March 2022 Edition

Anthony,

“Eazy the Block Captain” UP AND COMING ACTOR 2022

Brown

By Dawn Monique Edmond

Courtney, the CEO of the Hip-Hop Herald, called me to ask if I hadwatched the new hit show “Bel-Air.” I just so happened to be settling in my recliner in front of the tv to begin watching it. He asked meto call him back and let him know my thoughts. I had read several social media posts, all raving about how good it was, so I wasanxious to see what all the hype was about. Bel-Air is the recreationof “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” which starred Will Smith. Bel-Air is a fresh new dramatic spin on the original comic version. I enjoyed it so much that I binged watched the four episodes that I was behind. It was all that social media described!

The next day I called Courtney and toldhimhowmuchIenjoyedit and he said, “good, because I want you to interview one of the cast members, Anthony “Eazy the Block Captain” Brown.” Anthony played Rashad Denton, the drug dealer who was responsible for Will moving with his auntie and uncle to Bel-Air. Having just watched the show, I knew exactly who he was and of course, I was excitedaboutthisopportunity.

In anticipation of the interview, I did my research on Anthony and was surprised to discover that Bel-Air was his first acting role. Ilearned that “Eazy the Block Captain” is the moniker he uses in his other profession, he’s a battle rapper. I watched a few of his battle rap videos and saw how he was able to play the role of Rashad so well. His first scenewason the baskeball court

where Will was challenged to a basketball game by another drug dealer, and Rashad walked up and the site of himsucked the cockiness right out of Will. Rashad stared into Wills eyes and said, “$2k if you win, butif you lose you work for me,” I didn’t know if I liked him or hated him, but I did know that Iwas scared for Will. Anthony had me convinced that nothing good was gonna come from that bet, and that one fight Will was about to get into wouldn’t be so little. That stare down was reflective ofwhat I saw Eazy do in the rapbattles.

Anthony “Eazy the Block Captain” Brown played a toughdrugdealeron Bel-Air, but he was very pleasant to interview. Here’s how our conversationwent.

First, I want to congratulate you, you did a wonderful job in Bel-Air. Thankyou,thankyou.

Was that your first role? My research didn’t turn up any other roles. Yes,thatwasmyfirstrole.

Well, for that to be your first, you were amazing! Thankyou.Ireceivedalotofpositivefeedback.Therewasawomanin productionthatsuggestedI considertakingonmoreroles.

Well, are you?

Yes, I am. I’m set to play a role in a movie that Courtney is producing titled Buried in Black.

What did you do to prepare for this role? Did you have to do a lot of rehearsing?

For this role, after the second or third take, when I overcame my nervousness, it was kind of like natural. I’m a rapper, I rap in front of thousands of people all the time, so being behind the camera didn’tbotherme.

Do you think your battle rapping prepared you for the role of Rashad? I watched some of your rap battles, you have to be face to face with your opponent, when you say something, you gotta mean it, you know. That is kind of what your role was, the tough guy, you had to keep the men in line, they had to fear you and respect you at the same time.

Absolutely.Thatwasthemotivationbehindmyacting.ThedirectorsweretellingmetoactlikeIwas battlingsomeone.Soyes,IguessIwasprepared.Ihandleditlikearapbattle.

How did you get the role?

Theproducer,Mr.MorganCooper,heisa battlerapfanandhadwatchedmybattle againstTRex,hetoldmethatheknew thatpartwasminejustfromwatching thatbattle.Hehadhispeoplereachoutto meviaemail.Igotanemailsayingwegot arollforyouinthisupcomingshowtitled BelAir.Iwaslookingatitlike,thiscan’tbe real.Iwasn’tsureifIshouldrespond,there arealotofscamsgoingaround.Onadvice fromsomefriends,Irespondedandasked, “isthisreal?”Theyaskedmetosubmita reelandsentmelinksshowingmehowto doit.IhaveastudioinmyhouseIusefor mypodcastandmeetings,soIalreadyhad thegreenscreenupwhichmadeiteasyfor metodothereel.Imissedthesubmission deadlineandtheycalledmeupandsaidif Ididn’twantthepart,theywouldjustlet mebeinthebackground.Iwaslikeno,no, Iwantthepart,soIsentthereellaterthat dayandafewdayslatertheywerelikeyou gotthepart.Butitwasstillviaemail,soI waslike,I’mnotgoingtogettohappy.I’ll justwaitandsee.AndthenMr.Cooper facetimedme.That’swhenIknewitwas real.

Ican image your excitement.

It was very exciting.

Did you get to meet Will Smith?

I did not. I wish I had.

Were you able to shoot your scenes on the set with all the other actors?

Yes, Jabari (Will), Olly (Carlton), Adrian (Uncle Phil), I met the all, everyone besides Will Smith.

How was the experience? Did you have wardrobe, makeup? That was probably one of the best experiences I have had. The wardrobe, the haircut, the food, anything that you wanted they made sure you had. I like acting more than battle rap because it’s not a competition. Everyone there was working to make one thing great, so there was a lot of encouragement, like “come on E, you got this, you’re doing well.” There was a lot of that. I enjoyed it. They made me feel comfortable.

That show is amazing! Have you been reading the great reviews it’s getting? How does it feel to be on Bel-Air?

Yes, I’m paying attention. I’ve been watching it. I’m excited about the screen time I got, although it was my first time, I wish I had more (lol). Everyone has given me a lot of love, they love the character, and they want more of him and they ‘re like oh my god! I can’t believe Rashad died. I think it’s cool.

You know everyone is going to be watching your rap battles? People are googling you trying to see who the man is who played Rashad. Right! I’m preparing for a rap battle this weekend, Saturday February 26, against Aye Verb.

You have to show up and show out. You’re right, I have to show up, and show out. There’s gonna be eyes on me now.

Does that make you nervous?

No, no it doesn’t. I look at is an opportunity. Every rap battle I look at like it could be my last battle. Like the role of Rashad, that’s how I looked at it, like if you do bad, you’ll never get another opportunity so that’s why I gave 100%. It was my first time, but people were saying it didn’t look like it was my first time, that’s because I gave it, literary, everything I had. If I give everything, every time, then maybe more opportunities will come.

How do you prepare yourself for the battle raps?

So, I get a call telling me I have a battle rap coming up Once the contract is signed, the first thing I do is clean my entire house. I make sure that my personal space, my house, is cleaned top to bottom. I clean the walls, vacuum, sweep, mop, etc. I have to have a clear space and a clear head; everything has to be cleaned before I can think about anything. Whether it smells like pine sol, or bleach, I don’t care, it just needs to smell good, be clean, and everything needs to be in its place. Then I just start writing. A lot of people watch battle rap to study their opponent, I watch my opponents’ interviews. I’m looking to see how poised they are, I like to see when asked a question their uncomfortable with, how they move, what they do when they’re lying, and if I can tell they’re lying. The way I battle wrap, I talk about people the way I think they should be portrayed as when I’m talking to them. I don’t go research to see what their kids’ names are, I don’t see who their girl is, I don’t care about any of that. I don’t do personal stuff, I don’t talk about people’s kids, I don’t talk about anyone who’s dead, I don’t do any of that. BUT if you do have something out there, that you put out there yourself, I

Have you ever had any physical altercation during a rap battle? No.Hasithappened,yes,butithasn’thappenedtome.Idon’treallytouchwhereanyone cangettoupset.

How did you get the name Eazy the Block Captain?

Funny story, as a kid I would never get in trouble. Like I would never get a whipping, my mother beat me like maybe once. I was always figuring out a way out of trouble, it was easy for me. My brothers were like, “you get out of trouble easy, so that’s the name that I took, Eazy. It was my childhood name. When I started rapping, Eazy was already taken, Eazy-E, so I was like alright, what do we do, and then because of what I was doing in the streets, I just added “The Block Captain” and boom, that was my name, “Eazy The Block Captain

What were you doing in the streets?

As far as being a street person, I did what I had to do, when I had to. I always found a way to make something happen. I’ve been back and forth, in and out of jail. When I got out in 2017, I told myself that I’ve been focused on all the wrong things, and it was time to put all that focus on something positive, like this. This is positive. I decided to put my focus 100% and see how far it gets me, and it has gotten me far. I realize that I can do anything I want to, I just wasn’t applying myself. Now I feel like everything I’m doing is a step above what I could be doing, because I could be doing something else. Every opportunity I get I look at it both ways, you’re doing this, but you could have been doing that.

So, is this how you were able to relate to the character Rashad? Yes, I could relate to him 100%. I think that I was able to make Rashad believable because I was able to tap into that person in me. I was able to play that character because I’ve been that character.

Will you be auditioning for other roles, other than the role Courtney has for you? I hope so. I have some people in the background trying to teach me things I need to do, and I’m going to start acting classes so I’m prepared for more roles when they come my way. I know I’m going to pigeonhole into more of the same roles, but I’m not worried about that because I know it’s something I can do. Besides, I wasn’t doing any acting before this at all, no one knew I could act, I didn’t even know.

What you do for a living?

Besides Battle Rapping, which we get paid to do, I have a streaming deal with Caffeine. I do streaming, you-tube, and music.

Music? Do you produce beats, do you rap? I know you battle rap, but are you a studio rapper? Yes, I rap. I have a song out and I’m working on my EP now. Every time I think it’s almost complete, someone calls me about a battle or some other opportunity, and I have to set it aside, but the EP will be coming out hopefully in March or April 2022.

You can say that your first official role was for Bel-Air, a hit show. You did a great job for someone who has never done it before. Once again, congratulations! Thankyou.Iappreciateit.

FOLLOW ANTHONY“EAZYTHE BLOCK CAPTAIN” BROWN

also known as Lique Diinero, was raised in Denver, Colorado, with solid moral concepts instilled by her grandmother and mother. The oldest of 11 children, Lique quickly understood, she needed to be an example to her younger siblings while growing up. Lique used the wisdom and understanding instilled by the strong women who raised her to guide herself and her siblings. During her early childhood years, Lique had a passion for music, dance, and basketball, which she excelled in all aspects. One of Lique’s fondest memories is of her father. When Lique Diinero was just eight years old, her father, an aspiring emcee, took her to the recording studio. He allowed her into the booth, and young Angelique stepped up to the mic in amazement. At this time, young Angelique knew she wanted to be an emcee. While growing up, her interest in music, dance, and basketball continued to grow with a promising future. At 16, She reunited with her childhood sweetheart, then a year later, life took a significant turn for Lique; she found out motherhood was now upon her.

Understanding life’s changes, Angelique now had to be a provider for her own family until she married her childhood sweetheart, had her second child and bought her first house by 26. Fast-forwarding to now, Lique Diinero has strategized and teamed up with Mint Entertainment to get back to her first love, being an emcee, a game-changer, and a trendsetter. Using her platform to serve as an example to the young women whose dreams have been put on hold because of life’s challenges, the struggle is real, but you can achieve anything with hard work and determination.

Lique Diinero is the CEO and founder of Cash Flow Diinero LLC, Cash Flow Diinero Distribution, AP Productions, and a few other business endeavors concerning her brand and music. She has released three singles with visuals “Thug Love”, “Chevy Queen” and “Make Money” these can be viewed on her Lique Diinero Vevo. Her newest single “Mind Fuck” was released on New Year’s Eve 2021 , with the Official Video being released January 4, 2022. Look for Lique Diinero’s hard work ethic and business tactics to change the way women are viewed in the music industry.

HIP HOP HIGHS

by Edward King

From the beginning of time, history and culture have always been marked and represented by art. From the hieroglyphics of Ancient Egypt to the graffiti painted along city trains like a moving exhibit. Art is the original influencer.

The parallels between the two are obvious, with the merits of both being lauded by the public, despite higher forces turning their nose up and refusing to give each its proper

due. Take for instance that despite its popularity within pop culture and beyond, marijuana didn’t begin its march towards legalization until 1996, when California voters passed Proposition 215, legalizing medical marijuana in the state. Hip hop shares a similar story of adversity. The genre’s official birth date has been accepted as August 11, 1973, and in ensuing years, proceeded to spread throughout pop culture like wildfire. In our generation, Hip Hop has been the most influential in pushing the culture forward. When the War on Drugs was waged and rap artists were targeted and named the catalyst, the response was loud, passionate, and packed much

bass. We refused to let politics and government interfere in our love affair with Mary Jane. While Marijuana was being criminalized, rap music continued to normalize it and in turn cried out to“Legalize It”. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, Currency, Wiz Khalif, Nas, Redman, and Method Man have openly expressed their relationship with cannabis. Some have even started their own strains, and lines of legal cannabis products now that the war has been won.

The decriminalization of marijuana has taken decades. In the 1990’s, NWA hollered“F! the Police”as an answer to cops and the “justice”system using weed as a thinly veiled excuse to harass and imprison black people. In the 2000’s, Afroman brought levity and relate-ability to the conversation with “Because I Got High”. Showing how marijuana can be beneficial on being focused but also being a couch potato. “Make marijuana legal, make marijuana legal, make marijuana!”the notorious intro to rapper and weed advocate Method Man’s album “4.21 The Day After”was released on August 29, 2006, and called for change. Fast forward to 2012, and finally, Colorado was the

“If everybody smoked a blunt, relieve the mind, the world could be a better place/if everybody took a break and we all just got wasted”

Thugs-N-Harmony, “Weed Song”

first state to legalize weed for recreational use. To date, 16 more states have followed.

Finally, as we’ve begun erasing the stigma, marijuana has been allowed to become its own art by way of healing. We have arrived at a point where it can be explored for its many therapeutic effects and be used as a healthier, more natural alternative to pharmaceuticals. Years have been lost to fighting that which could help us and reverse the effects of the opioid crisis. And now, as the culture also progresses in its recognition of the importance of

mental health, cannabis, in all its forms, can now be used for all its good. Much is owed to rap and the hip-hop culture. Thanks to the volume and intensity of its voice, we can heal, and chill in peace. The concurrent rise in popularity and general acknowledgment is no coincidence.

Hip Hop’s influence within pop culture cannot be understated and has played a huge role in the legality of Marijuana throughout the country giving access for more artists to begin to open their own dispensaries. So, through this complicated history and words from the wise (Wiz Khalifa), Stay High!

YOUR TURN”

WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK?

Mr. Rob Lee, Bodyguard/Bouncer Interview by J-Crush

It's J-Crush, your favorite Hip Hop Journalist here on behalf of The Hip-Hop Herald Magazine. Inside, and even outside of the Entertainment Industry there comes a time, if not most, or all the time, you need a person(s) to watch your back. Whether you're at the club, bar, a show or concert, or just going to the Mall. I would like to introduce you to the man that has your back, and he doesn’t come alone, he has a Crew with him. Friends of the HHH, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Rob Lee, Bodyguard/Bouncer. He took time to chop it up with your Boy J Crush. This is a special one because it's my first time interviewing someone in his field. I learned a lot about what he does. Without further ado, here's the J-Crush - Rob Lee interview.

“IT'S

is a column where we introduce up and coming talent in this issue of Hip Hop Herald

JC: When and how did you get started being a bodyguard?

RL: I started as a bouncer in Philadelphia when I was 19, that led to me running Night Clubs from 1994-2013. After which I landed an interview with Celebrity Tour Protection which was founded by a gentleman by the name of Todd Fox, Todd also has an academy in Illinois. He was looking for guys, so I sent my resume to him. Normally he looks for military guys but based on my experience, he picked me out of many other applicants. I then went to his academy for 12 days and started working for the company doing cruises. My first tour was with Pharell Williams from the Neptune's, he had a concert in the Bahamas on the Beach.

JC: Is this something you always wanted to do?

RL: Having 3 brothers, with me being the 2nd oldest, I grew up protecting them. We lived in the Blackwood Area of Camden County in Southern New Jersey, so it was always in my nature to protect, and look after people, even to this present moment. When I started bouncing and running clubs, I protected and looked after everybody and everything, the Club, clients, managers, the girls, bartenders, and the money. You’re constantly on a 360° swivel, 24/7 so yeah this is what I always wanted to do. I have 25 years in the business.

JC: OK do you work alone, or do you have a team? And talk a little about your training.

RL: At time's I work alone, but I definitely have a team. A group of guys that I can trust and that's on the same page as me. They’re great to work with and I've built a chemistry with them.

My brothers and I were State Wrestling Champs in Highland High School, so I already had the wrestling background, I also studied Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, MuayThai, Krav-Maga, and many other forms of Martial Arts. I teach my guys wrist locks, and other proper procedures to take people down without hurting them, and getting sued. You can't put your hands in certain areas, you can't choke people out anymore, that used to be the big thing back then, but now things have changed. You have to be trained properly so you don't get sued, or even arrested and locked up.

JC: What was the craziest thing you witnessed while on duty?

RL: In the crazy '90s Korean Girls would wear Lipstick Daggers/Pendants around their necks that were knives, and there was a time a Jamaican gang shot up the door of a club I worked. It's very important to make sure everyone is patted down properly, and the area is secured.

JC: Who are some of your celebrity clients?

RL: Gary Rich, Busta Rhymes, Pharrell Williams, Dj Scrill Ex, Ty Dollar$, NWA, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Travis Scott, Meg the Stallion, Cardi B, and many more.

JC: What's your other talent? You're holding out on me. (I smile) I heard you're going to star in a movie.

RL: Yes, you know our guy Courtney B cast me to be in an up-and-coming movie titled “Buried in Black.” It’s based on a book about a retired special op's guy whose family gets kidnapped in Africa, and he has to save them. I guess because of my look, and keeping in shape all my life, with my martial arts background he thought I would be perfect for the role.

JC: Indeed, that would make you a perfect fit. Hey Robbie Rob, I want to thank you for taking time out to chop it up with me, it was my honor and pleasure. You're a great guy it's like I've known you all my life. Keep up the Great Work.

Let’s not forgot to tell the people to look out for the company you're starting, Armored Security Company.

RL: Yes, definitely look out for my company, Armored Security, and you're very welcome, J. Thank you for interviewing me.

THE TALENTED BIG LOE

Interview by J Crush

JC: How did you get your Name?

BL: Well, me I'm a little N°gg@, but I feel I'm Big, and LOE stands for Loyalty Over Everything.

JC: Where are you from?

BL: I was born in Allentown Pennsylvania, but raised, and grew up in Florence South Carolina.

JC: How did you get into Music?

BL: I moved to Memphis Tennessee for a while, during my stay there I was living the street life and I ran across a couple of people that were in the studio doing music, like Paper Route PRE, Young Boyz, you know listening to them I felt I can drop something, and I came up with something, and the people loved it. Also long live my brother J Slim, he was definitely going to go somewhere in the music game, and he had the right mindset, basically, he's the one that got me started.

JC: Who are some of yourfavorites?

BL: Once again, my brother J Slim, he's my favorite Rapper, Young Dolph - RIP, and some of the up, and coming artists in Memphis.

JC: Who are some of the people you would want to work with?

BL: Lil Baby, and the locals from around my way like Track Diggy, Carolina Dougie, and Lil Double O, just to name a few. As far as Producers, it doesn't matter as long as they're good.

JC: What projects do you have out now?

BL: I have 4 projects out, We Gonna Make It, Long Live Ziggy, Breakdown, and Sonic Slide, on all streaming platforms, and I have a lot of unfinished projects, unreleased projects, but there's a lot more coming, and a lot that will blow your mind.

JC: Before we go what are some things you got going on outside of Rap? BL: Well, we got a lot of non-profit stuff going on, and we're going to give back, you know doing a lot for the community, helping the homeless, and the less fortunate, etc.

JC: That's what's up. Now, where can the people find you, and your music? BL: You can find me on YouTube Big Loe then type in We Gonna Make It, Long Live Ziggy, Breakdown, and Sonic Slide. On Instagram @bigonloyalty.424, and all other streaming and social media platforms.

Be sure to check for the talented Big Loe!

JAMES TOP LEGENDARY NYC GRAFFITI ARTIST

By J. Crush

It's your boy J Crush, and I'd like to take the time out to acknowledge not only one of the best Graffiti writers of all time, but one of the original Graffiti writers/pioneers, who happens to be a personal friend of mine. His name is James Cade a/k/a Jee2 a/k/a James Top.

James’ father nicknamed him Obajee, now there's a strong possibility this is where he got his Graffiti name from, Jee2. The “2” at the end was due to the fact there was another writer named Jee before him. Jee2 got his start in the art form we know as Graffiti going way back to the 1970s in East New York Brooklyn at the age of 12. In 1974 Jee2 and his friends In1 and Micky729, formed a crew named “Top” which stood for, “The Odd Partner's”. Their objective was to be the top Graffiti crew in the city by taking over every train line in NYC, especially the

A train, Jee2's favorite line. Jee2 started writing on the inside of the trains, but he eventually realized it was the outside of the train that got you noticed and noticed the Top Crew definitely were. They owned the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit Company), BMT (Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation), and the IND (Independent Subway System) trail lines. They even spearheaded a Graffiti Revolution that was also an evolution, it was the “Throw-up.” The Throw-up was a style that was a step up from the early styles of Graffiti like the tag and the outline style. I would say the Throw-up was in between a tag, a piece, and a burner. It was quick and easier to do, but bigger and better.

After relocating to Harlem, Jee2 decided to use his birth name and became known as James Top. James and The Odd Partners Crew was a big inspiration to a lot of young writers in their area of East New York Brooklyn, names such as Hobie, Tide, Manning, Nono, Sono(Duro), Sid, and Naco who eventually became Dondi, and also became a member of Top thanks to James. Eventually, James Top would pack up and move his movement Uptown to Harlem where he's stationed at this present moment.

James Top's greatness doesn't end with hitting trains, walls, and canvases; like back in the day Martin Paint commercials used to say, "IT AIN'T JUST PAINT!" And it ain't. James Top is the CEO of James Top Productions, of course, the World Wide President of The Odd Partners Inc and Graffiti Crew, a Board Member of The Museum Of Public Art, Graffiti Chairperson for the HipHop Hall Of Fame, Chairperson for The Preservation of the Writer's Bench 149th St, and the Grand Concourse, Co-Director of The NYC Graffiti Hall Of Fame 106th St., Park Ave, Artist, Educator, Advocate, Documentarian, and Collector at City College Of New York. He also has a TV show called Graffiti NYC on The Manhattan Neighborhood Network MNN. James teaches Graffiti Classes at Hostos Community College, and last, but not least, he just released a wonderful book titled, “James Top My Life.”

If you want to find out more about this Graffiti Legend, and there is a lot more to learn, I recommend that you get yourself a copy of his book, “My Life” by James Top. The book can be purchased at; https://gothamtogo.com/portfolio/autobiographicalbook-my-life-by-nyc-graffiti-legend-james-top/.

Byron Trice, President and Founder Cleanface Management Inc.

Interview with Byron Trice- President and Founder of Cleanface Management Inc.

Interviewer: Keshia Butler-Thomas

Byron Trice is the President of Cleanface Management Inc, established in 2011; however, his Music Industry career began long before Cleanface Management Inc. This music mogul tapped into the industry circa 1996 and we had the pleasure of speaking with Biron about his humble beginnings, rise in the music industry and keeping the faith.

H.H.H: Hi Byron! It’s an absolute pleasure speaking with you. Thank you for being so willing to speak with us here at Hip Hop Herald! Please, tell me, how did you first get into the music industry?

B.T.: I got into music in 1996. Ted Lucas, Founder and CEO of Slip and Slide Records

is my cousin. Back in the day, while I was in my early teens, things got started with me and music when he (Ted) would ask for my opinions. At the time, I thought I was going to rap, and I joined a rap group in high school called The Cash Money Crew. In the group, I was known as “The LV Man” because I wore a lot of fake Louis Vuitton (Byron joked). After being in the group for a while, I realized that I wanted to be involved with the paperwork, not the rapping.

I continued to help my cousin (Ted Lucas) until I became incarcerated living that street life. (This was the first of 3 incarceration complications for Trice).

H.H.H: How did incarceration impact your career?

B.T.: After being incarcerated the first time I realized I needed to do something with my money. I was with a friend in Tennessee, and he had a recording studio where he was recording himself. I saw that there were a lot of guys in the area with expensive cars and so I asked my friend, “what do they do?” His response was “They sell cd’s out of their car.” That’s when I realized that in Miami (where I’m from) we had a huge distribution center for cd’s. That’s when I went back to Miami and started selling cd’s out of my car. I would go to mom-and-pop shops and cell cd’s to them and just built from there.

H.H.H: Wow! That was a smart idea. I must know where that took you?

B.T.: Well, money dwindled. When that happened, I went back to the streets and ended up getting locked up again. This time I received a 15-year mandatory sentence. I completed 5 of the 15 years.

“I don’t want to be the Man; I want to Build Great Partnerships”

H.H.H: How did that affect you facing that much time?

B.T.: It made me think about my faith. Prior to this I had a relationship with God because I had praying women in my life. I was raised by Grandmothers. I got with my mom after I became grown. All the women in my life were women of God. My 2 Great Greats, 2 Greats, and 2 Grandmas. They were praying women. Once I hit puberty I went wrong and all I can remember is them praying for me.

H.H.H: That’s a blessing. How did that impact you with prison?

B.T.: Well, I ended up facing prison 1 more time. After the 2nd time, I ended up needing 45-65k for a lawyer for myself and my brother which sent me back to the streets.

H.H.H: They say 3 times is the charm for people to learn lessons. Was this that time for you?

B.T.: This time I was facing life in prison, I started trying everything to help keep me from doing that time. I was doing roots with spiritual ladies (Byron laughs). When I got to court, I had to take the beads (spiritual) off my neck in court the judge said. When I took off the beads, suddenly, my co-defendants started turning on me and I immediately started calling on Jesus. All I could see was my grandma on her knees praying and through God’s Grace and Mercy I only did 6 years out of a 25-year sentence because of God. One day they opened my cell and said I had $1000 bond and they needed $100 to let me free. I couldn’t believe it!

H.H.H: Byron, you are truly blessed!

B.T.: (Byron laughs) The devil got tired of me making money his way but still praising God

H.H.H: So now that you completed your 3 strikes, let’s get to the home run, Cleanface Management Inc. Tell me, what inspired you to begin the label?

B.T.: I came home and began Green Cheese Management prior to Cleanface Management.

H.H.H: Green Cheese? I must know the meaning behind this…

B.T.: The name came from when cheese gets old it turns green. People thought I was coming home to money because I had money before I went to prison, but all my money went to lawyers and my family. My cheese (money) was old.

H.H.H.: How did Green Cheese become Cleanface?

B.T.: My partner did me dirty saying he could get 50 cent, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks to events back when G-Unit was hot, and he couldn’t. That caused a lot of commotion with other people in the industry and so I needed to reinvent myself, you know, clean my face so I made the switch in 2007.

H.H.H.: Who are some artist you’ve worked with?

B.T.: I have worked with Plies where we achieved a couple #1 ringtones. I’ve also worked with artist like Ball Greezy and Trina. I even worked with Bobby Smurda prior to his incarceration.

H.H.H.: I see you work with Popular Artist like Popp Hunna who had the smash hit Corvette, Corvette that took Tik Tok by STORM! How did your relationship come about?

B.T.: Yea, Corvette, Corvette was #1 in the World in 2020! Popp Hunna’s team is from Philly and since Bobby couldn’t show up due to being incarcerated Cleanface sent their money back to them which is unheard of. That built loyalty because I stayed true to your word. Since then, Chosen One Entertainment has been like family in working with artist. It’s why I stand by my motto: “I don’t want to be the Man; I want to Build Great Partnerships”

I’ve also worked with Mooskiii who had a #1 in 2021 TrappStarr. We are currently working on his album. I’ve also worked with Rico Love. We started with me managing him as an artist and opportunities bled over on the song writing side. Then Rico and I stater collaborating on music conferences for HBCU classics. Pre Covid we were hosting conferences in Africa.

H.H.H.: Given your vast knowledge and time in the music game, tell me, what makes a good song?

B.T.: I close my eyes and truly listen to see if he can feel it and if others will resonate with it. I don’t care about industry standards. I look at songs like a big net, how much attention will they gather.

It’s like this, do you believe you can pick macaroni and cheese that a lot of people will love or mac with a gritty content, not your momma’s mac and cheese? That’s how it is with music. Right now, I am 9 for 9 artist whose music turned into a career.

H.H.H: How do you keep going in this industry given how competitive it can be?

B.T.: I am glad to give God the Glory.

H.H.H. Before we end this, who’s on your playlist right now?

B.T.: Outkast; 8ball MJG; Mooskiii; Nipsey Hussle; Rick Ross; Sade; Ball Greezy; New Kid Called Golden Boy from Florida

H.H.H. Thank you so much for speaking with us! It’s been such a pleasure! Much continued success.

CLSOUNDS

“MUSIC FOR YOUR MENTAL”

“It’s more than just music to me, it’s life. I want people that listen to not just hear the work but to feel it because it always comes from a very personal place. I like to make music and lyrics that force listeners to think because I believe that got lost somewhere on our journey to profit off music. That is why I like the term “music for your mental.”

For centuries music has been the one phenomenon that continues to connect all cultures and lifestyles. Connecting everyone that hears it while simultaneously giving each listener a different perspective. One perspective created “CL SOUNDS.” CL Sounds is a singer, songwriter and producer from NJ who makes a plethora of genres from ROCK to Hip-Hop, all while bringing a style completely his own. At the young age of 10, CL Sounds began classically training in music under the tutelage of the Newark Boys Chorus School (NBCS), a very highly regarded program in Newark, NJ that focuses on children’s musical talents through singing and instruments and teaches them how to read and write music. It was at NBCS that Sounds not only realized his love for music, but also his talent for it.

After graduating from NBCS, he expanded out to other entertainment fields such as acting, having performed in numerous musicals and plays in Union High School and Burlington Township High School, often getting the lead roles. After moving to North Carolina, he recorded his first song, “Let the Music Speak”.

Whether Hip-Hop, R&B, or Gospel, Sounds creates melodic tones that differentiate from each other while still providing his own signature “SOUND”, which is where the name derives. Whether singing in Philadelphia Prime Fest, Carnegie Hall, or even touring across country as a part of a chorus group, Sounds always brings an unexpected energy to audiences any time he is on stage.

MUSIC helps your mind focus, improve your mood and express emotions, boosts your confidence, helps your relax, and helps deal with negative emotions. Listen to music for your mental.

COURTNEY BURGESS

By Dawn Monique Edmond

Courtney Burgess, a Newark NJ Native, is a Music Producer, Entrepreneur, Author/Publisher, and now he adds Chief Executive Officer of the Hip Hop Herald Magazine to his list of accomplishments.

It’s well known that Courtney aka “Courtney B” is a music producer who managed music industry acts, such as The Artifacts, Fatal Hussein, and Kasinova Tha Don, and that he was a super producer for Tupac Shakur, but what else is there to know about Courtney B? I was able to snag an interview with him, where I asked him a few questions.

Hello Courtney, 1st and foremost, congratulations on starting a magazine, The Hip Hop Herald. We have to do something to bring the youth back to reading. Reading is what’s going to get them through life. Sports, entertainment, those are great careers, but they need to be able to read contracts. This is the time to read, while their locked down due to the Covid Pandemic. What a better way to get them reading than a Hip-Hop Magazine. You’ll cheat yourself if you don’t educate yourself.

We all know that you and Tupac were friends, how did you meet? I met him as a kid growing up. His mother and my mother were friends. We played as kids and attended each other’s birthday parties; we grew up together.

Is he the person who got you started in the music industry? No, my interest in music started in high school with Wyclef (famed member of the New Jersey hip-hop group the Fugees), we were friends since the 6th grade, and we went to high school together, Vailsburg High School in Newark, New Jersey. I also used to take the Artifacts (The Artifacts is a hip-hop group consisting of El Da Sensei, Tame One, and DJ Kaos, they are from Newark, New Jersey) to college shows, and Queen Latifah’s mother, Ms. Owens taught at Irvington High School and we used to throw parties at the school every Friday.

Is music something you’ve always wanted to do? When I was young, I sang in the choir at church, but being a Manager and Music Producer, it kind of picked me.

You can sing? Yes, a little.

Who was the first artist(s) you managed? The Artifacts, I executive produced and managed them. I also managed Jay Slim, Big LOE, and others.

Tell me some of the things that you do as a Music Producer and Manager. As a music producer I write and produce songs, I’ve made songs for tv commercials, and soundtracks for movies. I manage artists, assist them with getting record deals and features.

Who are some of the artists you assisted in getting record deals? Nelly, I helped him get with Universal, Wycleff, I connected him with Irene at the West Orange House of Music who helped him get his music deal, and Hussein Fatal, just to name a few.

Hussein Fatal, he wasTupac’s artist, how did you come to assist him? He was one of Pac’s highest artists. Pac called me when he came home (Tupac served a 9months prison sentence) and asked me to get a record deal for him. I was Tupac’s great kept secret. When he left Death Row, we were going to form a label. I was Fatal's manager and the executive producer for a song called Unusual Suspects with Mic Geronimo, DMX, and The Lox. There were 2 versions of the song, Fatal was on the original cut, but Puffy blackballed it and took him off due to the negativity and jealousy surrounding Tupac Shakur. Puffy used his politics and money to destroy people’s careers. The version with The Lox was on the radio, and the original version was on the soundtrack. Nothing against The Lox, but the song was dope as it was. Fatal was killed in a car accident. I was on the phone with him when he crashed, I was asking him to come back and finish recording, and he said he had to go do this movie. Our call disconnected, I thought he had just dropped the phone. Later that night I got a call from my people in Montclair telling me he crashed. It hurt me, a whole lot.

What is the best song that you feel you’ve had a hand in creating? Pac’s Hail Mary. I produced it. It was a church track, a choir track, but he like it. There were 2 of them. A guy from Death Row named Hurt-M-Badd engineered the track for him. Suge was particular about who came to Death Row and who he worked with. He didn’t want me there. he just wanted to buy the song. At the time the track was worth more than the deal I got from Warner Brothers.

Did Suge push you out of the deal? No, more like helped me out, financially. I made a lot of money from that track.

What rappers are you fans of?

Jay Z, 50Cent, Jeezy, Rick Ross, Little TJ, Yella Beezy, Kevin Gates.

You have your hand in a lot of projects, what other things are you doing as an entrepreneur?

Livestock; cows, horses, chickens. Solar energy, transportation, real estate, I’m a publisher, and now, the Hip Hop Herald Magazine.

How did you get into livestock?

My grandparents. Both my mother and father's mothersgenerations. They owned farms since the age 11. Lake City, Sumter, all over South Carolina. I inherited them and took over the business.

What made you go into the solar business?

President Obama. When he spoke about sustainable energy, clean energy sources being the future. I went back to school to be an electrical engineer. Climate change is a serious threat, and solar power is the future since its power source is sunlight.

What have you published?

A Book titled “Into the Gutter” by Mutulu Shakur, Tupac’s stepfather who’s been in prison since 1981. It’s 2022, he did his life sentence. He was supposed to be home by now, he is being held because he won’t give up the location of his sister, Assata

Shakur. She, like him, was in the Black Panther Party. She is wanted in the US and lives in Cuba. They are holding him until they get her. Let’s get Mutulu Shakur free!

Tell me something about yourself that not many people know? I am one of few Black Mormons. I was baptized not too long ago.

Motorcycles, Mothers, and Mercy

Ask me where the happiest place on earth is and I’ll tell you it’s wherever I’m at with my motorcycle. Not many other things I’d rather be doing than exploring God’s earth with a motorcycle as my chariot. My name is Ryker Eades, I am not a professional rider, but man do I love it. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle or know even a little bit about them you know they ain’t the cheapest or the safest thing in the world. Bikes are already expensive enough as is, but what they don’t tell you on the sticker price is how much more you’ll end up paying in hospital bills. If you ask me, they should at least include a punch pass, free trial, or a buy one get one to the hospital when you buy a motorcycle.

Take it from me, I’ve had my fair share of hospital bills. Although I wish I could blame the bike for why I ended up being tossed like a rag doll, either down the mountain or across the street, I’ve got to admit it’s always my fault. It’s always because I either got too confident, went too fast, jumped too high, or simply outran my own talent. No matter how hard I try to have some self-control I just can’t seem to let someone beat me up the hill.

I’ve been riding ever since I was a little kid and I’ll tell you right now that my mom is an angel for what she’s put up with. There are 4 kids in our family, three boys, one girl, and one really big kid we call “Dad” who is more reckless than all of us. I can’t tell you how many times my mom told us to be safe or warned us that what we were doing was a bad idea, then when we call her saying someone’s in the hospital she picks up the pieces and tells us how much she loves us. She’s become our own 24/7, stay-at-home nurse to take care of whoever is broken, bruised, or bloody at the time.

Every time we’re about to go for a motorcycle ride she warns us to be safe. She warns us of the dangers and asks us to make smart decisions. Sometimes we listen, but most of the time we make poor decisions and end up falling. Isn’t that how most of us are in life? Hasn’t God warned us of the consequences of sin? Yet how many times do we choose to ignore His teachings thinking we know better and end up falling into the dirt of sin? Jesus Christ warns us just like my mother that we need to make smart decisions and stay away from temptations. But for the seemingly infinite amount of times I’ve ignored my mom and crashed, she’s never once told me she didn’t love me anymore. She never said how disappointed she was. She ALWAYS came to my rescue, brushed the dirt off, took me home (or to the hospital first), then was there by my side throughout the entire healing process, despite the fact that she told me beforehand it was a bad idea.

Jesus Christ looks at us the same way. He doesn’t see us for our sins or how dirty and broken we may be, instead, he sees us for who we can become. He “...healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up [our] wounds” (Psalm 147:3 KJV). Even though He warns us against sin and poor choices, He will never stop loving you and will always be there to pick you up when you fall, hold you when you need a friend, heal your wounds when you’re hurt and stay right by your side through the healing and repentance process. There is no mistake you have made that can’t be washed away by His blood. His hands are constantly reaching out towards you ready to take you in and wash away the dirt and sins that we all get into at times. I invite you to listen to the Savior and, “Come and See” for yourself that he truly is willing to offer love and mercy. (John 1:39 KJV) comeuntochrist.org

By: Ryker Eades

Richard Garcia

RICHARD GARCIA, ACTOR/MODEL/TUPAC SHAKUR TRIBUTE ARTIST

By Dawn Monique Edmond

Tupac Shakur Tribute Artist, Richard Garcia is a model, actor, substitute teacher for the Jersey City Board of Education, and a bonafide Tupac Shakir fan. He loves him so much, he metamorphosed into him. It wasn’t intentional, it just happened. He was being entranced by his lyrics since he was a young kid. I mean we are talking about Tupac, a man who prophesied his death in Only God Can Judge Me;

“And they say it's the white man I should fear But it's my own kind doin' all the killin' here..”

“I hear the doctor standin' over me, screamin' I can make it Got a body full of bullet holes, layin' here naked”.

I can only imagine the draw Richard had to him, not only does he look like him, but they also share the same birthday. June 16, Geminis.

Richard is Tupac’s doppelganger. He’s been blessed by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, he has met his father, siblings, and corresponds with his stepfather, Mutulu Shakur who is currently serving time in prison for the robbery of a Brinks armored car that left two police officers and a security guard dead. Richard has left many celebrities in amazement of his resemblance to Tupac after an encounter with him.

Having appeared in various TV projects as an extra NBC Law & Order SVU, CBS Blue Bloods, CBS Elementary, STARZ POWER, various projects on Comedy Central, and music videos - Richard’s dream is to be cast in a role as Tupac. He’s been turned down for a role because “he’s not black,” but he’s holding on to hope. If he looks like Tupac and sounds like Tupac, he can “act” like Tupac.

Richard Garcia holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He is happily married to Mary Ibrahim. Rich is also writing his 1st novel and is currently working on an upcoming controversial independent film.

UP AND COMING IN HIP-HOP

J Bla$e - Born Justin Donovan – is an American Hip-Hop artist on the rise. He dropped his first mixtape, “Beautiful Nightmares” on Soundcloud when he was just 17. He was discovered by his mom, now Manager after she clicked on a link in his Instagram bio and heard his music. She connected him with Courtney Burgess, the CEO of Alter the Ego Publishing, and the famed producer for Tupac and Hussein Fatal. Burgess put him in the studio, produced a track for him called “Alter the Ego”, and he took off from there.

J Bla$e has a feature with LouGotCash, a New York artist, on a track called “The Youth”, which is currently streaming on all platforms, with a video on YouTube. He has also collaborated with artists and producers from all over - including New Jersey, New York, Chicago, and the UK. He collaborated on projects with Tin Coop, "Holy Trinity" and "Don't Get It Twisted", and he has tracks with Yung 147, such as "10 pm in Jersey" and "Lose It All Tonite". He has a host of solo projects, "Beautiful Nightmares", "The Youth", "Alter the Ego", "11/15", "2019 Vibes", and "Casamigos", just to name a few. His latest feature with Abstrct, titled "Luv Drug", highlights his versatility. He can go off any beat, flow, and make virtually any type of Hip-Hop or Pop music.

He’s always had a passion for music and is in the studio every chance he gets. He is inspired by artists Lil Uzi, Pi'erre Bourne, Drake, Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, and Sofaygo, and looks forward to collaborating with industry artists and producers and having his songs chart on Billboards.

Music is his passion, but he understands the importance of Education. J Bla$e is currently enrolled as a Junior on a scholarship at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey, majoring in Communications, which he believes is a perfect fit for his career as an artist.

https://linktr.ee/jblazethedemon

Instagram: @jblazethedemon

RobGZz, Fame in the Future

RobGZz is an upcoming artist from Philadelphia, who currently resides in New Jersey. RobGZz has been making music for over 10 years. He released his first song in 2017, then followed it with an album in 2019 titled “Life Before Fame,” his first hit song was “Loving You.” He is signed to 5Management and is looking forward to them bringing him closer to his dreams of being successful in the music industry.

-RobGZz

PRINCE HILL is a rapper, songwriter and independent artist who specializes in Good Vibe, Inspirational, Hip-Hop. Prince Hill’s sound resonates with the youth like nothing you’ve seen before. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Prince’s love for music and the arts started at the age of 8 when he would sing on his karaoke machine at home. In the 2nd grade he began writing lyrics andrecording himself on cassette tapes. Prince’s passion for performing and entertaining got him accepted into Arts High School in Newark, NJ., where along list of talented starshasbeenproduced.

He was heavily influenced by the nostalgic 90’s overtones which shape the way he heard melodies - smooth flows inspired by Biggie, the mesmerizing hook style of Michael Jackson, and after 50Cent drop ‘Get Rich or Die Trying,’ Prince knew music was what hewantedto do. He started to build a fast fan base, his songs on SoundCloud started to skyrocket and the whole city started to speak about him until it became unanimous that he was next up. Prince Hill captivates his audience, he has always made directconnections with the people since he started his journey in theindustry.

Prince has been featured onSwayintheMorning, DJ Kay Slay Street Sweeper Radio, IHeart Radio, SiriusXM, Hot97, and many more stations acrossthecountry.Prince Hillwillnotbedefeated, his talent goes without question,afterallthey’re catchy, meaningful, and everlasting lyrics. His greatest music inspirations are Michael Jackson, 50Cent, Biggie, Drake, and Lil Wayne. It’s apparent why Prince is the #JNWA (JiggyNiggaWithAttitude ).#JNWAisawayoflife and a story of a triumphantvictory.

Moving forward, Prince Hill Is embarking on his first tour and he’s ready to spread the #JNWA sound to the World and brand the Jiggy WAVE….

CONTRIBUTORS

Dawn Monique Edmond is the Editor and a contributing writer of the Hip-Hop Herald. She is the CEO of Enid-Books Corp., a Publishing Company, and the author of Till The Break of Dawn, Bridging the Gap, and the Co-Author of When A Father Fails, and What Have I Gotten Myself Into, which are all available on www.enidbookscorp.com and Amazon. Dawn is a native of Newark, New Jersey. Follow Dawn on all social media platforms @enidbookscorp

@DawnMoniqueEdmond

Born and raised in Essex County New Jersey, Hip-Hop Herald’s co-owner and contributing writer J-Crush, born Godfrey J. Phillips, didn’t waste any time expressing his talents. At age 5 he took a liking to the art of Graffiti which he saw on neighborhood walls. He began writing on everything - paper, toys, tables, walls at School, book-bags, and anything he could draw on. JCrush was also into dancing, what was known as a Rocker/B-Boy, he got his start doing the robot, moonwalk, and emulating dance moves from Shabba Doo and Fred Berry (Rerun) from the famous Lockers Dance Group. J Crush did Graffiti and danced up until his teenage years when he became an MC/Rapper with the influence of a childhood friend, MC Bruce, who later became known as Hussein Fatal, a member of Tupac Shakur’s Outlaws. J-Crush has made mix tapes, performed, and even made a record, which led to him meeting many famous people in the entertainment industry that opened doors for him outside of rapping. He did promotions for Major Record Labels, and he’s a Hip-Hop Journalist, writing and working with Magazines such as Rap Pages, Mass Appeal, On the Go, Beat Down, and many others.

Keshia Butler-Thomas is the CEO of LCK Consulting Services, who offers subject matter expertise digital brand strategy, social media marketing, and on-line marketing trends. She is also the founder of Thrive Academy and the Social Impact Incubator, she teaches her clients how to leverage social media to establish a digital presence, advance their brands both visually and conceptually and grow their business reach and revenue.

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