Dondria & Jermaine Dupri at Southside Studios in Atlanta, GA

Some people are born to sing! Others are even destined for greatness! Then there is DONDRIA; SoSo Def’s self-made rising star. Early; in the first quarter of her career, it seems as if she is definitely ordained to be our next Legendary Entertainer.

“I’m new; I’m learning!” Dondria humbly said.

Dondria has one of the most impressive stories on how she was discovered by mogul, Jermaine Dupri. She didn’t do what everybody else does, her approach was one of creativity & moxie. And, it is paying off in a huge way for the Dallas, Texas native. As a matter of fact, the day after I talked to Dondria at Southside Studios in Atlanta, she headed to 106th & Park (NYC) to drop off her new video, ‘Shawty Wus Up’. “Well, in 2006 I decided to put videos on YouTube to get an unbiased opinion of my singing. I knew that youtube would give me the opportunity to get the truth out of people, because they don’t care what I think. Dondria explained. “The response was great! It was amazing! I started getting requests to put up more videos. I would post a video everyday. Then a year into it, I reached one million views and a lot of people started reaching out to me saying they wanted to sign me; to write, and to collaborate. One of those people was Jermaine Dupri.” Her page was named: Phatfffat (a childhood nickname) and it became a huge success right before her eyes. She would basically do covers of songs that were popular on the radio at the time. Her niche was that she would make the songs her own; put her own spin on them. “I just picked songs that I liked, because I knew that people would be looking for them on youtube.” I guess all her childhood days in the Church Choir, vocal training and simply singing at every given moment really did give her the upper hand.

It’s been a mere 4 years since her first youtube post as Phatfffat, and Dondria is already a chart-topping new artist. Her unofficial debut single, ‘Can’t Stop’ completely burned up the internet in 2008. This let everybody know that Phatfffat was no joke!!! Once her official single, ‘You’re the One’ dropped in late 2009, Dondria became America’s Sweetheart. They shot the video, and the single skyrocketed to #14 on the Billboard Charts. This is an extremely big thing for a new artist. “We knew we wanted it to be a classic/timeless video, because the song is to the point and you can relate to it. We knew we didn’t want to do too much. We wanted it to be simple, but still have an impact!” Dondria shared. In such a short amount of time, this 21-year-old’s life has changed in a major way. Dondria has garnered so much success already without dropping an album. She has just dropped her second single ‘Shawty Wus Up’ featuring Johnta Austin and Diamond (formerly of Crime Mob). To add another notch to her belt, Dondria has been invited out to join Monica & Trey Songz’ ‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ Tour, which starts August 6th in Mobile, AL. This is big!!! “To be a new artist now, with only one record out and even to be considered for this tour is amazing! It feels grrreat! The glory story is already there for me by getting signed. I’m excited and ready to go out there. This is what I’m here to do!” Dondria said in confidence. She has also performed on the BET Awards Pre-Show and the ASCAP Awards in June, and has been booked for various summer concerts across the country. Dondria is currently preparing for the main event: Dondria vs Phatfffat dropping on August 17, 2010.

The anticipation mounts as we are less than a month away from the release date of Dondria’s debut album, ‘Dondria vs. Phatfffat’. Expectations are high and we are all well aware of the fact that A LEGEND IS BEING BORN!!! Pay attention world. The title of the album lends to the assumption that this album will be about Dondria battling with her alter-ego, Phatfffat. However, that is not the case at all. “The title is not really an alter-ego thing. It’s just showing people that Dondria is more than Phatfffat from YouTube. She can also be an artist! She can also have a top 10 record & video on 106th & Park. So, it’s really just saying to look beyond Phatfffat”. Dondria stressed.

Mark my words: Dondria is here!!! Legendary Status…

Stay tuned for more Dondria news, videos, etc. Also, look out for the album dropping August 17, 2010. Tour starts August 6, 2010.

***Follow Dondria on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Dondria

***Check out all Dondria info at:
www.global14.com

*photo credit: Jakeem Smith

Who is Butta B’Rocka? “Butta B’Rocka is a Pop/Rock Artist; striving for the best, and not letting anything get in her way. She’s got her eyes on the prize!” Butta B’Rocka exclaimed in confidence.

B’Rocka started writing at the age of 12; getting rave reviews from the likes of Family & Friends. She also began performing in school plays and talent shows to get her name out there. Her career began to take form as a teenager, when she moved from her native Kentucky to Atlanta, Georgia.

Butta B’Rocka is definitely not one to be placed in a box or in a certain Genre. She is a seasoned music industry veteran, wearing such hats as: singer, songwriter, dancer, vocal producer, arranger, and the list goes on. She has lent her talents doing background vocals, dancing, and demo recording for both American, as well as International stars as: Akon, TLC, Nas, Collective Soul, Country singer Zack Brown, Japanese star Namie Amuro, Belgium superstar Sandrine, and the names keep adding up as the days go by. Her work has spanned the globe from the UK to Germany to Holland to Japan. “It’s crazy because I have more placements overseas than anything. It’s like once you get that buzz, people call you, B’Rocka explained. “As recent as last week, I was in the studio with German idol, Vanessa Jean Dedmon.” Butta B’Rocka will actually be traveling to Germany soon to put the finishing touches on Dedmon’s project. She will then head over to Belgium to shoot the video for Sandrine’s single, ‘Runaway’ (which she co-wrote).

Just when it seemed that everything was falling into place and her dreams were being realized, a debilitating car accident put an immediate halt on B’Rocka’s life & career. “It was a real bad accident that left me drinking from a straw for 6 months. I was on the brink of two possible deals on the table. Then I went through some mental & physical difficulties that took me a while to get back on my feet.” However, B’Rocka would not let this drastic change in her life stop her progress. “I think the only person that can stop you is yourself! I had to come to terms with that. There is something inside of you that tells you to keep pushing, and that in me was my music. Music is a part of my life; it is my life! So, nothing can stop me but myself!!!” Butta B’Rocka shared.

The future looks so bright for Butta B’Rocka. Especially since; she not only knows where she’s going, she knows exactly how to get there. A hard worker and a perfectionist, greatness is her only option. “I’m always striving. I don’t think that I’ve reached my full potential yet. The big prize is the Grammy and VH1, but I’ve definitely taken steps towards my goals. Completing my album was a major accomplishment for me; that was a big break. Shooting my video was a big break also. The video is called: “Switch Lanes”, which is the first single.” Butta B’Rocka ended.

Check out Butta B’Rocka for more news, singles, tours, etc at:

www.ButtaBRocka.com
www.Facebook.com/ButtaBRocka
www.Twitter.com/ButtaBRocka
www.YouTube.com/ButtaBRocka

CHECK OUT DONDRIA VS PHATFFFAT ALBUM PREVIEW VIDEO

Dondria Vs. Phatfffat Album Preview

Dondria [[ twitter.com/dondria ]] | MySpace Music Videos

DONDRIA Interview coming soon…

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR DONDRIA’S FIRST SINGLE, “YOU’RE THE ONE“

Dondria “You’re The One” Music Video

Dondria [[ twitter.com/dondria ]] | MySpace Music Videos

***Check out some of The Dream’s ridiculous comments:

–Read what he has to say about helping his wife Christina Milian raise their daughter Violet:

“I don’t because my “helping out” turns into expectations. I’ll get Violet on a late night maybe one or two times, but after that, no. If Christina’s tired, call the nanny, call Violet’s granny. We got people”

–Here’s what the singer/producer told Parlour magazine:

“The rumors are not true and it really boils my blood. Christina and I are cool. People keep asking, ‘Why haven’t we seen you guys out together?’ I’m working, that’s why you haven’t seen us. She’s at work too in Los Angeles. The women in the pictures are actually legitimate friends of mine. The photo with me in the car and another woman… she’s a good friend who’s at my house all the time. It’s sad, because [the blogs] have humiliated her. She feels bad, I feel bad and you don’t know what that [judgment] does to that person. “

“Terius ‘The-Dream’ Nash is saddened to announce that his marriage to Christina Milian was unsuccessful. The couple reached this decision in late 2009, but decided to keep the news private in efforts to protect their baby daughter Violet. They ask for consideration and respect for their family moving forward,” The Dream’s rep told UsMagazine.com.

Hey, that’s not Christina Millian!!!

Hit up Butta B’Rocka on Facebook at
www.Facebook/ButtaBRocka

Follow Butta B’Rocka on Twitter at
www.Twitter.com/ButtaBRocka

Interview with Butta B’Rocka coming soon…

Formed in 2009, Diddy Dirty Money is making a major mark on the Music Industry in a way that nobody expected. Music Mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs; Dawn Richard, formally of Danity Kane; and Kalenna Harper, singer/songwriter make up the group. “Diddy Dirty Money is a movement that represents a change in music,” Dawn explains. “It’s different from what most people expect. But if they take the chance to listen, they will respect it.”

Currently working on their highly anticipated debut album, Last Train To Paris, Dirty Money has been working hard to give it that special push that the world can not deny. It’s definitely working! The first single, “Love Come Down” featuring B.I.G. was well received by the public. So, it was no surprise that the second single, “Angels” was a even bigger smash. Now, on the heels of the third single, (Rico Love penned) “Hello Good Morning” featuring Ricky Rozay, T.I. & Nicki Minaj; the world is ready for Diddy Dirty Money!

Joining Diddy in the group are: singer/songwriter, Dawn Richard who was a strong member of the group Danity Kane. She got her big break in 2005 when auditioning for Diddy’s Making the Band. She was a major contributor on Danity Kane’s Platinum second album, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”. She wrote several songs. Kalenna Harper got her break when she was paired up with Dawn to write songs for other artists and their chemistry was unbreakable. She was signed to EMI Music Publishing in 2008. Now, it’s her turn to pump out the hits for Dirty Money…

I think Dirty Money is here to stay!!!

Check out the new video – “Hello Good Morning” featuring Ricky Rozay, T.I. and Nicki Minaj.

_______________________________

An event with an extremely important cause went down in Atlanta at Ventanas this past week: Trojan Magnum Condom’s “Magnum Live Large Project” V.R.P. (Very Responsible Persons) Private Gold Carpet Awards & Soiree hosted by Ludacris. Actor/Author Hill Harper served as the Master of Ceremonies for this invitation only affair. The infamous DJ Kid Capri was on the wheels of steel. The project’s beneficiary of the $5000 check to go towards HIV/STD test kits was the Greater Than AIDS Campaign, part of Kaiser Permanente Hospital Foundation.

Honorees for the evening included: Jermaine Dupri (CEO, SoSo Def), Bryan Michael Cox (Grammy Award winning Producer), Keyaron Fox (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Kwanza Hall (Atlanta City Councilman). Also in the building to show their support were: Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Hill Harper, Trina, Lance Gross, and Mathew Weaver (Celebrity Stylist), just to name a few. It was definitely a night to Live Large.

The “Magnum Live Large Project” is a national campaign to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and STDS

*All photos shot by George Butler

As Chicago Mixtape King Leo Getz prepares for his debut album, Passports & Visas to drop this year, he continues to leave his lyrical footprints all over the world. Getz has been working on his craft since the tender age of 11. Born and raised in Chicago’s London Town community on the south side, life for Leo Getz ain’t been no crystal stair (as Langston Hughes would say). Leo is launching his own label (Stomp Down Entertainment) under the KOR-Enterprises umbrella. He has worked with the likes of: Fabolous, Cassidy & Freeway as an opening act. Also, John Blu (Jive), Jeremiah (Def Jam), and Block Exchange (DTP).

I got a chance to sit and talk to Chicago’s own King of the Mixtape, Leo Getz about his career, and what keeps him motivated to make music. Check out our talk:

***Tell me a bit about who Leo Getz is:

LeoGetz:  Let me start by saying, Leo Getz is from the Southside of Chicago. Born and raised in the wild 100’s. London Town stand up! I’m Puerto Rican, Black & Cherokee Indian. My father is black and my mother is Puerto Rican. I grew up in a Black neighborhood and when I grew on this music, it took me to a place where it spreaded me on each side of Chicago. I couldn’t get my experience if I didn’t go out. So when I treaded out into that world & experienced the streets. I took all of that and put it into my music. And that’s Leo Getz!

***I read in your Bio that you started at an early age. Tell me how it feels to know at the age of 8 what you want to do when you grow up?

LeoGetz:  It feels good. A lot of people don’t do what they want to do. You have in your mindset that you want to be a Doctor; you want a Lawyer; I want to play Basketball; I want to play Baseball. Well, I did a lot of things and I’ve experienced it: I played Baseball; I played Basketball. But there was just something about the music that kept me in tune. It was exactly what I wanted to do in life. It always put me in a place where I can speak my mind freely and don’t have to worry about anybody saying anything about it.

Leo Getz On Longevity in the game.

“You know you turn it into a career; there are a lot of opps out there in this music game. You got a lot of people that think they are a part of this game becuz they can put two lines together. Its not like that! It’s a lot of ppl that put their blood sweat and tears in it (like Mua).

***What inspired you about the Leo Getz character?

Leo Getz: Leo Getz is basically me. I had to go out and get what I wanted; no matter what it was, I had to do it myself. What came with that? Leo Getz! Everybody started saying, man you get what you want, you Leo Getz. And of course, I’m a lethal weapon. Ok? Ok!!! (Laughs)

***When I googled you, I found out that you running the mixtape circuit in Chicago.

Leo Getz:  Oh yeah, I’m definitely doing good with the mixtape thing. I got my mixtape out right now called, Money over Ego. I got a lot of ppl on there, such as: Erica Caine (Twista’s Get it Wet), Gucci, OJ Juiceman, So Hood (who is my crew coming from Stompdown Ent./KOR Enterprises). You know and we moving! Oh, we got As Is from Chicago.

***Passports and Visas? Tell me about the new album

 Leo Getz:  Wow! Passports and Visas! I gotta stand up for this one. We flyin’ high man! I don’t want anybody to think that we are subjected & limited to the hood, because we’re not! All you gotta do is get up on those to feet, and let those lil legs move across the way. We’re not gonna stop here in this city; we’re not gonna stop in this country. We’re gonna push out into this world. When you hear my music, I want people to say, “hey that’s who I’m gonna be”. There are too many wannabes and not enough gonna be’s out here.

***When does the album drop?

 Leo Getz:  Ah man, right now we’re getting ready to drop a summer song this Sunday on Power 92 with Raw Radio TV. The name of that song is called, “What’s Ya Name?!” You can actually check it out on Power92Chicago.com. I really wanna get a thank you to Sha’dell for getting stuff out there. And I definitely wanna thank KOR-TV and the alliance for pushing my project. Its been a real struggle.

***What other things do you have going on?

 Leo Getz:  I have my actual single coming out in September 2010; it’s called “On Top”. I want yall to check it. It’s for the ladies, but every guy can reminisce off of it. You’re gonna love that one! I’m also working with some guys called the Wind City Connection. They’re headed out to Kuwait to do a tour for the Stop the Violence Campaign. So, I’m planning to head out there with them to try to get something together for the soldiers.

“Before I go I definitely wanna tell Mami Chula at 95.5fm in ATL: I’m about to fly my single your way. Thank you for your support and everything. I also wanna thank Bam and J. Allen from Power 92 radio station. Last but not least, Cutty! I wanna thank you. Because what you are doing for Chicago, Atlanta and the world is bigger than anybody could imagine right now. Everybody need to get on that scale!!! You know!!! I wanna thank KOR-Enterprises again for pushing my project. I wanna thank Chris, Kelly and Eric Bradley. And, I wanna thank the world… Big Chase – he’s doing big things for me… I never seen anybody work that hard and be that hardworking & dedicated. He been pushing it to the limit everyday”

LEO GETZ

Check out Leo Getz on myspace at: www.myspace.com/LeoGetz100

Check out Leo Getz on facebook at:         www.Facebook.com/leogetz

Follow Leo Getz on twitter at:                    www.Twitter.com/Leo_getz

After three successful albums on his former Sony label, Lyfe Jennings is preparing himself for his fourth studio album on his own label: Jesus Swings/Warner Bros. Records. “When I finished my contract with Sony, I started getting a lot of offers. Warner Bros. came along and offered me my own label. Now, that was a no-brainer. Lyfe said. “I knew a lot about the business and I had great people working with me, so I figured I was ready to step out on my own.” The album ‘I Still Believe’ is set to hit stores on July 27, 2010.

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Lyfe Jennings’ life has not been without its share of troubles. He even spent 10 years of his young life incarcerated. He mentioned that the experience actually shaped him as a real musician. “It gave me experience. Not only experience in my own life, but experience from dealing with so many different people and situations. You find a commonality in that. Whether it’s a love situation or a money situation, we all have that in common in that way.” I guess the time he spent playing his guitar instead of basketball in the yard paid off in a big way. He wrote a multitude of songs and shared them with other inmates. And upon being released, Lyfe dropped his multi-platinum debut, ‘Lyfe 268-192′ (his old prison number) with lead single, ‘Must Be Nice’. “It definitely made me feel good. I truly believe it was meant to happen. It was good for my confidence. Lyfe explained. “It was also good coming out of prison from being there 10 years; you don’t actually know what you’re gonna be doing as far as the workforce goes. So, it was a great opportunity. It feels good to know that the direction you chose for your life was the correct one.”

“I think my greatest work to date thus far has been 268-192, but this album; musically is a lot better. I worked with different producers. Usually, I do the majority of the album myself”

Staying grounded has not been a problem at all for Lyfe Jennings. He comes from a place of truth, and vows to use his story to help others. “I always wanted to connect something positive with everything I put out. So when you see different people going through different things and how they handle it, you start thinking that you don’t wanna be a part of this industry. It’s a lot of nonsense going on. And, I’ve never been the type of celebrity-celebrity; you know kicking it with a lot of other celebrities. I know what I’m good at: writing these songs, and getting my message across to the people. I don’t necessarily need to be doing all that other stuff all the time.”

Lyfe is also using his celebrity to give back. He has a national campaign – ‘Stay Busy, Stay Out of Trouble’, which encourages young people to focus on positive activities to help them stay out of trouble. “I got into trouble in the summer from having a lot of idle time as a youngster. So we go into all the boys club, and all the high schools to talk to the kids about what they will be doing for the summer. And a lot of kids have a idea of what they want to do, but I try to get them to identify exactly what they will be doing. It they want to go to basketball camp, I try to help them get signed up. We bring in counselors that have all the information in order to sign up and we get it done.”

“I also want to let people know that they can catch me on tour with: Anthony Hamilton, Kem, Raheem Devaughn and Jaheim. We are starting out in August; 20 cities and we will probably add more. So check us out!”

For more info on Lyfe Jennings, go to www.Lyfeonline.com or follow him on twitter: @Lyfeonline419

I Still Believe in stores July 27, 2010
photo credit: George Butler

On Thursday, April 29, 2010 Monica left her mark on the W Midtown in her hometown Atlanta, Georgia. V-103 hosted Soul Sessions Live featuring incredible songstress MONICA. And, she was absolutely incredible! the walls were even applauding.

Comedienne & V-103 VJ, Wanda Smith hosted the show in which tickets could not be purchased. Attendees had to call in to the station to win tickets during the week. Others were celebrities, media and/or personally invited guests. The W Midtown reception hall was filled to capacity. Although all seats were filled (at first); when Monica hit the stage, all seats were empty. She kept us standing on our feet the entire show. Both her angelic voice & her attention commanding stage presence. is truly amazing. Personally, Monica rocked my soul that night. Simply because you could feel her passion in every note she sang. You felt as if you were a part of her. It was quite an experience.

Monica took us back to her pre-teen years with ‘Don’t Take It Personal’ and ‘Why I Love You So Much’; to her teens with ‘Angel of Mine’ (in which she dedicated to her music mentor, Dallas Austin for discovering her); to her womanhood with current singles, ‘Here I Am’, ‘Love All Over Me’ and ‘Everything To Me’. She sang each song with the same conviction of the years they were released. Then, she hit us with a beautiful dedication to Whitney Houston (I Will Always Love You and You Give Good Love). Wow! Monica is and has always been a certified Beast in this Industry!

Some of the faces in the crowd to support our girl Monica were: Kandi Burruss, Yung Joc, Shawty Lo, Jazze Pha, Vaughn and Frank Ski, to name a few.

Shout outs to: MONICA, Melinda D., My big sis Shelice Smith, Rasaan Ali, Saffiyah, Kandi Burruss, Denise Weatherspoon, and Aisha Hardimon.

Oh Yeah, Melinda & Monica; whas up with my cover story??? LOL, but for real though…

Madd Love and continuous support to our girl, MONICA.

Cutty Shark Owt!!!