Rich Boy

Club D'Vine is packed to capacity as over 200 of Chicago's elite and sexy gather to meet one of hip hops rising starts by the name of Rich Boy. The crowd is excited and looking good. One of Chicago's hottest promoters by the name of DonSki navigates with ease through the crowd. He is the cool, calm, collected as he watches his event manifest. The climax of the night was a performance at none other than local rock star facility club Wet. I was able to watch from the sidelines as Rich Boy and his crew was escorted around the city. While he prepared to make his appearance he sat in the back seat of his van communicating vigorously with someone over his sidekick. He seemed at ease but excited about the occasion. The line of devoted hip-hop heads that graced the sidelines of club Wet amazed him as he looked on with a stare of anticipation. Sweat beads began to manifest on the corners of his brow as his manager insisted that he leave the vehicle now. He got out and stretched, popped his back and walked towards me with a look of curiosity. I asked him how Chicago treats him and he smiles and says, "the people here love me. I feel the love. I'm really liking the vibe here. It just feels right and the people are amped just like I like them to be. I wouldn't trade this moment for the world." With his single "Throw some D's on it" heating up the airwaves he appears to be confident and reserved when I asked him why people gravitated to his song so earnestly? "I think people just feel what I have to say. I aint got no deep shit in mind but I deal with what I know about and that's what I talk about. It's all about how people can relate to the same thangs. I'm sure the hustlers in Chicago want some D's on they rides just like my folks in the south." While concentrating on the fashion side of hip-hop that mirrors materialism, I happen to notice his affection towards his crew. I count help but ask what makes the people with him so special that they get to travel with him and he replied by saying that "real people always keep realness around them and these here folks are my backbone. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. I know Im in good hands when they are around." Loyalty has always been a strong resident within the hip-hop culture but I couldn't help but wonder why Rich Boy traveled with such a heavy crew. So its normal for you to travel with 10 or 15 guys? "yeah I want them to see what I'm blessed enough to see while we both can. I made it up out the ghetto and by all means that means that they have too. Its all about loyalty to your family. That's what I am all about." I guess there is nothing else to ask when an artist comes true like that. Now we see why he is more than just a Rich Boy but a Loyal man.

Lloyd Doing His Grown Man Thang

Lloyd A Man Revealed
By Jessica LaShawn in Stereo Ave

Lloyd grasped the title of sexy innovative r and b crooner with the release of his debut album Southside. Now at the age of 21 he has resurfaced with a more mature and thought provoking sound with his new album Street Love. Focused and determined to bring the love back to hip hop and r and b, this Atlanta native reaches out to his audience with a heart felt compilation of personal experiences that all ears can relate to. His sweet and savory voice is a constant on the airwaves currently with his undeniable power charged single featuring lil Wayne affectionately titled “You”. I had the privileged of interviewing Lloyd as he revealed the passionate side of man revealed.

JL: How did you pick which single best represents the structure of your new album?
L: I pretty much just sit in a room and blast my music over and over again to see if I still feel the same way as when I first heard it. I do that because once you release a single it is going to be played constantly and you want to make sure it has the right effect on people. You don't want people to constantly hear your song and say I'm tired of this song already. I want to make sure that it is something that you can get into and stay into.

JL: How if any has your subject manner changed and or matured during the development of this project?
L: Well I am 21 now so I'm not a little boy. I talk about real life situations that I go through.
JL: How do you determine which artist add the flavor you envision for a song for a collaborative effort?
L: I am a person that listens to music often because it is something that I love. So of my favorite artist I have a certain few that have a certain quality about them that just does something to me. Music is supposed to make you feel something so when it comes to picking the people I want to work with I tend to go with the individuals that I feel will bring a certain something to the table. I had to chose individuals that brought the same energy I try to exude. SO the people that are on my album are people I listen to a lot and respect in this industry game. They brought a particular element to my record by just being themselves. I am a real cat and I’m talking about real issues so I gotta work with real people to make my music touch the way I want it to. Its gotta be pure.

JL: What struggles or challenges did you face while working to complete this new compilation of music?
L: Making music is a struggle in general or within itself. A lot of people don’t realize that that being an artist isn’t simple. I have to constantly find ways to show how I am or have grown and my album has to have that evolved feel. Regular people just grow up and get wiser without people asking them hey how have you changed and what have you learned since “Southside” or whatever. I need to be comfortable talking about some of my private issues that I go through so that the people listening and I’m around can see. That is what music is all about. This album was pretty much about capturing all the stuff I’ve been going through or people I know, dealing with the situation, and moving on. I gotta write about that, sing about that, after I’ve lived it. That’s the challenge putting the experience into words over the right beat. You gotta find people that relate to you, respect your craft and their own and then you just gotta go full speed ahead.

JL: Describe just who "Lloyd" is on this new album and what message are you trying to get across to your audience?
L: Lloyd is a singer that goes through the same everyday shit that regular people go through. I’m real and normal just like you but I might be recognized a little more. I’m still Lloy don’t get it twisted. I work, I struggle, I have dreams, I get pissed, I’m real and the sooner people are able to understand that the better off things will be. I want people to respect me for my willingness to talk about what I’m going through. I think that I did a good job capturing reality and keeping it real. Love aint easy, no type of relationship is. You constantly gotta sacrifice and that is the thing that people stay away from doing. When you are involved with someone everything is about more than you as a matter of fact you lose you. It is like that when I have a girlfriend and its like that when I‘m working. I wanna sleep I cant because I have interviews. My girl wants to go get something to eat I cant because I have a photo shoot. Life is all about giving and taking. That’s what I’m singing about that is what I living.
JL: How do you plan to use your fame to give back to those in need?
L: It is not always about money. I go and I give myself and that is worth more than money. I am a living example that dreams come true. If ya wanna break into this business then my knowledge will help you out. That realness, rawness, one on one is priceless and that is what I am about. I visit schools, when I am out and about I stop and talk to the people. I don’t want people saying that Lloyd is stuck on himself I want them to say man meeting him was a good experience. You can encourage people like that. That is what I do When I do talk to people I try to emphasize the fact that humanity and respect for life are what we all need to strive for.
JL: This is an emotionally draining industry, have you ever developed a sense of doubt about your talent and or your music? If so how do you deal with it?
L: You can not doubt your self but your only human. It’s all about knowing that you broke into this business for a reason and bank on that. You don’t have room and time to doubt just thank God and take advantage while you can.
JL: What is the most personally challenging aspect of your profession?
L: Its all a personal challenge because its such a revealing industry. Everybody wants to know what is going on in your life. The trick is try and keep as much of your life your own as possible. For some reason people think that you lose your sense of being a person once your first single drops. They think you become a vocal superman.
JL: How do you feel that the education system can incorporate popular music and culture into its curriculum?
L: I think that you gotta do what you gotta do to keep folks interested and keep learning techniques fresh. I agree with it because when I was in school it benefited me. I was able to grow musically and socially based on people fusing the two elements together. Stuff like that is serious for kids today. I’m glad people finally noticed what a huge affect music has on the youth.
JL: So you do agree that such a movement is necessary?
L: Yes it is necessary and it will really help kids have an incentive to learn and come to school.
JL: If you could organize an event to motivate youth to vote in the upcoming election, what would it be?
L: I would do something like what David Banner did with Heal The Hood. That was a good idea. Its all about brining people together under the umbrella of some good old music. That right there can unite anyone. It takes us away from the things that segregate us and action outlines what bonds us which is the fact that we are all human, well I hope we are (laughing). You wonder about some people that have control over the way the government and society runs.
JL: What song on your album best resembles what is going on in society currently?
L: I gotta say Certified because I have grown and got my study on about how to be and embrace growing into a man. Now I did my homework and I’m officially certified. Its for the ladies but more so myself. I’m proud of growing older and wiser. I know I have no choice but to do that but it’s a difficult transition. I’m thankful though.

Keith Robinsons Reality

Keith Robinson has refreshed his presence on the entertainment scene with his powerful performance within the critically acclaimed DreamGirls. Now with an immeasurable fan base of intrigued and faithful women, he has re-launched his career as a professional crooner with the release of his single “The One” which is followed by the flavorful “Stages” which talks about the struggle between life’s trials and decision making.

Facing many trials stemming from his quest to be seen as a serious performer after basking in the success of his musical big screen escapade, he concentrates on establishing himself as a “multifaceted entrepreneur undergoing a personal evolution.” Robinson states that he tries to “make music that people can relate to and hopefully reproduce to.” While suggesting that music is “the most powerful aphrodisiac known to mankind outside of the idea of being in love with the thought of being in love.”

Keith’s voice is powerful and packs a lot of feeling that invokes a listener to a more intimate level of emotional adventure. Within the smooth and sensual song “Thirsty” Keith explores the world of ultimate seduction over a jazz infused melody that abducts a listener and forces them to visualize themselves vicariously living through Keith’s lyrics. The air of the song incarcerates the beat and solidifies it as a potential classic while the lyrics exert an immense amount of energy to compete on the same level as the seductive music. The lyrics fail unfortunately and ultimately dilute the power of the song.

After spending time talking about the importance of family and how they serve as his major driving force in such an unpredictable field, Robinson states that his “family is truly supportive of his career because they have talent as well individually and encourages their children to use their talents.” Its all about family, love, and the quest to fulfill ones dreams when it comes down to this fellow as he expresses that “ones power and drive is what gives a person the passion they will need in order to start off trying, fight to stay in the game, and eventually accomplish something. You have got to just take advantage of life and live.”

Still within his bountiful twenties, this masterful gentleman hopes to replenish the presence of soul within the ever-changing structure of the R and B musical hemisphere. Actively involved with his community, he embraces his family values, talent, and fame by reaching out to his hometowns people and spreading words of encouragement as often as he can. Robinsons says that “its just my way of sewing seeds within every city that I frequent.” While on the road he keeps his “eyes open for real life situations that can inspire him to write and utilize some studio time.”

Sure the life of one of the hottest actors out right now is exhausting but he finds “rectitude in knowing that all of my hard work is paying off now and I just have to work a little harder to make sure that it doesn’t stop paying (laughing).” It seems like a trying fate to accept a hectic schedule but Keith comforts all that worry about him but simply reminding them that he “wakes up to do what I love which is the greatest blessing for me right now. I make music about the development or maturation of love, I sing about it, I write about it, and then I make movies about it. My life revolves around my passion.” When asked if he is living what he singing about he laughs and says “I’m optimistic.”
Its hard to avoid talking about dreams coming true after the overly used play on words for all cast members directly associated to one of the most successful Broadway plays to the big screen within the last 5 years. When ask how does it feel to be bombarded by the long living hype he says with a sense of zeal that “dreams are a reality but the quest is within the struggle to actually bring them into fruition. Yes people talk about the movie but hey if that is what helps me to get out there and familiar to more people then I say with a sincere heart keep talking about CeCe and those DreamGirls.” Yet, he is more than CeCe from the movie because he is even better in real life due to his captivating charm, respect, education, and debonair good looks.

Keith Robinson is constantly evolving to new heights from one of the cross cultural roles as a power ranger to appearing on mainstream TV shows such as ER, NYPD Blue, and Half and Half, and not to mention an unforgettable role within the movie Fat Albert. He is humble, passionate, and full of purpose. He is the one we have been waiting for beyond metaphysical mental authenticity with the sweet reward of his articulate tenor voice vigorously elevating us to his reality.