#cant wait to develop a brand new personality based on this album :)

[thelocalshooter]

The Local Shooter Vs. B-LIFE

(LS) Hello thank you being apart of a great come up and welcome, may we get a small introduction for the people reading who don’t know who you are, where are you from? Who are you? And what do you do?

(B) I'm B-L1FE or B to most. I am an Indiana native but for the last 4 years I've been in the Houston, TX area. I do everything except make beats. I'm a recording artist myself, I engineer, DJ, design, visuals, animations, curate. To add to all that I'm also the CEO of my own record label, FAITH×VICTORY Records. I also am the CEO of three other companies: SupportArt which is a promotion company that also houses a collective, and MeditatedMerch which is my clothing line. There is stuff I'm missing I'm sure but I'm basically the one stop shop for good underground business.

(LS) Being a Texas native how do you feel that the music scene has impacted you and your creativeness?

(B) The scene in the H has never really impacted me much but surround regions have amazingly unique sounds that are almost nice accents to a style like mine that blends hip hop with metal and alt rock. The Dallas FT. Worth area is full of this new wave sound that people like Jah or $not really helped catapult. Then south Florida is known for the wild hype sounds they give us like Pouya. I think these regions influenced me by just kind of telling me hey its ight to let go and just be me. I used to be signed under a different stage name and to be honest it was all bullshit. All the rules and what they wanted me to be. This area in general just let the monster loose I guess you could say.

(LS) You also run a blog on your own called supportart where its a platform for many creative artist in the underground, how did that come about and how long have you been running it?

(B) We are gonna be two years old in June which is unreal. We house 20 artists at the moment including myself. It honestly all started as a group chat of artists trying to put together a collective mixtape. Most people didnt come through but it actually opened a networking portal that led us to our first client who was King Kap who at the time was signed to Quality Control. We continue to work with him to this day and alongside the leaders I make the calls with (Yung N ICy, Fat Daddy J, Psych Ward, Penny the Shabba, Waveon, wa55up, & Kaster) we just had the flood gates opened on us. Alot of trial and error but never once have we been exposed or finessed. We work hard for the underground and have new ways coming soon to showcase hidden talent.

(LS) you seem to be a jack of all trades with graphics, producing, and much more! What do you feel is your strongest creative outlet for you and why?

(B) All the other crafts came from being a recording artist. I think I truly shine there. Away from the art and visuals, I've had some pretty big accomplishments as the rapper B-L1FE. Sometimes I forget to push my own stuff when I'm so busy pushing the underground or my artists. In 2019 I dropped my first and sophomore album which did well. Underviews did an article naming me a young mogul. I made the underground freshman list which was amazing to be with the likes of GNAR, Lord Xan, 916frosty, and more. But if anything compares it's my graphic design. I've been doing design since I was 14 and I'm almost 28 now. I still have every graphic I've done and my portfolio now have close to 6000 pieces. It's the main reason I could leave the day job life behind.

(LS) You also happen to be on all major platforms with a couple single releases, where did you first find your passion for music? Also how did you know that it was going to be a career for you?

(B) My parents didnt really do much parenting but they did raise me around terrific music. I have right now I believe 83 songs on all major platforms which is quite a bit since my contract from the previous record label didnt expire until April of 2018. My parents raised me around Dr. Dre, Bone Thugs, Snoop, Nas, Destinys Child, Master P, and all the greats. So I had this around me so much at 12 I started writing structured songs and didnt even realize it. Football was passion #1 but when I decided to rescend my commitment to Eastern Michigan University, I started toying around with being in a band. After awhile my vocal cords suffered from pure metal music. So I turned to rap which was also like a hobby. Then once I began to network in around 2012 I noticed I had something alot of others didnt. So it was then I knew. The rest was waiting for the contract I signed stupidly to expire. My biggest influences would be Chronic 2001 by Dr. Dre and Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park.

(LS) Your most recent single regurgitate and there’s a single called “Welcome To Hell” which did amazing numbers on Twitter! What was the whole process behind those songs and why did you pick that specific song to shows case the project?

(B) The process behind these two singles were both random to be honest. I put out my second EP back in December and wanted to take my time on my third album so I do what I call SINGLE SZN. I drop a new song on major platforms every week. It started with my first single of 2020 which was 'Never' and 'Welcome to Hell' was the second. With that one it was Angry Orphan's concept (featured artist) and he sent me his parts and a rough idea and I thought since we both are lyrical artists let's do what Em and Royce do when they collab and take these same schemes but change our words and small parts of our flows. It made a very cohesive song. The marketing is always the same for me. I let people know way before something drops that it's coming. The main key is promoting stuff more than once. So many people drop a track, run it through some group chats for that day, and then leave it to die. You gotta keep pushing content towards people. With 'Regurgitate' I hadn't even planned a part of it. I woke up to an email from SupportArt's head engineer, Penny the Shabba, that two beats. One was the beat for that song. Wrote it in 15 mins recorded it mixed it, he mastered it while I did the cover, and within 4 or so hours a full song was ready and off to distrubution.

(LS) What’s a regular day in the life of B-LIFE? Do you wake up in the morning go to the studio? Do you wake up in the morning and start interviewing people and check on your blog? What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

(B) The minute I wake up I need a shower. Cant start the day right without it. My studio and everything is at home so I just go off my daily planner. I keep everything written down including my own personal stuff and I usually pick whatever project I really dont wanna do to start. That way I'm getting through the 'blah' jobs with full energy and the shit I'll enjoy doing I save for later when I'm drained. Usually first thing I do business wise is touch base with my team. We use telegram so we can avoid social media. We a family so they come first. Next is clients. Always touch base with any clients waiting still or people I may have had halfway to the payment phase.

(LS) juggling music, blogs, graphics, and also a clothing brand how do you know when to find time for each creative outlet? Do you set a certain schedule for certain things? Do you have a certain day for certain things how does that work for you?

(B) I wish I knew. Everyday is dedicated to everything. I didnt want to say okay Tuesday we design only covers and logos but sell 5 videos the night before that Tuesday. I ask my clients for deadlines and bundle clients I tell them the timeframes. To be honest my turnaround is so quick and I've done this for so long I do it super fast. Some AMV clients get their video back in an hour with their mind blown. I try not to look at it as such a big work load. Whenever I do feel overwhelmed then its time for like 30 mins on the xbox or a jog. Somehow I never run out of creativity which certainly helps.

(LS) What’s your main goal as far as music? Do you plan on getting signed, are you looking to stay independent? Is music even your full on passion or are you looking to stay more on the blog and manager/artist development side or what is your main goal?

(B) Main goal is to get my label signed how Travis Scott did with Cactus Jack. It keeps the artist safe and in it's own way allows you to stay independent but with proper funding. Music is the main passion. I never say I manage my artists. We push them to build their own brands and we help them with that. I'm simply just keeping a platform all about love. The rest does it's own thing all by itself. Truly amazing.

(LS) Thank you again for being a part of this great come up, is there anything else you would like for the readers to know about you? Or should we keep our eyes peeled for anything to come in 2020? What are some links that you can share were new readers can go ahead and find your work?

(B) You can find everything related to be via my linktree which is linktr.ee/lifewitha1

Album 3's first single drops May 1st and you can already pre order it on Apple Music. Its titled 'Bob Ross' and ensomber produced it. Tune in. Tap in. We out here not just for us but for everybody with the it's always love approach. Just dont get shit twisted haha. You can find me everywhere but soundcloud. Bless up everybody and much love to The Local Shooter. Houston we strong!!

The Local Shooter Vs. B-L1FE

[theprettiestshit]

Mend.Sew.Shred Interview with @Tikedi

Hey, I am Ti,  a twenty eight years old city girl living in the country. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York but currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, most people know me as ‘twin’..lol. TiKeDi is my baby brand that I started while in school. If you mispronounce it I wont correct you, but it’s just like saying my initials TKD, just really fast. I am a design fiend, and I am grateful and blessed that I am able to do what I love for a living. I really appreciate  things that are aesthetically pleasing and I do pay more for cute packaging. My mom thinks that  I am too liberal…and my answer to any question will always be ‘But did you vote?’ 

 Was designing your dream job? 

No, designing was not my dream job. Although I have always been creative and my mom always allowed me to explore my creativity and options in life, I come from a family that believes in traditional careers. Having Jamaican parents and family roots, I grew up with people that were very opinionated, I had a vision of what my life was going to and should of been in my head. When I started college at seventeen  I did not know what I wanted to do, however because almost every member in my family is a nurse, the most natural decision for me at the time was to pursue a degree in nursing. I started the pre nursing track upon my entrance of college but my heart was never in it. After my freshman year, I spent about a year and half trying to find my niche. Legit, I went through four or five majors during the course of three semesters. Designing itself, was a mistake, long story short… I was laid off and needed an income.

 You have a unique process when creating your pieces,? What sets your style apart from others

What makes my process unique is that I believe in imperfect perfection. Truthfully, although I started my brand out of a need, it became bigger than me and my bills that needed to be paid. I genuinely love what I do and I believe that it shows in my work. One of the hardest things for me is seeing people take my pictures and styles, and passing it off as their own. I used to get so upset when it would happen, but I’ve learned not to give those people and it any of my energy. I realized that feeding my energy into dishonest people and situations were and will always be a hindrance to me, not them. That is valuable energy that could be used to fuel my creative process, plus people always tend to want the original. Yes! TiKeDi is largely based around distressed and shredding but when you look at the details and see a TiKeDi piece, you know it’s a TiKeDi piece. I myself, am a plus size woman so I design for every woman, regardless of size. I am not going to make a line that strictly caters to plus size woman or create something that can only fit individuals that are a size 0-10.

Talk about some places and some people we may have seen your designs on? 

Man, TiKeDi has been blessed. Like any life process we go through our highs and lows, however, we have touched a lot of people. A few years ago we would have never thought we would be associated with or having pieces requested and worn by half of our clientele, all of which is due to my sister who has a pulse on who what and where.TiKeDi is in boutiques in both New York and Atlanta. On top of boutique placement our pieces have been used at shows during NYFW in 2014, TBoz on her TLC reality show in 2013, VH1 Love and Hip Hop 2015, Young Thug BET Awards 2015, Young Thug Danny Glover Video, Kendrick Lamar Street Dreaming Video, India Arie music video. Outside of television our pieces have been worn by Teyana Taylor, Brittany Hall, Ashunta Sherriff, Tionna Smalls, Makeup Shayla, Hrush, Alexis Branch, Dondria and countless bloggers, just to name a few. 

One of your garments was recently seen in Harper's Bazar speak a little bit about that ? 

Yes, that was an amazing feeling because it was unexpected. But Hrush, the Kardashians makeup artist wore a couple of our pieces during her time at NYFW so when she featured an article on Harper’s Bazaar website talking about her time at NYFW and the details of her looks, TiKeDi was featured in it as well. Literally 8 slides of TiKeDi on freaking Harpers Bazaar.

What is your personal style like ? 

My style is constantly evolving but a few things that stay consistent is black and comfort. Right now I am in a phase where less is more. I live for a good oversized tee, or v neck, and the perfect skinnies. Oh yeah, the higher and thicker the platform, the better. Recently it has come to my attention that I am ‘goth’ but that is not how I identify, I like to think of myself as an NYC downtown girl.

If you were a lipstick what color would you be and why ? 

If I were a lipstick I would be a chocolately nude, I am so into nudes right now when it comes to makeup and I think it is  because it matches my personality the most. It seems so cool and calm, yet makes a statement at the same time. It is a little bold without being loud. Some may think its boring and others love it. Yup, chocolately nude I would be.

 5 things you cant travel without ? 

Five things I cannot travel without are my computer, phone, Instax camera, headphones, and a cute bag. 

 What's the last album you listened to in its entirety ? 

 I have ran Emile Sande Long Live the Angels down, but the last album that I listened to, which was today is John Legends Darkness and Light

Who is your muse ? 

My sister Asia is my muse. It is crazy because we are complete opposites in every way but whenever I am designing or thinking of a new style she is the first person I think of. She is the prototype because sometimes she throw shit together and on someone else it would look like shit, but because of her personality for her it works. And then there’s other times where she is completely downtown edgy and I just love it, she’s a chameleon. 

Favorite place to find hidden gems when shopping ? 

My all time favorite place to find hidden gems is in….(dun dun) WALMART. I freaking love Walmart! They are so underrated but for me it is a gold mine, especially the men section. I will  go in there for cheese and I end up walking out with bags of shit.

What is hardest part about running your own shop? 

The hardest part about running my shop, is stopping. There’s 24 hours in the day and I feel like I work 22. Hell truthfully I think I work 21 hours everyday though. You know your business is your baby, and I think that is truer now with us millenials. We’re holding off having actual babies because we’re out her fostering and growing something of our own, putting our own stamp on things. Doing this causes me to be so hard and judgemental on myself, as well as sacrificing a social life and love life for my work life. Seriously, I’ve been finding myself on dates thinking, urggghhh this is a waste of time I could be home working on such and such.

  What is the most fulfilling thing about running your own shop ? 

The most fulfilling thing about running my own shop is seeing what I’ve done out in the physical world. It’s one thing when it’s in your head, and then when you create it you’re like ‘ok, ok’ but when you put it out and offer it up to others and they fuck with it as much as you do….that feeling is everything. Like I said, your business is your baby, no one ever wants their baby to be rejected or criticized by others.

 Something you are looking forward to accomplishing this year 2017? 

 I am looking forward to releasing a cut and sew collection for TiKeDi, I am currently developing VIII XXIX by TiKeDi which is basically the infusion line to what we already have. I have so many ideas that I just need to get out so I cannot wait to get it solified.

 Being a business owner often requires you to be a jack of all trades what are something hidden talents you have ? 

This is an understatement of all times, I have to wear so many hats running my own business that sometimes I question myself. But something that I am really really good at is making things really pretty. So when I am not designing for TiKeDi, I am desigining under TKD Designs….yes I am a web and graphic designer beasting both the back end and front end of people websites. I always joke that I wish I knew how to hardcore hack because ultimately that’s what I want to do, hack the hell out of someones computer, phone, or bank account, just because I can. 

 Favorite childhood hobby ?

My favorite childhood hobby was drawing. I remember growing up I used to draw all the time (which is weird because I don’t know how to draw now). But when I was younger my mom would always find an art class for me and a writing class for my sister. When she was going to college, she enrolled us in classes as well. One of my favorite things that we used to do, was every Saturday my mom, sister, and I would spend the day creating and doing arts and crafts at the dining room table in our apartment. Then we would head to Downtown Brooklyn, shop a little and eat fish and chips.

www.shoptikedi.com

Instagram: @Shoptikedi 

#Who is Tikedi #Shop Tikedi #Tikedi Interview