Royalty Media Group Blog

Tell us about The Breezy Effect and why it’s important for serious minded individuals to own their own companies?

Well, I could simply give you my site’s mission statement: “WHERE REAL HIP-HOP LIVES AND THAT OTHER $#*% GETS CLOWNED!” but that wouldn’t nearly be enough to suffice an answer. The Breezy Effect was conceived in my mind after I lost my job as being the brain behind SOHH.com’s “Talkin’ Videos” for a year (they ended the blog) and I felt I still had a lot to say about the bull$#*% artists and the bull$#*% industry that feeds their egos  without much of an outlet to do so, unadulteratedly.

Yes, I’m on Equilibrium Radio, but due to FCC regulations, I can’t go OFF like I normally do in my regular life (meaning, “No F— YOU (insert name here”) on the air, I have trouble controlling my mouth as it is!). Also, because of my appreciation for independent artists, I wanted them to have a place where their music could be showcased without them feeling like they had to compromise themselves in monetary ways.

But in terms of the reasons why it’s important to own your own business, that, I can sum up VERY EASILY. If you don’t like to be controlled or compromised, especially your WORK, then you need to be in business for YOURSELF. True, you can’t succeed at life WITHOUT compromise, but as your own boss, the people that work for you will have to get with YOUR master plan rather than you adjusting to someone else’s that doesn’t really rock with you. I’m an Aquarian free spirit, so you know you can’t run me or keep me quiet for too long– I WILL NOT BE SILENCED! LMAO

Why does hip hop media  hate women? (Why is misogyny so prevalent in this form of music. And why do female artists get LESS positive shine than males in the media?)

Hip hop media hates women? I wouldn’t go that far, but women in hip-hop have always been slighted in comparison to men. I HATE to say this, but my theory has to do with the fact that hip-hop became overly saturated with the Kims, Foxys, Jacki-Os, and Remys at the same time, causing men to literally lose control.

Mind you, we’re discussing women who were not only owning their sexuality, they made you BOW down to it and truthfully, it was emasculating, to say the least. It made their counterparts, males who are used to being in dominant sexual roles, feverishly attempt to regain their masculinity by downplaying these women’s talent and focusing on their “talent”.  So when you did have the femcees that came on the scene and rather display her lyrical prowess instead of her goods, people (fellow artists, media, the fans) didn’t know how to react to them, and machismo men responded the only way they knew how.  In other words, “Naww, I ain’t tryna hear that righteous $#*%, come over and get this d!” Think about it.

Why don’t you think someone like Mystic or even Jean Grae isn’t as big as she should be? I hate to say this AGAIN, but the only reason Lauryn Hill REALLY got pass is because she was book-ened by two men who co-signed her before she went solo. Had she came out on her own and never been with the Fugees, do you really think she would’ve been heard? By me, yes. By you, of course. But not by many.

Plus there is still the stigma going around that females can’t rhyme as well as men… a stigma that I am actively trying to crush by finding these women and introducing them to the world!

How important is blogging in 2009?

You know what’s funny? I read a quote at the beginning of this year that said, “Word to Charles Hamilton, blogging is the 5th element of hip-hop.” I don’t entirely agree with that statement, though it was my Myspace/Facebook status for awhile! Ha! Blogs  are definitely an underground/independent emcee’s best friend, though, whether it’s their own on someone else’s. It makes you Google-worthy. Now it’s coming to where you’re seeing blogs hosting mixtapes– who would’ve thought?! But here’s the thing. It’s a bit of a struggle  to get a feature in a popular hip-hop mag or to appear on a radio show, but not as hard to appear on a blog. Bloggers are ALWAYS looking for new content to post, and you should take it upon yourself to formally introduce yourself to different bloggers and ask them if they’ll post your music on your page and co-sign if they like it. A lot of them (that are not EGO MANIACS) will.

Once its being seen that you’re a rapper that’s been on several blogs, people take notice.
Just think about it… who are some of the cats you always see on blogs? Would it be a coincidence to mention that they’re some of the most popular emcees on the underground circuit? Exactly.

What’s the difference between a journalist and a blogger?

You get props just for acknowledging that there IS a difference!
Please, to anyone reading this, don’t take this as any disrespect, but understand where it’s coming from. I was a born a writer, journalist second and took on the task of blogging. I’ve devoted my entire life to my words, and spent years in journalism, which means that I’m TRAINED to write, to report, to tell a story.

Posting up a few pics you took at some random party you attended  OR just writing about some $#*% on YouTube doesn’t NOT make you a journalist, you’re a blogger. On top of which, many bloggers are egotistical and caught up in their own images. I’m compelled to write because I’m moved by talking to people about their lives. Like I always say, “Everyone has a story to tell. I’m just the person that conveys the story of the underdog to the world.”

Now I’m not saying that all bloggers are not journalists. There are a few that are, and highly I respect them. And that’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with bloggers; there are quite a few of them I enjoy because they are good at being BLOGGERS. But when the labels get misconstrued, then I have a problem.
But before any blogger can label himself as such, try sitting down in an interview with someone and find yourself so caught up in the story that it moves you to tears. You can’t necessarily openly cry, because you don’t want to alarm your subject but here’s what you do: you go home and glue yourself to the PC for 3 days, banging out one of the most influential, eloquent, and emotional stories you’ve ever written because you were inspired to. Or try, like I had to, getting interviews from people who had lost loved ones at the World Trade Center museum and had come there to pay final respects. Try dealing with an inconsolable mourner while keeping your own tears at bay. Then, you can come talk to me about being a journalist. Or better yet, try transcribing an hour-length interview– that will make you understand where you fall in the “blogger vs. journalist” meter  REALLY QUICKLY! LMAO

What’s the toughest challenge that you’ve encountered as not only a woman, but a woman of color in the industry?

Since I choose to write about hip-hop, I can say that I haven’t dealt with issues due to my race but definitely due to my gender. It’s hard for female journalists out here (especially female ENTERTAINMENT journalists) because everyone thinks that you’re in your field just to see what celeb you can bed for the night. And on the other side, you have the “industry” dudes (sometimes artists themselves) that are always coming at you with their mile of bull, thinking that they can automatically get you BECAUSE “they’re ‘in’ the industry.”. Uhh, no.
But that’s not what I take personally because my boundaries are clear to myself and those who I encounter. What I do take personally is the judgement that because of my gender (or rather, because of my age since I’m still in my twenties) people think that I should be listening to Souljah Boy and are surprised when I tell them my favorite artists come from the Golden Era of Hip-Hop. Eyebrows raise when I name artists, songs, albums, etc. which I can’t understand. Um, if you’re going into a field, shouldn’t you do PROPER RESEARCH first? I’m learning everyday. Thanks to my older brother who always kept a hot lyric & a dope beat in my head, I’ve been learning since birth! Age is NEVER a factor in anything. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

If you could talk to your unborn child, what are the 3 most important things that you would tell the child to be prepared for before arriving on earth?

First of all, I’d say, “Please understand that Moms is lil’ crazy and off the hinges, I got idiosyncracies like you wouldn’t believe, but my insanity makes me sane.  I’m sacrificing my vagina without the drugs (I WANT A FULLY NATURAL CHILDBIRTH) to give your big headed @$$ life, so you’re stuck with me!” Lol.  I would tell them to understand that NOTHING in this world comes easily & to take heed of my own life. I learned this by going through a physical, life-altering tragedy that took away a year of my life. You have to FIGHT for what you want, whether it be an ideal job, peace of mind or the love of your life. You will have to constantly acknowledge the difference between infatuation, like, lust, and love, and those whom you do love, LOVE THEM FIERCELY. But guess what? You’re going to have so much love in your life, you’ll recognize it when it’s there and most importantly, you’ll have so much of it that you won’t have room in your heart to HATE. Lastly I’d tell my child that you may not realize your purpose in life until you’re 35, but when you do, think long about the mark you want to leave on the world. You will not be remembered for your clothes, your looks or your assets, but more importantly…whose lives did you touch? Who became a better person because of you? Think long and hard about that, because with that role comes great responsibility.

Who are some of the movers and shakers in the industry that by this time next year you’ll be glad to have them in your rollerdex.

I’m a big fan of Jeff & Eric Rosenthal, though they’re frontin’ on a sista for a video! They’ve taken hip hop sketch comedy to a new level, and are even getting some of the most egocentric, narcissistic rappers and entertainers to come and make fun of themselves. And the plots are very relevant to hip-hop current events which is why they’re do damn funny. Let’s see… Gotta big up the Uncomf’tables, they too have taken hip-hop sketch comedy to a new level and even had Diddy himself co-sign their Making The Band spoofs! (As you can tell, I have a constant sscreen on my PC open to YouTube.)  Jay Smooth’s IllDoctrine blog and Underground Railroad radio show are to be adhered to. If you consider yourself a a budding hip-hop journalist & want some examples on how to speak eloquently and informatively about hip-hop culture, he should be your Mohammed.  In terms of artists, I’d have to say Homeboy Sandman.  When it comes to being an emcee, he’s the total package. Catch a show to see what I mean.

****** Next we’re going to do a quick name association. I’ll same a name or phrase and you’ll tell me the first thing that comes to mind. For instance if I say “peanut butter”, you could say “jelly”.*******

The New York Post I’m sorry I have a sentence for this. “Third-grade reading level sorry @$$ piece of a publication with an @$$ for an editor!” There I said it.

Obama Loyalty

Pimpin Curly Waste of my Internet surfing time

Breezy A Fly Girl

Like Water for Chocolate Junot Diaz. Great writer.

******What does Queendom mean to you?******
A piece (peace) of mind…. whatever it may be, EVERY woman deserves and should have a domain that she can strictly call her own. This is not necessarily a house. Like I said… peace of mind, piece of mine….
She may only dwell in the place for an hour a day… she may dwell in it alone, but she is THE QUEEN of is dwelling. No man can put her asunder while she is there. Respect her authority, and stay the f— off her throne.

Thanks so much Crys Breezy! We appreciate your honesty and your words of encouragement!

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Title: Rebel Starr Listening Party
Location: Negril
Link out: Click here
Description: URB Next 1000 and NYC\’s Neo-Quantum-Retro-Hip-Hop Boy-Girl Duo, Rebel Starr will have an exclusive listening party at Negril!
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-04-23

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Earlier this year I had the pleasure of indulging in the one thing that I constantly crave. That’s right folks, CHOCOLATE! Throughout my journey in this experience of the best type of sweetness ever, I had the opportunity to experience a chocolate of a richer form. For those who know of my sweet addiction, those know that I’ve had it all from Hershey, Dove, Girardelli, Godiva, to the no names of this sweetness. But at a Bilal concert earlier this year my addiction grew from edible to musical. I had my first dose of Choklate and plan on indulging in the sugary sweet sounds of this sweet sensation again and again.

You must be my soul brotha/ Soul brotha/ Soul broth/ You must be my soul brotha.

Flowing freely and embracing her lyrical spontaneity she sang as she was handed the mic during Bilal’s set by Bilal himself. She turned his hit, Soul Sista, into her own anthem of Soul Brotha, right there before a crowd of wide eyed and open eared listeners. This decadent diva took chocolate to a new level because she has a vocal resonance that can ooze smoothly over an audience, much like the edible delight created from grounded cacao beans.

Based in Seattle, Washington this talented soulsinger has been sharing her soul through what she defines as soul music, her soul music. On the scene for about two years Choklate released her 1st official album, Choklate, in 2006. Since then it has been steady progression from touring (Hustle Hard Tour), to winning an Agape indie artist award in 2007.

I just want to speak realness or complete dreams in my music. Tell real stories and dreamy scenarios w/ the hopes that the people that are looking for it or find it can actually relate or completely escape.

She was not always known as Choklate, but this name given to her by a close friend, she has come to accept and own. Listening to her thick, rich, mellifluous vocals with lyrical and instrumental depth gives the same experience as that dark, creamy, and edible guilty pleasure we all love. Her depth stems from her knowledge and understanding of the ones that came before; the greats such as: Chaka Khan, Marvyn Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, and Stevie Wonder. Her richness is visible because she is also influenced greatly by the artists of her time such as: Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, and D’Aangelo. Her sound is just that, a fusion of then and now with her own touch of tomorrow.

Holding true to her statement of telling real stories she has singles such as Incredible and The Moon. Both are inspirational pieces that state it’s necessary to press on during hard times and to just be the best you, you can be in this world. My favorite is Incredible because she coins the phrase “find your incredible” with her soultry voice.

Find your incredible/ Don’t waste no more time/ I finally found my/ My reason for being alive . . .

I don’t want to continue to be selfish in my obsession. After all it’s better to share. So I want to share Choklate with you. Serious note, Choklate has skills like no other. Come out and show love to a rising star. Who knows, if you come out, you might end up finding the incredible within you.

The Interview

Kita P: Who are the artists that came before that influence your work?
Choklate: Every artist whose ever made a significant imprint on the industry is an influence. Some artists, songs I may not have even liked but was inundated w/ repetitive training and ultimately “hated that song but couldn’t get it out of my head” at one point or another. I think all popular music influences music as a whole because it’s so unavoidable but I really enjoyed hearing and learning from Chaka Khan, Marvyn Gaye,  Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, D’Angelo, Brandy etc. Those are a few of the many folks that for sure have been influences.
Kita P: What category would you categorize your artistry under?
Choklate: I guess I would say it’s Soul Music w/ a Hip Hop influence and lends itself to R&B…a mash of those three perhaps but ultimately, whatever each listener decides to dub it as…
Kita P: Why the name Choklate?
Choklate: Someone nicknamed me and it stuck. I tried to get rid of it but it didn’t work and over the years it’s just been something I’ve had to comes to terms w/ and accept.

Kita P: Would you ever consider being part of a collective rather than being solo?
Choklate: I don’t know that I would fit well within a collective but if the time and elements where right about anything that came along in life, I’d give it a shot.
Kita P: At the current moment who would you most like to collaborate with?
Choklate: The Roots mostly. Andre 3000 would be a massive dream to work w/. I really like Janelle Monae a lot. Sa Ra perhaps. Lauryn Hill…those who are innovative and fearless, creatively. There are lots that I’d love the opportunity to work w/ but those are a few.
Kita P: What type of impact do you plan on making through your art?
Choklate: Blessed are they that expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed. I just want to speak realness or complete dreams in my music. Tell real stories and dreamy scenarios w/ the hopes that the people that are looking for it or find it can actually relate or completely escape.
Kita P: How long have you been pursuing this dream?
Choklate: I can’t honestly say I’ve ever dreamed about this…had no idea this would be my life so I can’t honestly answer that one…I’ve been doing music professionally for about 4 years or so now, about 2 years as far as anyone else probably knows.
Kita P: Do you want fame?
Choklate: I think I’d much rather have fortune.
Kita P: How do you feel about becoming famous?
Choklate: I don’t even see it as a possibility really so I don’t have any feelings about it.
Kita P: What advice would you give singers & songwriters just starting in the business?
Choklate: Pray.

Contact info such as: myspace, official site, email and booking info, etc.
www.choklatemusic.com
www.myspace.com/listen2chok
management@choklatemusic.com
booking@choklatemusic.com

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