Editorial Interview

Throwback Thursday: Don’t Give Up! I Actually Got Fired From My College Internship At MTV For Blogging…

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My MTV I.D.

(I was totally strategically covering where it said “Intern” on that I.D. for the Facebook stunt, by the way.)

For the last 4 years, I’ve been blogging for InFlexWeTrust, and for the last 3, I’ve made a living off of it. It has opened so many doors for me and given me opportunities I would have never dreamed of being possible, and of course is what led to LifeIsTremendez even being created! I can’t say that I grew up hoping to be a blogger, or actually even ever considered it until a right place, right time situation back in 2010 (which I’ll get into for another TBT,) but all of the events leading up to me being right here has taught me one thing, if nothing else: What’s for you will not pass you.
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Interview: 7 Things You Need To Know About One Of Our Favorite West Coast Power Players, DJ Carisma

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DJ Carisma

If you’re a fan of YG, DJ Mustard, Ty Dolla $ign, Sage The Gemini, TeeFlii and Tyga, to name just a small handful of west coast stars, you’re going to want to thank DJ Carisma. The California native has had a hand in helping break these artists and many more coming from the left side of the country, and she’s done it all while balancing motherhood and marriage, two online radio shows, a prime-time slot on Power 106, managing her own studio and traveling on the road as the official tour DJ of Honey Cocaine and TeeFlii. I can’t even talk on the phone and answer an email at the same time, so to say I admire Carisma is an understatement…and I’m not alone in my sentiments. As I sat on Ty Dolla $ign‘s bus a couple of weeks back at the Under the Influence tour stop in PA, I watched as Ty and his entire team jumped up and yelled when they received an email that Carisma had been featured on XXL‘s site. When Chris Brown got out of jail and was thrown a private gathering to welcome him back, Carisma was one of the invited guests. When Nipsey Hussle was asked who he admired in radio, guess who he named? Yep, Carisma!

As she made her rounds to discuss her new single “Anyway” featuring Sage The Gemini, Tory Lanez, Eric Bellinger and Mishon, I had to jump on the phone with the Young California co-founder so that I could share a few gems with our LIT readers. Below, find out exactly how she got her start in the game (so that you can take a few pointers!), who her top 5 artists coming out of the west are and more.
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(Photos) Throwback Thursday: How Dip Set & Saving My Lunch Money Brought Me To A Career In Music

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LIT_Marisa Mendez x Dip Set TBT 1

When people say things like, “Dip Set changed my life” or, “I was the biggest Dip Set fan ever,” (yes, people say those things…LOL) I don’t even bother to engage in a debate with them because winning would be too effortless. Dip Set REALLY changed my life. Because of my love (or slight obsession, either one) for them in high school, I chose the career path I embarked on, I met people who put me in the right place to advance in said career and I learned early on how to move around in the music business. Suffice to say, what Dip Set did for me trumps you hands down. Unless you’re like, Freekey Zekey. He probably has a better story than me. Anyway, here’s the 411:
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Interview: King Los Talks Bad Boy Departure, Diddy’s ‘Nobody’ Rant, Putting The DMV On With Wale & More

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Fresh off the release of his new mixtape, Zero Gravity II, I sat down to chop it up with King Los at 25 Degrees in Hollywood…and had quite possibly the best milkshake of my life. Los and I, along with his longtime girlfriend Lola Monroe, had just left the Revolt studios across the street, catching YG’s show and bicken back bein’ bool with him and his 400 crew before hunger…and business…prevailed. I wanted to catch up with the Baltimore wordsmith to discuss his new project, and get the word straight from the horse’s mouth on his Bad Boy departure and all the rumors surrounding the recipient of Diddy’s epic rant sampled on Rick Ross’ Mastermind cut, “Nobody.”
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Exclusive: Ty Dolla $ign Talks Boogawolves, Ratchet Music, Fatherhood & More With Marisa Mendez

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LIT_Marisa Mendez x Ty Dolla SIgn

It’s about 11pm in Phoenix, Arizona, and a sweaty Ty Dolla $ign is grinning as he scrolls through his phone. Ty just left the stage (following sets from Migos, Sage The Gemini and a few local artists), and was back in his dressing room waiting to join YG’s set a little later.

No one introduced us as I pulled up a chair next to him for our interview, but as I sat down, the “Paranoid” singer didn’t seem to mind. He was excited to get feedback from a new face. “Did you like the show?” he’d ask me, before I had to admit I only caught the last song. (Thanks, Delta!) As we start chatting about my trip from New York and how I almost didn’t make it, YG and DJ Mustard enter the room and make a beeline toward their longtime friend/Pu$haz Ink crew member.
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Interview: Mike Posner – Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Singer

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A few weeks back just outside of Philly, I had the chance to catch a Mike Posner show, and chat it up with him afterwards about everything he has going on. (Thanks to Karen Civil, Aaron Camper and Patrick on that!)

The singer/songwriter/producer has been quite busy as of late, working on his next album, a Reebok deal, Justin Bieber’s new single…shall I continue? Decked out in a Coogi sweater and Timbs backstage at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Mike candidly spoke with me about all of the above, plus a whole lot more. (There’s a hilarious story about 2 Chainz’ recording process in there!) Get to know your favorite rapper’s favorite singer below.
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