My Youtube Playlist

31 August 2011

Clarence Jackson - The Poetic Preacher

Clarence Jackson formally known as Poetic Preacher is a self taught spoken word artist from Jamaica. Clarence came to London over nine years ago to pursue his career in youth work, where he hopes to inspire and motivate young people to achieve to the highest degree. In 2010 he was nominated for the Spirit of London Awards for his contribution to music and although his main vice is reaching out to people via socializing he is an avid reader and footballer.  

I thought I catch up with Clarence himself to find out why he entered the realm of spoken word and what motivates him to write.


‘I’m a poet giving hope to my generation through marrying the spoken word with rhythm, music and personal experience’ which he hopes will make the entire art ‘more appealing to the younger generation. The roots of spoken word are gathered from his religious experiences, he explains ‘in 1999 spoken word came to me in the form of an impromptu presentation during a religious gathering’.

He says his biggest difficulty is probably being misunderstood. He explains, ‘as soon as a lot of people hear the name Poetic Preacher, some instantly turn off, before listening to what I have to say, as it’s associated with church’. Other difficulties include a lack of financial support and finding the right medium to present his work. 

‘I have overcome these obstacles by first being true to myself and people and learning to appreciate differences and preferences in life. If it wasn’t for my relationship with the Creator, I would not have overcome the most difficult times in my life. I have also learnt to use innovative methods of promoting my project for example street canvassing, live events, religious events and many other ways which have helped me raise funds to record music and videos that I’ve broadcasted on YouTube and other social network. It has taught me to be patient whilst developing the art of contentment’.


People should listen to me because ‘what I’m saying is real, current and relatable and will impact society in a positive way. My message has triumphed the scrutiny of many critics. Many youths - including myself - have benefited positively from abiding by wholesome principles, some of which are embed in the message.

‘Without doubt, I’m motivated by the Most High. I am also motivated by my own personal experiences, the experience of others, social issues affecting society and my passion for working with young people. My greatest achievement to was the nomination and benefits that came with the Spirit of London Awards 2010 for contribution to music’.

‘My inspirations include Martin Luther King Jnr for his commitment to peaceful demonstration and equal rights, Nelson Mandela with his spirit of reconciliation, Harriet Tubman for her selflessness, my mother in her devotion for my development and a whole host of others who mentored me. I have learnt from them that life must be lived with others in mind. There are quite a few artists I would like to collaborate with, but as time goes by, we will see’.


When asked what we can expect from him in the future he says ‘GREAT THINGS! You can now contact him via Facebook

30 August 2011

Ella Chi - Chi Chi Pop


Spain doesn’t really offer that scene and I felt trapped. With no creative outlet I decided to head to London’ says songstress Ella Chi who moved to London from Spain to embark on a her music career. From a young age she regularly performed with her dad at late night jams, squat parties and local gypsy flamenco bands. In 2010 she performed at the Glastonbury Festival to thousands and continues to do so across London at renowned live night events such as the Notting Hill Arts ClubThe Pigalle ClubShoreditch House and Ronnie Scotts, she is also due to release her self entitled album 'Ella Chi' later this year.

I thought I’d catch up with Ella Chi herself to find out more about her music, inspirations and plans for the future.

‘I realised that I was at my happiest listening to good music’. Ella Chi explains when I asked what made her originally get into music. ‘For some it’s travelling, eating, sport or whatever, but there’s nothing that makes me feel like music does. When I realised that, I decided to make it my life. 

‘My dad was the first to tell me I had an actual talent. I was horribly shy and hard on myself, it scared the hell out of me, but that made it more attractive. So I started to perform. I lived in Spain, which had no real outlet for the kind of music I love so I moved to London and enrolled in a music college where I started to work with musicians and producers’. 

‘I've always spent my money and time on my music. I sacrificed my social life at the start and went into a shell concentrating on music until I realised I was lonely and that friends are seriously important, especially since I didn’t have my family around me. I missed out on the whole wild gap year thing. I've travelled but I love idea of just taking off and disappearing and becoming anonymous’.


‘My stuff is written honestly; I find it difficult to write a tune about something I don't properly connect with. I get a total block my writing seems to flow most when I'm frustrated so that's a popular topic! But I'm on a journey just like every other human being so I guess my music will represent whatever I'm feeling and thinking at the time I write it’.

‘I'm just expressing myself really. Sometimes I vent by writing a song, instead of actually solving a problem, but I'm learning to do both now. I'm quite careful not to tamper with initial feeling or ideas of the song by making sure I preserved those aspects for when it comes to production’.

She feels that ‘talent, discipline, versatility and being humble’ are four essential qualities of a good musician. She explains ‘I believe that talent will to some extent guide you if you allow it to. Discipline allows you to ‘be the best at your thing and be tough on yourself. You should listen to all kinds of music, it sinks in and even if you don't realise, it will come out in your playing. In regards to being humble she says ‘It’s such a turn off when you find out some one whose music you love is a total arse. It sounds silly but it’s so simple’.

She has been influenced by the liked of ‘Prince’ she says ‘his music had so much character, at times comical. He's incredible in the way he uses his voice. So many tones, incredible ranges and energy, yet so unmistakable. His music is most definitely his’. He’s a ‘wicked performer, he excels in every way you should as an artist. ‘Kate bush’ she says ‘I've just recently properly discovered her, she is so versatile. A true musician, her songs are so beautiful and some of it dark and she's not trying please anyone. 

Missy Elliot, especially for her beats, lyrics and videos. I could listen to her stuff on repeat for days. Her album 'This is not a test' was the soundtrack to my teens’. She also mentions ‘Faithless, Massive attack, Roy Hargrove, George Harrison, Rachelle Farrell, Lauryn Hill as other influences. When asked about who she would like to collaborate with in the future she says ‘I pretty excited about the guys I'm working with right now so I don't really have a burning desire to work with anyone in particular. Though I'd love to do a feature with Gorillaz US rapper K'naan is crazy talented, a collab with him would make me very happy’.

She would advise up and coming talents to ‘Listen a lot. Realise you have to put the work in. No one else will do it for you. Time is precious. Keep developing your skill to your best ability. Enjoy meeting people but make time to be in your own zone. Be humble. Learn about the industry. Play live as often as you can. Be clear and honest to yourself about your goals.


In the future we can expect ‘More music, live shows and new material. My next single 'Chi Chi Pop' will be released in the near future. I’ll be shooting the video soon’.

For more of Ella Chi check her out via her OfficialSiteFacebook, Twitter  and  

29 August 2011

Skits9 - Skitsophenia Vol 1

In 2005 he featured on the notorious underground anthem Real-ion in alongside artists such as JME, Lethal B and Shizzle. This exposure open doors, giving him an array of platforms to perform across such as Deja Vu FM and Heat FM as well as stage shows across the country. Since then he has released 'G Rap A G Is Born', 'A Few Good Men', 'You Can't Handle The Truth', and on the 21st August he released his début EP 'Skitsophenia Vol 1'. Zeph formally known as Skits9 is a musician from Tottenham, North London who is also a model and event organiser for Streamline Entertainment.

I thought I'd catch up with Skits himself to find out more about Skitsophenia Vol 1 and his views on the current music scene. 


‘From as far back as can remember I’ve been doing music’ Skits replies when I ask him how and when he got into music, he continues, ‘I used to freestyle with Professor Green in primary school. Then in secondary school I gained mores exposure featuring on underground radio stations’. He highlights Heat FM and De Ja Vu as some of his early platforms where he showcased his musical talents. ‘I got my first feature on a track called Real-ion, which also featured the likes of JME, Flirta D, Napper, Neeko and many more. 

From there ‘I went on to feature on DVDs like Risky Roads, L.B.T.V, and loads more. 
I dropped a CD entitled ‘Skits9 G Rap A G Is Born’, featuring Shizzle, Mike GLC, Dj Ironik, and  many more. I try to merge grime - which is the scene of music I came from - with rap - which is the music I express myself in today - to create a g-rap’. I then dropped my promo CD ‘A Few Good Men’ followed by ‘You Can’t Handle The Truth’ featuring Corey Johnson, Chipmunk, Fresh and Ryder. Now I'm releasing my first free EP entitled ‘Skitsophenia Vol 1’ featuring Chocks the rapper which is now available via digital download. 


‘My poetry is real to me and I choose not to glamorise my music in the hope that it will sell. I believe i speak from my heart. If I speak about general issues and my life, as well as create good music, it will place me in a position where  I am different from the rest. I am motivated by the things I see around me, other artists that work with me - Random Impulse being one of them - and basically the drive to do better than those ahead of me in the game. I mainly feel my videos are doing it at the moment for me but I guess it can all change'.

‘I took some years out to sort out my attitude towards my music and to educate and re evaluate my surroundings’ he replies when I ask are there any sacrifices. He continues ‘ I don’t regret it. I’m wiser, smarter and a better person than I once was. Hopefully it can be seen through my music’.


Three songs that he really likes are  ‘Otis Reading - One More Day’ he explains ‘it’s like he spoke from his soul on the track. There’s so much pain and so much concentration in one song. Real music carries real emotion. The next is 'Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up’, he explains, 'it’s an inspiring song which always possesses the power to uplift me. Lastly ‘Max B - Tryna Go Home’, he explains ‘I think his life experience can be heard through his music. I really related to the vibe of the song so I decided to get Random Impulse to refix it and create my version.

'I believe that the UK industry has a lot of good musicians, good music, character, class and charisma. The UK industry will continue to strive and push the boundaries of music. The UK has come along way from just listening to rappers to becoming rappers.Three artists that I admire right now are Wretch 32, his poetry is outstanding to say the least and his music and swag are on point. Ed Sheeran, his talent and song composition is incredible, he’s truly inspiring. Lastly, a band called The Milk. They’re absolutely fabulous and I had the privilege of being invited to a few of their gigs'.


Skitz promotes himself via variety of different mediums that include Twitter, Facebook, blogs, videos, and shows. In the future you can expect ‘Skitsophenia Vol 2’, new vids , especially ‘Tryna Go Home’ filmed by UKoverstood as well as his new track entitled ‘Ready To Go’. 

Keep your ears and eyes peeled for more Skits ! 

27 August 2011

Fatal Hitchkoch - BreddWinnaz


I view my lyrics as a movie script; I always try to give that cinematic feel to my records, my listeners can actually picture scenes of what I'm saying in their head said Richard Anaman, also know as Fatal Hitchkock CEO of the urban music label BreddWinnaz. In 2010 his remix to 'Hello Good Morning' featuring Tinchy Stryder was spotted and promoted by P Diddy, since then he has made appearances on DJ Mixtapes including the likes of DJ Woogie , DJ AME and DJ Drama as well as featuring on BBC 1xtra Home Grown Selection.   

I thought Id catch up with him to find out his ambitions, sacrifices and influences.



‘I'm a Jack of All Trade, Master of All’. He confidently replies when asked how and where it all started. He laughs and confesses ‘I had to change the ending of that expression. I'm a business-man, rapper, producer, manager – big up Maveriq - label owner, video and photo editor, web designer, should I go on? I'm 360 degrees. I do a lot of everything, if that makes sense’.


I know this is going to sound real cliché, but I just knew. It’s always been music. Ask all my Ex girlfriends. It’s always been MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC! I studied it in University; I spent all of my student loans and grants on recording equipment. Plus I knew I was too good to just let this gift go to the scrap. I mean P.Diddy thought I was good enough to promote my remix to 'Hello Good Morning' on twitter twice, so u know. If I got Diddy's attention off just a short 16 bar, imagine the effect im'ma have when I really go H.A.M.’


‘I started rapping when I was about 8 or 9 after I heard my brother playing 2pac's "Hit 'Em Up" I was hooked. I was one gangster 10 year old talking about a whole lot of sh*t I knew nothing about. I thought I was the Sh*t I had the American accent locked, bandana's I went the whole 9 Yards with it. I remember recording my 1st real structured track when I was about 14, at my secondary school friend J-Flowz house – who now produces for Wretch32. He put me straight about the US accent. I got a Cubase 5VST that’s real old school, a piece of wood from my bunk bed ladder, a karaoke mic, a chair and some duck tape and from then it was on’.



Richard handles the Business side of things, and is the brains behind the Brand BreddWinnaz and Fatal Hitchkoch is the brain that lays the music, he replies when asked how he differs from his alias. The Fatal part of my name actually stands for F*ck All Traitors And Liars and well the Hitchkoch part came Alfred Hitchcock as he is like the originator of the thriller and horror genre. He put his personal stamp on all his projects, which have influence so many films to date. I see myself like that. I view my lyrics as a movie script; you know I always try to give that cinematic feel to my records, so you can actually picture scenes of what I am saying in your head.

  

‘My music is for anyone that appreciates my music. I don't want to close bracket and exclude anyone. I mean I make music for myself; I’m just fortunate enough to have people that appreciate and support it. I have a wide audience from the ages of 13 - 60. The music I make is aimed to inspire, entertain, inform and educate. I remember some one telling me once. "Yo forget the man'dem. Make music women love, because the man'dem will want what ever women are on" Which to me makes too much sense, so I always have women in the studio with me when I’m crafting, asking what do you think of this lyric? Should I say this? What do you think of this song?’  

In the past he has had the pleasure of collaborating with other UK acts including Roll Deep, Baby Blue, Donaeo, Selah, Davinche, Maveriq, PW, Base N Rebulz Entertainments and many more. He says ‘I always try to ‘Keep it Real’ in the respects I don't try to sugar coat the truth. There is a problem, just come to inner city London, or any low income area across the country people are getting their heads blown off; people are hook on dangerous drugs, child molestation, and underage pregnancy. Real issues. But you know it's like out of sight out of mind. I'm not with that. So I act as the voice for the unheard. My lyrics are real life stories, somewhere I’m the main character, and sometimes I’m just the observer, the narrator.’


If he wasn’t a musician he’d probably be ‘Manager of WIMPY burgers, what else?’ he laughs and continues ‘only playing it would have to be something based around music or the film world like a Manager, video collaborating and photo digital editor, actually a pilot. I love planes. I'm actually in the process of completing my Private Pilots License; I'm at different altitude. I love it. It’s a weird feeling. Because you’re just orbiting in the air, there's not left, no right, no top, no bottom. You’re just orbiting. Once you try it. You’ll know exactly what I mean’. 


‘If I am not in the studio, I’m performing, or I’m out on location doing some filming, or editing, or putting in work behind the scenes for other artists, I’m always on the move. I don't see it as a sacrifice more of an investment. My whole life is music. The only regrets I have are, umm well, they’re a few situations which I didn't handle right at the time. I don't really want to go in to specifics but I could have handled a lot of opportunities and situations a lot better. But life is for learning and I won't be making those mistakes again. Trust me!’ 

Hitctkoch would love to rock the Stage with Jay-Z, he explains, ‘like him or hate him, you can not deny his abilities, dude makes me appreciate music as an art, and show's me it isn’t just about pairing words together, it's a lot more. Look at all the best rappers these are all intelligent guys regardless of the persona they put out in the public eye. Just look at Eminem, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, all smart dudes! His ideal place to perform would be in ‘Africa’ specifically in ‘Ghana’.  
 


He is inspired by 2Pac who he says ‘definitely inspired me’, Jay-z for the flow, business sense, lyrics, style. ‘Hustlers inspire me, anyone that is not willing to just settle for the cards life has dealt them, and take a hold of the wheel and steer in their own direction are my inspiration. I'm inspired by creative people and like-minded people. I love to be around creative people, because they give me that spark I need’. 

In 5years time you’ll see him ‘back here with me doing another interview’, he continues ‘I aim to be in a much better place than I am in now, I want to take this as far as my God will let me go. I've got my company BreddWinnaz which is a management, production and record company. The aim is to build on that brand and acquire global recognition; I'm shipping out to the states next year for a few months to hook up with a lot of the links I’ve made. So I’m taking the brand out there with me’.

‘We set up BreddWinnaz Africa, which is a promotion company hosting events and promoting West African Artist. That is still in its baby stages so we aiming to get that running properly. We Taking BreddWinnaz global! I'm also managing the future of the R n B world. Maveriq in 5 years I want to see him touring the world, I want to see people that don't speak English singing the lyrics to his words!’


He is currently working on his debut EP entitled the ‘Kraft’ which is due for release 11/11/11 whilst managing and producing fellow label mate Maveriq’s EP entitled ‘5Star’.

For more of him you can check his material out via his Official Website, Youtube and Soundcloud, as well as contact him personally via Facebook and Twitter

Also Check out : 


HOLD ME BACK – FATAL HITCHKOCH ft Bee (BreddWinnaz)

LET’S MAKE MUSIC – FATAL HITCHKOCH ft MAVERIQ

12 August 2011

JammTyme - So You Think You Can Dance?

'It's London and beyond for us', says Ricsean, one of the members of the music collective JAMM TYME. In the past year we've seen them explode on to the UK Funky scene with their infectious dance moves and vocals featured in their music videos ‘Fitness First’ and ‘So You Think You can Dance’.
I thought catch up with the CEO of the collective, Ricsean Campbell-Ramsay himself to find our the groups formation, influences and views on the current music industry.  


Ree: So Ricsean, tell us how it all started….

Ricsean : JAMM TYME originally started as a Duo in late 2009 consisting of - myself - Ricsean "Uni Klone" Campbell-Ramsay and Jordan "Jay Flo" Ellis-Baptiste. We only set out to make one up beat club track called "Fitness Test", but at the time and it seemed like every one was making tracks about dances, mainly in the UK Funky Scene so both Jordan and I thought we'd give it a go. We combined our sporting experiences in football, athletics and boxing and made a few slides to the left then a few more to the right.... Then "BOOOOMM" the "Fitness Test" was created.

Ok, well that explains two members, but what about the third?

After a few performances and support from family and peers, we were jumping on stage to perform our song produced by Danny "Dee's Beats" Hunt, we noticed that out of all dozens of people who regularly jumped on stage with us, ONE stood out as an incredible dancer, this is where Brendon "Soca King" St.Catherine joined the group permanently and started to make his impact. We’ve been performing ever since, with loads of material available over the net and at any good show.

So what does JAMM TYME stands for?

Just Any Modern Musical - Topics You May Enjoy. It basically means whatever your doing just make sure your having a good time and enjoying it.


Why should people listen to your music?

People should listen to us if they want a break from the norm, and are ready to hear a slightly different perspective on everyday and extraneous subjects. In the collective we believe several skills are unified: Jordan’s ability to sing and rap, mixed with my ability to write and rap which syncs in perfectly with Brendon’s ability to dance & choreograph. Watch a performance and you'll understand.

What did your "So you think you can Dance" represent?

Originally it’s a saying from the mass hit television show, but more importantly it’s a concept that Jordan had always mentioned which inspired me to write about it in the form of a song. I’ve been to places such as clubs, raves and house parties and you get some people who just don’t want to move and stand still looking like statues. The song is based on taking this concept to an almost a battle type scenario between guys and girls competing to be the best in dance. Anybody who is anybody can dance, since the beginning of man we danced to music, so why not now?

Where is the best place your music has taken you ?

It has definitely taken us to great heights, whether it be online, stage shows or festivals including different parts of the country such as Milton Keynes, Kent and the Midlands, It’s shown us that music is a universal language, it's not just London based. It's London and beyond for us.


What are your views on the current music industry and what has it taught you as a collective?

The current industry is fast and exciting and it’s grown so much, over the last few years. We’ve seen a lot more artists representing from our UK industry, which has also been received really well by the United States, it is definitely a time to show the best of your abilities, but it is hard with so much talent coming out of one barrel. Being slightly different helps you stand out though.

You’ve definitely brought something original to the scene so where would you say you’ve gained your influences from?

Everywhere really. The early days of Lauren Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras who were apart of the Refugee Camp, this showed us that mixed abilities work well as a unit and content can be portrayed in a light hearted way and still relay a deep message. Locally, from the success of N-DUBz which shows us that with the commitment of time you can achieve your goals, just stick to what you’re doing. Black Eyed Peas show everyone that you can go far by using such a diverse selection of music as long as it is quality controlled, and I think they inspire us to be confident to be different.

Also the raw talent in the UK itself, growing up in a scene where there is so much talent around you, from MC's like Kano, Ghettz and P Money even Tinie Tempah living on your doorstep to rappers from Giggs to Recky Ramps and singers such as Loick Essien, Katy B and Adelle and never forgetting the endless Dance talents of the mighty Flawless and Peridot. The list is endless with so many new and unknown talents which drives you forward to compete to the best of your ability.


What’s next for JAMM TYME?

This is only the beginning. So subscribe to JAMM TYME's Youtube channel and make sure you get out there to our live shows and performances, we believe that's where real raw talent lies. You can expect more Energy, more moves and definitely more music from us.

You can now contact Jamm Tyme via Facebook, follow them Twitter and Youtube

8 August 2011

Abe Lincoln - All Black Everything


‘I don't just want to be another passer-by on this planet, I think it's important to leave something behind to be remembered’, says the co-founder of the clothing label All Black Everything. Abe Lincoln is a designer from Cork CityIreland who has been developing his clothing label for just over 2 years. He specialises in printed t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts but is continuously developing his brand to include other garments. He is currently working on a collaboration T-shirt for Dj Kryder and his affiliates who will be supporting the world biggest DJ and Producer Tiesto later this year on tour.

Abe has also recently released his debut mix-tape entitled ‘Liquor Spillages & Dillinger’s’, which is now available via Download. I thought I’d catch up with Abe himself to find out his inspirations, sacrifices and his plans for the future.  



‘I'm from Cork City in Ireland, a place where not many people choose to do what they want and instead, end up following the same route as other people such as college, apprenticeships. They end up waiting everyday for work to be over, rather than love every minute of it, by doing something they like, which is what I do’ says Abe, who decided not follow the traditional education route and instead embark on a road to success with the development of his clothing label All Black Everything.

‘Around the end of 2009 I started to play around a little with Microsoft paint, just messing around and creating images, sketches and stuff. I always had an eye for designing and creating and decided to keep up this new hobby I had found’. In order to further his creativity he decide to teach himself a bit of graphic manipulation on Adobe Illustrator which he is still continuing to learn. He continues ‘this opened a lot of doors for me. I decided that the designs I was making weren’t much good on a blank canvas, so my friend suggested printing them to T-Shirts and other garments.  


‘After our market research we found out it wasn’t a cheap business to get into, but we persevere. At this stage my friend DJ Ja Ja and I were already operating a YouTube channel. Ja Ja would do remixes and send them to me, I would then put together a video for it using recycled clips from the internet and post it on YouTube, at first we weren’t getting many hits, so it was just a hobby and not a business, but then our views began to grow to a couple of thousand which made us realised it was the perfect way to help get the brand out there. At this stage, the brand was named Pennies & a Dollar, or P&D for short‘.

‘I then came up with one T-Shirt design that changed everything, this was when I came up with ABE aka ‘All Black Everything’ and decided it was the perfect name for a brand, so Abe Brand was born. I started to sort out all my designs and images and focused on making them crispy clear in order to represent us well. We then started a Facebook page where we would upload our designs and our newest remixes on YouTube, this is where the hard work started, but we’re still working hard, its a never ending cycle’.

Abe tries to keep his personal life separate from his business life as he concentrate on building a brand that is almost a 24/7 job, but according to him that’s just the way he likes to have it. Before he began his business he made a promise to himself self to focus more on being happy with what he does, than to focus on making more money than he can count. He explains ‘I value legacy's and hope to leave my own some day, I don't just want to be another passer-by on this planet, I think it's important to leave something behind to be remembered for.


‘I have a lot of hobbies, most of them have sadly been put on hold and pretty much forgotten about at this stage, as I really don’t have much time for them, he identifies this as part of the sacrifices he’s mad, he says ‘I've turned into somewhat of a hermit, a line by Wretch 32 I think describes me right now, "I'm the type of guy that will have no life, just so I can shine like disco lights", what this line means to me is that all the times I've refused to go on nights out with friends, family, I’ve sacrificed them for working on the brand to ensure it become exactly what I want it to be.’

His hobbies include playing sports, musical instruments and his love for cars and motor sports, which, he still has even today. He recalls ‘I've played pretty much every sport you can think of, I played a lot of basketball during my schooldays and also rugby and soccer. There was also a stage in my life where I would spend literally hours playing the guitar, from the time I came home from school until it was time to be quiet and let the neighbours sleep, no doubt my fingers didn’t enjoy that stage of my life.

As I got older, I developed a big interest in cars and motor sport. I'm a massive fan of drifting and try to attend as many ProDrift events as possible over here in Ireland, it's a fast growing sport over here, I hope once the brand gets off the ground that it can help me get involved in the drifting scene also through sponsorship of cars and drivers. All these hobbies have been put on the back burner to allow me to build a brand and image to hopefully capture the eyes of people globally someday, it's safe to say I'm both mentally and physically worn out from it but in the words of Cee-Lo Green "why close my eyes, I'd rather sleep when I'm gone"


At the moment they’re are operating a YouTube channel which has accumulated close to 100,000 views in addition to their Facebook, Twitter and Tagged accounts which they use to promote their Online Shop where they sell clothing such as T Shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts. They have also use their social networks to promote their debut mix-tape entitled Liquor Spillages & Dillinger’s, which they both agree have been ‘rather successful’ and ‘without these websites it's safe to say we would be nothing, this has allowed people from all over to globe to view our designs, clothing, stock and mostly importantly make a purchase’.

‘Our YouTube channel has been blowing up over the past year or so, with our most successful remix out of all being our Written in the Stars remix feat. Tupac & Eminem, its received over 33,000 views alone and been download thousands of times and it's received nothing but good comments’ They agree that this has really set the mark for their brand and helped people notice them, yet their  work doesn’t stop.

‘There have been many remixes after that which have gone well into the thousands of views mark and many more to come. If you look at music videos lately the "all black" theme is being used a lot in the clothing worn, what our brand does is blends in with this trend and helps promote it even further. You don’t need to be wearing luminous clothing in order to shine, let your talent speak for you. The name Abe to us actually stands for All Black Everything, we also incorporate Abraham Lincoln into the brand a lot to give it more character and basically give it a figurehead.’


If Abe wasn’t a designer he’d ‘probably be working at something to do with cars, possibly a mechanic or car salesman. He says ‘It might sound like a monotonous job and at times it would be, but it's probably the only thing I would enjoy doing. I'd love to have unlimited spending power and be able to buy what I want, when I want, but I think the fame is more important, not for me myself but for the Abe Brand. I want this brand to still be here when I'm gone and show that I came and left my mark on the earth and that I created something big using just my own mind from such humble beginnings.’

He continues ‘A legacy is something much more valuable than money. I'm very particular when it comes to brands, If I don’t like a brand then I don’t like it, its simple as that, two brands I admire much more than others though are Rogue Status and Crooks & Castles, both LA based brands. I don’t know if it's the fact I have some fetish for gun imagery than I don’t know about yet or what but those two brands appeal to me on another level completely, especially Crooks, as once said there the Louis Vuitton, the Gucci of the street, and it's true, their gear might have gone up in price and got more expensive but the quality and originality is sublime and something we aim to have with our brand’.

‘The brand is built up from inspiration. I don’t just sit down and decide I’m going to design something, I design once I get an idea. I must say music is the biggest inspiration, I'll sit down and listen to some rap or even some metal for a while and let my mind just run free and get illustrator up and start creating, it's a really enjoyably process once it goes right’


At the moment we are only beginning to work with people, we have only reached that level now and it's a good place to be at. We are going to be working with many UK grime artists, DJ's and more to help promote our clothing and also our own remixes. We have been in touch with a DJ by the name of Kryder recently one designing a collaboration t-shirt for him and his crew for their upcoming tour with the man himself Tiesto, where they will be performing in places like Ibiza, Las Vegas and many more.

‘This has been the biggest opportunity for us yet and one we’re taking it on headfirst, it's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see the outcome so keep your eyes peeled.’ He’d still like to work with a lot more mainstream artists as he is a fan of musicians such as Devlin, Pro Green and Giggs, he says ‘it would be awesome to see them performing while wearing our clothing.’

‘As far as other brands go we are open to work with anyone, the more the merrier as long as it isn’t some neon clothing brand’ In the future they hope to branch in both the clothing and music sides of the brand. They hope to see their stuff on sale on many online stores across the globe as well as see some celebs spotted in our clothing, but until then ‘the work rate isn’t slowing down and were going to keep on going, so keep supporting us’.

You can now have a look at their Online Shop as well as contact them via Facebook and Twitter.

3 August 2011

Daeshawn Ballard - Freshman 15


Daeshawn formally known as LiL-D Da Prince is a rapper from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania USA. Although he’s studying a full academic scholarship at California University, he has decided to pursue a career in music, which has given him the chance to put his skills acquire on his course to good use. He see’s a bright future for himself where his is signed with a major label making money and good music and has recently had his latest song ‘Built Ford Tough’ ft Big Meach which has had airplay in two states in the USA.

I thought I’d catch up with Daeshawn to find out his inspiration, sacrifices and where it all started.


‘I rap, inspire and entertain anybody from the internet to your favorite hotspot in town. It all started with my father noticing and believing in my talent while I was 12 years old. I believe people owe it to their ears to listen to me, because what I am putting in their ear canals are beautiful vibrations, simply put... great music! By being me and giving them my all every time, I appeal to them’

He would say that he’s made a few sacrifices to fulfill his career some of which include music ‘invites to countless parties other events during high school and relationships’ He takes his music career very seriously and when he’s not writing lyrics you can find him in the studio recording. However when he’s not in the studio, you can find him ‘being a nerd, observing beautiful woman or watching endless movies’. He says ‘in the end I see what I have accomplished thus far and I see that sacrifices I made were necessary, so no regrets here’.

He’s gained a lot of his inspiration from and learn a lot through the experiences of others as well as what he’s witnessed himself. ‘I look up to my parents because there are no harder working people in my life besides me that I know of still able to support the dreams of their children and their own.’


He feels the music industry ‘has gone almost completely digital and this helps with those independent labels by having easier access to fans and providing information that had been hidden from general population’.

I never like to think I have a best, because I still am growing as a artist and young man, but a song that I am most proud of is the latest song me and father ‘Big Meach’ did ‘Built Ford Tough’. I am proud of it because it's HOT!! It’s been on the radio in 2 states and it has my father on it!

I am currently working on a mixtape 'Freshman 15' because I wanted to share, not my experiences, but the different emotions I felt in college. The last album he bought was his own mixtape ‘Good Morning Good Night’, he says I know this will sound a little self-centered but, that was actually the last album I bought iTunes. That’s what happens when I win a free iTunes gift card, I turn it into capital'.


In his opinion, ‘people should buy music because we artist are offering you a service and that service, is appealing to your emotions. For example, if you go through a break up and no one understands the situation when you talk to them, you turn on that one song that gets it just right to help cope with your heartache; we provide that one service over all other groups of people can.

In 5 years times he see’s himself ‘signed with a major label making money and good music’. He sees it as way or him to give back and also ‘love to do and see the young men I have inspired doing something positive with their lives’.


You can now contact Daeshawn via Facebook, follow him on Twitter, as well as watch all his latest his via Youtube.