Category: First Class

Your mission behind what you try to pursue, is equally as important as what you do. Having something rooted in the right purpose and virtue will always help it last to the fullest. With Branch Off Records it’s about not only making must hear music, but giving back to the people who matter most. Branch Off Records, Co Owner Andre Davis was gracious enough to take some time to answer some questions for us on this thriving company. Below is the interview.

What is Branch Off Records?

Branch Off Records is a family. Formally know as shade tree militia. It’s a ban of brothers an sisters with the same goal which is to be successful in life as well as music an to change lives for our kids family and community.

What inspired you to get into the music business?

My partner coot myesta and his brother (Fuji) and uncle (dred) was doing music as shade tree militia. An was touring up an down the east coast an that’s what I wanted to do so I’m kinda like second generation In the music it’s jus one of those things that I always will love an want to be apart o

What’s your vision for Branch Off Records? 

To change not only our lives an family’s life but to get some of these younger people off the street an show them that there is other ways to live an that anything you set your mind to u can doit

What do you enjoy the most about running Branch Off Records? What do you find most challenging?

My favorite part is the networking with other people involved in the entertainment industry. An to hear people’s story’s an building relationships with different people. The most challenging thing I think I face now is the balance of everyday life and still keeping focus on the music business and actually finding the right formula that works for us to get to the next level.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own brand?

I would tell them first off to fall in love with it an make a prize possession like a new born baby. Surround yourself with people who are not asking for hands out but rather step in an get dirty with u an finally have fun
What can people expect next from Branch Off Records?- we have several projects recently released singles from my artist (dj Wednesday) net-flixxx (mini mo betta) maxx out (tnt Lil se7en) smoke.

My single is set to drop 5/18 titled “unstable” i am actually going to executive produce release and publish my first rock n roll record I’m really excited about that. Also mini mo betta wil be dropping another single “dead weight” an I will be dropping one ” Quarantine” tnt will be dropping an 7 song mix tape. Last thing lol I will be doing lots an lots of interviews so everyone will be seeing a lot of me and my camp.

Connect with Off Branch Records below and Check out their talent. Stay Global my Friends!

https://www.instagram.com/branchoffrecords/

https://www.instagram.com/olscool23/

Hip Hop has many layers and a lot of History. Since it’s beginning in the Bronx, Hip Hop has grown and expanded any limits one can set on it. Through the years many odes have been given to this genre. From the funk and jazz samples, to the stories told in the rhymes. The story of Hip Hop never gets old.

Author Mwalim brings a fresh approach with his new Hip -Hop Jazz Folklore “Land of the Black Squirrels”. Mwalim was gracious enough to take time to answer some questions for us. Below is the interview.

Who is Mwalim the author?

I’m a writer, and a single dad, and a teacher, and a musician, and… Essentially, I’m a storyteller who choses different mediums through-which to convey my stories. My stories come from experiences, observations, and philosophical contemplations. Storytelling and conversation were strong elements on both sides of my family.

There can be tons of common sense and folk-wisdom in a single story about going to the store. My stories have taken the form of songs. Some of my stories have come out as plays, for stage radio and screen. Sometimes, they’re lectures given to my students on various topics. 

Was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be an author? If so what was it?

I actually learned to read by learning how to write. It was a method employed by my second grade teacher, Michael Shaw, who is now a professor and the head of literacy education at St Thomas Aquinas College. Writing was always a side interest to music. I began winning awards for fiction writing when I was a student at Music & Art HS in New York City. I won a couple fo school awards and a couple of city-wide competitions.

I always liked writing short stories and plays, particularly because I like writing dialogues. A full length work only occurred to me when I realized The Bronx Boheme couldn’t be contained in a single story, or novel for that matter. Long-form creative writing is a different animal than the other mediums. In many ways it’s actually a combination of the other techniques.

What was the inspiration behind your new Hip-Hop Jazz Folklore “Land of the Black Squirrels”?

Hip-Hop started in The Bronx, but folks often forget that The Bronx already had strong musical traditions with jazz, calypso, boogalu, soul… generations of musicians lived in the northeast Bronx. Growing up in the northeast Bronx, coming from a music family, and growing up among peers who were musicians and aspiring musicians and performers.

I grew up in the 1970s and 80’s when Hip-Hop was on the rise but there was still a strong jazz and soul music vibe and tradition in the Northeast Bronx. When you grow up playing and instrument, playing in orchestras and bands, and learn music theory, you have a different understanding of hip-hop than a DJ or a rapper. I wanted to make that world the backdrop for the story.

How did you know it was time to release “Land of the Black Squirrels”?

I actually finished the manuscript in 2017. After a hundred of rejection letters, I started getting nibbles and interests from a number of small presses. It was interesting and a little discouraging to see how few African American presses were interested in experimental Black lit. One press actually wanted me to “… put a little more hood…” into the narrative. Finally, Thirty-three Pages, which is based here in Massachusetts, was the best fit.

Were there any obstacles while creating “Land of the Black Squirrels”? If so what were they?

Aside from the time constraints of being a full-time educator, parent, and performing artist? One obstacle was figuring how to tell the story. It began as a short story and evolved into a screenplay, then became an epic poem, and finally a novel. The other challenge was how to tell a multi-layered story.

It was a conversation with the late, great Luis Reyes Rivera that opened up the idea of writing a long-form, jazz poem as a novel and tell the story in the way that memories occur to us as opposed to chronological order; which throws some readers, especially those who have been conditioned by being spoon-fed narratives. Another challenge was finding a publisher. In today’s market, Black American male writers are supposed to only crank out urban lit with speculative fiction following a close second. 

Connect with Mwalim on social media, as well as his website. Stay Global my Friends!

Facebook: BronxBoheme

Instagram: Bronxbohem

Website: www.daphunkeeprofessor.com

Music is a forever growing thing. It’s more accessible than it’s ever been, which means there’s more artist than ever. With more artists around, means there’s more need of a platform for them to be heard. A platform for the culture, that’s dope to not only check out but be apart of, and have integrity in it’s mission. That’s everything that Flyyr Population is and more. The head of the platform Remie Supreme was gracious enough take time to discuss his platform with us. Below is the interview.

What is Flyyr Population?
Flyyr Population represents the demographic of people that consciously live in love and appreciate good music. I like to think of it as a brand that anyone can be apart of and participate in if you understand the vibe. 

What inspired you to start your own media platform?

I was at that point in life where I started to realize my purpose and it’s the relation to what my career should be. So when I asked myself the question of what my passion could be, I could only think of how much Hip-Hop has had an effect on my life. Not just the music though more so the culture. Most of my childhood memories are of me on lime-wire downloading the newest Lil Wayne freestyle or watching Big Tigger in the Basement and 106th & Park.

I also realized how much I always loved discussing the latest current events within the culture. But especially having that feeling of putting someone onto something amazing like Styles P’s Switch My Style Freestyle. Or especially something as monumental as Ray J going in, on The Breakfast Club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX2371V5ta4

Those realizations helped me figure out that media was something I had a true passion for. 

What’s your vision for Flyyr Population?

My plan is to establish a mainstream media outlet driven by love, awareness, and fye music. 

What do you enjoy the most about running Flyyr Population? What do you find most challenging?

I love having an outlet to express consciousness and love that society really needs these days. 

The biggest challenge I’ve been facing is having so many different content ideas like creating various vlogs, talk shows or podcasts to giving care packages to less fortunate people. But I only have x amount of skills. So I’ve been trying to network and build a team, but you see the way my anxiety is set up …

In all honesty, though, I don’t mind the challenge. I know life is really all about the journey and I truly believe I’m on the right path. 
​
What advice would you give someone trying to start their own platform?

Believe in yourself and your purpose and don’t lollygag or wait on anyone. 

What can people expect next from Flyyr Population?

Currently, I’m working on building a radio platform. But you can definitely expect to see the Flyyr Pop brand on your TV, Youtube, or streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, etc. in the future as well! 

Connect with Flyyr Population on their website and follow them on social media. Stay Global my Friends!

www.flyyrpopulation.com

https://www.instagram.com/flyyrxpopulation/

Building a brand goes far beyond just what you market, but the values that you instill not only in your company but the culture. The way of how what you do resonates with the people is what will shine through the most, and the cultural impact rooted in honor and integrity has gotten M3S3 Apparel far. CEO of M3S3 Apparel Fred Thompson not only has great clothing but greater principals for this thriving company. We wanted to know more about the man and the company. Fred was gracious enough to take the time to answer some questions for us. Below is the interview.

Who is Fred Thompson?

A Father, Husband, Military Veteran, Mentor and Entrepreneur. From a small city called Goldsboro North Carolina, but currently Making Moves in Miami Florida.

What inspired you to get into fashion?

It’s started with being around people growing up who had to dress nice we always had to have the right shirt the right had the right paints and the right shoes.  It’s a little insane because to a certain extent it was more important than anything else because of the reaction you again if you were not dressed a certain way at some of the schools I went to, The older I got the more I want it what I wore to represent what I stood for it now matters to me who made when I’m wearing in with that company or brand is about.  M3S3 stand for “MEN MAKE MOVES, SUCKAZ STAND STILL” 3 Ms and 3 Ss.   This brand is for any man woman or child who chooses to make moves on a daily basis instead of sitting around and being a sucker and waiting for things to come to them or complaining because they don’t.  When people wear this brand I want them to feel like they’re putting energy on their body there’s no way you can sit around and make excuses while wearing M3S3 APPAREL! 

What’s your vision for M3S3 Apparel?

My vision for M3S3 apparel is to grow globally and to be embraced by the biggest to smallest type of person.  So if you are a Athlete, Body Builder, musician, artist, Mother, father, Child, everyday working person or hustler that MAKES MOVES everyday instead of being lazy and complacent, I want this brand to be the 1st thing that comes into your mind…like, “I cant just sit around..nah I’m M3S3, I gotta go get it” you understand?

What do you enjoy the most about running M3S3 Apparel? 

What I honestly enjoy the most about running this brain is not only seeing people embrace it and wear something that I created but we often use of percentage of what we make to help out the community we do a lot of work and giving back to our veterans underprivileged kids or even adults who receive out in the community making a difference with what they got I feel like that’s my favorite part of M3S3  Apparel. is being able to get out there and give back and motivate others through my brand.

What do you find most challenging?

The most challenging part is having to see what I believe this is going to be without using my eyes. I mean, being an entrepreneur is kind of like dreaming about what’s on the other side and just jumping with no parachute and knowing that your landing on a cloud instead of a hard surface or fire. I have to know this vision or dream is going to come true. I cant say I dont have time, I have to make time, I have to believe when no one else is believing, I have to keep going when it seems logical to give up just because I know this or later I’m going to be able to live this dream full time. It takes ALOT of self motivation.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own brand?  

2 things, Your brand should represent you that way when you think about giving up your awsome giving up on yourself and you were truly believe that. Secondly,   You have to find someone or something That’s more important thing you to keep you going. If everything’s about you then when you hit something hard adversity or a challenge you’re more likely to give up because there’s no driving force behind what you do you’re not letting anyone down but you but if you find that person or people  That will hold you accountable and that you’re doing it for if you do give up or if you think about stopping your not only letting yourself down you’re letting down someone else’s well. For me its my family.  

What can people expect next from M3S3 Apparel?

We are currently working on our summer releases T shirts tank tops shorts and also we have opened up our customization feature to wear if we don’t have a color you like you can contact us to customize. We are definitely going to be more in the public eye this year so be on the look out for us whether it’s in the community on Instagram, Rap Battles, Sports, Celebrity Appearances or events. We are pushing hard this year to get out there. So follow us @m3s3apparel and check our store out a teamshc.com 

MAKE MOVES!  #M3S3 

Check out everything M3S3 Apparel below and follow them on Instagram. Stay Global my Friends!

https://www.instagram.com/m3s3apparel/

https://www.instagram.com/sneakerheadfred12/

If a man is the company he keeps, then Founder and President of 6xEntertainment C. Von Parchman is truly greatness in the flesh. From his dedicated staff of CEO Marty Arnold and Marketing/ Media Relations Anthony Murphy to the incredible roster of Tia P., Ki, and Lord Raka. Mr. C. Von Parchman was gracious enough to take the time to answer some questions for us. Below is the interview.

Who is C. Von Parchman?

 I am the Founder and President of 6xEntertainment. Est. 2000 I’ve been a part of the entertainment industry as a musician and actor for over 50 years. I’m a father and husband who had been married for almost 30 years. SM: @cvonparchman

What inspired you three to link up and form 6xEntertainment? 

Our passion for “quality music” All of us have a distinct uniqueness that we feed off of. Marty and I (C.Von) met back in 2015 via a mutual friend. Marty was looking for someone to pen lyrics to some tracks he had produced. It was anything but love at first because his first response to the song my artist had written to his track was “What in the hell is she saying?” however, a year later we re-connected and last year we decided to merge our companies. Marty is a man of many resources and Anthony is one of them. He possesses a certain tenacity that’s become a rarity; never one to settle, he’s always seeking new opportunities to enhance the brand.

What’s your vision for 6xEntertainment? 

To create a Motown-esque type of platform whereby artist can create without conformity. To establish a collaborative environment that allow our artists co-write with one another as well as participate on each other’s projects. I want our artist to write as many songs as possible so that they don’t necessarily have to depend on performing to make a living. To goal is to have the name of the company be synonymous with Class and Quality. I want us to be that 1 Stop Shop that the industry can call on when they need a hit song, electrifying talent, production or management 

What do you enjoy the most about running 6xEntertainment?

 There’s no greater reward than being a part of helping someone bring their vision to life. Running the company with the team gives me purpose. Learning from them gives me joy. A result of having a fairly young roster, I’m always kept abreast of the latest technology and latest music “trends” Unlike when I started, there are now ENDLESS opportunities for artist to get their music out. Our goal is to show them how to establish an endless string of income.

What do you find most challenging? 

Working alongside someone that not only shares your vision, but your passion. Marty is the first person in 19 years that I’ve ever partnered up with. I’ve had others that I’ve worked with, but never partnered. Because we live in a #GottaHaveItNow society, it can be a struggle getting artists, especially new artists to understand that there’s a process to becoming an establish artist. Doing the A&R stuff that record labels no longer do, i.e., Grooming, prepping for interviews, helping them establish their publishing, stage performance and social media training.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own music company?

 I would start off by asking, “Are you willing to risk it all by putting it all on the line?” If their answer is yes, I would reference several books that they should read:

• “All you need to know about the music industry” by Donald S. Passman
• “This Business of Music” by Sydney Shemel
• “Everything You Better Know About the Record Industry” by Kashif

Afterwards I would suggest that come up with a mission statement, get a DBA or LLC., acquire a domain name(s), get a website with ecommerce capability. Take some online social media marketing classes. Next, figure out the direction and once establish, start looking for new talent. For starters, I would go to Soundcloud.com

What can people expect next from 6xEntertainment? 

I guess you can say that’s a loaded question. The practical answer is, all 2 of our new artists will be dropping their respective new singles ay the top of the Summer and our Flagship artist, Tia P. new single and video for “Come Together” drops on 4/11/19  But more than that, you can expect the unexpected. We’re not reinventing the automobile, but putting some new tires on it with a brand-new paint job to match. we’re not going for shock value, but substance. We’re going to shape, not emulate the sound of music. When you think of musical G.O.A.T.s, or labels, there’s a certain sound that comes to mind; i.e., Prince, Michael, Stevie, Dylan, Aretha, Whitney, Motown, Stax, LaFace, Bad Boy & Capital Records.

Follow C. Von Parchman, Marty Arnold, and Anthony Murphy on Twitter and Instagram. Link below. Stay Global my Friends! 

C. Von Parchman

https://www.instagram.com/cvonparchman/

https://twitter.com/cvonparchman/

Marty Arnold

https://www.instagram.com/martyarnold/

Anthony Murphy

https://www.instagram.com/anthony.murphy217/