The Beginning
I was back in Canada after spending Christmas with my dad, and time with the bf at the time. I was sooooo happy. I was glowing from my trip to VA and just happy to be around my family in that side of the world. There wasn’t anyone more in love than I was at that time. The days I spent in VA were just heavenly! The cheshire cat had nothing on me! My aunts teased me cuz they knew i was waiting a while to be back in VA.
There was still some sadness floating around because an uncle of mine was in the hospital, everyone made sure their phones were on and getting signal cuz we anticipated any sort of news at any moment. While the aunts and i were out getting some last minute shopping done...one the aunt’s phone rang....”hello” she answered...she got quiet...her next response was “oh no”....from that moment i knew it was nothing good.
It was the second day of January and we were already in a state of sadness. I got quiet ( if u kno me well, u know that when i get quiet it’s never really a good thing)...the tears came immediately! I was no longer in the mood to continue shopping, I just wanted to go home to be with my family! I was leaving Canada the next day! I was devastated that another family member was gone. No one wants to lose people they love, but it’s something we all have to go through.
Back home, my parents were in a very sombre mood..i was happy to be home but sad at the same time because of the circumstances I came home under. School was about to start again and i was goin back with a heavy heart. But with close friends and family i was able to get through it all. Thanks for all those who were there during that tragic time.
As time went on, school went on, alot of work to get done before the end of the semester. It was a busy spring semester. I had no time to waste at all....goals were set and they were achieved when I saw my grades by the end of that semester. Of course i made sure that i relaxed and had good times with my friends just so that I wouldn’t get stressed out. At this time a friend of mine found out that she was with child and would be welcoming a little one later on in the year. At first it was a shock and sad, but then it gradually was something to look forward to. I was sad in the sense that it would mean that it wouldn’t be the three of us anymore, it would mean no more fun times, alot of things came in mind when the news was broken. Then I realised that this was a blessing! It would mean a little bundle of joy would be brought into the world with people around to love and care for him/her when it was time. It was now something I was excited about :)
Summer came..i was in school for summer *bleh* well the first session anyway. That went well..got closer to an awesome photographer and got good grades for that term. During all this time, I was missing the bf becuz of work he was gonna be gone for a very long time..7mths to be exact. The only communication we had were emails and through that a lot was shared...i mean ALOT! My friends were also in LDRs and we all seemed to cope when we all got together and jus chilled and jus chit chat about the boys! Lol. Those were good times! My bestie was stayin at my crib and trust it was cool! Even though sometimes we had lil disagreements we were fine after. Alot transpired between summer and the upcoming fall school session. Oohhh and lets not forget i started being more active on twitter and through that i met some real wonderful people! It even got me my first on air gig! Woootttt! Shout out to Smoke Sumthin Radio! POW! I interviewed a range of entertainers..from the independent ones to ones that were signed to even a playboy model :) U guys rock!!!! Lol. I also started my bad ass blog that a friend inspired me to start! Thankkkkkssssss friend! I treasure it so much!
I was happy for many reasons, one being that the bf would be coming home! Yay! I could’ve walked around and kissed everyone when i realise time was drawing near! I had been waiting! It was a longgggg ass 7mths! But i wasn’t gonna see him until he had taken care of some bizness!
Time for school again...ugh! This was when shit started to hit the fan! I wont go into details but lets jus say...I loved and I lost. It was verrrrryyy heartbreaking! It didn’t hit me till a while after because i kinda expected something was gonna go wrong. I really don’t know how I didn’t smash someone’s face in.. i was so close to doing so! But I didn’t..tsk! wish i could’ve.. maybe i would’ve felt better about how things turned out. Thanks again to friends who were there during that time! It was soooooo crazy! *sigh*
School was another pain! Most stressful semester of my entire school life!! OMGGGGG! With the world in a big ass recession, most of the luxuries i was used to had to come to a sudden halt this year. I was sad but i understood...this was bigger than me! It was something everyone was suffering from.
I was single for the first in a long while!...wow..jody..single
Lemme wrap this up, this was a very challenging year, both for me and my fam! We had to deal with alot this year. We weren’t always in the best of health but with God we pulled through. We have alot to be thankful for. My bond with a few persons got tighter, i made new friends and had good times. It wasn’t all good. Trusts were betrayed, tears were shed, relationships broken *sigh* i write this last paragraph with tears in my eyes. I apologize to those who I’ve hurt this year, you know yourselves, i apologize to those i haven’t been in communication with for a long time, i apologize to those who i have disappointed. God knows I’m not perfect, but i do try, i try my best to please those around me forgetting all about my feelings at some point. I go out of my way to make sure others are happy, forgetting to make sure that I am as well. It’s just something in my nature, I can’t help it. It’s like breathing...i..jus..have..
At the same time I must say that I am happy with those who are in my life right now! My loves have taught me some valuable lessons! We have realised that neither of us are perfect, we’re gonna fuck up at some point but its the bond we have that will allow us to forgive and realise that we wont have it easy! We have to work hard at it like any relationship, whether its business, friendship or a bf/gf relationship. I appreciate you all! Even if we haven’t spoken in a while, you are never far from m thoughts. I love you all! Even those that have caused me heartache I love u as well. I have no hate in my heart for anyone. I have forgiven...not for you, but for myself. I hope u have forgiven me as well (and not for me...be for yourself) I look forward to the new year with hope, joy and love in my heart because I still have life, my parents are still here :) and I have sooo much to look forward to. New year, new love!
Im very happy!! Sometimes things have to go wrong for you to see what you really deserve. Some asshole has to fuck up for you to realise that us girls deserve sooooo much more! I’m all about progress...everything will happen according to God’s will. It is already written, I just have to let everything happen in its own time! I will not question anything, I will take everything as a lesson and take notes...learn what i shall from each task.
Thank you all for being apart of my life! It just wouldn’t be the same without any of you. I will continue being the outspoken Rockstar that you all have grown to love or hate :) either way I wont change but i know things around me might! Hope u all are there with me during those good or bad times! if not...it was nice knowing you(whoever wanna leave). LOVEEEE YOU ALL!!!
P.S Alot wasn’t shared but I know you all know how we shared this year. My apologies are there, my love is there..I have expressed myself.
Deuces! Till Next Year!
The End of 2009....Here we come 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Beginning to The End
Monday, December 28, 2009
Kelis signs a new deal!
She has signed a new deal and will be releasing an album through Will.I.Am’s Interscope affliated Music Group Label.
She announced the news in a statement saying “I love that I am now a new part of the Interscope family (i’m overjoyed!!).
We can expect new music from the “milkshake” singer in 2010. She is looking forward to the New Year, also spending time with her fans and being on tour again.
She has been working hard with producers such as Free School, Burns, DJ Ammo, Boys Noize and Will.I.AM.
There isn’t a set date for the album release but they are working to drop it in the upcoming year.
Timbaland has turned his back on Hip-Hop
We all know that with time comes change, for some it’s hard to accept change when they’ve become so accustomed something. Well in hip-hop, most of the pioneers have been saying that hip-hop has changed drastically from when they started out.
It’s inevitable, things wouldn’t stay the same. Now we have a generation of tight jeans wearing kids teaching us how to jerk *smh*.
One such Pioneer that feels that hip-hop has changed and has turned his back on the game is Timbaland! YESSS! According to the super producer he says that it’s just not the same anymore as when he first started out.
If you really know hip-hop you will remember that Timbaland started out working with stars like Missy Elliot and Ginuwine but he gradually strayed and started working with more pop artistes.
After doing a couple tracks with Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, The Pussycat Dolls, the super producer believes that this is what he needs to be focusing on. He claims that there are a few of the hip-hop stars that are still important and will continue working with them. He told MTV.com that he was done with hip-hop a long time ago. That once his generation left, he left.
He said that Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne are still acceptable from his generation. He just doesn’t think hip-hop is the same anymore. He figured that doing more pop productions is his niche.
“I figured it out a couple of years ago with Nelly (Furtado) and Justin (Timberlake) and myself. We had a tremendous run. I think it was good for me to do that. But I got this run, I’m not gonna stop until I wanna stop”, he said.
Most hip-hop fans share this same feeling! The game is really all about money these days, they find a dance move, slang, or some fashion statement, make a wack ass beat and throw some words on it. Then BAM! A hit is made and all the teeny boppers are bobbing their head to it and then start to emulate these people. While real lyricists are out there struggling with record sales *tsk*. They need to get it together!
Are we ready for BRAN'NU???
I've been reading that Brandy wants to relaunch her career as a rapper :-S. I thought I was seeing doubles when I read it.
Her last album “Human” was disappointing in terms of sales and now she is taking on this new image.
The name she will go by is “BRAN’NU” (sounds good, since it’s a new venture).
The singer has had quite the career earning herself grammy nominations for her work.
Brandy was featured on Timbaland’s new album “Shock Value 2” which she showed off her rapping skills on the song “Meet in the middle”
I absolutely love her voice! I’ve never heard her rap, so this should be something ‘Bran’nu’ indeed!!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Rihanna refuses to see a therapist!
After an ordeal such as a physical dispute with a lover, leaving one party with severe brusies, emotional trauma, and shame you would think therapy would be an ideal way to get over such an event.
Well this isn't this case where the rnb songtress Rihanna is concerned. She refused to see a therapist after the assault she received by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
The singer said that she doesn't need to see a therapist because that is not how people in her family and Barbados deal with situations.
They keept it in the family, discuss it and move on with their lives. She stated.
She took the time off so that she could deal with the matter and work on her new album "Rated R" which she has released tracks such as "Wait your turn" and "Russian Roulette" for which she both have music videos for.
Brown was sentenced to five years probation and community service because of violent act between him and RiRi. He was also told to stay away from the singer while serving his time.
Some things in life are just meant to be, Austil Henry a.k.a Zagga and music were written in the stars. This young Jamaican artiste could not ignore his calling to do music. So he has begun his journey to fulfil his destiny!
I see the talent in this young man and I had to get the scoop so ya’ll can get to know him better! His songs are full of the dancehall/reggae flavour and with the fusion of his hip-hop influences his music has that variety that an artiste should posses.
ZAGGA : YEAH IT HAS LIKE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
MSZROCKSTAR: Why did u decide to pursue a career in music?
ZAGGA: WELL IN GRADE 8 AT MA HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS DOING IT CRAZY AND I WOULD GET A GOOD FEEDBACK PLUS THA LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS MUSIC, IT WASN'T A DECISION IT WAS JUST MEANT TO BE.
MSZROCKSTAR: How long have you been in the music industry?
ZAGGA: WELL I WOULD SAY ABOUT 4 YEARS SERIOUSLY
MSZROCKSTAR: Who have been your musical influences?
ZAGGA: KARTEL IN THA EARLY PART WAS A BIG ONE AND THEN LIL WAYNE AND DRAKE OFF THA TOP
MSZROCKSTAR: If you could collaborate with any of ur fave artist who would it be?
ZAGGA: LIL WAYNE FASHO!!!
MSZROCKSTAR: What have been some memorable moments in your career so far?
ZAGGA: WELL SO FAR IT WAS AT A STAGE SHOW. IT WAS A FASHION SHOW AND WHEN I TOUCH THA STAGE N DROP THA FIRST LINE AND WATCH THA CROWD REACT AM LIKE DAMN DID I DO THAT!!
MSZROCKSTAR: Who are some of the producers you have worked with?
ZAGGA: WELL NOT MUCH I’M MORE OF A INDEPENDENT TYPE OF ARTIST RIGHT NOW BUT WORKED WITH SOME UPCOMING NAMES LIKE COLUMBO(WAVE STORM), BILLY WEST(MAD MEDIA), MR MOORE (MONEY GALORE) BASED OVERSEAS JUS A FEW CANT REMEMBER SOME OFF THA TOP
MSZROCKSTAR: How would you describe your music?
ZAGGA:MY MUSIC I WOULD SAY FEEEL GOOD... REASON BEING I RELATE TO EVERY ONE LIKE I TOUCH ALL TOPICS EVERYONE MUST CAN FIND A SONG FROM ME THAT THEY LIKE
MSZROCKSTAR: What are the topics you address in your music?
ZAGGA: I TOUCH IT ALL BECAUSE AM REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE AN PEOPLE GO THRU DIFFERENT THINGS SO I GOTTA TOUCH IT ALL.
MSZROCKSTAR: What other aspect of music do you get involved in?
ZAGGA: WELL I’M AN ALL ROUNDER I MAKE BEATS, PRODUCE, ENGINEER, AND WRITE
MSZROCKSTAR: Do you have any favorite tracks that you recorded?
ZAGGA: YEAH I GOT A COUPLE TRACKS I REALLY LIKE AN SOME COLLABS TOO
MSZROCKSTAR: What projects are you currently working on?
ZAGGA: I’M CURRENTLY WORKIN ON MA OFFICIAL DEBUTE MIXTAPE TITLED "THA GREATEST TO DO IT"
MSZROCKSTAR: Are you scheduled for any upcoming shows?
ZAGGA: RIGHT NOW AINT NO BOOKING JUST STUDIO TIME
MSZROCKSTAR: Any recommendations for any upcoming artists trying to make it in
this business?
ZAGGA: JUST BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE LIKE DON’T STRAY AND IF YOU’RE DOIN MUSIC AND DON'T LOVE IT U NEED TO CHECK WHAT U WANNA DO IN LIFE CAUSE ITS NOT MUSIC SO JUST BE REAL.
Hit up Zagga on his sites: http://twitter.com/zaggamusic
Saturday, September 19, 2009
On a Personal Note With The Talented Group ADd+
They say give unto Caesar what is due unto him, well I decided to give unto the rap duo ADd+ what is due unto them. Each member brings their individuality to the group which results in quality music for everyone to vibe to.
Their lyrics are not like average rap groups, they use their experiences and life to tell their stories. Just by listening to their music you can tell the union is one that has that solidarity. I have faith in their craft and their dreams. They definitely have the talent to last in this business and longevity is what they seek!
MszRockstar: Who are the members of ADd+?
ADd+: Arrias Walls makes the "A" (the short one) A.K.A. Paris Pershun and Dionte "D.d" Rembert A.K.A Skinny Haansel
MszRockstar: What does ADd+ mean?
ADd+: My name is Arrias and his name is Dionte but coming up everybody called him D.d, so we just took my first initial and his nickname and got A.Dd+. We of course played off the disease a.dd. NOW THE PLUS IS THE NICE PART.
The plus sign stands for many things: “beyond what you on by eons and eons”. plus means addition…. goin on forever and forever. Our extended member Chris (he don't rap or nothing but it was three of us coming up so that's our way of including him….once again he does not rap)….. it also stands for the many things we are capable of…… “A.Dd+ nigga nuthin
subtracts”…..
MszRockstar: Where are you both from?
PARIS P: Me, I am originally from Memphis,Tennessee but moved to Dallas when I was 13 yrs. old
SKINNY: I was born and raised in North Dallas, Texas
MszRockstar: How long have you each been in the music industry?
ADd+: We basically been doing music for about 4 years seriously now.
MszRockstar: Why choose music as a career?
PARIS P: It’s basically something I just love. I always say if you can make a living doing what you love you can never go wrong.
SKINNY: Arrias basically got me into doing music and i just never left it alone since. I just knew it was for me.
MszRockstar: How did the group come together?
PARIS P: Well thats a long one. You don't mind do ya?…. ok….. I moved here (Dallas) back in junior high like December 2000, D.d was one of the first people I met. I found out we stayed in the same apartment complex. It just took off from there and as we got older we used to just be messing round with rapping, mostly using it to make fun of mufuckas. Niggas had an extremely dumb ass style of rapping a few years back. Everything started wit “I done came down” or “I done came thru”.
That used to crack us up. I was always doing a lil' writing on the side. Skinny didn’t write nothing, but when we be fuckin round he would actually say some good lines sometimes and I just used to tell him if he ever took it serious he would probably be good at it.
We used to be writing on, you know, industry beats. I guess that was us finding ourselves cause we was writing things we aint even have no part of. Thats funny as fuck to me mayne. (am I cursing too much???) We talkin bout shootin niggas and sellin pounds of crack and etc. We aint angels by-far we dwelled in stuff like that but not the way we was talkin bout it.
We kept writing, so much to the point where we actually saw our growth and knew when we were changing. I would say it was like late 2006 early 2007 where it semed like we were actually gettin there. We came up wit the name A.Dd+ in 2007 cause thats when we decided to actually start recording.
MszRockstar: What/Who inspires you?
PARIS P: Inspiration comes from many places. I can easily get inspired off of just hearing a song I like. Being in a position where millions of people can hear my thoughts is extremely inspiring.
SKINNY: Of course, the possibility of money , but the satisfaction of a fan always gets me. Just to know that somebody is bopping their head to one of our songs.
MszRockstar: Do you have any artist(s) in the business that you look up to?
ADd+: Mayne its so many people we look up to. I don't even think we have enough time in the day for me to name all of them, but mainly of course Jay-Z, OutKast, Field Mob, Lupe Fiasco, UGK, 8Ball&MJG - its so many I can name- Al Green, Frankie Beverly, etc.
MszRockstar: What's different about ADd+ music?
PARIS P: Our approach. We are always aiming for success. We can sometimes tell ourselves when something is too much or not enough. I mean nobody is perfect but we mesh well together so flaws are easily detected. We sound like nothing in our city. This is an extremely true statement. I feel you can put us in a room of 1,000 people and we would stand out. People don't believe we are from Dallas sometimes when we rap for them.
SKINNY: You can’t compare our music to too many acts. Not to sound cliché, but we bring something fresh to the table. We dont' settle for just anything. We always think outside the box and that creates a special sound every time.
MszRockstar: Would you say each member's diff style of rapping gives the group an edge?
PARIS P: Exactly, we both have our own ways of expression and detail and that blends perfectly.
SKINNY: Yeah, with Arrias' voice and mine its brings a certain flare to our music and it just works
MszRockstar: What are some of the challenges you face in the business?
PARIS P: I would say it’s just getting our music to a bigger audience. I just know once more and more people hear what we have to offer the floodgates will just open up.
SKINNY: I would say the same, plus, some people trying to change our image or force us to go against who we really are.
MszRockstar: What other aspects of music do you each get involved with?
PARIS P: I used to think i could sing, but ummmm, thats a negative. I been sorta working on production and that's about it. I love all music though I don't do all music.
SKINNY: Same here, I've been working with a little production here and there but mostly just write, for now. We both intend on making our own beats in the future.
MszRockstar: Does each member write their own lyrics?
ADd+: Yeah we both write our own lyrics about 99.9% of the time. I mean, its a group. We might throw each other a line every once in a while.
MszRockstar: How is it working together musically?
PARIS P: Once again, I don't think i would wanna do this with anybody else. Our styles just blend perfectly. Sometimes i won’t even write around this nigga and we will end up talking about the same thing or the same topic.
SKINNY: Simple and plain its easy. I might come up with a topic and he might come up with the hook then we both come with a melody and we just go to work. We usually get things out the way at a fast pace.
MszRockstar: Who are some of the producers you have worked with?
ADd+: We worked with J.Rhodes, B-Eazy, B.Williams, Knesecary and Mitrixx the Mad Scientist. You can myspace/facebook/twitter search them. Ha!
MszRockstar: What are the topics you address in your music?
PARIS P: We truthfully talk about everyday things but in the light that we see them in. We got a song about the chatline. EVERYBODY can relate to that and of course we have our everyday life songs and so-forth.
SKINNY: Yeah we basically speak to every audience. Anybody can relate to us, but the difference is how we bring it with our delivery and metaphors. Just take a listen and you'll see.
MszRockstar: Do you have any favorite tracks that you recorded?
PARIS P: I would say my favorite one would be "The Time is Right". The way we recorded that one and what gave us the inspiration to write that one is why I love that one so much.
SKINNY: I would say my favorite one is this song we actually haven't recorded yet called "Confusaree". Its a conceptual song that we wrote a while back and its a winner.
MszRockstar: What projects are you currently working on?
PARIS P: As of now we are just recording. Planning a mixtape called "Throwback Lunch Break" and "Easel of Cupid"
SKINNY: We actually have a million ideas but don't wanna put all of em' out there... HA!
MszRockstar: Do you have any mixtapes available?
ADd+: Yes Yes Yes. Our debut mixtape that was presented by The808Studio is "Power of the Tongue". We have 18 tracks on there. You can download this at www.divehiflylo.com. This was mainly produced by J.Rhodes (@J_Rhodes) with extra production by B-Eazy (@Jneedum) and Knesecary (@Knesecary83) and B.Williams (@gCsound)
MszRockstar: Are you scheduled for any upcoming shows?
ADd+: We have a show on October 14th at the iStandard Producer Showcase at the Lounge in Deep Ellum (Dallas) and another on Oct 22nd at the same venue- myspace.com/theloungeonelmst
MszRockstar: Any recommendations for any upcoming artists trying to make it in this business?
ADd+: *said at the same time* Just be yourself. We new to this also but just stay true to you and you can never go wrong. It will all fall through as it should.
www.divehiflylo.com
www.myspace.com/skinnyhansel
www.twitter.com/ADdplus
www.the808studio.com
Thanks to both members of ADd+ for taking the time out to do this interview.
