It’s so refreshing when you see an artist with a message; it’s even more refreshing when that message is in conjunction with exactly how you feel. Lately, I have been having this hunger for the word and for change. I noticed that everything related to life, struggles and blessings are mentioned in the bible one way or another. All my life I felt as if I was being pulled into two different directions, as if I was in a game of tug and war with me being the rope. As strong as I am, as I feel God has made me, it’s apparent that my gifts and talents far exceed whatever expectations I have or understand, and my enemy know that. It’s a fight, as I mentioned before in It’s a War Happening Right Now! Using Faith As My Armor: A Letter from The Battle Field.
So thankfully, I see inspirational videos come my way, or by way of my husband, and I’m excited. I really want you to check out this video and support this couple. T-Rock and Priceless have been rapping for over 11 years. They also have been married to each other for 6 years. They currently reside in Richmond, Virginia with their 4-year-old daughter and 9 month old twin boys. T-Rock and Priceless are passionate about Jesus and greatly desire to see our present world have a life altering, authentic encounter with the only true and living God. They believe our generation is no longer satisfied with church as usual. There is a desperation and hunger for the presence of God and real change. These two have decided that they can no longer sit idly by as the enemy destroys families and attempts to completely mar any trace of the image of God in our society. T-Rock and Priceless are relentless about Biblical truth and seek to relay the Gospel in a relevant way through rap. However, it doesn’t stop there. They want to present Jesus in a tangible way as they serve their community and local church. Through their dynamic testimonies, T-Rock and Priceless want others to see how God has transformed their lives for His Glory. Moreover, in doing so, they hope to respond to the cry of the people and bring glory to God.
Through their lives, they both have endured struggles, trials, and tribulations, and their lives currently are great examples of how merciful God is and how awesome God has been. Avoiding circumstances that could have ultimately made them statistics, they both relied on prayer and service to see them through, and through their work they are aiming to inspire others to do the same.
Check out “The City” by T-Rock and Priceless….
Also, support their work and connect with them by checking out their links here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/T-Rock…
https://twitter.com/trocknpriceless
https://twitter.com/Priceless_RVA
http://noisetrade.com/trocknpriceless
http://www.reverbnation.com/trockandp…
Email them for more information: trockandpriceless@gmail.com
On a Monday night, you wouldn’t expect me at a nightclub listening to local independent artist rhyme their hearts out. Let me stop, of course you would! However, this was no typical night filled with networking and rubbing elbows, I came to the Ground Up Showcase with one purpose in mind, and that was inspiration. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the testimonies of all the people we interview and work with and how many of them don’t want to tell the full story. It’s not because there is no story to tell but because, with so many different fans from diverse backgrounds, I don’t think they know which story to tell. It’s hard building a brand and still trying to get people to pay attention, often times I see people pretending to be something that in real life would get their asses stomped. I came to this event to find the truth, words spoken in forms of rhymes that told me stories that most of us don’t want to hear. Life is not always gravy, most of us only wish we were stunting on others, and that every single person with a voice and some ears is hungry for just a little more.
If you aren’t into hip-hop music, especially independent and underground artist, then you definitely had no business at the Paradise Lounge last night. Its one thing to want to hang out with your peers, drinking and bobbing your head to the beat, but the atmosphere is for those who want to immerse themselves in the culture, not just be a fly on the wall. You have to soak into the music, and breathe in the energy of professional lyricist and wanna-be sensations. This life is not for the faint of heart or the pretty girl looking for attention. Yes, fashion plays an important role in music, but in a room full of ex-street hustlers turned rappers, and ghetto minds trying to make a way out of no way, like Artik Phreeze says in one of my favorite tunes “Fuck your Swag!!” No one cares what new Air Jordans a dude has on, or whether or not you got a fresh line up before you got on stage. Everything boils down to whether or not you’re good. The only thing that matters is talent, and that can come from more ways than one.
Its crazy how people often only clap for the person they came to see. Not flinching to overly-support a stranger, the host yells for more crowd participation. This is Richmond, Virginia all day, whether you or him make it. Although, his words are loud and clear to me, I’m almost certain most of them didn’t get it. Nowadays, the true talent lies in the artist who cannot only earn your respect, but your accolades, even when their family/friend is competing for the same attention. It’s about converting a “nobody” into a fan with seven minutes on the clock, a feat most of the artist last night struggled to accomplish. Although the mastery wasn’t there, the heart definitely was, inspiration was so thick I could see it right in front of me. I stopped myself several times from pulling people to the side to tell them how their performance made me feel, hoping to ignite some creativity in what I knew could be an amazing performer, but I refrained. Our people need constructive criticism but at the right place and time. Liquor induced advice from anyone would only result in animosity and not progression, and that’s not building – it’s breaking down.
Out of the entire artist roster, only two really stood out to me. Out of those two one was the overall winner. A female artist by the name of Dutchess graced the stage with a combination of beauty, talent, and drive. She lost her voice a couple of times, allowing her desire to destroy her male competitors to take over her breathing, but she held it down. Bringing with her a huge fan base of people singing her songs right along with her, I was an instant fan. I only hope that when I talk to her the talent and charisma I saw on stage, resonates with her everyday personality. We need more examples of females in this industry uplifting our gender, but that’s another post for another day. I know you will like her, as I did. Her energy was amazing, and it was extremely impressive that she held it down, which to me was no surprise at all.
I was truly inspired by the artist. Because I try to maintain positive motivation on this site and with GaptoothDiva as a whole, I have to include the following message:
Rappers don’t need to lie and pretend to live a life that is not true to form. Your fans, the true followers of your words, want a message. We all can’t pop bottles and pop tags everyday in the current state of the economy. Moreover, from the background checks of many of you (Yes, we do our research) neither can you. Real fans, people who will support you want to relate to you, learn something from you, or feel connected to you. I saw several people lying about their lifestyle to impress folks. As this may get you a couple of head nods and pats on the back, I can’t in good conscious say you did anything worth talking about. Tell your story, talk about your feelings, struggle, experiences, or challenges, but whatever you do – don’t take your potential fan base for granted. Anything with out purpose is just noise.
Shout to Ground Up Entertainment, The CEO Cornelia Gail, the judges, and everyone else involved with the event. If you are looking for a great place to perform, connect with independent artist, or just hang out amongst your people. I would definitely suggest you check this out. Last night, we heard some great information about what they are offering to independent artist who are serious about their careers. So get into it, before it’s too late. Someone from RVA is going to win big!!
Check out their website www.TheGroundUpEnt.com
In addition, for more inspiration and Motivation, follow me on Twitter @GaptoothDiva
Addition as of 9/21/2011:
I was contacted by the wonderful and very professional, Joe’i Chancellor of Writer’s Block Publishing about this post and the coverage on the event. I would like to add that she was also involved with the creation of the great project and this is what she had to say…
“Thanks for the Blog we much appreciate the support! I’m Joe’i Chancellor of Writer’s Bloc and Cornelia Gail of Ground Up Ent we linked up to do the “Rock The Stage” Event on Monday night, realizing that teamwork is the best work, especially when you have a positive common goal. We are both from Richmond we discovered that there were very few promoters coming thru to genuinely support the INDIES in the Richmond Market. So we decided to give them something out of the Norm to look forward to when it comes down to exposing their talent. We appreciate you coming out on Monday and sharing the first celebration of INDIES talent and we look forward to seeing you in the future as we organize even bigger events. Sorry I missed you, but I’m sure we will get the chance to meet real soon. Much success to you!”
Yes, we definitely will! This Richmond Style Weekly Top 40 Under 40 Recipient, has truly made it possible for those creative minds in the inner city to have their voices heard right from where they stand. We appreciate everything that her, Writer’s Block, and Ground Up Ent are doing for independent artist in the city of Richmond, Virginia. Keep it up, we need it. Check her out at www.iamthebusiness.net
I love to share what the talented people around me are doing to make their dreams and passions come true. Everything isn’t for everyone, but the overall message is the same. To get what you want out of life, you have to get up and go get it. Some of us work harder than others, and some of us know more than most. But the truth is, if you’re not sharing what you know instead of just saying you don’t like something, then you are just as much of a failure as the ones you judge. Check out these videos, network with these people, and share your love, support, or knowledge. This is the Baddest Creative Motivation!
I love to share what the talented people around me are doing to make their dreams and passions come true. Everything isn’t for everyone, but the overall message is the same. To get what you want out of life, you have to get up and go get it. Some of us work harder than others, and some of us know more than most. But the truth is, if you’re not sharing what you know instead of just saying you don’t like something, then you are just as much of a failure as the ones you judge. Check out these videos, network with these people, and share your love, support, or knowledge. This is the Baddest Creative Motivation!
Where in the world can you walk into a nightclub holding 95% females and feel the support of family and friends, while you sing and dance your heart out? If you said nowhere but heaven, you would’ve been right. However, on July 13th, I had the chance to host one of the hottest all females showcases in Richmond, Virginia, The Pevolution: Ladies Showcase!
It was a spectacular evening filled with Hip-Hop, Gospel, R&B, Rock/Jazz, Spoken Word, and even Comedy. Richmond, Virginia is saturated with raw talent and these women were not afraid to show it off that night. This event was all thanks to Pink Lady Promotions, Tameka Pleasants. Her goal was to provide an outlet for women to not only display their God-given talents but also support and empower other women in their own style. The support and empowerment was truly evident. Grown women came to me and mentioned how motivated and inspired they were to not only support other women, but also pursue their individual dreams.
Of course, if you have been following me for a while, you already know that this is my type of party. It was important to me that people didn’t just view this as a female showcase. As the Host, I wanted them to gain some perspective on just how it feels to not just watch your fellow woman give the crowd her all, but to give her all the praise and accolades she needs to feel confident enough to continue on her journey in finding her purpose. I started the show saying; I was going to point out any haters not giving the love that I felt each performer deserves. I hadn’t met most of the performers before the show, but after everything was complete, it felt like family in that nightclub to me. Women shared their stories and testimonies in an effort to motivate each other, people networked and exchanged numbers, and we all laughed and brought joy to each other. No one even thought about the fact that before 7pm, we never even knew the other existed.
There aren’t many events where that empowering energy is in the air. I don’t know if it’s the season or what, but I’m so proud of the women that attended the event that night. We even had women come out of the crowd wanting to release their gifts on the audience, and the crowd was more then willing to see more. I remember when Tameka asked me to host the event I had some small concerns. I was worried about there being a tough crowd, it’s the middle of the week, and Richmond women are sometimes known for being a little hard on other women. All my concerns were laid to rest when I made it clear we were about inspiration and having fun, and the crowd responded, letting me know that’s what they paid for.
Every performer came with their diverse brand of inspiration from the soulful, to the lyrical, and the party girl attitude to the funny girl swag. The Canal Club was on fire with passionate women, all in love with the idea of sisterhood and respect. During the intermission, a few people demanded that we do it again and again, and I couldn’t agree more, it truly was remarkable. I haven’t felt energy like that from a pack of grown women in a long time, and that right there is saying a lot.
Tameka ended the show by delivering beautiful roses to all the women that performed, even the lovely one from the crowd. She gave her heartfelt appreciation to those involved in the process and promised everyone it would happen again.
People left with tears, saying they felt emotionally moved by the display of togetherness and the actual beauty and talent from the stage. I felt it too, but you know I was not about to cry, with these lashes on my face. I digress. LOL. After the show I was totally amplified and excited, I raced to my mother’s house. I just needed to spread love to the women of the world. Since it was almost 11:30 pm, my mother was the only one who was going to allow me to wake her up with that mushy-girly craziness.
It was a wonderful opportunity, and if given again I would jump on it just to experience that feeling of maybe we really can change the world and run it. One woman at a time.
I’m posting a Youtube video very soon of the footage from the show, so be sure to subscribe to my channel (www.youtube.com/gaptoothdiva) to get the latest of The Baddest Creative Motivation.
Love ya xoxo
For more inspiration and motivation, please follow me on http://www.Twitter.com/GaptoothDiva or @GaptoothDiva
http://www.facebook.com/GaptoothDiva#!/event.php?eid=195016393871995
Download the mixtape Today: http://www.datpiff.com/Young-Richmond-Outkasts-Im-An-Outkast-And-I-Dont-Care-mixtape.192110.html
HollyWood Cemetery presents Clash Party 12 (1 year anniversary Red Carpet Affair)
March 26th @ Alley Katz 9-2am
18 to come, 21 to drink
Tickets are $5, $8 @ door
Headliners: Young Richmond Outkasts, Hard 2 Kill Ent, OTG, DHB, Ragerific Knights
also performing: Rio, Wize, Q Dot, G Nyce, Swaag, Te Money, Idiom Records, Cat Dadde
Purchase Jon Notty’s “Back2Bed” EP at a discounted priced ($2.45) by way EMUSIC@: http://www.emusic.com/album/Jon-Notty-Back2bed-MP3-Download/12404348.html
Back2bed, by Jon Notty www.emusic.com
Check Her Out at: www.facebook.com/mareesad
http://www.twitter.com/1marketingqueen
http://www.myspace.com/vamarketingqueen
Email: marketingqueenrva@gmail.com and shecommission@gmail.com
These are the business people, musicians, artist, and projects that you should already know about in Virginia and all over. Check out what’s hot and what’s interesting and support those reaching for the stars & those already among them.
Post you music, videos, or projects on my wall and you too could be featured on my weekly wrap up.
Follow me on Twitter.com/GaptoothDiva
Facebook.com/GaptoothDiva
Subscribe Today www.GaptoothDiva.com
“Yeah, that’s right! I’m all in another m*thaf***a lane, doing this shit right here!”
Follow on www.Twitter.com/GaptoothDiva
Friend on www.Facebook.com/GaptoothDiva
Last week when we posted the new videos we copped from the Local Indie Artist, we totally F*** up by not posting anything about the following artists. We are human and we screw up just like everybody else, not often but we do. Anyway, check out these videos!
If you don’t know now you do.
This is my personal favorite from Tamir Rock right here…
Support these talented Artist and strive to achieve your goals, just as they are!
Facebook.com/GaptoothDiva
Twitter.com @GaptoothDiva
With all the “coonery-bafoonery” and rachetness going on in the world, The GaptoothDiva decided to do some real talk discussion with one of the most honest and sincere individuals in her life, Bridget Selby of Gesher International.
Bridget is a Virginia native and UVA graduate. She has taught elementary and middle school students and owned and operated a nanny service in California for 5 years. She is the Revelationz@Sunset consulting team member. She is also currently establishing Gesher (meaning “bridge” in Hebrew) International, which is essentially a networking hub that “bridges” people, places, resources, and opportunities to the passionate and underserved. Gesher also collaborates with and supports other businesses, ministries, and other “people serving” entities involved in such things as education, mental health and wellness, childcare, and food procurement. Its goal is to make communities aware of resources so people can help care for and heal themselves, pursue dreams, and live life instead of just surviving.
Yung OG’s members include Artavian Gilliam (born on June 10, 1981, in Richmond, VA) and Dontevous Williams (born September 16, 1984, in Augusta, GA). The Yung OG’s are powerhouse rappers which use their powerful songwriting abilities as well as off the top freestyles abilities to create an impressive string of hit singles.
Artavian Gilliam (Tave Getem) and Dontevous Williams (DirtyRed) met each other in March 2010 where they had a lyrical battle which made each gain respect for the other’s skills. They then formed the group Yung OG’s. The Yung OG’s are unsigned artist but have been requested to perform at many clubs such as: Harlem Café, Skyy Lounge, The Red Room Lounge, and Vision Makers Convention Center.
The group is working on their first album as well as a mixtape which is set to be out January 2011.
GaptoothDiva gets it in with rap phenom and lyrical professional Joshua Reed aka Freeze, one of Richmond’s hottest MC‘s from Charged Up Ent. His charismatic persona and well thought out delivery puts him at the top of most list of hot up and coming artist in Richmond, Virginia.
We will ask questions about persevering in your craft, how to hustle hard and ignore nay-sayers, and how to earn the respect of your peers while trying to pursue the top spot.
In 1992, Joshua’s family moved to Denver, CO, opening his eyes to a world of gritty street life, gangs and “the grind.” The appeal of the streets called and Joshua answered Freeze was born. After threes years of Colorado life, Freeze moved back to a middle class suburb in Richmond, but the influence of the streets stayed with him. Graduating high school with a 3.2 GPA was matched by his graduation in the criminal underworld; from petty crimes to nickel bags, and eventually large quantities of hard narcotics. A 2002 acceptance to V.A. Tech was quickly put to halt with his first drug arrest. Linking up with fellow Tech dropout and M.C. Renazance, Freeze recorded his first album Freezer Burn. After selling 1000 units, Freeze began working on his next project. Tha Introduction, a mix-tape with many local artists, generated a buzz amongst the underground Tri cities area. With upgrades to his personal recording set up, he continued to record music and perform at area shows, planning to drop his second album A Cold Night late 2006. Along with help from Vellians consulting agency, Freeze achieved wide success with his single “Mistress”, getting added to many radio station rotations and interviewed in two national magazines (The Connex List, Right On). On November 21st, 2006, at the pinnacle of his rapping endeavors, Freeze was indicted on five counts of felony possession and distribution to with cocaine. Sentenced to 25 years with 23 ½ suspended, he spent his time incarcerated finding himself and his God. February 19th, 2008, Freeze was released with a newfound retrospect and outlook on life. Hopping right back into the local music scene, alongside Charged Up Ent., Freeze has solidified himself as a heavy hitter in Richmond, VA.
The Diva will dig deep into the mind of the one of the Cap City’s hardest working lyricist LIVE!
The interview you missed from August is now tonight, you don’t want to miss this!
GaptoothDiva talks music, art, and being successful with Rapper, Song Writer, and Actor D. O.E. The Paperboy. The Diva will ask question regarding coming up in the industry and how he plans to set himself apart from other artist in the game.
The dynamic contrast between ..D.O.E… and his character counterpoint ..The Paperboy.. highlight the ironies of the everyday struggle concerning self respect achieved through personal enlightenment verses the respect one feels from ones peers on a more material and superficial level; an eternal struggle faced by many of today’s youth/young people, as well as the very struggle that Hip-Hop music itself faces as of lately. D.O.E. addresses these issues in songs such as: ..All of My Life,.. ..Trapped in The Game (Vol. 1 and 2),.. and ..Children of The Ghetto,.. where as ..The Paperboy.. hypes the crowd and livens up the party with banging hits that have mainstream appeal, such as ..Swagga,.. ..Throw Them V..s Up (Anthem of Virginia).. and ..How We Do. These songs have grown popular all over the world due to the enormous success of D.O.E…s ..Exclusiv Mix-Tape.. series (Vol.1 and 2), and his notorious ..Myspace.. fame (myspace.com/vaskpaperboy); of which D.O.E. currently has over 80,000 loyal viewers and over half a million spins world wide. D.O.E. is a lively entertainer and has veteran experience performing in front of diverse live audiences of all sizes, and has performed in just about every type of venue there is, ranging from dance-halls, ..open mics,.. clubs, and large stadiums (most notably Virginia Commonwealth University‘s Siegel Center in 2007, and Virginia State University‘s Rogers Stadium, in 2005). The range of D.O.E’s talents are as wide as his reach. These talents include everything from being a Hip-Hop Lyricist and Recording Artist, to R.& B. Songwriter, to even being a Supporting Actor in a local independent film. This range of talent exemplifies his self motivated determination to expand on his artistic abilities and his drive to promote these abilities and himself in as many markets as possible ;which makes him a very valuable asset to any wide-body entertainment establishment. If hip hop is in fact ..dead,.. or at least comatose, due to fake MCs ..emcees.., or lack of substance in lyrical content, or just simply, plain old microphone abuse, ..D.O.E… a.k.a ..The Paperboy.. and V.A.S.K. (Vision. Ambition. Strength. Knowledge) Music is the remedy
Family Over Everything Entertainment
Manager Jamell G. (804) 745-7053 or (347) 826-4446
FOEManagement@Gmail.com or MellVask@gmail.com
GaptoothDiva gets her favorite 5 ft. tall rap trio, The Fyve Footaz, in the virtual studio to showcase some of their new music, new upcoming events, and their opinions about the industry, their relationships, and what it takes to get to the top. Please tune in to comment or ask questions because with these three… you just never know.
The group started out writing and recording in the basement of Banditville under the label of VaRioTeam, which was the label that they were under at the time. After recording their first album at Banditville with the Young City Bandits in 2001, the group then called Extreme Caution, was forced to break up due to the incarceration of Oh! After a 7 year lapse, Extreme Caution advanced to Da 5yve Footaz adopting a new member. During that 7 year period of not recording as a group, Jus B. Chill continued writing and recording in honor of Oh!, keeping it trill. Da 5yve Footaz are now affiliates of Divine Sonz and its movement. They are now a part of that same movement, Charged Up Ent. Da 5yve Footaz have been a group since July of 2009 and the group consists of Jus B. Chill, Oh! aka U.D.K. and new member Young Yankee. They are all under 6 feet, hence the name. Jus B. Chill and Oh! are the two original members who have been rapping together since they were teenagers. Young Yankee, the youngest member of the group, also produces tracks for the group. Together they have written over 50 songs. They bring a mixture of that VA and New York swagger. With their dedication, enthusiasm, love for music and love for entertaining, this group is sure to be around for a long time. They now share the same dream as Charged Up Ent.
Email the group at Mario.White@yahoo.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/gaptoothdivaradio
GaptoothDiva gives the Cap City an opportunity to get familiar with Richmond Rap Group Fam Thick, discussing main stream hip-hop, rap culture in the cap city, and how diligence in the industry is the only way to reach the top.
FAM THICK is the one of the most diverse, energetic and exciting Southern hip hop groups to have picked up a microphone in the last few years, but of course, that’s only one man’s opinion. With whats been described as an “accidental” meeting and forming of the group for, (photoed from L to R), Slim daLt., Big Shay and Skrilla has certainly paid dividends and seems to be exactly what their hometown of Richmond, Virginia has been missing, an avenue into the mainstream. Recording, performing and entertaining is what these three very different individuals do and has been the bridge that has gapped and sealed the deal for fans all along the East Coast; that Fam Thick is a “problem” that they don’t mind, and would much rather prefer, going unsolved…