Monday - September 4, 2006 by Janeé Bolden
Player watch - 8/14

Stepping into the music industry under the guidance of MC Serch, CC Smooth has risen the ranks of Serchlite Music to become co-owner and president. This princess of promotions has organized national marketing tours for over 400 records and can count top brands like ESPN The Magazine, Mitchell & Ness and Ecko Clothing among her clients. With Serchlite's growth into special events and television, CC Smooth is a definite Player to Watch in 2006.

Boston girl CC Smooth (real name Carrie Carnie) earned her moniker while attending New Hampshire's PlymouthStateUniversity, working her first music gig as a DJ for college radio.

"They had a college radio station and the hip-hop DJ they had was graduating so they were going to stop the show. I asked if I could do it. They threw me on with no training and I had to come up with a name on the spot. I literally looked at a Pete Rock and CL Smooth album and said, 'Alright CC Smooth.' Now that hip-hop has gone mainstream and our clients are more corporate it does raise some eyebrows - we had a big meeting with GM and they were like - "So CC Smooth?" CC told SOHH.com.

During her stint as a college DJ, CC met former 3rd Bass rapper MC Serch when they both attended the Gavin Music Convention. Serch mentored CC for several years before she moved to New York and began working for a booking agency. She lost the job after three months and joined Serchlite as an assistant while the company was still very young.

"He had the vision for it to be a kind of hip-hop conglomerate working with anything that is up and coming and cutting edge. Our whole history is with up and coming names. He was involved with Def Jam early on, Ecko early on, Nas early on. We're proud to have been a part of so many projects from inception," CC Smooth explained.

In 2001, Serch moved to Detroit to host WJLB's morning show and entrusted CC with partnership at Serchlife.

"Becoming partner was my most memorable experience. I've been able to travel the country and world in a position that I'd never been able to otherwise. It's hard sometimes balancing time, trying to get to the gym and have a social life. My favorite thing to do besides work is sleep because I get so little of it. The stressors are also being responsible for payroll and other people's livelihood," CC told SOHH.

CC's responsibilities at Serchlite encompass working records for radio, overseeing promotional tours, managing producers, shopping new talent and throwing events.

"My work involves a lot of travel, putting together proposals and marketing plans, building our corporate clients and balancing that with calls to DJs. You have to stay on top of securing new clients while holding down your bread and butter. Also stay relevant so that when you are pitching to corporate clients you are bringing them the newest-latest-hottest," CC explained.

Among Smooth's latest accomplishments are an annual official NFL pre-draft party, and a mix CD for ESPN The Magazine.

"I started the pre-draft party 4 years ago as a small thing and it's been licensed the last two years in a row by ESPN The Magazine and Hummer has also come in. On the music side I came up with a quarterly CD for ESPN The Magazine called The Mix. There's new music on one CD and the second CD is music from different athletes. It's co-branded with ESPN and we send it to all the radio stations and tastemakers. It's been very well received," CC said.

CC Smooth's Play-O-Graphy

Projects:

-"Breaking new artists on television, radio, in the clubs and on mixtapes, always".

-"Filming a new show on VH1, 'The White Rapper Show' starring MC Serch. It will be airing on VH1 in January 2007 (Developed by Ego Trip)."

-"Continuing to put out our annual Double CD Compilation: The Mix (Volume 4 comes out in September)."

-"Co-Producing and Developing Content and Shows for ESPN360. As well as music placement on ESPN.com and 360."

- "Expanding Serchlite's Events Division, right now they create and executive produce the hottest Sports Events around, including the annual Pre-Draft party thrown for all the invited rookies to be drafted into the NFL. ESPN The Magazine has licensed this from Serchlite for the past 2 years. Serchlite is looking forward to expanding this event, getting involved in doing other official player parties and venturing into other sports arenas including the NBA and the PGA."

-"Managing the hottest new producers out of Detroit, The Sicknotes (currently have Obie Trice's latest single, "Cry Now")."

-"Retail Product: Top Secret but very excited about it and we already have pre-orders in from some major retailers nationwide."

Watchlist:

Damani: new artist from Inglewood signed to Sony Urban.

Roxanne Jones: ESPN.Com: (VP of New Media)

Lylette Pizarro: RPM Inc.(Partner)

KP ( Kawan Prather): Head of AR for Sony Urban

CL- Diggi-Waxx (Founder)

Chris Atlas- Amp'ed Mobile (Director of Entertainment Marketing)

DJ Cassidy

DJ Clinton Sparks

Jonathan Mannion- the most talented photographer around! www.jonathanmannion.com

Jonathan Vilma- NY Jets player

Quotes of The Year:

"Try not to become a person of success, but a person of value."

"Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get."

"Refuse Limitation."

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WordofSouth.com: Your album "Best Thang Smokin" is in stores now. How are you feeling right now?

Young Dro: I’m feeling like 100% man what’s good?

WordofSouth.com: That’s wasup, everything straight. Every artist has a story, so what is yours coming up in Bankhead?

Young Dro: Aw man, you know I don’t think I have a story; I’m just a young cat trying to get to the money, and doing something other then negative.

WordofSouth.com: I remember you coming up with Raheem the Dream’s label and that you dropped an album. Whatever happened with you and that situation?

Young Dro: It was like a conflict of interest with that whole situation. I wasn’t being put out enough, I wasn’t being exploited enough, and I never had the chance that I have today. I’m not gonna let anybody hold me down.

WordofSouth.com: What knowledge did you pick up from being signed to his label?

Young Dro: I learned that I wanted more then anybody even if the label I’m signed to doesn’t realize it. I feel like its necessary that I take action for my future.

WordofSouth.com: I remember first hearing you on P$C's “In Da Streets" Mixtape track Where You From. What took you so long to join Grand Hustle?

Young Dro: Me and T.I., we took it upon ourselves to tackle our careers at different times. We wasn’t the type of guys to sit and wait on one another. We both got out and did our own thing. I signed contracts and he signed contracts. I left my first label; he left his first label, so we were really just going through things in the beginning. I always wanted to be apart of Grand Hustle and that is where I am at today.

WordofSouth.com: You have a unique rhyme scheme, which I can say is different from anyone out right now. How did you come up with your rhyme pattern and style?

Young Dro: Just thinking about something then the other kind of guy. Something different ya know if you on 26’s I’m on 29’s. If he’s rocking dark brown, I’m rocking hot pink ya feel me. It was kind of like the other thing, I’m the other guy.

WordofSouth.com: People have criticized you regarding many references to cars, fruits, and colors. What do you have to say to people who have negativity towards that?

Young Dro: Stop hatin! Listen to it. That’s what I grew up around. Cars really fascinate me at the age that I am today and from the days when I was younger, so I exploit those.

WordofSouth.com: With your debut major album, what can we expect as far production, guests, lyrical content?

Young Dro: They can expect tracks from Jazze Pha, tracks from Nitty, Keith Mack, Chad West, Lil C, and Khao. The album features Slim Thug, T.I., and Xtaci. Lyrically they can expect some of the most extravagant metaphors of today, and one of the hottest albums of the summer.

WordofSouth.com: You didn’t include many guests; did you want the world to hear Dro and not an album filled with features?

Young Dro: Yeah, this is my introduction to the world, and I don’t wanna smoke my album with a bunch of people. I picked a chosen few, which is odd coming from me, but I wanted to show off the tracks with my lyrics and my myself, so the world can get to know Young Dro.

WordofSouth.com: What track would you consider your favorite?

Young Dro: One of my favorites from the album is What It Is by Jazze Pha. It’s very lyrically inclined and there’s a lot of flavor in the track within itself. It explains a lot about me.

WordofSouth.com: I’ve got people wanting me to ask you this. How come Lollipop Gangsta didn’t make the album?

Young Dro: Lollipop Gangsta was something that took 15 minutes to make the song. It was one of the first songs that I did as far as Grand Hustle goes. It was like a blow out track and I threw it out there to get peoples attention. It’s just a blessing for people to just want it to be on the album and think more of it then I did. It makes me feel good.

WordofSouth.com: Many people were saying that it is a classic track.

Young Dro: Yeah and it still is. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the album or not?

WordofSouth.com: How did the concept for the LISTEN NOW!Shoulder Lean song come about?

Young Dro: Everybody was doing a little dance craze and I wanted to introduce the world to me. I don’t know how to dance, but I know how to shoulder lean, and that’s where it came from.

WordofSouth.com: At last years 4th quarter TJsDJs I remember you performing the song for the first time and I have never seen a crowd react the way they did to a new artist as well as new song.

Young Dro: Yeah, I actually remember that, and the feedback was off the chain. That let me know right then and there that it was a good song. I’d like to thank all the fans because of them it’s what the song is today.

WordofSouth.com: When you finished recording the track, did you foresee it being the success that it is right now?

Young Dro: No I didn’t, basically I didn’t, and I can honestly say that. I never underestimated the fans because they can make you who you are, and the fans made me who I am today.

WordofSouth.com: How was it shooting the video?

Young Dro: I enjoyed it a lot; I had a lot of creativity, and I had a lot input on the video. The concept of where it came from was undeniable. Dre introduced Snoop to the world, T.I.P. introduced Young Dro to the world, and you see how successful Snoop is today. Look for Young Dro to do the same or better.

WordofSouth.com: What is the follow up single to Shoulder Lean going to be?

Young Dro: The next single will be Rubberband Banks and we’ve already did the video to it too.

WordofSouth.com: Can you tell me about the video shoot?

Young Dro: We did the green screen thing, we gonna be in Tokyo with the Tokyo chicks hollering choiiong. Rubberband banks, we expressing the fact that we do have big bankrolls, and at any given time we can whip out 20-30 grand out our pockets. It’s just the fact that we gon’ shine and we hear today. Grand Hustle is in the building.

WordofSouth.com: How did you come up with the concept for this track?

Young Dro: I was sitting down one day just being creative man just doing what I do as usual. It came to me natural and it wasn’t anything that was an eye popper for me. Just another day at the office.

WordofSouth.com: A lot of artists record a bunch of songs and just pick the best ones. Did you do that or are you going by a certain format to make the album flow better?

Young Dro: Every song that I did I put my time to it and try to look at it as a single. That’s the kind of reaction that I get from the songs that I record.

WordofSouth.com: Are you doing any tours to support the album?

Young Dro: Yeah actually I’m doing my little promo thing right now. I’m doing a heap of shows that people are requesting me for, so I am following out those requests by going through every city that they request me in, so I consider that my tour as far as the album go.

WordofSouth.com: Word is that you have a Day Two mixtape with DJ Drama coming out. When is that going to drop?

Young Dro: Around winter time because I’m supposed to drop again like next spring, so I’m a put out a Day Two and let people know what’s good with me. It will be better then Day One.

WordofSouth.com: What is going to be the difference from the Day One mix?

Young Dro: It’s gonna be the same outlook as Day One, but it’s gonna be more intense with a different flavor. I’m a introduce the world to my swoll game, my swoll game is ferocious. I’m a talk about caviar, shark meat, alligator meat. They haven’t got a load of that, so Day Two with different kind of things.

WordofSouth.com: With the success so far, what has changed for you the most?

Young Dro: Financially it would probably be the only place for change because I’ve been real, been doing the same thing, had the same friends, and I’m still the same guy. Just financially is the only thing changed.

WordofSouth.com: What’s next for Dro?

Young Dro: First and foremost we gonna knock the album out. Go around and support it. Whatever comes after we gon’ deal with that.

WordofSouth.com: Is there anything else that you want to mention?

Young Dro: I’d like to say to all my fans stay down with me, look for me to be one of the best artists in the world, and Grand Hustle is doing they thing.

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Posted on Friday, September 01 @ 18:15:16 EDT by hnic

Interviews
Touching bases with my friend Armando Perez has not been easy for the past couple of years. The artist known to the world as Pitbull has been promoting himself and his brand of Rap music non-stop since he signed to TVT Records back in 2003. I managed to sit down with him for a few minutes at a low-key spot in Little Havana called “La Bodeguita”, off of SW 29th Avenue and 8th Street (Calle Ocho). I arrived a little late, so we had very little time to do what we did. My camera man was stuck, so we had to improvise, but thanks to my good friend J. Fieldz, we were able to pull it off. Pit was all love as usual, plus he is a real humble dude, so with him it’s all gravy. Check out what Mr. 305 had to say to his people. Let’s get into it.

Chico, you are a man who needs no introduction. You’ve been in the game for a minute now, sold over 500,000 plus units of your debut album, been touring, got women screaming your name all over the world, so what is good with you, dogg?
Aqui imagínate. Representando… doin’ it Cuban-style en la Pequeña Habana.

You CAME from the streets, man… that’s one of the reasons why I admire and respect you so much. A lot of these guys get on and forget where they came from, but you always stay in the hood. You give back to your community and you NEVER forget where you started out. You get much love for that, right?
Of course, of course… from everybody. And I got to say one time for Fillup Banks, because straight up www.305HipHop.com has been there for me since day one and I’ll always be here for y’all.


Thank you, my nig… you know we’re family fo’ life. So what’s up? How’s everything going for you? After the success of M.I.A.M.I., I know you’ve been REAL busy… tell us about that.
Man, everything’s going great. M.I.A.M.I. is certified GOLD, sales are up to about 600,000 plus. That’s a beautiful thing. It’s all independently done, so you know… I’ve got the new album coming, “El Mariel”. We lining’ it up, vamos a ver si con la ayuda de Dios we can take it up there.

I’m confident that you will, cuz. What’s the first single?
Bueno “Bojangles”, you already know. The video already premiered on BET’s Access Granted. We also did a remix for that featuring Ying Yang Twinz, Lil’ Jon, you know family.

No doubt. What else can your fans expect on the new album?
I’ve also got a record with Don Omar called “Fuego”; it’s produced by Mr. Collipark. I’ve got another record with Jim Jonsin that’s so left field… matter of fact; I’m going to call it “Left Field”.

Some next shit, huh?
Oh yeah… this is different Pitbull, because you know, it’s cool… these cats are out here… and y’all could stay street, y’all could be gangsta’s, thugged-out, but not me dogg… I’m trying to do like Wyclef. I’m trying to get that…

That INTERNATIONAL paper!
Yup… that record that gets played all around the world so many times, because you know I’m trying to get that real money. That’s what I’m doing on this album, now…

What else? What else you got in store for your fans?
Well you know I still got my street records like, “Que Tu Sabes De Eso?”, where I flipped the whole concept, I got Fat Joe on that one and a cat out of Los Angeles named Sinful, rippin’ in Spanish.

What’s up with the Reggaeton? You’ve been featured on some big singles, right?
Yeah reggaeton is great. I respect the whole movement. I’ve been a part of the whole movement. I think it’s going to go elsewhere so I’m coming with the Afro-Cuban flavor with “Ya Se Acabo”… giving people a taste of our background.

Chico, te la comistes con eso. Respect for that one, man.
We definitely trying to do something different with this one. The album is definitely a roller-coaster. You know it’s going to up and we’re going to bring it down. Boom, boom.. you know with this record, there’s a bunch of things we’re doing on it.

So basically on production, we’ve got Lil’ Jon, Diaz Brothers, Jim Jonsin…
Oh yeah, Jon, Diaz Brothers, Jim Jonsin, Mr. Collipark, ummm… a cat from out here, he did one of my early singles, Shakespeare.

Shakespeare, el Cubanito? That’s my homie.
Yeah, Cubo put me down with him, he’s on the album. Really it’s all about “the Movement”, dogg. Everything I do, I try to push forward and open doors.

So, Pit… what are you planning as far as support for “EL Mariel”?
Well I’m all over the place as we speak right now. I do shows all over the world on any given day. I try to stay out there for the fans and give them what they want.

No doubt… It’s very difficult to catch up with you nowadays. I know you’re busy.
But that’s a blessing right there. That’s a beautiful thing. And really for “El Mariel”, I’ve got marketing plans tied into all of my markets. My markets are THE BIGGEST cities and states in North America. Florida, Texas, California, New York, Chicago, you know? I’ve got my own lane. I let cats do what they do, but really… I’ve got my own lane at the end of the day. With everything that’s happened, I mean… English or Spanish, you name it, we got it!

Fo’ sho…
And with Pitbull… it’s bigger than Pitbull, you feel me… because now we’ve opened the doors for cats to come through and get it. That’s really what it’s about, the more cats that we can help on the way up… first you’ve got to get established… with this new album, I’ll be established con la ayuda de Dios. Once that happens, then it’s time to be like, “wasup?”, “alright let’s go”, “let’s ride”, and it’s over.

You’re talking about the locals?
Yeah local niggas and you know, I always try to do what I can for cats as we speak. But right now with the situation that I’ve got with my label, I’m only going to run niggas into a dead end. So then it’s like, we’ll do a record, the shit get hot, and then you’ve got a law-suit. Then it’s like, “damn, Pit... we fucked up”. I’d rather not even do that, let me get my shit right, then I’ll come back and do what we got to do for everybody in the crib. Which I try to help out whenever…

You’ve show a lot of love to Crazy Hood’s Garcia…
Garcia, ever since he was Gambit, I’ve been listening to him and the whole Crazy Hood Productions and what they’ve been doing. There’s a lot of cats out here that I want to help out, like the Picallo’s, the P.M.’s, Rick Ross, and we’ve BEEN talking about Rick Ross and I know y’all been working with Ross and helping him out since day one…

Always, since day one… that’s my brother right there. Congratulations to him and all of the success he’s been having with the release of “Port Of Miami”.
You see it that little by little, we’re about to take it to another level.

Yeah, and I gotta thank you for that on behalf of the whole 305 because you really stepped in the game throwing it up in everybody’s face and you haven’t looked back. I respect that, chico.
Definitely… 305 til’ I die always! Really, I got to give it to Luke for that because he really instilled it in me. That’s why if I ever hear anybody claim they’re the king of this shit, dogg… I’m a have to tell them real quick, dogg… slow down before you wreck out, cuz. Luke is the King, Trick is The Mayor, Dirtbag is the Don of Dade, you got Rick Ross, he’s Carol City Boss, Triple C’s, he do what he do, you got…

THC… The Secret Service.
So I gotta watch what the fuck I say around y’all now…

It’s serious, though… I feel you’re responsible for opening a lot of doors for not only Miami Hip-Hop, but the whole Latino Movement as well.
There a lot of things that will be cleared up this year. There are a lot of people that have helped out my career just like I’ve helped them out. A lot of things going on now. We’re about to drop a Spanish album titled “Armando”.

I heard it was going to be a double disc situation.
It was supposed to be a double disc situation, but what happened was that all of these Latin Awards were trying me I felt like. You know? Because damn, I done sold more records than ALL of them reggaeton artists put together. So what’s up? How come we’re not getting awards? How come we’re not even invited to these shits?

What’s the problem?
The thing is that they want the album to be 51% Spanish. So I said alright, we’re going to give you 150% on this album!

So it can still be bi-lingual?
It can still be bi-lingual, esto y lo otro, pero al final del dia no me venga con eso. Truth is, we’ve opened a GANG of doors right now. I’m watching everybody get it and what not, so…

I saw you at the Billboard Awards, though.
Yeah because we crashed that shit! But it’s fucked up when I walk down the red carpet, it becomes more of a Pitbull thing… and you didn’t even invite us? And then I let it be known, I ain’t even here because of me, it’s all about showing love right now. It’s Daddy Yankee’s night… it’s The Orichas’ night, you know?

I feel you, on the humble.
Yeah, but it’s like you said, though… if it wasn’t for myself, Fat Joe, NORE, and a few others getting involved really in that whole movement, it wouldn’t be where it’s at right now. And whether they like it or not, it’s a fact. So, we’re just going to clear the air. As far as Pitbull’s Spanish album… no reggaeton on my album… just straight Hip-Hop. I’m bringing the Afro-Cuban samples. I want them to see another side of the whole Latin world. Yeah, I may be Latin… but this is not Latin Rap. I rap, I just happen to be Cuban, you know? To me it’s more like a revolution.

Chico, I appreciate you taking time out to sit down with us and show love. I know you’re busy, so I appreciate your sacrifice. You’ve always kept it humble, respectful, and real with us and on behalf of Fillup Banks and the whole www.305HipHop.com staff, bet that up.
It’s all love. Dale, I appreciate 305HipHop.com since they first showed love to me before I even got hot and we really jump-started each other. DJ MEGA MIX, too… DJ AS-One… shout out to those DJ’s that were always there for me since day one. Really everything right now is all about the crib. It’s all about the bottom, Dade County, Miami…

El Mariel…
El Mariel ties into that…. You know what I’m saying? And little by little, they’ll see what we have to offer. There are people that I look at, like I study T.I. and his hustle is… like they say in the south, “a slow grind, but a fo’ sho grind”. You feel me? I ain’t trying to be a superstar and sell 10 million records right now, you know? I’m trying to gradually get there so that the foundation is so deep and so loyal, that everytime we drop, it’s solid.

So what’s the official release date for everybody out there to go and cop “El Mariel” and support Pitbull?
The official release date fo’ sho, fo’ sho, no pushing it back any further. And the reason it got pushed back is because there were a lot of deadlines that I couldn’t meet because of sample clearances and things of that nature. But all of that is done with and October 17th is the date… go cop that. There’s all type of shit coming with “El Mariel”, I’ve got a DVD, a bonus disc. I just don’t talk about it until we ready to drop because you know? Don’t talk about it, be about it. (laughs)

(laughing) Fo’ sho… what else?
The DVD that’s out on the streets right now is Mr. 305, I’ve got another DVD that we’re working on right now, we’re working on movies, man it so much.

I can imagine. Any last words, chico?
Last words? Without Miami, there is no Pitbull, and without the fans, there is no Pitbull… I appreciate the love always. Thank God always… “El Mariel” coming October 17th… check me out on myspace and Pitbullmusic.com. I also got to say thank you to y’all because y’all always show me love and til’ the day I die, you know whatever y’all need from me is love because you’ve always shown me love, so… you know? And that’s the only way that we’re going to make it to the top and STAY up there, you feel me? These New York niggas is scrambling right now because the south is hot… we always showed love to them when their music was on top, but they don’t want us to be in this position that we’re in right now. So that’s why we have to make sure that we stay tight and that’s what makes us not only powerful, but that’s what makes us dangerous, too.

No doubt, my nig… strength in numbers. I feel you. Bueno, chico… we’re out of here… I gotta send a big shout out to Fillup Banks, the HNIC of 305HipHop.com, the whole staff, the writers, the photographers, the video crew, everybody that makes things happen for this magnificent vehicle that Banks created. I’ve also got to shout out the whole THC camp, Destinee, Chief, Carae’malo, DJ MEGA MIX, Eddie Gunz, Nephew, Rev, DJ AS-One, DJ Double R, DJ NEMESIS, DJ CUBI, KLR, Gorilla Tek, Diaz Brothers, J-Rock, Mr. Price, DJ Blaster, Florida Room, Mad Skrews, WriteBeat, Los a/k/a First Class, Joey, Mario, Hector, Da’ Groundhoggz, Rick Ross, Gunplay, Torch, Ashley, the whole Triple C, Brisco, Chuck, E-Class, Pooch, Freeze, the whole Poe Boy fam, Colosus, the whole Dade Fire, Dub-P, Problem Child, the whole 730 Click, IDEE4, De La Candela, Epidemic, Salazar, the whole SBR, Cool & Dre, Dirtbag, C-Ride, 12 Ball a/k/a Soda Boi, my lil’ nigga NUK, my dogg COHIBA, 1/2 Breed, Conrad, INS Souljaz, Garcia, Heckler, the General EFN, the whole CHP camp, Southern Razed, ER, DSI, J. Fieldz, Big Perro, the T.W.O., Sofla Kingz, Cubo, PERSONA, the whole IRS Click, Brian (B.O.C.), Mr. Haka, Frank Campbell, DJ FUSE, DJ Kronik, DrasticX, DJ S1, DJ Ference, DJ Obscene, DJ Ideal, DJ Laz, DJ Khaled, DJ Irie, DJ Suicide, and every other supporter of the 305 Revolution out there that show love for this 3-0-5/M-I-Yayo Movement all day, everyday. Dale!!!


Catch Miami's own Pitbull choppin’ it up with Drastic X on Saturday 9/2 on the radio!
They'll talk about his new album, his status in the game right now, and even Fidel Castro and the future of Cuba. Don’t miss the exclusive interview!!


Exclusive interviews and the latest Hip-Hop music from around the nation every week!!
The "It'z All Gravy" Show w/ Drastic X
Every Saturday from 7 to 10 PM EST*
WRGP Radiate 88.1 FM / 95.3 FM in Miami, FL
Listen live on the internet worldwide at www.wrgp.org
*Show times may sometimes be delayed due to Sports programming*

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What exactly is a Yung Joc?

Yung Joc is the ultimate hustler. He knows how to make something out of nothing.

You seem to have a more laid back and less stand offish demeanor, these days everyone keeps a screw face on all day. does this ever keep people from taking you seriously?

Naw, not at all it makes me more likeable more approachable.

With the success that follows a successful album, you've received your own label imprint as we understand. What's it like making the switch from artist to ceo and vice versa?

I was the President of my label before I was even signed as an artist.

Now we understand that you came up with So So Def/Playmaker's Ms. B-Haven as her hypeman, what is yalls relationship? Are you going to bring her on board through your label?

That is definitely my approach to getting her in the game. That is why she is on my second single.

Even though outsiders always look at us in Atlanta and think we are unified, there is a lot of beef that is handled outside of music. What are your thoughts on how beef is handled in hip hop, particularly throughout the south?

I dont even get into beef. I dont have any beef.

On the subject of beef, recently in an interview with LA's power 106, Radio DJ Big Boy asked Game who he thought the wackest six rappers were and Game named you as one of them. Can you share some thoughts on that?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion that is not beef.

You have a song on your album called 'Dope Boy Magic' featuring Pine Tree, College Park's own Black Owned C Bone from Konkrete. Do you plan on reaching out to any of Shady P's other hidden talent such as T-Rock, Young Ace, Lil Weavah, Al Gator, etc.?

The invite has been extended. It is up to them to take heed to it.

If you could say there is one song in particular on your album that you did that the creation of the song stood out to you what would you say it is and can you explain the process you went through?

The Intro the creation process for the skit was cool because I had to pick a beat put the right lyrics and emotions together. I also had to direct the sound effects with Dee Jay Dana. It was like doing a song and a movie at the same time.

You've worked with a wide variety of producers, from Nitti to Mr. DJ of Organized Noize, how do you pick out a beat and figure out that you have the right chemistry?

Picking a beat is easy. Each producers beat has a certain emotion to it. So I pick the beat that has the emotion that I am looking for.

We heard a remix to 'Its Going Down' a few months back with Trae from Houston. We also heard you on his single. How did yall hook up? How you think his project is going to work out?

I met Trae in Houston at the Core DJs Retreat. It was nothing but love off the rip. He is a great artist. He is a star he just needs his spot in the sky.

Any last words?

God Bless!

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By Kathy Iandoli

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As we take a trip down memory lane in the career of Nelly Furtado, it’s amazing to see the ground she has broken as an artist. From the time of her 2000 release Whoa, Nelly!, it wasn’t long before the Canadian songstress had the universe wanting to fly like a bird. “Turn Off the Lights” affirmed that Nelly was a long-time Hip-Hop chick, rocking Trip-Hop tracks in her early days as the group Nelstar.

The 2003 release of Folklore offered Nelly’s pensive and subdued side, mixing folky rock with her signature style and sound. Now with platinum and gold plaques, Timbaland collaborations and a beautiful daughter, Nelly Furtado has come full circle with her new album, Loose.

Nelly spent some time with us to respond to the shock of her new record, her place in Hip-Hop, and how she got here. Aside from falling in love with herself and her roots again and reveling in the joys of motherhood, Nelly definitely plans to bring sexy back!

AllHipHop.com Alternatives: Was music always “it” for you?

Nelly Furtado: Yeah for me, you know when I was like…I started writing songs when I was twelve and I’d spend all of my time in my bedroom. My walls were plastered with all the rap and R&B stars of the time, whether it was Bell Biv DeVoe or Mary J., or even Chi Ali and different artists like that. I started writing rhymes at one point. Then I went back to songs, and they were very R&B. And then I discovered more like Rock and Electronic and Trip-Hop, and I formed a Trip-Hop group called Nelstar in Toronto.

My first recording gig was for a Hip-Hop group called Planes of Fascination, and I did background vocals. And, you know, it was really fun. And then for a while, I tried other Urban styles like House, Drum n’Bass- anything having to do with the city I loved. You know, [laughs] just anything with a beat. I remember at the age of ten, kinda begging my mom to buy the Casio keyboard with the built-in scratch effect so I could jam over it and sing - I always loved beats and vocals.

I think that’s why Timbaland and I get along so well, because he’s full of beats and I’m full of melodies, so the two of us is like an explosion in the studio. The studio literally exploded the first day. We were recording a song called “Maneater,” and the volume was so loud it burnt the rubber and a flame came out the speaker. So it was very intense. I’ve changed where I learned to play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and developed my skills as a songwriter, became more independent, and now I’m just getting better. It’s an education. It’s a slow climb for me. I plan to be doing this til, hopefully til I’m 75 like Celia Cruz. [laughs] I hope so.

AHHA: How would you describe your journey from Nelstar to this point?

Nelly: Nelstar, wow, seems like a lifetime ago, but at the same time is really close to home. The other day I was in Central Park alone with my daughter, just chillin’ on the lawn. Sometimes I feel nostalgic in a way [about that time]. I was only 17 and really just kind of experiencing independence for the first time because I was living on my own, and just really feeling the creativity of the city, Toronto, and the streets and the music. Trip-Hop music; Hip-Hop music. I went to my first rave and went to my first open mic. It was a very fun, very potent time, but it was also a very dark time too. I was depressed and not really knowing where my life was going. I had a dream, but had no way of making it come true.

Eventually I decided to go back home and go to college, and I bought a guitar because I learned how to write songs better; took some writing classes. Before that I met Track and Field. They kind of brought a ray of sunshine into what I was doing. I was really melancholy until I met them, and then I was like, “Uh oh! Music can be happy!” Then I started writing different songs. Then I wrote a song called “Hey Man,” which was on my album [Whoa, Nelly!], and I realized that I had my own unique voice. Around that time was also when I was discovered at a talent show in Toronto. From then on things kept going. I did my demo with Track and Field in Toronto in their bedroom apartment/studio. A lot of my earlier demos were made in bedroom studios. [laughs]

AHHA: Coming from a musical family, was the music industry a shock to you at all?

Nelly: My mom was real strict about us doing music, but when I got into the music business, I had only performed like five times. I did musical theatre, but like it was much more about music growing up than it was about performing. One of my first performances was at the Tonight Show, my first photo shoot was with Vanity Fair, my first tour was opening for U2. So it was very scary. It’s only now that I’m getting my sea legs. I feel like now I’ve caught up with everyone who was on the Mickey Mouse Club since they were little kids. And I mean that in a good way. I’m not making fun of those people, I was just very out of place when I came out because I was a Pop artist, but didn’t have the experience - the showmanship.

AHHA: How did you first become involved with Hip-Hop?

Nelly: Um, I think I’ve always kind of been different. Since I was like a little kid I was always like experimenting with different musical styles. I did everything from play trombones or play the ukulele to sing in choir and also always sung in two languages: Portugese and English. So I already started off eclectic at the age of four, you know when I first performed. So Hip-Hop was just another style I picked up along the way and what I do as an artist is I try to flip it up every time, because I never want people to guess what I’m gonna do next. I always wanna turn people’s heads and not shock them, but just kind of prove to them I can do different things. I think the Hip-Hop thing was one last weapon I hadn’t pulled out yet. I was saving it, you know? And I knew on my third album I’d probably unleash that on people so... A lot of people who know the material and know the catalog and know the remixes and collabos I’ve done, from the Roots to Jurassic 5 to Missy Elliot, Miss Jade... You know, independent artists like Swollen Members or Jellestone to Saukrates to different people I’ve worked with. It’s a part of what I do, you know, and in this album with Timbaland is like us kinda putting our heads together and fulfilling on the promise we made with a couple of tracks that turned people’s heads five years ago, you know?

AHHA: You described Loose as putting your hoodie back on to go hangout with the Hip-Hop kids. Hip-Hop has been an underlying thread in your career. Why do you feel that so many people are shocked still at you moving more towards Hip-Hop?

Nelly: [laughs] It’s just so funny. It must be those people who only heard “I’m Like a Bird” I think. [laughs] Sometimes people judge artists by their last material. Nevermind the whole body of work before that. So it’s kind of funny, but for me, I just don’t live my life that way. I live my life completely diverse and completely open-minded. Folklore was my singer/songwriter album back when I was performing at coffee houses and listening to a lot of Elliot Smith and Beth Orton.

But then this album is more the time of my life when I was listening to like Salt-n-Pepa, New Edition, Boyz II Men, LL Cool J. I don’t want any of my albums to sound the same. Now people are seeing more of the entertainer in me. Like “Promiscuous Girl;” all of the steps are choreographed. I was putting on a show with my performance. I love it, because I feel liberated like when I was 13 in my room doing my favorite Janet Jackson routine. I love that. That’s why this album was so fun for me. But at the same time, I’m only now coming into my own.

AHHA: You have a song on the album called “Afraid” and the chorus says So afraid of what people might say / But that’s ok, ‘cause you’re only human. Was that any indication of reservations in putting the record out?

Nelly: You know, I think in these past couple of years in life, I’ve just grown a whole lot. After the birth of my daughter, Nevis, my whole life changed. I’ve kind of let go of my ego, because once you become a mother you don’t care so much about what people think of you. You act the way you want. You don’t have time for wishy-washiness. When I was recording this album in Miami, I was going through changes as a person too. Just kind of like feeling like myself for the first time. I think because Miami is just so Latin, and everyone speaks Spanish. Being a Latin woman in Miami, you just feel at home. You’re completely surrounded by people who look like you similarly or culturally.

I wrote [the chorus to ”Afraid”] in a hotel room in Miami, and it came out of nowhere. What I like about the chorus is that it reminds you of walking down the hall in high school always afraid of what people think about you, because you live from the outside in. Now that I’m an adult, I care about the inside of me. I realize now that everything comes from the inside. Before I said I didn’t care about what people thought about me, but I really did.

AHHA: What are some of your experiences working with Hip-Hop artists?

Nelly: You know, all of my experiences working with Hip-Hop artists...that was my inspiration for calling this album Loose. ‘Cause what I discovered was even when I was promoting my first album, you know, these artists would approach me. At one point I was getting requests for Hip-Hop collaborations like every week! It would be like from DMX to Foxy Brown to everybody, and I couldn’t do it all because I was always touring. But I have so much respect for so many of those artists and I got around to doing the Jurassic 5 thing. Hooked up in LA at NuMark’s home studio, and it was incredible working with them.

What I found every time I collaborated with a Hip-Hop artist, I felt so relaxed. I felt Loose, you know? And then I scratched my head and a lightbulb went off, and I said, “Why aren’t I doing this on my own records? I could make my life so much easier!” And I did the Jay Leno Show like four or five times, but the time I felt the most relaxed was when I did “Get Your Freak On” with Missy Elliot. It just kinda rolled off my shoulders because I think culturally, just growing up, my relation to music has always been very spontaneous. When I was a child, my father would take me to these events where two people would kind of battle each other, not rapping but singing over guitars. It’s a Portuguese traditional style from the islands they’re from. And I was a child, so it made an impact on me. The element of the spontaneity and the freestyling; definitely the idea of coming from very simple roots.

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By: Alexis Jeffries

September 1, 2006

Beyonce Knowles (see slideshow), who is set to release her sophomore solo album, B'Day, on Tuesday (Sept. 5th), is expected by fans and critics to showcase her vocal ability and writing talents unlike ever before.

"She can do the bounciest songs, then also give a sense of raw emotion and sexual energy,” VIBE's Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith told USA Today about the Houston-bred superstar's range of productivity and ability.
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Knowles is also preparing for the long-awaited December premiere of Dreamgirls, where she stars as girl group-front woman Deena Jones. In a USA Today article, Knowles said that her role as Deena in the film allowed her to make a more powerful album that was unlike her typical style.

"The movie inspired something else that's not in me. I went into the writing process saying to the producers, 'I don't want to do Dangerously in Love,” Knowles said to the newspaper, referring to her 2003 solo debut. “I wanted to do different things, to be innovative and kick really hard beats. I think I would have been scared to take that risk if I hadn't done (Dreamgirls). I would have made a love album, because that's where I am in my life."

Smith said she feels Knowles' acting aptitude is only a small reflection of what she offers in her music, and that her ability to draw creatively from other performers without imitating them is a solid display of Knowles’ ever-improving acting chops.

“There is an unabashed attention to showmanship,” Smith said. “She's so modern and yet completely old-school. You can tell she's not just sponging off old film clips of Tina Turner and Diana Ross. My guess is that she has studied these people.”

The highly-anticipated B’Day features production from D.C. producer Rich Harrison and Knowles’ long-time boyfriend Jay-Z. She said she plans on launching a world wide tour in the spring, as well as continuing to grow her clothing like, House of Dereon, beside her mother Tina Knowles. Her main focus at the moment, however, is the September 5 album release date, the day after her 25th birthday.

“About half of (B'Day) is fun, though, so it's a great balance. It taps every emotion, all the things women go through," Knowles said.

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