Mr C'mon - Alpha

Previously, he used music to embrace and glamorise inner-city gang culture and violence under the alias Lox. But, he soon saw sense and reformed his entire, character, attitude and beliefs system and now uses his music to uplift and inspire those around him, in addition to working with youths in his local community to combat gang culture. Mr Cmon is a musician from South London who has been pursuing a career in music since the age of 16. Now 22, he is in the process of releasing his debut mixtape Alpha which can be purchased via iTunes on the 24^th September.

I thought I’d catch up with Mr Cmon himself, to find out more,

'I’m an artist, I prefer to be called an artist rather than a rapper because rapper sounds proper cliché and what I intend to put out there - music wise – will be everything but cliché! I started of rhyming during the early days of the garage era. I wrote lyrics with friends in school and around my estate'.

'My first actual proper bars were 70% written by my older brother’ he laughs, ‘but with a few tweaks and enthusiasm, I was able to run with it’. He begins to describe the music scene during the mid 90’s ‘the garage influence soon faded and rap became much more popular on my side of the bridge - South London – which is when I began to embrace rap a lot more, at that time my music would have been classed as gangster rap, it gave me a chance to have more of a passionate platform to express my views and values'.  

'I did this sort of music for about 4 years and due to my talents and influences of my circle of friends, it generated quite a large buzz. I originally went by the name Lox, both in the streets and on the beats; I referred to myself more as Loxamillion. I changed my name from Lox to Mr Cmon many because I changed as a person'.

'Lox represented the dark side of the streets, glamorising the gangster life and its effects. It soon became a ghost, haunting me, one that I just wanted to stay dead! Lox influenced thousands of youth the wrong way and I wanted nothing to do with that anymore. I also wanted to prove a point that I wouldn’t have to succeed off the back of my former alias Lox but with faith and hard work I could become much more than Lox could ever have and impact the world in a much greater way and most importantly a positive light!'

‘People should listen to me because I’ve been blessed with a real gift when it comes to rapping, I see myself as a motivator, an entertainer, basically an all round positive pass time. I don’t need to rap about girls thongs to entertain a male audience, neither do I need to rap vulgarly about sex to engage a female audience, you can play me on the radio without the radio edit’ he laughs ‘ I don’t swear, I don’t believe its necessary, I’m getting my point across to you right now without f-ing n blinding. My music represents the struggle, represents the youth, most of all I aim for my music to represent hope'.

'As Lox, I only made songs with people in my circle such as Serious Sykes, Political Peak, Drowsy, K.B, Komoshen and many others, I did a one off collaboration with Krept, some tracks with an artist called Chase, he was talented and I used his studio to record and occasionally he was one of my suppliers that was also be an aspiring artist. Back then, I didn’t collab so much mainly because of a sense of patriotism to my former gang'.

'As Mr C’mon I haven’t collaborated with anyone yet, simply because, I’m still in the process of finding myself as an artist. I’ve got songs in the pipeline with Ja Ja Soze, Asteroid boys, Young Teflon, Youngsta, Boost, Guvnor B, A Money, Lola Godheld, A-star and others. In the future I would like to make songs with Bob Marley and yes I know he’s dead, but he’s still a legend, Wretch 32, Dappy, Adele, Sway, Coldplay and Mali music'.

'I love music but I hate it’s industry. I think it’s all politics! A lot of artists are being fabricated and there’s no real essence in a lot of stuff being put out there. But on a brighter note I believe the next to blow other than myself is Young Teflon because he’s consistent, talented, and can make actual music'.

'I’m inspired by Nelson Mandela and after reading his book I see a lot of similarities with young Mandela and myself, both very adornment and courageous. Tinnie Tempah is an inspiration as he’s successfully crossover to the mainstream U.K and crossed over to the U.S. Also my pastor is a big inspiration; she reached out to stiff necked gang members and helped reform them through determination and love'.

'I intend on expanding my fan-base by consistent work rate, songs, collabs, performances and securing airplay. Basically, just working hard, real hard and real passionately. You can expect to see me on your T.V screens in the future’ he laughs but restates ‘even though I ain’t joking!' 

In the very near future he’ll be realising his mixtape ‘Alpha’ on the 24th September, followed by the EP entitled Limitlesss which will debut in late December or early January.

You can now follow him via Twitter and Facebook .  

Taymah - Love & Lies

Love & Lies is her debut mix-tape featuring the likes of Blade Brown, Youngs Teflon, Rae and Komoshen. In the past she has also collaborated with rappers such as Fem Fel, Timbar and Little Dee Dee. Later this month, she is also set to release another track via iTunes entitled Only You. Taymah is a musician from London, although she decided to take up music as a career at the age of 17, she still sees it as a hobby, where she has the pleasure of  keeping people ‘smiling, dancing, relating and listening’.

I thought I’d catch up with Taymah to find out her inspirations, her views on the current industry as well as what she has planned for the future.

‘I would record at friends studios just for fun and attend song writing and singing sessions at a local recording studio in Brixton’ she explains when asked how she initially got in to music. ‘Everyone said I sounded really good and believed I had something, so they introduced to a few external producers in the area. I started believing I had a little talent, plus I discovered I was passionate about it. Music is my passion so I use it to make a career where I can reflect, have fun and relax'.

‘My audience varies so I would say most people can relate to my music really. Young ladies and men, the mature and sexy, and I even find my parents like my stuff’, she laughs 'so my target audience is quite wide. I would say my current mix-tape Love & Lies is targeted at young ladies and gents and the mature and sexy, also general hip hop and RnB lovers. I appeal to them by writing songs that they can relate to or party to, so I just try to keep them, smiling, dancing, relating and listening’. 

‘The mix-tape itself is about love: being in love, out of love, confused with love, trapped in love, love of money, appreciating the love. It’s also about lies: the lies women may experience from their partners, love that's based on lies and lies that women may tell. Some of the songs are from real experiences I've had, some are from experiences my friends have had and some even scenarios that are made up by me that I know listeners can relate to’.

'Love & Lies is my first proper project produced by Carns - Hill productions – I’ve worked quite closely with him and even co produced a track called Is It over which is on the mix-tape. I’ve also worked with Youngs Teflon on his GMT 1 and 2 and Blade Brown on his Bags n Boxes and Financial Times. Look out for a video called Pack The Duffle featuring myself and Yugen, which is out soon, produced by Dice Beats who I'm currently working on my second album with.

’I've also worked with Trevor Davey - SBI productions - and I'm releasing a raw and edgy track on iTunes entitled Only You in September so look out for that. I’ve got another tune released under seamless sessions called Perfect Love also produced by Trevor Davey which can be found on seamless sessions Miami 2011 mixed by Graha Sahar, it’s a house and dance track’. She’s also worked with other rappers such as Fem Fel, Timbar, Little Dee Dee, Youngsta, Krept n Konan, Notes, Rae and Yungen.

She feels ‘the music industry can be tuff but also a lot of fun, as long as your strong, passionate, committed and a hard worker, you can be quite fulfilled in this industry. I’ve had to sacrifice some late nights in with the boyfriend or seeing family because I'm in studio recording, or going out with my girls, but it isn’t too bad because they see the bigger picture, and no I haven't had any regrets so far! There’s a lot of singers and rappers coming out these days so its like you have to have something different or extra special but definitely get ready to see more of me’.

Some of her inspirations include ‘Teedra Moses, Erykah Badu, Truth Hurts, Selena Johnson, Jamie Fox, R.Kelly, she explains ‘I grew up listening to Toni Braxton, TLC and Destiny Child, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Sunshine Anderson, Angie Stone and Floetry, the list can go on forever. I know I've missed out some good ones’, she laughs ‘I like listening to male singers as I find they can be a lot more creative with concepts and vocal arrangement’.

’Amy Winehouse R.I.P and Erykah Badu inspires me with the song writing and I must say Destiny's Childs Writing on the Wall was like one of the first albums I studied in terms of vocal arrangement, harmonies and creativity so I try to carry that energy through my music! I also enjoy listening to Lover’s Rock and Indie because those genres also inspire me to be more creative with concepts, style, feeling and arrangement’.

‘I want to expand my fan base by doing more interviews with lovely people such as yourself, doing shows, radio interviews, featuring on radio and club playlists and just keeping my work-rate up by releasing more material. I'm hoping that the masses will feel my wave and embrace it because I do have a lot to say in my music and I want everyone to hear it, smile, relate and enjoy it!’

Love & Lies is out now and up for Free Download featuring the likes of Blade Brown, Youngs Teflon, Rae and Komoshen. Her debut single Only You will be released on iTunes later this month and she’ll also bee working on her forthcoming project in with Dice Beats! 

Look out for more music and videos via Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, 

Zuby - Commercial Underground 2

When many of his peers were applying for investment banking internships, he spent his summer promoting and selling his first album 'Commercial Underground' which sold over 3000 copies. In 2010 he performed at the Hip Hop Lives tour alongside artist such as DJ Semo, Mr ShaoDow and Scarz and also became the only solo rap artist to reach the final 20 of the Surface Festival. Zuby is a self taught musician from London who is in process of releasing his follow up album ‘Commercial Underground 2’ which is scheduled to début later this year.

I thought I’d catch up with him to find out more.  

‘Zuby is Zuby’, he replies when asked how he differs from his alias. He continues ‘my artist persona is the same as my real one, maybe a bit more extroverted - sometimes deep, sometimes humorous, but always honest. That’s why I never tried to brand myself as a ‘conscious’ rapper because I’m not one-dimensional. There’s a time to be serious and a time to have fun'.

‘I was 19, in my 2nd year at uni when I released my first album ‘Commercial Underground’. All of my friends were applying for investment banking internships and never being one to follow the flock, I actually spent that whole summer on the street, selling my CDs in central London. It was a truly eye opening experience and I think after selling my 1000th copy I was like, you know what? I can do this’. He explains, when I asked how he made the transition from music being a hobby into a career now into a career.

‘I don’t regret anything. I wish I knew as much at the start as I do now but that’s not how life works! I definitely had to make sacrifices and still do. Sleep has become less frequent’, he laughs.  With my background and education, many don't understand why I’m trying to find success in music but that's not how I think. You only live once so you have to fully explore your passions. God gave me this talent for a reason right?

‘My audience is actually quite broad. This is another important thing I learned from my street selling because you’re out there seeing how people respond to you and your music. From overly excitable teenage girls to adults, who like substance in their music, my supporters come from all walks of life and I really like that’

‘Besides my albums and EP, I’ve performed live with a wide range of artists, within and outside of hip hop. Last year I did a 5 date tour called ‘Hip Hop Lives’ with DJ Semo, Mr ShaoDow and Scarz, which was a great experience. Shout out to all of them for that because we definitely proved it can be done independently. I also reached the London Final of the Surface Festival this year. I was the only rapper and only solo artist to reach the final 20 of an event that’s essentially catered to rock bands, so that must say something!’

‘The music business is an interesting place. No one really knows where it’s headed. I think the playing field will level out over time, opportunities are endless. Next to blow? I don’t know, there are hundreds of artists who have the talent to do that, we’ll have to see who works the hardest and grinds it out for long enough. Me? I’m not trying to ‘blow’ I’m trying to be successful'.

‘His inspirations include his parents and older siblings, he explains ‘they’ve have taught me more than they’ll ever know – amazing role models. I’m generally inspired by anyone who has achieved success in their chosen field. You can always learn more’.

In the future you can expect his music promo which he says ‘is going to kick into overdrive towards the end of 2011’ for his new album ‘Commercial Underground 2’. He hopes to become Local, regional, national, global, he says ‘That’s the plan, in that order. Stay tuned…'

For more of Zuby, you can now contact him via his Official Site, Facebook and Twitter. 

Bianca Simmone - Super Human

‘Only the hungriest and hard working will survive, sometimes it isn't always even about the talent’, says the West London model, turned songstress Bianca Simmone who is now in the process of releasing her third single Super Human. Her last single Pressure ft Baby Blue received immense support accumulating over 25,000 Youtube hits, she has also had the pleasure of working with individuals such as Eric B and H Money and plans to collaborate with Wretch 32, Neyo, Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne in the future.

I thought I’d catch up with her to find out where it all started, who her inspirations are and what sacrifices she has made during her journey.

‘I’ve always loved music ever since the day I could walk and talk’ says Bianca when asked how she initially got into music, she continues ‘It’s in my blood’ She laughs ‘without music I wouldn’t be unhappy, its like love, without it where would we be? My mum loves music and is a great dancer, my brother can sing and used to DJ and play instruments so it’s in my family’.

‘No day is ever the same really’, she says as she explains a typical day in her life. ‘One day I could be working a 9-5, next minute I’m handling calls and bookings and exchanging ideas in-between working, then head home to go studio on the other side of London and don't get home till 4am and knowing my alarm clock is going to go off and drive me crazy in 3 hrs. Then working all day again to jump in the car and have to drive out of London to do a show’.

‘My audience are 14 - 25, females who are trying to find their feet in life and boys who are turning into men but need a little direction as to how to deal with females as lets face it, they have no clue any more’ says sarcastically. ‘Sometimes they just need it said in black and white and ladies just need to be more real and not beat around the bush about things and also know to put themselves first as we know many fail to do so due to fear of loosing or never finding their love. I’ve lived and travelled down this road so I totally understand and can share my experiences with them all’.

‘I’ve had the honour of working with H-Money and the BOE team. They are special and talented people who I have much love for on a professional and friendship level. I have also worked with Eric B who is a writer and singer - who has worked with Chipmunk on Champion and In The Air -  and wrote for other artists in the US and UK’.

‘I would like to do a track with Wretch. He’s a talented artist with great energy and we get on really well so I'm sure we would make great music together. I would also like to work with Neyo as I think vocally he is great and his writing ability is just spot on. I would love to do a song with Busta & Lil Wayne as their creativity on a track and energy is out of this world, they kill every beat they jump on and I know working with both of them we could make killer hits’.

When asked when is the right time for artists to take their music to a professional level in comparison to it just being a hobby she replies ‘I think the right time depends on each individual, never wait on someone to tell you now is the right time’. She explains ‘You will feel it, you will breathe it and it will present itself to you in a way that will tell you, you need to take it to the next level. The only thing I suggest is to study and graft at your art first before taking a leap, believe in what you are doing and make sure you are ready and determined as the industry isn't as easy as people portray it to be. Only the hungriest and hard working will survive, sometimes it isn't always even about the talent’.

Her music has taken her to a variety of places but she feels the best is when she can sit in a studio and have no idea of what song is going to be made next’. She continues ‘with no writing team or someone directing me and with just me and the producer sitting there creating a vibe with each other to the point we both bring something so magical and full of life to the table that others walk in and listen and are blown away’.

‘I never regret, everything happens for a reason and its all apart of the journey. I have sacrificed financially and definitely sleep time. Emotionally you sacrifice too but you have to as nothing, is just handed to you without hard work'.

‘I’m inspired by many different people and artists, my mum inspires me with her hard work and determination to succeed and provide and always fill those around her with her love. I was brought up on hip hop like Run DMC, Jay Z, Nas, soul artist like total, soul to soul, SWV, I love today's artists like Ciara, Keri Hilson, especially Beyonce, her ability to always achieve more and her hard work, the creative artists who push their bounds and sustain. I guess I look at anyone positive, who isn't afraid to step out the box and be themselves at the same time’.

‘I’m putting out my third 3rd Super Human produced by Truth (BOE) and co-written by myself and Jermaine Riley - former singer of the group Fundamental.  ‘Im also working towards putting together an album hopefully to come out next year. With a few collaborations over here in the UK and in the US too’.

She is also working on building a Company/Academy for young females who are getting into the industry called The BTA Academy which will all be revealed soon stay tuned and follow Bianca via Twitter and Facebook.   

Triple Threat - D.W.A.I.N

He attended stage school from a young age, which gave him the opportunity to appear in American commercials as well as Eastenders. Later he became a member of the collective Chaos managed by Simon Cowell where he performed on Blue Peter alongside Sonita and appeared in her videos. He is now in the process of releasing his self entitled audio biography ‘D.W.A.I.N’. Triple Threat is a rapper, singer, producer and an inspirational speaker from London. 

I thought I’d catch up with him to find out where his career began, his views on the current industry as well as what we can expect from him in the future.

‘It all started when I was 8. My mum decided to teach me to sing, as both my parents sung in church. My mum sent me to stage school when I was young and managed to get myself into commercials for America and even popped up in Eastenders as an extra. Later, I managed to get into a group managed by Simon Cowell and at that time the group was named Choas’.

‘We performed with Sonita on Blue Peter and made a cameo appearance in one of her video’s. My first rapping experience was in school, I performed at an event and everyone in the hall went crazy. Since then I’ve continued rapping. In school I was into poetry and very intrigued about writing.

‘Over the years my music and my mindset has changed, as a result of particular life experiences. Life itself tends to teach us many things, which can influence one’s way of thinking. So I would say now my music represents hope, encouragement, enlightenment and struggle. My music represents my life and how I feel about particular subjects.

When asked what he is motivated by he says ‘life itself’. He explains ‘my life and significant others within it. I only talk about what I see or feel I use my music as a form of therapy, a therapeutic healing method, which allows me to express my concerns or even highlight my achievements. My songs are significant chapters and stories of my life’.

‘Triple Threat basically means three talents in one, rapping, singing and producing. I think it signifies how versatile I am as a person. I’m always keen to learn new things and always take a lot on’.

When asked who his target audience, he says ‘anyone who would listen to my music.  He continues ‘I’ve met and spoken to many different people who have taken an interest in my music and they all come from different walks of life.  So, I guess anyone who can relate to where I’m coming from’.

He feels people should listen to him because he has something relevant to say which some may feel as refreshing. He explains ‘I am only being myself, and try to be as honest as I can with my music. Each song is more or less like a chapter in my life, hence the reason why I have called my next project an Audio Biography which is entitled D.W.A.I.N - Determination With Attitude Intelligence and Navigation - Dwain is actually my real name I thought to myself what title would represent me? And I thought nothing better than my own name.

‘The best place music has taken me in my eyes would be when I performed on stage with a live band and my uncle Junior Marvin it was truly a defining moment for me. It was a wonderful experience. one I will cherish for ever to be honest’.

‘The industry has changed in recent years as more and more UK acts or artists are getting more recognition for the work. The UK scene has blossomed well with many acts making it through and making quality music. It is good to see people like Tinie Tempah who I know from the past doing well and Adele who’s album I love listening to again and again, as well as Jessie J, Chipmunk, Tinchy Stryder.’

‘The UK has definitely grown in terms of worldwide recognition. It is a positive step and I feel there are many more quality artists out there waiting to be heard, to me it means that the door has been open for other quality acts to rise and provide the world with quality music.

‘There are a lot of artist’s out there working hard at their craft so it is a bit difficult to say who would blow next, but people like Mz Bratt, Blue Robinson, Leon Jean-Marie, Raphaella, Ebru plus many more are doing their thing and could all be the next big thing to come out of the UK’.

When asked what we can expect from him in the future he says ‘I have the Audio Biography on its way soon, just currently working on some material so more music really. I currently have a video rotation at the moment entitled Drive Your Car, which has more of a deeper meaning than what the title indicates. They’ll be more videos to come, more projects in the near future; you can download some of my current material via Reverbnation for free, follow me on Twitter and add me on Facebook.

Triple Threats Audio Biography will be out soon stay tuned. 

MC Tigz - The Coundown EP

After hearing him on SBTV’s Warm Up Session I was blown away by his lyrical ability. To date, the same video has received over 30,000 views and he is continuing to accumulate a large following on and offline. MC Tigz is a 19 year old musician from London who has been pursuing his music career since school. He is now in the process of realeasing his EP ‘The Countdown’ which will début later this month.

I thought I’d catch up with MC Tigz himself to find out what his music represents as well as why people should listen to him.

‘Predominantly I’m a grime MC but I do dither about with rap occasionally. It all started in the playground; people would gather in circles and spray the SAME lyrics for  30 minutes on the SAME beat’, this is where his music career stemmed from.

‘My music represents me, my experiences, my life and just my ideas but in audio form. I’m a simple guy.  A normal day for me consists of studio, Xbox, chillin with my music brothers because they’re my actual friends outside of music. I’m always on the look out for new music, from Drake, Lil wayne, Rick Ross and J Cole’.

When asked why people should listen to him he says ‘I feel as if I’m one of the few MC’s that actually care about being witty with words, having good metaphors and not just blurting out the 1st thing that comes to mind. I never tell lies in my lyric, no guns, and no murders. It’s all me, I’m versatile and make sure there’s definitely quality control with whatever I release’.

‘I don’t really tend to work with MC's a lot simply because I keep the majority of what I do within the circle I’m in. So the collaborations you will see will be with either my circle OR singers!’

Alike many artists he uses social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to promote and publicise his work, which include his two previous mixtapes 'About Time' and 'Hard Way', he describes this as his ‘main avenues’ for promotion. He continues ‘the most successful video I’ve released is probably my SBTV warm up session video which got just under 30,000 views. It was successful because I released it under a good friend of mine Jamal Edwards. I used his Youtube account which is a good platform for up and coming artists!'

'In the future you can expect my music video ‘Superstar' produced by a close friend of mine L.Momrelle and my new CD called ' The Countdown EP' which will be out in September‘.