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Charlotte, NC by way of New Jersey/Connecticut

Being born in Connecticut and moving to Charlotte what was the biggest transition?

I moved to Charlotte in like, '97 so I was apart of the second wave of northern transplants. I suppose the biggest transition was the pace and the mentality. I don't believe one community was necessarily better than the other but they are certainly distinctively different. The politics are different, yet also the same in many ways. I went from living in a Black, high middle class Connecticut suburb to a rougher New Jersey neighborhood, to a city in the south in which it is commonplace to have all 3 socioeconomic classes on the same street (i.e. Trade St., Tryon St., Statesville Rd.), and the only consistent theme I've noticed is that people are PEOPLE everywhere you go. We all out here tryna figure it out, basically.

Where did the name Quill come from?

A Quill is an instrument used for writing, and so am I. I am an "ol' skool", "back to basics" type artist... I wanted to be a symbol that stood for something bigger than myself... something incorruptible.

Being that you're a poet and a Hip Hop MC, do you prefer one more than the other?

Not really. I usually perform a poem in every set. It all contributes to telling the story. It depends on the crowd as to which I prefer to perform at any particular show, I guess.

Now you are what we call a triple threat,we see you are a actor as well. Tell us about some of your acting roles.

I've been acting since I was a child but in 2012 I made my professional acting debut as “Herc” in On Q Productions’ “Rhyme Deferred” by Khamila Forbes. I also landed lead roles in productions at the Children's Theater of Charlotte, including "Liars" and the hip-hop adaptation of Stephen Crane's book "The Red Badge of Courage". I was also cast as the character "Julian" in Carolina Actor's Studio Theater's presentation of Idris Goodwin's "How We Got On" and will soon be seen portraying the character "Griot" in On Q Productions' award winning play "Miles & Coltrane". This August we head to Edinburgh, Scotland to play the Edinburgh International Festival August 1-26...

Being such a well rounded entertainer who inspires you?

Tupac, of course. Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, Andre 3000, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, T.I., and any other "came from nothing/underdog" story. James Brown, Chuck D, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, Bruce Springstein, Michael Jackson, Saul Williams, Steven Curtis Chapman, Frank Sinatra, Gil Scot Heron

What do you feel that you bring different to the entertainment industry?

Honesty.... The fact that I can honestly say that I'm not THAT different from any other person or artist. We all just want to be heard and felt at the end of the day. You either like the way I do me or you don't. That will never have a bearing on the kind of artist that I endeavor to be. There is nothing new under the sun. I am simply the culmination of pieces of every artist I listed in the last question with my own added individual flare. Just like any other REAL artist. (Laugh out loud) I "honestly" think that's a trick question.

If you had one chose of anyone to work with dead or alive who would it be and why?

Well I've already had the privilege of working with Talib Kweli on his "Gutter Rainbows Tour" after my song "So Sorry Momma" was featured on his "Community Mixtape". I guess next on the list is the other half of "BlackStar", the mighty Mos Def. One of the last real ones out here. He just strikes me as an infinite well of wisdom. Talib was pretty cool too, so you gotta figure... guilty by association maybe?

Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you?

Above all, I want to be remembered for being a lover of people and a positive influence on everyone I come in contact with. I want to be blessed only to be a blessing. #buhleedat

Twitter @Quillhiphop

Facebook.com/pages/Quill

www.quillhiphopqc.com

Twitter @Berelian-Laurent

Facebook.com/AlexandraBerelian-Laurent

Booking GT Management 540-748-7573

]]> http://thekonnected.net/alexandraberelian-laurent/feed/ 0 http://thekonnected.net/konnectedbl/ http://thekonnected.net/konnectedbl/#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:30:03 +0000 admin http://thekonnected.net/?p=9403 Do you have what it takes to be a battle rapper?

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KM - What was it like growing up in Memphis in Orange Mound in the 80’s?

8Ball - When I was growing up in Memphis in Orange Mound it was like Black Neighborhood USA. Orange Mound and Memphis we got our own vibe. It's like one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in Memphis where black people owned their own houses. I thank God I made it this far. Fatherless household, Momma’s only and she did the best with what she had. I always loved music and gravitated towards hip hop.

KM - What was it like at home and what type of music was Momma playin’ in the house?

8Ball - My Mom listened to a radio station in Memphis called WBIA. It was a AM station and they really played all types of music, like I might of heard rappers delight for the first time    on WBIA. But other than that my Momma was the type of Momma who used to clean the house every Saturday morning and she used to listen to that Marvin Gaye and Al Green stuff like that in the background you know what I'm sayin..

KM - So you had that feel good real good soul in the house?

8Ball - Yeah you know that was the music of the times, that's what my Moms used to listen to.You know I came up on all that soul music, me and MJG as a matter of fact. I always tell the story of how when we first went to Houston, Texas when we were young and created “Comin’ Out Hard”. A lot of those samples came from racks albums and 45's. I know a lot of young kids now don't even know what 45's are, so those reading this interview Google 45 inch records. So we went to Houston with a small bag with a lot of our clothes in it and our Moms’ records .Plus MJG’s father plays a lot of Brass like you would hear in the band, that's where a lot of where his musical influences come from. But a lot of those records you heard on the album came from our Moms’ record collection.

KM - It's good to hear that you took your musical interest so seriously and what you were brought up on created your sound. You weren't just putting it together based on what you thought the people wanted to hear, it was based on what molded you.

KM - So when did you and MJG actually meet?

8Ball - We like met in middle school 7th grade and we had a lot of the same classes together. We kicked it with a lot of the same people and we found out we stayed about 10 blocks away from each other and then found out that both of us loved shooting pool. After school      every day we would go shoot pool at this little cafe where they would let kids come in    there in the day and we'd shoot pool ‘til they kick us out.

KM - So you’re saying you got a mean game on the pool table 8 ball?

8Ball - Lol! Man sometimes..sometimes. Where you say you from?

KM -  I'm from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

8Ball - Ask DJ World who is out of Indianapolis about me, I done spanked him a few times. Lol.

KM - Lmao! I know I beat the breaks off of Flavor Flav.

8Ball - Yeah I ain’t gonna brag about it man but I'm not an easy win. Lol

KM -  That's what up, I look forward to trying to beat the legend. Lol

KM - When did you and MJG decide rappin’ is what y’all wanted to do?

8Ball - We both enjoyed hip hop music and at that time it was the break dance B-bop era. Joggin’ suits, link ropes you know. He was doin’ it with his friends and I was doin’ it with mine too. When we was around 14/15 we met DJ Squeaky and MJG's group of friends and my group of friends start hanging out together. We were pretty much the alphas out the pack and that's pretty much how we got together. After friends disappearing and friends going to jail and not interested in the music anymore it was 8 ball and MJG.

KM - How did you and MJG end up on Suave House [label]?

8Ball - Tony Draper who owned Suave at the time and us had mutual friends in business and he had already started Suave House. Folks in Memphis had told him you need to do somethin’ with Eight Ball and MJG. We had become a household name around Memphis and with knowing some of the same folks, it was history.

KM - What was it like making that first album?

8Ball - We flew out to Houston and stayed With Tony Draper’s girlfriend with 2 mattresses on the floor in a room in an apartment with a Tascam mixer and a keyboard. We made the “Comin Out Hard” album in 3 months.

KM - You did two more albums and then went on to solo projects. Was there any beef between   you and MJG?

8Ball - Nah, that's my brother. There was never any beef. If you notice when you listen to “Comin Out Hard” and the other 2 albums we each had solo songs on the album. MJG’s solo album came out first with Pimp Tight then Eight Ball’s “Lost” album was next.

KM -  I loved the “Lost” album, it seemed that you had some personal records on the album, which one was your favorite?

8Ball -  I loved all the records but the ‘My Home Boys Girlfriend’ was actually my manager’s girlfriend. I was workin’ a job and the situation happened so I wrote about it and changed the named to ‘My Homeboys Girlfriend’ to make it more entertaining for the listeners.

KM -  How did you end up on Bad Boy with Diddy?

8Ball -  We were done with the situation at Suave House and Diddy was starting up Bad Boy South. What other perfect way to start up the label than with the South’s very own Eight Ball and MJG? We had success with Didd and he played a great role in the videos and image and let us be free to create in the studio. ‘Don't Make Me’ was a big record with Diddy, it was a great experience but after two years it was time to move on.

KM - You guys left in 2007 and did a big record with Three Six Mafia. What was that like?

8Ball - It was the one of the biggest records to come out at that time. With everyone being from Memphis (Three Six Mafia, Young Buck & 8Ball and MJG) made it epic.

KM - Has the game changed since you came in the game?

8Ball - Most of it you can do yourself but the labels are looking for artists who are already together and have a buzz and a fan base so they don't have to do as much work.

KM - What about stage presence and performance?

8Ball - No, it hasn't changed. You got your Jay-Z's who stand there and deliver. Then you have your dancing rappers who dance around on stage. That's something that they've always done from then to now and you have audiences that gravitate to that.

KM - So what else has changed from then to now?

8Ball - My personal life has changed, I used to have to schedule my life around my career but now I schedule my career around my personal life.

KM - Who would you like to work with dead or alive?

8Ball - Dead, I would Love to work with Biggie, but I would love to work with Marvin Gaye. Man I mean just kick back with Marvin and blow some of that loud with a room full of bad women and just enjoy the environment. LOL! Alive, Kanye West. Now y’all know ya boy Eightball is a real cat in the streets and don't ride no man’s jock ya dig. But I'd like to work with Kanye. His first album I wasn't feelin’, but every one after that I’ve loved.

KM - So what do you have coming up?

8Ball -  Me and MJG have a live album/tour coming this year with new material and a mixtape with Bun B.

KM - What!!!!??

8Ball - Lol. Yeah it's coming this year.

KM -  I appreciate the time fam can't wait to get the music.

Follow him on Twitter @DAREAL_8ball

KM – Where did the name Styles P come from?

Styles P – Styles is my last name so I just adapted that into rap. I also go by Pinero a combo of two of my favorite actors. So that’s how the P comes in.

KM - How long have you been in the game?

Styles P – I’ve been in the game since 1995

KM – Was the L.O.X. a manufactured group or did you guys know each other before Bad Boy?

Styles P – We got together before the Bad Boy days in high school. Kiss and Sheek were from the same block and already doing it. I came along and the rest is history we been brothers ever since.

KM – What was it like working with Diddy and being on Bad Boy?

Styles P – It was great being on Bad Boy, it was like being on the Chicago Bull’s in the early 90’s. You had BIG and a bunch of great artist that were really great at what they did. We had tons of fun definitely the good ole days.

KM – What was your relationship with Biggie like?

Styles P – Biggie was a real ni$$a. He was fly, classy and the best that ever did it. He inspired us and schooled us to the game. We look at him as our Big Bro!

KM – Who started D-Block Records and what is your current label?

Styles P – The LOX started D-Block Records. We been in the game for a while, we understand it and wanted to play by our own rules so we started D-Block. It’s more than a label though it’s a lifestyle,a way of living, a way to go for yours when nobody wants to give you anything and you come up from the bottom.

KM – Tell me about your first novel invincible and what inspired it?

Styles P – It’s a great novel you can read the first two chapters for free on my website www.stylesp.net . I’m great with words & I was board on a plane one day and just started typing in my blackberry and it turned into a whole book. I wrote the whole thing in my blackberry.

KM- We appreciate you taking time out your day to interview with us much respect.

Styles P- Likewise

Follow him on Twitter @therealstylesp

Also visit his website www.stylesp.net

KM:  Since Crown Mob, your name has been ringing in the music industry for numerous reasons--music, relationships, the fight with Precious, you blossoming into a beautiful young woman, relationships.  With that being said, what actually happened with the situation in Love & Hip Hop Atlanta?

Diamond:  Well, I just felt like it really wasn't a good look for the Diamond brand. Television is definitely something Diamond is interested in and sees as a future option for the Diamond Brand.  The Diamond Team just felt like Love & Hip Hop Atlanta wasn't a good look for the Diamond Brand. Point blank, period.

KM:  There is some speculation as to whether it dealt with your ex-boyfriend, Lil' Scrappy, and his mother.  Did that have anything to do with it at all? Can you speak on that?

Diamond:  No, it didn't have anything to do with it.  At the end of the day, if the business is straight, then Diamond is with it.  Anybody who knows me or has done business with me, knows that if it ain't right, I'm not in it. That's all I'm gonna say on that.

KM:  When you decided to leave, were you surprised at all that K-Michelle elected to do the role in Love & Hip-Hop?

Diamond:  Unh-uh. I know K-Michelle. I wasn't surprised at all.

KM:  What's up next for Diamond?  I know you mentioned reality shows.  Are there any new projects on the table or any new music coming from Diamond?

Diamond:  Right now Diamond just dropped a mixtape, called The Young Life, featuring Keri Hilson and some hot producers.  It is the street LP that will give you an introduction to what the album is going to sound like, which I'm recording right now.  I just shot a video called, American Woman, featuring Verse Simmons.  I'm be walking onto 106 & Park within the next three weeks.  I've been working with Drumma Boy out in LA, as well.  I have a lipstick deal; it's called Secret Kisses, so you can order some Secret Kisses for your girl.  I have  a hair line that will debut at the Hair Show in Atlanta on February 16th.  My website, www.diamondatl.com, is my blog site, so my fans can keep up with what I'm doing day to day.  I have a charity with my father, called Project Payback.        Where we adopt schools, we go to the schools and talk to kids about the importance of not driving drunk, to stay away from drugs, and to keep an A-B average.  I sponsored a girl to go to the prom last year.

KM:  Well, it's good to see you in the industry and helping the community in more than one way.  Because there are so many people who come into the industry and just want to do music alone, which has stunted their growth business-wise.  Are there any movie roles coming your way?

Diamond:  Yeah, we've got some things in the work.  Y'all just stay tuned.

KM:  Now this question is from your female fans.  They want to know what do you do to stay so fit?

Diamond:  Well, I used to eat a lot of beef and pork and found out it wasn't really good for you.  After, I cut out beef and pork, I started only eating turkey.  I also work out daily.  So you just have to eat right, workout, jog, run, and you'll keep your body toned.

KM:  Since you are going into the lipstick and hair industry, have you ever considered going to the modeling industry?

Diamond:  Modeling is definitely in the works.  That is definitely in the works. I have already laid things out for 2013. You will see me online and in magazines. It's crazy how this 14 year old girl from Crime Mobb to evolve into this beautiful 24 year old young lady who people want my face to endorse their brand. It's just a blessing.

KM:  Before we let you go, what is your booking, contact, Twitter information? Can you shout that out real quick?

Diamond:  If you want to book me, you can e-mail me at diamondatlbookme@gmail.com; my blog site is www.diamondatl.com on Twitter and Instragram DiamondAtl

KM:  Dead or alive, who would you want to work with and why?

Diamond:  Michael Jackson, because we have similar pasts--growing up in the public eye at such a young age.  I know if I worked with him, he could create something even more beautiful.  He was such an inspiration in my childhood.

Follow her on Twitter @DiamondAtl

Visit her website www.http://diamondatl.com

KM: What's going on with Babs? When are we getting a record from the new Babs?

Babs: I'm working on my official album. I've got a few mixtapes out, but I've decided to work on my album presently. I have some great bangers on there. I've very excited about the whole different style. I'm feeling the new me and the new music>

KM: Tell me about the Back to Life. Was that just a mixtape joint?

Babs: Yes, Back To Life was a mixtape I put out recently. I worked on it with DJ Kurupt, and it was basically to let everyone know that I'm back and to give them a taste of the new me before we dropped the album.

KM: I think that was a perfect title. You came back out with a whole different swag, like a phoenix. Are you feeling brand new and resurrected?

Babs: I'm feeling brand new. I've got a brand new do, brand new money, and a brand new honey, baby!

KM: A brand new honey? Expand on that. Can you talk about that or are you going to keep that private?

Babs: Yeah, we're going to keep that private for right now. You'll hear all about it on the new album.

KM: When are we going to get the brand new single? Can you tell us the title and when you are going to release it?

Babs: No, I haven't picked it yet, but I will be releasing it within the next month or so. I have so many bangers that I can't decide. I have to make sure it's what the people want, the Babs that they're looking for.

KM: I've seen the Smack DVDs with the Queens of the Ring. This is just for the ladies in the industry. Tell me about the set-up and how it got started.

Babs: First of all, I want to make it clear that it's a female rap league. Yes, the girls battle, but I want to be the female Berry Gordy. I want to give the girls an opportunity to get branded. They don't just battle; they make music, too. It's the purest form of hip-hop here. These females are trying to kill each other lyrically in three rounds for three minutes per round. I provide a platform where I don't care how big your butt is or how big your breast is. I just want to showcase your lyrical style and give you a chance out here in this industry.

KM: How long has it been running?

Babs: It has been running for two years. We started from the bottom with just an idea. I am so proud of my partners who have helped me. I have loved watching Queens of the Ring grow and the females grow. There are females standing next to a guy. They are standing on their own and making a name for themselves.

KM: What do you do as far as your selection process? How do you go about picking who is part of the Queen of the Ring?

Babs: It's an audition process. What you see is the main event. That is for the big dogs. The audition process is called the sparring session. The fans have to rock with you and the judges have to agree you have enough to talent to go into the ring. Some girls stay in the sparring session forever; they never get out.

KM: Do you feel some of the ladies are coming to the event with pre-written material?

Babs: Well, battle rap today, everybody is writing their stuff. This is no longer the 1980s where people freestyle. These girls know who they are battling at least a month in advance, so they have a month to write their bars.

KM: Are we ever going to see Babs Bunny back in the ring?

Babs: As a CEO, it would have to be a great match up. The right match up would be someone who has been in the industry for a while and has the skills to battle me, and the money has to be right.

KM: That's what's up. Where are you looking to take Queen of the Ring in the next two years? TV?

Babs: Definitely. I want to make people realize that this is a lifestyle. Battle rap is a lifestyle, and I want to show all of it, not just the battling, on TV. I just got the numbers today that for 2012, there were 79 million views for battle rap. It's a big movement, and this is underground. So it definitely needs to be on TV.

KM: When is the next Queen of the Ring battle going to take place?

Babs: February 23rd, Brooklyn, New York at the Judah Brothers Gym.

KM: Are there any other interests that you have out there?

Babs: Right now, my interest is getting my baby, Queens of the Ring, on television. That is my main focus right now, other than putting out my music. Make sure you check out my mixtape and Queen of the Ring on Youtube.

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KM – Now you have been in the game for a while so you must have some type of musical influence in your family. Who influenced you growing up in Brooklyn?

Rampage – My mom’s held down me and my sisters and my pops was making music with my Uncle Brian. He was a guitarist, so that’s where I get my influence from.

KM – How was it coming in the game in 1992 with the “Beware of the Rampsack”?

Rampage – It was on Rowdy Records; it was a great experience being with my first cousin, which is Busta Rhymes. He saw my grind, and I was with him every day in the Leaders of the New School era. So he paved the way for me to make moves.

KM – Where did you get the Last Boyscout tag from?

Rampage – It came from battling in the park in Brooklyn. Also having that aggressive voice and being in Flatbush around Special Ed, UTFO, Dana Dane, Chubb Rock, Whodini and Brother J from X- Clan inspired me to have my Last Boyscout theme ‘cause back then you needed a theme.

KM – When the Flipmode formed, how long were they around you before you formed the group?

Rampage – In the beginning, it was always me, Busta, Splif and DJ Scratchator. Sham came along when I was shooting my “Take it to the Streets” video in Queens. Lord Have Mercy was also with us at the time. We went to a Q-Tip concert and seen Rah Digga spitting on stage pregnant and she was going in. So Q-Tip and Busta chopped it up, and the next thing I know she was the 1^st Lady of Flipmode.

KM – Now y’all had a very hot album and everyone was wondering what happen with Flipmode.

Rampage – I tell you this. We all talked, and there comes a point when everyone got to do their own thing. There’s nothing wrong with that. We just had to take a break. Maybe we will get back together and do it even bigger.

KM – Being a rapper you have to have bars, but you write records for other people also.

Rampage - I ghost write for a lot of people in the industry over the years. I’m always writing, but lyrically I’m a monster. I get a lot of weird calls about helping people out with hooks or songs. Again, I thank my father for that musical gene. I’m nice with that pen!

KM – You got certifications to support that you’re nice: Grammy’s, MTV Awards, BET Awards. Speak on that.

Rampage - There’s a lot of artists that never get to see these awards. I put in work from the ground up. I call the awards degrees. When you go to school the degree lets you know you accomplished great work. I get to see my degrees. I signed up in ’92, and I just wanted to rap I didn’t expect all this to happen, and I had a cousin who really cared for me and I haven’t looked back since.

KM – You work with, not only write, for Hip Hop artists but R&B artists, as well. How does that differ?

Rampage – R&B is bigger, but it’s still the same thing. I don’t know how to sing, but I can write it for someone to sing. If you can produce, you should be able to produce for anyone. Being around people like Alisha Keys, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, you get inspired. You be in the studio and be like who is this dude and they be like he’s the writer and he making them hits. My pen game is sharp.

KM – Tell us what “Ramps World” is.

Rampage – It’s about where I’m going, what I’m trying to do, where I’m at right now. People want to know where I’ve been and about all my ups and down, things that you go through as an artist. All the people I’m still in contact with. I didn’t understand the industry in the beginning. It was too fast for me. You got to watch the show; it’s going to keep your attention and give you insight on me as an artist.

KM – Let us know about Rampage as a CEO.

Rampage – I have a few artists under my belt I’m working with. You have to look out for the artists, and let them know the real industry and instill in them what it really takes to get to the next level. I was introduced to the game by Busta, so I have to help artists out, as well.

KM – What do you think the biggest misconception of the industry is as a whole?

Rampage – We set a lot of tones in the 90’s. Music back then felt good. Now it doesn’t feel good right now. People are not buying music or respecting music like they need to, but it will come around 360.

Twitter and Instragram @therealrampage