Friday, June 3, 2011

I Never Disappeared Lol

Sorry for the hiatus everyone. I've been working on a lot of stuff. I've started a new website with my friends and family called Page 31. We're an online publication that caters to everything including music, sports, fashion, etc. I've also been doing interviews. I've never stopped. In the past few months I've interviewed Fred The Godson, Big Sean, Musiq Soulchild, Estelle, upcoming artist Rockie Fresh, Kandi From Real Housewives Atlanta. I've been working to make everything life changing for my team and I. I NEVER STOPPED.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Game Interview (Ballerstatus.Com) Pt II


Q&A With Game: Talks Fanfare Over 'Purp & Patron' Series, And The Making Of

By Carl Lamarre (@LastHope21), Published 02/04/2011

They said he was dead. The overly critical hip-hop fans had pronounced Jayceon Taylor dead. The man, who delivered classical opuses such as the infectious 2005 smash, "How We Do" featuring friend-turned-foe 50 Cent, and the 2008 soul touching "My Life" featuring the indomitable Weezy F Baby, was being shunned by the fans of hip-hop.

With his long awaited fourth album, entitled The R.E.D. Album, on chill and without a release date, many thought it was safe to say -- with no pun intended -- that was it game over for Jayceon. Then earlier this year, Game promised his fans he would remerge with his new mixtape, titled Purp & Patron. Little did he knew, this mixtape woke up the masses, and also reminded skeptics that he never fell off. That the man who dubbed himself the savior of Cali, was simply on a Gatorade break, testing the grips on his shoes and waiting for his number to be called.

With Purp & Patron -- and The Hangover follow-up, released a day after this interview -- serving as his wake up call to the fans, Game is now lock and loaded, and focused on releasing his album.

Ballerstatus was fortunate to sit down and talk to Game about this latest mixtape, the fair-weathered fans, fatherhood, acting, and his first trip to New York. It's game on.

BallerStatus.com: Describe the overall reception you've been receiving for the Purp & Patron mixtape?

Game: It feels good man. I'm just surprised that everybody has been f***ing with the tape like that man. But I don't know man; I kind of put the sh** together out kind of fast. It took me like two weeks. I got Skee and Funk Flex on board. I mean, Skee was already on board. Funk Flex heard we were doing the tape. He called me like, "Yo Game. I gotta be apart of this man." I didn't expect this to spread like wildfire man, but it did.

BallerStatus.com: You did this in two weeks? So you're telling me you did 29 tracks over a two-week span?

Game: Yeah, I mean, nah. I mean, I did all them tracks the first week. The second week, I started putting things together man. Then I had to contact the producers. Most of them sh**s were like original beats. I got in touch with all of the producers -- who most of them were my homies -- and let them know if they wanted to put the sh** out on tape. Most of these n****s were like "Hell yeah". So we got it in man.

BallerStatus.com: Honestly speaking, did someone get you mad, or just start talking garbage, because you ... with this mixtape ... you definitely woke a lot of people up who had originally thought you fell off?
Game - Purp and Patron

Purp and Patron The Hangover by The Game

Game: It's like this man. You heard the tape Carl?

BallerStatus.com: Yeah I heard the tape.

Game: Let's say if I just put out "Children Story" by itself. N****s would say "Ahhh, that sh** is wack. That dude Game fell off." But if I put "RIP" out by itself, n****s gonna be like "Oh, this n**** is rapping different." But when I put out a conglomerate of sh**, when it's all different and it makes sense, n****s gonna be like, "Oh. This sh** is crazy."

What it is is that now, I be at home playing dad. And then, I be in the studio trying to finish The R.E.D Album. Or then, I be at basketball practice, or baseball practice. You know, I just had a daughter man, so, you know, I don't be trippin' off putting a lot of music out. Mostly it's like, "Yo where Game at? Oh he fell off." Man I ain't fall off man. I live in a f***ing mansion. I got Lamborghinis. It's just n****s don't see my life. So sometimes I gotta smack n****s in their f***ing face, and let them know who it is.

I just threw everything together, and made sure my verses were tight on everything. I called on Fab, Weezy, and Birdman. Man, I had everybody on the tape man. I had T-Pain. N****s just came, and gave me sh**.

BallerStatus.com: Funny thing is I remember when you first put out the "I'ma King" record. I was reading the comments, and people said it was wack. Then, when the mixtape dropped, people's frowns turned upside down. How do you deal with the constant hypocrites, and fair weather fans?

Game: Ay man. You know what? I love em'. You know why man? It's because I'm the same way. You're the same way. You know you heard a song, and you're like "I don't know about this one." I was the same way about Drake's "Over". I was like, "Damn. What is this? This ain't what I expect. I thought he was going to come off on like that sh** he had with Timbaland or that sh** he had on the tape." I wasn't really feeling it like that. Then, a week later n****, I'm in the club, and I know all the words and sh**. That's how it goes man. I don't hate anybody for that man. Everybody is entitled to their opinion man. I love it positive or negative.

BallerStatus.com: Let's talk about the features. How are you able be get all these features while in the past -- it's been well documented -- that you were on the opposing end against two of the biggest rappers in the game in Jay-Z and 50 Cent?

Game: Man I ain't tryna sh** on anybody else now. I keep it the most 100 all away around the board, period. This ain't a shot at nobody, but I don't think nobody is as down to earth or as real as me. It's like no holds barred for me man. I'm just like a regular n****, but just not a regular n****. So motherf***er's f*** with me.

BallerStatus.com: What inspired you to round up all the old school legends for the "History" track featuring Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, and KRS-One?

Game: I was in the studio, and I wanna say Doug E. Fresh had a show at the House of Blues. I had just left KRS-One and I think Kane was at the House of Blues too. I had a n**** named Dougie D, who was cool with all them old school n****s, called Doug E and told him I was in the studio. He said he was coming, so I called KRS-One, and told him to come since I knew Doug E was on the way. When Doug E came, he brought Big Daddy Kane. So I'm like, "Sh** can we do some work?" I had my dude make a beat on the spot, and that was history. That's why we called it "History."

BallerStatus.com: Last time I spoke to you, you said you and Nas were going to something together. What happened?

Game: You know what's the funny thing? You know Nas went through the whole Kelis thing, and he been going through some sh**. He was staying low. Then he put the album out that he had with Damien Marley out. He had to tour that. But, when I dropped the tape, I got a f***ing text from a 917 number. I was like, "Who the f*** is this?" I open the text up, and all it says is "N****. It's Esco. The tape is crazy son. 'The Kill' -- crazy son." Then I replied to the n**** like "Yo yo yo yo." Then the n**** disappeared on me (laughs). He's like phantom my n**** (laughs). He just came in to say that "The Kill" and the tape was crazy, then that n**** went on and away.

But I love him for sh** like that man. Then he hit me back the next day, and said he was getting on a plane that's why he ain't respond. Then he hit me back the next day and said he'd be in LA in a week. He said he was going to come and listen to all my songs, give me his whole input on the album, then find a song right for us, and he's going to do it. Hopefully that sees the light of day, because n**** this f***ing album [R.E.D. Album] is nothing short of a miracle man.

BallerStatus.com: I know you've been putting a lot of time to it.

Game: Man, every time the sh** gets pushed back -- I go on tour or the label goes through some sh**, and I get the pushback -- it gives me more time to perfect my sh**. But right now, what I'm sitting on right now -- man, I went to the label and played some sh** the other day. It f***ed everybody's head up. They can't believe it. From the Premo track, to the Dre tracks, to Swizz, to getting it in with Just Blaze, to about to see Kanye in a week, from like the Cool & Dre. This sh** is over with man.

BallerStatus.com: With everything you've been doing, and constantly altering the material, why stay put on The R.E.D. Album as the official name?

Game: Nah man, 'cause people waiting on the R.E.D Album. It's red man. I gotta do it man. Everybody waiting on The R.E.D. Album man. I can't change the sh** now man. It's too late. Plus I wouldn't because The R.E.D. Album is just me rededicating myself to my craft, to my people, to my family. It's just a rededication to who I am man. I'm going to get it all out on this album man. When you get the album man, hit me up man. Just let me know sh** I was right.

BallerStatus.com: Oh yeah definitely. Back to the mixtape, On the "Ferrari Lifestyle" track with Fabolous, I remember you had a line talking about catching a cab with Fab. I'm trying to remember the exact line...

Game: (Raps) Me and Fab was catching cabs. Yeahhh. He was getting off bags off Nostrand Ave. (laughs) Yeah that was back in the day. That was when he first dropped on the Clue tapes, and that's when Lil Mo had the "Superman" sh**. That was them days when I was f***ing with Fab. I used to be everywhere man.

BallerStatus.com: Which rapper from New York showed you the most love when you were coming up?

Game: Capo (Jim Jones) and Fab. The first time I ever been to New York, Jim Jones picked me up from the airport, and took me to the hotel. Then when it was time to go to the studio, Kiss (Jadakiss) picked me up from the hotel and took me to the studio. Then Kiss dropped me off, and took me to Brooklyn to meet up with Fab. Like them is my n****s man.

BallerStatus.com: You know what's crazy. Just the other day I remember watching "Belly 2" on BET. What's going on with you and the acting?

Game: Yeah man that sh** be on all the time. Chicks be on all on my Twitter with that sh** (laughs). But I think after The R.E.D. Album does what it does, I think then I'll return back to the acting sh**. I just haven't really had time to go through the screen test, and read the scripts. I've been real heavy on my daddy sh**. Three kids is crazy man. Especially with them all being in different age groups. Harlem had some shit this week. King goes to a little Christian school. So he always be having chapel. My daughter be needing me. So I be doing that. So after this album, I'm going to have a tighter grip on the acting side.

BallerStatus.com: You just touched on the topic fatherhood. Have your experiences as a father made you want to get even deeper with your audience through your music?

Game: Yeah. I've done a wonderful job of letting people know who I am, and what I'm about as for fatherhood, and my kids. I love them to death man. I think even that there inspires the n****s listening to be better fathers. I know for sure that I've at least touched a couple hundred thousand niggas at one time or another, and helped them make better changes as for being a father. My kids are instrumental in everything I do. They're the key to my motivation, and when I go to the studio. But as far as my bars, I'm just ill right now. I'm in a super zone, and I'm killing shit. When you hear the album, you're going to be like, "How can a n**** from Compton be doing something so colorful?" This album is crazy man.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Latin Trends: Rocsi Diaz Covers Latin Magazine Dropping Oct 1st


Here's my first cover story for a magazine.


Dropping October 1st.

Rocsi, spoke with the magazine about relationships, fame and being a role model.

I’ve definitely tried, to the best of my abilities, to keep a positive image for young women. This is not to say I haven’t made my mistakes or anything, but I try to carry myself with the utmost respect.”

“Relationships are such a fail. It’s hard because most men are either intimidated to approach you because you’re in this industry, or because of the people you hang out with. A lot of them don’t know that it really ain’t like that.”

“When I’m in public, I’ve decided to adapt to the fact that I’m ‘Rocsi.’ No matter if I’m eating dinner with my family, or if I’m at Walgreens trying to buy ice cream late at night. No matter what, in public, I’m Rocsi.”

Monday, August 23, 2010

LatinTrends.Com: Mariah Carey: New “Idol” Judge?


by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

After weeks of speculation in regards to Jennifer Lopez being cast as the new judge on American Idol, new rumors have circulated. Because of excessive demands, it has been reported by E! that the show has ousted Lopez, and have found another songstress to occupy the judge’s chair for this upcoming season. That songstress comes in the form of Mariah Carey.

According to a source, Carey is vehemently vying for a spot on one of America’s most celebrated TV show. “She wants it,” says the source. “She’s seen what America’s Got Talent has done for [hubby Nick Cannon] and thinks it will be a good career move.”

Though Carey’s reps have neither denied nor confirmed these reports, they were able to comment to the media by bluntly saying: “There is nothing to report.” Still, despite that comment, many have already boasted about the possibility of developing such a trio of judges consisting of Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Carey, especially because of the established chemistry between Jackson and Carey. “Randy and Mariah have great chemistry,” says the source.

Only time will tell if Carey chooses to step onboard. As many have seen in past, singers – like Lopez – have snubbed the chance of replacing Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul for numerous reasons.

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/23/mariah-carey-new-idol-judge/

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

LatinTrends.Com: Happy Anniversary, Dora the Explorer!


By: Carl Lamarre

This past weekend, the creators of the children’s classic TV series Dora the Explorer celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Nickelodeon with an hour long prime time movie entitled Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure.

The show, created by Valarie Walsh Valdes, became a perennial hit a decade ago when it first originally aired on CBS. The show, which ran for six years on CBS, would later move to Nickelodeon in 2006. The scintillating series’ – which has been highlighted by a young and spunky animated Latina – original purpose was to find a character suitable to the needs of the younger Latin generation, according to Valdes in her interview with Latina.Com. What many may find bemusing in regards to the origin of Dora is the fact that before she was birthed as a Latina, she first was molded as a Caucasian character. “Dora was Caucasian originally. She was white, and had Auburn, reddish hair and green eyes. One of the executives at Nickelodeon, Brown Johnson, came to us because she had just come from a conference about how few positive images of Latinos there were on TV, and they were asking producers and networks to address that.,” said Valdes.

“So she came to us, and said, ‘Do you think you could make this girl Latina?’ None of us were from that background, so we hired a Latino writer and many cultural consultants to help us navigate that. The consultant said, ‘You know, you really should try to make her look more representative of Latinos, because even though we have redheads with green eyes in Latin America, it’s more the exception rather than the rule.”

As for Dora possibly considering retirement, the creator snubbed all possibilities for the animated star’s departure by saying: “Dora is perpetually seven years old. [Laugh]. We’re just premiering a sixth season and we’re still as excited about it today as we were when we first started making it.”


http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/16/happy-anniversary-dora-the-explorer/

Friday, August 13, 2010

LatinTrends.Com: Famous Latinos Fight for Respect



Famous Latinos Fight for Respect
Posted by admin

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

For the past couple of weeks, influential Latino figures – Ozzie Guillen (manager for Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox, no relation to our publisher Juan Guillen) and actress Sofia Vergara – found themselves entangled in the media’s web of controversy as their displeasure for the treatment of their adored Latino culture surfaced within national tabloids and prominent publications.

Former baseball player, and now manager, Ozzie Guillen, found himself in defense mode as he was tackled with an array of questions in regards to his outlook on America’s national pastime. The ever so effervescent Guillen rhapsodized with the media for 25 minutes, highlighting his disappointment within the treatment of Latino players in contrast to Asian players after a victory nearly two weeks ago. “I always criticize why Japanese players have interpreters and Latinos don’t have one. Very bad,” Guillen said to reporters. “I always say that, why do they have that privilege and we don’t and we have more Latino players suffer. He would further voice his anguish towards the issue by saying: “Don’t take this wrong but they take advantage of us. We bring a Japanese player and they are very good and they bring all these privileges to them. We bring a Dominican kid, and it’s, ‘(The heck with) you, you go to the Minor Leagues, good luck. Good luck.’ And it’s always going to be like that. It’s never going to change. But that’s the way it is.”

Sofia Vergara approached the media differently, as she purported to Esquire Magazine that Hollywood had developed certain physical expectations for Latina women. “They have this stereotype that Latin people have to look like Salma Hayek,” she told the magazine. The actress who originally surfaced into Hollywood as a naturally breed blond, found herself having to defend her Latino roots, because many perceived her as one of different descent. “If you see my family, you wouldn’t believe it,” the Latina starlet said. “Everyone looks like they’re Polish. Blond with blue eyes. But I wasn’t getting any jobs in L. A. They were confused.” Once she made the jump from blond to brunette, the actress started noticing an immediate change. “The minute I made my hair dark, then they believed that I am Latina.”

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/13/famous-latinos-fight-for-respect/