Stanza Speaks With The Mad Bloggers

I reached out to Stanza and his folks to get a little bit of insight on the artist that I feel will be going places. Check it out.



How old are you?
I consider my age to be infinity. To explain that - Music never has to age…it’s timeless. Stanza makes music therefore he is infinite.

Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
I was born & raised in College Park, Georgia.

How did you come up with your name?
Well, I came upon my name studying literary terms. Stanza means a unit within a larger poem; parts of a whole. I applied that definition to explain myself. So, the explanation goes as such – to see things as I, The Unit does, my larger poem would be you, the people.

How long have you been doing music?
I don’t really measure my music career in time, I measure it in accomplishments. So, by accomplishments I’d say I’m fairly young.

Is music your career or do you have a "day job"?
Seeing that I work a job to support my music; music is my career.

How would you describe your music? Genre?
It’s funny that you ask that question. Recently I read in another review about me, DJ Voodoo said that “Stanza is like Talib Kweli meets Lupe Fiasco, with Kanye’s confidence and Jay-Z’s flow.” Now that’s a pretty heavy description, but I didn’t say it…he did. Lol!

Where do you want to see your music go?
I guess eventually I want my music to have no boundaries. I’d like for everybody who listens to it to understand it.

Who are your musical influences?
My family. Portis Head, Strange Republik, Outkast, UGK, Sade, Anita Baker; they vary and I could go on for days.

In your opinion, what's the state of music?
Urban (Rap, Hip Hop) music is in purgatory right now. It could go to a good place or a bad place but right now it depends on the people, the fans, who are the most important part of the music business.


Who do you work with on your music?
DJ Teknology, Young Guru, The DS Brothers, SMKA, Rob Phas, J. Skills, and The Varsity Squad – just to name a few.

What's the hardest thing you're finding out that has to do with your music?
Having a solid plan to promote. Everything ties into promotions. Whether promoting to the people in the industry or the listeners (fans), at the end of the day they are all people.

What's your favorite part of doing your music?
My favorite part is having total control and the ability to create whatever I want to. Not allowing myself to be limited by other people or industry standards.

What projects have you done so far? What projects are you currently working on? (Where can fans get it?)
The current project we just released is I am Stanza: The Anthology (which is a collection of my work). Fans can get that at www.iamstanza.com.

How is your experience with 106 & Park working out for your career?
The 106 & Park experience was a stepping stone. It did great for the time but there is always the next day. So, we are continuing to work.

Do you use the internet and social networking sites to push your music? And if so, how? Has it helped?
Yes I do and I feel that it has helped a lot. I can’t explain the how; it happened through research, testing, a lot of trail & error. So for anyone that wants to RESEARCH it and test to see if it works for them, I suggest they do so.

For more info on Stanza, visit www.iamstanza.com and to join our family http://bit.ly/Join_the_family.

Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Method Man & Redman at Toad's Place

Method Man & Redman came through to Toad's Place in CT to perform for the second time together. Got pictures and videos to show you their performance. They certainly give you a show on stage. Crowd was into it the whole entire night. It's what I like all hip hop shows to feel like. Check it out.

Check out the Y.O.U. video. Method Man goes off about rappers and MCs. Lessons in More Hip Hop and Less Swag. Haha.

(Click pics to view bigger)



























Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Definition of Real = Plies?

Q hits me up with a youtube video of Plies, aka Algernod Lanier Washington, being interviewed, says he wants me to check it out. I did. It's been reconfirmed that this dude Plies has some character issues and/or flaws, in my opinion. How can you sound relatively intelligent in one hand, then switch it as soon as you're in the booth? His whole interview is a major contradiction to the type of garbage he puts out. Is money that important that you'd sell your soul, your character and your image for it? Maybe his albums should have been titled "The Fictitious Testament", "Definition of Phony" and "Da Fakest". I wouldn't change the last project he did..."Goon Affiliated". Seems appropriate. According to Encarta, Goon is defined as either - 1. thug: a professional gangster whose work is beating up or terrorizing people ( informal ) or 2. clumsy person: somebody regarded as clumsy or uncouth. Considering he's not an R.N., I'd say he defines the latter. What's sad is how many of his faithful fans know this side of Plies? Or is the dumb down version of a Plies much easier to understand and ultimately get your Becky on to? Anyway, check out the video and decide for yourself.




Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Always Remember, Never Forget ... Tha Lady Blogga on 9/11

I remember this day 8 years ago like it was yesterday. It holds especially firm in my mind because I watched the events unfold live across the water in my classroom full of students.

A neighboring teacher alerted me of the crash. He was a character so I thought he was kidding. I continued to teach. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a trail of smoke. When I went to the window and followed the trail, I saw a gaping hole in the Tower side... "Oh Shit!! was my initial thought. But my thoughts were disturbed by the loud rumble of a low, fast flying plane that flew over our heads. When you live in Rockaway, plane rumbles are the norm. The flight path from JFK is always live. Little did I know, that was plane #2.

Now my students are looking too, some of them crying because their parents worked in the Trade Center. As I am trying to calm them but still looking with amazement out the window, the next Tower just blew up.

I panicked and started packing my stuff. And I told the students to pack up too. I had no idea what was going on. I swear, it looked like a Sci-Fi flick when the aliens attack and stuff gets shot at. I didn't know that the plane crashed into the other building until later on. My plan was to take the children (all 25 of them) in my SUV to someplace safe. That was just the panic talking.

Once I came to my senses, I talked to the children and tried to calm them down. I tried to let some kids call their parents but I had no cell service. We were locked down and we tried not to look but my windows had no shades. We kind of had no choice. We watched the buildings crumble and the white smoke engulf Lower Manhattan and drift across the water. The kids were screaming, especially the ones with parents that worked there. I prayed they got out. Some did, some didn't.

I made my way downtown the very next day. The City was chaotic and security around the site didn't exist yet. I remember standing about 5 blocks from the wreckage. I couldn't get any closer because it was too hot. I could feel the heat and the smell the different smells of things burning. I had to see it. I didn't believe it.

In my Social Studies class, history unfolded before our eyes. My condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones in this horrific act of selfishness. Especially Hubert Hinds whose wife, my friend, Clara perished in those buildings. I will always remember. Never forget.

Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

NEVER FORGIVE, NEVER FORGET A 9/11 RETROSPECT

AC released six exclusive songs via his twitter page and email today in remembrance of 9/11. Each song was released at the exact times of the six tragic events that took place on September 11th. Here is the first track released at 8:46 and a link to his full project.



AC'S MEMOIRS: 9/11 IN RETROSPECT FULL EP LINK (Click to download)

TRACKLIST:
8:46AM- "WAKE ME UP" (PROD BY HALO)
9:03AM- "ITS REALLY HAPPENING" (PROD BY PHOENIX)
9:38AM-"TAKE ME WITH YOU" (PROD BY MIKE CASH)
9:59AM-"50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER" (PROD BY C4 SINISTAH)
10:10AM-"THE MORNING OF" (PROD BY RAIN)
10:28AM-"GOODBYE" FEAT. JAZZLYN STARR (PROD BY J.GLAZE)

Check It ... JC Poppe "Mixtape Epidemic"

Check this track from JC Poppe, Mixtape Epidemic, off his upcoming album Sleep Therapy. The track was produced by Milwaukee producer Dylan Thomas. Check it out, it's pretty dope!

www.myspace.com/jcpoppe



Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... Apathy "Shoot First" feat.B-Real & Celph Titled

Check out new music from Apathy, Shoot First, featuring B-Real & Celph Titled and produced by Mike Shinoda. This is another track off his sophomore full length album, Wanna Snuggle? The track is dope, check it! Album in stores October 6.

www.myspace.com/apathy




Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... Skyzoo "Popularity"

Skyzoo debuts his second single entitled Popularity off his forthcoming album, The Salvation, in stores September 29 on Jamla Records/Duck Down. Popularity is produced by Nottz. Dope track, check it out.




Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Road to Release Day: Eternia & MoSS: "AT LAST" Episode 11

In Episode #11, Eternia provides a scathing critique of the "R.I.P. to All Female Emcees" media hype that has recently surfaced. She builds with the legendary MC Lyte and Jean Grae, as all 3 ladies shut down the 'where are all the female emcees?' rhetoric that has run rampant. The episode also introduces two other emcees killing the game: True Daley and Nemiss, who murk the stage ... and happen to be female.



Check Episode One
Check Episode Two
Check Episode Three
Check Episode Four
Check Episode Five
Check Episode Six
Check Episode Seven & Eight
Check Episode Nine
Check Episode Ten


Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... Mr. J. Medeiros "Holding On" feat Tara Ellis

Here's a new track by Mr. J. Medeiros that I got from a MySpace message he sent me. I'm definitely liking this. Check it.




Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... Priscilla Renea "Dollhouse" (Live Acoustic)

I think that Priscilla Renea is extremely talented. This live acoustic version of Dollhouse is incredible! Enjoy.

Wishing death on Obama?

I got info that a pastor in Phoenix, Arizona is preaching and praying for President Barack Obama's death. I'm in absolute shock yet not surprised by some rare few people in this country.

Here's the story via www.myfoxphoenix.com:




Pastor's Obama Rants
'Incomprehensible'
Protesters counter parishioners at
Sunday service

Updated: Sunday, 30 Aug 2009, 10:34 PM MDT
Published : Sunday, 30 Aug 2009, 6:43 PM MDT

TEMPE, Ariz. - The sermons at this east valley church are stirring controversy and for some, causing alarm. Pastor Steven Anderson says he's a man of God, but some are horrified at what he's preaching.

Anderson is standing by his controversial sermon, entitled "Why I Hate Barack Obama." Video of the sermon has hit YouTube, and he's taped explaining why he hates the President and praying for his death.

Sunday at church, Anderson told FOX 10, "I hope that God strikes Barack Obama with brain cancer so he can die like Ted Kennedy and I hope it happens today."

Anderson is continuing to encourage his parishioners to pray for the president's death, but says he doesn't condone killing.

"I will not take the law into my own hands. I will not take up any arms. It's a spiritual battle, spiritual warfare."

Sunday, about 30 parishioners of the Faithful Word Baptist Church were met by a handful of protesters.

"A pastor, a man of the cloth, doesn't condone assassinating people. He's not a pastor, he's a pas-turd," said protester Bill Demski. Some of the protesters tried to go into the church, but were denied.

"I find it incomprehensible that someone can say they believe in the message of Jesus and preach hate," added protester James Jones.

Tempe Police patrolled the area to make sure tempers didn't get out of hand, while many parishioners walked into the church carrying guns on their hips.

One of them was Christopher Broughton, who got national attention when he brought an AR-15 assault rifle to an Aug. 17 rally outside the Phoenix Convention Center where President Obama was addressing veterans.

We asked him if he wanted to clarify what the impact of Pastor Anderson's sermon was on his decision to bring a gun to the rally, but he had no response.

Anderson says his sermon about wanting Obama to die was not meant to rile people up. "If anything, I was talking him down," he said, "Not riling him up."

Pastor Anderson says his hatred of Obama and former president Bush stems from his views on abortion and the Iraq War.

"Look up the word hate. Look up the word abhor, the word loathe. You'll see there are a lot of people that God hates, and so we should hate. But see, I didn't write that, that's in the Bible."

The pastor says that since his sermon on Obama was posted on YouTube, he and his family have received death threats.

"If people want to wish deaths on me I don't have a problem with that. But when people say, 'I'm coming to kill you and your family within the next 36 hours,' that's different than them hoping or wishing something in their mind," said Anderson.

The White House had no comment.

What are your thoughts on this?

Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers