DOPE BOY FLY

It's hard to put a finger on just what's got Rashan "Dope Boy Fly" Santiago buzzing. But for the Paterson, New Jersey native, it all boils down to one thing, "Don't let nobody tell you who you are, keep working on what you believe you can do," says the 22yr old. Dope Boy Fly currently has 3 mix tapes available for download on www.datpiff.com: Swagg Monster, The Dope House Prequel and Swagg Nation or Nothing as well as 3 underground mix tapes: Rappin and Trappin, Rappin and Trappin 2 (backpack edition) and Fly Season.

Dope Boy has been rhyming for the last 5yrs. "I started rapping officially at 17, but I knew I wanted to be a rapper at 15 cause I use to remix every rap song with different lyrics." He writes his own music and has written for others as well.

When asked about the profanity in his music Dope Boy Fly's response was: "My words come from what I see almost everyday and what I'm immune to, I don't think the curse words will effect my fan base but maybe the more mature crowd. I matured as an artist to cut down the cursing, but I will still curse."

Dope Boy Fly has many influences but the biggest being The Diplomats, they are the reason he started rapping. "I always wanted to be a diplomat, they set trends and I use to get compared to Juelz Santana because we are both fly and can rap hard."

As a young up and coming artist Dope Boy Fly has been doing a lot and has the support of his team Swagg Nation which consist of a family of friends that motivate each other and put swagg into everything they do.

He is currently working on his 7th mix tape which will be his biggest thus far due to the collaboration of producers which include Develop, Lex Luger, Teddy Gramz, Donnie Dee and Cassius Clay and will be entitled "Misfit Dope."

“As far as music goes I been successful at becoming a better artist because I have not been signed yet. By the way, LABELS BETTER COME GET ME."

For more information on Dope Boy Fly and to hear his music you can find him on www.youtube.com/Dopeboyfly  www.twitter.com/dropdeaddope www.facebook.com/Rashansantiago and www.datpiff.com 

LOS ASTRONAUTAS

Li2, Hanz from Higher Level Tattoos and Lemix

We won’t settle for anything less than the best,” are the words of the up and coming Dominican duo Los Astronautas.

I had an opportunity to catch up with the duo, 22 year old Miguel Germoso aka Li2 and 21 year old Omar Payamps aka Lemix in the Higher Level Tattoo Shop in the Uptown Manhattan section of Dyckman, to discuss what they have done, what they are doing and what they plan to do.

The two are a hard working team and do everything top notch and as per the group name they are rising to the top. Li2 (which is short for elegido meaning chosen one) and Lemix (for his mixture of rapping, singing and producing) got their start back in 2003 when they formed a reggaeton group called H.A.B (short for Habit of making music). The group disband and only Li2 y Lemix where left and they evolved more as time went on with their style and sound and they formed Los Astronautas.

“We compare ourselves to Diddy and Jay-Z because we don’t give a (bleep) what anyone says…we work hard and will never stop working.”

Their sound is different from any other Latino artist; it’s a combination of Latin electro hip –hop and pop. “We make music that reaches out to everybody, so people can dance.” They have worked with Sauce a producer who works with Lenny from Aventura , Ovi a up and coming producer from the Dominican Republic, they have finished two music videos with music video director Mills Miller who directed Fabolous ‘s video “Body Ya,“ and currently have a mix tape out entitled El Demo.

Not only do they make music but they have other projects in the works. They are currently working on a clothing label called PHWESH (fresh) and have entertainer such as DJ Camilo, DJ Prostyle, Diddy’s barber Kurt, Max from Aventura, Hanz from Higher Level Tattoos, All Pro DJ’s and Uptown NY Promoters rocking their t-shirt designs and are still in the process of expanding their clothing line.

“Actions speak louder than words, anybody can say anything, but once you DO people will take you serious. “ Los Astronautas still have a lot for people to look forward to and plan to be the face of D.R. with their music and clothing label in the next few years.

For more information and to download their music check out www.box.net/li2ylemix, www.reverbnation.com/li2ylemix, http://www.li2ylemix.blogspot.com/, www.Facebook.com/Li2yLemix, www.youtube.com/Li2yLemix, www.Lomapesao.com/Li2yLemix, www.masflowteam.com/Li2yLemix, www.twitter.com/mrli2, www.twitter.com/yoolemix, www.twitter.com/phwesh, www.twitter.com/dee_phwesh

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Rich iCoast

Rich iCoast

“Nobody is going to do it for you, so you got to do it for yourself,” are the words of a young up and coming rap artist Rich iCoast.

Twenty-One year old Rich iCoast started making moves in the music world in 2007 by accident. Coming from a music background, where his father is a well known DJ in Jamaica. Rich never was interested in music, but because of his nationality he was asked by a local rap group to do a Jamaican hook on their song, after doing the hook his interest started to spark in the music field.

Rich started writing music and he and his friends formed a family and they go by iCoastra Nostra which he got from “La Cosa Nostra” which is means mafia, however, iCoastra means good living. The family consists of B-Hill, Bigger Shaq, J U $, Swagz and their producer Hitmakerdot they are all solo artist but have each other to fall back on.

Being so young he has come across negative feedback but says “people will knock you down but all you can do is dust it off and keep moving.” Rich’s biggest supporter was his grandma who passed away in 2003 because of her memories he stays motivated and keeps pushing forward.

I had an opportunity to listen to a few of Rich iCoast tracks “My Lifestyle” and “If I Ruled the World (iCoastmix)” and as well as a few tracks on his mix tape “I’m Rich, Not Yet,” and the talent he possess is shown and has proven he is a prolific artist. Not only does he have fresh hooks and beats but his sound is impressive and is similar to the rap group Clipse and the 90’s rap group Camp Lo. His inspiration has been Joe Buddens and the late Stack Bundles, Rich says “they been thru the struggle and if they can do it, I can do it and make it too.”

As a new artist Rich iCoast has accomplished a lot in only three years. He has a deal with the digital production company I.R.T. Media Group (Innovation Resonance and Trends). Rich met I.R.T. ‘s managing partner Kamau Edwards thru a mutual friend and has been wanting to work with Rich since he heard his track on the mix tape “Higher Learning.” However, Rich wasn’t ready at the time Edwards first contacted him but now alongside up and coming producer Hitmakerdot they are working on a EP, mix tapes, clothes and everything marketable to expand the iCostra Nostra brand. “Apart from his unique style and overwhelming talent as an artist, he was enterprising enough to make this a mutually beneficial situation,” says Edward. Soon listeners will be able to access the “iCoast” application for iphones. Rich already has the mixtape “I’m Rich, Not Yet,” already hitting the streets and getting a buzz. Rich iCoast is doing big things and has the mentality that he and his music family iCostra Nostra will not lose.

For further information on Rich iCoast you can check out www.Reverbnation.com/richicoast, www.facebook.com/richicoast, http://icoastranostra.tumblr.com/, www.twitter.com/Rich_iCoast and coming soon http://www.icoastranostra.com/

MIND AND BODY

Let him take over your mind.

Let him take over your body.

You thought the love you gave him would make him stay forever.

You didn’t care for a title as long as he kept you around.

You thought you had the #1 spot and no other bitch would reach the top.

He started working and you thought damn we can really go far. Money in your hands, vacations in different lands.

He started acting funny, not even a phone call he gave you, but yet you where still in lala land thinking you and him would be together forever having babies and living life so grand.

One day you woke up and saw the potential in yourself. Realizing no man should make you feel like he is all you need for worth.

You’re making your own moves. Making money, taking care of your baby not listening to anybody’s NO’s or MAYBE’s.

He disappeared out of your life. Those times you spent thinking you were #1 and maybe one day be his wife has left your mind and heart.

You realize when you’re in love you will get a title and not just be the chick he wants for his sexual appetite.

You let the thoughts of the woulda, coulda, shoulda’s and the pleasure of good dick take over your mind and body.

A real women knows her place in life and doesn’t let a man take over her mind just maybe her body, but that’s not always needed because she has her own finger and toys instead of letting some nigga beat it.

Single Mother Struggle

You think you found the love of your life. Having sex unprotected is the best thing in life.

Then you find out your about to birth another life.

He tells you: “Baby, it will be ok. I’m not going anywhere, I’m here to stay.”

Months go by and shit ain’t the same. He is creeping off and telling you this might be a mistake and only nutted in you because you had a pretty face.

You’re stuck now, nine months pregnant and ain’t got nothing, dude up and left you. All your friends dissed you because they weren't beat for a friend with 2 kids and and money issue's.

Now you’re a single mother, who is going to struggle.

No friends.

No man.

Life is looking like an undone puzzle.

Months have come and gone, your babies are getting big but all your money is gone.

You live from house to house, wondering why your life went wrong.

Then he comes back and says “Baby, I'm home, I want to make this family work for the long.”

He comes back and starts taking the money you have and doing you wrong.

Now you’re evicted and he is gone.

Your kids are hungry and you’re all alone.

Living the life of a single mother is a struggle.

He left you crying, but you have to be strong. I know you want a man in your life cause you where dying to be a wife, but you picked the wrong man to lye down with and concieve a life.

Ever since that nigga met you – you have been living in strife. Realize your kids should be your life and that no man will ever make your life right.

We all want to be happy, but you weren’t thinking sexing unprotected would be the worst mistake in your life.

You love your babies, but you’re always thinking maybe just maybe if you went down a different road: "I wouldn’t have this single mother struggle and I would be loving  my life, have friends, get invited out to events, marry a man with a career rather than a man who was a drug dealer runner with nothing of his own, sleeping in his mother's house on the living room floor.

Eight years have passed and finally you are finding the path so you think, but you end up with the same kind of man like you didn't learn from your past mistske.

Life is going to get better, but you still have to let go of things in the past.

Working hard and saving money isn’t easy, but you aint trying to be needy. Babies are getting old enough to see mommy’s life isn’t easy.

But you’re going to make it; this single mother struggle won’t hold you down for life you will found the road to success once you change your mind set and let God in and pray each and every day.

Be a strong young mother.

You don’t need another.

Love your babies and do what’s right.

Hold your head up and never look back.

Complete the puzzle and get your life back on the right track.

Dominican Super Model Miguel Perdomo

Model Miguel Perdomo

Feature Provided By: Raleena Danielle

Dominican Super Model Miguel Perdomo sheds light on his perception of how the fashion world is and how he overcame barriers and challenges.


"Caucasians run the fashion world and if you are Hispanic your African American to them, its only two colors in the industry black and white. They try to deprive you of a lot in the fashion world if you let them."

As a Latino he has overcame every challenged presented to him. Having being labeled as to skinny, fat, to light and even being told his hips where to big; Miguel stood his ground and has proven to be very successful. "In this industry you have to have thick skin." Miguel's attitude is what has helped him keep his head above the water, "I love challenges, I don't care what other people's thoughts are."

In the modeling world you have to keep reinventing yourself, "you can't worry about what other people say, you have to come in the game and have faith in your look and style, don't be cocky be confident."

Miguel has been in the modeling industry for the past 10yrs, he was signed with Ford Modeling for 6 yrs but now has joined 2R's Entertainment were Rafael Blanco serves as his publicist and agent. He has been modeling for Sean John and is currently inspiring to be an actor, which he has already had parts in tv shows such as; Sex in the City (season 6), CSI: New York, Law and Order: SVU and talk shows such as The Tyra Banks Show and Wendy William's show. In the near future Miguel will possibly be working with Tyler Perry.

For more information about Miguel Perdomo

www.Myspace.com/miguelperdomo23
www.Twitter.com/mperdomo23

La Mujer en la calle "Chika"

Monica "Chika" Delacruz

Chika

 Ten years ago Chika was a unknown background singer for the salsa group DLG (Dark Latin Groove), now Chika has a new sound: Latin hip hop.

She came from a broken home where her mother was a drug addict, and died when Chika was ten from AIDS. Chika used poetry as an outlet. Growing up in Brooklyn, Chika was always a tomboy and wanted to get in the circle with the neighborhood boys. In order for her to do so, she turned her poems into raps. Soon she found that rapping gave her attention and people were receptive to her sound.

Chika had a few setbacks along the way. She is Latina and was only considered as a Reggaeton artist which she is not. "Being pretty, Latina and bilingual has been a curse and a gift, you have to prove yourself 200 million times more."

She has been compared to being a female version of Pitbull and Big Pun. "I want to compete with the boys, being compared to a female would offend me," Chika says.

Not only does she rap but she writes, composes, arranges and produces music. She wants to dip into everything and become a brand. "If you have no label you have no choice but to help yourself. Being strong without a team is easier because your only promoting yourself."

Chika is also in a group called Chika Malina and in the summer of '09 their single made Billboards Top 20 in the Tropical airplane category. She is still committed to the group but has been focusing on her on music. "The grind of being an artist is that you can't be scared to get dirty."

The advice Chika gives to those trying to make it in the music world is "make sure you have something different to bring to the table, surround yourself with positive people that believe in you, everything will be easier when people do."

Look out for her mix tape Pa La Calle which includes merengue, cumbia, pop, hip hop, reggaeton, dance and soca.

For more information on Chika you can visit her website http://www.chikaonline.com/, www.twitter.com/chikamusic, and www.myspace.com/chikaheavy