Saturday, February 12, 2011

feb 16 club insomnia

E.H.M.P NYC SUMMER PARK TOUR NOW BOOKING



THE ELEGANT HOODNESS PARK TOUR- LOOKING FOR SERIOUS INQUIRES TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR 5TH ANNUAL PARK TOUR- HIPHOP, R&B, DANCEHALL,LIVE BANDS, DANCE CREWS ETC.

MARIA HERNANDEZ PARK- JUYL 8(BK,NY)

TOMPKINS PARK- JULY 9(BK,NY)

BRIGHTEN BEACH- JULY 15(BK,NY)

POE PARK- JULY 16(BX,NY)

CONEY ISLAND BROADWALK- JULY 22(BK,NY)

HOSTED BY A.D THE GENERAL, TEAM N.A.N & N.A.B

MUSIC BY DJ ACE OF SPADES & MUSIC MYSTRO

ARTIST PACKAGE- PERFORM IN 5 PARKS & GET YOUR COMPANY LOGO OR ARTIST LOGO ON T SHIRTS, OFFICIAL BANNER, 1 TRACK ON OFFICIAL MIXTAPE, FLYERS & POSTERS-

THERE IS A REGISTRATION FEE-


IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT A.D THE GENERAL 718-415-6610

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ADTHEGENERAL

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ADTHEGENERAL

WWW.TWITTER.COM/ADTHEGENERAL


Friday, February 11, 2011

DEE VAZQUEZ ALL ABOUT HIP HOP?


Dee Vazquez

N.A.B.: Are you a native New Yorker?

Dee Vasquez: Absolutely I pride myself on being a native New Yorker from Queens NY born and raised. That’s where I grew up I want to stay here, lol. I’m disgustingly proud, there are a lot of people that come out here to New York and have been here for like 10 to 12 years, and there like I’m a New Yorker. I’m like no your actually not. I can’t understand why people would want to take this place up as there own. But just recently Lena Horne pasted away. She was a great artist and a great woman. I’ve learned that she was born and raised in NY from Brooklyn. And she really created her career right here in NY. I’ve always said that was my dream, I’ve been asked to move to LA, Orlando and MIAMI to pursue my career. But that’s not what I want to do. I want to do it here at home. I don’t want to leave. I want to make it right now here where I live. Because you don’t make it any where else, you make it here. People go out to different states and different cities and they build there rep, build there careers and gain that creditability else where and then they have to come to NY to get that co signed that stamp of approval. I want to get all that right here at home; there is no need for me to leave. This is where it is, this is where it all starts and this is where it all ends. To think about Lena Horne and her lifestyle and what she has accomplished at home. That’s exactly what I’m aiming for. So definitely a NY veteran and yes I’m disgustingly proud.

N.A.B.: Tell me a story about growing up in queens?

Dee Vasquez: I lived in different parts of Queens. What I can really remember is growing up in Richmond Queens. It was no joke in the early 90’s. I was born in 83 so growing up in the early 90’s is really where I really got to see and understand different things. I remember my mother saying “Don’t go outside” “You don’t go outside”. In the early 90’s going to school, hanging outside with friends going to the park and roaming the streets during the day, we realized we didn’t live in the nice part of town. We learn that early. We lived in the same neighborhood that the drug dealers and the crack-heads (the drug abusers) lived. But we also found a way of gravitating and living. We knew that’s the block you really don’t visit, these are the people you really don’t speak to, and you must observe. It was a wake up call for a lot of kids. If a kid was getting into trouble and he was going to school and he was partaking in illegal activities. You looked at him like your no good because you know exactly how there going to turn out. We saw the drug abuser or drug dealer on the corner. And you told yourself that’s how you’re going to end up. It was a great lesson that smacked you in the face everyday. Then later on we moved to Astoria Projects. That was definitely something else for me, because before we lived in a house then we move to an apartment and then we went to the projects. It was like, what is this? That’s when I found out what the housing apartments represented and what housing was created for. I learned that just because you might live in a project, you are not defined by the projects. Growing up in the projects you learned about project rivalry. I never understood that. These are just some of the things I went through growing up in this part of town. It is what it is and you learn to survive. But I do recall having a sense of community. In high school if I was coming home late and a neighbor saw me walking alone he’d walk me home to ensure I got home okay. We didn’t have to know each other’s name we knew each others face because we lived in the same neighborhood. Sometimes it would be a group of 5 and they were all respectful, not trying to kick game. It was, she’s living in our hood she’s part of us now and were making sure you get home okay. You can always respect some one looking out for the peer, so I loved that and will remember that. It was definite a harsh reality growing up in Queens.

N.A.B.: Are you a Hip Hop Fan and do you appreciate other genres of music?

Dee Vasquez: First and fore most I am a hip hop fan. That’s the reason I represent Hip Hop today. I do love other genres of music. I’m Puerto Rican and Dominican, so Salsa meringue, bachata and all that. Growing up I was a huge fan of freestyle music, pop music, rock music and Kirk Cobain when he came out.

N.A.B.: How did you get involved in broadcasting?

Dee Vasquez: Will I dove in head first. I always had a vision of having my own talk show. Growing up so many people had such a bad interpretation of hip hop. I wanted to show people the positive images of hip hop and that the music and culture does influence people to progress. I’ve always felt that hip hop influenced me in a positive way. I wanted to be able to show people a different side of hip hop, the good Hip Hop can do. After graduating from high School I started inquiring and I found out about Back-Stage Magazine and the Village Voice and got into auditing for anything and everything. After two yrs of auditing I received my first return call from Video City. And them my career kind of took of from there.

N.A.B.: Is the there a major difference when your on the air on Hot 97 hosting then when your on Fuse TV or even at a night club. Is there a science behind it?

Dee Vasquez: Oh wow there is. That is a really good question .I love doing live events. I love it, I Love it. I feel like I’m at my greatest as a far as exuding that energy that I have. Naturally I am a high energy person, so it reflects great when I’m on stage. On TV it’s about taking that energy and taking it back and rather releasing it little by little. You don’t want to release it to early on television, so that’s the science there. I speak quickly, I do things quickly. So when you’re on stage you need that high energy and you need to move things along quickly. So naturally everything that I embody as far as my high energy, me speaking fast, me talking to the crowd, that impulse and all those things I can do naturally, really shine on stage and I love that. On television you must speak perfectly because everything is timed. You need more high energy and must speak at a slower pace. All these things are the complete science to television, more energy and it has to be something that is contained and a little more monitored. On the radio, you have two minutes talk breaks. So you have to do all you’re talking with in those two minutes. With in the two minutes you must be fearless as far as the talk breaks. But you don’t want to talk about the same thing during your talk breaks, in and out, in and out. We could be speaking about Usher in one talk break and the next talk break we will be talking about a politician that’s doing a community event in the Bronx. It’s hard because we are not getting the conversation feedback from the audience. They are listening to us speak on the radio. You want to speak about different things but you don’t want to be scattered all over the place. There is a science to it all.

N.A.B.: I hear you are developing a TV show can you elaborate on that?

Dee Vasquez: Yes I really want to get into my own and find my voice as a producer. Even when I was on Video City, I was finding my own artists to interview. Writing my own questions for the interviews and choosing my own locations. I even sat in on some of the editing to give my input. I was very clear with my vision very early in my career. Later on when I did FUSE everything was completely different, you couldn’t touch anything. I just had to stand there and do my job. Everybody has there job and everybody has to do there job. With all the experience that I have gained, I just felt it was time to get my own vision and story and put it out there. I have a couple of projects in the works. I just want to do something more educational and entertaining at the same time.

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N.A.B.: I would like for you to give some brief advice to the future Dee Vasquez that may look at you as there role model and that will follow in your foot steps?

Dee Vasquez: Know your voice and take time wit it. Take time understanding yourself. First off you have all the time in the world. You really do. You must be proactive, understand what your limits are and what your resources are. You need integrity. If you don’t stand up for anything you will fall into anything. Build your brand and empower your self.

N.A.B.: Any last words or shout outs?

Dee Vasquez: Yes definite last words. My story was featured in a book called “souls of my young sisters”. I’m speaking about finding my voice and standing up to authority. It’s about truth as authority not authority as truth. The website is www.soulsofmysisters.com to purchase book. Read my article entitled “Ask Dee Vasquez” in “Straight Stunning Magazine”. You can tune in every Wednesday on sirus-satellite radio (shadesradio45) 8pm and every Thursday night on Hot 97 with Kay Slay.

WRITTEN BY A.D. THE GENERAL




CAMAY

The list of female MC's is numerous and diversified. Hip hop has always looked at the female MC as a sideshow. Camay, along with a few others are leading the charge of the young, hungry, and intelligent female MC. She is ready to make her presence felt in the male dominated world of hip hop. Armed with a bulletproof flow, witty wordplay, and the desire to be great, Camay is out to prove that 2011 is going to be her year! After being awarded the #2 Artist of the Year at the 2010 Elegant Hoodness Musical Program Awards Show, Camay has two new projects ready for your musical consumption. Forever on her grind, Camay is ready to bring her tireless work ethic as well as her intelligent, witty, and bold voice to the forefront of the hip hop scene in 2011! Get to know her, you'll thank me.

E.H.M.P: Who is "Camay”?

CAMAY: Camay is a multi-faceted artist/songwriter/ grinder

E.H.M.P: As a self-professed "army brat", how has the constant moving shaped you and your sound?

CAMAY: It helped me to become more versatile and I definitely have world experience to talk about... But it also helped me to recognize real in any area code lol

E.H.M.P: What's your relationship with the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program? What do you think of the organization and their mission?

CAMAY: I was just an artist looking for an outlet honestly and they showed me mad love and I got a chance to listen to their movement... AD the General def offers an honest opportunity to put yourself out there... I'm real big on them and Team NAN/NAB

E.H.M.P: What's your relationship with Stevie J.?

CAMAY: Stevie was my first industry "nod" and he helped me in my early development stages and exposed me to a whole different side of the biz. He’s a good friend and one of the few entities I look to for musical guidance.

E.H.M.P: Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

CAMAY: The Rogue Program is a mix tape with originals and beat jacks and freestyles. It’s my "I’m back" after a couple years and my introduction to new potential fans. It’s sprinkled with songs from the EP "Revolutionarie" which is executive Produced by QB and Nascent. Who both have a dope ear for music and are making waves on the production side of thing from everyone to 50 Cent to Scarface.

E.H.M.P: What do you feel is the current role of the female MC?

CAMAY: I feel like the Female MC is an endangered species but there’s always hope as long as we're willing to put music of substance out and really show we can get down with the boys. lol

E.H.M.P: Any advice for up and coming artists looking to get in the music business?

CAMAY: Don’t go running after one year of grinding with no instant success. The people you hear now have been paying dues to get to that point, nothing in life worth having will fall in your lap and if it does you need to look at the fine print. Be original! Your fans will thank you.

E.H.M.P: If you could collaborate with any artist in the industry, who would it be? why?

CAMAY: Right now I’m real big on Nipsey Hussle, Freddie Gibbs, LEP Bogus boys. It’s really too many to name... but I only want to work with people who have similar things to talk about and make a real impact on me personally as a fan.

E.H.M.P: Any last words? Shout outs? How do people contact you?

CAMAY: Check my twitter rants lol @CamayMusic Im on facebook search the Camay Music page or Facebook.com/therealcamay... Shouts to the Krazy 88's Burn it Down Music Group, Team NAN/NAB, ODD Squad And all those who support the movement. You know how we do it...

WRITEN BY ESQ_TV

COURTESY OF A.D. THE GENERAL & THE ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2011

ARSINEY-THE MAN BEHIND THE MUSIC



ARSINEY


Arsiney was born and raised in Harlem NY. He is very family oriented and acknowledges the love and support of his mother and father in the pursuit of his dreams. Arsiney's mom was so hipped to music; she had all the records you could name. If she didn't have it the neighbors knew who did. Arsiney's father on the other note had a fine hand for the guitar. So it’s safe to say that he has been musically influenced by his parent’s passion and love for music.
Soon After, He grew fond of Quincy Jones, Arsiney told himself he would be the "Man behind the Music." He went to Art and Design High School of course to further his career. He went from just being an artist to being a producer as well. He started creating his own beats, because no one would give him any. Arsiney brings forth consistency and it shows in his is work ethic and music, bringing an "Artistic Expression" to the hip hop culture. His stage performance is a key factor in his artistry. That is for certain one of the reasons you won at the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program (NYC).

N.A.B.: “Arsiney” is creative, versatile, witty, inspiring, and so much more. Do you find it demanding to hold yourself to this caliber?

ARSINEY: Naw, I'm just me, it's as easy as waking up.


N.A.B.: Your surroundings and everything you've been through enhanced the natural talent you have. I heard you say in one of you interviews "It’s nothing" what’s the concept? Elaborate please.

ARSINEY: I’m not 100 percent sure by what you mean when you say "It's Nothing" my concept, but I put a lot of myself and my soul in all my music. I try to always make sure it comes from a real place, and what's more real than your surroundings?



N.A.B.: At the age of 12 you joined a group called Relicz, and then ended up with a solo position. What lead the way to you becoming a solo artist?

ARSINEY: Well I was in a group with my boy Harlem Cyphe. It was just one of those things where we grew up together and even to this day he's my brother from another, my best friend, but creatively I just felt we was going in different directions so one day at the studio I just told him I wanted to talk to him and we went downstairs and I just told him how I felt. I remember that night real clear to. We brothers for life, so he was real understanding.


N.A.B.: So far you have produced several of your own hits. “Radar”, “Rosebed”, “Amazing” and “Fly”. Do you plan to produce the majority, if not all of your future music?

ARSINEY: I think I would do a majority of it. I'm just a real inspired soul, so I'm always having ideas and concepts, there for I'm always creating. But as a recording artist I would find it hard to only produce my own music because I love so many other producers as well who have inspired by music FIRST, not just what I make. And just to clarify for the world, I didn't produce Rosebed or Amazing Rosebed was produced by Juice Orchestra and Amazing was produced by Clyde & Harry.


N.A.B.: Will you elaborate on the creation of "Insomnia?"

ARSINEY: umm honestly the decision to do this project came about right after I was nominated for the “2010 UMA Award". For some reason during that time I was in a real creative place and I was getting NO SLEEP. I would stay up all night and work on music and concepts, and a lot of it I would shop to other artist and they didn't know what to do with it, so I just started making them my own. This project sonically I think is going to surprise a lot of people. It's a GREAT body of work and I think as an artist a lot of people thought I peeked with my last project because that one was so good. I got a lot of great feedback on my last project as to what songs people liked the best and so I went into this project really trying to carve my official sound based off of what I wanted to do mix with what the fans seemed to like from me. It’s the title of the album stands for the level of dedication i put towards the project and it’s also a metaphor for anyone who's trying to sleep on me as an artist.



N.A.B.: What's shaking with your up and coming projects?

ARSINEY: well I put so much dedication into my work that I try to only focus on one project at a time, but I am working on a few other artist albums (I won't say any names as of yet) and after this one I'm going to be finally dropping my album entitled Out The Box-In The Flesh, no release date yet though.


N.A.B.: You performed last at the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program (NYC) January showcase hosted by A.D. The General. This means all the other artist (your competitors) had the opportunity to Go Hard or Stay Home. Then you were last but not least to perform and won!! Wow!!! What was your first feeling when you heard the announcement?


ARSINEY: I was happy of course, not to sound cocky because I think anybody that knows me knows I'm an incredibly humble soul, but I'm also confident in my craft, I kind of already felt like I was going to win. Personally I felt I should of been 1st place, so I was happy but at the same time surprised they called me so soon for 3rd, but as long as the people loved what I do that’s the point. My award for the night was people telling me how much they enjoyed my show love that people love what I do because I love it so much.

N.A.B.: Give us some insight on what the benefits are when you rocking out in the Elegant Hoodness Arena. “Elegant Hoodness consistent promotion’s to help artist create or build their existing buzz”. Would you promote that as the truth?

ARSINEY: Yes definitely I know I left that night with new connect’s and contacts, but above all of that, I feel that the atmosphere in the room was very warm and you can tell A.D. The General is someone who truly cares about the underdog’s ability to be successful, so I was just happy to be a part of it.


N.A.B.: Anyone we should know about, that hasn't been acknowledged? Last minute Shout Outs?

ARSINEY: Shout out to Kris Kasanova first off, I'm telling ya'll this kid is on his way he's got some heat. Shout out to Critical Ki,Clyde & Harry, Dremur, Kalae, O.I.S.D, eric sosa and just everybody that's on the grind and loves what they do. Big shout out to my partner in this ICM movement Marvel Dash, pop for always holding me down and everybody who came out to support that night. Shout out to all the fans and you who's reading this. And thank you N.A.B...

Written by Special Gift (N.A.B)

Courtesy of the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program 2011

R.E.A.L IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE!!!!!!



R.E.A.L.

Real is what most people want, and this is what we got. R.E.A.L.is a female emcee from Bronx, NY.
Being one of the few female rappers, she shows her audience that she brings fire. Even with the doubt, and negativity from some of her sibling, her talent continues to shine. With a great family line of being the daughter or DJ Easy Mike and the niece of Grand Master Flash we can see that musical genes run in the family. Destined to be the next female emcee in the spot light, we should all watch out for R.E.A.L., cause she is definitely gonna bring what's real!


N.A.B.: How does being the daughter of DJ Easy Mike and the niece of Grand Master Flash influence the way you do music?

R.E.A.L: They say you have to know where you are from in order to know where you are going. Being the fact that they are icons I am able to tap into knowledge of the past when hip-hop started. Although I make music for our time, I believe I am capable of bridging the generation gap because I grew up on hip-hop. I have also learned how the business has developed from then to now.


N.A.B.:
Of all the names a female emcee could have chosen, what inspired you to choose R.E.A.L.?

R.E.A.L: R.E.A.L is the name I was given by my peers as a teenager. Everyone always said I kept it real and it just stuck. I decided to use it as an emcee name when I was able to give it meaning. I saw KRS-1 on Arsenal Hall and he inspired the meaning.


N.A.B.: Are there any female rappers that have helped your style along the way? (If not what males rappers influenced you as an artist?)

R.E.A.L: I've always been told I possess the elements of Lauren Hill, Mc Lyte and Eve with a touch of Jay-Z. Those are the people I believe have influenced my style of music. To further my statement I would like to add that I listen to a lot of old soul and R&B and believe that is my biggest influence when it comes to my creativity.


N.A.B.:
Where would you like music to take you in the future? Do you have a goal in mind?

R.E.A.L: My goal is to create music that sends a message of hope. On my journey I hope to develop and grow to the point where my music can lead me into other industries. I am interested in own my own music company amongst other businesses. I am also interested in creating some type of non-profit organization to help people around the world.


N.A.B.: Although there is a limited amount of female emcees, of the ones that came in the game, many of them set a foundation. What makes you different from those female emcees?

R.E.A.L: I honestly don't think I am too different than those who came before me. I believe what separates me is the opportunity to build on what those who came before me have started. Because I am coming after them I have the opportunity to expand on their work, therefore creating a stronger foundation for the female emcees of the future to stand on.


N.A.B.: It's said that you used to dance with your siblings; do you still dance and incorporate it with your music? Or do you keep them separate?

R.E.A.L: (smiling) I don't incorporate my dancing abilities with my music. Honestly, dancing was a family thing that we shared. We entertained people growing up and made a lot of money doing it. I think once we separated, I separated from dancing. I still get my 1, 2 on though. lol


N.A.B.: If you had to introduce yourself to someone that never heard of you or your music, what would you say?

R.E.A.L: I would tell everyone that I am honest, humble and exciting just like my music. My music delivers a roller coaster of emotions; from the fast pace lyrical assassination to the soul driven emotions of my real life and the inspiring clear message of hope to everyone around the world.


N.A.B.: Do you have anyone that you want to give a special shout out or thanks to?


R.E.A.L: Definitely, this is hard though because someone is always left out (lol) but here it goes, God for blessing me with many talents.Teri for supporting me every step of the way, and my partner K. Gorden for taking a chance with me. My brothers for keeping me on my toes, my nephew Travis aka Bandana My Dad, Terrell Blair, Taya Simmons, Mr & Mz Gat, EQ Studios, and everyone who supports the REALLIVEENT movement.

WRITEN BY: TAKYASHILAH

COURTESY OF A.D.THE GENERAL AND THE ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2011