New Interview (Audio): DJ Scream - Talks DJ/Artist Relationship Building x Breaking Records

DJ Scream is a well-respeced  DJ out of Atlanta with a long-running history of breaking records and showcasing how to become a success.  In part 1 or 2, Scream talked to SheBloggin.com about how he progressed, artist - DJ relationship building, and offers advice to upcoming DJs.

Sorry for the echo, I'm still learning this damned recording thing. Look out for part 2 when he discusses stepping outside the box, where DJs are going wrong, and offers special advice to the Carolina music community.

P Watts - Grown Man

Columbia, SC rapper P Watts has been grinding for over 10 years in the music game.  He’s had many ups and down, but recently he’s seen much success with his latest single, “Grown Man”.  Not to mention the growing popularity of the video, which has been featured on every hip-hop site known.  P Watts talked to SheBloggin.com about his struggles in the business, his deals, and his recent success. 

What inspired you to start rapping? 

I’m basically just a fan. I grew up on hip-hop in the early 90s, and I looked at them like superheroes.  I heard a Pastor Troy record back in 99 and was so inspired, and that’s when I started. 

How has the process been in building your career? 

There have definitely been ups and downs.  I did some work with Salt from Salt n Pepa a few years ago.  She liked me and ended up signing me to her label. I had a deal with them through Rap a Lot in 2001.  I did three songs with her, and one became a single.  That ended up not working out so I moved on. Then a few years ago I was featured on Consequences album so that was a good look. 

The South Carolina music community has always had tension for various reasons.  How has it been for you? 

I can’t lie; every rapper including me wants their record played.  When you’ve been putting in hard work you feel like you should get played. But you gotta respect the DJ first. 

Your new single, “Grown Man” has been very successful.  What do you attribute to its success? 

I think its because we shot a major video for it.  We spent a lot of money on the video.  We actually put a real production in it.  Internet marketing has been a key factor too. 

Did you think the single was going to be this big? 

The funny thing is we never intended on putting it out as a single.  But the response was good so we shot the video and went with it. 

And because of the success of the single, you’ve been nominated for various awards. How does that make you feel? 

It’s showing me that if you invest in yourself, hard work pays off. But you can’t be content.  I can’t get too comfortable because I’m still not where I want to be. 

What’s the next single? 

I can’t reveal too many details just yet, but a major producer did the record, with 3 major female artists featured on it.  You’ll see soon. 

Are there any artists, local or major, that you want to work with? 

I’m down to work with anybody that wants to work with me. 

Any album or mixtape dropping soon? 

I got two mixtapes coming out with a lot of notable artists on it: Boss G, Lil Brod, Carlos Cartel, Pachino Dino, and more.  Then I got the Element of Surprise mixtape with DJ Burn One coming too. 

Any shoutouts? 

Shout out to Ms Chriss, SheBloggin, and the whole state of SC.  Shouts to all the DJs that’s supporting it I really appreciate it.

 

Dem Getaway Boyz (Atlanta, GA)

Since Atlanta has become the new mecca of hip hop, rising stars have emerged at a fast pace.  Adding to the list of artists on the rise is new hip hop group, Dem Getaway Boyz.  The east Atlanta natives have taken the music scene by storm with their latest hit, “Get Up” produced by Kane Beats.  Dem Getaway Boyz talked with SheBloggin.com about their journey in this industry, how they got where they are, and how they feel about their new fame.

How did you come together as a group?

We all met and came together in high school. We started off just being friends doing music.  We sounded good together and went from there.  We’ve been together 5 years.

Being that you’re in Atlanta, what’s your opinion of the local music scene?

There are a lot of people following everyone else, in the whole Atlanta music scene period.  That’s why we’re in our own lane; we don’t want to be like everyone else.

With there being so many artists coming out of Atlanta sounding similar, how do you plan to stand out?

We do what’s real and not what’s hot.  Other artists do what’s in style and we do what we feel.

You’ve created a nice buzz for yourselves.  Give some examples of what you did to get yourselves noticed.

The internet was the main thing.  We used Soundclick, MySpace, etc., all of the social networking sites.  They’ve all been beneficial.  Also, we go to places that might not be that well known and perform. We like to touch all bases.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Jay-Z, NAS, Lil Wayne, Biggie, and Pac to name a few.

Have you collaborated with any artists or producers?

We’ve collaborated with Killa Mike, Mr. Bentley, and got more on the way. As far as producers, we’ve got tracks with Dre Day, Marvelous J, Mike Major, and our single is produced by Kane Beats.

Which artists are you hoping to collab with?

Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne.  Anybody really, we’re open to collab with anyone.

Your new single, “Get Up” has gained a lot of attention.  How did it come about?

We were in the studio when Kane produced it.  He sampled it from someone he knows in St. Louis.

Were there any DJs in particular that showed you a lot of love in helping push the single?

All of the Arsonist DJs, Hoodrich DJs, and Coaliton DJs.  The DJs around here have been showing us a lot of love. Also DJ Jay One, he’s been supporting us since day one.

What do you currently have out and what’s coming next?

We’re currently pushing our mixtape, “” and hopefully we’ll have the album out this year after the negotiations are finished with the labels.  It will be self-titled.

Any shoutouts?

Shout Warbucks music, Arsonist DJs, Hoodrich DJs, Dre Day beats, Kane Beats, In the Building Records, the whole ATL and everyone supporting us.

Check out Dem Getaway Boyz new single, "Get Up"

Travis Williams aka T-Will

Travis Williams aka T-Will

 

Hip hop and sports have always been closely linked, and often times intertwined.  Many rappers have a little athlete in them, and several sports figures have a little rapper in them; some have even pursued a music career, but not all were successful.  Travis Williams, aka T-Will is a former NFL player turned rapper ready to bestow his musical talents upon us and separate himself from the stereotypes.  T-Will talked to SheBloggin.com about his football career, his transition into music, and why he’s different than the rest.

Tell everyone where you’re from?

I was born and raised in Columbia, SC.  I grew up in Saxon Projects, and later lived in Northgate trailer park.

You have had an accomplished football career.  For those that don’t know, where did you start playing?

I went to Spring Valley high school in Columbia and broke all their tackling records.  After high school I went to Auburn University.  Later graduated from there; then left there and went to Atlanta and played for the Falcons.  I played for 3 years then I suffered a back injury.  Now I coach at Auburn.

How was the transition from college to NFL?

It wasn’t that hard.  SEC is the best college conference so it prepared me for the league.  Nobody was really helping in the league, I had to do a lot on my own.

So what made you decide to start rapping?

One of my teammates had a studio in his crib.  I came thru one day and just started playing around and actually liked it.  Then a few of my teammates was saying that I was good and I started taking it seriously.  I’ve always been a big music fan though so I’ve always had it in me.

Who are your musical influences?

A lot of people don’t keep it real about their influences, but mine is definitely Master P.  I grew up on No Limit.  Also Kanye West, his first three albums were classic.  And 50 Cent.  I’m a big fan of Get Rich or Die Tryin.

Pro athletes turned rappers usually don’t get taken seriously.  How has it been for you?

It started out slow, but it’s starting to pick up.  In some ways it made people draw back from me, but it also worked to my advantage.  But I know as soon as people hear me, the music will speak for itself.  At the end of the day, people notice that I’m taking this seriously.

What’s going to keep you out of that category?

Back in Columbia, the people that really know me know that I’m telling the truth in my lyrics.  I’m not afraid to say that I lived in the projects.  I talk about things I’ve really been through in my music.  The realness of my music will keep me away from that category.

What project are you currently working on?

Right now I’m pushing the single, “Get Low”.  I just did a song for Auburn too that’ll start playing when the season starts.  I might do a mixtape with a South Carolina DJ or DJ Scream, or I might do an EP.

Any producers you would like to work with?

Kanye of course, I just got a beat from Drumma Boy, and I’d also like to work with Kane Beatz.  But I wanna help the upcoming too.  Cats like Sixth Man; I wanna help him get on.  He’s done a lot of my beats and he’s real talented.

Any artists?

Kanye again, 50 Cent, Rick Ross, etc.  Continental GT definitely, that’s my partner.  We’ve been talking about a collab for a while.  Also Lil Ru.  I’m willing to do a song with anybody from the Carolinas. Send it to me and I’ll knock it out.

You currently coach for Auburn football.  Is it hard balancing your coaching duties and pursuing your music career?

Yeah, it’s tough at times. I get up at 5am and don’t leave the office until 8pm.  So in my free time I go to the studio or I’ll write.  I recognize that I’m an underdog with the music, but I’m gonna show people.

You know ladies love athletes and rappers, and you’re a combination of both!  So for the women reading this, are you single?

Yeah I’m single.  I keep a level head, but I do embrace the women.  They’re my target audience so I love the attention, lol.

What can we look forward to hearing from you this year?

I wanna stay in everybody’s face and ears as much as possible.  I wanna collab with as many SC artists as possible.  I’m gonna shoot a couple videos in the next few months.  Everything I do I’m reppin SC to the fullest!  I’m always gonna let people know where I’m from.  I wanna do some major collabs.  I just wanna put South Carolina on the map.

Any shoutouts?

Shouts to you for the opportunity, shouts to Charlamagne, Chuck T, Sixth Man, Blitz Squad Ent, Major League Ent, and the whole state of South Carolina.

CHECK OUT T-WILL'S SINGLE "GET LOW"

Brisco Explains Robbery Incident, So Icey Diss

Florida has played an important role in the progression of hip hop over the years.  With the recent success of such artists as Rick Ross, Plies, and T-Pain, their stock continues to rise.  But while a new movement in the sunshine state has begun, you can’t forget about one of the state’s founding movements, Poe Boy.  Star of the long-running label, Brisco, has been contributing to Florida’s music scene for years and has carried Poe Boy on his back throughout his career.  With the help of his Cash Money deal, Brisco is ready to make his mark in the mainstream in 2010.  He talks to SheBloggin.com about his thoughts on Florida hip hop, his robbery incident, new music, and his recent So Icey diss track.

Tasha:  You’ve been an important element of Florida’s hip hop scene for a while now.  Do you feel that you are still underrated?

Brisco:  Very much so.  Hip hop has been over-saturated.  A lot of this ain’t real out here.

Tasha:  Recently it seems that the whole “goon” movement has become watered down due to fakes and phonies. Explain what a goon really is and how you feel about rappers throwing that word around.

Brisco:  Goon is a movement. Just like when Pac started the thug movement.  It’s just a way of life; I do what I gotta do to feed my family.  But I feel like I started the whole goon movement.  I’ve been saying it since I was 12.   As far as the other rappers, they just using it, I don’t take offense to it.

Tasha:  Poe Boy has been a strong force in Florida for a long time, but with the recent success of DJ Khaled’s movement, do you feel that Poe Boy has been overshadowed?

Brisco:  Yeah I kinda do.  Poe Boy brought that feeling, you know?  They brought that family feeling.  It’s not the same as what Poe Boy brought.  We’ve been a unit, always been like family.

Tasha:  What’s your relationship with DJ Khaled?

Brisco:  I don’t know, I feel like he can help a little more.  I’ve made my contribution to him so I feel like he can help me a little more.  But it is what it is.

Tasha:  You recently released a track called “Waka Blocka” dissing Waka Flocka, Gucci Mane, OJ the Juiceman, and Yung Berg.  First off, what made you go after Waka?

Brisco:  Gucci made a track called Heavy where he mentioned my name.  He said “Wish a nigga would run up on me like I’m Brisco”.  He dissed me while I was down.  At the time I was dealing with issues in the streets, so that was my response. This was just all for the sport of it but I’m gonna go at the whole camp.  I was in Atlanta when I recorded that track.

Tasha:  You dissed him right after he was shot.  You didn’t think that was inappropriate?

Brisco:  Before I did the track I made sure that Waka was OK.  I’m a spiritual dude so I wouldn’t have done that unless I knew he was OK.

Tasha:  Ok, so you went at OJ too because he’s apart of Gucci’s camp?

Brisco:  Yeah.  He’s with Gucci so I had to go at all of them.

Tasha:  The Yung Berg mention was kind of random, why did take shots at him?

Brisco:  I used him to get a little more popularity.  He was just a stepping stone.

Tasha:  So if Brisco and his camp ran into So Icey…

Brisco:  We would probably just smile and laugh about it.  There’s no beef.  This was all for the sport, just hip hop.  They definitely wouldn’t put hands on me.  Nobody wants another Tupac/Biggie situation.  I don’t think either of us would let it get to that level.

Tasha:  So what’s your status with Cash Money?

Brisco:  Everything’s good, I just had to gather myself and get my mind right.  I want to come correct with my music, so I’ve just been taking the time to get it right.

Tasha:  How do you feel about Lil Wayne going to jail?

Brisco:  Aw man, I don’t ever like seeing a nigga go to jail.  Free all the real niggas in jail.  Free Gucci and Boosie.  I’m just gonna carry the label.  I’m gonna use this time to holla at the bosses and help them make more money.

Tasha:  How has your aura been since you got robbed?

Brisco:  I don’t trust anybody now.  I move a little wiser now.  I don’t go certain places I used to go; I’m just smarter with how I move.  But it’s all good because it just adds to my story.  I wasn’t really robbed, I was shut up.

Tasha:  When’s your album dropping?

Brisco:  Street Medicine April 20^th.  You’re gonna hear my story and the things I’ve gone through.  I gotta mixtape out now, no DJs, no drops just music.  I detailed what happened with the incident.

Tasha:  Do you think mainstream is ready for Brisco?

Brisco:  They better be!  One thing about mainstream is you can’t lie to them, so what you see is what you get with me.

Tasha:  What’s going to set you apart from other rappers out?

Brisco:  My deliveries and my whole brain structure.  I research things, plus I got a story to tell.  I lost my mom, dad, older brother, and seen my best friend get shot in the head.  I’ve been through real things and my story will set me apart from everybody else.

Follow Brisco on Twitter: @briscoopalocka

www.myspace.com/brisco305

WarrenJae - "What Dreams May Come"

Fellow Carolinian and rising star Warren Jae took our breath away with his amazing debut, “What Dreams May Come”, which was released at the end of last year. His lyrical presentation was fully equipped with diversity and passion, which made me want to know more about this young talented artist. WarrenJae talked to me about his dreams, drive, and what’s to come.



Tasha: For those that might not know, where are you from?

WJ: Columbia, SC by way of Monroe, Louisiana.

Tasha: How long have you been rapping?

WJ: Since 2003. I needed some way to express myself. I’m a big RnB fan, but I can’t sing. So I started rapping.

Tasha: Your style is refreshing, much different from what is out right now. Who are your musical influences?

WJ: Kanye West, Bilal, and Lupe Fiasco.

Tasha: In my opinion, “What Dreams May Come” was an indie classic. What was process like in creating this project?

WJ: It was about a 6 month process. The album was actually done in September, but we took our with mixing and placing the tracks.

Tasha: How was it working with Randy Roper?

WJ: It was crazy! But me and Randy are like family. He’s been listening to my music for a while. He saw my hunger and finally gave me a shot. He’s so honest; he’ll let you know straight up if something is wack.

Tasha: How about working with Sam King?

WJ: Sam is a musical genius. He made it easy because he already has a vision for each track.

Tasha: Were there any particular moments, people, or other things that served as motivation when you went into the booth to record?

WJ: I feel like the first project an artist drops is their most important, so I brought everything that’s important in the booth with me. My family and my mother were my main motivation.

Tasha: What would be your dream collaboration?

WJ: That’s hard, it would have to be between Lauryn Hill, Bilal, or J. Cole.

Tasha: So what’s next? What can we look forward to from you this year?

WJ: The Dream Catcher is next. It’s gonna be a traditional mixtape and serve as a build up to Welcome to My Dreams, which will be the next soundtrack.

Tasha: Anything else you’d like to add?

WJ: I just want to say thanks to everyone that listened to my music and supported me, I really appreciate it. And I wanna thank you for giving me the time of day!



Please take a minute download WarrenJae’s “What Dreams May Come” Soundtrack HERE

ATL's Diamond (Formerly of Crime Mob)

Atlanta rap princess Diamond is back and ready to take the industry by storm with her new solo project. Formerly a member of Crime Mob, the young star talked to me about going solo, her latest ventures, new music, and Lil Scrappy.

So what have you been up to since your departure from Crime Mob?

Working on my solo project, tryna make my mark into the Hip-Hop game.

What is your relationship with the rest of the group now?

It’s all love on my end, even though the bond is no longer there.

Your new single, “Superbad” is a success. How does it feel to have a solo hit?

A blessing, Superbad is my very 1st solo single so it’s my baby, I get excited like I’m a fan everytime I see the video.

How was your experience working with Cee-Lo?

Another blessing because he is a legend in his own time, so I truly feel like it was right to make this my 1st single.

What other producers are you looking forward to working with?

Honestly I’m down with whoever that have the hits, if you have that then lets make the magic happen.

So what project are you currently working on?

My 3rd Volume of Bitch Muzik w/DJ Scream

What would be your dream collaboration?

Rihanna

Are there any female rappers that you would like to work with?

Da Brat

You and Lil Scrappy have sort of become the Prince and Princess of Atlanta. Can we look forward to a collaboration between you two?

Yes we have a collab on his upcoming album called phone tag, and also a collab on my album, plus we will be dropping our mixtape Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Outside of music, are there any other ventures or projects you look forward to pursuing in 2010?

I want to get into modeling, establish my very own clothing line, and a beauty salon.