Archive for the ‘Rebel Life’ Category

THE REBEL LIFE
First there was Timmy, then Penny, now introducing Remy Hardaway
From Cleveland to Virginia, Rello B. plans to ‘surprise’ us with new project
By GEZUS ZAIRE
Rebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net

When “Remy Hardaway” drops Cleveland is going to know who Rello B. is. Something tells me that it’s going to be an all or nothing type of project. No neutral feelings. Either love or hate. Feast or famine. Beauty or disaster.
Like its namesakes Timmy and Penny Hardaway who both had successful shoe campaigns with Rello B.’s beloved Nike, this album should shakeup the game like a crossover dribble.

Zaire: You have an album coming out called “Remy Hardaway.” When most people hear the name Hardaway, they think of Timmy or Penny. What’s the concept of this album?¬ ¬

Rello: “Remy Hardaway” is my way of showing my old school/new school vibe. I love Nikes and Remy so I meshed the two honestly. My music has its own flavor. You’ll see what I mean when the cover art is released.

Zaire: Tell the people out there about the label that you are on and some of the other artists that are on the roster as well.¬ ¬

Rello: Top Shelf was an idea my brother [Ant Live] had maybe five years ago. Our roster as of now is my right hand man, Pick, Nina Nicole and myself. Pick is a new face like me. We are working on his upcoming mixtape “I.N.K.” as we speak down here in [Virginia]. Nina Nicole is an already proven underground female MC and L.O.L. [Ladies of the Land] member as you know. Her “HK2” ep will be a Cleveland classic. And me – I just play my part.

Zaire: So you have re-located to Virginia. What led to that and has it benefited your music career?¬

Rello: I feel like niggas get too comfortable with their surroundings and that can make you lazy or make you settle. I love Cleveland and I want people everywhere to do the same. I’ve been getting love down here though. It’s like my second home. I’ve just been networking from Seattle back down to Miami. I’m young and I like to travel, [so] why not?

Zaire: When your project drops, what will the listener, who is giving Rello B. a shot for the first time, be in store for?

Rello: A surprise. I’m very passionate about my music and every bar I say, you’ll hear me get deeper than you would in my freestyles. I speak on everything from money to relationship [and] family issues that I’ve been through and still got to deal with daily. I feel I say things the ’round the way nigga can relate to. I think people are going to have a new favorite rapper from Cleveland when the last song ends.

Zaire: Now back to the shoe game. You said you were a Nike lover, as we end this interview what are your top three shoes that Nike ever made? ¬ ¬

Rello: Damn, I’m going to say Nike Air Raids in grey and black, the ’95 Griffeys – all red, and the Nike Air Revolutions. I remember collecting all them kicks back in high school and now I’m buying them for the second time. It’s too many to pick from. The Barkley ’94s are classic too.

(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)
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THE REBEL LIFE

Shionna snacks on Sloppy J.O.E.S. (Jealous Ones Envy Shionna)

Cleveland’s newest songbird overcomes rumors during successful run on Datpiff

By GEZUS ZAIRE

Rebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net

As a professional journalist it is entirely a conflict of interest for me to feature an artist whose album was distributed by my company. Fortunately I ain’t got no boss. I mean Chris Bleek does run things at ClevelandHipHop.net, but he trusts me with power, so I can do what I want so long as I don’t destroy the brand.

Shionna hit the music scene in Cleveland in June with the help of Rebel Life Media Distribution and – in our own little way – we turned things upside down. Her debut EP, “Insecure” reached No. 125 on Datpiff.com’s most downloaded albums in its first month. Even more impressively she gained over 1,000 downloads in less than one month.

While we celebrated the amazing feats that we accomplished on an entirely independent project with no celebrity instrumentals or features, we were both blindsided by several negative slurs. The most outrageous one was that she slept with me for online distribution and promotion.

What we learned was that all of Cleveland was not ready for a newcomer R&B singer to excel pass what over 95-percent of the city’s so-called “hottest rappers” couldn’t do. Instead of congratulating, some of them had to stoop to slinging mud.

As a writer and head of my own distribution company I am using this installment of The Rebel Life to salute Shionna and finally give her a moment in the sun.

Zaire: Shionna is out and doing her thing. Let the fans of Cleveland know what “Insecure” the EP is about.­­

Shionna: Insecure is an album that people can relate to. It’s basically a mixture of past experiences, past heartbreaks and past loves. Just something to give Cleveland a taste of some real R&B, real lyrics and songs with real meaning.

Zaire: There are a lot of rappers putting out product in Cleveland but things seem a bit slow on the R&B side. Why is that?­

Shionna: In my opinion a lot of people are into the rap game more than R&B. People tend to not give R&B a chance and go straight for the rap or hip-hop, stereotyping R&B music.

Zaire: Stereotyping it as what?­­

Shionna: Love songs, sad, too slow, etc. People just don’t give local R&B a chance, in my opinion.

Zaire: You got over 1,000 downloads in your first month on Datpiff.com. How good did that feel?

Shionna: It actually felt great being that no one really knew who [I] was! For it to have just come out of nowhere, it’s actually kind of surreal! I’m super excited about the turnout.

Zaire: OK so me and you have talked about this but for the record, there has been a negative side to your success. How tough has that been?­­

Shionna: It honestly doesn’t faze me. Haters will be haters and I use them for my motivation. People try to down others because of their success – only because they are mad that someone else is actually doing good. I’m not fazed by it at all. I actually encourage my haters to continue doing what they do best, and I’ll do the same

Zaire: What have people told you about “Insecure” or your success in general, that has surprised you most, positive or negative?­­

Shionna: A lot of people have actually congratulated me on the album and a lot of people loved it. There are many that truly believe in me and in my music. Many see that music really is my life and they encourage me to continue doing what I do best!

Zaire: What have you learned from your sudden rush of popularity in Cleveland’s music scene?

Shionna: I’ve learned that you have to work, work, work at what you want to accomplish. I learned that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and just believe. I have also learned that you have to watch who you trust because everyone doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Take heed to those who are more advanced and learn from them. Things can only continue to go up from here. I feel it!

(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)

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THE REBEL LIFE

Proph the Problem is the grandmaster sinsei in Cleveland’s hip-hop dojo

Top tier lyricist becomes first independent Cleveland artist to rock a show in Singapore

By GEZUS ZAIRE

Rebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net

He’s been a hero for the backpack fans, a member of the short lived supergroup The Titans and a critically acclaimed Cleveland based lyricist.

In a city where many imitate what seems to work for somebody else, Proph the Problem is working on his own thing, a thing that he calls Dojo Flow. It takes a bold man to venture out to his own style of flow and Proph is the right rhyme martial artist to develop it into something lethal.

Zaire: You are headed toward the middle of your first decade as a rap artist in the city. What’s your current feelings on where you are as an artist and where the city stands as of now?­­

Proph: I’m feeling more determined than ever before. I think that for an artist with no mainstream rotation or major looks, it makes a statement when you can remain relevant.

I just became the first [independent] Cleveland artist to perform live in Singapore. That’s 12 time zones away.

I would say that with guys like Chip [tha Ripper], [Kid] Cudi and MGK [Machine Gun Kelly] the Cleveland music scene is beginning to see more attention. I’m proud as hell of the artists in my city who are still striving. It takes a lot of will and a lot of courage to continue on in times where it seems your own city doesn’t support what you do. Hats off to those who don’t give a fuck.

Zaire: You have seen a lot over the years, both good and bad in the city. For the new people coming up right now, what advice would you have for them that wasn’t provided for you at the time you started?­­

Proph: The best advice is not to let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Until you’ve failed and given up – you – yourself don’t even know what you can’t do. Other than that, be yourself and let your audience find you.

Zaire: You came into the game with a strong debut [“The Proph LP” (2007)] and you told me that you would not try to make a better album, but just another dope album. So far you have put together great songs that sound totally different from when you started. Was that your plan or did it just sort of happen?

Proph: I wouldn’t say there was any real plan. When music is made according to a plan you’re limiting yourself. I grew up listening to just about every genre. Coming into my own as a musician, I really wanted to be able to pour all of my influences into my music. I wanted the flow to be compatible with any style. One of the things I wanted to accomplish with [my latest album] “Midwest Fressshhh” was to showcase the Dojo Flow on all levels. Pop to boom bab, lyrical to comical, the Dojo Flow is the name of my flow. It’s all about adaptability, versatility, strength, technique and finesse

Zaire: Dojo Flow, nice name. Are there any other artists in the city that have Dojo Flow?­­

Proph: No one else has the Dojo Flow. This is one of the reasons why you can’t know what to expect from me other than quality.

Zaire: So you’re like the Sho’Nuff of Cleveland and there is no Bruce LeRoy.­­

Proph: Humility is something you learn in a dojo.

Zaire: Well Proph, as usual it’s been an honor. Tell the people what’s next up your sleeve before we wrap this up.­­

Proph: Pleasure’s mine this time homey. “Problem University” is coming next. The music is fresh and inspired. The production [is] crazy. This time is for keeps. Shouts out to Prhymal Rage, West 41st Side, Rebel Army Radio and everyone that’s rocking with us still. Get set to Wreck!

(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)