?
R: Biggie, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chapelle, Michael Jackson and Jennifer Lewis
TMB: You're stranded on an island with one other album, which album is
it?
R: Carl Thomas - Emotional
TMB: And, the last question.Jesus and Kanye West are producing a track for you. What's your first line?
R: Nothing clever comes to mind but it would probably have something to do with Christian Dior (haha).
Andy Suzuki is one of my favorite people, even if you put music aside. The dude makes great music, he's really talented and he's funny as hell too!
His sound is hard to explain but his music is unforgettable. And while the dude exudes confidence, he's probably one of the humblest musicians I've ever met. Anyway, Andy decided to take the challenge this week. Check out how he answered five random questions.
Stats Hometown: Washington DC Current City: New York City How long have you been doing music: Singing since day 1, playing with my band for three years. Discography: "300 Pianos" - 13 track CD on iTunes/AmazonMP3/etc Label: Independent Describe your music in five words or less: Acoustic Pop
TMB: Aight, let's get to the questions. Who was your celebrity crush at age 10, 15 and now?
Andy: Age 10: Eliza Dushku. I saw "Bring It On" 5 times. Age 15: Apolo Anton Ohno. Long Story. He was my half-Japanese idol. Now: Mila Kunis. No contest.
TMB: What TV character would you be and why?
Andy: JD aka Zach Braff from Scrubs.
TMB: You're at dinner with five people from history (living or dead) who are they?
Andy: Mila Kunis, Jessica Alba, Adriana Lima, Scarlett Johansson and John Mayer. We would have a great time.
TMB: You're stranded on an island with one other album, which album is it? (not necessarily your own music)
Andy: Jason Mraz - Live At Java Joe's. It's his live shit before he got famous and it changed my life. Before listening to this album I exclusively listened to hip hop and RnB. This album put me on the singer-songwriter path.
TMB: Jesus and Kanye West are producing a track for you. What's the name of the song?
Andy: "I'mma let you finish but Jesus had one of the best Beatitudes of all time."
