Underground with the old school vibe

Illy Illz is taking over the stages in Hollywood

Everybody loves hip hop now, it has grown from the minor subculture to the massive movement taking over every corner in the world. Some rappers make it all the way to the big stage, and I believe I have met one of those rappers. Young man with dedication and serious message is rapping about good and bad, new mixtape released 'Hell until heaven arrives' is available to download. Hollywood Florida is showing to the world again why are they one of the music meccas of the world.

Me: Who are you and where do you come from?

Illy: I go by the name Illy-Illz, but I was born as Serge Pierre Dumas JR. I am from Hollywood Florida, spent some time in New York City, which has had also a big influence on my music along with the south. 

Me: What gives you the inspiration to your music?

Illy: My kids inspire me the most. I am doing music, so my children can be proud of me and they have a young dad. I also try to show to youth that there is another way, you don't always have to be in the streets and there are other options in your life. You can become something as long as you work hard and stay focused because the game is just so lacking right now! 

Me: How long have you been in music scene and how did you start? 

Illy: Officially ive been in the music scene for 2 years with videos and music out, but i started rapping at 17 just never took it seriously because I was hustling and more focused on money and material things. I thought being on is impossible and a dream, until i started doing it myself and found out differently and started moving with it more. It all started wit my homeboy Metafore; he had just got a deal and a video on Comcast on demand. i was about 18 and his manager at the time linked me with Lorren Reynolds, the first dude to ever really believe in me and tell me its possible. He even invested in me. We linked up he hit the streets with me and my producer and close friend Chad Bazel. We worked, he had me battle anyone who was so called good locally to keep building my skills. 


Me:  What are your thoughts of the music industry today?

Illy:  My thoughts on the game today is that it became more about money than the music these days. Everybody sounds the same or sounds horrible and if you're good, you go unnoticed or people in the game just bite your shit and claims it as their own. I feel we need to get back to the music cause if you notice, music sales were high when niggas actually had good music. We need to fix that because what these kids bout to grow up on is not fair to them and there bullshit!

Me: Your project Hell until heaven arrives talks about good and bad, what made you to choose that subject? 

Illy: Actually the title was basically saying I'm gonna give you rap niggas hell until shit changes and the good and bad concept was to tell you all the good sides of my life and the rap game and all the bad sides of my life and the music game. I chose to talk about that because I feel the good is expressed only too much and for people to learn, really all of it must be discussed!


Me: Future projects you got going on? 


Illy: I have a new project soon, still working on it. It's untitled at the moment and a group cd feat me and all my dudes also untitled but it's coming soon. I'm also on my dude Nick Strange's new EP 'Weapons of Mass Fame' that's coming soon also!


Me: Where can people get your music? 

A:people can get my music from soundcloud.com/illz954
hotnewhiphop, youtube, reverbnation and datpiff. Soon I will be in iTunes but all the others are free downloads just type ILLY-ILLZ in the search engines or google, it's very easy to find!  

Me: How do you think you are different from the current artists? 

Illy: I think I'm different from current artist because I focus more on what I'm saying and how I'm saying it, and how I entertain the listener with my wordplay and lines. I'm giving off while still having them in a catchy vibe but not going so far as to every track. I'm talking about money, cars, clothes and women all the time, even though I can do that to I also want to leave a good impression on your mind after you're done hearing something. I do so you can be like damn there's still good music around. I feel other artist could care less with the exception of a handful.

Q:9. What is your message to your fans? 

A:my message to my fans is I love you all and with out you there would be no me. Always stay true to yourself no matter who tells you it's not normal or right cause who's to say what's normal or right? No human can, so always do you and know my music will be here with you every step of the way!

Me: If anything, what advise would you give to the artists who start today? 

Illy: The best advice I can give is if you don't love it, don't attempt to do it. This is not an easy game or way out, only those who stick with it no matter what and 100% will succeed and never let no one tell you cant.

To see more of Illy, make sure to Youtube him! To download the whole mixtape, just click the link! 

http://www.datpiff.com/ILLY-ILLZ-Hell-Until-Heaven-Arrives-mixtape.355238.html

Belvedere vodka throws a biggest party in Cannes

Reverend Run to support a good cause

Belvedere Vodka threw a party in Cannes for it's on going campaign to fight against AIDS/HIV virus. The earlier performers for the cause have included the icons Mary J Blidge, Cindy Lauper, Debbie Harry and Duran Duran, just to mention the few.

This years performer Reverend Run is joining to the legendary cast to support the cause and he performed his biggest old school hits in the party for the celebrity audience in the VIP ROOM nightclub. In the interview he stated:

"Right now, they are doing legend series. They had Cindy Lauper, they had Duran Duran few years ago, so I'm honored. When anybody wants to honor some music that I've made, I'm thankful." 

His set was supported by DJ Ruckus spinning vinyl. 

The other guests at the party included Solange Knowles, who is following the big sisters foot steps in music. 

Liam Hemsworth ( Hunger Games), Chloe Norgaard ( Model ), Ahna O'Reilly (The Help ), Rebecca Da Costa (Motel ), Diplo (DJ), Rick Yune (The Fast and Furious ) and more were all seen dancing on the lyrics of 'King of Rock' rapper. 

Baby tour

Kim Kardashian planning to take baby to tour with daddy

Kanye is going to be a new daddy when he is scheduled to start his international tour, mummy Kim is not going to let this to get on the way of raising the new born together. She is reportedly planning to take the baby West on the tour with baby daddy. The touring company has been given the instructions to provide the cribs and sound proof walls in every hotel they are staying in whilst in the tour. 

Allegedly Kim has been upset as she has been thinking of the busy working schedules and how to combine them together with raising a child together with two parents. 

Whilst Kim has been busy of thinking about baby's needs, Kanye pushed out a new single in the way only Kanye does. He premiered his single 'New slaves' in 10 cities world wide, projecting the visuals on the walls of 66 buildings. We will see a different Kanye, tackling on issues that many will find uncomfortable. Despite the statement Kanye has made few days ago for not to appear in Saturday Night Live season 38 finale, it seems that the show is still going ahead as it is still being advertised.

Family news

Jay Z and Beyonce pregnant again?

Multiple sources around the musics power couple say that they are expecting their second child. Beyonce cancelled her concert in Belgium, Antwerp due to exhaustion and dehydration. 

Neither Beyonce or Jay Z have confirmed the pregnancy. The news would not be a surprise as Beyonce has said she would like to have more children. She revealed in Good Morning America this week :" I think my daughter needs company. I definitely love being a big sister." 

Beyonce is currently travelling around the world with her Mrs. Carter Tour. 

Inspiration and education

Dr. Dre fulfilling dreams

Dr. Dre is taking the community very seriously. Having finished his education without a degree, him and Jimmy Iovine have teamed up with University of Southern California by donating $70 million to create a program that allows to achieve a degree. The degree brings together business, marketing, product development, design and liberal arts. The education is targeting for talented students, of whom the pair hope to be working for them, even if not in music then in other areas. 

" I feel like this is the biggest, most exciting and probably the most important thing that I've done in my career. If the next start-up that becomes Facebook happens to be one of our kids, that's what we are looking for. " 

Whilst he is helping to others to achieve, he is also returning to his own original love, which is to make music. 

"I'm more inspired to go back into the studio now, beats is rolling, this (USC) thing is happening and it's incredible. Now I'm ready to go back to my first love. I'm going back to the studio. Not for any specific reason, but just to record because I love to record music. I'm going back in and hopefully the next Kendrick Lamar or the next Eminem walks in the door and I can work with that artist. I'm going to record forever. " 

Life is good for Dr. Dre, his time in the N.W.A is being made to be a feature movie as Universal has got a script for it and it looks like a project is going ahead. 

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival

Adam MCA Yauch to receive special tribute

The announcement was made today in the official festival account that The Beastie Boys co-founder Adam MCA Yauch will receive a special tribute during the festival. The event is scheduled to run from July 8th to July 13th and will be holding a various of venues in different locations around Brooklyn New York. Launched at 2005, the festival has hosted many names from Hip Hop royalty. 

The producers of the festival simply state: " We couldn't go another year without taking time out to honor what MCA did to our culture and our music."

Adam Yauch passed away to a cancer at the age of 47 and he was a known musician, film director and human rights activist. After his passing Brooklyn showed the respect to one of their own by naming a park after him, where he learned how to ride a bike. 

The tickets for the event vary from $20 to $75 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.com

New releases

Kanye West performs in New York

Kanye West performed in New York's Roseland Ballroom in a set as a part of Adult Swim's Upfront Party. He performed the older songs from his career ad then astonished the audience by dropping couple of new songs, of which the titles are yet to be confirmed. The title of one song is presumed to be called "So Awesome". The song talks allegedly about Kim Kardashian. The lyrics say:" Why would you ever listen to the people trying to hate on you? Baby, you're awesome." 

Kanye also stated very clearly, that he is not happy with Saturday Night Live show. He was due to be in the show on the season finale this weekend, but he has now cancelled the show. Kanye says:" Hell nah, I ain't doing no mothafuckin SNL skits. This is my goddamn life, this ain't no mothefucking joke. That's it. Stop that shit right there." 

J Cole 'Born Sinner' moving dates?

J Cole has tweeted that the new album would drop on the shelves June 25th. The record will be released under Roc Nation and Universal. However, there are rumours that the album would now be released on June 18th. This will be the second studio album and has been produced by the rapper him self. 

No limits

Positive fashion takes over the mind field

 Urban environment breeds creativity, we see see it every day in music and fashion. Just because there is no nature as an inspiration wont mean that there is no inspiration; sometimes the roughest surroundings can create the most inspirational dreams and take the person somewhere, where no person has been before. That is what I call a leader.

I have had the privilege to meet one of those people, Timothy Lassiter, a young designer, who has taken the dream into the action and is creating a positive message through the clothing.

So.... really shortly, what happened.... I was clicking through the Facebook friends and saw these amazing pictures, there was only one word in my mind... WOW! I wanted to know more and arranged a little interview with this young star... and here are the results!



Me: Who are you and where do you come from? 

Timothy: My name is Timothy Lassiter. I'm the founder as well as the designer, a 22 year old designer photography enthusiast and student of graphic design at New England institute of art.




Me: Tell me about your brand and what do you represent?

Timothy: Touch The Sky Clothing Co represents the disregard I have for limits. I wanted the name to be something that inspired people when they heard it. We pride ourselves on being the alternative to ignorant fashion. Aiming to show people they can get to all their dreams if they take the necessary steps. 

Me: Why did you decide to start your own clothing brand?

Timothy: I actually started the line with my long time friend and silent partner Your'Majesty Gilmore when we were in high school in Feb of 2008. I started the line really because I didn't like the clothes people were wearing in my neighborhood. I felt if I could offer an alternative to the urban rock star fad I would be doing everyone a favor.

Me: Many wants to start their own business, I think it is a current climate in the business today, tell me what did you find difficult and what advise would you give to others who wish to enter to business? 

Timothy: My main difficulty was inexperience and lack of mentors. I had no one that I could go to and really get advice on running a business. Lol no one in my community had done what I was trying to do. I looked at the street businessmen and began to look online for people talking about how to be successful. I would recommend anyone starting a business to make sure their mental climate is positive. Research your field and do something you have a passion for.

Me: Where do you aim to take your brand?

Timothy:  I aim to make the brand a household name in America and internationally. I believe the brand has a global appeal we have something for everyone. I want to keep improving as a designer and artist as a whole.

Me: Who is your target group?

Timothy: The target market at this point is from 18-33 but we have been urged strongly to start producing clothing for the youth as well. We want the inquisitive, innovative young adult. 

Me: Where do you see the fashion goes this summer? 

 Timothy: I see an over saturation of animal prints coming lol, for Touch The Sky Clothing Co we'll have some cool things for the guys and girls tanks,tees, hoodies, a couple surprises.

Me: If you could change anything in your industry, what would that be?

Timothy:  If I could change one thing it would be the lack or originality like I said I've seen Enough leopard print this year for a few years. People want to compete by copying instead of creating. I live by "creation over competition" 

 Me: Where can people purchase your products and do you ship to other countries?

Timothy: The clothing can be purchased at www.touchtheskyclothingcompany.com and we ship everywhere

Make sure to keep your eye on this one, I have a feeling that this message will go far! 

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Something new, something old.....

Chris Brown features Aaliyah on "They don't know" single

Chris Brown has decided to copy cat Drake on his new single 'They don't know' by pulling a publicity stunt from his hat; he is featuring late Aaliyah on the single. 

"I got something special for my fans. It's called 'They don't know', all new stuff that's never been heard before. It's something special for my fans. " 

The single has some previously unheard vocals from Aaliyah and Chris Brown revealed that the video has already been shot. The new 'X' album is due to release on July 16.

After Drakes single 'Enough said' last summer, the family of the late songstress was left angry and they clearly claimed that they have nothing to do with the single. We are yet waiting to see what is the reaction to the Chris Brown project. 

So anything you can do, I can do better??? or is it just me who seems to think so... 

Eve to release a new album after 11 years

Eve is back in business. 

"Lip lock is the album I've always wanted to make and it represents me coming back into the game - lyrically locking it down. But I also like the title because it can be a play on words." 

She has spent the last few years in studio recording the album and is featuring Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Juicy J and Chrisette Michele. After dropping her last album in 2002 Eve-Olution, she took a step back from the music and left Interscope Records still making one off singles. 

The album is the fourth studio album and it was released yesterday, May 14.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lip-lock/id638374988

Changes

50 Cent cool with industry changes

50 Cent is admitting he is never going to sell 13 million records again. He blames this to the changes in the industry. 

In his recent interview with SXSW, he said:" I don't think anybody's gonna do it. It's a different business. It's a different business and I'm cool with that. There's nothing that can actually compare to when it's right, to what it feels like when it's right. Music is just dead right, that energy is just dead. There's a special kind of hot that you get addicted to and you chase it for the rest of your actual career." 

"When you are successful, there's a period of time you have to work through.  I just wanna win so I can feel how it felt like when it happened the first time."

In the interview 50 Cent also talks about the reality of the lifestyle artists are writing about. He rates Eminem, but talks about new artists who glamorize the life style he has been living. He would like the music to be real, written from the real back grounds, not from the ones that are made for the success to look cool. 

"Hip hop culture is a black art form, it's a black music. When ever you have someone from the different ethnicity to come in and he does it as well if not better than everyone else in it, it looses it's color. and that's why hip hop music is now pop music. " 

His latest project "War Angel" is available at his website ThisIs50.