Cece In The City

Tag: Atlanta

  • Interview with DJ Stormy

    Interview with DJ Stormy

    By: Where it Begins

     

    Q. How did you get the name DJ Stormy?

    A. Stormy is so much more than a name. I evacuated in Atlanta during Hurricane Katrina. What I thought was going to be a two-day mini vacation turned into months of uncertainty. We were identified as evacuees from the storm. Months turned into years from this life-changing disaster. Hurricane Katrina became a part of me, so I became a Storm(y)! The perfect storm to be exact! My social media is Stormy Atl, because New Orleans raised me, and Atlanta birthed the entertainer you see today.

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. I was on the business side of the music industry for years, but I always had this ear and love for music. I released an EDM/Hip-Hop EP in 2016 titled “Venom Kisses”! In the EDM genre most artists are DJ’s, so it was a natural progression for me to evolve into a DJ. Unfortunately, it was also one of the hardest tasks set in front of me…being a woman and a woman of color in a male dominated industry.

    Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJs?

    A. I believe what differentiates me from the other DJs is the work I put in building my brand and respect in this industry. Nothing comes easy or overnight to anyone. My energy, style, and ability to entertain is very unique.

    Q. Who or what influenced you to be a DJ?

    A. My mother was a Soca singer in the Caribbean and father an avid lover of all music genres. I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago but grew up in New Orleans in what I feel is one of the most influential music cities in America. Spinderella, Jazzy Jeff, Mannie Fresh and so many others inspire me daily as a DJ.

    Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJs?

    A. The biggest piece of advice I can give any new DJ is to be YOU. There is no need for two Stormy’s in the market. Be original at everything you do. Always seek a mentor and spend time learning the craft. Educate yourself on the history and evolution of being a DJ. If it comes easy, it’s probably because you’re not setting yourself apart. Take the time to build relationships. Take the time to invest in yourself. My motto is to always go against the grain and be bold in everything that you do.

    Follow me at @djstormy

    To read the full interview go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

  • Interview with DJ Nutty

    Interview with DJ Nutty

    By: Where it Begins

     

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. Being a lover of music is my main reason for becoming a DJ in 2008.

    Q. What is one of your special moments you had being a DJ?

    A. One of my special moments I’ve had being able to DJ in front of thousands of democrats at the democratic national convention

    Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJ?

    A. I think I’m set apart by my work ethic and passion for music. I prepare myself ahead of time for all of my events and weddings to give the best performance possible.

    Q. Who would you consider to be a DJ Legend?

    A. A true DJ legend for me is Frank Ski. He’s been a major influence in my DJ career and a friend and mentor. His work ethic is strong and very influential.

    Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJs?

    A. My advice to any upcoming DJ would be to stay focused. Find your lane that you’re really good in and stick to it. Create your own identity and sound that sets you apart from the rest.

     

    Follow me at @djnutty1

    To read the full interview go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

  • Interview with Shawny

    Interview with Shawny

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. I really got my start in college. I was the co-host to a radio mixer and personality named Y. Dot. He had a drive time show on our college station, WANM 90.5 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. I would just watch him mix on a software program called Virtual DJ. I would sit in the studio and think to myself “I can do that”! So, one day I downloaded the program, asked him for some music and I began practicing.

     

    Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s?

    A. I PRACTICE. Even after I mastered the skill. I still practice and take the time to sharpen my skills. I’m also HUGE on my blends and transitions. For a long time, that’s all I worked on creating different ways to transition from song to song so that it never sounds like a train wreck. Of course, I’m human! Sometimes I do mess up (lol) or can just be moving too fast, but I genuinely love my craft and I think it shows. You can really tell who’s having fun and who’s just there to be there.

     

    Q. How would you define your “Style” or approach to providing DJ Entertainment?

    A. I study the crowd, I am always thinking about how I want to set the vibe and what’s going to be my first song. I’m also from Florida… I talk on the microphone! Also, one thing I’ve learned from being in ATL is that they don’t give the DJ a chance to rock the mic. They hire a host and a DJ and then they want us to work together when really, I’m my own show.

     

    Q. Who or what Influenced you to be a DJ?

    A. Radio…. Being just a personality is actually very boring.

     

    Q. What are your goals in the next 5 years?

    A. Syndicated radio or just radio full-time, more traveling—I really want my craft to allow me to see the world while doing what I love. I want to learn more of the business side as well. I’ll also possibly produce a record and learn how to make beats.

     

    Follow Shawny at @shawnytaughtu

     

    To see the full interview, go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

  • Interview with DJ FS

    Interview with DJ FS

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. That feeling of being in control of the party crowd. It’s a great free feeling. I live for the party.

     

    Q. What is one of your special moments you had being a DJ?

    A. Winning my 1st DJ battle. The person I was against was much more experienced. We were neck and neck the whole night. At the end of the night, they announced me the winner. Awesome feeling.

     

    Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s?

    A. The customer service I provided to the people.

     

    Q. Who would you consider to be a DJ Legend?

    A. DJ Jazzy Jeff. Pretty sure many will say this. But just watching him coming up and the talent he has, it’s motivating.

     

    Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ’s?

    A. Practice Practice Practice and stick to your price!!

     

    Follow DJ FS at @Iamdjfs

     

    To see the full interview, go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

  • Interview with She She

    Interview with She She

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. How did you get the name DJ She She?

    A. I got the name She She while I was interning at the time. The promotion director at the time couldn’t remember my real name so she called She She. It was a name that stuck with me throughout my professional career. So, when I decided to DJ, I just used the name.

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. I always wanted to be a DJ. I grew up watching Spinderella, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kid Capri, DJ Premier etc. and said I want to do that.

    Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s?

    A. I hate to be cliché’ but the music I play. I have such an eclectic sound that I play everything from EDM, house, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop, top 40, R&B, inspirational…If you name it I can play it and have no problem with blending all genres.

    Q. Who or what influenced you to be a DJ?

    A. The different genre of music is what influenced me, but Spinderella inspired me to become a DJ.

    Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ’s?

    A. Learn the business side of the industry and practice your butt off. Any DJ will tell you that practice is the key when it comes to rocking a party.

    Follow She She at @theshesheshow.

    To see the full interview, go to https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

  • Interview with Kel The DJ

    Interview with Kel The DJ

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. Do you think that it is hard for women DJs to get gigs?

    A. In some ways yes. I often see events that are catered to women that have a male DJ involved. There is a lot of work that should be done by the organizers to ensure a female DJ is there.

     

    Q. What made you want to be a DJ?

    A. I was always involved in music since I was 4 years old. My uncle was a DJ and I always put together mixtapes for my friends. It turned into me creating playlists for events. I decided to find a mentor to show me the technical aspects of being a DJ.

     

    Q. Who is your favorite DJ of all time?

    A. DJ Jazzy Jeff of course. He is from my hometown Philadelphia, PA. I was able to see him live recently. My style is similar to his.

     

    Q. What or who inspired you to be a DJ?

    A. My uncle inspired me. I used to watch him or steal his tapes secretly because I was a music fanatic.

     

    Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ

    A. Practice as much as you can. Watch instructional videos. Seek mentorship with someone that is established and has the time for you. There are DJ schools out there.

     

    Follow: Kel the DJ @kelthedj

     

    To see full interview click on the link https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/final_wib-revision__8_

     

     

  • Interview with Julian Lark

    Interview with Julian Lark

     

    By: Where It Begins

     

     

    Q. What have you been doing these days?

    A. Working, Grinding, working on real housewives of Atlanta.

    Q. You styled Anita Baker for the B.E.T. Awards: how was it working with her?

    A. It was amazing they found me on Instagram, and they wanted me to design a custom look for her.

    Q. What made you get into fashion?

    A. It’s always been in me. I have been doing fashion since 4th grade. I came to Atlanta after high school and went to AIU to get my B.A. in marketing. I own Kontrol Magazine, and it’s a national fashion beauty lifestyle publication based out of Atlanta and sold nationally through Barnes and Nobles. I am also creating a show called blended love which basically talks about different people that come to love; rather they black or white showing the different love couples. It showcases love in a different light; it shows love in a different matter.

    Q. Who was your biggest influence far as designing fashion. The person that made you say I want to do this.

    A. The people that inspired me would be Kimora Simmons and Tyra Banks. Kimora has always been fabulous and fashionable. That really sparked home with me what she gave wasn’t a typical fashion she gave me everything I wanted and to see in fashion.

    Q. What made you launch Kontrol Magazine?

    A. I wanted to showcase my work as a Designer and showcase my friends’ work who have a hard time getting put on. I decided to create the magazine as a platform for us.

    Q. Who was your biggest influence far as designing fashion design? The person that made you say I want to do this.

    A. The people that inspired me would be Kimora Simmons and Tyra Banks. Kimora has always been fabulous and fashionable. That really sparked home with me what she gave wasn’t typical fashion she gave me everything I wanted and to see in fashion.

    Q. Do you think fashion in New York is more advanced than here in the south?

    A. Yes, fashion everywhere is more advanced than here. We don’t have fashion here in Atlanta. Fashion here is like a clone everyone wants to do the same thing everyone wants to look alike. No one wants to be different.

  • Interview with Nappy Roots

    Interview with Nappy Roots

     

    By: Where It Begins

     

     

    Q. How do you feel about where the music is right now?

    A.  We like it. It’s always growing as we get older. Music means something different to us. Music means to us differently than the kids we think. It’s time for Hip-Hop to give some harmony to the older generations. Even on Netflix, you got shows like “The Evolution” that are really breaking down what Hip-Hop is. If you like something different, you can go to SoundCloud, we think this is a good time.

     

    The time is good with Hip-Hop, we like to look at how it used to be called the golden era. When I was appreciative of what was going on, and now it’s the new era. Some people complain about how things change. It evolves, and the evolution of Hip-Hop is a dope thing to see and experience while we are living within it.

     

    Q. What have you all been up to these days?

    A. Working on life, and we still make music. We been making beer and getting into the craft beer to a place we all get. We can appreciate it and the diversity. The industry and different beers are changing the world.

     

    Q. How did you get started with beer?

    A. It started with liking beer and trying different flavors that turned into a business opportunity. We drank it, tried different brewers, went to different places, and it was all about us trying different beers that led to starting Atlantucky. That is our beer brewing company. We had 2 beers that we did with Monday Night Brewing. We tour 100 to 150 days out of the year. It started as going around the country. Before the shows we would go find a brewery. We visited about a hundred or more breweries over 5 or more years. We learned more by trying new flavors and brewing in the country. We went to cool places people would never go to. We got an opportunity with Monday Night Brewing to do our first beer called “Front Porch Parallel”. It sold out everywhere.

     

    We found another revenue stream. Beer is something that will be around forever, even if we stop rapping, beer will still be around. If we can make that, we can still be creative as an artist. We saw it as a business opportunity and a passion project. Beer is sold everywhere. The beer industry is booming. It’s a $40 billion dollar industry a year. A lot of people are bringing the urban side to it. Nappy Roots are more than just a name on a can. We know how to make it.

     

    Watermelon Chicken & Gritz is in about 4 states. Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and New York. The goal is to do a collaboration as well as travel, so we can do more meet and greets. We are also doing a T.V. show about it called “40 Akerz and a Brew”. Craft beer is about creativity and there’s a science to it.

     

    Q. What is “Nappy Roots” doing differently?

    A. Being “Nappy Roots” and doing beer is different. They need more diversity in Atlanta.

  • 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=

  • 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.