www.twitter.com/E_Skillz
Nicaraguan born, DMV resident MC E-Skillz is making a statement that will last long in the hip hop community. Born Elvis Orlando-Lopez Gonzalez, E-Skillz from a young age used hip hop and creative writing to bring him through difficult situations. Taking the advice and inspiration from a school teacher that cared, E-Skillz turned anguish and anger into poetry. After reading the famous poem "A Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, E-Skillz became inspired. "I was so inspired by the writings of Robert Frost that I started to read more of not just his works, but works of writers such as W.B. Yeats, Langston Hughes, and William Shakespeare just to name a few." From there poetry led to music which came naturally to the young E-Skillz. He spent most of his time purchasing cassette tapes of hip hop instrumentals and writing rhymes. After acquiring a karaoke machine at the age of 17, it provided a easy way to record his lyrical creations song after song. "After a year I had amounted over 100 tapes. I was still growing as a writer and as an artist, so it was really bad…but as the years went on I started taking my own craft more seriously and started investing in studio equipment. That was my intro to music."
E-Skillz classifies himself as a powerful, spectacular, determined and confident performer with a thoughtful, aggressive and conscious sound. "I have a real sad sound to some of my music, but within that sadness you can hear the hope I have for the future." E-Skillz ultimately wants to use his music to reach the people that can relate to his life and struggles and most importantly to be able to care for his family. E-Skillz is influenced by the late, great Tupac Shakur, T.I, Brother Ali and fellow DMV MC Whitefolkz and he has also performed at many venues including Envy, Liv, Bohemian Taverns, 24, The Endzone, Laguna Lounge (New York, NY), Jammin' Java, Al Maz, The Legends, Club 5, Pegaso, and Selam. His music has also been featured on Coast 2 Coast Mix tapes, Revolt Radio, 2520, Mix tape Syndicate, and a mix tape by DJ Ykcor. His first successful mix tape Mr. Nobody released by Topp Dogg Hill Records got and astounding 81,000 downloads. E-Skillz second mix tape, Mr. Somebody will be released by DMV powerhouse record label, Topp Dogg Hill Records. His songs, "Beat Drop" and "Not What You Think It Is" are standout songs available to his fans. For more information on E-Skillz, visit www.myspace.com/Killa_Skillz, www.ToppDoggHill.com and you can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/E_Skillz.
www.twitter.com/TheDerrickJ
Derrick J. a Dallas resident by way of Houston, TX is a young R&B connoisseur eager to become a legend in the music industry. Derrick J. grew up in a musically inclined family where he began singing in the church choir at the age of three. Growing up he was influenced by some of the world's most talented artists: Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, Daryl Coley, Fred Hammond, and many more. Derrick J. began writing his own music at the age of 13. The songs he writes are a portrait of everyday life events, relationships, love and inspirations. His lyrics convey purity and have a sense of realism that everyone can relate to.
Prior to becoming a solo artist, Derrick J was apart of the group Xquizite. He was a part of this male R&B group for a year and half. The group opened up for some of the industry's hottest artist: Ginuwine, Urban Mystic, and Bobby Valentino. Derrick J. is no amateur when it comes to performing. Derrick J's ultimate goal is to make a permanent mark in the music industry as a key artist and legendary singer, for generations to come. His motivation comes from his vision of becoming a legendary artist and mogul.
This Texas native's music is as smooth as his swag. As the world turns to Hip Hop music, Derrick J. steps in to bring R&B music back to life. To experience a new sound of R&B music with a bit of soul, check out Derrick J's album "The Anticipation of Derrick J" extended play now available on iTunes and Amazon.
www.twitter.com/seanhines02119
Born July 1983 in Boston, MA. Raised in the heart of Roxbury, Sean Hines came into this world with nothing but his name. It all began in when Sean Hines aka Shizz started off in the hood playing basketball as a youngin. Sean Hines: "I tried do the ball game first but got caught up too deep in the game at an early age, which led to my hustle. Transferring from school to school playing ball then to a Junior College in Texas, but fell back into my old ways, hustling on and off campus". After getting expelled he ended up back in the hood, back to what he knew- Grinding. With no future ahead of Sean, stuck hustling from day to day with no way out he had no intentions of ever being a rapper. Sean always had it in him- rhyming, but with no intentions of making his own music. Sean Hines: "I knew that "Rushya" was doing their thang in the rap game. But I really wasn't too much into it, playing the background and observing how Rushya was moving as they was gaining momentum topping the northeast region on the billboard charts in independent sales, with their album: Rushya/Phastlife "The Compilation". Persuaded by the influence of Rushya. Which landed me a couple of appearances on "Rushya Rulette Vol. 1" while on their mix-tape tour through the entire east coast opening up for shows with my freestyles and hearing the crowd reactions it showed me that if I go hard with this music thang we can really make something out of it". With the recently released cd Rushya's " We want our corners back Mixtape" Sean Hines found his lane and the streets caught on quick. With help from local dj's, Sean gained a huge fan base leaning him toward his upcoming project "Come Cook Wit Me" followed by his album "The Sean Hines Story". Now a days he spends his time working hard in the studio spending endless hours creating song after song to stay on top of his game. A very promising future is surely to come his way. Coming out of a city that is not too well known for major artist in the hip hop game, Sean Hines is determined to make his own way and along with Rushya, together they are breaking barriers.
www.twitter.com/tkm_blokbeeze
David Lee "Blok Beeze" Blocker Jr. is a native of Dothan, Alabama who expresses his passion for music by sharing his life's struggles and experiences in his lyrics. Blok Beeze is not only lyrically inclined but holds the skills of producing and song writing.
"My pain, joy, shame are delivered to the world show casing me as an artist and as a person. To accept me and respect me through a unique crafted journey, the world will never forget me," says Blok Beeze.
Blok Beeze's musical career was ignited at the age of four when he received his first pair of drumsticks. His motivation solely reflects his promise to his deceased brother to move forward with his dreams and drive closure despite opposition. He later learned the techniques of production after meeting DJ/Producer, Derek "DJ D-Rock" Newsome and begun to focus on studio writing and recording. Being persistent and diligent has led Blok Breeze to co-producing tracks with "First Fam".
Blok Beeze was later introduced and became a member of "iFLY" by Marcel "Big Blink" Jackson under Endless Muziik Group. With the mentorship and management of "Big Blink," he co-founded a music production company, Tripple Krown Muziik. Blok Beeze was nicknamed "Smoove" by his peers because of his laid back demeanor and later coined "Mr. Southern Debonair".
With academic ambitions, he graduated from Wallace State College in 2006 with an Associates of Arts degree in Recording Industry Management with a concentration in Music Business and a degree in Audio engineering at the Art Institute of Atlanta. He arranged soulful night performances with other aspiring students in the music industry with many devoted followers.
Blok Breeze receives accolades from his fans with his intriguing raspy voice. The metaphoric phrases and preciseness of his lyrics seduce the ears of his audience. He has graced the stages of some of the nation's most prestigious universities, hottest clubs, and various venues.
Blok Beeze's accomplished works include the release of internationally fly – iFLY, Nov 2007, Milayo Drive, Feb 2009, Bring it Back-single, Aug 2009, and his recent anticipated single "This My Type of Party." Recently releasing his mix tape September 3, 2010, "Crimson Tide" and single "This My Type of Party" has gained recognition nationwide and a feature in the recent My Swag Magazine, September 2010 issue.
www.reverbnation.com/blokbeeze
www.youtube.com/blokbeezeondemand
www.twitter.com/tkm_blokbeeze
www.myspace.com/blokbeeze
