A. Woods was picked as Artist of the Month for October, check the interview below I done with him.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from, and anything else?
A. woods. 22 years old from MN.

MUSIC

Where did you get the name A. Woods, what does it mean?
Long story short, I wanted something that was more like a real name, so if I did anything outside of music I could just carry the name over. My real first name starts with A, and Woods was just kind of catchy.

How long have you been rapping? What first got you interested?
When I was 14. A friend I met then was rapping, and it looked easy so I figured I could do it. And I did and I just got into it from there. A couple years later I began producing more and I’ve kind of stuck to that.

What’s your inspiration?
Whatever I’m going through. Life. I think it’s important, especially in this kind of music, to be true to who your are, where you’ve been and what you’ve done. So I try to roll with that.

When did you decide you wanted to take your music seriously?
I would have to say from the beginning. I always had it in the back of my mind, and I’ve always wanted to entertain people, musically, or acting or writing or whatever, since I can remember.

Have you ever performed live?
No. Like I said I’ve been more into the production these past 6 or so years. I write songs on the side.

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
I want to make good music. I’d like to use it as a doorway to money. From there, hopefully make lots of money and use it to do something good.

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution teamwork behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
It’s basically just me. I’ve done some work with a management company and another producer around the area, and there’s some connections there, but nothing has really happened from it yet so I’m still working hard at it.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
Suprising people when the find out that I rap and produce, and how good I am at.

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
I’ve met a couple people that are signed to labels and have the connections but nothing to brag about. My motto is until it’s right in front of me, it’s not worth bragging about.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas? If you remember.
I couldn’t honestly say, it was a LONG time ago. More than likely I was looking for acapellas.

Has this forum helped you at all in your musical journey?
I would say it’s at LEAST doubled my sample collection and can account for a majority of my acapella and instrumental collection. A lot of good feedback from people here too, and I’ve worked with some talented people.

What made you post your music online?
So people would tell me how great I am??? Naw, I’m not really sure.

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an underground artist?
Yeah a bit. A lot less walking around and chasing people to get them to listen.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
I’m always working on new remixes. Maybe an album in the future. Who knows, ideas just pop up out of no where.

10 years from now where do you want to be?
Entertaining people. And creating new things. Vague, but that’s my answer.

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Everyone at crazypellas, my man Soopa (hold it down til 2012), um Sony Acid…

Finally, thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

You can check A. Woods work in the Audio, Homemade Beats and Graphics forums on CP, you can also check his MySpace.

Phase One was picked as GFX Artist of the Month for October, check the interview I done with him below.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from, and anything else?
My real name is Marcel, 20 years old birthday coming soon at the end of november, I live in morehead city. gotta huge buzz after I sold my first beat to Jr Writer. got contacted by joey jihad, an workin wit shawty Lo right now. GFX has never been my thing I just started doing them as I was a rapper. as a rapper its hard to get “Free beats or covers” these days. people dont like to mess witchu when it come to things like that. so I did it for struggling artist. thats how I came across wit the gfx

GRAPHICS

How long have you been designing? What first got you interested?
as a rapper I just needed covers do on a quick an go movement. I had a group that needed covers, but noone would do them. all that in one made me do everything from beats to rap to gfx.

What’s your inspiration?
struggling artist is what I target.

What software do you use to design?
I use photoshop cs2, I dont believe in change so I didnt upgrade.

Say someone comes to you asking for a logo, what is the process you go through designing that logo? Like drafting it on paper, showing the client, drafting it on the computer…
well when it comes to logos thats a hard thing to do, just cant whip up something. if there a person who wants simple an effective I draw it an try to make it on the pc. if there all gangsta I can whip that up in seconds cause I feel gangsta is a easy thing to do, anyone in america can be gangsta these days. lol

When did you decide you wanted to take your designing seriously?
I never took this serious I only stayed good enuff for people to love what I do, when I post an have people look at my stuff, I never really care what things they say. if it looked good to me, then it looked good to me

What are you trying to do with your designing? What is your goal for your designs?
well I just like doing covers, and myspace banners. covers cause I like to see the outcome, an banners are good cause its more space to work with. I just wanna do me at the end of the day, just do gfx for fun

Are you in a team of designers or do you just work alone?
I just do my stuff alone, its no need to bring people in anymore cause they just gonna fall back when they dont feel like they got it anymore

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
I took in FL Studio’s maybe a year back an to be on soundclick in the top 10 an 20 is the grestest. seein yourself on myspace top 100 in your state is great to. being contacted over the phone about gfx and beats is great also.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas? If you remember.
well I was lookin for a site other then my home site. at the time I had just started makin beats, an I liked choppin vocals in my hooks. this artist by the name of yung miss told me to come here, an the fam here showed love alot better then the home site. sometimes its better to leave home

Has this forum helped you at all in your designing journey?
now it has help a ton far as gfx work. I like to look at others work on this site, an then I say to myself ima top this watch, an then I get a responce quick. so I like that an it helpped a ton

What made you post your designs online?
I just wanted to get a feel in what to do to make my art better then other so feedback is a great way to tell

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as a designer?
oh yeah fosho, I just cant be lazy haha, thats my thing I become lasy knowing I can do gfxs pretty quikc.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
I got the franchise’s album I did all the beats on it an did the cover an you can check him out at myspace.com/ncfranchise

10 years from now where do you want to be?
mr super producer an im on my way to it, im tellin yall

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
I want to shoutout myspace, soundclick, hiphopfame.com crazypellas.net my man franchise an jayo for copin beats an cover from me, my make rick ross jones for coppin the ima real G beat from me an makin it a hood classic wit the video for it. I like to thank youtube.com for lettin me host contest to promote my gfx an beats, an if there anyone i missed sorry.

Finally, thanks for doing the interview.

You can check out some of Phase One’s work in the Graphics and Homemade Beats forums on CP, and his MySpace and Soundclick.

Casanova has been picked 6 times as producer of the month on Crazy Pellas so there is no doubt that he is a hot producer! Check out this interview I done with him.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, where you’re from, and anything else?
my real name is christopher .. born and raised in long beach, ca .. grew up on the boarder of compton and long beach .. and I hate westcoast music hah

MUSIC

Where did you get the name Casanova, what does it mean?
I got the name from my older brother .. he used to bang and that was his name then everyone called me lil casanova and it just stuck ..

What genre(s) of music do you produce? What’s your favorite?
hiphop .. I love/hate hiphop .. now its all fucked up but .. I still love it .. sort of like sibling who you don’t get along with ..

How long have you been producing? What first got you interested?
I been making beats since uhh , iono 03 I think .. I first got interested because I was rapping hah .. I had some hot tracks but I never went through with it because I felt that I wasn’t being me .. so I wanted to do something different .

What’s your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from everything .. life , love , hardship shit like that ..

Do you Sample, Compose or Both? What do you prefer?
I sample .. I composed some beats before .. they trash .. I prefer sampling because I love soul music .. I feel that sampling is an art and there’s been a lot of talk saying that sampling is stealing but I still believe that it’s art .. it’s been around even before hiphop ..

Do you use software or Hardware to produce? Which Software/Hardware? Which do you prefer?
I never had any hardware .. no money for it .. everything I make I use flstudio .. it’s pretty dope when you think about it .. you just have to use it the right way ..

When did you decide you wanted to take your music seriously?
I never really decided .. it just happened .. I feel like every beat I make is an extention of myself .. I put so much into my beats besides basslines and drums .. I put soul in it .

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
everyone wants to get money off doing something they love .. but to me , if I never make a penny off of the beats I make .. it wouldn’t matter .. I love what I do , I make it for the hiphopheads and the emcees who rap about real shit .. for my people .

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution teamwork behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
as most of you may or may not know .. im a part of papertrail ent .. along with younghetto and young ghats .. they’ve been helping me promote my music and they ceo [ LOL ] of papertrail gucci has been helping me shop my beats around to labels .. hopefully something will come through and don’t worry I can’t forget my cp fam .

What are some accomplishments that you have acheived, and are most proud of?
every project I do now i’m proud of .. every track that ghetto and ghats do over my beats they come out perfect . papertrail taking over so get ready .

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
well as of right now , buddens , ransom , 50 and some dude from dipset were looking at my beats , haven’t got back to me yet tho .. sooo iono .

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas?
I can’t remember how I found it but im really glad I did .

Has this forum helped you at all in your musical journey?
yeah , I could never find any good drum kits and sounds .. and I never found out how to eq my beats right until I found cp .. everyone on here was cool there was only a few people who were kind of stuck up but it’s all good .

What made you post your music online?
I first started putting my music online because I felt that this is where the music industry is going now .. people don’t go out and buy albums no more .. they download it .. so you might as well get with it ..

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an underground producer?
the internet does help underground producers because it’s easy to get heard .. you can get a buzz waay quicker than you would if you were doing this in the real world .

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
YounGhetto - Verbal Narcotics

YounGhetto - Relapse

YoungGhats - Satisfied

Papertrail Ent - Intermission

those are some of them as far as I know .

10 years from now where do you want to be?
I just wanna be living life and hopefully producing beats for famous acts .

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Papertrail OWWWWW and shouts to cp for this awesome site .. ef for nominating me for the respected members .. good looks !!

Any final things you want to say?
add me http://www.myspace.com/longbeachxcasanovaxpapertrail

Finally, thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

You can check Casanova’s beats in the Homemade Beats forum on CP, and his MySpace.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, where you’re from, and anything else?
Hi, My Name is Slim Shady no, but really my name Terrance(Tee for short) won’t give out my last name. I’m from Bridgeport,CT on the Eastside of the City.

MUSIC

Where did you get the name Sokalm, what does it mean?
It’s simple to see where I got the name from if you knew me for awhile, So i’ll kinda make this story pretty quick. I grew up pretty wild when I was kid then ever since I hit 10 I calm down, and started to rap I didn’t have a name yet at the time then all of a sudden this game I bought called SoCom I started to play after I gave up rapping around 17, and became a pro gamer only on this game with a couple friends from ct. So, then after a month or two went by I got back into rapping, and still didn’t know what to call my self me, and my cousin then thought well your a calm, chilled, and relaxe dude, and you play socom. So, how bout we just call you socom not with a C, but with a K that when I became Sokalm.

What genre(s) of music do you blend/remix? What’s your favorite?
I know alot of people do commercial on this site, but I stick to the street music that all ct plays, So that what I like remixing. My favorite genre of music is street rap, some heavy metal(static x, korn, disturbed)

How long have you been making blends/remixes/DJ’ing? What first got you interested?
I have just begun remixing about 4 1/2 months back I think now, but I use to do beats in homemade, and collab with my boy serious sound(r.i.p.eazy)we got collabo of the month after I lost my feel to making beats, and wanted to do something a little bit more fun a even better way to get myself notice then just being a underground beatmaker. I jumped over to the remix section, and started listening to fabo crazy r&b blends, and sean jazz mixes also can’t forget about ef, and her various artist mixes. when I heard all those mixes I wanted to see and try for myself if I can accomplish another thing in music beside beatmaking.

What’s your inspiration?
I don’t know really my favorite dj that actually mixes is dj green lantern. I always have that oh shit on his mixes he does it all from making beats to djing, and not just playing a whole song through he mixes lines from different artist to make a whole verse.

Do you only do blends/remixes or do you DJ parties/clubs e.t.c?
I only do remixes, but normally dj for family only, and they do pay me a little something which is pretty cool, because they really don’t have too.

Do you use software or turntables for your remixes/blends? Which software (if any)?
I use like 3 different Dj tools “Software.” I use Virtual Dj, Acid Pro, Cool Edit Pro.

When did you decide you wanted to take your music seriously?
I’m still not serious about it when I always do something serious I always end up getting a bunch of haters. it one of the reasons I stop rapping I don’t need to be the next brotha shot lol.

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
My Goal with music is just to have fun, and not to get rich off it, but to get a quick little something out of it nothing big. I like the plain simple life I have I don’t need all the chaos fame brings.

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution teamwork behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
No, I use to when I was in a group called 5 point/ TheroBread, but later on in the future come to find out they were apart of the bloods gang which I had no time for, so as of now it’s just me, and my cousin prolific.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
I got a few tv appearances nothing real big.

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
Is lady luck consider being big? she the chick that got smash by remy ma. I knew her from my brother who in the music industry now.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas?
Google :). I was looking for a song, and it took me to this site.

Has this forum helped you at all in your musical journey?
Yes, it made me put my Djin in the right place where it need to be.

What made you post your music online?
I just wanted to get different opinions instead of my friends who sometime always think my shit is dope. I needed more then a yes man.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
I had a current project called dblock vs 50 , but it got scrap, and now me, and DJ smith & Wesson another elite dj is collabing on a mixtape , but the title has yet to be work out. The single is out now in collabo section called Ain’t Nothing Coming ft 2pac, dmx, eazy e, and jadakiss.

10 years from now where do you want to be?
I won’t be still doing music. I see my self just settling down with a girl i’m messing with now hopefully if everything goes good.

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Ayo YO YO YO i like to give a shout out to my —– serious sound, Efxlusive play my shit on the radio lol, Fabonick, S.Harvey,and Excrucial, and DJ Smith & Wesson, DJ STREETZ.

Any final things you want to say?
All I like to say is screw all the haters who hating on everything that good happening to me. I know you know who i’m talking about that dude acting like a chick,but who really a dude. If you wanna battle holla atcha boy. Alittle birdie told me HOLLA

Finally, thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

You can check out Sokalm’s music in the Remixes/Blends forum on CP, and his MySpace.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from, and anything else?
My name is Brandon and I from waterbury, CT. I go to UCONN for computer science and engineering and I graduate next year. My first year I was in Chemical Engineering but I switched out into that.

GRAPHICS

How long have you been designing? What first got you interested?
I have been designing since about the end of 2004 when I got my own laptop for christmas. What got me interested in the computer aspect was actually when my mom told me about Photoshop on one of the computers at her job in the office. But I have been into drawing since like 3rd grade.

What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is everything I see on TV, billboards, movies, everywhere.

What software do you use to design?
I use right now all Adobe stuff; Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver. Also for adding soundtracks to some of the little clips I do, I use Ableton Live or Audition.

Say someone comes to you asking for a logo, what is the process you go through designing that logo? Like drafting it on paper, showing the client, drafting it on the computer…
Well first I ask a series of questions about their company, so I get feel for what they want to represent. Then I do very rough sketches on paper of any designs that come to mind. I translate it into Illustrator then show the client my various ideas. Basically from there they choose which one and we build from there. Always keeping good communication with the client. That is the most important part.

When did you decide you wanted to take your designing seriously?
Well probably right before the summer started this year is when I did take it seriously. Before that it was more for fun, now its like I should make money off of this. Also I was trying to build my skill level up to the point where I felt comfortable enough to take it to the next level.

What are you trying to do with your designing? What is your goal for your designs?
Right now I am freelancing under my company Jonesium Designs. My goal for the short term right now is to build a strong reputation and a solid client base.

Are you in a team of designers or do you just work alone?
I am working by myself. Although I have talked to one of my friends to see if he would like to join along. He goes to school for visual communications.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
Well first and foremost I am proud of myself for teaching myself all these “professional” programs without a teacher or college. Everything I have learned was from tutorials that I took the time out to go through. In the beginning it was a little difficult being a fulltime engineering student and working part time. But I did manage to find the time. Its not so hard now though. Another thing is the launching of my website www.jonesiumdesigns.com.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas? If you remember.
I think my friend Mike a.k.a. All About Money told me about it.

Has this forum helped you at all in your designing journey?
Yes I think so, it allowed me to showcase some of my work and getting feedback, whether positive or negative. And being able to interact with other people who share the same interest was beneficial.

What made you post your designs online?
Well I think the internet is the place where all graphic designers should post their work. Its really the most efficient way to get your work noticed around the world.

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as a designer?
Yeh, going back to my previous answer, the internet is the one place where everyone can take a look at your work at anytime. With my website up and running (thanks to CP for the web hosting), it has allowed a lot of people to notice Jonesium Designs.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
Well I do have a couple of projects for clients that I’m working on right now. I’m working on a couple of logos and a couple of albums. There are a few pending transactions as well.

10 years from now where do you want to be?
Well I want to be able to sit at home and do this graphic design thing for a living. Until then I’ll probably be doing something with computer programing once I graduate form UCONN.

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Yeh um, Crazy Pellas and everybody that is apart of this site. Shout out to all of you.

Any final things you want to say?
Hmm, just thanks to everyone checking out my work. Also to those that are into this graphic design thing (and want to make money), make sure you get your own website up and running as soon as you can.

Finally, thanks for doing the interview.

You can check out some of UP06’s designs in the Graphics forum on CP, and his website.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, where you’re from, and anything else?
my name is june but everybody call me broney I live in brooklyn ny but I grew up in providence RI

MUSIC

Where did you get the name Junebrone, what does it mean?
long story but the short version is my my mom calls me junebug and everyone else calls me brone so I putem togther lol

What genre(s) of music do you produce? What’s your favorite?
I make it all rock rap soul what eva comes out of me!

How long have you been producing? What first got you interested?
I been goen hard for about 5 yrs but I start like 10 yrs ago a dope ass dj name franchise handed me bmp and flp and I fell in love I was always a noise hound and loved music so it made since for me to become a producer

What’s your inspiration?
my numba one inspirations are haters they fuel me….but other then that love life and my brutha is the a big part I always like to impress him and every yr I got better he could see it.

Do you Sample, Compose or Both? What do you prefer?
I compose but I also sample I like I said it what eva im feeling like…

Do you use software or Hardware to produce? Which Software/Hardware? Which do you prefer?
lets see I have protools le “flp” of course!!! reason I own a mpc 2000xl triton touchscreen motif 6 and a mixing board but only thing I need is my 40$ midi and my laptop and im good I prefer flp!

When did you decide you wanted to take your music seriously?
when I met janenithrow and learned more about the bizness

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
who dont wana get rich!..”any niga say moneys the rout of all evil aint got shit” but to tell u the truth I will always make music money or no money I love what I do!

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution teamwork behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
no not really I also model so I use it to make connects

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
I chase my dream and neva have what ifs I love that I will die with knowing I did it my way!

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
iv been to alot of events and met alot of cats joe buttons one of my fav rappers was the bigest in my eyes akeys was dope as well…

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas?
dj head honcho shot out to beatdown! he put me on yrs ago!

Has this forum helped you at all in your musical journey?
hell yea alot cool cats and good feed back goes along way I love networken so this place is a good look

What made you post your music online?
I needed feed back and the more exposure the better

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an underground producer?
alota swager jacken but u get alot back as well ppl listen and on the net cats aint gona lie ur shit wack to them they gona tell u lol

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
im worken on a sneaky mixtape look for it soon

10 years from now where do you want to be?
married mad kids schoolen a young boy on how to do this music thing!

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
janenithrow look out for her best female rapper ever love u baby! pcity film nigas a beast check for him the whole providence to brooklyn mrs akila twighlight and all the ppl supporten the 7 movement…..

Any final things you want to say?
thanks alot for the lookout happy to see someone noticing my grind i hope to be doen many more interviews and many other things love live life and many blessings!!

Finally, thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

You can check out Junebrone’s beats in the Homemade Beats, and Flip This forums on CP, and his MySpace.

If you are genuinely interested, please leave a comment here or contact me on the forum, so we can get an idea of numbers. We should be able to get a discount if we order in bulk.

If you have any other suggestions, we’d love to hear them also!

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW

Id like to see the shoutbox improved. If its possible maybe embeding video and putting the picture code back so we can put pics in da shoutbox but only a certain size and figure out why it flickers when new shouts come

Videos and Pictures won’t be enabled in the shoutbox. The flickering can be annoying I know, just have to live with it, it’s nothing major

More layouts

Take ALL the graphics and turn them into any color you