Grinderzz 4th edition final

Grinderzz 24/7 Magazine July/August 2018

Behind The Grind With Positive K

& TV

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Letter From The Editor Hello everyone! Welcome to my world....the world of GrinderZZ. My name is Angie Christine, C.E.O of GrinderZZ 24/7 Magazine & TV. I am a mother, an author, a writer for Fuzionz Magazine/TV, actress and soon to be talk show host of my very own show titled "The Ultimate Surprise Show". When it comes to being a hard worker, I always strive to come out on top. I decided to create this magazine to applaud and to recognize all of the Grinders across the world who are out there doing their thing. These people come from various backgrounds, work trades, even different religions, but the one thing that makes them all the same is that they are hard workers. It takes a special person to become one. You have to eat, drink, and sleep your skills, your talents, and become that head honcho. I know you all will be very pleased at reading the different interviews and articles inside this special magazine. I would also love your feedback. If you would love to drop me a message, please send all inquiries to Angie_Christine@aol.com.

Take care and keep grinding! (If you dream it, make it happen) Editor and Chief - Angie Christine Assistant Editor – Shenoba Kinsey ____________________________________________________________________________ Advertisement

Check our website out at: www.fuzionzmagazineandtv.com

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Inside This Issue:

Music Entertainment

GRINDERZZ 24/7 Magazine & TV

Artists Interviews

The information contained in this magazine is for educational, entertainment and general informational purposes only. This information is provided by Grinderzz 24/7 Magazine & TV and other sources. We will strive to keep the information as informative and as up-to-date as possible.

Through this magazine, you may see the links to various website which are not under the control of Grinderzz 24/7 Magazine & TV. We have no control over the nature, content or availability of those sites.

This magazine contains materials which are owned by or permitted for us to use. This material includes, but is not limited to, photos, articles, designs, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited. Your views and opinions may differ from the content; therefore, you may leave a comment at angie_christine@aol.com Editor and Chief, Author Angie Christine

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Flava of the Month

When I started searching for my "Flava of the Month", I knew that individual had to be special. They had to carry themselves a certain way in order to attract us to their being. Well we here at GrinderZZ 24/7 Magazine & TV hit the nail on the head when we picked Gilberto Martinez. This Brooklyn born native hails from the Bushwick section, and was born at Greenpoint Hospital, and ever since he came into the world, he has been nothing but a grinder. Gilberto attended Shell Bank elementary school and went onto Sheepshead Bay Highschool, (my old high school) where he graduated from the class of 1990. After school, Gilberto danced his way into the medical field as a dialysis technician for 23 years, and one year in nursing school. This Puerto Rican King did the most remarkable thing by performing CPR on three different patients, saving their lives. Currently if you are in the midst of thousands of New Yorkers who commute on the lines from A to Z, then you've probably seen his sexiness in the conductor seat. Gilberto is current title is MTA, which he drives the trains, and also works in the train yard where he gets them prepared for service. At the ripe ole age of 46, I can honestly say......Gilberto Martinez is def a grinder at its best! Oh yeah, i must add, Mr. Martinez is currently in a relationship. Sorry ladies, but at least you have a copy of GrinderZZ, so you can gaze at this hottie all day and night.

Congratulations to Gilberto, GrinderZZ Male Flava of the Month.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gilberto Martinez)

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Christopher Andrews, better known as the stage Name "AC3", is an American recording and performing artist raised in Virginia. AC3 is best known for his inspirational multi-talents in writing, dancing, acting, and production. He was well known in his high school for his appearances on stage of a Hati Relief Concert.

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AC3 has had many encounters with big time producer Timbaland and Opened for Artists such as Diplo and Travis Scott, in 2016, and has not stopped sense.

Currently, AC3 has his own label entitled AC3 Productions, LLC and looks to expand his creativity in the music industry. His Inspirations, musically, are NAS, Timbaland, Kanye West, Pharrell, and Absoul. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of AC3)

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(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Juel Vas)

Purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1787109968/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_twi_pap_3?ie=UTF8&qid=151734 9663&sr=8-1&keywords=Mr+Gahdzooks

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Inside the World of “DJ Lady Love”

Born to the Beat of the Bronx and absorbing the Soul of Queens, Denise “DJ Lady Love” Briggs has been a steady advocate in re-awakening the sleeping (and often overlooked) giant: The Female DJ. In the year 1979, in an encounter deemed divine, Denise stood hypnotized by the blends and cuts coming through the speakers; engineered by Davy DMX. It was love at first beat. The two soon formed a mentorship that allowed Denise to build upon her skills, birthing “DJ Sexy”. With the encouragement of her mentor, Denise expanded from small parties to shows at the world-famous Fantasia in Queens.

While planning a large event, longtime friend DJ Woody Wood knew it was time for the caterpillar known as “DJ Sexy” to transform into the butterfly, “DJ Lady Love.”

Denise rocked parties with a number of legends like The Disco Twins and the Infinity Machine, GrandWizzard Theodore, Crash Crew and the Fearless Four, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, Special K of The Treacherous Three, 9

Fearless Four, and Doug E. Fresh. The Bronx native was invited to come back home and display her skills at the T-Connection, and her love for music continued to grow and evolve over the years.

(Photo Credit: Charles Brown)

In 1981, DJ Lady Love decided to focus on her growing family and left Hip Hop in the hands of her fellow up and coming female DJ's. Today, DJ Lady Love is represented by GMC Entertainment (CEO Grandmaster Caz). She was the official DJ for The Universal Hip Hop Museum's "Women of Hip Hop Event", is an Honorary Board member of the Universal Hip Hop Museum and is displayed prominently in the Queens Public Library in the Queens Hip Hop Pioneers Photo Exhibit (curated by Ralph McDaniels).

Denise won an award at the Team Fearless Hip Hop Icon Awards and continues to rock Lisa and Wendy as the CEO of her own internet radio station, Dj Lady Love FM. The station 10

has grown to include a number of influential and respected DJ's, a vivid and loyal fanbase, and hits in countries across the world.

(Photo Credit: Bahamadia)

For Bookings: Official Site: ww.djladylovespinkpantyproductions.com Official Station: DJLADYLOVE.FM Call: GMC ENTERTAINMENT (646) 232 -4652 (347)766-LADY Facebook Fan: http://www.facebook.com/DJLADYLOVEBX Twitter: @DJLADYLOVEBX Email: DJLADYLOVE@hotmail.com 11

DJ Lady Love (continued)

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DJ Lady Love (continued)

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DJ Lady Love (continued)

Other Photo Credits: Mfidel photography and Charles Brown.

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Flava of the Month

Tikerra Lashea was born and raised in Houston,Tx. The 28-year old is a full-time, single mother to a 2-month old baby boy named Kingsten. “Motherhood has taught me a lot of things. It’s the best job God could have ever given me! I’m the daughter of the “diamond diva” and “Dj B1.” Lol...some of my favorite hobbies include cooking reading traveling and working out. I also like to call myself a fashionista prior to pregnancy. I was a sales associate at Nordstrom located in the Houston galleria for 3 years,” Tikerra told GrinderZZ. Congratulations to Tikerra Lashea, GrinderZZ Female Flava of the Month. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tikerra Lashea)

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GrinderZZ Interviews Stijn Coppens aka Ultraman

GrinderZZ 24/7 magazine & TV is so hyped to conduct an interview with this man right here. His name is Stijn Coppens, aka Ultraman, and he is the hottest man in Europe right now. Stijn's grind is a celebrity photographer and has made the old school hip hop community his family.

GrinderZZ: GOOD MORNING STIJN, PLEASE TELL THE AUDIENCE A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? Stijn: Good morning GrinderZZ 24/7, thx for having me. I'm 45 years young. I live in Belgium in a small village called Bottelare, with my wife and 13-year old daughter. I have a fulltime job at the Volvo Europe Trucks company. Besides my job and spending time with my family, I try to work out on a regular base. I like to photograph Hip Hop shows as much as possible. And if there is time left I like to watch movies and series. I have a weakness for 70s and 80s cinema. Same as for music. Call me a nostalgic soul.

GrinderZZ: AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START TO APPRECIATE THE HIP HOP COMMUNITY? Stijn: That goes back to 1987. I was 15, didn't know rap music and I was diggin' for synthesizer music in a record store in Antwerp city. That all changed when I picked up that one record that was placed in the wrong genre section: Rhyme Pays by ICE-T. I was fascinated by the cover, the graffiti logo, the gun chain, the song titles. So, I decided to give it a try at the listening booth. When that intro started... goosebumps immediately! Never heard anything like it.

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Songs like 6 'N the morning and Squeeze The Trigger... These lyrics described a violent lifestyle I couldn't relate to, living in my safe environment. I was hooked from that day! ICE-T's second album Power came out shortly after. Bought myself albums by NWA, PE, Paris, 2 live crew, RUN DMC, Slick Rick, Too Short, Donald D...When I got my first job in 1991 and when the first paychecks came in... my collection got only bigger and bigger. Collected everything from East, West and South. Got every information on release dates from magazines like The Source, Rappages, RapSheet, HipHopConnection and Murder Dog. GrinderZZ: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP ARTISTS? Stijn: I lost interest in new hip hop releases around 2001. Decided to stop collecting and sold most of my +1800 cd albums to my good friend Tom (www.hiphopcollector.com). I started to take martial arts classes as a new hobby. When my daughter was born in 2005 I felt the need to capture in photographs how she was growing up. I bought myself a new digital camera and a new hobby was born. I posted some of my pictures on the digital photo platform: flickr a worldwide online community of pro and hobby photographer which was very popular at that time. Those were the pre instagram days. Got some great responses from all people around the world on the way I lay down my feelings in a picture. It triggered me, and this new hobby became a passion.

In 2008 I saw a concert flyer online with a very dope line up. ROCK THE BELLS Amsterdam with Nas, De La Soul, EPMD, The Pharcyde and Mos Def. Thought I give it a try and sent the organisation an email with a request for taking pictures. I was lucky and got a photo pass for shooting frontstage. I was exited! They even let me go backstage.

For the first time seeing all my heroes hanging out together and speaking to the press. I was too starstruck and nervous to ask them to pose for me. Took some sneaky shots. I was quite happy with the results.

It was a start...

Combining the old passion with the new: Hip Hop Photography GrinderZZ: TELL US THE NAMES OF DIFFERENT ARTIST YOU WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH? Stijn: EPMD, Pharcyde, Jungle Brothers, Diamond D, Schooly D, Rakim, Public Enemy, Ice-T & Body Count, Melle Mel, Scorpio, Sugar Hill Gang, Souls Of Mischief, Dj Premier, Dj Jazzy Jef, Snoop Dogg, Redman & Method Man, Wu-Tang, Jeru The Damaja, Chip Fu, Pete Rock & Cl Smooth, Mobb Deep, Phife Dawg, Masta Ace, Slick Rick, Kool Keith, Afrika Bambaataa, Das EFX, Freddie Foxxx, Prince Paul, Paris, Lords Of The Underground, The Beatnuts, Artifacts, Arsonists, Delinquent Habits, Donald D, Sadat X, Keith Murray, Dilated Peoples, Mad Skillz, Talib Kweli, GZA, Digable Planets, Alchemist, Camp lo, Krs One, Marco Polo, AZ, Ill Bill, Funkdoobiest, Doowop, Lord Finesse, Da Bush Babees, Large Pro, De La Soul, Jedi Mind Tricks, Rahzel & JS-1, Tony Touch, Mykill Miers, Tha Alkaholiks, M.O.P., Naughty By Nature, Pharoahe Monch, Onyx, Shyheim, Dead Prez, R.A. The Rugged Man, Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash, Afu-Ra, Dj Boogie Blind, The 17

Coup, Chino XL, Brother Ali, Rasco, Blaq Poet, MF Doom, Big Daddy Kane, AG, O.C., T LA Rock, Just-Ice, Killah Priest, Kool G Rap, Roxanne Shante, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Kurtis Blow, Mantronix, Newcleus, Havoc, Big Noyd, Craig G, Prince Whipper....

I didn't really 'work' with them, i'm just that guy with the camera backstage, frontstage, side stage. Some of the artist know me more personally than others.

GrinderZZ: I KNOW RIGHT NOW IN EUROPE OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP IS STILL APPRECIATED. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST? Stijn: When it comes to live shows, my favorites are Big Daddy Kane, Redman & Method Man. But honestly, I really enjoy every show. Never disappointed. It's always a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

GrinderZZ: STIJN, HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED TO THE UNITED STATES TO WORK AN EVENT? Stijn: Unfortunately, not. But, who knows what the future will bring.

GrinderZZ: HOW PROUD ARE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS OF YOU RIGHT KNOW? Stijn: They are very proud of the work I've done and the things I've achieved. My daughter can't wait to join me on my trips but right now schoolwork is a priority.

GrinderZZ: WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WOULD LOVE TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS? Stijn: Be very patient. Start by contacting local promotors, ask for a photo pass if possible. Try to build up a small portfolio so you can introduce your work on social media. If you are lucky to go backstage, be very respectful. Tag the artist in your work. If they appreciate what you are doing maybe they let you do a private shoot. And most important, don't expect to get rich from what you are doing. I don't earn a penny by doing this. That's why I have to keep my fulltime job.

Getting respect from all those legends makes it all worth it.

GrinderZZ: HOW CAN ANYONE REACH YOU FOR ADVICE? Stijn: Go to my Facebook and Instagram pages: Https://m.facebook.com/stijn.coppens IG: stijncoppenshhphotography GrinderZZ: ANY LAST WORDS? Stijn: HIP HOP is not dead. Thanks a lot for this great opportunity.

Peace & love Stijn 18

(Stijn Coppens continued‌)

We, at GrinderZZ 24/7 Magazine & TV, want to thank you for your time.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stijn Coppens)

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Johana Vallejos on the Grind

I am so pleased and excited to conduct this interview with this young lady right here!

GrinderZZ 24/7 Magazine & Tv was lucky enough to catch up with Ms. Johana aka Melanin, before her hosting one of her events. This woman is def a Grinder!

GrinderZZ: Please tell us a little something about yourself.

Johana: My name is Johana Vallejos, from Brooklyn NY and I’m a very goal oriented/no nonsense woman, lol.

GrinderZZ: When did you first start your Melanin Movement?

Johana: About two years ago.

GrinderZZ: Explain to everyone what you do?

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Johana: I plan/host events. That can be anywhere from baby showers, weddings, birthday parties and etc. My favorite event to do is when I set up a black business owner expo. I basically rent out a place, get a DJ and let different businesses set up and sell their products. It gives them a chance to promote their story/products & meet new customers.

GrinderZZ: I have witnessed so many events that you have put together for a lot of black owned businesses. What was the largest amount of people you can remember at one of your events?

Johana: I would have to say about 400 people.

GrinderZZ: Are there any projects you are currently working on now?

Johana: Omg, I have so many things going on this summer. I’m hosting 3 birthday parties (one is a pool/foam party, so that should be fun) I have a few popup shops I have to set up also. I recently started working with FlyKidNy, which is one of the dopest Black owned clothing lines out right now. So, I’m very excited about that.

GrinderZZ: A lot of people don't know this, but you are my blood niece. How important is family to you?

Johana: Family is very important to me. I wish all my family could live together in one big house, so I can see everyone every day.

GrinderZZ: Have you ever thought about doing an event in another state, or will you just continue them in Brooklyn only?

Johana: I have been asked to do one in VA and also CA. I’m just trying to find some time to work it out lol GrinderZZ: How can people reach out to you if they want to get involved?

Johana: On IG they can themelaninmovementbk@gmail.com

follow

me

@melaninboss

or

by

email:

GrinderZZ: What words of encouragement could you say to someone who might want to follow in your footsteps?

Johana: Never let anyone stop you from your dreams and take the souls of anyone who tries to stop you!

GrinderZZ: Any last-minute shout outs?

Johana: Shout out to you Aunty for this interview in your lovely magazine. Also, to my mother and sister and the rest of my family and friends who have been supporting me since I started my journey. I have gotten aloooottttt of support thus far and it’s an amazing feeling.

Again, we at GrinderZZ 24/7 Magazine & TV would like to thank you for your time. God Bless.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Johana Vallejos)

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Jason J. Grant, known by his urban moniker J-Chill, was born on October 21st, 1974 and is a central coast California M.C. who undisputedly defined the term “lyricist” in the world of local "805" Hip Hop. Along with the lyrical ingenuity J-Chill brings to the genre, he also introduced and innovated live performances.

J-Chill was raised in the small town of Santa Maria California where he was strongly influenced by music at the early age of ten years old and was introduced to the world of Hip Hop music by the age of fifteen. Influenced by pioneering Hip Hop artists such as Lighter Shade of Brown, Kid Frost, A Tribe Called Quest, Heavy-D, Run-DMC, KRS-ONE, LL Cool J, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Sir mix-a-lot, Eric B &Rakim, EPMD, Public Enemy, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince J-Chill was the first rapper to ever come out from the streets of his home town. J-Chill is not only an M.C. but is a full entertainer. He has revolutionized Hip Hop, continues to motivate artists and fans, and inspires the local Hip Hop scene with music, fashion, and how Hip-Hop shows are now performed.

J-Chill has endured a substantive music career. Highly influenced by music culture ranging from Rap to Reggae and other music genres, he has gained popularity over the years and has a wide range fan base from the United States to Europe and reached fans as far as Tanzania Africa. J-Chills catalog of music consists of tracks including the now underground classic “I Said It B-4,” "Have Tha Heart" "Tyme 2 Groove" “Simma Down” and “Battle Ready.

As a powerful figure in the rap game J-Chill over the years has built a strong bridge and foundation performing and collaborating on music and booking events with many famous 22

industry artists such as Suga Free, DJ Quik, Ice-T, and DJ Evil-E just to name a few. J-Chill has also worked with Tweed Cadillac of Penthouse Players Clique. The music group was founded and produced by Eazy-E and DJ Quik back in the year 1992. Most recently J-Chill collaborated with the legendary underground Hip Hop Producer & Engineer from New York DJ Troop who has remixed Simma Down soon to be released on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and in digital music stores worldwide! www.soundcloud.com/j-chillmusic www.facebook.com/jchillmusic www.facebook.com/jahkingdom.clothing www.twitter.com/tharealjchill www.jchillonline.weebly.com www.instagram.com/jchillmusic www.youtube.com/user/jchillvideo

Proving that he is a full entertainer and that he is a man of many talents, J-Chill has recorded many voice-over demos & commercials also he has made a few appearances on television.� local programming such as the Adam Bomb Show channel 25 Santa Maria, California.

Gov't Name: Jason J. Grant Stage Name: J-Chill Other Monikers: Jah Chill, Chillioniare, Mr. Chillinton

Reppin: The Central Coast Ca, 805 Las Vegas Nv, 702 Notable Releses: "I Said It B-4" "Battle Ready" "Simma Down" "End Game" "Have Tha Heart" "Tyme 2 Groove" Currently Working On: New Projects for 2013 Label / Chill House Records / Just Chill Enterprises Industry Affiliated: Ice-T, DJ Evil-E, Suga Free, DJ Quik, + More Side Hustle: C.E.O. / clothing Jah Kingdom 23

J-CHILL SHOWS & PROMOTIONS 1.) Paradise Ent. Zapp & Roger concert Sat July 2, 1992 S.M. Fairgrounds 2.) New Year’s Eve count down G-Wiz concert Fri. Dec. 31, 1993 S.M. Fairgrounds 3.) Camelot’s Halloween JV The Nayba Hood Queen concert Oct. 28, 1994 Camelot Park 4.) The S.O.S. Band Reunion concert Sat, Oct. 15, 1994 Santa Maria Fairgrounds 5.) Old School R&B Rose Royce / Bar-Kays concert Fri, Oct. 15, 1994 S.M. Fairgrounds 6.) The Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration Sat., June 18, 1994 S.M. Broadway Park 7.) Celebrity Players Club New Year’s Eve Slam Fri, Dec, 31 1995 Lompoc Fairgrounds 24

8.) Pizza Hut R&B Supershow Master P./ Rappin 4 Tay Sat, April 22, 1995 Fairgrounds 9.) Mervyns Celebrity B-Ball Jam Coolio concert Sat, May 13, 1995 S.M. Fairgrounds 10.) 805 The Connection concert Sat, May 16, 1998 Lompoc High School Auditorium 11.) Hip Hop Holiday Dance Party J-Chill concert Thurs, Dec. 21, 1999 S.M. Ahedos 12.) Phat Fam Productions Mack 10 /M.C. Eight concert Sat, Jan 15, 2000S.M. Fairgrounds 13.) Latino Hip Hop Jam Kid Frost /Don Cisco concert Sat, Feb. 3, 2001 S.M. Fairgrounds 14.) CWA / W.W.E. Wrestling Show Sat, Sept. 29, 2002 Nipomo Recreation Center 15.) The 805 Kingdom Hip Hop Event J-Chill concert Sat., May 19, 2002 SLO Brew 16.) The 805 Kingdom Strikes Back J-Chill concert Sat., May 19, 2005 SLO Tortilla Flats 17.) The 805 Kingdom Royal Rebirth J-Chill concert Sat., Nov. 19, 2005 SLO Tortilla Flats

Street Team Promotions: 1.) Rakim / Mc Super Natural concert Sun, Jan. 6, 2002 Soho Club Los Angeles 2.) Phife Dawg Tribe Called Quest concert Thurs, June 30, 2004 SLO Brew 3.) KRS-One / Kid Official concert Sun, May 4, 2004 SLO Brew 4.) Caponiac / The Crimees concert Sat, May 19, 2001 Sam Goody Town Center Mall 5.) Dj. Skribble / Kid Official concert Fri, July 26, 2002 SLO The Graduate 6.) Ne-Yo / Mya concert 2007 Paso Robles Fairgrounds

Radio Air Play & Interviews: 1.) Urban Adventures 91.9 FM Frank Ramirez Check It Out (Video Show) K.C.S.B. 2.) The Beat Down 91.3. FM DJ A-Minus / DJ Phonics (Radio Show) SLO Cal Poly 25

3.) The Family Show 91.3 FM DJ Jon Doe (Radio Show) SLO Cal Poly 4.) Wild 106. FM DJ Maxwell / DJ J-Swiss (Radio Show) SLO Radio Station 5.) Sly 96 FM DJ Maxwell / DJ Mell (Radio Show) SLO Radio Station 6.) 95.7 The Beat DJ Davey D. (Radio Show) S.M. Radio Station Local Access TV Shows Chanel 25 1.) The Adam Bomb Show J-Chill (Interviews / I Said It B-4) (Video Play) 2.) The Blink Show J-Chill (Documentary / Concert Coverage) 3.) Ear 2 The Streets J-Chill (Interviews / Concert Coverage) 4.) Local News Media (Interviews / Santa Maria Times News Paper) Artist Performed With & Opened Up For: 1.) Kid Frost 2.) Lighter Shade of Brown 3.) Mack 10 4.) Ice Cube 5.) The Comrades 6.) Technic & Boo Kapone 7.) Coolio 8.) Too Short 9.) Cypress Hill 10.) Proper Dos 26

11.) N-2-Deep 12.) Don Cisco 13.) JV The Nyba Hood Queen 14.) Zapp & Roger 15.) S.OS. Band 16.) Brenton Wood 17.) B.T.S. (Born 2 Sing) 18.) G.A.T. (Gangstas & Thugz) 19.) G-Wiz 20.) Greg Rose 21.) Double Trouble 22.) Eazy-E 23.) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 24.) Rappin 4 Tay 25.) Master P. 26.) Y-?-N-Vee 27.) Adagio 28.) Red Zone 29.) 4- Corners 30.) 511 31.) Da NaybaHoodz 27

32.) Rose Royce 33.) Bar- Kays

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jason Grant)

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On the Grind with “Ghost” GHOST aka OTIS C. POPE WAS BORN AND RAISED UP AROUND ALL THE ELEMENTS OF HIP HOP. HE GREW UP AROUND SUCH DJSs AS DJ CHUBBY CHUB, DJ DOO WOP AND KID CAPRI, LIVING ON THE WESTSIDE OF THE BRONX. THE PARTY PROMOTERS HE WAS RAISED AROUND WERE STICK & MOVE ENTERTAINMENT. “GROWING UP AS A KID, YOUR PARENTS TEACH YOU TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE, BY BEING A DOCTOR, LAWYER, OR POLICE OFFICER. I WANTED TO BE A PARTY PROMOTER AND MUSIC PRODUCER,” SAID GHOST. HE HAS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR SIX YEARS AND HIS GOAL IS TO BE THE BIGGEST PROMOTER IN NEW YORK CITY. GHOST HAS WORKED WITH A LOT OF GREAT ARTIST SUCH AS: BIG DADDY KANE, CUBAN LINKS, MR. CHEEKS, KEITH MURRAY, & ETC. HE HAS WORKED WITH GREAT PROMOTERS AND THEY HAVE SHOWED HIM THE WAY; CARLTON ROPER, THE DYNASTY, MR. 914, TONI B, PRETTY NIKKI, BIGWILL PROMOTES, DOUGH OLIVER, ALISHA LEE AND CRAIG BROWN. HE HAS ALSO WORKED WITH DJ RED ALERT, RALPH MACDANIELS AND REGGIE REG FROM CRASH CREW. “MY GOAL IS TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH OTHERS AND HELPING OTHERS THAT FOLLOW IN MY PATH, ALONG THE WAY,” GHOST SAID.

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Ghost (continued)

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Ghost (continued)

(Photo Credit/Content: Courtesy of Otis C. Pope aka Ghost)

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(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Angie Christine)

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GrinderZZ Interviews Author Rusty D. Trimble

GrinderZZ: Please tell everyone about yourself?

Rusty: I was born in 1971 in San Diego, and truly consider it one of the world’s finest cities. I like to think I was a typical kid. I grew up watching shows like Happy Days and Thundarr the Barbarian and like many other kids saw Star Wars in the theaters several times. I still love watching old programs and movies (favorite movies are The Caine Mutiny and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid). I love to write and illustrate for my books in my spare time and play with my kids and watch the occasional San Diego Padres and Seattle Seahawks game. A near-weekly ritual is to sit with my wife and kids and watch Impractical Jokers and sometimes Pawn Stars and I often watch DVDs of Star Blazers and Big Trouble in Little China repeatedly while writing. I enjoy reading ALL kinds of books, my favorite writers are Nelson DeMille, James Matlack Raney, and Marie Andreas. That said, my latest book Middle School Madness just came out and so far, the youngsters who have read it have really enjoyed it, so I am extremely excited!

GrinderZZ: Rusty, when did you know you wanted to become an author?

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Rusty: Well, as silly as this sounds, it was computer games that made me want to do it. Now, I began reading when I was 3 or 4 if I recall and always loved losing myself in nearly any kind of book. However, when I was 9 or 10 years old, I got a VIC-20 computer and began playing the Adventure International text adventure games, my favorite being Pirate Cove. These games played like books and it made me want to write my own adventures. Years later, I reached out to Scott Adams, who was the creator of all these games and formed a friendship with him and he has encouraged me in my writing as several of my first books were inspired by his games.

GrinderZZ: While other boys were racing on their dirt bikes at the age of 14, you were celebrating writing your first book titled 30 tales of Terror. What was that experience like?

Rusty: Well, it was funny. I had an English assignment in the 9th grade to write a short story, just a couple of pages. I had gotten really interested in The Twilight Zone, Edgar Allen Poe, and even a little Stephen King and decided I would write a similar story. I wrote one called Night of the Bat, Evening of the Frog (Yes, not a great title) that was two pages long. I enjoyed it so much, that I wrote twenty-nine more, so this turned into a 60+ book of handwritten stories. I got an A+. My dad paid for me to mail in the manuscript, but I never heard back, so I no longer have them, so sadly there goes any ideas to re-write them.

GrinderZZ: Your oldest son Andrew was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, and you began writing books with him to get him reading. How is Andrew now?

Rusty: Andrew is amazing. He is in the 7th grade and tall like me. I am 6’1 and he is 5’9 and getting larger. He is doing well in school and is looking towards a career in programming video games. With the way he thinks outside the box, I expect he will have some exciting and innovative games on the market someday! I think Andrew would also like me to share that he is quite the avid artist and excels at playing Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario Bros., Battlecats, Disney Heroes, and Minecraft, and is quite the racer at Mario Kat too! My younger son Tyler (age 6) is quite the little gamer also!

GrinderZZ: You are now a self-publisher, which I think is great. Is it better to do it on your own vs having a publishing company backing you up?

Rusty: Well…kind of hard to say. I have done both. Having a publisher relieves you of the pressure of cover design and they take on the cost of publishing your books, editing, marketing, etc. The downside is you share profits and of course you need to make sure your publisher knows his or her stuff and I have had both good and bad experiences with them, so do your research before you sign your work away. Self-publishing, well you are responsible for everything, and because anyone can self-publish, there is a stigma attached to it that self-published books are of low quality, but at the same time, you can take pride in all the extra work you do (I do my own covers for example) and you control the content from first page to back. Yes, it is more work, but you have 100% creative control. If I could sign with a major publisher, would I? Certainly, but I am also happy with what I have done and can still do as well.

GrinderZZ: Rusty, you were told after years of testing, you were diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. At what age were you told and how are you at this very moment?

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Rusty: The confirmation was April 17th of 2018 so exactly the age of 47 years, two months of age. It was something my wife and many of my closest friends pretty much suspected, as did I. I am doing ok. I will confess, reading the report, well it told me mostly things I knew, but it was not easy to read as many of what it said were a bit difficult to digest. That said, it did give me some closure and a good understanding of myself and why I sometimes had trouble fitting in with the crowd, so it certainly has helped, and it allows those who know me to understand that to quote my fellow author and good friend Andy Peloquin, I am “Different, not Damaged” (Nice plug for your book, right pal?). I also credit my best friend Bob V. and my good friend Gary for being there for me at all times and making me laugh; it really helps with all this, of course having a wonderful wife and two astounding kids help too!

GrinderZZ: Rusty, you have been married for 16 years. Has your wife ever helped you in creating your novels?

Rusty: My kids have been the largest inspiration, and Andrew has made a number of suggestions. In fact, a few of his crayon drawings of monsters have ended up in my book Scourge of the Red Dragon and his suggestion that my house key that has a mustache on it, has been turned into “The Mustache Key” for my upcoming book Adventureland. My wife has offered a number of ideas and suggestions that I have implemented as well, but she also does me the greatest service by understanding the way I am wired and being very supportive and having my back.

GrinderZZ: What advice would you give someone who wanted to follow in your career.

Rusty: Wow, there are a ton of suggestions and I will be glad to share them. First off, and this is not meant to sound negative…anyone who writes to get rich, well, you are setting off on the wrong foot. Write because you want to write, and your passion will make you successful. Don’t give up. Let’s face it, I love Green Eggs and Ham, but the premise of it is kind of silly. I say this because no idea for a novel is a bad one. You have a story to tell? Tell it and believe in your idea. It will be a better story for it and it will be a lot of fun. Reach out to other authors on social media, especially (but not limited to) ones who write in your genre. Many of them are happy to dispense with advice, share local events, and I will say that many of my readers, well I them through other writers. Find friends who will beta-read and proofread your work. Don’t write the first, second, and third draft and go right for publishing. Believe me, the hardest work to find mistakes in is your own, it is just the nature of writing. One thing I have begun doing with my current work-in-progress (WIP, a term as a writer you will see a lot) is going on Facebook Live and doing a live reading from a chapter. As you read it, you will notice how the book sounds and I have noticed that I found mistakes I might otherwise have missed. In a way, it is like doing a second, third, fourth, etc draft as you go along. There are plenty of suggestions, but a final one is storyboard. What I do, is before I write, I create an outline of how the story will generally go that is not unlike “Cliff Notes” or “Spark Notes”, this way I have a general direction. I can deviate from it, but it at least keeps me grounded.

GrinderZZ: How could people reach out to you in case they have any questions for you?

Rusty: I am on Facebook as Author R. D. Trimble, alternatively, I have an Author R. D. Trimble fan page, and welcome any of you to e-mail me at rustytrimble@yahoo.com. I respond to ALL e36

mails, so if I did not, please write me again and know that sometimes spam blockers are a bit too strict for my own good. I would love to hear from you, I can NEVER have too many friends! I have a web site, but it had some problems, so it is being redone as I have time.

GrinderZZ: Any last words?

Rusty: Yeah, buy my books! Just kidding (yeah, but buy them please, lol). Seriously, I have heard people say they would write a book, but they don’t know how to start, or they just don’t like writing. For the first reason, well, get on a laptop (or grab a pen in your handwriting is not awful like mine) and just begin writing. It really is that simple to start. Don’t worry that your story will stink or that no one will like it. JK Rowling was shot down, so many times, yet look at her now. Just sit down, find a comfortable spot (I love Panera Bread with iced coffee – unlimited refills) and type. For the second reason, I give you the answer for the first reason, just begin writing. If it doesn’t take, well you tried, and I think you will find that if you keep with it, it will take. Remember, even the worst batter in the world gets three pitches to swing at, if the first two are misses, the third would could be the one you knock out of the park. Hang in there, believe in yourself, and (may I say it?)…Go Seahawks! (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rusty Trimble) GrinderZZ: Thank you so much Rusty for your time. _______________________________________________________________________

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When it comes to catchy phrases, this man right here takes the cake! Positive K aka Darryl Gibson was born in the Bronx, New York City and ever since he was a teenager, he was set for stardom. From growing up around acts like The Sugar Hill Gang, Run DMC, Whodini, and Grand Master Flash and the Furious 5, Positive K was destined to follow in their footsteps. When Positive K was younger, he would hang out near Echo Park, where DJ Sinbad, DJ Grandmaster Flash, and Busy Bee would perform and would watch them perform block parties. Positive K was able to display his talents when the group, The Fearless Four, invited him to get on the mic which made him super hyped. Positive K's first break in music came when he was in a rap group with his family, called The Disco Cousins.

His rap name was Baby Breeze. Later on, in the years, Positive K became a member of the Five Percent Nation, where he joined the rap group, Almighty God Committee, from Queens. His rap name was changed to Positive Knowledge Allah. Once everyone went their separate ways, he then shortened the name to Positive K. In 1987, Positive K signed 38

to First Priority Music. At the time his big influences were Grand Puba of the Brand Nubians, and Daddy O of Stetsasonic. His 1989 duet with MC Lyte "I'm not Having it" was his first song that got him on the billboard charts. After he left Priority, Positive K crossed over to Island Records, and released the album "The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills in 1992 and released the hit song "I Got a Man". To this day you can hear people walking around chanting the lines...... "Whatcha man gotta do with me." Positive K released more songs and joined other record labels over the years, then decided to take a little break. Positive K then did a huge comeback in 2015, to team up with Greg Nice (Nice & Smooth) to make the hit song "Make it Happen", which they then created an album in 2017. Their album, "Gr8te Mindz", is doing great on the billboard charts, but the album is titled under their name Positive K and Greg Nice. Right now, Positive K is touring across the country with a couple of shows he is performing in Costa Rica, the weekend of June 30, 2018. You can reach him on different social media outlets, from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Hear his music on Spotify, Pandora, and check out his videos on You Tube.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Positive K / Content: Courtesy of Author Angie Christine)

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