Kanye West Interview With Conan O’Brien video about 808s and Heartbreak

conducted by Hugo Lunny

One of Sin’s idols, Kanye West put it best with the line, “Ain’t no tuition for havin’ no ambition” on “We Don’t Care” from The College Dropout. Sin is definitely an artist who has ambition and the entrepreneurial spirit to achieve it.

I’ve received countless promotional emails related to Sin, his mixtapes and assorted projects, and though sometimes it gets tiresome sifting through these emails, you have to admire the determination and persistence that he and his camp have.

Through networking, relentlessness and sheer drive, Sin has managed to collaborate with big names worldwide (Lil Wayne, Dipset, DJ Khaled and more) and his name continues to get out there. What’s more impressive is the man is just 22 and to top it off, he’s an artist thriving in Belgrade, Serbia – not an area many (if any) would associate with Hip Hop.

Sin of Sizzerb, Inc. Interview

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Sin: My name is Sin I was born in Belgrade, Serbia, my favorite colour is olive green and I’m gonna take over the rap game in 2009

MVRemix: You’ve done a lot of promotional work both on and offline, is there a particular brand or artist that inspired this method of marketing?

Sin: I first want to thank everyone on my street team who contribute a great deal to my promotional effort – love you guys. I also have the best visual artist in the game 4AM, who does everything from my videos, to my websites, to my photo shoots, to showing me how to lace my air max’s the Queens way. Tasana too, she set this interview up. In terms of image we’re inspired a lot by Kanye West and how everything he does is original and done in a high quality way.

MVRemix: You seem to work on a global basis, entering different markets and aligning yourself with prominent artists in their respective countries. How did you initially go about doing this?

Sin: Well I actually got this idea from Akon when he did global remixes for “Locked Up” but besides the English speaking countries my secondary market is obviously Serbia since me and most of my team are originally from there. However, I also got people from Hong Kong to Kuwait, I do business with everybody – I’m like the UN.

MVRemix: You’ve been rapping for a couple of years now, how did everything begin?

Sin: I took on rap as my full time job in 2005 when I put my education on hold, so I did the whole college drop out thing which is in now. I figured music was a better way of getting my ideas out than raising my hand all the time and irritating the fuck out of my professor. I was right

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

Sin: The first serious song I wrote was “Sinovi” off Sizzerb Mixtape Vol. 1. I had a line on there which is still one of my favorites “only man I fear was born in Nazareth, killed in Jerusalem by Hebrew savages” I think this is why I don’t have a deal with a major yet [laughs] but fuck it I kept it real since day 1. Come to think of it, that track also had a Serbian sample; I’m kind of amazed looking back how I always kept it 100%

MVRemix: How did growing up in Belgrade, Serbia shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?

Sin: I was actually only born in Belgrade, and spent most of my early childhood in a little village called Korenica. I think just coming from that area in general defines who you are, I had a huge adjustment period getting used to how people do things here. I’d have to say we’re a lot more primitive and straight to the point. We don’t sugar coat nothin’, Serbs tell me I’m wack all the time. We also got this sense that no one is better than us no matter if they got more money, nicer cars, or whatever. However, I also grew up in Canada and feel the system here instills better discipline and even though I hated it at first I’m glad I could learn from it. But yeah you won’t see people in Serbia walkin’ around with doggy bags picking up dog shit, that’s still funny as fuck to me

MVRemix: How did the name Sin come to be?

Sin: From Nas’ character in Belly, short for “Sincere.” I just liked the way it sounded. No religious connotation

MVRemix: Tell me about the mixtape, “If He’s King, Then I’m God.” How did the title come about?

Sin: It’s a mixtape/street album I’m trying to drop in January 2009, I’m finalizing a deal with Lil Wayne’s team for him to host it. I’ve been working on it since the summer, it’s perfect. I know what I needed to improve on from before and want this to be considered my first real project. I’m predicting this is the tape that “puts me on” – people need to know the effort put into this, the beat selection alone took half a year of experimenting with samples and shit. I also re-did some of my biggest hits like “Boom” and “Blood in My Eyes,” I’m a perfectionist and I never stop improving my product which is music.

MVRemix: You’ve released a good number of mixtapes, when’s your official album coming out and will it be independently released?

Sin: I’m working on two official studio albums, one is called “Design & Origin of Stars” and the other is for the Balkan market and is called “Vavilon.” I’m going to drop them both on the same day and God willing if I find some Tuesday when no one else is dropping I’d like to simultaneously debut at #1 in the US and in Serbia. I’d like to drop in May or June of 2009. I’ll begin recording in January as “If He’s King, Then I’m God” is being released.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?

Sin: I’m going to shoot 2 or 3 videos for “If He’s King, Then I’m God.” Most likely for “Boom,” “Perzijska Princeza” and “Mandolins Cry.” I’m really feelin’ this track I’m working on called “Learn To Fly” as well.

MVRemix: What separates you from other rappers? Why should I opt to listen to your music above others?

Sin: My music will be different and better, I study 24/7 on how to make good music and I feel I can create it with this next project to the satisfaction of the masses as well as critical acclaim.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

Sin: I don’t relax I’ll sleep when I’m dead

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Sin: I’d like to knock Bill Maher the fuck out for his irritating anti-religion crusade.

MVRemix: Would you win?

Sin: As long as he doesn’t cheat.

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

Sin: Movies and politics, but I won’t elaborate.

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?

Sin: New music, new videos, new clothing line – The Cartel Argentina, and perhaps a political party.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Sin: Thank you for the interview, shout out to everyone who has helped me – you know who you are, and Sarah Palin 2012

Sin of Sizzerb, Inc. Interview

conducted by Hugo Lunny

It’s definitely a rarity that I’ll see a music video on an MTV-esque network and wish to interview the artist or group. It’s even more rare that I first see the video while on holiday in Australia, but that was the case with Caroline Weeks while she performed with Natasha Khan in the group “Bat For Lashes.”

After some further exploration into the group, and this singer, I found out that Caroline Weeks is the mastermind behind a variety of different artistic monikers and a member of various groups. She will soon be releasing an album under her real name dedicated to a little known poet named Edna St Vincent Millay, entitled “Songs For Edna.”

MVRemix spoke with Caroline Weeks about Songs For Edna, Bat For Lashes and more…

Caroline Weeks Interview of Bat For Lashes fame: Songs For Edna

MVRemix: As an artist, do other people’s opinions of your work matter to you?

Caroline Weeks: No not really, I think I will always write music that I enjoy and the odds are there will hopefully be someone else out there who likes it too.

MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?

Caroline Weeks: I was listening to a lot of Smog (Bill Callahan), John Fahey and Elliot Smith when I seriously took up song writing, I respect them loads. But I think poetry has had more of an influence on my songwriting and the way I connect words to melodies. My new album (“Songs For Edna”) is entirely made up of settings of poems by Edna St Vincent Millay, who was writing in the 1920s and 30s. The most thrilling thing about it is that her poems are little-known, especially in the UK, and I really hope it’ll inspire people hearing my music to seek her out.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

Caroline Weeks: Well the very first song was an off-the-cuff ditty which I sung for a homemade radio show which I did with my older brother. I can still remember the melody now; I called myself Gloria and sung about the sun shining in the sky. I was probably about 6 or 7.

MVRemix: You’re a part of many groups, does entering a different persona influence your creativity underneath each name/group?

Caroline Weeks: Oh definitely, being in many different groups allows me to fulfill every creative side of my personality. Depending on what suits the music, I will perform in all sorts of manners – I can be very playful. Dancing in a cat costume whilst playing my flute to a march in “Pthhhh” (an all girl experimental chamber group); wearing lots of glitter and losing myself in the atmosphere of the music of Bat For lashes; Imagining I’m a Victorian/Romanian ghost whilst playing accordion in Euchrid Eucrow. And then performing solo, I try to be as strong as I can, I think of all the great solo woman of the past and present like Karen Dalton, Joni Mitchell, Diamanda Galas, and they give me courage to sing out.

Caroline Weeks Interview of Bat For Lashes fame: Songs For Edna

MVRemix: What’s the current situation with Bat For Lashes?

Caroline Weeks: Well, Natasha has been working hard in the studio, recording her second album, it’s sounding amazing! There are still some finishing touches to be done… I’m actually meeting up with Tash and Abi today to jam out a little musical intro to the album. The album comes out in March and then touring will begin.

MVRemix: How did the group name come about?

Caroline Weeks: It’s a bit of a mystery even to Natasha herself, I think she was inspired by a painting she saw and then the words just popped into her head.

MVRemix: What’s next for the group?

Caroline Weeks: Well, Natasha will be getting her band together very soon and will start rehearsals for touring.

MVRemix: What about Caroline Weeks? How did that moniker arise?

Caroline Weeks: Caroline Weeks is my birth name, simple as that.

MVRemix: You gave up the moniker Ginger Lee, were you aware of the porn star when choosing the name?

Caroline Weeks: Unfortunately I had no idea, it was only when I decided to Google my name to see if anybody nice had written a review about me that pages and pages of a naked blonde lady appeared on my computer screen. Oh dear, I thought, this won’t do.

MVRemix: Tell me more about “Songs For Edna.”

Caroline Weeks: As I said, I sing the poems by Edna St Vincent Millay to picky Spanish guitar; the recordings are very minimal, with the odd warm tone of a clarinet or a little tinkle of piano. I suppose one would describe it as alt-folk music along the same vein as early Josephine Foster, and early Devendra Banhart… It’s very difficult to describe one’s own music… Anyway it’s being released on Jan 27th on Manimal Vinyl Records and will available on LP/CD/Download.

MVRemix: Are there any videos in the works?

Caroline Weeks: I have made a video to the song/poem “Wild Swans” with director Rupert Noble, it will feature on my MySpace very soon.

MVRemix: What’s the most romantic song you’ve ever heard?

Caroline Weeks: I really like “Strangers in the night”. I don’t remember hearing this song for the first time, and it isn’t something I associate with any one person. But it is a song I often sing to myself when I’m feeling in a romantic frame of mind.

MVRemix: How did you hook up with Manimal Vinyl?

Caroline Weeks: I met Paul Beahan of Manimal backstage at a Bat For Lashes gig and gave him a demo of my songs. Manimal Vinyl had already released Bat For Lashes’ “Fur and Gold” on limited edition vinyl and he has released music by other new and interesting artists such as Rio en Medio and Hecuba, therefore I thought this is a nice home for my music.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

Caroline Weeks: A walk in the country always rejuvenates me, or a nice cup of tea in front of an open fire.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Caroline Weeks: I don’t agree with fighting, sorry. Could it be a one on one dance showdown? If so, I think I would bedazzle Michael Jackson, with a few spins and twirls (Isadora Duncan style).

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you aside from “Songs For Edna”?

Caroline Weeks: I will be playing lots of live shows next year, in between Bat For Lashes shows, and possibly I will play solo before a few BFL shows. I have also done a cover of “The Drowning Man” for a Cure tribute album called “Perfect As Cats” which I think will be out by the time you read this.

I’ve just started a Bulgarian choir singing group with my friends Mary Hampton and Jo Burke who are both incredibly talented folk musicians too, and I’ve just started working with the singer Lucie Wren who will be helping me out with vocal harmonies for my solo performances.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Caroline Weeks: In the words of Edna St Vincent Millay:

“All your lovely words are spoken. Once the ivory box is broken, beats the golden bird no more.”

Caroline Weeks of Bat For Lashes Interview

Bat For Lashes – What’s A Girl To Do video

Nas is the latest artist to sit down with Zune for their behind-the-scenes Green Room series. The Green Room consists of video podcasts that take music fans behind-the-scenes with their favorite artists, giving fans regular access to exclusive, backstage interviews at concert venues, and includes other artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Common, TI, and Murs. There are three total videos for Nas’ Green Room interview, and they can all be downloaded for free through the Zune Marketplace.

Check out the trailer for Nas’ Green Room here:

conducted by Hugo Lunny

Having worked with the likes of Ghostface Killah, El-P, Talib Kweli, Murs and Living Legends, Belief has had his fair share of beats sold and the odds are you’ve heard the songs he has produced. Recently, this talented producer put online an album/mix entitled “Let It Breathe” which can be downloaded for free here.

Hip Hop Producer Belief Interview Let That Beat Breathe

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Belief: Whattup? I was born and raised in L.A. Moved to NY for 10 years, and just moved back to L.A. I love music.

MVRemix: As a producer, who has influenced you?

Belief: I’m a fan of all types of music and production. I like to think that I’m just as much influenced by Phil Spector or George Martin as J Dilla and Dr. Dre. I study timeless music from the 50’s and 60’s as much as my favorite Hip Hop. That being said, I’m a big fan of Nottz, Buckwild, Alchemist, Andre 3000 and Timbaland. Also Nigel Godrich, Air, Switch and the DFA.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first beat you made?

Belief: Not the first one, it was a long, long time ago. But I do still have every beat I ever made. I started with a Gemini DJ mixer with the 4 second sampler button in the middle and a 4-track. I have a bunch of 4 track tapes and a gang of ASR-10 floppy disks too.

MVRemix: Did you have any formal teaching about chord progression and things along those lines or did you learn composing music all by experimentation?

Belief: My parents forced piano lessons on my from the age of 3 to 13. Pretty much the whole time I rebelled against it so I didn’t learn nearly as much as I should have, but I did get a sense of pitch and I am comfortable on the keys.

MVRemix: How did you first go about getting rappers and more established artists to listen to your beats?

Belief: I was in a crew in high school with Scarub, Murs and Eligh from the Living Legends, among others. When we got a little bit older and they started putting out records they hit me up for beats. At the same time as those records were coming out, I was in NY just hitting artists up that I liked. I had tapes or cd’s with me wherever I went. Also I worked at 555 Soul in Soho for a while while and rappers were always coming through, so I would put beats on, or give out CD’s right then and there. Later, I worked at Electric Lady studio’s in the Village, and artists would hit me up for down low studio time, while they were there I’d make them listen to beats.

MVRemix: Who chose the first beat of yours to use with their music? How was that experience and how did that come about?

Belief: Even though we were recording tons of tracks in my parents house during high school, the first song that officially came out was a track I did for Scarub on a Japanese label called Mary Joy Recordings. It was called “Freak What You Feel” and featured Tiombe Lockhart – who went on to be featured all over the first PPP album and on the cover of magazines. We recorded and mixed it at my boy Ariel’s studio in his parents garage – who went on to be the Grammy nominated producer of “Hey There Delilah.” The song was very different. I felt like I was doing something innovative. And that kind of set a precedent for what I would be, and still am, going for.

MVRemix: How did the name Belief come to be?

Belief: Deciding on a name was very uncomfortable for me. I’m still learning to relax about the idea that people call me by a name other than the name my parents gave me. But I needed to do it, mostly cause my real name doesn’t sound cool, but also I’ve always wanted to keep a certain level of separation between my work life and personal life. Belief is a word that evokes a lot of different things and ideas and can be interpreted in a lot of positive ways and that seems like a good thing.

MVRemix: Tell me about the album, “Let It Breathe.” Why was that title chosen?

Belief: The title came from the Jay-Z and Nas song “Success,” (”Let that bitch [beat] breathe!”). The it in my album title refers to the beat. One of the concepts of my album was to use vocals in a different way. More to draw you into the beat then as the dominant feature of the track. That’s why vocals are used sparsely, often times fading in and out or phrases being chopped and repeated. I’m letting the beat breathe. Also I think “Let It Breathe” sounds epic because it sounds like “Let It Be,” the Beatles album, or “Let It Bleed,” the Rolling Stones Album.

MVRemix: How long did the record take to record and how planned out was it?

Belief: It took about 10 months and the plan changed constantly. Originally it was a mixtape of unreleased, or under-released songs I’d done over the past few years. Eventually I started cutting vocals out because as it is a project under my name, I wanted the lyrics to represent me, and most of the time they didn’t, or they weren’t universal enough. Then I started adding other beats that I felt like I needed to release, some of which are 7 or 8 years old, some of which were brand new. Then I started adding some acappellas of major artists and chopping them up. Eventually I cut all the vocals out because I felt like it was gimmicky to do remixes and instrumentals represented me better, but when I listened it was boring and dead. I put the vocals back in, mastered a couple versions, and stepped away for about 6 weeks. When I came back to it I was happy, except that I trimmed 5 minutes off of the end.

MVRemix: How does “Let It Breathe” compare to your debut album, “Dedication”?

Belief: They are completely different formats. “Dedication” is an album with 12 songs. “Let it Breathe” is basically one long mix. Also “Let it Breathe” is all me. What I had trouble with on “Dedication” was the limitations that collaborating with people cause. They weren’t just my songs, they were me and Murs and Words and C-Rayz and Vordul’s songs. On this project it was all me, being the meticulous control freak that I am. The other difference is that is a consciously, black-market project. I am stealing vocals from all kinds of major artists. I’m taking liberties and doing whatever I want. 90% of the tracks have samples. I didn’t want to stress it anymore, so I did an album that I couldn’t directly make money on and did whatever the fuck I wanted on it.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?

Belief: Not for this project, but for my next release, a group I’m in with Sumkid Majere called the Lone Wolf coming out early next year, we will be doing a couple videos.

MVRemix: Do you have any plans to step out from behind the boards and perform over your own material?

Belief: Hell nah. Wouldn’t be fun for anyone involved, trust me.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

Belief: I organize my sound library and/or watch movies.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Belief: Mathey McConaughey, something about that guy really irks me.

MVRemix: Who would win?

Belief: Probably not me.

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

Belief: I want to be involved in helping to make Los Angeles a better place, somehow. Also I’ve got an idea for a documentary film that I would love to pursue.

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?

Belief: “The Lone Wolf” album coming early next year. I’m doing another CD starting where “Let It Breathe” left off, a whole CD of baby-making music tentatively entitled “Love Beats.” I have a few other ideas for projects I’m conceptualizing as well, an instrumental album of darker more aggressive tracks a la stuff I’ve done for Def Jux and a David Bowie remix album.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Belief: Fear is the mind killer.

Hip Hop Producer Belief Interview

conducted by Hugo Lunny

Shonie Interview

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Shonie: I’ve always been singing since I was young. My mom was heavily involved in the church so it was only right that I join the choir. I started singing in the choir like around 4 or 5, but she brought me to Miami because she was always back and forth, up and down. She brought me to Miami probably when I was 9 years old. That’s when I really started writing and singing more. I did a lot of small shows here and there, but started doing bigger shows as my name grew in the area. That’s really how I got started recording in studios. I moved to West Palm Beach Florida for about two years where my name began to buzz.

I recorded a song called “One Woman’s Man” that just kept circulating throughout the city and everybody started to know my name. That’s when an independent label named South Beat Records discovered me. I signed with them but everything didn’t go as planned. The best thing that came out of that was me meeting my manager, James Jackson from Slick Salt Entertainment. He took me under his wing, and from there we just kept grindin’ and grindin’. We decided to put out a mixtape called “Street Heat Vol.1” which was hosted by DJ Khaled. It caught the attention of Ted Lucas from Slip N Slide Records, and the rest is history.

MVRemix: How important do you feel networking is?

Shonie: Networking is very important because you have to build relationships to get anywhere in this industry. I’ve learned that it’s not only about having talent that makes you successful. It’s about who you know.

MVRemix: You seem to be influenced a lot by 90’s artists and beyond. Are their many artists back from the Motown and Chitlin Circuit era that have inspired you?

Shonie: I was brought up in that era of music but didn’t really know of it. The only music that I picked up from that era was music that I heard my mom play while we did the house cleaning. The artist that stuck out to me the most was Betty Wright. I’ve always admired her swagger the way she sang on her records. So I guess she would have to be the artist that gave me my confidence to be able to deliver my style of music.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

Shonie: The first song I wrote was when I was nine years old. I titled the song, “That Girl.” The song was basically about a young girl struggling with work, school and trying to maintain her relationship with her man while he didn’t appreciate her, and she continued to stay by his side.

MVRemix: What’s the most romantic song you’ve ever heard?

Shonie: I can’t say most romantic song I’ve ever heard, but one of my most favorite romantic songs would have to be “You Send Me Swinging,” by Mint Condition. It’s a sexy song! It’s one of those songs that I would keep on repeat.

MVRemix: How does living in Miami shape your attitude towards music and art in general?

Shonie: Moving from New York to Miami exposed me to a different sound of music, so living here in Miami inspires me to bring new music. I’m not trying to make down south music, how Miami is portrayed. My goal is to put out good quality music.

MVRemix: You seem to be doing a lot of writing for other artists, how did that come about initially?

Shonie: It started when I signed with this independent label in Miami. While working in the studios, I caught lots of attention from different producers, such as Gorilla Tek, Jim Jonsin, Jack Pot, Jack Splash, Big Bert, Lamb and many more. From there the word about my writing had spread and I began to write for other artists.

MVRemix: When your words are performed by someone else, how does that feel?

Shonie: Feels good, feels real good! I’ve wanted to do this all my life. It’s an indescribable feeling, but I definitely hope to gain the respect of the top writers in the industry, and I hope to continue working with many other astonishing artists.

MVRemix: Have you ever been bitter by someone else being praised for your written words?

Shonie: That hasn’t happened yet, and I’m hoping that it never will. I’m hoping that I will be given credit for any song that I’ve written for any artist. I know that sometimes some artists say that they’ve written a lot of the songs that they sing, which isn’t a problem for me. As long as I’m given my credits for writing, I will be fine.

MVRemix: Tell me about your forthcoming Slip N Slide Records album.

Shonie: It’s going to be bananas! I’m working with some of the hottest producers such as Lamb, Big Bert, Gorilla Tek, Drumma Boy, Jim Jonsin, as well as Midus and Kane who is a part of the Slick Salt Entertainment family. Fabolous will be featured on the first single titled, “Can’t Let Go,” which was produced by Bent, and it should be out by the end of the year.

MVRemix: Is the album complete?

Shonie: The album is not completed yet. We are still recording because we can never stop working at coming up with hit records!.

MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the album?

Shonie: Great album sales, as well as building my fan base. I want listeners to recognize my writing abilities since I will be writing the majority of my album.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?

Shonie: If the single goes the way we plan, then there will definitely be a video!

MVRemix: What separates you from other singers? Why should I opt to listen to your music above others?

Shonie: Basically I’m trying to stay original. If everyone is going in the same direction, I’m the artist that will get into a different lane. I’m not trying to follow anyone’s style of music. I want to be a brand.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

Shonie: I like going out with my friends to the beach and the movies.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Shonie: I wouldn’t fight anyone. I just do what I love and keep it moving, I have no time for haters. Just live your life.

MVRemix: Do you have any non-musical aspirations?

Shonie: I do! I would to pursue an acting career.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Shonie: Make sure you look out for my first single “Can’t Let Go” featuring Fabolous. Also make sure you log onto my MySpace, which is myspace.com/Shoniemusic . I would also like to give a shout out to Slip N Slide Records, 305 Magazine, and Luxury Tax Clothing for showing me much support. I also must give thanks and much love to my team, Slick Salt Entertainment.

Shonie Interview

conducted by Hugo Lunny

Sabac Red Interview

MVRemix: How often do you visit Puerto Rico?

Sabac Red: Not as often as I’d like. The last time I was there was 2005. I have a lot of family out there; my father still lives there and I have fifteen half brothers and sisters, and they have kids. When I go it’s like primos (cousins) everywhere. I plan on taking my wife next year.

MVRemix: Would you ever consider moving back there?

Sabac Red: I would not move to Puerto Rico but would definitely consider getting a place for vacation. Then again why spend money on a place of my own in Puerto Rico when I have so much family there. When I want to visit I have places to stay for days.

MVRemix: With the reputation and image that Psycho Logical Records has, how has the subject of “The Commitment” (from “The Ritual” album) with regards to eating better, “respecting women” and the like been received?

Sabac Red: Its been great. People know I am different than what comes out of the PLR camp; even most of the PLR fans really like and respect my music. Everyone knows there is negative and positive shit in the world and those who choose to ignore either one is a fool.

MVRemix: Has your view on your label mates music changed with your changed perspective?

Sabac Red: No, I judge no one. I don’t agree with everything said and done but that’s life – we deal with it. I live in Cali and don’t get to speak with everyone that much. Necro and I talk all the time about business shit then we’ll chop it up on some other shit but I really don’t get to kick it much with everyone. I talk to Q –Unique a lot as well. Everyone from the label came through for the filming of my video, “Viva Boricua,” and we got to chill for a while and they’re good people. They do them and I do me, it’s all good.

MVRemix: What made you move to a more mature perspective such as the song depicts?

Sabac Red: I’ve evolved as a person. I had a choice to either no be true to who I am and give you fake shit like 90% of rappers in the game or fully commit to myself and give you the truth. I am in touch when it comes to music, I know there are a lot of people who sleep on me and I’m cool with that but I know what I put out is my truth and on this album I went all in.

It was a huge risk because a lot of people don’t want to hear on record what they see in life. A lot of people what fantasy and an escape from real life, I get it, but I choose to remind people, in a creative way, what’s going on and how we as people can be better.

MVRemix: Can you tell me about the video for “The Commitment.”

Sabac Red: The homie James Wade was coming to the Bay area and hollered so I was like, “I got this song I want to do a video for,” and he was down. We did it real quick, shot it in a few hours and he stayed up all night editing at my house. He’s a beast. So we shot, edited and got everything done in a day. He didn’t have much time because he had other things to do in the Bay but it came out dope for what we had to work with. I’m proud of that video.

MVRemix: How did you hook up with James Wade?

Sabac Red: I know James for about eight years. I met him at a show Non Phixion did in LA. He was grinding out there and we just stayed in touch on some music shit and he was doing a lot of community work with the youth. We just had a lot in common and stayed in touch. As you may know he went on to do some really great work in the biz doing some real dope videos and documentaries. Google the name.

MVRemix: How has moving to the Bay area changed your lifestyle?

Sabac Red: Well I am now married, got a house; I’m working for the Alameda Unified School district just doing some real grown folk shit. I am truly happy out here. If you listen to track 13 on The Ritual, “Breaking Through,” it says it all.

MVRemix: Tell me about “The Ritual.”

Sabac Red: I had planned on putting out this album two years ago. Not the album you hear now but the title was thought out and I had some songs done that eventually went on “The Collabo Collection Vol 2.”

The time wasn’t right and when it was, I went in and did it. I am not that artist that records songs for an album then waits two years to put it out. I get sick of shit real easy… I would rather put songs on a mix CD even if they were meant for an album and just do it new. When I actually got distribution and there was a date, I knocked shit out. That’s how I like to work. The whole album was done in a few months. I love it when it’s fresh and new, I also feel like the time was right. I felt like I was in a good place to create a piece of work that would resonate well with people and the time where living in.

MVRemix: How long did the record take to record and how planned was it – ie did you set out with a tracklisting and stick to it or record a number of songs and chose a select amount leaving the rest on the “cutting room floor”?

Sabac Red: See the answer before. [chuckles]

MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the album?

Sabac Red: I really want people to hear it. I don’t care how much I actually sell. We didn’t spend a lot making the album so money will be generated but I really want people to hear it. I believe everyone can take something positive from it if they listen to it. I also trust that this album will give people a better understanding of who I am and who I have become. My music is still heavy, lyrical… Brooklyn real shit and it has a message.

MVRemix: What specifically inspired “Death and Destiny”?

Sabac Red: The creator; God! “Death and Destiny” was the last song I recorded for the album. I had been listing to the beat for weeks attempting to come up with something that fit. I really love the beat but nothing came out that I liked. I remember the day I wrote the hook; my wife’s family was visiting from Colombia and they were going to San Francisco for the day to chill. I told my wife I was just going to stay home and work. When they all left I put on the beat and was just zoning out. I started thinking about death and how it’s a part of life and there is nothing we can do to stop it. I literally spit the hook out loud and then wrote it just how you hear it on the song. It came out just like that, no edits, nothing just flowed right out. The next morning, like 6AM, I woke up and wrote my verse in 15 minutes. This song just came through me. I had been on tour with Slaine a few months back and we spoke about him being on the record, so when this started to come to life I could really hear him on it and it worked, he killed it.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Sabac Red: Nicholas Cage!

MVRemix: Would you win?

Sabac Red: I dislike him so much I would be in a zone and fuck him up! [laughs] That’s fucked up. I don’t even know dude he could be a great guy, but I hate his acting.

MVRemix: How did you get involved with the Unified School District and what inspired that connection?

Sabac Red: When I moved out here my wife had already worked for the district but left to work somewhere else so she set up an interview and I got to job. What I do is real dope, I run the High School after school program providing the students a safe place to be creative and get their grades up.

MVRemix: What are your thoughts on the upcoming election?

Sabac Red: Sabac Obama!

MVRemix: What’s next after “The Ritual”?

Sabac Red: “The Collabo Collection Vol 3, BK to The Bay” album.

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

Sabac Red: A clothing store/brand called “OZ” me and my boy DFI started, children of my own, travel more not just to tour.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Sabac Red: Say hi to your mother for me… [laughs]

Sabac Red Interview

Face Discusses What Might Be His Final Album and Life as a Man and Father

Check Out This Exclusive ThedaDotcom Interview. Face Discusses How Life, Fatherhood and Respect are Important To Him and Why.

MissTheda: Your did a tribute to Oakland rap veteran Too $hort at this year’s Hip-Hop Honors show. How do you think you’ll feel when the day of your induction comes?
Scarface: That’s a good question. I really haven’t put much thought into it, but when that time comes it will mean a lot to me.

MissTheda: Is it important for you to be respected and acknowledged?
Scarface: Shit yeah, I ain’t gotta be acknowledged or even spoken to, but respect me. If a person can’t look at you in your eye, then you know they don’t respect you. During the first debate between Obama and McCain, McCain didn’t look at Barack not one time to address him, that’s how you know he doesn’t respect him.

MissTheda: You’re called a legend, it terms of magnitude, how does that make you feel as a person?
Scarface: Define as a person.

MissTheda: You’re a person and many call you a legend, does it make you feel anyway, like overly confident or thankful.
Scarface: I’m thankful. I remember when I was little and we was so broke that all I would get was socks for Christmas. It’s memories like that, that keep things in perspective and a nigga focused on what’s important.

MissTheda: If Scarface is the street wordsmith, who is the real Brad Jordan?
Scarface: A father.

MissTheda: Few people know that you’re a family man. How do you balance being a father and urban legend on a daily basis?
Scarface: I just do it. Rapping will always be in me, but being dad is the real deal.

MissTheda: Who would you count as some of the biggest influences in your career from start to present?
Scarface: KRS1, Kool Moe D, N.W.A.

MissTheda: Your new album Emeritus has sparked a lot of talk about your unimaginable retirement from music. What is the album about and who did you work with for its creation.
Scarface: It’s my last album and it brings the understanding that I’ve done enough. I worked with Bun, Wayne, Z-Ro, Slim Thug and, she’s from Virginia. I can’t call her name. [Shateish, his manager says] Yeah Shateish, I had her name right there.

MissTheda: If this is your final album, what is the everlasting impression that you want to leave on your fans?
Scarface: I put it all on the floor and in time they will realize that Emeritus is not my end but another transition as an artist.

MissTheda: Away from music, what new chapter lies ahead for you.
Scarface: Golf! I want to bring golf to the inner city. I don’t think anyone is doing that.

MissTheda: When does the album come out?
Scarface: December 2nd.

MissTheda: Any parting words for your beloved fans.
Scarface: Just don’t forget to get Emeritus December 2nd and go out and vote.

Check out Face as he Walks you Through Emeritus and
Some of the Tracks!

Visit Scarface on Myspace or Imeem for more on
Emeritus
In Stores Dec 2nd

conducted by Hugo Lunny

DerrtyBoi Montana Interview

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

DerrtyBoi Montana: I am DerrtyBoi Montana and I’m from St. Louis, Missouri. Instantly I’m placed in a bubble gum category due to previous artists from St. Louis. First off, I’m not a rapper, I don’t rap. I am an artist. I make music. I have my own swag or brand of presence. DerrtyBoi Muzik.

MVRemix: How important do you feel networking is?

DerrtyBoi Montana: Networking is very essential. It’s important to develop good business relationships. You may hold keys to something I might need and I might have what you need.

MVRemix: How has MySpace helped you?

DerrtyBoi Montana: MySpace has helped my music become more available to the masses. Even consumers overseas have purchased my music because they heard it on MySpace.

MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?

DerrtyBoi Montana: I would say Kingpin Skinny Pimp out of Memphis, Tennesse physically gave me a head start on experiencing the industry in my teenage years. Another influence would be Dramaward based out of the westside of Chicago. They personally pulled me into the circle.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

DerrtyBoi Montana: I don’t remember the actual name of it but it came out in the pattern“snap’n” “snype’n” style. I never thought I would have come this far or seen other cities due to music.

MVRemix: How does living in St. Louis shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?

DerrtyBoi Montana: St. Louis has helped me grow strong and conquer all challenges from haters. You learn to watch your back and keep squares out of your circle. There is a lot of people who don’t do enough has a whole to help the city grow as a whole. A lot of people talk it here but don’t show it.

MVRemix: How did you come up with the name DerrtyBoi Montana?

DerrtyBoi Montana: DerrtyBoi symbolizes that I’m from the city of STL. The word “derrty” is a slang term in STL thats been around since late 80’s or so. Kinda like New Orleans with the “wodie.” DerrtyBoi jacket matches the hat, which match the shoes. DerrtyBoi swag. Montana is the stand. Montana is my gangsta. I will not let you piss on my head and call it a shower.

MVRemix: Tell me about the music you’re currently working on?

DerrtyBoi Montana: I’m currently working on a “Razor Blades and Lemon Juice”. It’s gonna be a 7-8 song Ep. Feel good music is my specialty.

MVRemix: What do u wish to achieve with the album?

DerrtyBoi Montana: I plan on gathering and accruing more value of music. I did some cool little numbers with a couple old projects that did not get pushed properly. But with this project I’m fully focused.

MVRemix: If I’m coming to a DerrtyBoi Montana show. What is it that I’m going to experience that I won’t experience simply from listening to it on CD?

DerrtyBoi Montana: You’ll experience a transfer of energy from me absorbed it from the crowd and prject it back. You gonna want to roll sumthing if you into that, you gonna want to sip something. You gonna also see I really rap that fast and with that much clarity. I am a pattern rapper, not a fast rapper who needs punch ins.

MVRemix: What separates you from other rappers? Why should i opt to listen to your music above others?

DerrtyBoi Montana: I am not a rapper, I’m an artist. I don’t try to be something I’m not. I let my real personality come out in my music.

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, how do u relax?

DerrtyBoi Montana: A good dirty girl to rub me down. [laughs]

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

DerrtyBoi Montana: Cheech and Chong. I would trade hits with them guys anytime. [laughs]

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

DerrtyBoi Montana: Internet retail websites.

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?

DerrtyBoi Montana: A lot of good high quality music. A lot of high quality period in any business venture I do. I aim high nothing less.

MVRemix: Any last words?

DerrtyBoi Montana: Thank you MVRemix for taking the time to interview me. My ace boon coon little big brother Jesse James of OutDaWoodworks Marketing and Promotions, LLC. www.myspace.com/outdawoodworks Skinny Pimp and Gimi Sum and Da Wreck and DramaWard. Come check me out if u have never heard my music before at www.myspace.com/derrtyboimontana. You can download some of my music from www.soundclick.com/derrtyboimontana. You can also purchase my old album “Tantrum Montana” on www.cdbaby.com It’s also on Itunes under “Tantrum Montana”. You can purchase my old group; Lyrikal Warfare, album @ www.cdbaby.com The album is called “Articles of War”. Its also on Itunes. And my first solo mixtape in late 03/early 04 www.soundclick.com/tantrummontana

DerrtyBoi Montana Interview

conducted by Hugo Lunny

Traid Interview

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Trai’D: Man, where do I start? I’m just a young thundercat outta the south. Dallas, Texas to be exact, fresh out of high school. I’m signed to Hitz Committee/Jive [Records] and I’m let the music speak from there. Google my ass, look me up on YouTube, catch me on MySpace. Ask about me!

MVRemix: How did the name Trai’D come about?

Trai’D: Trai’d actually comes from the word “trademark” which I spell traidmark. With a trademark being a logo a company puts out to represent themselves. I’m basically saying every time I step out I’m reppin’ my city, my people, label and everybody down with me to the fullet. Trai’d/Traidmark!

MVRemix: Tell me about growing up in Oakliff.

Trai’D: Oakliff, Texas is home. If you ever been to Dallas, you gon’ hear about it. But life is what you make it. I kept my head on straight and found my way early learning from a lot of my niggas’ mistakes.

MVRemix: At such a young age, do you feel you’re well enough prepared to enter the current competitive rap industry?

Trai’D: Yup, I think I got it.

MVRemix: How did the song “Gotta Gutta Chick” come about?

Trai’D: I need a gutter chick so the best way to get they attention was making a song for them. “Gutta” chicks get at me myspace.com/traidmark 214-989-3177

MVRemix: I recently spoke with Cassie who has added her phone number to MySpace but solely for fan voice mail. What made you decide to do this?

Trai’D: I just wanted to keep ties with my fans. I really do call back and check up on them but some be forgettin’ to leave they numbers…

MVRemix: Do you feel it’s as effective as when Mike Jones did it?

Trai’D: Nah, he was the first to do it.

MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?

Trai’D: A young thundercat named Trai’D.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?

Trai’D: Yeah, and I won’t tell you how it went. [laughs] Hell nah! Just know I done come a long ass way.

MVRemix: How did your relationships with DJ Freddy Hydro and Memphitz come about?

Trai’D: “Gutta Chick” got real hot on the MySpace and Freddy Hydro ran across my page. Being good friends with Memphitz – VP A&R at Jive Records and also the guy who brought the world T-Pain… Hydro brought it to his attention. The rest was history.

MVRemix: Now that you’re signed to Jive, what’s the next step?

Trai’D: Doin’ work! People don’t understand that when the grind gets intense I can’t get laid back now that I got a deal. I gotta grind it out more than ever.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?

Trai’D: Yeah, we ’bout to release a video we shot for this song I got called “Ex Pill.” The “Gutta Chick” music video is on YouTube and BET so check it out at youtube.com/traidtv

MVRemix: If I’m coming to a Trai’d show. What is it that I’m going to experience that I won’t experience simply from listening to your material on CD?

Trai’D: Seeing a young thundercat live in the flesh doin’ his motherfuckin’ thing!

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?

Trai’D: I don’t like gettin’ comfortable.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Trai’D: Kimbo Slice.

MVRemix: Would you win?

Trai’D: Hell nah, I wouldn’t even fight that nigga! I was lyin’ like a bitch!

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

Trai’D: Yeah, I wanna get into acting. I was just sent a script today, tell ya the truth. I’m tryin’ to Will Smith it out. From Jive to TV shows to big screen, ya dig?

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?

Trai’D: More Thundacat music to vibe to. The album “Traidmark” coming soon. It’s going down in a major way; Hitz Committee got ‘09. Watch what I tell ya.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Trai’D: Man, again, myspace.com/traidmark or holler at me 214-989-3177. Oh yeah, and get at me on the ringtone; text “GUTTA” to 66555.

Trai’d Interview