Najee The 1

DB2

GFM Fam should be familiar with the work of DB2 from his work with Anais Aida(Gravity and Say You’ll Go covers). DB2 is an artist/music producer who just graduated from the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. He has recenltly produced a 9-song EP entitled Settle For Greatness as a collaborative effort with hip hop artist Najee The 1. Their first single was just released via Jay-Z’s Life + Times.

DB2 and Najee The 1 recently chatted with GFM about the project.

GFM: The title of the project and final track on the set is Settle For Greatness… for me it was an immediate attention grabber, can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind it?

DB2: Najee and I have been interested in the word “greatness” for quite some time and in the process of understanding the subjective nature of its definition, we fell in love with it. To us, greatness is a state-of-being where you constantly push yourself towards excellence; you are constantly growing, bettering the things that you do. Settling by contrast is a much more passive word. It is the action of accommodating yourself, to be conformed or comfortable. Even though it sounds oxymoronic, this figure of speech has become our lifestyle. We have adapted it to essentially everything we do. From the music we make to the way we carry ourselves, we will not settle for anything other than greatness.

NT1: You live before you create. Gather inspiration then reveal it as you feel. So, I was in a space where I was looking to push myself and really take it to the next level. Inspired and ready to elevate, hence the intro title. It just so happened that my bro Marat was telling me about this talented producer from NYU for a while. Let me tell you, this is after not too many successful attempts at putting the original yet to be titled album together. I finally met DB2 and took some tracks to check out that night. We had the same vision and great things started to follow.

GFM: Tell us a little bit your collaborative process for this project.

DB2: The collaborative process has been very effective since day one. Everything we’ve managed to do has been a byproduct of a mutual friendship that built itself organically. The same way we’re able to just hang out and talk about random things without any sort of effort is also the way we make music. There are lots of ideas thrown in the air; some are executable, some have to be watered-down. In the end, we always come to a resolution. Both me and Najee try to bring out the best out of each other. It’s almost like a friendly competition to see who can be more artistic but there is no loser. (more…)

From the video description

A first cut of Part one of an interview show pilot featuring George Clinton, interviewed by Diem Jones and produced by Rhesus Media Group for the Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation. Shot in 2003 and includes predictions and visions of things to come and things that now have arrived. The wisdom of George Clinton is captured in this focused chat between two long time friends.

For more information or to purchase a copy of the entire 24 minute DVD call 866-202-6152.

Special Request with 1-O.A.K (Interview) from Rawe Magazine on Vimeo.

This great interview with Oakland bred singer/songwriter and producer, 1-O.A.K comes to us by way of Erin Duncan with the video production by DJ.Lan. You can find the original post here. This is an artist and a sound that you need to get familiar with.

From the write up…

Oakland bred singer/songwriter and producer, 1-O.A.K, represents the best of the Bay Area music scene. Within his music, he is able to encompass all the music forms that have made the area popular—hip-hop and soul, while still adding in a lot of himself and a lot of other musical elements. With his long awaited debut album, Special Request, that’s what comes across.

The album gives listeners an idea of why we all were waiting for an album from the singer and really gives listeners an idea of who the singer really is notably with tracks like: “Yaya,” “Sweet Memories,” and “High Rollers,’ just to name a few. Following the release of the album, I got a chance to catch up with 1-O.A.K and speak with him about his roots in music, the creative process behind the album, particular songs and etc.

Friend to GFM Miss Special recently spoke with DJ and rapper Jasmine Solano. They spoke about doing specialty radio, Wiz’s “Deal Or No Deal” tour, the reactions she gets when she DJ’s and raps. Also, they talked about her college degree, her new merchandise including shirts, stickers and slipmats. Also covered was her upcoming EP “RAP”, not doing a video with Yelawolf, the next release from it and the feel of it.

Friend to GFM Miss Special brings her own unique, informative and conversational style to this great interview with Grammy Nominated singer/songwriter Kay Cole. Kay was in San Fran for a performance with her legendary father Hubert Laws. This chat provides a unique perspective on the way that the music business is evolving for songwriters and performers and some of the great musicians like: Skyzoo, Christian Rich and K. Roosevelt, Kay is working with. I highly recommend that you check it out for there are definitely some jewels dropped. Also, checkout Kay’s project Love & Music .

Gerald Levert, Sheri Riley and Usher

When we celebrate the great contributions of music artists, we always like to give a narrative picture from those who knew them well. In our tribute of the late, great Gerald Levert, we brought a dear friend of the Grown Folks Music family, Mrs. Sheri Riley. For those not familiar with Sheri’s name, you definitely know her work. She is the founder and president of the successful entertainment consulting company, Glue, Inc., former marketing executive with Atlantic and LaFace Records and the marketing hand behind artists like TLC, Donell Jones, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast and of course Mr. Gerald Levert. From her story, we hope you will thoroughly enjoy this interview and gain more insight into this R&B legend. Also, catch some of Sheri’s exclusive pics with Gerald, Sean and Eddie Levert, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Don Cornelius and many more!

Check out this now classic interview from 1994 with our Artist of the Month Gerald Levert about his then upcoming second album Groove On.  In this interview he talks about his writing collaboration with Tony Nichols (the two even penned songs for Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass), the evolution of his live performances and competition with his legendary dad among other things.

Read the interview here

Source: soulfunkandmusic.com

Check out “How Many Times” from Gerald Levert’s sophomore album Groove On

Friend to GFM Miss Special is back with another great interview this time with Idle Warship (Talib Kweli and Res).

From the press release…

“On Saturday night after their show at The Pagoda Lounge in San Jose, I had the great opportunity to interview Idle Warship. In the fun interview we spoke about their newest album “Habits Of The Heart”, as far as the concept, the role playing they had to do, the video for “Laser Beams” and the upcoming video for “Beautifully Bad”. We also spoke about Res’ follow up album “Reset” and her good friend Santogold. We also spoke about Talib Kweli’s new album “Prisoner Of Conscious”, including the features, when to expect it and where to find details on the anticipated Black Star album. We also spoke about his community mixtape, the idea of Res putting one out for singers, his “Liberation 2″ project with Madlib and Res’ upcoming “Refried Mac” project.”

Also be on the lookout as the “Love H.E.R.” the mixtape presented by Special Sundays drops tomorrow! For more info go to specialsundays.com