Interviewing 101: 220Music

Introducing 220Music from University of Houston. A hip-hop group with cool flows and cool beats.

A: What is everyone’s name, and where is everyone from

          220Music:

          a.     Marc Haize (Detroit, Michigan)

          b.     EscalatorUp (Oakland, California)

          c.      Gene Green (Beaumont, TX)

          d.     DJ AudiTory (Houston, TX)

(Up, Gene, Haize, Dj AudiTory)

A: Coming from all over the country, how did you guys meet and how did one person’s weaknesses or strengths help mesh the group together?

220Music:

Marc, Up and Gene all met each other through a school organization where they found out about each other’s ability to rap. We then all met DJ AudiTory through a function he was DJing at on campus (University of Houston) and invited him to be a part of the group.  It is more-so our personalities and how we function as a musical ensemble that allows our sound to be exactly what it is today. To be a selfless group of guys really contributes to the creative nature of the music we make.

A: As far as being a full-time student, how do you juggle that along with extra-curricular activities, school events, and being in a hip-hop quad?

220Music:

 It all deals with scheduling, dedication and purpose!  If it has a purpose we involve ourselves in it. 220Music makes sure we utilize our time in such a way that our decisions are beneficial to education and music. Lesuire time is either dedicated to working on music, mixtapes for the DJ, or studying.

A: How are beats, and rhymes constructed for each song? Where does song inspiration come from?

220Music:

a.     Our beats are typically chosen through a number of producers we like to work with. We try to find a concept that we can all focus our verses towards. We then try to construct A universal message from personal perspectives that compliment each others.

b.     Song inspiration can come from a plethora of things. There’s no definite answer to define our inspiration. We can be inspired by faith, theories, music, jokes, family, experiences, or whatever just happens to come to mind. 

A: Since starting the group what has been the biggest challenge? And what is being done now to prevent that from happening again?

220Music:

The most difficult part about being in a group is communicating all the details necessary to have everybody on the same page! There are multiple events we participate in and people we have to meet. So when you have 4 guy’s, relaying all that information can easily become a task. We’re just getting better with it over time. We actually have a group chat specifically for communicating all details with each other.

A: As far as setting goals, have they been met? Dating back to the start of the group to now?

220Music:

We’ve accomplished a majority of the goals that we’ve set for ourselves. We pride ourselves in being able to do exactly what we set our minds to!  When joined, we told each other that we would take this as seriously as possible and ever since then we’ve seriously been making things happen. Big things! Lol.

A:    What’s the biggest accomplishment 220 has made? And as a member of 220, what does that milestone mean to you?

220Music:

We believe that remaining as a group for almost 2 years and still doing what we promised to each other, has to be the biggest accomplishment as a group! For 4 very opinionated and passionate men to be in a group and work to create one sound and brand tends to be difficult. Luckily we’re just as united to accomplish our dreams now, till dating back in May of 2010.

A: Are there any regrets thus far?

220Music:

The biggest lesson learned as a group was paying for shows early off in our career.  We were really just excited for opportunities to perform and didn’t know any better about the business. Sadly the group got hustled in the end. It was a huge lesson learned for us. Not so much a regret but that money could have been invested in other places that would have been more beneficial.

A: What’s up next? Any dates “The Following” should watch out for?

220Music:

May 24^th we have a show at House of Blues Houston. If people would like to keep up with us they can always visit www.weare220.com to keep up with us.

A:  Lastly, what’s everyone’s twitter names?

220Music:

a.     @220Music (220Music)

b.     @220Haize (Marc Haize)

c.      @220Gene (Gene Green)

d.     @Escalatorup (EscalatorUp)

e.      @DJAudiTory (DJ AudiTory)

Style-Child: Dallas Career Day

This 13th day of April marked Dallas Career Day! Even though it was a true adventure coming to Dallas, I reminded positive and focused on today's schedule. But to my surprise Dallas did not live up to my expectations. In my opinion, Houston Career Day was fabulous and very informative. I gained a lot of knowledge there as opposed to today. Luckily there was plenty of Style -Child's wondering the halls! I was dying all over the place.
Here's a few I melted over....

Ann-Hamilton (super cool government!)

Loves fashion, and loves her COFFEE!

Maria

Has a obession with funky stocking( as sported here) , and corky hats.

Jessie( immedately melted when I saw her fit)

Works as a Stylist with Free People.

"Music is my inspiration for everything that I do!"

Kayla

She enjoys "characterized" socks, and just recently traveled to Paris.

(How jelly was I when she said that.....EXTREMELY!)

Style-Child of the WEEK.

Tonight served as NAACP's annual Spring Fashion Show. While most came to view the collections(including me), I came to view the audience as well. It's nothing like ones individual style. From the performers to the designers themsevles, personality was floating

all over the roon. Here's two Style-Childs that rock out tonight. Showcasing their lean legs, and fun tops!

Rachelle (left)

Is a proud left-handed woman, and surprisingly doesn't like heels. (fooled me).

Raveen (right)
Is a junior at Sam Houston State, and has two mixtapes out! www.datpiff.com/Rae_Alexis_Sim

......Want to be featured as Style-Child of the WEEK? email me with two funky characteristics, and a photo of you in a on trend fit.........

Interviewing 101: Willie Vance

                       Willie Vance, SHSU graduate, Freelance Photographer

A:What was the first picture you took?
W:The first picture I ever took was of myself, one of my frat brothers had been showing me how to use photoshop and out of everything he showed me I really only remembered these two effects. It was how to change your reflection in the mirror and how to pick certain colors in black and white pictures. So I set this little camera I on a tripod in my shower and snapped a picture of me in regular clothes looking at myself dressed like I’m going somewhere. That was the first picture I actually took myself, before that I’d bother my roommate Zaki to snap me new profile pictures for Facebook all the time lol.

A:What do you love Most about photography?
W:It’s a challenge and It makes other people feel good. I love to the challenge of getting the “Money Shot”. That’s one of those pictures where everything seems to come together all at once for you. My goal is for every picture to be that money shot. Photography is another opportunity for individuals to be creative and express their everyday views of life.

A:What would be your dream set location? And why?
W:I’m like any busy downtown area or nice landscape. Any time it’s a lot of people walking around, nice buildings vibrant colors and trees it’s a dream location for me!

A:How would it contribute to your portfolio?
W:For me those kind of locations would allow me to experiment many different forms of photography, which is good when you’re just starting out because you are able to get a feel for what your style of photography is, which in-turn makes for a strong portfolio.

A:How do you plan to inspire people with your work?
W:I try to inspire by example. Honestly when people see my work I just hope that whether they are a photographer or not that they are inspired to pursue something that interest them.

A:In your opinion, is it best to start a business while in college or post graduate? How did you juggle both?
W:In my opinion it doesn’t matter whether you’re in college or 50 years old lol. To me what matters the most when starting anything you plan to profit from is faith, consistency and progression. You have to first believe in what you’re doing in order to present it to someone else in confidence. To provide good work consistently, you have to take what you’re doing seriously. And never stop learning, progression is key.

A:How do you plan to expand your business?
W:At this point word of mouth is key I appreciate anybody I’ve taken pictures for because they like what I’m doing and spread the word. My main focus is learning and progressing. I feel like if I continue to get better and provide quality people will continue to reach out and show support, which will eventually lead to expansion.

A:What’s your current project your working on?
W:S.I.T.U.S with Sedrique D’Juan its not my project so i cant go into too much depth. But thats something I’m apart of, but outside of that I’ve just been working on spreading The Prescription brand and graduation coming up so I’m currently shooting and getting back grad pictures.

A:How do you market your business?
B:Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,Tumblr lol. You name it, I’m on it. The internet has become the cornerstone for keeping people connected and when use correctly Social Networks can be very effective marketing tools.

A:Owing your own business, What is one important lesson you have learned?
W:I learned that I have to be patient. I pay attention to every detail of everything I do now because when trying to attract business it’s extremely important that your work is presented how you intended the first time.

Go ahead and check out his site. SUPPORT it.
http://www.picsnpeace.com/

Coachella...

Yes, I am a little salty about Coachella this year. A lot of my favorites are showcasing and I'll be here at school. :( poo. There's a lovely range of music as always. From ASAP Rocky to AVICII. To Feist to Gary Clark Jr. <<< Who I find very sexy. I have a thing for man fur. All is not lost though, Dom Kennedy isn't performing, so I should be ok. In other news here's alist of the artist. Weekend 1: April 13-15. Weekend 2:20-22.

http://www.coachella.com/
Friday, April 13, 2012
Alesso
Amon Tobin
Arctic Monkeys
Atari Teenage Riot
Band of Skulls
Breakbot
Cat Power
Datsik
Dawes
Death Grips
EMA
Explosions in the Sky
Feed Me
Frank Ocean
GIRLS
GIVERS
Hello Seahorse!
honeyhoney
James
Jimmy Cliff & Tim Armstrong
Kendrick Lamar
LA Riots
M83
Madeon
Madness
Manchester Orchestra
Mazzy Star
Neon Indian
Other Lives
Pulp
R3hab
Refused
Sean Kuti & Egypt 80
Swedish House Mafia
The Black Angels
The Black Keys
The Dear Hunter
The Horrors
The Midnight Beast
The Rapture
The Sheepdogs
Wolf Gang
WU LYF
Ximena Sarinana Yuck

Saturday, April 14, 2012
A$AP Rocky
Andrew Bird
AWOLNATION
Azealia Banks
Black Lips
Bon Iver
Borgore
Buzzcocks
Childish Gambino
David Guetta
Destroyer
Destructo
Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
Feist
fIREHOSE
Flying Lotus
Gary Clark Jr.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Grouplove
Jacques Lu Cont
Jeff Mangum
Kaiser Chiefs
Kasabian
Kaskade
Keep Shelly in Athens
Laura Marling
M. Ward
Martin Solveig
Miike Snow
Mt Eden
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Pure Filth Sound
Radiohead
SBTRKT
SebastiAn
Squeeze
St. Vincent
Sub Focus
Suedehead
The Big Pink
The Head and the Heart
The Shins
The Vaccines
tUnE-yArDs
We are Augustines
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Zeds Dead

Sunday, April 15, 22
AraabMUZIK
At The Drive-In
AVICII
Beats Antique
Beirut
Calvin Harris
Company Flow
Dada Life
DJ Shadow
Dragonette
Fanfarlo
First Aid Kit
Fitz and the Tantrums
Florence and the Machine
Flux Pavilion & Dr. P
Gardens & Villa
Girl Talk
Gotye
Greg Ginn
Housse de Racket
Justice
La Roux
Lissie
Metronomy
Modeselektor
Morgan Page
Nero
NOISI?
Oberhofer
Porter Robinson
Real Estate
SantiGold
Sebastian Ingrosso
Sleeper Agent
Spector
The Gaslamp Killer
The Growlers
The Hives
The Weeknd
Wild Beasts
Wild Flag
Zedd

REIGN on me: Jay-Z

Never doubting his work ethic, business plans, or self Jay-Z continues to reign as one of the top moguls. He never disappoints, always innovates. This man constantly proves himself in any endeavor! Even though his plans are unpredictable, I'm never too surprised why he choses to execute them in the first place. As you may remember Hip-hop artists clothing lines was a big business in the early 2000's. Since around 2007, that big business declined and no one has had  quite a comeback. Now Hip-hop artist T.I., recently re-launched Akoo Clothing's mediocre Fashion Show on the hit show T.I. and Tiny:The Family Hustle. Sadly I wasn't impressed. Nothing spoke to me. The message was not clear. That was the perfect way or one of the many to rebrand himself. As for Jay-Z, business first, he took the correct approach by staring in a commercial. I saw it first a couple days ago. My immediate thought "this is a grand slam!" Who would of thought? And who knew? With the market down in Artist apparel, it was only right. In the media, you actually see a lifestyle being sold. That's your selling point! What catches my eye? The most expensive item, how should it be merchandise? I'm sure sells for this year will exceed expectations. All I can say is, he's genius. "Rocawear just keeps reinventing itself and redefining itself every single day.” Jay-Z

Lookbook 101: The Student

I decided to have a Style Party, and here are the results.....



Model A: Danielle French, Fashion Merchandising Junior (Sam Houston State University).

(lace white shorts used again. remember classic pieces can always be repeated).

Model B: Sade Anders, Human Resource Management (Sam Houston State University)

Model C: Chasidy Billups, Mass Communications, (Sam Houston State University)