Here is the third and final part of our Jay Complex Made Simple Interview. After receiving a little backlash from part II of the interview yesterday, Complex should be shutting a few mouths after he announces his plans for the future. Also, got an exclusive listen of the demo of his track “Pinky.”

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C.S. Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?

J.C. I definitely can. I have a new mixtape that I’m gonna drop this summer, The Underdog. I always felt like the underdog. I started rapping in High School. In my last year, in ’07, there were maybe 10 rappers that came out of that grade. I started after everyone else and was never as good so I was always looked down upon. So The Underdog mixtape is coming out, that’s gonna be crazy.

My really big project which is gonna come out in the Fall of this year is my EP, it’s completely original, I’m gonna call it Backpack Record Rap. There’s a why reason I call it that too. On the EP I’m gonna have a track called “Flicker” and it features Amanda Diva.

C.S. What are your immediate goals and long-term goals?

J.C. Immediately, I’m working on my home studio so that I can put myself out there with a  more professional sound… I’m taking my EP, Backpack Record Rap, on an Indie tour. That’s just traveling: those performances, those open mics, those battles I can get into.

Future goals, I want to blow up. I just want to be a huge international recording artist. I want the acclaim. Of course I always say I want the money but honestly, just to make a living off of my music even if I’m not a millionaire is great.

Take your first listen to the demo of “Pinky,” set to appear on Backpack Record Rap: The Jay Complex EP.

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Here’s part II of III of our interview with Jay Complex. He speaks about his current status with B.A.S.S., what he’s currently up to and his plans for The Bahamas.

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C.S. What’s the deal with B.A.S.S., why are you are now a single artist or are you still working with them?

J.S. First and foremost, I’m always a single artist. B.A.S.S. is of course, still my team. Of course they’re not a record label but let’s think of them more as a record label; those are artists under a label that I work with but I’m still a single artist. I know we did What’s a Beat Without Bass, Vol. 1 and I might as well tell you that Vol. 2 is coming out at the end of this year. So yes, I still work with B.A.S.S. and we’re still trying to bring each other up.

C.S. Besides music what are you up to now?

J.S. Well, I’m starting my own media production company. So besides music, I’ve been working on Graphic Design and learning a bit more about Photography. I’ve always mixed and edited my own material so audio engineering, I’m always trying to learn more about that.

C.S. Are you focused on your success alone or do you plan on elevating the Bahamian music industry?

J.S. Because of how much I’ve put down in music over these years; I’ve been doing music for 6 years now. I always just think to myself or say publicly I don’t really care what happens to Nassau [the country’s capital], I’m just trying to make it on my own. BUT I would like to bring back to Nassau. I don’t like all The Bahamian artists out there. There are a few select ones that I really do respect but I’ll say I won’t bring the industry to Nassau but bring more of Nassau to the industry.

Last year, on the first day of July, we premiered the very first mixtape from Bahamian rapper Gizzy. A lot has changed since then including a change to his stage name. It is no longer Gizzy but Jay Complex.

Two weeks ago we interviewed and just caught up with the hard working rapper. Read the 1st of our 3 part interview with Jay Complex entitled, Jay Complex Made Simple.

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“Stage name is Jay Complex, the real name is James Weech. I’m the artist formerly known as Gizzy.”

C.S. Can you describe your music?

J.C. I’m predominantly a Hip-Hop artist but I move around to other genres like Alternative and Electronic. I like more meaningful Hip-Hop/Rap. I’m not mainstream, I’m a little more underground.

C.S. Is there anyone you look up to or aspire…?

J.C. Like I told you guys when The Audition mixtape was released, I look up to Lupe Fiasco, always, first and foremost. The way my music sounds nowadays, I sound less like him than I used to. I guess that’s just me finding my own way.

C.S. The Audition mixtape was released last July. How has your music changed since then?

J.C. It’s not the same, it’s evolved. First off, I got a lot more confident. Secondly, the quality went up a whole lot and with The Audition… I feel as if I half assed it. I felt as though I was really lazy. So I really put a lot more work into my new upcoming projects. That gave a little more meaning to it.

Stay tuned for part II…

Singer, songwriter, model and overall visual artist, Steph Jones, is probably one of the humblest and most grounded person in the business that you will ever meet. Upon answering the phone, we were greeted by his manager and then immediately transferred to him. Right off the bat he was cracking jokes and making the whole vibe of the interview less tense and more chilled.

We discussed everything from his background to his music to his highly criticized Halloween costume and everything else in between; including how he deals with all the rumors of… After spending about a half hour conversing with Jones it was clear that being in the business has not jaded him in anyway. Continue on to view the full interview…

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Those of you who have become well acquainted with us should know by now we enjoy talent in its purest form. This time we had the opportunity of speaking with the South Eastern Londoner who goes by the name of Bluey Robinson.

Bluey Robinson, the emerging singer/songwriter, had his hands in music and performing from since he was a youth and within the last few years decided to perfect his craft to basically become the star he’s destined to be. His musical style is very eclectic as he’ll experiment with many sounds; his taste for music extends far and is quite vast.

Having the opportunity to speak with Bluey, we realize that although his path is to align with the stars he’ll somehow always manage to leave part of himself on Earth. He was very easy to speak with and is open; something you’ll notice with all the laughter that occurred. So pop the top to continue on to get to know more of this brilliant artist. You can connect with Bluey via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Youtube or his website.

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(Photo: Lamon Bethel)

As a multitude of inadequate artists leak into the music industry solely on looks, it’s good to know that there’s a female artist who sings and writes her own material. It’s even better to know that she’s from The Bahamas.

With two of her songs featured on the recent “Break” Movie soundtrack; Tracey Ann Perpall better known as TAP, from her web vlog show, is definitely beginning to make some of her own waves in the music scene. Her sound is a bit reminiscent of Aaliyah (R.I.P.) and her lyrics are relatable and flow well; a rare combination that will keep the listener cringing in anticipation of what’s to come.

It is clear to us that this up-and-coming 20-year-old is a diamond in the rough. Sit back and watch as she shares how she got to where she is and what she’s doing now.

Also be sure to listen to Tracey’s brand new debut single “My Future” feat. R. Beezy off the Break Soundtrack after you watch the interview.

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“Dreams Die, Visions die, People Die because they settle”- Not Settling by Ricardo Clarke. It’s plain as day for anyone to see that this rising Bahamian artist doesn’t settle for anything. This Acoustic/Roots/Reggae singer has been climbing charts at home in The Bahamas as well as across the globe with no plans at stopping there. Not new to the music biz but being currently thrust into the limelight; Ricardo Clarke is using his music to uplift and encourage young people to strive and to try and make their dreams come true. He has worked with artists such as Christian Massive, Monty G., Mr. Lynx, DJ Counsellor, DJ Nicholas and Isaac Blackman and is in the process of working with some international producers.

As we sat down in Star Bucks going over in our heads the questions we were eager to ask, Mr. Clarke comes walking in dressed in a suit like any business man on Bay Street. It was refreshing to see an artist of his genres differ himself by not dressing in the usual urban wear.

In the following interview we sit down with the super-chilled musician as he goes over everything from what inspired him to start a career in music to his opinion on the current and future state of The Bahamian music industry to his plans for the follow-up to his album Uprising, Vol. 1: Not Settlin’.

You can connect with Ricardo Clarke on Myspace and Facebook.
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Do you remember a time when models had an image of iconic levels? To most the answer is NO simply because today all a person needs is a professional photographer and a little Photoshop magic and all of a sudden everyone considers them a model. Well that may be a slight exaggeration but it is closer to the truth than anything else. On the contrary there are a handful of exceptions to that fact, one of them standing tall at 5’ 10”. Yes, Sessilee Lopez encompasses everything of a true model; she has the look, the body and that “WOW” factor. If that doesn’t make you a believer her personality will. She has the kindness of a saint, you know that sort of kindness that is genuine and sincere, not that “put-on” PR manufactured nonsense. Despite countless editorials, magazine covers (most notably covering 1 of 4 of the July 2008 all black Vogue Italia issues) and walking endless lengths of runways for the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld and many more, Sessilee still claims that, “…things are just starting to happen for me”. Ms. Lopez has a good head on her shoulders; she knows how to reach out to others whilst protecting herself, something important in her profession. Her generosity extends far, allowing this interview to take place right before she jet-setted off to London, literally. Sessilee keeps it real all whilst living her dream. What we see is an outstanding 2009 for Sessilee. The same goes for the years that follow. Current state of mind: VIVA LA LOPEZ!

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