Interview: Jay IDK “DMV’s New Kid” (@Jay_idk)

The DMV is a hot bed of talent, particularly in hip hop. Several names in the DMV have been buzzing lately, one in particular is newcomer Jay IDK. With a firm grasp on who he is and what his generation need to hear, he is not ashamed to make his message clear, and deliver it his way. His road to artistry has been a winding one but now that he is here, he is staking his claim and ready to take his generation to another level.

You have such a unique name, please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what your name means.

Jay is short for my first name Jason. IDK stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge BC that’s the only way our generation will listen.

You have only been rapping about a year, what motivated you to become an artist?

Hearing the Big Sean Jay Z and Kanye Track “Clique”. It made me wanna create my own version, which I did, and the response was crazy so I continued to write and make music. I never thought I would take it seriously, it was just for fun.

Listen to the “Rap God” freestyle:

 How were you first exposed to music?

When I was about 8 my mother bought me my first CD player with a Jackson Five CD. The following year my uncle got me a “Get Rich Or Die Trying’ Bootleg that opened my eyes to hip hop music.

 Do you remember the first time you performed? Where was it and what was it for?

It was an open mic at the University Of Maryland.

 “Sex, Drugs, & Homework” is coming out soon. What can we expect from the project?

The name is pretty much explanatory. It’s basically the story of my life prior to rapping. Its something anyone who is in or has attempted college will relate to. When making it, we did our best to put you in the seat of a student that hates school but loves college, If that makes any sense lol.

Watch the “In My Life” Video:

 

 How did you come up with material for the album? What is your creative process like?

Wrote and recorded over 200 songs within a 1 and 1/2 year period. All of them were during the time I was in school, so they pretty much fit into the concept of the project.

When you are in the studio, how do you know a record is made for you?

It’s something that’s hard to explain. It like a connection that I have between the song that pretty much tells me that that song is “IT” That and the fact that I listen to it 1000 times over and over again, lol!

Who are some artists you would like to work with in the future?

Eminem, Kanye, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Q Tip, The Gorillaz are just a few.

What do you want the world to know about you and your music?

I will soon be the voice on my generation.

How can everyone keep in touch with you?

Twitter/IG: @Jay_idk and JayIDK.com

Fresh Looks: Kanye West Covers Interview Magazine

Quietly, I  have been over Kanye West interviews for some time but this is a bit more interesting than I first thought it might be. Kanye sat with Director Steve McQueen for this interview and he actually was a mild version of his anal self and the images shot by Steven Klien are phenomenal. Here are some highlights of quotes from the interview:

How his car accident led to “The College Dropout”

Before I was more willing to give my time to people and things that I wasn’t as interested in because somehow I allowed myself to be brainwashed into being forced to work with other people or on other projects that I had no interest in. So simply, the accident gave me the opportunity to do what I really wanted to do. I was a music producer, and everyone was telling me that I had no business becoming a rapper, so it gave me the opportunity to tell everyone, “Hey, I need some time to recover.” But during that recovery period, I just spent all my time honing my craft and making The College Dropout. 

The Bound 2 video…

I think people are afraid of dreams, and that video is one of the closest things to the way that dreams look and feel, or the way joy looks and feels, with the colors. You know, I think there are rules to fashion, with the all-black everything, and rules to art, with white galleries. There are rules to how a lot of things are: the concrete jungle, stone pavement, brick walls. There are even rules to what a Brooklyn apartment looks like. But this video completely didn’t respect any of those rules whatsoever. [laughs] It’s a dream, and I think the controversy comes from the fact that I don’t think most people are comfortable with their own dreams, so it’s hard for them to be comfortable with other people’s dreams. 

His definition of success

Well, influence isn’t my definition of success—it’s a by-product of my creativity. I just want to create more. I would be fine with making less money. I actually spend the majority of my money attempting to create more things. Not buying things or solidifying myself or trying to make my house bigger, or trying to show people how many Louis Vuitton bags I can get, or buying my way to a good seat at the table. My definition of success, again, is getting my ideas out there.

Go get the issue to read the rest.

Fresh Interview: Singer/Songwriter Jermaine Crawford (@Jermzcrawford) Talks to SA2Fresh

Jermaine Crawford is no stranger to the spotlight. At the tender age of 12 he was playing “Dukie” on the legendary TV show, “The Wire.” While he made huge headway on the the TV show, his first love has always been music. Now at the age of 21, Jermaine is more than ready to show people who he is an an a musician, an artist and a man. We caught up with Jermaine who was gracious enough to answer a few questions about his craft, his beginnings and his new project. The project may be called Underdog (which is available on datpiff NOW) but he is not an artist you should underestimate.

For readers that do not know you, please tell our readers who you are?

My name is Jermaine Crawford, I’m a singer/actor born in Prince George’s County, Maryland. A lot of people are familiar with my work from The Wire on HBO, however it’s time to show the world a completely different side of me.

Most people who do know you remember you from “The Wire,” how did you transition into singing?

Well honestly I was a singer first. My dad was a deacon in our church growing up. He was also the leader of praise of worship, he’s a phenomenal singer. I definitely got my gift of song from my father. It’s through music that I fell in love with acting. I began doing musical theatre around 6 or 7 years old. In musical theatre, if you didn’t sing dance and act, you probably didn’t get casted. So I learned at a young age how to flip the script.

Tell us about your first exposure to music.

My first exposure to music would definitely be my experiences growing up in church; performing on stage, dancing in the church aisles, harassing the band players to let me hop on the drums or the keys. Keep in mind I was 4 – lol

When did you start writing original music?

I began writing my own original music around 3 or 4 years ago. I’ve always written poetry growing up because it was such a great way to express myself. I didn’t have many friends growing up so I would always write. It wasn’t until about 4 years ago that I began honing the actually skill of writing and producing records.

Do you remember the first time you went on stage? Where and what was it?

I honestly was way too young to remember my first time on stage, but I’m told it was pretty cool lol. I do remember my first solo performance outside of the church choir. I performed at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington D.C. I performed the song “Who’s Lovin’ You” by the Jackson 5. That will always be one of the greatest moments of my life because it was then that my addiction for performance was ignited.

Talk about your first single “Janet.” What was the inspiration behind that?

Well of course Janet Jackson lol. But more specifically her phenomenal production that I’ve been inspired by over the years. My favorite producers are Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, so my single Janet was a tribute, an ode to the style of music they created and that I love. Of course there was some personal influence regarding a woman I just couldn’t get over but whatever I’m 21. Sh*t will always happen, it’s just my job to write about it. *laughs*

Explain the title of your EP “Underdog.”

I named my first project Underdog because I believe it was the closest thing to a self-titled project as possible. I feel so looked over at times. I know that I have a gift that can impact music. I believe God placed a serious gift inside of me. Sometimes in you’re the only one who will see or get the vision. This project is for anyone who feels similar. Anyone who is fighting for their dreams, anyone who feels misunderstood. This one is for the go getters, the loners, the cool kids. You see: there is an underdog inside every single one of us.

Musically, who are you listening to write now?

I listen to anything that’s substantial. Specifically: Drake, Kendrick, Kanye, Jay-Z, TGT. Recently I’ve been playing a lot of Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston for some odd reason, I’m just in a ballad kind of mood these days lol

Given that most people do know you as an actor, what do you want people to know about you musically?

I want people to know that “I am here”. I want people to know that I’m next.

What are your goals for your music?

My goals for my music are to impact and change the entire world.

5 Fresh Minutes With Gorilla Phil (@GorillaPhil)

 

With a name like Gorilla Phi you should be ready to be about that life.  Up and coming rapper Gorilla Phil is and will gladly tell anyone he meets. Unlike many rappers who are rapping fantasies about things they may never attain, Gorilla Phil takes the approach of “real rap” focussing on his life and the moves he makes. We took a few minutes to talk to him and found out that he is a dose of complex simplicity and the best way to get to know him is to simply listen.

Tell us about your name. How did you come up with Gorilla Phil?

I don’t know really. If I remember correctly, someone called me that one day when I was out selling t-shirts at an Eritrean soccer game.  I was about my money so I was real aggressive selling the t-shirts. I had several different nicknames when I was growing up but Gorilla Phil stuck.

You are Eritrean. How do you keep that part of you prevalent in your music?

It just comes out bruh.  It’s who I am. A lot of shit I be talking about it comes out…life style, brotherhood…that’s what makes it easier to be an African in traffic …I know I have people everywhere makes it easier for me. I have brothers no matter where I go

5 Fresh Minutes with ImJaeHall (@Imjaehall)

 

Newcomer ImJaeHall is among the crop of new artist that is actually saying something. We have been quietly watching him and after his release of his Aaliyah tribute, we could not help but want to find out more about him.. We got a few minutes with him and he had a lot to say…we respect it all!

You have an impressive sound. Who are your musical influences?

My musical influences is such a hard question to answer!  Might sound cliche, but I’m truly influenced by any genre. One day I’m playing Calvin Harris 18months album the next I’m playing The Fugees The Score. It just varies! I really can’t pin point what are my exact musical influences. It’s truly  just good music!

Explain for us, your track F.N.W.A.

F.N.W.A all came from a certain moment and a wave of emotion. You know I wasn’t brought up in that era. I didn’t know what it’s like to first hear somebody say “f*ck the police” and really mean it and not just say it because it sounded cool but say it because of what they’ve wrongfully gone through.  And that’s really how they felt! And to see how the same exact things they were talking about 10-15-20 years ago are still happening today was just a sobering thing for me. And to see it happen so close to home was just unreal meaning seeing it happen over and over again in New York City. In no way am I advocating violence but at that particular moment that’s how I felt! F*ck em! You know because they don’t give a sh*t about what happens to us. And music is my way of expressing my feelings and my thoughts at whatever time I see fit. Some people write in there journal, I create music. And me creating a song is not going to change anything we got to change our selves and how we see each other. But hey hopefully in due time.

Fresh Flicks: Kate and Naomi Cover Interview Magazine

Still two of the baddest women on the planet and they are both on Interview Magazine

5 Fresh Minutes with Arlis Michaels (@Arlismichaels)

You may not have heard of Arlis Michaels….yet. We guarantee that is about to change. The New York rapper is out to change the game with his catchy lyrics and over the top art work.  He is quickly making his way through the music scene and doing it solely on his own terms.

Arlis you are known for having creative artwork. How do you come up with your concepts

I just like to be different and creative as possible, you feel me? In school I was always the guy with a million jokes, making everybody laugh. So being creative comes easy to me.

Fresh Interview: Brandy Sits With Skorpian Show

Are you up to date with Brandy and her Brandoms? Have you notice the new confidence she’s been walking around with? I am guessing being in love can do it too you.
She brought her fierceness to the stage this weekend in Philly as she performed at the Theater of Living Arts. Afterward, she was all the way turnt up as she sat down with Kevin and Makael of The Skorpion Show and dished on everything from connecting to fans to her choreographer Frank Gatson, instilling a little Sasha Fierce in her performances. She also revealed that she auditioned for the film Black Nativity, but lost the part to Mary J. Blige.

Catch the highlights and full interview below:

Fresh Sounds: Josef George talks with Spate TV

Fresh New Talent, Josef George takes time out to speak with Spate Magazine / TV about his career goals and upcoming ventures. Josef George is a R&B recording artist, music producer, music composer, song writer, music engineer, and entertainer. signed under JCG Records LLc.

You can also catch him tomorrow at a night of music and art. Featuring performances by:

Carmen Inhidira ,Shamar Forte & Phil Ade.

With paintings and artwork by Un Cutt & Makeba Rainy. Their artwork will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds will go to the National Juvenile Diabetes Association.
Please RSVP: Bt@mediahunterpr.com . Keep in mind if you DON’T RSVP there WILL be a $10 charge @ the door.

Check it out:

FRESH VIEWS: 5 FRESH MINUTES WITH JHAREE STEPHENS ( @JHAREESTEPHENS)

                                  

Few people can be triple threats but 16 year old Jharee Stephens is just that. The Georgia native is making noise in the industry and we cannot help but to notice. She is currently prepping a new single for the top of the year. While we wait patiently, we took a few minutes to talk to her and find out what she likes, how she records and what to expect in the very near future.

As always we start with 5 words to describe you. What are yours?

Unique, innovative , fresh , spell-bounding , capturing .

What is your favorite song to sing?

My favorite song to sing is Halo by Beyonce.