April Cover | Vinsane

MAG COVER
ENTERTAINMENT
"The Next Great MC"
http://www.myspace.com/mixvinsane

Take one cool dude, mix that with a real personality and a passion for getting things hype, and you have a man named Vinsane. Question: Who is Vinsane? Answer: the next great MC. The best part of this story is that he is right in our backyard. He started in Long Islands own Kings Park .The first element of this equation is the love of music. Without love you have no purpose but when you put that love first everything else just seems to fall into place. Vinsane always loved music but he didn’t start his journey intentionally .He attended Suffolk community college and played baseball for them as well. While playing baseball he made a friend who was already a DJ. He started making a name for himself as being a hype man and quickly became one of the sickest around. The best part about being real at what you do is that you don't have to tell anyone because it speaks for its self. Vinsane is a real cool dude with a approachable style that made it easy to see why he was loved so fast. I had the opportunity to sit down with Vinsane and talk about where he will be in the next 5 years and I must say I want to be along for the ride.

So did you grow up on long island?
Yea Kings Park but I lived it Brooklyn first and moved when I was 2.

So what was your muse for music?
It was definitely my parents; they always kept up with the music that was hot at the time.

So how did they react when you told them that being a MC was something you were serious about?
My parents always supported me ….you knows my mom brags about me now…

So how did this all begin?
Well I graduated from high school and went to Suffolk Community College… I played baseball and had a friend who was a DJ

So was being a DJ something you thought about doing?
I started doing parties at stony brook and local bars and parties.

So how did your name start getting up?
Promoters started hearing about me and I made a lot of friends.

How old were you?
I was19 and I started doing venues for myself.

Who would you say are some of your greatest influences?
DJ Kool, Fat Man Scoop, and DJ AM

What kind of music do you like?
I like all kind of music but mostly hip hop

Do you work outside of being an MC?
I work at "Rockabilly" in East North Port, as a barber...But before I worked there I worked in "Ace of Fades" in Bay Shore NY. Both shops play different but great music so I am surrounded by it all day.

So personal, are you single?
No, I'm not

What's your favorite club that you have worked for?
I would say Whitehouse…Vie got to do a lot of great work there

What can we look forward from you in the future?
I actually hosted an event with Mims in the Hamptons, March 28, 2009. Another project is I’m going to start producing Mixtapes. Also look out for my upcoming events, I’m hosting an event @ Stony Brook University: May 09, 2009, and The First Annual Life Fest @ Oneonta State College April 18, 2009. And look out for me on the MTV show called “Silent Library” airing in June.

So what can we look for as far as music goes from you?
I am actually having a mix tape coming out soon called Radio Ruckus vol. 1

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well I wouldn’t mind being on MTV or something like that.
I know I want to be on top and that I am going to keep going.



Photographer: Melanie Washeim
Written by: Danielle Miller

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March Cover| I.Z.

MAG COVER
MUSIC
Isaiah Dunmore "I.Z."
R&B
Mastic, NY
www.myspace.com/izsmusic

What’s makes you different from the rest…
I am an Up and Coming R&B artist that isn't afraid to express myself through music.... I feel like I'm different because I'm willing to take my music anywhere, I'm not confined to one style of music. I think I'm different from a lot of artist because I understand that its about longevity and being able to stay relevant.....that's what makes me different...lol

Where are you from…
I'm from long Island, NY
And imma rep it cause a lot of artist that come from L.I. Don't!!! So I feel like its my responsibility too..

How did it all begin…
For me it all began with a strong passion for music and wanting to be what my father never had the chance to finish becoming... My father was a singer, also and his life was cut short only two years after I was born so I'm fulfilling his dream and mine... Michael Jackson also had a great impact too tho(lol)! When I first saw him perform, I was like yeah this is what I'm supposed to be doing… "The way he moved people with his music was crazy and I wanted to reach people like that".

What were your influences…
My father was my biggest influence (R.I.P.) but other then him.... Stevie Wonder, David Ruffin, Otis Redding, Michael Jackson, Sam Cook, Al Green, R-Kelly, and Babyface… Those are just some of many influences!

What’s next for you…
Well right now I'm in the studio all the time making good music for all my followers and doing shows… After I'm 100% satisfied with my album, I'll be dropping that and shopping my music around to labels... also I would love to start writing songs for more artist and just become more creative!

Photographer: Melanie Washeim

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Feb Cover | Marwa

MAG COVER
MUSIC
Marwa (Queen of Egypt)
R&B
Stroudsburg, PA
www.myspace.com/marwalivesmusic

How did it all begin…
Marwa was raised in a strict, Muslim environment. Among many other things, music was forbidden, but it was impossible to avoid. Upon hearing it for the first time, she fell in love with it. At every opportunity she received, music was playing in her ears. Artists like Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Mary J. Blige were what inspired her to spend many nights dreaming of singing. Music became a form of therapy for the young artist and she began writing songs at the age of nine. Growing up with an abusive father and such a strict religion, it was difficult to follow any dreams regarding the music industry. At age 14 became the battle of her lifetime…the fight for freedom. After running way, getting locked up, and struggling to make ends meet, she managed to form a stable enough environment to somewhat pursue her goals. Throughout her childhood, the only thing that kept the young artist alive was the dream of one day becoming a singer and songwriter. Today, she is pursuing her goal at full force. With over 100 songs written, a voice filled with soul and definition, and the drive of Muhammad Ali., she is more than an artist, she is a movement.
Whatever opportunity comes, whether through music or fashion, I take it and roll with it.

What were your influences…
I used to listen to a lot of Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Oldies like the Jackson Five and the Temptations.
What’s next for you…
You can expect more songs and more originality.

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