"My mama don't like you and she likes everybody" ~Justin Beiber
These artists are closing out 2015 with new music. Both Jojo & Teedra Moses released two projects this year. #NICE Check out their new offerings as well as my favorite tracks from other new releases!
ARTIST- JoJo
ALBUM- #LOVEJO2
*Qamil Note: I LOVE this chick.*
ARTIST- BABYFACE
ALBUM- RETURN OF THE TENDER LOVER
FAV TRACK
"Exceptional"
ARTIST- MONICA
ALBUM- CODE RED
FAV TRACK
"Ocean of Tears"
*QAMIL NOTE: I'll be honest. It took me a while to find a song that I liked. I'm not in love with this album but I'm glad she's still in the game. "
ARTIST- ANGIE STONE
ALBUM- DREAM
FAV TRACK
"Begin Again" ft. Dave Hollister
*Qamil Note: DAVE! YESSSSSSSSSS* #OKBYE haha
ARTIST- JUSTIN BEIBER
ALBUM- PURPOSE
This album is DOPE. I went in thinking that I wasn't going to get into it. WRONG.
FAV TRACK
" Trust"
*Qamil Note: I had a hard time picking a favorite for the opposite reason as the Monica album. This one has so much to choose from......#NICE Oh and he has a song with Nas.*
The lights are low. The stage colors flash from blue to green to red to white. There is music...LIVE music. There is poetry. There is comedy. There is ART. ART comes ALIVE here. Art is a living breathing entity inside of these walls. Ten performers take turns sharing their gifts and giving their all. They came to express themselves and to possibly be the one to take home the crown as the #SOULDOPESUNDAY open mic champ for the month. There can only be one.
~Qamil
DECEMBER 2015 Location: Scarlet & Grey Cafe (Columbus, OH) Open Mic Winner: Ebri Yahlo Skill: Hip Hop Interviewed by: Tiffany Mariie alia "The Poemcee"
Q. Many people know you by Kayla Kay. Why the name change and what is it symbolic of? What does Ebri Yahloe mean? A. The back story behind Ebri Yahloe goes like this, I was about 14-16 and I'd get my hair done in twists and often all the shorites would come trynna touch it saying things like "owe yo hair is cute. Is you mixed?" *hood rat voice* The first thing that came to mind/out my mouth is "Yeah I'm Somalian" lol. So for years, I was saying that and a girl busted me out like "Michaela ain't no Somalian name". I had to think quick. Ebri Yahloe was the first thing that came to mind. It stems from a West African language called Fulani Ibou. Also, a young man friend of mine (e-boo), he was a prophet in the Koran and the word Diallo Is also a west African word. They don't really have "meanings" like American names do. I put them together mixed up the spelling. I search and searched the internet to make sure I wasn't stealing someone's name and to also make sure it wasn't something I've seen before that was just looming in my subconscious. I found nothing but the same pronunciations and different spellings. The coolest thing was that the manes I found with the same pronunciations described me to a T. It had no real meaning so I made it mean "In Gods long journey". It kinda felt like divine intervention be the ibou prophet was most def "in Gods long journey". I JUST learned about Ibou the prophet. tWhen I read this question I went and asked about his name. it also symbolizes growth. It's grown and sexy. Kayla Kay is "cute" lol Q. Where did your passion for music come from? A. My passion come from the music/writing itself. It's the only thing that keeps me sane. I don't do any drugs or drink so it's like music is the high. It's the "it" for me. It's my air. I can't stop breathing and it's the only thing that I can say "stayed". I use to like basketball but that was only to receive love/bond with my dad because that's what he likes. That didn't stay (the love and bonding) so I stopped. I've only been "in love" once and it was puppy love. That didn't stay. Friendships didn't stay. I've always hated school. I finished HS and got kicked out of college. That didn't stay. Music/writing never left.
Q. Who have been some of your musical influences? A. Ahhh yes!! I couldn't wait to get to this question. First and foremost, James Brown! Johnny Guitar Watson (the original gangster of love), Ja rule and Nelly had a BIG impact on my life. I have a lil car engine rumble in my voice... not really a hard core muscle car like Mr DMX... but MOST definately a lil sports car with some power or better yet a chevy (: I get on a smooth vibe often. I get that from early Nelly "Welcome to Nellyvile" *nelly voice* lol. A lil history about me, not a lot of people know about me is that Erykah Badu is my real mom and Big Boi is my real dad. So I be on some conscious pimp shit! and we all know mom had a baby with Uncle 3k ( We don't talk bout that much) so he helped raise me too. As far as new school, of course J.Cole, Chance the Rapper, Raury and Big Krit.
Q. How long have you been doing music? A. I've been kinda "doing" music my whole life. It's how I learned my ABC'S. My mom would beat box and I'd rap em. My step father is also a rapper. He use to take me with him to studio sessions. I can still remember the first time he let me spit something lol. As far as performing/ recording, I was in a rap group called Pure Gold. I was 13 in 8th grade. We were apart of the S.A.V.E awards (Strategies Against Violence Everywhere) at the southern theater in downtown Columbus, OH. It was sold out so it was well over 2k people there. We ended up taking home the award for most positive lyrics but that wasn't was the crowd not the fact that they were praising us but fact that some words I wrote had that much power to get that reaction. Later that night I caught a news clip of our performance. It was so rewarding. That was the night I fell in love and knew that I'd do this forever.
Q. In 2013 you won Best Female Artist at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards how was the overall experience and how has it effected you as an artist if at all? A. OHHA was a very interesting yet critical point in my life. I was working on my first album (The Declaration). I was 18, hungry, vulnerable, under tons of pressure and unhappy. Metaphorically speaking, I was being pimped in the name of "God" unknowing yet willingly. To sum it up, I was a slave. That's just to give you an idea of the uncomfortable space I was in mentally and physically at this time. Winning the award is most definitely a staple and was slight booster for my confidence. I say that because I was the new face in the local music industry as far as club / bar shows (adult shows). I had JUST gotten old enough to even be allowed to pass the door. Being new to that world I was up against a vet, the beautiful Ms. Diggy Dulche and there was a rumor that one of the other ladies was Yo Gotti's first lady. So I'm like damn man I've always been confident. I'm NY flow but I'm thinking SHIT Diggy got clout and she got MF Yo Gotti. It was also cool because I did the grass roots campaign all alone. My team didn't help me get votes. I actually didn't even know I was nominated. A good friend called me and told me I was nominated for two awards, best live performance and best female. That was a shock. At the award show the announcer guy said "and the award for best female goes to..." Diggy's team in the back GOING NUTS like "Diggyyyyyyy Diggyyyyy!!!" He said "Kayla Kay". I was happy but God must have already told me without me realizing because I had already written my acceptance speech. Q. One thing I’ve noticed that you mention often is the “free zone” tell me what that means to you? A. Zoooooone!!!! The Free Zone F/Z takes on a few meanings. It is a collective of solo artist also a band. Yes a music band but also a band (rubber band)...something that holds things together. The Free Zone is a place you enter as where it's not even YOU anymore. As a rapper, it's the place I go to when I'm free styling and everything I say is ON and I don't even know what I'm saying but every one who is still here on earth is loving it! It can even be sexual... just that place you go where you loose control but you're killin it lol. We don't go to that place. We ARE that place and most importantly to me, its a mind set! Anyone can be a part of the free zone. Freedom is in the mind now as is slavery. Free ya self. Know thy self! Q. Everybody has something that pushes them what is your driving force? A. My diving force is to do God's Work and take care of my family.
Q. You have a dynamic stage presence. Do you get nervous before a performance? Do you have any pre performance rituals? A. Thank you. Ok so this is super personal lol but I don't care, I'm free. If I get the bgss RIGHT RIGHT before it's time to perform it's going to be a great show. I have a prayer. I pray. I meditate and when I'm on stage I try to be as open as possible for the spirits and the higher power to work through me to touch whoever needs it at that time. It's like a type of meditation, a deep focus. So whatever I have to do to wake up the spirits, I do it. Jump. Twist. Shout. I have to snatch them up sometimes and call them out because they like to play but once I get em it's on. I just listen to the higher power within. Anything other then that makes me feel less then like I let God down. Q. When people see Ebri Yahloe perform or when they press play what do you want people to take away? A. I want people to feel God, hear God, See God.
Q. What do you feel like distinguishes you from other artist. A. What distinguishes me from others is that i KNOW I AINT SHIT!! I'm NOTHING. I'm nothing and everything at the same time...meaning yes I am made in Her image BUT I am not Her ... Or maybe I am Her. I hear/see a ton of artists say, "I'll lyrically kill you. My bars are this. My flow is that" others say, "I get bitches. I get money" some keep it real and say, "I'm broke ass hell". It's always i ... i ...i.... my ... me... I'm so turned off by it like STFU NIGGA. Say something else you lil bitch! TEACH US SOMETHING. TEACH THESE MF KIDS YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR MUSIC SOMETHING! It don't have to be like school. Make it "cool" but you don't cause you don't know shit cause you to busy writing raps bout you. We know, we get it, you're the best. You said that shit 30 times 30 Different ways. You're the best at being YOU. Duh most of us are the best at being ourselves. What's next? What else you got? If you DO actually have knowledge and you're not sharing it you're just as fucked up and the few MFs that govern this filthy ass nation. Knowledge is supposed to be passed on! People wanna hold, hoard and hide it like it ain't free and even if some sick men made u pay for it, why would you continue to pimp it dumb ass?! Don't get me wrong, I have songs about I too. We all do but not a whole library. If it maybe when i was 16 and even then I had other shit. I have a saying "When I die, don't sing the songs I wrote for me. Sing the sings I wrote for God." The last thing is idgaf about money, groupies, "things", any of it. Every day, I'm disconnecting more and more. I think when I finally start getting some serious income from music, I'm going to buy an island, get my family out of here, be homeless, give my money away to people who think they need it and just tour all around on different endeavors. Nothing will change because I'm homeless now. This earth is not my home. This body is the host for now until God needs her spirit back to lend out again. I'm not even a human. My understandings of life are different from most artist I meet. Q. Are there any artist you would like to work with in the city? A. YES!! Tiffany Mariie! :) I want more songs with Lav the evil MC. I'd like to do music with Hafrican, Lyrikal Goddess and the whole D4W. The list Goes on and on and on and on and on some more. Columbus is cool to me and we have so many great gifted people. If I keep going this paragraph is going to be longer the the other ones lol Q. What is your end game? Like the ultimate stamp of success for you?
A. I don't really have an end game. It never really ends for me. I would say I'm the most successful every time I can get a person to ask new questions to question things they've been taught to dry their brain from the "wash", to ask how and why instead of just taking what ever is given, as WHY the bible has the father the son and the holy spirit and no mom. Ask if homosexually is so wrong how come the bible seems to be written by woman haters suppressing gay feelings. Think about it European and arb are the only two who have completely vanished women or have them on the lowest leaving what? All men. Sounds a lil gay to me. Why not put woman the most high? She GIVES life. Without her it's over. Ask why in every one there's a certain cell that can only be passed by a Black woman traced back to ONE woman in Africa. I just want people to ask shit make people uncomfortable "growing pains" aint just some saying.
Catch Ebri Yahloe performing LIVE as our feature act at #SOULDOPESUNDAY on January 3rd. For more info on the show or how you can perform, like the event page on Facebook www.facebook.com/SoulDopeSunday
"I'm just a chip off the old tooth my daddy knocked out of my mama's mouth....."
Tripp Fontane is a Dayton, OH native blazing the poetry scene for the
past several years. He is heavily affiliated with Dayton's own and
growing poetry crew Metaphorically Speaking which caters not only to
the adult poetry lover, but also poetry performers and slammers of tomorrow.
Tripp's poetry along with the Metaphorically Speaking brand has
extended its arms throughout Ohio and is bulldozing its way through the Midwest.
Q&A
Q. What city are you from? Where do you live now?
A. I'm from and currently reside in the lovely Dayton, Ohio!
Q. How long have you been writing/performing poetry?
A. I've been writing poetry since I was like 10 I believe. I didn't start performing or writing seriously until 2009-2010.
Q. What made you start writing poetry? How old were you?
A. I started taking poetry seriously because no one
would listen to my music lol. At the time lyrics and messages still
didn't matter. I was about 19 when I decided to just do my songs with no
music and say I did poetry.
Q. What type or style of poetry do you write the best? Worst?
A. I love writing persona pieces. Fully taking on
the character in the poem makes it extremely fun to perform! I suck at
writing love poetry though lol. Well happy love poems anyway. I don't
really have enough experience in that field.
Q. Which poet(s) do you idolize or emulate?
A. Honestly, I try to learn from everyone I come
across! There's always room to get better so I'm constantly studying
those around me. Theon Lee is definitely one of my favorites though. My G
is NICE!
Q. Do you get stage fright?
A. I get stage fright every single time I perform lol. I
was taught that it was a good thing though. It means I still have
respect for the craft and the audience.
Q. Why do you think poetry isn't more main stream?
A. I could go on all day as to why poetry isn't
mainstream. Art, in general, just isn't as highly valued as it once was.
I also think English class gives the worst first impression to poetry
ever lmao.
Q. How would you fix this?
A. I don't think I would fix it. Not yet. Spoken Word
is still somewhat pure. The higher up you get in most industries the
less people care about the art. It's about a marketable product and a
paycheck. If Spoken Word is to be taken mainstream it should be by
people of the culture so there's a healthy understanding of how things
work.
Q. How long have you been rocking with Metaphorically Speaking?
A. I've pretty much been with MS since day one. I got
invited to judge the slam from the third show and I've been rocking with
them ever since. This is our 3rd year.
Q. As a poetry clique or group what would you like to do in
your community and where would you like to see yourself and the group
go?
A. We've kinda set the company up into three different
branches that way we can effectively expand on all fronts. As far as the
community goes I'd like to see us become a safe haven for the youth and
other artists. I'd like to also see the brand become a powerhouse in
the Midwest.
"When ya'll fucking he just pull out and leave residue on your belly, baby, maybe you should ab...stain."
Q. Have you ever used poetry for evil?
A. I don't think I have lol. I wouldn't exactly say I'm a good guy but I would never use my gift for actual evil.
Q. What is the best thing about poetry for you?
A. To me the best thing about poetry is discovering
that space for expression. Whatever you're going through, you can create
something special from it via poetry.
Q. What is the most difficult thing about poetry to you? What is the easiest?
A. The hardest thing about poetry? Hmmm... It takes me
FOREVER to finish and memorize my pieces sometimes lol. I have
unfinished poems from years ago.
I honestly haven't found anything easy about this whole being a poet thing lol.
Q. How do you keep your gift giving to others?
A. A few members from the team teach slam poetry and
creative writing workshops for children! It's pretty dope watching these
young writers come into their own as artists!
Q. Are you married?
A. Not at all lol. I'm very much single. I don't see myself getting married any time soon.
Q. Do you have kids?
A. Noooooooo! I would love to have a few little Fontanes running around but not until I'm ready.
Q. Any secret talents?
A..I'm a pretty decent music producer. That's not really a secret I just don't ever tell people lol.
Q. What turns you off?
A. One of my biggest turn offs is someone unwilling to learn new things. Voluntary ignorance if you will.
Q. What turns you on?
A. I'm turned on by a woman that can make me laugh as well as a woman I can learn from!
Q. Tell me something about yourself that would surprise people.
A. Ummm... I've never broken up with any of my exes. I'm always the one that gets dumped.
Q. Have you ever considered quitting?
A. I've considered quitting poetry quite a few times
lol. Only reason I'm still at it is because I know the impact the
movement can and will have is way bigger than my own plans.
Q. What advice do you have for aspiring writers and poets?
A. I urge every writer and poet to study the craft as
much as possible. Find any possible open mics and practice! And network
your tail off! Always follow through! If you say you're gonna call
another poet or hit an open mic then do it!
Q. What's next for you? Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years?
A. I'm currently working on my next musical project
which I plan on having finished come February! I'm also working on a
book about my experiences with love. I'm taking my time on that though
lol. I'm also going to be getting involved in the slam poetry scene as
well!
Looking for something to do in Columbus? Specifically things involving music and entertainment? Allow me to be your guide:)
TUESDAY
EVENT: Soul Tape Tuesday
Where: Avalon Dance Club | 205 N. 5th St
Time: 8pm
If you enjoy a laid back vibe, $1 tacos, $3 shots of tequila and live vocals provided by a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice...THIS is where you want to be on Tuesday night.
WEDNESDAY
EVENT: Hashtag Comedy
Where: The Shadowbox Theatre-Backstage Bistro | 503 S. Front St. Suite 260
Time: 7:30pm
There is laughter EVERY week. Hashtag Comedy bring the laughter with great improv and the music with special guest. The food is great. The drinks are great. Enough said.
EVENT: WordPlay Wednesday
Where: Glow Lounge| 1034 Shady Lane
Time: 10pm
BRING YOUR TALENT TO THE STAGE FOR THE VERY FIRST INSTALLMENT OF
WORDPLAY WEDNESDAYS!!!! Hosted by one of Columbus's most eloquent MCs,
Dana Scopes Mobley and of course a party ain't a party without the DJ so
we are pleased to of Columbus's favorite Brooklyn import DJ King
Seven!!! Brought to you by Underground Elite, WordPlay Wednesdays is
destined to be THE networking and performance hub for the city's
"LYRICALLY INCLINED". Soooooo, bring your bars, your melodies, your
spoken word, and your desire to have a good time to THIS EVENT!!!
EVENT: The Break
Where: Rehab Tavern| 456 W Town St
Time: 9pm
Weekly hip-hop night that brings you all 4 elements of hip-hop OPEN MIC FREESTYLE CYPHERS for the rhymers -musicians will be playing during the cyphers OPEN BBOY CYPHERS for the breakers + dancers LIVE ART for the writers + other artists
***FREE ENTRY ALL NIGHT***
Drink Specials Pops Hot Wings will be setting up early
THURSDAY
EVENT: The Ness
Where: Lincoln Cafe| 740 E Long St.
Time: 8pm
This long running weekly open mic is a GREAT home for poets. You can also catch some music there. Kitchen and bar are open. Music by DJ Dommy Styles of Power 107.5
What happens when you mix poetry and a party? Find out Thursday night.
FRIDAY
EVENT: FHSP w/ Special Guests
Where: Alrosa Villa | 5055 Sinclair Rd
Time: 6pm
Cover- $7
EVENT: What's Playing? Volume I
Where: Kafe Kerouac | 2250 N High St.
Time: 8pm Cover- $5
Tired of the radio? Looking to get some new sounds in
your life? Curator/artist Scott Woods launches a new musical series in
which notable artists are handpicked from various genres and fields to
DJ sets of unheard/rarely heard music. It’s laid back, intimate and
mind-opening art for the open-minded, ranging from jazz to electronic to
rap to who knows! Come take a refreshing musical connoisseur's trip
through music.
EVERY SATURDAY. Get your dance on as the live band and dj join forces to give you a one of a kind musical experience. The food is delicious and the energy is awesome.
SUNDAY
EVENT: Soul Dope Sunday
Where: Scarlet & Grey Cafel | 2203 N High St.
Time:5-9pm
Cover- $7
Welcome to the DOPEST open mic in town!
GOT TALENT? PROVE IT!
Soul Dope Sunday was created for the Indie artist. It is held
the first Sunday of every month at Scarlet & Grey Cafe 2203 N. High
St. in Columbus. Open mic sign ups for 5-6:15 pm. Each artist gets a 5
min slot. We have a panel of judges that determine the winner of open
mic. The winner will receives a paid feature at a future show. The stage is open to ALL genres of music, poetry, dance,
comedy etc. Whatever you talent is come on out!
Open kitchen. Full bar.
There you go. Check in weekly for more event updates. If you are hosting an event email me and I will add it. 1SoulDope@gmail.com
