While you were watching the Bulls play the Heat last night, ABC aired the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. In case your DVR had a malfunction, I’m going to fill you in how the evening went.
Cleveland born. Ohio University educated. Lyrically gifted. Jesty Beatz.
Jesty Beatz has taken music by the throat and filled the silence with his unique rap style. Born in Cleveland as Darrel Greene, Jesty Beatz emerged into the music scene as a college student when he attended Ohio University. His underground popularity and countless shows around campus helped prepare him for the big stage. Not only has he been a part of multiple international tours, he has shared the stage with The Game, E 40, Sean Paul and many others. After graduating college, Jesty Beatz relocated to Los Angeles, California where he continues to make his mark on the music industry. I was happy to pick his brain with a few questions. Here’s what he had to say….
Britni Elise is a star on the rise. If you live in Cleveland, you have heard her name, her voice, or have seen her perform on stage. She is making a name for herself in the music industry with her singles “Hello” and “Satisfied.” She has also released a new club hit called “Rock This.” Not only is she extraordinarily talented, but she is equally as beautiful. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to ask her a few questions regarding her musical career and some of her favorite things. Here’s what the talented singer had to say…
Last week ruleofnext.com featured an interview with a musician by the name of Antoine L. Dunn. Antoine and his band are scheduled to open for Avant at the Ohio Theater this Saturday, April 30. In preparation for the show, Antoine invited me to listen to them rehearse. I was excited to get a private listening session of the set he plans on playing this weekend. I was given the location which was a rehearsal space on the West side of Cleveland.
The building looked like a giant warehouse. Antoine met me at the door and we proceeded down what seemed like a never-ending hallway lined with nearly 100 doors. As we walked past the multiple doors, I could hear a different genre of music coming from each room. I felt like I was in a musical zoo with the melodies just screaming to be unleashed. Antoine finally opened a door to the left to reveal a room that was no larger than twelve by twelve feet. Waiting inside was a keyboard player, a drummer, a bass player, a lead guitarist, three back-up vocalists, a violinist, and the empty keyboard that Antoine soon stood behind. After a simple introduction, the band started to pick up where their rehearsal had left off.
As soon as the music started, the room was filled with notes and sound. The strings resonated, the bass reverberated and the drums pounded. You not only heard the music in your ears, but you felt it through your entire body. The vibrations were inescapable. The set was fluid with the transitions from one song to the next seeming seamless. I loved how the music never stopped. I couldn’t help but groove to Antoine’s song “You’re Real,” which features a saxophone solo by his back-up vocalist Reuben Marcel. The live version of this song has a Reggae style which differs from the version featured on Antoine’s website. The band includes a violinist whose strings are featured on “It’s Over.” The minute I heard the song performed, it spoke to me. There was a sincere soulfulness that anybody who has experienced heartbreak can relate to. Antoine brings not only up-tempo songs that make you wanna move but also has honest ballads that move you.
The few hours that I spent with Antoine and his band transported me to another place. It was like time stopped outside of that room. I was so grateful to have the experience. It’s not every day that I attend a private listening session with an international musician. The experience is something I will never forget and will hopefully experience again soon. Fortunately for you, I brought my camera with me. Antoine was generous enough to let me capture the moment, even though the live performance is incomparable. If you don’t have your ticket yet for Saturday’s show, you need to buy one today. If the videos below are the rehearsal, I can’t wait to hear the live show.
“She Pleases Me” by Antoine L. Dunn
“I Just Wanna Say” by Antoine L. Dunn
I would like to thank Antoine L. Dunn and his band once again for allowing me to sit in on their rehearsal.
You can get tickets for the April 30 show by clicking here.
For more on Antoine L. Dunn, visit http://antoineldunn.com/
Let this be a lesson to you kids.
Wale at NEXT and Interview from Eighty81 on Vimeo.
Footage from our recent “He’s the Blogger, I’m the DJ” event that featured the likes of Tezo, Erika Kayne, and Machine Gun Kelly. Remember: Any artist can come have their music played/heard! Just bring it in on a USB drive and you’re good!
New Slum Village from their recent, and final, album “Villa Manifesto”. This track features Dilla, Posdnuos from De La Soul, and even some Phife Dawg at the end. What else do you really need to know? Hit play.
Pun intended.
I’ve seen Freddie Gibbs perform twice now (SXSW and Pitchfork Fest), and both times have affirmed that this man is as real as they come. He didn’t drop a word out of any verse during his entire set- I was very impressed. The Gary, Indiana emcee has a mixtape dropping August 3rd called “Str8 Killa, No Filla” as well as an EP titled “Str8 Killa” which will be available on iTunes. This smooth track above is on that mixtape, and you can grab a free download here.
