DC (DA CHAMP) talks about his inspirations and opening for FREEWAY

E.H.M.P. : Thanks for sitting down with me today.. Let's start off with the meaning of your name DC CHAMP?

DC CHAMP: DC is short for Da Champ. My name was giving to me by a friend because no matter what I was going through or what was going on in my life I've always at the end I always stood standing & maintained.

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

DC CHAMP: My first inspirations are my kids. they keep me going and push to become better in everything I do. My second inspiration is eminem. I've always looked up to him as a MC because I can relate to a lot of the things he says.

E.H.M.P. : You have a mixtape coming out soon, What the release date and where can we listen and or download it?

DC CHAMP: Yeah the mix tape is going to be called "1 Star 1 Dream". It is schedule to be released August 31st 2013. You will be able to Stream & download it at datpiffcom,tweetmysong.com, coast2coastmixtapes.com,that crack mixtapes & more.

E.H.M.P. You recently open up for Freeway how was that experience?

DC CHAMP: The experience was great. I got to network with a lot of other artist, also got to see  freeway do his thing. Overall it was great I love being around Hip Hop.

E.H.M.P. How did you connect with A.D. The General and the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program?

DC CHAMP: I connected with A.D through my wifey. They've known each other for a while so wifey introduced me and me and A.D spoke and the rest is history.

E.H.M.P. Any shout out and or thank yous?

DC CHAMP: Yeah first I want to thank A.D The General & the Whole Elegant Hoodness Program for giving me & my team Mos Wanit the opportunity to bless their stage and showcase our talent. Second I Gotta thank the Mrs. for plugging me in with A.D & supporting me in everything I do. Third I wanna thank my Mos Wanit Brothers (Spek Arson & E-dange) for always having my back & doing what we do best making music. and last but not least I wanna thank All my fans & supporters that come to my shows, Download my music, promote for me this for ya God bless 1 love

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

QUIET GUNZ MARINE WITH LOADS OF FLOW

E.H.M.P.:  Lets start off with the meaning of your name Quiet Gunz?

QUIET GUNZ: I'm a very laid back type of dude by nature. People always comment on how quiet I was and told me I don't waste my words unless I have something meaningful to say. And having joined the Marines by the time I turn 18, that's when I the gunz part kicked in.  You literally live by the gun. Its like an extension of your body..You go to sleep with it, you eat with it, take it everywhere.. So I became the quiet kid who shot the loud guns. QuietGunz.. A name that symbolizes my style

E.H.M.P.:  Do you consider yourself a rapper or and MC and why?

QUIET GUNZ:  A rapper can get on stage, get the crowd hyped, rap and walk off the stage. He's a rapper. An MC control the crowd and don't necessarily need to rap. I combine both rapping & MC'ing. One thing about me when I do shows, I don't like to bring a crowd, entourage or buses full of homies. That's a "preset audience" that'll rock with you even if your performance is horrible. I like to capture the audience that never heard of me. That's the challenge and key to success in everything. Get out your confort zone, do what you're destined to do and get judged by people who are not bias about your music.

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

QUIET GUNZ: My favorite rapper of all time is AZ. I like Inspectah Deck, Black Thought from the Roots, Kool G Rap, Mos Def, Nas etc.. I listen to any genre of music but I get inspired from lyrically inclined artists. Growing up in Haiti where reggae music is influential, I used to mimmick Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killa. I learned how to structure rhymes in develop a flow doing that when I was barely 10. I also love riding around, cruising to West Coast music.. Being a producer I always look forward to hear Dr Dre productions.

E.H.M.P.:  Where can our readers listen to and or download your music?

QUIET GUNZ: They can download free tracks on my home website www.quietgunz.com . If anybody wants to support they can download via itune, amazon and most major online retailers. They can also connect with me on facebook, Instagram, twitter by looking up QuietGunz. I be off the radar like a sniper but if you holla QuietGunz you'll find me

E.H.M.P.:  Tell us something you have never told anyone about yourself?

QUIET GUNZ: I'm the realest rapper you never met

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

QUIET GUNZ: Shout out to all my day 1 n****z from M-Block in Spring Valley,  Monstah, Schello P, Blaze,Rob, HY, iLLa-I, Howie Dodat (look out for him), my brotha Hak, E-nyce, Nono, Pat..Congrats to the homie  Junior Galette getting that 3yr contract renewal with the New Orleans Saints..

Special thanks to Mountaindawg Ent staff, Joanne Rullen of Matlok Music, Ron Alexander, Star from Star & Bucwild, AD the General and everybody who been showing love and support

WRITTEN BY A.D. THE GENERAL
COURTESY OF THE ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013

BIG SPADE ALWAY'S PLAYS TO WIN, HE TALKS ENDORSEMENT WITH IVANA BITCH, TOURING WITH FREEWAY N LORE'L AND MUCH MORE

                                                               BIG SPADE
N.A.B.: Open up by telling our audience who Big $pade is and how you came to be who you are today.

SPADE: Motivated and inspirated artist from Savannah, Ga. My motto is #play2win its not a option to lose. I go hard for the W. That's me plan and simple.

N.A.B.: Play 2 Win is your latest mix tape out correct? Elaborate some on that and how it all came about, who’s featured etc.

SPADE: Yes, its diverse. If you play 2 win this is your guide. I had a lot of fun making it cuz I was me. All hustlers and go gettas will understand and feel Play 2 Win. Guest appearance from Trife Boss, Big Vo, Young Vett, and it was hosted by Cj the Dj available on datpiff now.

N.A.B.: What else have you been doing? Any shows and or radio plays as of yet?

SPADE: Gearing a group project with some playa partnas Vett, Nhu, VP, & P. Rogers. 3M Money Making Mob. Be on the look out for that this Nov. I have a few shows coming up. Stay tune. I'm also producing and managing artist at this time. I'm really considering working on the administration side of the business.

N.A.B.: You’ve been acquainted with the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program for quite some time now. How has that experience been? Give us insight on what they put forth for an artist like yourself.

SPADE: Its been a great experience from top to bottom. I'd developed great relationship with different artist, producers, etc. Ad set me up right. She work hard for everybody and I salute and will always be gracious for her and her staff

N.A.B.: Tell us what’s in the making presently?

SPADE: 3M(Money Making Mob), Getting Thorough Ent to prominence. I'm also in negotiations with Ivanabitch. Trying to land an endorsement deal. Major Moves are being made. #play2win baby.

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

SPADE: Facebook:spademiddleton, twitter:spade923, IG:young_cornell_jones, reverberation:spade912 Big $pade aka Young Cornell Jonez #play2win is a brand.

Written by Special Gift (N.A.B.) Courtesy of the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program 2013

XOTHEHITMAKER SIT'S DOWN WITH N.A.B.

XO THE HITMAKER

N.A.B.: How did the name XO the Hitmaker come to be yours?

XO: When I first started making music, I only made songs for woman. Whether it was songs on relationships, heartbreaks, or feel good music, I always tackled the female audience. I still do now but I’m more open to other types of music. Hitmaker part is a self-confident statement! I always strive to leave the studio with a HIT!

N.A.B.: How long have you been doing music? What genre do you fit in with?

XO: I've been writing ever since I was 14. Started recording at 16 & doing it professionally around 17-18. I'm now 20, so I would say only 2 years cause I feel those other years I did it, it was just a hobby. I'm very diverse with my music, I can make a hip hop record today and a jazz collaboration tomorrow. I’m very open minded. If it’s hot, I'll put my stamp on it. But if I would have to choose one genre, I would say hip hop.

N.A.B.: You recently performed in Miami at the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program hosted by A.D. the General. Elaborate on how you became involved and the all-around turnout.

XO: I've had contact with A.D. through twitter for a couple years now & always wanted to see what the program was about. Just never had the right material to do so. Started being involved more since the Philly show that was done a couple weeks back. Miami was a great turn out! Got to meet some cool down to earth artists like myself and just all around good people.

N.A.B.: Do you have a single, mix tape and or album out presently? If so, give us details in regards.

XO: My single out entitled "Turn't Up" is up right now on YouTube, Soundcloud, Etc. The record features Fred Nice and was produced by Lexi Banks. The mix tape, my first mix tape I'm working on right now is half way complete. Taking my time with this because it’s my first project. Don't have a for sure date on it but it will be out very soon. & will be up on all mix tape distributors online as well as hard copies if ordered FREE!

N.A.B.: What are you presently working on? Let the readers and your fans know what can be expected of you by the end of this year?

XO: Right now I'm working on my first mix tape, first project ever. "Prince of Dreams" coming soon. By the end of this year you all should expect success. I'm striving for greatness from this day on. & I'll settle for nothing less.

N.A.B.: You just celebrated your first father’s day. How did that fee? Is there anything you would like to express that we haven’t yet?

XO: Thank you, it was an amazing feeling! There’s nothing like it. I'm blessed to have my little boy. He's the reason why I push myself to do better! No looking back, no rewinds, no setbacks. My son deserves everything & more.

N.A.B.: Is there anything we haven't touched basis on that you would like to do so?

XO: New single coming soon!!

N.A.B.: Where can we stay updated in all that you do? Social networks, websites, etc.

XO: Everything XO The Hitmaker Twitter: @XOTheHitmaker Instagram: @XOTheHitmaker FaceBook: XO The Hitmaker YouTube.com/XOTheHitmaker Soundcloud.com/XOTheHitmaker

INTERVIEWED BY: SPECIALGIFT N.A.B.

COURTESY OF ELEGANT HOODNESS MUSICAL PROGRAM 2013’

SKIP OF WE LOOSE NOMINATED FOR EMERGING PRODUCER OF THE YEAR #MAIMI

                                                                             

                                                    "Skip of WELOOSE"

E.H.M.P.: Congratulations on you recent win at The Elegant Hoodness Miami. How was you 1st experience at The Elegant Hoodness and would you recommend this event to other's?

SKIP: Thanks AD, it was great. I met a lot of cool people, I would recommend it to anyone trying to set foot in the game. It was a good networking opportunity.

E.H.M.P.: Talk to me about the name Skip of WELOOSE?

SKIP: Yea sure, my name is Skip. It's just my name, its not some special character like most people have, from my name to my music its all genuine, no smoke and mirrors. Now, with my name being Skip, its very common so to prevent confusion, I added that WELOOSE on the end of it. You say the whole thing just like "A tribe called quest," I'm "Skip of WELOOSE."

E.H.M.P.: How long have you and your partner been working together?

SKIP: Me and Luck of WELOOSE have been friends since high school at Miami Carol City High. We just started writing rhymes and from there spread into production, video editing, graphics, and web design. I would say the last 5 years have been the most productive, but we've been paying dues in this for a lot longer than that.

E.H.M.P.: Which do you prefer if any, Being and artists or a producer?

SKIP: That's always a hard question to answer. I love doing both for different reasons. I started out as an artist, I love to write, and making words rhyme while telling a story is like a puzzle game to me that never gets old. I started making beats out of need. I started on FL studio 2.7, I think they are up to version 11 now. Making beats gives me the ability to move and inspire people just by the rhythm of a bass line or the bang of a drum pattern, there's no better feeling.

E.H.M.P.: Where can we listen to and or download your music>

SKIP: You should check out my new mixtape Smoke Break 3, and the easiest place to start is my website www.skipofweloose.com. From there you can check out all my mixtapes, music videos, production and media. There's also link there for my social networking pages. You can also just Google 'Skip of WELOOSE'

E.H.M.P.: Any last word and or shout outs?

SKIP: Yes, I want to shout out Elegant Hoodness, AD the General, all the winners of this years musical program, and just everybody grinding in this industry that respects the crafts, pays their dues, and understands this is a marathon, not a sprint. I want to shoutout Miami, NY, LA, TX, my fans across the country and around the world. Peace

Written by A.D THE GENERAL courtesy of the ELEGANTHOODNESSMUSICALPROGRAM 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