Tion "Bukue One"...

I'm very exited about introducing the world to the multi-talented Tion Aka Bukue One. Born in Berkeley raised in Oakland, he's been in the game for a while, doing all that he does best, from Skateboarding, Graffiti, Tour Management, Teaching and Rapping. Here's the full interview with him. Check it out!

Ms.KillemWClass : How do you differ from other artist today?

Tion Bukue : I do more behind the scenes than I do in front. Being an artist is not even half of the work I do. Being a Tour Manager, Booking Agent, Event Coordinator and Teacher are my main forms of art. Thoes are the platforms my music and visual art fly from.

Ms.KillemWClass : What kinda music do you do? And what is your music mainly about?

Tion Bukue : I do Optimistic, Fun Loving, Positive vibed hip hop, influenced by soul, 80's freestyle music and Reggae. My music is mainly about life through the perspective of a pop culture loving, politically aware, skateboarding, strike bowling, graffiti writing lyricist.

Ms.KillemWClass : How is it that you came up with the name "Bukue One", and why?

Tion Bukue: A friend of mine had suggested I write this as my graffiti name. It didn't make sense to me and I had no idea what that word meant. After he brought that word into my mind I started hearing it all over. "Man that guy had Bukue bucks" etc., meaning " A lot, A large amount." One day I asked my uncle about it and he said it was the slang in the 70's for “a large amount, kinda like how we use "Hella", it's derived from the word " Beaucoup" Which is French for "a Lot." Since I was into a lot of different things, it fi,t so I became " Bukue One" like " Man Of Many."

Ms.KillemWClass : How did you get into Graffiti?

Tion Bukue : I was into the music and the dance relating to hip hop. I was never a natural artist, but my friend encouraged me to start writing and I was hooked..

Ms.KillemWClass : Who inspires you most in music?

Tion Bukue : A mix of Sade, Teena Marie, Barrington Levy, Tribe Called Quest, Russell Simmons, Malcolm Gladwell and Beyond.

Ms.KillemWClass : How would you define hip hop is today?

Tion Bukue : Hip hop is the foundation of many, many pop culture trends. It's where the world looks to find sounds, phrases, images of what's cool. But For me it's still Emceeing, Graffiti, and Break dancing. It's a culture, a medium...A vehicle we use to express ourselves, educate and reprot on the mindset of the people.

Ms.KillemWClass : What kinda person do you think people view you as?

Tion Bukue : A silly dude ( A funnyman). I keep the mood light for the most part, but it's all underlined by depth, serious business, conscious decisions and purpose.

To get your fix of Mr. Tion Bukue One, go to Bukue.Bandcamp.com, where his music is available free. Plus check him out at myspace.com/mrbukueone. In the words of Bukue One, “Enjoy your life and the growth!”

B.E.M.E...

At age 23 B.E.M.E., Aka B, has made it a long way from mere dreams of being a Comic Book Artist and Firefigher to actually working at a Youth Radio and beginning his rap career. He was born in the town of Gary Indiana, where the great Michael Jackson was from, then moving when he was 7, to Oakland California.

Just by chance, an outreach program came to his high school to talk about having opportunities for working for an internet based youth radio. When B heard that, he didn't turn the offer down and Youth radio has made him what he is today. But there was still a part of B that wanted more. Growing up and listening to those who inspired him most, from Fugee's, Pharside, Tribe Called Quest, Nirvana and The Romeo And Juliet soundtrack changed everything. He knew he wanted to be a part of music. His music now ranges from Trip Hop, Hip hop and rock. In the interview with him I asked him what he raps about. He replied that if he could put himself into a catogory it would be like 'non fiction raps'.

He talks about everyday life situations and all truth and nothing but the truth. B is very inspired and extremely driven, working 3 to 4 times a week in the studio and being there most of the night. There's not a day that goes by that B doesn't pick up a pen to write, sometimes finding himself having to sneak it in.

His recent mixtape, B.E.M.E. Mixtape, is out with very good initial feedback and his Album 'Words', will be out either Christmas or New Years day.

I recommend that everyone check him out. He's truly a great rapper and I see a bright future for him. Here are some links to see what he's all about.

http://www.myspace.com/bemerules

http://bemerules.blogspot.com/

Loso's Way...

I'm Blogging about the highly anticipated "Loso's Way". Well, at least I'm highly anticipating it. Haha... I've read that this record will have a similar vision to Jay-Z's American Gangster, as the record is supposed to be based on a film concept. Fabolous has said that it will be based on the 1993 film, Carlito's Way. In an interview with MTV, Fab said he's not planning on many people being on the record. The record was originally thought to be named Working Hard, Playing Harder. Confirmed artist include Jay-Z, Marsha Ambrosious, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, The-Dream, Jeremih, Ryan Leslie & Keri Hilson. This will be Fab's fifth studio record and is to be released on June 30, 2009, so they say. Here's a track listing that was confirmed by Rap-Up.

# Title / Producer

1. "The Way (Intro)" / StreetRunner

2. "Imma Do It" / DJ Khalil

3. "It's My Time" (featuring Jeremih) / The Runners

4. "Please Don't Go" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) / Syience

5. "Lullaby" / The Alchemist

6. "When the Money Goes" (featuring Jay-Z) / Jermaine Dupri

7. "Throw It In the Bag" (featuring The-Dream) / Christopher "Tricky" Stewart

8. "General" (featuring Lil Wayne) / Miguel

9. "Pachanga" / Sid V

10. "Last Time" (featuring Trey Songz) / Jermaine Dupri

11. "I'm Back" / J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

12. "All My Ladies" (featuring Keri Hilson) / Ryan Leslie

13. "Fabolous Life" (featuring Ryan Leslie) / Ryan Leslie

14. "Let's Make Love" (featuring Ne-Yo) / Jermaine Dupri

Riccone, More Then Just A Brand...

Riccone brand is the Italian word for wealth "RICH". Thats exactly where Greg, the CEO of the brand wanted to be. He started designing back in highschool. After highschool, he created the brand name RICCONE. He started to design shirts just for friends, but then decided to trademark and copyright the name along with a couple of other slogans. Then, all of sudden he had his own brand of clothing. Now, 5 years later, Greg is opening his first website. That is how Riccone clothing became what it is today. Here's a link to the web and myspace site for everyone to check out.

Ricconebrand.net

http://www.myspace.com/ricconebrand

Drizzy DRAKE...

Okay sooo I had to do a Blog about Mr. Drake, one of my favorite triple threats out there... I think he's pretty amazing. And for the people that don't know about him, I'm gonna insert a little bio... But check out his So Far Gone mixtape and start falling in love... Hahahaha

Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian actor, rapper and singer. He is best known for playing Jimmy Brooks, the physically disabled character on Degrassi: The Next Generation. As a rapper, he performs under the mononym Drake, and is often billed as the new version of The Fresh Prince. After rumours of signing with Young Money Entertainment, it was later confirmed that Drake is only affiliated with the label, and he is currently signed to Cash Money and Universal Motown Records. He is managed by Hip Hop Since 1978.



Mixtapes

* 2006: Room for Improvement (6,000 copies sold)
* 2007: Comeback Season
* 2008: Heartbreak Drake
* 2009: So Far Gone

Melanie Fiona

I just wanted to make a quick Blog about the soulful sounding Melanie Fiona... She's very talented and everyone should check her out... And here's her new single and video "Give It To Me Right".

Melanie Fiona is a Canadian singer/songwriter from Toronto, Canada. Melanie was born to Guyanese Immigrant parents and grew-up in the inner city of Toronto. Living in a music filled household, Melanie Fiona says she always knew music was her passion. Melanie's father was a guitarist in a band and would allow her to sit on the stage when she was younger as he practiced and remembers her mother playing music at home; everything from The Ronettes to Whitney Houston.

Melanie Fiona's debut album The Bridge has been announced for release in the Spring of 2009. The debut single "Give It To Me Right" was released to radio stations on February 28th, 2009 and has peaked at #39 on Billboard's Canadian Hot 100. Melanie has worked with Future Cut, Vada Nobles, J. Phoenix, Peter Wade and Salaam Remi for her freshman album. Melanie Fiona was featured on 2008's Reggae Gold 2008 with Supa Dups' "Somebody Come Get Me".

Melanie opened for Kanye West during his European Tour in 2008, notable since she still hasn't released an album

Genar De Sio Coppola...

Venezuelan, Genar De Sio Coppola, has some amazingly beautiful and colorful illustrations, unfortunately very few are showcased… But all I know is that Genar De Sio Coppola is very talented... Love it...

Fashion Is Sweeet...

I am loving these lollipops. They are created by Massimo Gammacurta in a rainbow of flavors from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent. Pretty kool, Huh...?

Mr. New Jersey Himself...

http://www.youtube.com/joebuddentv

I want to say a few words about the great Joe Budden because I think he doesn't get as much love as he deserves. When his most recent album. Padded Room came out, I was very surprised at how genius it was. I recommend that everyone check it out. I also wanna say how addicting his YouTube videos are... Joe and Tahiry are a perfect couple. Mr. Budden has a good head on his shoulders... P.S. check out the link to his Joe Budden TV... Smart Guy!

Faith 21...

http://www.forever21.com/category.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=faith_main&Page=1

My friend Danyelle H Baby gave me some very kool news the other day... Forever 21 started a plus size line called Faith 21... I thought that was pretty dope being that the average American woman is a size 14, with many who rarely find cute and inspiring clothes, especially when the majority of designers don't often produce beyond a size 10. Also, another good thing about the line is that they're gonna be sold at low prices just like regular Forever 21 items... Well, just thought I would share some kool news. Here's the link if anyone wants to check it out...

Debating...

I came across Tyga's new song, Cali Love and I really really like it. But the thing is that I never thought he was a good rapper. He seemed so mainstream to me and kinda pop... Hmmm... But once I heard his new track I was pretty surprised. But I'm not gonna give him 100% credit because I don't know who made the beat. But all together its a pretty good song... Check it out. Let me know what you think... P.S. Whoever directed the video did a dope job...

First Of Many...

HEYYY to everyone who is reading my first Blog... I know it's not much yet, but it will come along. I always have stuff to say and show... By the way, for the peeps that don't know I'm Paige. Well I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. But I hope everyone enjoys, and thanks for stopping by...