Donald Cortez “Don” Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012) was an American television show host and producer who was best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971 to 1993. Cornelius sold the show to MadVision Entertainment in 2008.

Don Cornelius was born in Chicago in 1936 and was one of the early employees of WVON.^[1][2]

Originally a journalist inspired by the civil rights movement, Cornelius recognized that in the late 1960s there was no television venue in the United States for soul music, and introduced many African-American musicians to a larger audience as a result of their appearances on Soul Train, a program that was both influential among African-Americans and popular with a wider audience.^[3] As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers that would presage subsequent television dance programs.^[4] Cornelius said “We had a show that kids gravitated to,” and Spike Lee described the program as an “urban music time capsule.”^[4]

Besides his smooth and deep voice, Cornelius was best known for the catchphrase that he used to close the show: “… and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!” After Cornelius’s departure, it was shortened to “…and as always, we wish you love, peace and soul!” and was used through the most recent new episodes in 2006. Another introductory phrase he often used was: “We got another sound comin’ out of Philly that’s a sure ‘nough dilly”.

The 2008 Soul Train Music Awards ceremony was not held due to the WGA strike and the end of Tribune Entertainment complicating the process of finding a new distributor to air the ceremony and line up the stations to air it. The awards show was moved in 2009 to Viacom’s Centric cable channel (formerly BET J), which now airs Soul Train in reruns.

Cornelius last appeared at the 2009 BET Awards to present The O’Jays with the 2009 BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

Don Cornelius Soul Train Line

This mans influence on black musical culture was immeasurable you will be missed……   ~mistajay~

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Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could profoundly affect the future of the internet. It’s called the Stop Online Piracy Act.

The fact is that this legislation as written won’t stop piracy. But it would pose a serious threat to social media and user generated content sites (like YouTube) across the internet. It could also undermine some of the core technical systems underlying the internet, creating new cybersecurity risks.

It will undermine free speech and due process, says one side. It will protect America’s creative class from thieves, says the other. But what’s really in the Stop Online Piracy Act? A guide:

Q: What is the purpose of the bill?

A: There are actually two bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act, known as SOPA, in the House and sister legislation called the Protect IP [Intellectual Property] Act, or PIPA, in the Senate. Both are designed to tackle the problem of foreign-based websites that sell pirated movies, music and other products.

Federal law enforcement has the authority to shut down U.S.-based websites that offer pirated content, but they can’t directly do the same to foreign sites like Pirate Bay. The Motion Picture Association of America, the legislation’s main backer, estimates 13% of American adults have watched illegal copies of movies or TV shows online, and it says the practice has cost media companies billions of dollars.

Q: How do the bills attempt to stop piracy?

A: The basic method is to stop U.S. companies from providing funding, advertising, links or other assistance to the foreign sites. The bills would give Justice Department prosecutors new powers to prevent pirate sites from getting U.S. visitors and funding.

Q: What are the new powers?

A: The Justice Department could seek a court order requiring U.S. Internet providers to block access to foreign pirate websites. Access could be blocked either by making it impossible for users to type a simple web address into an Internet browser to reach the site or by requiring search engines like Google to disable links to the sites.

The attorney general could also seek a court order requiring credit-card processors to stop processing payments to the sites and requiring advertising networks to stop placing ads on the sites or taking ads from the pirated websites for display elsewhere.

In addition, both bills would allow Hollywood studios and other content owners to take private legal action against websites that are alleged to be hosting pirated material.

The legislation would allow content owners to ask a court to require credit-card companies and advertising networks to stop payments to sites allegedly hosting pirated material.

Q: How does this harm free speech? A Wikipedia official said the legislation could allow for “censorship without due process.”

A: Opponents of the legislation worry that the language in the House bill is so broad that it would allow content owners to target U.S. websites that aren’t knowingly hosting pirated content. This has been a particular concern of bill opponents Facebook, Wikipedia and Twitter, all of which have sites that depend heavily on content uploaded by users.

In an extreme case, opponents say, media companies could get a court order blocking payments to an innocent site, with the effect of shutting it down and stripping it of its rights to free speech.

Also, they say the legislation would encourage authoritarian countries that have already been trying to block content on the Internet they don’t like.

Q: What about the charge that the legislation could undermine cybersecurity efforts?

A: One of the biggest issues for Google, eBay and other Internet companies is a provision that in some instances would require “DNS blocking.” The domain-name system, or DNS, is an integral part of the Internet, ensuring traffic goes where it’s supposed to when users type in a Web address like www.wsj.com or www.whitehouse.gov. Those addresses are converted into the series of numbers that make up a site’s Internet protocol address.

The original legislation would have required Internet providers to redirect traffic away from pirate websites by blocking the conversion system.

The problem, according to cybersecurity experts, is that such redirection is also sometimes used by hackers to deceive Internet users and commit cybercrimes.

On Saturday, the White House issued a warning that it couldn’t support the legislation if it included DNS blocking because of the possible impact on cybersecurity efforts.

This issue may be resolved. Last week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R., Texas) said he would eliminate the DNS blocking provision from the House’s SOPA legislation. In addition, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.) said he would propose changing the Senate legislation to require more study of the cybersecurity concerns before implementing DNS blocking.

Q: What’s the difference between SOPA and PIPA?

A: The bills are very similar. One major difference is that the House bill includes a provision making it illegal to stream unauthorized copyrighted content.

The provision has been called the “Free Bieber” provision by the legislation’s opponents in honor of teen singer Justin Bieber, who became famous after posting videos of himself performing other singers’ songs on YouTube.

Q: What would have to happen for the bills to become law?

A: The House’s SOPA legislation is awaiting consideration by the House Judiciary Committee, which tried unsuccessfully to complete its review of the bill in December. That effort was derailed after a bipartisan group of House members, including Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), filed dozens of amendments and used stalling tactics to prevent the bill from being considered before Congress left for the holidays. The bill’s main sponsor, Rep. Smith, said Tuesday he plans to reschedule the hearing in February.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the PIPA legislation in May, but it has been awaiting floor action ever since. Forty senators are co-sponsoring the bill. However one opponent, Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), has vowed to filibuster the bill if Senate leaders try to move forward. On Jan. 13, six Republican senators sent Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid a letter asking him to delay floor action until concerns are resolved. However, a procedural vote is still scheduled in the Senate for Jan. 24.

In short, the legislation has several hurdles in both houses of Congress. If both houses pass the bill, President Barack Obama would have to make the choice: To sign or to veto. The White House on Tuesday reiterated that it has concerns about the legislation but agrees with proponents that more needs to be done to stop piracy.

http://dontcensorthenet.com/kill-sopa/

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This month’s feature is Rowdy Raleigh collective ready to take the mantle Real Hip-Hop……..let’s check out Kooley High!!!!!!!

Mistajay: What is the story and conception behind your Group and artists individual names?

Charlie Smarts: Lanna dubbed us Kooley High.  I got Charlie Smarts while living in the Dorms of NCSU.

Foolery: My government name is Thomas.  When I was in high school my girlfriend used the phrase ‘Tom Foolery’ one day.  I had never heard it before and was like, “Huh? Whats that?”  I adopted it as my stage name, and then later dropped the ‘Tom.’  Its just Foolery now.  It fits because I like to fuck around, talk shit, and have a good time.  Its also helpful because if you’re name is Foolery it’s a constant reminder to not take yourself too seriously

Tab One: Tab-One stems from the initials of my real name, Taylor Amick Burgess.  I just threw the “One” on because I thought it was cool.  The jury’s still out on that.

Mistajay: What area are you reppin?

Charlie Smarts: Greensboro, Raleigh, Brooklyn, The Innanets.

Foolery: I am from Raleigh, NC USA, but have been blessed to go to many different places and make friends.  I have family in DC; I lived in Brooklyn for a while; I have friends abroad. Raleigh is what made me though.

Tab One: My family, my friends, NC, & planet earth.

Mistajay: What are your influences of your music? And what inspires you?

Charlie Smarts: Imagination and reality influence my music.
Sun when there is none,  Fun when my friends come, Love makes my pen run till it bumps cray and then some

Foolery: Truth, beauty, pain, love.  I’m a big fan of artist that do what they feel, what comes naturally to them.  I also love artist that can create art that makes you feel a certain kind of way, even if it might be a negative feeling; the fact that they can pull that emotion out of you is inspiring.

Tab One: Good music in general.  Documentaries & good books.  I’m inspired by stories of perseverance.  People that came from nothing & turned it into something.

Mistajay: Your history here in NC starts with NC State do you feel that that the college environment was fertile ground for your growth as artists?

Charlie Smarts: Yup.  That’s where we got our first taste that we could rock for our peers and they would feel it.  No coming back after that.

Foolery: College is that time where you can find out who you are as a person and figure out what you want to do with your life.  That process is always an ongoing one, but college was a really good start to that.  I think that we have all grown a lot as artists since the college years, but that was the start of it all.  That was when we found each other and starting building something as a group.  That was the spark.

Tab One: Definitely.  If it weren’t for NC State we may have never crossed paths.  It gave us an environment to bounce ideas off like-minded people.  We certainly grew from the seeds we planted in H2O, our student hip hop organization.  That’s where we learned the ropes & got a taste of how to throw events, put together albums, etc.  I’m thankful for it.

Mistajay: Your collective has been described as combination of  The Fugees,Common, Mary J. Blige, and Hieroglyphics as lyricists and How do you describe your style?

Charlie Smarts: Fresh Vintage.  Like the Dodge Challengers when they came back.  Classic style with a new flavor.

Tab One: All of those comparisons are incredibly humbling & I’m sure not everyone would agree.  It’s hard to put it in a box.  We’re open to trying new things, whether it’s new styles of beats or new rhyme schemes.  I feel like we’re in a constant state of evolution.  The goal is not to stay stagnant.  Other than that, I’d say our style is butter.  Real butter, not that margarine stuff.

Mistajay: You have recorded several projects the most recent being David Thompson What is your best song recorded to date and why?

Charlie Smarts: There you go.  People Love to Love Love songs.  As do I.

Foolery: Honestly, I still think that ‘Kooley is High,’ the title track off of our sophomore mix-tape, is one of the best songs we’ve ever done.  That one always resonates with people. I felt like we definitely hit another level when we did ‘Somthin Outta Nothin’ on Eastern Standard Time, in terms of how the emcees bounced off of one another and the straight up musicality of the song.  If I had to choose a favorite off of David Thompson it would probably be ‘Drop a Dime (If They Get On).’  That shit is next level.

Tab One:It’s hard to pick one.  ”Kooley Is High” seems to be a fan favorite.  Personally, I like “David Thompson”, the intro cut off the new jam.  I also really like “Drop a Dime” & “Same Ol Thing” off David Thompson.  I think they show a growth from our earlier stuff.

Mistajay: As  indy artists what do you think some of the the benefits are, if any and some of the difficulties of being Independent?

Charlie Smarts: Freedom of Innovation whether it’s a musical or a business decision.  There’s no boss to say you can’t try something.
Difficulties arise from smaller market awareness and multiple job responsibilities. Charlie Smarts: There’s no boss that can connect you with another level of listeners and opportunities.

Foolery:  The benefit is that you get to make all of the decisions.  The difficulty is that you have to do every damn thing for yourself.

Tab One: The benefit of being indy is you get to do everything yourselves.  The difficulty of being indy is you get to do everything yourselves.

Mistajay: I see that you guys have opened up for J.Cole, Wale, Pac Div, Tanya Morgan, Ghostface, Skyzoo, and 9th Wonder If you could share the stage with any 3 artists or bands who are still around and touring that you haven’t performed with, who would they be and why?

Charlie Smarts: Kanye West, N.E.R.D., The Roots…   Im a fan and there would be loads of people to be introduced to the crew.

Foolery:  My three?  Kanye West, The Roots, and Drake, because I enjoy all of them as artists and they each have a devoted fan-base that I hope would be open to our sound.

Tab One: I’d say The Roots, Black Star, & Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  I’d like to jam with all of em.

Mistajay: Speaking of 9th wonder he recently had a write up about Hip Hop in NC and one of the main points where that the competition was outside the state and not within basically saying that we need to support are own as artists and develop your brand what are your thoughts about this as well as your own advice for indy artists and fans alike?

Charlie Smarts: I agree.  We try to re-establish our brand every time we put out something out.  Indy artist need first of all make good music, then look at other artist and learn from the mistakes and successes. Fans need to support music they like.  Come out to shows, watch the videos, tell their friends, buy the merch.  Same as its always been.  David Thompson is available on iTunes.

Foolery:  My advice for Indy artists: Take time to hone your skills, put together quality projects, then use the internet.  Put out videos.  Make connections with people in other places.  Get on the road.  Go to other cities.  Network.  Hop on whatever bill you can early on.  Don’t perform at the same open mic night, at the same venue, in the same town every week and then wonder why nothing is changing.  Nobody is going to know who you are unless you go introduce yourself to them.  Also, build a team.  Find a visual artist.  Get a graphic designer, a photographer, a video person.  Get yourself a quality DJ and start working on throwing you OWN live events so that you and your team can get a little money in your pockets.  And don’t be afraid to do the not so fun parts of this business.  I just got in from putting up 200 posters for an upcoming show, and it was COLD outside. You think I wanted to do it? No, but I like selling out venues, and that is part of the equation.

As far as the fans: Just know that you guys are voting with your dollars.  Wherever your money goes, and this really applies to anything in your life, whatever you are spending your money on, you are perpetuating.  So make sure you are voting for things that make your life better and things that you want to keep going.  Support how you support, but make sure you are honest with yourself.  A lot of people say “I can’t afford to buy music nowadays.”  And then I see those same people drop $40 at the bar on any given night.  Some of y’all spend money on a lot of pointless stuff.  All I’m saying is, think about it.  Where are your votes going?  Every dollar you spend on someone gives them power.  Who do you want to empower?  Starbucks and Anheuser-Busch, or an artist who resonates with you?  And if you find yourself not voting at all, you need to reevaluate how much you love this art and the people who are working to create it.

Tab One:I never look at music as a competition.  It’s an artistic expression & because of that, we should all be supporting each other.  Music’s also subjective so, we may not all like each other’s music.  If that’s the case, it’s better to say nothing at all & just keep doing you.  My advice for fans would be to buy Kooley High’s shit!  If you do, you’ll be rewarded handsomely with a energetic & entertaining live show when we come to your town since, we can afford to from the Kooley High shit you purchased.

Mistajay: Where do you see the hip hop going in 2012? How do you see yourself fitting into that?

Charlie Smarts: Hip Hop is DIY. Get popular on your own or make an impression with your own work and then others will come along to help make a business out of it. Sound wise I feel like there are so many styles that can be viable. Choose one.

Foolery:  I like the way things are going.  It seems like genuine artistry is on the rise again.  People are mixing up a lot of sounds, but the end products are still sounding very authentically hip hop some how.  In my opinion 2011 has been a great year for hip hop, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the movement that is taking place.

Tab One: No idea.  We’ll be there somewhere though

Mistajay: What are your future plans?

Charlie Smarts: Bout to try and write a short film..

Foolery: I plan on continuing to make music and to build the Kooley High brand.  I also plan on stepping out a little more as an individual to showing people who I am, in the hopes that they will get to know me a little better.

Tab One: Making good music, staying in touch with my fam & friends, & trying to enjoy life.

Mistajay: Any last thoughts?

Charlie Smarts: I feel good that women can dig our sound as well as the fellas.

Foolery: Much love to everyone, everywhere, but especially to YOU because you read this whole damn interview.  Thanks for having us.

Tab One: Thanks for reaching out to Kooley High.  Eyes open & head up.  This world is crazy.  Peace

Where can fans follow you and get your music?

Kooleyhigh.com

NEXT MONTHS INTERVIEW QUAN!!!!

Mistajay is doing a monthly interview feature the underground experience on the blog www.empiremusiq.com/blog and would like to interview you for this new post please contact nccceo2@yahoo.com to publicize any new projects that you have coming up thanks for your time. Donate or pay $50 dollar interview fee below!!

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Raleigh Durham, North Carolina

Nothing could be finer than a trip to Carolina. North Carolina is a beautiful southern state with so much to offer. Its vast landscape offers beaches, mountains and rolling hills. It’s definitely the type of place you could get away and escape to on a simple vacation. Here are five songs to get you packing for Raleigh/Durham.

1. Petey Pablo - “Raise Up”:
It’s hard not to think of Petey Pablo’s T-shirt waving anthem when thinking of North Carolina. It’s the perfect song to amp up your attitude for the tedious job that is packing.
WATCH/LISTEN HERE

2. J. Cole - “Work Out”:
Hailing from Germany, but settling in Fayetteville, NC, J. Cole always had an affinity for the world. His intelligence landed him a top-of-the-class spot at his alma mater, St. John’s University in New York City. J. Cole’s never forgotten where he’s come from and his uplifting lyrics and upbeat melodies are great for packing.
WATCH/LISTEN HERE

3. Thelonious Monk - “Round About Midnight”:
In case you didn’t know, jazz legend Thelonious Monk was born in North Carolina. Perhaps this shouldn’t be the song you play while packing, but after you’ve finished and have poured yourself a glass of wine.
WATCH/LISTEN HERE

4. Little Brother ft. Big Daddy Kane - “Welcome to Durham”:
Little Brother consists of Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh–both from Durham, NC. Little Brother is one of the biggest underground rap acts in the game. Their socially-aware lyrics and hard-hitting beats solidify their own drive and motivation to never give up. Like you–don’t give up on packing, even if it can suck!
WATCH/LISTEN HERE

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A Lyricist Producer and Fayettevillian this month’s feature is Ronnie C.

Mistajay: What is the story and conception behind your emcee name?

Ronnie C: It’s my real name. Ronnie C Rouse. Yes it’s just a “C”. Middle intial only.

Mistajay: What area are you reppin?

Ronnie C: Fayetteville, NC. 283whatever

Mistajay: You said in your you tube post that if anyone came to your crib they would here odd music Pink Floyd etc. What are your influences of your music? And what inspires you?

Ronnie C: Anything real. I’m a big fan of production, so anything melodic. I love everything from Queen to Aretha to Fantomas to Bessie Smith. I know cats are like, “who the hell is Fantomas?” lol. Look it up. I get inspired by my life. I’m talking yesterday, today, and tomorrow. My music is autobiographic. There’s a lot that goes in my everyday life, so I just let it spill on the beats.

Mistajay: As a lyricist and a producer, how do you describe your style?
Ronnie C: New age. Rare. If I had to describe it in one word, the one that pops in my head would be “authentic”. It’s different because I’m just a different type of guy in general, let alone musically. I’m extremely conscious of what I say, so I if I said it I meant it.

Mistajay: 9th wonder recently had a write up about Hip Hop in NC and one of the main points was that the competition was outside the state, and not within. Basically saying that we need to support our own as artists and develop a brand.

What are your thoughts about this, as well as your own advice for indy artists and fans alike?

Ronnie C: I recently said that I support the local talent, not the local music. There’s a big difference. On a different tier, I don’t actually see a lot of competition outside of North Carolina, I see a plethora of signed artists outside of North Carolina. On the same hand, there is a myriad of garbage “artists” within the state (as well as outside of it). As far as developing your own brand, that’s kind of a given/unspoken. I mean, you’ve got to do that to stand out anyway. My advice for independent artists is do your thing, do your best, but stay the hell out of my way.

Mistajay: What is your best song recorded to date and why?

Ronnie C: I have several.  I honestly couldn’t put my finger on one particular song if you had a gun to my head. But I’d have to go with this song I made called “Killing Y’all”. The song title alone speaks for and shows the non fictional propensity of my music, and displays that my production is through the roof.

Mistajay: If you could share the stage with any 3 artists or bands who are still around and touring, who would they be and why?

Ronnie C: The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. That’s the only real music I’ve been hearing lately. Not even kidding.

You said you think radio is a joke.  Can you go into more detail on that?

It’s funny you mentioned that. The other day I was backhandedly accused of being bitter towards the radio. But seriously, turn on the radio and try not to laugh. It’s all politics. A large amount of the music played during radio programs is garbage. Many a station are just trying to maintain status quo by playing whatever is in their record pool, and out of those songs the minority of them are actually good, intelligent, quality music. I’d rather listen to country music than listen to the radio. Mind you, I hate country music. Thank God for iTunes, Sirius XM, and Pandora.

Mistajay: Where do you see the hip hop going in 2011? How do you see yourself fitting into that?Hip-Hop in 2012?

Ronnie C: It’s still here. It didn’t particularly go anywhere, it just got overshadowed by mainstream media and the political powerhouse better known as “Top 40 radio”. I see hip-hop returning to the forefront bigger than before, and I want to be one of the ones leading the siege. Hip-Hop music is like the moon. It has phases. Fortunately, it’s about time for a new moon.

Mistajay: What are your future plans?

Ronnie C: Drop a single this summer (globally) God willing, record and rap up this album that shall remain nameless until further notice. I just want to show people what I have, and that it’s okay to be yourself musically.  Essentially I’m chasing the “dream” like everyone else, but I’ve got an awfully big head start. I’m leaps and bounds ahead of many others. I also have a dedicated team that is around solely to see that my plan is formulated, well thought out, and executed. We’re still making adjustments here and there, so we’ll just have to wait and see what washes up on the beach when the tides turn.

Mistajay: Any last thoughts?

Ronnie C: Shout out to Mike Lynn and Dan Leman at Jekyll Island Club. Shout out to Cameron Strang at Warner/Chapell Music. Shout out to Mike Hustle and Eric Andrews at 5 Focus. And I’d like to give a final shout out to myself, because no else is. Lol.  As far as the final thought I’ll leave you with one of my recent quotes. “I don’t need you to take me seriously, but I do need you to understand what happens when you don’t take me seriously.”

Mistajay: Where can fans follow you and get your music?

Ronnie C: I just made a Reverb Nation page http://www.reverbnation.com/theronniec . But your best bet is to hit the blogs to find exclusive content. I hate when people say “Google me”. It is so cliché and overrated, but search for me online. There’s a ton of stuff out there to satisfy your palette. Hopefully soon, we’ll have a site up and running, but in the meantime….. http://www.Twitter.com/TheRonnieC , http://www.YouTube.com/GreenRoomMediaWorks .
By the way, become a fan of Ronnie C on Facebook. All the cool kids are doing it.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ronnie-C/106416839422073
-Ronnie C
–

NEXT MONTHS INTERVIEW KOOLEY HIGH!!!!

Mistajay is doing a monthly interview feature the underground experience on the blog www.empiremusiq.com/blog and would like to interview you for this new post please contact nccceo2@yahoo.com to publicize any new projects that you have coming up thanks for your time. Donate or pay $50 dollar interview fee below!!

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This month’s feature is an artist that is another indy stalwart and co founder of the Justus League…….let’s check out Cesar Comanche.

Mistajay: What is the story and conception behind your emcee name?

CC- My emcee name took years to come into fruition. Back in 1990 / 91 I started writing poetry and RnB songs. I wanted to have a pen name but had no idea what It would be. In 93 I was in my second year of Spanish Class and we used Spanish names, I chose Cesar.  When the teacher would say my name I would always think of scissors because of the repeating “S” sounds. Sometime around 1996 I was thinking about life and how it comes down to being cut between two paths. The first being what you WANT to do, the second being what you NEED to do.  Lots of times they are two different things. I started also to think we need to find a common power or peace between those two paths to move forward. In Easter Philosophies power and peace can be called CHI.  So we need to find a COMMON CHI between those two paths.  Being CUT into those paths is the Cesar part.  Remember Cesar reminds me of SCISSORS. Finding a common chi to bring it back together and make it work is the common chi or Comanche part.  Cesar (coming to the fork in the road) Comanche (focusing and choosing the right path). So thats what my name means, its a play on words.

Mistajay: What area are you reppin?

CC- Geographically I rep Jacksonville, NC (where I’m from), Raleigh, NC (where I live), and all of North Carolina. In addition to that I rep everywhere Cesar Comanche fans are.  We are a big extended family.

Mistajay: What are your influences of your music? And what inspires you?

CC- My influences are vast and they don’t belong to any one genre or even are limited to musicians or music.  There is Music, Movies, Dance, TV shows, weather patterns, seasons… I can look at almost anything and relate it to music.  Inspiration is a funny thing for me. I can tell the difference between when I create something because I have to and when creation just happens.  The root of what inspires me is passion. People contributing to society, creating, or learning because something inside is compelling them. I love to see the fruits of peoples labor come to fruition, no matter how big or small. I feel those who actively participate in their passions honor each other and honor the world.

Mistajay: Your history here in NC starts with NCCU as well as some others in your collective you feel that that environment was fertile ground for your growth as a emcee?

CC- My professional history started at NC State University, I never went to NCCU. Edgar Allen Floe, Yorel, Eccentric, Median, 9th Wonder and other musicians not in my collective also went there.  It was a very fertile ground and very key in me seriously pursuing being an emcee as a career.  In Jacksonville, which is a small town,  I only saw Emcees on TV or heard them on the radio.  Thats as close as I could get back then.  It made it something intangible for me as far as I thought. Actually meeting people who grew up in very different types of places and had different experiences than me was key.  The most key thing was actually seeing people put on rap shows for the first time. They even had songs, it was amazing to me. These were people that I could talk to and even went to school with some of them. It made being an emcee more of a reality to me. A group called THE LOWER 3RD’S was where I got the biggest source of this inspiration, they also went to NC State.

Mistajay: Being  a member of HOJ/Justus league and them having a critical buzz at one time how do you feel that has affected or helped your career or has it?

CC- I’ve never been a member of HOJ only a member and co-founder of the Justus League. Its helped me both as being an artist, and as another marketing point.  The Justus League had its ups and downs just like anything else, but that crew was a music conservatory, a Hiphop Juilliard if you will.   Everyone had different strong points and everyone was very picky and so much was expected from every JL artist. That was not just an expectation from within we became the darlings of non major market rap, so the listening public demanded excellence too.  We set a standard mistakes and slip ups were not gonna be tolerated.  9th and Little Brother were the first to really gain momentum with their names outside of the JL Brand. My nature would not allow me to just sit back and bask in someone else’s glory.  I would not be able to look at myself in the mirror, so I ventured out.  I made my name give power to the JL Brand just as the JL Brand gave power to my name. They each pushed back and forth creating a positive upward movement of my career.

Mistajay: You have recorded several projects the most recent being 2009’s Die In Your Lap What is your best song recorded to date and why?

CC- I don’t have a best song as far as I’m concerned. Each song I have created is special in its own way.  I can tell you what my most commercially successful songs are. They are  Up & Down, Die In Your Lap, and Hands High.  I’m just glad people gravitate more to my songs as my career matures and I did not peak at the beginning like so many artists do.

Mistajay: If you could share the stage with any 3 artists or bands who are still around and touring, who would they be and why?

CC-  There are many artists I would think it would be cool to tour with, but I would choose Supastition, Ghettosocks, Edgar Allen Floe, Median, or DJ Chaiwl.  Those are the people I have the most road experience with and have grown with most in a tour situation.  They are more than fellow artists they are family.

Mistajay: As a indy artist what do you think some of the the benefits are, if any and some of the difficulties of being Independent?

CC- It just depends on the situation. In either situation I feel that song ownership and publishing ownership is the most important things to have. A very difficult aspect of being independent is in many times the artist does every job required to nurture a career themselves. Its hard to get every aspect of a campaign to happen when it needs to so we find ourselves having to forge a sword out of cold steel.

Mistajay: 9th wonder recently had a write up about Hip Hop in NC and one of the main points where that the competition was outside the state and not within basically saying that we need to support are own as artists and develop your brand what are your thoughts about this as well as your own advice for indy artists and fans alike?

CC-  I agree, and to add we should be proud of anyone who makes positive moves in this industry.  Not everyone is like this but we will congratulate someone who makes moves that is in a distant land but feel animosity toward someone that makes moves in your own back yard.  It would seem to me that they feel threatened somehow.  ”The successful sibling syndrome”, is what I call it.  Logistically its hard to SUPPORT everyone, most of us don’t have the time and resources to do such a thing.  You can bring attention to movements you feel are positive if you are part or are not part of them.  WORD OF MOUTH and in modern times POSTS ON YOUR PAGES can show love to others without costing you a penny.  Nobody elevates themselves  completely alone. It also takes a village to raise an artist.

Mistajay: Where do you see the hip hop going in 2011? How do you see yourself fitting into that?

CC- I feel the new artists are gonna do their best impersonation of the 80’s which they did not grow up in or old enough to remember. That will go on for a bit until some new trend. I don’t really see myself fitting in to that.  The Cesar Comanche sound is the result of my experience, mostly from the years of my childhood.  I’ve seen many trends come and go, and I never followed them.  My sound grows despite what may be happening at the moment.

Mistajay: What are your future plans?

CC- The next project that needs to be done is the ITCH REMEDY EP.  Its gonna be DJ Flash and I coming together to make a fun project for our fans.  We have been having bad luck with our schedules. That is why it was not done months and months ago.  I also have a South East Tour coming in July.  It will be in NC, SC, and GA. SympL from Projekt Lotus will be performing at each show also.

Mistajay: Any last thoughts?

CC- Don’t forget to enjoy the simple things, any chance you get.

Mistajay: Where can fans follow you and get your music?

CC- You can get my music at  http://www.cesarcomanche.net, http://www.itunes.com/cesarcomanche, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.emusic.com, http://www.spotify.com, http://www.napster.com, and other legal online stores. You can follow me at http://www.facebook.com/cesarcomanchefan, http://reverbnation.com/cesarcomanche, and http://www.twitter.com/cesarcomanche.

NEXT MONTHS INTERVIEW RONNIE C!!!!

Mistajay is doing a monthly interview feature the underground experience on the blog www.empiremusiq.com/blog and would like to interview you for this new post please contact nccceo2@yahoo.com to publicize any new projects that you have coming up thanks for your time. Donate or pay $50 dollar interview fee below!!

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NCC Records is a sponsor of the Third Annual Independent music Awards!!

The 3rd Annual Independent Artist Music Awards is going down Nov. 20th @ the Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of FSU WE are a sponsor!!! Hosted by Jane Dough! Doors open at 5pm. Show kicks off at 8pm. Get your $15 advance tickets on line now! Or pay $5 for FSU students with I.D. or pay $20 at the door! For more info contact Tony Charles at 910 322 9823!
Online Tickets
www.etix.com

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Dwight Arrington Myers^[2] (May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011^[3]), better known as Heavy D, was a Jamaican-born American actor, rapper, record producer, singer and former leader of Heavy D & the Boyz, a hip hop group which included G-Whiz (Glen Parrish), “Trouble” T. Roy (Troy Dixon), and Eddie F (born Edward Ferrell). The group maintained a sizable audience in the United States through most of the 1990s. The five albums the group released were producted by Teddy Riley, Marley Marl, Pete Rock and Eddie F.^[4]

Myers was born on May 24, 1967 in Mandeville, Jamaica, the son of Eulahlee Lee, a nurse, and Clifford Vincent Myers, a machine technician.^[5] His family moved to Mount Vernon, New York, US in the early 1970s,^[6] where he was raised.^[7]

Heavy D & the Boyz were the first group signed to Uptown Records; their debut, Living Large, was released in 1987. The album was a commercial success, though Big Tyme was a breakthrough that included four hits. Trouble T. Roy died at age 22 in a fall on July 15, 1990, in Indianapolis. Dixon’s death led to a tribute on the follow-up platinum album, Peaceful Journey. Pete Rock & CL Smooth created a tribute to Trouble T. Roy called “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” which is regarded as a hip-hop classic.^[4]

Heavy D & the Boyz gained even more fame by singing the theme song for the television program In Living Color and also MADtv, and Heavy D performed the rap on Michael Jackson’s hit single “Jam” as well as sister Janet Jackson’s hit single “Alright“. Heavy D then began focusing on his acting, appearing in various television shows before returning the music charts with Nuttin’ But Love. After appearing in the off-Broadway play Riff Raff at Circle Repertory Company, Heavy D returned to recording with the hit Waterbed Hev.^[4] In 1997, Heavy D collaborated with B.B. King on his duets album Deuces Wild rapping in the song “Keep It Coming.” Heavy D was referred to in the song “Juicy” by the Notorious B.I.G., and appeared in his music video for “One More Chance“.

Heavy D performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards in October 2011. It was his first live performance in 15 years. Myers died on November 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 44. He collapsed outside his Beverly Hills home and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.^[7] It has been reported that his death was due to respiratory issues^[8] and that no foul play was involved.^[9]

Heavy D was last seen in public in the movie Tower Heist, which premiered only 4 days before his death.

God Bless the dead one one the most positive smooth cats and a real inspiration to Real Hip-Hop artists everywhere   ~ Mistajay~

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Check it Out WE are on here!!!

http://www.motahiphop.com/mixtapes/2-mixtape-category/1316-listen-2-my-demo-or-die-2-compilation

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This month’s feature is an international indy artist looking to get the world to move to his tune let’s check out Tedju Frazier!!

Mistajay: What is the story and conception behind your emcee name? Tedju: Uncle name Tedju it means great leader

Mistajay: What area are you reppin? Everyboby can feel  my music…so I rep tha world

Mistajay: What are your influences of your music? And what inspires you? Tedju:life….god

Mistajay: How do you describe your style? Tedju: different

Mistajay: What is your best song recorded to date and why? Tedju: shake sum http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tedju22 you can download on cdbaby now .99cent

Mistajay: If you could share the stage with any 3 artists or bands who are still around and touring, who would they be and why? Tedju: Nas, Run DMC Dmx and the late 2Pac…..I love rock too …

Mistajay: Where do you see the hip hop going in 2011? How do you see yourself fitting into that? Tedju: It’s changing every day….I fit in with different looks.

Mistajay: What are your future plans? Tedju: To make great music, movies and thank god

Mistajay: Any last thoughts? Tedju: Check MIMS FEAT Tedju vroom vroom http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vroom-vroom-feat-tedju-single/id418627857

Mistajay: Where can fans follow you and get your music? Tedju: https://twitter.com/Tedjumusic

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002383042513
http://www.amazon.com/Vroom-feat-Tedju-Explicit/dp/B004MB714Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302845243&sr=1-1-catcorr

http://www.manmixtapes.com/mixtapes/hard-times.html

http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000012772-hardtimesmixtape.php

http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000011464-brew_city_flood_mixtape.php

http://www.mixtapepass.com/music/0000010605-tha_mill_mixtape.php

www.myrecordlabel.com/tedju

NEXT MONTHS INTERVIEW Ceasar Comache!!!
Mistajay is doing a monthly interview feature the underground experience on the blog www.empiremusiq.com/blog and would like to interview you for this new post please contact nccceo2@yahoo.com to publicize any new projects that you have coming up thanks for your time. Donate or pay $50 dollar interview fee below!!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7SCDVFQGYT3

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