Music Connectz Magazine | Your INDIE Entertainment Connection: EC

Meet Upcoming Hip-Hop Artist:
Leek

Biography Excerpts:

"Malik Parker- Hill aka Leek, was born December 8, 1986 in a Northside neighborhood of Philadelphia PA. He grew up in a single parent home in the inner city, one of 9 siblings. As the one of the younger children, Leek looked up to his older brothers who were into hip hop and rap in the early 90's. Some of his early influences were LL Cool J, Rakim, Run DMC, The Wu-Tang Clan, Rob Base and Kid n Play.

Leek and YNR have Opened for artist like Bay area Legend Yuk Mouth and Savage, and has featured on coast2coastmixtapes Vol. 90 along with artists T.I and J.Cole. Recently Leek has been working on a solo project with Indie Labels Concrete Office and Unkockable Ent. He can also be found hosting a local television program based in Salem Oregon called 'In The 503.'"

Our exclusive interview with Leek:

MP: Leek, please introduce yourself as an artist to the audience here at The MC Magazine and abroad.

L: What up yaw? My name is Leek aka "Charlie French." I bet your wondering where the Charlie French came from… It’s actually my alter ego, the smoother side of Leek. My team is Cypher Music Group and Concrete Office back on the East Coast (what up Henny!) My manager’s name is Bernard Powell, or “Pro” as I call him.

MP: When did you know that music was something that you wanted to make more than a hobby?

L: When I realized I can really move the crowd. I performed live with Marques Houston at the Barracuda. There were about 1,500 people there, and the crowd’s reaction to our performance really hit me and changed my outlook on music and making it a career. I began to realize that I can take it all the way so I started taking my music seriously and began treating it like a business, and started to create my image and brand.

MP: The Music industry is very competitive, what separates you from your competitors?

L: The music industry IS very competitive! I think what separates me from others on the local scene is that I really take what I do seriously, and I love just being myself. The music I make is me.

MP: What is your favorite part of doing music?

L: My favorite part of doing music… I’d have to say my favorite part of creating music would have to be the connections I make with the fans and seeing people vibe and relate to my music; whether I’m performing, or driving around with my boys and seeing them Maxxin out to my songs.

MP: Have you worked with any prestigious names so far? If so, who?

L: I sure have! I've worked with and opened up for numerous artist; Bone Thugs ‘N’ Harmony, Plies, Lloyd, Kirko Bangz, Kid Ink, The New Boys, Yg, Nipsey Hussle, Too Short, Yuk Mouth and Savage all in this past year.

MP: What is your greatest accomplishment so far that you're most proud of?

L: Well, definitely one of my greatest accomplishments would have to be opening up for Bone Thugs ‘N’ Harmony at the Roseland Theater in Portland. The show was sold out. The hypest crowd I’ve seen so far! After the show I had the opportunity to kick it with the guys and they’re legends in the game. That was definitely something special to me, like a personal milestone. And being in the green room and having people come down for the meet and greet with Bone Thugs and hearing them ask "Where's Leek at? I want to get a picture with him and an autograph!" That really humbled me. I’m thankful and grateful for everything that comes my way and this would have to be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

MP: Anything new/exciting coming in 2013 that The MC Magazine can get an exclusive sneak about?L: I got a lot of exciting things to come in 2013. There’s an independent film I'm co-starring in, I’m also dropping my first official album "A Day In The Life Of Charlie French" this year, and videos for at least 4 of the tracks on the project. My management is working on booking a city to city tour all around the NW, down into Cali and across to Vegas and Arizona. I’m also working with a couple of Investors who are interested in developing a clothing line based on some original ideas that I have. I can’t give you the name yet... But we are already working on designs.

MP: Where can people find your music?

L: On my reverbnation page, my fan page on Facebook, Datpiff.com, HotNewHipHop.com, Just type "Leek Da Barber" into Google and all pops up. I’m featured on like coast2coastmixtapes Vol. 91 on a song called ‘Fli Boi’ Ft. Francheyez. You can search "Black and White Rose Vol. 1" on Datpiff to download my collab mixtape with Rose City Gang. I’ve also got lots of stuff on YouTube.

Stay connected with Leek here:

http://www.twitter.com/leekdabarber

http://www.reverbnation.com/ldoubleek

http://www.facebook.com/leekofynr

http://www.facebook.com/leekfanpage

http://instagram.com/leekdabarber

Brought to you by @Priceless_Promo + @MicaParris

Meet Sensational Soul Singer
Tracy Cruz

MP: How old were you when you first started singing?

TC: I started singing when I was 2 years old. My mother and grandmother were both active singers and performers and they were ones who first vitalized my love for singing. I remember hearing them sing all the time-it didn't matter where they were or what they were doing. My grandfathers were my first audience members. They also strongly encouraged me by asking me to perform for them in exchange for money. I've been performing for 19 years now and I've been loving every minute of it!

MP: Is Tracy Cruz your real name as well as your stage name? If not, what is your real name? What made you choose Tracy Cruz as a stage name? (P.S. - we LOVE it!)

TC: Thank you so much for your kind words! :) Yes it is my real birth name. My name changed when I got married so now it's Tracy Ross. However, I have chosen to stick with Tracy Cruz because I have used that name since the first day I started performing. Keeping my original name reminds me how long I've been on this journey and it motivates me to continue moving forward. My two names allow me to differentiate between the two sides of my life. When it comes to music and business, I'm known as Tracy Cruz but to my family and friends, I'm Tracy Ross.

MP: We took a listen to your music, and it sounds so positive! What or who inspires you to write and record the way you do?
TC: I do my best to create and share positive music. I always want to write and record music that my children can listen to. I'm inspired by God, my husband Allen, my son, my daughter, my mom, my dad, my grandparents, my brother, my students, my fellow artists, life, joy, pain, dreams, lessons, blessings, and more. I always pull from my own personal experiences or experiences that I've seen others go through. What you hear and see is "life" music from the "soul".

MP: Do you think you will stay in the soul genre or branch out to others as well?

TC: I do want to stay in the Soul genre; however, I've already started to infuse other styles into my songs such as Classical, Electronic, Jazz, and so forth. You can hear this creative concoction in my latest album "Universoul Symphony" https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/universoul-symphony/id449983742 For my future projects, I do plan on adding more layers of various soundscapes. My creativity output highly depends on the evolution of my artistry.

MP: Have you worked with any prestigious names so far? If so, who?

TC: I have collaborated on two songs ("For You" from my EP "Illuminate Love and "Expression Sensation from my debut album "Feel'osophy") with Kanetic Source, a former emcee of Grammy Award winner Hip-Hop Latin group Ozomatli. I have also shared the stage with Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Slim of 112, American Idol finalist Deandre Brackensick, Sy Smith, Jaguar Wright...just to name a few.

MP: Anything new/exciting coming in 2013 that The MC Magazine can get an exclusive sneak about?

TC: I just released a new music video "Joyful Rain" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy4_q05MR4o and revamped my website http://www.tracycruz.com Also, I have released a new music video biography http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIM6GrL5cQw I plan on releasing a couple more music videos and a remix album for my album "Universoul Symphony". Lastly, I will be writing and recording for my next album.

MP: Where can your fans and new listeners keep in touch with you and your music?

TC: http://www.tracycruz.com

http://www.facebook.com/tracycruzmusicpage

http://www.twitter.com/tracycruzmusic

http://www.youtube.com/tracycruzfan

http://http://instagram.com/tracycruzmusic/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/universoul-symphony/id449983742

http://www.cdbaby.com/tracycruz2

http://www.reverbnation.com/tracycruzmusic

http://www.soundcloud.com/tracycruzmusic

Thank you Tracy for an awesome, authentic interview! We wish you best of success of your musical journey!

Brought to you by @Priceless_Promo + @MicaParris

Ladies!: Who doesn't want to get pampered, with a new hair-style, shoes, and NAILS?! How about nails with your favorite "thing" painted all over them? We had the pleasure of interviewing YouTube, internet phenom, and teacher, Robin Moses of Robin Moses Nail Art. Read below how she took us for a journey through her world:

MP: How long have you been doing nails and when did you get started?

RM: I have been doing nails for 24 years now. I got started after I decided I was on the wrong path and decided to learn a trade that interested me, by total accident.

MP: Your name, Robin Moses Nail Art, did you come up with that, or did a family member, friend or client suggest that?

RM: I wanted my name to be in my title because I want to be a teacher, not a blogger who shows their work. I believe blogging is important and wonderful, but I do this ONLY to teach others.

MP: The nail industry, is very competitive, what separates you from your competitors?

RM: I do not believe I am separated. I believe we are all one and that I have no competition. If someone is competing with me, they are not focusing on themselves and what they have to offer. I have never competed and I don't believe in competitions. I don't think one persons art is better than another's and I cannot judge another man. I can teach what "I" have learned on "my" path only. What everyone else is doing is not what I think about.

MP: What is your favorite part of owning and operating your own business?

RM: I can wear my pajamas to work, I can cuss, scream, do laundry, dance, watch stories, movies, listen to new music, whatever I want while I am at work.

MP: We see that you are a youtube phenom, with over 87,000 subscribers, and over 15 MILLION views! That's incredible! What made you start taking the nail art to the tube?

RM: Thank you! I came online JUST to make YouTube videos and teach my art to the next generation. For 20 years I have worked alone in a room by myself. I have never had a vacation, I have never gone and visited anywhere really and I wanted to GIVE my teachings in return for others spreading the word of my name so that I can make extra money on Youtube and free-up time to paint canvas (my first dream that I gave up on when I was very young because I was on the wrong path) and to travel and teach art both on YouTube and in seminars for the future. (I am hoping with people like you this can happen for me......and for others looking to learn art).

MP: Have you worked with any prestigious names so far? If so, who?

RM: Too many to list. I don't like to talk about that. I am a private person and I respect their privacy as well. I will say that my clients are VERY colorful and wonderful people with great backgrounds and stories that you would NOT expect. LOL.

MP: Anything new/exciting coming up in 2013 that The MC Magazine can get an exclusive sneak about?

RM: I am working on 3 separate projects aside from youtube that I am very very excited about. If all goes well, It will help make MY job AND what I teach so much easier. It has never been done before and I am finding funding to back my visions now. So far, many are involved and I am so excited for this year. Thank you for your wonderful questions....This has been a fun article to do!

Thank you so much, Robin!

See below for some of Robin Moses' Nail Art Portolfio:

All of my designs are copyrighted. Using Robin Moses Nail Art images without giving credit is an infringement. If you copy picture to post or share, please state: "Inspired by Robin Moses" as way to bi-pass any infringements of copyrights.

Want to know Robin's most asked questions? Watch this video here:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6173BBC6D3D134E1

Here is how you can stay connected with Robin Moses:

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/robinmosesnailart

Twitter: http://twitter.com/robinmosesnails

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robinmosesnailart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/robinmoses

Instagram: robinmosesnailart

Tumblr: http://robinmosesnailart.tumblr.com/

Blog: http://robinmosesnailart.blogspot.com/

Brought to you by @Priceless_Promo & @MicaParris