Saturday, June 30, 2012

Red Carpet Mini-Q.and.A: Plus-Size Model/Actress CHASITY SAUNDERS (Roanoke, Virginia)

The Date: Wednesday, 2/15/2K12
The Locale: Manhattan Center, New York City
The Event: FASHION ROCKS NEW YORK

RG: Define the CHASITY SAUNDERS brand.

CS: I am a curvy woman who's taking over the fashion and beauty industry. I am a plus-size model and actress. I also have a Fashion/Beauty column that I write for JONES magazine. I think it's really important to fuse both entertainment and education together....I like to call it 'edutainment,' and not just being a face, but also having a voice behind the face. So I would definitely say that my brand is all-inclusive, the curvy woman who is here to stay, and who is a leading lady!

*Chasity is also a model for the 'MISS TINA' clothing line by Tina Knowles. (Mother of superstar recording artist Beyonce')

www.ChasitySaunders.com
www.MissTina.com

Red Carpet Music Spotlight: R&B/Soul Recording Artist & Songwriter TASHAWN KING (Boston, MA)

Tashawn King is a super-talented, well-seasoned breath of fresh air in today's landscape of R&B/Soul music. King is truly blessed with a strong baritone vocal sound and very entertaining when performing on the stage. His musical influences are the likes of legendary artists such as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass. Tashawn invites audiences to 'connect' and 'travel' with him along his musical journey. Regardless of your gender, you can't help but feel the man - the voice - and his passion for performing live. Tashawn is most proud of the fact that he can relate to people through song - a skill he first acquired at the young age of five. 'Although I was a very shy kid when I was young, strangely enough I've always felt comfortable when I sang or performed in front of others, no matter how big the audience was.' King was quoted as saying.

No rookie to the industry of music, King was the former co-lead singer of the short-lived male R&B vocal group HOMEWORK, launched in Boston by the legendary super producer Maurice Starr. (New Edition, New Kids On The Block) His tenure in the group afforded him the opportunity to learn the nuances of the music business, including the meaning of teamwork, the process of being signed to a major record label, artist development and touring. These experiences allowed Tashawn to grow and evolve as a solo artist, exposing him to opportunities to perform and work alongside globally-renowned recording artists such as Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Jahiem and Chris Brown, just to name a few. In 2K4, King released his solo debut album 'TASHAWN KING,' which played to positive reviews both here in the States and overseas, bringing forth a whole new legion of fans.

After taking some time personal time out for himself, and concentrating on sharpening his skillset as both a songwriter and a music arranger, Tashawn returns on his quest to secure his unique lane in music. With his latest effort, 'THE TASHAWN KING PROJECT, PT.1,' King will continue to display his true love and appreciation for merging voice with melody by presenting his signature style of smooth, soulful, Urban Contemporary R&B music!

*I want to shout-out my good friend KEVIN GRAY from BeanTown  for putting the word out to me about this incredibly talented brother!

www.facebook.com/TashawnKing


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Red Carpet Q&A - Recording Artist WILL TRAXX (Bronx, New York City)

The Date: Friday, 5/18/2K12
The Locale: Paradise Theater, Bronx, New York City
The Event: Lil Kim & Friends concert

RG: What was the inspiration behind your club-bangin' hit single, 'FOOTWORK?'

WT: Well you know, basically when the instrumental is rockin' in the party, and you see somebody with some good shoes on the dance floor, it makes you wanna say 'Ooh...Let me see some footwork!' (Laughs) So the inspiration for that is basically just looking at shoes and people just gettin' their dance step-on.

RG: How happy have you been with the overwhelming response and positive feedback for 'FOOTWORK?'

WT: Oh I'm definitely happy! The single actually first dropped back on February 24, 2K11, and up until now, the momentum has picked up a lot. Big shout-outs to the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens - they've shown crazy love for what I'm doin'!

RG: What more can we expect from you as far as future projects?

WT: Well, down the line, man, just expect some more good party music - more 'feel-good' music. I wanna make music that makes sense and for all age groups. I just wanna be careful about the music I make. No disrespect to the rappers and the so-called 'artists' because there are different categories and all that. Me - I'm just basically entertaining the masses....I just want the people to get up and dance and feel good about themselves.

RG: Which part of the Bronx are you from?

WT: I'm from the Soundview Projects, born and raised - it's home of the legendary Jazzy 5 MCs. Speaking of new music that I'm working on, I got something presently in the works with those fellas and it's gonna be real serious!  The next track that I'm gonna be putting out soon is called 'ROCK OUT.' It's basically and ol' school dance, so I'm gonna bring back that ol' 'rockin' dance back! It'll be 'feel-good' music at it's best, so listen out for it down the road.

RG: What's the best advice you can give to an aspiring recording artist?

WT: Honestly speaking, my best advice for anyone trying to get into this music business is basically to go with your heart, have faith and don't quit doing what you're doing.

*For bookings and serious inquiries, feel free to contact Will directly at (347) 373-6417.

Facebook.com/Will Traxx
Twitter.com/@WillTraxx


Red Carpet Mini-Q&A - Reality TV star RENEE GRAZIANO (MOB WIVES, VH1 Network)

The Date: Wednesday 2/15/2K12
The Locale: Manhattan Center, New York City
The Event: FASHION ROCKS NY

RossG: With the success of MOB WIVES, what are your feelings on the overwhelming response to the series, two seasons into it thus far?

ReneeG: Sometimes it's really positive, and then sometimes people have a negative opinion of the show. But regardless of everything, I just think that we are trying to show who we are as women and we are pushing forward. I know for me, I'm pushing as hard as I can to go forward and show my son A.J. that the 'mob' lifestyle isn't the best lifestyle to be involved in.

RossG: I heard you are a big fan of Soul music. Who are your favorite artists?

ReneeG: Otis Redding....Al Green....Donna Summer....Lou Rawls. I just showed how old I am, huh? (Both laugh) They all sang with soul and from the heart!

Facebook.com/The Real Renee Graziano
Twitter.com/@ReneeGraziano




Saturday, June 16, 2012

Book Review - DIE FREE: A HEROIC FAMILY TALE (Cheryl Wills)

Veteran NY1 television news anchor/journalist Cheryl Wills scored big as an author with her highly acclaimed book titled 'DIE FREE: A HEROIC TALE.'  Wills has sparked a grassroots movement with DIE FREE to ensure that the legacies of her Great-Great-Great Grandfather Sandy Wills, plus the 200,000 members of the United States Colored Troops, are never forgotten during the national observances of the Civil War starting from 2011 up until 2015.

DIE FREE is about Cheryl's discovery of a part of her family tree that was lost for more than a hundred years. She logged onto Ancestry.com and learned that Sandy Wills was purchased by slave trader Edmund Wills in Tennessee during the 1850s. When the Civil War broke out, Sandy escaped with five of his enslaved brothers in order to fight for their freedom. As a result of Cheryl's groundbreaking research, she told her family story before international audiences at the United Nations and the National Archives Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

DIE FREE: A HEROIC FAMILY TALE is one of the more fascinating and inspirational reads to date, and Cheryl Wills has not only made her mark as a fantastic journalist throughout her career, but has now carved her niche as an emerging, incredible author as well! The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and bookstores nationwide.

www.DieFreeTheBook.com

Q.and A. - Hip-Hop Recording Artist ChiWezt (Chicago, Illinois)

Brandon LaShawn Tillis, better known as up-and-coming rap artist ChiWezt, is on a mission to put his unique stamp on the music landscape. Chi was recently nominated for the 'Fresh On Da Scene' award for the upcoming 4th annual Midwest Rapper's Ball, which takes place in his hometown of Chicago on Saturday, July 14, 2K12. I spoke with the talented 25-year-old about his love both music and sports, the Windy City of Chicago and his affiliation with the emerging C.O.M.E. C.L.E.A.N. Entertainment conglomerate.

RG: When did you first develop the love for music?

ChiWezt: I first developed the love for music when I was six years old. I would listen to my grandmother play music from artists such as Otis Redding, Tyrone Davis, Johnny Taylor and Bobby Womack all the time, and the music moved me.

RG: Which rap artists inspired you as you were growing up?

ChiWezt: The whole Dipset crew with Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, etc. Also cats like Jadakiss, Cassidy and Chicago rap legends Twista and Bump J. They all inspired me and spoke the truth.

RG: You also had a love for the game of basketball as a young kid as well. Who were the players that you looked up to?

ChiWezt: Michael Jordan (of course), Scottie Pippen, and Chicago natives Dee Brown, Tim Hardaway, Doc Rivers and Michael Finley.

RG: Favorite athletes presently playing pro sports in Chicago?
ChiWezt: Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah of the NBA Chicago Bulls....Jay Cutler, Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Matt Forte of the NFL Chicago Bears.

RG: How was your talent discovered initially?

ChiWezt: I started rapping when I was 11 years old, and I would 'battle rap' against my cousins by using wordplay that no one else was using. I would also be on the block and rap against my friends, and they would have me battling older guys for $50-$100 a pop. My friends told me that I had the talent to take it to the next level, and the rest is history!

RG: C.O.M.E. C.L.E.A.N. Entertainment is a great company based out in Wisconsin, headed by its CEO William Rinehart. How much is it a blessing to be affiliated with such a nice roster of up-and-coming musical talent?

ChiWezt: It's a blessing to have a group of individuals that believe in not only in what you believe in, but strive for more goals than you have already set. Like the motto says - Come Clean, or don't come at all!

RG: So many talented, legendary individuals have come out of the Windy City of Chicago such as Don Cornelius, Chaka Khan, Common, Kanye West, R.Kelly, Lupe Fiasco and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few. Do you feel any pressure all in trying to maintain that long, proud tradition with the musical lane you're creating for yourself?

ChiWezt: These historical legends have definitely set a standard for the up-and-coming artists hailing from Chicago, and so I have a lot of pressure on my back. But this comes naturally for our kind in the Midwest. We tend to excel through all obstacles, and with the musical lane that I'm creating for myself, it should be a cinch! (Laughs)

RG: What projects do you currently have going on?

ChiWezt: I curently have a mixtape out right now titled 'FOAM NATION' with the artist CUPID of 'Cupid Shuffle' fame. It's hosted by DJ Fusion out of Madison, Wisconsin. The mixtape has done really well and I'll be releasing more material via mixtapes during the course of 2K12 with Fusion and other DJs as well.

RG: What's the best advice you've ever received from either of your parents while growing up?

ChiWezt: My dad told me that there will be a lot of 'trial and error' dealing with people that don't understand you, and that 'only you can show and prove to your own self.' My dad also shared with me that 'you are your own worst enemy.'

RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a talented young man who aspires to get into the music business and succeed as a Hip-Hop artist?

ChiWezt: My best piece of advice to up-and-coming aspiring artists is to chase your dream, for there are snakes with rattles at the end of their tail, waiting to strike you and bring you down. It's up to you to avoid falling into that trap. When you're not working, someone else is!

www.ComeCleanEnt.com

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Red Carpet Music Spotlight: International Recording Artist JHAYEE (Pronounced J.E.)

Repping the country of Guyuna, located in the northern part of South America, Jhayee is a musical talent to be reckoned with all around the globe. Having been in the game for a while and performing with the likes of Brian McKnight, Ray, Goodman & Brown and Najee, just to name a few, Jhayee is primed and ready to conquer the world with his own unique, eclectic brand of musicality. His current hit single, ' MOP IT UP' is rapidly becoming the hot, new dance craze by club-goers in such places as his hometown Guyana, Jamaica, England, Miami, New York, etc. Mel Holder, who produced the catchy tune, told me recently that it took only a mere three days to complete the recording of the song! Jhayee's primary goal is to keep the world dancing, one step at a time, so BE READY TO JAM!

www.Jhayee.com

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Red Carpet Q&A: R&B Recording Artist AARON CAMPER (Salisbury, Maryland)

RG: How would you define your brand of musicality?

AC: Honest and real.

RG: What projects are you currently working on?

AC: I have an EP that's being released hopefully by the summer of 2K12. I'm working with Chris Brown, David Guetta and a couple of other artists/producers that will be on board. I'm just having fun and making music...That's all I can afford to do now!

RG: What is 'Soul music' to you?

AC: I grew up on Soul music. Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Sam Cooke - they were all honest, and hopefully that's what the music is getting back to. Historically, Soul music is not solely linked to just the Black artists....The Beatles wrote soulful songs, as well as Michael McDonald, Phil Collins, just to name a few. Their songs were soulful because they were honest, were about the genuine fabric of humanity and what everyone is going through universally. Soul music is honest, pure, and you can feel it once you hear it!

www.AaronCamperMusic.com



Red Carpet Music Spotlight: Gospel Recording Artist ANGELA SPIVEY

Angela Spivey found her calling in music at the age of four, singing in the chlidren's choir at her father's First Corinthians Missionary Baptist Church in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Fast forwarding to the year of 2K2, Spivey, along with ten members of her Voices of Victory choir, recorded the successful album 'I'M DETERMINED,' which catapulted her as a promising force in the Gospel music industry. In the following year of 2K3, Spivey won numerous GMWA's, including awards for Best Female Vocalist and the coveted Artist of the Year. She was also nominated for a Soul Train 'Lady of Soul' award in the 'Favorite Gospel CD' category as well in 2K3.

Now in the year of 2K12, Angela Spivey is ready to take her incredible talent to the next level with her amazing new CD titled 'HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE,' produced by Pastor Dewayne Harvey (who is also the CEO of Spivey's new label home, Innovative Records), Antonio Wimberly and Etienne Porter. The album debuted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart at #14, and the title track 'He Keeps His Promise,' has been heating up the Billboard Gospel Songs chart and radio airwaves for much of the year. Legendary gospel music recording artist Pastor Donnie McClurkin has affectionately referred to Spivey as his 'twin' on his morning radio show on occasion. (www.DonnieRadio.com) All-around, Miss Angela is getting a whole lot of love amongst her peers!
The album is truly inspirational and armed with many other potential hit singles, making it her greatest body of musical work to date. 'You can anticipate my new CD to be a blessing to those who listen to it. I believe there is a message for everyone.' explained Spivey to me in a recent interview. If you are a fan of both fine-quality Traditional and Contemporary Gospel music, look no further than the lovely Anointed Princess of Gospel, Miss ANGELA SPIVEY!