Artist Profile: Andre "Blocklife" Johnson aka Mr. BLOCKLIFE

Here at NOGO STREET BEAT, we try to stay on our grind by bringing you the best from the Midwest.  That includes Lake County, IL finest and the surrounding locals of Milwaukee and the Chi-town.

 

One of the Lake County, IL finest is a man by the name of Andre "Blocklife" Johnson aka Mr. Blocklife.  This guy is a producer, entrepeneur and soon to be added to that list will hopefully be bestselling author.

 

I had six questions for the man known as Mr. Blocklife,

and he was more than willing to let our readers into his life.  

 

 

 

 

NOGO STREET BEAT:  B.M.G., for my reader's who don't know, what does it stand for and who are you?

 

Mr. Blocklife:  B.M.G stands for Blocklife Music Group which its made up of individual artists like Quarter Key, SQ, D.Ladd, Yung Staff, and myself Blocklife. (founder/ceo of Blocklife™)

 

 

NSB:  Aside from being a mixtape producer, and business owner, you have moved on the realm of Urban Literature.  Tell our readers about your Urban Thriller, Big Jake.  What can we expect from you as an author?

 

Mr. Blocklife:  Yes I've ventured into many different things, but I've always been a pretty good writer, even in school on compositions and essays, I did great.  My inspiration for wanting to write an urban thriller came from my long time homeboy Marcus Hasty (Joe Awsum) when he let me read the rough draft of Beastmode: Welcome to the Jungle. I was blown away and wanted to write. My first title is Big Jake-KeysToTheCity and its grimy! Expect an action packed page turner! The ball just keeps rolling!

 

 

 

NSB: You are a father now, but at the age of 16, you got into some trouble and landed in prison.  Most people would have given up on themselves.  How did you manage to turn it around? 

 

Mr. Blocklife:  I am a father of one (lil Block) but im not married. Prison taught me alot about myself. I basically grew from a boy to a man behind bars. I went in 3 weeks after turning 17 and didn't see daylight again til Iwas 21. I educated myself with the tools necessary to be a productive citizen and never looked back! I went in without a high school diploma and came home with an Associated in Liberal Studies along with many more licenses and certifications. I always been pretty well rounded so it wasnt difficult to adjust when I got out. Plus I'm stubborn and sometimes refuse to lose.

 

NSB: Right now, your mixtape AND I DON'T EVEN RAP is selling like crazy.  How long does it usually take you to put together and produce a mixtape?

 

Mr. Blocklife:  Putting together a mix tape is like putting on my shoes before I leave the house everyday, it's natural. I've recorded enough material in two days to put together a mix cd but I may not wanna use all those songs so I guess it depends on where im going with it...the marketing and advertising is what consumes time.

 

NSB: In this recession, being an entrepenuer is hard.  How do you keep your work and priorites in the proper perspective?

 

Mr. Blocklife:  The recession has definitely put me in a different position. People really dont have the money to just spend right now so you have to be understanding and be able to work with your consumers budgets. If you do your people right they won't forget. Thats important when youre trying to become a household name.

 

NSB:  Finally, how far do you want BMG to go?  You've got BlockLife Music, BlockLife Grillz, etc?  Where do you want it to take you?

Mr.Blocklife:  My Blocklife movement includes Blocklife Tees, Blocklife Sunglasses, Blocklife Grillz and Custom Jewelry, Blocklife Books, Blocklife Films, and Blocklife Music Group  .  .  .  I have great expectations for my enterprise! One of these roads are going to lead to the cash! I don't know which road but from the progress I've made since 04 when I started, I'm confident that im on the right path! Plus I love what I do. I motivate and inspire the hood! Wouldn't trade it for nothing!

NSB:  There are many paths to success in this life.  But, it looks like Blocklife may have the formula to make it there own path.  Check out BMG Reverbnation Page and fan them now!

 

 

 

Artist Profile/Interview: NAPALM

      Nathan D Palmer aka "NaPalm" is no stranger to the stage. He has developed his skills from a young age performing in the choir at his local church.  NaPalm's first mixtape "The Offseason"  was well received on the Northern Illinois University campus where he is already well known for his skills on the football field.  Besides "The Offseason”, NaPalm had also recorded a single entitled “Vowels” that has already begun to circulate among college campuses throughout the country. He is now working on his first album entitled "Lights Off".

HERE "VOWELS" NOW

NOGOSTREETBEAT:   What do you think separates you and your sound from any others that may be out there right now?

 

NaPalm:  I think my sound is a smoother yet classic r&b sound, also you can hear a bit of gospel flavor in my vocals. A lot of artists out now are more of melodic rappers versus being actual singers.

NSB:   You started singing as a young boy in the church. How has your upbringing shaped your outlook as a performer and songwriter?

NaPalm:  Starting off as a young boy in church really helped me become comfortable with singing in front of crowds. It also taught me how to sing with feeling and make songs my own, so to speak. As a songwriter I try to write with the same passion and feeling that is also found within churches.

NSB:   Aside from musical performance, you also excel in football, basketball, and track. Where is your heart at right now, mainly? Music or Sports?　

NaPalm:  Well music has always been my passion from age four but as of right now my heart is with finishing my college education as well as football career. Though my heart will always be with music, I have a desire to finish school, just to have a foundation once football and music is done.

NSB:   Who do you listen to? What is on your desert island all time CD list?

NaPalm:  I listen to a variety of artists. Trey Songz has been in heavy rotation lately but other artists I listen to include Usher, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker, even a little Maroon 5. I am just a fan of music period. My all time CD list would be mainly R&B but I definitely would have to wake up every morning to “Hello Good Morning” by Diddy/Dirty Money. 

NSB:   Musically, where do you want to be in 5 years?

NaPalm:  In five years I want to be on top of the R&B charts and touring the world having shows everyday. I get a great joy out of performing so in five years I want to own the stage and give people a show to remember every time I perform.


NSB:  With all that said, I believe anyone can do anything they put their mind too. I certainly look forward to hearing NaPalm on my speakers one day.  Check out NaPalm on http://www.reverbnation.com/ by clicking the link below, and look for that album to drop in the second quarter. 

Check out NAPALM on REVERBNATION and look for his album to drop in 2011

An Indepth Artist Update/Interview: R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx

    

      R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx is an artist who was born in Mississippi, raised in Texas, and moved to Aurora, IL at the age of sixteen in 2001. R.D.G. began rapping in 2003 when a producer named Mike Russ approached him. For three years, R.D.G. worked on song writing, building a team, and supporting his sound. In 2006, R.D.G. released his first mixtape called "Refuse 2 be Unheard". The mixtapes following his 2006 debut were "From the Gritty to the City" (2007), "Just Business" (2008) and "The Introduction to R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx" (2010).   R.D.G. is about to release another mixtape in February 16, 2011, entitled "The Revelation".  On February 28, 2011 Chicago's WGCI radio will feature the artist R.D.G. Murda Traxx and his music for their Music Monday's program.

    R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx prides himself on being versatile and unique ability to transfer harmonious emotions to his audience. Over the years the music industry has taught R.D.G. that "real friends" are hard to find and should be cherished. R.D.G. believes that "Music is an outlet that breeds creativity and fuels the fire for my passion"
　
　
STREET BEAT: What is more important to you at the end of the day: Money, or Respect?

At the end of the day, I would choose to be respected over being wealthy because in the end that's what counts. Money is just a factor that brings about more opportunities for people to gain prestigious positions which ultimately lead to respect.

STREET BEAT: What is the main source of inspiration for your music?

Honestly, the answer is LIFE. Going through various situations in the course of living makes you feel different emotions and those raw emotions influence me to write the music I do. I try to be as versatile as possible and write songs for people of all lifestyles; from grown men/women ("Walk Away"), to club heads ("Shawty Get Live") and so on. Music to me is just capturing an emotional image and framing it in a song.

STREET BEAT: Who do you admire musically?

I admire a lot of people musically, from Drake to Jeezy. But the people I am most inspired by are Diddy, Jay-Z, and 50 cent because they were able to expand their musical talent to other arenas and gain notoriety outside of music. Seeing a rap artist go from music videos to being in movies, owning their colors, and water shows me the advantages of being versatile.

STREET BEAT: You've been doing this since you were 18 years old. How far do you want this music to take you?

In my opinion, music is more than a vehicle that will take me to a place I dreamed about.  Music is the way I think, feel, and live. So whether it takes me to the top of the world or to the depths of the earth as long as the spirit of music is in me and embodies my way of life I am "Happy" and that is something a billionaire couldn't buy. But to answer your question directly, I think my musical talent will take me farther than my eyes can see!
http://tweetmymixtape.com/7smw65

This man may go on to do big things for himself.  Please check out his music on at http://www.reverbnation.com/rdgakamurdatraxx

AND on Monday, February 28th as part of WGCI Chicago Radio's Music Mondays.  And look for the album "The Revelation" on Itunes, Rhapsody, and CDbaby.com. 

QUARTERKEY--THE INTERVIEW

At last, after major technical  difficulties, both big and small, I got to interview QUARTERKEY for an hour on http://www.legaldoperadio.com/ .  Just the two of us, and what we found out about each other strangely enough is that we had alot in common. 

Growing up in North Chicago, IL wasn't easy on either of us.  But we learned, we grew stronger, and we survived.  I can say truly that I respect Quarterkey as an artist and as a person.  He has grown into a fine example of a human being. 

Listen Here:  

THE QUARTERKEY INTERVIEW

Quarterkey is a man that takes his craft seriously.  In this no holds barred hour, he lets loose about street life, family, loyalty, and the politics of mainstream music.  He is truly BIGGER THAN LIFE and loving it.

Become a fan on REVERBNATION

http://www.whoisquarterkey.com/