Spoken Word Artist: Sojari

Spoken Word is defined by UrbanDictionary.com as "...poetry intended for onstage performance, rather than exclusively designed for the page. While often associated with hip-hop culture, it also has strong ties to storytelling, modern poetry, post-modern performance, and monologue theatre, as well as jazz, blues, and folk music." Spoken Word is a performance. Due to its immediacy and direct rapport with its audience, this type of poetry often contains references to current events and issues relevant to a contemporary audience. At its best, spoken word is a powerful, high-energy form of expression that attracts artists and audiences of all ages from a wide range of disciplines and socio-cultural backgrounds." So what does Spoken Word sound like? Listen and watch this original performance piece by local Bay Area Spoken Word artist Sojari who performed at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club this July for the Politics of Being Black Townhall Meeting.

This is an amazing original piece that leaves no room for discussion, or maybe, opens up room for disussions that are normally not politically correct for some. As Sojari starts off..."an open letter to the Bay Area..." so it's a dialogue stylized for people who need to hear a story, an idea, an attitude, in a way that speaks across all generations. No need for music or entertaining additives, just a voie with a purpose and a mic. This is an art form that comes from within. An expression of intellectualism in a raw freestyle form that leaves no question as to its meaning and needs no justification. It simply is what it is.

Fluid Motion Music & Entertainment

flu·id  

/ˈflo͞oid/

Noun: A substance that has no fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; a gas or (esp.) a liquid.

Adjective: (of a substance) Able to flow easily: "the paint is more fluid than tube watercolors"; "a fluid medium".

Synonyms: noun.   liquid - liquor adjective.   liquid - fluent - flowing - runny

[Merriam-Webster]


Fluid. An East Bay native with a fierce rap game who is linguistically gifted at the art of hip hop mind mazes taking you on a rap twist that brings back old school flavor with a twist of Fluid intellect. 

I'm in BevMo with Fluid as we debate over our drink of choice for the night as we settled in going over his Generation Famous blog questions and reminiscing about the early days of rap in the Bay.

We are in a debate over having warm Sake, lightly toasted or just having cold Amstel Lights. We had just finished doing his photo shoot down on Market Street in San Francisco. He was amazing, as usual. He gave an impromptu CD listening party at the corner of Van Ness and I was feeling his vibe. I could hear the influences of E-40 and a slew of West Coast rappers sprinkled throughout his music, just as it should be since the Bay has so many talented rappers that have been catalysts in the rap game: Tupac Shakur, San Quinn, JT the Bigga Figga, Rappin' 4-Tay, Equipto, MC Hammer, Mob Figaz, Dru Down, Mac Dre, Master P, Yukmouth, Defiant, Mr. Kee, Andre Nickatina, Melly, Timex Social Club ( I bet you didn't know that ), and many more. Fluid definitely has to hit it, and hit it hard, if he is representing the Bay!

It's time get to know this talented man straight from his own words.

Oh yeah, we settled on the Sake. 

I was born in 1976 in Oakland, CA.
I discovered rap in elementary school and was immediately smitten.  By the time I reached middle school I was a diehard rap fanatic and began experimenting with writing and performing my own rap songs. By the time I reached high school I had completely immersed myself in rap and hip hop culture adopting several monikers. I participated in several talent showcases, including KMEL’s infamous Battle Of The Rappers and actually won several nights in a row. From that point on a series of events took place that slowly but surely pushed me toward my musical destiny. After a few more years I adopted the stage name, Fluid, and have been making history ever since.

Were there any musicians you listened to as a kid that made you want to follow in their footsteps?

As a kid I listened to everyone from Stevie Wonder to Run DMC. I was always surrounded by music, or people who could sing or dance. My aunt played piano and would let me sit with her when she played around the house. I was also a member of the Children’s Choir at church and took piano lessons.  A few of my biggest influences were Run DMC, EPMD, Bobby Brown, Too Short, Snoop Dogg, and LL Cool J.

When did you catch the rapping bug? Do you write your own lyrics?

I first caught the rapping bug at age 13 during my eighth grade year at Alvarado Middle School (Union City, CA). I was given a poetry assignment by my eighth grade English teacher and decided to rap the poem in front of my class for fun. The “performance” was met by a standing ovation and praise from the entire class and surprisingly the teacher as well. The next day many of my classmates began asking me to write and perform raps during our lunch and break times and to this day I still write all my own lyrics.

What artists/rappers/songwriters have had a major impact on your style?

Scarface (Geto Boys), Too Short, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Nas, EPMD, Redman, Method Man, 2Pac, & Tha Dogg Pound have all had major influences on my style. I’ve followed them for many years and paid close attention to both how they write songs and deliver their lyrics.
Do you have a label? Where do you see your label in 5 years from today?     

I am currently the proud owner of Fluid Motion Music & Entertainment. In five years I see my label being a major force among independent West Coast Record Labels. Not only will it be home to my music, but the musical stylings of some of the music games biggest and brightest new talent.

What is the best advice you can give to other upcoming rappers/singers?

 Never let anyone else discourage you from following your heart and your dreams. Be yourself and don’t let current trends or peer pressure steer you away from who you are as an artist or as a human being. Never be afraid to push the envelope and do something different from what others are doing and most importantly take control of your own career. Learn the business side so you don’t get cheated in the long run. It’s not enough to just make songs, you need to be able to manage your own career and most importantly manage your money.

What projects are you currently working on?

I have worked on several compilation albums by local Bay Area artists and producers over the past few years as well as a pair of music videos for two street singles I released titled “I Tried” and “Spoiled Rotten” respectively.
I am currently working on my solo album/EP project, “Fluitopia” which will be released later this year on my own label. I am also working on producing a several new music videos and doing some writing for a few friends of mine who are also slated to release projects within the next few months.

When you first get a beat, what do you look for, in terms of sound that leads you to believe it can make a great song?

When I first get a beat, I listen to the bass kick and drums. From there I look for little intricate sounds that help drive the track (claps, cymbals, synths, etc.). If the beats makes me want to start rapping after a few seconds, I know it is a winner. After, the beat is selected, I go through a list of topics I want to address in future songs and decide if any of them fit the feel of the beat. Once I find the right one the rest is history. I would say my style of rapping is a cross between hardcore/gangsta similar to Scarface or Snoop and a smoother more playful style similar to LL Cool J or Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. However there are some people who would describe my style as street, but not quite hardcore gangsta.

Who would you like to collaborate with or who have you enjoyed collaborating with?

In the past I have collaborated with Suga Free, Askari X, Ant Banks, Mistah Fab, The Mekanix, and Casual (of The Hieroglyphics imperium). In the near future I would like to collaborate with E-40, Too Short, DJ Quik, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Redman, Tech N9ne, Devin The Dude, Scarface, Ludacris, and Bun B. just to name a few.

Who are you looking to sign on your label?

I am looking to sign artists that have true talent, and drive, and who can bring something unique to whatever genre of music they enjoy making. As long as they have the drive and work ethic necessary for success they are welcome to be a part of the Fluid Motion Music & Entertainment family.


What do you think about these music reality shows, can a person find stardom on TV?
I used to believe that these music reality shows were rigged and all for show, but after watching them for the last few years, I am beginning to believe that these shows can be an excellent form of exposure for many up and coming artists. I believe that a person can find stardom on TV under the right circumstances, but once that stardom is attained, it’s up to the artist and their label to keep them in the spotlight. Most of these shows can be good launching points for people’s musical careers, but it still takes hard work and perseverance to stay in the game and be successful.

Listen for my singles “I Tried” , produced by J-Steez (Suga Free, Glasses Malone, Etc.) and “Spoiled Rotten”, produced by The Mekanix (J. Stalin, Kaz Kyzah, The Team, D-Lo, etc.)

You can also check out videos for both songs on YouTube.

Stay tuned for my new singles and videos, “Why I Love Music” and “High Definition”, featuring Casual, 4Rax, and Mahasen! www.soundcloud.com/fluid001
www.myspace.com/fluid420
www.reverbnation.com/fluid001
www.soundclick.com/FluidBayArea

YouTube Channel: fluid420

R.J. Mendoza: Screenwriting Guru takes on Woody Allen

"I'm a child of the 90's"

There is a new screenwriting Guru who goes by the name of R.J. Mendoza. He is a Stockton native who has jumped pen first into the San Francisco Bay Area writing scene with his notepad and hipster hair, all the while dreaming of a Woody Allen takeover, and front row at Coachella. Follow him as he weaves his dark comedic fantasies about life and love hoping to laugh his way right into Hollywood.

Give me your background in 10 sentences or less. 

            Born and raised in Stockton, CA, in the Central Valley. I was a total geek as a kid; was really into comics, music and movies/TV. I was a huge wise-ass and I usually got in trouble for it, both at school and at home. That was probably the most rebellious thing about me was how quick I was to say something that was usually pretty inappropriate. But deep down I was always a goodie-goodie. Still am, really. My friends would all be like, “Yeah, we gonna smoke and we’re underage so it’s cooler.” and I would be saying “Yeah, totally, right on, just let me have a moment to reflect on what this decision means to me in the grand scheme of things.”

Were there any movies you saw as a kid that made you want to be a filmmaker?

            My mom was big into movies so we’d watch movies all the time in my house and I remember “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” really stood out to me. Jimmy Stewart just seemed like such a good guy and I rooted for him to come out on top. And that filibuster scene towards the end - this guy fighting tooth and nail, doing what he can to fix all that’s gone wrong and clear his name in a room full of people who think he’s a fraud - that killed me. That’s one of the first movies that I can remember having such an effect on me. I really felt that movie.

When did you catch the screenwriting/director bug?

            I’d always written short stories, but they were just crazy little ideas that I just didn’t want myself to forget so I’d write ‘em down. I think I was about 15 when a guy who would go on to be one of my best friends and biggest supporters found some of my stories just laying on my desk in class. He read a couple of ‘em, sought me out, told me he thought they were great and asked me whether or not I’d be down to write ‘em up as short films. He pretty much got me started thinking that maybe I could do that.

What screenwriters have had a major impact on your writing style?

            Woody Allen is a huge influence. His characters are amazing and his dialogue is so perfect it’s infuriating sometimes. Martin McDonagh is another one who writes so well that I want to just quit writing altogether. I remember Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five” being a huge influence to me in high school. His voice is so clear and he can switch gears like a mother; light and funny as hell on one page and then just heartbreaking stuff on the next.

What is your biggest obstacle you faced when you first began writing?

            Trusting myself. That’s still a big issue for me. Even with all the prep work I do now before I even sit down to write the actual script, almost everything locked down in my head, I’ll still have major doubts after every sentence I type. But it sort of helps me in a way to keep my eye on the ball, to make sure I have all my bases covered in the outline phase. A couple of pages into a session, I start to relax, realize I’ve got it all lined up, and then the pages come easier, the character voices are easier to hear and I’m off.

Do you have an agent?

            Nope. I honestly haven’t even tried getting an agent, really. I’m more focused right now on getting the work down, on figuring out where I’m going with all this.

What is the best advice you can give to other upcoming screenwriters?

            Learn the rules. Read the Screenwriter’s Bible, read scripts, get a feel formatting and story structure. Beat that into your head until it’s second nature. And then don’t be afraid to deviate.

If you weren’t pursuing filmmaking now, what kind of job would be working?

I'd probably would've gone into music, specifically the production side of things.

What projects have you worked on?

Currently working on, and future plans, for 2013.

            Some friends and I want to put together a sort of company, more of a club really, we’re calling “Ratboy.” I’ve got a load of sketches that I need to finish up for that this summer. So that and writing a few features.

 When you first get a script, what do you look for, in terms of structure that leads you to believe it is a good script?

            I try not to look at anything technical at first look. I just go by feel, mostly about characters. If I like the characters then I’ll usually like the script.

Who are you favorite directors and why?

            Well, Allen and McDonagh I mentioned before. Jason Reitman has some great stuff too. Affleck hasn’t made a bad movie yet, in my opinion. Nolan does some pretty crazy stuff.

Do you want to direct movies as well?

I don’t know about me directing, though. Maybe some way down the line, but not right now.

What are your top 5 films of all time?

            Alright, so this list changes all the time, but right now it’s: Wonder Boys, Annie Hall, In Bruges, L.A. Confidential and As Good As It Gets. That list seriously changes like every month.

 What’s the last movie you saw in theaters, what did you think?

            Last movie I saw in the theater was Iron Man 3. I wasn’t crazy about it. There were just some moments that really annoyed me, moments where the script didn’t even adhere to its own logic. It was funny as hell, though. The jokes in that script are classic Shane Black.

What direction is Hollywood heading in terms of stories? Is it more big budget blockbusters or indie films?

            Well, Hollywood’s always going to be about getting people in the theaters with the latest spectacle, which works out great since it leaves the independent films to pick up the slack on the artistic or emotional side of things. You need that balance, I think. And that’s not to say that a blockbuster can’t have a great emotional beat or two or that an indie can’t have huge moments either.

What is your dream script? If you could direct any movie, past, present, or maybe a story not even filmed yet, what would it be?

            I wouldn’t want to touch any of my favorite films. Who’s to say they’d still be my favorites after I got my hands on them? I really want to do a big action movie that’s grounded in some great characters, like the action flicks I watched growing up. Most of the stuff I tend to write is in the drama/comedy side of things so it’d be nice to do something fun where I can blow up some cars and write cheesy one-liners. I’m a child of the 90’s though, so who knows?

For screenwriting collaborations:

Website: http://rjmendoza.weebly.com/index.html

Check out my shorts: http://rjmendoza.weebly.com/shorts.html

Shannon Rhodes: The Soul Channeler

The hardest thing to deal with in the music industry is trying to figure out where I fit in and when will I get my chance..." 

Shannon Rhodes was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, home to some of the most gifted musicians to hit the mainstream airwaves, such as the impeccable John Legend. Some have dubbed her a triple threat in the music industry: she sings, she writes her own lyrics, and plays the piano, and she can even throw down in the studio. She has the fortitude to make her mark in Neo Soul by tirelessly working at her craft and creating melodies that will make anyone get into a funky groove. Whether it's in the studio creating funky beats or songwriting, those emotions of love and passion dwell deep inside her unleashed through powerful voice.  

Tonight, she happens to be putting together her set for this Saturday's performance at the Pleasanton County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California. No there will not be a piano on hand for her to dazzle her new fans, unless Babyface, who is also performing, pulls out his own piano magic. Whatever surprises she has in store for the audience you can be sure she will sing until everyone is grooving right along with her. 

Her mother and grandmother have always fostered her gift of music guiding her with wisdom and unconditional love. Whether it was the organ she grew up playing given to her by her grandmother or the rock solid advice from her mother that gave her more than enough strength to keep playing the piano, to keep singing until she could sing no more, and even then Shannon would not give up. Her hopes and her dreams are intertwined by her neo-souls roots which have grown into a supernatural harvest, producing an abundance of talent that has given her a unique spin on the neo-soul genre.  

It is those same roots that have encircled her with a plethora of musical talents and entertainers. Her father played guitar and bass with Bootsy Collins, her cousin is Louis Gossett, Jr., her mentor is Roy Ayers, Teddy Pendergrass, another distant relative, and the list goes on. Music and talent are in her blood. Her time to shine is inevitable. 

As she breaks out into song over the phone, I can hear her voice and her melodies which remind me of a mix of Karyn White and Chaka Khan, and her smooth funky piano playing had the spirit of Herbie Hancock. I wonder how many hours, years even, this songstress has given her heart and soul to the music. Her music. She says her musical influences are Stevie Wonder to which she sang a touching rendition of his iconic Superwoman song, Roy Ayers who is the self-proclaimed originator of the Neo Soul movement whose body of work stems back from the 1970's to the reigning Queen of R & B, Mary J. Blige, and the numerous songstresses in the music industry that share the powerhouse vocals that Shannon was born with. 

Her debut song Never Again is a song she wrote that really captured her beginning Neo Soul roots. She has remixed the song capturing the Southern movement of heavy drums and high hats, get a little sexy with it. She loves the new remix. 

Come check out this fiery Neo Soul vocalist Shannon Rhodes will perform live, along with Babyface and others, at the Alameda Fair as a part of the Big O Concert Series on Saturday, June 29th at the Safeway Amphitheater.

Entrance is free with paid fair admission!

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/shannonrhodes
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/shannonrhodes1on1
 

Dawayne Jordan: Fastest rising actor in Hollywood

 

I was born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland, California. I caught the acting bug when I was eight years old. My first commercial was for D.A.R.E, followed by an after school learning commercial. I would always imagine myself as the movies' leading characters, especially those powerhouse movies back in my childhood growing up with strong Black actors like Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington, and Omar Epps. Something about the Nino Brown character who was played by the super talented Wesley Snipes, in the scene where he first stepped out the car in New Jack City made me want to be "Nino" because he had such a commanding presence, especially as a black male leading role.

There is also a lack of African American super heroes. I would love to be part of a new legacy of heroes, and create more leading roles for Black actors. The hardest obstacles that Black actors face in Hollywood are the lacking of strong lead roles. I feel that we as Black actors are more powerful and smarter than what we give off. The problem is we tend to wait for someone else to make it and then we try to ride along with them and act as if we are on a higher level when really we could have done something earlier and embraced ourselves as a higher level. I won’t say we are lazy, we just have to understand that if Hollywood is not accepting us for these roles, then why not write our own scripts and until it's bought and filmed. We must keep AUDITIONING.

My favorite actors are Wesley Snipes, Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Denzel Washington, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, and Steve Martin. The whole entire cast of HBO Entourage, Merlin Santana and Steve Harvey. I remember getting out of my parents car and re-enacting that scene hundreds of times doing the same steps he did, and speak like him, and I was only eight years old! Then I saw the movie Juice with all-Black male leading roles and became inspired by Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur's performances. I had seen Mo Better Blues with the brilliant acting performance by the legendary Denzel Washington; I knew I was going to be an actor. Those three movies sealed the deal for me. I love Spike Lee. Do The Right Thing along with his other films were all films that were not afraid to speak out and send the message of real life society. I also love Brett Ratner and James Cameron. They are wonderful directors. You must see their films if you haven't already.

My favorite films are Juice, Love Stinks, The Players Club, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Higher Learning. I feel I have my own unique style, but I definitely learned a lot from watching movies. I learned to mimic the timing and actions in the scenes, and I always reflected on the purpose of each scene so I could understand the mindset of the characters. Understanding timing and emotion can help an actor understand the role once he completely puts himself in his character shoes. That's how I approach every role I get. I strive to better my performances by expressing my character to its fullest potential because I never want to be seen as just an "actor."

The first thing I do is find out about the character I'm playing. Once the director tells me what obstacles the character is facing, I then decide how the character relates to the story. I also imagine the locations and lifestyle of the story and from there if I like it I dive in, and try to make one heck of a film or TV show or whatever the production, from the contribution of my role. I love improv, but I still work more towards the director's vision.  I want to bring my characters to life. 

My dream role is to create the Live Action version of Static Shock as Virgil Hawkins/Super Hero Static. I love the story and there needs to be a film that shows our youth what really happens in the streets. I am currently developing my own Fan Film Live Action Version of Static Shock with the hopes that Warner Brothers will pick it up. My other dream role is to play in a remake of Juice as "Bishop" or "Q/Quincy" or a remake of New Jack City as "Nino Brown" or even a remake of Mo Better Blues as "Bleek Gilliam." I wouldn’t mind a principle role in the upcoming Entourage movie either. The last character I played was as "Det. John Maccarley" on Discovery I.D's "I (Almost) Got Away with It episode 607 [it will air in July]. It was fun playing a Detective! I'm used to playing criminal roles on the show, for example, I played as "Al Hudson" on an episode of Prey on Tourist. So, yeah it was awkward to play the counterpart, but at the same time, it was fun, and I learned to play both roles.

I book roles on my own. I had an agent, but I'm independent actor at the moment, and I will be joining an agency somewhere in the near future. My advice to fellow actors is to understand that we as actors love to celebrate every role we get especially when we first start this career, but I feel in order to make it (whatever you call making it) that you should not tell people about your upcoming projects until you've filmed it, or when you are officially signed on to play the role. It's good to help people, but you must understand that in this town it's a dog eat dog world. When you are on the set you need to focus and try to be friendly. No one wants to spend weeks or months with a professional non-social stiff body and always remain professional. Understand that you are supposed to have fun, and the more fun you have, no matter your role, you will always bring out your best performance because you are doing what you love.  I recently worked on Boiling Pot which is a film based on the offensive 'Compton Cookout' in 2009. The film stars Louis Gossett Jr. I feel it has a great message to help stop racism and profiling. The cast & crew are great actors and crew members and I couldn't be happier of the relationship we have with each other.

I've also worked on 'Fruitvale Station' starring Michael B. Jordan as "Oscar Grant" which is the winner of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film is based on the real life tragedy behind the Oscar Grant shooting at the Fruitvale Bart Station on New Year's Eve 2009. This film is powerful. I was the stand in for Michael B. Jordan and I was also a Bart police fighter in the scene of where it all happens. A deep and great film with a very talented cast. I look forward to the July theatrical release. As of now I'm filming a Baseball film loosely based on the Minor League Baseball Team Marysville Gold sox. I play Pitcher "Reggie Ross". Yeah, Reggie is a funny ladies man character. I think the ladies will love him. That will be out in 2014.
I love God, and my family and friends for always supporting me and my love for acting. I love helping others and I stay focused on making society a better place for people. I put in the work to become a better person and I give respect to those that work just as hard at what they do as I do: I'm basically a people person. I enjoy myself and I love to have fun, but I am also extremely focused on my acting right now. Everyone who knows me knows that I am passionate and dedicated about my performances, regardless of the role, and I give everything I've got towards that. 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrjgrinch5

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4740892/

T-Ripper and his Planet Euphoria

"Standing at 6'3, weighing about 280lbs, I'm dominating, mesmerizing, and stunning," boasts East Sacramento native, Tristan Mateo Gray, better known as the flamboyant T-Ripper whose perfect avatar would be Mortal Kombat's Tsang Tsung, declaring war on the rap game by "stealing rappers souls, using their rhymes against them and beating them with their own senseless for trying to stop me."

We find ourselves chatting about his future goals in the music industry, and the hard, long road he has stomped on trying to mark his own musical territory with his self-proclaimed Hip Hop euphoric movement called T-RIPPER HOP which he describes as "classic, penetrating, and soulful," that leaves you imagining a grassroots twist of escapism and music 101.

L: Give us some background about T-Ripper, the rapper.

T: I've been through a lot of ups and downs, experienced pleasure and pain, hustled and struggled through the peaks and valleys in my life. My music helps me to release it all. I grew up in the Southside of Sacramento, ended up in East Sac better known as Rancho Cordova. I am the only person in my family born in Sacramento; everyone else is from the Bay Area. As a kid, I remember seeing Kriss Kross rock it out on MTV, rest in peace Chris Kelly, and they made me believe that I could do it, too. 

L: You are featured in the upcoming "Fruitvale Station" directed by Bay Area native Ryan Coogler. What do you think of his film?

T: I am, first, and foremost, friends with Ryan. I knew him from playing football with him at Sacramento State. He is an up and coming, award winning director. It was an honor to be in his film "Fruitvale Station." It's powerful.

L: How is the acting business different from the music industry?

T: They are the same two beasts. Even live stage performances are like theatrical performances. We always have to be ready, at any time. No rest for the weary and in both [industries] you have to put on your thinking caps and kool-aid smiles because there is a lot of rejection. Both industries are different, yet they are universally connected. Most rappers are actors, just most actors don't rap.

L: Speaking of rap, which artists, past or present, have been your biggest influences?

T: E-40, Yukmouth, TQ, Kurt Cobain, The Jacka, 2pac, Slum Village, Dwele, Biggie and Puff, Kurupt, and T-Pain.

L: Who have you collaborated with?

T: 1st Place of the Federation, DnD, CQ, D-Jordan, and Akil. I've also did some video production for The Jacka, E-40, Eric Roberson, Traxamillion, and IAMSU.

L: How much time do you spend on your music?

T: 24/7. I live my craft. I dream it. I used to do freestyle competitions and win first place all the time. Now I'm focusing on the production side of it, and just doing my solo music. I want to share my lyrical repertoire.

L: How many albums have you produced?

T: I am working on an official LP scheduled to drop this summer. I'm in a few mix tapes, East Sac All Stars, Hibernation, Fa Sho, and NORSOCAL.

L: What is T-Ripper's stage presence like?

T: I'm a call and response performer.

L: Shot caller?

T: I can get the crowd hyped and involved whether it's at a small lounge, outside street corner, outdoor amphitheater, maybe even a stadium. I like engaging with the fans whether it’s at a meet and greet autographing a couple of CDs, giving away t-shirts, cash, gift cards, or souvenirs.

L: Where do you see yourself in a year from now? Three years from now? Ten?

T: I can see myself doing up to five shows a night, touring the nation. In a year, living in a nice high rise loft downtown Sacramento. I would be in SAG. Three years from now I can picture myself touring the world living from hotel to hotel enjoying life in the fast lane. I would love to visit Sydney, Ethiopia, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, to name a few. I would love to make a movie based on my experiences.

L: What separates you from the other upcoming artists?

T: I put in the work and I prepare myself for success and advancement in this game. I'm competitive. I don't stop bringing the heat. I don't just rely on my dreams. I don't stop at the input. It's difficult to get praise and opportunities outside of your hometown, or the Bay Area, including SoCal. I need local support. Music in my outlet, music is universal, so if I put in the work, there will be no obstacle for me.

L: Have you thought about signing onto a reality show and showcasing your skills that way?

T: Yes. I'm a natural competitor. The X-Factor, the Voice, and American Idol. I would love to audition just so that I can get some criticism, and enjoy the excitement of the crazy crew.

L: What do you want people to experience when they hear your music?

T: EUPHORIA. The place to escape from the world's negativity.

L: Interesting, I look forward to seeing your acting chops in the upcoming "Fruitvale Station" movie, and maybe even on stage. Good luck with your movement, and keep me posted on your upcoming release.

T: Expect to hear major buzz coming from T-Ripper Entertainment in 2014.

T-RIPPER ENTwww.facebook.com/officialtrippermusic
www.youtube.com/homegrownproducer

Email : officialtripperent@gmail.com

Twitter : @officialtripperent

IG : officialtripperent