Interview
March 8, 2022
Dumi Right “Stay Focused” (Video and Interview)
Hip Hop trailblazer Dumi Right releases pivotal new single/video “Stay Focused” featuring Outspoken and Sykotek with KHz Pro on production. Dumi shows off his lyrical artistry and just why he’s noted as a Stapleton In Hip Hop and music. The acclaimed emcee/songwriter/performing artist/cultural ambassador reminds us to stay focused amid a time when uncertainty continues to swarm around us. Before pressing play, tap into the full interview below with Dumi Right where he shares about the inspiration and creation of the video, his role in Hip Hop, upcoming projects, and more.
“With so much going on in the world in the grip of a global pandemic, it is easy to be overwhelmed and lose focus. This head-nodding track serves as a call to action and a reminder that we should always rise to the challenge, even if the odds seem insurmountable. It also speaks to bridging the gap between generations to help propel us to a brighter Afro Futuristic plane. As the chorus implores, “Focus on the challenges we’re facin’, Music that’ll spark elevation, Trying to change the current situation, Building with the next generation…”
MJ: For those who might be unfamiliar with Dumi Right, let’s begin by introducing you. Your history in Hip Hop dates to Zimbabwe Legit, one of the first Hip Hop groups in Africa to receive global recognition. How did that experience pave the way for you as an emcee, songwriter, and performing artist?
Dumi: When I first came out, all I wanted was for the world to hear the story of a young dude from Africa, a “brother from the Mother” that had been drawn to the power and magnetism of Hip Hop. Back in 1992, my group Zimbabwe Legit dropped a groundbreaking EP that included production from Black Sheep’s Mr. Lawnge and DJ Shadow. Since then, I’ve remained deeply immersed in the art and culture performing domestically and internationally and recording critically acclaimed albums and unique projects. I like to live by the phrase, “Don’t let your past be brighter than your future” so I was never one to rest on my laurels. Even though back then we were written up in Billboard magazine, The Source, and yeah even “Word Up! Magazine” that I read from cover to cover admiring my favorite rap stars as the Biggie lyric says, I knew that if I didn’t keep pushing and keep moving, I could easily fall off. When we first got started, international Hip Hop was by no means at the scale that it is today. There wasn’t a well-defined blueprint on how to make the connection between Hip Hop in other parts of the world and what was going on in the US at the time, and so I had to navigate and learn by trial-and-error style. I loved the fact that we could give voice to a whole segment of the culture that many people may not have been familiar with and bring a unique perspective and view of the world through the music. Also coming out at that time meant that I was a de facto ambassador of sorts, representing a bunch of people like myself. That meant I had to come correct and make a mark because a lot of eyes were watching, and I felt the weight of people who were counting on me to be successful. Having that pressure from the get-go gave me the drive and perseverance to realize that failure wasn’t an option and that I always needed to put my best foot forward. You don’t realize at the time the impact what you do might have, but hearing from people how that initial splash was an inspiration is definitely humbling and very deeply appreciated.
MJ: You are not only respected as an emcee but also as a cultural ambassador. How did that role come into fruition? How does it tie into your music?
Dumi: Coming out of the international scene, I have always had a desire to connect with artists from all over the globe. Knowing how Hip Hop culture influenced and inspired me growing up and so I understood how important it was to build bridges and community globally. As a result, for many years I worked on collaborations, projects, and initiatives that involved artists from countries around the world. I later heard about a formal opportunity to practice many of the things I had been doing already, by teaching Hip Hop overseas through a program called Next Level. A DJ friend of mine had participated in the first edition of that program and he told me that it was amazing and that I needed to apply. I did and was selected to teach emceeing in Thailand a few years ago. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my music career and even my life in general. It was an extension of the work that I had been doing but it also allowed me to build with up-and-coming emcees and teach the principles of Hip Hop and performing as well as learn more about Thai culture and the people. It was an affirmation that I was doing meaningful work and strengthened my resolve to continue to be a global connector and bring artists together through music.
MJ: Your latest video “Stay Focused” features Outspoken and Sykotek with production by KHz Pro. Before we dive into the content of the video, tell us how everyone linked up with each other. The filming aspect alone of the video is incredible.
Dumi: Outspoken is one of my favorite emcees from Zimbabwe. He has insightful rhymes that address the times, and he is a very versatile artist. I have performed with him when his group visited the US and we collaborated on a previous song and video. My homie Khz cooked up this head-banging track and as I was formulating an idea of what I wanted to do with it, I realized he’d be the perfect artist to collaborate with on it. He also works quickly, and the finished product is always dope. I was introduced to Sykotek by a mutual friend and really liked the way he rhymed and the way he seamlessly transitioned between languages. He raps in English but can stop on a dime and start spitting in Ndebele and he’s got crazy skills doing both. Also having previously done a song called “Doin’ Damage in My Native Language” it seemed appropriate to have him carry the torch and represent that here. In addition, the three of us had collaborated last year on a Covid-19 awareness song for a project that a counterpart was putting together. That song “In These Days and Times” turned out well and our styles complimented each other so I felt we needed to do it again for this. We are all in different countries, Outspoken in Harare, Zimbabwe; Sykotek was in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time and I am based in Washington, DC but we were able to get on the same page and record music first and then later the video to bring the “Stay Focused” concept together.
MJ: What was the inspiration behind “Stay Focused”? Did the video meet/exceed your expectations?
Dumi: The song basically talks about following through on what your goals are despite distractions, setbacks, or roadblocks. It also speaks to connecting with the next generation to build a stronger community and change sub-optimal situations or circumstances that we might find ourselves in. The beat slapped so hard that I knew I needed something high energy to match it. I did a couple of different things for the chorus but then I thought it would be dope to switch it up and have someone else rock the hook and summarize the whole concept. I loved what Outspoken did with it and that set the stage for everything else. I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to pull off a video given our different geographic locations, but the guys were all keen to try it out and made plans to record their footage and send it to me for editing. Another longtime friend and collaborator by the name of Magee offered to edit it all together and he did it seamlessly like the pro that he is. The footage was shot in 3 different countries, and he took the challenge of weaving the story together and he did an amazing job. It exceeded all expectations for me even though I know he’s a wizard with video. He’s directed and edited a lot of African Hip Hop music videos but also works in the field so has edited numerous films and documentaries, so it was certainly within his realm of capability, and it shows.
MJ: It seems at times music that offers empowerment and motivation that wake up and stimulate our core and minds, has fallen by the wayside. As an emcee and cultural ambassador, what is your blueprint to ensure “Stay Focused” doesn’t take a back seat to the monotony that is being saturated on the airwaves and in communities?
Dumi: The first thing for me is not being influenced by the flavor of the month trends prevailing in the industry. Understanding who I am and what my authentic and unique voice is means I can exercise the freedom to not go along with whatever is trendy now and stay focused on my grind and the work that I’m trying to do. I also know that saying something in music might mean it might not be highlighted in those mainstream circles so finding alternative outlets and audiences to amplify the messages that we’re dropping and spread the word about what we’re doing. I focus on non-typical music outlets but also leverage the global Hip Hop community to find the eyes and ears that appreciate that raw and true Hip Hop sound and lyrics. Like-minded people are out there, you just have to find them. I do work in Hip Hop education and so this type of music also finds receptive audiences in those types of forums as well. And a wise man once said, “Market and promote, and you gotta hope, that the product is dope” (word to Q-Tip), so to begin with I always make sure that I put forth dope music with beats and rhymes that people are going to want to listen to. If you have a great product, when the audience hears it, they can’t help but appreciate it. I also lean on my network of international collaborators to help carry the messages to fans in their areas that would dig it but I otherwise might not be able to reach on my own. So essentially building an ecosystem of progressive Hip Hop on our own, knowing that we can’t count on support from the mainstream. Doing things beyond just music like workshops and panels also helps to build that community and work to “try to change the current situation” besides just dropping records. Hopefully, through all these combined efforts a major impact will be felt.
MJ: Can you share with audiences and fans what they can expect from Dumi Right in 2022? New music, more collaborations, and/or other endeavors on the radar?
Dumi: While finishing up my next solo album, I ended up inking a deal with a label in the UK to re-issue one of my prior albums on limited-edition vinyl. That will drop later this year via Chopped Herring Records. I feel like folks that cop vinyls are some of the biggest supporters and truest fans and of course, that includes many DJs, so I am thrilled that we’re going to be able to make that happen. The biggest news though is the impending launch of my new website dumiright.com very soon and a brand-new solo album, Dumi Right – Foreword to the Future. I’m real amped about this as it has been a long time coming but it has some pure heat on it. Guest artists include Chubb Rock, Speech from Arrested Development, YZ, El Da Sensei, Breez Evahflowin’, Kev Brown (on production), Emskee, and more. I had an artist in South Africa draw some ill Afro-Futuristic artwork. It will drop also on limited vinyl first and then go on all the streaming platforms thereafter. We’re putting the finishing touches on it and working on the marketing and distribution plan.
MJ: Take this time to share anything else with the world of Hip Hop…
Dumi: I just served as an executive producer and artist on a compilation series, Stop Shooting Vol 1 and 2 that features emcees and producers from all over the world speaking out about gun violence and police brutality. Lots of exciting music on those two volumes including a new single called “Global Love Warming” that includes a chorus sung by Aloe Blacc. There are so many great artists on it and they all bring very unique perspectives and styles to the table so it’s refreshing to hear…Please subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/dumirightmusic and follow me on Instagram, FB, and Twitter for all the latest scoop.
Connect with Dumi Right
Instagram: @dumiright
Facebook: @dumirightmusic
YouTube: https://youtube.com/dumirightmusic
Bandcamp: https://phmusic.bandcamp.com
February 2, 2022
One on One with DJ Toshi
From Bushwick by way of the Far Eastern city of Tokyo, Japan, DJ Toshi has been perfecting his craft as a DJ and producer, making a name for himself broadcasting worldwide on his internet radio show, Classic Storm Radio, garnering die-hard fans from across the globe. DJ Toshi has performed for parties & shows at many venues in New York such as Webster Hall, S.O.B.’s, Mercury Lounge, The Delancey, DROM, to name a few. He is also a founder & resident DJ of one of New York’s best Underground Hip Hop events, Rock Da House.
Currently, in its 6th year, Rock Da House has featured countless Hip Hop Legends over the years such as Grandmaster Caz, Lord Finesse, Large Professor. Easy Mo Bee, DJ Tony Touch, Immortal Technique, Boot Camp Clik, Organized Konfusion & many more.
I speak with veteran DJ on his humble beginnings and his views on the art of DJing.
What inspired you to become a DJ?
I would say that I was introduced to rap music when I happened to watch the commercial dance battle on the Japanese TV show. Some of the dancers were dancing to rap music. I was around 13 years old. Then, I started looking for rap cassette tapes at the public library. That was the beginning. I was more into dancing at first, then I
really fell in love with this music as time went by. I started djing when I heard a lot of dope music & mixtapes from the DJs such as DJ Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Chuck Chillout, DJ Premier, DJ Tony Touch. They were huge inspirations for me to become a DJ.
What was the first turntable you played on?
When I was a kid, my father had a record player, and I borrowed it from him. I used to try to imitate that record scratch sound with his player, well before I could afford two Technics and a mixer. I can’t recall the name of that player, though!
What type of music did you grow up with and love to this day?
I grew up with some Japanese pop music like everybody else in Japan. Then (as I mentioned above), I got into rap music in my early teens and started listening to a lot of rap artists. I still love rap music to this day, for sure.
Once I got into making beats, I inevitably started listening & digging all kinds of music for my beats. Then, I got into a lot of different genres. Good music is always good for my ears & the soul. It doesn’t matter what genres they are… I’ve never lost my passion for music to this day.
How would you describe a typical DJ Toshi set? What makes your sound unique?
New York Boom Bap!!
I think people would feel my set if they’ve ever fell in love with that authentic & traditional Hip Hop music. I would occasionally throw in funk, soul, original, breaks at the right time and that would make sense with my set & make my sound unique. It would be easier to play current hits and make a crowd dance but I want to be a DJ that plays something unique or classic tunes that people haven’t heard for a very long time. People would be surprised and go crazy.
Your top 5 venues are..
Mercury Lounge, Big Bar, The Delancey, The Pyramid & Project Parlor.
These are all different types of venues. But I always have fun djing in there!
Of course a discussion would not be what it is without the vinyl vs. laptop debate. What is your stance on the topic? Do you feel the art is lost or enhanced due to the rise of digital technology?
There are positive and negative sides to almost everything. For example, DJs who came up carrying heavy crates of vinyl from crib to gig to gig every night might appreciate how the Serato revolution has changed the game. On the other hand, DJing has become easier and more affordable, with laptops and technology and the internet (downloading music is very different from the storied practice of “diggin’ in the crates”). So nowadays, anybody could say they’re a DJ – with no dedication and commitment to the art. I would suggest that this aspect has diminished the value of DJs & the record business.
I prefer vinyl and analog sound for sure. That’s my first love, and that’s the foundation. However, I left all my crates in Japan when I moved to NY. So without Serato, I wouldn’t be able to perform as
consistently. (It’d be almost impossible to recollect and re-create my physical vinyl library again.) In that sense, digital technology has helped my situation tremendously.
Favorite “go-to” song to play.
It is hard to say. I DJ for different types of parties, all kinds of crowds. It also depends on the time of day! Playing a song at 10 PM and 2 AM will most likely get totally different reactions from the same crowd, so I guess I don’t have a favorite “go-to” song.
How did Rock Da House get started?
Back in 2016, The Delancey’s booking manager asked me if I could DJ and organize a party for one of their Mondays, on very short notice. I called Psycho Les (of The Beatnuts), who was releasing the “Dank God Vol.1” album around that time, and asked him if he wanted to do his album release party with me at the Delancey. He was down, and the party turned out to be a dope night – regardless of the mad short notice the club had given me. (Big shout out to Psycho Les!) So the Delancey was very impressed, and it didn’t take too long for my party
to become a weekly thing.
So then I talked to my man Doc Ahk, who’d been collaborating and organizing shows with me for some time already, and we landed every Monday there (later, Wednesdays), to work together and bring something different to the table on a weekly basis. We felt that there was enough talent in NYC and the area to hold this down, and we were right. (Shout out to Doc Ahk!) It wasn’t until our party started to get well known that I felt we needed a solid brand name. So I was like, “Who rocked the house tonight the most?” And, “Who will be rocking next week?” …That turned into, “Who Rock Da House?” until we finally just said, “let’s keep it simple: Rock Da House!”
And that’s how Rock Da House was born. The rest is history.
We kept it going every week at the Delancey for four years or so until the pandemic hit and the city shut down.
Right now, it’s still difficult to do the show weekly, but we haven’t stopped doing Rock Da House in NYC throughout these hard times. We also managed Rock Da House tour in NJ, Baltimore, ATL, LA as well as the virtual reality concert that we teamed up with Hip Hop in VR.
What advice you would give to aspiring DJs?
Passion for music is the most important. That might sound simple enough, but it’s the key to not giving up. If money is your motivation, or you get into DJing because you think it’s cool and trendy, you won’t last too long. Also, don’t stick to one genre of music. It’s like if you love Hip Hop, it will inevitably lead you to dig all types of music. Listen to the music, and follow its lead.
January 6, 2022
DJ Bad Tha Problem- ‘Turn Up Music’ Mixtape Volume 13 & Interview
DJ Bad Tha Problem, esteemed DJ and CEO of Certified Hitz Music Group, presents his latest mixtape ‘Turn Up Music [EDM Edition] Vol.13’ out now on digital platforms. Listeners are sure to press play on the max volume and vibe out to this fresh dose of striking EDM and Hip Hop mixes. Check out the full interview with DJ Tha Problem and connect with him below.
MJ: Before we jump into your new mixtape “Turn Up Music [EDM Edition] Vol. 13”, tell us what it’s like being a DJ in one of the hottest cities in the country? I know there’s nothing like home base, but do you have other favorite hot spots you DJ at?
DJ Bad Tha Problem: Being a DJ in Florida is a lot of fun compared to being a DJ in my home state NJ. I have had offers to DJ at a few clubs around my city but turned those down to focus on making mixtapes, working with my two artists, building brands and networking, etc.
MJ: “Turn Up Music [EDM Edition] Vol. 13”, what can listeners and fans expect from this mixtape? This is volume 13, shed some light on how you keep fans coming back for more.
DJ Bad Tha Problem: Fans and listeners can expect a lot of certified hitz from “Turn Up Music [EDM Edition] Vol. 13”. It is not just your typical EDM tape. If you’re a fan of EDM and Hip Hop, you’ll be getting the best of both worlds, not just on this volume but in the whole “Turn Up Music [EDM Edition]” mixtape series. This mixtape series has by far been the most successful series I’ve ever put together. I have been overwhelmed by the numbers and the support behind this mixtape series. Shout out to all the people who have listened and downloaded any of the previous volumes and shout out to the bootleggers too. I am currently working on the next volume which I should be releasing sometime in 2022 probably in late January or early February.
MJ: Your next show is on January 8th at Karma Sutra Lounge in NYC, please share all that 411!
DJ Bad Tha Problem: January 8th is going to be a spectacular certified event. Me and my artist City The Great will be holding a mixtape/album release party not just for our project “Respectfully Yours”, but for my artist debut album “The Wordsmith” under the legendary Special Ed’s label SEMedia. The event will be held at the Karma Sutra Lounge in NYC, from 7 pm to 2 am. Expect live performances from City The Great and the artists under Certified Nation Ent, great food and drinks, and nothing but good music. DJ Buena Vida and I will be on the 1’s and 2’s. We will be having some surprise celebrity guests at the event. I cannot disclose who will be in attendance, however, If you want to find out you will have to be there for yourself…free entry! I mean who doesn’t like free stuff, am I right? Plus, we will be celebrating my artist’s birthday.
MJ: You don’t only wear the hat as DJ and CEO, but you’re also a producer and A&R. It’s not uncommon for us to play various roles in the music industry, do you favor one role more than the other? Does one present more challenges than the others?
DJ Bad Tha Problem: I personally don’t favor one role over the other. I enjoy all the roles I play equally. The only role that presents more of a challenge for me is being a producer. The challenge that I have is sitting down and taking time to make my own music from scratch. I have dabbled with making beats for a while now, even gotten my first placement with an indie artist I was working with at the time but haven’t really taken it seriously. I plan on changing that next year. I’ve helped produce other artist’s projects in the past even helped produce some of the tracks on City The Great’s upcoming mixtape “Respectfully Yours”. And no, I’m not talking about strictly just making beats. There is a big difference between being a beatmaker and a producer. However, I am not just a DJ, CEO, Producer, and A&R. I do pretty much everything by myself and have been for a very long time. From videos, audio engineering, promoting, building websites, etc., I used to do graphics too but not anymore. I have a main graphic designer now. Shout out to MefDesigns. Doing everything by myself can be challenging, tiring, and sometimes stressful but I love music. I don’t have the time to wait on anyone.
MJ: Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
DJ Bad Tha Problem: Expect a lot more mixtape projects from me next year and be on the lookout for City The Great’s mixtape titled “Respectfully Yours” hosted by yours truly, dropping January 8th on all streaming platforms…Turn Up Music [EDM Edition] Vol. 14 is coming real soon as well as Love & R&B Vol. 27. I have a new mixtape series in the works, I am still working out all the details, and I will be bringing back the mixtape series “Definition Of A Hustler” featuring a lot of dope independent artists, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for that!
Connect with DJ Bad Tha Problem
Official Website: https://www.officialdjbadthaproblem.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/djbadthaproblem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djbadthaproblem/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@djbadthaproblem?lang=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHAw06FHzXl8x24MwabOsEA
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djbadthaproblem
Tumblr: https://djbadthaproblem.tumblr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/certifiedhitzmusicgroup
September 17, 2021
City The Great’s Tell-All Interview & “Day One” Single
Hip Hop artist/CEO of Certified Nation Entertainment City The Great delivers a tell-all about his new single “Day One”, his upcoming album ‘The Wordsmith’, making moves with Hip Hop legend Special Ed, and more. Listen to “Day One” and check out the full interview below.
Listen to “Day One” from the forthcoming ‘The Wordsmith’ Album
MJ: Before we jump into “Day One” let everyone know who you are and where you’re from.
City the Great: Thanks for having me. I am City the Great from East NY, Brooklyn.
MJ: You’re an artist under Hip Hop legend Special Ed. How did that come to fruition? Are there any challenges regarding age and mindset? Or is this a step towards bridging the generational gap in Hip Hop?
City the Great: Actually, my homeboy is Ed’s 1st cousin and he told me for the longest that he would connect us. Of course, at the time I didn’t believe he was Ed’s cousin. One day he came to the studio with me and took the song I wrote and recorded that day and said he was going to play it for Ed while at Funkmaster Flex’s birthday bash at BB Kings in Manhattan. Long story short he did and gave me Ed’s number…he wanted to speak with me, and the rest is history. There are really no challenges in age and mindset in working with Ed. He’s been a great mentor and I have learned a lot about the game from him. He stays up to date on the business and the culture. He also has great faith in my grind and creations. I would say without a doubt, we are in the works of bridging the generational gap in Hip Hop.
MJ: Let’s get to “Day One” which is taken from your upcoming album ‘The Wordsmith.’ The track has a cinematic anthem vibe with a hook catchy enough for the clubs and streets. It’s evident you have a knack for drawing audiences in. Talk about “Day One” from the motivation behind it to your expectation of the track.
City The Great: The story about the creation of this one is an interesting one…I was sitting on this beat for a while by Molly The Kid. I was conversating with my Certified Nation Entertainment comrade Itsonlywrite just talking about all the people that we worked with and knew throughout this journey that were kind of in and out. We laughed about how funny it is that when things weren’t going upward, they split or didn’t support, and now that we are moving, they all want to claim they’re day ones. That sparked my mind on expressing that on wax. I think what really made the song pop was my engineer King Bash jumping in and harmonizing on the hook. My expectation for Day One is to appeal to all audiences giving them that commercial feel yet true to the cultural vibe.
MJ: What can you tell us about your upcoming album and what can listeners anticipate from it?
City The Great: People are going to get a rollercoaster ride. I have been working on this project for the past 2 years piece by piece to ensure I capture the best feel in my testimony of being a wordsmith. This project will be very balanced with the right number of features and it’s going to display something for everyone that will be nostalgic.
MJ: Besides having the backing, support, and genius of Special Ed, what is your signature move, if you will, that differentiates you from other artists in the industry?
City The Great: I think what differentiates me and other artists in the industry is the soul that I pour into my craft which identifies my true being…A person being themself is the perfect form of originality. There’s a certain energy I give listeners and audiences and I have my own sound where you know it’s me and that element is never lost no matter what type of song it is that I am on. Not only that but I keep that element alive with versatility, you just never know which angle I am going to come on a track but you will always know it’s me.
MJ: Aside from the new album release prep, what other endeavors are you working on?
City The Great: I am currently working on growing my company Certified Nation Entertainment, educating, and assisting artists with their careers. I’m also working on multiple collaborative projects including a mixtape coming soon with my DJ, DJ Bad Tha Problem (proceeding the album release). I am working on a Certified Nation Entertainment collab project with the team of artists Jae Law aka Hindrix, Pengame Classic, Chambs Taylor, Jacqui Grace, and of course Itsonlywrite. There’s also a collaborative project with Chambs Taylor titled ‘CD’ (Collateral Damage). You can catch freestyle videos I will be releasing weekly as well as working with my management team Samantha Leavell of Certified Nation and legendary Kool Rock Ski on an event, For The Culture By The Culture. I can’t leave out 2022’s Annual Hip Hop & R&B Cookout in East BK…The list goes on and on.
MJ: Wrapping up, let everyone know how they can connect with you.
City The Great: Thank you I can be found on any platform as City the Great but one of the easiest ways to link with me all in one place is on my website CertifiedNationEntertainment.com.
Connect with City The Great
Instagram: www.instagram.com/citythegreat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealCityTheGreat
Twitter: www.twitter.com/citythegreat_
Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/CityTheGreatmusic
July 4, 2021
Video: Catch Kevin Gates Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson
Kevin Gates Stops By With Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson For A Great Interview!!
February 24, 2021
YNVS’ Shampoo Chats with Mic Geronimo on YNVS Radio
YNVS label honcho Shampoo sits down with hip hop stalwart turned businessman Mic Geronimo as he clears all of the rumors being heard on the streets as well as speaking on life after the Drink Champs episode and how he almost turned down the offer of appearing on the famed podcast.
You can check out the Mic Geronimo interview and other dope episodes on YNVS Podcast/Radio on Spotify and YouTube.
@ynvsceoshampoo | @micgeronimo
Follow Shamika Sykes on Twitter & the ‘Gram for all of her interviews and adventures.
August 3, 2020
The Real Simba – How I Move (Video & Interview)
The Real Simba is climbing indie charts with his latest single and video “How I Move” available on all major platforms.
The young, Jamaican New Yorker delivers a pulsating track the defines his moves regarding money, music, and women.
As a young artist taking over the NYC scene, The Real Simba pays no mind to those clapping their mouths and hating on him. Let them keep talking and move frantically while this young King is moving with heavy pockets lined with Gucci from head to toe.
The blend of knocking bass and striking trap tones are sure to have music enthusiasts worldwide shaking and moving through the streets right into the clubs. Watch “How I Move” and check out our exclusive interview below.
MJ: Give everyone a brief background on who Simba is.
Simba: “Simple Intellect Makes The Boy Amazing” I was born and raised in Jamaica and came here when I was about 7, so I have a big reggae influence. I landed in Mount Vernon where I fell in love with Hip Hop culture and since then I’ve been in love with music. I used to write poems then it evolved to songs, and a lot of my music is upbeat, fun, loving, inspirational, and really heartbreaking. I try to cover every aspect of me as a person and emotionally. But overall, I’m just a fun-loving kid from the ‘Ville with a dream, goal, passion, and drive.
MJ: You’re a young artist who created his own lane and carved a name for himself in the music industry. Talk about that ladder climb and some of your strategies along the way.
Simba: It’s tough to keep it real, it’s a lot of hard work and time that goes into my craft but also a lot of risks that must be taken. I’ve lost a lot of money from people saying they can do something that they never produced. Working with different personalities and balancing a social life is a struggle. but I devote my all to music because it’s my true passion.
MJ: What are some challenges and some perks coming up in an evolved realm of Hip Hop?
Simba: Hip Hop is more than music it’s a culture, it’s a group of people and a lifestyle. The genre is plagued by some violence, but I’ve shifted from that aspect and focused on fun up-tempo and inspirational music. Hip Hop made me who I am now and in turn, it allowed me to create and express my ideas, thoughts, and emotions.
MJ: I’ll get to what the fans want to know…”How I Move”, take us back to the thought, creation, production, to the final product of the single that is chart-topping!
Simba: Ohh man hahaha that was a good day I was actually in the club dancing and some girl came up to me with a bottle she literally said” I like how you move.” I kept saying that over and over because it was just so funny and crazy. Then later that week I heard a beat and those same words came back to me and that’s where it began and took off. I ended up writing the entire song that day. Now I’ve just been on the road working and promoting the track and video and I’ve been getting so much love.
MJ: What are some projects in the works or upcoming endeavors you can share?
Simba: I’ve got some good stuff coming for the people that support me as a person and my music. “Handle With Care “is an R&B project that I’m working on that’s going to really put people in their feelings. “Dreams of the Sky” is a mire motivation project but also very upbeat, raw, and gritty. There are some other secret projects I’m working on but y’all just going to have to stay tuned…
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July 13, 2020
W.A.D.E. – “Loyalty Over Royalty” Video + Interview | @wadetherapper
W.A.D.E. is a rapper straight out of Harlem who is starting to blaze his own trail in the indie rap scene. His visuals to his new single “Loyalty Over Royalty” dropped last Friday with 3.5K views and climbing. I speak with the rapper about himself and his views on artistry during the pandemic.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is W.A.D.E. which is an acronym for Wise And Dangerous Era, which is basically just talking about my generation and all the things that we overcome as one because I speak to the voice in my area. Also, I engineer, so I mix down all my records and I also help other artists, and before Corona, I was throwing showcases so the artists can showcase their talent.
Where and when did you get your love for music?
I got my love for music from watching my older brother rap in the back of my house. He’s had all of his friends in the back and they be freestyling that I used to be too young to get in and I used to always want to know what that was about. And that’s what kind of pushed me into really getting into music because I want to be able to prove myself at first, and then I just fell in love with it.
So you’re originally from Harlem. How has the city made you? What was it like growing up in Harlem?
That’s a good question. Growing up in Harlem is just a vibe, and what I mean by that is like, you know, everybody out there is worried about being in that lituation and having a good summer, you know, being fly, but also, there’s a treacherous side, but it’s mostly a flashy vibe. It’s a good vibe. Yeah.
I was listening to your latest single that you have out “Loyalty Over Royalty,” and that’s pretty dope. So tell us a little about the song and its concept.
Yeah. Basically, just talking about some of the things that we’ve got going on in my life currently no problems. That doesn’t have anything to do with money, like things that can’t be changed by money also, certain things are going on around with some of the young brothers dying in my neighborhood. We just lost a young kid named Bugatti to street violence.
So do you feel that artists should be more involved with their community, especially when it comes to the BLM movement?
I most certainly do, and the reason why I feel that way is because when it comes to hip hop culture, don’t get me wrong, I love it, but we feed off of a lot of negativity. You see how on Janelle Monae is talking about protesting on hip hop because it brings females down and stuff like that. It just so much stuff that brings us down. We need to be able to shed more light on the positivity and things that have gone that could further us.
As a culture, I wholeheartedly agree with you 100 percent, but due to the fact of this generation, like the way that like these companies are now, they’re not interested in anything positive. They’re only interested in the negative because the negative is what brings in the money. So with that being said, do you feel that labels should sometimes be held accountable for things that are happening not only in hip hop but with the urban communities?
I wouldn’t give the labels 100 percent to blame for this. It’s also the people’s choice. It’s really about what the people want because it’s so sad how nowadays You can play a Kendrick song and it would be so dead, but you could put on something else, like drill or trap and have everybody turned up. It’s really the people’s choice at the end of the day. It’s all about how you do it, so I can’t really give that all to the labels.
So as an artist, you know, everybody is going through the pandemic. And I want to know, like as an artist, how did the Covid-19 situation affect you and what do you think are some of the ways that artists can work on their craft during the pandemic?
To be honest, all the way, it affected my income for a split second. Some of my friends’ family members that died, I had a family member that died from it. I actually feel like I focused up a little bit more when this happened. I made better of the whole situation, I made around six and seven music videos and stuff like that. So I think I focused on everything that’s been going on.
I think like with the pandemic going on, like with artists, it seems to bring out more of their creativity because, everything is shut down and all you got is time, so I think that it really helps artists get on the get on their creative more. And they probably found out something about themselves that they never thought that they had. I look at it as a good thing. I look at it as, you know, especially go on social media. Everybody got their freestyle videos out. Yes, it is awesome.
It’s awesome. It’s bringing out the hunger in everybody.
And then on top of that, since everybody is indoors. You never know who is watching. You never know who is looking at you and be like, “You know what, I want to rock with this artist right here.” As unfortunate as this pandemic is, it’s a really good thing, for artists. It’s kind of like a catch 22, but it’s leaning towards the positive side because more artists get noticed doing what they do, especially when it’s at a consistency.
Yeah. Consistency is definitely key. dropping musically. Don’t go too crazy on it. I feel like people need to be able to get more of a vibe a lot of new artists, like myself, coming out. You know, they want to hear more music. Like if you got a vibe going on, keep it steady. That’s my advice for any other artist.
What is the agenda for the rest of 2020 for you?
I got this record right now that I’m ready to take to the moon. I’m not even gonna lie to you. So I got a record coming up. Real party banger, real vibe. Of course, more vids. It’s possible if schools open back up and stuff like that, I’m trying to be into shows I’ve been talking about that with my manager. That’s really just it. Heat in the streets, more tunes, and stuff like that.
And last but not least, give all of your social media.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @wadetherapper. I’ve got a fan page on Facebook. Just WADE You know, you go check me out. Check out my latest video, “Spooky Winter”, and I dropped the “Loyalty Over Royalty” video, where it’s coming from the heart. Also, I speak about my brother who is wrongfully incarcerated. I’m able to give you a piece of me on that.
Anything else that you might want to add?
So I want to be able to tell the world that it’s a new movement coming out of Harlem we call L.M.G. (Live Motivate Generate) and that’s all we going to be doing. You know, it’s a few of the artists you gonna be hearing about and just stay tuned.
Follow Shamika Sykes on Twitter & the ‘Gram for all of her interviews and adventures.
January 21, 2020
Was Dr. EnQi Extorting Brother Polight? Watch Doggie Diamonds TV
Dr. EnQi states emphatically that he never extorted Brother Polight, rather Brother Polight attempted to finesse and scam Dr. EnQi out of an investment at which point Dr. EnQi secured some collateral to ensure his investment. When this occurred in 2010, Dr. EnQi did not feel supported which led to his recent interview on Doggie Diamonds TV.
“I’ve has endured a decade of slander by Polight’s camp attempting to distract people from the fact he is a financial predator in the conscious/woke communities.” The confusing thing to people has been the off and on “friendship”. Dr. EnQi explains this by stating, “You keep your friends close to you and enemies even closer.” He also discusses the blackmailing and blackballing that is rampant behind the scenes with Blackmagik363 & Saneter Studios, the two platforms that use military personnel to mislead people evidenced by the Vaccine Debate & Dr. Sebi’s slander campaign.
Dr. EnQi is a true Icon and Mogul of the conscious and woke community who has shown time and again his bravery by standing up to death threats, blackmail attempts and continues to display his honor through his character by teaching subject matter ahead of even the most modern science. Along with the hat of Icon, Mogul, content creator, and pioneer, Dr. EnQi’s detox has revolutionized the world of Herbs. In fact, it is the first to target structuring water and the NRF2 system for cleansing and immune activity (http://enqisdetox.com/).
It’s evident Dr. EnQi is way ahead of his time and is the prototype of what a man, father, husband, and business partner should be. He is easy to connect with on Instagram and YouTube @DrEnQi, along with personally at 833-777-6543. Currently, Dr. EnQi is touring with HaHa Davis, participating in a film with Nick Cannon, and most importantly raising his family. Be sure to tune into his new show on Tuesday’s called The OGUN (Other Guys Universal Network) with KT The Arch Degree, where he continues to change the culture of consciousness. “I bring the swag to the smart and vegan communities and make geeks sexy!”
