"INTRODUCING CHRISETTE MICHELE" Exclusive Interview with Pennivy

I had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with one of music's newest sensations-Ms. Chrisette Michele. Not only is this talented songstress genuine and down to earth, she also brings new,soulful flavor to the R&B genre. Her album "I AM" is finally in stores (I know I'm not the only one that's been hitting up her myspace everyday just to listen to the dope tracks!) and if I do say so myself, I see it shooting up the charts. Chrisette is also a burgeoning fashionista. As a beautifully curvaceous sista who is proud of the skin she's in, she is setting a precedent for the young, curvy and fabulous-2 snaps! Here's what Chrisette had to share about life, music, and most importantly-style.

Pennivy: Your album is titled "I AM", tell us-who is Chrisette Michele-what should the world know about you?

Chrisette Michele: Chrisette Michele is definitely a mixture of a bunch of different, wonderful elements. I'm R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop-you name it!

Pennivy: You call your album one of your greatest achievements, what do you really want people to take away from "I AM"

Chrisette Michele: I want people to feel empowered. No matter what�whatever relationship they're going through. It's all about loving themselves.

Pennivy: I love the range of your voice, each song reveals a different side of the musical Rubik's cube. What thoughts and influences go through your mind when you sing?

Chrisette Michele: I try to be unlimited in my music. R. Kelly is one of my favorite artists because 'Step in the Name of Love' doesn't sound anything like "I'm A Flirt." His music is everywhere. I like to have variety. I created 60 songs for my album and L.A.(Reid) scaled it down. He could have compiled all the ones that sounded similar, but he decided to showcase my versatility.

Pennivy: Your album is one of the most soulful works of R&B to come along in a long time, why do you think R&B has been missing its essence?

Chrisette Michele: I don't really know what people mean when they say that. R&B used to be more about singing. Now it's a different art form but I find it beautiful both ways.

Pennivy: How do you hope your music will impact the music industry?

Chrisette Michele: I am excited to be added to the R&B roster. I hope to showcase my live instrumentation, live shows-just everything live and vocals that are pro-tools free; something that I don't think everyone feels comfortable doing.

Pennivy: How do you stay grounded and maintain a sense of self in this hectic industry?

Chrisette Michele: Through my family. I could have moved out of my house but I made a decision to stay and be around my family. One of the first things I want to do is buy a big house that can fit all of my family in it. Those are the people that keep me grounded.

Pennivy: I bet you never dreamed of all the things you would experience in 2007, where do you see yourself in 2012?

Chrisette Michele: In 5 years, I see myself as a flourishing artist, touring. I want to be known as a great performer. I also see myself in a movie.

Pennivy: Do you ever clash with your label or stylist over your image?

Chrisette Michele: No, because Chrisette Michele is being put together every day. I change my mind all the time. My music is everywhere because my mind is everywhere. That's one of the reasons I love being a girl. I look up to people like Lady Day (Billie Holliday).

Chriesette Michele: What are some of your favorite designers?

Pennivy: My favorite designer is Elie Tahari. His jeans and dresses are very stylish and very ladylike-the fit is just amazing . I have on a pair right now! As for gowns, I love A.B.S gowns-not everything has to be made. A.B.S fits very nicely around the curves.

Pennivy: Who are some of your style icons?

Chrisette Michele: Audrey Hepburn definitely-I think she's so cool. I also love showstoppers-like Diana Ross and Beyonce. Amy Winehouse-she likes to wear fluffy dresses--it's an oxymoron, I like that.

Pennivy: Finally, what style tips do you have to share?

Chrisette Michele: Well, I am a BIG fan of lip gloss. I hate putting on lip gloss and having it wear off. My trick is to line my lips with a pink pencil, then fill them in with a lipstick that's the same color, and top it off with my favorite gloss. I am a big M.A.C fan and I also love Stila watermelon lip glaze. I'm a big make-up girl, so anything you need to know.

Pennivy: Say no more Chrisette. I will definitely be consulting her for more tips. For now, I have 'Good Girl' on repeat and am off to find a pair of Elie Tahari skinny jeans.

Visit here to incorporate some of Chrisette's Style into your own wardrobe:














Elie Tahari
http://www.elietahari.com/about_us/


















M.A.C Cosmetics
http://www.maccosmetics.com/
















Stila Cosmetics
http://www.stilacosmetics.com/

Source: Pennivy - Writer for HipHopRuckus

-If you have questions or comments for Pennivy, contact her by email

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Jhung Yuro to launch new and bangin' footwear collection

Posted at 6/23/2007 02:19:00 PM

Luxury lifestyle brand Jhung Yuro has today announced the launch of Ceasar Lunix - a new line of young mens affordable luxury footwear. Targeting young men ages 15-24, the Ceasar Lunix line is a more moderately priced extension of the Jhung Yuro brand of upscale, athletic-inspired footwear for men.

Finish Line stores nationwide will be the exclusive athletic specialty retailer for the debut season of the new brand, with styles priced at $75 for low-top versions and $80 for mid-tops, while specialty urban independents will also carry the line. The collection is expected to hit stores just in time for Back-to-School and will feature 24 SKUs for Fall 2007.

"Todays young consumer has become more fashion-conscious; and therefore, more interested in purchasing higher-end brands. With the debut of Ceasar Lunix, these trendsetters can now find stylish, high-quality products offered at more affordable prices", says Diego Ross, Urban Footwear Buyer, Finish Line, Inc. Finish Line stores offer the newest, most cutting-edge brands and we are pleased to be one of the first retailers to introduce this new line to the market.

"We believe Diego possesses such great vision, making him one of the sharpest buyers in the business", says Kris Wright, General Manager for Jhung Yuro and Ceasar Lunix. "We appreciate his support of the brand and thank him for the opportunity to partner with a leading athletic specialty retailer for this debut. "

Ceasar Lunix, an affordable luxury sneaker company, is looking for the next great online talent to create a 30-second video spot for their new Fall 2007 line. The creator of the best video will receive a year's worth of Ceasar Lunix sneakers. So get your cameras out, tighten up those Flash and Photoshop skills and put your best foot forward.

For inspiration, check out the following descriptive terms: Affordable luxury. Innovative product. New unique designs. Subtle aesthetic details. Witty. Clever. Global. Sleek. Clean.

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Suge forced to sell crib

Posted at 6/23/2007 02:12:00 PM

According to prominent site, SOHH, Death Row Records co-founder, Suge Knight, has been ordered to sell his 8.9 acre estate that sits in Malibu, California to help in paying his outstanding debts. The going price for the mansion starts out at $6.2 million. Damn, can it get any worse for Suge?

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Thursday, June 21, 2007   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

"On Point with The Blue Scholars" Exclusive Interview with Queen Princess

Posted at 6/21/2007 10:05:00 PM

Awright, the playas here at HHR are puttin' in some serious work don't you know that...yeah, you been sleepin...so we gonna wake that backside up! Trailblazing soulsista Queen Princess is on the creep-tip with this next interview that she conducted last Friday with The Blue Scholars. These cats are coming off the wall with that interstellar, real-type hip hop that the game's so sorely lacking ...feel that, yep. But anyways, enough about how I feel, these playas just dropped a dope...and shall I say...slept on album...Bayani on June 12th. On the wings of this jank, producer/DJay Sabzi (pictured on right) sat down with Q.P. to talk about the inception of this cold crush duo along with some other cool facts....can hip hop be saved....find out...

Queen Princess: What’s up man, you ready for the interview?

Sabzi: Yes, you can talk to me.

Queen Princess: How did you guys get your start in the music industry?

Sabzi: Well it all began at a student organization called S.H.O.W. which stood for student hip-hop organization of Washington. It was a club at the University of Washington where both Geo and I went to school. We’d put on all ages hip-hop shows because at the time there was no all ages hip-hop going on mainly because of liquor license issues. We met people who worked for clubs, wrote for papers and people who made music all over the country.

Queen Princess: Wow, so what do each of you contribute to the group?

Sabzi: Well I make the beats and my partner Geo, he writes the rhymes.

Queen Princess: Okay so, you play the piano, did you incorporate your skills into this album?

Sabzi: Yeah, the most direct one I guess would be a song called “Morning of America.”
All the keys are played by me, and then I’m also doing all the synth work on the rest of the record. When I studied jazz music with some local jazz musicians as a teenager, that’s what really gave me my theory knowledge, which has given me a perspective on producing beats that I think is unique.

Queen Princess: It definitely is, so what styles of music do you look to for inspiration for your beats and for your music overall?

Sabzi: Man, I know people say everything, but I would say everything. It really just depends on what mood I’m in. I like a lot of like classical guitar, flute, Brazilian music, I like Indian Bunga music, I like hip-hop, producers like Dilla, Premier, Pete Rock and I like some of the electronic music as well.

Queen Princess: What’s the hip-hop scene like in Seattle?

Sabzi: It is blowin up! It’s always been a scene, but it’s like this new generation of young kids that are suddenly paying way more attention than previous generations. Everyone wants to rap, everyone wants to make beats which is kind of cool in a way, because it puts the whole town and that whole region on blast and everyone’s trying to do something. When you have all that competition, people try to show and prove. The music ends up becoming better and it becomes an integral part of the lyrical culture. So in short, it’s crackin’ and I think that the northwest will have a lot to offer in the coming years.

Queen Princess: How did you guys go about building the buzz in Washington?

Sabzi: Well, the student club thing really helped a lot because we learned about producing and promoting events, we got familiar with all of the local clubs in town, and we got familiar with how to capture people’s attention. So by the time we actually put a record together of our own, which was not………………….I mean we weren’t planning this from the beginning, we were just a couple of hip-hop heads doing this thing in the city. So when we had a record it was like we knew people at local radio stations we knew people who wrote for local papers, people who worked in public schools and social services and colleges and stuff like that. We connected out music to community development organizations, so when we had music, there was a huge network of people to get it to.

Queen Princess: In the song “Southside Revival”, there’s a line that says, “I heard a few heads say that hip-hop is dead, no it’s not, it’s just malnourished and underfed.” What do you think needs to be done in order for hip-hop to be brought back to life?

Sabzi: I would actually suggest that it’s not so much hip-hop music, but really music in general or any form of music that people think speaks to them. When it starts to loose its substance and when it starts to loose its relevance, that’s when it died. So even if you’re not into hip-hop, if country music is your thing or you just love you some accordion, you know what I mean, if that’s your thing, it has to be relevant in order for it to stay alive. I think that there are a number of different people who feel that the majority of hip-hop that they are exposed to doesn’t speak to them and it’s not relevant to their daily struggle and their daily life. That could be anybody, on one hand you have kids in the suburbs complain that the radio is all about thugs, drugs and making money. Then you have kids in the hood who are like I don’t really like that positive stuff ‘cause it’s not talking about the reality of the world that I live in. Everyone is exposed to a different kind of thing, everyone feels connected to a different kind of thing. I think it’s really inappropriate for people to pass judgment on other people and say, “You shouldn’t listen to that kind of shit ‘cause it’s bad and it’s negative.” Or vice versa, also I think that music dies when it no longer speaks to you and it doesn’t inspire you to do something with your life. It doesn’t truly reflect and inspire, you feel me?

Queen Princess: Yep, definitely, can you talk about the concept behind the group’s upcoming album Bayani?

Sabzi: Yeah, in short it is a collection of stories, lyrical content wise that are told from a personal perspective of each individual that is a reflection of today’s world that we live in. So there’s a song about the war going on, there’s a song about extremes of poverty and wealth, there’s a song about this, that and the other thing, but it’s told from the perspective of an individual and how it might affect somebody. So for example, the song “back home” is a song about the war and has three different verses. The first verse is about Geo and how his brother came back from the war. The second verse is about a wife of any given soldier who might have left to go fight and then died and left his orphan children and a widow back home. It’s just what struggles the wife goes through when something like that happens. The third verse gives kind of a nod to young students who go to school and are approached by recruiters who try and convince them to join the military when they’re in school. The word Bayani is Arabic. So Bayani, in Farsi the language that my people speak, means literate or speech. Then in Tagalog, Filipino language which is Geo’s background, means the people. So put together it’s like a fusion of our two cultures and it translates to the voice of the people.

Queen Princess: Okay, can you talk about the song North by Northwest?

Sabzi: North by Northwest is kind of like the south side revival of Bayani. So, that’s like a really really short answer. I feel like New York’s got songs about New York, Atlanta’s got a bunch of songs about the south and all the different dances that they have down there. If you’re from that area it’s relevant and it speaks to you. I feel that there’s a lot to be said and done for people who live in the northwest as far as songs about the place that we live. It’s the northwest anthem.

Queen Princess: Aight, so what’s the story behind the cover art of your most recent album Bayani?

Sabzi: Man, that’s great. You’re the first person to ever ask me that. No one ever asks about that. It was designed by a friend of ours who goes by the name of peek-a-boo. There are a whole lot of urban type artists all over the world and now the contemporary art scene is overlapping with hip-hop. He designed the record using imagery that relates to both of our cultural heritages. If you look at the background there’s what looks like a Persian carpet design. Then there’s a bolo, the Filipino knife which is the weapon on the side. Then there are also images of war and peace and also joy and pain; it’s kind of a bitter sweet thing and that’s kind of the concept. It’s about the positive and the negative and how going through change is a bitter sweet thing.

Queen Princess: Okay, what’s separates Bayani from the 2005 self title album Blue Scholars?
Sabzi: Ummm, two main things. I’d say that one is both Geo and I have improved and evolved as artists. The beats are there, they’re more current and I like them more this time around. Geo’s lyrics have evolved, they’re more sophisticated both beats and rhymes are more sophisticated. Also the album itself is more of a cohesive album from start to finish. The first album was kind of just a collection of songs that didn’t necessarily tie into each other.

Queen Princess: What made you decide to produce more melodic, jazzy beats as opposed to beats that just bang through your speakers?

Sabzi: I don’t know if I would say the beats off of Bayani are jazzy. I think that people would say the first record is more jazzy, but I’d say that the most recent one actually bangs harder. At the same time I wouldn’t say that there are jazzy melodies, but there’s a soulful element to it. I want it to knock really hard, but at the same time make people cry.

Queen Princess: You want them to feel it?

Sabzi: Right

Queen Princess: You have a lot of songs, but what’s the central message that you want people to understand through listening to your music?

Sabzi: I would say that people who say that they have a message have a tendency to also be very arrogant and we do not want to be arrogant at all. We do not want to tell people what to think……… ever. I have a 13 year old sister and a lot of little cousins and we’re connected with a lot of young folks in town. I look at the world that we live in and at 25, I can see and look back at high school and junior high and college and see how a lot of my teachers lied to me. A lot of the things that I saw on television or things that I look up to just in American popular culture basically lied if not directly, then indirectly. What we try to share is a different perspective on the world. Like if you watch television, like I don’t know……Run’s House or whatever’s hot Flava of Love, some shit, then during the commercial break you’ll see all types of adds that are targeted towards young Latino folks or young black folks or young poor working class white folks. They’re like, “Hey you should join the military, cause then you’ll be a man.” It preys upon the fact that kids struggle in their daily life. Women and men are continually told that they’re not valuable or a worth while human being. You always have to prove yourself, you always have to step up to a fight and don’t back down and this, that and the other thing. It caters to them and people think this is what I have to do; whereas there’s a whole different perspective as to how one can live their life that is never shared. The idea (That we want our listeners to consider) is to think critically, question what you’ve been told from the sources of authority, and think for yourself because you have the power to make decisions for your own life. As corny as it sounds, everyone really is a valuable noble human being and they should start acting like it. Everybody’s a boss, if they want to act like it. We just try to make music that people can feel and make them think a little different that’s all. If people disagree at least they’ll have their own opinion and they’ll form it themselves.

Queen Princess: I definitely go by what you just said. People can make their own decisions in their life and they can actually do something, if they want to. The last question that I want to ask you is where do you want your music to lead you?

Sabzi: You know I’d like to say that I’m detached from that. I don’t have a lot of expectation. At the very least I’d like to keep making music because I feel that it’s something that I’m good at. It would be dope to have a humble career off of it. I’m not trying to be famous or anything, but it would be good to get the basic necessities paid for and have a career making music. At the same time, making music and DJ’ing has connected me with all types of people that I never would have met otherwise. I’ve DJ’ed parties for a Vietnamese association to somebody’s weddings to some really really rich people’s birthday parties and I’ve seen different lifestyles that I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to. Personally I’ve learned how small the world really is and how everyone has a lot of similarities and we’re not that different from one another. I just like sharing those stories with other folks, so if the music continues to connect people then that’s where I guess I hope it leads me.

Queen Princess: That’s what’s up. I definitely want to thank you for doing this interview, it’s been very enlightening.

Sabzi: Aight aight good

Queen Princess: I like you guys and your music because you have something to say other than what everybody else is talking about, which is old news.

Sabzi: Okay, I’m glad you’re feeling it. Hopefully one day we will cross paths either in Minneapolis or Seattle.

Queen Princess: Hopefully, take care.

I caught up with only one half of the Blue Scholars, but the words of one were as enlightening as an entire group. As their music does, Sabzi spoke a useful message throughout the interview and in my opinion; the Blue Scholars are a filthy dope group that will go far beyond the northwest.

Got questions or comments for the Queen Princess, email her at this link.

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"Yung Texxus Representin' The T" Exclusive Interview with BadNews

Posted at 6/21/2007 09:39:00 PM

Ok we gonna step over to the LongStar State with this next selection as we get it poppin' with big homie, Yung Texxus. Pimpin' picked a little time to convo with our underground rep, BadNews last Friday and both spoke on some real game. Just so you know a little about YT, he's reppin' Keline TX and is coming at the game hard with his new single Buss It Open which is gettin' serious XM radio love. Dig that fo sho. So yo, enough of the chit chat, peep this sit down between Badnews vs. Yung Texxus.....

Badnews: How did you come with the song “I’m still in love with my ex”?

Yung Texxus: That wasn’t my song that was Kelly Rowland’s, but I wrote a verse on it. Basically it went down like this, my boys Clubba Lane and Rayza were two hot produces from Atlanta who were signed to Sean Garrett, Well Sony hit them back with the Kelly Rowland song and I went up to him and asked if I could spit a verse on it. So I threw my verse down on the unofficial remix. Then I sent it out to my boy DJ Scream and a couple other DJ’s and it grew buzz.

Badnews: What’s your role in Green City? What’s your position on the team other than rapping?

Yung Texxus: I’ve been on Green City ever since we were kids but the role I play other than being a rapper, is just to look out for my artist on State City contracts, and their interest, which I operate with a business mind.

Badnews: Who would you compare your style to?

Yung Texxus: I draw my style from a little bit of everything, mostly East coast from living in Delaware, a little bit of Snoop-ya know West coast, I can do club bangers what ever. My style’s versatile, I can switch it up I’m not just a hardcore nigga, and I’m a person with different dimensions.

Badnews: How was it growing up in Keline, TX?

Yung Texxus: There’s a lot of positives and negatives. There are a lot of gangs. In the hood where I was, there was a lot of gang activity but, I still have some good friends there. Because of the army base there, I was able to experience a lot of different cultures.

Badnews: So how did you stay out of trouble? Did you play any sports?

Yung Texxus: Not really, I played a little basketball. I was mostly focused on music.

Badnews: Does music run through your family?

Yung Texxus: Well my mom was a singer on the Keline music scene, when I was living in New Orleans, my uncle was a rapper on the NO scene, so I was born into music.

Badnews: You know what went on with Akon right?

Yung Texxus: Nah I didn’t hear what happened?

Badnews: Akon held a concert in the islands and performed a “certain dance” with a female that was under age. Because of the “certain dance” (laughs) he lost his deal with Verizon.

Yung Texxus: Oh shit! That’s crazy I didn’t hear anything about that.

Badnews: (laughs) Well my question is do you think his mainstream image depreciated? Do you think he’ll lose certain endorsements in the future?

Yung Texxus: Well, when you sign an endorsement there’s a clause that says you have to maintain a “clean” image. You know how Ludacris lost his deal with Pepsi? You got to be careful with girls at concerts, because you can’t be losing that corporate money (laughs). You got to keep that money in your pocket. See a nigga like me don’t give a fuck about a clean image, I don’t have any endorsements on the table (laughs).

Badnews: (laughs) Well I’d care about that corporate money, I gotta eat!
Well okay, next question. Your no stranger to the Source magazine, you were featured in unsigned hype and you also had Greencity featured in this months magazine. How did being unsigned hype change your buzz?

Yung Texxus: Unsigned hype created some momentum they put me in a different class. That’s where the legends got their break like Eminem, Biggie, and those types of niggas. So after I was featured I dropped a mix tape called, “Believe the Hype” which was hosted by my boy DJ Scream. That also got me and my label State City more attention.

Badnews: Ah that’s what’s up. Okay I’m going to try something new. I got a hypothetical question I’m going to throw at you. This is new and you’re the first person I’m trying it on (laughs). Say I’m at Target and I got ten dollars, I see your album and I see another rappers album whose been in the game for a while, why should I buy your album?

Yung Texxus: (laughs) That’s easy News, you alread