TP: What is your stage name? How did you get it?

Artist:  Abwon (pronounced Ab One). You rearrange the letters in my first name, and there you have it. I won’t tell you what my first name is though.

TP: What made you get into music? And who/what were some of your inspirations?

Artist:  I’ve been into music since a very young age. Nas, Jay-Z, Canibus, Wu-Tang, Tupac, Biggie, NWA are some influences. I listen to everything, not just rap though. That’s really what made me want to get into music, because I can contribute to so many different genres.

TP: So what you think about this industry so far?

Artist:  I can only give you the perspective of someone on the outside since I’m unsigned. I’ll tell you this: too much garbage, simple as that.

TP: If you could what are some of the things you would change about the music industry?

Artist: The nonsense unsigned artists have to go through to get noticed. If I don’t have $15k to pay for promotion, I get labeled as an artist that “doesn’t want it enough”. If I had that type of money lying around, I wouldn’t be coming to you for some type of help now would I?

TP: Honestly how do you feel DJs are being treated? How you think they should be treated?

Artist: I actually did a “DJ” gig at a bar for NYE two years ago and all I did was bring a flash drive with thousands of songs on it and put it in a playlist. I’m in no way a DJ, so I can only imagine the struggle that DJ’s that are  serious about their craft have to go through when people can just to do things like that.

TP: Who are some of the people you would like to work with whether mainstream or independent (i.e. DJs, Producers, Artist, etc)?

Artist: Anybody who’s willing to work with me honestly. For the sake of naming names though, I’ll give you a list. DJ’s are Drama, Whoo Kid, Kay Slay, and Green Lantern. Producers are The Neptunes, Dr.Dre, No ID, Swizz Beatz, Lex Luger, and Drumma Boy. Artists are too many to name but the top have to be Akon, Will.I.Am, David Guetta, Eminem, TI, Rick Ross, and Three 6 Mafia.

TP: What is something unique about you or your music profession that others wouldn’t know by reading this or listening to your music?

Artist: I can beatbox, pretty good at that too. I can also draw; I’ve drawn all of my tattoos.  Plus, I see music in colors, but that’s a conversation for another day.

TP: where do you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

Artist:  Established. I may not win a Grammy, or sell millions of records, but just being on the radio will be more than enough for me to say “I Told You So”.

TP: What are some of the projects you working on?

Artist: Right now I’m working on my mixtape, “The Garden State Project”. I’m taking my time with it because I don’t want to be that rapper that puts out 30 mixtapes that only gets 50 views each. I want to develop my buzz and THEN release the mixtape, so networking and promotion are really what I’m focusing on right now.

TP: Do you have any advice you want to give Artist just starting out?

Artist: Yes definitely, a lot actually. Stop spamming people with your links and learn to approach people and develop some type of business relationship. Be humble, and stop telling lies that you’re “the hottest in these streets” when the only fan you have is yourself. Learn to accept criticism, not everybody’s a hater. Last but not least, invest in yourself. If you can spend $200 on a pair of sneakers, then why it is such a problem to pay $100 for anything that will help advance your career?

TP: Where can the Reader read more about you and hear your music?

Artist: www.hotnewhiphop.com/abwon, and twitter.com/abwon

TP: Do you have any shout outs?

Tawag Promotions,  NezzoBeatz, Dj Tati, S.Jones, Riccardi, Rain Jones, HipHopTv, Christopherr, and WeAreRap.com.

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TP: What is your stage name? How did you get it?

Artist: its maine montana and how i got it is my real name is jermaine&the montana comes from my favorite movie scarface

TP: What made you get into music? And who/what were some of your inspirations?

Artist if the week: well i loved music since i was a child i fell in love with hip hop when i herd nwa and some of my inspirations was 2pac and nas

TP: So what you think about this industry so far?

Artist: Its tricky its like one minute it can go left the next it can go right

TP: If you could what are some of the things you would change about the music industry?

Artist: The way that they are doing these 360 deals and the way that everybody sounding the same

TP: Honestly how do you feel DJs are being treated? How you think they should be treated?

Artist: They should be treated well cause there the ones who break the records

TP: Who are some of the people you would like to work with whether mainstream or independent (i.e. DJs, Producers, Artist, etc)?

Artist: I would like to work with jay-z ti, lil wayne, lloyd, young jeezy

TP: What is something unique about you or your music profession that others wouldn’t know by reading this or listening to your music?

Artist: That its my story

TP: Where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

Artist: On top of the rap game, doing TV and films

TP: What are some of the projects you working on?

Artist: I’m working on my album its called city of god be on the look out for that

TP: Do you have any advice you want to give Artist just starting out?

Artist: Stay focus and never give up

TP: Where can the Reader read more about you and hear your music?

Artist: Datpiff.com or www.thisismainemontana.com or www.tawagenterprises.net

TP: Do you have any shout outs?

Artist: Shout out the Money Bag Gang the whole New Money staff shout out to DJ Junior and Kris Stylez Tawag and the whole Michigan

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TP: What is your stage name? How did you get it?

Artist: Kage Eheh, Kage was just a nickname I had as a kid, Eheh was just something I said on my songs as a kid because I thought it sounded funny, It’s something Jamaicans say. I heard it alot so I just started saying it in my songs. When my music started picking up someone approached me and claimed they had the name “Kage” copywritten so I added the Eheh to my name to kind of seperate me from the Pack and it’s working! haha

TP: What made you get into music? And who/what were some of your inspirations?

Artist if the week: Nothing really made me get into music, I’m not going to tell you some bullshit story like I heard a song in the park and that’s the day I knew. Nah, I just always been involved in music one way or another, playing drums or guitar, I’ve played alot of different instruments growing up. I used to think to myself rapping is easy anyone can rap, I used to just battle as a kid back then never wrote anything. I used to play guitar in bands haha! Rapping is the last thing I started to do.
My inspirations growing up were Tupac, Bob and Damien Marley, Nas, Jay-Z, Lupe, Kanye.

TP: So what you think about this industry so far?

Artist: It’s really shady. People don’t do what they say or say what they mean. When you think about it everyone in it makes a living off of using other people, and when they can’t use you anymore they get rid of you. You just have to remind yourself what you’re doing it for. At least now it’s coming around to more of an independent market and artist can bring their music to the world themselves.

TP: If you could what are some of the things you would change about the music industry?

Artist: The industry as a whole, I would stop the labels and A&R’s from trying to change artists. When they only release artists who “fit in” its ruining music because now you have everyone sounding the same no one sounds different and the artists careers get shorter and shorter because it’s so easy to replace them.

TP: Honestly how do you feel DJs are being treated? How you think they should be treated?

Artist: I mean they seem to be doing ok, I think a lot of DJ’s were calling themselves Dj’s when all they really did was play the music making it harder for the real DJ’s to survive.

TP: Who are some of the people you would like to work with whether mainstream or independent (i.e. DJs, Producers, Artist, etc)?

Artist: Damian Marley, Adele, Alicia keys, Mgmt, J Cole, Pharrell, Kanye.

TP: What is something unique about you or your music profession that others wouldn’t know by reading this or listening to your music?

Artist: 95% of the music we put out we start completely from scratch. I’m not the type that comes in the studio, records and leaves. I’m in there starting the beat and when the songs done, I’m helping with the mixing.

TP: where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

Artist: In New York! Doing more tours and shows.

TP: What are some of the projects you working on?

Artist: “Going up” My next mixtape, and Producing for other artists.

TP: Do you have any advice you want to give Artist just starting out?

Artist: Just be you, and don’t feel like you have to make a certain type of music, there’s an audience out there for you, if you make your own shit. Oh and do it for the right reasons and you’ll be ok.

TP: Where can the Reader read more about you and hear your music?

Artist: Check my video It’s cool on youtube. Youtube.com/kagesdatruth
@Kageeheh Myspace.com/kagesdatruth kageeheh.com (coming soon)
I have past projects on Itunes, just google me.

TP: Do you have any shout outs?

Artist: Shout out to B, Laze, Mike Walters and Mike Bridgett.

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Below are answers to all the interview questions. Attached are some latest pics. Thank you very much for this opportunity! Please let us know if there is anything else you require. Much love and respect.

TP: What is your stage name? How did you get it?

Artist: My name is Shawtee RE. I’ve been called “Shawtee” for the last 12 years. The name was given to me by my homeboy for the simple fact that I’m only 5’3 & 1/2. When I moved to a new block, there was another hustla by the same name. The distinction between the two of us was, me being the “Re-up” on the street. Shawtee REUP later became Shawtee RE.

TP: What made you get into music? And who/what were some of your inspirations?

Artist if the week: The music of the 90′s had a big effect on me. Tupac was my biggest inspiration to turn the poems I’ve been writing my whole life into lyrics. I’ve always wanted to tell my story to influence others to do better. My mom was an alcoholic and passed way in 2006. I promised her on that day, I would follow my dream and never let anything stand in my way. My grandma was an opera singer in Trinidad. Music has always been in my blood. My biggest push came in 2008 when I met $truck (Now signed to Dogg Pound Gang’s Young Assassins). He would make me write/freestyle 24/7. That was my introduction into the industry and the perfection of my craft to a professional level.

TP: So what you think about this industry so far?

Artist: I love it. There are so many great opportunities. Not only do I rap/sing but I also model, act, dance, ghostwrite, compose and produce. There’s always something interesting keeping me busy.

TP: If you could what are some of the things you would change about the music industry?

Artist: I would like to see women play more of a leadership role in the industry. I look to the entrepreneurs such as Jay-Z and Diddy, the empires they have created on their own. I wish to do the same with my own label.

TP: Honestly how do you feel DJs are being treated? How you think they should be treated?

Artist: DJ’s are crucial to any artist’s career. They can make or break a record. My manager Red Beard is a DJ and he also manages Shadyville/Gunit DJ Epps. I have nothing but respect and love for all DJ’s. Lately, DJ’s have been really coming to the forefront and creating their own celebrity more than ever. I think this is well deserved.

TP: Who are some of the people you would like to work with whether mainstream or independent (i.e. DJs, Producers, Artist, etc)?

Artist: So many people! Jay-Z, Weezy, Juelz Santana, Fred The Godson, Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Vybz Kartel… just to name a few. Above all, my dream has always been to do a project with Eminem and Dr Dre. I feel we could really tell a story.

TP: What is something unique about you or your music profession that others wouldn’t know by reading this or listening to your music?

Artist: I actually don’t really write bars much anymore. It’s mostly in my head. I find if I write a verse out, it doesn’t sound as good as if I were to just sit and let it flow. If it comes from my head, why not just leave it there. I often wake up in the middle of the night just to write. It never shuts off. Sometimes I’ll go days without sleeping, I’m addicted. I also play piano and compose tracks this way, integrating my rap and singing. Apart from making rap/hip hop music, I also write/compose pop, r&b, classical, jazz,reggae/dancehall… I’m in to everything.

TP: where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

Artist: I will be the #1 female rap artist in the world.

TP: What are some of the projects you working on?

Artist: We will be shooting the video for my latest single “Sextin Me”, in Miami, directed by Shadyville/Gunit DJ Epps. Coming soon to MTV & BET. My mixtape “Meet The Reup” hosted by DJ Epps will be released this year. I also have a few singles I will drop by a Grammy winning producer.

TP: Do you have any advice you want to give Artist just starting out?

Artist: Confidence is key to this industry. Always believe in yourself and you will be successful. Positivity and a clear mind state will attract everything wanted. Do not rely on others opinions whether its good or bad because you will eventually become dependent a pond it. Trust your instincts.

TP: Where can the Reader read more about you and hear your music?

Artist: They can go to www.reverbnation.com/ShawteeRE for all the latest tracks, interviews and news. Also hit me up on twitter @ShawteeRE and tune in to www.mocradio.com every Mon-Fri 8-10pm ET to catch my latest singles next to the biggest names in the game.

TP: Do you have any shout outs?

Artist: S/O to my management team 7 Figure Entertainment in Miami and all my fans who have been so supportive in my home country Canada as well as internationally! I’m here because of your belief in me! Nothing but love and respect for every single one of you!

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TP: What is your stage name? How did you get it?

Artist: Da Duo Kilo & OT…The name Kilo means Knowledge I Learn Often. Basically everything I learn in life experience I put it in my music. OT was a given name stating that I’m “On Top” on everything I do and Da Duo is basically 2 of us.

TP: What made you get into music? And who/what were some of your inspirations?

Artist: I mean outside from providing for your family and friends, its our number 1 tool to express ourselves plus entertain people doing something we love. And our inspirations are artist like Bone Thugs, Jay-Z, Eminem, Snoop I mean the list goes on and on.

TP: So what you think about this industry so far?

Artist: So far it’s good due to the fact that a lot of artist are being themselves and finding ways to make money without the labels. We now have the power to market ourselves in the way we want.

TP: If you could what are some of the things you would change about the music industry?

Artist: Cancel 360 deals.

TP: Honestly how do you feel DJs are being treated? How you think they should be treated?

Artist: DJs are the ones breaking records out to the world in clubs and also radio. We believe that a DJ is the back bone of the artist due to the fact that they keep the music alive so treat them with respect cause we do.

TP: Who are some of the people you would like to work with whether mainstream or independent (i.e. DJs, Producers, Artist, etc)?

Artist: Everybody and anybody

TP: What is something unique about you or your music profession that others wouldn’t know by reading this or listening to your music?

Artist: Well what we like to do (Kilo and OT) is some what battle each other on the same track in who has the best delivery, flow and word play

TP: where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

Artist: Famous and entertaining

TP: What are some of the projects you working on?

Artist: Well last year we dropped DA DUO KILO & OT V1 and now we got DA DUO KILO & OT V1 straight fire

TP: Do you have any advice you want to give Artist just starting out?

Artist: Work hard and never give up

TP: Where can the Reader read more about you and hear your music?

Artist: facebook.com/daduo, twitter.com/daduo, reverbnation.com/daduo

TP: Do you have any shout outs?

Artist: Shout outs to DA DUO KILO AND OT wassup to D’wayne and cut castro… DUO!!!

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