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Exclusive: Machine Gun Kelly Talks Debut Film ‘Beyond The Lights,’ How Far He’d Go For A Role…And Hints At New Single Coming Soon!

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This Friday, Colson ‘MGK‘ Baker will make his big-screen debut, starring as Kid Culprit in the romantic drama, Beyond The Lights. The Cleveland rapper was introduced to the masses in 2011 with the success of his breakout single “Wild Boy,” but has since remained relatively quiet on a mainstream level since his 2012 Bad Boy/Interscope debut, Lace Up, as he toured the world and shot not only Beyond The Lights, but two more as-of-yet unreleased films as well. He’s also been preparing his sophomore effort, which he says may have its first single out within weeks.

Suffice to say, MGK has been a busy guy, but unless you’re a fan or follow his social media, one likely wouldn’t know that he’s been up to much of anything. To many, this film will be his re-introduction of sorts, and what better way to do so than with a role that showcases not only his acting chops, but his rapping as well.

“When it came time to cast the role of Kid Culprit, I knew I wanted a real hip-hop artist,” the film’s writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood said about choosing MGK for the role. “I saw the video for ‘Wild Boy,’ and he just seemed to exemplify who the character was. So we had that first audition, and I was intrigued by him a lot. Then I had him come back and read with Gugu, and their chemistry was so good! We want an artist who wants it badly because they’ll give you everything, and he really did.”

I got the opportunity to watch the movie before I spoke with MGK last week, and I truly enjoyed it. As a woman working in music, the pressures Noni faced were all too familiar, and the roles of her mother and Kid Culprit are common figures we meet often. I was really impressed with Kells‘ acting too, as I wasn’t sure what to expect from him, but I automatically connected with his character, rather than getting the vibe that he was out of his element.

Below, check out what MGK had to say about his debut role, why he wouldn’t change a thing about it, why his five-year-old daughter is a little jealous about it…and get an itty-bitty clue about his forthcoming single from his sophomore album!
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Exclusive: Elijah Blake Discusses the “Drift” EP, Celebrity Crushes, & Growing Up In the Industry with Harley Quinn!

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Elijah Blake Phone interview

There aren’t many names left in the industry that Elijah Blake hasn’t worked with! Being featured as a songwriter or collaborating artist with the likes of Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, The Game, Common, and countless others, Elijah Blake is next up on the screen, having just released his new EP, titled “Drift”! Suprisingly, the project has only one feature, nabbed by J. Cole, on the “Venture” single. The 5-track EP contains fan favorites like “Wicked” and my personal favorite, “Strange Fruit.” After streaming the album, and talking with Elijah, this is one of the most creative projects I’ve heard this year, because of its out of the box concepts! “Strange Fruit” is a popular song, not only for its usage of the famous poem of the same name, but for the incredibly dope Outkast “Elevators” sample!

Hailing from Florida, Elijah Blake is an artist is every sense of the word, bringing his vision of love, pain, and music to the world through carefully planned and articulated projects. In an exclusive phone interview this week, he talked to me about his ultra-meticulous process when songwriting for himself and others, his painful childhood growing up with an abusive father as told in the single “6” featured on the album, why he’s not into industry chicks and just wants a regular girl, and the right way to act around a celebrity. Get into it below!

HarleyQuinn_NJ
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Interview: Mila J Talks Quitting Her Day Job, Writing For Herself vs. Others, Her “Mains” and More!

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LifeIsTremendez_Mila-J-MILA-EP

Mila J has been building quite a buzz as of late, thanks to the success of her singles, “Smoke, Drink, Break-Up” and “My Main.” Of course, her stunning looks, powerhouse vocals and dance moves don’t hurt either! Jhene Aiko‘s older sister ran the risk of standing in the shadow of her successful younger sibling, but Mila J has completely carved her own lane, and after years of set-backs with failed girl groups and even a shelved album, the talented triple-threat has established a promising solo career, and finally released her debut EP yesterday, M.I.L.A. (Made In L.A.)

The 5-song EP features the aforementioned singles, as well as the Problem-assisted “Pain In My Heart,” the B.o.B.-assisted “Champion,” and the ride-or-die love ballad, “Times Like These.” The project, completely co-written by Mila, definitely shows the California singer’s range as an artist, and is the perfect appetizer until we get the real meal early next year. Fresh on the heels of its release, I hopped on the phone with Mila to discuss the EP, as well as how she quit her day job, her plans to write for others, Ty Dolla $ign (because I’m me so of course I had to add him in there,) what’s the deal with her and Rome from IMX and more! Check out the interview below.
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Perfect For A 2 A.M. Turn-Up: 7 Sex Tips From Adrian Marcel

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LifeIsTremendez_Adrian Marcel x Marisa Mendez

Last week, I caught up with Mr. “2 A.M.” himself, Adrian Marcel. As it’s quite clear what’s going on at such hours of the night, I decided to get a few sex tips from the Bay Area native. “Not to say that I’m some guru or whatnot,” Adrian joked about his level of expertise, “But I’m very great at it.” Check out his 7 tips for the bedroom below!
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Interview: Get To Know DeJ Loaf, Hip-Hop’s Newest “It Girl”

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LifeIsTremendez_DeJ Loaf

23-year-old Detroit native DeJ Loaf is experiencing a whirlwind right now, thanks to her song that so sweetly sings about catching bodies and leaving a b*tch n*gga’s head in pasta, “Try Me.” Released on her SoundCloud account in late July just for the hell of it, the pint-sized rapper/singer never dreamed that it would have her in New York City a mere 2 months later, discussing her reaction to Drake quoting it on Instagram or the likes of Wiz Khalifa and her favorite, E-40, hopping on for the remixes. But it has, and now DeJ is gearing up for the ride of her life. Backstage at Hot 97‘s ‘Who’s Next’ showcase for Mila J, Adrian Marcel and BJ The Chicago Kid on Thursday night, I caught up with lil’ DeJ to discuss her upbringing, her style, why the video for “Try Me” was so monumental, what we can expect next…and why you shouldn’t classify her as a singer. Get the full 411 on one of my favorite new artists below!
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(Photos + Video) Ty Dolla $ign & Jhene Aiko “Hydrate The Hustle” With vitaminwater and The FADER

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LifeIsTremendez_Ty Dolla Sign x uncapped x Philly

I was doing my bi-weekly browsing of DollaSignWorld.com/Tour over the weekend (judge me – I don’t care!) when I noticed a new Ty Dolla $ign date in Philly for Tuesday. The show was a part of vitaminwater and The FADER‘s “Hydrate The Hustle” #uncapped series, alongside Jhene Aiko and newcomer, Raury. Of course I had to be in the building, so on Tuesday night, I headed down the Jersey Turnpike and spent a few hours at The Skybox.

Despite my VIP band that allowed me to watch the show from the upper level without being smushed in the crowd, I had to be front and center to get my fan-girl on, and that I was during the opening act, Raury, followed by the $ign. I’d only heard of Raury prior to last night and never actually heard his music, and watching him live, I can see why the industry is buzzing about him being the “next big thing.” Backed by a full band and mixed in with high-energy performances of tracks from his recent Indigo Child mixtape, the ATL singer that caught Kanye‘s attention also covered a few Nirvana and Queen songs…winning me over with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (TOTAL childhood memories right there!)

Next up was Ty Dolla $ign, and although I paid attention to nothing else but my own little world as I sang along to every song, according to the recap, the crowd went nuts too. LOL! Hitting the stage in a Pink Dolphin ski mask (that came off after the first 2 songs,) Ty performed a medley of his hit singles and features, including fan-favorite “Irie,” “Or Nah,” the song that gave him his big start, “Toot It & Boot It,” “Paranoid” of course, his “You & Your Friends” hook, “Dead President” off his recently-released $ign Language mixtape and more. I’d share some video that I captured, but they all have clips of me singing and looking kind of ridiculous, so I’ll refrain.

Closing the show was the beautiful Jhené Aiko, who performed a steamy set of ballads (all while barefoot, of course) including “Spotless Mind” and her hit single, “The Worst.” Check out video of Jhene‘s performance below, as well as a few pics from the night!
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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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