For most, when you hear the name Neil Dames you automatically associate the name with various Bahamian nightclub hotspots that have surfaced over the years. Well, it has been some four years since the Bahamian nightclub guru has laid his hands on anything. On November 25, 2011, Neil Dames is about to take The Bahamian public on a Space Odyssey.

Between the ages of 18 to 21 years, Mr. Dames took on the world of modeling where he landed in the top five of the 2000 Mr. World competition, held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dames later represented The Bahamas on Oprah Winfrey’s first show outside of America: “Caribbean’s Sexiest Men.”

It was a little later that Dames dove into the nightclub scene. His first venture was a Friday night Latin club called “Chippy’s Café” which arrived at the time of the Latin craze i.e. Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony etc… Dames then had a six month stint in Los Angeles before returning home to Nassau where he was approached by some Canadians about opening a Nightclub called “The Living Room.” He then moved away for another six months to Toronto, Canada to feel out the prospect but returned shortly after it did not work out.

Still infected by the nightclub bug, Dames imported the idea of “The Living Room” to The Bahamas. One business deal with Hotel Industry veteran, Sandy Sands of the Nassau beach Hotel, and “The Living Room” was a reality. With an appearance by Lenny Kravitz amongst other celebrities, “The Living Room” was a major hotspot for four years.

Following that, Dames created “Fluid” which was known as “Dirty Dicks” back in the 50’s and 60’s. Fluid lasted four to five years before being sold out to Dames’ partners. Dames then moved onto “Envy Nightclub & Lounge” located across from the British Colonial Hilton, on the top floor of the Conch Fritters restaurant building. Despite Dames putting his all into the club it just could not defeat the odds. There was the recession along with foreign competitors. It all affected Dames’ clientele which lead to the closing of “Envy…” Dames then left the nightclub scene for a minute whilst he created his collection of parties called “The Viper Room” which was the old “Sugar Reef.” Whilst not as well known as his past ventures, “The Viper Room” still had a successful run. All of which brings us to present time; a time which is perfect for new and exciting entertainment by Dames’ standards, especially with all the major investments including gargantuan projects such as Baha Mar and Albany being erected.

It was a late Tuesday evening when we met with Dames at his latest venture, “Space Nightclub & Lounge.” After discussing business with the General Manager of the club (Reagan Collie), Dames greeted us then proceeds to take us on a tour of what is set to be the most entertaining nightspot in Nassau.

The tour commenced and the 4,000 sq. feet space took us out of this world. The club is draped with 42inch flat panel displays throughout, there is a beer and wine lounge, a bottle lounge, a non-smoking area, a 30 feet bar with all female bartenders donning bustiers and platinum wigs and more. Oh, “Space…” will have the first computerized door system in Nassau. You all will have to check that one out for yourselves.

Fully interested, we finally settled with Dames to discuss more about the glossy all-black nightspot. He spoke about the inspiration; topping Space’s predecessors, “What I always try to do is push my level of creativity and I think myself and my team have really done an amazing job with creating the venue and the whole idea of the space theme.” Also, claiming he wants the club to give you a mind experience, “It’s all psychological, when you hear the name Space you think about an openness, there’s no void or everything else.”

All that inspiration turned into months of work, “The renovations have been going on for the past 4 months. First of all, we had to gut the whole thing up. What we did is redesigned the whole club, from the very beginning to the very end. We want to do something that is brand new and exciting. Although some people may say well, it’s space but it’s something that is basically totally different.”

Dames made sure to put emphasis on the safety of the club, “With “Space…” there will be one entrance and 2 exits.” Even so, we still questioned the safety before Dames became a bit real with us, “It’s very difficult to control people when they’re drinking. The key is you can control who comes inside of your environment. We’re allowing females 18 and older and males 21 and older. First of all the control starts from the door and the second control starts from the music in which you play. There’s also a strict dress code. It’s trendy, we’re going to say smart casual. We won’t allow athletic wear: baseball caps, jerseys, saggy pants… If you’re medium and wearing XXL, this is not the place for you.”

To support his statement, Dames was also extremely confident in his choice of location for the club, “NO, the location is perfect. You must realize that we are in the heart of downtown, Bay Street. To me, between the opening and Eastern Bay St. that’s where most people club. Anything beyond that is questionable. So I think it’s in a perfect location, we have ample parking down Bay St. and the venue is well known by a lot of people. Also, the funny thing with The Bahamas is people go to a place if they know the owner. People know what to expect when I do a club; it’s all about reputation. It’s going to be something totally different from anything else here, in The Bahamas.”

A very important aspect of a club is the music, “We’re going to have an open format of music. What I mean by open format is we’re going to have a mixture of House, a mixture of Hip-Hop, a mixture of 80’s a mixture of basically everything. The space that we did, the whole club itself is a VIP club. We want everyone to have a feeling of WOW. Some people like Hip-Hop music and some people like House, we’re trying to give it to everyone.”

Dames is mixing the vibe of a nightclub and a lounge. “What’s going to make space unique and different from anyplace else is we’re going to have burlesque dancers in a showcase. We’re going to take it to whole new level. We have the go-go dancers which is downstairs as well. With the house music we’re going to have live vocalists. The music will be playing and there will be a girl singing along to it. I’m going to have guys on the Saxophone and Congo drums as well, just to create that whole energy and vibe. Basically, expect the unexpected.”

There is a clear goal of what Dames hopes “Space…” to be, “…Most cities you go to, you know that there’s a particular club that you go to. When you come to The Bahamas, there is no such a spot… There is no club that you go wow, you go there when you go to The Bahamas…”

Before letting us go, Dames teased us with his next move. “I don’t really want to talk about it as much but within months we’ll start the work on this project…”

Upon finishing up this interview, Dames was on his mobile yet again making business calls finalizing everything for the club’s opening.

In today’s music industry, the word “artist” is stamped on basically every act that comes out. Sure they may be stars but not artists. Well this LA-based lady, who goes by the name of Indigo Charlie is a true artist.

Indigo Charlie is a known fashionista within the entertainment industry with her vintage look. Charlie prefers to travel down the road less traveled and her approach to her music is very much organic. A So-Cal native of six years, Charlie grew up traveling with her mother, an entertainment publicist, and experienced a great deal such as traveling throughout Europe on the Avril Lavigne tour.

Currently, Charlie is a student and singer. She studies at the Los Angeles based FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) and released her first single, ever, “Never Change.” The single was later released as “I’ll Never Change” featuring Khleo Tomas. Not too long ago, Charlie finished up a year long job as a celebrity assistant to Solange Knowles.

From Miles Davis to Cyndi Lauper to The Cure, Indigo Charlie absorbs all the classics and lets it influence her. So take the jump and check out the incredibly interesting and experienced Indigo Charlie…

CS: It’s nice to finally meet the artist behind “Never Change.” Can you give us a little background on the single?

Indigo Charlie: “Never Change” is my first song ever in life. It’s the first time I’ve heard myself on a microphone, it’s the first time I was ever in a studio recording as an artist, the first time I ever wrote a song in life. It was a really cool experience and it’s definitely like my baby. It’s produced by the CoStars and y’know I had never really learned melodies. So I sat and wrote pages and pages and pages and pages worth of feelings. From there we worked them into verses and a hook; it was a really fun experience. Actually, the opening line of the song comes from a tattoo I have on my finger.

Download audio file (Never-Change-Final-Version.mp3)

CS: So you’re a student at FIDM in LA. What is your average day like?

IC: An average day at FIDM is extremely hectic. Whether I have a nine hour day or a three hour day, there’s always a lot going on. I actually never thought I’d have a rolly backpack again. I kind of feel like a third grader rolling into school with a rolly backpack but we have so much supplies; that’s always annoying have to lug it out of the car. At school, it’s a lot of art stuff; it’s a lot of drawing, sketching, Illustrator/Photoshop on the computer. It’s a lot of design and I love it and I love that I get to be in a creative space with a lot of different creative people. It keeps me thinking, it keeps me wanting to be better. It’s definitely a lot of hard work; I walk away with twenty hours of homework.

CS: We read a lot about the great things you say about you mother. How great of an influence is she to you?

IC: She’s my biggest influence. I would definitely say the core personality traits of mine come from her. My wanting to be a good person and treat people in a good manner and y’know be kind and be as possibly strong as I can be, it all comes from her. Even just some of the life lessons she’s taught me but even just watching her be a mom, I’ve just always wanted to be like that because I’ve never met anyone better than her. I just think she’s such a good person.

CS: How would you describe your personal style?

IC: I definitely am a vintage girl. Right now I actually have on a vintage-sequined long jacket from the ‘60’s with this teal-colored long dress that hits the floor. I love vintage and I definitely look at it as an art form. What I love about vintage is it’s a part of history and it never gets old. It’s a fashion that is not a trend. You can wear vintage all the time and it’s never going to go out of style. I just like vintage because it has so much personality. My whole closet is almost vintage items.

CS: How closely connected is your music and style, will it change as the music does?

IC: I think both my music and fashion is just going to grow; I don’t know if they’ll necessarily change. I really like where I am with my music and fashion. I love vintage and I don’t really see that changing. I just see it growing and getting more experimental with pieces but still staying in a vintage pocket. With music, I’m going to grow, have experiences and different things are going to happen in life but the integrity of the base of the music and the emotion I fell throughout it is going to be consistent. That’s just what’s important to me, is conveying emotion. I’m always going to write from my own personal experiences so my music is just going to grow and have more depth. It’s definitely going to stay on the same path as you’re going to get really true artist feelings from me but I don’t think they’ll necessarily change. Then of course, they will always go together.

CS: What music are you listening to these days?

IC: I’ve been listening to a lot of The Xx and Lykke Li. Also, a duo from Canada, their name is JJ; they’re really dope. They actually just came out; they’re an Indie/Alternative band but just came out with a mix tape that uses all Hip-Hop samples…

I’m actually pretty consistent when it comes to listening to the classics. The other day I went on a full 90’s Hip-Hop and R&B binge. I felt like traveling back a little bit and was listening to that song, “Candy Rain,” then there was some Xscape and then Prince. There’s not a day I don’t listen to Prince. I definitely went and listened to some old NWA and some vintage Dre, stuff like that.

CS: How do you feel about the saturation of Dance/Pop music on mainstream radio?

IC: I think when it comes to music and mainstream I feel that we’re getting to the point where people are starting to break down the doors of what mainstream Top 40 is. The fact that in, at least in LA, you can turn on K-Rock and Florence + The Machine, who are very indie, is playing or is on KIISFM. Also, the fact that Kanye West and Jay-Z have performed at Coachella, I feel like these genre lines and what the perception of music is, is starting to get a little blurred. I feel like some of the indie artists are starting to get more popular; people are broadening their scope of music. People are starting to get educated on different kinds of music which will eventually change what mainstream looks like. It’s going to be a slower process. Right now, compared to a couple of years back, we’re in a good space where people are more open to hearing different kinds of records. I’m excited about it.

CS: What do you have in store for us for the upcoming EP?

IC: I’m actually putting my finishing touches on my second single, “On the Edge.” The video is already shot and I’m really excited so hopefully that’s coming out at the top of February. Then with the EP, I’m still recording, I don’t have an official date of when it’s going to come out or anything like that. I definitely don’t want to rush the process; I want to keep it very organic. I want to put all of myself and make sure I am happy with every song, y’know, make sure the right emotions come across. Once it’s finished, I’ll shop to labels and hopefully have a home then work on an album.

CS. What would be a dream collaboration of yours?

IC: My dream collaboration would have to be… Okay, that’s so hard ‘cause I like so many different people. I would say just for the simple fact that his creativity alone is so brilliant, I don’t even know if I’d be able to handle myself, is Prince. I just think he is so brilliant and the combination of sounds… Just what he brings out of artists and instruments and his technique, it would be the most amazing opportunity.

CS: What lessons did you learn during your year long stint as a personal assistant?

IC: I definitely learned the importance of hard work, if you don’t have an answer find the answer, confidentiality, trust, support… One of the biggest things I learned is time management; you’re managing your life and then you are dealing with someone else’s life. You definitely have to be able to give yourself to both and not let one fall apart, so it’s definitely keeping up with a lot that’s going on. It helped with school, music and anything else that was going on in my life. I knew how to juggle it without sinking under it.

CS: How much of the business side do you planned on getting involved?

IC: Right now I’m in such a creative space that I enjoy being in that moment and just being creative. I definitely have a big say in the things that I do: how I want to look, the image, what my music sounds like. I’m very opinionated with how my videos look and how my songs come out. I think I am always going to be very opinionated with what’s going on with me. I don’t want anyone handling my life for me. So, I definitely think I’ll have a big hand in the business aspect but also my mom is a big part of my team. So having someone like that I trust: I know who has my best interest, I know who’s going to make sure I’m okay is a good person to have on the business side of me. It will give me more room on the creative side. I want to have a hand in it but I don’t want to get super “politicky” in my career, I pray that doesn’t happen.

CS: If you were not living in LA, what would be your dream location?

IC: Um, oh gosh, my mom and I have actually been talking about this for awhile. If I wasn’t living in LA I’d probably move to Barcelona, Spain or Milan, Italy. I just like the quality of life out there. I feel like its very mellow living. The people actually enjoy and take the time to sit down and eat a meal, enjoy culture and art and enjoy what I find to be the finer things in life. I feel that people over in those areas just have a rich quality of life. I’ve actually been to both of those places before; people are just so kind and they just want to sit down and drink a good glass of wine and fiesta and what life has to offer. In the United States we just get so busy that we miss out on those things and I just don’t want to miss out on those things in life.

CS: How important is longevity in this career of yours?

IC: Oh gosh, it’s more than anything and I think longevity is what I always strive for in life and what I pray for at night. Even when it comes to my fashion career, I want to get in a company, I want to do well and I just want to move up in the company. I don’t want to bounce around from company to company. With music, music is forever for me. It’ll be longevity because I’m not going into it for the money; I’m doing it for the self expression and just to share my music with people. So I think music, for me, will always have longevity so I definitely have a different perspective on it. Most people say, oh well hopefully I make a lot of money for a long time, hopefully my videos get played, hopefully I tour forever. For me, I can make music forever and just share it.

CS. We’ve now come to the end. Is there anything else you want to share with the viewers, here at The C.S. Perspective?

IC: Well I love CS so much so I’m just appreciative of you guys taking the time… I just want to share with everyone, be beautiful, be pure, be fly and be you, the best person you can possibly be… be adventurous, be spontaneous, take chances on your dreams ‘cause that’s the most important thing you could possibly do.

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What a great breath of fresh air she is. What we loved about Indigo Charlie is she genuinely seems to be into the music just for the enjoyment of making and sharing it. She also has such a positive outlook. Whilst we think mainstream radio is flooded with the same old watered down Dance/Electro/Pop music she sees progress with the popularity increase of Indie artists. In the interview she also revealed a fun fact; she has the ability to memorize all the lyrics to a song after just one listen. There is more to come from Charlie, just from the music alone. We just cannot get over how much she has experienced, that’s at least a few albums worth of material.

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.

Download audio file (Pinky.mp3)

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…

C.S.: So let’s start off for those who may not know of you. Tell a little bit about yourself, Mr. Steph Jones.

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-1.mp3)

Steph Jones: A little bit about myself, it’s kinda hard to say a little bit but I do the best I can. I was born and raised in Texas; born in Third World, raised in Missouri City, Texas and my mother is a Jazz DJ. She was also a big fan of “Shut Up” in the house so I didn’t really realize I could sing until I got to college. I was doing modeling, music and was just somebody who was happy about life with a past and a story to tell.

C.S.: We recently saw your new comp card for FORD celebrity models. Has the switch to the celebrity division brought more opportunities your way?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-2.mp3)

S.J.: Oh well I always had opportunities being at FORD just because I don’t look like anybody on the board. So it hasn’t been a drastic change, it just moves me from one side of the world to the other. So as my demand for the Steph Jones brand grows then we’ll start to see more opportunities come my way. ‘Cause then they’ll be like “Oh we want a Steph Jones in this GUESS ad or we want a Steph Jones in such and such ad” and that’s when we can start talkin’ the DOLLARS.

C.S. Your Lifetape (DOWNLOAD HERE) was released the some weeks ago. It’s obvious a lot of work went into it. So what was the inspiration behind the music and cover art?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-3.mp3)

S.J.: A lot of things I do, most things I do in life is through inspiration and it takes a lot to inspire me and once I’m inspired, you know and you feel the effect of it. And as far as the cover art goes, I was sleeping and a vision woke me up from my sleep and I had to sketch it. I sketched it, I kept saying to myself, “The soul is being sucked out of Earth” and if it’s up to me and nobody is gonna take a stand then I’ll take the stand. So there it is, there’s my Chess piece right there, the Lifetape. I made the first move and now it’s time for the people to move they Chess pieces. We done playin’ Checkers now, it’s time for a more skilled game and so that’s where the artwork came from.
As far as the music, it’s just like life man, that’s why I call it the Lifetape. It’s just not a mixtape, it’s embedding the substance back into people’s lives so I call it the Lifetape.

C.S.: Your music has a signature quirky sound. How do you plan on evolving it for your future projects?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-4.mp3)

S.J.: Well I just make the music that comes to me. It’s not like I try to make a quirky sound or I try to be like, “Hey this may not sound like me,” I just make the music so what ever comes up in the future that’s how it’s gonna sound. I don’t go out of my way to try to make certain type of sound, I just make what comes.

C.S.: Speaking about music, your song “Greedy Love” (LISTEN HERE) leaked and you did  not even know about it.

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-5.mp3)

S.J.: No, I had no idea. I actually thought you were in the studio with the producers because I haven’t sent that song to anyone and then when I listened to the beat I noticed that it’s not the one I had. Which means someone was working on the beat and that somebody put the song out. And notice how any song I put out never says the producer’s name and this one said “Greedy Love,” produced by Midi Mafia and it was all over, everywhere; it could be a coincidence. I’m gonna make the best of it but yea I was pissed off last night…

C.S.: Still on the subject, how do you feel about the new digital age of music?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-6.mp3)

SJ: I mean if you can’t change with time then you’ll be stuck in the 70’s and 80’s. It’s not 1998, people don’t buy records because people don’t put out quality records. You just have to be able to utilize all the things that you have accessible to you. Because of the internet, the internet can help you and hurt you, but because of the internet you have so many different avenues that people don’t even look at… There are so many opportunities to be heard; you have web, you have mobile… You have so many different avenues that you can be heard and with me, that’s a good thing. With more people that hear my music, I have a chance of drawing them in to be the whole brand of Steph Jones. Since I’m a visual artist, it is cool to have Youtube and Ustream so people can actually see my personality and see that these songs really do come from me… If you have access to the best possible producers and the best possible writers and your album isn’t hot then you have issues… I always tell people, you can have the hottest music in the world but if you don’t have a natural connection it will just stop at a hot…

C.S.: You were signed to a major label before. Would you rather the freedom to make any kind of music as an independent artist or be signed to a label that would give you a boost of exposure?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-7.mp3)

S.J.: I like being independent right now, I would definitely love to be signed to a major because they have a platform that I cannot reach being strictly independent. So the cool the thing that I’m doing now is creating a platform of my own. So that way I have this following that whenever I actually get signed to a major I will have the means, the funs and the backing to do what I’m doing on a larger sale. It’s not like I’ll be going to a label and I’ll be green and don’t have any music. When I go to a label they are gonna know from point A to point Z what I’ve already accomplished. It’s more gonna be like a collaborative effort rather than they’re taking me on and it’s gonna completely change my thing.

C.S.: If you were to create a collaboration album, who are some of the some of the artists you would consider for the project?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-8.mp3)

S.J.: A collaboration album? Chris Martin from Coldplay, I’ll definitely like to work with Kanye, I’ll like to work with Common and Adam Levine. There’s a group in Europe called Keane, I’d love to work with them. Andre 3000, Amy Winehouse, when she gets it together.

C.S.: You seem like a down-to-earth guy. How do you deal with superficiality of LA & Hollywood?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-9.mp3)

S.J.: LA and Hollywood is what you make it. Those who complain about LA & Hollywood, “Oh it’s fake and all this stuff,” that’s because they surround themselves around the environment they hate the most. Me, on the other hand, that’s like confetti to me or extra curricular activities, I go there and do what I gotta do and talk to my people. What I love about LA is if I wanted to I could go snowboarding on Big Bear Mountain, drive an hour and half away to Venice beach and go body surfing. I love the nature, I love the fact that I can go hiking, I love the weather, I can’t stand the cold weather. You want to see me in a bad mood, see me in cold weather… That’s how I deal with it, LA is what you make it.

C.S:. How do you manage with the endless rumors that you are in a relationship with a certain “Battlefield” songstress?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-10.mp3)

S.J.: Well it’s like you say, it’s rumors. I’ve heard that I was dead before, “Oh I thought you died,” rumors are rumors. Somebody told me, “Oh I heard you and Alicia Keys were together.” I was like umm WHO, I never heard that; that was maybe 2 years ago. So it’s like so many things, they’re just rumors. I just continue to go… Words, like what people say or when people hate or if people say rumors, none of that stuff really phases me. I gat like mad water repellent on and all that water, the rain, is just bouncing off of my clothes.

C.S.: You’re pretty active on Twitter. Have you had any crazy experiences with the thousands of people that follow you?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-11.mp3)

S.J.: You know what, I create a certain type of environment for my Ustream and my chatroom and Twitter… Like how can I put it, if you go to Sexy Spec’s Twitter, from Pretty Ricky, you’ll notice it’s a different type of vibe and different type of people that are followin’ him. There’s lots of nasty words being thrown around but that’s the vibe that he puts out. The vibe that I put out, there are a lot of people that are following me and a lot of them are pretty much on that same vibe. So I haven’t dealt with any craziness on Twitter. There’s people probably talkin’ smack and then I just delete them.

C.S.: When time permits, what do you do in your free time?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-12.mp3)

S.J.: What do I don’t I do; paintball, snowboard, I hike, I pop bubble wrap, I love people watching at Starbucks, I paint. There are so many things that I do. I live my life; I’m young but I have an old soul to save time. I have a young spirit and an old soul. So I’m literally like a little kid… I pick flowers, I look at the flowers and I look at the sun. I close my eyes then open my eyes back up again. I see different things floating around and I take joy out of that. I love when it rains and I love when the sun comes out, can’t stand the cold weather but when I’m bundled up I’m fine. I’m me, I’m my own ordinary, that’s where the uniqueness comes out. I encourage people; a lot of people do the same the same thing… Just go for it, try to progress and inspire people at the same time.

C.S. Switching gears, how did you deal with the negative feedback with your Halloween costume?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-13.mp3)

SJ: Negative feedback for me, any type of feedback, anytime someone says Steph Jones, they’re saying my name… I don’t take it as negative feedback. If I went dressed as a boy or if I went dressed as a porcupine people will still have something negative to say. The way I see it is, Jesus is said to be perfect; people hate on him every single day, 24 hours, 365 days a year. So no matter what I do, be it good or bad, people are still gonna hate. So when I wore “the chick with a bad weave” outfit, I already knew people were gonna hate. I posted those pictures, it wasn’t like people went digging through my computer and was like oh my God, shocking new discovery! I posted those pictures. I said I want to be on every single blog and I want people to be like, that dude is crazy and that’s exactly what happened. I went, GAMEOVER… What I set out to do was be on every blog and it has crossed over onto the Pop culture blogs, I WIN.

C.S. Tell us a little about GUMBO and where do you plan on taking it.

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-14.mp3)

SJ: GUMBO is just something that is manifesting across the United States. It was an idea that I wanted to do since I always workout. I didn’t want to charge anybody. I just wanted to create a positive community. It’s all about building a community. It’s more mentally stimulating than physical even though I kick y’alls butts up a mountain or up the trail or somethin’. GUMBO stands for Get Up and Move your Butt Operation and that’s just what it is. I started it in LA and I’ve had up to 78 people at one time hiking on a mountain at 8 o’clock in the morning. It’s gone to Houston, it’s gone to New York and now tomorrow morning at 10am (Friday, November 13) we’re starting our first GUMBO in ATL.

C.S.: Well this bring us to the end of our interview but before you go can you reveal any upcoming projects that you have?

Download audio file (Steph-Jones-Interview-15.mp3)

SJ: Yes, I just recently shot a feature film called “Seel,” directed Brett Leonard. He directed “The Lawnmower Man” and “Virtuosity” with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. The lead is Marie Digby, she’s an artist who’s signed to Hollywood Records and it’s basically like a musical/movie that incorporates her album throughout the movie. I play her love interest, so there’s like kissing scenes, break-up scenes, shirtless scenes. I’m also a DJ/Producer and since her fan base is online, like in the millions. They’re going to service it to online networks and it will be in 30 segments. The first segment will drop at the end of November.

In the second and final part of our interview with Melanie Fiona she discusses her mixtape with the Illadelphonics, her opinion on the social network craze, how she puts her style together for the stage and more. Also, if you have not seen part 1 yet you can view it HERE.

Coincidentally the video for Melanie’s next single, “Bang Bang”, has hit the net ahead of its Friday premiere on television. The overall vibe of the video is dark, mysterious and very enticing just like the song itself. Everything about Ms. Fiona is just classy and it’s great to know that we have one of those timeless talented artists going into the new decade.

]]> http://thecsperspective.com/2009/09/24/c-s-dialogue-part-2-of-the-melanie-fiona-interview/feed/ 0 http://thecsperspective.com/2009/09/21/c-s-dialogue-part-1-of-melanie-fiona-interview/ http://thecsperspective.com/2009/09/21/c-s-dialogue-part-1-of-melanie-fiona-interview/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:01:50 +0000 CeuroK http://thecsperspective.com/?p=3077

Well we have a treat for you all. It’s been awhile since our last interview and we are here with another artist who encompasses true talent. Melanie Fiona was able to take time out of her hectic schedule to answer a few questions for us. In the first part of the interview she discusses her Guyanese background, her take on Whitney Houston’s return to music, touring through out Europe with Kanye West and much more.

Can’t get enough of Ms. Fiona then ENTER HERE for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Bridge as well as a personal phone call from the songstress.

Also, be sure to check back mid-week for the second half of the interview.

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.

Bluey Robinson: Hey what’s goin’ on man, it’s Bluey.

C.S.: Hey Bluey. Well first off we just want to thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. Before we get into things can you tell us a bit about your background?

B.R.: No worries … Well without getting too personal I was born in Stockholm, Sweden and grew up in London. I’ve been singing and performing most of my life and it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I basically have always wanted to inspire people. I don’t really know why it’s been the case but something within me has made me feel this way, it’s just how I am!  I got 3 younger sisters and we’ve had to do a lot of moving around etc… and growing up I’ve had to overcome different battles but my dream has always stayed the same and I guess that’s what drives me to do what I do.

C.S.: Well that’s a pretty amazing story you have to tell. It shows because you do not seem shy at all when it comes to singing to random strangers?

B.R.: Thanks man! Just the buzz! There are no words to really explain what music does to a person.

C.S.: Yes, we completely understand. All your life experiences seem to have given you a unique sense of style. It’s all done by you but what is your opinion on the trendsetting artists who have stylists to assist them along the way?

B.R.: Oh! I think that’s fine. I mean I guess some people need that, maybe I do too. I really have not much of a clue when it comes to the fashion industry I just put clothes together that I like whatever the brand or style as long as I like it it don’t really matter!! and I think it’s cooler really and more unique for everybody to dress how they feel to define there characters a bit.

C.S.: Yes style certainly seems to play a big role in music anymore. Almost so much that artists have multiple personas because the audience becomes bored a lot quicker, especially nowadays. So we say that to say, is the Bluey we hear in the songs and see in the videos the same Bluey off camera?

B.R.: Ya mannn, just me I’m not that interesting HaHa.

C.S.: We’re sure many will beg to differ. So you’re currently with London Village Music but work alongside Ryan Leslie’s Next Selection? How has it been working with both?

B.R.: Oh easy… My manager is partners with Ryan so it’s all good… Extended family! ; – )

C.S.: Speak about a comfortable working environment… Your single “I Know” has received some major positive feedback; both the song and video. How did the inspiration for the song and concept for the video come about?

B.R.: Me and my producer Labrinth were in the studio and he had created the underlying beat and rough hook. He played it to me at the end of one of our sessions and I was like yeah tomorrow! We spent the whole of the next day writing, homing in on the concept and working out where I wanted to take it. Also, what message I wanted to give out etc… it came together really easy and naturally, just felt right.

Similarly, with the video we wanted to make it simple; just me and the girl. Not too much distraction from the general feel and meaning of the song. I like nebula’s and starcapes as they seem really mysterious and interesting and you kinda make up your own understanding of what you’re looking at. Out of this world and that’s what I wanted for the vid. so peeps could make up there own conclusion and open their minds a be a little be free.

C.S.: Ahh so that’s a taste of what goes on behind-the-scenes, interesting… In today’s music industry you see too many incidents where a good song goes unnoticed because of the lack of promotion. Are you alright with just making good music and whoever hears it, hears it or are you fighting so that everyone can hear the song across the world?

B.R.: WORLDWIDE BABY! I’m happy making music. Music I love but I want it to reach as many people as possible. So whoever needs that particular message or feeling gets it! It’s great playing in a small venue to a few people but that was never my dream and I ‘neeeeeeed’ more!! The only problem is, where would I stop?! We’re aiming high!

C.S.: There’s that drive and determination. Also, you’ve confirmed the title of your debut album will be “The Rising Sun”. What has the process been like creating the album?

B.R.: THANKS BRUVA! It’s been really good! Experimenting with different sounds and styles… Really just saying ‘PHUCK’ It! It’s music innit, forget the genres! Working with the right producer is also a great help; someone who will allow you to be free and to have an open mind with no pressure. Trial and error is the best way to learn. We’ve tried a lot of different things they all sounded good but weren’t all THE ONE’S!

C.S.: Yes you’re right. Well speaking of the business aspect do you see yourself getting into other ventures down the line?

B.R.: Yea, Sure I’d like to try anything I guess. Anything creative and different and fun! I’ve done a lot of acting in my life too so would be fun to get back into that a little. A blockbuster or two you know!

C.S.: Yea we were just about to ask you about your acting; with guest roles on EastEnders, Doctors and Britannia High. How did you like those experiences; was it that good that you could see yourself leaving music for a bit to pursue it full time?

B.R.: Research! Yea it was fun and I never planned to be an actor or anything, just kinda fell into it but no, couldn’t pursue it full time. Music is way too empowering to escape.

C.S.: Yup, music is life! Your Youtube page seems to be bringing in the views. Have you experienced any fan incidents walking the streets of London?

B.R.: Umm I always get it… To be real only a few people have come up to me and said they’ve seen me on underground and randomly seen me in the street. I think the views are probably going up through word of mouth etc… and people generally comment on my music and what they think of what I’ve done; words of encouragement etc… Everybody thinks I’m nuts! but they like it. It’s weird the response has been what we wanted but not necessarily what we expected! So much so soon it’s still just the beginning.

C.S.: Yes it’s certainly just the beginning for you. With that your success is just starting and as time goes by do you feel you will need to put your guard up more often?

B.R.: In what instance; when doing videos or just in general?

C.S: Just in general, especially with people trying to become your friend for the wrong reasons.

B.R.: Oh yea, I’ve had a bit of that already. It’s weird but I guess you learn what people are about with time. I know who my real peeps are already but I’m willing to make new friends. I like meeting new people so I’ll give anyone who seems genuine the chance even though in the back of my mind my guard is still up.

C.S.: That’s a very wise thing to do. You seem all about breaking the status quo. In which ways do you plan on doing so?

B.R.: Yea man, breaking boundaries; escaping the systems set in place. I don’t know how I’m gonna do it or what crazy things I’m gonna end up doing during this career of mine but I know my character and there will be surprises!!

C.S.: What are you currently listening to in your music library?

B.R.: A bit of Pharrell, Kanye, Boyz II Men, Muse, Outkast, some classical stuff, a lot of movie soundtracks and some Disney soundtracks too there the best; Mulan!

C.S.: Mulan? Yea that’s some real Disney for ya. So it’s been announced that Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tribute concert will take place from London’s O2 arena on the 29th of August. Any plans on attenting?

B.R.: I only heard it was definitely happening today and still wasn’t too sure! Thanks for letting me know. I’m upset with this whole thing. I’m sure it would be a nice experience but it’s not the real thing is it? We’ll see, I would actually like to go though!

C.S.: Yea it will definitely be an experience to remember. Well Bluey we seem to be coming to the end of our interview is there anything we have not covered that you would like to say to the people reading this?

B.R.: Ummm… Errr… Eat your veg! It’s important! Oh and I have a single coming out! It’s called “I Know” and it will be out on iTunes on the 17th of August. Buy it if u like it! PEACE X

“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.

C.S.: So first question, how long have you been singing and writing?

R.C.: Singing, writing, practically most of my life; most of my adult life. Professionally, I’ll probably say more than 2 years. As a solo act I had spent some time with a group called ‘Christian Massive’. We did some work together… I really didn’t take the music seriously until a year and a half back; 18 months? Yea…

C.S.: Wow why didn’t you take it seriously?

R.C.: … well because it was just something that came naturally. Y’know, like most Bahamian singers; we did the church choirs, you know stuff like that. After doing a song and I saw how powerful the music was, especially with kids… It was just something that I considered, not necessarily to even say for pay but it was just like wow the influence of music is just so crazy.
I work with kids, some stuff you say in spoken word they don’t get it…

S.: I partake in spoken word so I actually get it!

R.C.: …it’s like crazy, and then I realize that we learn in melody. You go to any primary school teacher. Y’know they singing the 1, 2, 3’s and the A, B, C’s and most of the fundamentals they do it’s in a melody. I’m like that’s the catch so you know what, I ga tap into this music thing cause it’s more powerful than we really can fathom. It’s really powerful. So it made me check it more rather than take it for granted.

C.S.: So did your talent for spoken word come naturally or…

R.C.: Well my dad, my mum are both public people; religious public people. They’ve been public speakers for a lot of years and it’s just something I grew up seeing… I don’t know, blame it on my condition. I never did ‘Toast Masters’ or anything like that and it just came. Just to have the ability to articulate and communicate with people… I just take it as a blessing from God.

C.S.: How would you describe your music style?

R.C.: My music is motivational, it’s encouraging. You could turn my music on and really change your mood, literally. You having a bad day and pop in “Not Settlin’”, it’s like you literally change your whole outlook on the day. Y’know ‘cause I do have an album out ‘cause some people think I just stuck on this one song. I have songs like “Fire on the Inside”… If you just listen to the lyrics, it’s from a personal perspective that most people can identify with… Most of the songs are like a soundtrack; if you put those songs on it’s literally a soundtrack to motivate you. So my music is encouraging, it’s motivational, it’s inspirational, it reflects my faith and more importantly it touches people. Once I can get a rise out of people, preferably good, it’s good for me.

C.S.: So what was the process like for creating the album, did you come up with a theme or was it just a natural flow of songs?

R.C.: It just came out of me because it’s a reflection of who I am. I’m not one of those guys that approach music scientifically. I’m kinda organic… If I don’t feel it then I pretty much throw it away. ‘Cause if you don’t feel it the people won’t feel it. You can’t transmit the passion that’s necessary for a good performance or a good song. I think people like the music because they can identify with it. It’s raw, it’s passionate, it’s personal, y’know it’s authentic… It’s something you can listen to and be like is this dude talkin’ to me. No dude I’m talkin’ to myself…

C.S.: <LAUGHS>

R.C.: At the end of the day, y’know, me being true to myself helps people to see the truth inside of themselves… Really and truly dude, I can’t even tell you how I write these songs. I know it’s kinda played out to say I don’t write… Sometimes I’ll put the music on and depending on the mood I’m in, lyrics just come out of me. I try to record it and then I write it down. But then it came out before I actually wrote it down. I just work naturally. So my process is, I just follow my feelings, I try to regulate it so people can understand it and I don’t go over the edge and lose people. The process is pretty much put the headphones on…

C.S.: Were you under a deadline for this album?

R.C.: Personal deadline, yea, ‘cause it’s personally funded. I’m pretty much my own boss, no cliques, no groups…

C.S.: We applaud that… <LAUGHS>

R.C.: <LAUGHS>  Yea I’m pretty much an independent person. It gives me the opportunity to say what I want to say as opposed to speak on this line, we need you to sing like this one, we need you to look like that one… I needed to be independent…

C.S.: Oh yes, speaking of being independent do you feel when The Bahamian music industry starts to further grow and they incorporate labels it will affect the organic quality of the music?

R.C.: Well I think it depends, the way the industry is shaping up people are especially established… I just think the way the music is now, I mean I’m independent but I have accomplished things. I have my company of ‘Uprising Sounds’ and I think the business is pretty much favoring the independent artists. Not necessarily independent from a label but independently distributed. Y’know if you check music news Jay-Z is currently an independent artist seeking distribution. I think that’s going to be the way the music industry evolves as opposed to back in the day when you were bound to a million dollar contract… No it’s gonna be where you present your project and you come pretty much ready-made with your distribution… Most of the guys pretty much operate like that to this day…

C.S.: But to speak on Jay-Z he’s also a well established business man/ musician who already earned a comfortable living to…

R.C.: Yea, he funded his first album out of his pocket when people didn’t want to sign him. You know that’s the story that people kinda missed. Y’know when you believe in something you do not want to compromise what you believe needs to be out there, you’re going to find the finances to ensure the word gets out… You know I’ve had distributors from all over trying to hit me up… My album is getting worldwide distribution on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, and GospelReggae.com. Physically as well, I just sold out on cdbaby.com. You know pretty much all that money comes to me…

C.S.: <laughs>

R.C.: … So I think the way the labels are working right now from what I can see is they’re looking for an artist that’s ready-made. They’re looking for someone who’s established an audience, a following, and I think what we’re doing in The Bahamas is good because we’re creating a market so by the time they reach us we can control negotiations etc… It’s not like we’re some slaves to this big pay day.

C.: Right, they won’t be like some manufactured product.

R.C.: Yea, we’d pretty much be functional; at least that’s my goal. My goal is not to be tied to a big label. My goal is to become functional in that I record, I distribute, I tour. When you reach me I can set my own boundaries and my own conditions.

C.S.: So your song “Not Settlin’” has been blazing up the airwaves. It’s such an inspirational song; did you expect it to have the positive impact it has when you first released?

R.C.: I mean, no, I expected it to have a good impact on the people who wanted to go somewhere in life. You know those who were feeling down and felt they deserve more. It was those circles I expected it to resonate in. I didn’t expect the primary school children at age 4 to know the words of the song and get excited. It’s just weird that kids who haven’t started life yet; who don’t know about settlin’ or compromise, y’know because of their innocence and they’re singing the song. I’m like that’s pretty good ‘cause then if they could really get the message… they could really understand and not make the mistakes we make as adults. You know that song came out as yea I did settle, I made mistakes, I flopped, y’know in a lot of areas and it came out as a rebellion at my extent. So I couldn’t picture the impact in one way shape or form. You ridin’ pass and they bussin’ it in the club, then you go to your local youth group and they bussin it then. Y’know you hear it on 101, you hear it on 100 Jamz… My music is being played in Europe and it’s crazy, like it’s really crazy… and I couldn’t fathom it for what it is but I give God thanks, he’s pretty much opening the doors for me that I could have never got in, never. It’s just pretty amazing and humbling at the same time.

C.S.: Your song, “No Minutes” is a fun type of song, where did the inspiration come from for that?

R.C.: No Minutes pretty much is a poke at a good friend …He plays in my band , I wont call his name but one day I needed to reach him and unfortunately I had lost my cell phone and I needed to reach him so I called from a landline. I mean he had this big iPhone on him…I callin’ but I couldn’t reach him, too busy… ‘cause y’know I’m not big on cell phones. Later when I caught up with him, I was like I was calling you and I keep getting the busy signal. He looked at me and like I committed a cardinal sin… So I was like I gat a song for you dawg… We did the original song in ’07; it’s on the ‘Taxi Riddim’, y’know “Driver”. I did it as a fun song; it wasn’t even going to be released professionally… So every time he says somethin’… See that song right there, that’s for YOU! <laughs>

C.S.: <laughs> On your Facebook fan page you said “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Do you think pertaining to the music industry in The Bahamas, that’s why we have so many cookie-cutter artists?

R.C.: Well honestly I can’t necessarily speak on that aspect ‘cause honestly I don’t really watch nobody like that but I do understand the temptation to conform because it’s easy to do something that’s already been done, or something that has already been accepted. I can tell you one thing; you’re not gonna be anything of worthy proportions always following people. For instance, you should emulate good principal but I do not believe in copying. If you are a hard worker, being diligent, being honest, possessing integrity; these are good things to emulate but when I look at you and see you, man it’s like that’s not yours. How can you just jump on a style… because it looked like a lot of people liked it. That’s not cool at all but like I said I can see why people are tempted because here it is you are working with minimum resources and you’re working in an industry that’s not necessarily earning he/she a lot of money so you just have to make the most of you’re cake.

C.S.: What have you been up to lately, particularly concerning your music?

R.C.: I’ve just been really busy doing functions, shows. I did ‘e-Life: Unplugged’ a few months ago. For me I’m just pushing my project. A lot of people support the project, they’re so encouraging. I get good feedback and good sales. That’s not too bad y’know.

Musically I’ve been doing a lot of networking, a lot; locally and internationally. Right now I’m working on an EP with a band in Europe. It’s a 6 track project. Exclusively produced by them and exclusively written by me. It should be out in the summer.

C.: Oh man, thanks for that exclusive <laughs>

R.C.: Yea bui <laughs>. But y’know I’ve been getting great feedback from the radio stations like Power 104.5, especially 100 Jamz. I’m just working with some great producers… I mean this new global age is ‘retarded’. I’m working with people I never thought I would be working with… I’m possibly working on an international tour which would be really really REALLY cool. I’m just doing things to expand my brand; the music.

C.S.: Well aside from the upcoming EP, do you have any plans for the follow-up to Uprising…?

R.C.: Yea, I’m actually working on both at the same time. I’m 3 tracks from completing everything.

C.S.: A possible release date?

R.C.: By next year, this time, it’ll be out . I’d also say that by October/November of this year you’ll be able to hear the lead single from the album. Trust me, the song is CRAZY. I did a little demo, tested it out and it’s bananas.

C.S.: Do you feel that being a well known artist has changed you in any way?

R.C.: I’m pretty much aware of my ability to influence people. I just try to channel it and make sure that I use it to highlight a couple of charities I’ve been involved in before music… So now that a couple more people know me, highlighting the charity of the ‘Sister-Sister Breast Cancer Support Group’… They’re not as popular as say some of the other charities but they’re very much respected and have been a very good support group for those that have been infected with that type of cancer… So that’s what I’ve been doing, just highlighting some of the things to bring it to your attention.

C.S: Now this question may a bit out there but have you experienced any Bahamian groupies?

R.C.: I mean I really don’t believe in terms like groupies, etc… Bahamians are pretty much down-to-earth people and they’re not really moved by any celebrity. Well Jay-Z and Beyonce, alright then, cool.

I’ve had a couple good experiences with kids. I was doing a function and a bus filled with kids was there. The function was canceled due to torrential rains. There were 30 or more people in the bus waiting all excited to see me. So I walked up to the bus and they just started screaming. I never had an experience where so many people were excited just to see me. So since the night was canceled I had 8 phone cards and I just passed them out. They waited a half hour to see me, in the rain with no light. I mean all the signs were there that the show had to be postponed. You just have to be humble man. I believe with that kind of power and responsibility you have to because you can end up taking advantage of people. I mean if you’re that excited to see me then it’s time to pass on something good.

C.S.: To make this interview more exciting we reached out to some of you fans and asked them to submit some questions.

R.C.: WHAT! I have fans? <laughs>

C.S.: <LAUGHS>

OJEB: What inspired you to get into music? Why?

R.C.: Well pretty much what inspired me was like I said; just seeing the effects of music… Sometimes kids, they just kinda look back graciously all the time as if they’re sure. So I’ve seen the power of music translating the same message and it’s just crazy. That’s what moves me to do it, not the money just the power. That’s pretty much why I do it professionally.

CRHO: Since you have a public addiction for Star Bucks, what’s your favorite drink?

R.C.: I have a problem. I just keep it real on this thing. ‘Cause if I like it I like it… It’s safe to say I like the ‘White Mocha’.

Sean: Where do you see the Bahamian music industry in the next 20 years?

R.C.: Twenty, man eh. 20 years? Let’s go 5. Let’s go like next year. It seems The Bahamas is pretty much becoming a buzz place… A lot of people are independently grindin’, they’re independently getting their music out there. I just think the exposure; the international connection is going to blow up the industry. You gat some artists right here who are eatin’ off of it. I just see the industry becoming more functional and accepted. Then gaining international acclaim and acceptance is the next step. I think that’s when people will recognize our music industry; we have the influence.

TAP: I know you’re a Christian, but your music has a lot of crossover appeal and you had to perform at a lot of places. How do you manage to keep so grounded with all the temptations in the music biz?

R.C.: Well I mean I pretty much just anchor myself. I just don’t take anything for granted. Some people kind of lose their way and lose their head. I think the thing that keeps me the most grounded is the fact that I know people depend on me. People are actually inspired by what I do.

Shortz: How does it feel to be a public figure?

R.C.: It’s cool. The only difference is you have to mind what you do. It requires discipline… It’s good and I enjoy it but I don’t let it get to my head. What it takes someone to achieve in a year… being a public speaker, you say it once and a ton of people get it all at the same time.

C.S.: Now for the hard and controversial questions, no we’re just kidding <LAUGHS>. Is there anything we haven’t asked that you want to leave for your fans?

R.C.: <LAUGHS> Thanks everyone that supported the message, even if you used Bluetooth or whatever… I still appreciate the fact you take the time to listen. That’s just the age we’re in. Thanks to all the radio and other media personalities, y’ know just recently “Not Settlin’” went to #1 on “Our Stage”; they’re partnered with AOL Music. It’s becoming a really respected place for independent talent and the song was in the top 10 for a couple of months… It’s something about the whole #1 thing that I just don’t get. It’s still the same song right? Anyway, whatever. I just appreciate everyone who was down from day one with the music… especially my Facebook crew.

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!

CS: First, we want to thank you for taking time out of your hectic schedule to do this interview. Well it all started back in 2004 when you signed with IMG. Fast forward 5 years and you’re one of the most unique and successful fashion models in the industry. How have you grown from your experiences and do you think you’ve changed much?

Sessilee Lopez: Yes, I have grown up and matured a lot. I see my job as a career and something that I love doing. I now see it as an artform.

CS: When you first arrived on the scene a lot of people typecasted you as a cross between Grace Jones and Iman but with more emphasis on Grace Jones’ edge. Now, they seem to be softening your image and giving you more sexy and feminine looks. Did any of this affect your self-esteem?

SL: No, it did not affect my self esteem in a negative way. I am thankful for work. I don’t mind being casted as anyone as successful as Iman and Grace. WHAT, I’m looked at now as sexy? Oh yeah!

CS: As a model traveling is unavoidable, has it destroyed any of your personal relationships i.e. friendships?

SL: No, everyone in my life knows how dedicated I am to my job so they understand.

CS: Has all the traveling opened your mind to aspects of life that you may have been objective to?

SL: Yes, traveling gives you a new perspective on life and history. You have to know where you come from in order to know where you’re going.

CS: Awhile back you were interviewed stating you plan on becoming a teacher someday. What is it about teaching that has your interest?

SL: I just love children. I used to volunteer at the YMCA with my mom and enjoyed it. Besides, my mom was a teacher.

CS: Which brings us to this question, will you retire from modeling like Tyra Banks did, in other words, will you leave the industry before the industry leaves you?

SL: I hope to have longevity since things are just starting to happen for me.

CS: What is your definition of the word ‘Supermodel’? Do you think any of today’s models are on a level where they could match-up with Linda, Naomi, Christy, etc… if it were still the 90’s?

SL: Liya Kebede and Erin Wasson to me are today’s supermodels. A supermodel to me can successfully balance her fashion career with being in the public eye.

CS: Do you believe there will be a “Golden Age: Part Deux”?

SL: I sure hope so.

CS: Still on the topic of the Golden Age, how different do you think your career would be back then as opposed to now with the industry in its current state?

SL: The only thing I can say about that is that I would personally want to meet Yves Saint Laurent and hopefully would have work for him.

CS: What have been your top 5 jobs that you’ve booked thus far?

SL: 1. Vogue Italia with Steven Meisel
2. cK One
3. Harper’s with Peter Lindberg
4. Metal magazine cover
5. Latina magazine cover

CS: Has your professional life simmered into reality yet or is it all still a dream?

SL: Sometimes it is real and sometimes it is so unreal but I try to just go to work and get the job done. When I come home, I just turn back into Sess.

CS: You’ve taken a few partial-nude shots for a few editorials. Would you agree to do a fully nude pictorial?

SL: For the right photographer, the right magazine, etc… – yes.

CS: How did the Fall 2009/2010 shows go for you?

SL: Extremely well! Unfortunately, I missed Milan because I had a really big shoot that was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss.

CS: Topshop recently opened its doors in SoHo. Were you one in that massive crowd waiting to get some UK fashion?

SL: No, but I tried to go on a rainy day thinking there would be no lines, but there was!

CS: What trends have you rocked over the years or does Sessilee have a signature look?

SL: My signature look is the rocker-look but I am always working on evolving it. My sister, Kris is my stylist.

CS: What music artists have you been listening to lately?

SL: Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

CS: You, like the rest of us contemporary beings, are quite the social network enthusiast. Are there any effects, positive or negative, that Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc… have on society?

SL: I don’t know about society, except you get to know people a bit better. People want me to Tweet details about jobs that I am doing. I’m a bit superstitious so I don’t talk about jobs before they are public. I Tweet but without any details.

CS: You may or may not know but the trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen’s (Borat) new movie, Brüno, recently premiered. Did you hear about the incidents of him trespassing into the Spring 2009 shows in Milan?

SL: OMG! He was at one of my shows! The character Brüno is hilarious! I just love him and he has a good walk! LOL. I would love to go to his movie premiere with him (and his wife too).

CS: Switching topics, what is your take on the United States’ economic crisis? Do you think the acquired celeb status of President Obama has put this idea into people’s minds that he is some superhuman who can solve this problem in a few short months?

SL: I hope he can solve this problem soon. I think America needs a superhero they can put their faith in right now; and it’s not a bad thing to look at our president as this amazing man. How often in the past have we been able to do that? – You can probably count it on one hand. I love Obama and his family and I wish them all much success.

CS: It was an outstanding 2008 for you but 2009 is here. What upcoming work does Sessilee Lopez have in store for 2009; acting, campaigns, editorials, magazine covers? Come on give us a hint if not an exclusive.

SL: Yes, all of the above. Like I said earlier, I can’t talk about projects that aren’t out yet. I am excited to work.

CS: Well, thank you once again, it has been a pleasure. Before you go are there any parting messages you want to leave with your fans?

SL: Just that I love all of them for their support, especially the ones who think I am just so fierce – I hear them! Thanks so much. I work hard to give you a great photo every time.

[Gallery not found]

Moriah Johnson a.k.a. “Mo”, resident of the now-popular Baldwin Hills, has really set the example for young males displaying all aspects of what a respectable man should be with his three season run on the hit BET reality television show, Baldwin Hills. Now, at the age of 18 and a senior at Crenshaw High, Moriah has his sights set on college to pursue a career in basketball. Son to an accomplished/successful mother and a former NBA player, he possesses the natural talent and intelligence to pursue those dreams. Through interviewing Moriah it is apparent that he truly is the down-to-earth person we see on television and with the mass set of morals he lives by we see nothing but great things to come his way.

Catch Moriah every Tuesday night at 10p.m.ET in Baldwin Hills on the BET network.

First of all thanks for this interview and for giving us a chance for this online meeting. So it would seem the best question to start with is how did becoming a cast member of Baldwin Hills come about? Was it something you saw as a planned opportunity or more of an unexpected occurrence?

Moriah Johnson:
As an unexpected blessing. My brother knew someone who was working with the show and helping to put it together and told my brother that BET was looking for kids my age in my area, doing positive things. At the time I was a 4.0 student… playing sports, going to church seeking GOD… soooo I got hooked up with an interview.

Season 2 of Baldwin Hills was a bit of a rollercoaster ride as far as the ladies were concerned along with the rest of the drama. Were there times when Lor’Rena and Gerren made you want to lose your cool but then remembered you were being filmed?

M.J.:
Yea, when Gerren put her arms around me at Sal’s kickback, with my girlfriend right there. She was purposely trying to make her jealous I think and it was extrad out. Annnnnd I had a chance to get her back… but I didn’t allow my pride to take over.

Being on a reality television show like Baldwin Hills for 3 seasons, has it sparked any interests in acting or other fields of entertainment.

M.J.:
No

Your father, Marques Johnson, being the great NBA player he was and still is, do you feel the pressure to make him proud and add to the Johnson legacy?

M.J.:
Yes, I do but what relieves that little pressure is the knowledge that my family will love me and support me through whatever I do.

Speaking of legacy, what impression do you want to leave behind for the younger generations to look up to?

M.J.:
A man that was after GOD’s own heart. Pursuing righteousness at all times and having outstanding character.

Still on the topic of career paths, do you feel you would like to pursue a different career not so obvious but fail to do anything about it to avoid upsetting your family?

M.J.:
No, I could be a clown, and my family would still invite me to thanksgiving dinner.

Inauguration Day, this was a day that captured the feelings of Americans and International citizens alike. How did you spend that day and what are your thoughts on President Barack Obama?

M.J.:
I went to school but left for a family dinner (that I missed…) and then just chilled until it was time to practice from 3 – 6:20. Obama is a man of many promises and thus far I respect him. I just hope and pray that he can follow through on the promises he makes.

What are your tastes in music? Do you keep up with what’s popular, lean a little to the left of mainstream central or enjoy both?

M.J.:
I like… Gospel, Rap, R&B. If it can make me think and/or effect my emotions at that time I can dig it. Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, Mary Mary, Ludacris, Aesop Rocks. I know these artists seem contradicting but I feel (as far as Rap goes) as long as I’m not putting the lyrics into action, and I’m just appreciating their lyricism, then its ok.

Who would you say are your top 5 celebrity ladies?

M.J.:
1. Rihanna
2. Beyoncé
3/4. Mary (&) Mary lol
5. Keri Hilson

Has it reached to a point where you’ve had a crazy fan moment and if so what was your reaction?

M.J.:
Well I was driving through the hood one day, and passed a house where people were sitting outside on the porch, and some girl yells “That’s Moriah from Baldwin Hills!” and I just stick the peace sign out the window. But I was just amazed at how people recognize me. Every moment is a crazy moment because I never expected to be here.

What are your plans, post Crenshaw High?

M.J.:
Basketball in college somewhere, no set option yet. Goin’ where GOD takes me.

Can we look forward to season 4 of Baldwin Hills? If so will you stick around as part of the regular cast?

M.J.:
We shall see.

Finally, are there any parting comments you would like to leave with our viewers that we forgot to put in there?

Give GOD all the glory and all the praise. Acknowledge HIM in all that you do. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven in all its righteousness. No GOD no peace, Know GOD, know peace. GOD is good.

It’s February, a new month and a new interview. As promised we’re featuring more Bahamian artists and this month we have two, Ashton Newbold a.k.a. Lynkx and Yuri Butler a.k.a Yu-Ray. Both are aspiring hip-hop artists. With this interview they gave us a taste of what’s to come from them, a hot track entitled “242 Town”. I’ll be honest i did not know what to expect but the instrumental alone on this song has me interested.

To learn more about these talented artists, you can find both Yu-Ray and Lynkx on MySpace.

How long have you been in the rap game?

Yu-Ray:

About 5 and a half years now.

Lynkx:

Well, I’ve been writing for a long time, maybe like 8 years but I actually started recording on professional equipment in the last 6 years.

What inspired you to get involved in music?

Lynkx:

It started off as kind of a bored thing for me. I got bored SO I wrote music… especially during Physics classes in High school. Back then it wasn’t that serious but as time passed I got a little more serious with it. I liked the word play especially, listening to people like Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Ludacris and Jay Z really influenced me a lot too.

Yu-ray:

Well honestly I was going through some tough emotional times (relationship wise) and so I decided to write all my problems down and one day I got a brillant idea to put my words to a beat {lol} and I fell in love instantly… Now I wont lie my rhymes at that time were not the best BUT just the feeling of hearing my word in rhythm over a beat, I knew music was for me and that I should persue it more.

Now Lynkx, the song “242 Town”, we gather, is about Bahamian vibes, what inspired the track?

Lynkx:

Well I always wanted a 242 anthem or themed song, something I can rep my town with. So I came up with the beat that’s somewhat laid back but it was like a cruising beat, you know sumth u could just cruise to in your car… I dont know but listening to the beat initially I just kept seeing the Bahamian flag and the sun rising, if u can picture that like i did and it clicked. Came up with the chorus, called up my boy Yu-Ray and BAM! we went from there.

So, Yu-Ray, you’re featured on the track, how did you enjoy the experience?

Yu-Ray:

It was fun, felt like old times, Ashton and I go way back from grade 7 to be exact. But this isn’t our first song at all, we have tons of others. We were not able to do a song in a minute so it’s good to know when we both get back in the booth we still make hits and it was a song bigging up the best place in the world The Bahamas, where I’m from so it was a pleasure.

What have you been up to lately, particularly concentrating on your music?

Lynkx:

Lately I’ve been focusing more on my beats, tryna improve on that every day but I’m still writing too. I have a lot of ideas im working on also.

Yu-Ray:

Well I just moved to Freeport to take a new job, so I’m tryin to balance work and music. But I have my own studio over here and I’ve got a pretty good name as a music engineer so lots of ppl come to me do to there songs and mix them down.

Taking a look at the Bahamian music industry, how do you differ from other Bahamian artists?

Yu-Ray:

I believe my sound is unique… I find a lot of Bahamian artists (not all) try to sound like some one else and I think that limits you. In my opinion only you can sound like you… so just do you! Also what sets me apart is the fact that I take risks, I try new things, my goal is to never get comformtable with one style or genre I want to do it all. Shucks if a country song pops in my head and I think the idea is hot I’m going to go for it {lol}.

Lynkx, what are your plans for the future considering your music career and can we expect future collaborations with you and Yu-Ray in the future?

Lynkx:

Nothin is promised but I’m willing to do as much as I can, and that’s from providing beats for other artist, features, mixtapes. The sky is the limit. It would be great to see me on BET, Tempo or MTV reppin that 242 tho. Who knows, life is crazy and anythings possible.

{As for future collaborations with Yu-Ray)

Of course, that’s my boy. We will be working on more songs in the future.

With this new year, we want to do some spectacular things. What is more spectacular than using an internet tool like a blog to spread the word about up-and-coming talent around the world? Even better, we’ll start with the talent right here in The Bahamas.

Conchience Clothing, backed by the team of Giorgio Knowles, DAngelo ‘Muffy’ Charlton, Amelia Amoury, Jeremy J. Johnson, Mei-Lin Wong, Ashley Bethel & Ramond Sawyer is one of the rising and prosperous clothing lines in The Bahamas. Conchience Clothing took off as a representation of the Bahamian culture and lifestyle through clothing. Some of the line’s slogans, “Bahamian is the New Black” and “Take My Talks”, push foreign concepts aside as well as remove popular logos(The Polo Horse, Tommy Hilfiger, etc…) from Bahamians’ chests and replaces them with something endemic to The Bahamas, the conch. It in turn encompasses the spirit of The Bahamas as its people through bright colors and bold designs.

How did the idea for a clothing line come about?

Giorgio-

“I originally started it in 2005, fresh out of high school. I was looking for ideas, to bring something to the Bahamas instead of being a regular doctor or lawyer and whatever like that. I was always into clothes and I was looking for a medium to get all my ideas out there about The Bahamas and our culture because we had no clothing line that represented us. So when I came up with Conchience, I mean, it was just magic…I came up with Love Yuhself, which is the female line in 2007 because ‘Love Yuhself’ is such a bold statement and Bahamian girls use it so much to express how they feel.”

How did you arrive at the name Conchience?

Giorgio-

“Its funny because I’m not sure exactly how I came up with it, but I remember a couple months before learning that Americans don’t pronounce the word conch as ‘konk’ they say ‘Konsh’. For some reason that always stuck in my head and when I came up with Conchience, for some reason it just flowed…’mmm conchience’ a Bahamian state of mind.

When you think of other Bahamian lines like, Two Hundred and Forty Two and Malaika, how does Conchience stand out?

Giorgio-

“Malaika, Levardo Stubbs, is a good friend of mine… His style is different from mine and that’s what I like about his, he targets more of the ‘rootsiness’ of it with the rasta colors and he uses a lot of browns and black in his colors where in my designs I use a lot of bright colors, ya know, The Bahamas; the sun, the beach and Junkanoo; yellows, pinks, reds.”

I’ve seen Two Hundred and Forty Two and the guy, I’ve never met him personally but from what I’ve seen, he’s a great artist. The thing about Conchience is we don’t just consider ourselves a clothing line, its beyond clothes, it’s more of a movement.”

Amelia-

“Its more of a lifestyle we’re promoting. We’re not thinking of Bahamian stuff to market and not make it gimmicky. We’re trying to express the way that we live our life through clothing.”

With relation to the last comment you made Giorgio do you consider yourselves fashion designers or entrepreneurs?

Giorgio-

“I don’t consider myself a fashion designer in any sense. I just happen to be a guy that has a keen eye for what is fresh… I taught myself to design…Amelia on the other hand, she’s born with natural talent…She’s a gifted artist.”

Amelia-

“Both designer and entrepreneur, because anything you do these days, you have to have a business mind-set about it…Basically everyone is taking advantage of their talent and making it marketable.”

Care to share any secrets of the upcoming year?

Amelia-

“A lot of color and a lot of bold statements…The next line is gonna be an evolution of what Conchience is now. It’s gonna be above the standard we’ve set previously so it’s gonna be good!”

Giorgio-

“We have some stuff coming out at the top of 2009 that’s bigger than Conchience and Love Yuhself….I dunno if I can let that out…its something pretty big.”

What are the prices of your pieces?

Giorgio-

“Our prices for t-shirts range from $25-30. We ain’ trying to hurt nobody. Hoodies we have $50 and Polos are $30- 40 dollars depending on the style.”

Do you guys have a store?

Giorgio-

“Right now we have an online store and when you purchase a shirt we deliver it to your door, just like pizza[laughs]. Ain’t gatta waste no gas or move off your couch.”

Lastly, on your website you had ” Big World, Dream Bigger”, do you plan on expanding the line internationally?

Giorgio-

“Of course, but not until I’ve realized that this is the exact product I want to market to the states because in The Bahamas you can market a product but in the states it’s a whole different ball game…different culture, different people.

Present for this interview were Giorgio Knowles (founder), Amelia Amoury (Female Designer) & Ramond Sawyer (Public Relations).”