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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Mark Curry, author of Dancing with the Devil

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mark Curry, author of Dancing With The Devil: How Puff Burned the Bad Boys of Hip-Hop
(New Mark Books)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Mark Curry’s author interview will win a FREE copy of Dancing with the Devil from JoeyPinkney.com)

He has recorded with the biggest stars in the music business. He wrote many of the hits that made Sean “Puffy” Combs one of the richest men alive. On the surface, the multi-million dollar empire that Puff built looks like the stuff of dreams.

But after working with Puff for a decade, Curry discovered that Bad Boy Entertainment is not, as Puff promised, a place where dreams come true. No, rather it is a shell game comprised of contracts designed to rob artists of their time, dreams and publishing rights.

Dancing With the Devil reveals startling new details about key events in the fast paced, controversial (and sometimes deadly) world of Hip-Hop. In revealing the dark side of the industry, Curry hopes to provide a road map for reforms necessary to prevent artists ending up in poverty, in prison or in the grave.

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” —Ecclesiastes 7:5

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Dancing With The Devil?

Mark Curry: Music is truly one of the most powerful tools we have to teach the world. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That’s what the music industry is now. It has fallen on hard times. Lust for power and money, it’s all greed. The industry is a shady business ran by crooks. I decided to write a book about it and the Devil is in the details.

To walk a mile in my shoes may be the best way to understand my emotions, perceptions and motives for writing Dancing with The devil. Joyful Music is a Powerful Heart Medicine and heartsick music can be infectious and poisoning. Hip-Hop used to be called “edutainment” because most rappers crafted their lyrics intelligently. Once it attracted your attention, it taught you knowledge and obedience.

I don’t even think the best artists are running anymore.

JP: What sets Dancing With The Devil apart from other memoirs by people who have experienced the entertainment industry?

MC: What makes my story different is what makes me who I am. My knowledge is from first-hand experience, and what I witnessed in the industry is how they attempted to pull the wool over my eyes as if I was a blind sheep.

I’ve dealt with “Puff Daddy”, one of the most powerful figures in the business, and not to many people can say they have. I viewed it from a different standpoint. I’m commanded to tell what I’ve witnessed, AND NOTHING MORE!

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Dancing With The Devil getting out to the public?

MC: More doing and less talking is always best. I didn’t complain about much because there was no one to complain to. The spirit of the good God dwells in me, and I traveled deep into my inner being and spoke with him.

We all are either children of God or of the Devil. Some people are EVIL by nature because it’s their character. I consciously reject EVIL and accept GOODNESS. I didn’t write the book to bring Puffy down. I wrote the book to educate those that are trying to get UP! Through my relationships, as I call it, “being connected to the true vine”, I was able to write this book and release it on my own.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Dancing With The Devil?

MC: “Every story has an end, but in life, every end is just a new beginning.” Timing was very important in this process. I had to go from the middle to the end. The end didn’t come until I realized who I was dealing with, or should I say who I was “dancing” with.

I knew that nothing good can come from something bad. That’s what Bad Boy Entertainment was, just a dark cloud hovering over my life. I had to move that mountain to clear my path.

JP: What’s next for Mark Curry?

MC: I plan on working with other aspiring artists and writing more books. I once was lost, but now I’m found and happy today. I have so much more to talk about. I’m glad that I learned the tricks in the industry, and now it my job to expose the foolery.

No man with a dream should have to travel this road that leads to nowhere if you read Dancing With The Devil and understand what you’re reading.

http://www.markcurrybook.com/
http://twitter.com/markcurrybook

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5 minutes 5 questions with, hip hop, music review

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Prolific

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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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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Madison, author of Scattered Lies

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Madison, author of Scattered Lies
(Influential Writers Publishing)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Madison’s author interview will win a FREE copy of Scattered Lies from JoeyPinkney.com)

Scattered Lies grabs your attention with its cover. The shattered glass and the reflected images are representative the stories plot. It presents a different approach from the regular contemporary hood dramas.

Denise, Gabrielle, Morgan and Tony are four characters on different life paths that deceit brings together through a complicated chain of unpredictable events. Their decisions will sometimes prove we will do anything for self preservation. When it comes to personal happiness, nothing is sacred.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Scattered Lies?

Madison: A few years back I was on a trip with a group of friends. One night we decided to have an “interventional dinner”. A lot of things were revealed, some were hurtful and others were shocking.

That’s when I realized we live in a world full of “scattered lies”. Many of us have been lied to all of our lives, some were intentional and some weren’t.

JP: What sets Scattered Lies apart from other novels in its genre?

Madison: Three of the main characters are people of substance who have accomplished many things but still struggle with the same problems that we all face in their pursuit of ultimate happiness.

In addition, it also exposes how the people we love and trust are the ones that will hurt us the most. The people in Scattered Lies all have so much more living and growing up to do. Readers will want to see how these characters eventually prevail.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Scattered Lies getting out to the public?

Madison: One thing I’ve learned in order to be successful: you can’t do it alone. Anything you do in life, you must give it a hundred percent. Also, you must be able to accept constructive criticism.

We are so passionate about our work that it’s hard for us to see something through someone else’s eyes. It is the only way to get an unbiased perspective. Most of all, you must believe in yourself and allow your work to speak for itself.

When I decided to go public with Scattered Lies, I made sure I had a “real” people around me. I sent my manuscript to several people of different ages and races and asked them to give me there honest opinion.

I must be honest, most of them thought it was a “good read” while one or two suggested I tone down the profanity. I had to ponder the suggestions regarding profanity, however, once I saw it through their eyes I toned it down.

Although I’m still learning the key to success, once thing is certain, you must have patience, motivation and support system.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Scattered Lies?

Madison: I started developing the story years ago. At first, I brushed if off because I wasn’t sure if I could develop a good read. As time went on, I started jotting down ideas. I incorporated things that were around me into a story.

Then a friend of mine, Antoine Inch Thomas told me I needed to develop an alter-ego. He instructed me to go deep into my, thoughts.

JP: What’s next for Madison?

Madison: To be honest with you, I really don’t know what’s next for Madison. In addition, to writing the sequel to Scattered Lies and another novel, I’m currently working on achieving my Master’s in Public Administration. I just try to take it one day at a time and count my blessings.

http://www.influentialwriterspublishing.com/

iammadison27@yahoo.com
www.manageme@one2nvmanagement.vpweb.com

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