Rick Ross

Come out to the grand opening of Jimmy Jazz- Regency Mall in Racine, WI Saturday, Dec 11^th from 12PM-4PM

V100.7 and DJ O will be on site with free prizes and a chance to win tix to see Rick Ross in concert Dec 16^th at us Cellular Arena

By Souleo. After tracing his personal evolution through style, Marques Houston is back with JimmyJazz.com to go under interrogation for a few questions.  Marques couldn't resist revealing his disdain for blog sites, maybe one day doing country music, which super producer he cut hair for and the one thing that makes him a great lover.

Stop the hype: I think blog sites are overhyped because sometimes there is a lot of negative press and for us artists it can be overdone.  All people want to do is blog nowadays and they get this surreal idea that blog sites are true and a lot of them aren't true.

I'm currently crazy about: Technology.  I'm big on the latest televisions and 3D TV's and blu-rays.

I dance in my underwear to: Everything on my iPod.  I put it on and get in the shower and whatever is on there I dance to.

Five years from now: I will hopefully be on my second number one movie at the box office.

I'll never say never to: Music.  It's what drives me and I feel like if somebody asked me to try a country song I wouldn't say never.

You'd be surprised to know: I can be a professional barber if I wanted to.  I cut my own hair and my barber, Maryea taught me how to cut.  I did cut Teddy Riley's hair for his video shoot when he didn't have a barber.  I forgot the name of the video.

I'm a good lover because: I'm very passionate and that's where it starts.  You can be great at anything with passion.

When I'm alone in bed at night: I'm rarely alone but I make sure I say my prayers every night.  I pray abut what's going on for the day and what is on my mind at the time.  I got to have a conversation with God.

For more information please visit:

www.marques-houston.com

Check out Marques' new single "Pullin' on Her Hair," ft. Rick Ross from his new album, Mattress Music in stores September 14th:

By Souleo. The laid back grooves of the Caribbean, the introspective lyrics of some of Canada's best singer-songwriters and the edge of New York City's hip-hop influenced soul all merge into the musical style of rising artist, Chris Stylez.  The Canadian born international R&B artist is steadily rising after opening for Ne-Yo, Wyclef Jean, Jagged Edge and more.  Recently he partnered up with the NY-based production team of Jimi Kendrix & J. Math (50 Cent, Rick Ross, MTV) and has been receiving spins across North America on stations such as Atlanta's V103.3FM and Toronto's Flow 93.5FM.  Chris creates relatable work that moves listeners with the poetic and lyrically infused melodic narratives of his songs on the EP, Dreamer.

Read on as Chris talked overcoming the street life, how the 9/11 terrorism attacks influenced his music, his connection to reggae legends Jimmy Cliff and Harris "BB" Seaton and more.

He's survived growing up without a dad and being called too American:

I grew up with no real father figure and went through a period where I allowed myself to be influenced by people close to me.  I lost friends to senseless violence.  Eventually, I left Canada to pursue the American Dream.  In Toronto, it was difficult to break through because I would be told to wait until the bands I was working with got their shine or that my music was too "American."  I've come to embrace all my experiences and challenges as part of life.  It keeps me humble and focused on the big picture.

He's not afraid to get political:

My song, "Dear America" came to me the night after the 9/11 attacks.  I was close enough to the towers to feel the rumble of the crash when everything went down.  I may not be American but I felt as affected as any American which inspired me to write a letter in the form of a song.  I'm a rebel. I say things people are hesitant to say and do what those same people don't want to do.  The game needs new leaders of soul.  I'm bringing truth like my elders before me such as Bob Marley and Bob Dylan.

He's got connections to reggae royalty:

My father, George Allen, is first cousin to Jimmy Cliff and my granduncle is reggae singer and record producer Harris "BB" Seaton, who was also a member of The Gaylads.  I never even knew that I was related to Jimmy until my grandmother brought it to my attention just before she passed away a few years ago.  I only recently reunited with BB Seaton.  Knowledge of my musical lineage inspired me to challenge myself more than ever before and to push the limits.  In my opinion, Jimmy Cliff and BB Seaton are Jamaican music royalty which makes me realize that I should not be taking my position lightly as an artist, writer or musician.

He's not afraid to have a little fun:

I'm a big kid!  I've been told that I always look so serious but generally I'm a clown.  I always told myself that I would play a comedic role on television someday, kind of like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

For more information on Chris please visit:

http://www.ChrisStylez.com

http://www.myspace.com/StreetRadioMusic

Check out Chris' single, "Fade Away" from his EP Dreamer:

http://www.youtube.com/ChrisStylezTV

It's really hard for artist in hip-hop to keep the faith alive, especially during a recession and when music sales are at a all-time low. It can be challenging to stay motivated or create a circle of loyal team players that can help you elevate in such a volatile industry. One rapper that comes to mind is the self-proclamied "King of Memphis, Yo Gotti. Gotti, who is now 10 years deep in the game, had a bit of a tug of war with his recent label situation at TVT Records, which was well publicized within the hip-hop community. The talented and well-respected rapper (including in the streets) is no longer with the now bankrupt TVT label, and is set to hit mainstream with his J Records debut, Live from the Kitchen, early this year. JimmyJazz.com had a few minutes to touch base with his current situation and got more details about his forthcoming release.

There's no arguing, Yo Gotti is keeping the faith alive in hip-hop. Someone must have sent him an angel.

JimmyJazz.com: What label are you currently signed with? Cash Money or J Records? I think some fans may be confused.

Yo Gotti: I got a artist All Star, that I put out throughout Cash Money/ Universal. But in between that, Slim and Baby always took me in like family and gave me the game. They even helped me when I was signed to TVT. That's why a lot of people thought that I was signed with Cash Money cause you would see me around rolling with them.

JimmyJazz.com: What would you say is the biggest difference leaving TVT and joining a major [J Records]? Would you say that you still have that independent grind or do you feel you can focus on different things, now that you have a bigger machine behind you.

Yo Gotti: Like you said, I'm always going to have that independent drive. But the difference now is that you have a team of people that work with you in getting there. You can sit back just because your on a major label, it's more about team work. You take it to a certain point and give it to them and they take it to the next point. But I always think, no matter who you signed with, it always has to start with you. You got to create the buzz and get hot enough to let them go do what they can do with it.

Yo Gotti gets deep with his current and past label situation on "Send Me An Angel" and tours the J Records offices in New York City.

JimmyJazz.com: Your debut album, From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game, dropped back in 2000. What's going to separate your first album to your upcoming release, Live from the Kitchen?

Yo Gotti: I've seen a lot more. Done a lot more. Learned a lot more. Even when it comes down to the music and how I record and how to pick a beat. The subject matter is pretty much the same, because I still live the same life. We just putting it in with big production... better quality shit.

JimmyJazz.com: Who are some of the producers and artists fans can expect on Live from the Kitchen?

Yo Gotti: We worked with Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.U.S League, Drumma Boy, Toomp, Jim Jonsin, Hot Rod [our in-house producer who did "5 Star Chick" track], a whole bunch of producers, man. As far as artists, we just got Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne on there.

JimmyJazz.com: Your hometown, Memphis, is a hotbed for top notch producers. Juicy J (Three 6 Mafia), DJ Squeaky, Jazze Pha, Drumma Boy, just to name a few. Have you ever considered stepping away from the booth and behind the boards?

Yo Gotti: I tell some producers how some tracks should go. But I don't know how to use the hardware. But you never know. One day shit might just come to me. But right now, I'm just fucking with that mic.

JimmyJazz.com: To date, you've had collaborations with just about ever key artists in the game. Your featured on Gucci Mane's "Ridiculous" remix, your featured on the the Clipse's Til' The Casket Drops album on "Showing Out" and several others. Who's someone you would like to collaborate with that you have yet to have the opportunity to hook up with?

Yo Gotti: [Short pause] I had this one track I was trying to get Tip [T.I.] on right before he went to jail. I say him right now, because I think this certain track really fit him.

JimmyJazz.com: Pertaining to southern hip-hop, what's your opinion on a bunch of southern artist from the south being locked up and going to jail? Do you think that's going to put a void or motivate other artist to gain and come up?

Yo Gotti: All artists, no matter what coast you from, south, east... you can be put in the same situation. They just ran into a little bump. They gotta deal with it and get back out and take care of business. They real people. Anybody can run into those situations.

JimmyJazz.com: Do you have any ventures on the side? Special collaborations, movies, etc.?

Yo Gotti: I'm shooting a independent movie. I was in a movie before ["Video Girl"]. I also just shot a movie with Megan Goode down in Baton Rouge [New Orleans].

JimmyJazz.com: How about fashion?

Yo Gotti: No fashion right now, but we are focusing in on it.

JimmyJazz.com: Any last words before we wrap up?

Yo Gotti: Fans can keep up with me on MySpace.com/YoGotti, Twitter.com/YoGottiKOM and most important in the street. If you see me, come holla at me. No 300 or 400 pound security around us. Just me and my homeboys.

Listen to Yo Gotti's latest mixtape, Cocaine Muzik 4: Gangsta Grill: