JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Billy Blass, producer with Vintage Beatz Production
(Bosses That Meet Bosses Group)

Vintage Beatz Productions is a music production company consisting of artist,producers and engineers. Founded in the year 2000 by Jimmie Fingaz and Billy Blass,Vintage Beatz Productions has had the opportunity to produce/engineer work with many of the major and independent greats in the music industry from Hip Hop to R&B.

With the soulfull and very powerful sound, Vintage Beatz has created a new sound in a new age of music. With the addition of engineer/producer P-Nyce to Vintage Beatz Productions, they have created a team that is undeniable.

Working with artists such as Chink Santana, Serius Jones, Cab, Mo Chips, Avery Storm, Lenny White, Tatiana Okupnik, Shan Shizzy,Carty-Yeah, Toe Tag City, Jojo, Lil’ Eazy E, Jabbar, Static, Brasco, Sonni, Kindred The Family Soul & many more, Vintage Beatz is bound to exceed many heights in today and tomorrows music world.

Joey Pinkney: How did your love for music evolve in to becoming a producer?

Billy Blass: From hooking up speakers to make the music louder to getting a mixer for more volume then lil pieces of equipment then it evolved into me becoming a producer.

JP: Many artists have their own sound in mind when recording a song. What is your role as a producer to come with the best sound possible for the projects you work on?

BB: I just let the music take me where it may.

JP: With royalties, advance payments, etc., producing is much more than making beats. What business advice would you give to up and coming producers based on your experience in the music industry?

BB: Know the #1 Rule: Know the business in which you’re in, and don’t sell your soul.

JP: As an producer, what is your creation process? On average, how long does it take for you to come up with a beat?

BB: It depends on the situation, I still have beats that are half done.

JP: What’s on the horizon for Billy Blass?

BB: There are many new ventures are on the rise. I’m working with Exclusive Fashions & Fur creating a documentary and working with several independent artist. I’m currently putting together a instrumental mixtape dvd.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Prolific
(Bosses That Meet Bosses Group)

Joey Pinkney: Who is Prolific? Why did you choose this name to represent the group?

Prolific: Prolific is a music group made up of three members: Matty Norite, Filthy Rich and Ray Blast. We picked the name Prolific because we are involved in so many different aspects of the game from production, beats, fashion, events and parties. Plus, Rich is a show DJ. We get it in real big. You know Prolific.

JP: What does Prolific add to the game that it’s missing?

Prolific: Prolific brings real Hip Hop back to reality. People are just rapping and ain’t saying nothing. Please excuse my improper english, but it is what it is.

JP: What was the most interesting response from a fan that you can remember?

Prolific: Because two-thirds of Prolific is white, when we perfrom just before we get on stage you can see poeple who do not know us backs turn. The second we start playing that hateration turns into head knocking and the party begins. One DJ from Dive FM, Mr. D., said to me in an interview, “Yo Matty, who doesn’t like you?” I said, “Mr D., even my haters love me. Chea!”

JP: What is it going to take to get from where you are to the international status you hope to achieve?

Prolific: “Grussel”. It is a mix between hustling and grinding. You have to be determind because not everyone is going to feel you. That has to be the greatest task that we had to overcome.

When critics give you a bad review because your not the right skin color or you just had a bad day and did not showcase to your full ability, you have to be able to respond and knock ‘em out the box in the second round. Bottom line, we have not yet once heard any bells ring, so Prolific keeps on fighting.

JP: What projects do you have coming out in the near future?

Prolific: We are currently working on Mr Keys’ album and mix tape, followed by a mix tape from Prolific and soon to come solo albums from Rich and myself, Matty Norite. We also are involved with Bosses That Meet Bosses Music Group. This is a joint venture with Polo The Fur King, who also manages us and produces our clothing line.

We are currently working with MaggBeatz and Billy Blass who are the top two beat makers and producers in the game. If you don’t know, get familiar.

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R&B over the decades has borrowed its strongest elements from Gospel. From the harmonies and melodies of various songs right down to the actual singers, Urban Gospel music laid a solid foundation not only for R&B but also pop music in general. Raishein’s debut Gospel album Believe shows all who listen that gospel  music is coming full circle. With solid R&B underpinnings, Believe proves that solid Gospel music can be just as accessible as R&B that bombards our today’s youth.

The range of notes this Houston, TX, singer/songwriter is able to achieve with her voice reminds me of Cheryl “Coko” Clemons, the gospel singer formerly of the platinum selling R&B group SWV.  Raishein’s alto is powerful and angelic. Her soprano notes are enchanting to the point you can feel the intensity of her emotions.

The 11 songs on the Pre-Release Version of the Believe album is full of laid back R&B jams reminiscent of the late 90s and early 00s (minus the bump and grind). Raishein’s lyrical abilities shine on every track drawing her listeners to celebrate joy and praise God. There are a few songs that stand out, such as I’ve Got Joy, Help Me, Trust and Choose.

• Choose is musically different to what orthodox Gospel listeners may think Gospel music should sound like. I liked the use of drums and the bass to drive the rhythm. Raishein’s lyrics speak of truth and hold everything together like glue.
• Raishein makes a great connection with her listeners on Trust. I suggest anyone going through  tough times, enemies and despair to let this song seep into their soul.  This song is truly inspiring.
• Help Me is a powerful ballad that makes great use of a piano to showcase Raishein’s vocal presence. Raishein truly pours her soul with lyrics of love, life and loyalty to the Lord. This song gives listeners a chance to really hear what Raishein has as a singer.
• I’ve Got Joy demands you to jump out of your seat and stomp your feet. From the first note this song is funky and defiant. You’ll feel like shouting from the first note. Since it’s one of the faster cuts on the CD, you’ll probably be sweating by the time the next song starts. This is the perfect song to play when Satan attempts to steal your happiness and falls flat on his face…

As the Princess of Gospel Pop Music, Raishein gives to you her musical testimony to God. Believe is the perfect CD for the lover of Christ that also loves the vibes of soft R&B.

http://www.myspace.com/raishein
http://music.blackplanet.com/raisheinsings/
http://shoutlife.com/raishein

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From the opening synthesizer and bass line on the song Movin’, you know you’re going to be on a ride that can last for hours. Their MySpace page brands their music as “Down-tempo/Experimental”, but the music grop known as 29^th St. sounds like a modern-day funk/jazz band that has been grooving together for decades.

Their debut release, entitled The Stone Lounge EP, is a four-song offering shows a lot of promise for future releases. Keyboardist Andrew and bass player Rai have been getting radio play on the Santa Monica’s 89.9 KCRW, but this EP has a global appeal. The live hip hop drums on Indentation serve as the appropriate foundation for Andrew and Rai ride. They weave together a jam that can easily stay on repeat and not agitate the listener.

Flavour starts with Gabriel Rodriguez Botsford playing the flute with the raspy soul of a West African griot telling the story of the history of music. Andrew comes in with a keyboard melody that’s equally powerful. He and the flute player trade back and forth as naturally as a conversation between two respectful musicians finding a common ground on the aural landscape of syncopated drums and plucked bass licks.

The dreamy Monkeywrist quickly turns into a weird nightmare of spoken word poetry/rap. One of the inner panels has the lyrics of Monkeywrist written out. The lyrics are just as powerful when listened to as they are when read. Although only four songs and a little under ten and a half minutes long, The Stone Lounge EP will prove to be a great addition to the collection of music lovers of all kinds.

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