All hail the Queen

In this day of female rappers with little or no talent that overcompensate by putting themselves out there as sex-objects or just stuck up as hell. Reddbone of the Detroit hip hop collective Raw Collection is NOT one of those. This sista is one of the rare few that commands her due respect on the mic as far as skills AND demeanor. The queen on the throne Ms. Reddbone was cool enough to lace the 31third with an interview.


Q: First question, How did Raw C come about?

A:well actually we grew up together in the same Hood, and i been knowin the rest of the crew since they were young, and we knew eveybody was doin their thing Rap wise, and my Brother Swifty McVay from D12 wanted us to form a alliance like a Crew, but as Solo M.C's as well as to why we called ourself Raw Collection. A Raw Collection of Sweet M.C's fused together.

Q: How long have you been rapping?

A:Well for a while, just know i been rhyming long enough to be considered a seasoned Vet!! lol


Q: who were some of your earlier influences in music in general?




A:Well it was really a few people who did it for me. M.C Lyte was one and Queen Latifa, but Rakim, of course and KRS one, Ice Cube, Etc. its really too many to name.


Q: In this day and age where everybody and their momma wants to be a rapper, I know you and your crew probably get bombarded with a lot of wack rappers or cats in general wanting to get “put on”. How do you handle them?


A:Im a firm believer that you have to be real upfront wit Cats an tell them the real! if they need work, then tell them, or if they not on your level of rhymin, tell them that too. see imma keep it real wit folks cuz alot of their homeboys, and girls just tell them what they want to hear. you can never upgrade if you cant take criticism, cause you making music for everybody not just yo hood or homeboys you Dig!!!



Q: As you know, hip hop has taken a lot of shit for being degrading to women. As a female MC, what is your opinion on this?


A:I dont concern myself with what ever a Rapper says about women because they not talkin bout me! that shoe dont fit me, so i dont put it on. the only time a woman should be offended is if they are talking about her directly. hell they say negative stuff about Women just in everyday life, as Women do Men, but thats just the way of the World. Honestly i LOVE my Haters!when they stop talking and name callin is when i get concerned, cause that mean im not on their mind anymore. and i need to always be on their mind. they really do make the world go round!!! LOL





Q: You have been in several movies: “Brewster Projects” “17000 Block” and “The People Vs.” Other than the obvious, are there any differences between shooting a movie as opposed to music?

A:i think so a lil because sayin your Passion is a little different then actin your Passion. its kinda one in the same, but not really.





Q: Do you have any upcoming solo projects coming up in the near future?


A:i haven't been thinking to hard on that, i really want to venture off more into acting and hosting, i really want my own call in talk show on Satelite Radio, but i haven't put my blue print together yet.


Q: Are there any artists that you are feeling that you would like to collab with?


A:i want to do some music with Boss, Ms Nia, Ms Murda, Bossallini and a few more but other than that im cool. more of my city people than people thats already on.


Q: Thanks for the interview, it’s been an honor to chop it up with you. Is there anything you would like to say in closing?

A:Detroit, lets stop looking for Outside validation to get on, and Fuse together so They can have our permission!!!LOVE THOSE WHO HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DESPITE YOU!!!

you can check out reddbone on myspace
http://www.myspace.com/reddbonethegreat
http://www.myspace.com/therawcollection

Lady soul

Old school soul, hip hop and a little jazz thrown in. This describes L'Renee to a tee. I've personally known her for the past 2 years and have had the pleasure of working with her last summer and I am privileged to have had a working relationship that I hope continues (hint hint *LOL*). Not only that, the sista is a rarity. In this world of pro-tools and vocal enhancers, the sista is one of the rare few that can sound just as good live on stage as she does in the studio...Something that not even so-called these so called Divas can do, And unlike the so-called Divas, whose images were manufactured by someone else, L'Renee is in total control of her OWN destiny. She is an entrepreneur who writes her own material, owns her own label as well as her own merchandise. Personally this is what I respect most about her.

Q: Before I met you face to face, I read in your bio that you grew up watching your dad play. How much of an impact did this have on you wanting to choose a career in music.

A: I believe that eventually it had a major impact on me choosing a career in music. The reason is two-folded. First by experiencing my dad performing music, I became comfortable with being around music. Secondly, as I started my label, my father who had previously decided to retire from the music industry became a silent partner of the L'Renee Productions which is now L'Renee Musique Inc. To sum it up, having the musical support and business support gave me the confidence to step out and finally decided to pursue a serious career in music.


Q: When we were in the studio together that day last summer, as well as the live performances that I've seen, you really seem to enjoy yourself. Do you get a rush out of performing or would you say that you enjoy the fact that people are enjoying your music.

A: It is a win-win situation. What really drives me about performing is the euphoric state of mind that comes with really connecting with an audience. I've been in cases where people have come up to me after a show with tears in their eyes because they were moved just that much is a strong and serious key that I don't intend to abuse. The other "win" about performing is that I just really get off on exercising a special gift that The Creator has given me. If no one wanted to hear another note or lyric from me, I'd still be singing. LOL!








Q: With 2 albums under your belt, and you performing to sell out crowds, all this success has not spoiled you. How important do you think it is to be accessible (within reason of course) to your fans?

A: My fans are the reason I sell out. If I lose touch with them then I have no show. I have no motivation. So point blank, I find it necessary to keep connection because they are my connection to my craft. I would be nothing without them.


Q: Besides your dad, who were some of the artists that you looked up to?

A: Man, these names may mean nothing me you or the viewers of this blog, but I totally admire 87, DJ Genesis, Nick Speed, Frank McComb, Eric Roberson and Gordon Chambers because of the heights of their success without major label hook ups. In addition just from a musical standpoint there are a few artists that really stick out in my mind and they are people like Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Musique Soulchild and the list keeps growing.





Q: I also read that when you were in high school, you performed in "the Wiz". At some point would you like to take on acting?

A: Actually I have started taking on a couple of roles in some independent films with Director Corey Swift of Swift Winds Media and am always keeping my options open. I have a very humble attitude towards the art of acting especially from my small time experience. It has created a greater appreciation in me for what they actually do. It's not as easy as it looks to become a character and make the audience believe that they are watching a moment of the character's life instead of watching someone act out a character. There is a big difference.


Q: Tell me about your label L'Renee Musique Inc. Did you feel that the decision to go the indie route was your only option?

A: No, however I enjoy reaping the fruits of my own labor. Sometimes when we want something we just have to go out and get it, even if no one has caught on the the vision yet.




Q: Last time we spoke, you were in the beginning stages of working on a new album. How is that going?

A: Wonderful. We are going to being recording next month. The album is not closed, however, so if and producers are interested in being a part of this movement contact me at L'Renee Musique Inc. PO Box 40193 Redford, MI 48240 www.lrenee.net lreneebookings@yahoo.com I would love to hear from you.


Q: Will there be any guest appearances on the album?


A: Yes. There will be a couple including the winner of the open mic competition from my Hoot's on the Ave show May 17, 2008. It's gonna be a surprise. You gotta come pick it up.


Q: Before we end this interview, is there anything you would like to say to your supporters?

A: I would like to make special mention the following businesses and avid supporters Melted Disc, Team Swass, SoulCommune, Urban Organic, MosaicThump, Grand Designz Printing, InnerCity Creative Group, and my street team leaders T. Mason, and T. Spears as well as all of my sponsors who bought any of my material. I appreciate you very much!


Thank you very much for your time. I wish you continued success.

L'Renee is available at Rhapsody, iTunes and Amazon.com and you can check her out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lreneedetroit













Images © 2008 L'Renee Musique inc.

Interview © 2008 31Third entertainment.

INSIDE THE MAN *****AL NUKE****

One of Detroit hip hop's elite, Al Nuke. If you never heard of the man, maybe you need to come from up under that rock, take your fingers out your ears and clean the wax from them shits and listen.

D-Boyz

Lawless Element debuted in 2005 with their album Soundvision: In Stereo. Laced with guest appearances from Phat Kat, P. Dot and production from the late J Dilla. Although the guest appearances were from some of the hottest names in the D. They also proved that they could hold their own. They came back HARD with their mixtape "Lawless Gang vol.1". Of course if you like that soulful shit, You wont be disappointed. And in this day and age of wack rappers fucking up good beats, The clever wordplay bring you in and complement the hot beats. I downloaded it, to show my man'z some support, and been bangin' it all night. I got a chance to kick it with Magnif about his latest joint, and grinding in Detroit.

Q: What's good, Fam?

A: Whatupdoe




Q: First of all, As we know, you and Griot are cousins, when did you decide to come together as a group?


A: well me , Gee and my other cuz used to chill write rhymes and all that when we were mad young like on some elementary type shit, back in the day, it was just for fun . But I always stayed writing and eventually got into production as I grew older, Gee stayed writing and going to school, but we aint click on no rap shit since we were young, we was from the eastside and Gee moved to the west, so I aint see dude too often so when we did link up it was on some fam type shit, catching up. I stayed recording new material everyday, making beats,writing rhymes. I recorded like 2-3 songs a day on a four-track cassette recorder, started shopping material, getting attention from labels, managers, investors 'n all that. So I gotta a good label situation in place but I felt I wasn't ready for a solo mission so I reached out to Gee like let's take it back, and he was down.


Q: As you know it could be hard to get people here in Detroit to support Detroit artists. Do you feel like you had to grind harder here in than anywhere else?


A: Oh no doubt man, its hard out here. People wanna see you certified before they show love, they wanna know what label u signed to, who producing ya project before even giving you a real listen ... But I think its that way because the market is over saturated, you try to push ya cd to somebody but they aint tryna hear you cause they pushing they own cd, or they cousins or brothers or they niggas cd, so its like u gotta have something to put you above the pack, something that they baby mama sista's bestfriend brother aint got on they cd lol ... its fucked up but thats the reality of it



Q: Your style is reminiscent of the so-called “golden age” of hip hop (1988-1996). Who were some of your early influences, and at what age did you get into hip hop?



A: I was into hip-hop as far back as I could remember, my pops put me on . He used to bump everything from eastcoast to westcoast, the ol's school south shit, local shit like detroits most wanted, so I done heard it all from Rappin 4 Tay to Brand Nubian from C-Bo to Ill Al Stratch and everything in between.... but my main influences was from Nas & Mobb Deep, the rhyiming and production style was crazy and it was shit that I could relate to, real shit . Nas drops so many gems its ridiculous, I hate the criticsm he gets now days, the critics and internet heads really don't understand, he gives ghetto niggs hope, he makes music for the streets to relate to, uplifting poetic music

As far as production goes? DJ Premier is the reason I make beats




Q: My favorite track is "Heaters" which features Grand Puba. How did you hook that up?



A: Yea, Heaterz is my joint too. We linked up with GP through Babygrande, Brand Nubian was signed over there for a while, so that collab was a done deal , actually neither party reached out to one another, it was a suggestion from a label head at Babygrande, so we went ahead with it and Heaterz is the result



Q: Are there any videos planned from this mixtape?



A: Nah no videos planned for right now, unless theres a dope video director reading this whos down to shoot . holla at me


Q: Good lookin out on the interview, Before you dip, is there anything you want to say to the fans?



A: No doubt man, Stay looking out for new material from Magnif and the L.E.Crew, hopefully my retail release will be out before year ends (shits kinda hush hush right now) checkout www.LawlessElement.com hit me up, another mixtape dropping real soon lookout for that and download Lawless Gang Vol.1 shits ridic! Thanks


Lawless Gang vol.1

1.Game (Produced by WrighTrax) - Magnif
2.Heaterz - Magnif, JH , Grand Puba of Brand Nubian
3.Up N Downs - Nametag
4.Big Faces - Lawless Element
5.Gettin $$$ - Magnif, Torae
6.Stay Strong - Lawless Element
7.Let It Ride - NameTag
8.Episodes - Lawless Element
9.All Day - JH
10.Let Em Know (Bitche$) - Lawless Element
11.Lost Treasure - Cee Knowledge aka Doodlebug of Digable Planets, Kai Chi
12.2006 Freestyle Shit - Lawless Element
13.Crack Muzik - Lawless Element
14.1 For Jay Dee - J Dilla


Free Download (copy url and paste in browser)
http://www.zshare.net/download/13355193b6f01c82

Magnif
L.E. Music
www.LawlessElement.com

Music and photos ©2008 L.E. Music

"Lost Treasure" Featuring Cee Knowledge a.k.a. Doodlebug of the Grammy Award Winning group Digable Planets. Produced by Magnif

313 Classic: Poetic Menace

Throw ya hands up!





I've had the pleasure of knowing this brother since 1992 so maybe...no fuck that I AM biased. We grew up on the north end together. And if you know your musical history, Detroit's North End is the breeding ground for musical talent, as This is the same area that several motown legends such as the Temptations, the Four Tops and Smokey Robinson once called home.

NORTH END STAND UP, GOTDAMNIT!

The 31 third blog

Who am I? I am Mista Ecks, an upstart producer but most importantly a supporter of Detroit hip hop, and have been since 1989. Just like any other hip hop head born in the 70s, I grew up on the Rakims, the LL Cool J’s, the Dr. Dre’s, etc. but it was artists like Detroit’s Most Wanted, Esham, Kaos and Mystro, AWOL, Doc Chill, B Def and Smiley that made an impact on me, musically speaking. In the 90's I watched cats like Slum Village, Eminem and the late Proof make a name for themselves and become icons at the hip hop shop before the record deals, movies and car commercials and was a fan of the late J Dilla way before it was cool to be AFTER he died. I copped every DJ Assault, Drunken Master and DJ Butter mixtape waayyyy before mixtapes were the “in” thing. I faithfully listened to Billy T and B Love on WGPR and the late Phil Blak on WHPR spin the latest Detroit hip hop joints that other stations in Detroit wouldn’t touch. I still peruse the internet to find the latest joints from up and coming Detroit artists such as Bareda, One Be Lo. I’ve even had the honor to meet artists like P Gruv (from Da Inna C), and Miz Korona...the latter I’ve had the pleasure of working with on 2 different occasions. You may ask why? Well...first of all there’s the obvious: they piss out more talent than some of these mainstream cats will ever dream of having. But they also come off as down to earth instead of the unwarranted arrogance and braggadocio and as a consumer that means a lot. So for all of you Detroit hip hop fans, artists and supporters, this is for you.