WDGP RADIO

Yung Bam

May 29, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars, Undiscovered Talent

On May 21, 2011 we caught up with Bam a talented young man we had the pleasure to meet about a year ago. He is continuing on his path to greatness. He is currently enrolled in a school of the arts in the Atlanta area. He says he wants learn it all so when goes into the studio he won’t even need an engineer. That what we’re talking about. You go Bam!

 

Check out the recent interview and when you can check out the previous interview he did with his cousin Zack another talented young man who can be heard on Bam’s music as well.

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Bam and Zack interview

Tags: arranger, funk, hip-hop, independent, independent record label, music, rapper, writer

Courtney E – Welcome to the Miseducation of Hip-Hop

Feb 1, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars

Ms Courtney chopped it up with host Diana Broomfield on “Conversations” and shared her finished project “Welcome to the Miseducation of Hip-Hop”

 

 

It is a CD full of encouragement and positivity, just as the Artist intended. It is so refreshing to talk to and hear this young lady’s style. But you needn’t take our word on it, just listen to the interview and make your own decision. I would certainly encourage my kids to listen to her music. It has all the infectious beats that the less desirable artists use to get their (children) attention with none of the wrong messages they deliver, but again listen and decide for yourself.

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After you listen the podcast, check out her video:

Tags: beats, encouragement, hip-hop, independent record label, lyrics, motivation, music, performer, positive-messages, rapper, Uplifting, writer

Man vs Machine

Sep 12, 2010 Beyond The Music, Today's Stars

Chromatics was a guest on Conversations on Sept 11, 2010, due to technical difficulties, we are not able to post that interview here, but this reprint sums up our discussion very nicely:

Published: 12 Sep 2010

in The Guardian

Two Fridays ago a small group of artistes braved the weather to stage a protest march on a popular up-town radio station. Their beef? The owner of that radio network pulled the artistes’ music off the air. One of the most visible of the angry artistes was Richard Rajkumar, alias Chromatics, arguably the closest thing to a rap superstar we have in this country. Here, the Sunday Guardian’s Dennis Tayé Allen asks Matics whassup widdat…

Q: Banned from radio? What happened man?

A: A number of radio stations and Synergy TV have refused to pay (Awesome) the royalties owed to us for hundreds of plays we received this year and subsequently have removed all of Highway Records’ music from their system, so not to incur anymore debt.

Q: What was the song that really took this thing into the

A: Well the songs that got a lot of airplay and attention were: Hitmaker (featuring Kane and Lil Saint), and Cold  Blooded; along with the subsequent video which featured John John. That was the number one video in the country for the entire month of June. All of which have disappeared from station’s line-ups save for 94.1 FM.

Q: The impasse between Awesome Ltd—the party responsible for collecting your royalties in T&T—and the radio stations…this goes way back. How long have you been caught in the middle of this?

A: Well Highway Records as a publishing company assigned Awesome the right to collect for us in March of this year (2010).  The radio stations were approached in July to pay the royalties and this is when we found ourselves in this situation.

Q: When one considers what you and the rest of the Awesome artistes had to do to draw attention to the impasse, how difficult was it to make that choice to get political and make that protest in front of Citadel?

A: It was very, very easy for me and other members. Citadel is breaking the law and denying me as an artist my rights as stipulated in the copyright amendment act, after having used my music. Most artists are afraid to stand up for their rights. The artists and the listening/viewing public have been brainwashed by these same media chains into thinking they are powerless and have no choice. I have educated myself thoroughly over the years about the music business so that no one can take advantage of me or my work. The heads of radio and media have tried to discredit our movement and fool the public into thinking that we are wrong to stand up for what is rightfully owed to us. They have been constantly trying to cover up this injustice, this crime, with mud-slinging and propaganda, so we had no choice but to take it to that next level to alert the public and other artists of the seriousness of this matter. They brought it upon themselves.

Q: The Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) had been approached by Awesome to get recognition as your legit collection agent. That was met with a very lukewarm response. Has that changed since the protest?

A: No! According to the TTPBA, they have no right to implement policies or dictate how an individual station operates….so they are cool with one of their members breaking the law, is no scene. But when I went to a certain radio station to do an interview that might have reflected badly on them, they have the power to get me kicked off the show. Hypocrisy!

Let’s turn away from that whole situation for a moment…
Q: You were at the studio when you were contacted for this interview. How often are you recording?

A: Everyday! Sunday to Sunday, holiday or not. It might not be my music specifically but between me and the other artists on the label John John, Kane, Lil Saint, Andrew Prescod and of course paying clients who come to Highway Records to do productions we are in there round the clock.

Q: It is well known that you broke away from the Spotrushaz a while back. Since then you seem to have had more measurable success as a solo artiste. Is the age of the “rap crew” over?

A: Never! There are new and incredibly talented crews namely 6326 The Movement, Cloud 9, Arima Uncensored, Sovereignty…the list goes on.

Q: How many album releases do you have to your name?

A: My first album, Against The Grain—which sold over 2,500 copies in T&T alone—was released in 2007. I will be releasing my second album entitled The Business of Art, next month (October 2010). It is a collaborative effort between me and producer Beebo.

Q: What’s your opinion of the state of hip hop lifestyle in T&T?

A: Great! It is ripe for the picking! Hip-Hop artists have revolutionised the way we approach the business end of music. Rappers understand the many means of promotion, personal sales, online marketing, merchandising, throwing their own shows, etc. and have the quality products and material to back it up.

Q: You and your record label, Highway records, have made a serious commitment to the art. Where is the industry headed?

A: An explosion of all things local with Hip-Hop being one of the biggest contributors. We have never depended on the mainstream forms of media to reach the public. It’s just sad that these same radio stations who are denying us our royalties this year were really embracing the music until they found out they had to pay for it and thus putting a spoke in the wheel of progress for music to be a viable source of income. This is really the biggest hurdle for the industry right now. They would like people to believe that there is no money in local music outside of Soca, but that is really to control who makes the money—REAL TALK!

Q: A lot of T&T artistes and celebs have observed that they get treated “better” when they are outside of the country. What has been your experience with foreign promoters, especially further up the islands? Is there a demand for Caribbean hip hop in the way there is a demand for soca and dancehall?

A: There is a demand for hip hop all over the world, regardless of where it comes from. I just came back from a month in England doing shows and radio interviews and the love and support was overwhelming—they loving the Trini hip-hop over there—and I am returning next year on a two-month long tour. Performing in Barbados for the Virgin Atlantic Music festival in 2008 was the greatest welcome and artist treatment I have ever received. I mean, even if you go Tobago they treat you with more respect than here in Trinidad.

Q: Over the last few years we have seen a tremendous upsurge in local reggae and dancehall, with artistes like Prophet Benjamin breaking through into European markets. What’s that team doing that the hip hop team isn’t?

A: Nothing. Prophet’s music was big here before he could’ve truly broken into those markets, just like Marlon Asher. Once local media embraces the music it’s easier to break into other markets with that weight behind you. They transferred local success into international success which is a familiar story in the music industry worldwide: Jay-Z, Nelly, Cash Money, Midnite, etc.

The government has said in the recent budget that they are revising the way they treat arts and culture. What directions and policy changes do you think are needed for local hip hop artistes?

A: Nothing, we will help ourselves as we have always done. We are the poster children of Independence. The policies that need to be implemented should not be for any one genre or group, but for all artists and creative people (for instance the proposed 50 per cent local quota on radio would encompass every genre). We are just a part of the creative community.

Q: Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, in his 2011 budget speech on Wednesday, mentioned a Book of Heroes—will we be seeing a chapter on Captain Chrome?

A: I expect not, for the simple fact I am a hip hop artist. We are the generation of artists that has been forgotten, scorned, mis-judged, vilified, discriminated against, rejected and described as “wannabes”. My chapter will be written in the lives of the artists that come after me, who will continue what I started and stand for, which is progress. That is worth more to me than any honourable mention in any book of Heroes. Peace!

Live performance:
You can see Chromatics perform live at Coco Lounge, on Ariapita Avenue, on September 21.

WDGPradio.com respects and appreciates all of the Independent Artists that contribute such wonderful musical expressions as Highway Records does and we are requesting that every music lover, artist, producer and the like contact  Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association by mail and/or email to let them know how unjust this decision really is.

Read More about this issue.

Tags: arranger, composer, hip-hop, independent record label, law, music, musician, politics, preformer, producer, rapper, royalties, Trinidad & Tobaco, unfair

ChromaticS – “Crowned Prince of Hip-Hop”

Jun 5, 2010 Home Page, Today's Stars

Our Special Guest on June 5, 2010 was ChromaticS. An Attractive, Talented and Humble Young Man. When I told him I had read that he was the “Crowned Prince of Hip-Hop”, he responded, …”Well, maybe in Trinidad and Tobago”

Here is his interview:

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  Then enjoy the videos:

History:

Chromatics was born Richard Raj-Kumar on the 18^th August, 1982 in the island of Trinidad.  Trinidad is known as the land of Carnival and Soca Music, Chromatics however felt more at home with the Hip Hop element.  Chromatics grew up with Heltah Skeltah, Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls and Rakim and with his cousins’ encouragement he began to write hip hop songs when he was twelve years old.  This led Chromatics down a long and arduous road that would mould his character and test his resolve.

Chromatics joined up with “Spotrushaz”, at the time a young and developing group of rappers, and began to really consider making music his career.  “Spotrushaz” quickly transformed into the most recognizable Hip Hop act in the country and they were constantly working.  The group released a flurry of singles (and videos) and radio stations took note.  “Triniman”, “True Soldierz”, “Mary Warner”, “Put the Chips Up”, “Blow” and more recently “Iron” cemented the group’s name and allowed the group to perform alongside some of the world’s biggest hit makers.  They opened for the likes of Ms. Jade, Sean Paul, Slick Rick, Dougie Fresh, Shannon, Lloyd E Stef, Bounty Killer and Elephant Man.

Chromatics eventually parted with the group in 2006 and formed Highway Records Ltd. with his manager and business partner Stuart Fortuné.  He has since released his debut solo album “Against The Grain” which sold very well.   The album included many hit singles such as “Start It”, “Put It Up”, “Basement Party” and “The Ballad”.

In 2008 Chromatics began to be recognized as the #1 Hip Hop act in the Caribbean.  He performed dozens of times including the Virgin Atlantic Barbados Music Festival, the Heineken Green Synergy Trinidad DJ Finals and Southern Caribbean Finals and also hosted Jus Jase/ Highway Records “I Am Hip Hop 1 ,2 &3.  Chromatics was also able to release two Hit singles in 2008, “Take Over” and “Money Back” which were both heavily rotated on various local radio stations.

Chromatics continued his reign in 2009 with the release of “The Beat (Keep It Moving)” (Single and Video) and “They Know”. With this hit single release he was featured on Source Magazine in April 2009. He was chosen to represent Hip Hop at the Hennessy Artistry Trinidad’s concert at Club Zen in April.  In June Chromatics traveled to Toronto Canada to perform at the North by North East Music Festival where he was among the top five in Roger’s Fan Choice Awards.  This was being done all while producing and hosting “The Grind” (the only weekly Hip Hop radio program in the Caribbean at the time).  In November Chromatics became the first artist to be allotted a one hour Live special on Synergy TV’s Friday Night Live.  This show, “A Rebel Without A Pause”, received very high ratings and showcased his versatility as a performer interacting with a live band.

Chromatics is currently working on the release of his sophomore solo album “The Glass Ceiling” which should be released in 2010.  He has just completed shooting the video for the albums’ first single “Cold Blooded” and is expecting to release it worldwide as soon as January.  A collaborative mixtape with Bang Em Smurf titled “Caribbean Heat Wave” should also be out soon.  He’s also busy with Highway Records “On Top Fridays” where he showcases Trinidad’s new and upcoming Hip Hop artist.  Chromatics has been grinding many years and now has the assistance of S-Con Promotions.  S-Con Promotions is an international promotion company and this alliance has already paid dividends with the recent release of “The Science of Colors” CD recently released in France and countless on air interviews across Europe and North America.

Chromatics doesn’t plan to take a rest anytime soon and with all of his success he still remains humble.  He is open to any idea and enjoys spreading his music to the four corners of the globe.  He is a serious lyricist and his versatility is unbounded.  He intertwines the local Trini jargon with an international flow that leaves listeners amazed.  His Stage presence is that of a seasoned veteran and he always leaves the crowd wanting more.

Tags: arranger, art, collaborator, composer, director, hip-hop, hot, independent record label, lyicist, motivation, music, performer, poet, prince, rapper, singer, smooth, storyteller, Vocalist, wrier

Zackery Ceasar and Yung Bam

Apr 19, 2010 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars

Yung Bam and Zackery Cesar. Two young men who are doing big things and believe in “Networking with a Purpose”.
These fellows have had ambition and drive all their lives. They both hail from Louisiana.

Yung Bam

Young Bam started his writing career by writing down his feelings and once he reached middle school, he formed his own label called Eastside Entertainment. In his eight grade year, he started battling other local MC’s and earned his name Bam. The following year Eastside became Yung Ego Entertainment. Bam started recording all his Freestyle in his backyard on a computer in a Trailer. Later that year he was taken to a studio by Zackery Ceasar to record his first single “Remember Me” which was produced by Drumma Boi of Beat 2 Sleep Productions.

Zackery Ceasar

Zackery Ceasar was a shy kid who rose above it, it did not let shyness stand in the way of his dreams. At the age of 8 he was appointed as Miniature Deacon at his his church, he was also a choir boy and starred in several church plays. This helped him develop a love and respect for acting, poetry and the entertainment business. The realization that he knew at such a young age what he wanted to do frightened him a bit but not enough to deter him from his dream. It only reminded him that he had a lot of hard work ahead of him. He stayed the course and eventually, in his Senior year of high school, he got an opportunity to to fly out to Orlando Florida to show off his talents before talent scouts in a talent search called “Talent Rock”.After he showed up and showed out, it resulted in several call backs, including John Daily, Director of the movie “Terminator” Although Daily didn’t have a part for Zackery at that time, he was very impressed with Zackery’s acting ability and felt compelled to give him an extensive coaching session on the entertainment business regarding networking and ways of getting more extension. Three months later Zackery landed another acting role in a short film called “Club Level”. He only had a few lines but it was one step in front of the other and that equated to productivity, and through his few lines, he continued to shine and win over audiences.

He had a few set backs, like the murder of an uncle, a best friend and his father. Despite these tragedies, he kept his eye on the prize. Of course he mourned his loses, but then bravely continued on his path. Then ht happened, he landed a major role in a theater play called “Jezebel On The Prowl”, directed by Rebecca Benjamin in his hometown of Monroe, La and the play “Don’t Get Caught Dead Without Jesus” directed by Jan Thomas in Jackson, MS. He continued H). The TSW motto was to network with a purpose. Zackery landed a featured role in The System Within Tariq Debit Card Commercial. He went on to land his most role, thus far, in a movie called “Messiah” His hard work is finally starting to pay off. He stars as “The Messiah” , which is presently still in production. and he has been in 3 or four other movies in which he is either the star or the co-star.

At the ripe age of 23, Zachary continues to push forward. He knows that no one can stop him but him. He already has “Star” status in his community. When asked what was the secret to his success, he replied , “When I set a goal, I don’t think and I don’t second guess. I just dive in head first with God in front. Listen to their interview and be inspired.

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Tags: actor, comedian, music, poet, producer, rapper, singer, singing, writer