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Ebonie Smith: A Sweet Genius |
 Kirk Anthony: What sparked your interest in the “background aspects” of the music industry (producing, songwriting, & entrepreneurialism)? Ebonie Smith: It is very hard for me to divorce production and artistry. I have always equated producing and songwriting with performance. The idea of being able to be the “entire band” was what originally attracted me to music production. I’ve always wanted to play all the instruments simultaneously. Music production presents a tool that allows me to do this—as silly as it sounds. Additionally, I enjoy being in complete control of my creative process as an artist and musician. The idea of “being produced” feels very constraining. I don’t want to give the impression that I am averse to being directed. However, my songs are often personal and specific to my lived experience. It is sometimes difficult to have someone else accurately articulate musical ideas that are so close to me. For example, no one else could have possibly produced “Secret Love” on my latest album. That record in my heart translated, a true musical manifestation of what I was feeling at the time. KA: How would you describe your production style? ES: My production style is a combination of what the artist asks for and what I know works. I work with artists in all genres, and I try to tailor the sound and production experience to them specifically. I add my “Ebonie-ness” in there and Voilà! I don’t confine myself to genres. Fortunately, I have training in a number of different styles (i.e. jazz, hip hop, classical, r & b, rock), and I can use these forms as reference points. However, I would never describe myself as a “hip hop producer” or anything like that. But if a quick, concise definition is what you want, I have been calling my production style “Urban Zing” these days. I define that as a little urban soul mixed with a dash of musical deviance, eccentrics and asymmetrical irregularity. |
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Eternia: Rappers Wear Skirts Too |
 Kirk Anthony: What got you interested in pursuing a career in hip-hop? Eternia: I never really consciously ‘chose’ Hip-Hop. I’ve been rapping since around the age of 8. Passion feeds Talent, and vice versa. Why not do what you love for a living, and do what God gave you gifts in? It was a no-brainer. KA: What current projects you are working on? E: It’s Top Secret! LOL! No really though… it is. I can say I’m exclusive to one producer right now. And I’m pretty excited about it. KA: Who are your major hip-hop influences? E: Man, where do I begin? Golden era hip hop in general. ATCQ, Digable, Organized Konfusion, Jeru, Nas, Big Pun, Shabazz the Disciple, Maestro Fresh Wes, Arsonists, Fugees, Onyx, Busta, Latifah… list goes on…. And on. I was sonically influenced by the crews I rolled in, comin’ up, the most. So that would be Nextra in Canada, Demigodz in the U.S., also Collizhun of Tough Dumplin taught me a lot. Cats I toured with taught me a lot. I’m a mix of a lot of different influences. KA: How would you describe the current Canadian hip-hop scene? E: Finally catching up. Finally getting the respect it always deserves. Finally taking pride in itself -- finally flying. KA: Judging from the reaction of the crowd at your performance at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, one would think you are much more in the mainstream consciousness than it appears you are. Why do you think such positive reaction and acceptance concerning your live performances and recorded work is not, as yet, translating to mainstream knowledge, acceptance, & acknowledgement of your work? |
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Sebastien Elkouby: Saving Youth Through Hip Hop |
 Kirk Anthony (KA): Coming to the U.S from France in 1981 as you did, what was it about the hip-hop music, culture, & scene back then that made you fall in love with it? What do you find are the major differences in the hip-hop scene now compared to what it was around the time of your introduction to it?
Sebastien (Seb): In ’81, I was 9 years old. When you’re that young, anything that stands out of the norm is exciting. My first exposure to Hip Hop was watching my neighbors B-boyin’, rapping, and dressing fresh. That made an impact on me. I tried my hand at B-boyin’ and poppin’ but it wasn’t until I heard “The Message” by Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash, and the Furious 5, that Hip Hop really HIT me! That’s when I realized I had a place in Hip Hop! Learning about the Zulu Nation and the culture as a whole really made me want to be part of the movement. It’s that communal feeling, the sense of being part of something that felt special. That sense of community is definitely missing today unless you’re dealing with older Hip Hop heads. The younger generation doesn’t look at Hip Hop as a culture. For them, it’s just a style of music, or a product even, which doesn’t require them to identify with it from a visceral standpoint like we used to. Thankfully, the underground scene, here and abroad, keeps the essence of the culture fresh and exciting.
KA: Your bio indicates that you have worn many hats in the hip-hop music industry, ranging from MC/producer to various record company positions to radio hosting. What led you to focus on social/hip-hop activism when many people who are/have been in the hip-hop music industry just remain involved in the industry, striving for the financial rewards it can bestow?
Seb: I’ve been what you can call “socially conscious” since high school. I started rhyming to convey a message through my lyrics. As idealistic as it may sound, everything I’ve done since has been with the goal of bringing something positive to the world. Whether it was working at record companies with the purpose of promoting more conscious artists or hosting a radio show to play the type of Hip Hop that doesn’t usually get exposure, my intent has remained the same. As an artist, I once had the opportunity to sign a deal, but turned it down when my artistic integrity was under attack. The money is important but not enough to sell out!
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Meet Mara: The Hip-Hop Socialite |
 Kirk Anthony (KA): What made you shift career gears from law to journalism to hip-hop (urban) celebrity news & gossip?
Mara (M): I earned my law degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. I always excelled in school, and law school was a natural progression for me after graduating from NC A&T State University because I’m an avid reader and writer. In my parents’ eyes, it was the next logical step, but I wasn’t exactly sure being an attorney was a good fit for me. Anyway, I’ve always been obsessed with celebrity news and gossip, but I never thought I could make a career out of it until I relocated to NYC. Here, the possibilities are endless! The year I spent practicing law right after I moved here confirmed the law field wasn’t for me. By then, I’d built up the nerve to do me and not be as concerned about everyone’s expectations of me. If I could do it all over again, I’d jumpstarted this adventure I’m living years ago by majoring in journalism in college.
KA: What, to you, defines a “hip-hop socialite”?
M: To be honest, I acquired that nickname because of my former career as an attorney and the fact that I attended so many industry related events even before I began writing professionally. KA: Tell us where your work has been published and people you have interviewed.
M: At this point, I’ve almost lost track of the people I’ve interviewed, but some of them include Mike Bigga (Killer Mike), Bobby Brown, Olivia, Diddy Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper, Jadakiss, Raheem DeVaughn, Day 26, Scarface, Kandi Burruss, Tashera Simmons, Sha Money XL, and Maino.
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EPIC DYNASTY = PURE TALENT |
 Tachelle: You are definitely a breath of fresh air in the industry. What words or emotions express your style? MC Dynasty: Thanks, Tachelle! The word that describes me best is authentic. T: When did you first start rhyming? What inspired you? MCD: I started rhyming as a kid just because the boys were doing it and I was a bit of a tomboy. Me and my girls would take songs and incorporate our names into the verses. I was "baby dee" at that time. LoL. I was around 12 or so...
T: Take us back to that moment when DJ Premier found you – how did it all happen? MCD: Wow, well, my DJ, Sandman emailed my first single to Premier in an email blast I believe. He listened to the track and liked it! I remember getting a call from Sandman like "yo, Premier hit me and said that he likes “Femcee.” He's gonna play it on his show tonight." It was insane to me (in a good way)!
T: Tell us about your new single and the music producers you are working with. MCD: Well, the new single is Epic Dynasty produced by DJ Premier. It's a special song to me because Premier gave me this beat the first time I met him. He was such a humble dude. I remember, he thanked me for doing a drop for his radio show. Now at that time he had placed “Femcee” on his "On Tha Road Again" mixtape and taken it all around the world. LoL and here he is thanking me for a drop. Anyway, he gave me the beat and I wrote. Then I waited a few months later-- he invited me to his radio show and surprised me on air with the debut of “Epic Dynasty.” He placed it on his “Get Used to Us” compilation, which is a major deal for an unsigned artist and came out to shoot the video with me. That’s the long version. The short version is: it’s a banger.
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Sha-Rock: A Hip Hop Legend |
 TSW: Where did you grow up and what was your most memorable time in hip hop? SR: I was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, but spent most of my childhood life in the South Bronx. The most memorable time in Hip Hop for me was when the Funky Four Plus One more became the first Hip Hop group to appear on National TV/Saturday Night Live. Hosted by Deborah Harry from the group Blondie. My first experience as a B-girl was when I was introduced to the art by a friend of mines who had attended the same Jr. High School. I use to hang out on 169th in Claremont Projects which was located in the Bronx. It was also was called the nine. There was a block party that was given by a local DJ in the park. I attended the jam with him and that was where my love for the art of being a B-girl began. My first experience as a MC was auditioning in the basement of DJ Breakout's house for the purpose of becoming a member of the Funky Four.
TSW: In what ways has hip hop changed since it started? SR: In my heart and soul Hip Hop has never changed. The reason I say this is because, there are people who believe in the culture and has kept it alive and well. You have other countries who have embraced the culture in all of it's elements. You have the underground b-girls/B-boys who respect what Hip Hop truly mean. Peace, unity and having fun. Now, if you ask me whether or not the style of rap has changed I would say yes. Rap is just an element of the Hip Hop culture. I think it is good to show that rap can be brought to the masses in all types of styles. We should be different. You have to give your audience something different to rock to. TSW: Where in the world has hip hop taken you? SR: Hip Hop has taken me to where it has always been. |
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Nobody Does It Like Dyme! |
 Lakeisha Gardner (LG): How did you come up with the acronym for your name, “Do You Matter…Exactly?” Dyme: Well I wanted something catchy with meaning and at that time I just had a lot of people in my life saying so many different things about my music and how it should sound. So I just one day said,” Do You matter…Exactly?” And there it was, my meaning I had been searching for.
LG: What life experiences have influenced the lyrics for your songs?
Dyme: Well I would say every song I write is about something I went through, or knew of, etc. I would say “Good Ones”... I wrote this song at the beginning of having my heart broke for the very first time.
LG: What do you want listeners to draw from your music? Do you write your music to make a point?
Dyme: [Laughs] Yes, I write music to make a point and then there are times I write just to feel good. I want my listeners to know that you can do whatever you want with your life you control it. So if I am in a bad mood and want to write an " I hate you song," then the very next day feel like I want to dance and write a song that will make you move, it's fine to do so. My music reflects a lot of moods because we’re all human at the end of the day and feelings change. |
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 Kirk Anthony (KA): What was it about DJ’ing that gravitated you toward it, going against the musical performing path your musically inclined family expected you to follow and there not being many female DJ’s at the time you first took interest in DJ’ing?
Stephanie “DJ Def Stef” Langford (DS): I watched one of my neighbors spinning on his porch and the sound he was making was insane; I instantly knew that’s what I wanted to do. The way he made the music chirp was insane.
KA: What current projects are you working on/involved with?
DS: I am working on getting a youth marching band together, and participating in more events for the youth through DJs For Peace. I am working on getting my own radio show and also spinning in some of the local clubs. So far, I was invited to spin at Club Choices and the Dublin House.
KA: How did you get involved in producing? Do you feel being a DJ helps you as a producer?
DS: I began producing by trial and error. My brother, who is a producer, asked me to sit in on one of his sessions for feed back and we stayed up 2 days straight working on music. I decided to work with two of his groups as he was finding a hard time being available to work with all of his groups. I do feel as though being a DJ, as well as my musical back ground, contributed to me being able to produce.
KA: Is your music artist background helpful in your music production?
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Andre Bowden: Heart of An Emcee |
 Kirk Anthony (KA): What projects are you working on presently?
Andre “Righteous119” Bowden (AB): I’m currently working on the "MC Squared" project. This album is the sequel to my first album entitled, "The True Heart of an M.C”. I’m working on a new website, and be on the lookout for the Righteous War Journal, which is my first book, coming soon.
KA: What made you want to sing R&B during your childhood when your dream was to be a rapper?
AB: Well, my dream was never locked into one specific genre. My dream was to be a famous, and successful musician. I didn't really care which vehicle got me there. I just thank God, that He has blessed me, with both rapping, and singing. Everyday, He trains me in the art of combining the two crafts, with His Word, for awesome uplifting ministry, and music.
KA: What was it about the Atlanta music scene at the time that led you to drop out of college, after earning a vocal music scholarship, to pursue music there?
AB: At that time, the majority of the artists that were dominating music industry were coming out of Atlanta. It seemed as though Atlanta had a patent on platinum records. I believed I had a good chance of being discovered there. Also, I met a producer who lived in Atlanta who helped me construct a sound in my music that no other producer was able to pull out of me. I felt like I needed to be close to the studio so we could keep banging out the hit records.
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