[The] Kevin Michael

A Welcomed Change

by Melissa Kimble

Once upon a time, singers stood still. No back up dancers, no backdrops, no high choreographed scenes- just a mic, an audience, and the singer. A singer who sings from a place so deep down in his soul, that his presence can’t be denied. His talent cannot be denied. Instantly you realize it without anyone pointing it out to you. It’s obvious.
Some things you don’t miss until they’re gone and then there are some things you don’t even realize you’ve missed until they arrive. Kevin Michael has arrived. Along with him he’s brought a voice reminiscent of past R&B, soul, pop and fuck with a confident swagger from his generation. Kevin Michael is taking the torch of soul singers everywhere and not letting go. A native of Chester, Pennsylvania and born to a black father and Italian mother he’s grown up around a range of music. Since writing his first song at the age of 16, he has known music is his only option. I don’t know where I begin and the music stops,” Kevin states. With the testament of his first single “It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me”, you can bear witness to that. This song talks about his growing up as a bi-racial child and loving someone regardless of their color. “It don't make any difference to me/ what the world thinks about us baby/ cause in my heart, I will always believe/ that we were meant for each other/ love ain't got no color / it don't make any difference to me/ what they see”.
Cleary, this is not the typical debut single for an R&B and that is just the thing that catches your attention about Kevin Michael. “Liquid Lava Love” takes you back to a time when singers first made their sex appeal known with their voice and not how they danced. “We All Want The Same Thing” is a song filled with purpose, written by a young man with an old soul. His songwriting skills shine through on his debut album titled Kevin Michael, which is in stores now. With guest appearances by Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip, and Wyclef this young artist hones respect from his peers as well as opens doors to a fresh sound that hasn’t been witnessed in years but a sound that is need amongst savy promotion and high budget videos. We would have missed him he came along any sooner. The world should definitely open its arms and welcome Kevin Michael. He’s definitely needed.

From Hell's Vision 2 Hell's block he's still HELL RELL

HELL RELL
INTERVIEW BY ASHLEIGH BANKHEAD

Straight from the streets of the Bronx, New York (born

and raised) Hell Rell brings his street cred. to

wax. Serving his jail sentence of two years in upstate

New York jail his debute and solo rap career was put on

shelfs, but only for a moment. This jail sentence did not

however hold him back from doing what he loves.

Laying down his verses for the the Diplomatic Immunity Vol. 2 album. He proved nothing could hold him down.

AB: So everyone knows you are a member of dipset but how did that come about ?


HR : Well I knew Cam from around the way I grew up with dem dudes.

AB: Okay, so let us know exactly what the dip set movement is?

HR: Lets see, you got me, 40 Cal, J.R Writer, Jimmy (Jim Jones) Cam, Zeek (Freaky Zeeky), Juelz and together we just doin our thing making it a movement. Dipset Movement. Its just us together as fam

AB:How long have you been in the rap game?

HR: Professionaly since 2002

AB: Unprofessionaly?

HR: Like 11 years

AB: So you've been in it (rapping) since 2002 but two of those years you spent behind bars, where ?

HR: In any upstate jail, ya dig!!

AB: Now that you can release your own debut album tell us about being solo and 4 da Hell of It?

HR: I mean its straight street, gutta, it's really for the streets kuz thats who showed me love so im showing them all love fa real.

AB: Awe so no club joints, or chick songs?

HR: Ha! Im guttah but I do have one chick song. ONE

It's Hot as Hell...But It Snows Down Here!

From drug-infested surroundings to facing a possible life sentence to Corporate Thuggin’, USDA member and CTE representer, Bloodraw proves it’s not where you’re from it’s where you’re at. USDA’s official album, Cold Summer Mixtape due in stores May 22nd is sure to get everybody on there grind, especially with the soul of Bloodraw.
BloodRaw simply meaning the truth, slang term used in Florida felt like if that’s what his name he was going to be he must live up to it. Straight out of Panama City, a city he describes as drug-infested, “The crime rate is rising and there’s really no outlet for the kids.” But as far as the rap scene it is up and coming. Before he began taking his words of rap serious he was in the streets. He served six years of his life in the Florida Department of Corrections. But he used his time wisely and began writing and putting his experiences on paper. Around ‘96 BloodRaw began rapping and has been putting in work ever since.

Click Here 4 The Rest of the Interview

Champion of the Bay...U C IT!

Home of the Hyphy, hub of Gangsta Rap comes rapper Champ Bailey, straight out of the Fillmore District in the Bay area. Not to be confused with Denver Bronco football player, Champ Bailey, the Champion of the Bay brings the fun back to hip hop while making major noise with songs like, U C IT and Fuck Yo Couch. With influences like Bay area legend, San Quinn, also his brother, Bailey is still in his own lane. At the end of the day, is Hip Hop really dead? Champ Bailey gives insight as to why Hip Hop is not shot and what else is occurring on the West Coast.

Champ Bailey Facts
Influences: San Quinn, E-40, Too Short, LL Cool J
Style: Gucci & Prada kicks, and of course Air Force 1’s
Favorite gadgets: Mac laptop
Favorite female rappers: Eve, Shawnna
Average day: Eat, workout, play madden and go to the studio.
If you weren’t rapping: I’d be in the south writing for others.
Words of Advice: When you’re trying to get on, always say your name and don’t be around yes men. Keep the right people around you.
Check it out: U C It, Fuck Yo Couch
Cop This: Champ Bailey the album

Interview Continued Here

Take a Listen Here