Offbeat Indie

Visual: Cheeco- This Is My Life

Elizabeth New Jersey Born artist is back with some Bars on an boombap beat. 

CODONE is one of the hottest upcoming artist from Mississippi. Teaming up with producer CHEEZ BEATZ for his latest single “No Regrets” the two have put together one hell of a slapper for the streets! Be on the look out for more music from CODONE. Listen and download CODONE - No Regrets at Audiomack http://www.audiomack.com/song/codone/no-regrets

PSYAH - What You Need feat. Breiner

Psyah is a Hip-Hop recording artist from Port Moody, Canada. His style is inspired from a new wave of classic Hip-Hop, EDM and soulful infusions that masterfully coalesce with his exuberant energy, clever flows and introspective lyrics to assemble the unique and empowering sound that is Psyah. Be on the look out for Psyah upcoming EP entitled Cosmos.

Fresh off  the release of his latest project Look at Me Now Vol. 3. Shizzie June drops the video for his lead single Dumb Directed by JR saint. Take a journey with Shizzie June through his version of a rob zombie flick . 

Look at Me Now Vol 3 available @ http://www.junevibes.com

Offbeat Indie had the honor of interviewing upcoming artist Crystal Caines. You may know her from the work she has done with A$AP Ferg (Trap Lord Production Credits: Hundred Million Roses; Lord ft. Bone Thugs -n- Harmony; Ferg Forever: Reloaded ft. MIA, Now ft. Mz. 007 & Weave ft. Marty Baller).  Crystal Caines is now readying her first solo project Vertigo, set to debut in the spring. While working on her solo project, she is readying to release a slew of new music in the coming weeks in support of Vertigo.

Who is Crystal Caines?

I’m a down to earth, introverted, funny-ass and talented Cancer. I was born July 17th to a set Guyanese of parents, whom I love dearly. Hi mom and pops! ☺ I’m blessed with the ability to rap, sing, produce and engineer. I think that sums me up in a nutshell.

Where are you from?

Harlem, New York.

How long has music been a passion for you? 

I’ve had a passion for music since I was born. I was just sculpted by age, lol. I took on a strong interest in music in my preteen years, but I've been rapping and singing for as long as I can remember. Plus, my family has always been into music. Until this day, my dad thinks he’s the greatest DJ out.

Does anyone in particular influence your artistic/ musical talent?

Ah. I'd say a lot of female artists that came before me. I always look towards them for motivation. The one who inspired me to really take this seriously is Eve. It was something about her. I can't really explain it, but that gave me the push, lyrically, to take this seriously.

How would you describe your music?

My music is like a pot of curry. Everybody likes curry! Wouldn’t you agree? [Laughs]. On a serious note my music is a piece of my feeling, it's s happiness, it's sadness, tough times, good times, it's uplifting. My music is a piece of my DNA that I’m sharing with the world. I want to take you guys for a spin, that’s part of the reason why I entitled my upcoming project Vertigo.

What was the name of the first song you created and how did you feel about it?

My very first record was Sweetest Taboo by Sade. I redid the record and was so excited. This was the first time I was actually able to put my thoughts into a record. The chorus was there to lead the way. I felt like I was going to get signed at 16 because of this record [Laughs]. We all have dreams don't judge me. Listening back to it now, it was cool but I definitely needed more work. Some sculpting has taken place since then.

Have you performed live and if so describe your experience?

I have. It can be nerve wrecking at times. Especially having a band. There’s so much that goes behind getting ready for a performance. Personally, I never want people that come to see me be forced to settle for a mediocre performance. That's why my team and I work hard to make sure that never happens. Once it's s show time the worries go away, and I just give my all, and leave a piece of me on the stage. The experience is always new but I never really get nervous. Now, when I start doing big tours maybe so. But for now, no.

Since you’re an upcoming artist whom are you trying to target (fans)?

Anyone who enjoys good music, you’re welcomed into Caines' world. Get comfortable and share these experiences with me. Grow with me, cry with me, stunt with me, laugh with me. YOU’RE ALL WELCOMED.

If you had to categorize your music, what genre would you fit in?

Jambalaya (a mixture of everything) genre. I just made that up, [Laughs]. I do everything I don't t limit my creativity. That's like wearing the same thing everyday. Eventually, you get bored looking the same and others get bored looking at you. How are you expressing yourself? I never want to fit in, I prefer to standout. That’s the only way you’ll get noticed.

What image do you think your music conveys?

I can only say one thing, perception is reality. People are going to take what they take from it. Not everyone thinks the same. As with my Single Whiteline.

What’s the message behind your music?

The world will see in due time. It's witty, sly, cute, lovely and tough. My music tends to describe what people my age tend to go through but are afraid to speak on.

Do you have any upcoming projects and when will they be released?

Vertigo, there isn't a release date as of yet. I'm so picky. I just want to give people thee most waviest project that they've heard in a while. (Yes, I said thee). When it comes to my music, I’m so detail oriented. I just have to get things rights. They say the Devil’s in the details.

Will you have any features?

Now I wouldn’t the ruin the surprise, [Laughs]. There are a few surprises in there. I can’t wait to share them with the world. How did you come up with the name Vertigo?

Man. Vertigo is actually an ailment, which has traits of being imbalanced and dizzy at times. A dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in tilting or spinning surroundings. That's my life. I feel like we all go through life experiences that we have to adapt to. Trying to be happy, finding happiness, dealing with ups and downs. A roller coaster. That's vertigo. It takes you for a spin.

As a female artist/producer what challenges do you face in the music business?

Some people are intimidated by my drive to get things done. I feel like because of that, I have to work twice as hard just to be mentioned. It's a give and take situation, but I don't mind. This is God given. The right chances and opportunities will surface once it's time.

How do you overcome the challenges that you face?

I run towards them. That's the only way to overcome anything. Tackle it. Someone once told me "Everything negative, pressures and challenges are all opportunities for you to rise".I believe that. I live that. Bring on the challenges, and I’ll kick the door down.

What drove you to not only be an artist, but also a producer?

I always keep this answer short. I had a bad experience with management in my earlier years of starting out. I wanted to move on but it wasn’t mutual. So my then manager ruined a lot of relationships with the people I worked with. To make it short: I took a two-year break from releasing music to finish college, and reinvent myself sonically. Once I was ready to come back to the scene, the help wasn't available. I felt like everyone turned on me. So I started from scratch. Producing and recording myself, etc. No one was sending me anything, and no one really was making the type of music I wanted to. So I got a midi controller and logic software and pretty much “YouTubed” my way through the learning process. Picking up tips from my brother from another Daffy, who has had major placements.

How was it working with A$AP Ferg?

Man, I love Ferg! He's the king of following your heart and vision. He always tells me to do that. I admire his drive. I worked with him on a lot of his earlier work and it was very dope to see records go from my home studio to the radio. It's always a pleasure working with someone as creative as you and willing to try something new. He used my first beat ever and shot a video to it. I was thinking you're crazy. This isn't finished. But, he said it was finished and was going to work. He said trust me, and that I did. With 100 million roses being his first solo record he showed me that people will gravitate towards your vision once it's done correctly. By correctly, I mean doing it YOUR WAY. It’s always a pleasure working with Fergy.

Besides A$AP Ferg, what other artists have you collaborated with?

Nick Jonas, Smoke Dza, Baauer, Bia and the list is still growing.

Can you tell the world a little about your debut single, Whiteline featuring A$AP Ferg? (Which is one of my favorites by the way).

Ayeeeee! Thank you! Whiteline came about with me using a clever way to share who I am (my real name) with listeners. A lot of ppl think the song is about cocaine. The song is about Crystal Caines in the form of a substance. Hence the video. It wasn't necessarily what I had in mind, but I still used some of what my initial idea was. If you notice the packets contained CC on it. Every time the packets were opened I appeared. I like to use clever and witty ideas in my music. Sadly, it goes over a lot of people heads. But that can be a good thing sometimes. [Laughs]

Where do you see yourself in the next five years? What are your long-term and career goals?

In 5 years, I see myself being more solidified in the music world. My long term goal is to be successful and happy. You hear so many things from people who have it all and they always seem to share not being happy. So that's my goal along with success, wealth, health and relationships.

Do you have any video links where people can see you?

http://youtu.be/myl0zrvAuhE

Do you have a website where people can reach you? (Twitter, facebook etc)

Twitter: crystalcaines IG: crystalcaines_ FB: Mscrystalcaines

As an artist how would you define success?

I mean there are levels to the s**t. Success to someone can be getting 10 million dollars. Let me see how can I explain success to me. My first year of producing I got a placement. My next goal was to solidify myself as an artist. Did that the last year. All that was success to me but I know I will have plenty more. The definition of success grows as you accomplish many things.

Give me a Crystal Caines Inspirational Quote.

If I listened to everyone who told me no, I'd probably be the person they were talking about in that Everest College commercial. “You not doing nothing but sitting on that couch.” Stay humble. Work hard. And let your accomplishments make the noise. God bless, good night!

Check Out Whiteline Ft A$AP Ferg Below!

Minty Burns' new mixtape has been a long time in the works. The Toronto MC has provided listeners with successful collaborations such as "How I Feel" with Rockie Fresh and "Shisha Monster" with Trademark Da Skydiver. Delivering top-notch work on his own as well, Minty came through on standout solo singles like the Rich Kidd-produced "World Series" and "Gold Coins". Other contributions to the project come from WondaGurl, Chase N. Cashe, Chef Byer, and more. 

With the release of The Golden Ticket, Burns has coupled it with the official video for the title track. Minty has also created a website that offers an interactive stream of The Golden Ticket with lyrics and credits included, and you can find that here.