Interview #6 With Laupi D (aka Dennis Dekker)

Laupi D was born on March 25th, 1980, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is an mc/producer/beatmaker, who continues to work hard to show the world his brand of Hip Hop. He began a group in 1995 named the OYG. He has been making music since 1995. In 1999, he placed third in an international rhyme competition in London. His first cd that he was involved with was brought out in 2006 ZiekelijkeInspiratie with the Hip Hop group called Gekkenwerk.

In 2011 Laupi D started to make music with LvStong, a Uk/grime mc. They started a movement called South Stone Retro Entertainment. Laupi D and LvStong also brought 2 cds so far, degekkeBubbelsMixtape and the Garage Mixtape. The first one came out in 2012 and the GarageMixtape came out this year. They're now making new EPs that will come out soon. He also continues to work with MassifBeatz, at Studio Starbuxx.

I hope you continue to listen to his works of musical art (as I will), I know he would appreciate the support. I can't wait to hear what they come out with next, as they continue to push Hip Hop in the Netherlands (and with your help, the world).

For now, let's continue with our question and answer segment...

His personal feelings about Hip Hop...

What influenced you to get into Hip Hop?

"I was influenced because of my background, I grew up in a rough neighborhood and I was trying to stay out of trouble so I decided to write poetry."

What artists drew you into Hip Hop?

"I listened to many famous mc's like Erick Sermon, Redman , Notorious B.I.G., Nine, and KRS-One. I'm a 90's kat still on that old school stuff. I've never listened to mainstream and I never will."

Who is your influences as far as making a beat goes?

"My influence on a beat is typical raw old school, such as 9th Wonder and DJ Premier. I like using short sampling and being creative with the mpd."

What was it like growing up? What experiences did that help you bring to the mic?

"My time growing up I kept myself busy with music all the time. This thing being behind the mic never disappeared because it's a gift doing that. It certainly got me off the streets those early days. In my youth, I saw people getting involved with drug problems and other criminal activity, I thought I don't wanna become like that. All my hard work as a youth, helped strengthen my mic control, it still does."

What does Hip Hop do for you personally?

"When I'm feeling down or happy, I always write and meditate on a beat. If you give me a pen and paper,  I'll be on it for hours. It's a way of living for me, now-a-days."

His life lived alongside Hip Hop...

What is the name of your Studio?

"My studio is GWP, Gekkenwerk Producties, in Rotterdam, Netherlands."

What are some of the projects you have been a part of that have been released?

"My first cd was brought out in 2006 Ziekelijke Inspiratie under GWP (a cooperative work with SKUT and Wilskracht, two of his partners). After that in 2008, we brought out a Gekkenwerk mixtape (also a cooperative project that involved SKUT and Wilskracht). In 2010, my first solo EP came out, Laupi D- De Re-Incarnatie. When my first solo EP came out, I was already busy with new plans for a second EP. That double EP came out in 2013 called,  Laupi D - Kunst Zinnige Rijm Poezie + Bonus Features. My solo cds I started myself."

Who are some of the people you have worked with?

"Between 1996 and 2008, I have worked with many artists like Illadust, SKUT, Wilskracht, Krankjorum, Paranoia, Moonchild , Redicillis, and many more (you know who you are)."

When did you and LvStong come in to contact and what music have you brought out so far?

"In 2011, LvStong and I came together, he did UK/garage type music at the time and we just hit it off and been making music ever since. We also started our own movement, South Stone Retro Entertainment. Our collaboration has created two cds (so far), degekkeBubbelsMixtape and the GarageMixtape brought in 2012 and 2013. We're now working on the making of new EPs."

What goals do you have as an artist?

"My goal is to be an individual that inspires the next generations with that old school. I'm talking retro stuff about the early days. Sometimes I do a brag and boast flow but I bring a good message is my statements. I only talking about my life experience, what I've been through."

 How did you come in contact with Massif and what is your relationship like?

"We came in contact with Massif in 2012. He was on Soundcloud giving reactions on our music and he said he liked our style, so we decided to go to Belgium to Studio Starbuxx."

How was that experience?

"We worked great with the guy, we had this connection like frequently being on a good level and vibe, so we were productive anytime we went there. He had never worked with mcs that were so productive in a very short time. We made seven tracks in thirty-three hours. Its great working with somebody who has so much experience (we learned a lot from him), but he learned things from us too. He liked our way of recording and production. I can't stress enough how I am always on a good vibe with that man."

 

Thanks Laupi D for this opportunity! I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours! Below are some links to his musical media:

Laupi D-Oldskool (prod. by Gio Priest) link:
https://soundcloud.com/dennisdekker-1/laupi-d-oldskool-prod-by-gio-p

Laupi D-BamBam Hit It (prod. by Massifbeatz) link:
https://soundcloud.com/dennisdekker-1/laupi-d-bambam-hit-it-prod-by

Laupi D's soundcloud:

www.soundcloud.com/dennisdekker-1

Laupi D's youtube:

www.youtube.com/laup2012

LvStong's soundcloud:

www.soundcloud.com/lvstong

Here's how ton contact Laupi D for booking: laupdd95@gmail.com

article by: Craig Ludwig

Feature: Sean Dean's Heart and Soul: Not Just a Song, It's Also One Man's Mentality and Dreams

"Before I die, I want to make to make one classic album or mixtape. One that grabs a cult following and moves people in a way they never expected. That's the thing about my music, it's all from my Heart and Soul." --Sean Dean

Sean Dean is really going all out on this mixtape starting with the track, Heart & Soul. He keeps posting things on Facebook; "I think this needs more play if I'm honest.", "This song needs to be blogged.", and "Got nothing but props for this song phone calls and all sorts. So I'm assuming you like this style lol cool cool I know my zone. Thanks team 220.". This is a sign of sheer confidence and trying to keep the confidence alive. He has ten more songs to go for the mixtape, so let's understand what he is trying to do.


It's hard being an artist, you are always worried about how it will be received even if that is not your focus in your music. It is hard to fight on as an artist if there is no support. This song is a nice car driving piece (and something to dance to) that will get your head banging in a positive way, for sure. Let's all turn our head to the UK and wait patiently as this artist, Sean Dean, pours his heart and soul into his music (produced by KBeetheOriginal). 

I invite you to go like his FB page to make it easier for you to follow him (link):
https://www.facebook.com/SeanDeanMusic?fref=ts

Link to his new song, Heart & Soul:
https://soundcloud.com/kbee-original/sean-dean-heart-soul-prod

article by: Craig Ludwig

Feature: The History of the Hip Hop Beef-Part Two

Hip Hop feuds (beefs) have continued to fuel Hip Hop even now, in todays Hip Hop community. The more recent beefs that are noteworthy are, Nas vs. Jay-Z, Min, B.o.B. vs. Tyler the Creator, and Kendrick Lamar vs. New York. It further demonstrates that ego is a powerful source within Hip Hop and can be said to be the strength behind the back bone of Hip Hop. Ego is what gives artists the confidence to market their own brands and the ones who express their egos deeply usually get commercial success.

Hip Hop beefs definitely keeps us entertained and the one that comes out the victor gets more notoriety as well, where the loser usually gets taken out of the game completely (sorry losers! But not in the case of Jay-Z vs. Nas where no real victor was declared). Feuds have shown that they continue to help sell records, so I don't think they will ever go away. I think we will see beefs in the future as long as Hip Hop still exists.

Nas vs. Jay-Z...

When Notorious B.I.G. died, it left the spot of Hip Hop's King of New York open and there were two MCs that went after each other lyrically to gain the spot, Nas and Jay-Z. In the year of 1997, Jay-Z was the first one to claim the throne with the joint, The City is Mine off of his album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.  Nas, the only MC at the time who was seen to be capable of rivaling Jay-Z, responded on his track We Will Survive (in 1999, it was released on his album I Am...).

Tension grew, but it took about one year for either of them to add fire to their growing rivalry. Jay-Z openly mocked Nas on stage at Hot 97 radio station's Summer Hip Hop festival, in 2001. Nas retaliation came in the form of a freestyle over an Eric B. and Rakim's instrumental of Paid In Full (he effectively dissed most of the R.O.C. crew). The freestlye was later named, illmatic and also H To The Homo. It is speculated that the freestyle was used to promote his new album, illmatic. 

Jay-Z responded with a song off of his new album Blueprint, called Takeover. The song talked about how Nas has failed to reach his amount of commercial success (it also questioned Nas about being authentic in his game). This track was well received by Hip Hop listeners from all around. Nas answered back with Ether, it was equally liked as Takeover, and was included on his new album, illmatic. It attacked Jay-Z for exploiting his work with Biggie. These two songs really put the spotlight on the Hip Hop community, because it was a rivalry that was displayed through art.

Takeover issued a warning and it was followed by a freestyle over the radio that was to be named, Super Ugly. In Super Ugly, Jay-Z claimed that he had sexual relations with Carmen Bryan, the mother of Nas' daughter. It also claims that Allen Iverson had sexual relations with her as well. After this track, there were rumors that a freestyle battle was going to come through a pay-per-view venue, but this never happened. Jay-Z later apologized for things that he said in Super Ugly, because it played on New York City radio stations and his own mother got upset.

Nas fired back in his track Last Real Nigga Alive, where he compared himself as being Tony Montana and Jay-Z as being Manolo Ribera. Soon after the release of this song, the feud started to die down. Both got more commercial success out of it and they formally shut the beef down in 2005 at an October event during Jay-Z's tour, "I Declare War". Nas performed with Jay-Z as well as performing a few songs of his own. No winner was ever decided in this beef, but since, both artists have paid tribute to each other in interviews and such.

Tyler the Creator vs. B.o.B. ...

Yonkers was released in the beginning of 2011 (as a digital download) and it dissed B.o.B. for his song, Airplanes. Tyler meant for the song to be about the lackluster and unoriginality that was coming out of B.o.B. and other artists of today. B.o.B. got offended and released a diss track called, No Future (that was also aimed at Odd Future, who Tyler is a member of). Tyler responded and said that he wasn't used to seeing B.o.B. coming out like this and then he uploaded a response to his Twitter account.

B.o.B. continued dissing Odd Future, while on a track with Tech N9ne and Hopsin (Am I a Psycho?). This was denied by B.o.B. and ever since this dissing, it is funny. You don't really find B.o.B. around very much. The word is that Tyler the Creator was the victor in this one.

Kendrick Lamar vs. New York...

Kendrick Lamar has quickly reached fame in his short but famed career while working with Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion), have gone as far as saying that Kendrick Lamar is the new king of West Coast rap. When Kendrick Lamar got on Big Sean's track, Control. He referenced himself as being the King of New York, MCs like Papoose and Joell Ortiz quickly came in response to this. Many regard their responses as being more artistic in nature than Kendrick Lamar.

This all seems, by many, as being another spark that is being lit by Hip Hop. One that will open up a discussion of who is the king of this and who is the king of that. I would have to say that by looking over the overall existence of Hip Hop right now, the chair is up for grabs, but there are a few that are getting closer to it. Keep making music ya'll...

To further understand the beefs talked about in this piece, here are some links about them:

"The City is Mine"-Jay-Z ft. Blackstreet link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTvMYODhjNw

"We Will Survive"-Nas link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYiu9fhUleg

"Takeover"-Jay-Z link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMHtwyrt2X0

"Ether"-Nas link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ePQKD9iBfU

"Yonkers"- Tyler the Creator link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbZidsgMfw

"No Future"- B.o.B. link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCnbRIcRXC0

"Control"- Big Sean ft. Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZZo0XSm5s

Papoose- Control Response(diss) link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF6p58cl5A4

"Outta Control"- Joell Ortiz (kendrick diss) link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d3h3mkbg0M

Main Source:

http://www.wikipedia.org/

written by: Craig Ludwig

Legends of Hip Hop #4: Gang Starr: The Story of Two Geniuses

Gang Starr took the music world by storm with their brand of Hip Hop. They brought so much knowledge to Hip Hop, lyrically and to the production side of things that their impact is still felt in the world today.

They came from Boston, Massachusetts in 1985 by Keith Elam (who was to be known as Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down( aka Mike Dee). At the time they worked producers, Donald D and DJ Mark the 45 King. In 1987 and 1988, they released three singles on twelve inch through Wild Pitch Records. In the year of 1989, the group split but Guru was still determined to work under the name of Gang Starr. He soon got in touch with a Houston native that went by the name of DJ Premier( known as Waxmaster C at the time). He sent him a beat tape of his works, in which Guru liked and the marriage of these two innovators was set from there on out.

Guru sort of strong armed him into joining Gang Starr with him and in 1989, their first single was released, Words I Manifest that was a part of their first album, No More Mr. Nice Guy. They were signed quickly in the year of 1990 to the record label Chrysalis by then A&R director Duff Marlowe (a Los Angeles Times rap critic and former DJ). The label was London based and they offered them an unlimited artistic license along with a major-label distribution worldwide. Under this deal, the group became one of the most influential groups in Hip Hop history. They really were a major player in forming the hardcore Hip Hop sound of the East Coast.

Gang Starr's whole discography is good especially, 1990's Step in the Arena. With songs like, "Just to Get a Rep", "Who's Gonna Take the Weight?", "Lovesick", and "Step in the Arena" (these all being the singles off that album), Gang Starr climbed to #5 on the Hot Rap Singles charts. It really is a good Hip Hop mainstream piece that stays in the realm of the underground as well.

In 1992, Gang Starr came out with Daily Operation, in which Guru touched on various topics, to the government, women, pro-Black rights, anti-prejudice, weed smoking, and anger and sadness. Each track, both Guru and DJ Premier were given the producer credit. It had two hit singles, "Ex Girl to Next Girl" which landed at #5 on the Hot Rap Charts and "Take It Personal" which landed at #1 on the Hot Rap Charts. The album itself hit #14 on the Top R&B/Rap Albums and hit #65 on the Billboard chart.

In 1994, Gang Starr came out with their fourth album as a duo, Hard to Earn. It included one of their most well known songs of all time, "Mass Appeal".  It hit #2 on the Top R&B/ Rap Albums chart and #20 on the Billboard chart. It was a less melodic album than their earlier releases but it was substituted with more hard edges. They later came out with two more well crafted albums.

Guru and DJ Premier continued to work together until 2005. When 2006 rolled around, Guru mentioned that Gang Starr had completely come to an end in several interviews. In February 2010 Guru suffered a heart attack which placed him into a coma until April 10, 2010 when he unfortunately died. The fortunate thing is the great legacy that he left behind. Decades of music and influence given to the Hip Hop World. Gang Starr left behind a collection of masterful works that included six studio albums. Their voice in the Hip Hop community is still heard and DJ Premier continues to pump out his brand of Hip Hop beats and productions. Guru is known as one of the greatest MCs to ever rock the mic and DJ Premier as one of the greatest producers that has ever hit the speakers. 

Here are some various links to support the old school Hip Hop brand of Gang Starr:

"Mass Appeal" video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9lNbNGbo24

"Just to Get a Rep" video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2y85V8v8N8 

"Take It Personal" video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8RFXKVpLGQ

Main Source:
Wikipedia.com

Feature: B. Free's "Behind the Smoke" Mixtape

B. Free has a finished product in his second mixtape, Behind the Smoke. Let's check this out and see what we are working with here:

Behind the Smoke- the intro...

He starts off with the intro track, Behind the Smoke produced by Brownz9000. In this track, he challenges his listeners to get to know him, even if you think you know him. He implies that's what this mixtape is all about, it's going to give you a glimpse into his own life.

Smoke Proper- #2...

Is a dope track on why he smokes, uplifts him from all the everyday tom foolery. It takes you through his mind and what he does and feels when he smokes the "budda". Smoke Proper was produced by Triforce.

I Do This...- #3...

I Do This..., is a track produced by KBeetheOriginal (a hot producer out of the UK), that talks about how he does his Hip Hop and that it is not going to stop. He spits the fire proper with the confidence needed to let all ya'll listeners know that he means what he is saying.

Love To Me- #4...

Another track produced by KBeetheOriginal (you can see why he works with him, beats are dope), Love To Me, is a great lyrical track which he continues to show his confidence when it comes to the topic of making love. The metaphors really drive this track and separate it from other artist's attack on this topic. His chorus is very well written and catchy as another highlight to this track.

Can I Live- #5...

A joint that I see is about living the good life, partying and having fun. He's going to live the way he feels he should and can't no one stop him from living life how he sees it. It's transitions are smooth and the chorus is top notch. It's produced by Gio Priest (a hot producer/artist from the Netherlands).

She Cool- #6...

This one is a nice and cool jam that talks about girls attracted to that MC swagger. It is very strong lyrically starting off with Airplane Erik (as the feature on this track) and ends with B. Free. It is produced by a producer that goes by Jake.

Wasteland- #7...

Another dope track over a Gio Priest production that is about real Hip Hop. He brings that fire and lyrical that true Hip Hopheads crave.

To Moms(Interlude)- #8...

A track about his moms giving her the respect due to what a mother does for her children. It features Light Mike, who also talks about his moms too. A true lyrical effort on an underrated topic with a clean beat to go with it produced by Tri Muzik.

No Hands- #9...

Spits some lyrical about his confidence on how easy it is for him, and he demonstrates that he's got a knack for Hip Hop track by track. This track was produced by Diss Brothers (dope beat).

NYC- #10...

A track representing his city, New York City. He throws respect to Run DMC and Biggie. It is a nice lyrical track that shows you New York City through his eyes bar for bar. Produced by the up and coming producer FoxaZ Beats.

Memories and Munchies- #11...

A song looking back into the days playing around as a kid. Nice reminiscent track about the video games that many used to play back in the day. Great metaphors in this one with a ambitious abstract sounding chorus. This jam featured both Light Mike and Rodini and was produced by Triforce (coming together to make a great complete track).

Crabs in a Bucket- #12...

A Hip Hop piece about facing haters during a young man's life. You can see B. Free struggled with people trying to take what is his during his early life. He just preaches about how low it is and how all these people want a lot in life but don't want to work for it, so they end up taking from another. Nice real track, produced by Gio Priest.

Good Times- #13...

A song that showcases to live your life and do what you do no matter who dislikes what you are doing. Life is short so have a good time, why do people always have to criticize? The beat is banging and it is another track produced by Gio Priest.

Worth- #14...

This jam asks a person of their worth, dope chorus that makes you think. Very lyrical featuring Airplane Erik and Light Mike, they question why many live their lives in a shallow way. I love the rhythmatics when it comes to each bar. The beat is very fresh produced by FoxaZ Beats.

Mistakes- #15...

Beat is proper in this one, with all the hits and additions, produced by Gio Priest. B. Free comes correct in this one as well, bomb lyrics with words that speak of mistakes as being a part of everyday life. Mistakes are made and how you handle them is what makes you who you are.

She Wanna Baby- #16...

A song about how girls can dig a person so much they think too far ahead in the future. It can be stressful to a man when all he wants to do is have some fun. Production is tip top, produced by Gio Priest. B. Free coordinates his bars well around this one.

Lie Detect Realness- #17...

He really nails it in to be real and that he is real. Bar for bar, there are no lies in this young MC of 25 years old. This was produced ToniQ, who came up with a good abstract piece.

This being the last track, looking over the whole composition, B. Free and all the producers did a good job. B. Free did a great job capturing the emotions in each track and covering it with his own. This was definitely a fun listen and I'd definitely listen to it again. He is trying to be real with his listeners about his life and I think he accomplished what he set out to do. Can't wait for the next piece of music that comes out of this MC.

To listen to the full mixtape:

 http://www.datpiff.com/B-Free-Behind-The-Smoke-mixtape.422239.html

Interview #5 With Gio Priest

Gio Priest is an up and coming artist, out of the Netherlands, who really seems to get the true essence of the Hip Hop spirit. It reflects in his music and in the way that he carries himself. You can tell that he is not going to give up on his craft, he is only going to get better. He has really come into his own and realizes what his goals are and how he is going to meet them.

He seems to be one of those inquisitive minds that always questioned things growing up until he found the answers that he wanted to find so that he can apply them to his life in a positive and productive manner. He's able to communicate his feelings like paintings that clearly show what he is trying to tell you like the great artists from the past (in music and in general art). He is a poet/artist/producer, but really, I think they all go hand in hand. I hope you all appreciate this interview as much as we at Rebel Noiz did, it was a real treat.

The Questions...

As a Hip Hop producer/artist, what are your aspirations and dreams?

"As a Hip Hop producer/artist my aspirations is to change the music game and image of the audience into a more positive note (towards themselves and music). Bringing back the art in music like how it was back in the 80’s and 90’s, I am talking about attitude and appreciation for creativity in the art form of Hip Hop.

Dreams, well to brand my name GioPriest as GioPriest type beats cause all my beats has an authentic positive feel to it! I hope to get recognition as a top producer."

What drew you to Hip Hop? What was that moment in time that made you think this is what I want to do?

"Well as a youth I listened to a lot of Hip Hop break beats on the radio but it all came to me on a vacation to Puerto Rico when I saw a poster of Beat Street and I begged my dad to take me to watch the movie. I guess they decided to take me  because they saw Harry Belafonte name on their ..lol .. Anyway when I sat there and the movie started… something happened to me.. I sat there with my mouth open throughout the movie like it was talking to me and at the end of the movie it told me like this is who you are! Hip Hop"

Who are your influences?

"My influences are KRS 1 Boogie Down productions, Scott La Rock was one of my favorite producers that got me into the art of becoming a producer(well wishing to become a producer at that time). DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Jungle Brothers, De La soul, Outkast, Hieroglyphics, Nas, Kurtis Blow, Eric B &Rakim, and when LL Cool J dropped I’m Bad… I started writing and freestyling. But before all that I grew up listening to a lot of soul tracks my dad used to play in the house like Al Green, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Peter Tosh, just to name a few."

What experiences do you draw from life and put into your music?

"Everything! The pain, struggle and life. Being born in the Caribbean under the Dutch Netherlands flag is never an easy life, it’s hard to maintain a sense of self and growth. When I was wrongfully or let we say racially removed from college like ‘the mysterious disappearing of my resists’, I didn’t know what to do then and I entered a state of depression for a while, so what I did is I put all my frustrations into pen and paper and wrote poetry and rhymes. It was later that I decided to make beats. It’s like therapeutic to me in a sense and later it became an art form during my development in becoming a Hip Hop producer. Music to me is like a life on its own. It has not only one color but volumes of different colors all melodically put together, that’s why Hip Hop is worldwide and brings people together in a way politics can’t! Guess that’s why all my beats got a soulful attitude towards it. Like it speaks for itself."

What do you focus more on, your production or being an MC? Why do you chose that over the other?

"Well, as a producer I have the freedom to create and compose melodies in a way that can move people and change their attitudes towards life. I have also noticed by listening to some artists, which I won’t mention here, is that their beats are so dark that it doesn’t do anything else then amplify depression and frustration while music especially Hip Hop supposed to relieve feelings! I think it's supposed to be about MCing, DJing, and party and enjoyment! It started from there and I didn’t like the direction where it was going and where it is now, so I changed my focus from becoming an artist and got more into becoming a producer."

How was it like growing up? What did you enjoy doing as a youth?

"Growing up was ok...had some hard times along the way. What I like doing was recording my voice on a tape deck, making up improvised stories and such. I liked playing baseball which I was good at and hanging out with my friends in the hood. I liked breakdancing and listening to a lot of music."

What type of equipment do you use to produce your music?

"For now, it’s a Laptop, a mpc and keyboard, Roland Monitors, Reason & Pro Tools applications."

What are some of the things coming out in the future?

"Well it depends on the amount of artists that I will be working with now and in the future. Am hoping to create hits in every production I make. Like I got beats that would even change the image of artists such as Nas, for example and beats that would amplify the lyrics of artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Papoose to name a few so you can get an idea what I am aiming at. But my focus is the underground artists.  I plan on bringing out mixtapes, beat tapes which will hopefully be out this season and an EP which I will officially bring out as an artists. I am also currently starting off a low profile project with a Hip Hop producer named Chain Isadoria who works at Horizon Music Group-Elm City Music (EMI). I am also hoping to make tracks for artists such as B.Free… Mayhem.. Ibn Hassan.. AKL from Germany and much more artists from the underground scene, cause they have a lot more to say and show to the audience right now. And I am also scouting for new talents to work with at the moment."

What is a piece that you are most proud of as a musician and why? Give us a description of what it means and symbolizes to you.

"Well for a very long time I did not pick up the mic and when I did the first track I recorded, it was a track called Africa which will be coming out soon on my mixtape and a track that B.Free did called Keep Pushing. Africa is very radio playable and has a certain feeling to it which people are currently missing out on in music and Hip Hop. I can’t really describe it, it’s that good conscious feeling I guess and Keep Pushing, which is also gonna be on the mixtape. His lyrics and beat came together nicely on that joint! There are a few more, to be honest . I am proud of every work I do cause I put everything into it and it has a life of its own."

So you run EastWind Productionz, how did you get the name and how did that all come about?

"EastWind derived from the Book of Exodus when God used the eastwind to bring the locust unto the Egypt because the Pharoah refused to let the Isrealites go free. You can see this in the Book of Exodus 14:19-31."

"I don’t wanna get religious in this interview but I got that from God. I didn’t know at that time under what name to start this off with, so I prayed and that’s the answer I got! Guess it fits perfectly with the standards of Hip Hop at the moment, symbolically speaking."

Who else is involved in EastWind Productionz along with you?

"So far just me."

Who are some of the artists you have worked with?

"So far I worked with, B.Free, AKL from Germany, Muggnasty, Nick B, Ibn Hassan, Redi Brown, Judah Leon, Jdotmason, and I did a track with DisObey from California."

Who are some of the artists you are currently working with?

"Mayhem, PsalmStar, , Brash & AybeOmari which am currently working with now… Laupi D from the Netherlands. You can find them all on Soundcloud. I am just getting started..."

What are some of the artists that you are listening to now?

"Well that’s a pretty hard question, guess that’s why I am constantly in the studio. Kendrick Lamar woke up the dead with his verse but we on the underground were already on that tip before he ever thought about writing his first verse on Control. It's just that the cameras are pointing in the wrong direction cause here on the underground is where Hip Hop is at and we are coming! Crooked I, Saigon, got some ill joints on there and Killah Priest, Lecrea and Joey Badass is what’s dope right now! But I know there are more artists out there waiting to be heard and am waiting to drop tracks for them when it all comes together."

How does something from your everyday life influence you in your music?

"Well, right now the social services in the Netherlands are trying to hang me on the cross before I take off  into success. They are bringing made up claims and such and creating a bigger hole into my pockets that makes things more stressful for me at the moment but I believe that every successful artists out there that made it met such obstacles in their life, especially when they noticed that your gifted and can make a powerful difference in the world public view when it comes to music. But like music, you evolve and grow so that’s how I look at it and go about it in my music."

I see you are a poet, is there a way for the readers to come in contact with your poetry?

"Nah, for now that’s just something I do in my own private time. Maybe in the future I might drop something here and there...who knows."

How can people go about getting your beats?

"They can just hit me up on Soundcloud, Reverbnation or on my Facebook page and we can take it from there. I find that for me it’s a much better way between the artist and me. Building a work  bridge together and a good communication for the long term."

Here are some links to Gio Priest:

His website:

http://www.giopriest.com/

His Soundcloud (to check out a lot of his work):

https://soundcloud.com/gio-priest

His Reverbnation (has his Youtube videos and other works):

http://www.reverbnation.com/eastwindproductionz

Some of the music, I'd like you to check out too:

Crooked I- https://soundcloud.com/gio-priest/crooked-i-yodo-remix-produced

Keep Pushing- B.Free produced by Gio Priest:

https://soundcloud.com/bfreeqnz/keep-pushing-by-b-free

Oldskool- Laupi D produced by Gio Priest:
https://soundcloud.com/dennisdekker-1/laupi-d-oldskool-prod-by-gio-p