"IAR" Interview: Sonnie Carson

New York hip-hop is a mindset that is unquestionably different from other regions.  The swagger and attitude that is possessed from artists out of the Big Apple represents hustle, struggle, and unparalleled perseverance, which is abundantly evident in the music.  Sonnie Carson is a product of that environment.  The Brooklyn MC exudes street life in his rhymes, but combines that with a savvy business sense and massive commercial appeal.  Although he has a limited project resume', (new mixtape coming soon) Carson's impact on the rap game can be greatly felt.  Even with features from some of the most seasoned veterans in the game, Sonnie Carson's lyrical skill and metaphoric wordplay are in a class of their own.  The ability he has to paint a vivid picture and incorporate a true and believable story in his music, is to date, his greatest accolade as an artist.  He is truly a loyal ambassador for the streets and exemplifies the essence of what makes hip-hop multi-faceted.  It's A Rap recently had the chance to talk with the BK rhymer and with his raw correlation between the streets and the industry, "Flight #2012" dropping soon , and an entire city behind him, Sonnie Carson is indeed, ready for takeoff.


IAR: When did you get your start in hip-hop?
SC: "I got started sometime around 2004 if I remember correct."


IAR: How has being from Brooklyn influenced your sound?
SC: "It's the basis of EVERYTHING I do.  Sound, look, etc.  I'm just a kid from Brooklyn you know?"


IAR: Influences?
SC: "Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, (An)Dre 3000, Buckwild, Kwame."


IAR: Artists/Producers you want to work with?
SC: "Pharell, Swizz Beats, Jazmine Sullivan, Bruno Mars."


IAR: What have been some of your best collaborations so far?
SC: "Jadakiss, Killer Mike, Jim Jones."


IAR: What was the concept behind "The Leak?"
SC: "The concept was to generally give people a taste of what was going on while we were preparing for Flight #2012, hence the title "The Leak."  Its a compilation of records that were done prior to the time we began working on Flight #2012."


IAR: Future plans/projects?
SC: "The future is now!  Flight #2012 hosted by Don Cannon is on the way!"


IAR: Are you planning any upcoming tour dates?
SC: "Indeed, so much going on.  There's sites you can go to to stay up to date such as www.screamentertainment.com."


IAR: Describe your style lyrically.
SC: "One Word.  Versatile."


IAR: How has being independent (Scream ENT) benefited your career?
SC: "Being independent is a blessing.  It's a lot more work than being on a major, but the comfortability and creative control that you have is worth the work.  Shoutout to Earn Money and the rest of Scream Ent. for making this all possible.  We like it, they love it."


www.screamentertainment.com
Follow on Twitter:
@RockstarSonnie
@earnmoney718
@POEGRAMS

The SwAze Playlist XIV

IAR brings you the 14th installment of "The Swayze Playlist."  This week features both rookies and veterans of the rap game and another chance to keep it #Swayze like us.  No particular order, just equally dope..Certified.

1. Fat Trel ft. Black Cobain-"Trel Got Em Laughing"

2. Yukmouth ft. 2 Chainz, Gudda Gudda, and D-Golder-"Smell It On Me"

3. Juicy J-"Lucky Charm"

4. Luniz-"Handcuff Your Hoes"

5. Slaughterhouse-"Hammer Dance"

6. Sonnie Carson ft. Jadakiss-"Willis"

7. Retro Su$hi-"Halftime"

8. Young ReeseDude-"Crusin"

9. Ryshon Jones-"Reality Alarm"

10. JR Writer ft. Lloyd Banks-"Kill Em Dead"

Jarv Dee-DOPAMINE

When Seattle rhymer Jarv Dee was titling his new album, the implication and fit for the name "DOPAMINE" was arbitrarily successful to say the least.  Being that the clinical meaning for the word is a neurotransmitter that sends signals between nerve cells in the brain, this project sends many different transmissions through listeners minds.  This album is what hip-hop NEEDS.  Dopamine offers a variety of subjects and changes mood and theme from track to track.  Aside from Jarv's unbelievable lyrical adeptness, the production transforms a would-be-great album, to a profound and  preeminent  hip-hop masterpiece.  The baselines and synthesis are transfixing and engulf the listener into the melody.  The subject matter ranges across the usual hip-hop spectrum, (weed, girls, etc) but Jarv makes it a point to relate to his listeners with everyday issues.  Songs like "Klingon," "Status" (featuring Jerm D and Nacho Picasso), and "The Code" (also featuring close affiliate Nacho Picasso) offer insight to the fatal attraction rappers often endure on the road to stardom.  "I Just Wanna," "Back Streets," and "Cadillac Spaceships" consist of nothing more than a platform for his unparalleled rhyming ability, while "Picture Me Rollin" and "Hot Box" have a deeper and darker feel to them, still allowing the Moor Gang member to take the listener through a  musical exploration. Even though this is simply a hip-hop album, DOPAMINE's connotations reach well beyond the standard proximty of the rap game.  The beats are memorable, the hooks are catchy, and lyrically, it's top tier.  While it's unknown wether or not this album will raise anyones neurological levels, there is very basic evidence to support that it will place Jarv Dee in the upper echelon of MC's and pave the way for a hip-hop career with significant longevity.

jarvdee.bandcamp.com

Follow on Twitter @JarvDee

"IAR" Interview: Hollywood Haiti

SHAKEDOWN!  A popular adage that resonates closely not only to the boroughs of New York, but rings bells throughout all of hip-hop.  Hollywood Haiti is not only an artist under the Shakedown moniker, but a street-wise rapper who has translated the complexities of hustling into a flourishing music career on the come-up.  When listening to HH's flow and content, he represents the hustle.  His music speaks for the grinders that chase their dreams against all odds.  He possesses the competency to deliver songs that oscillate with the harsh realities of street life as well as club-banging and party-starting tracks.  His artistic style  is categorically built from the Big Apple's influences, but is assuredly far-reaching to all archetypal avenues of the rap game.  The Dichotomy of the name Hollywood Haiti speaks volumes to who he is.  Hollywood embodies the envisioning of a fortune, dream, and the work it takes to make that come to life.  Haiti defines oppression and overcoming obstacles to reach those same goals, as well as being from Haitian decent.  It's A Rap had the chance to catch up with Hollywood Haiti and whether it be the grind or the music, he is undoubtedly a force, and a rapper that will be mentioned with some of the big names, LIVE, from the Mecca of hip-hop.  


IAR: When did you get your start in Hip-Hop?
HH: "I've been rapping for a long time, but seriously for two years."


IAR: How did you link up with Red Cafe and Shakedown?
HH: "Well shakedown is family.  I knew Red (Cafe) for a long time on some streets sh*t.  He is really like a big bro to me."


IAR: Describe your sound.
HH: "Two Words, Real Life."


IAR: How has NY influenced you as an artist?
HH: "Well New York influenced me as a person period.  New York is the reason I'm me Point Blank."


IAR: Artists you've worked with?
HH: "I've worked with Paul Cain, Chinx Drugz, Dizzy Wright, Chubby Jag, Ru- Spits, Corte Ellis, Lil Mo and of coarse all Shakedown Artists."


IAR: Producers you've worked with?
HH: "I've worked with Ty Fyffe, J Cardim, J -Money, Doe Pesci, Soul Diggas, Kash Johns and many more Super-producers."


IAR: What inspired the name Hollywood Haiti?
HH: "Well Haiti has been a long time nick name, being I am of Haitian Decent and Hollywood came later do to the life I live."


IAR: Do you have a full-length album in the works?
HH: "Actually I got a series of mixtapes for 2012 "Life Behind the Velvet Ropes" - Vegas Edtion, Miami Edition, Atlanta Edition and New York Edition.  Then in early 2013 an E.P. will be released."


IAR: What's setting you apart from other emerging artists from NY?
HH: "I'm real (Laughs) not an image a label, stylist, and A&R put together."


IAR: Future Plans/Projects?
HH: "Take over the universe! (Laughs) #Shakedown Vip life."


Follow on Twitter @HollywoodHaiti
twitter.com/#!/HOLLYWOODHAITI

The SwAze Playlist XIII

IAR brings you "The SwAze Playlist XIII."  Keep it SwAze like us.  Different day, same routine.  No particular order, just equally dope..Certified.

1. Chinx Drugz-"SuperLight"

2. Fashawn ft. J. Cole-"Nothin For The Radio"

3. Mike Classic-"Ball Out"

4. French Montana ft. Cheeze, Charlie Rock, & Chinx Drugz-"9000 Watts"

5. Pusha T-"Cook It Down"

6. Jon Connor-"Role Model" (Remix)

7. Fred The Godson-"Theme Music"

8. Trademark Da Skydiver ft. Curren$y-"Pre-Roasted"

9. Bobby Shells-"Token Swag Record"

10. Marcus Manchild-"Racks" (Remix)

Underground Spotlight: Bobby Hagens

Name: Bobby Hagens

Age: 22

Hometown: Clinton, MD

Affiliation: MVG

Released Projects:

"My Beautiful Mind"

Upcoming Projects:

TBA-November 2012

Very Select artists have the elemental ability to delivery music that has a truly epic feel.  Bobby Hagens falls into that musical paradigm.  The 22 year old MD rapper's debut mixtape "My Beautiful Mind" cements his arrival in hip-hop and does so in valiant fashion.  Hagens possesses not only the capacity to intrigue listeners with his pithy word play, but also with his fluid transitioning between themes.  Each track on "My Beautiful Mind" offers a unique feel and relate-ability.  Bobby Hagens demonstrates limitless versatility as far as lyrics are concerned and can transform simple melody and baseline into complex and memorable hooks, which in today's hip-hop, is an incredibly valuable asset.  He speaks from the soul and in doing so, Hagens opens up and encourages you to take something away from the messages in his music.  Many artists can draw a following of listeners, but truly CAPTIVATING your audience is no easy feat, and he does just that.  He speaks to the ladies, the hardcore heads, the clubs, and everyone in between.  The Clinton native shows that he has a soft and introverted side when exploring real issues, but that is in no way a negative indictment on how hard-hitting and impact-full his lyrics are.  As an artist with drive, a barrage of talent, and a tight-knit, motivating and innovative crew, (MVG) Bobby Hagens' impact on the rap game is going to extend well beyond the DMV, and he's proving that "Beautiful Mind" was a fitting and exact correlation for what's yet to come.


www.bobbyhagens.com
Follow on Twitter:
@bobbyhagens
@Gene_EdwardsMVG
@MovadoMusic

"IAR" Interview: Killa J

Killa J is by no means new to the game.  Granted his fortuitous mainstream success has yet to actualize, but that is not a question of "if" but a  determination of "when."  Being there is copious amounts of talent hailing from the DMV, standing out is often times difficult.  Killa J is standing out.  What makes him unique, although he's young, is not only his talent, but his work ethic and firm grasp on the intricacy that is expended in making full and complete music.  Even the most casual hip-hop listener can take any one of his projects, (4th and Inches, Caviar Dreams, Hide Ya Beats, A1) and see that the production, melodies, hooks, lyrics, and mixing is thoroughly intact.  His instinctual nature when creating music is what will propel his career to the next level.  He's superb lyrically, but PASSION is what sets his word play apart from the rest.  Every bar Killa digs deeper and deeper exposing his vehemence for lyricism and his devotion to making people not only listen, but hang decisively on every word.  His metaphors, punch-lines, and messages grant him the freedom and access to merge into any lane he chooses in hip-hop, making him an artist with no boundaries.  It's A Rap had the opportunity to uncover more about this VA rhymer and while youth is in his corner and time is on his side, Killa J has the heart of a fighter, the wisdom of a veteran, and is quietly and effortlessly killing the competition.  


IAR: When did you get your start in hip-hop?
KJ: "I started writing verses back when I was in the 2nd grade.  At that point it was something that separated me from the crowd because it wasn't something that other kids my age were doing.  I continued writing music and recording it in home studios until it evolved to where it is now."


IAR: Describe your sound.
KJ: "I describe my sound as a unique one because I have songs that will get a party going and songs that will make you just think about life.  I talk about my life as a college student and as a college dropout.  You can really hear my hunger for success in my music."


IAR: How did you get the name Killa J?
KJ: "It's honestly something that I thought of when i was really young.  Honestly, I wish I would have been a little more creative back then and thought of a more original and unique name that portrays me in a better way.  I could change it anytime, but I've already acquired a lot of buzz under that name which makes it harder to transition."


IAR: What's setting you apart from other emerging artists?
KJ: "My work ethic and my team.  Within a year, I was able to write, record, and release 4 mixtapes with each one being better than the one before.  Without the help of any record label, just a few friends from college, we were able to promote our music to over 100K people, gain a fanbase of over 30K+, and received over 100K+plays and 40K+ downloads."


IAR: Who/What has been influential to you?
KJ: "My family has been a big influence on my career.  They give me support which is a huge investment.  My team is also a big influence.  We keep each other motivated and ready to make that next move to becoming better."


IAR: What was the concept behind A1?
KJ: "A1 (Artist Of A New Era) was a pretty dope idea I had while just chilling outside with my manager.  We wanted to make a mixtape with a lot of the up and coming artists, which would also expose me to their fanbases and vice versa."


IAR: What's it like collaborating with other artists from the DMV like Los and Phil Ade?
KJ: "It's pretty tight.  I enjoyed working with them both.  They both delivered on their verses and made the mixtape that much better."


IAR: Where is the DMV's spot in Hip-Hop?
KJ: "In the next few years, I see the DMV having a large involvement in hip- hop like Atlanta, New York, and Houston already have.  With artists like Wale, Chris Brown, Pusha T, Los, Phil Ade, Fat Trel, and myself just to name a few, I definitely see the DMV becoming huge in hip-hop soon because it's been overlooked for too long."


IAR: Artists/Producers you want to work with?
KJ: "I want to work with artists like Wayne, Wale, J Cole, and Drake.  A few producers I want to work with are Just Blaze, The Runners, and Lex Luger."


IAR: Future Plans/Projects?
KJ: "I'm currently working on my next mixtape, title coming soon.  I also plan on recording the next installment of my "Hide Ya Beats" series in which I spit over industry instrumentals."


www.killaj.com
Follow on Twitter @KillaJGetItPopn