Saturday, July 27, 2013

ELEGANT HOODNESS CATCHES UP WITH MR V.I.P. HIMSELF SAIAH





 SAIAH

E.H.M.P.:  Welcome to the Elegant Hoodness Family. Who put you on to the
 Program?

SAIAH: DJ Ace of Spades put me on to Elegant Hoodness. He's always helping independent artists like me in their careers and that's rare in this industry sometimes because people tend to get so focused on their own agendas. It's definitely a blessing because they are good, down to
earth people.

E.H.M.P.: You are originally from down south and recently moved to Queens?
Tell me why the transition and if it has been working in your favor?

SAIAH: I knew if I wanted to take my career as an artist and a producer/engineer to the next level this was the place to be. I'm into other performance arts too so I also have done some acting. Since I moved here it feels like everything has been going in the right direction. I keep meeting people that not only are good to know on a business level, but we connect on a personal level too and that builds real relationships, which is important to me.

E.H.M.P.: You are truly into lyrics. How important is lyrics in hip hop?

SAIAH: I feel like it's one of the most, if not the most important thing for emcees. With hip hop a bulk of the talent is in the writing or lyrics that you have, whether it's in a song or free-styling. Delivery matters a lot too but it's not like in other genres where the vocal performance is really the biggest thing that an artist is judged on.

E.H.M.P.: Where can we listen to and or down load your music?

SAIAH: The first place is www.saiahmusic.com. That's my official website but you can also find me on Itunes, Rhapsody, Spotify and most of the major music distributors by searching my name. I made it easy for my fans and extended family on the social networking sites by making it so all you have to do is add "/saiahmusic" to the end of the link. Facebook, Twitter, Reverbnation, Instagram all have it the same way.

E.H.M.P.: Who are some of your inspirations?

SAIAH: I get inspiration from so many artists. As far as hip hop it's Common, Nas, Mos Def, Biggie, Jay-Z, Pac, The Fugees, and Eminem that I listened to most growing up but I also like a lot of the artists doing it today. I'm very eclectic though so I drew a lot from music outside of
hip hop too. Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, Marvin Gaye... The list goes on.

E.H.M.P.:  If the world could remember with one word what would it be?

SAIAH: Innovative

E.H.M.P.: Thank you and or shout outs?

SAIAH: Shout out and many thanks to AD The General, DJ Ace of Spades,
The BURN U Movement, Juzz Roc the Mic, The Air it Out Girls, and of course everybody that has supported my career at any time and on any level. If I'm leaving anybody it out it definitely doesn't mean that I'm not thinking about you. I appreciate you all, especially fans of my
music.

Written by A.D. The General
Courtesy of The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program 2013

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

GET TO KNOW TROUBLED E/EVAN SAVANT


 EVAN TROUBLED E/EVAN SAVANT

N.A.B.: Open up this interview by telling us who Evan Troubled E/Evan Savant is. What do you contribute to the world?

E SAVANT:  At this very moment in my life, I am trying to be a positive source for society. Being 27 years old, I have learned a great deal from the mistakes I have made throughout my life. If there is a way I can inspire, motivate, or uplift the youth, I try my best to do it. As you see, I still keep the Troubled E in my name even though I don’t see myself as the confused young man I used to be. With seeing myself as a strong influence on children, I need to let them know that I went through battles and struggles to become an uplifted and productive individual. I firmly believe that this will keep them motivated when everything is not going their way. So I am taking the word troubled, which normally has a negative connotation and transforming it into hope for the children. Having just finished my master’s degree in special education, I have a unique background of schooling. As of now, I work with learning disabled children as well as ones who just need that extra push to succeed. About 3 years ago, I told someone how many different subjects I tutored and their mother said, “He must be a savant or something.” From that day on forward, I decided to call myself E the Savant as well. At that time in my life, I was discouraged and fed up with the route that hip hop was taking, but I still loved making music. It felt as if, I needed to grab new inspiration from somewhere else. I had just stopped working with an independent record label and I was performing at shows where the venues headed the same exact gimmicks every time. Instead of being negative, I chose to take a completely different route. I feel god put me in the presence of children, so I could find some new inspiration and be useful again.

N.A.B.: When did you start writing children songs? Elaborate some on your latest work.

E SAVANT: About 2 years ago, one of my sister’s friends told me that she was organizing an event for children. I told her that I would write a song that was dedicated to the event. This was the 1st song I wrote that mainly targeted children. As I did my performance for the children, I had never seen such an amazing reaction from any crowd I had performed in front of. They were so grateful and they seemed so focused on my every move. When I decided to freestyle over “Black and Yellow”, they went insane. They made me freestyle over Wiz Khalifa’s smash hit, about 5 times. On top of the amazing feeling they gave me, it felt really great to know that I was providing them with a positive and realistic message that they could benefit from throughout their lives. After this experience, I was psyched about writing motivational and educational music for children. I decided to write 6 songs and put together some awesome music for kids. The next song I wrote was about reading and I felt that the record would have a significant effect on the children, if I put my lyrics in a story format. I titled this song “Pick up a Book”, and it was followed by 4 more huge songs, which make up my album “Read, Write, and Solve!’ This is my latest work as of now, but I have written several other songs that I will release shortly down the road.

N.A.B.: What are you presently working on?

E SAVANT: You probably think that I am no longer making music for other age groups, but surprisingly I am in the process of making a mix tape with an R&B artist named, E Ceasar. It will be an 8 track disc entitled “All Grown Up”. We are planning to form a dynamic duo and make some everlasting music. I am also about to release a new single I wrote called “Let Love Guide the Way.” In addition to this, I have been performing at children’s parties, camps, and schools. I just recently performed at a pre-school, which was very interesting because it was the youngest audience I had ever displayed my skills in front of.  Besides all of these endeavors, I am writing songs behind the scenes for a couple of artists.

N.A.B.: What is your overall focus within your career?

E SAVANT: My overall focus is definitely writing because I really enjoy putting songs together and taking words and putting them into a real life story.  When it comes to writing, I love when an artist comes to me and tells me the idea they have or an experience they want to speak about, and they want me to write the lyrics to capture the story. It gives me great joy when I see someone performing the lyrics I have written and delivering them perfectly. I am also extremely focused on the educational and motivational music I make for children. I feel that there are many avenues that are untouched when it comes to this market. I would also like to start getting involved in writing jingles for advertising agencies. I have already written several jingles, but I need to find out more about how it works.


N.A.B.: Tell us what do you have planned to accomplish by the end of this year?

E SAVANT: By the end of the year, I want E the Savant to have a stronger presence and be a more established brand. I plan to link up with E Ceasar and make some great music. I feel we can be a one of a kind duo and we have put together a 3 year plan for our goals. At the end of this year, we should be generating monthly income from our music and we will definitely be performing at many venues. I will be doing many more parties, school functions, and events in my area as well.

N.A.B.: What do you know about the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program via A.D. the General and your affiliation?

E SAVANT: I know that the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program is a great way to learn about the music industry and become a much better artist at the same time. I have had the pleasure of speaking to A.D. The General and she’s an incredible person. I can tell that her heart is in the right place and she really wants to help upcoming artists accomplish their goals and be successful in the music industry. I completely see eye to eye with her how hip hop is transforming. I have also spoken to Special Gift and she is right there with A.D. The General with making it happen for artists who are not receiving the recognition that they deserve for their timeless art. I totally respect their movement and I plan to continue working with the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program in the future.

N.A.B.: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you would like to do so now?

E SAVANT: No, I think I have said more than enough, (laughs).

N.A.B.: How can we stay updated in all that you do? Any social networks, website(s), etc.?

E SAVANT: You can email me at troublede@gmail.com or mr.evante@gmail.com. You can search for me on YouTube by typing in Troubled E or E The Savant. You can send me a message on Facebook, my link is www.facebook.com/evan.troublede or just give me a call at (561) 706- 3783. Thank you again for your support and valued time, Elegant Hoodness


INTERVIEWED BY: SPECIALGIFT N.A.B.

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013'

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Check out Swagga with E.H.M.P.


SWAGGA

E.H.M.P.: What is your objective in this game?

SWAGGA: I have different goals then other rappers, I ain't into all the fame in stuff. I just want to make it for my family and my brother that died. He always had faith in me making it! Other rappers make it for money and fame. All I want is DJ Funk Flex to drop the bomb on my sh**! That's my main goal.

E.H.M.P.: Who are your favorite top five female MC's?

SWAGGA: Don't really have a top five female MC but I do like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Remy Ma.

E.H.M.P.: Where can we listen to your music?

SWAGGA: You could listen to my music and watch videos on YouTube and SoundCloud! www.youtube.com/RichgangEntTV www.soundcloud.com/The-Real-Swagga

E.H.M.P.: Any Thank you and Shout out's?

SWAGGA: I want to thank my family for supporting me. Pushing me hard and supporting my dreams. I want to thank my supporters for supporting and promoting my music and videos. I want to thank God for making these opportunities work for me. I couldn't have done it without him!

INTERVIEWED BY: A.D. THE GENERAL

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013'

Sunday, June 16, 2013

GET TO KNOW VERBALZ DA GREAT WITH N.A.B.



 VERBALZ DA GREAT

N.A.B.: What is your government and stage name?

VERBALZ: My government name is Ron Legions. My stage name is Verbalz da Great!

N.A.B.: When did you first debut?

VERBALZ: The first time I took the stage was at Club Pyramid in 2004. I performed my first single “Hard Life” which is a song that vividly describes and briefly covers my life from a child up until I had my first child.

N.A.B.: What do you believe is your purpose in the music business?

VERBALZ: I believe my purpose in the music business is to simply breathe New Life into the game! I am the representation of all hip hop listeners who anticipates the day rap returns to the day lyrics mattered.

N.A.B.: How would you describe your style of music?

VERBALZ: I would describe my style of music as trend setting. It’s different, unique, original, and one of a kind! I sound like no one!

N.A.B.: What are you presently working on?

VERBALZ: I’m currently working on my new project “Hip Hop” and shooting a video to my new singe, “Wasted.”

N.A.B.: Tell us something nobody knows about you?

VERBALZ: What people don’t know about me is that I am not only an artist I am the president of my own label called Flatline Wreckords.

N.A.B.: What else is it you do outside of the music business?

VERBALZ: Outside of music I play chess, basketball, read educational material and work out as hobbies. First and foremost I am a father of three, and a husband to their mother.

N.A.B.: Where are you looking to stand your life within the next 5 years?

VERBALZ: In the next five year I plan on snatching up a handful of awards. Have a few top selling albums and chart topping singles. I plan on being The Face of Hip Hop!

N.A.B.: How can we stay acquainted in all that you do?

VERBALZ: I’m on Instagram via Verbal, Twitter via @itsmeverbalz and my email is verbalzdagreat@gmail.com


INTERVIEWED BY: SPECIALGIFT (N.A.B.)

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013'

A ONE WOMAN BAND "KAYE DIAMONDS!" GET ACQUAINTED WITH N.A.B.



 KAYE DIAMONDS

N.A.B.: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Tell us what field you’re currently pursuing? How long have you been doing so?

K. DIAMONDS: I’m a radio personality and promoter. I've been doing radio for less than a year. To be technical, I've been in the hip hop game for over fourteen years!

N.A.B.: Do you have a partner?

K. DIAMONDS: I'm actually a one woman band. I have supporters not partners, (laughs). It’s hard to find someone who's well driven like myself.

N.A.B.: What genre of music do you seek to play and when do you air?

K. DIAMONDS: I play all genres, once you say you’re a musician I want to hear it and play it!

N.A.B: How does an artist get spins on your radio show?

K. DIAMONDS: If an artist need spins or promotion on my show, they would've to email me at 4diamondsmgmtinc@gmail.com their tracks and a small $25 fee (for a two week promotion radio or via social networks). This here also includes an interview in studio, on location or via phone interview. I travel with my show (laughs) so I could air live.

N.A.B.: Do you have any hobbies outside of the music business?

K. DIAMONDS: Yea being a mother (laughs). My hobbies come along with my day. You could say I’m a walking freelancer, I just go with the flow, (laughs). I’m also known to be an artist manager.

N.A.B.: What is your affiliation with Elegant Hoodness Musical Program and A.D. the General?

K. DIAMONDS: My affiliation with Elegant Hoodness, that’s family and I show love to the movement they have going. So you could say Elegant Hoodness will always have Kaye Diamonds as a supporter! A.D. the General to me is one of the most down to earth promoters I’ve seen, she tell it like it is! You don't find too many females in the game that could go amongst the wolves and survive but A.D. the General well her name says it all, Da General. Love working with her.


INTERVIEWED BY: SPECIALGIFT N.A.B.

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013'