Ekelle's Exclusive Interview With Mz Black Pearl, Maizy F, Osi, And Gemini Meeks About Female Cypher 6.0 In Toronto

I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Maizy F before about her all female cypher and showcase. Since the time that I participated in it there has been a lot of growth; the last one took place in Edmonton, Alberta for the CUT Hip Hop awards and many more talented female rappers have been added to the movement. In this round the cypher has returned to Toronto, ON and has amassed an even bigger following as before. Many blogs, radio and TV show personalities showed up to support it and help bring awareness about the female movement taking place in Toronto. I was even introduced to some of the artists because of this event and took sometime to talk to them about their careers so far and why this event matters.

The first rapper I spoke to was battle rapper, Mz Black Pearl who really wowed me with her cypher, especially with her line about Michelle Obama.

Being an artist is one of the parts of your life, what else do you do?

MBP: I am extremely fortunate and grateful to say that I have been really blessed in the talent department. Multiple times over, in ways that I couldn’t have even imagined for myself and my life, as a youth. I thank God, often, for my blessings, although these gifts come with multiple challenges too. Some of these capacities are innate to me and I’ve been honing them since childhood. For many years, there have been numerous things that I’ve been into and/or have been building a foundation for myself in. I model, sing, rap, dance and choreograph. I’ve worn (and still wear) many hats, from songwriter, poet and blogger, to hairdresser, makeup artist and wardrobe stylist, to event planner. Most recently, I’ve ventured into the world of battle rapping.

How did you get into battle rapping?

MBP: Battle rap was introduced and reintroduced to me over the years through boyfriends, friends and associates. Obviously, it was a recurring theme for a reason. As far as becoming a battle rapper, myself, my current boyfriend was extremely instrumental in making that happen. We found out pretty quickly, after meeting, that musical appreciation and talent was a common thread for us. Over time, we both displayed our skills to each other and after hearing me rap, he said that he thought it was something I should pursue and would be good at. It actually started out as a daring challenge, that we committed to within our relationship, to push the other person outside of their comfort zone artistically. I had to do one battle (at least) and he had to pursue a creative direction that he’d always wanted to do, which many people had often suggested he’d be good at.

Battle rapping is not easy, what’s the training process like? 

MBP: Once I’ve completed my writing process, I am already pretty familiar with the material, but I memorize my lyrics and practice my performance as much as I can before the battle. There are lots of tips and tricks I have picked up in a very short amount of time – I’ve only been battling about 7 months – but I’ve experienced a rapid learning curve and accomplished an immense amount in that time, especially as a female battler. I recently received and accepted an invitation to participate in a Sparring Session battle in the Queen of the Ring Battle League in New York. It's historical, as I'm the first Canadian female to battle on Queen of the Ring. Not only is this a huge opportunity for me, which I am profoundly grateful for, but it's a testament to my talent and grind paying off and being recognized by elites in the battle world. Queen of the Ring is a platform that female battlers aspire to and strive for, so it truly is an extreme honour, to have this shot, especially so early into my battle rap career. 

The next artist I spoke to was Osi, this was my first time hearing of her and I was really intrigued by the animated performance she gave in the cypher recording.

How long have you been rapping? What’s your story?

Osi: Hi Ekelle, thanks for reaching out and picking me as one of the 4 artists to do the article on. To answer your first question, I have been rapping since  I was 21 unprofessionally, and really got into it at 22. I used to talk to this boy who knew how to rap, and I was always a go-getter, and down to try new things, so we would speak to each other through couplets via text at night, it was cute. 22 was when I started to hang out with some friends at the time who rapped. I went to the studio with them, and at that time in my life, I really didn’t take in how music was created, and fell in love with the idea of creating music. Of course I never told anyone, until I went about it on my own. From there on out, I did my own thing, found my own contacts, producers, beatmakers, people on the come up, people hungry, man, woman. It’s been 3.5 years now for me rapping

How important is this cypher to you and what does being included mean to you?

Osi: I have to mention I do cypher, freestyle and song write regularly so I am thankful Maizy F asked me personally to be apart of the 6.0 Cypher. Women are not seen as cypherers, we are against the status quo in doing so, I’m sure that’s something we all have in common. Every opportunity to practice my craft on stage will make me better in the grand scheme of things. I want to go big, do it big, for myself, for Toronto. The other special thing about the Female Cypher in the 6ix was it was an all women event, run by only women too, that is empowering! Not only for women, but for Toronto and the world. I hope we continue to put on amazing events like this for the world to see. I know plenty of people are excited to see online what happened that night. I got to witness some amazing dope female artists from the 6ix, network with some amazing people, and I know we’ll be working on more projects in the future. It’s all about the energy, and what you want out of it, and everyone came in with their best foot forward, at least through my eyes. 

What are your goals as an artist for 2017?

Osi: My goals for 2017 include:
Releasing more singles off my album
Getting a bigger buzz by releasing more visuals and networking
Opportunities to perform in front of bigger crowds  

By achieving my goals I believe the universe will have something special aligned for me and to prepare me for the future. I’ve worked really hard on my craft, night and day. There’s always going to be someone out there working harder than you, and that is what pushes me to continue to work harder than I’ve ever had before as I am competing against myself. From collaborating with more local artists, and artists from the States, to networking more in Toronto’s music scene in 2017. I love music, I want my music to have a message, I am my own message, my presence it self will be a message for future generations of kids to never quit on their dreams or give up. That anything is possible. If I am crazy enough to believe in myself that I will be SUCCESSFUL an AFGHAN FEMALE RAP/Rnb Artist out of Toronto, who’s to say someone else’s dreams won’t come true? 

I then spoke to the laconic Gemini Meekz because of her sick flow and presence; I wanted to learn more about her.

Where do you get the inspiration to your rhymes?

GM: My inspiration comes from my life and what I've been through over the years both good and bad.

Are there any other opportunities for female rappers in the city?

GM: I do believe there are opportunities for female MC's but it's also about who's willing to take a chance on supporting the talent.

You produce as well, what program(s) do you use and how does being multitalented help you as an artist?

GM: I use fruity loops and any other software that challenges my creativity. To be able to multitask and use each strength is a blessed feeling.  

Then of course I had to speak to Maizy F, the big woman in charge...

People have really taken to the cypher. There are so many people supporting now; how do you feel?

MF: It feels great to see the platform that I’ve built begin to get more support and recognition as the movement grows. I’ve noticed a rise in female artists wanting to participate as well as other female producers. So It’s great to see how this movement has affected the HipHop scene. 

Why was it important for you to get the cypher out to Edmonton, Alberta?

MF: It was a great opportunity to host the first ever female cypher at the Canadian Urban Television Awards. It was important for me to get the brand out there and be a part of the awards show. It was round 5.0 CUT Edition and It had female artists from all over Canada. Definitely Hip Hop History...

What sneak peek/info can you give us about the next one? How much in advance do you plan them?

MF: As much as I’d love to rip the seal on what’s up next I’ve learned sometimes It’s best to let the action speak for Itself. All I can say is bigger and better things to come...As well as some "expansions".

What advice can you give female rappers in the city now that our movement is starting to take off?

MF: Be original...Be you. It sounds corny after a while but your best bet is to be you to the fullest, either they love you or love to hate you, either way no love lost... No filter needed. 

All in all the Female Cypher 6.0 was a great success, a great crowd showed up to support all of the ladies involved and the performances were great. I’m sure that Maizy F and her team have something great planned for the next one and personally I can’t wait! It’s so nice to see women coming together instead of being pit against each other and there’s no telling what can be done when everybody plays their part. It is definitely the time for women in Toronto to stand up and take their place in the industry,  I encourage ladies all over the world to do the same. 

Tip Sheet For Success in 2017

As an artist, 2016 was very good to me; I was able to perform at 3 music festivals, shoot 2 music videos and record an EP to be released later this year. I also became the co-host of a radio show that goes live twice a week and got some funding for projects in the new year. Of course with all of those ups there have also been some downs, those being rejection from sought after opportunities, being put on wait lists and meeting fake people who just let you down. After going through these experiences I felt it necessary to share some tips on getting the most out of opportunities as an artist and when to leave an opportunity or even some people behind.

Here are some tips on success for the new year:

1. Take every opportunity that comes your way

As a local artist it is very hard to come by the opportunities that you want, that’s why it’s important to take everyone that comes your way at first. It would be nice to get paid for everything you do, but some opportunities are good for the resume and you just have to take the “L” as some would say. In fact, a good opportunity with great exposure (like a radio interview, a blog article or a performance) is never an L as it helps you to get your name out there. I’d say that you’ll be looking at a lot of these opportunities for the first 2 years of your artistic journey, of course there are exceptions to the rule but be prepared to establish yourself before anyone is willing to give you any funds.

2. Stay away from toxic people

We all have some not so great people in our lives no matter what we do, but with music it’s quite typical to get a whole lot of naysayers. Starting a small business is always a risk and is always hard work, but because of the dreaded “starving artist” stereotype people are so much harder on musicians. I’m not saying that you should get rid of everyone who criticizes you, but just make sure that their criticisms are actually valid; if they can say that you need to work on your flow in the second verse instead of just “you suck” then I would say that you should keep them around. Get rid of the people who won’t come to any one of your shows/events/gigs (even if it’s free), who won’t show up for your music videos, share your links, like your videos, subscribe to your channel or try to talk you out of your musical passion. It’s hard enough trying to find your place in such a large industry so definitely shake off any and all haters. *I also classify artists who are all take and no give as negative people. If you know any artists who constantly want your hard work and resources without sharing any of theirs then cut them off quick!*

3. Hang out with other artists and positive people

This point is pretty self explanatory; hang out with other artists because they know exactly what you’re going through! Your friends and family are great resources when you need to just vent out all of your frustrations, but if they don’t have knowledge of the industry then they can’t really help you decide on what you need to do like another artist can. Being around other artists also offers you the chance to shadow someone who may be a little more experienced and learn from their mistakes and successes. Another artist who is also your friend can help you prepare for gigs, events or even pass long information to you about upcoming shows you can be a part of. Having a good network of artists makes it easier to find collaborators, share resources and maybe even split studio costs. It’s also never a bad thing to have a little healthy competition.

4. Put a time limit on things

There is so much to navigate as a new artist and it can all be pretty overwhelming, the best way to overcome this is to get organized and put a time limit on things you want to get done. 
Much like setting goals this makes you responsible and accountable for things that don’t work out. I also want to point out that you can put a time limit on people and opportunities as well. There are so many people out there who promise you the world and with that comes many fakes and scammers! If someone wants to mentor you, manage you or book you for events give them three months to make something happen, if nothing does then move on - you have the right to. As for opportunities like I said before, take all that you can but with that being said if there are sketchy details, bad communication and overall confusion then let it go. Getting ready for an event is stressful enough on you as an artist, you don’t need to worry about the hundreds of things that can go wrong with a sketchy promoter or company.

5. Get your own information

Personally I really don’t care for artists who have 3 months under their belt and want to complain about being paid, working with top tier collaborators and only going to an event if they have a ride and other nonsense. As an independent artist you are an independent business, a sole-proprietor at first so it’s your job to make sure that everything is kosher. Ask someone else for help once you have done all your google research, the amount of information/opportunities that can be found by typing in “submit your music” is actually unbelievable! Being an artist is competitive so don’t expect anyone to be willing to help you out and provide you with the information you need. Invest in yourself by buying a couple books about the industry, doing informational interviews with radio hosts, other artists, producers and other creatives to get the right answers for yourself.

6. Create your own opportunities

Depending on your city there may be some nepotism and only certain artists with a certain sound may be getting heard. Maybe you’ve tried to get on some shows or have your music played and you’ve been met with defeat. When these things happen I say you should try again at least once and if you’re still unsuccessful then you have to come up with your own thing! It’s important to be versatile these days so as an artist consider picking up another skill in the entertainment industry that you can also gain recognition for whether that be songwriting, producing, engineering, modeling, graphic designing, etc. As you work on this skill and your artistry you will be able to network with other professionals and artists and create all sorts of new and helpful relationships. * Done correctly this can work out great, but please don’t take on too much and be a jack of all trades, master of none. Wearing too many different hats can really cloud your vision and have you focusing more on the projects of others instead of your personal journey. *

7. Set goals

This step really goes without saying, in order to achieve success you must set goals. Fail to plan, plan to fail! Goal setting can be as simple or as detailed as you need it to be, it really depends on the type of person you are. If you don’t need to much structure simply write out all the things you have planned for a year and add in some of the things you would like to do. Writing it down and comparing it to what you’ve already planned gives you an idea of how much more work you need to do and will force you to think of ways to make it happen. If you are like myself and need to get down to the nitty gritty then take up the SMART goals model which will help you really carve things out. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic and Time Based. Using that model, if you want to create a 4 song EP within the year you would break it down like this:

S- Create an EP next year
M- 4 songs is the desired outcome
A- I can do this by buying beats, scheduling writing sessions, practicing, then buying studio time
R- Based on my savings and the income from my job I can afford this, I have a set schedule so I have plenty of writing time
T- I would like to finish in 6 months, i.e. Late June

It’s that easy to set goals, but less easy to actually achieve them; however I’m sure that most artists know this. Artistry is a tough road but it is definitely possible to be successful in the music and entertainment industries. Definitely decide what your definition of success is, whether it’s going on tour with a major artist, going platinum or selling a song to Rihanna. Whatever you decide it’s your journey and once you’ve achieved your idea of success no one can take that away from you! Keep working hard and remember what Future said in Where Ya At, “The reason I’m here today is because I never gave up!”

Get to know DT The Artist, Toronto's Renaissance Man

In the cut throat world of the music industry every artist needs some direction. Despite what it may look like, no one really makes it on their own. Any artist will tell you about the team they had behind them or that one key person who put them onto a show or event that helped them reach a new level. For myself, one of those key people is DT The Artist, who is based in Toronto, Canada. DT has been in the musical game for 18 years now, performing various roles such as artist developer, manager and event organizer to name a few. 

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For DT, his artistic journey begins back in his high school days; he earned his name DT (Deep Thoughts) when he unexpectedly dropped a dope freestyle at a talent show which left everyone surprised. From that moment he started to work on and off towards becoming an MC. DT got his first taste of the industry when he met dancehall singer, Spice, through connections and started to intern for her. It was through that work opportunity that DT was able to see the bigger picture and what he could actually get done for people behind the scenes. Shortly after this he decided to enroll in the Music Business Administration program at George Brown College where he learned artist management and music industry arts. This was a defining moment for him because this is where he learned how to set proper pricing for performances and what to look for in an artist to take on as a client to manage. 

I would say that things really began to pick up for DT when he moved to New York City in 2003. Although he just went to visit some family, he ended up staying for a whole year because of the way he was being embraced as an artist. DT expressed to me that things move very quickly in America for artists because of a few key differences. Here in Canada there are a lot of opportunities for artists to be funded for their projects i.e. music videos, demos, marketing campaigns, etc. However, those opportunities don’t come by so easily in the states so artists really have to be on a serious grind.

Here’s a little list describing the difference between Toronto and New York artists as told to me by DT:

Toronto:

• Acts as an individual
• More dependent on grants
• Slower to react to opportunities
• Aren’t investing properly in themselves (photos, quality production, press kit)
• Artists still in development act like celebrities

New York:

• Acts as a team 
• Friends actively take on roles to help artists succeed
• Have their branding ready/packaged to go
• Invests in self and each other
• Artists will invest their own finances since there aren’t grant opportunities 
• Will put themselves on through various events

After a great year in New York filled with paid shows in the city, Philadelphia, Connecticut and other places, DT decided to move back to Toronto to get his own business off the ground. After several successes in the city with developing artists and providing publicist services, DT was invited to St. Maarten to perform at Style Diva in 2008. Style Diva was a conference and fashion show organized by Shereen Ashman, and DT headlined the culminating All White Party. Since then he has been traveling back and forth to the island and is currently managing a group called 4DH. Through his connection with Mr. 4DH (a member of the group), DT has access to all of the music industry in St. Maarten. This access has allowed him to perform alongside big names such as Chris Martin and Kes the Band. DT was even set to open for Migos until they got into some legal drama. Currently he is working as an artist developer for the City of Toronto at the Ground Up program. This program houses a studio and offers a curriculum that teaches artist development, support on writing grants and key music industry tips. Between DT and the engineer/producer who run the program, participants have the chance to meet key players in the Canadian music industry, but that’s only if they’ve been working hard enough on their goals. If you complete the program and manage to impress with not only your performance skills, but also your program knowledge and attitude, a call could be made that will change your life.

Speaking of goals, DT has been hitting the mark left, right and center with his; he’s releasing 2 albums and a mixtape this year and has a ton of upcoming performances. DT’s album “Stadium Music”, produced by 220 on the Beat will be released in June; he will release his second album of the year, “Raise Your Glass” with producer No Long Talking in August and will release his mixtape “No Days Off” with producer Church Boy Beatz sometime after. It’s definitely a lot for one year, but each project has a different purpose and feel. “Stadium Music” is more anthemic and has a more TV/commercial vibe; “Raise Your Glass” is about the party life; and “No Days Of” is all about the hustle. DT has a lot more planned for this year, such as headlining carnival events in the Caribbean, a European tour and is still on the lookout for new talent to mold. This definitely goes to show that hard work will pay off, so keep on hustling artists! 

Connect with DT The Artist: Website   Facebook   Instagram   YouTube   Twitter