Artist Archives - Page 4 of 26 - Straight Official Magazine

Journalist Bae | Cam’Ron on Diddy

on May 23, 2024 Artist Entertainment Journalist Bae add comment

For the longest, we’ve all been discussing “The Diddy Allegations”. My question is, what would you say if you had to appear on national television for commentary? One person that can answer that question is rapper, Cam’Ron, of the Diplomats (no political affiliation, which makes this all the more ironic).

Diddy has been in the news so much from being raided to alleged sex trafficking. The thing that we’re no longer alleging is that Mr. Man did indeed, put his hands (and feet) on longtime girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Since the video evidence has surfaced, Diddy has issued an apology. Remember that this comes several months after discrediting women making allegations against him.

Earlier this week, Cam’Ron took to CNN for an interview. He apparently did not know that Diddy would be the topic of conversation, being that he’s not associated with him at this time. Cam made is clear on his podcast “It Is What It Is”, that even if the call from CNN was genuine – they should’ve checked his track record which news outlets. See what he says right here:

Some are saying this behavior is very immature and uncalled for, while others are saying it’s just “the New York” in him. Nonetheless, the anchor actually handled this as she should, in my opinion. I’m no one to judge, but baes, what are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments or head over to instagram and follow us @straightofficialmagazine for more updates.

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#SaturdaySpotlight featuring Dead Silence | @deadsilence9

on May 11, 2024 Artist Saturday Spotlight TenthLetterMedia add comment

MEET DEAD SILENCE

DEAD SILENCE is an artist who while his moniker interprets his approach as quiet is the polar opposite. The Indianapolis MC has been making his rounds as of late. From hosting the How You What? Sophomore Cypher last month to appearances on CBS News affiliate morning shows, Silence is quiet as kept a staple in the Indy Hip-Hop community.

Dead Silence has both the talent, mind and heart to thrive as an artist. With his music featured on segments for both ESPN and The NBA on TNT, he has unique star quality. On the eve of his new project Thru The Fire being released, he invited us for a unique experience. Silence held a TTF listening session & video shoot for the smooth single “Vanilla Bean.”

Upon first listen, TTF is a no-skip project. It serves as both a story being told and background music for any facet of life. He then would tell us that the project was engineered to play as such, which is mind-blowing!

DEAD SILENCE-THRU THE FIRE

Thru The Fire is a 9 track EP that is designed to please. Dead Silence links with Naptown’s own Foxd’legnd on “Been Thru Hell” and provides the most relatable feeling to anyone listening. With production from DJ D Nyce & Zero The Composer, TTF is a vibe that needs to be experienced.

EDITOR’S PICK

Dead Silence is yet another deserving artist from Indianapolis who along with his counterparts continue to chip at the glass ceiling. Dubbed as the Morgan Freeman of Hip-Hop by his fans, his smooth delivery and cadence helps cater to the notion of music making a comeback this year.

My pick from TTF is the single “Vanilla Bean” which is making noise both here and across the pond. The single has made streaming platforms in Germany and helped expedite Silence to over 250,000 streams on Spotify.

But don’t take my word for it. Check out the lyric video for “Vanilla Bean” down below and stay tuned for the official music video featuring a cameo or two from yours truly!

Thru The Fire available NOW on all music streaming platforms!

#GetSOM via @TenthLetterMedia & click here to celebrate Hip-Hop, lifestyle & culture!

King ZG Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary of “Enemy of the Break”

on May 5, 2024 Artist Music add comment

Blog cover art featuring cover art for the re-release of the classic bboy-inspired album "Enemy of the break" by Pikaso and King ZG (formerly P-Kid and Zulu Gremlin).

King ZG and Pikaso, formerly known as P-Kid and Zulu Gremlin, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their collaborative album “Enemy of the Break”. The special digital re-release contains a slightly modified tracklist. The dynamic duo used the name S.W.A.T. which stands for Street Wise Art Technique. They’re reintroducing this iconic album to the digital realm through VIP Records/Empire.

Recorded back in 1999 in Daly City, California, “Enemy of the Break” was a product of the creative minds of P-Kid and Zulu Gremlin, produced under Zulu Gremlin Publishing BMI. The album features notable guest appearances from breaking legends like Ken Swift and Mr. Wiggles, embodying the essence of bboy culture.

Breakbeats

The original vinyl release has more songs, which consisted of breakbeats produced by Zulu Gremlin. But he has since released those as part of his “B-Boy Music” series. The Cambridge dictionary defines breakbeats as “a type of electronic dance music that includes parts of funk and soul songs”. During parties, the DJ would loop the drum beat, without the vocals, so people could dance to it. Breakdancers would often dance and battle over those part of the songs. Later artists and Bboys like Zulu Gremlin would specifically create music to for dancers, like the breakbeats in his series.

Reflecting on the album’s inspiration, King ZG shares, “The album was inspired by our mission of being the last Bboys. This album was made in the late 90s with bboy mc legends of the 80s on it as a last collaboration after we left Rock Steady Crew, started our own companies, and pursued our next missions in the music industry.“

Standout Singles

One standout track from the album, “I’m Sayin Though,” which features Ken Swift became a bboy anthem and was featured in the breakdance documentary film “The Freshest Kids.” The documentary was produced by Quincy Jones III’s QD3 Entertainment. The song was also recently used in an underground breakdance battle in Tokyo. You can watch the battle here (at the 1:15 mark).

The title track, “Enemy of the Break” has started taking off again being added to a few playlists recently as fans reconnect and new fans discover the classic sound.

“Enemy of the Break” is now available digitally worldwide on most major platforms via VIP Records/Empire. Relive the magic of this timeless album by listening now at https://swat.fanlink.tv/Enemy.

#GetSOM via @essince & click here for more emerging artists

Khujo Goodie Unleashes New Single ‘Showtime’ via Maverick Global

on April 20, 2024 Artist Music add comment

Renowned as a cornerstone of the Atlanta Hip-Hop scene, Khujo Goodie has cemented his legacy since his emergence in 1995. As a founding member of the illustrious Goodie MoB collective, he honed his skills alongside industry giants like The Lumberjacks, OutKast, and the Dungeon Family. Now, with a renewed vigor, Khujo Goodie introduces his latest single, “Showtime,” produced by DJ Papi.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind “Showtime,” Khujo Goodie shares, “Showtime is about being ready for whatever. It’s reintroducing Khujo Goodie as a top-tier MC that transcends all generations of hip hop. Showtime motivates the listener to want to win in whatever game of life they are playing. It can also serve as an anthem for a team needing that extra push to overcome adversity.“

Initially conceived for the upcoming football season, “Showtime” underwent a transformation at the hands of DJ Papi. While the original version featured sports references, they opted for a version with broader appeal, aligning with the universal themes of perseverance and triumph.

Khujo Goodie’s artistry extends beyond mere entertainment; it embodies a profound connection to his roots. Atlanta-born and bred, he recognized his destiny within the realm of Hip Hop from an early age. Co-founding Goodie Mob alongside Big Gipp, CeeLo Green, and T-Mo in 1994, the group fearlessly tackled societal issues such as racism, discrimination, geopolitics, and gentrification, leaving an indelible mark on Hip Hop’s landscape.

Despite facing adversities, including a near-fatal car accident, Khujo Goodie persevered. He solidified his solo career with releases like “The Man Not The Dog,” which graced the Billboard Top 100 charts. The reunion of Goodie Mob for albums like “Age Against The Machine” and “Survival Kit” attests to their enduring legacy.

Looking ahead, Khujo embarks on a series of new singles, building upon recent releases and his new position as Global Ambassador of new music distribution company Maverick Global.

Experience the empowering vibes of “Showtime” by streaming it on your favorite platform here.

#GetSOM via @essince & click here for more of my content

Payne Escobar Out To Prove He’s Next Up

on March 25, 2024 Artist Interviews add comment

PAYNE ESCOBAR of Bottom Boi Musik recently sat down with DJ Spins to talk about his viral single “Dirty Diana” The convo was dope and you can check it out down below. For more content from @djspins on other emerging artists, click here.

Q&A WITH PAYNE ESCOBAR

How Did You Come Up With your Stage Name?

Payne Escobar, meaning Pure A** Young N**ga Eaten with Escobar add for the Dope raw Lyrics.

Please tell us where you’re from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry?

I’m from a little town called Blackstone VA but I move to Richmond where I became a known artist. I been interested since a child coming up in the Hip-Hop world. I knew then this is what I wanted to do.

Who and/or what inspires you to create?

My family is big in doing music so I just followed up. I created my own wave and made an impact in the game.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

How would you describe your sound?

Raw, gritty and impactful. A way different vibe than most.

What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?

I’ll rock with Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Finesse 2tymes and many more

If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?

Lil Wayne because that would be major! I love his work effort.

Get up and do it yourself. Time waits for no man. I use that in everyday life. Get up and go to it.
Payne Escobar

SHIFTING GEARS

What is one message you would give to your supporters?

Thanks for supporting me and believing in my craft. I promise to never fall off and keep giving y’all the music you enjoy.

What would you be doing right now, if you weren’t doing music?

Acting in movies. I also I have a movie that I’m starring in called Black Sheep airing on Tubi Tv and Prime Video.

Who are some artists you admire and why?

B.G because bro came home from doing like 13 years in prison. Came back in the game like he never left. He never gave up on the dream.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything. I really don’t see any changing at this point. Its a lot going on in Hip-Hop today from my standpoint just being honest.

IN CLOSING

You dropped your latest release earlier this year. Tell us about it.

“Gorilla Season” I was basically me given the people me, who I was and what was going on in my life. It’s a really dope tape. I really put my life behind it. I also have the Real DJ Spins hosting the tape, so yeah I hope you enjoy listening.

As of Friday I dropped my new single “Dirty Diana” which is my first release thru my new distribution deal with Wild Dogs Ent.

What’s next for you, where would you like to see yourself in the next year?

Next is my new mixtape Gorilla Season 2 hopefully I can hit the road to do a tour. Next year it’s just gonna get better and better.

What is your social media? How can people get in contact with you?

You can find me @OfficialPayneEscobar :IG

PAYNE ESCOBAR :Facebook

PayneEscobar :SC

#SaturdaySpotlight featuring T.G.I. Free | @iamtgifree

on March 23, 2024 Artist Music Music Videos TenthLetterMedia add comment

MEET T.G.I.FREE

T.G.I.Free is quickly becoming a force to be recognized in Hip-Hop. The Naptown MC from The Far made his presence felt at Chreece Nap City All-Star last month performing alongside Jet Santiago and Skypp. A few weeks later, the city was scrutinized for a cypher that made it’s rounds.

Free alongside 4 other far eastside artists were the city’s “Redeem Team” as the How You What? Sophomore Cypher was the take that did not miss! T.G.I. took the anchor of that track meet and with powerful, gritty punchlines he closed it out like Michael Jordan in Game 6.

CURRENT MUSIC

“Set You Free” is a 7 track production that highlights Free’s raw delivery and lyricism. From “10th Street” featuring Skypp to “Take My Crown” Free rode every track with purpose and precision over soulful samples from Isiah Darty (Zero) & Trashbaggbeatz. T.G.I. Free has the follow up to “Set You Free titled “Trust In Free” on the way later this year.

With the city of Indianapolis becoming the next city to produce the next big artist, Free has his cap in the circle and it ain’t safe! Check out T.G.I. Free alongside Jet Santiago in “Danger Zone” down below.

STAY CONNECTED WITH T.G.I. FREE

Stay tuned for “Trust In Free” from T.G.I. Free coming soon. Stream music on Apple Music & Spotify. Follow on social media:

Instagram-@iamtgifree

X-@iamtgifree

Youtube-@iamtgifree

TikTok-@iamtgifree

#GetSOM via @TenthLetterMedia & click here to discover more emerging artists.

Skypp Releases “Sorry 4 My Trauma Too”

on March 17, 2024 Artist Music TenthLetterMedia add comment

SKYPP is riding a few waves going into this weekend. The Indianapolis MC is a year removed from releasing “Sorry For My Trauma” which debuted at #6 in the world. He also alongside 4 other Naptown artists released the “How You What? Sophomore Cypher 8 days ago. At nearly 20k in views and rising, this push is coming at an ideal time.

SORRY 4 MY TRAUMA TOO | SKYPP

On Friday, Skypp released “Sorry 4 My Trauma Too” to the masses. The project is anticipated to be a “sophomore effort” to the SMFT series. With Skypp there’s never been a need to worry about a jinx of any kind. He’s a multi-time iTunes charting artist with placements that keep him around the names of Drake & 21 Savage on most occasions.

His music is mixture of boom bap, trap prophecies and braggadocious flows over modern production. So far left from the modern day standard in Hip-Hop, Skypp is the breath of fresh air that the game needs more so than often. His messages that range from self awareness and empowerment to introspection are a far cry from most rappers today.

SKYPP during the "How You What? Sophomore Cypher (Photo Cred: Kaymakay Designs) — SKYPP during the “How You What? Sophomore Cypher (Photo Cred: Kaymakay Designs)

Skypp-Sorry 4 My Trauma Too

STAY CONNECTED

Skypp (Photo Cred: Kaymakay Designs) — (Photo Cred: Kaymakay Designs)

Follow Skypp on social media on Instagram, YouTube & Spotify

#GetSOM via @TenthLetterMedia & click here to discover more emerging artists.

Young Pope Is Here To Stay

on March 11, 2024 Artist Interviews add comment

Young Pope recently sat down with DJ Spins to talk about the latest shows, his upcoming plans for the year & much more! We got up close & personal to Know Young Pope in this exclusive 1 On 1 interview with Straight Official Magazine.

Q&A WITH YOUNG POPE

How did you come up with your stage name?
My stage name was brought to me by a dream I had one night where I was in front of a big crowd and the background of the place I was at was a church. I then looked down and I saw that I was wearing a robe/pope robe. Since then I came up with the stage name “Young Pope”

Please tell us where you’re from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry.
I was born in Mexico but have lived all my life in Houston, TX. What got me interested in the entertainment business was the spotlight an artist gets, that being the money, the fame and the thought of millions listening to my music and being real lifetime fans.

Who and/or what inspires you to create?
Great Artists like Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Drake are some who inspired me to create my music. Also, it inspires me to create knowing any song that I make can go to the top of the charts with one single clip on social media. That drives me to keep creating new music.

How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as a Mainstream radio / Latin trap sound. If i can use a word to describe my sound i would say “Trendy”

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

What is your creative process like?
I start by playing beats on YouTube. On another phone I press record on my voice memos and I freestyle to different instrumentals. Once I have a base or a chorus/rhythm to the verses I go back and listen to the recording of the freestyle session and plug in words if needed and create as I listen back to the sessions

What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?
Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Young Miko, Rauw Alejandro, Feid, Drake & Travis Scott

If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
It would have to be either bad bunny or Drake since I make both genres.

What is one message you would give to your supporters?
Never stop believing in your dreams even if nobody else believes in them. If you can visualize your dream in your head then you can make that come true. Stay focused and disciplined towards your goal because it will not come easy. Time is running out day by day so don’t waste it.

SHIFTING GEARS

What is the most useless talent you have?
The most useless talent is being able to overthink myself into thinking I have a rare disease.

What would you be doing right now, if you weren’t doing music?
The same thing I would be doing now but minus the music and that would be having a high income job with multiple streams of income from other sources of income.

Who are some artists you admire and why?
Drake and J Balvin are two of the biggest artists I admire due to breaking the records beyond what anybody would ever think was possible and continuing to stay relevant for so long.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Invest in your craft, invest in yourself, and invest in your knowledge.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
It would be to open more doors for more artist to get the major spotlight big labels give to an artist.

IN CLOSING

Tell us about your latest release.
I just released 2 new singles, the latest one is “Tocar a ti” . It’s a Latin reggaeton song. My other release is “DMLQTQ” which is another Latin reggaeton song. Both of these records mark my lane to the Spanish side of my music career and they are the base of the hits I have in store coming.

What’s next for you, where would you like to see yourself next year?
I have more music I want to release, more singles and an EP. I got English/Hip-Hop songs coming as well with visuals. Next year I would like to see myself on bigger platforms performing at bigger shows and expanding my fan base worldwide.

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUNG POPE

My Instagram is @realyoungpope, Twitter is @ IYoungPope, YouTube is Officialyoungpope and lastly my TikTok is imyoungpope

#GetSOM via @djspins & click here to celebrate Hip-Hop, lifestyle and culture.

Ness: The Philly Bad Boy

on March 9, 2024 Artist Goat Vibez Interviews add comment

Lloyd Mathis, known by his stage name Ness, is a talented American rapper and battle MC from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He rose to prominence through his participation in Diddy’s MTV reality show, Making the Band 2, from 2002 to 2004.

Ness’s journey continued as he signed with Bad Boy Records. He earned songwriting credits on Diddy’s 2006 album, Press Play. During his time on MTB2, Ness became known for his intense on-camera battle rap with Da Band member, Jae Millz. This battle became a notable example of a cappella battle rap in mainstream media at the time.

Ness later returned to his battle rap roots in 2010. He would captivate audiences with his stage presence, writing skills, and fast-paced flows unique to the vibrant Philadelphia rap scene.

Since then, he has showcased his talent on some of the biggest platforms in the battle rap culture, including King of the Dot, URL, Rare Breed Entertainment, Don’t Flop, Gates of the Garden, and Grind Time Now.

New Ventures

Throughout his career, Ness has faced jokes about his infamous task of fetching a cheesecake for Diddy during his Making the Band days. However, in a remarkable turn of events, Ness has redefined the cheesecake joke by launching “Ness Philadelphia Cheesecake”, a brand that has gained popularity within the music industry and hip-hop culture. This demonstrates his ingenuity and ability to transform a seemingly negative experience into a successful venture.

Since the Covid 19 days, Ness has been on a relentless mission to redefine himself. I have personally witnessed his remarkable rebranding journey. I have had the privilege of building a strong relationship with Ness, to the extent that he would visit my studio to write his rounds for upcoming battles, create reference tracks, or simply hang out and relax.

One thing that Ness consistently does is break the algorithm on Instagram every week. Since 2019, he has been dropping unique freestyle videos that go viral, showcasing his impressive rhyme schemes and captivating the attention of fans worldwide.

There was a time when the Philadelphia hip-hop industry felt that Ness was being overlooked or even blackballed. However, as of 2024, there is no denying the mainstream and underground presence of “Lew,” also known as the “Lockness Monster.” Ness’s relentless branding efforts and innovative business models have paved new lanes for him and garnered the attention and recognition he deserves.

Checkout The Latest Music From Ness

#GetSOM via @swag100 & click here to celebrate Hip-Hop, lifestyle and culture.

Justina Valentine Wilds Out With Jadakiss On Hot New Single “Mo’ Money”

on March 3, 2024 Artist Music TenthLetterMedia add comment

JUSTINA VALENTINE known world wide for role on the hit improv show Wild N’ Out is making it known she has bars! The singer, television host & actor has the collective ear of Hip-Hop with a new release “Mo Money” that features Hip-Hop icon Jadakiss.

Ever since her early release “Candy Land” featuring Fetty Wap, Justina has been able to hold her own lyrically. While not adhering to the labels that come with female emcees, it allows her to focus her talent and energy on tracks with some of the game’s prominent male counterparts.

Justina Valentine feat. Jadakiss- Mo’ Money

We got to chop it up with Justina on the Fleet DJs Celebrity Corner a few weeks ago. We listened to the song and knew right away that she has bars indeed! This was definitely the right track for Jada to hop on and a dope collaboration.

Valentine has both a style and uniqueness that is a different take from the evolving female presence in Hip-Hop. It’s dope to see music make it’s way back to the front of all this noise out here currently.

Check out the official music video for “Mo’ Money with Justina Valentine feat. Jadakiss down below! Let us know what you think of the track in the comments down there as well!