Interview #10 With Lord Axe aka Blessing Sibusiso Ngobeni of South Africa

Lord Axe aka Blessing Sibusiso Ngobeni,  was born in Soweto, South Africa. His name is starting to grow due to his works with artists all over the world and his promotion as well that spreads all throughout South Africa. He was raised in a family of five, two brothers and his mom and dad.

His early education involved Basani as his primary school and he completed his Matric at Vuwani Secondary School. He attended college at Rosebank Collage for one year with the intent on studying graphic design and web development, but due to financial troubles, he couldn't continue. In college, he met Black Stoan, a South African musician, who taught him how to play the guitar. Within five months, Lord Axe was playing in front of audiences. He began playing guitar for the port Sis Pelokazi and he also played the guitar for the legendary punk artist, Blondie.

The Music...

Axe discovered his love for music at age 10 (and it has never stopped). In 2005 at age 14, he joined the choir and became a tenor and bass soloist. In 2006, he began taking drama and poetry classes and it was through poetry that his love for Hip Hop grew. In 2008, he met Duncan aka McCoy (his stage name) and he become his music mentor. McCoy  taught him how to play the piano as well as how to be a music producer.

Together they made some hits songs such as, "Why You Getting Me Twisted", "Disgrace", "Gcwala", and more. By the year 2009, Lord Axe was working on his new mixtape with McCoy, but since McCoy passed away in 2010, it was never released. In 2011, he started working with producers, Oscar Mafadza and Brian Shibanda and in April 2012, his mixtape, The Real McCoy was released. It featured such talented artists as, SFs, Kay E (a very successful unsigned Hip Hop artist), Golden Horn Award winner, Ronnie Nyakane (and more).

The mixtape yielded the hit songs, "No Turning Back", "HIanya More", and "Thula Ungabo Khala". After The Real McCoy, Lord Axe released a six song EP called, Under the Influence, which is available to download online. Now, Lord Axe is currently working on his second mixtape, Above the Influence. This is just the beginning folks, which is what he states. He tells us the best is yet to come.

The Interview...

What made you get into music?

"I was raised in a family with a very strong music background…. I grew up listening to opera music and i sang in school choir and in a community choir conducted by my brother."

What keeps your love for music alive?

"Every Artist I work with here in South Africa believes in, my fans and every one that appreciate my music out there in the whole world."

How does your life influence your music?

"I’m a humble and observant person, my music it’s not only based on my life experiences but also on everything I see around and in my community."

What made you get into all the various pieces within the music realm like; instrumentation, Hip Hop, Dancehall, and producing?

"I've always been that type of guy that’s always willing to learn something new. The very first day I was introduced to a recording studio, I knew right there and then that this is the place I want to be in everyday of my life. And from that day forward, I started to learn about everything that goes on in the studio and I knew that to become a great producer I need to play at least two instruments (Guitar & Piano).  My Poetry introduced me to Hip Hop and Dancehall is something I just recently found and I'm still trying to understand my newly found voice."

What kind of music do you produce?

"Hip Hop, House, Kwaito, Afro pop, and R&B."

Who are some of your biggest influences in music?

"My Community, Godfrey( My Brother), Ludacris, Eminem, Ryan Leslie, Pro, and Vybz Kartel."

How did you get into the promotional side of things and what do you like about it?

"I've been a musician for close to 8 years now and I've really struggled to get my name and music out to the people and it was simply because I had no 1 to assist me/someone with information and connections. I had to go out there and create my own connections and hustle platforms to showcase my music. So that’s basically the reason I got into the promotion side of things, to help other artists so they don’t get to struggle like I did before I got my name out there and to give them a platform and the chance to showcase their talents. I won’t stop at nothing till I see people who are talented achieving they dreams."

Where are some of the venues that you perform and promote at?

"Mostly I host open mic sessions @ a community center in Soweto Chiawelo and I promote my artists by getting them gigs where they can perform all around South Africa."

Who are some of the artists that you have worked with and what sort of projects have you done with them?

"I’ve worked with SFS(Dancehall Artists) who has also work with a lot of Big names In South Africa such as “Pro,Ringo,Jr…”. I also worked with the most successful unsigned artist in South Africa, “Kay E(Hip hop Artist)”  on my mixtape “The Real McCoy”. I also done a track and production for Golden horn award winner Ronnie Nyakane(Actor and Kwaito artist). I’ve worked with a talented young producer from Zimbabwe on a Dancehall Project and I’ve worked with a lot of up and coming artists around the world."

What can we expect from you in the future as far as your music and promoting is concerned?

"This year I’m dropping a six track EP tilted “Under the Influence” which is a preparation to my upcoming mixtape titled “Above The Influence” dropping next year in March. I'll be shooting two music videos this year and I'll be dropping a clothing label “BlaQ Market Clothing” at the beginning of next year.  I'll also be launching my Entertainment Company “Illusional Dynasty Entertainment”. "

What is your main goal that you are trying to reach through your music?

"I want to be successful, simply that."

Here are his links: 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/lordaxe.soweto?fref=ts

FacebookGroups: 

Axe Above the Influence[Mixtape]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/488897541179518/?fref=ts

Chronical Jam Sessions

https://www.facebook.com/groups/558814704191847/

Twitter: @LordAxe_Cs

Music link:

http://www.kasimp3.co.za/axembazo

SoundCloud link:

https://soundcloud.com/axe-mbazo

Legends of Hip Hop #6: Mobb Deep, the Queensbridge Legendary Duo

Mobb Deep is an East Coast Hardcore Hip Hop duo from New York (Queensbridge, Queens). The members are Havoc and Prodigy. They are one of the most well-known Hip Hop groups to ever hit the radio waves. They are known to deliver dark laced hardcore flows that netted them three million copies in the mid 90s.

Because of the three albums, The Infamous, Hell on Earth, and Murda Muzik, they helped take the Hip Hop music scene back from the West Coast. They were also a big part of the East Coast vs. West Coast feud that rocked the Hip Hop community with one of the most famous beefs in Hip Hop History. 

The Beginning...

In New York City, the duo met at the High School of Art and Design, where they called themselves, Poetical Profits. Due to the amount of "street creds" they possessed, they later changed their name to Mobb Deep, to reflect their status. It all started in  1993, when their debut album, Juvenile Hell came out.

The album included a hit single in, "Peer Pressure".  The album sold poorly despite the fact that DJ Premier and Large Professor had a hand in it. It later got recognition because of a few songs ( "Hit It from the Back", "Locked in Spofford", and "Me and My Crew"). In 1993, Havoc got a prime feature in the acclaimed Black Moon album, Enter Da Stage, on the song, "U Da Man".

The Fame...

In 1995, Mobb Deep released The Infamous, which was a smash hit partly due to the success of "Shook Ones Pt. II", which was heralded by the Hip Hop community. Their narration of growing up in Queensbridge Houses, the struggles of it, really played into the hearts of the listeners of Hip Hop at the time. They became the most well known East Coast Hardcore Hip Hop at the time. The beats were dark and sinster because of Havoc's attention placed on the beats for Mobb Deep, here on forward.

Hell on Earth, Mobb Deep's third album (released in 1996), furthered their push into the Hardcore Hip Hop elite as they continued to talk about the harsh realities of the New York steet life. They were respected at a high level, getting the same attention as Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas, and the Wu-Tang Clan. On Hell on Earth, both Raekwon and Method Man appeared on it (from Wu-Tang).

They were a part of Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly (the Source mag. called it a masterpiece) along with many other high tiered New York artists. Up until 1999, the group kept busy with appearances on various tracks, including one for the movie Blade, that was a collaboration with the dancehall rapper, Bounty Hunter. When 1999 rolled around, they came out with their latest album, Murda Muzik (which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200). It didn't take long for it to be certified Platinum because of the popular single titled "Quiet Storm".

East vs. West Feud...

Mobb Deep was a part of the famous track "LA LA" that was a diss track in answering to Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound's East Coast diss called "NY NY". Tupac also openly dissed them in the tracks "Hit 'Em Up" and "When We Ride on Our Enemies". Hell on Earth, included a retaliation track against Tupac called, "Drop A Gem On 'Em". Being a part of the biggest feud in Hip Hop history, will keep their legacy alive from years to come.

Infamy and Beyond...

In 2001, Infamy came out while two Jay-Z diss songs surfaced, "Burn" ft. Vita and "Crawlin'". These two songs were in response to Jay-Z's diss (off of The Blueprint), "Takeover". On Infamy, they went for a whole different style then they are used to putting out. It was a more radio-friendly sound and some people in the Hip Hop community saw it as them "selling out". This caused them to lose a lot of their longtime fandom, who didn't want to see them change their style from the gritty grips of Hardcore Hip Hop.

Their attempt to open up their music to a wider audience failed, it ended up selling less than their previous album, Murda Muzik. Who really cares about album sales, their credibility has never been lost. The trueness about their music is that from 1995 to 2004, Sony Music Entertainment owns all their music. They reclaimed some fame from the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, when "Dirty New York"  was featured on it.

In mid 2005, Mobb Deep signed with G-Unit Records (50 Cents label). This resulted with their eighth album, Blood Money, which featured most of the artists of G-Unit as well as Mary J. Blige and Nate Dogg. Mobb Deep was the first Hip Hop duo to take to the stage in India, in 2006 at the club Enigma. 2009, they seperated from G-Unit.

There was a time that they broke up, but have since gotten back together because their music and friendship is way too important. After twenty years of music, they came out with their self-titled album and it features such industry giants as, the Alchemist, DJ Premier, Sid Roams, MTK, Cardiak, and the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League (as producers), as far as artists goes, Rick Ross, Lil' Kim, Wiz Khalifa, Odd Future, and Nas. It has yet to be finished but it will soon come out.

I am glad they are still making music, many people still like to hear what comes out of this duo. Though they are a duo, don't forget about their solo albums as well. All in all, they have worked with so many respected names, became a respected name, and never stop making their music, this to me makes them legends. They have come out with hit after hit, so their songwriting abilities can't be tested. They have also survived feuds with Nas and Jay-Z and have been a part of the biggest feud that engulfed the West Coast and the East Coast. Their legacy is huge and they are a big part of the Queensbridge movement that took over Hip Hop from the West Coast.

Here are some of Mobb Deep's links that you should check out:

Facebook:

 https://www.facebook.com/MobbDeepQB?fref=ts

Their official website:

http://www.theinfamousmobbdeep.com/

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/mobbdeep-1

The song "Dog Shit" featuring Nas:

https://soundcloud.com/mobbdeep-1/dog-shit-featuring-nas

Mobb Deep-"Shook Ones Pt. II" video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO0wYzFiaYY

Article source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobb_Deep

Written by: Craig Ludwig

Legends of Hip Hop #5: Onyx, the True MCs of Hardcore

Onyx is an East Coast hardcore Hip Hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. They are now a three piece group but formerly were a four piece group, consisting of Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, and Sonsee (the former member Big DS, left after their debut album).

When you think of Onyx, they really brought a new dynamic to Hip Hop with their aggressive and animated fire filled style of spitting. If you didn't know Onyx in the 90s, you didn't know real and true underground Hip Hop. They used aggressive Jazz East Coast style beats mixed with scratches that they helped pioneer as staples of the East Coast. They represented the realness of life that surrounded them in New York, they were true innovators that were ahead of their time.

The Beginning...

In 1988, Onyx was formed and two years later (in 1990), they released their first single, Ah, And We Do It Like This. They met while working as barbers. When Onyx came together, they honed their skills and their performance act in local clubs and they got noticed by Run-D.M.C.'s Jam Master Jay. Jam Master Jay of Def Jam gave them a chance to present a demo, but at the time, Big DS and Sonee Seeza were in Connecticut. Soon after, Fredro Starr called up his cousin, Sticky Fingaz (who is from Brooklyn). After he joined, they came out with the track, Throw Ya Gunz (which was included on their debut album Bacdafucup). Jam Master Jay eventually signed them to his label, JMJ Records (under Def Jam)and even helped them out with the production of their first album.

Bacdafucup to 2003...

The deal under Def Jam, was a recording deal and as promised they recorded their debut album, Bacdafucup, released in 1993. The album was well received by the Hip Hop community, it went platinum and was given much radio play and MTV attention through the hit single Slam. Bacdafucup also beat out Dr. Dre's smash hit album, The Chronic that year at the Soul Train Music Awards for Best Rap Album. With the enormously popular Slam, Onyx decided to do a remix with the heavy metal band, Biohazard (which helped bridge the gap between heavy metal and Hip Hop). This gained them even more notoriety in the music world and helped influence this fusion as a successful art form hybrid with in music for years to come.

Big DS left the Strapped group because of creative differences during the recording of their second album, All We Got Iz Us. In 1995, they dropped their second album, which was a critical success. It showcased their raw talent behind their self-developed hard hitting hardcore style. The magazine, VIBE listed All We Got Iz Us, as one of the best produced albums of 1995 and one of twenty albums everyone Hip Hop fan should own.

Onyx took a little break from music for a bit and got into the world of acting. They appeared in many TV and movie projects, Spike Lee's Clockers, the Rhea Pearlman and Danny Devito's Sunset Park, and Dead Presidents (as far as their TV projects are concerned, they appeared in HBO's Strapped, Brandy's hit series Moesha, FX's The Shield, and CBS's CSI:Miami).

Onyx returned to the studio in 1998 to release their third album, Shut 'Em Down. It gained critical and commercial success due to their style meshed with many big names in Hip Hop such as, Method Man, DMX, Lost Boyz, Raekwon, Big Pun, Noreaga, and the unknown artist, (at the time) 50 Cent (many people in the mainstream side of Hip Hop don't know that Onyx were the first ones to give 50 Cent his first big break). The album drew a lot of its success from the two smash hits, React and Shut 'EM Down (featuring DMX). Shut 'Em Down was the last album they released under Def Jam, and they took their time coming back with their next album in 2002 called, Bacdafucup Part II. They released this album along with Sa'ad Part 4 (that same year) under Koch Records.

2004 and Beyond...

In 2003, they released Triggernometry and it was promoted in radio interviews and it was around that time when Onyx and 50 Cent had a little confrontation because of 50 Cent's disrespect towards Fredro Starr at the 2003 Vibe Awards. Fredro Starr talked about it in an interview with Source magazine in which he told them about his disappointment towards 50 Cent disrespecting him when they gave him his first breakthrough.

In 2008, they released Cold Case Files: Murda Investigation followed by Cold Case Files Vol. 2 (in 2012). Cold Case Files Vol. 2 is unique because it is one of the first albums to be released by a group without utilizing an outsourcing distribution system (a record company or label), they released it digitally on their domain OnyxDomain.com. This gave them the ability to keep all of the proceeds themselves. This year (2013) they also released Energy Beats, which is a collection of remixes, live mixes, and a few original songs as well. You can also find each member doing solo projects on the side but as a group, they have always stayed as one.  To this day, Onyx is still relevant in the Hip Hop community because they are unified and never stop showing the world their interpretations of life within their brand of Hip Hop.

Here are some of their links around the internet, check it out:

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/onyxdomain?fref=ts

Soundcloud link:

https://soundcloud.com/onyxhq

Their Official Website link:

http://www.onyxdomain.com/

Youtube Channel link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/OnyxVEVO?feature=watch

The Link to the Song That Started-It-All link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ADgCeYJMN4

Main source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onyx_(group)
& Onyx spotify bio https://play.spotify.com/artist/10Khz9BDdDT2mzm3330Cvu

article by: Craig Ludwig

Interview #9 With Vince Esquire of RawkSolid Productions

musician

Vince Esquire is a musician/ producer out of Hawaii, who has been involved in many genres of music but currently chooses to hang around Hip Hop (as a producer). In his early years, he devoted his time to the guitar which lead to him playing with many different musicians. His Blues/Rock trio called the Vince Esquire Band, opened up for such legendary acts as Willie Nelson, Aerosmith, Los Lobos, and the Allman Brothers. Vince Esquire also collaborated in Gregg Allman's newest album which was up for a Grammy in the Blues category.

He continues to make music his life and it is through this drive that has opened up many doors for him in his music career. He is a true testament to hard work and love equating to happiness. He has taken his love and life and turned it into success at such a young age. His switch to Hip Hop and works in so many different genres also shows the versatility that he possesses in music, which will probably equal a very successful career in the music industry. 

It was through his father's music career's success that made him walk down the same line and make a life out of his love for music. He seems to have a good grasp on what he wants and where he wants to take himself. Look out for RawkSolid Productions and the many things that are to come out of their studio!

The Interview...

How did music first catch your interest to the point where you were like, yeah that is what I want to do with my life?

"My father was a professional musician when I was a kid. Was and still is one of the best sax players I've ever heard. I was around all kinds of music my whole life, so I always had a feeling I'd be in it somehow. The turning point was when I was 15 and heard Stevie Ray Vaughan play guitar on TV...I knew then I wanted to do the same thing, so my parents got me a guitar and I devoted all my time to it."

How does music effect your life?

"Music is my life. It's what I've always done for a living."

What is it about music that really speaks to you?

"Really it's how it moves and affects people's mood and lives." 

What kind of music have you been a part of genre-wise?

"Most of my musical journey has been as a guitarist in the Blues/Rock world, but I've always loved Hip Hop and as a producer, I love makin albums of all genres, but personally I love workin on Hip Hop."

Which genre really has your heart and soul?

"I'd have to say both Blues and Hip Hop."

What got you into the guitar and what genre is your favorite genre to play?

"Listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan made me want to play guitar. I love playing Blues and Rock n Roll...but I've played everything from Jazz to Latin music."

As a musician, who are some of your biggest influences?

"I'd have to say my biggest influence as a musician is probably Stevie Wonder. He never stuck to one genre and has hits in all of them." 

How long have you been doing Hip Hop and what made you get into it?

"I've loved Hip Hop ever since I first heard Dr. Dre's original The Chronic album back in my early teens. Then I got Eminem's Slim Shady LP and I was hooked. Really I've only been doin' Hip Hop for a couple of years after I went through a knee surgery in 2011, and was immobile for a few months...GarageBand became my best friend and I got the hang of it quickly. That plus the encouragement of some emcee friends I have, I knew pretty quickly I had a knack for it. I had been producing albums of other sorts for over a decade previously, and was able to transfer a lot of that experience and knowledge to Hip Hop."

 Who are some of the Hip Hop producers that you really admire?

"My biggest influence as a Hip Hop producer is by far Scott Storch. He also came from a very heavy musical background as a pianist, and I always felt like I could relate to that as a guitarist. His tracks are always very full of musically brilliant ideas and he performs most, if not all the instrumentation himself...and I always strive to do the same. Dr. Dre of course is another as well as J. Dilla and ANT from Rhymesayers. I love makin' that old skool boom bap Hip Hop just as much as I do the club bangers. We pride ourselves on being as versatile as possible."

You work for and are a co-owner of RaWkSoLiD Productions, how did this all come about?

"My partner (mix and mastering specialist) Don Lopez and I had been makin' music together for years...ever since I was 14 years old. He was the bassist in my Blues/Rock trio for a few years and we always had a real tight musical connection, so when I started the venture of producing instrumental music, I couldn't think of anyone more appropriate to bring onboard. Once we both saw we had some validity to our product in the form of consumer interest, we decided to go ahead and start an LLC and try to pursue it as much as we could. With the help of a personal investor who believed in our mission, we were able to get RawkSolid productions off the ground."

What is RaWkSoLiD Productions trying to accomplish with its involvement in the music industry?

"Really, first and foremost, our mission is to try and bring real musicianship back to Hip Hop. We feel our many years of being live and studio musicians gives us some advantages. We try to inspire the artists who use our material to their fullest potential. We are also in the market to place our music in various forms of media outlets...movies, TV, video games, scores, soundtracks...all those kinds of things...not just for Hip Hop artists."

What are some of the projects that RaWkSoLiD Productions has come out with in the past?

"Up to this point we have put out several records in different genres...everything from Blues/Rock to Acoustic Folk, we even had a contemporary Hawaiian music album that made the final nomination ballot for the Hoku awards (Hawaii's equivalent to the Grammy awards) and was the only unsigned album to gain a final nomination (those are just a few of the accomplishments we are proud of)."

What are some of the projects that you guys are looking forward to releasing in the future?

"We produce several talented Hip Hop and R&B acts who will be dropping new albums in the next few months so stay tuned for those! We will also soon be dropping a couple of instrumental mixtapes, 1 of all underground style boom bap beats and the other all club style bangers. We're involved in quite a few projects at the moment."

What links would you like to showcase?

"We are about to launch our very own distribution website at www.rawksolidbeats.com and it should be up and fully functional in a couple of weeks."

He's a producer to go to if you are looking for a fresh producer to work with that is going to work hard for you to come out with the best product that you could hope to blueprint (imagine). 

Here is his FB page link that has all the recent up to date links that Vince Esquire would like to share or if you want to contact him to work with him:

https://wwtsw.facebook.com/vesquire?fref=

article by: Craig Ludwig 

Interview #7 With Bleev aka Bryan Lee

Brian Lee, aka Bleev, is a Hip Hophead who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He started freestlying when he was fifteen and he's been getting on various tracks since he was twenty-five. He was also in a six piece Hip Hop band named Natural Classics and before that an MC vocalist for the Bay Area local band, Coupe De Ville. He's always been a lover of Hip Hop and other various music genres, but it was Hip Hop that drew him in.

In 2011, Treetop Studios was formed by Bleev and other fellow Bay Area Hip Hopheads and producers. They provide studio services (which can be hard to come by but you can always contact them and schedule your slot or buy a beat from their versatile catalog made by their producers) and promotional services that concentrate on getting you shows and exposure through their radio station (WeKeepItLitRadio). They have just started to shoot videos for artists as well. No matter what service you need in the music industry, they can either provide it or lead you to where you need to go.

Bleev is an instrumental member in getting this all started, so that is why we at Rebel Noiz had to get an interview with him. Bleev, also being an artist,made this interview loaded with interesting facts. He's an inspiring fellow and one that never stops working. I think we can expect many good things to surface from Treetop as a whole.

The Interview...

What was the pinnacle moment in your life that got you into Hip Hop?

There were a lot of pinnacle moments, but there was a time I was hanging in a low point in my life.A guy picked me up after I failed at a job interview, he asked me what I wanted to do in life. I told him that I prayed to God asking him for a sign and he said that the funny thing was that God told him to pick up Bleev. He gave you a Christian Hip Hop CD and I was amazed by him at the time and later on felt that there was a reason he gave me the CD, so I have been doing Hip Hop ever since.

Who influenced you to begin your musical ventures?

Kato, was someone I admired because he would make himself readily available for Hip Hop. He died doing Hip Hop and for his Hip Hop. Kato used to tell me that he had to quit his job to hussle my music. He said that you have to do it full time in order to do something with it. I found that hard to grasp because I was the one making the money and whenever we needed money to go out and do things, I was the one that provided it.

What point in your life did you take his words to heart?

I got fired and lost my job, I was on unemployment and I decided to go to open mics and to see if I could make things happen and eventually they did. I met a bunch of people through networking and it brought me to the path of owning my own studio and being a promoter for other artists.  It also got me into being a teacher to kids in a curriculum of Hip Hop. It felt to me that the stars were aligning so I keep doing what I am doing because I love it and it makes me happy.

When all the networking came together, you guys formed Treetop Studios. How did that all come together?

I went to a studio called Freshtakes, and their facilities were proper. There, I met a bunch of people with the same goals and we came to form Treetop. I have a thing for trees because they are constantly growing and they always grow towards the sun.

Who are all the people involved in Treetop?

Tristan aka Slapfarmer, GIB the Genius, DJ BCasanova, Noah G, Steve Borda, Just Hits, and Baby Cris.

What made you go into promoting for Treetop vs. being a full time artist?

I love being an artist, but the business side of it was making me money so I just kept going with it. Being an artist just wasn't realistic and it is depressing, I just wanted to be involved in music. I learned from being a promoter that I don't care what aspect I am involved with, I just want to be a part of it.

Who is an artist that you are working with that you really want to see succeed?

I want to see all the artists succeed, but it is the ones that work the hardest that I am drawn to. Really life has a way of selecting those individuals. I work really closely with an artist named Outrageous Karina and I really think she has the skills needed in order to succeed. I'd be surprised if she doesn't succeed.

When people look at you what do you want them to see?

I want them to see someone that they know that has kept his word and see a good positive energy. I want to keep that going, because I am not depressed off of life yet. I want to always keep the hope.

What would you like to accomplish in your music career?

I would like to see someone I know directly, make it. I want to also be someone who helped them reach that feat. I like to use Hip Hop as a vessel to meet people and see where my networking will take me. I don't know if I am always going to be a promoter and artist, I just want to go where it takes me.

What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing?

One of the songs that I wrote made it big in the Philippines and was bought by N' Sync. There was this song on the radio called Slow Down, there was this dance that these kids in the video came up with that said it was because of him that they made that dance because he came over and got them lit. Number three, I am still waiting on number three because I think things come in threes.

What musical project as an artist makes you look back and say, yeah I was in that?

There really isn't one that sticks out. I just like getting together and collabing with people because you form a bond with them, you know? There is a track that I did with Bone Crusher that made me go wow, Hip Hop is really real.

What can we look forward to in the future from things that have your direct influence?

I think videos, I want to get into the visual game and get into short films. That is a dream of mine that makes me tick.

The Links...

Facebook links:

https://www.facebook.com/TreeTopLabs

https://www.facebook.com/bryan.lee2

Reverbnation link:

http://www.reverbnation.com/label/treetopstudios

WeKeepItLit Radio link:

http://www.wkilradio.com/

Soundcloud to buy beats link:

https://soundcloud.com/treetopstudios

To contact Bleev for shows, radio interviews, recording time, or to get beats call: 510-921-9079

article by: Craig Ludwig