Will Tha Rapper Talks New Music, Getting Signed + Who’s Hot in The DMV

I took a walk with Will Tha Rapper outside of his family reunion to chat about the music scene in the DMV, life after getting signed and gives us some insight onto what SSO really is.

Bandhunta Izzy Talks Getting Signed To Republic, His Journey + Growing Up in Baltimore

Q: How do you feel as an artist now that you are signed to Republic Records?

A: It’s cool, being signed just put me on a different platform. People in the city (Baltimore) already treat me a certain way, I get a mixture of vibes. I get good vibes from the younger generation and the older people usually just look at me like a hoodlum or something.

Q: Where in Baltimore are you from?

A: West Baltimore

Q: What was it like growing up in West Baltimore?

A: I mean its cool, I was young living around there so I was just watching what was going on but I really started doing what I was doing when I had moved from there and I started hanging out in Linwood and that was crazy, but you know I was always rapping but I just started taking it seriously about two years ago.

Q: What was it like growing up in Baltimore? I know that the murder rate has reached an all time high since the 90’s – can you speak on that?

A: I mean living in that environment you really don’t got no choice for real. You either get with it or get lost, I wasn’t getting lost.

Q: What record did you put out that blew up the most? 

A: I did a song with my blood brother called Bandhunta pt. 2 and that song really set it off, and that I followed that with a song with Sleepy called BBB and that one really went global.

Q: Do you think there are rappers from your city that people fail to notice?

A: A lot of people be rapping in Baltimore but I think everyone who deserves acknowledgement is getting their shine. Meek Mill just signed YBS Skola, Boosie be giving Young Moose recognition, and Creek Boyz just got signed with 300 ENT so their is a lot of people making moves.

Q: So what’s next for you, what can we look forward too?

A: I’m about to drop a couple singles and then a tape after that, but I got a lot of music like over 100 songs and I got some mainstream features in the works. My favorite rapper is Lil Herb so if I could make that happen that would be the best thing.

 

I Churffered Johnny Gill around NYC In A 2001 MiniVan 🗽

 

Alright so this was my first time working as what they call a runner. For those who aren’t familiar with the term a runner is someone who goes and runs all the errands for artist and the entourage. So as soon as my friend offered me the job I jumped on it just so I could make some quick cash I really didn’t care who the artist was but I found out that morning that I would be working as a runner for the Charlie Wilson tour and my assigned artist was Mr. My My My himself, Johnny Gill.

Now growing my extra circulars 90% of the time was watching 90s videos and TV shows, I mean I was genuinely obsessed to the point were it even reflected in my style and the things I liked to wear. Anywho I said that to say that I was a fan. So whatever it’s the morning of the show at the Barclays and I go to pick up the car that I would be driving for the day to assist Johnny and his team. I pull up hand in all the paper work needed and I was lowkey surprised to see them pull out an old ass van, I mean that joint could have been made in the 90s, no aux chord no nothing, but hey I got to get the job done so I make my way to pick up Gill and his crew at the hotel.
I pull up, the first one I meet- his name I can’t remember but it was his manger. Old guy with plenty of greys in his hair greets me and we small talk to get acquainted and to discuss the run of show for today. His manger constantly forced “baby girl” and unwanted compliments about how “fine” I was. Later in the day he ended up telling me that he reason I don’t have a boyfriend is because I am so mean. 😂 Like come on sir, this man was OLDER than my father.

Back to the topic though.. so the band loads the car, and I go back in the driver seat as we wait for Johnny to come down so we can get him to rehearsal. Johnny comes down I open the door for him and say “Hi nice to meet you” and I lie to you not this man stopped, looked me in my eyes and just adjusted himself in his seat. I mean the way he ignored me you would have thought he Trey Songz or Chris Brown or something.
For the most part he was pretty low maintenance. He only requested a special type of water that I had to get from Key Foods so that was nothing. But I just feel like his level of boujee and his cockiness was outrageous. He has to humble himself. This all happened before the BET  series came out so maybe he was on one because he knew what was to come, but with all do respect I feel like it’s important to speak to everyone from janitors to interns. That’s why I love Charlagmane Tha God because ever since my first day as an intern that man greeted me and conversed with me as if he knew me personally.
I think I was just so upset because I have been a big fan of New Edition since I was kid. My mom use to bump and now I do on a more spiritual level so just to meet someone you admired your whole life especially like an OG that can be your grandpa, I wasn’t expecting that ignorance.

Needless to say I have been learning all the things I will won’t do until he future

2 Chainz told me to STFU…

So today I walked into work and Wax opens the door for me because of course I don’t have a key card. As he opens the door I greet him with casual small talk you know.. “Hey, Good Morning” when all of a sudden I hear someone yell “Can ya’ll shut the fu** up over there”. At the time I’m still standing in the doorway with the 😳 face. So I walk in to see who said that and it was no one other than 2 Chainz. 

Now Tity Boy is hands down one of the best rappers coming from Atlanta out right now. His album Pretty Girls Like Trap Music is FIRE. 🔥 All the features he has done in 2016-2017 so far have been FIRE. 🔥 So I think it’s needless to say that I was pretty damn honored to shut the fu** up and let a real one talk. 😂😭

He actually quickly apologized once he saw my face, he must have thought I was a little kid. Not to mention he saw Wax and wanted no parts in his big scary ass so we all just laughed it off. I thought The Breakfast Club would edit the promo video and take out that whole interaction but to my surprise they kept it. (If you listen very closely 👂🏾 you can hear me in the background in very beginning). 

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My Experience Interning For The Voice of New York Angie Martinez 🗽🎙

It’s not everyday that you get to work along side a legend, let alone someone who has played a major role in shaping the culture that I love so much. I remember the day I got call from Gabe asking me if I wanted to interview Angie Martinez, all I could do is scream, and once I finished he just said “I guess thats a yes…”. (Lol) I was so eager to meet her, I had so many questions, and I was really hoping to impress her on the mic. Luckily, through the grace of God I did and ever since then I have had the pleasure of interning for her for the past seven months.

Angie has been in the game since she was my age and she has gone beyond mastering this craft. She’s the real deal, she’s honest, and she’s not afraid to tell you to get your shit together. I’m not going to lie at times it’s intimidating to work along side her because her work ethic and her team is so solid but I use that as motivation, like how can I be just as dope, how can I make this team even better. Something that I have learned is that one, nothing happens overnight, and two, to get  good at something takes time.
I can’t  thank Angie enough for giving me an opportunity because it has changed my life, I am more than proud to be apart of her team, I consider them my family. I appreciate the tough love and freedom to be myself, and as I travel on this mission of following my dreams I aim to be just a successful and hopefully be able to have the same impact on another.

Ten Tips For Interning At A Radio Station 📻

Our generation is one that thrives off of instant gratification but I have learned that those things are really temporary. If you are looking to get into radio whether that be producing, digital work, or being on air, although its a fun job you’re going to have to put in some work.

I was blessed with an amazing opportunity during my last semester of college to work at the nations number one Hip Hop radio station in New York City, Power 105.1. In the time that I spent there I learned a few “major keys” as Khlaed would say, that I would like to share with you all on how to be successful in the radio industry as well as a strong asset to any organization you may choose to work.

 

• Positive Vibes 😎
  • People can read your energy. It is important that you come into work with a positive attitude no matter the task at hand. If you have the ability to work hard and brighten up a room, people will remember that, and being remembered is what is important.

• Passion for the craft 📻
  • If you are not passionate about radio, or about the work that you are doing 9x out of 10 it will reflect in your work. When you love what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like work!

• Creativity and originality 🎨
  • Bringing something new to the table is always a positive. We are always looking for new and innovative ideas to spread and talk about music, news, and whatever is trending.

• Be in the Know 📉🌍👀
  • If you are going to work in radio you have to know what is going on in this world. We are now in an age were we consume so much information within 24 hours and then we move on. So it is important to be on top of all things trending in the news and on social media.

• Treat everyone the same 🤝
  • I feel like this should be common sense, but I know common sense isn’t common for everyone. It is important that you treat everyone with the same respect. As you walk into the office greet and acknowledge everyone that you encounter from the security, to receptionist, to janitors, to the CEO of the company. Understand that everybody plays an important role.

• Dress code 👢👔👗
  • The dress code is usually business casual/casual depending on the department that you work in at the radio station. Working in radio you never know who you may run into daily so it is important that however you decided to dress you look clean and neat. I typically would wear very urban clothing. (Fly shirt, jeans, and some sneakers)

• Experience
  • Employers like hiring people who already have experience. Sometimes it’s hard to get an opportunity in the job that you want but with so much technology and with the internet you can start on your own blog, your own business, your own Youtube channel and use that experience to get you where you want to go.

• Team player (Flexibility) 👭👬👭👬
  • My father use to tell me a solider can not win a war alone, it takes a unit, it takes a team. That being said, yes your contribution and work is important but you have to be a team player. This will not only help you but also those around you to work together smoothly to accomplish the same goal.

• Persistence
• Persistence, Persistence, Persistence, Persistence is key! Not all the days at work will be fun and not all the days at work will be easy, but you can’t let the bad times discourage you. As long as you acknowledge your failures and work in the areas that you lack, you will come out much stronger.

• Be Yo Self! 🙇
• Last but very well not the least, be yourself!! When you are an intern most likely you are still trying to find yourself and thats okay. So don’t try to wear or mask or pretend to be something that you are not. Your main goal should be to network and build relationships with people because you never who can be what in the future. So the best thing to do in that case is to be real with yourself so you can be real with those around you.

And there you have it!  Note that this all personal and based off of my own experience but I assure you that with these keys 🔑 you will be the best intern ever! 

Reflection: Irving Plaza Shooting

Since birth, Hip Hop has been faced with negative connotations and slander. Gang bangers,  thugs, violent words, are just a few phrases that many throw around to give my culture a bad rep. Over time I would hope to see progression and growth but it seems like we’re still in the same place we started in.

Last night a friend and I were able to attend the TI concert at Irving Plaza in midtown New York. What we planned as a fun and enjoyable night on the town turned into a scene from a horror movie. The crowd was very diverse; Whites, Blacks, Asians, of all ages. To my surprise the medium age for the crowd their was about thirty-five, and older. I was a very small fish in a pond of sharks. Since I’m pretty small, my friend and I decided to kick it towards the back of the venue, and use the steps of the VIP area, as a stool so we could see the stage. Like most concerts we waited for hours to see TIP come out. Doors opened at 7 o’clock PM, yet ten o’clock rolls around and there is still no TI.

The music stopped, and there was a change in DJ. A few minutes later above me I hear gunshots but it blended with the music so I had just assumed it was base from the music that was playing, when all of a sudden I hear footsteps running. So I’m thinking…man some drunken people went and got into a fight. When I hopped on the step of the VIP to take a look at the stage I see people ambushing the stage, running to the exit, and even worse running in my direction towards the back exit. My friend grabs me and we run towards an exit but we are trapped in the middle of a stampede.

Since the door was congested we were pretty much at a standstill for one point and time. My friend peaked her head out of one exit and saw a man with his face covered in blood. At the point she started screaming “we gotta go, we gotta go” and then a man came to the main floor and started shooting again right in front of us. At this point I was scared to leave, scared to stay. Thankfully my friend was able to make her way through and drags me  out along with her.

Blessed, and thankful that no bullets hit me, I give God all the glory. As I walked outside I stood with others watching the chaos occur. The ambulance and the NYPD quickly rushed into the venue once it was empty, taking people who were hurt out on stretchers, and trying to block off the roads. It was reported that the shootings occurred because of beef between Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave and another party. Three people were injured and unfortunately one man actually died last night. (Rest in peace)  I find it ridiculous that this venue did not have metal detectors, and on top of  that failed to complete pat down’s or do any type of security check as I entered the venue. That should be mandatory for events like this.

Legends lost- Tupac and Biggie were the most tragic and impactful deaths in the Hip Hop culture. Regardless if you’re from the east coast or west coast their deaths were a loss that we all took as a community. It’s obvious that New York is not the breeding ground for Hip Hop as it use to be in the 90’s but after witnessing last nights behavior I am begging to worry about progression in our community.

In the late 80’s early 90’s there was a Stop the Violence Movement that KRS1 had created to address violence in the hip hop community. To push the movement they created a song entitled “Self Destruction” that featured versus from some of the biggest stars during this time period like Heavy D, Public Enemy, MC Lyte, Dougie Fresh, KRS1, Kool Moe Dee, and a few others. Today the African American community has came along way as far as success in this country, but unity in our culture has always been a problem. We need to demand a call to action. The Stop The Violence Movement was great for the culture back then and is something that I feel like should be reborn to help Hip Hop in it’s time of need.

  Stop the Violence!

“when it’s shot who’s to blame?”
“Headlines, front page, and rap’s the name”
“MC Delight here to state the bottom line”
“That black-on-black crime was way before our time”

-MC Lyte

 

 

Peak into Atlanta's Music Industry with "Livin Cozy"

 

YG

Diddy

Atlanta based photographer Andre Jenkins has recently published a Polaroid photography journal entitled Livin Cozy. The book features some familiar faces in the industry like A$AP Rocky, Future, Pharrell, YG, SZA, Lauryn Hill and many more. Jenkins narrates his journey through his various celebrity encounters and how he was able to create valuable relationships that would later be instrumental in his artistic career including event curating, and creative direction.

The first page of Livin Cozy ends with Andre saying “If your reading this book, I want you to know that anything is possible and it’s not about where you start, but how you finish. When a door in your life is closed, sneak through the back and open the door for the homies.” These few words I felt were inspiring and motivate me to continue to chase after my dreams. The name “Livin Cozy” comes from the perception that Andre was gaining through his photo collection. Attending concerts in the V.I.P. section and chilling with different artist Andre was able to create a platform for himself. Andre brought Livin Cozy to New York this past weekend. Presenting a gallery of his polaroid’s and giving us a behind the scene look at his journey on entering the entertainment industry.

Andre and Future

As I was walking around it was amazing to witness how Andre was able to manifest his dreams through networking and paving his way to success within the entertainment industry. Building a brand and creating personal relationships with different artist, Andre is a leading example of turning your dreams into reality.  Out of the many crazy nights he as experience, Andre goes on to share that one of his favorite experiences was the day that he met Diddy. His success within a year has grown fast and this is only the beginning for photographer Andre Jenkins.

 

 

Profile and Interview with the Voice of New York Angie Martinez

Q: How did you get J Cole to help you write your book?

A: Well I had my people reach out to get a quote for the back of the book, and he just wrote this amazing, it wasn’t even a quote or a forward it was just his thoughts about my career, and hip hop in general. And he sent it to me, he said he don’t know what is, I just said what I felt and he said I could do whatever I want with it, so we made it the forward. It’s short for a forward it’s about a page and half, but it was perfect, he didn’t need to say anything else.

 Q: How did you get started in radio?

 A: Awhh man, well my mother was in radio, she worked for a jazz station in New York that doesn’t exists anymore. I was 16 and I was sent to live in Miami with my aunt, and I started working at a radio station down their. When I turned 18 I moved back to New York, and I started interning at HOT97. At the time they were playing straight up 80’s 90’s dance music, and it didn’t matter to me, I was just happy to have an internship but Hip Hop was always my passion. So lucky enough for me I was able to already to be at the station while it was becoming the number one Hip Hop station in New York, you know I was at the right place at the right time. Thank God.

Q: That’s cool, so what advice would you give to someone like me or Nyla who is interested in getting into this field?

A: That’s a great question, I think you just have to figure out what your thing is, its about being honest with your audience first of all, so you know don’t put on to much of a show.

 Q: so what inspired you to write your book?

A: Well when I left HOT and moved to power it really surprised me how much it mattered to people. Not just controversy, but like I felt a lot of love, I’ve always felt a lot of love from the city, but I just really wanted to share what I learned while coming up, because the history of radio is not really well documented. There is so many lessons I learned that I had to share.

 Q: I have a question about some of the lessons you learned, I saw on your Instagram you posted Chapter 5: Tupac and Biggie. Can you touch on that?

A: Awhh man can you imagine? I was about your age, starting my career, and your surrounded by greatness, and your point in a point where you can talk to both of them Big and PAC. And that is when I really realized the power of my voice. Unfortunately that situation was bigger than I was, and everyone knows what happened. But it was devastating and I’m working at a place where I know everybody around them it was awful.

Kickin It With 821

Check out their mini series on youtube called “Welcome to the Lobby” to get some more insight about this group and see what goes on in their daily life.

I was able to sit down with the members of Queen’s own 821; C Black, KK Da Don, and Hoedy to discuss with them how life has changed since dropping their song “Lobby” in May 2015.