Hot Yella...The Triple Threat

Bama Boys Entertainment: What are some of the drawbacks to being a female artist in the male dominated rap game?

Hot Yella: I think the good in every situation out-weighs the bad, I try not to focus on problems- but rather the solutions. I do feel sometimes that I have to work harder, image-wise than a lot of male rappers as a lady, my hair, make-up, nails, heels, skin, jewelry all must all be on point. There are so many products that go into the beautification process, and it can be a long process! I am not saying that being a girl isn't amazing and a wonderful experience, but we definitely work harder on our image, so that's a little unequal in my opinion.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Has there ever been any specific situations that tested your desire to be a hip hop artist?

Hot Yella: I will always be creating music, it is not only a creative outlet and habit, but it's also my job and I'm not a quitter. I think the battles, situations and setbacks inspire me to strive for betterment as a hip-hop artist and personality. To me it's the 'tests' that make me want to study, and I want all A's!

Bama Boys Entertainment: What do you think has been the key(s) to Nicki Minaj's success?

Hot Yella: Her unique lyrical ability and delivery has a lot to do with her success. Also her image and style helped her become a female rap icon. Oh yeah...and her voices! She's very animated, different from most female emcees I've heard lately.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What emcee is the male version of you?

Hot Yella: I have been told Nas, Jay-Z, Fabolous, Eminem and even Pac. Personally, I cannot answer this question, I'd rather leave it up to the listener. I have a difficult time perceiving what I look like or sound like to others.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Finish the following sentence: In 2011, I will_ _ _ _ _ .

Hot Yella: ...continue with the same work ethic as December 31, 2010! I will wake up every morning of 2011 as I normally would--striving for mental clarity and strength, as well being focused on making musical strides.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What is the most personal song that you have written thus far? (briefly describe it's content).

Hot Yella: Each verse or song is a piece of me, I would be a traitor to one song if I said another was more or less me than the other. At this moment I would say my new single "Dream Too Much" is personal because it is a sneak peek into my mind. The content of the song is very playful much like myself, but it also has deep meanings about life and growing up as an artist and person. It's for young people, especially those who are misunderstood. I absolutely love this record and cannot wait for the world to hear it! Keep yourself updated on http://www.hotyella.com/ it will be released soon. ;)

Bama Boys Entertainment: If you could work with any one producer, who would it be and why?

Hot Yella: I like working with a variety of different producers, including up and coming producers. They too are hungry, talented and creative. I would not limit myself to only working with platinum selling producers just because they are a platinum selling. I would say one day a record with Swizz Beatz would be bananas thought, so I'll say, "Swizz, Let's talk beats!" ;)

Bama Boys Entertainment: What do you think it will take to get music to a place where all the regions in the U.S. are poppin' at the same time?

Hot Yella: Power to the people, as they say! I think its is up to the people to fall in love with an artist and their music--whatever type of regional genre or sound that entails, I really couldn't answer that. I'd just say it's up to the people to decide what's good music.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Where's the weirdest place you have ever performed?

Hot Yella: There is no such thing as a weird place to perform, the world is a sage! I can say performances that may be slightly awkward are when they happen during family BBQs or cookouts for example, when my family or friends want me to rap or sing for them. It's spontaneous, but I am always down to perform, it's my gift and I like to give!

Bama Boys Entertainment: Describe your creative process when writing a song.

Hot Yella: Concepts come out of the blue, at any moment I can become inspired. The key is being continuously inspired! I also listen to tracks when I'm writing because a hot record must have a hot beat. Also, when I am writing a song I prefer to be alone, in my own comfort zone, not forcing my thoughts or lyrics.

Thank you Bama Boys Entertainment for taking the time to interview me! I also want to thank all my fans, supporters and all the DJs, radio stations and bloggers who have helped me share my music with the world! Contact my management, 26Talent at 704.910.9185 or 26Talent@gmail.com for anything you need from me or check out HotYella.com!

T-Pain Contest: Get On His Song, Come Up With The Hottest Version

Download Track Here: http://www.mediafire.com/?bfnusha7je5m2xk

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show

Bama Boys Entertainment: How has radio changed over the past 5 years?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: I think it is actually more music driven. With Arbitron (a media and marketing research firm) changing from survey booklets to actual PPM (Portable People Meter), it has made stations far more music intensive.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What are your thoughts on the Performance Rights Act legislation?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: Well, from my understanding and this side of the board, I do not feel as if it is a good thing. It is an additional tax on music that stations would have to pay to the artists and record labels. But the thing is, we already pay....And I think this additional charge could have a bad chain reaction.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What do you feel contributed to Soulja Boy's low sales numbers?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: Not sure, I mean it is hard to read sales in today's market because are you looking at the big picture for all sales. Plus, I don't really feel as if he had a solid single out and there have been alot of really big albums dropping these past weeks.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Speak on your path to becoming a radio personality.

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: I was in High School in Marietta, GA and started an internship here at Hot 97.5 (before the name change) in 1998. Ryan Cameron gave me a shot as his intern/assistant in 2000 and of course came up with my moniker "Beyonce Alowishus I'm Sorry" because he said I kept messing up and saying "I'm Sorry." So, I then started doing my own on-air shifts over nights and on weekends. And then was a member of the A-Team Morning Show, and now currently with the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Life is good. I have been beyond blessed in this industry and I am truly thankful for all of the amazing opportunities I have been blessed with here at Radio One. The A-Team was such an experience because we actually had to build and create our own show (Rashan Ali, CJ, Akini and Griff). But it was definitely fun times. Now, working with Rickey is amazing. You also have Ebony, Headkrack, Rock T, Special K, Gary with the T, Juicy , Hollywood, and Chica. Again, I can't be more thankful to work with such great people.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What song or album can you not go without listening to throughout the day?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: Um, there is not a favorite song or artist for me, I love music. I am a big B.O.B supporter though. I really love his music. But I like everything from Hip Hop to Rock. I am a music lover.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Being into technology and gadgets, what is the hot item for this Christmas season?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: 100 percent, the iPad and the Xbox Kinnect. I have the Kinnect and me and my younger sisters (12,16, and 20) play it all the time. It is a great family party game.

Bama Boys Entertainment: The radio play list can sometimes become repetitive. How can listeners get their favorite artists played that aren't as popular as say Rick Ross or T.I.?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: Well, here at Hot we have a great programming team who actually meets with local artists and hold a DJ meeting weekly to find out what's hot in the clubs and do alot of research, which includes a database of daily requests that the listeners call in and request. We have actually broken alot of national artists here. If you think about it, Rick Ross and T.I. were first played here in Atlanta on Hot.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What has been your most enjoyable interview?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: I have lucked up and had some pretty awesome interviews over the years. Suge Knight was an interesting one, Snoop was fun, T.I. always drops the bizz, But the most incredible was Barack Obama.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Emperor Searcy was recently awarded a community service award at the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio Awards. In what ways are other Hot 107.9 personalities involved in the community?

Tonya "Beyonce" Clackum: Well, everyone contributes alot of time and effort to the community in their own way. Some are heavy in the schools with various outreach programs and so fourth. And then as a team, we are also working on some kind of effort to give back whether it's bullying in our schools, Hosea Feed The Hungry, Toy Drives.... and more. But the community here is our top priority. We don't do it for recognition or accolades, we just genuinely want to do what ever we can to help those who need help.

Follow Tonya on Twitter @Beyonceatl and check out the Rickey Smiley Morning Show online at www.http://hotspotatl.com/, every weekday from 6 to 10 am.

Playwrite Ty Martin: "One day all will see the light."

Bama Boys Entertainment: Describe your journey to becoming a playwrite.

Ty Martin: Prayer and not letting the no's continue to be no's, when I have a product that screams yes.

Bama Boys Entertainment: How many plays have you written?

Ty Martin: Over 40 hit stage plays.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What is your favorite Broadway play?

Ty Martin: The Color Purple

Bama Boys Entertainment: How much work goes into staging a play?

Ty Martin: Whatever amount of blood sweat and tears you can muster up!

Bama Boys Entertainment: What is your ultimate goal as a playwrite?

Ty Martin: To own my own theatre house, soon, and stay on the road.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Music is a major element in plays and musicals. What is the difference between the two?

Ty Martin: I believe that theatre is theatre. I'm not one to have all that singing, but it works if you want that kinda thing.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Why should I attend a Ty Martin play?

Ty Martin: You should attend because God has given me a message to send to the world

Bama Boys Entertainment: Who inspires you?

Ty Martin: The world inspires me.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Our kids today need alot of guidance. What words of encouragement can you offer?

Ty Martin: First, they need to develop a relationship with the Lord..then follow your dreams and not man.

Three Magic Chords

How to find the 3 chords that "go together" in any key.
More free lessons at: www.learnpianoonline.com/welcome.html

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: Southern Drawl and All

"I live everywhere it seems these days. I meet new people almost every day. Yep, crazy it can be. I have met almost every kind of person you can imagine...I have a crazy and unexpected life, but I love it." -- Jeremy Brandon Carroll

Bama Boys Entertainment: At what age did you know that you wanted to pursue acting seriously?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I would say at age 15 is when it really hit me. I really wanted to be an actor in film. After watching The Color Purple one day it did something emotionally to me that sparked a fire in me for this industry. It made me want to be a part of something that is as special as that film is.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Do you work with an agent or do you pursue roles on your own?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I work with four different agents. I have one in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina and Los Angeles. Even though I have agents, I have booked most of the work myself. I have really had to hustle and work my but off just to get this far. You really learn in this business, when it comes down to it that YOU ARE YOUR OWN AGENT. No one will look out for you better than you. You can't depend on too much of what people say in this business.

Bama Boys Entertainment: How does being from a small town help or hinder your acting career?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: It hinders me when People here a southern accent. I have had to work with coaches to change it. Also people treat you like your stupid and all of the cliche things southerners deal with. I think being from a small town helps me because it keeps me very personal and REAL.

Bama Boys Entertainment: If you weren't an actor, what career path do you think you would have followed?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: If I was not an actor, I would probably be a Meteorologist. Other than acting I have always loved to tell everyone weather reports and watch the weather. I am very fascinated with Mother Nature.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Who is the most influential person in your life?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I would have to say my mom. She has always been there for me and supported me in all of my auditions. Both my parents and family are very supportive, but she is just always that extra support that pushes me through. I put my faith in God and pray all the time and listen for the answers to guide me.

Bama Boys Entertainment: If you could co-star in a movie with any actor or actress, who would that be and why?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I would have to say Robin Williams. I think he is extremely talented and extraordinary. I mean he goes from Mrs. Doubtfire to One Hour Photo. The man is a genius! I have also listened to him in interviews and behind the scenes from his work. He seems to love his job and besides the AMAZING talent he has I really think he is a great guy. I look up to him as an actor.

Bama Boys Entertainment: What is one of the biggest misconceptions about Hollywood?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I would have to say MOST THINGS ARE FAKE. Relationships, Magazines, Reality shows and Looks. Most of what you see and hear has some shady publicist behind it that is generating popularity for their client. They will do whatever it takes to get their client in front of the media.
Popularity. Don't believe much of what you hear or see on TV.

Bama Boys Entertainment: How big of a role does music play in movies?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: I think music plays a huge role. Most of the time soundtracks are what make movies. Take Footloose for example. Although that movie is great, even when a movie is bad and you hear a great song, you will remember that movie and want to see it again because of that. Music and film go hand in hand. In horror movies it's the score "MUSIC" that makes the scenes scary and nerve racking. I think it plays a vital role in film.

Bama Boys Entertainment: Is there any advice, books, or other materials you would recommend for individuals looking to get into acting?

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: Although there are many great books, I have not read many books that prepared me for what I have gone through. The best advice I will give is RESEARCH, RESEARCH. If you are serous about being an actor I would start off doing extra work, STAND-IN WORK in movies so you can be around a set and get to know the business hands on starting at the bottom. Do as much acting as you can even if it's free, to keep your self growing. Also, put yourself out there because you never know who you are going to meet and usually in this business it's being at the right place at the right time. NEVER EVER pay anyone unless they are getting you a job and are taking out of that pay. You should never have to pay an agent unless they have booked you worl. They don't make money UNLESS YOU MAKE MONEY so don't get scammed. There are many out there.

Bama Boys Entertainment: I see that you are an Auburn fan. Describe Cam Newton in one word.

Jeremy Brandon Carroll: TALENTED! War Eagle!!!

Check out Jeremy Brandon Carroll at www.facebook.com/jeremy.b.carroll and his bio and acting credits at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1148107/.

10 Reasons Why Your beats Are Whack!

1. The instruments or sound kits your using are not quality.

This is the case for a lot of amateur producers. The get so excited that they can make a beat and they don’t pay attention to the fact that the quality of their beat is horrible. Also, they don’t know how to get better sounds kits. Today getting quality sounds fx and kits is a lot easier than it used to be thanks to digital audio software and VSTs. Make sure you compare your beats on a sonic level with industry beats.

2. Your mix is bad.

Most producers don’t understand how to mix a beat properly. Most amateur music producers take this for granted. To do this you need to have a basic understanding of effects, volume, and panning. Do some research if these terms sound foreign.

3. The song structure doesn’t fit the song.

When you make a beat make sure you choose a song structure that compliments the arrangement. For starters find a song with a similar sound and mimic the song structure until you get used to how beats are structured.

4. If the melody in your beat is bad then your beat is bad.

The definition of melody is a sequence of pitches and durations. I usually come up with the melody in my head first then the rest of the beat flows.

5. The timing and/or rhythm is off.

Quantize will usually help you with this.

6. The sound quality is not good.

Make sure you have decent headphones or monitor speakers when making your tracks. Also make sure you listen to your tracks in different sound systems and environments so that you have an idea how other listeners will here your beats. I put my beats on my IPod, in my car, and my home stereo at least before I let someone else hear them. You don’t have to go to that extreme, just make sure you try different speakers.

7. Your production style sounds to much like another producers.

Its okay to mimic and be inspired by another but its not okay to copy. If you do this people will let you know instantly that your beats are not original. You will get no where this way. Use sounds that you haven’t heard before or create your own.

8. The beat is not made for an artist.

This is not always a problem but it does happen. Some beats are just not made for a person to perform over. If your trying to get a beat placed with an artist, you must make sure that beat fits that artist. If you don’t want an artist to perform on your beats don’t worry about it you can always pitch it to radio or movies.

9. Your beat has no variation or change ups.

In order to keep the listener engaged into your beat, you must add some level of variation. A good example of this is the tracks the artist Beck uses.

10. You don’t have enough practice making beats.

Make more beats and you will get better. Repetition is the father of learning. Don’t expect to be great over night.

Article written by ikebarnes courtesy of BeatCreators.