CERTIFIED: NYC's New Rap Group

If you thought there was no more room in the rap game for a super group, you're wrong. New York City should start making way for one of the latest groups to hit the sound waves: Certified. All five members,: Ree, M.O., Young Ja, Ron "Rockout" Jeeta and Stack Millz, are ready to take hip-hop into their own hands.

For the group, Ree was the man with the plan. “Basically I was thinking while I was doing my solo thing that, you know, there’s strength in numbers," he said, "So I went to some of my closest friends that was doing their thing out there too, and we just made it work from there.”

From there, you can call it history. Each member brings their own element to form Certified. Ree said he brings the "Confidence and lyricism," while Young Ja said he brings the "punch lines and originality. M.O. described his contribution to Certified by saying, “I bring aggression. I say what I feel, I’m not gonna hold back.” Stack Millz simply said that he brings "that flavor."

While Ron Jeeta could not be present for the interview, Ree said this of him: “He bring the presence. As soon as he come on the song, you know its him.”

The first question everyone wants to know about a new artist is "Why you, what do you have that we can't get?" This reporter wanted to know the same thing.

M.O. offered the idea that artists have begun to copy each other so much that nothing remains. He said Certified is bringing back “What’s been missing. Everything. I mean, a lot of people call it recycling, but you’re just saying what somebody else said. You don’t even feel that way, you’re just talking."

Next thing on the list of inquiries was how Certified planned to stay relevant in an ever-changing world of music.“Basically I feel like you should just stay unique to who you are because trends come and go," Young Ja said, "You’re gonna die with the trend sooner or later.”

In 2010, Certified released a self-titled mixtape, showcasing a combination of their lyrical talent. With party songs like "Swagger" and a re-make of Jay-Z's "Ignorant Shit," the guys are sure that the mixtape will please.

"We got a little bit of everything. No matter who picks it up, there’s something they can hear," Ree said.

This year, Certified plans to release a new mixtape including their newest member, Stack Millz. The mixtape is to be called "The Beginning of the End" and is slated for a Spring release.

When asked what they think their position in rap will be, Stack Millz said, "I think the fans should decide.


Watch Certified do their thing below:

VIDEO: Matt Palmer "I Wish"

Our boy Matt Palmer recently premiered his new video "I Wish", so of course I had to share! Can you say BONUS???

Don't forget to download his "I Wish" EP from iTunes!!!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wish-ep/id341710815

MATT PALMER: Mr. Pop & B

Rising star Matt Palmer integrates the fun, dance-worthy sound of pop with the heartfelt lyrics of R&B to create a fusion of the genres that is sure to please. An artist indeed, Palmer is not only a talented vocalist, but writes and produces music as well. Truly dedicated to his craft, he has honed his talents and continues to evolve. Through a distinct voice and musical aesthetic, Matt Palmer is sure to find his spot amongst his musical peers, which is already evident by his growing number of followers.
After complete and utter relentlessness, I finally got the chance to interview Mr. Palmer!
Here it is... enjoy!

Q: You attended Clive Davis' Department of Recorded Music. Describe how you got into such a competitive program and how it affected your artistry.
A: Well the application process is pretty in-depth. The department makes you send in a 5-minute sample of your music and two music-related essays. In one of the essays, we had to answer the question "Why Music?" and in the other we had to discuss an artist who we felt could've been promoted better at a point in their career, and we had to describe how we'd do it. I wrote my essay of Michael Jackson during the "Invincible" era. As for how it affected my artistry, it really gave me focus. I went to school wanting to do everything- sing, write songs, produce, engineer- all at the same time. I learned it was best to start with what you're best at and grown from there. I discovered songwriting was my biggest asset, so I started with that.

Q: You are a singer, but you are also a songwriter and a producer. How important do you think it is to not only be able to perform music, but to be able to create it?
A: I think songwriting and singing are completely different beasts. I certainly don't judge artists who don't write their own songs because there will always be incredible vocalists or performers out there who need to be heard. But for me, I've always felt like there were two different ways of expressing the same emotion. I've been singing since I was very young and songwriting came into the picture later. I love them both so much that I couldn't ever give one up fully.

Q: Your EP "I Wish" debuted on iTunes almost a year ago. How much exposure has it brought you? How much has it changed things for you?
A: I think the songs from that EP really put me on the map in the underground R&B scene, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. If it weren't for me sending out home-studio versions of "Six Whole Days" and "That Way" to blogs two years ago, no one would know my name. Now, when "Is He The Reason" leaked onto the Internet with no artist attached to it, listeners could tell that it was me. That's just crazy to me and it's really humbling- it's good to know people are really listening! The release was to give those people who heard the songs on YouTube a chance to buy the songs and support the music, but the big push is going to be for my first full-length album, "Let Go". Hopefully more mainstream outlets will take notice.

Q: One of your big influences in Michael Jackson. Are there any elements of his music that resonate in your own?
A: I mean, I would never want to compare my music to Michael Jackson's because he is truly an icon, an untouchable artist who created, in my opinion, the best pop music of the 20th century. With that said, Michael taught me about uplifting melodies. Even if he was singing about a sad situation, the joy an life in his melodies were always there. I feel like "Six Whole Days" is that-- on the page, it's depressing, but when you listen to the song, the melodies are more vibrant and joyful. That's something I got form Michael.

Q: You have re-works of popular songs like Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" and Rihanna's "Rude Boy". How difficult is it to re-work a song you've heard a million times, without imitating its original melody?
A: Once I heard the instrumental versions of these songs 2 or 3 times, new melodies just popped into my head. As a songwriter, a lot of times that's my job. If I'm not doing the beat, it's my job to take an already finished instrumental and make a song out of it. And those instrumentals are incredible when you really listen to them. Stargate and Dr. Luke are unbelievable producers, so it's easy to build off of when the music is so strong.

Q: How would you describe your sound?
A: I would describe my current sound as Pop/R&B. I want to be a 2010 version of Babyface- writing love songs with a real soul to them, but something that wouldn't sound out of place on the radio today.

Q: One of your most popular songs is "Fall For You". What do you think it is about that song that got it so many plays?
A: You know, I actually don't know! I think people like uplifting pop music, and that song is as pop as it gets. Sometimes after a long day, you need something escapist and upbeat to put you in a good mood.

Q: Most artists express a want to become better at their craft. How do you hope to grow as an artist?
A: I hope to be a very strong performer on day. I feel comfortable as a songwriter and a recording artist but I still get nerves when I perform. Sometimes I'm not as happy with my performances as I'd like to be. Some people, like Beyonce or Michael Jackson, are just wired to perform, and while that's not my greatest strength, it's something I'll never stop working toward.

Q: What is next for Matt Palmer?
A: Well, we're releasing "Let Go" later this year in late summer/early fall, and it will include some of the songs from the EP, but mostly new material. We're also launching a music video for "I Wish". It's actually been completed for a month or two now, so I'm really excited for everyone to see it; I think it's a great introduction to me as an artist. We're going to try and get a big push for those releases, and if all goes well, hopefully there will be a second video from the album.
As a songwriter, I've been in the studio with several major label artists in the past couple of months. I plan on writing for more signed artists and hopefully I'll land a placement on one of their albums soon.

Listen to Matt Palmer's "Let Go" and "Six Whole Days" on the Fresh Feenz Playlist!

Be sure to:
Buy the "I Wish" EP on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wish-ep/id341710815

Check Out his YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mattpalmermusic

Check out his MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/mattpalmermusic

Follow him on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/mattpalmermusic

COURTNEY SALTER: Real Soul Sister

Washington, DC native Courtney Salter is the definition of raw, original talent. With a distinct voice and sense of artistic self, she is the epitome of avant-garde. Choosing not to follow the path of several popular artists of our time, Courtney has paved a new road all her own. Not only is she a gifted singer, she is also dedicated to establishing herself as a genuine individual. Embracing her experiences and sharing them with the world is an essential part of who she is. If you are not captivated by her voice, she will certainly interest you when she speaks.
I was blessed with the chance to see Ms. Salter perform in person, and made it my business to include her in this blog as a result.

Take a look at my interview with her:

Q: You are 19 years old, yet you possess a sound that complements that of your older neo-soul counterparts. Where did this "beyond your years" sound come from?
A: Well, I think I was tired of listening to a lot of the same old, played out, modernized, commercial music of today. I just wanted to research where this whack music came from, what was their influence? I just did a lot of research on my own and started to really embrace the neo-soul vibe. I started listening to a lot of amazing artists like D'Angelo and Earth, Wind and Fire and its just been on from there.

Q: You've had experiences with singing on television. Tell me a little about that.
A: Well, they were auditions that I went on that never made it to TV that people go to see. It was kind of nerve-wrecking. There were cool auditions, I did a lot of networking, but unfortunately they didn't make it to national television. That didn't really phase me, it was a cool experience but I felt like they didn't really care too much about talent. They go towards a certain look. When you're too out-of-the-box, when you're too different, it's kind of hard. People aren't very comfortable with different sounds, or something new. I guess that wasn't the destined path for me.

Q: You have recently been signed to Premier Musique Group. How did it feel to get a record deal?!
A: It felt like a relief. A lot of my Internet promotion, I was doing myself. It feels like a boatload has been lifted from my shoulders. They've been doing a lot of MySpace promotion, and I've been getting like 3,000 plays a day, which is pretty awesome. It feels good to know that I can work on my YouTube promotion and they can be working on other things as well. There's a real team thing going on.

Q: In "The Weed Song", do you use the high from marijuana as a symbol, or is the song to be taken literally?
A: I feel like being subliminal is really played out. I want to be out there, honest and blunt with with the issues that I've dealt with because I feel like there are so many people that have dealt with a lot of crazy issues. I had a bad experience with weed, and I decided to write about it. Weed is glorified and glamorized, and everyone talks about how great it is, and it wasn't like that for me. I have to be honest.

Q: In "Since You Left", you speak of the absence of a lover and you say, "Promiscuity becomes familiar, I'm sexin' away my problems". Why did you choose to highlight that reaction to the loss of love?
A: I feel like so many artists write about love and heartbreak, and that subject is beyond played out for me. I wanted to give a blunt and honest feel of what really happens after heartbreak, and hoe I pessimistically and blindly reacted to it, and that was through promiscuity. But instead of ending the song with depression or pessimism, I conclude with asking God to help me through it, because He is the only one who truly can!

Q: Do you think there is more freedom when it comes to lyrics when it comes to the realm of soul music?
A: I had a chance to talk to a lady in the industry and she told me that there's basically no difference between any type of music genre. They all kind of feed off of each other. I feel like if you have the guts to express yourself in any type of genre, you can succeed. There should be more than one genre where you can express how you feel. I feel like everybody has their own experiences and you should express who you really are. Its unfortunate because a lot of artists nowadays remain a mystery to the public. I just want to be honest. Soul music is great, but its not the only genre I want to go for. I want to do rock, reggae and just a lot of different sound because I feel like music is connected. The powers of the world try to divide everybody, when really, we're all in sync. We just have to open our eyes and see how one we are.

Q: You have a YouTube channel where you post covers of other artists' songs, but maybe more importantly, you post video diaries. You recently posted a video on self-mutilation. Where did the courage to share that come from? How important is it to have a personal relationship with you followers?
A: Man, it's just of those things where, you get one life to live. What am I really doing here? I feel like singing is never enough. You should always be expressing what you've gone through because someone could want to end their life today, and your expressive/honest music can be the one thing they identify with, the one thing that keeps them alive. I want to take advantage of the platform I'm about to get, and I don't want to take it for granted. I want to help people who struggle because I know there aren't many people willing. Don't get me wrong, it makes it easier to express my secrets to the world because I'm talking to a camera, I feel like I'm talking to myself. It would be a little harder if I was face-to-face with people, so I feel like YouTube has a great advantage. But regardless of how I feel, it has to be done. Too many people don't talk about it.

Q: How do you decide what songs you want to cover? What was your favorite cover?
A: Usually, I get requests by fans. A lot of the modern songs I do I usually don't even know about them because I'm so in tune with D'Angelo and Lupe Fiasco, who aren't really on mainstream radio. A lot of mainstream songs [I cover], I have to look up. As far as songs, you never heard before, really chill songs, they just speak to me. The speak to my vocal range, or speak to how I'm feeling. I really have a thing for Xscape, especially "Who Can I Run To?". I really like the words. The emotions I get with that song, come from God. When I think about who I can run to, its not some man out here, it's God.

Q: You are affiliated with the BarrelHouse Bklyn movement. Describe it and how it affected you music career.
A: First of all, big ups to George Chapman! He found me on YouTube and started putting me on little events at Howard University. I performed two or three times at small little venues. Though him, I found about this group whose doing big things, kind of like a pro-underground musical movement. I went all the way to New York and people were like "Wow, you came all the way to New York for an open mic?!" and I'm like "Yea!" Its such a refreshing atmosphere to know that people your age really care about your craft and who you are. I mean, I love DC to death, but it took years for people to notice me! Maybe because New York is like artist central, they opened up and embraced me. They're just a group of beautiful people. Through them, I've met so many amazing friends. I've learned so much from them about different artists like The Fugees and Estelle. I'm so thankful for them.

Q: If there were only one thing people could take from your music, what would you want it to be?
A: Um, I just want people to be free. Don't expect things to be handed to you. It's going to take years to accomplish that journey. I just want people to know that it's hard work. Just be happier and have an open mind about life.

Listen to Courtney Salter's "Since You Left" and "The Weed Song" on the Fresh Feenz playlist!

Be sure to:
Check out her official website:
http://www.courtneysalter.com/

Check out her YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/cokecourt

Check out her MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/courtneysaltersingssoul

ALORI JOH: Cali Songbird

R&B songstress Alori Joh hails from Carson, California and is an emerging star. Not only is she equipped with a beautiful voice, versatility is also one of her artistic qualities. To add to her singing ability, Alori Joh is also a talented songwriter, with the knack to create various concepts. Currently in the process of cultivating her gift, her music is raw and personal. Her vocals, coupled with her lyrics, make for quite the captivating experience.


I got the opportunity to tap into the mind of Alori Joh. Check out the interview:


Q: What were your first experiences with singing? What made you decide to pursue a music career?
A: My first experiences [with singing] were interesting. I've always liked to sing but I've always been a very private person. I would want to sing, but I would make everyone turn off the lights so they wouldn't see me. I was so shy and I used to sing very softly, which is why I still have a very soft singing voice.


Q: So how did you overcome the fright?
A: I think after getting positive feedback from people I didn't know, I felt like my singing voice was embraced more. So I just started to respect my instrument , since others who didn't even know me respected it and enjoyed it.

Q: Who are your musical influences? What do you draw from them?
A: Man, I love Beyonce. She is AMAZING and she's not overrated. I love her! I love her stage presence, I love her personality on film, I love her vocal range, it's out of this world. But, it was a mix between Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson who really inspired me to become an artist. Whitney's voice is surreal.


Q: Describe your songwriting process.
A: Well I do write with a team. Its a duo- me and my close friend JaVonte. We call ourselves the PenHedz. It got very serious and I started exploring the business side of writing when we created the PenHedz duo writing team. Writing, for me is influenced by so many things; personal experiences of course, other peoples' experiences, I draw inspiration from anything! Like colors, billboards, words in magazines, somebody's conversation and I'm just like: "That sounds like a song." It's kind of hard to explain, I guess you'd just have to be there.

Q: I'd like to get into a couple of songs, starting with "Racing Time". Explain the concept behind that song.
A: "Racing Time" is very personal. I was actually having a conversation with a close friend of mine about my music career and how I felt like I was being left in the shadows. I felt it was very important for me to find my lane, who is Alori Joh? It took me a really long time, but now, I feel like I have an idea. That song was pretty much a message I wanted to tell about me personally. We're always so pressed for time, I know I am, especially in my music career, and that's where "Racing Time" comes in.

Q: In "Batteries", you crank up the sexy. Apparently, you're not a shy girl when it comes to lyrical content! How important is sexuality in your music?
A: Well, sexuality in my music is very important. I believe sex is healthy and that's just clear as day! Not physically, but emotionally, when you share that bond with someone [you love], it's healthy. With that being said, I want to express that. I'm not shy when it comes to expressing my sexuality as a woman, as an artist, it's just part of who I am.

Q: What do you think you have to offer the music game right now? Why should people rock with Alori Joh?
A: People should rock with me because I am not something that's been manufactured and put together with a pretty little bow on top. I am very edgy, I am straightforward. I am giving you the best of me as far as my lyrics go. In every single song I put out, I'm telling you how I'm feeling. I won't say that I am an average individual, but I am very relatable. I'm at a stage in my career where everything is developing. Right now is the start of my career. If people listen to my music right now, they can listen to me grow and grow with me. If you're feeling it, you're feeling it. If you ain't, you ain't. Embrace me, because I'm honestly embracing this music right now.

Q: You plan to title your album "That Time of the Month". Why?
A: I feel like that hasn't really be touched on in a collective project. It's a very personal experience. I feel like everybody has experience in one way or another. Even men can relate to the album, as well as females of course.

Q: What are you bumping in your iPod right now?
A: I really love what Top Dawg is doing right now. If anyone is not familiar with them, Top Dawg consists of Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. I love them. What they have right now is so dope. It's not the stereotypical rap that the industry tries to put on West Coast rappers. They're not limited in content.

Q: Any last words for the people?
A: Thank you so much for tuning in to me, for having interest in me. Stay tuned for "That Time of the Month". I am definitely going to give my emerging fans, (I don't really like to call them fans, they're more like family but) a deeper side of me. Just stay tuned!

Listen to Alori Joh's "Batteries" and "Racing Time" on the Fresh Feen Playlist!

Make sure you:
Follow her on Twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/alori_joh

Check out her MySpace at:
http://www.myspace.com/alorijoh

DIARY OF A FRESH FEEN: REVAMPED!

HELLO FRESH FEENZ!
It has been a while, but Diary of Fresh Feen is BACK! This time, things are being done a little differently...
Now, Diary of a Fresh Feen is dedicated to the discovery of FRESH ARTISTS! No more industry news, no more established rappers and singers, only the new-new!
This blog was intended for the people who are "Addicted to Fresh", people who are in search of the raw and original. Moreover, Diary of a Fresh Feen will be an outlet. If YOU are a FRESH ARTIST and would like to share your music with the world, contact:

iyana.robertson@gmail.com