Cece In The City

Tag: Where It Begins

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Women’s Equality Weekend

    This what happened last weekend, Hotel Ziggy on the iconic Sunset Strip celebrated Women’s Equality Weekend which kicked off on Friday, Aug. 26th on Women’s Equality Day with a full program of events including a all-female music night live from their music venue Backbeat with performances by six artists (Rachel Siegel, Carly Butler, M. Maggie, Rora Wilde, and Chaley Rose) along with female deejays, a rockin’ pool party, speciality food & drink, and a Sunday night performance again from Backbeat, to benefit and support women’s equality organizations.
    Women’s Equality Day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face. To remind us of the struggles of the past, present, and future, Congress designated August 26th as Women’s Equality Day in 1971. As a place for musicians to take a stand and celebrate the importance of experimental music on our culture and society, Hotel Ziggy is a nod to the ionic musician, David Bowie, a.k.a. Ziggy Stardust. Known for going against the norms and experimenting with music and identity Hotel Ziggy celebrates West Hollywood’s rebellious, progressive spirit and originality. The hotel pays tributes to the legendary artists that shaped the strip from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.Friday, Aug. 26th: WOMEN’S EQUALITY NIGHT live at Backbeat
    Hotel Ziggy kicked off the weekend at their “Backbeat” – their versatile music venue that supports local musicians and invites them to perform. 

    Hosted by female emcee, Anita Gohari, incredible female performances took place by Rachel Siegel, Carly Butler, M. Maggie, Rora Wilde, and Chaley Rose (Zoey in the ABC drama series Nashville), with a surprise song by Katie Welch and with music by DJ Hunny in between sets! The weekend featured El CristianoUltra Premium Tequila, and Backbeat lounge had everyone jamming past midnight and indulging in their late night cuisine and pizza offerings fromHotel Ziggy’s B-Side Pizza!

     
    Saturday, Aug. 27th: FUERZA POOL PARTY 
    Featuring DJ Giselle Peppers, the pool at Hotel Ziggy was bumping with Reggaeton, Afro Beats, and Throwback Hip-Hop and R&B. Delicious Caribbean hor d’oeuvres were offered alongside specialty cocktails, including flowing El Cristiano Tequila. While many enjoyed the day by Hotel Ziggy‘s saltwater pool (the largest in West Hollywood), others found comfort in private, swim-up cabanas that included bottle service. 

    Sunday, Aug. 28th: SUNDAY’S ON THE STRIP with Katie Welch
    Women’s Equality Weekend wrapped up with live music by Katie Welch, a Ziggy resident performer in Backbeat for their “Sundays on the Strip” live music series which kept everyone dancing into the wee hours of Monday morning. 

    About Hotel Ziggy: Fusing cocktail lounge, restaurant and pizza joint, music venue and lively lobby, Hotel Ziggy invites hotel guests to check-in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called “Backbeat,” which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise. Hotel Ziggy boasts the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood and a vibrant skyhigh mural, which is another platform to democratize music with live sets performed by the hottest DJs in town. Follow @HotelZiggy on Instagram for more programming updates! www.hotelziggy.com

    Photo Credit: Jesse Richmond

  • Interview with Mark Pain

    Interview with Mark Pain

    By: Where it Begins

    Q. Give us the history of the song “All Alone”?

    A. In the music industry, I noticed social media played a part in how you can feel alone when doing things. Everyone wants to be followed on social media, but you don’t feel like people are following and sharing your music. You get emotions and feelings like you’re doing it all by yourself and like you’re all alone. I dealt with individuals in my life who said they were going to be there with me, and then they never stuck around.

    Q. So are you a producer and artist?

    A. I started out as an artist. I love rapping. I am from the Bronx, and I would watch rappers and DJs. When starting off as a rapper, you’re always going to need a producer. Back in that time, you could not find as many people who could make music, so that’s how production came about. The first artist I worked with was Rob Base.

    Q. How did you get up with Michael Bivins?

    A. Michael Bivins was looking for an artist. Michael liked my writing and then I was like his road buddy and his mentor. I saw his capability to do great things. He is a genius and a great businessman. He started up Boys II Men and Another Bad Creation (ABC). Michael was great and he knew how to capture the culture and the industry. They went Platinum 14 times.

    Q. Do you keep in touch with everyone in the industry?

    A. Yes, I just did a track with Rickey Bell and his wife. They had a song called “Goal”. I remixed it and we released it for the tornado they went through. We were going to donate all the money to Puerto Rico.

  • Interview with Chanel B

    Interview with Chanel B

    By: Where it Begins

    Q. Who is Chanel B?

    A. I am a singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, actress and CEO of my own record label and entertainment company here in Atlanta, GA. I also have some other things in the works right now and lately I’ve been on the road with Meka- Nicole with “For Colored Girls Only”.

    Q. What got you into singing?

    A. My family did. My great grandmother Ruby who passed in 89 was an amazing singer, My Pops Lorenzo would sing in his Soprano voice around Christmas time he would sing “Silent Night” by the temptations. So, I guess you can say that’s where I get my singing from.

    Q. What made you come up with the song “Knowing”?

    A. We find ourselves in relationships where we have hurt one another a lot of times. We know the truth, some stay, some leave & some just know.

    Q. Tell us about London Records?

    A. London Records is my baby, of course I’m the first artist on my label and eventually I will be adding artists and anyone in the entertainment industry I feel that fits London Records. I can’t wait to bring all of what we have to offer now and futuristically to the world. 

  • Interview with DJ Vala Soul

    Interview DJ Vala Soul

    By: Where it Begins

    Q. What have you been doing these days?

    A. I just graduated from school. I just dropped a clothing line called cued up. I wanted the clothing line to be DJ based. I had the inspiration to design. I started putting it on shirts, hats, and bookbags. It’s an online store. The website is www.cuedupapperal.com. I am also a DJ.

    Q. How did you get into Djing?

    A. I started as a rapper like everyone else. Everyone is a rapper. When I realized that you could change rappers, you can do away with one rapper and not have the other rapper, I didn’t want to dive deep into the craft. My homeboy DJ Rell was on point and let us play with turntables and no computers. I got two BS turntables and a BS mixer. I educated myself, and I went to Scratch Academy in Atlanta also. I was in the military. I am a grinder. My extra money goes to equipment, and I have a very creative mind.

    Q. Tell us about the artists you’re working with?

    A. I record with a lot of artists, but YoYo she’s an amazing artist. We were learning how to engineer, and we helped build each other. She is like the queen of spin life. I picked up another artist J Loco, trying to keep him off the streets. I heard his sound and loved it. I also just dropped a mixtape called “Self-Made” . Make sure to check it out.

    Q. How do you feel about female DJs?

    A. I am the type of person where I don’t see gender or race. I just hear skills. When I listen to what you know how to do and what you dare to do. If you are a female DJ, you already know it’s harder because of your gender. Men can do justice. It takes more for women.

  • Yokane

    Interview with Yokane

    By: Where It Begins

     

    Q. What is the story behind street dreams?

    A. My story behind street dreams is that I got together with some talented people. We just vibe, we were on the same frequency at the time. We try to base it on honesty and feeling at the time. Just genuine music, it changes from time to time. I am not in the box. In the future, you are going to see me doing other things.

    Q. How do you feel about being in the box?

    A. I think we limit ourselves when you are in the box. It comes with rules and regulations. You want to go outside of boundaries from failure or being judged. When you are in a job you are limiting sonically, limited creativity. I have been in a box where I was limited, I really wasn’t expressing myself on the fear of critique.

    Q. What motivated you to be an artist?

    A. It was in me so I would say it was my purpose. I tell people whatever you like to do that is your purpose; that’s what you are supposed to do. I think I was born an artist. When I was young listening to hip hop records, the expression is that we all like music, but everyone cannot express themselves. If you have written poetry, it can be music. Free expression gets into circumstances at the time.

    Q. Tell us about your YouTube show called “Fux News Cast and how did you come up with the name?

    A. It’s like a play on the news. It’s like a play on fox when in the environment someone might have thrown it in the air. It’s a play on fox that has character names that’s crazy like Monie Coughman, Mona Lott, Anita Cox, Richard “Dick” Holder, Silky Watkins, and Craven Moorehead. Its meteorologist, sports, anchors, Latinos are very sensual urban cartoons. We got features there, which are silly, mature, and make you feel good. 

  • Dj Kurupt

    Interview with DJ Kurupt

    By: Where it Begins

    Q. Share with the world who you are and what you do?

    A. Before DJ Kurupt, I was known as DJ Cool Cal. I would DJ on my block in Springfield, Massachusetts at our friend’s house whenever we had parties. I was chosen to be the DJ because I was the one who had a lot of music. I didn’t have a turntable at the time, so we would sneak into my mom’s entertainment center across the street and use that. I went to an event one day where they had a real DJ with turntables, and it was then that I started learning what being a DJ was about. I started mixtapes because it was something that I enjoyed doing.

    Q. How did being on 106 & park open your career?

    A. Being on 106 & park wasn’t the first time for me to touch that type of platform. I’ve been on Rap City; The Basement with Big Tigger and other music shows on BET. However, I am thankful to have gone back to bless the stage with my presence and seeing all the wonderful souls that continued to help me get to the point and beyond.

    Q. A little birdie told me that you’re writing a book?

    A. Yes this is true, I’ve written several books, the first one is based on a true story from my past experiences. I titled the book “The Day I Died”. It’s about a situation that happened back in 2015, and the story reflects on the power of God. I was struck in the back of my head by a bullet after piercing straight through my finger. This incident left me in the trauma unit for some time, and I’ve been fighting with the after effect since. You can keep up with the book on www.ThedayIdiedbook.com

    Q. What advice would you give to someone trying to get on being a DJ?

    A. There are always new opportunities for DJ outlets. A key word for me is “Determination”. Everything that we want, and need is right before us. You just have to be determined and reach for it.