Just Another Day: Started In New York

Just Another Day:  Started in New York

by Renee Batson

This day was unlike any other day...and it all started in NEW YORK!

April 12/15 was the day I left to go from Canada to New York City. 

Now, I have been to New York several times before but on this occasion it was vastly different from the times before. 

Skanks

From the moment I got off the plane I connected with Brooklyn hip hop artist SKANKS.  SKANKS is an artist I had met through a mutual associate, CASH BILZ, who is affiliated with super group BANKAI FAM. BANKAI FAM is a hip hop crew based out of Brooklyn and crown heights area.  I compare them to the WU TANG of this generation. Their music takes you back to the boom bap essence of hip hop.

Mike Fuego

Skanks allowed me on the first of many rides.  First stop was to meet with MIKE FUEGO & ELIJAH.  I didn't think on this day I would get the chance to get on the mic, but, God works in mysterious ways which led to my vocals being dropped on Elijah's album PARTY IN THE GHETTO.  That was only one great moment, nothing could prepare me for what I would soon be witness to.  As we chopped it up and had business like conversation, Mike said to me that he wanted me to hear something before we were about to leave.  Of course I'm always down to listen to creativity and artistic expression.  The one thing I remember Mike saying was that he wanted to put together an LP like NAS' classic ILLMATIC album.  Now my immediate reaction was that his record needs to be razor sharp to be able to meet that standard. 

Well let me tell you, from the first beat drop, to the first word, to the first verse, to the hook and story-line, Mike Fugeo got me.  All I heard was ILLMATIC in a new rhythmical form.  His delivery and concepts were what I would call SICKSTREETNEWYORK; on point with no static.  That was day I got to see  pure brilliance at work!  But that was only the beginning!

 

Ave Boyz

DAY 2 brought AVE BOYZ into my vision.

I have known EBURNA for a minute.  Upon seeing him he introduced me to several others which included super producer CHYNO ON THA BEAT, and then he introduced me to the street flow styles of FATAL CASHFLO. These artists make up this amazing squad, which is not limited to just the three.  They incorporate everything that is the BRONX and hold each other down like family.  LOYALTY OVER EVERYTHING is the motto.  True to the street, these lyricists are the voice of their hood.  Their concept for their newly released mixtape is pure genius.  They took elements of the movie JUICE and created their own soundtrack; pure, real, raw, and straight hood.  Even something as simple as walking the streets with these guys was surreal.  So much love the streets have for this crew, it was remarkable to see.  All this talent in one place it's not hard to see why the BRONX hip hop scene is still on fire...it's the place where hip hop started and it will never end, it will only re loop and start back from the beginning. 

DAY 3 started at 5 am on the A train off to an audition at the APOLLO THEATER.  Didn't think I would make it there considering I fell asleep on the train and missed my stop.  Luckily I managed to make it there. 149th person in line, standing in the rain waiting to get a chance to be in this historic venue. 

It was evident right from the get go that with the amount of talent in the room my chances of being chosen to be on APOLLO LIVE would be slim to nothing.  I continuously went back and forth as to what I should sing and could not decide what would work best.  I met up with PAULIE BRYAN, who I was introduced to through ROBERT JACKSON aka C STYLES. Paulie explained that he has been working for the APOLLO for several years which in turn has allowed him to help the talented artists that he is familiar with.

Performance time was intense.  I have auditioned for other shows as well but this one was much different then the others.  Needless to say I made the wrong song choice.  I decided to choose my own song called "HIP HOP (lost the love)" instead of one they are familiar with.  In the end I did not get chosen, but all was not lost because now I know what I need to do the next time.  Just being in that theater was like I had just touched and breathed in greatness, and that was gratifying enough for me.  I learned a lot on this day as it became one more experience that I have conquered. 

The following day I met up with EBURNA again in the Bronx.  We chopped it up for a bit before I was to head over to meet up with C STYLES who was hosting a coat drive charity event at THE PARIS LOUNGE in HARLEM.  On this day I met some individuals that I had been talking to on line and assisting with booking their artists for interviews on my show.  I felt as though I was accomplishing all I set out to accomplish within that moment and man did it feel good.  After meeting with the ones I did know I got the pleasure of meeting legendary DJ SMITTY ROCK, who I came to know more of but that's another story for another time. I got the pleasure of performing a little something while there.  That was invigorating in itself, freestyling and performing with a live band.  Just another highlight in this journey.

DAY 4 I finally got to meet CASPERELLI DA VELLI out at his spot in the Bronx. VELLI and I have known each other for years but did not officially meet until now! 

The mission on this day was to do a radio interview for SUPER STUPID SATURDAYS on DON'T PLAY RADIO. The interview went real well and Casper was a pleasure to work with.  We talked, freestyled and discussed how we can work together to make things happen in the world of hip hop and multimedia.  After recording the show I assisted Velli in formatting the show so it transitions smoothly. After all was said and done the show sounded dope. I haven't got the chance to do many interviews so this one was a nice look for me. 

Casperelli Da Velli

DAY 4 & 5 my last few days in New York were spent with me venturing out and taking photos of various areas. Now most people would take pictures of landmarks and places that are well known but I look for areas in which I find beauty.  Parks, subways, buildings, structures are things I find interesting. Testing different angles and focusing on images that all have a story within itself. 

When it came time to leave it was like leaving home. A place that is so busy, filled with so many sounds and images. There is no other place quite like it which is why I am madly in love with NEW YORK!!!

Other Photos Taken from Renee Batson's Experience.  

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Interview with Blackwell about opening up for NAS on April 23rd 2015 in Tampa, FL

Artist Blackwell will open up for legendary hip hop recording artist Nas on April 23rd in Tampa, FL. at Club Skye.  South East Hip Hop Magazine sits down and chats with the rising artist Blackwell about the whole experience as he prepares to open up for one of the artists that he's idolized in Hip Hop.  


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  How are you doing Blackwell? 
Blackwell:  Doing good with a new CD coming and shows!


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Blackwell:  Old School meets New School with a grown hip hop kinda feel, I tackle a lot of issues on the positive level towards plus size women, but I also have tracks to hit the streets to keep my street crowd vibin' to me.


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  How are you feeling right now, getting ready for this upcoming event where you get to open up for the legendary Nas?
Blackwell:  This is a honor beyond honors I grew up listening to him cause his style is straight from the streets sometimes straight gutter but laced every track and keep it real 100% so for this show I have to be on my A game and give the crowd something to witness.


South East Hip Hop Magazine:   Hands down, I know you are a fan of Nasir Jones.... what are your three favorite Nas albums?
Blackwell:  illmatic, Godson and I Am


South East Hip Hop Magazine:   What are your top 5 favorite Nas songs?
Blackwell:  1. Hate Me Now,  2. One Mic, 3.If I Ruled The World, 4.Made you Look and 5.Nas Is Like


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  When was the first time you heard Nas?  Take us down that memory lane, what was your reaction?  How did you feel?
Blackwell:  The first time was actually in 1994 when I heard the song "The World Is Yours" and going through a rough time in my life made me feel I could do anything I wanted to do.


South East Hip Hop Magazine:   Have you ever seen Nas live in concert in the past?  If so, how was your experience?
Blackwell:  I got to witness his performance in New York and it was unbelievable the crowd was crazy everybody white, black, Mexican, all races got turned up and I knew what he did on stage is where I wanted to be and to have a crowd like that.




South East Hip Hop Magazine:   How did you get the gig and opportunity to open for Nas for this upcoming event?
Blackwell:  I did a lot of research about the show and found the promoters and emailed them, texted them, and called them all my music and info so they could review it and they liked it.


South East Hip Hop Magazine: What can fans and viewers expect from you from your performance?
Blackwell:  A one man show with a lot of energy and definitely music to move the crowd.



South East Hip Hop Magazine:  This may be a little off the record, but what are two of your least favorite Nas albums and why?
Blackwell:  illmatic I only liked a few songs cause I was still getting use to his style and the same would go about the album It Was Written.


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  Another controversial question.... who do you think won the battle between Jay-Z and Nas?
Blackwell:  Nas hands down!







South East Hip Hop Magazine:  Is there a plan to collaborate with Nas in the foreseeable future?
Blackwell:  If it felt my style  was on his level no questions ask I be down.



South East Hip Hop Magazine:  If Nas were to do an album with only one producer for the entire album, what producer would you pick for that project?
Blackwell:  DJ Pete Rock


South East Hip Hop Magazine:   If Nas were to do a duet project with ANY artist on the planet, who would you like for that artist to be and why?
Blackwell:  A collab with Nas and Stevie Wonder may sound off base but to legends in their field and combine soul and street together would be interesting.


South East Hip Hop Magazine:  Is there anything else you would like to plug?  Any shout outs?  
Blackwell:  April 23rd of the show I will be releasing my new CD "Curvalicious", and my new single "Curvalicious", plus my new line of plus size women clothing called,"Plus and Positive", shoutout to my man D. Jones on the new album, my wifey Francesca Nappo my love and support and my biggest critic and my biggest motivator, everyone at Southeast HipHopMagazine, My Mom and Dad for believing in me, Huniie Parker, all my street fans, bbw fans, it's Blacktime baby!

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Interview with Mike Cobain

Check out our one on one interview with South East Hip Hop Magazine featured artist MIKE COBAIN!

South East Hip Hop Magazine:  How are you Mike Cobain? 

Mike Cobain:  I'm good working on my project like always. 

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Why do you call yourself Mike Cobain? 

Mike Cobain:  Because of Kurt Cobain.  One day I was listening to Nirvana because my brother listens to all ties of genre, happened to play a song and said I should call my self Mike Cobain as a joke and we laughed then thought that sounded good.   

South East Hip Hop Magazine:  Were you ever a fan of Nirvana? 

Mike Cobain:  Yea not really a say "fan", but I'm familiar with they music. 

South East Hip Hop Magazine: How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

Mike Cobain:  As a artist I'm a perfectionist because I will record a song 3 or 5 times different ways to see which one sounds better to different people but I'm humble and still i have that self confidence to. 

South East Hip Hop Magazine: What inspired you to want to become a rapper? 

Mike Cobain:  I started rapping after I heard Get Rich or Dye Trying by 50 cent when I was 'lil but really didn't want to be a rapper till i heard The Black Album & Villmatic.  

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Who were some of your influences coming up? 

Mike Cobain:  Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye, Pusha-T, Pac and Biggie.

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Who do you listen to right now?  What's in your iPod? 

Mike Cobain:  I don't listen to other artists because I don't want to sound similar to anyone because when you hear something a lot over and over in your mind you think this is hot so you start to sound and mimic that so i listen to myself.

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Who are some of the people you've worked with? 

Mike Cobain:  I work with a few people, Gave an artist out of Macon, Raw Rome and Taye Teezy. 

My engineer, but that's it really I don't really pay other artist attention. 

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Who are some of the artists you would like to work with in the future?

Mike Cobain:  I'd like to work with Kanye and hopefully Jay-Z.  O.G's like that no new artist really catch me.

South East Hip Hop Magazine:   Speaking of future, what projects do you have coming out in the near future if any?

Mike Cobain:  I'm working on one now trying to get it all together with my manager but i don't have a date or name but expect it next year soon.

South East Hip Hop Magazine: Where do you see yourself as an artist in the next five years? 

Mike Cobain:  Next five years I see God willing, Grammy or something in that nature couple number 1's singles and album.

South East Hip Hop Magazine: What are your plans for the rest of this year? 

Mike Cobain:  Plan for this year promote myself as a artist and person.

South East Hip Hop Magazine:   Is there anything else you would like to plug? Any shout outs you want to give? 

Mike Cobain:  Taye Teezy and the whole OTM.