Interview: 18-Year Old Oakland Rapper Jwalt Discusses Creating His Own Legacy in Hip-Hop
Shout out to 18-year old Oakland based rapper Jwalt who we connected with for an in-depth interview to discuss his upcoming debut album “Yours Truly”, which drops on May 15th, creating his own legacy in Hip-Hop, and much more.
It’s not often that you hear a teenaged rapper nowadays and compare his style to the likes of Big L and E-40. Many younger artists these days are forging their own paths or succumbing to mainstream and radio trends, although inspired by artists of the past. How do you take your inspirations and see them through when creating your own music, to continue hip hop’s legacy?
When creating my own music I'm really just inspired by what's around me; whether that’d be my family, my city, a particular song, nature, or an artist, I take whatever inspires me and just start writing about it through bars and lyricism which I think is one of the most important parts of hip-hop.
On your IG, there’s shots of you with the new iconic faces of hip hop like Dave East, and Logic. Who are some of the other contemporary greats in rap that inspire you, and even that you hope to one day collab with on tracks?
J. Cole is probably one of my biggest inspirations and is someone I would love to do a track with. I would also love to collaborate with Kendrick, Drake, Jhene Aiko, Joey Badass, Rapsody, YG, YBN Cordae, Roddy Ricch, and Griselda. These are some of the artists that inspire me today and are some who I would love to work with.
At what age did you start putting out your work, and how did your story as a musician start? Do you ever deal with any ageism in the industry, due to the fact that you’re fresh out of high school?
I started putting out music when I was 11 years old but didn't start taking it seriously until I was a freshman in high school, so probably around 14.
As I've started gaining more recognition and attention in the music industry I would say I've most definitely faced ageism. There’s been a lot of people who assume I don't know much or think that I'm not as seasoned, but as soon as they hear me spit their perspectives change.
You slow your style down for the horn-infused “Girl of My Dreams” feat. Richie which has some r&b influences like The Dream. What other genres do you like to integrate and play with when you’re creating?
R&B, jazz, and neo soul for sure. I grew up listening to a lot of these genres, so I like to incorporate them into music whenever I can.
“Fade Away” and “The Kid” are two of our favorite tracks on this album - can you tell us about the creative process through making it, and tell us more about the fire production that backs these tracks up?
Both of these tracks were produced by DJ. Toure who is a part of the hip-hop group Hieroglyphics. The process to both of these songs are pretty similar. I told Toure what type of sound I was looking for, he started cooking up, and then I began writing.
Once I heard the beats I automatically knew what I wanted to talk about so then I started to go to write and tell my stories.
We know you’ve already surpassed the dreams of many by sharing a stage with Wu Tang and Nas. Who are some artists that you’ve opened up for, and who do you have dreams of headlining with in the future? Additionally, who would your dream cypher be made up of?
I’ve opened up for T-Pain, Black Thought, Jerimiah, Saweetie, Dave East, Too Short, Talib Kweli, E-40, G-Eazy, and Kamaiyah.
In the future I would love to headline shows with my homies who are also coming up. That’s the dream for sure.
To answer the last question my dream cypher would probably be made up of me, Black Thought, Royce the 5’9 and King Los. All great spitters. That would be crazy.
Connect with Jwalt: Instagram
Interview: RnB/Soul Singer-Songwriter Nao Yoshioka Talks About Her Newly Released Album "Undeniable"
Japanese RnB/Soul singer-songwriter @NAO_WORLDWIDE connected with Dopecausewesaid for an exclusive interview to discuss her new album "Undeniable"
Major thanks to Nao Yoshioka, the extremely talented Japanese RnB/Soul singer-songwriter, who connected with us for an exclusive interview to discuss her new album “Undeniable”. During our interview, conducted by Naima Karp, we got a chance to ask Nao about how soul music has helped her get through the low points in her life, which soul artists have influenced her music, and much more.
After reading our Q&A, be sure to connect with Nao on her website and soclal media, and stream and share her incredible new album “Undeniable”!
What struggles did you experience that music helped you get through? Would you say that soul as a genre ultimately healed your own soul?
Soul music definitely healed my soul. I sing soul music because soul music literally saved my life.
I was suffering from depression in my teens, my parents went through a divorce, I couldn’t fit in at school. I stopped singing for about 2 years and just pretty much lost my way. It was the darkest time of my life, but music was my only hope in life. That's the main reason why I initially decided to move to New York the first time, hoping to change my life.
When I arrived in New York, I encountered a lot of amazing music such as Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". When I heard that song for the first time, I thought the song was talking about my life. I could deeply feel that a change was going to come. I needed that message. Every time I sing this song, it encourages me and helps to keep that dark place at some distance. It made me feel that I shouldn’t give up, have to continue to achieve my dream.
Now I do realize how powerful music can be. I truly believe that music can change people's lives and help save them from their struggles.
What does MilkBoy the Studio represent to you in terms of how far you’ve come as an artist?
A lot of music that I was listening to when I was younger was recorded in the The Studio. Without that music, I could not imagine how my own music would develop and grow. It was and still is a big part of me!
Questlove’s studio was right next door to The Studio, and all the amazing artists like Musiq Soulchild, Eric Roberson, and Erykah Badu were there, and they inspired each other and made a new music. It became a huge movement, and The Studio played a very important role in that movement. Just thinking about it makes me so excited. For me to record in the exact same place where the Neo-soul movement started was something magical.
Who are some old school soul artists that really inspire you, along with some contemporary ones? Do you dream of featuring on any of their tracks?
I was influenced by a lot of classic soul music, so there are a lot of old school artists that influenced me. But the biggest influence was Aretha Franklin! She was my idol!!! I spent so many hours practicing to sing just like her...
Contemporary artist would be the Maxwell. He is an amazing writer, artist, and performer, but what makes me love him is his spirit. When I went to his live performance, he showed an unconditional love for everything. He showed so much respect and love to his band and to his fans.
It's my dream to sing with Maxwell someday, but if it happens, I think that I would cry through the entire song! I wouldn't be able to sing because of the crying, I'm sure.
I saw that you do some covers of other artists work. But instead of re-performing it, you really re-create the track and make it your own. Personally, my favorite cover of yours is Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” What’s your favorite cover that you’ve ever performed or recorded?
Thank you so much, my favorite cover is the same! “Feeling Good” is definitely my favorite. Definitely.
I have a really deep connection to this song, which I encountered for the first time while I was studying New York back in 2009. At the time, I couldn’t speak English, I didn’t have any friends, and I was so lonely. I remember that I was singing the song in my room and the song gave me so much hope. I could really connect with the lyrics and it became a very special song for me.
That's why I really wanted to put “Feeling Good” on my debut album. Shirma Rouse from The Netherlands, who produced some of the songs on my debut album, did this amazing arrangement! I'm in love with those vibes!
“Undeniable”, your new album that has just released, seems to channel a lot of strength and the soft power of female energy. The message of a fearless woman in 2020 is a badass one that DCWS fully endorses. How does music help keep you strong, unafraid, and ambitious during such a bizarre time in the world right now?
When I listen to music or take in some art, it really takes me to a safe place and makes me realize how precious and blessed I am to live my life. For a long time, I was forcing bad things on to myself and I kept blaming myself. Depression set in and I just couldn’t get away from it, but when I listened to some really good music, I stopped thinking and just felt it. There were so much love, freedom, and forgiveness in the music. Music gave me a chance to reclaim myself again.
Yes, the world is a bit crazy right now and reality is very tough sometimes, but I can’t live without hope. I believe that God won’t make any mistakes.
For all the bad things that happened in my life, I still believe that those things happened for a reason, and I have a brighter future because I overcame them and grew from those experiences.
You’re not the typical face of soul, and Japan doesn’t have a history of soul music. A lot of people who listen to your music don’t know what you look like. Do people ever make assumptions about you as an artist, or has the industry mostly welcomed you with open arms?
It happens a lot. When I get on stage, people look at me like “what is going on?” But at the same time, once they hear me sing and my music, people always give me positive reactions. It is a great feeling that people are purely reacting to my singing and my music.
I come from Japan and we have a different culture, but we are all human and we can all be one through music. That’s the power of music.
Connect with Nao Yoshioka: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Bahja Rodriguez: The New Face Slaying RnB
Atlanta’s @bahjarodriguez is quite possibly the hottest new face of RnB, and we’re totally ok with that.
Atlanta’s Bahja Rodriguez is quite possibly the hottest new face of RnB, and we’re totally ok with that. Rodriguez started with the OMG Girlz, a girl group featuring T.I’s daughter and Lil Wayne’s daughter. But she stepped out of her comfort zone and decided to try for a solo career to show a more authentic and vulnerable side of herself than OMG Girlz ever did. And it helped her skyrocket to success.
The singer expressed that she wanted to come up with something no one would expect- and she definitely did that. Staring with “Places”, the starlet utilized RnB guitar in a stunning way, layered between softly eerie production and harmonizing that almost reminds us of Aaliyah, beefed up with 2018 production.
Rodriguez’s tracks are the perfect soundtrack for anything, but she doesn’t have n overpowering presence the way that some RnB divas can. The power lies in her quietness that’s just the right amount of innovative, without unnecessary frills.
Rodriguez serves up true RnB which isn’t too surprising given her roots (her dad Jonathan Rasboro was in the famous group Silk).
Her songs like ride from her 2016 EP “LUV an informal atmosphere” has a spacey Jeremiah vibe for it, showing that this chick is not lacking in diversity. There, she enlisted the likes of other emerging artists like Kodie Shane and throwback to her OMG days with “Another Luv Song” featuring Zonnique.
Her most recent EP, “Take 3”, has 80s style drums in tracks like “rockstar” to build on her existing sound, with a touch of Amerie. Her style has been harnessed into a more contemporary one here, though we do love her throwback guitar-laden tracks. The new Bahja is a little more edgy, with a focus on drums and throbbing bass - and she’s not taking anybody’s shit.
Our favorite tracks are ’Right Back”, where she busts wasteman egos with, “You say you lit but you not lit like that, all in your feelings, oh you sick like that”. We also have the cutting “Fall For You” on our minds, which adds in more sass plus a little rap-talk, which she slays.
Her EPs have progressed with cohesion over time, and we can’t wait to see her break into the mainstream like artists such as SZA have managed to. Although she flourished with OMG Girlz, her solo career is her real claim to fame. She grew up, really came out of her shell, and switched up her style so that it truly evolved.
You can catch her playing her first headlining concert on September 10th in NYC’s Mercury Lounge. Until then, we’ve got “Take 3” on repeat.
Review: "DAYTONA" by Pusha T
Pusha T just released his new album, "DAYTONA", and we have some mixed feelings about it (most of them are positive, don’t worry!)
Pusha T just released his new album, "DAYTONA", and we have some mixed feelings about it (most of them are positive, don’t worry!). The sound is very Kanye, which makes sense since the entire album was produced entirely by Kanye. The usage of samples isn’t derivative, and in this case, we think Pusha T made the proper production move. This new direction allows his evolved style to flourish.
New Pusha T is a little more elegant, with more sparse beats and lyrics that speak for themselves, turning down the extra bravado to a doable amount.
While it used to be the choppy aggression of “Numbers on the Boards” and lines about lines (a bad cocaine joke), Pusha T’s new goal isn’t solely to be a radio hit or a swagger anthem.
It would have been easy to jump on the Migos mumble-rap train and get an easy radio hit from a "Bad and Boujee" clone, but he didn’t go the easy route, which is kind of commendable in 2018. As a matter of fact, he kind of hates on those dudes in some of these tracks.
We’d be just as likely to listen to this album for a mountainside run or cleaning session as I would throwing a house soiree, and that versatility is something new for Pusha T.
The autotune was a little gratuitous on some tracks, sounding like a re-attempt of "808s & Heartbreaks" that didn’t quite make it. The album is also a bit skimpy, coming in at 21 minutes with seven tracks. We expected more genre diversity and a longer track list.
At the end of the day, this artist expanded his repertoire with more musical precision and a dope decision to go out of his comfort zone. Do you with the Pusha T’s comeback, or do you prefer Drake’s savage diss track, released within hours of "DAYTONA"?
Review: "Invasion of Privacy" by Cardi B
Check out our review of Cardi B's newly released debut album "Invasion of Privacy"
Cardi B’s "Invasion of Privacy" was a partial success, but the tracks were all over the place and the album as a whole didn’t seem that cohesive. There were some top notch tracks with impressive production, lyrical finesse and flow that effectively represented the New York’s rappers roots, shameless gang pride and no-fucks mentality. Tracks like “Get up 10”, “Money Bag”, and “Bickenhead” all killed it and made sure we knew that Cardi hasn’t forgotten where she came from, in the face of fame. The catchiest track that earned the most consecutive replays on this album would be “Drip”, since “Bodak” and “Bartier Cardi” are both stars but have been over-played on the radio and become tired quickly over the past few months.
And while “Drip” was a viral hit, her dazzling rendition of “I Like” that paid homage to her Latin roots by re-working the fire hook by Pete Rodriguez and featuring Latin reggaeton artists Bad Bunny and J. Balvin on the track. This song is easily going to be a bass-busting mainstay of the summer, and we look forward to it.
Apart from that, collaborations were mostly like a miss, and sounded more like Cardi was being featured on her own guest artist’s tracks, rather than the other way around. “Best Life” with Chance the Rapper was decidedly Chance in style, and he overshadowed her entirely in the track. The two artist’s have totally different brands and in this case, they didn’t mesh harmoniously. “I Do” with SZA was the only other collaborative track that worked well, and that’s mostly thanks to SZA’s adaptability and the track’s production.
The R&B/sing-song style that Cardi went for was a bit of a disastrous attempt, as seen in “Be Careful” and “Ring” featuring Kehlani. Here, she tried to soften her crass, tough girl identity and reveal a more emotionally vulnerable side, but we wish she had just stuck to expressing those feelings through her raps, or even in music videos, because with more mellow production and emotional content, Cardi’s flow comes off as way too harsh. We appreciate her venture into all things experimental, but think Cardi might be better off sticking with what she does best: snatching weaves and and holding onto her raw hood bravado.
Review: "Transition" EP by Sonny Dumarsais
Check out our exclusive review of New Jersey based RnB/Neo-Soul artist @sonnydumarsais debut EP "Transition"...
New Jersey’s Sonny Dumarsais is aiming to slap a fresh new face on Neo-Soul/RnB - but by bringing the genre back to its roots. As with many RnB EPs, this one was birthed from a bad breakup and an aching heart. Fortunately, music was there to act as his catharsis and truly bolster his voice and sound as a musician. It’s just the beginning for Sonny, as he’s already working on a follow-up album for 2019, but things look promising for the Neo-Soul newbie, who can articulate the language of heartbreak as well as delving into his own sound through the rich history of his genre of choice.
Almost all the tracks on this EP feature an old school RnB guitar (namely 80’s, but the eras meander), instead of the eye-roll worthy, manufactured Tory Lanez artists that seem to be churned out every day. In that sense, we appreciate Sonny for his lack of autotune and overly showy production chops.
He does need to work on his production and mixing quality, but that goes for every indie artist starting out with their first EP. And to be honest, we prefer that raw and unfiltered version of an artist as opposed to an overly edited and bedazzled version that’s not nearly as organic.
Even in his intro “Transitions”, we can weed out some gorgeous harmonizing that almost reminds us of Bon Iver vibe gone RnB, with a richly luxurious bass-line added in. The haunting harmonizing (courtesy of Candi Blue), and slightly sped up beat on days and nights almost makes us think of a male remix of SWV or Destiny’s Child, breaking up the guitar-heavy tracks with some dynamic lightness.
Sonny Dumarsais’s instrumentals are addictive, and with the right innovations, we have faith that this emerging artist can soar to new heights for his 2019 album that’ll soon be on the horizon.
DCWS Presents: March Madness Curated Spotify Playlist
Our latest curated playlist is entitled "March Madness" and features Jorja Smith, Chris McClenney, Doja Cat, Smino, T-Pain, Masego, FKJ, FloFliz, KAYTRANADA, Princess Nokia, Erykah Badu, Mozzy, Sampa the Great, Sango, Little Simz, Tapia, Travy P, Hazzardd, Jean Castel, JOSEPHINE and GOLDA.
We've just dropped our latest curated playlist, developed largely by our frequent collaborator Naima Karp. This playlist is entitled "March Madness" and features Jorja Smith, Chris McClenney, Doja Cat, Smino, T-Pain, Masego, FKJ, FloFliz, KAYTRANADA, Princess Nokia, Erykah Badu, Mozzy, Sampa the Great, Sango, Little Simz, Tapia, Travy P, Hazzardd, Jean Castel, JOSEPHINE and GOLDA. Enjoy!
Social Media Is Crucial To Your Success As An Artist - Here's Why
Nowadays, as an artist, your whole image is who you present yourself to be on social media, and if you do that well, half of the journey is completed.
Whether you love it or hate it, for any artist, social media is an essential aspect of building your brand. Nowadays, your whole image is who you present yourself to be on social media, and if you do that well, half of the journey is completed.
Two artists who are making waves on Instagram but vastly different in their approaches and stages in their careers would be Princess Nokia, and Anderson .Paak.
Princess Nokia’s page is filled with different hair styles, dynamic and provocative fashion, and peeks into all aspects of her life. Pat of the reason her fan base is so large and loyal is that they relate to her - she’s just an everyday girl from NYC with a dream and a knack for the hustle.
He brand is authentic but filter-heavy and a focus on her style, which is the ultimate conversation starter in the comments. Nokia herself looks quite similar to Aaliyah, and while it may seem like a coincidence that along of her social media images have a ‘90s vibe, it’s a conscious commitment to an aesthetic.
But while her posts are cohesive, they’re still diverse. No hairstyle or outfit is the same, and she's constantly collaborating with cool indie companies that give her a new platform to rep her style, along with editorial looking photoshoots that spark even more engagement.
Princess Nokia has no shame in who she is - whether that’s celebrating her nerdiness, her baby hairs, or her beautiful curves. in that way, is a role model for others in the world of social media who search for a sense of kinship, but her brazen confidence and authenticity also has a great deal to do with it.
Anderson .Paak on the other hand, focuses on a meticulously curated IG that’s more artwork than a diary entry on his life. If you’re not down to keep your private life private (which we think is still possible with cautious usage of social), this approach might feel more within you comfort zone.
The focus here is the artwork and trippy aesthetic, with an emphasis on collage and color. His posts are grand representations of creativity in a totally different way than Princess Nokia, but he still offers a unique and fascinating perspective that will catch any social user’s eye.
All the captions are the same for quadrants belonging to the same image, and they’re mostly regarding promotion of his shows or new releases, yet it doesn’t come off as stale due to the originality and appeal of his Instagram’s artwork.
And amid all this, he still makes sure to maintain a strong voice - the images are quirky or “cheeky”, per his IG moniker, inserting the musician in differently textured collage-illustrated backdrops that are as playful as they are awe-inspiring. Anderson himself isn’t a visionary collage artist, but he strategically hired one that spoke to his brand.
This dedication to voice is where the true commonality behind him, Nokia, and all successful ground-breaking artists lie, proving that knowing yourself and your brand inside and out is necessary to skyrocket an artists’s success. While you can’t get anywhere without talent, fans are the key to your prosperity, and social media is an untapped market is waiting to be utilized.
Interview: London's J Elle Talks About Future RnB, the Influence of Grime and Her New EP "Phases"
Our latest exclusive interview is with London based Future RnB singer @KeepItJElle who just dropped a new EP entitled "Phases"...
Our latest exclusive interview is with London based Future RnB singer J Elle. She just dropped a new EP entitled "Phases" so it's only right that we touch base with her about the project, find out how she was introduced to RnB and much more.
After reading our Q&A with this talented artist on the come up in 2018, be sure to stream/download the "Phases" EP and follow her on Twitter and IG to stay up to date on all things "J Elle".
What RnB did you grow up on and how were you introduced to it?
I grew up on 90s/00’s RnB, Boyz || Men, Aaliyah, Usher, TLC, Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Fugees, Envogue, 3LW, and that’s just a &few. I have an older brother, who was always super musical growing up, I looked up to him (I still do) so I’d copy everything he listened to. He’s a massive Usher fan, so that’s really how my love for RnB developed. I used to sing out of my brother’s bedroom window with this microphone we had, hoping someone would walk past my house and sign me.
You describe your genre as future-leaning RnB/Alt Pop. We’re hearing this term “future” being thrown around a lot, that past couple of years. Can you define it on your terms?
I think RnB has changed over the last 20 years and artists like myself who have grown up listening to almost nothing but RnB have been able to use the core foundations of the RnB we love, whether that be the harmonies, certain melodies, song structure, chord progressions, but also incorporate more recent musical inspirations. For me, that’s drawing from trap with skippy verse writing, and drawing from grime with slang.
Who would be your dream collaboration in the RnB world, dead or alive?
Kehlani has been such a huge inspiration writing wise in the last 3/4 years for me, so I would love to pen a song together, if I could get her to vocal on the track too that would just be a bonus. Rihanna’s one of my biggest idols. Her growth as a recording artist and performer is something that inspires me more than anything.
How do you find that two worlds like RnB and Grime, which appear to be so different, intersect in your music, and what’s the importance of that?
I think it’s important to be influenced by your surroundings. I’m a born and bred London girl. The Grime scene is massive at the moment and a really inspiring place to draw from. I was so heavily influenced by American music for the majority of my life, i’m finding real importance in the UK scene and how that influences my writing, the slang I’m using, the type of beats I want to write to.
So in the growing world of future RnB, why have you chosen to remain unsigned?
I just feel like at this stage in my career, it’s not a necessity yet. I can put my music out myself, and grow something organically before a label pumps capital in, that’s usually how they do things now anyway. I love the freedom I have as an unsigned artist. The team I’ve built around me, of writers, producers and management is so special to me. They helped me through some real tough times throughout the last year, so I’m happy with how things are growing and I just want to see everyone eat at the end of the day.
You claim to have two sides of your personality - the so called “bad bitch” juxtaposed with the “broken girl”. That seems so 2018. How dos that inspire your lyrics, and is it just a performing alter ego, or does it speak to you personally?
It’s pretty personal. I’m a Scorpio, I’m fiery. If you spoke to any of my friends, they would tell you, I’m super unapologetic about my opinions and stand up for what I think is right, always. But I’m also extremely sensitive. I think it’s important to be connected with how you feel. Mental health is a massive focal point for me. I’ve got lots of songs written around the subject and would love to share them soon. I love hard and I hurt hard too. But don’t get it wrong - I’m strong, persistent and have massive faith.
What’s the relationship between heartbreak, and your music? Is part of the healing process always getting in the studio, and if so can you describe that?
100%. I feel like music is my therapy, whether that’s heartbreak in love, broken down friendships or general life battles. If I go through something that hurts me, I’m very much the type to instantly want to write about it. I need to get things off my chest so I don’t dwell on negative things, so writing is without a doubt a healing process for me. I feel like I can sing about things much better than I can talk about them.
“Phases” seems more directly RnB and a bit softer than “I Lied” which has an underlying trap energy. Would you say that’s the “broken girl” vs. the “bad bitch”, or is there another reason for that stylistic change?
Yeah, I think you’re right. “Phases” is definitely softer and more conventional RnB. “I Lied” is harsher. This is what I’m talking about when explaining the different sides to me, and probably a lot of other girls and boys out there. It was definitely a conscience decision to have both tracks on the same EP. I wanted to have the contrast there. This was my first ever EP. I waited 7 long years to put out my first project, so I wanted to show more of an eclectic range of songs I’ve written.
Father of R. Kelly Victim Asks - Did Victims Not Get Recognized Simply Because They Are Black?
Do you believe that race and the injustice for black women in America is the reason why R. Kelly’s crimes are being ignored?
Image Credit: Getty Images
When the words “R. Kelly victim” come to mind, you might be thinking about that sex-with-a-minor incident that the singer came under fire for years ago. Unfortunately, the age of scandal for Mr. Kelly isn’t over yet - some bizarre interviews were recently released with another woman who belongs to Kelly’s current Hefner-esque “cult” of women that have seemingly been groomed since their teenage years, and are now fully brainwashed by the RnB singer.
A few months back, Jerhonda Pace sat down for an interview where she referred to herself as being part of Kelly’s “sex cult”. She was introduced to a female trainer who taught her to perform sexual acts on the star at just 16 years old. She also spoke out about how the artist’s physical abuse, and how he would often lock her in a room for multiple days. She managed to her escape using a lie about needing to get a pair of shoes from a family member’s place, and never turned back.
This past summer, multiple parents of women in their late teens or early twenties accused the artist of hiding their daughters in a “cult” and forbidding them to leave. While some women spoke out saying they were there of their own volition, many are suggesting Stockholm Syndrome as the reason for this.
One father of a victim is suggested that nothing has been done about this atrocious situation because Kelly is targeting women that no one chooses to defend. These are women of color. Where Weinstein’s victims ignite sympathy, Kelly’s are swept under the rug. Angelo Clary spoke on his daughter Azriel, who is facing this situation, but in denial of it. So he took matters into this own hands, with a video.
(link to video) http://www.tmz.com/2018/01/31/r-kelly-alleged-cult-member-azriel-clary-dad/?adid=TMZ_Search_Results
He raises a fair point - though the Weinstein and Cosby accusers were mostly white, some did include women of color such as Lupita Nyong'o and Beverly Johnson. But for the most part, the spotlight has been on the white accusers, and the ensuing compassion as well.
Do you believe that race and the injustice for black women in America is the reason why Kelly’s crimes are being ignored? Is it just another predicament of victim blaming, as opposed to properly allocating the blame to the actual predator?
Or is it because he’s a beloved RnB icon in the eyes of many, who don’t want to see their favorite musicians reputation tarnished?
He wasn’t found guilty in 2008 or when he married the underage Aaliyah, and still hasn’t been held accountable to this day. We applaud Angelo Clary for speaking out and wanting to protect his daughter, as well as shedding more light on a possible sordid truth that many are desperate to ignore.
Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Interview: UK Based Pop Artist Dol Vita Talks About Her Eclectic Sound and Cultural Influences
@MyNameIsDolVita is an eclectic and fashion forward pop artist out of the UK who just released the official video for her single "Dream". Naima Karp connected with Dol Vita for this exclusive interview...
Dol Vita is an eclectic and fashion forward pop artist out of the UK who just released the official video for her single "Dream". Naima Karp connected with Dol Vita for this exclusive interview to discuss the dichotomy between being an indie artist and attaining mainstream success, her cultural influences, importance of fashion in relation to her music and creativity, and much more.
After reading this Q&A with Dol Vita, be sure to stream/download "Dream" and follow her on social media to stay up to date on what's to come from this talented artist.
In a world where a lot of indie artists belonging to your sound have gone mainstream, such as Lana Del Rey, how do you stay low-key and avoid selling out? Your work seems quite introspective, and it’s hard to maintain a sense of self awareness in an industry like this.
I really love that indie has gone mainstream, it’s kinda like a kudos to all those bands and artists who have worked so hard for their work to be noticed and appreciated by the masses. I guess for myself though, I don’t really have any fears about selling out because I have many genres and platforms from which I take inspiration. To me, each and every song I write kinda has its own vibe. I like to think that you can be mainstream without selling out, you know by not committing to one particular sound or vibe that people like but by reaching out to everyone in a spectrum of ways.
Has being inspired by cultures such as lolita, kawaii, and pin up, helped you develop your own sense of individuality? In a lot of the cultures you cite being inspired by, individuality and standing out from the crowd seem paramount.
Oh most definitely! Not only did it help develop my sense of individuality but it helped me get through some really dark and lonely times. School was an incredibly difficult time for me because I never fit in. I had many obscure interests and influences from a young age and this made me stand out; when you’re a kid standing out is not what you want as most kids won’t understand your old/cult movie, music and fashion influences. I was always a target for bullying during my childhood and even though I knew why, I never let it push me to becoming something mainstream, something that I wasn’t. I feel like that really sculpted me into who I am today. I don’t get embarrassed by my image and I have the confidence to wear what I want and look however I want because I could not care less if someone doesn’t like it and that is my individuality in it’s self.
When adopting cultures that you’re not a part of, like kawaii or drag, how do you draw inspiration without appropriating from them?
Kawaii is the culture of cuteness in Japan, so this can be anything from music, cartoons, fashion and art. Anyone who enjoys or draws inspiration from these things can be within the Kawaii culture so I wouldn’t say I wasn’t a part of it. However, drag can be a tricky one because when you think of a Drag Queen, you think of Ru Paul etc. a man who likes to play the role of a women for art. But in actual fact anyone can do drag, women can dress up and play the role of a man. Lady Gaga has been known to do this for her single Artwork for ‘You and I’. Her general fashion, hair and makeup is also a prime example of being inspired by drag culture. Very over the top, concept outfits which tell a story in themselves. I draw so much image inspiration from Queens like Sharon Needles, Adore Delano and Violet Chachki. I love the fact that the popularisation of Drag has inspired and taught so many boys AND girls that if they want to play dress up and role-play a character of any gender then they can without prejudice. That is beauty of drag.
What’s the importance of your fashion within your overall music and creative energy, and the relationship between the two in terms of your creativity?
For me, I have always seen myself as an Artist rather than just a singer. Your body is a canvas for the art in which you feel like portraying and the marrying of both the fashion and the music can tell a really special story. I love playing around and mixing with the two because it really affects the mood and delivery. My fashion choices and inspirations also change from day to day. One day I can be wearing all black, y’know skinny jeans and a leather jacket, then the next I’ll be in all pink wearing a cute dress and the next maybe wearing all vintage 50s pieces. My favourite thing is mixing my inspirations together to get my own really unique look. Fashion definitely aides me to feel a certain way and helps me get the creative vibes flowing because I feel 110% Dol Vita.
You described your sound as “eclectic”. Could you tell us more about where you get inspiration from, and who shaped your sense of musicality growing up? Since pop culture also has importance in your work, can you also discuss your influences in that world?
Surprise, surprise my influences growing up were indeed very broad. I had some really strong influences from my Dad as he’s super into his music and again has a broad taste. We would listen to 80s bands like Supertramp, Bronski Beat, REM, also lots of classical movie scores and also synth like Wendy Carlos. My dad has had a huge impact on my music taste, I remember when I was a teenager I used to sync my iPod up to the home computer iTunes because my dad has so much music that wasn’t of my generation. I would listen to Bryan Ferry, Andy Williams, Elton John and Simon and Garfunkel and it spurred me to dig deeper into older music. I discovered a really keen love of music pre 60s like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
My pop culture influences however don’t include music, by pop culture I mean the culture of our 21st century and the mainstream things that have influenced us all, including Movies, TV Shows, fashion and public figures/icons. Despite being a vintage girl and soul, I am very connected to the current day happenings and influences. I love mixing the old and the new, this could be making a song with a trappy beat and modern flow but with vintage influences like trumpets or a 70s rock vibe.
You say that you live in decades before your time - can you tell us about being an old soul, and how that contributes to or affects your music? Does this play into your music carrying vintage twinges combined with contemporary vibes, and how?
Carrying on from what I was saying the end of the previous question, my old soul definitely shines through my music and fashion and I love mixing it with my contemporary influences. I think living in decades before my time also affect what I write about because if I’m feeling a bit more dated and Billie Holiday the song might be more of a sad, lustful love song in which I’m the Damsel in distress. However, if I’m feeling a bit more contemporary and Dua Lipa the song may be more about me being the Heroine and having the power. Women have gained the freedom and power to be so much more than under the power of a man and I love being able to write in both the old and new mindset. Not forgetting our roots musically and emotionally as women is very important to me
How did spending your formative years in NYC affect you as a professional, an individual, and a musician? What tips can you give on the hustle, not just as a New Yorker, but as a creative entrepreneur generally?
I was just a kid when I lived in New York but it’s a time of my life that will never leave me and stays with me as I grow up. I saw life illuminated with lights, glamour and success. I would be taken to broadway musicals, ballets and glamorous department stores, so performance and fashion was always something I looked up to and wanted to excel in as an adult, I just wasn’t sure which path I would take. It’s weird though because my Mum has always been a successful city business woman, very driven and powerful which is why we lived in New York and as much as I look up to her and think what she does is amazing, it was never something I saw myself doing. In regards to the hustle… I think not being afraid to reach out to other people is very important. Somethings can’t be done or gone through alone and as creatives we need to lean on and use each other as much as possible because when two or three or however many heads become one, you start to create some innovative, breakthrough ideas and to me that’s what the creative community is all about.
A Cozy Soundcloud Playlist to Combat the Freezing Cold
While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter...
It’s unreal outside. Blizzard season is in full swing, we have three humidifiers out, and have drained every bottle of lotion in the house trying to combat our all dehydrate everything. While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter.
Our Favorite Soundcloud Playlists for 2018
As the reality of 2018 sinks in, we can only look forward with the promise that the shitshow of 2017 is finally done, and a new page will be turned. Here's a list of DOPE @soundcloud playlists to bring...
As the reality of 2018 sinks in, we can only look forward with the promise that the shitshow of 2017 is finally done, and a new page will be turned. Hopefuly, part of that new page entails dope playlists and a vibrant soundtrack to explode into the new year with.
Thoughts on the Relentless Moe Menace and His "Black Ninja" EP From Last Year
It’s rare to find a real artist in Hip-Hop nowadays, but after discovering an EP called "Black Ninja" by @moemenace_ I couldn’t forget it...
Scrolling through my Soundcloud feed, it’s hard to ignore the talentless, DIY thug rappers trying to make a buck off a sound that guarantees clicks in this day and age. The tracks feature cheaply packaged trap beats and the same words recycled. It’s rare to find a real artist in Hip-Hop nowadays, but after discovering an EP called "Black Ninja" by Moe Menace, I couldn’t forget it.
Menace might not have a huge following, but he has the makings of a legend, and we look forward to seeing him grow as an artist. His instrumentals have a throwback feel to them, and they're truly instrumentals, not just some showy inundation of 808s, high hats, and snares. They make use of minimal sax, piano, and drum-lines, echoing in our ears for long after.
West coast based Moe Menace has a feel comparable to 90's rappers, his impressive bars live up to his memorable flow, which is rarer and rarer nowadays. We'd describe his vibes as aspirational, with a little dose of hood - but there's none of that ego-centric, dumbed down catchy rap like Migos or 21 Savage (though make no mistake, it's still contagious in its own right).
Menace isn’t about rapping on bling and girls with fake asses, or capitalizing on that in his videos. He reminds us what rap was like before this era. He makes us remember the real goodies like De la Soul and A Tribe Called Quest (RIP Phife). His recent "Black Ninja" EP features killer tracks that feel truly original, with socially conscious tracks like "Don't Shoot". On a less serious note, "Material Girls" is another one of our favorites. The EP is a whopping 16 tracks, which we'd normally say is too long, but each track has hefty substance, seamlessly flowing into each other, like a mix you never want to end.
2017: A Messy Year In Review, Dopecausewesaid Edition
Yeah, 2017 has been an unforgettable roller-coaster of a year for us all. But with those shaky lows came unexpected highs, and we’re here to re-live them all for you...
Yeah, it’s been an unforgettable roller-coaster of a year for us all. But with those shaky lows came unexpected highs, and we’re here to re-live them all for you. These were the defining moments of the past year - which affected you the most?
1. The infamous 2016 presidential election that gave us a Flaming Cheeto for president, and gave all of society a ton of anxiety.
2. Trump generally and the rapid snowballing effect of white, male ignorance that has erased decades of civil rights history - "Handmaid’s Tale" feels closer than we thought…
3. But along with that ignorance, a lot of peoples’ bullshit is being called out, and women are taking back the night. The most resounding part of that would be the #metoo movement, which spawned a plethora of Hollywood bigwigs politicians being held accountable for their extremely creepy, harassing actions.
4. Taylor Swift making a musical comeback, but using absolutely none of her celebrity clout was used to make a political stance, or rep any form of activism. Basic.
5. We saw the bromper, which was a disturbing re-imagining of a romper for men.
6. We also saw Kylie Jenner get pregnant before turning 20, with Travis Scott as her baby daddy. Can’t wait for their Rob & Chyna spin-off to come out.
7. On that note, the Rob & Chyna breakup was as intense as it was hilarious. A slow train-wreck that we had the privilege of watching on E! and in Rob’s social media meltdowns.
8. Gal Gadot being cast as Wonder Woman, and the polarizing reactions on either side. Some were happy a fierce Israeli ex-army babe was heading the movie, while others were not impressed by the powerful Wonder Woman being played by a twig.
9. That poor dude getting assaulted by airline staff, and every airline’s thirsty attempts to bolster their PR after said incident.
10. The Oscars mixup when "LaLa Land" was called out for Best Movie, even the LaLa actors themselves were like…”really?”. Fortunately, they fixed the blunder relatively quickly, and "Moonlight" was given it’s well-deserved award. Kind of a metaphor for society this year, but we’re still waiting for "Moonlight" to come out on top.
11. That insane credit report hack on Equifax, amongst a bunch of other crazy hacks. But this one was pretty bad.
12. The game-changer “Get Out” which was a horror movie showing the micro-horrors that black people experience every day, in America. The film is pretty scary, but what’s scarier? Being a minority in this environment.
13. "Handmaid’s Tale", duh. Basically “Get Out” for women in 2017. Here, the country gets taken over by martial law and this “religion” which places women back centuries, imprisoning them for the purpose of birthing, and other horrifying things for women's rights. Get your red dresses and white bonnets ready, girls!
14. The color Millennial pink, which everyone was rocking in their manicures, hair, and style statements. But which should also be aptly re-named to Pepto Bismol Pink, don’t you think?
15. "HUMBLE." by Kendrick, and every other song on that album. But this song specifically is a message we’d like to direct towards anyone who’s thinking about bringing their larger than life ego into 2018, mostly Donald Trump.
16. Less socially conscious, "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B…who wasn’t bumping this in their car for most of 2017? Even though her other tracks on the mixtape were underrated, "Bodak Yellow" had undeniable swag, and everyone was trying a cover.
17. The thousands of ridiculous but sort of dope flute/violin/instrumental covers that “Mask Off” spawned. But the track was fire, and if we knew flute or violin we would probably be jamming out to Future as well.
18. It was a year for the Carters - Beyoncé had twins (and released that strange but somehow beautiful flower crown photoshoot) and her husband released "4:44", a ferocious comeback for him after claiming retirement.
Interview: Singer-Songwriter Christina Holmes
Check out our exclusive interview with singer-songwriter @christinaholmes...
Christina Holmes is a talented singer-songwriter who recently released her second album, "Stand Up", via her record label Cove House Records. She has toured with the likes of Trevor Hall, Xavier Rudd, and Nahko of Medicine for the People. Christina’s honesty and empowering music has captivated audiences and has prompted her to share more of her life story. Her song “Forget Me Not” is a heartfelt track written about her journey of finding love with her fiancé and becoming comfortable in her identity as a queer woman and “Always” was written for her father who recently passed away and features a recording of his voice. Perhaps one of her must upbeat songs, “Positive Day,” captures Christina’s infectious energy and encourages people to see the light in their everyday life and to live life to the fullest.
Check out our exclusive interview with Christina Holmes and after reading it, be sure to connect with Christina via her social media streams as well as stream/download "Stand Up".
What prompted you to get into music?
I got into music at a very young age thanks to my Father.
Does music serve as a form of catharsis for you as you go through life's ups and downs, and how?
Yes, always. Music is my emotional outlet. Whether I am writing about the positive or the negative, music give me the outlet to be able to get out those thoughts. I express myself better through song then I do through just talking so when it comes to writing music and lyrics I tend to get deeper into the meaning/ lesson of whatever the situation was that inspired the song.
How does your personal sense of identity tie into your sense of identity within your music, and the musical community?
I am who I am and always have been no matter what the situation. I always say who I am on stage is who I am off stage. I am me.
Can you tell us about your recent tour with Nahko? How do you come to find the artists you collaborate with, and what's essential to you in terms of collaboration?
The Nahko tour was incredible, in all aspects. It was a dream come true and I am honored and blessed to have been able to be a part of it. When it comes to finding people to tour with it really just comes from people I listen to and am inspired by. Then my manager and I go about reaching out to their team and seeing if we could be a good fit. Sometimes it takes months, even years to get to the point of agreement but at the end day I never give up. All anyone can say is no.
Was going acoustic a conscious choice, or is it just stylistically what you fell into? And how did you find your sound?
I have always been in love with acoustic and it's always been something I knew I wanted to play and make music with. I found my acoustic sound at a young age and experimented with a couple different sounds and genres on my first album, Peace Love and C.Holmes. Even with the different sounds on that album I still would always perform them acoustically. There is just something about it and I will never leave the acoustic behind.
What's the importance of your music being uplifting, and affecting listener's state of mind or mood?
My main goal has always been to spread music to help change someone’s day for the better. I think it’s important to show people it’s ok to feel their emotions no matter what it is and to believe in yourself even when it feels impossible. I want my music to help heal people but also allow them to see that anything is possible if they try.
Who are the biggest inspirations in your life, and in your music?
My biggest inspirations in life would have to be my parents. Throughout my life they have shown me how to be the best person I can be and they also believe in my dreams as much as I do. They have also been the hardest working, most loving parents and have always supported me in whatever I set my mind too. My Dad unfortunately passed away two years ago but still impacts my day to day as my inspiration to never give up. My biggest musical inspirations are Tracy Chapman and Bob Marley.