Cece In The City

Category: blogs

  • Interview with Mekaiel

    Interview with Mekaiel

     

    By: Where It Begins

     

     

    Q. When did you start singing?

    A. I started singing at around 3 and a half, but officially at age 4. I sang on stage with my sister and dad at one of his concerts.

     

    Q. How did you get into the industry?

    A. For the most part, I took an in depth look at the industry by reading books on it, watching artists that inspired me, and attending workshops. I applied the knowledge I received so that at some point I would make the necessary global impact.

     

    Q. Who inspired you?

    A. It’s a long list, but I’d say firstly, my dad-Tony Gonzales, Also, Kirk Franklin, Ron Kenoly, John Legend, Ray Charles, Deitrick Haddon, Johnny Cash, and Maxwell inspired me as well.

     

    Q. Tell me about your single?

    A. In wanting to have no limitation placed on my sound, and being known for my Contemporary releases; the first release for 2019 showcases the worshiper in me that many have seen and experienced in my life performances over the years.

     

    The single is entitled “I Choose to Live” and it speaks to the heart of every person that wants greater in all aspects of life and is a reminder that through it all they must speak “Life” into their own lives even when the odds look stacked against them.

     

    The new offering was written/produced/ arranged by Lesroy ‘AP’ Byers and co- arranged by Sade Sealey of Audio Predators (out of Antigua), with mixing/ vocal production done by Sherwin Gardner of Flow Master Records and mastered by La Masseria Estudios.

     

    Q. What advice can you give others in this industry?

    A. To answer that question I’d say this: I watched the Netflix Quincy Jones documentary the other day, and in watching his story, I am reminded of some things that some people might say are cliché. Things such as “Keep going! Keep growing! Continue to educate yourself within the field. Never give up if you’re serious about making this all that you do. Even when you start to collect the nice checks and gain more power, never lose the drive necessary to continue to cause change and be great”!

     

    Q. What projects have you been doing in the community?

    A. Annually I try to host at least two outreach events in different communities, as well as a lot of food drives and free outdoor music events.

  • Interview with International Nova

    Interview with International Nova

     

    By: Where It Begins

     

     

    Q. Tell us about the song “Freak in me”?

    A. For me, it’s about the ladies putting good music out there with positive vibes and positive energy.

    Q. What brought you to Atlanta?

    A. As an Artist and a man, I think I’ve done all I can do in New York City. I had to come where the music was popping, and Atlanta fit my vibe (That laid-back vibe).

    Q. Who were some of the people that really made you say, “I can do this”?

    A. It took me a while to get comfortable, but I started hanging around people that were really doing it. Tony Sunshine pushed me. I was always in a one-man band. I have my own studio, do my own mixes, and own masters and videos. The first person I met here was Bone Crusher. He has been a big help and push, He said “Don’t change you. Don’t be an Atlanta artist. Be you, be different, and you will stand out”.

    Q. You were in the movie “All eyes on me” and “Love& Hip-Hop”, what other projects are you working on?

    A. I love acting. I know that acting is what I always wanted to do but did not think about doing. I had enough talent to do it, and I want to get into more of it. Tupac was my Idol. It was a blessing to be on the project “Love & Hip-Hop”. I made a record. Everyone went crazy, and the producers walked up to me. They wanted me to be in more scenes.

    Q. Do you Model?

    A. Yes, I have a lot of pictures in magazines. Triple O G did a contract with me also, and I did a sneaker deal with a sneaker project.

  • Interview with Kiara Craft

    Interview with Kiara Craft

     

    By: Where it Begins

     

    Q. Tell us about yourself: who is Kiara Craft?

    A. I am originally from Las Vegas, Nevada raised in Houston Texas. My family has a background in music. Everyone sings. My mother sang lead for a group called “The Platters”. She introduced me and my siblings to music. We married young and didn’t really get to explore our musical paths. But now that we’ve raised our kids, we’re revisiting music and creating a platform for our message on love, relationships, and marriage.

     

    Q. Let’s get the background of the song “Sophisticated Freak”?

    A. A lot of times people tend to put their cards right out on the table. You see exactly who they are, or who you think they are. So, I’m saying that just because a woman is not marketing her sexuality right off the bat doesn’t mean that she’s not a problem in the bedroom. Looks can be deceiving.

     

    Q. Who is the artist that influenced your career?

    A. Diana Ross, she is the personification of a pop star. From being a recording artist to a performing artist. She is the prototype and total package. Even my modern-day influences, like Brandy, Beyonce, Mariah Carey have pulled from her blueprint.

     

    Q. Who would you like to collaborate with?

    A. Definitely, Cardi B.

     

    Q. How do you feel about women in the music industry and how men do not take them seriously enough unless they are passive. What is your observation on it?

    A. I’ve had to deal with push-back, but not a lot. I come to the table to do business, and I refuse to let my gender be treated as a negative or a limitation. Also, I have the right people on my team. 

  • 30 day challenge

    Hey everyone, me and @Imodelbooth are doing a 30 day challenge we decided to shout out 1 person a day and their business. Day 1 we choose @trackbaby001. Make sure to check out everything she got going on.

  • Where it Begins Magazine

    Happy Thursday,

    Make sure to get your copy. We have some amazing people in this Issue

  • Chick’ nCone Alpharetta GA

    Do you love waffle cones and chicken? Head here immediately and enjoy the scenery ! It was quite an experience. This is the place to be for something different. Check out @chicknconealpharetta . The sauce is Amazing #foodforthought #foodies #foodblog #atlanta #atlantaeats #atlantafoodies #exploreatl #exploregeorgia #atlantarestaurants #atlantabloggers #chickncone #motheranddaughterinthecity https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdbMUvcAIzK/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

  • A Mantra For Abundance

    A Mantra For Abundance

    I have everything I need financially,  emotionally and physically.  I am overflowing with prosperity and happiness.

  • Interview with Phase VI

    Interview with Phase VI

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. You have this company called Phase VI tell us about it?

    A. Phase VI is a platform where we educate up and coming artists, executives, producers, songwriters and pretty much everyone that wants to be in the music business on all the ins and outs of the music video. They can:

    1.      Protect themselves

    2.      Promote themselves the correct way.

    Everything you need from A to Z is out in front of you. Concise, easy understanding. That’s what Phase VI is all about, also making sure people are there and businesses are other support services connected to those things, so they can get assistance they need to win, we are here for the future of music that’s what we all are about.

    Q. What made you want to start Phase VI?

    A. It’s been a long journey. I spend a lot of time working in the entertainment business. I was blessed to get in at a high-level business being young and in the mist. I did a project with a nonprofit here in Atlanta called Chris Kids. We partnered with NEO Foundation (NEO Compound Foundation), and we did a music therapy program, we are working with a lot of youth in various misguided situations. A piece of that was teaching the music business. I did that for two and a half years when I shut down, I saw there was a huge need to continue the business portion cause all the students kept reaching out to me.

    Q. Tell us about your books?

    A. Follow me at Phase VI and check out all my books. All my books I try to take complicated information and make it sound simple and be a great read. 

  • Interview with Tommy in the City

    Interview with Tommy in the City

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. Who is Tommy in the City?

    A. I can never be able to describe that because it is not made up. I am from New York, so you know we have an aggressive attitude, but at the same time I have Atlanta roots. They say I am a southern gentleman, so I combine both together.

    Q. How did you start Tommy in the City?

    A. I have always been a giving person. I have been giving back since day one. So, Tommy in the City came along. I was searching for names one day in the studio. Someone said Tommy in the city, and that was it.

    Q. What do Tommy in the City do?

    A. I am more like a connector when people need something they will ask me before they find out on their own. At the time you could not google anything, so I did the work for them. I took this and built a website. It was set up on Instagram before Instagram was out. The game was called find Tommy in the City. I would go around town and be places and post on Facebook. If you found where I was, we were giving out gift cards, sneakers, hair, and gas cards. People started playing, so I tried to get an app, but things didn’t work out. I am still here and going.

    Q. Tell us about one of your biggest projects?

    A. One of my projects I do every year is Grandmothers raising grandkids. I do this yearly. The grandmothers are stuck raising the grandkids, some parents are incarcerated, some deceased, some of their kids are out on the streets, so they give rights to the grandparents. So, we try to give back to them and help because the funds are not there for this program. I teamed up with DFCS. I started out with a friend asking to help 17 people. Now we are at 500 soon we will be able to go from state to state. Every year we get more and more and then we are going to branch out. 

  • Interview with James Worthy

    Interview with James Worthy

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. What was the inspiration behind “Blue Sunset” and its title?

    A. As you know the song talks about feeling good about who you’re with and giving off positive energy. You might have a messed-up day, and at that moment everything goes out the window, but you can continue to have positive vibes. As for the title, blue is my favorite color. Sunset is like the essence of feeling good.

    Q. What projects are you working on?

    A. My biggest focus right now is an album. It is called Blue Leisure. I also dropped a new song with Whodini. I’m doing television and movies, and I also have my own company.

    Q. Do you think being a music producer that you don’t get the credit you deserve working with so many people?

    A. I do now, but at one time I think I had a chip on my shoulder. There was a time when I was doing so much for other people, and I wasn’t getting much love back. Now, the industry is embracing me a lot more. Fanbases are bigger. It shifted and now I am a full artist.

    Q. Out of all your projects, what is the best one you worked on in terms of production?

    A. Hmmmm……that’s hard. It’s hard to say because I take pride in all my work. One is the Fetty, and Johnnie Record I did with Frank Ocean. I am also proud of the work I did with Whitney Houston. God rest her soul.