Last year, Banxsy Aliym crossed my path. I can’t tell where or when because I don’t remember, but when I heard his music for the first, I thought he was a good songwriter. Over time, he took the necessary steps to structure his songs for the general consumer base. As the Queens-based recording artist continues to find himself as a creator and gets a footing in the music industry, packaging his duality will be the feat he has to master.
GRUNGECAKE: What has been the most difficult things you’ve come to realize as a new artist working to make a breakthrough in the 10’s? What will change for you in 2020?
For me, it has been realizing the importance of content creating in this day in age. It’s necessary for any artist to possess if he/she wants to keep their audience engaged. Consider your brand like a TV network and every piece of good content convinces people to stay tuned in. This year, I want to display my ability to push out content through as many platforms as I can to keep fans invested in Banxsy Aliym.
Do you have a team of people who help you with your music career? What have you been able to accomplish with your team? (If you don’t have a team, what have you been able to do by yourself?)
I do have a team that helps me with creative decisions and I usually consult them on most moves I make. This year, we have been establishing a strong network which allows us to keep a pulse on what’s going on in the industry.
If you could compare your live performance to a holiday dinner, what would be on the menu and why?
A good plate of West Indian jerk—extra spicy! Something you love, something you feel, and something you won’t forget!
Describe your creative process when writing a song. Do you have certain things you have to do with every song you write?
I like to tap into the most personal places in my head in hopes of finding something I can make relatable to others. I want anyone listening to feel like I am directly sharing stories with them. Most, if not all, songs have to start as or expound on a true situation because it also gives an outline for whatever I create.
With all of the changes music has had over the years, how do you see your sound evolving over the next few years? Do you think you have found your sound?
Sometimes, I think I have found my sound, but then again I find it evolving more and more as the trends in music shift. The message is the same, but the delivery is always changing and maybe even for the better. For example, [I] find myself exploring my vocal abilities more now than I ever did and that contributes to the evolution of my sound.
Who are you?
The artist all knowing which is what Banxsy Aliym means, or the artist and the intellect. The two sides of me are displayed throughout the music when I can dive into deep topics, and then sometimes, I choose to be free with my sound as long as it doesn’t compromise who I am. For now, I rather let the people choose how to identify who is Banxsy Aliym.
Listen to the ‘The Essence Tape’ EP below; to see the post that made this feature possible, scroll down or click here to view.
fter spending a couple of years battling personal demons, Madchild took his life back with the help of his family, friends and the unwavering support of his fans. Like only a determined man can, the Vancouver based rapper renounced his former lifestyle and found solace in the arms of his music. Bunkering down in his home studio secluded from the outside world, like he mentions embarking on for his upcoming release, he enjoyed a creative rebirth by crafting some of the best verses of his entire career. As we’ve learned, in addition to his creative rebirth, Madchild is now giving back to his community. He has started speaking at local high schools in British Columbia and to youth groups about perils of gang violence and drug addiction in Canada, which has helped inspire youth to make positive lifestyle choices.
Now, he’s more comfortable in his skin than he’s ever been and if you’re watching, you would agree. Last Wednesday, he traveled to New York City with Swollen Members, Slaine and Super Villain to perform at Santos Party House. The 38-year-old rapper details the significance of his face tattoos in which he discloses one as a lifelong commitment to the Battle Axe Warriors, making an album in fourteen days, his ‘masterpiece’ and more. Watch our video coverage below:
Last week, Taboo, one of the world famous Black Eyed Peas released a lead single for an upcoming solo project called “Zumbao”. This new dance track is full of energy, infectious, and produced by long-time Black Eyed Peas collaborator Damien LeRoy (formerly known as DJ Ammo). He also produced “The Time (Dirty Bit)” on 2010 Black Eyed Peas release, The Beginning.
Images: Courtesy of the artist
Before your minds wander, the group is still together. Taboo is just on a journey of his own like his fellow band members Fergie and will.i.am. This is his first introduction to the world as a solo artist and as you’ll learn by reading this interview, he’s always dreamt of being able to speak to his community, and to make a song that best represents his upbringing. Wait until you read about what inspired “Zumbao” and what he has planned for the song.
“This is my first initial introduction to the community that I’m from. I’m Mexican-American and I’ve always dreamed about being able to speak to my community and to make a song that best represented my upbringing. I actually grew up watching Spanish television,” Taboo says. “So, I wanted to implement Spanish idols that I grew up on. From El Chavo del Ocho to Pitufos. When I grew up, I didn’t know about The Smurfs. I knew about Pitufos. So to me, growing up, I knew about these people: Don Fransciso and El Gordo y la Flaca.”
For the readers not familiar with Spanish television programming, El Chavo del Ocho is the equivalent to Sesame Street or Reading Rainbow. Pitufos is the Spanish translation of The Smurfs. As a young boy, Taboo used to watch these cultural icons with his abuela (grandmother).
He recalls of his childhood heroes, “I dreamt of being apart of these iconic Latino shows and Don Francisco”, a 73-year-old Chilean television host and a popular personality on the Univision network, “is a very symbolic person in our community because of Sábado Gigante and just remembering those shows and all these things as a child. I wanted to implement that in the song. The music itself is very catchy and very infectious. Yes, it’s all in Spanish but it’s so infectious that even if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s going to gravitate to you and it’s gonna pull you in like Gangnam Style, We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool. You didn’t know what they were saying but they’re speaking Italian but for some reason — sings the hook — it’s infectious and it pulls you in and that’s the type of song ‘Zumbao’ is.”
I agree. So, this is your first time being solo?
“Yes but for the record, we’re still a group. It’s my first time doing an individual project. There’s misconception that when you do an individual project, you left the group or the group is disbanded. That’s not true. Fergie and will.i.am were very successful on their own and we came back and created the biggest selling album in our career which was ‘The E•N•D’ with dance singles like “I Gotta Feeling” and “Boom Boom Pow”. It goes to show you that, even if we work on individual side projects, when we come back, it’s still going to be a big reunion and a humongous impact.”
That’s kind of like Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow.
From where?
Miike Snow, do you know the Swedish pop group Miike Snow? They did the song “Animal”?
I kind of look at like how Wu-Tang Clan — they had the [Enter the] Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers and Ol’ Dirty Bastard came out, and Method Man came out and Raekwon and they all had individual hits but it was still ‘Wu-Tang’. [It] was always representative of each individual and each chamber. That’s how I feel Black Eyed Peas is. alp.de.ap does a solo project. He’s doing it for the Philippines because he’s Filipino. I’m doing a solo project. I’m going to direct it to the Latin market but it’s going to bleed into international markets because of where I come from.
Very nice. You also have a very unique sense of style and you’re originally from L.A., right?
Yeah, East L.A.
Can you talk about how that’s influenced your style, if at all?
Well, I’ve been a sneakerhead since I was like 12-years-old. My fashion starts with my sneakers. I’m a collector. I’ve been a hypebeast or a sneakerhead for a while. Whatever flavour I’m feeling with my sneakers, that’s how I dictate my outfit and my style comes from Hip-Hop culture. I’m inspired by people like Kwamé with the polkadots from the ’89-90. I’m inspired by the old Big Daddy Kane dope gold chains to the De La Soul D.A.I.S.Y. Age to the funkadelic type of afrocentric attire. That’s the world that I come from. De La Soul to A Tribe Called Quest, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane as far as Hip-Hop. Then, as far as like style goes, I’m very influenced by streetwear couture. For example, you’ve got brands like D9 Reserve and brands like Damn Pigeon and Crooks & Castles who incorporate a little bit of streetwear but they’re also high-end minded with their cut and sew pieces. I’m all about that. Mixing a little bit of Zara in there but having like dope Yeezy’s or a dope YSL jacket or a Rick Owens jacket. Just to mix up the flavor and let people know that there’s no boundaries on fashion. That separates people that are willing to take a chance and just experiment. And that’s why I like to mix and match my clothing with high-end mixed with a little bit of streetwear.”
It looks good. You’re truly multitalented. I think before the uprise of millennials and everyone doing things themselves, you’ve always done multiple things like singing, rapping, acting and the list goes on. Is there any other skills that you’ve been honing in on?
I would probably have to say showcasing me as an individual. I haven’t proven myself yet. This is my first initial single and I can’t say that with it only a week out that it really hasn’t made a huge impact. I want to start it small. It’s about growing this brand or the movement. It’s what the brand is about. It’s about something that best represent a song and it’s also a dance that goes along with it. Merchandising. It’s all about “Zumbao”. It’s not about me. I would never take credit for what I’m creating on my own because it’s a whole team that’s making this happen for me. So I would say, really prove myself as an individual so I can brand Taboo as an individual. I come from a big mothership but the reality is that I still have the yearning to be able to kind of create my own individualism outside of my mothership. It’s very important for me. Especially in my community, the Latino community. I want to be a hero in my Latin community. Alot of people don’t know that I’m Mexican. People think I’m Asian. Some people think I’m Filipino. I’m like ‘I’m not Asian. I’m Latino. I’m Mexican. That’s why I wrote this song in Spanish so people can know, ‘Yo, this dude speaks Spanish.’ His upbringing is authentic. He’s genuine. He’s not trying to pretend to be a Spanish-speaking artist. Like I do I can speak Spanish. I am fluent and I’m just proud and honored to be able to represent my community.
And then just speaking on being Mexican, and also Native American, yeah?
Yeah.
Well, I read that you were the first Mexican-American to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Yeah, that was amazing. As a kid from East L.A., you never imagine being the headlining act at the Super Bowl. You know, the biggest stage for us Americans. The NFL is like the crème de la crème when it comes to American sport more than any sport, and to do that was just a great chapter in my career as a Mexican-American but also as an Entertainer.
Congratulations on that. That’s amazing. Can we look forward to an official music video for the single?
Yes, as a matter of fact. I’m editing it this week. It’s going to be out within the next two weeks. I’m very blessed to have Kathryn Burns who did the “Happy” video with Pharrell. She helped direct it. So, it’s going to be really fun, exciting. It’s the first time that I really dove into cold choreography. Me as a dancer, I’ve always just danced but now I’ve got the opportunity to come up with cool dance steps. We created the Zumbao dance. The Lor Brothers helped me come up with the “Zumbao” dance.
The name of my magazine is called GrungeCake — like Kurt Cobain, Nirvana and birthday cake — when you first hear the name what comes to mind?
GrungeCake? I would say: Stage-diving in a mosh pit.
During his My Own Lane Tour, Kid Ink shared some sound advice for aspiring talent looking to crossover from mixtape to mainstream, his new stage production, his 4/20 plans and more. He was very kind and informative. Delve into our interview and be sure to watch the beautiful video.
On your album, I’ve noticed that it’s very uptempo until the listener gets to “Tattoo Of My Name”, can you talk a little bit about the production and did you do any production on this album?
Kid Ink: As far as the tempo of the records, I think definitely — I’m usually more about energetic records. I’m usually about having energy. That’s how I perform. I definitely think about when I’m performing [and thinking] how these songs are going to be performed. You know, recording them. When I do slower songs, those are the ones I don’t really like to perform. Not really apart of my show as much so it’s a little bit more energy on there but at the same time, I’m learning how to tap into a different zone and really get into more ‘vibe moments’ where people can really just vibe with the record instead of always having fun and dancing. Definitely getting into that and understanding those songs more and as far as production goes, I don’t make the beats like I used to make beats. I still know how to make beats. It’s not really something you can forget but I do help with the production on stuff that I do now just because you know, it’s something that you can’t run from.
On “Tattoo Of My Name”, you talk about having a different kind of trust for a woman who has a tattoo of your name on her body; it being a representation of you. We must know: How many tattoos do you have and are all of your tattoos done in LA?
Kid Ink: My tattoos are not all done in L.A. Of course, that’s where I started but as I started travelling on the road and the different artists I would see here and there. From there, I just ran out of space where I don’t know the number at all. It’s kind of hard to keep up. Including you forget where you have stuff and you can’t see everyday. Like, I can’t see my back tattoos to always remember what’s there. So definitely about 90% of my body is filled with ink.
Do you have a favourite?
Man, it’s hard to have favourites too. Because you know, some of my favourites, I forget about them like I said. It’s just stuff that I have under my hairline or just stuff that I can’t really see so I think [my favourites are] just the conversational pieces.
Tell us about tonight, concerning OnesToWatch and Skype. How did that come to be?
We’re going to have some fun tonight — MyOwnLane Tour — It’s sponsored by Reebok. Thank you for doing everything. We also have the meet and greets with Skype and everybody. You know, we’re just having some fun. It’s a new show. I’m excited not only to get across the new songs I have but the new stage production I have now. Now, there’s a bigger DJ booth and lights, you know, boxes to jump on and movies playing in the background so there’s a lot more I can incorporate into the show that keeps the fan entertained. I’m all the way over here and they can’t see me all the way over there. I’m really excited to test those new things out. It’s been such a good tour so far. There’s nothing bad I can say about it besides it’s just a learning experience. Of course certain things don’t go right, the way you want them. It’s all about having fun.
The name of our publication is called GrungeCake, when it comes to mind, what do you think?
GrungeCake? I mean, if you know me, you know I like cake. Period. Like birthday cakes and all kinds of cakes. I’m a fat boy at heart. You know, one of my many flaws is to eat cake whenever I see it but GrungeCake, it makes me hungry. Obviously, at this point I have a sweet tooth. Sounds like me.
It’s 4/20. Do you have any special plans?
I’ll definitely be celebrating the holidays. 4/20, great holiday. I can’t wait to be onstage. It’s definitely cool to be somewhere where I think it’s less likely to find someone smoking like just out and about, cause you know, I’m from L.A. so it’s just easier to do that. You know, you would expect to be somewhere where I could just be free but I think inside tonight, we’re going to have enough fun. Hopefully, people pass me enough fun and we can celebrate the holidays.
You come from the mixtape circuit and you’ve now crossed over to the mainstream, how would advise someone (who might be inspired by you) to take on the same type of lane that you did?
I think, you know, one of the biggest things is the type of music. Not necessarily the genre, more so than just the structure of music. I think mainstream music or radio-friendly music isn’t just because of what people are talking about sometimes… It’s kind of the structure of the song and how to make a song that’s easy listening for people. It’s how the song comes in and goes straight to the hook and just different things that I think as an artist and a musician you have to learn, if that’s the type of route you want to take in the beginning. It’s about learning how to separate mixtape songs and songs that you feel like could be on the radio. You know, and of course, some people will get in between that and sneak those records in that you wouldn’t normally think you would hear on the radio but at the end of the day, the ones that usually last are the ones that sound like they should be on the radio. It’s a certain structure the song has or a certain beat. It’s just a difference.
Aloe Blacc’s voice fills a void that soul music has desperately searched for since the days of Bill Withers, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. In 2013, he proved that he was indeed “The Man” when his single “Wake Me Up” featuring Aviici topped the charts in over 103 countries and ultimately became one of the U.K.’s top selling singles of 2013. Blacc’s music ignites the hope of the socially conscious and infuses strong “soul-folk” undertones that invoke strong emotion and awareness.
When he took the stage at the GRAMMY U Amplifier event, it was his fourth performance of the day and the 15th performance during the South by Southwest Music festival. He treated the crowd to a few songs off of his brand new album entitled “Lift Your Spirit” and as he finished an acoustic version of his hit single “The Man” which was featured heavily during Beats Music commercials, ESPN, and on the 2014 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, he smiled to the crowd and stated that “It’s such a good feeling to know that I get to wake up in the morning and sing songs for you all.”
The authenticity of his voice and presence captivated the intimate crowd and provided an experience that many will probably never forget.
With GrungeCake being one of the few magazines granted exclusive access to directly interview Aloe Blacc, we were honored and humbled by the opportunity. At the end of his set, he entered the back room and greeted everyone with a smile.
Who inspires you musically?
From a music standpoint, I would have to say Lionel Richie, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, and DJ Rogers. From a creativity standpoint, it would be Jean McDaniels, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson and The Beatles.
How does it feel to be back at South By Southwest?
The first time I came [in 2006], I was only featured in one or two showcases and this year, I am in 16. It helps because it’s my album release week, but it is definitely a lot.
You’re set to tour with Bruno Mars this summer, what are you most excited about?
I get the chance to share my music to the masses and really get into the new songs. All of the songs are finished in the studio, but they’re never really done until you take it to the stage. I am excited to be here! The goal is definitely the music. I love the process of making music and that’s really where the reward is.
What was the best advice you were ever given as an artist:
Best advice I’ve ever received was from Quincy Jones was to study the ten artists that you really love and study everything that they did and make an album out of it.
A lot of GrungeCake’s readers are aspiring musicians, what advice would you give to them?
“Interview Request: Boyfriend” — reading those words let me know that I have garnered the trust and professional respect from my Editor.
This is my first major assignment for GrungeCake Magazine. Feeling that this will be a defining moment, I immersed myself in all things Boyfriend. I let that Soundcloud rock ’til that shit proverbially popped by being interrupted by a phone call or six. There is nothing worse than reading a generic interview.
An hour before, I’m notified that it’s a “go” and that I will receive a call from her at 9PM, I knew my questions ranged from super personal to fake-political so I wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. With the looming threat of a potential equipment fail, it was Boyfriend that quelled my spirits with understanding. As the questions delved into her personal life, she crafted very thoughtful responses. She took time to process the question and actually ponder before answering. Our conversation on polyamory, open relationships, DTF could have gone on for hours. We were like new cosmic friends trading insights. Unfortunately, our interview had to come to an end but I look forward to experiencing her artistry grow and evolve. Shout out to Boyfriend for busting my cherry wide open. Now read our intimate interview below:
I want to talk about narrative, in interviews you speak of Boyfriend as an act, more commentary than anything else, I would think people would resonate w you more if they knew that this was coming from you personally or do you have a fear of being judged given the content?
The main factor is most of the raps out there right now that I listen to are people really speaking from a 100% transparency whereas I’m rapping about freaky period blood, having sex with old grandmas so it’s necessary to take a step back when talking about it so that I’m not a parody, because that’s not what’s going on. If someone is talking to me as an artist who is creating these songs, I feel like they can walk away with something more valuable than thinking of Boyfriend, simply as a punch line.
Your breath control is crazy, what artists did you model your flow off of? What exercises did you use to get there?
I have a strong history in show choir before Glee was a show, I was off winning championships with my high school choir in Nashville, so we had to sing and dance our asses off. I learned breath control through choir. As far as modelling my flow, I don’t think I’ve done that yet. There have been a couple songs where I say I’m going to try and take a more Azealia Banks approach on this one. She rhymes super staccato. One syllable words packed into one phrase, so I would do it almost as an exercise but my overall song that I write, I’m not consciously modelling it after someone else.
https://youtu.be/sVsA0zRYaVg
How have you been positioning yourself? As a sex-positive person, what crowd do you drift to? What about medium? Who’s audience would you love to tap into?
I would love to find more people like me, actually. I listen to Mykki Blanco and Le1f basically like the whole genre of theatrical art that’s going on right now. Zebra Katz is another great example. People who make music videos that are works of art. I would love for those people to get turned on to me.
What rappers and producers would like to collaborate with?
That’s really interesting because I feel like the sex-positive platform(s) found me. I put out “Hunch n Munch” which was very super sexual. The people found me and contacted me like Playboy Radio, Museum of Sex, and “Sex with Emily” which was a blog and now, it’s a whole show. I didn’t seek that out. I was just making songs. People were like “Sex-Positive Rapper, Boyfriend”, and I’m like, I guess I am sex-positive. For me, it was just like this is the song I feel like writing. This is what I feel like I have to say then, the audience found me.
How do you keep yourself abreast of what’s going on in the world? What are your top 3 sites that you visit in order to do so?
There are so many. It would be such an honor to work with anybody from Three 6 Mafia. I actually sent a Facebook message to Gangsta Boo, but she never responded. Growing up in Tennessee that would be a huge honor. I also really do think what Mykki Blanco is doing right now is the new “new” and that would be super exciting.
Lurking on the internet. Live for the Funk is one of my favorite blogs. They stay playing those jacuzzi jams with a really nice balance of rap. I also think Dose Rate is super under the radar but they’re like ground floor hip. They have actually found me now. Motherfunker is a really good blog.
There is definitely intentionality behind it. I wanted to write the song “Hunch n Munch” because I wanted to write a brashly sexual song that is on the one hand saying, “Isn’t great that that I get to say these things about sex?” On the other hand, it is saying as a female who is rapping, “I’m rapping about sex because I’m very much aware of how that’s like an artistic prison almost that gets placed on women in any industry, not just rap.” You have to use your sexuality as a thing so it’s both celebration and a comment, so there is definite intentionality. My intentions only go so far to dictate the creative process. I’m not thinking about the audience first.
Dare I say the F word “Feminist” or nah?
Sure, there are connotations of feminism that I have issues with. [It is] one of those words that have just become so watered down and diluted that it just depends on who is standing in front of me at the time. I’ve had arguments with people who call themselves feminists, who find strip clubs to be degrading to women.
Initially, I was asking about more political sites that helps keep you informed?
I, like most hip girls my age, like Jezebel and [I think] The Hairpin is great. I’m like a headline person. Honestly, at the end of the day, I go check out The Onion to feel better about the rest of the world.
What and who are your satirical influences?
Sandra Bernhard, Bette Midler, and Carol Burnette. Women that I really watch and love. I recently got turned on to Tony Clifton. It’s all about placing this showmanship of the golden age of musicals and theatre and placing it into this boner atmosphere. It’s like the Dean Martin Variety Show with a giant, raging boner.
Are you still in an open relationship?
Those are the only relationships I’m interested in. I’m not in a place to be monogamous because I’m not done hanging out and I don’t know if I’ll ever be. For me, it’s like human beings are so fascinating, beautiful and complicated, that there will always be new adventures and discoveries I want to make. I think that some people are able to go on those adventures with other people without undermining or devaluing the other relationships that they have. I try to look at people, all the people in my life, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and I’m not complete with all the little pieces. I think it’s foolish to try and make one person be every single piece because that’s a lot to put on one person. They’re trying to be everything for themselves. You know, they gotta wake up in the morning and they gotta wash their dishes, they gotta pay their taxes… Can I be your everything also? It just seems like a lot to ask.
Are you a relationship anarchist or do you have a main person?
At the moment no, I travel a lot so I can see myself being a fifty-seven-year-old woman with a global access of lovers. It’s not ludicrous. It’s like true deep relationships that last years and years but you might only see that person three times a year. It’s definitely a Bohemian ideal. We’ll see if I can pull it off.
In terms of your open relationship, how honest were you with your partner?
It’s a case by case basis. Relationships, romantic and otherwise, are founded on communication. I think there is a difference between honesty and disclosure for the sake of relieving yourself of guilt. Sometimes, you might be telling something so that you feel better about what you have done. When really, if you did something you shouldn’t have done, maybe it’s your burden to bear and you should carry it. It’s really a case by case basis.
DTF… How do you know it should go down? Can you walk us through that moment?
It’s all about the vibes. I try to keep my vibe-meter finely tuned. It’s hard to put the vibes into words. I know personally, if something is too easy, it’s not as fun. I’m all about the slow burn, building the anticipation. It’s an exchange of energy. I know when to play a certain song because the audience is asking for it. They might not have ever heard the song before, but the vibes are like, now is the time for this song. It’s all about perception and doing things people want and being able to give it to them.
How old were you when you had your first orgasm?
Oh girl, I don’t even remember. I was one of those kids who were accidentally getting off in the jacuzzi, not knowing what it was. I think there are a lot of kids that do that. Never linking it to sex.
Sexually, do the ends justify the means? If you don’t have an orgasm will it feel incomplete or are you more interested in the journey or the arrival?
It’s certainly the journey and I keep that in mind in all aspects of my life. I make these YouTube videos because I enjoy making them, not because I want my number to get to a million views. It’s like if you’re in it for that, you’re in it for the wrong reason.
How do you fund your projects?
I work my ass off. I’m a hustler. I have a full time-job, in addition to being Boyfriend. I use that to fund my work. I’m very resourceful.
As a White woman in Hip-Hop, what do you say to those who would label your performance art as privileged escapism?
I try to be very respectful of that. I am in no way as frustrated as being a member of a systematically-oppressed race. I don’t have much room to complain, “Oh it’s so hard being a White rapper” so I am very sensitive to people who have issue with it or have something to say about it. At the same time, I challenge those people to review everything as content, that they’re actually talking about the actual work that someone is putting out instead of the looks of the person that is putting it out.
What was your defining moment that made you realize I can do this professionally?
It was a beautiful moment. I can point to it. A lot of different things in life, you can’t point to that clearly. I took a last minute, crazy romantic let’s-just-get-in-the-car-and-drive road trip to Berkley, California when I was living in L.A. I crashed at a friend’s place and he was kind of playing around and making beats. He ended up making the beat for “Bitches Be Hating” and I kind of freestyled and came up with that flow. It was this beautiful, funny afternoon that the song was created. I just knew [and felt], “Wait, this song is actually pretty good.” I’m not saying that I’m going to change the world, but it’s good enough that I wasn’t embarrassed and that I wouldn’t mind if someone else heard it. That was the start.
If you can go back in time two years ago, what advice would you have given to yourself?
Not to be afraid and advocate for yourself as an artist. I was way too embarrassed to say, “Hey, look at me” for a long time. I think that’s part of why I have been unknown for so long. I was just kind of minding my own business releasing these videos and I finally have a place of confidence where I can say, “Hey, pay attention to me.” It took me a long time to be okay with that. It seems like something selfish. In today’s world, where someone is trying to show me a picture of what they had for lunch, I think it’s fair for me to show them this video I made.
What aspects of femininity have you yet to explore that you would like to make into a song?
There are definite double standards that need to be addressed and I am more than willing to address them, but I want to make sure that I am speaking from a place of maturity. I don’t want to venture out until I’m damn sure [about] how I feel. When I wrote Period Rap, I was ready to put that into people’s faces because I was tired of having to sneakingly carry a tampon to the bathroom meanwhile my co-worker is scratching his balls. How is that fair? Again, it goes back to the danger of the F word Feminism because while people might be offended by people opening a door for them, isn’t it also nice that someone wants to open the door for you? Some of that stuff is sticky. I have to stew on it a little longer.
What artists influenced you?
Definitely strong women voices are the main influence. It’s less the sonic quality and more their overall approach to the industry like what Björk did for the music video or how Beyoncé is involved in every aspect of production or how Erykah Badu is just completely unapologetic of who she is. Those are the type of things I try to take inspiration from because sonically I know I don’t sound like any of these people and I wouldn’t try to because they are their own classics. I wouldn’t try to recreate that and hopefully while aligning myself with artistic processes, I can create my own unique product.
And last but not least, when you hear GrungeCake what comes to mind?
I actually think of bite-sized attitude. Like a plate of really hip cupcakes.
“Interview Request: Boyfriend” — reading those words let me know that I have garnered the trust and professional respect from my Editor.
This is my first major assignment for GrungeCake Magazine. Feeling that this will be a defining moment, I immersed myself in all things Boyfriend. I let that Soundcloud rock ’til that shit proverbially popped by being interrupted by a phone call or six. There is nothing worse than reading a generic interview.
An hour before, I’m notified that it’s a “go” and that I will receive a call from her at 9PM, I knew my questions ranged from super personal to fake-political so I wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. With the looming threat of a potential equipment fail, it was Boyfriend that quelled my spirits with understanding. As the questions delved into her personal life, she crafted very thoughtful responses. She took time to process the question and actually ponder before answering. Our conversation on polyamory, open relationships, DTF could have gone on for hours. We were like new cosmic friends trading insights. Unfortunately, our interview had to come to an end but I look forward to experiencing her artistry grow and evolve. Shout out to Boyfriend for busting my cherry wide open. Now read our intimate interview below:
I want to talk about narrative, in interviews you speak of Boyfriend as an act, more commentary than anything else, I would think people would resonate w you more if they knew that this was coming from you personally or do you have a fear of being judged given the content?
The main factor is most of the raps out there right now that I listen to are people really speaking from a 100% transparency whereas I’m rapping about freaky period blood, having sex with old grandmas so it’s necessary to take a step back when talking about it so that I’m not a parody, because that’s not what’s going on. If someone is talking to me as an artist who is creating these songs, I feel like they can walk away with something more valuable than thinking of Boyfriend, simply as a punch line.
Your breath control is crazy, what artists did you model your flow off of? What exercises did you use to get there?
I have a strong history in show choir before Glee was a show, I was off winning championships with my high school choir in Nashville, so we had to sing and dance our asses off. I learned breath control through choir. As far as modelling my flow, I don’t think I’ve done that yet. There have been a couple songs where I say I’m going to try and take a more Azealia Banks approach on this one. She rhymes super staccato. One syllable words packed into one phrase, so I would do it almost as an exercise but my overall song that I write, I’m not consciously modelling it after someone else.
https://youtu.be/sVsA0zRYaVg
How have you been positioning yourself? As a sex-positive person, what crowd do you drift to? What about medium? Who’s audience would you love to tap into?
I would love to find more people like me, actually. I listen to Mykki Blanco and Le1f basically like the whole genre of theatrical art that’s going on right now. Zebra Katz is another great example. People who make music videos that are works of art. I would love for those people to get turned on to me.
What rappers and producers would like to collaborate with?
That’s really interesting because I feel like the sex-positive platform(s) found me. I put out “Hunch n Munch” which was very super sexual. The people found me and contacted me like Playboy Radio, Museum of Sex, and “Sex with Emily” which was a blog and now, it’s a whole show. I didn’t seek that out. I was just making songs. People were like “Sex-Positive Rapper, Boyfriend”, and I’m like, I guess I am sex-positive. For me, it was just like this is the song I feel like writing. This is what I feel like I have to say then, the audience found me.
How do you keep yourself abreast of what’s going on in the world? What are your top 3 sites that you visit in order to do so?
There are so many. It would be such an honor to work with anybody from Three 6 Mafia. I actually sent a Facebook message to Gangsta Boo, but she never responded. Growing up in Tennessee that would be a huge honor. I also really do think what Mykki Blanco is doing right now is the new “new” and that would be super exciting.
Lurking on the internet. Live for the Funk is one of my favorite blogs. They stay playing those jacuzzi jams with a really nice balance of rap. I also think Dose Rate is super under the radar but they’re like ground floor hip. They have actually found me now. Motherfunker is a really good blog.
There is definitely intentionality behind it. I wanted to write the song “Hunch n Munch” because I wanted to write a brashly sexual song that is on the one hand saying, “Isn’t great that that I get to say these things about sex?” On the other hand, it is saying as a female who is rapping, “I’m rapping about sex because I’m very much aware of how that’s like an artistic prison almost that gets placed on women in any industry, not just rap.” You have to use your sexuality as a thing so it’s both celebration and a comment, so there is definite intentionality. My intentions only go so far to dictate the creative process. I’m not thinking about the audience first.
Dare I say the F word “Feminist” or nah?
Sure, there are connotations of feminism that I have issues with. [It is] one of those words that have just become so watered down and diluted that it just depends on who is standing in front of me at the time. I’ve had arguments with people who call themselves feminists, who find strip clubs to be degrading to women.
Initially, I was asking about more political sites that helps keep you informed?
I, like most hip girls my age, like Jezebel and [I think] The Hairpin is great. I’m like a headline person. Honestly, at the end of the day, I go check out The Onion to feel better about the rest of the world.
What and who are your satirical influences?
Sandra Bernhard, Bette Midler, and Carol Burnette. Women that I really watch and love. I recently got turned on to Tony Clifton. It’s all about placing this showmanship of the golden age of musicals and theatre and placing it into this boner atmosphere. It’s like the Dean Martin Variety Show with a giant, raging boner.
Are you still in an open relationship?
Those are the only relationships I’m interested in. I’m not in a place to be monogamous because I’m not done hanging out and I don’t know if I’ll ever be. For me, it’s like human beings are so fascinating, beautiful and complicated, that there will always be new adventures and discoveries I want to make. I think that some people are able to go on those adventures with other people without undermining or devaluing the other relationships that they have. I try to look at people, all the people in my life, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and I’m not complete with all the little pieces. I think it’s foolish to try and make one person be every single piece because that’s a lot to put on one person. They’re trying to be everything for themselves. You know, they gotta wake up in the morning and they gotta wash their dishes, they gotta pay their taxes… Can I be your everything also? It just seems like a lot to ask.
Are you a relationship anarchist or do you have a main person?
At the moment no, I travel a lot so I can see myself being a fifty-seven-year-old woman with a global access of lovers. It’s not ludicrous. It’s like true deep relationships that last years and years but you might only see that person three times a year. It’s definitely a Bohemian ideal. We’ll see if I can pull it off.
In terms of your open relationship, how honest were you with your partner?
It’s a case by case basis. Relationships, romantic and otherwise, are founded on communication. I think there is a difference between honesty and disclosure for the sake of relieving yourself of guilt. Sometimes, you might be telling something so that you feel better about what you have done. When really, if you did something you shouldn’t have done, maybe it’s your burden to bear and you should carry it. It’s really a case by case basis.
DTF… How do you know it should go down? Can you walk us through that moment?
It’s all about the vibes. I try to keep my vibe-meter finely tuned. It’s hard to put the vibes into words. I know personally, if something is too easy, it’s not as fun. I’m all about the slow burn, building the anticipation. It’s an exchange of energy. I know when to play a certain song because the audience is asking for it. They might not have ever heard the song before, but the vibes are like, now is the time for this song. It’s all about perception and doing things people want and being able to give it to them.
How old were you when you had your first orgasm?
Oh girl, I don’t even remember. I was one of those kids who were accidentally getting off in the jacuzzi, not knowing what it was. I think there are a lot of kids that do that. Never linking it to sex.
Sexually, do the ends justify the means? If you don’t have an orgasm will it feel incomplete or are you more interested in the journey or the arrival?
It’s certainly the journey and I keep that in mind in all aspects of my life. I make these YouTube videos because I enjoy making them, not because I want my number to get to a million views. It’s like if you’re in it for that, you’re in it for the wrong reason.
How do you fund your projects?
I work my ass off. I’m a hustler. I have a full time-job, in addition to being Boyfriend. I use that to fund my work. I’m very resourceful.
As a White woman in Hip-Hop, what do you say to those who would label your performance art as privileged escapism?
I try to be very respectful of that. I am in no way as frustrated as being a member of a systematically-oppressed race. I don’t have much room to complain, “Oh it’s so hard being a White rapper” so I am very sensitive to people who have issue with it or have something to say about it. At the same time, I challenge those people to review everything as content, that they’re actually talking about the actual work that someone is putting out instead of the looks of the person that is putting it out.
What was your defining moment that made you realize I can do this professionally?
It was a beautiful moment. I can point to it. A lot of different things in life, you can’t point to that clearly. I took a last minute, crazy romantic let’s-just-get-in-the-car-and-drive road trip to Berkley, California when I was living in L.A. I crashed at a friend’s place and he was kind of playing around and making beats. He ended up making the beat for “Bitches Be Hating” and I kind of freestyled and came up with that flow. It was this beautiful, funny afternoon that the song was created. I just knew [and felt], “Wait, this song is actually pretty good.” I’m not saying that I’m going to change the world, but it’s good enough that I wasn’t embarrassed and that I wouldn’t mind if someone else heard it. That was the start.
If you can go back in time two years ago, what advice would you have given to yourself?
Not to be afraid and advocate for yourself as an artist. I was way too embarrassed to say, “Hey, look at me” for a long time. I think that’s part of why I have been unknown for so long. I was just kind of minding my own business releasing these videos and I finally have a place of confidence where I can say, “Hey, pay attention to me.” It took me a long time to be okay with that. It seems like something selfish. In today’s world, where someone is trying to show me a picture of what they had for lunch, I think it’s fair for me to show them this video I made.
What aspects of femininity have you yet to explore that you would like to make into a song?
There are definite double standards that need to be addressed and I am more than willing to address them, but I want to make sure that I am speaking from a place of maturity. I don’t want to venture out until I’m damn sure [about] how I feel. When I wrote Period Rap, I was ready to put that into people’s faces because I was tired of having to sneakingly carry a tampon to the bathroom meanwhile my co-worker is scratching his balls. How is that fair? Again, it goes back to the danger of the F word Feminism because while people might be offended by people opening a door for them, isn’t it also nice that someone wants to open the door for you? Some of that stuff is sticky. I have to stew on it a little longer.
What artists influenced you?
Definitely strong women voices are the main influence. It’s less the sonic quality and more their overall approach to the industry like what Björk did for the music video or how Beyoncé is involved in every aspect of production or how Erykah Badu is just completely unapologetic of who she is. Those are the type of things I try to take inspiration from because sonically I know I don’t sound like any of these people and I wouldn’t try to because they are their own classics. I wouldn’t try to recreate that and hopefully while aligning myself with artistic processes, I can create my own unique product.
And last but not least, when you hear GrungeCake what comes to mind?
I actually think of bite-sized attitude. Like a plate of really hip cupcakes.
A Dual Talent Who’s Slowly Breaking Down Imaginary Walls of Self-Deprecation, Loathing for His Industry
Some weeks ago, in the Bad Boy offices located in New York City, a Brooklyn-bred 26-year-old rapper and producer named Caspa Narkz and I discussed how sheer boredom inspired him to make music, his first offer to sign to Capitol Records at the age of 14, his beginnings, and finding a website called SoundClick over ten years ago, which changed his life.
Shortly before meeting with the East New York native, the first of many unreleased series of his Gorilla EP was premiered on my website.
Recalling the very moments which made him walk on the path of music, he admitted and recalled “[I was] Just bored. [I] Started that shit from being bored.”
Then, he went onto talk about his first record deal. He mentioned recorded vocals with his cousin on a compact disc and sending it to The Source. “Two weeks after we submit the demo, we got a call from Capitol Records. They wanted to sign us, but we showed the contracts to our parents… My parents are Guyanese. They weren’t trying to hear that shit. We told them that ‘We wanted to go to L.A. ands try this music stuff’. They were like, ‘Fuck that, y’all not going anywhere.’ I think my mother still has that contract till this day. I was 14, I’m 26 now.”
“What?”, I blurted out. “Wow I didn’t know that. That’s amazing. That’s actually rare because I’m pretty sure everyone doesn’t get a reply.” I was impressed by his story. However, the part about his mother being clueless about show business, record deals or what that might entail for her 14-year-old child and cousin, was nerve-wrecking for him.
[quote]We were too young to sign at that time. We needed parental consent. My cousin stopped after that. I just kept on.[/quote]
With that noted, I decided to ask “What do you think is the most rewarding thing so far throughout your career?”
[quote]I think the experiences are the most rewarding thing. Going through the things I went through with the music stuff, I would have never learned those things If I hadn’t gone through it. No one would ever sit down and tell me ‘Don’t do this and don’t do that. No one will spend that amount of time in detail explaining. Now, I know what to do what not to do.”
He listed, “Don’t spend this much. Save this much. Hold on to this, and kind of figure it out, and get it done… Better.[/quote]
So, you rap and you produce. Was that always from the beginning or did you kind of pick up production afterwards? When would you say that happened?
[quote]That was literally right after not signing with Capitol Records. I continued doing music and I found this site, SoundClick. This was at least 2003, I believe. I got tired of rapping to other guy’s beats. I don’t like doing that.[/quote]
But what the rapper didn’t realize until later is the instrumentals uploaded to SoundClick’s website were not exclusive to him. Everyone rapped over the beats he selected.
[quote]So I’m like, since I want my own beats, my boy at that time, introduced me to Fruity Loops. I learned it and started playing with it. Trust me, the first beats I made were the worst. If I played them shits now, you would tell me to give up my career and go to school…[/quote]
Do you still have them?
[quote]Nah man. I don’t have ‘em. I don’t want anyone to ever hear ‘em. I started making my own beats because I didn’t want to rap off beats that other guy’s had. It became a habit. Like something that had to be done. In the process of making music.[/quote]
Is there one that you enjoy more, currently? Does it go up and down?
[quote]It goes up and down. Sometimes, I can have fun, just producing. Sometimes, I’m just sitting and I could be in the zone and I’m really feeling the music. Other times I have the urge to want to perform, and be on stage, and have video shoots. That comes and goes. So it’s like half-and-half, for the most part.[/quote]
And currently, how would you say in this year, 2014, do you see yourself musically? Would you like to market yourself more so along the lines as a producer or rapper / producer? Are you going to have any rap releases this year?
[quote]I’m planning on two releases. I have two projects already recorded and ready to go, but I’m just trying to figure out which strategy will work better for me. At this present time, I think production would work better than coming off as an artist. People are more open to work with a producer than they are open to work with an artist, because there’s so many of them [us?]. I’d rather show that first. After they are into me as a person, then [I’ll] introduce them to the music. Then, they can decide if that’s what they want to deal with, or [if] they just want beats.[/quote]
Who are your favorite producers and who influences you the most?
[quote]Timbaland, Scott Storch. Dre is #1 for me. Pharrell is pretty good. Polow da Don. I’ve been into his production for a while, and myself. Me and those guys.[/quote]
What would you say is the song you hear that’s like, ‘Damn, how did they come up with this?’
[quote]Changes by Tupac. That’s one of the most emotionally gripping records I’ve ever heard in my life. Just because of the first lines of that shit.
“I see no changes / I wake up in the morning and I ask myself / Is life worth living should I blast myself.”
“The idea of that because I’ve been in that mind state before. Where I was really questioning like, ‘Damn, I woke up today… My life was fucked up. I woke up the day after, it’s fucked up. What should I do now?’ He said, “My stomach hurts so I’m looking for a purse to snatch.’ So it’s like, kill yourself or keep grinding… and that would be that record. Everytime I hear that record, it gives me chills. It’s not a good place but it was a very powerful turning point in my life.[/quote]
So tell us about Gorilla? And how that came to be and what’s the significance of the project?
[quote]A lot of people tell me I’m a very passionate, aggressive person. Sometimes I come off aggressive, and some people take it the wrong way. Sometimes, people think that I’m trying to be offensive or disrespectful. But that’s not what it is. I’m just a very aggressive person. Like, if you can’t deal with aggressive people, then don’t deal with the music business. That’s just how I am. In high school when I was doing this music stuff, I was a battling in high school. I had a group. We called ourselves Justice League. It was like 15 of us. At one point, we started having beef and stuff and we split up into two teams. I chose the name Guerilla Warfare because of the way I carried myself. We carried that name in high school. That team broke up to like three guys. And then, it was just “Warfare”. I just kept the aggressiveness. You know ‘warfare’ and ‘gorillas’ are all aggressive things. I try to attach myself to things that are like that because that’s how I am. So that’s where the Gorilla thing comes from.[/quote]
Are you a G-Unit fan?
[quote]I love G-Unit. I grew up on those guys.[/quote]
I feel like even when your influence and style is aggressive, it’s entertaining like G-Unit.
Wanting to denote more meaning and origin to why he’s so aggressive, the rapper added, [quote]I’m from East New York. It’s funny when people ask you where you’re from and you say you’re from Brooklyn. They expect a certain approach or response and behaviour. It is true. If you’re from Brooklyn, you normally have an aggressive manner, and it’s not always a disrespectful one. But it’s more aggressive.[/quote]
Why do you think it’s like that?
[quote]The living situations. Me, I grew up in a basement. Me, my mother and my brother shared a room. A bunk bed — my entire teenage years. I was depressed by that because I’m going over to my friends’ houses and they had their own beds. I never had my own bedroom till I moved out [of] my mom’s house. A lot of things my friends were doing, I couldn’t. Like my friends were bringing girls over and shit like that, I couldn’t do those things. Shit like that hurt me, because I always wanted a better life. But I never blamed my mother, because I knew she was trying her best. Those kinds of things harden you. Because you gotta be tough to get to where you want to be. We can’t back down. And being where I’m from, that’s already instilled in me. Realizing where I was at, pushed that aggression even more.[/quote]
When asked what he thought was the most challenging thing he’s experienced as an artist, he replied [quote]Being misunderstood. I don’t think people think I’m arrogant, but they take my aggressiveness as disrespect. Which is not where I am coming from. I tend wear my heart on my sleeves. I’m brutally honest with people. I don’t care how harsh it is because that’s how I want to be treated. I don’t want to be bamboozled and confused, and that causes conflict because a lot of people are so evasive to certain situations. That’s why I clash with a lot of people and I get frustrated because If I’m not coming at you [in a] funny [way], why can’t you just be straight up with me?[/quote]
He adds, “That’s the difficulty I have with moving in this business because people are so sideways and funny style.”
According to the artist, the premise for releasing an instrumental project was to make others in the industry, aware of his seemingly hidden talent.
[quote]People don’t know I make beats. I’ve always rapped over my [own] beats. I’m not really that person to run out there and brag. Which, I believe, is my downfall because if people don’t know what you do, how could they come to for that service?”, he asked.
“I’m still learning how to put myself out there, and letting it be known, what it is that I do. I’m like let me do this and let them hear what I can do and they decide if they wanna work with [me]. Before, I didn’t have the outlet to get my beats heard.[/quote]
He admitted, “I had no idea [of] which route to go.”
He plans to release another part of the series from his animal inspired extended play, and he’s interested in connecting with anyone who wants to work. If you like what he’s doing and you’d like to work with him by equally contributing to his efforts with vocals of any kind, just send him a tweet.
Felicia Persaud was born in Guyana to a mother who owned a fabric shop and since childhood developed a deep love for fashion that prompted a drastic career change. I met Felicia last year during Bela Criacao’s premier at Nolcha Fashion Week, after the runway show Felicia was all smiles and extraordinarily gracious to the press, which is a wonder amidst all the show preparations, and overall hustle and bustle of a runway show. As Felicia emerged with her models behind the velvet rope, I stood aside with our camera assistant as she took her time answering the onslaught of questions without even breaking a sweat. After she was done, I managed to get a moment her time and few question in for our publication. Almost 6 months later we kept in touch, and was granted an interview and an opportunity to preview Bela’s Spring 2014 Collection. It’s her endearing nature, that makes it easy to shoot the breeze as we did for sometime during our interview. In fact, Felicia’s welcoming presence comes across in her brand Bela Criacao. That along with her elegant sophistication and timeless style is why she should be designing clothing for women, and why we should be buying her pieces. During our interview, I was treated to a cup of tea with her assistant and most of her family in attendance. We laughed and traded industry stories in the midst of our business. Since Bela’s Nolcha introduction, Felicia has been expanding her manufacturing, and making moves in the retail industry to become a major player and household name for ladies that embody effortless style and elegant fit. Bela’s Spring collection is a playful take on lace and color that is fun, and sexy without missing the mark on sophistication, a feature that is key for the brand. True to the aesthetic Bela’s fitted silhouettes are sexy without being overtly provocative and sophisticated without being boring. We think Felicia is on to something and Bela’s designs have an appeal to so many categories of women, and the buzz is just beginning to spread. Bela’s transition into a powerhouse brand is on the horizon and so many of us modern day women will be looking to her to dress us from the boardroom to dinner, or a night club, respectively!
What influenced your venture into the fashion industry?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved fashion. I live for fashion, I dream about fashion, I love fashion. I’m in Real Estate and I was just bored, and I decided to venture off into something that I loved, and I’ve always loved most of my life. So why not do it? It’s something fun, it’s very creative and it changes everyday of your life. Fashion is changes in life.
What does your brand represent?
It’s for women who are sexy and sophisticated and want to keep that look going from daytime into the evening. Women who want to walk out in the daytime and feel just as good during the day and at work as they would in the evening. We want them to be a part of a lifestyle.
Who is your target market customer?
Our target customer would be 25-50. The reason why I say that is because in the modern fashion industry ages are reverse numbers. 50’s are 40’s, 40’s are 30’s and 30’s are 20’s. That’s why I’m saying you would see a lot of older women now dressing like a 30 or 35 year old while still being sexy and sophisticated. It’s good to see the 50 and 40 year olds dressing younger and elegant because it shows they feel good about themselves.
What makes your brand different?
I think the really important key to Bela is it’s all about the fit, the fabric, the construction and the quality. I hate buying clothes out there and it looks good, you take it home… I call them disposable clothing. It looks good, but the minute you put it on the elastine is popping, and the threads are out. I basically like to say Bela is fashion, fabric, fit and quality. I call it FFFQ!
What is overall essence of Bela Criacao Spring 2014 Collection? What do you want to come across to the people that are viewing it?
It’s all about sunshine, color and the essence of Miami. The Spring/Summer pieces that we’re pushing is lace. Back in the days lace was known for behind closed doors, or under your garments. We want to bring lace to the forefront, to show that lace can be worn in every different aspect and still look very sexy. It doesn’t have to stay behind closed doors or worn just as an undergarment piece.
What is your favorite item/piece from this collection?
My favorite piece in this collection is the Peplum, but I do love the off shoulder too!
Which part do you enjoy most? The process of creating or the finished product?
I enjoy everything about it! (Laughs) From start to finish because this is what I love, and it’s about fashion so I can’t pick and choose which part I like and which part I hate because, I can’t say that. I love every bit of it!
What have been some highlights or breakthroughs within the industry since you started?
Hmm. Nolcha would be one the highlights but also coming into the industry I’ve had the privilege to meet so many different types of people. It has really given me some wake up calls about the industry at the same time. When you say breakthrough, I know people don’t comment on this a lot, but breakthroughs for me is when you actually find that person that you can work with and you can trust. I have established great relationships with a few people that I can trust. I find that my most important breakthrough is the factories that I deal with. That doesn’t come easy, and that trust doesn’t come easy.
Would you say you are currently satisfied with where you are as a brand? If not, what needs to be done in order to take you to the next level?
In any type of business you are never satisfied. There is always tweaks, there’s always changes, there’s always improvements. You’re never satisfied when you are a business owner or when you’re starting out. Bela still has a long way to go, it needs a lot of tweaking and it’s not perfect. I don’t want anyone to say “Oh she thinks she’s perfect and she thinks she’s good”. When you own a business it’s never ever settled and complete. So no, I’m not satisfied, there’s still a lot more to be done to get Bela where I would like to see it in the future. It’s a work in progress.
To aspiring designers who might be inspired by this article, what sort of advice could you give to them? Share advice you wish you had when you started.
Trust your own instincts, listen to your heart before you listen to anyone else’s advice. Trust yourself.
What are your thoughts on GrungeCake? Is there anything out there like it?
There is a new blog popping up every second and more fashion blogs than I can keep track of but GrungeCake always gives me something new and unexpected. Whether its new music from artist I would normally not come across on my own or bringing attention to designers that aren’t focused on only trends but giving the people something that they really want to be unique and stylish. GrungeCake moves by its own beat and never misses a step. I am just so ecstatic to be along for the ride.
Where can we purchase pieces from this collection?
You can purchase items from the collection at belacriacao.com.
Certain recipes taste better when you don’t know what’s in it.
The night before the release of their Unfinished Business EP, Fly Moon Royalty gave me a call to discuss their new release, their unique sound, and upcoming show dates. FMR is a Seattle-based electrosoul duo that makes music “with a very grown feeling” and it is sometimes “provocative”. It consists of soulful vocalist Adra Boo and musical maven Action J who produces, deejays and emcees. They met in 2009 at a small diner in Seattle in which they were both employed.
I had worked there before. He was one of the newer faces. He said that he produced music and I was in a band that needed a producer. We literally just started talking [about] music and it would turn out that we were talking music everyday, and making music and collaborating.
Since, they’ve supported and opened for fellow Seattleite Macklemore, Slum Village, Robert Glasper, Nneka, Allen Stone and last but surely not least, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings.
Whenever we make our music, writing or composing, we are moving on what’s going on in life. So when he wrote that [DNA] song, it was [created for] a whole other beat. It was going to go on something different.
According to Adra’s description, they are in the process of experimenting to make their sound [more] dynamic through vocoders and hot boxes. They’d be “cool sounds to add to what they do”.
If you ask Fly Moon Royalty about the story behind their name, they might ignore you. With that said, this is the response I was able to get:
Certain recipes taste better when you don’t know what’s in it. It’s way more delicious when you don’t even know. We had a different name before. We were ‘Sugar Water Purple’ but there’s also a band in LA called ‘Sugar Water Purple’. They had it longer and their manager hit us up to ask us if they can keep it. They’re a dope band and it would just be better that we both didn’t share the name.
When asked to describe Fly Moon Royalty‘s sound, Adra said, “That’s probably one of the harder questions because I feel like we have Soul, we have some Hip-Hop, we like Funk and Electronic Music. It’s a little bit of everything we like, but most people call it “electro soul”.
When listening to their new record titled “DNA” which was premiered on NYLON Guys, it evokes a Daft Punk spirit meets Dilla (or Detroit music styles). It’s an aurgasm.
What’s next for Fly Moon Royalty, you might ask?
We’re gearing ourselves up to release a new full length project at the end of the year. We’re really proud of what we make. We like the music that we make. Hopefully people are like, ‘This is my anthem right here. Like, this is my life!
