NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS MC/SONGWRITER/VOCALIST/PRODUCER YUNG MISS @YUNGMISS

1. thank you for blessing me with this interview and giving the readers and soon to be new fans a chance to get to know you. Now I know that your a multi talented artist but tell the readers a little more about yourself. Who you are? What you do?and Where you are from?

Hey everyone! My name is Yung Miss. I am a 24 year old female singer/songwriter/producer/lyricist from Perris, CA.

2,The name Yung Miss is a dope name in itself how to did you come up with the name and what is the definition to you as an artist and brand?

I came up with Yung Miss one day after messing around on Myspace. They had a rap name generator and, while joking around with it, the name Lil Miss came up as a result for me. I kinda liked it so I took it and modified it a bit… I went with Yung Miss because it represents my music… Classy and a lil hood at the same time.

3.How long have you been a vocalist/MC not to show age but what year did you start?

I have been singing forever. I wrote my first song at age 8. I started writing raps and recording my music during my sophomore year in high school. That was in 2005.

4.Who are some of your influences that you have been inspired by over the years from when you got started till now?

A major influence of mine would be Lauryn Hill. I get compared to her a lot but I never see it as a bad thing. I was always fascinated by the way she could sing such a smooth melodic hook then kill them with the most deadliest 16 ever! That’s what I wanted to do! Kill them softly just like she did!

5.What was the moment when you said this is what I want to pursue as a career?

I think after I dropped my first album and it started getting the type of buzz that I never imagined it would I finally realized that this is something I could not only do because I love it but because I am pretty good at the business aspect of getting myself out there as well. I’m still working towards making my music more of a business and becoming my own boss.

6.What is the local scene like where you are from, I know the the west coast is a very diverse scene with every form of art medium from poetry to music?

The local music scene in my area has been booming lately! Especially in Riverside, there are shows almost every night in different venues and there are definitely certain acts putting in hard work to show off their talent!... The Westcoast is very diverse! You could go to a open mic for poetry and then walk down the street and catch a Punk Rock show then drive down the block to an artwalk. It’s a beautiful thing!

7.Does the scene where you life affect your creative process? like how you create or when you create?

I would say it affects me. It makes me competitive. I want to be one of the best in my area so I try and make music that will help me live up to that ambition. As far as when I create, my area affects that as well mainly because of the amount of shows I am offered, which is plenty. If I wasn’t at a show I would probably be home working on music so I’m not always able to release as much music as I’d like!

8.Now as a producer myself i love hearing about the creative process from the artist standpoint, so what is your process not trying to give away any trade secrets but just a overview?

Lol It’s all good. To me, it’s all about the music. I like to go through my emails and folders and listen to beats producers have sent me or even my own production and vibe to it. If I hear something that makes me immediately start humming, I queue up Notepad and start putting words to the melodies I cant stop humming. The rest is history!

9.How would you define your sound and brand as an artist?

Being a Gemini, my music is affected by my split personalities. I love making soulful neo-soul type music but then I like to keep it hip-hop too and spit some real lyrical ish. But then I might be kicking it with the homies and gas on a 16 and get cocky for a minute. My sound is multi-faceted and as an artist it helps with branding because Yung Miss is able to reach different sorts of fans.

10.Do you have any current projects out or in the works, Btw the J.Dilla Project was beautiful and classic,l and i became a instant fan and hope to collab with you in the future but where can fans find your current projects?

Thank you! The J. Dilla project is my baby! I spent so much time on that project and I really put my heart and soul into it so I am happy that people are actually enjoying it still almost 2 years later… You can find all my projects on www.YungMiss.com

11.Do you have any future projects in the works and if so which ones are you looking forward to the most?

I am actually dropping a new EP this Friday called From Perris to Paris, produced entirely by French producer Tito Fiasco. It will be a short project just to hold listeners off until I drop my new album Waveforms in December!

12. Are you affiliated with any labels, companies etc if so what are they and how long have you been affiliated with them?

I’m pretty much a free agent at this point. I have had a couple offers but right now I feel like I can accomplish a lot on my own. So until I worn out to the bone and cannot continue without some help I might not be joining a label. I’d like to start my own one day soon though.

13.How can fans keep in touch and stay connected to you to stay updated on new projects etc?

All of the wonderful fans out there can follow me on Twitter @YungMiss and they can also stay updated on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/YungMissFanPage . My email is also open. Just send a message to YungMiss at my Gmail account.

14..Do you have any jewels for aspiring artist that you have helped you along the way into your career?

I think the best tip I can give to artist is that they should always believe in themselves and strive to be better. The combination of the two will always result in beneficial gains.

15.Do you have any shout outs or any special thank you's that you would like to give feel free to do so here?

I would like to thank my mother for all her support. I would also like to thank the So Cal Street Team ( Ric Rahk, Drizzle X, Absolute Idolist, T-Money, Mizz Ty). A huge shoutout goes to Nahni for always being my roaddog and helping me keep my head on straight while my body runs around like a chicken. I’d like to thank all the homeboys over at Royal Gambling Club & another shoutout to the geniuses over at BrickToYaFace.com

Than you very much for blessing me with this interview and i look forward to doing many more my friend.

Sounds great and thank you for this opportunity! 

NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS CHI TOWNS VERBAL MARKSMEN AND DIRTY SLUM ALUMNI VICE VERSE

1.Whats good big bro, Thanks for blessing me and the readers with this interview. Now I know how ill your are your craft and has been a fan since Young RJ's Seventh Son Violator Mixtape. now for those who may be new to your work or never could put your name and work together, feel free to introduce yourself. Who you are? What you do? and Where you're from?

 Im Vice...Vice Verse..MC outta chicago...and i appreciate the love fam..

2.Vice your one of the dopest MC's that has not only lyrical ablility but doesn't glorify the hood life, you have a conversational type of music but who are some of your influences and who currently influences you now? 

 Well growing up i got down with Rakim,Big Daddy Kane,Cube,Scarface...those the MC's i listened to....i also was diggin Stevie Wonder,Prince,Michael Jackson,Earth,wind and Fire...Jazz...james brown man i could go on and on..

3.What happened that made you say this is what i was chosen to do or wanted to do was a career? 

 I always thought i could make it in this industry..but it was after my pops passed in 2006 i really went after my dream of music..he played in the negro league...and he told me to always go after my dreams..so here i am...doin it...

4.How long have you been an MC ,Cuz I can tell your very dedicated to honing your skill not to show age but what year did you start Rhyming?  

Man i started back in the 90's..this sword is sharp..lol

5.As a producer, I love knowing what the creative process is for artist and fellow producers without revealing any secret weapons what is your creative process like?  

 I take the track listen to it,meditate on it it..depending on the where my mind state is..then i go in..if im havin writers block then i put it down and come back to it,but thats neva the issue..

6.Your from the Chi, what is the music scene like where you live, Besides my hometown of Detroit,I think Chicago is one of the most overshadowed pools of talent for lack of exposure?  

Yea man u gotta lotta talent out here in Chi..its a cesspool of talent out here..been like that since the 90's..im not really a fan of this drill music here but in the mist of all that Chicago has maaaaaaaad talent here...

7.Does the local scene affect your creative process as far as what you create? When you create? and How often you create?

 naw not at all...ima do me regardless fam..

8.I know the Chi had a ruff summer with all the violence and the negative media attention its been getting, as a resident what are your thoughts on how chicago is viewed in the media to clarify how slanted and skewed the media can be in the press? 

Yea we been gettin a bad wrap but Chicago is a city like all others...its violence here...its gangs here but thats not whats here in this city...its alot of love here...but if u in the wrong spot u gotta look out...

9..Vice, what are your current projects and how can fans find out more about you and your brand as an artist and where can they find your projects? 

Well i just dropped a mixtape v2...feat.my Dirty Slums family..which is doin well...im featured on the Yancey Boys new album all produced by J Dilla..thats droppin on Oct.29th im on the fisherman joint...and im workin on my new joint as we speak..

10.I wanted to say congrats on being a part of Dirty Slum, with you, my big bro and friend Focus and Rapper Big Pooh as he he said in one of his lines y'all are the dream team, how did you joining Dirty Slum come about?

 Well i was workin on my mixtape and J said mayb we should do a Dirty District Vol.4..well Dirty Districts was only for Detroit artist...seein that a couple of us wasnt from Detroit we put the Dirty Slums spin on it...

11.What are your future projects, if you need beats hit me up (shameless plug) but on the real what projects are you looking forward to most?

 Well im workin on my joint and takin all the features i can get...aas long as its DOPE ill rock 

13.Are you representing and labels or companies? if so be sure to list them here and how your relationships came about?

of course Violator...thats about it..

14.Do you have anyone that you would love to collab with but haven't yet?

Awww man Black Thought,Kendrick those two i would love 2 work with...Kanye..Pusha T...thats anotha one..

15.Do you have any jewels that you would give up and coming artist that you learned along the way in your career?

 Neva give up..keep pushin and keep raising the bar on yourself...

16.Do you have any shout outs or final words for the readers feel free to place them here? 

Violator...DIRTY SLUMS..Yancey Media Group...DJ Scrap Dirty,Tall Black Guy,Focus,Tye Hill,DJ Thunder,Young Rj,Bi,Twone Gabz..and get that Vice mixtape...v2 on datpiff.com...peace and thanx 4 tha love fam..

NATE OG @NATEOGDET INTERVIEWS DETROIT NEIGHBOR AND DETROIT WORDZSMITH AND VERBAL ASSASSIN NAMETAG @ITSNAMETAG

1.Whats good bro? I am a big fan of your work and I have been up on you since '07 when I heard you on Black Milk's Popular Demand, But for the readers or new fans feel free to introduce yourself and tell them Who you are? what you do? and where your from?

Thanks for supporting for so long. For those who don't know, this is Nametag, your new favorite recording artist. I'm a family man first, then I'm a music robot (lol) hailing from Detroit, MI.

2. Who are your influences?

Outside of music, truly my family. Knowing I have a daughter to help provide for is a huge influence followed by her mother staying in my corner having my back. Keeps the ambition going. Within music, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Dame Dash, Diddy, Kanye, Prince, The Roots. I've been in a pioneer mindstate lately.

3..How long have you been an MC and what made you say this is what I want to do as  career?

I've been an MC probably since my elementary days. Rapping was always a fun hobby. I think I took it seriously during high school. If I recall right, it was around the time I ended up on this Slum Village compilation titled "Dirty District 1". I was in a group called Ten Speed & Brown Shoe then. I already had the ability to move crowds, but knowing it's a possibility I can make a living off of it pushed me.

4.What is the music scene like in Detroit and does that affect your creative process at all or output?

Honestly, the music scene is segregated, a lot of cliques. That's just the way it is. On the upside, within these cliques it's a lot of diversity. The way I see it, this has allowed our city/state to dominate the music releases for fall 2013. Does this affect my creative output? Yes. A lot of us Detroit artists, you can hear that integrity in our music. A no nonsense approach, sticking to our true brand because it makes sense in the long term.

5.What is your creative process like an MC, I am a producer but always am intrigued by the creative process of all artist?

Creatively, I don't like overthinking anything I do. It takes the fun out of it. Only time I go for overthinking with my process is if I feel I'm about to write a struggle bar. Especially those obvious struggle bars.

6.Now we're both from Detroit but what does Detroit mean to you as a resident because the world has this slanted view of the city and is cast in a very negative light if you could define it?

Detroit definitely builds character for anybody who's a resident or was one. That's how is see it. I probably wouldn't be the artist I am if I wasn't from here. Media focus on the negative because it helps ratings, the way I see it and I don't see it as right. It's a lot of positive in the city as well. There's a balance. Those who view it slanted only choose to see it as negative only.

7.What Are some of your current releases and how can the readers or fans find them to show support of your music?

My most current release is "For Namesake", a collab album with Flint, MI producer, Nameless. It's released under Brick Records, a Boston based indie label. We have a remix project to this coming soon titled "Redo" which will feature 2 brand new songs as well. All of my music can be found atitsnametag.net

8.Now the Namesake album was classic. You and Nameless are both of my influences as producer and the caliber of MC I'd like to work with. what was the creative process of recording and making this album and will there be more collabs between you two in the future?

Thank you. It's like I was saying earlier, I didn't overthink the writing process, just wrote what I felt. I can't speak for him but based on the feel of the production, I'm guessing Nameless did the same. Collabing, we just felt we can make a dope project together and reach many supporters and new fans without compromising our true sound...and still be diverse. There will deifnitely be more future collabs. I got a batch of beats now for a For Namesake II.

9.Now if Im not mistaken you have your own label called Volume Up Entertainment, what inspired you to create your own label and when was it established, and what is the structure like of the label?

Well, Volume Up Ent. was never a label. It's actually my publishing company title through ASCAP. Right now I have my "Lead And Be Legendary" brand a.k.a The L.A.B.L Movement that I am structuring as a media group I will launch soon. There are tees available for that now if you visit itsnametag.netWhat inspired me to do this? The heavy hitters in the game. Your Russells, your Diddies, Shawn Carters. It wasn't impossible for them and it will not be for me.

10.I also know you have a team called Slang Committee, was  curious on when that was established who are the members and what made you create it?

It's actually a "K" instead of "C" for Committee. That was a collective started in my high school days at Cass Tech. Mannnn, we haven't done anything since like '05 maybe '06. The members are me, ONPoint, C. Young and Gratiot Jones. Everybody still holding their own musically though. Keep a lookout. That's going to always stay on the heart though for me as an mc. We were knocking out mixtapes back in high school before it was the trend. We kept each other ambitious, having that hunger.

11. Nametag, what do you think of the state of hip hop as it stands in 2013 and the industry as a whole as far as the divide between artist and fans, sales and radio spins?

I think the industry needs to invest and incorporate artist development. Too many here fast, gone faster artists in and out the game because the labels want a fast buck. The last half of your question is simple: A lot of artists need to understand it's ok to be a fan. You don't have to rap (lol). Sales would increase if every music release wasn't free, (mixtapes, etc.) even though piracy is tough to defeat. A whole lot of politics tie into radio spins, period. It ain't  as simple as "Request my single by texting it to this number" NO!! You want your joint in regular play, them stations want money. Focus your single to internet and college radio.

12. Do You have any jewels or words for aspiring MC's and Artist that want to do this as a career?

Yes. Make sure this is what you truly want to do because it will drain you and beat you down. Have fun with this, don't take yourself "too" seriously, unless it's on the business end (paperwork, conducting yourself right). Utilize your resources properly. STOP spamming links on social media. Posting your music link 20 times per day isn't going to make people want to hear your music. It'll turn them away from it. Oh, stop saying "Turn up!!" Lol.

13. Do you have any special thanks or shout outs if so feel free to do so now?

Thank God for keeping me on Earth serving my purpose.Shoutout to my fiancee Kila and my daughter Paris. Shoutout to family and extended family, my manager, the producers who lace me with the dopeness, and the artists who drive me to keep my pen game sharp. Shoutout to true fans and supporters, like the ones who actually buy and download the music, view the videos, and spread the word about it. Thank you.