Interviews

(Video) That NJ Ish: Karen Civil Discusses Her Career On Ebro In The Morning

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Karen Civil x hot 97

Karen Civil has come a long way from Elizabeth, New Jersey. The digital trap star is currently moving all around the country on a motivational speaking tour, while simultaneously writing a book, running a huge website, her Live Civil brand, the career of Nipsey Hussle and more. Oh, and there’s that whole Beats By Dre thing, the WeezyThanxYou thing, the digital campaigns for Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Mary J. Blige…the list goes on. My girl is out here killin’!

Stopping by Ebro In The Morning at Hot 97 on Friday, KC discussed her humble beginning as a Hot 97 intern, and how she moved up the ranks from Dip Set, to Lil Wayne, to Beats to now being THE one and only Karen Civil. Check out the inspirational interview below. JERSEY, son!

P.S. Rosenberg, everyone “knows who the f*ck Marisa Mendez is.” The streets love the kid. Ha!
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(Video) That NJ Ish: Fetty Wap Talks “Trap Queen,” Being In Love and More On Ebro In The Morning

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Fetty Wap_LifeIsTremendez

Jersey, we have another burgeoning star on our hands! As our movement keeps growing with DJs (like Hot 97‘s newest additions, Drewski and DJ Naim,) media personalities (like myself, Karen Civil,) producers (Cardiak, Mike Zombie) and rappers on the come-up like Dougie F and Zombie (he fits here too,) we have another one to add to the list! Paterson native Fetty Wap is taking over the clubs in the Garden State with his breakout hit “Trap Queen,” and hopefully he’ll soon be taking over airwaves around the world with it as well. Now that he’s officially signed to Lyor Cohen, Todd Moskowitz and Kevin Liles‘ 300 label, anything can happen!

After Funk Flex premiered what he called the “biggest record in Jersey” on Monday night, Fetty Wap made his way over to Hot 97 to sit down with Ebro and Laura Stylez for Ebro In The A.M. yesterday morning.

The question on everyone’s mind is what happened to his eye, but unfortunately, he chose to remain mum on that for now. He says one day the story will come out, but for now, he likes the mystery and says that the fans seem to appreciate it as well. A quick scroll down his Instagram page shows that it happened in late February of this year, but that’s all we know!

Fetty did, however, reveal the very interesting process to “Trap Queen” coming to fruition, and admitted that he is in love with his girlfriend of a little under 3 years. Sorry ladies! Oh, and he just started music last year. What a start he’s off to, huh? Get the full 411 in the interview below!
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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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Beyond-The-Lights-Machine-Gun-Kelly-and-Gugu-Mbatha-Raw

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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(Video) What Was The Biggest Song Of Summer 2014? Marisa Mendez, Rob Markman, Lowkey, Kazeem Famuyide & More Debate!

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LifeIsTremendez_Round table

Now that the summer is coming to a close, it’s time to take a look at which song dominated these warm months.

STASHED has rounded up some of the most well-respected minds in music media to settle once and for all what the “song of the summer” was on this special episode of “The Week in STASHED.” Joining the roundtable is Rob Markman (MTV News), Tracy G (“Sway in the Morning” on SHADE45), Mikey Fresh (VIBE.com and MissInfo.tv), Marisa Mendez (Hot 97, InFlexWeTrust.com, LifeIsTremendez.com), Nile “Lowkey” Ivey (YouHeardThatNew.com), and STASHED mainstays Nate Santos (staff writer) and Christian Lavery (deputy editor).

Check out part one of our debate below! UPDATE: Now part 2 as well. My choice for song of the summer: IAMSU‘s “Only That Real” featuring 2 Chainz and Sage The Gemini!
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