Inside The BOX.: Rye Rye
Baltimore native MC Rye Rye is nothing short of fresh. This female MC has been signed to artist M.I.A.’s label, XL Recordings. Not many MCs, let alone female MCs, have the opportunity to work with international superstars like M.I.A. She recently took some time to talk with JukeBOX’s own Eric B. about her music, city and mentor.
Rye Rye first started writing and rapping when she was only 15 after meeting DJ Blaqstarr, a Baltimore-rooted DJ, and getting the opportunity to rap for him over his voicemail. Her start to the rap game came with a chance; she took it and ran. With inspirations such as Missy Elliott, Nas, Jay-Z, Timberland, Destiny’s Child and Aayliah, Rye Rye describes her music as fun, electrifying and refreshing with heavy beats.
DJ Blaqstarr x Rye Rye – Shake It To The Ground
She is not shy about repping hard for Baltimore. When asked about putting her city on she says, “It’s very natural. I feel like I have to put on for the city because our city rarely gets recognition and for my situation to happen the way it did, I’m just very appreciative and I’m like, ‘I got to go for it because it’s not too many artists out of Baltimore really doing it.’†She said her whole purpose is to let people hear where her music comes from and how much her city inspires her music.
Baltimore is just one of her inspirations. M.I.A. has provided inspiration and tutelage, since Rye Rye began working on her album in 2009. M.I.A. wanted to meet her after hearing a song she had done with DJ Blaqstarr and just like that M.I.A. invited Rye Rye to open one of her shows. After blowing the audience away, M.I.A. then asked her to open for the rest of her tour. She said she’s humbled by being able to work with and have a mentor like M.I.A.
Rye Rye x M.I.A. – Sunshine
One of the things Rye Rye is thankful for is the preparation M.I.A. provided. She was encouraged to work harder and prove herself more since she is a female mainstream artist. She explained that sometimes as a female MC you have to exploit yourself and do things you wouldn’t normally do to start you career, but she has been able to avoid it by being an apprentice to M.I.A. and being what she calls “DJ Friendly†and cool with producers. Studio time with M.I.A. and her producers is a relaxed atmosphere where “everybody [does] their own thing.â€
This vibrant young woman has worked with the likes of Tyga of Young Money and Pharrell Williams and aspires to work with Missy Elliott. Her main thing is getting her album out for her fans. Rye Rye is a one-of-a-kind artist who loves her fans and clearly makes music because of them. The future looks bright for this young star. I see her doing big things. Look out for her.
Inside The BOX.: Ryan Leslie
Video courtesy of Beats & Ballads/Beny Blaq Entertainment
Q&A with Ryan Leslie by Samantha Luck
I would sit for long lengths of time and soak in the creativity that poured from Ryan Leslie’s videos featured on his YouTube channel. To watch him jump in and out of studio booths and onto various instruments as he gathered just the right ingredients to whip up an irresistible sound was downright addictive. Not only did he (as a one-man show) provide melodies and harmonies that appealed to a very large audience (see the number of viewers per video), he exuded a contagious motivating determination that with heart, talent, tenacity, brain power and a sprinkle of charisma, barriers couldn’t stand in his way. He is a living example that artistic freedom is not only possible but extremely attractive and lucrative.
Check out my conversation with Ryan Leslie after his captivating performance for The Park Unplugged show sponsored by The Park at Fourteenth and Beny Blaq Entertainment.
Read more after the jump.
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| Photo credit: TBD.com |

Ryan Leslie: I just feel like in today’s day and age, especially for young people that are making music, the traditional distribution methods are antiquated. The internet allows you to have direct access and channel distribution to your audience, and I want to be able to exploit that and be as creatively free as I want to be. And so that independence allows me to be unrestricted in my creative expression.
My favorite song already on Les Is More is “Maybachs and Diamonds.†It’s just so sweet (super smile).
Oh wow. Thank you so much.
It is! And you’re welcome.
I didn’t know that. I would’ve done it tonight.
Awww, I almost shouted it out but…So are you in love right now or is that past experience?
I was in love when I wrote the record and I’m still in love…and when it goes sour—there’s also a record called “Joan of Arc†on the album and that’s about the experience of when it all breaks down. And there’s a reference to Napoleon in that record and it’s like you understand that you have your faults and you may fight for something, and sometimes it falls apart and you get exiled. So, this record is probably the realest album I’ve ever written; and it’s coming from real experience.
Last question. In the name of JukeBOX, what album are you really into right now?
I’m loving that Frank Ocean mixtape. I think if all goes well, I’ll be working with him; and in a couple of weeks, I’m going out to do Coachella out in California. Then we’re supposed to get in the studio together.
Wale x Rick Ross x Jadakiss – “600 Benz"
Another leak off the Self Made, this album got my vote for the album of the summer off these three records that has been leaked.
Updated CDQ (Clean)
Updated CDQ(Dirty)
Meek Mill x Rick Ross – Tupac Back
Another single off the Self Made album which drops May 24 2011.
Drake, Lil Wayne, Wale & Birdman At Stadium Nightclub In DC
More of what we missed because we aren’t cool enough. More clips after the jump.
Source: pleasedontstare.com on Vimeo.
Jay-Z Is Now Blogging – LifeAndTimes.com
Dope site. You can click the image to check it out.
