On the 14th stop of his 25 city nationwide tour, Logic and his Visionary Music Group rolled into the Windy City for another sold out show at Reggie's Rock Club late last week. Hosting the evening was B96's very own Julian On The Radio who was able to catch up with Logic right before jumping on stage and give us this fun, yet informative interview for GWHH. Touching on interesting topics such as his alter-ego, "Young Sinatra", and his "Rattpack" and "Bobby Soxer" members, Logic also talked about some of his inspirations for his music as well as the meaning and substance behind his records. And if your a fan of Logic and listen to his music, than you'll know that what he says in this interview is right on point. But after some of the typical cliche questions, as expected for you new Logic fans, Julian and Logic chop it up about Logic's "Mac Miller" reference, and whereabouts for the famous Gumby suit. They also go in about Logic's job history and list of artist he wants to work with in the future. Just under 8 minutes of some "real" answers from Maryland's fast up and comer.
Now all these Q&A's are great, but I want you (the viewer) to see pass just that and take notice of the person that makes Logic Logic. Look at the way he carries himself and how humble he is in his answers. Notice how much he's smiling and how much fun he's having during this interview. Trust me, it's not a coincidence that he just so happens to have some of the most loyal fans in the industry. And all those characters I quickly mentioned are easily reflected and heard in his music. So if your not on the Logic fan bus just yet, I suggest you wise up and get on, because it's getting crowded fast. And you can bet your ass I'm riding shotgun. P.S. Dope shirt Logic!
Cam Be and I did a follow around with NBA Guard, C.J. Watson in his hometown of Las Vegas.
This exclusive documentary tells the story of Watson's journey to the NBA, while also highlighting his personal life such as family, friends and growing up in a church environment.
Watson is known as "Quiet Storm," but don't be fooled by the nickname. He has an amazing story and personality to match, making this documentary a must-see.
What a wonderful event thrown by Donovan McNabb! In order to support the care of diabetes, he and a bunch of celebrity atheletes came together and played softball. Sgt. Tibs and I got to catch a few words with Donovan McNabb, Larry Fitzgerald (All-Pro Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals), rapper Rhymefest, Willie Taylor (Day26 singer), Bobby Simmons (Los Angeles Clippers), Swin Cash (WNBA All-Star for the Chicago Sky) and Comedian Deon Cole. Now that's a home run! Enjoy this interview with a few of your favorite athletes and artists. Also, help support diabetes and Donovan McNabb's Fund at donovanmcnabb.com!
Earlier today, Maks G and I slid by L210 for the Kendrick Lamar listening party sponsored by Nike. I had a great time, ate mad snacks, and got an early sneak peek of K. Dot's new LP. Did I mention Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City is awesome? I would've taken a picture of my fellow Chi tastemakers who couldn't stop nodding their head, but Kendrick made us all put our phones on the table before he started the listening set. I didn't blame the brother. The album is filled with insightful bars and raw production with innate levels of turn up.
After the listening party ended, I got up with Kendrick Lamar once again to talk about life after Section 80, TDE, Lady Gaga, and Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City - his Interscope label debut.
He also mentioned "Dying of Thirst", produced by Skye Hutch is a record off the album people are going to check for. Considering his chemistry with Skye, I'm going to go ahead and co-sign that. October 2nd it's going to go up. Groove!
"So it was kind of a blessing the fact that 1st & 15th didn't work for me. I actually saw my death."
- Gemstones
In part two of my interview series with Gemstones, the artist formerly known as Gemini drops some real lines. No rap. Real rap. This piece is probably one of my favorites because the content is so honest and heavy. I enjoy the funny, entertaining conversations, but the fruitful dialogue I have with artists are probably my most fulfilling I have as a correspondent. As a writer, I equally appreciate the candid quotes and soundbites I encounter on a daily basis covering artists. This Gowhere exclusive with Demarco Castle sheds much light on his spiritual side and I think you'll enjoy. Testimony swag. Don't dumb it down. Get in tune with my new interview groove featuring Gemstones. Be on the lookout for Pt. 3: Elephant In The Room!
"I was actually lost. Before I found God, I was lost. I used to go home at night, I would be afraid to go to sleep. I actually thought I was going to die in my sleep. That's what the people didn't see... For a whole year, I didn't even come outside. I lost so much weight, I was sick. Then I got in my world, I found light, I found comfort, I found my wife, I found joy, I found peace... I found God, and I found peace in that, man."
- Gemstones
"You want to leave somethin' behind. And what I knew I didn't want to leave behind... I didn't want to leave behind records like 'Buss Down', I didn't want to leave behind records like 'Shoot 'Em Up In The Club'. I didn't want to be dead and gone and the only thing I would see left of me is a picture of me with a gallon of Hennessy in my hand. I want to be remembered as a stand up dude. Giving, loving, caring. I want to be remembered... I want to be remembered."
- Gemstones
TIBS UPDATE: Our new interview with Lupe is sticky atop the site. Scroll below for all of today's updates and be sure to watch above!
The other night, Wasulu Jaco, better known as Lupe Fiasco, truly lived up to the latter part of his stage name at Milwaukee's 45th annual Summerfest. Not a fiasco as in a catastraphe, but definitely the bomb. The entire 40K crowd showed tons of hospitality to the Chicago emcee as they chanted Lupe's lyrics word for word throughout the Summerfest kick-off show. Lupe returned the love by donning a crispy Brandon Jennings jersey for the Milwaukee summer masses. After the show, he spoke on Food & Liquor 2, taking constructive criticism in stride, and Chief Keef and Chicago hip hop.
"I'm sure I'll have a conversation with Fest soon in the next few days specifically about that. He's a good dude. He keeps it 100, he keep it real. You need that balance, you need somebody to come in and say what's really real--and not in a rap song. In a very intellectual way. In a very meaningful way, which I think that's what Rhymefest did. As far as his relationship with Keef and the city's relationship with Keef, at the end of the day its been done before, it ain't like we reinventing the wheel or it's always been nonviolent or it's always been violent. It is what it is. Hip-hop is made up of everything. The worst of the worst and the best of the best, we just gotta deal with it and live with it. That's what life is about."
We're proud to present yet another classy, thought-provoking, and striking new Camovement by Cam Be as Jeff Baraka got a chance to sit-down with hip hop legends De LaSoul at The Shrine not too far back for the venue's third year anniversary.
The interview is mixed in with some amazing, slowed-down visuals to distinguish that documentary style mood that Cam is known for. The 'Words & Sounds' from De La shown above? The combination of the live audio of their iconic hip hop hits with a discussion on how the group got started in high school and their insight on De La Soul's current relevance in hip hop today. I particularly like how they feel responsible for reminding this new generation - the 'Internet Age' (my phrase) - to keep learning. And to do that, they feel like they should compete, put music out, just not in a disposable fashion. Co-sign that idea. Shouts to Jeff Baraka for steering the conversation in this direction. Press play and take in some powerful 'Words & Sounds' from the living legends - Dave, Maseo, & Posdnous, De. La. Soul.
Last week, Kuda and I paid a visit to Educated Insanity downtown at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting and had an entertaining and thought-provoking conversation with hosts JR Bang (who also hosts a show on Windy City Underground) & Jay Washington about, well, Chicago hip hop as a whole.
It was exciting to bring listeners, and you guys checking this out now, our own perspective on: the state and future of the Chicago hip hop scene, some behind the scenes insight on what goes down in Gowhere Hip Hop, what tips we have for aspiring artists out there to get our attention, and what we look for in hip hop. We talk about the importance of networking and share some fun stories and experiences throughout the history of Gowhere Hip Hop. In fact, people ask me all the time how we got started and so I answer that early on in part 1 above. Plus, since Educated Insanity talks about all of the hip hop culture - be it news, entertainment, and sports - stay tuned all the way through part 2 to hear my (now busted) NBA Finals prediction, hah! So if you have the time today, or are just working at the computer and want a radio/podcast to help pass the time, press play above and hear our thoughts on Chicago hip hop! Special thanks again to JR & Jay for hosting and having us, we look forward to working with them again soon.
Ladies and gents... Gemstones is BACK! We are privileged to bring you the first of an exclusive three part series that brings us up to date with Gemstones - a never before seen reflection on his times with 1st & 15th, the transformation from Gemini to Gemstones, and what lies ahead.
In part one, GY312 starts the sit-down with a discussion on Gem's times with 1st & 15th. He asks what everyone wants to know. Why did 1st & 15th end? Do Lupe and him still talk? Will Lupe and Gem ever work together again? Gemstones gives it to us straight, and drops a lot of in-depth thoughts along the way. Read a sample below and get the answers to all those questions and more in the video above. Plus, stay tuned through the end to see how he deeply analyzes his time with FNF and how those words transition into Part Two: The Rebirth - coming soon! Enjoy!
Any possibilities on 1st & 15th getting back together:
"It's done. 1st & 15th is still a company, but what 1st & 15th was when we first started out? Naw, that's done."
On working with Lupe again:
"I hope we can work together. I pray man. I hope man, because me and Lupe man, our energy was insane together. If you listen to any record we did... 'We On'... had 'We On' came out? That record was so big. That back and forth what 'Ye & Jay is doin' now, listen man.... stop."
