GUCCI MANE YO GOTTI TOUR!!!!!!!!

Okkkkk Soooooooo its official!!!! GUCCI MANE and YO GOTTI will be here in CLEVELAND, November 6th!!!!!! Now ya'll already know that this will mos def be the EVENT OF THE YEAR!!!! Everybody who's anybody will be in attendance. What better way to show off all the handwork you put in this summer ,than by showing up at the BIGGEST CONCERT EVER!!!!! Tickets are moving fast so make sure you get yours...like NOW!!!! It's gonna be friggin INSANE!!!!! XOXO


@Bigmall_XL
@jburks_XL

BONE THUGS N HARMONY 2012 CLEVELAND!!!!

Sooooooooo I like to think that I have lived a somewhat...fulfilling, adventurous, and exciting life. I mean as I get older...of course there are things that I hope I see before exiting this Earth. I mean we all have a small list of people, things, and places that we would all like to see 1 day...a list that seems almost "far fetched", or "impossible". You know...the list you talk about to a friend and they usually respond...."yeah...that'll happen...when pigs fly".I have a few things on my list...ya know, unicorns, aliens, a 3 titty chic, and BONE THUGS N HARMONY reuniting! I've discussed my list with friends before and Ive gotten the same reaction..."Jenn..come on now...I seriously doubt any of these things will actually happen...especially a concert with all the original members of Bone Thugs n Harmony". I like to keep high hopes. So imagine how I felt...when I was told...I would be covering the BONE THUGS n CONCERT REUNION at the AGORA!!!!!!!!

When I first busted thru the back door at the AGORA....I kinda crept in...and somewhat crawled thru the many mazes finally ending up at the side of the stage. There weren't very many people inside. Rebel Army Radio was setting up, Quincy aka Big Heff was quietly moving up and down the empty aisles running soundcheck. KPT and Draft Pick were there, early like always on their professional sh*t, and then you had maybe those 1 or 2 ticket holders...ya know the ticket holders that are early at every show. Dj Ball was setting up his tables,while I slowly scanned the venue looking all the way to the top thinking...*damn....Juicy J tore this place down last time he was here.* The AGORA is a beautiful venue. It has seats up top in the balcony and small lil box seats that are almost opera house looking. I took a deep breath in, the air inside smelled stale and very cold.Out front security was having a lil pep talk from some other authorative figure. I overheard security being told..."I'm not sure why we have so much security"...I was thinking..."awwwww the silly folk, they have no idea that freakin BONE THUGS N HARMONY are world famous, grammy award winning artists"*headroll fingasnap. It wasn't long before the AGORA began to fill up. The die hard BONE fans rushed towards the front of the stage....sure it was nowhere near time for t he show but I mean come on!!!!! This was BONE THUGS N HARMONYperforming for there first time since fo-eva!!! As the AGORA began to fill...slow at first like a Big Slurp in a cup from Seven Eleven...there were hella opening acts that performed. I mean I think that all of Cleveland was trying to be a part of the monumental BONE concert. The crowd was mos def growing anxious by the minute. I admit...that I myself was somewhat impatient, but unlike many other concert goers at the AGORA, I didn't fall victim to the tall cans of COOR's Light being served. Taking a crowd of die hard BONE fans, that haven't been just waiting a few hours to see BONE perform....but have also been passing the time by sipping tall cans of beer, being pushed, squished and told that BONE would be performing shortly could have easily turned into a recipe for disaster. Yet Quincy aka Big Heff somehow seemed to keep the crowd entertained, and patient as possible....which seemed...almost impossible. Of course Cleveland's most famous and elite came out to support this historical event about to go down. Ray Jr. did the fattest set showing hella love to Eazy E. Ray Cash who is Mr.Cleveland himself came out and performed!!! DJ BALL literally had me surprised.
I mean I've heard DJ BALL spin before but damn.....he held it down for like 4 hours straight no lie. The stage area quickly began to fill up. It seemed as if everyone wanted to be front and center at what was about to happen. You could tell from the expressions on everyone's face...that everyone was a BONE THUGS N HARMONY FAN. People sometimes try and be cool at concerts. That's why usually even tho I'm media, I like to be in the crowd. The stage can get to crowded, at you've got people just standing around, groupies, people tryna push music, managers... just way to many things going on. This concert was different tho. It seemed as if everyone was just wanting to be a piece of history. Everyone there that day at the AGORA knew that this BONE THUGS N HARMONY show was going to be EPIC. The world famous Dj ICE was starting to pump out the intro music for BONE.After what seemed like an eternity...flying cans, beer being thrown, boo's and loud forceful chants of "WE WAN BONE, WE WANT BONE"...the crowd began to part on stage...almost like the Red Sea..and then...there...right before my face...was 1 of the things I had dreamed of seeing once in my life before I died...BONE THUGS N HARMONY came strolling out, and I say strolling...cuz BONE THUGS N HARMONY always come thru cool and smooth!!!

OMG!!!!!!!! It was soooooooo freakin COOL!!!!!!!! I mean BONE THUGS N HARMONY looked like they had just emerged from some kinda time capsule. They look EXACTLY the same! From the sharp creases in their pants, to their button ups and ironed t's and jerseys, BONE THUGS N HARMONY came onto the AGORA stage and the applause was INSANE!!! BONE THUGS N HARMONY were standing on stage...in their city that loved them soooo much...CLEVELAND. The looks on Wish, Krayzie, Flesh, Bizzy, and Layzie were priceless. You could see happiness and love in their eyes. All the smiles in the whole venue were genuine. Everyone that had been on stage was being told to "STEP BACK, STEP BACK". I couldn't be that annoyed by the people that refused to listen, because it was such a magical moment....everone just wanted to be a part of it. BONE THUGS N HARMONY jumped right into their set. I mean hit after hit, the music was non-stop. The crowd was young, old, male, female.....and every single person in attendance new every single word to every single Bone song being played. I looked to the top of the AGORA...the seats were totally filled, people were sweating, shouting all the words to the songs. The air inside no longer smelled stale, nor was it cold. The comforting aroma of burning tree, and body warmth filled the AGORA. Everyone that had seemed impatient before, and angry...suddenly seemed happy, all the faces were wearing smiles, some people had deep lost looks in their eyes...reciting lyrics out of hope, or maybe even hurt they felt...thats what BONE THUGS N HARMONY music does to your soul. It's never been about "gangsta rap"...BONE THUGS N HARMONY has always been about "real life struggles,  ghetto hope, and unity amongst your community"....and tha's what happened that night at the AGORA. BONE THUGS N HARMONY...made history...all over again. Even tho we as fans seemed to have  waited forever for the return of 1 of the greatest hip hop groups of all time... It was worth it! You could tell...that moment...was the moment for BONE THUGS N HARMONY. It wasn't about them coming together cuz their bills needed to paid, or jus kinda throwing some half ass show together for the sake of doing it. This Bone Thugs reunion was written. It was one of those things that was meant to happen when it did. There was no animosity amongst all the members, 1 member wasn't trying to outshine any of the others. They all seemed genuinely happy to be together on stage in CEVELAND.

I caught Bizzy smiling non-stop, he was generous with the stage, often times falling back or stepping to the side....kinda making way for Flesh to make his presence known, I caught Layzie almost skipping from side to side, Krayzie looked so confident in everything happening around him, and Flesh....man...it had been so long I had almost forgotten how dope Flesh really is...but he mos def reminded the crowd that he is still 1 of the dopest artist ever, and Wish was sooooo freakin smooth in his V-neck and button up, still the glue holding it all together with his soulful singing...I mean...I swear I saw tears in some of the biggest gangsters eyes at AGORA that night. Not on some sucka sh*t, but if you are a lover of hip hop, if you have followed the intro, the fame, and the struggles of BONE THUGS N HARMONY, and you respect them and what they are about...it'd be difficult not to feel some kinda way...seeing them perform all together for their fans!
The show seemed to go on forever, and yet there still didn't seem like enough time.BONE THUGS N HARMONY proved that they will always stand against the test of time. When you are an originator of something, you can never fall off. BONE THUGS N HARMONY will always be 1 of the Greatest Hip Hop groups of all time!
Driving home I felt satisfied with life, and looked out my window for flying pigs...I was that happy, not because I was at AGORA, but just because BONE THUGS N HARMONY proved...that if you have something good, it will always withstand the test of time. We all deal with everyday struggles, we all have family or friends we love but don't talk to all the time, but in the end...when the time is right...if it's meant to be...it will be...and BONE THUGS N HARMONY is 1 of those things in life....that proves all of the above to be correct. When I got home, I took out my list, and gently crossed off "BONE THUGS N HARMONY".I had seen the reunion of my favorite hip hop group ever, I fell asleep feeling satisfied and hopeful for everything else that may come in life. XOXO

@BigHeff
@FleshnBoneBTNH
@iamKrayzieBone
@BizzyBoneSoCool
@LayzieBTNH
@WishBoneBTNH

SWEETFEST 2012!!!!!!!!

 Okkkkkk Sooooooooo SWEETEST DAY is coming up!!! Now before many of you start huffing and puffing...let's remember something!!! SWEETEST DAY is like VALENTINES DAY cousin. It's a day you share with your boo, baby mama, baby daddy, exclusive sidepiece, wife, husband, or even bestie. What other fantastic way would there be to spend a sweet day like SWEETEST DAY, than to check out SWEETFEST at the SYMPOSIUM!!!!!! I almost damn near died when I found out that Cleveland's own PHENOM from West41Side is gonna be performing!!!!!! Not only is PHENOM aka PHEENS, 1 of Cleveland's top 5 producers, lyricists, songwriters, and singers....he's like a music guru!!!! The SWEETFEST will be hosted by the sexy PRINCESS AMIRA, and BEAUTIFUL THE BEAST!!!No pressure ....just come on your sexy sh*t, be fly and have a good time!!! XOXO

QUINCY aka BIG HEFF, MUSIC, MAGIC, and CLEVELAND!!!!

BIG HEFF and DJ BALL

Let's face it... Up until recently...over the past few years CLEVELAND wasn't thought of as a  musical city. I mean of course we pump out some of the greatest artists in the music industry, but honestly...if an A&R was sitting at a desk with an artist...they probably wouldn't stick a lil push pin into CLEVELAND on a map and say "NOW CLEVELAND...that's where you need to be if your trying to push your music, build a fan base, or build a brand". I mean do you know how many times I've gone to other cities and said "BITCH I'M FROM CLEVELAND"...and heard crickets...*crickets*. Soooooo many things have changed...and I'm not just talking about the Cleveland Browns....oh wait...no...your right the Browns are still the same * yawn. Yet as far as music goes...CLEVELAND has managed to do a

complete 360 on er damn body!!! Not only is CLEVELAND recognized as an influential, key component to the music industry, the nightlife is in full force, almost as if your partying in New York, or even L.A. More and more celebrities are stumbling thru CLEVELAND, and yes I use the word "stumbling" because once they are shown the city by CLEVELAND's GODFATHER himself...they will have TURNT THA F*CK UP, and left successful, happy, and productive.

There are a lot of people that would love to take credit for CLEVELAND's new found respect in the music industry...and why wouldn't they. I mean to be able to say that you turned the city of CLEVELAND into 1 of the most respected cities to birth several phenomenal talents... is mos def a big notch to add to ya belt. If you are really from CLEVELAND, then you know...that no matter what anyone say's.....the title of CLEVELAND's MUSICAL GODFATHER mos def goes to Quincy aka BIG HEFF!!!!! 

 I mean damn....I could spend all night in this starbucks...(wifi...duhhhhhhh) listing all of BIG HEFF's accomplishments....but damn...that would take all day...*and the BET Awards are coming on....but yes...BIG HEFF himself has taken CLEVELAND and kinda picked it up, brushed it off, polished it up, and pushed it back out into the market. Any artist from CLEVELAND...will mos def have to to go thru, come to, or need BIG HEFF at least once in their musical careers. There's no "If's", "ands", or "buts" about it. BIG HEFF is the Godfather of Musical talent in CLEVELAND. Ok ok.....some people may say...*"now hold up Jenn...maybe your going a lil to far with this Godfather sh*t". That's ok...because

BIG HEFF, MGK, KRAYZIE BONE, CHASE, RAY JR, DJ ICE

I understand that for every person that loves what you do, there is another person that hates what you do...only because they themselves can't do it the way that you do. BIG HEFF is like the male version of a Fairy Godmother. He can take a pumpkin and turn it into a coach, he can take an artist that not 1 person has really heard of, and magically turn them into a headliner at any venue. BIG HEFF can take a song ...and turn it into a hit. BIG HEFF can manage to take the most burnt down club in the city, a club that is on the brinks of closing, and suddenly have A1 artists performing on a stage at the venue. BIG HEFF seems to have magical powers of a GODFATHER. No matter what anyone says about this man ....there is no denying his exquisite business savvy professionalism , or his musical ear or eye for talent. BIG HEFF has literally turned CLEVELAND all the way around!!!!

I've witnessed myself the kinda pull that this 1 man alone has when it comes to accomplishing the impossible. 

BIG HEFF and STEVE LOBEL

BIG HEFF I found out over the years is a complicated individual, almost at times difficult to read...but you have to act a certain way according to certain situations and certain individuals. You gotta think for a min...BIG HEFF has hella things going on for him, around him and this city. There has been times when I've seen QUINCY out and it'd  be a huge group of artists...all standing in his face, pushing music, some yelling, some attempting to network, some damn near begging....jus for him to work with them. QUINCY is the man ...the GODFATHER that just might be able to make it happen for them. I've witnessed BIG HEFF at dinner...and people kinda walking up to him, and he is polite ...he listens...with the most straight face Ive ever seen.I mean his face doesn't budge...so you automatically know that he is all about business. Yet I can't help but feel a lil sympathy for QUINCY...cuz I know that I like to eat my food while its still hot. QUINCY has spent the last few years attempting to rebuild CLEVELAND. He is successfully pulling off the task that most forecasted as "impossible". With the Nerve Dj's conferences, the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, and hella concerts thrown to push MGK, RAY JR., RAY CASH, KING CHIP, BELLA NAE, DRAFT P1CK and KPT...and soooooo many more artists...you would almost be lying to yourself...if you denied this man the credit that he deserves. 

I'm not being biased when I speak of QUINCY aka BIG HEFF. He has mos def gotten me locked in CLUB EARTH til 5am, or even had me get drinks spilled on me at 1 of his sold-out shows, or even had me leave with all 100 of my business cards passed out at a Nerve Dj's event, just from networking alone....and guess what...IT WAS FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! QUINCY mos def has the integrity and work drive of a million men...yet you don't ever see him with a whole posse of people...unless its an artist that he's promoting, or celebrities he's rubbing elbows with in the city. A man that has done soooo much for soooo many people is bound to have people that despise his success or work ethic. Sure there are rumors of tarnished morals, or maybe even lack of integrity....but does everyone like DIDDY, does JIGGA piss some people off....some artists feel certain ways....but I like to go by the success rate...and BIG HEFF's success rate is very......successful...and let's just say...I'm almost positive, I'd bet my pink toes...that there are some artists out here that may complain or badmouth the GODFATHER BIG HEFF...yet I'm pretty sure they would walk far as hell...just to get this man...a piece of cheesecake. QUINCY is a very private person...sure he will walk 50 ppl into VIP and TURN UP all night...but I wanted to get a chance to hear from the horses mouth...exactly who he is, and exactly what he does....let me introduce you to QUINCY aka BIG HEFF!!!

Q. What exactly is your job title?

A. Urban Marketing Consultant. I work with major record labels, co-founder of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, Starmedia Booking, have done marketing for T-mobile, Chevy, Madden E/A Sports. NBA2K, and I'm a brand ambassador.

Q. Do you seek out talent, or does talent usually come to you?

A. Both...if an artist has a good background story that get's me interested I'm in, maybe certain creative situations, or sometimes an artis may already have a fan base that get's me excited about that artists music. Referrals from other people, or even good music...good music always get's me interested.

Q. What 3 changes have you noticed in the CLEVELAND music scene in the last 5 years?

A. Knowledge of the industry,  structure, and opportunity.

Q. How did the Ohio Hip Hop Awards get started?

A. Well it was me, D. Lorand, Garbs, and Majestic...I had just came back from Miami and we thought we needed an event to show appreciation for artists....a ceremony to enhance, enlighten, and show recognition to various artists. We all cam from some kind of industry background...we have great chemistry....

Q. How old were you when you 1st got started in music?

A. HAHAHAHAH maybe 22...I was in a rap group called Second Generation...we sold like 7.000 copies of or cd lol....

Q. What is the biggest mistake managers make when pushing an artist?

A. Sometimes the manager...wants to be bigger than the artist...that doomed for disaster. Managers sometimes don't share enough knowledge with their artist, no trust, no honesty., no feedback, not enough input, and a lot of times managers take on to much responsibility or work load of their artist. It' all about teamwork.

Q. What do you look for in talent?

A. Star quality, great look, great voice, story, connection with fans, demographic....

Q. How much money do you think it's take to put together a decent budget for a good quality mixtape, promo and production?

A. Usually between $2500- $5000

Q. Is it hard not to play favoritism to certain artist?

A. Nope...not at all...it all depends on the relationship you have with certain people...everyone is different.

Q. How does an artist become a headliner for a show?

A. Fanbase, and audience connection, online promotions, grass roots...hand to hand fliers...get people to know your music so they will pack a venue.

Q. What is the name of your music lane, and who have you signed so far?

A. Beyond Stars Entertainment and Distribution, we are currently working with 20 different artists and as of yet we have not signed anyone...we are in the process of building the label...

Q. What is the difference between an underground artist,, and a signed artist?

A. Being signed means you have more outlets to promote your music or talent access to XXL, SOURCE magazines and satellite radio....you have a "big name" backing you up and a larger budget

Q. How do your Big Heff Industry tours you promote work exactly?

A. They are artist awareness tours...it gives the artist a chance to perform at lot's of different venues, concerts, mixers, and radio interviews.

Q. Why are artist expected to pay to perform at times?

A. Because you pay for exposure. If you have no fan base or even a small fan base your not able to fill a venue, your paying for an outlet to perform your music until you do build a fan base that is willing to pay for a ticket to actually see you perform. It helps build and develop you as an artist.

Q. Why is important for you to push so hard in this industry for  CLEVELAND?

A. This is my home, I believe we have some of the greatest talent in the world...

Q. Besides the obvious,,,who's got next to you?

A. BELLA NAE, CAINE, EZZY, KPT, SEVERE THE BOSS, DUSTY MCFLY, SILVER KARATS

Q. What do you meet with other record labels about?

A. New people that are hot, I develop relationships, project analysis, we swap info on any artists that may have a buzz around them, new ideas, marketing...

Q. Why do you feel some CLEVELAND artists feel they don't get the recognition they deserve at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards?

A. The OHHA awards has been going for about 7yrs, it's a breeding ground for musical talent....it's a chance to show the whole state who you are and what you have accomplished. I would feel upset too i I didn't win, or feel I was recognized...but at the end of the day...respect, handwork is what pays off and talent. It's a competition so of course people will feel some kinda way...

Q. Would you ever encourage other artists to come to CELEVLAND to do music?

A. ALL THE TIME!!!! Songwriters, artists...keep it in house!

Q. When you try and get away in CLEVELAND, where do you go...in CLEVELAND?

A. To the suburbs

Q. What is your favorite "TURN UP" venue?

A. EARTH NIGHTCLUB...it's like family in there..they treat me and my guests very well...I love all of them, best waitresses and bartenders...its got a big stage...it's a cool place

Q. What is your ultimate goal?

A. Family...i'd love to have a family...

Q. Why did you decide to do an interview with Sparkplugent?

A. Sparkplug has a nice feel to it, you don't get the same ol questions, its shines a light on the city and entertainment...it's different from other blogs...

Q. If we see you in a club..what will you probably be saying?

A. 'TURN UP"

Q. What is 1 of your most memorable moments in your CLEVELAND music career?
A. WOW!!!! I would mos def have to say...the BONE THUGS concert at the AGORA!!! That was monumental...I mean I pulled it off...every original member of Bone Thugs performed on stage together for their city!!!! It was AMAZING!!!!

BIG HEFF and SWAY

QUINCY aka BIG HEFF has accomplished a lot for the city of CLEVELAND. When you see him out he never acts "stank", more than likely he's making sure that everyone around him in VIP has champagne bubbling all the way down their wrists. You might even catch him...tucked away behind a curtain on the side of a stage....watching all the artists, making sure their music is right, checkin crowd interaction, making sure everything is working out for everyone involved. QUINCY aka BIG HEFF is mos def the GODFATHER of using magic to transform concerts, artists, and even whole cities into something memorable. I mean I myself had wondered exactly what it is that QUINCY does...but that question was answered when I attended the BONE THUGS N HARMONY concert at the AGORA. 

There I found QUINCY, quietly running back and forth, thru the aisles, cross the stage, checking the line up, making sure every artist had what they needed, he even played MC, cued the music...man...as much as I wanted to find something bad to say, or maybe find some truth to those rumors from people that felt jilted for their short comings...I couldn't. All I saw...was a man..working hard, and quietly...to unite a whole city...and I witnessed 1 of the greatest hip hop groups ever...BONE THUGS reunited after more than a decade, on 1 stage, in CLEVELAND...performing...that alone deserves the utmost RESPECT. QUINCY aka BIG HEFF...has united CLEVELAND using music as the glue to hold us together. Most would say...his accomplishments mos def take some kinda magic...and BIG HEFF has it, he is the  musical GODFATHER, allow this man...to make your dreams come true!!!! XOXO


@BigHeff

THE REBIRTH OF RAY JR. WELCOME TO LEGIT PAPER

http://livemixtap.es/e62 

I've often heard...that 1st impressions...are lasting impressions...that's what they say. I don't agree with that tho.....I mean...I believe in second chances, and I believe...not in 1st impressions...but LASTING impressions. I'm from CLEVELAND...and it's true what you heard. "If you can make it in CLEVELAND, you can mos def make it anywhere." CLEVELAND is a city where music runs the state, where local artists are more famous than the actual Senators, and Representatives that run it. I mean it's kinda insane when most young people if asked "who is the mayor of East Cleveland?", would most likely respond "RAY JR is the MAYOR of E.C". *Hold up hold up wait a minute *Big Sean voice*, before all the old heads start jumping off the porch...it's not as if CLEVELAND rapper RAY JR., just went and self proclaimed himself the "MAYOR". This is a situation where a local artist is most deserving of the actual title. RAY JR. himself has dug deep into his pockets, and rehabilitated areas of EAST CLEVELAND that once seemed doomed, areas that kids had been prohibited to run free and play. RAY JR. himself has gone above and beyond the duty of "local rapper", and citizen. Yet talking to RAY JR. you would never know, or hear him boast or brag about his reconstructive accomplishments. He's just not that type of guy. RAY JR. is somewhat of a "superhero"...yeah...almost Clark Kent like. An intelligent, creative rapper is his cover, and underneath he is a regular human being, loves his city, loves his crew, loves his music, would sacrifice his life for his family, and loyal to his clique LEGIT PAPER. Sometimes when people become "superhuman" tho....people forget that when you take away the "super", what you have left is a "human". People begin to depend on Superhero's, and pretty soon, it's not just "people", but eventually...a whole city. "If you can make it in CLEVELAND, you can make it anywhere"...getting a record deal from a major label...coming outta CLEVELAND is almost as rare as the CLEVELAND BROWN's winning *sad face*tears, so when it does happen for an artist  like RAY JR. the whole city feels strong. Hella artists suddenly feel confidence in themselves that they never felt before. Only because they look at someone like RAY JR., a guy from EAST CLEVELAND, some would consider the "slums" of CLEVELAND, been rapping, doing shows, rocking Peabody's, AGORA, Club Earth, and basically all of the hot CLEVELAND venues for years....and suddenly...RAY JR. get's signed to a major record label, and LEGIT PAPER is finally LEGIT, and it's like for a moment it seems as tho...music out of all things...has saved the city. When people see a guy like RAY JR. make it, it kinda gives hope to other artists, and many times artists forget how long it took, and how hard RAY JR. had to grind to make it happen for himself. You gotta remember, LEGIT PAPER has been pumping out the hottest music videos, mostly if not all shot in CLEVELAND before any major label ever invested in them, you gotta remember that RAY JR. has always been bout his music. 

I mean when "Sloppy" dropped, GOOD LAWD... The whole city of CLEVELAND was body rocking!!!! Not just even the city, but the whole damn country. It had been fo-EVA since I had heard an CLEVELAND ARTIST get that much radio play. I mean for heavens sake, MGK himself hardly gets radio play in his own City, neither does CUDI, and Chip Tha Ripper...oopsy..I mean "KING CHIP"doesn't even get spins. So RAY JR., ruling the airwaves was like a total CLEVELAND MUSICAL TAKEOVER. The whole city was screaming "LEGIT PAPER in da houseeeeeeeeeeeee". You couldn't go anywhere without hearing "Sloppy", and I have been caught singing "Don't come in me dont come in meeeeeeeeee" *hehehe or seeing RAY JR. at the gas station, or club, or local high school games, or speaking at churches, solidifying music panels and even talking politics with the leaders of our city.

Most times when an artist gets signed, or moves away to another city and blows up....they may act "different", ya know...all "uppity" forgetting where they came from, no longer connecting with the fans that supported them all the time they were grinding. Most artists that blow up...let that "YEAH I MADE IT EGO" get to em....they start not caring....not giving a f*ck. I wouldn't ever say that RAY JR.  did any of those things....but I will say....that a few months ago....I saw RAY JR., and he was performing...and it wasn't the RAY JR. that had me body rockin. This RAY JR., seemed to kinda go with the motions, go with the flo....I was thinking..."damn...if I had to perform Sloppy, a million hundred friggin times, I might get bored too", but even still something seemed distant with RAY JR. In your typical people, sipping "Lic Lac", talking sh*t on a porch convo, RAY JR. who was usually the topic of discussion, was labeled... distant, not the same. I mean hell we all have bad days....but for music to be his passion, he just didn't seem that passionate. I mean most people would kill to be in his shoes...some literally...but then again...sometimes things aren't always as they seem.
So when I was blessed with an interview with RAY JR. I was super pumped!!!

Q.What is Hip-hop to you?
A. It's money, it's a way to feed my family, music with words...

Q. Do you feel pressured or obligated to speak on panels?
A. Naw...I don't ever put to much pressure on myself...I do what I can..

Q.What was your favorite video to shoot?
A. LIVIN

Q.Who is the President of LEGIT PAPER?
A. ME

Q.Wat does LEGIT PAPER mean?
A. I mean...I've grown up with all kinds of friends that have done all kinds of things, but now...it's LEGIT PAPER...ya know

Q.What was the concept behind the song "Don't Come In ME"?
A. Uhhhhhhhh....lolol...I dunno....FUN

Q. What is "LIC LAC"?
A. I mean it says it in the song....lic lac is straight liquor...lic lac...I mean..it's lic lac

Q.Who's got next out your crew?
A. EZZY...he's young and he's dope, he's on fire right now! Zoo Crew, and CHA$E always got fire!

Q.What is the difference between being independent, and a major label deal?
A. Control...and more money in a budget....

Q. What's your favorite mixtape you've done?
A. I'm From E.C

Q.What's the last book you read?
A. The BIBLE

Q.Why do you feel the need to fix up your neighborhood?
A. I mean why wouldn't I. I live here, my kids and family do too, if I can do something to make it better I'm gonna try, I'm not saying I jus got ends to blow, but I love my city...I rep E.C.




After this interview I was somewhat blank. I mean I had hoped RAY JR. would give me something to give the people that were skeptical...about his continued success. But RAY JR., still seemed closed off, "LIC LAC" had just dropped, and it's a hot song!!! Yet RAY JR. seemed more private than ever. I'm a pretty good judge of character, and like I said before...some people say "1st impressions are lasting impressions", but I don't agree. I knew there was more to RAY JR. than just his larger than life "SUPERHERO" save the music, make it in CLEVELAND image. I decided to let RAY JR. cook a lil.  I'm not 1 of those people that likes to gossip, I hear stuff all the time, but I don't engage cuz let people tell it...I'm a million things that I'm really not .The music industry is 1 of the messiest, most bittersweet, love ya then they hate ya, ship jumping industries ever. There is more gossip in the music industry than a girls locker room in a strip club *we love you strippers. Who really knows what happened to RAY JR., all I know is it's not 1st impressions, it's LASTING IMPRESSIONS that count.
Fast Forward like a VHS tape to the OHIO HIP HOP AWARDS!!! All of CLEVELAND was in the building...RAY JR. was set to perform at the awards....I was thinking to myself..."I wonder he's gonna do"* blank face*. I had my pinky toes crossed hoping it wouldn't be like last time I saw him perform. It was hard for me to honestly say anything bad about his performance...but then again he had the whole LEGIT PAPER and family on stage with him, sooooooo just the crowd on stage alone was enough to get my adrenaline pumping.That's what RAY JR. had been doing a lot of lately, going on stage with the whole LEGIT PAPER standing solid right behind him. I mean RAY JR.'s music is so popular, half the time he can set the mic down on the stage and the crowd will recite very lyric to every song for him. Yet I wanted to see RAY JR. perform,... It seemed as tho RAY JR. had a lil more pep in his step. He seemed a lil different from the last couple of performances. Maybe he was showing out for the awards. Maybe he was excited to be in COLUMBUS....I didn't know. I just knew his Ohio Hip Hop Award performance had a lil more life in it...like his stage performance had chugged hella gatorade. I chalked up RAY JR's B+ performance to winning at the OHHA, being on a huge stage with a ton of his dearest friends, and loyal fans standing with him. I mean RAY JR. is a solid performer when he gives his all. His stature and confidence on the mic is like no other. He is witty, and deep, and solid. RAY JR. can mos def demolish  any track, and he has a way of connecting with his fans, that consists of hustlers, working class, students, kids, old folk, strippers, baby mamas...white folks, black folks and anything in between. That's how connected RAY JR. is with an audience, without ever seeming "commercial, or artificial". RAY JR. is a major labels most sought out kinda artist. I mean most labels would kill for an artist like him, that's able to sell records to any kind of demographic, and RAY JR. saves cities, rebirths hope in the youth, and makes the old folk respect his generation...and that alone is "SUPERHERO" like. So it was almost refreshing to see RAY JR. kinda rep the way he did at the OHHA. But just as quickly as I watched him perform...I had packed up my camera, and was back in my hotel room changing clothes for the OHHA after party at REPUBLIC. I had heard RAY JR. was suppose to perform at the REPUBLIC, but I was already forecasting the future like "I already know what he is gonna do".

When we pulled up and jumped out at REPUBLIC it was awkwardly quiet. It was a small place, and stepping inside it was very intimate. I mean the stage was literally the size of a soapbox. Just guessing there was probably about 100 people in the audience, off to the side was the legendary Steve Lobel who had managed to slip in . Steve Lobel was lounging across a couch, 1 leg extended on th couch..it seemed as if he was blocking off territory so that he could have his own personal space. There was champagne flowing around him, and a few pretty ladies placed almost like decoration. He seemed totally bored like "I've done this VIP thing a trillion times". Steve Lobel didn't budge, he never smiled, or got up. Ray JR. finally came out, like he kinda walked thru the crowd and picked up the mic. It was total silence , and it seemed like RAY JR. kinda had a moment....like Prince right before he performed "PURPLE RAIN". DJ RYAN WOLF was just about to start spinning, when RAY JR. said "yooooooo play my own sh*t". Then just like that...LEGIT PAPER seemed like the old LEGIT PAPER!!! RAY JR. came alive!!! He demanded that everyone in the club get up outta their seats. I mean he was that cocky, assertive, demanding guy I had missed! There were a few girls sitting in the back of the club...RAY JR. cued the music to stop and put em on the spot....if you know RAY JR. then you know he is good for blowing someone up that is trying to act to "cool". He said "now I know ya'll aint waste yo money on an outfit jus tah sit down...GET UP GET UP, we bout to ROCK dis show!!!" At first the girls were still tryna play cute...but eventually the beautiful Mz. Crazy Tee and the rest of TRINITY GOLD walked up to the people that were sitting down and took their hands and walked em to the dance floor. The music was cued back up, and the party started!!! RAY JR. seemed strong again, he seemed confident, there wasn't a million dudes rapping for him, he was basically solo dolo. He was spitting acapella, he was 
freestyling, he was in the crowd, he seemed genuinely happy again, but most of all...he was PASSIONATE again!!!. RAY JR. had the whole crowd rocking. The setting seemed perfect for him. Not to big and not to small. A perfect intimate place for the rebirth of RAY JR., the rebirth of LEGIT PAPER. Not even half way thru and STEVE LOBEL himself had finally rose from outta of the roped off section, and he was standing front and center, head nodding to RAY JR.!!! He did a set that seemed to last forever, and yet me along with everyone else was left still wanting more. People in the crowd were like "keep going, keep going"!!!!

I don't know what happened to RAY JR., during those months when he was distant... I'm not really sure I care, cuz we all get lost in life's decisions sometimes...but I am happy for RAY JR. and LEGIT PAPER. It's nothing cooler to watch than a person do something that they are talented at, to watch someone fulfill their passion is a beautiful thing. Once a "SUPERHERO", always a "SUPERHERO"...sometimes people don't realize that it's not the clothes, the cape, the money, the fame...or hell even the record label that makes a person. LEGIT PAPER was LEGIT PAPER before signing a deal, LEGIT PAPER was changing CLEVELAND before a lot of things. RAY JR. has been the "Mayor of E.C". He's not one of those people that has  changed and we no longer recognize him, his music get's better, his videos represent his city like no others... and maybe certain things happen for a reason because he refuses to change. We as "fans" will attach ourselves to someone who is making a dream come true. A real fan will realize that just because some things don't turn out the way "WE" want them to, doesn't mean that's what the artist wants. "SUPEHERO's" are here to save us from the everyday realities...but they should be able to to do what they feel is BEST for them. LOYAL FANS ride or die for something they love, and RAY JR. has all of CLEVELAND behind him, supporting him no matter what he decides to do.RAY JR. has done more on his platform than many have in their career,  CLEVELAND is his city, LEGIT PAPER is his clique, his music, his love. Many things come and go, ...but LEGIT PAPER is in the HOOOOUUSSSSSSEEEEE!!!!!XOXO

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