Next In Show Presents An Exclusive With Rize Above

This weeks featured artist is a rapper who represents Off The Wall Livin. Read the interview below to understand that one. Rize Above lives in Brooklyn and is one of a kind. Being from such a diverse and cultural background and living in so many places along the East coast its RIZE Above's versatility that gives him his sound. His new mixtape featured on datpiff.com is nothing to sleep on. Don't believe me, read and listen to Rize Above for maximum exposure.

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Next In Show x Rize Above

So you were born in Brooklyn, but moved to New Jersey for yourteenage years. What were the major differences you noticed?

You get exposed to a lot more gang violence, drug abuse androbbery on a daily basis in Newark. The way people think and act in Newark isfueled a lot more by survival or malice as opposed to in Brooklyn when mostviolent crimes are fueled by jealousy or greed.

What is the significance of your name Rize Above?

With everything that'sgone on in my life Ive always tried to over come them in a positive way. Iwanted my stage name to be a statement  a representative of what my musicstands for. Weather its Rising Above adversity, poverty or even Love. My nameis who I am & what I stand for. Not Just me but all people Rising above alltheir struggles to follow their dreams.

Your of Cape Verdean and St. Lucian Decent. Does your family have abackground in island music at all?

Yea they do, Mycousins Dj Therion and Chachi Carvalho Tour in Cape Verde Frequently and arevery well know in our community. My Cousin Calu is the most famous, he wrote somany Cape Verdean Classics that almost every generation knows word for word. DjTherions Father Jack Ramos Was a drummer in a well known Cape Verdean Band inthe 80's & 90's. My family is filled with musicians.

Growing up, what were your creative outlets?

I was always a writer,no matter what I did where I was I put it all down on paper. Through poems,rhymes, short stories I always had a pen and pad with me.

Your older cousins DJ Therion &Chachi Carvalho, who are OG’sin their own right, discovered you. How did they ‘put you on’ in the game?

The 1st person I told I wanted to start rapping was Chachi, Inever really told anyone I wanted to pursue music. He told me to hop on thenext bus to Rhode Island so that I can start recording with him at his studio,Me and DJ Therion were always really close his mother is my God Mother. Everytime he came to New York he would give me his most recent mixtapes. He put me onto alot of artist I had no idea about. He was the one that told me I had thevoice for rapping and should pursue it.

How are they helping you with your career now?

Every time Chachi isthe main even at a venue he invites me to open up for him, always giving me hishonest opinion, telling me what I need to improve performance wise andmusically. Therion is always supportive, spreads my music, tells people aboutme. Im blessed to have them both.

Explain ‘Off The Wall Livin’?

"Life aint so badat all when you Live it Off The Wall" -Michael Jackson aka the Greatest.Off The Wall Livin is a way of life, a movement its how I think everyone shouldlive. Work is work we all have to take care of business but we still need toenjoy life and live it to the limit.

You recently performed in Brooklyn. How was the show?

It was amazing I loveto perform, the crowd showed me a lot of love & It was my 1st timeperforming with a live band so it was a overall great experience.

Your latest mixtape ‘The Ladies Man’ has been out for about amonth now. Great project. How do you think the fan response has been?

Ive gotten nothing butgreat reviews so far, A lot of disbelievers have been voicing their opinion onhow much they enjoyed listening to it. The numbers are slowly but surely risingand Im always promoting it non stop.

Would you say your music is directed mainly toward your femalefanbase?

Id say This mixtape ina way was, But the point of my music and this project as well was just to getpeople to connect with me and my story through love. We've all been in love orthought we were and have also gone through heart break. My music is expressiveI direct it toward everyone, but what man doesnt want women to love him...

How did you get involved in Hot 97’s Who’s Next event?

a good friend of minetold me about it so I decided to get involved.

What are you working on now?

"Return of TheBlack Kings" a joint mixtape with my brother Ocean Wave, were actuallyvery close to being finished and so far it sounds EPIC. Straight real Hip-Hopamazing Lyrics and Concepts. We dont have a drop date as of yet but were in thelab everyday.

How do you plan on reaching your goals?

With hard work,dedication and focus I feel like Im unstoppable.  my song "FxckingFocused" said it all Im willing to sacrifice everything for my dream...

Thanks for your time. Rize Above your Next In Show.

Written By @ihate_chris

Edited by @uwantleroyslife

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Next In Show Presents An Interview With: Dom O Briggs

Dom O Briggs is an artist, herbalist with a brooklyn state of mind. He is bringing his show to the big leagues with his newest visual, 20 Years, off A Gemini's Tale. Check out our exclusive interview with the artist where he talks about inspirations, the sounds of music and dream collabos. It gets real.

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Dom OBriggs Interview

You represent Brooklyn, buthave you lived there your whole life?

Nah. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Leftat age 3 and moved to Brooklyn. I used to live in South Jersey too. Bout 30minutes from Philly. I been in Brooklyn for most of my life though.

Growing up, what music didyou listen to?

I listened to a lot Gospel. I was raised inchurch. Other than that, I listened to whatever my mother, father or the radioplayed. I went to sleep listening to the radio. My mother listened to Mary J,Faith, Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu...things of that nature. My popslistened to Biggie, Tupac, New Edition, Big Pun, Big L, early Bad Boy stuff,etc.. Then, Musiq Soulchild became my favorite artist. He still is. I got thebest of both worlds though.

You’re a unique rapper with alot of talent. Does being creative run in your family?

                                                                                                                                       

Thanks. I appreciate that. My mother and auntwere in the choir, I have uncles and cousin who are drummers, pianist andsingers.

Who in your opinion are theleaders of the new school at the moment?

I feel that the leaders of the new school iseveryone that is on their grind right. Who ever is in the studio, or writing orat a show or doing anything art related right now.

You just participated in anevent called the Start It Up Benefit Concert. Explain your involvement?

Haha. Crazy thing is, I missed it. I had tohandle some family business. I performed at the first one though. SamanthaAlexandra. She is a talented singer and a person with a vision I believe in.She is the reason I am apart of it.

You consider yourself anherbalist. How are the herbs on the east coast?

Indeed I am. The botany department in New Yorkis pretty good. Nothing like Cali grown though.

Have you smoked CaliforniaKush?

Yes I have. Its amazing. The dro too. I needto get back out there! Hahaha

Why did you choose DopeNDoper from your upcoming EP as your firstsingle?

It was just a spur of the moment thing. It wasone of the only songs I had recorded for the project at the time. I wanted todrop something to let people know I was working.

Always Inspire(d) EP iscoming March 25, 2012. The title is perfect. Where did it come from?

Its one of my tattoo. I got the tattoo andthought that it would be a good title for my next project.

Is it a concept EP?

Its just a way of lie. Its the way I live.Everything is inspiration. EVERYTHING. In your actions, in other peoplesactions, In things you say, In things other people say...all of it. Me being anartist, everything inspires me. I have a double role as an artists and a fanthough. Other peoples art inspires me and I inspire people with my art. That'sjust how life goes.

Do you think your debutproject, The Sounds Of Music, got the recognition it deserved?

I think it was what it was. I was stillgetting my feet wet with recording and "finding my voice" so tospeak. Plus, I was still fairly new to the music scene or whatever so I didn'ttrip.

If you could work withanybody right now, who would it be?

Mint Condition and Terrace Martin. That wouldbe the sickest collab.

Last May you released AGemini’s Tale. Can we expect anything more from that project?

Nothing too fancy. A couple videos. Video forSuppose To, Gemini Swag, Urkel Musik and whatever else we shoot.  I justgo with the flow.

Next month I hear you will beplaying a show with buzzworthy artist, Emilio Rojas. Did you collaborate on atrack?

Nah,I haven't got the chance to work with him. I met him at DealWithNoDeal (radioshow) but that was that. I respect him and his music though.

Name someone of somethingthat has influenced you your whole life?

 Music. It was the only thing that couldn't gowrong.

Thanks for your time Dom O.  You are next in show. Success isinevitable.

Thank You. I appreciate this opportunity. 

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Flowjo Stevo Drops 2 Ears 1 Mouth: The Prequel [Listen]

Brooklyn is still in the building, or should I say South Bronx. Last week Flowjo Stevo and Crew 85 performed before legendary bay area rapper Too $hort and killed it. They were the standouts of the show. Earlier tonight Flowjo released his anticipated EP, 2 Ears 1 Mouth The Prequel. This is a taste of what's to come when he releases the full length album 2 Ears 1 Mouth. Listen to the full prequel below.

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Flatbush Zombies - Thug Waffles [Video]

We have been featuring some great music from Brooklyn, NY artists. I was recently turned on to Flatbush Zombies from a friend and was immediately intrigued. Zombies consists of heavily sedated lyrical geniuses Meech & Juice. They serve up some obscure imagery for the masses with Thug Waffles. Check out the visual below.

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L./\. Releases A Visual For Her Single 'A Place' [Video]

Brooklyn rapper L./\. drops a visual for her single A Place, included on her recent debut album The L.A. Riots. Next In Show will of course be interviewing L./\. in the near future so stay tuned for that. She is an artist that makes it look way too easy. Also check her out on the track Neo Renaissance from Ryshon Jones, Brightest Nights, Darkest Days Album. 2012 will bring you the respect you deserve. #nextinshow

Listen to The L.A. Riots Here

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Who Are the Drums?

The Drums are an up and coming indie band from Brooklyn, New York. Founding members Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham initially were best friends and seperated early on in their career to venture into other music opportunities. Graham started Horse Shoes, which was signed to a small label known as Shelflife Records, while Pierce formed Elkland and eventually signed with major label Columbia. Soon after both bands were formed both Pierce and Graham grew tired of the overused electronic sounds and decided to trade their synths for guitars. Worked out for the better. Now their album Portamento has been released and is burning up the blogs at the moment. Interesting cover art. It brings an obscure satanic vibe to the music. This album is in heavy rotation at the moment, along with Washed Out, Terius Nash and M83. #nextinshow

#TheDrums #Portamento #nextinshow #music #Drums #JonathanPierce #JacobGraham #Elkland #HorseShoes #Columbia #NewYork #Brooklyn #New #Album

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