Conversations & Quotables: Q&A with Merch Music

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Achickwitbeatz: Who is Merch Music?

Merch Music: I was born in Inkster. Raised in the Cass Corridor section of Detroit. I really don't have a philosophy. I know that music can take you to places unknown. The vibration and tones sets the stage for certain frequencies.  

Achickwitbeatz: When did you decide that you needed music to be a part of your life?

Merch Music: It was pre-ordained that music would be prevalent in my life. I became more aware of it during my youth listening to a verity of musical genres. The Rhythm Kitchen was the first place that really increased my admiration for Hip Hop and just music in general.

Achickwitbeatz: What sparked your passion to want to help artists?

Merch Music: Some artists may not have the resources or the proper information when it comes to things pertaining to what's personal and what's business. I've witnessed great talents who are unaware of the amount of work it takes to protect your work.

Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would put an artist in your top 10 list?

Merch Music: Rhymestyle, personality, voice, style of dress, business sense.

Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would put an artist at the very bottom of your list?

Merch Music: Lack of focus.

Achickwitbeatz: What advice do you have to offer aspiring artists based on your experiences and observations?

Merch Music: Read everything! Work hard, get a lawyer.

Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Merch Music?

Merch Music: Potluck Producers Lounge TV coming in April.

Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?

Merch Music: Gravity.merchant@gmail.com

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Conversations & Quotables: Q&A with DaZoo

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In a rapidly changing, high-stress industry it can be difficult for artists who enter the independent music scene as a unit to remain a unit.  In this brief Q&A session I recently had with DaZoo they shed some light on how they stick together through the chaos and what motivates them to work toward success.

Achickwitbeatz: Who is DaZoo?

DaZoo: In 2004 DaZoo was formed from a friendship between Aaron, Antron and Ken. Antron was returning from work in the South and Aaron and Ken were in the basement recording Hip Hop tracks. Antron naturally was game as he already had been recording basement tracks since 1999 under the name Trondiggy. DaZoo’s philosophy is to keep it real and express yourself to the fullest. We represent real Hip Hop with no fluff and no filler; basically honest reality rap. DaZoo makes music for the love of the art, to express our passions and feelings and to entertain by pushing boundaries and creating new sounds and concepts. Antron is the Lyrical Magistrate aka TronD, Aaron is the Musical Magistrate aka C.O.D. (Cadence of DaZoo) and Ken is known as the Illegal Alien… 3rda.

Achickwitbeatz: How long have you been making music?

DaZoo: C.O.D., TronD and 3rda have been making music together since 2004. Individually, C.O.D has made music since a kid playing the saxophone in school bands and orchestras, TronD started rapping and producing in 1999 and 3rda was always a huge Hip Hop fan who decided to try his hand at music under our influence. 

Achickwitbeatz: What can listeners expect from you?

DaZoo: Listeners can expect DaZoo to push the boundaries of passionate reality Hip Hop. With each track we record we try to give listeners an honest interpretation as well as abstract visions of the songs topic. We creatively capture real life situations in rhyme in a manner and perspective no other group is willing to convey to listeners. While most groups follow trends or stick to commercial topics DaZoo is always looking for topics and ways to describe life that will show the masses there are still unique ways to express reality.

Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes an artist should have to make your top 10 list?

DaZoo:
Honesty – the ability to convey truth in your music and be truthful in your relationships
Integrity – the capacity to stay true to the ideas behind your music and why you created it
Fearlessness – the ability to step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with your art
Creativity – the talent to be able to come up with new ideas and concepts or ways to express old ideas in a new way
Passion – the unwavering desire to create and work towards completing a project or reaching a goal through trials and tribulations

Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would put artists at the very bottom of your list?

Greed/Ego – especially in a group setting thinking you are above the group will lead to its demise
Lazy – No work ethic, not willing to work hard to ensure the success of the group or business
Unoriginal – copying others style or work and not being creative in your own right
Dishonesty – being untrustworthy in the business world and when working as a team is a recipe for failure
Stubbornness – especially in a group setting you have to make compromises and work towards the success of the team and that means being flexible on decisions

Achickwitbeatz: What advice do you have to offer artists who are a part of a group or collective to remain connected when working toward goals?

DaZoo: Communication, communication, and communication is key to any relationship and especially in a group you want to stay connected by communicating your needs, your opinions, issues and goals. You can save a lot of time, money and friendships by being open with your thoughts so problems and misunderstandings do not start or grow out of proportion. Not everyone is going to agree all of the time but as long as the goals are understood and the team works together for the benefit of the group it can be successful. 

Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for DaZoo?

DaZoo: Building our catalog with fresh new music is the main objective right now. We also are looking to network with studios, producers, other artists and promoters looking for talented performers. Our goal is to drop a video this year and some original music in addition to mixtape tracks and performing.

Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you guys and stay current with what you have in the works?

DaZoo: People can connect with us through social media...
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dazoo or www.facebook.com/trondiction.
Twitter: @Trondiction @C_O_D_
Instagram: @Trondiction or @rhythmic_genius
MySpace: www.myspace.com/dazoo360ent
Soundcloud: www.soundclound.com/dazooent or www.soundcloud.com/trondiction
Reverbnation: www.revebnation.com/trondiggy or http://www.reverbnation.com/codmzk
We are working on a YouTube Channel, a Google + page and some other social media places but our music is everywhere. There is plenty more to come…just stay tuned… It’s DaZoo! 

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

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Conversations & Quotables: Q&A with DJ Niko

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In this brief Q&A session, Las Vegas DJ Niko shares his love for the craft, wisdom, experiences and gems for artists seeking to attain rotation.

Achickwitbeatz: Who is DJ Niko?

DJ Niko: I'm just a young guy from Opelika, Alabama currently living in Las Vegas with a passion for music and the art of being a Disc Jockey. I'm what they call a traveling DJ, meaning I spin anywhere anytime--house parties weddings, graduations, clubs…anywhere.

Achickwitbeatz: When did you decide to become a DJ?

DJ Niko: DJing is kind if like the family business I used to watch my father and my uncle DJ all the time when they worked at the local radio station and they'd also do parties.  When they noticed I'd taking a liking to it, they started teaching me the ropes and I got pretty good and fell in love with making people dance. I started doing my own gigs around '99.  Shoutout the homie Tim Cook, he booked me for my first solo gig.  He asked me to DJ his birthday party, the party was too live, since that night my phone has been ringing to DJ for people! 'Preciate ya' homie!

Achickwitbeatz: What do you look for in a song when deciding what to put into rotation?

DJ Niko: When I listen to a song the main thing I look for is to see if it makes me move- I.e a head nod, a foot stomp, anything.  That's the main thing I want to do as a DJ is make people move.  I also look at other things such a BPM, the mood of the song, the flow of the song... hit/club records normally jump out at you and scream "PLAY ME NOW!"

Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what types of songs do you avoid putting into rotation?

DJ Niko: I really don't have songs that I won't play, but I'm really not fond the "this record is hot right now so lets make a song just like it" records.  I like originality, so if a record lacks then it probably won't get put in rotation. 

Achickwitbeatz: What advice do you have to offer artists based on your experiences and observations?

DJ Niko: To the people that are trying to get your music in rotation coming up to the DJ in the club while he is spinning or wherever they're spinning is not the time to bring you music to them.... without a special request and/or some type of benefit (payment) to the DJ your song is not gonna get played. I'm on twitter and Instagram all day giving out my Email address (nikotheDJ@yahoo.com) asking people to send me music.  If you have a hot song and I like your song I'll play the words off of it.  I'll give feedback on how to fix your song to get your song played if it's not so hot.  That's the time to get me your song, before the gig, not during the gig. Last but not least artists, if you want your music played look out for the DJ- if they ask you for something do it.  I guarantee your music gets played.  On that note, shoutout my boy @bottlepoppinpap, not only does he make great music he looks out for the DJ whether is sending a drop or an instrumental etc.

Achickwitbeatz: What's on the horizon for DJ Niko?

DJ Niko: I have a couple of projects coming soon ALL FREE. Gonna do 2 mixtapes just to broadcast my skills. Gonna do one for the bedrooms of the world and one for the clubs, cars and wherever else you want to play it. I'm shooting for July for one and end of September for the other just in time for cuffing season (lol).

Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay up to date with what you have in the works?

DJ Niko: Just stay tuned follow my twitter and my IG same_ole_Niko is the name on both of them. If you have music you want to be heard or you want to book me for your next event you can reach me at NikotheDJ@yahoo.com 

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