Red Carpet Music Q&A: MIRANDA WRITES (New Jersey)

RG: How young are you, Miranda?

MW: Right now, I am 18 years young, born on September 26.

RG: What's your ethnic background?

MW: I am Black/Portugese/Polish.

RG: There are some very talented female MCs currently doing their thing on the underground/independent level, and you are most definitely one of them! What sets you apart from the competition, in your humble opinion?

MW: I think one simple rule sets me apart from the competition and has always been the case since the beginning, and that is BEING MYSELF. In this industry, originality is key because the truth is if you're the same and like everyone else, then you're really no different. So along this journey, I just keep being ME, and I keep doing what I want to do because 9 out of 10 people will respect and dig the realness. You don't pick your fans; your fans pick you....Be 'YOU' and the support will come!

RG: Was there a particular song or artist that influenced you in pursuing a career in the music industry?

MW: I don't think it was necessarily any artist or song that influenced me to have my own career doing music. I've always been a writer and spent a lot of time writing during my sophmore year of high school. However, everything I was writing was obviously staying in my notebook being unheard. So one day, I decided to flip what I wrote over a beat and the feeling was just so real and different. Right then and there is when I realized what I was meant to do!

RG: What inspires you on a daily basis?

MW: I honestly get inspired by the world around me and my emotions. If I'm feeling a certain way, I usually always write about it. I also get inspired by the things or places I see from a basic perspective. Sometimes I'll be out and and about, and concepts just come to me....Being that I'm an artist, it's almost like the world is a bubble to just learn and expand from. That's how I take things in my life - whether things are good and bad - it's all given to you for a reason, so that's what ends up in my notebook!

RG: Give me your thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop/Rap music, and how things can get better from your perspective?

MW: Well, first things first - Hip-Hop and Rap are different! Many people don't get that, but I'll save that lesson for a different day...LOL....Back to your question - Hip-Hop could be better if people started having passion for what they do again. Let's be honest with each other - just because something sounds good doesn't mean it sounds 'real.' REAL recognize REAL, so if we all started being 'real' with one another, the music would get better and so would the world.

RG: The best advice about the music industry you've received thus far.

MW: Hmmm....The best advice I've received so far is 1) Not everyone's going to like you; 2) Be yourself because there's thousands of people doing what you do; 3) 50% TALENT; 50% BUSINESS and actually knowing what you want to do; 4) WORK!!!!.....Those are my top four tips I've learned myself so far, and that's really what anyone SHOULD know.

RG: Which do you prefer more than the other - performing live or recording in the studio?

MW: Hmmm....They are so different from each other because recording in the studio is laying down the track, so at that point, you wouldn't even be able to perform it live yet. I guess I prefer performing live just because at that point the track is already done and a finished product, so it's cool to see how people react to your work!

RG: What projects can we look forward to from you in the very near future?

MW: I'm currently working on some new tracks, and expect some sort of mixtape or album this summer of 2K13!

RG: In five-to-ten-years from nw with God's will, Miranda Writes will be -

MW: The female who changed the game....The person who successfully gained respect for doing what she wants to do!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LPD-Entertainment/255064651228277

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MirandaWritesLPDEnt

www.twitter.com/MirandaWritesMc

www.instagram.com/Miranda_Writes

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/MirandaWritesLPD

DO NOT STRESS OVER YOUR COMPETITION IN SPORTS

By Stan Popovich (www.managingfear.com)
Remixed by Ross Guity aka R.G. Major

Many athletes sometimes get anxious when they are going against a tough opponent. They get nervous on who they are competing with and they get so worked up that they lose focus on playing their game. In the end, they tmake mistakes and end up beating themselves up if they do not win. Here is a list of techniques that an athlete can use to help manage the stress of going against the competition:

*The first step is to learn as much as you can on your opponent. Although this may seem obvious, some athletes may think they already know what they need to know. Remember that there is ALWAYS something to learn about your competition. Read the reports about your opponent and watch his or her performance. Try to figure out an angle on how you can beat your competition. The more you know about your competition, the better your chances are you will win. This will also help to reduce your worries in the future.

*DO NOT assume anything about your competition - whether they are stronger or weaker than you. Every athlete has his good and bad times and just because you may be facing a stronger opponent does not neccessarily mean that you will outright lose. Remember that you and your opponent both have an equal chance of come out the victor. You are both stating from scratch. This should help you gain confidence going into your next event.

* Focus on how you can best strive for perfection in your own event instead of solely worrying about your opponent. For instance, you are going against the No. 1 athlete in the tournament are you are nervous....Instead of focusing on how good your competition is, focus strongly on how YOU will perform. Concentrate on your performance and how you can BEST improve on your 'problem' areas.

*Realize that you can't win all of the time and the exact same applies to your competition. You may be the best athlete in the world; however you will still sometimes lose. NO ONE can win all of the time. When facing a tough competitor, use this fact to your advantage. Even the best athletes will make some mistakes....It is not uncommon to get nervous when you go up against a better opponent. All you can do is just focus on your skill sets and do the BEST you can. This will help you in the long run!

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 5/18 - Friday 5/24/2K13

Notable happenings in the world of sports this past week:

NBA: The conference finals begin and as of Friday 5/24, the San Antonio Spurs hold a 2-0 series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies out West, and in the East, the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are all even at one apiece....For the second time in the past three years, the Cleveland Cavaliers will own the overall No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, which will take place on June 27 at the Barclays Centers in Brooklyn, New York. The Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats and the Phoenix Suns round out the top five lottery picks....All-NBA First Team - G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers; G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers; F LeBron James, Miami Heat; F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder; F Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs.

WNBA: Season No. 17 gets underway with the defending champion Indiana Fever outlasting the San Antonio Silver Stars 79-64 on the road. Reigning league MVP Tamika Catchings led Indy with 19 points.   

NHL: In Stanley Cup playoff action, the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated the Ottawa Senators in five games to advance to the East Finals, and will now face the winner of the Boston Bruins-New York Rangers series. Out West, the Los Angeles Kings hold a 3-2 series lead over the San Jose Sharks, and with another win on Sunday 5/26 on the road can advance to the conference finals for the second year in a row....Hall-of-Fame goaltender Patrick Roy becomes the new head coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations of the Colorado Avalanche.

NFL:  After 13 legendary seasons donning the No. 54 jersey for the Chicago Bears, future HOF linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement....33-year-old defensive pass rush specialist Dwight Freeney signs a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers after 11 Hall-of-Fame-caliber seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Horse Racing: Oxbow, a 15-1 long-shot, outlasts Kentucky Derby winner Orb to win the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes and for a 35th consecutive year, there will be no Triple Crown winner in horse racing. "Affirmed' back in 1978 was the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year.

Welcome Aboard DOUG E. FRESH To The WBLS Radio Family!

For close to three decades, legendary Hip Hop icon Dougie E. Fresh has blessed the world with his phenomenal, one-of-a-kind beat box and rapping talents on classic hits such as 'The Show' and "La-Di-Da-Di' with Slick Rick, as well as 'Keep Risin' To The Top,' 'All The Way To Heaven,' 'Play This Only At Night' and 'I-Iight,' just to name a few. Now starting on Saturday, May 25, 2K13 and every Saturday thereafter from 9pm - 11pm right after fellow Hip Hop legend Chubb Rock's show 'Classic Flavors,' "The World's Greatest Entertainer" continues his incredible story with yet another chapter as a new radio host of his own show appropriately titled 'THE SHOW.'
For two hours of THE SHOW with Doug E., you can most certainly anticipate great quality, entertaining and a mind-enlightenening brand of radio filled with classic Hip Hop music and introspective social/political commentary on topics that affect urban communities nationwide. "Doug E. is such an important part of my teenage/college years! We couldn't get enough of his music, and he still rocks audiences of all ages today! So happy to have him aboard." said Skip Dillard, Program Director for WBLS 107.5 FM radio. Tune in and experience more 'freshness' from Doug E.! Also check for his restaurant 'Doug E's Chicken & Waffles' in his hometown of Harlem, New York USA!

www.twitter.com/RealDougEFresh
www.wbls.com

Positive Impact - MOMMA'S HIP HOP KITCHEN: THE SOUP KITCHEN FOR THE HIP HOP SOUL (Bronx, NY)

DJ Beverly Bond and her amazing organization BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has made high strides over the past few years in aiding and inspiring young girls of African-American ancestory to be successful in whatever they aspire to be and become positive citizens in society. Here in 2013, co-founder Kathleen Adams and her one-of-a-kind philanthropic collective MOMMA'S HIP HOP KITCHEN recently celebrated their 6th year of existence, and like BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, is making an incredibly positive impact in the lives of young women and girls of color through the powerful, universal outlet that is Hip Hop music. In today's times with the negative images of young Black girls 'twerking' on camera and posting their sexually suggestive dancing on YouTube, organizations like MOMMA'S HIP HOP KITCHEN are very much needed to hopefully change the culture of our 'mentally lost' young girls and assuring them that there is a better way to navigate through life and evolve into amazing, well-educated and beautiful women!

To learn more about MOMMA'S HIP HOP KITCHEN and how you can be a part of their movement, please log on to www.MHHK.org. 

Red Carpet Music Feature: RICH LOWE (Brooklyn, NY)

Multitalented singer/songwriter/producer RICH LOWE is definitely a name to look out for in the future of R&B/Soul/Pop music. His stellar rendition of the legendary Jackie Wilson classic tune 'Lonely Teardrops' released in January 2K13 is 'throwback soul music with brand new swag' at its finest, and has caught the attention of the industry and fans who appreciate a true and authentic brand of musicality. At just 21 years young, Rich has worked with legendary Hip Hop artist/producer ERICK SERMON of EPMD, and to this point has written and produced for rap artists GENASIS and FRED DA GODSON, as well as talented and beautiful Pop/R&B recording artist GINETTE CLAUDETTE. Lowe is currently going hard in the lab creating incredible new and original music, so keep your eyes and ears out for this super-talented and on-the-rise young man reppin' East New York, Brooklyn USA!

*Big kudos to renowned publicist SOULGEE MCQUEEN of McQueen Media for initially introducing me to the exceptional voice that is RICH LOWE!

www.twitter.com/RichLowe24
www.youtube.com/RichLowe24

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 5/11 - Friday 5/17/2K13

 

Notable happenings in the world of sports this past week:

NBA: The defending champion Miami Heat outlasted a undermanned but determined Chicago Bulls team in five games to advance to their third consecutive Eastern conference finals. They now await the winner of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series, with Indy up on NY three games to two going into their Game 6 matchup on Saturday 5/18....The Memphis Grizzlies eliminated the Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder, and advanced to their first-ever Western conference finals appearance. (Vancouver/Memphis) Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and company will face the San Antonio Spurs, who defeated the upstart Golden State Warriors in six games to advance....*All-Defensive First Team - G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers; G Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies; F LeBron James, Miami Heat; F Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder; C Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks; C Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls....*All-Rookie First Team - G Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers; G Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards; F Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets; G Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers; F Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors.

NHL: Conference semifinal round action of the Stanley Cup playoffs got underway, and as of Friday, 5/17, the reigning champion Los Angeles Kings hold a commanding 2-0 series lead out West over the San Jose Sharks. In the East bracket, captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are up two games to none over the Ottawa Senators.

Pro Golf: Tiger Woods won The Players Championship - his fourth title of 2K13 thus far and the 78th of his illustrious career on the PGA Tour....Long-time CBS golf broadcaster and 1964 U.S. Open golf champion Ken Venturi passes away at the age of 82.

Pro Tennis: No.1-ranked Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets to capture the Madrid Open championship - the 50th singles title of her amazing career....On the men's side, fifth-ranked Rafael Nadal beat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4 to win his 55th career singles title in front of the home crowd in Spain.

Auto Racing: Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag at the Bojangles' Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina - NASCAR championship No. 3 of 2K13 so far and the 27th of his career.

College Basketball: Super-talented 6'8 forward Andrew Wiggins - the top high school basketball player in the country as a senior this past season - signed on to attend classes and play his freshman season (and potentially his only year) this coming Fall for head coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks.

Red Carpet R&B Music Feature: TreVante' (Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA)

 

Here in 2K13, 18-year-old TreVante' Halliburton is pushing towards becoming that next R&B/Pop male superstar alongsides the likes of Usher, Trey Songz and Chris Brown. His hot new single BAD GIRL - which features a hot verse from talented young rapper Lil Twist from the YMCMB conglomerate - is an intoxicating, funky, high-energy club banger that to me is reminiscent of the 90's boy band sound of N'SYNC and the Backstreet Boys, but just in one singular artist. The George Jones, Jr.-directed video is currently enjoying big-time success on BET's 106 & PARK music countdown and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

TreVante's musical influences range from the aforementioned N'SYNC and the Backstreet Boys, as well as legends Michael Jackson, Prince and DeBarge, just to name a few. With his good looks, humble personality, soulful vocals, immense work ethic, focus, true love for the art of music and his much-buzzed-about stage show, TreVante' definitely has the potential to be amongst the best all-around entertainers in the game for the forseeable future!

www.TreVante.com
www.twitter.com/TreVanteOnEm
www.facebook.com/TreVanteOfficial

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 5/4 - Friday 5/10/2K13

 

Notable happenings this past week in the sports world:

NBA: Miami Heat forward LeBron James is named the league's Most Valuable Player for the fourth time in the past five years. James averaged 27 points on a staggering 57% shooting clip, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game during the regular season - leading the Heat to the best record in the league at 66-16....Denver Nuggets head man George Karl was named Coach of the Year after leading the team to a franchise-best 57 victories during the 2K12-13 campaign....After being eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs in seven games to a injury-depleted and undermanned Chicago Bulls team, the Brooklyn Nets fired interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo....The conference semifinal round of the playoffs got underway and as of Friday, 5/10, the defending champion Miami Heat has a 2-1 series advantage over the still-undermanned Chicago Bulls in the East, while in the West, the San Antonio Spurs are two games to one up on the Golden State Warriors.

NHL: After being 0-2 down to the St. Louis Blues, the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings came roaring back to win four straight and advance to the West conference semifinals. Also moving on to the second round in the West as of Friday, 5/10 are the San Jose Sharks and the team with the league's best record during the lockout-shortened regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks. In the East, the Ottawa Senators eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in five games to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Horse Racing: Orb began his quest for the elusive Triple Crown - winning the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. Hall-of-Fame horse trainer Shug McGaughey in his seventh Derby attempt, finally won the Big One.

Pro Boxing: 36-year-old Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Jr. retained his WBC welterweight title with a dominating 12-round unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather remains undefeated for his career at a perfect 44-0.

The FORCE M.D.'s are 1-2 Steppin' into 2K13 in a BIG way

For three decades, the pioneering R&B/Soul music group FORCE M.D.'s out of Staten Island, New York have blessed the radio airwaves with timeless classic hits songs such as TENDER LOVE, LOVE IS A HOUSE, TEARS and LET ME LOVE U, just to name a few. Now in the new year of 2K13, original members Stevie D. Lundy and his brother Khalil - along with newest member Damen Heyward from the Bronx, NYC - are taking the music world by storm once again in a brand new and exciting way with their smooth, soulful and infectious new single, 1-2 STEP featuring Hip-Hop legend Chubb Rock rocking out an incredible verse.

Since the release of the song back in February of this year, the 1-2 STEP has quickly gained big-time popularity as THE hottest new dance phenomenon for steppers globewide. The track - which predominately samples the 1975 soul classic from the late, great Michael Jackson WE'RE ALMOST THERE - was produced by Juan 'Majic' Peters and the lyrics were written by group member D. Heyward. The hot music video was shot in Staten Island and directed by Mills Miller. '1-2 STEP' is without a doubt the first BIG step - leading into yet more incredible new Soul-sonic music vibes to come from the trailblazing FORCE M.D.'s!

On the literary front, check for original group member Stevie D.'s recently released 'must-read' book titled NECESSARY FORCE, which is available now on Amazon.com and select bookstores nationwide. I also want to send a BIG shout-out to my Boston, Massachussetts brethren KEVIN GRAY - who handles street promotions for the FORCE M.D.'s - for blessing me with the opportunity to link up with these talented and iconic brothers!

www.OfficialForceMDs.com
www.twitter.com/ForceMDs

*LIKE their official fan page on Facebook: (search: Force M.D.'s) for updates on upcoming shows and appearances.

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 4/27 - Friday 5/3/2K13

 

NBA: 12-year veteran journeyman backup center Jason Collins comes out of the closet to admit his homosexuality in an exclusive essay piece for the May 2K13 issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine - becoming the first male pro athlete in a major U.S. sport to make the revelation....As of Friday 5/3 in the first round of the playoffs, the Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers all advanced to the conference semifinals in the East, while in the West, the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and the upstart Golden State Warriors - whom upset the third-seeded Denver Nuggets - all moved on to the second round. The deciding Game 7 of the first round matchup between the undermanned Chicago Bulls and the Brooklyn Nets will be played at the Barclays Center on Saturday 5/4 at 8pm EST. The winner will go on to face the defending champion Heat....The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Lawrence Frank after two seasons at the helm. Hall-of-Famer Phil Jackson will serve as an advisor for the Pistons in helping them find a successor to Frank....Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard unanimously won the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

NHL: The Stanley Cup playoffs begin. As of Friday, 5/3, the St. Louis Blues has a 2-0 series lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Kings in the West bracket. Also in the West, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks hold 2-0 series leads over the Minnesota Wild and the Vancouver Canucks respectively....The Colorado Avalanche fired head coach Joe Sacco after a third straight season of missing the playoffs, and will own the overall No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft in June.

Pro Boxing: Danny Garcia retained both his WBA and WBC Junior Welterweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decison over Zab Judah at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Garcia stays undefeated at 26-0 with the victory.

NFL: QB Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets after just one forgettable season.

Other notes: 50-year-ole basketball Hall-of-Fame legend Michael Jordan had his second go-round with Holy Matrimony - exchanging vows with his 35-year-old model girlfriend Yvette Prieto in Palm Beach, Florida.

Red Carpet Music Feature: JORDYN GRIFFIN (Austrailia)

 

Heavily inspired by the likes of Joan Jett and Pat Benatar, the stunningly gorgeous Ms. Jordyn Griffin has quickly made a name for herself in the past couple of years as one of the premiere vocalists/recording artists in the world of Rock music. Her live performances are powerful on so many levels and she takes great pride in writing great, quality, relatable songs that reflect the classic Rock & Soul vibe for music lovers worldwide to enjoy and sing along to. Her most notable charting hit records to date are 'My Time,' "What You Waitin' For' and 'No One And Everyone.'

Not only is Jordyn immensely talented musically, she is also making her mark as a philanthropist supporting various notable global charities such as 'The Make-A-Wish Foundation' and the 'United Way,' and also in her hometown Down Under with 'Transplant Australia' and ' The Australian Red Cross,' just to name a few. Look out for new music from the amazing Jordyn Griffin coming soon!

www.JordynGriffin.com
www.twitter.com/Jordyn_Griffin
www.facebook.com/JordynGriffin