Album

Kanye West is roaring back into the spotlight with a series of much-publicized, surprise visits to technology and media companies from Facebook and Twitter to XXL magazine. At Friday’s (July 30) visit to Rolling Stone’s headquarters, the lyricist broke down the inspiration behind his forthcoming effort.

“Everyone says all great art comes from pain but I think my greatest art comes from excitement and joy. It’s a completely different perspective about being extremely excited about stuff that is only cool to me,” West enthused in a The Louis Vuitton Don also discussed some of the things that get him amped. “Like, when I tweeted, ‘What’s your credenza game?’ I was very excited about that credenza,” West smiled.

Although the outspoken star entered the game as a rapper, West has toyed with the boundaries of hip-hop in his recent music, most notably with his vocally-driven, Auto-Tuned, 2008 effort, 808’s and Heartbreak. The lyricist revealed during his Stone visit that he sought to widen the scope of his work beyond hip-hop.

“It was important to not be limited by the art form of rap but to have rap bring it to another level,” West said. “Is it rap or is it poetry? Is it spoken word? Is it [a] speech?”

West also spit some of his favorite bars from his untitled fifth studio album which juxtaposes a range of contradictions.

“You’re heaven, you’re my angel/You’re my heaven, you’re my hell/You’re my now, you’re my forever/You’re my freedom, you’re my jail/You’re my lies, you’re my truth/You’re my war, you’re my truce/You’re my questions, you’re my proof/You’re my stress and you’re my masseuse,” ‘Ye rhymed.

West reflected on his role as an artist and said he feels an obligation to open the eyes of his fans.

“There’s people throughout history that their responsibility is to be conveyors of truth onto [the] next generations,” West said. “I feel like I’m that type of person that has to carry on the truth and tell the story not history.”

In addition to looking out for the next generation, West lamented his perceived lack of swagger in the game and called for artists to reach for the “greatness of rock ‘n roll.”

“They’re all scared. All the people that could be real rock stars just get scared,” West said. “It takes so much for a me or an Eminem to come back and embrace and say, ‘You know what? We have to deliver this on a major level to make a difference.’”

West’s album is expected to be released in September.

SHM: Ok so lets get in to this interview. Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

Terminal City: Terminal City Inc., we represent multiple regions in the tri-state area including Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey and Connecticut.

SHM: So were live with Terminal City right now. If ya’ll didn’t know now you know. Tell us how long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

Terminal City: We have all been playing for many years. The Terminal City Inc project has slowly developed since 2008. Many things have inspired us and led us into music… but the biggest factor has been listening to other music.. hearing others rock and wanting to do the same.

SHM: I hear that sometimes you can write crazy good music going off of someone else’s energy. Now how would you describe your style and why?

Terminal City: Fusion of Underground Hip Hop, Rock, Alternative and Blues. We love the grooves associated with Alternative and Blues music and the lyrical intensity of Hip Hop, and thought they would make excellent bedfellows.

SHM: Ok well I am defiantly feeling the music so the fusion of the genres is working out for ya’ll. But do you write your own music? If so. What are your inspirations?

Terminal City: Yes, musically we are inspired by iconic groups like Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Radiohead as well as underground funk, and electronica. Hip-Hop inspiration comes from groups like Outkast, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, and emcees like Mos Def and Common. Just-One writes our lyrics and his inspiration comes from every day life, existential notions and internal struggles and successes, not to mention every book Kurt Vonnegut has written.

SHM: Can’t go wrong with all of those great artist tell ya that much. On that note who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

Terminal City: We are interested in collaborating with anyone that can add color and life to our music. We are so well represented by many genres and ethnicities… the more the merrier. We are very interested in creating room in our music for guests to add instrumentation and lyrics.

SHM: Good answer you gotta make sure that the artist you callab with can add that extra shine to the track. So Where do you see yourself a year from now?

Terminal City: Continuing to build on our momentum and capturing listeners. Our EP will be out and we expect a good response. We will be continuing to play live in and around New York City to promote the EP and we will be beginning work on the follow up to the “Welcome to Terminal City EP.”

SHM: Got to keep the momentum moving never slow down the moment you do everything falls apart. But what makes you stand out from other artist? What do you have to say to that listener that’s saying man this guys sound like every artist coming out of the Tri State Area.

Terminal City: We feel that our sound is something that has never been heard before. People will remember the name Terminal City, and associate it with great lyrics and strong musicianship. We feel that there is a certain edge to our music that will entice listeners.

SHM: Ok ok… So what are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

Terminal City: We are working on our first EP “Welcome to Terminal City” that will include many of the songs we are performing live. We are also working hard on the quality of our live performances and trying to think of new ways to capture more and more listeners.

SHM: I hear that got be unique with everything you do. Got to do it different then the next artist. But let the people know how can Industry Professionals and Fans get in contact with you in the future? (Myspace, Email, Number etc.)?

Terminal City: You can reach us through our website at www.terminalcityinc.com where you’ll be able to find links to our Facebook and Myspace pages, as well as our e-mail address.

SHM: Ok well our time is up. It was great meeting you guys and everyone at SimplyHitMakers hopes to hear from you in the future. To hear Terminal City new single “Dreams” CLICK HERE. Till next time…

Of The Day Check Out The Interview Below

SHM: Ok so today we have a treat for all of you. She is one of the nicest musicians on the come up. Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

Julissa: My name is Julissa Veloz and I represent the NJ and Fl area (I live in both)

SHM: Nice so you have a northern and southern swag going on very cool. So let me ask you how long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

Julissa: I have been singing since I was 5 but didn’t begin to take professional lessons until I was 10 yrs old. From 10-15 I was a classically trained opera singer and from 15 on I moved on to more modern music like jazz/r&b/pop. I got into music because I didn’t really want to do anything else nor did I have anything else to do. My family and I lived in Irvington, NJ, which is kind of like the evil stepson of Newark, NJ, which is infamous for its high crime rate. I couldn’t really go outside much so I had to entertain myself indoors and low and behold I could actually carry a tune from a young age. It then progressed from a discovery of talent to a pursuit of streamlining my talent and admiration for music and singing.

SHM: Ok so you had an idea what you wanted to do at a young age. Now how would you describe your style and why?

Julissa: Well, I don’t have a sole determinant of my “style” if not, my style is a cluster of many different things I like. I don’t usually care who wore what or who sings what or what type of song is in “style” I just do what I like to do and if it so happens that people like it as much as I do then awesome! I try to write songs that people can relate to, but being in the dance/pop genres of music many times limits artists and their song content. I don’t particularly believe in that, I feel like there are a plethora of subjects and life events that can be portrayed through music and I want to go that route rather than following the herd.

SHM: Nice I like this girl she real and seem like she about her music. But I defiantly feel what your saying I don’t believe any artist should be held down in a genre do what feels rite. So after answering that question the way you did you know I have to ask you. Do you write your own music? If so. What are your inspirations?

Julissa: I do write my own music. Of all the songs I have recorded I have written all but one which I co-wrote since I had a serious case of writer’s block. My inspirations for my music are really really freakin random! For example, I wrote a song based off of the parts of a laundry machine, now if that isn’t random, I don’t know what is! All in all, I usually get music from a producer or DJ and I sit, close my eyes, and just let myself go and whatever happens, happens.

SHM: Hahaha. Laundry machine parts that’s funny and yes very random. But if that what gets you to write your hits then you can’t knock the method. Ok now when you take your career to the next level, because I see nothing but good things happening in your future .Who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

Julissa: Well, my favorite musical obsession at the moment (the past 3 years) is the band Muse. If I died tomorrow and had the chance to work with them today I would die a happy musician. I believe they are musical geniuses who don’t comprehend the words “limits” or “bounds” and I idolize them for that reason, aside from the fact that there music is an eargasm every time I listen to it.

SHM: Muse is an awesome band I had the opportunity to see them live and their great performers. Ok so you said you have been doing music for years now and from the looks of it nothing but great things been happening for you. Where does Julissa the artist see herself a year from now?

Julissa: A year from now I hope to still be creating music I want to create without the influence of musical politics, in essence, I want to be doing the same thing I’m doing now and be able to live off of it comfortably. I don’t need millions and millions, I just want to make a career doing what I love and be able to eventually support a family off of it, that is all. If anything, the love of money can cloud artistic creation so…screw that! I rather make good music and live paycheck to paycheck than make mediocre music as a representation of myself.

SHM: I understand were you coming from … You just want to be doing what you love doing and be able to live off of it. Respectable. But tell us what makes you different from the next artist doing what your doing?

Julissa: Ummm….. good question, lol. I hate comparing myself to other people because everyone has their own niche they are talented in. If I HAVE to then I would say…….my hair is freakin awesome!lol. Ok seriously, from day one in dealing with music politics I have said that I want to be part of every decision made and I want to have creative control over my music. If a record company wants to work with me then they need to understand they will be working with me, not my agent, not my manager, me and though I have lost opportunities because of it, I still haven’t sold my soul/music to the music devil. I think that backbone sets me apart because the music my fans are getting come from me, not from 1790809823423049 other people’s opinions, decisions, or judgment calls.

SHM: Are ya’ll reading this you artist need to take notes rite now. We need more new artist like this in the game…. Ones that not selling out to the music devil… So on that note what are some of the challenges you encountered through out your career? How did you overcome them?

Julissa: Lol, going back to the previous question it’s definitely been saying no to a lot of things because others want to dictate where I should take my music. I have lost opportunities and pissed off some people because since I look cute and bubbly with my curly sue-like hair I should be singing poppy, omg lets go dance and look at rainbows kind of music, but thats not me AT ALL. I in fact recorded a song like that for shits and giggles (that was actually the title of the song) and I couldn’t even bring myself to take it seriously as a release or even a bonus track for my album.

SHM: Ok so let everyone know what are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

Julissa: Right now I’m working on the release of my second single called “Predator” which is a familiar story of a man chasing a woman with a dark twist (duh I can’t make it typical). I will be shooting the video during the summer and it will tentatively be released towards the end of August. I feel like this song embodies the fun yet dark theme I would like the rest of my album to be like.

SHM: Nice it sounds interesting make sure you let us know when it drops because I am looking forward to seeing how creative you get with the video. On that note tell us how can Industry Professionals and Fans can get in contact with you in the future? (Myspace, Email, Number etc.)

Julissa: WELL, you can contact me personally through my Myspace @ myspace.com/julissavelozmusic, Facebook and Twitter.

SHM: Ok so unfortunately we have to rap it up today. It was great talking to you Julissa and hopefully we will hear from you in the future. But before you go do you have any shout outs?

Julissa: Hmm….never done a shout out….SHOUT OUT TO MY FANS CUZ THEY ARE FREAKIN AWESOME and they bring me candy and stuff…its cool

SHM: Haha I think you did a nice job on your shout out for your first time. But we are out of time. Thanks for tuning into SimplyHitMakers.com everyone and thank you Julissa for taking time out your busy schedule to talk to us. You can check out Julissa new song “Take Control” by clicking HERE. Have a good one ya’ll.

(This guys moves is crazy)

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Assistant!

Just hours after photos surfaced of The-Dream and his “assistant” getting touchy-feely on a Caribbean shore, his wife Christina Milian took to her Twitter account to react. Her statement was rather calm, but it still got her point across.

Dream is slipping!!!!…. Christina is Beautiful women…Keep ya head up girl trust me there is plenty of men out there who would love to treat you right.