Trayz (E.H.M.P.) Summer Grind Issue 2012

TRAYZ

 

E.H.M.P: How long have you been rapping?

 

TRAYZ: Since middle school. We're talking about 11 years now.

E.H.M.P: Would you consider your self a lyricist? If so Why?

TRAYZ: Honestly I would like my listeners to be the judge of that.

E.H.M.P: What is the difference between swag n hip hop in your opinion?

TRAYZ: Swag is just style if you ask me, Hip Hop is a Lifestyle. A way of life. From the get I've always felt they were two very different things. To be honest with you though, swag too has a lot to do with one's persona in general.

E.H.M.P:  Where can our readers listen and or download some of your music?

TRAYZ: To download and listen to my music they can go to www.soundcloud.com/trayz , alsowww.reverbnation.com/trayz and if they wanna hit me up go to www.facebook.com/trayz.world andwww.twitter.com/trayzhello 

E.H.M.P: Tell us something no one knows about you?

TRAYZ: There's nothing I hate more then someone telling me they've given up on their dreams. 

E.H.M.P: Any shout outs and thank you’s?

TRAYZ: I gotta start by thanking My wife and son. At home is where I get most of my inspiration. Ain't nothing like family. Shout outs go to JQ, (#onemotive, #JQFilms), Maxamillian, Poppy Gang, Carter, F.L.G., Dice, Loonz Mortiz, ETS, and G Strong

WRITTEN BY: A.D. THE GENERAL (Courtesy of Elegant Hoodness Musical Program) 2012

Strokes (Below the Radar) Summer Grind Issue 2012

STROKES is fresh off a second place win at the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program grand opening in Columbia South Carolina April 14 2012 at Hot Rodz lounge and grill.  He has been rapping since he was 15 years of age. Now a college student graduate by the time this article is up and way on his way of achieving success in the music industry. STROKES has a great tone and super flow, along with a high energy performance. He has the support of his mom, which is also his manager along with his production team (13 productions). He is nominated for a “Top Ten Artists of The Year 2013” at The E.H.M.P. awards in NYC Jan 16 2013. He has already opened up for Travis Porter and Juvenile. You can purchase his latest album at Cdbaby.com, amazon.com, itunes.com,reverbnation.com/strizzystrokesj, and follow him on twitter.com/strizzystrokesj. Today we introduce to the readers a star in the makings, STROKES!!

STROKES

A.D. THE GENERAL: What does the name Strokes mean?

STORKES: The name Strokes came from my pops; growing up I was always called "lil Strokes" because of our close resemblance, so i took it and ran with it. Believe me when I tell you that its a name to remember!    

A.D. THE GENERAL: Do you remember the 1^st rap you ever wrote? Give us a few bars off that.

STORKES: It's been 8+ years since my first rap but the song was called "Young Carolina Boyz" and me and my cousinBeezo Money went in on that song! 

A.D. THE GENERAL: How was your first experience at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program? And would you recommend the program to other artists in SC?

STORKES: I always put on a show whenever I perform because i just like to entertain so i really enjoyed the experience. I encourage other artist to bring the A game because an AnR once told me that it takes 10 seconds to tell if an artist is worth their time, and five seconds to know if you're not. So if you get six minutes to perform it should be the best six minutes that you have ever had on stage. Every performance should be treated like its your concert and the audience is your fans.

A.D. THE GENERAL: What’s your goal as an artist? Why do you rap?

STOKES: My goal as an artist is to make to the next level and the next level, I plan to be the best entertainer in hip-hop history......Music is my life.

A.D. THE GENERAL: What has been your biggest accomplishment in music thus far?

STORKES: Opening shows for various artist such as Travis Porter and Juvenile and Performing in venues from Virginia to Georgia.

A.D. THE GENERAL: Where can our readers listen to your music?

STROKES: You can check out more from Strokes at Cdbaby.com, amazon. com, itunes.com, reverbnation.com/strizzystrokesj,  and follow me on twitter.com/strizzystrokesj.

A.D. THE GENERAL: Any last word and or shouts outs?

STROKES: S/O to the whole E.H.M.P family for the opportunity, the entire 13 Productz Ent. family 2012 is our year, Mz. Blendz from Blendzville Global, my Morris College family (FrontLine Souljaz) (2012 graduates), and to all my fans.....South Carolina to the death of me, I put on for my city!!!!

WRITTEN BY: A.D. THE GENERAL

COURTESY OF THE ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2012

St Lou (Below the Radar) Summer Grind Issue 2012

ST LOU 

 

 

 

E.H.M.P: Tell the reader's something that may not know about St. Lou the artist?

 

St. Lou: I'm a young rapper from South Jamaica Queens, background is Jamaican, My favorite rapper isFabulous, I love working on music and making people laugh

 

E.H.M.P: What and or who influenced you to pursue a career in music?

 

St. Lou: Being around my cousin Dj Monumental a lot made me to do music, he always took me along with him when he was Dj'n at clubs or shows and it made me want to get involved.

 

E.H.M.P: How can you say you have grown as an artist from the age of 13 when you started to now?

 

St. Lou: I matured and my lyrics has more meaning to them. When I was rapping at 13, I was rapping about a bunch of non sense but it sounded good to a lot of people. Now I do songs based on experience or what people can relate to

 

E.H.M.P: What has St. Lou been up to since the “No Time To Waste” Mix tape Series and what can the fans expect in the near future?

 

St. Lou: I just been making songs left and right, doing a lot of shows and trying to get my buzz up. I feel like I'm a young talented artist. I just need the right push to really make it big. In the future most likely give the fans/supporters another "No Time To Waste" Mix tape. Plenty of  great songs, shows and videos so look out for that.

 

E.H.M.P: How did you become acquainted with the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program and how has it benefited you thus far?

 

St. Lou: Dawn Ellison, I gotta love her. She told me "Baby you gotta do this show, I know u gonna do good" 1st performance, I came in 3rd as a new act. Second time I performed I got theTeam NAN award. Shows the crowd really feel my songs and how I perform. It benefited me a lot, So many radio interviews it felt so good. I can tell all the radio interviews I did, people like me and see that I'm a humble kid trying to make it with good concept/lyrical music.

 

E.H.M.P: What has been the best advice you have been given by anyone and who? Lastly, do you have any shout outs and tell the people where they can link up with you and your music?

 

St. Lou: My Mom, Grandma, Aunts, Cousins, Dawn Ellison & Supporters all tell me the same thing. "Keep working hard and being humble, believe and in God and take your time. Your going to get to where you need to be soon because you got potential." I'm living by that. Shout outs to my team $Livin Rich$, Dope Society, My bro Breezy, South Side Jamaica Queens, My Cousin Dj Monumental, Dawn Ellison, A.D. and Elegant Hoodness, My Family, and My Supporters that always be rocking out wit me.

Check out my music on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/loueyloutv?feature=results_main

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SejohnBernard

Facebook Like Page https://www.facebook.com/LoueyHaha 

Twitter @LOUEY_HAHA 

 

 

Written By: Jamia Parks (courtesy Elegant Hoodness Musical Program) 2012

Smokey (Below the Radar) Summer Grind Issue 2012

SMOKEY

N.A.B.: In reading your bio I noticed this statement, "Believing that the hip hop industry is ridden with repetition, Smokey seeks only to bring hip hop forward, by being reminiscent of the past". Will you elaborate some on that?

SMOKEY: By bringing back more word play and creativity into music. Not just bubble gum lyrics some artist are getting away with in today's music.  

N.A.B.: What is differentiates Smokey from another hip hop or r&b artist? 

SMOKEY: Different types of quality music that I make from telling music stories that people go through. Or making that type of sound that's sticks in your head and head and you end singing it for no reason.   

N.A.B.: Who have influenced you thus far in the industry? t

SMOKEY: A lot of great's like Wyclef, T.I., Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Outkast, Diddy and list goes on and on. The few artist I just mentioned are the mean ones. I give them the utmost respect because the music they make and being business mined outside of music industry. They live by the same thing that motivation code I live by which is "No Days Off".   

N.A.B.: Tell us some factors about yourself that we should know and understand as far as what your looking to achieve?

SMOKEY: I don't take loosing, failing or the word "NO" lightly, it's always been a dream of mines to continue delivering good music for the world to hear and not just a small community. I'm talking about abusing my passport every chance I get and spending more time outside my house than inside, (that's where "No Days Off" come in to play at).

N.A.B. How did you become acquainted with Elegant Hoodness Musical Program? How was the experience? What are the benefits you've noticed?

SMOKEY: Through DJ Tarique and I got admit that event was pretty fun meeting and networking with different people through out that night. 

N.A.B.: Tell us about the latest music you've been making? 

SMOKEY: That would be my latest single which is called "Party Animal", which goes on and talking about educated females/woman who love to party and have a great time, when it comes to the night life. After a long week of working hard and studying all woman want to unleash that inner party animal feeling out and just live life that night after night until it's back to working and school again.

N.A.B.: Which particular track have you bought forth that hits close to home for you, if any? Elaborate some on why.

SMOKEY: "Say a prayer" because growing up as a youth I never had it easy to where I get whatever I wanted and being raised by a single mother making minimum wage. My street life and among other things I've come across in my life. So going through it and seeing better day's now means my blessing are coming and stopping no time soon.   

N.A.B.: Where can we find your music? Any shout out's? 

SMOKEY: Everywhere from Reverbnation, Youtube "SmokeyFanClub" to me posting and keeping my fan dated on twitter, (@Smokey305)

WRITTEN BY: SPECIALGIFT N.A.B.

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2012'

Pully The Pusha (Below the Radar) Summer Grind Issue 2012

A.D. THE GENERAL: First and fore most congratulations on your recent win at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program NYC. How did it feel to hear “and with a perfect score two hundred and forty points and the newest artists signed to Sony/Ioda , you will grace the cover of Block Relevant Magazine and get $12,000 in media exposure”?

PULLY THE PUSHA: I feel great to be with A.D. The General and sony/ loda

A.D. THE GENERAL: Tell me how important it is to have a great stage performance and how you prepare for a show?

PULLY THE PUSHA: It’s important to practice before a show and be on point on stage. 

A.D. THE GENERAL: Do you feel your music will move people and why?

PULLY THE PUSHA: It will, the best in the south dope boy’s will love it!!

A.D. THE GENERAL: Was the transition between Dance Hall and Hip Hop difficult?

PULLY THE PUSHA: No it was great, the best of both worlds’.

A.D. THE GENERAL: Who are your five top mc’s of all time? Do you consider yourself and mc?

PULLY THE PUSHA: Pac, Big, Kool G Rap, T.I., and Jeezy

A.D. THE GENERAL: What do you plan to bring to the table at Sony/Ioda?

PULLY THE PUSHA: Good music from rap to hip hop to rock to techno and pop 

A.D. THE GENERAL: Any shouts outs and thank you?

PULLY THE PUSHA: Big up A.D. The General, Millz, Grade A Cush Gang Flatbush Cortelu Records.

Written By:  A.D. The General

Courtesy of the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program 2012

Topp Secret (Buzz Factor) Summer Grind Issue 2012

TOPP SECRET

A.D. THE GENERAL:  Break down why you guys call your selves “Topp Secret” and how many members do you have?

TOPP SECRET: We call it Topp Secret because, we all had a lil taste of the industry, but fill like we did not reach our goal as a artist. so we decided 2 go @it again because we love what we do & love the way our fans enjoys our work! 

A.D. THE GENERAL: You guys are all very talented solo artists. What made y'all decide to become a group and separates “Top Secret” from the average group in Hip Hop?

TOPP SECRET: Because it has to be done. Music is so watered down and it like we loosen touch with our people, The root of it all, Groups like Run DMC to the lox. We wanted to do something different, Cause that what the game need now, a Hero !!!

  

A.D. THE GENERAL: Dre I know you’ve been on tour and have had some experience in acting, Torrey worked with Missy Eliot. But what are you guys trying to accomplish as a collective now?

TOPP SECRET: I want people to remember who DreBanks, Torrey Carter & Tommy Swade was, we want our music to be relevant when were dead & gone!!! I'm a strong believer of work hard to follow your dreams & believe in yourself, you will win!!!

  

A.D. THE GENERAL: Where can our readers listen to your music?

TOPP SECRET: U can check us out on youtube, under drebanks & http://www.reverbnation.com/ search box drebanks !!! 

A.D. THE GENERAL: If you had a choice between singing to a major that would give you a million for promo and marketing but wanted creative control and a indie that could only give you a hundred thousand for promo and marketing and allow you creative control, which contract would you take?

TOPP SECRET: I would have to take the indie rout, because i can work on the mill off the promo and have the creative control side of it. That's always a better deal. shit look at Bad Boy, Murder Ink ect.

A.D. THE GENERAL:  Where will you be a year from now?

TOPP SECRET: I hope n everybody ring tones & cd"s & mp3 players going ham with my camp !

A.D. THE GENERAL: Any thank you and or shout outs?

TOPP SECRET: I would love to thank God, my Moms dukes, my friends & all my family for sticking it out with me and most of all, my peeps n the gun ru 616 area lets goooo !!! 

WRITTEN BY: A.D. THE GENERAL

COURTESY ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2012'