5 Questions With….. Bri Cooper

1. Traditionally, black kids who have an interest in music, typically tend to gravitate towards R & B, was this the case with you?

I never had an interest in gravitating towards R & B. Although I always enjoyed listening to various genres of music, my focus was always classical music. My parents exposed me to classical music not only by playing albums on the stereo, but with their conversations and when they would ask me about what I thought of certain classical singers. Even though I did not know who they were talking about. My parents would say…”well go look her/him up and let us know”

What steered you towards classical music?

I think it was just being around it so much and having parents that took me to operas and orchestra concerts.

2. You have so many awards and achievements for your musical voice, which awards are you most proud of and why?

5 Questions With….. Rosa Acosta

1. What is your biggest accomplishment and/or what are you most proud of these days?

My biggest accomplishment is that I retired my Mom.

2. Go back 5 years, what did you think you would be doing now when you were planning ahead and did you achieve whatever goals you had or did you surpass them or is this completely different than what you were thinking?

5 years ago I thought I was going to own a spa. I went to Massage Therapy School and I have always love the idea of owning a Spa. Obviously I didn’t achieve anything Spa /massage related cause my life took a crazy and wild turn. But I’m in an amazing place in life.

5 Questions With….. Max Minelli

1.        Now that Hip Hop has spread basically everywhere, even worldwide, do you feel you have to have a certain background, albeit street or from the ghetto, in order to be successful and taken seriously? Do you think it makes for a more compelling story to tell if you do have a rags-to-riches story?

You don’t have to necessarily be “street” or “ghetto” in today’s hip hop landscape. If you pay attention, now you have artists that represent all walks of life, from ex drug dealers to skateboarders. From convicted felons to nerds, all are represented and all are accepted. It’s all about expression now and no matter what you live, go thru or represent, there’s an artist whose music is the soundtrack to your life. Years ago it was like you had to be on some tough guy shit, or have a gangsta persona, but now it’s cool to just be you. As far as a rags to riches story, that’s always cool because people like the whole under dog story, and like to see niggas come from nothing, or come from circumstances similar to theirs, and become successful. It gives them hope that they can do it too.

5 Questions With….. Torae

1. After being in the game for a couple of years, how is your outlook on the Hip-Hop scene from a musical point of view? And what will you do to make it what you feel it needs to be?

The hip-hop scene is in 2 places in my opinion. The indie scene & the mainstream scene. I think the indie scene is thriving right now. There are a lot of dope artists dropping quality material. The mainstream scene is ok, but the fact that there’s no diversity makes it stagnant. People are tired of hearing the same songs in rotation with the same subject matter all the time. As for what I’m doing, I’m making quality music I feel will be viewed as timeless in years to come.
2. If you could do anything over again, what would it be and why?

5 Questions With….. Dres

1.      Now that you are working a project with former A Tribe Called Quest member, Jarobi, called EvitaN, could you explain how this collaboration came about and what should we expect from the group?

5 Questions With….. Dallas Penn

1. How has the internet changed the thinking of companies, artists and just the world in general?

The internet hasn’t changed the thinking of companies or artists.

Companies still want to make money off consumers and the internet gives companies access to learning what people want in their deepest dreams.

Artists still want to present their art to the most people who might find a connection (relationship) with the content the artists create and the internet gives these artists a more focused reach to the world.

The end result for companies and artists remains the same.  Artists still create.  Companies still exploit.

2. What prompted you to take your talents to the internets when you did so? And also tell us how long you’ve been in this space as well.

5 Questions With….. Masta Ace

1. What are your thoughts about the current state of Hip-Hop (As far as music, artists, content, etc.)?

HipHop is at a crossroads. Commercially viable music has morphed into a combination of R&B and Techno. As dance music Is becoming the new pop music, artists will feel pressure to either go further in that direction or fight against that trend and keep a more traditional sound. Im not sure what today’s commercial artists will decide to do but it will shape the landscape for the next decade.

2. Tell us about how the collaboration, MA_Doom- Son of Yvonne, between you and MF Doom, come about and what should we expect from the album.

5 Questions With….. INTERNATIONAL 5

1.      What can people look forward to when they see the name International 5 and if you could describe your sound, what would it be?

People can look for great music, A super talented musician that express music from the soul. Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Scarface, all in one. I believe that if given the chance I will be a key player in the game

2.      Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, do you feel any pressure that comes with knowing that some of the best lyricists in Hip-Hop have come from Brooklyn?

5 Questions With….. muGz

1. Describe the Montreal Hip-Hop scene and how your contribution will make it even bigger than it is.

The Montreal Hip Hop scene is in the process of growth. I can see a huge difference between its current state, and its past. Unfortunately, Hip Hop shows are constantly being banned which makes it harder for people like to me work, however no one said this would be easy. I somewhat prefer it that way. My contribution will not be denied. “All roads lead to home” at the end of the day, it’s just about finding that ulterior route, and hitting them when they least expect it.

2. In this current age of music, it’s now a given to ‘give away’ an album or ‘mixtape’ to the fans when, in the past, artists tried in vain, to stop leaks of their music. Why do you think that has changed and how does it benefit the artists’ bottom line?

5 Questions With….. Ken Lewis

1. What do you feel are the most important qualities and/or qualifications to be a successful producer and/or engineer?

Well,talent helps, but the things beyond that which will help you become successful are drive, focus, work ethic, business ethic, trustworthiness, personality.  Rarely do I meet a successful person in the music industry without all of these traits, at least most of them.

2. You’ve worked and work with some heavyweights in the industry (Kanye West, Heavy D, Aaron Hall, Eminem, Rick Ross, Drake, Jay-Z, etc.), how is your approach to work when working with such esteemed artists as opposed to, maybe, lesser known artists? Are there any specific techniques some are required to be done in order to satisfy the overall production of the record and/or project?

5 Questions With….. YEWANDE

1. After years of not recording, you are back with ‘Rebirth’. Of course, I have to ask, Why the hiatus and why the return?


I guess the easiest way to explain my hiatus is that I got sick of trying to play the music industry game by “their” rules – I’m Black so I can only sing R & B (No), I’m a woman so I have to play the role of the booty-shaking seductress (uhhhh…double no), I’m seen as an attractive woman so I can’t sing about anything of substance (do you really want me to go there…lol?).

I’d debuted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, started opening for major recording artists like Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, Enrique Iglesias in 20,000 seat arenas and was literally walking red carpets with the who’s who of Hollywood based on my artistic merit. But it seemed like the closer I came to fulfilling my dream in the music industry, the deeper the compromise became. No one really talks about it (maybe ‘cause they’re playing the game), but it’s very real.

5 Questions With….. J. Gunn

1. You did something that is very rare. You did a show in New York City, you’re from North Carolina, and you ROCKED it at Webster Hall, you had the crowd with you! How was that possible, being that you are a new artist AND from out of town and with NY being a very finicky crowd, they eat their own. What did you do to get the response you got? How did it make you feel?

I love New York. I love the fact that New York fans are a tough crowd, and you’ve really got to give them something to get them going.  I give credit to my band Untitled, my MD, Gav Beats, and my right hand man, Vocalist Brandon Pierre for helping me put together an experience for the crowd.  We put a lot of time and effort into our show, and I believe that is why we have gotten the response we get from audiences across the country, and I think the NYC crowd, that wasn’t familiar with me or my music, could appreciate the effort, the energy, and most importantly, the quality of the music that we play.  And the feeling is amazing…I love to perform, and to get that kind of response from doing something you love ,from the toughest place to perform in America!! Man. What could be better than that?

5 Questions With….. Boone

1. Every new artist claims to be bringing something new or different to the game, how will you get people to take notice of you and your talent? Why will they want to hear your music?

I’m a firm believer of letting your music speak for yourself, and as a new artist, I have a lot to prove. I just try to make the best song possible and have fun while doing it. I want the world to hear my story, the story of Boone. Most of the time when artists tell their story, it’s about struggling, and yes, I struggled, but who didn’t? I just learned that life goes on no matter what your problems is. That’s why most of my music is about partying and relationships, moving beyond the struggle.

2. You’ve been seen and appear in some Palmieri Jeans (Clothing company based in Philly) promotional campaigns, how did this come about and has this been effective for you and your career?
Yes I’m sponsored by Palmieri Jeans. I met the owner of Palmieri Jeans (Victor Sanders) through a friend, He said that he liked the direction that my music was going and that I had a clean image. The relationship works. When you have a clothing line behind you it opens up a lot of doors, other than music. Yes I love making music but I’m a business man at the end of the day.