Hip Hop Band Category

Privazy Album Release

I’m back again with Privazy, an artists who actually does what he says! After teasing a single with us, his album ‘Grey Habits’ is now out… on time! That’s pretty hard to do, there are so many things that can go wrong.

Tony Coke: What were the biggest challenges in getting this album done, and done on time?

Privazy: Before we get started man I just want to say I appreciate you for having me. Every bit of help is a stepping stone to helping me reach my dreams. But one of the biggest challenges of making this project was deciding which songs to place on it, and the exact track order. To me: the rollout is everything. How the consumers experience the product determines that special connection between the listeners and the artist. Timing wasn’t too big of a problem because I always plan to the worst case scenario. I try to record more than enough material, not only for you guys but for me; I really enjoy my own music.

Tony Coke: Walk us through the process of how you and Oliver North put a track together.

Privazy: So me and Oliver pretty much had the blueprint of this project laid down 4 months ago (That’s how long it took to piece it together). What we were aiming to do was give every song it’s own special moment & feeling. Just based off of how technology has changed the music industry and how people listen, I’m completely aware every person who clicks my music isn’t going to fall in love with EVERY song. That’s part of the reason it’s only 8 tracks long. So our objective was to make every song so different conceptually, that whatever the favorite song was, they could continuously play it back without feeling bored of it. Every song should have its own feeling or visually present something different over & over.

Tony Coke: Very cool. Is this a Soundcloud only release? Or can people purchase it else where?

Privazy: The easiest way for people to find it is www.privazymusic.com: but yes the main host of the project is Soundcloud and it can also be found on Audiomack. We don’t have it on iTunes just yet because it’s such a long process with the samples & paperwork but in time it’ll be listed on there as well.

Tony Coke: Why did you put this release together?

Privazy: The sole reason Oliver, Devin (Publicist), Zook (Visual Director) & I put this project together is to display diversity. I don’t like labels. I don’t like categories. We wanted to create music that no one would be able to put into a box. I look at my music as art, literally. Sounds cheesy, but I take it serious. You can tell me I’m good, you could tell me I’m bad, my response to you would be, “Compared to who”? Why is music the only art form we have to judge so harshly? When people go to an art gallery do you think they compare paintings from an artist to their previous work?

We want to change the way people think & experience music. It should be all about the sounds and pictures it creates for you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so to be completely honest, I don’t care who doesn’t like my music. All I care about is the people who like it. If I have one supporter, or millions, I’ll still feel the same way about my craft.

That’s the reason I don’t publicly display my view count, likes or whatever ridiculous stats that are out there. I have songs that have 20 thousand views and I have some that are at 500 views, does that determine the greatness of the song? Why do we judge artists based on their popularity and not their actual work? It pains me because a lot of my friends that are artists who make great material, they just don’t have the exposure. It shouldn’t be about anything other than the music that forms your opinion at the end of the day. Well, at least that’s how I see it.

Tony Coke: What’s up now that it’s out? How will you market it? What are your goals for the release? Are you already planning another?Privazy Light

Privazy: Now that it’s released, I just have to keep believing in my team and let them do the great job I know they can do exposing it to as many people as possible. All I focus on is the music and creating the best music I can create. I have to let it live it’s life on its own and let it grow; along with me as an artist.

And yes, I’ve already started on my next project. I’m not moving my focus from ‘Gray Habits’, I’m just simply working to perfect my craft simultaneously. This is only the beginning, I hope everyone is as excited as I am for my next release. I’m going to work my ass off on it to make it be able to stand great alone without comparisons to ‘Gray Habits’.

Tony Coke: Great, I for one am looking forward to it, and good luck with the release of ‘Grey Habits’.

Give ‘Grey Habits’ a listen at www.privazymusic.com.

Kid J Interview

Going against the grain is the best way to be heard. Kid J is a Christian Hip Hop artist from Cali, which certainly sets him apart from the typical persona portrayed by rappers today.

Tony Coke: Are you a Christian that found rap, or a rapper that found Christianity?
Kid J: Actually Tony, I was raised to know God but never had a personal relationship with God and was not saved till I was 14 when I started Christian rap. So I guess I found them together. Which is how I knew that’s what God wanted me to do.

Tony Coke: On your track, “Livin My Life”, there is some looped guitar. Do you play guitar as well? Where did you lay down that track?

Kid J: Actually I can’t play any instruments I can only rap ha! Pariecee McGriff out of 777 studios produced the beat. Very talented producer.

Tony Coke: Where are you located and what is the music scene like there?

Kid J: I’m located in small town Tehachapi California the music scene is filled with hiding artists but I’m the only Christian artist here.

Tony Coke: I hear you have a big show coming up, give us the down low on that.

Kid J: Yes I do, I have a few shows coming up. But the big one is November sometime not decided yet, but it will be with a good friend M.A.D (Bruce yokley) and other good names. But the word is Stevie Stone (tech9s last featuring artist) will be main eventing. My first shows huge! Gods blessing me.

kidj
Tony Coke: What’s on Kid J’s agenda for the rest of 2015 and how can people connect with you?

Kid J: I’ll be touring California doing shows. I’ve got more songs coming out soon. Just gotta stick to God always. You can connect with me through my Facebook page, kidjentertainment.

Tony Coke: Good talking to you, best of luck!

Kid J: Thanks God bless.

Facebook: Kid J Entertainment
Instagram: Kid J Entertainment

Mazement – Mixtape

mazementTony Coke: Last I talked with you, “Life” was just released. It really is a great track. How has the response been?

Mazement: Life is doing great, the response has been consistent and the sales are above what was expected.

Tony Coke: Great! You also said you would be releasing a mix tape mid to late summer, how’s that going?

Mazement: Awesome, everything is going as planned. The mixtape is set to release on August 31st titled “Reality Revised Vol. 1”

Tony Coke: That’s awesome, rarely do things go as planned. For those not in the Hip Hop world, can you explain exactly what a mixtape is?

Mazement: Yeah, a mixtape can be released in any genre technically, but it’s usually a compilation of songs chosen by the artist to release, sometimes involving a theme, or just a random selection of songs that were never released before.

Tony Coke: Cool, what triggered the name “Reality Revised” for your mixtape?

Mazement: The title is based on the imperfections of reality, inspired by humorous mistakes I and many other people make on a daily basis. A handful of humorous scenarios are mentioned throughout the mixtape that are pretty entertaining.

Tony Coke: Ok, so what is the funniest scenario on the mixtape?

Mazement: I think any scenario mentioned on the mixtape deserves the same attention, but in the first track, “Today” I rap about how we are spending money in America today, and I mention how we buy a kid a cell phone who’d rather play with a kite, which is funny, just because 20 years ago, that wasn’t even a thought in any parents mind, but it goes to show you the difference in “reality” today.

Tony Coke: For sure, I can’t even remember the last time I saw a kite! How long did it take you to create the whole mixtape?

Mazement: About 6 months due to the production, brainstorming and writing it all myself.

Tony Coke: It sounds like a lot of work. What would you say is the biggest challenge of creating a mixtape?

Mazement: Marketing. As an artist/musician I find myself 80% of the time focussing on the marketing aspect instead of the music. It just becomes addicting and/or time consuming.
Reality_Revised_Vol_1_Cover
Tony Coke: Man I feel you! I find myself thinking, “If i concentrated on creating more, I’d have more, better music, but then no one would ever hear it!” It’s such a hard balancing act to manage. Do you have any live shows planned?

Mazement: So far I have two in September, the 12th at Billie’s Black in NY, and the 19th at Jimmy’s Saloon in RI. There will most likely be more, anyone can stay tuned on www.facebook.com/mazementmusic or www.mazement.co

Tony Coke: Man, it’s a pleasure again. You get it, you work it, you’re talented, and the best to you! Catch up soon.

Follow Mazement at the Facebook link above.

Light – Upcoming Release From Privazy

One of the coolest things about having a music blog, is hearing new stuff before it’s released.

Hip Hop artist, Privazy, has a new joint dropping August 15th and has given permission for BandsRising.com to share it. Here’s a sneak peak, before it’s released!

This track is called “Light” and will be the first release from his upcoming project.
Oliver North once again gets production credit on this song.

Privazy Light

To connect with Privazy, hit him up on Twitter.
www.twitter.com/privazymusic

Also, check out his Soundcloud and Audiomack for the official release on August 15ht, 2015.