Dead End Hip Hop

Your Favorite Hip Hop Music Community!

Junae Brown On Her Creative Marketing & Events Agency “Browned 2 Perfection”, Staying Organized & The Importance of Marketing & Branding [Interview]

by Leave a Comment

Back in December I had the rare chance of meeting and supporting some of the people I’ve had a chance to build with on Twitter over the years. One of those people was Junae Brown, who runs the Creative Marketing & Events Agency “Browned 2 Perfection” the story doesn’t stop there though. While I didn’t have a chance to interview Junae in person (yet) I was able to ask her some questions about her company, staying focused and what it takes to make it in New York.

Dead End Hip Hop: For those who somehow still don’t know, who is Junae Brown?

Junae Brown: Lol great question! In my best 3rd person voice (laughs), Junae Brown is a young Black Woman from Harlem, New York with a passion for Music, Marketing, and People. She is also the founder and Head of Marketing at Browned 2 Perfection Agency. Daughter, sister, friend, and positivity patron!

DEHH: Congratulations on your “Vision 2 Perfection” event last weekend, how was the turnout and energy?

JB: Thanks so much! It was honestly really amazing, my heart is still so full. I’m really grateful that we were able to bring so many amazing women (& a couple gents too!) into one place to envision how to manifest their goals and dreams. My birthday was a few days later, so it served as one of the greatest gifts ever. The affirmation portion was very soul nourishing, and the overall vibe was fun, comfy and progressive! Huge shoutout to all who attended, and my amazing team.

DEHH: Now I’m not gonna front, I know you did a lot of things, but after doing some research you’re involved in more than I can keep track of. How in the world are you able to prioritize and stay organized without losing your mind?

JB: You and me both lol! It’s really a never-ending learning process, but I am a stickler for a few things:

Calendars are life, if it’s not on my calendar it isn’t happening. I use iCal the most out of convenience, and its synced to all of my email addresses. I also have an oversized paper wall calendar, and a larger than life dry erase calendar on my wall.

When it comes to prioritizing I think that really balancing things by how much energy they take up is key. Energy is currency, and let’s just say I keep a pretty tight budget these days. That means being able to say no to some things, so that I can give the things I say yes to 100%.

I’ve also begun to develop a great team that serve as great reminders when I ignore or miss the ones on my phone lol

DEHH: Tell me a bit about “Browned 2 Perfection” and the work you all do over there?

JB: Browned 2 Perfection Agency is a Creative Marketing and Events Agency that helps artists, brands, personalities, and companies maximize their potential by becoming the Best Version of themselves. We basically take what’s already great about you, and package it uniquely to present to the masses. This is made possible through one of a kind Marketing plans, Branding strategies, Content Creation and Event Curation. No client is ever the same, so whether it’s an album release, product launch, or web series premiere we make it happen…2 Perfection.

DEHH: I had the chance and blessing to meet you in New York a couple months back for the “Music In Motion” showcase featuring acts like Chase N Cashe & Jay Prezi, how does an event like that come together from planning all the way to the execution?

JB: Yes, it was so great to finally meet you! Like any event, it all started with an idea. Sophie of Music in Motion approached my partner in crime Kim Chanel and I about helping her with the event, and we took off running. After brainstorming and choosing dates we reached out to the venue and artists. Once that was in place we came up with a flyer and promo concept. After many edits, we promoted on our different platforms until it was time for the actual event! At that point it’s about keeping communication with the venue open, ensuring the sound is right, and all acts have what they need to perform. Then they tear the house down!

DEHH: On the topic of New York, I see artists and honestly at one point myself included romanticize New York a lot, but from my experience in NY, it truly feels like if you don’t have your bearings, if you aren’t focused and ready to work NY will do more damage than help to your career, can you talk a bit on that?

Regardless of where you’re based, I believe whatever your goals are you should stay focused and work hard to achieve them. However, in NYC there is so much going on that I think naturally people get easily distracted. It’s also more expensive to live here than most places, so you need to know how to hustle or learn quickly. Trying to balance survival and dreams is what usually what discourages people after a while. NYC is a super busy and exciting city, so one can also get easily distracted by things that aren’t moving them forward. If you’re moving here to achieve certain goals and obtain access to certain spaces, then seriously come with a plan and lock-in.

p.s: If you’re already here, lock-in and stop playing.

DEHH: Why is marketing & branding so important? I feel so many artists use the words interchangeably but don’t truly understand that they’re different.

JB: Yes, I get asked the difference between these two things quite a lot. Although they often tie to together and compliment each other, they aren’t completely the same. The simplest way I can put it is that Marketing is more so the different aspects of the product and how it’ll be packaged whereas Branding is focused on whom the artist is behind the project, making sure the audience recognizes key things that make you, You. Branding often includes your look, colors, and logo. However, it goes well beyond into the “theme” or vibe you give off. My favorite example is Rihanna; you can ask 100 people to describe her in 5 words, and you’ll get a lot of the same answers and associations. That’s efficient branding. How important is Marketing and Branding to artists? It’s every single thing; regardless of the specific product, the consumer wants 2 things: a great product and a good story. It’s your job to make sure you have both and then give them both.

DEHH: What’s one key tip, you’d give to someone looking to get their name out there more on social media?

JB: Be yourself. The Best version of Yourself.

DEHH: I can’t thank you enough for taking the time out your busy schedule to sit down with us, what can we expect from you in 2018?

JB: Thanks so much to you guys over at Dead End for thinking of me! In 2018, you can expect in short, a lot more events and a lot more Marketing from the Agency. We have some exciting things cooking with both new and returning clients that we’re really excited about. We’ll also be continuing to evolve our different party series’ and niche events. Something that I personally love is providing Marketing and Wellness resources to the everyday person and creatives everywhere, so please look out for all of the ways we figure out how to do that, 2 Perfection.

Kamron Bahani: “Magnum Opus Open” [Album Review]

by Leave a Comment

I always applaud new artists for even attempting to come up in this music industry, everywhere we turn a new trend is being thrown in our face. Social media dictates more than any of us would like to admit. New York’s Kamron Bahani has gone through the trenches, last year he erupted onto the scene with three projects. Two EPs and his debut LP, his first EP put everyone on notice as Bahani showed that he was full of raw talent. His LP “By The River“ unraveled the story of Bahani while continuing to showcase his fire starter abilities. Now in 2018, Kamron Bahani is here with his sophomore album “Magnum Opus Open” (which I’m referring to as MOO from here on out, deal with it).

Off top you can hear Kamron Bahani’s growth, yes we’re still getting the quick spitter who can string words together better than most, but it’s clear Bahani has slowed down just a tick to really figure out who he is as an artist and what he sounds best on. To me, this was the most important facet of the album because it gives Bahani the consistency some of the previous releases were lacking. This is heard first on “Red” we get a heater of a beat in our headphones, but Bahani’s ready to go spitting like we’ve gotten to know over the last year and a half. It’s the next track “West 63” that shows Bahani knows where he shines brightest. The underground, funk, jazzy sound is guaranteed to have you on your feet, I’d love to hear this live.

Kamron Bahani sounds the most comfortable over these instrumentals, which are varied from the underground involved “Marcus Aurelius” to the soul-bearing “I”. One of my bigger gripes with Bahani’s music over the last couple projects is the almost forced singing vocals. This time though, again it seems like Bahani took a step and added an extra effect in post-production to be more cohesive to the music and it may not work every time, “I” is a perfect example of where his singing works.

“Magnum Opus Open” is by far Kamron Bahani’s most focused and pinpoint effort. I don’t think Bahani’s reached his final form yet and that’s honestly more terrifying about the New York upstart. If you like energetic rap that smacks you in the head but soothes you with vulnerabilities Kamron Bahani is the emcee for you. I think I want to see Bahani dive a bit deeper into storytelling and using different flows but as with everything music is a growing process. For now enjoy “Magnum Opus Open”.

Kamron Bahani: “Magnum Opus Open” [Album Stream]

by Leave a Comment

For those of you who’ve been rocking with me for a minute you know that New York upstart Kamron Bahani was one of my favorite emcees from last year. After dropping three projects (two EPs & an LP) Bahani has been somewhat silent in 2018. He dropped a single in “We Go Ego” a while ago, but we haven’t heard much since.

Never fear though, Kamron Bahani is here with his sophomore LP “Magnum Opus Open” the follow up to his debut “By The River”. This is the fourth project I’ve heard from Bahani and it’s easy to chart the growth and talent of the emcee. In MOO it sounds like Kamron Bahani has almost reached his final form, produced entirely by Ohini Jonez, Bahani sounds like he’s finally found the sound that’s perfect for him. But I’ll let you be the judge, you can peep “Magnum Opus Open” and if you aren’t convinced you can peep the music video for “Marcus Aurelius” above.

Urbvn Architects: “Triple Threat” (Album Stream)

by 3 Comments

I get a chance to listen to a lot of hip-hop and in the ten years I’ve been doing this, I’ve grown an absolute love for hip-hop groups. DeepSpace5, Lootpack, Slum Village, Odd Future, Foreign Exchange, hip-hop groups give multiple emcees a chance to showcase themselves. The group can become a force to be reckoned with, a statue in hip-hop forever.

However over the last couple of years the group has kind of fallen off, and boy this trio from New York called Urbvn Architects is up next. Josh Alias, Yung K and Blaq Kush make up the group and they’re exploding into 2018 with their EP “Triple Threat”. Instead of having multiple tracks with all three artists, the project is a three song EP where every member gives us a solo track. I don’t want to spoil too much but give this a listen and let me know what you think, there’s more to come from UA but for now enjoy the “Triple Threat” EP. You can follow the group’s moves on Instagram HERE.

Ricky Havana On New York Hip-Hop, The Meaning Behind “Ricky Season” & More

by Leave a Comment

We hear a lot about the struggle artists endure, however I think some of us can admit that some of these artists, exaggerate or just straight up lie about their come up. Not the case with New York’s Ricky Havana, who’s honesty shines on his debut EP “Ricky Season”. I had a chance to sit down with Havana, who doesn’t mince any words in our interview. Make sure you stick around til the end of the interview as we premiere his new video for “11p.m in NYC”.

Dead End Hip Hop: For those who don’t know who is Ricky Havana?

Ricky Havana: Young Ricky Havi! Man, I don’t know where to even start. I’m just a young kid from the South Bronx by way of Havana, Cuba trying to make my way in this world. My pops is a political refugee who was fleeing incarceration in the 1980s and my momma a victim of the 80’s. I love music, I love women, I love my family and I love my bros who in this thing with me.

DEHH: Tell me about how you got into hip-hop and what made you decide to pursue being an artist

RH: Growing up in the South Bronx EVERYBODY do something related to music. It’s almost second nature for you to either rap or make beats. Starting in elementary school we were making beats on the lunch table and freestyling. I personally began writing poetry and as I got older and hung out on my block more, that naturally transitioned into rapping. Rapping became a way for me to tell our story in a more versatile, relatable way. Where I’m from we all got stories, it’s just not the safest place to be vulnerable and let people know you got emotions so I always wanted to bridge that gap and let my brothers know I understood and I was going through the same shit so we didn’t have to do it alone.

I always knew I would be an artist, I guess I was just waiting for the right time. One day me and my business partner Rell Barnes decided it was time for us to decide what we were going to do in life. We were either going to keep going through the motions and decide to watch this life pass us by or seize the moment and go get this s*it cuz we know we can and we know its out there for us. And we decided on the latter, launched our company Offshore Groupe and we been shinin’ ever since! Offshore cuz it cost more, ya heard..

DEHH: How did the idea of Ricky Season come about, what is your definition of Ricky Season?

RH: I remember randomly flicking through the tv one day and stopping on a channel where a pastor was talking about how we have seasons in our lives. Life is seasonal and that’s the reason why we transition so often. As Relly and I launched our company I realized that this is my season in life to make everything I want come to fruition and to manifest all my dreams. This the season where I reap all the fruits of my past – All the shit I went through coming up, overcoming what I overcame, was all leading to this season in life where I finally see all my dreams come true. So when I say its Ricky Season I really believe God is telling me its my time. It’s Rickys time. Its Ricky Season and nobody can stop that.

DEHH: Now I could be making too much of this, but I felt the EP was a record of two stories, the first half felt it was more focused on your story coming up, the second half, kind of felt like the next chapter, can you fill me in on your thought process during this EP?

RH: Yeah man this EP was definitely a record of where we were at the time or creation. We actually started the EP sitting on the record ‘Don’t Know’. Relly heard that shit and was like “Yo Ricky, this the one” and we started building from there. As we started working on the album I tried capturing exactly where we were at the time of each song. I put a call from my brother when he was doing in time cuz that was one of the most impactful times in my life. On “Ours” where I say “its Havana n*gga and I’m back just landed” I deada*s had just landed from a trip to Cuba. The song went on to talk about a realization I had where I aint tryna be friendly with all these n*ggas. Im here with the people I’m here with and I’m only going to be with my day 1s and the genuine people I meet along the way.

Cost us is the story of how we launched offshore and started pursuing this music s*it and how many sacrifices we had to make. Real s*it – while making this project Relly left his job, i found out my pops had cancer, I got kicked out the crib I was living in, I broke up with my girl…s*it was really coming with alot of sacrifices…and then 11PM in NyC was just a summary of my thought process and things thats were going on in my life and in my mind during those months and a realization that my pops was the most important thing to me and even though I’m damaged and figuring my way through this life, I want him to see me make it because he deserves it.

Then, we wanted to show people a softer side and a darker more secretive side of my life which is that part revolving women and my sentiments towards relationships and engagement with women. I find my songs about women come from a reflective place so those songs were dwelling on states of mind I was in prior to beginning the project.

I ended the tape with For You because it was a culmination of how we felt. We spent so long trying to be what the world wanted us to be – working these 9-5s, going to school, trying to do things the way they told us we had to and it wasn’t true to who we were. We were just doing it for them and so that song was basically me shaking loose from that and making it clear it was our time to do what we wanted to do.

DEHH: When people are done listening to “Ricky Season” what do you want them to take away from it?

RH: I want them to feel invincible honestly. I want them to feel like if they believe in themselves and claim this moment in their lives, they can make anything happen. And I want them to see that they don’t have to lie or pretend to be anyone but themselves to be able to make things happen in this life. No gimmicks, no pretend. Just be yourself, focus on a goal you set and go get that shit because whether you realize it or not, alot of the people you love probably counting on you to be the best version of yourself. And I want them to see Ricky the prettiest n*gga out the Bronx so shout out all the ladies and MUAs listening to Ricky Season, follow me on IG and hit the DMs hannn lol

DEHH: I actually went to New York last month and it completely blew me away, tell me about the NY hip-hop scene and how you fit into it?

RH: Man, the New York hip-hop scene is an intricate market. Of course you got all types of different artists – people doing classic hiphop sounding s*it, people doing trap, people doing electro-hiphop type s*it…everything, all coming together in the same place. But they don’t call it the jungle for no reason. They don’t say “make it here you can make it anywhere” for no reason. New York the place where artists and all they supporters leave right after they set. But at the same time its beautiful to see the people who genuinely support music stay. And, like any industry, you got a lot of people hyping themselves up and trying to make themselves seem like they got all the juice in the city. I try not to get caught in the politics and the schoolyard talk though and just do my music and enjoy my performances.

I personally feel like I’m an artist in New York with a story to tell, like every other artist in New York. What differentiates me is that I ain’t lying about it, I ain’t pretending to be anything I’m not and who I am as an artist is exactly who I am as a person and you’ll get that soon as you meet me. My music will always speak for itself – I genuinely put myself into everything that I do and I always want people to walk away from my projects or my performances like damn, I felt that.

DEHH: I know 2018 just started but what can we expect from you this year? Will we see you on tour, will there be any videos for “Ricky Season” ?

RH: Definitely! We got the video to 11PM in NYC on the way, we shooting the video to “Don’t Know” as well so stay on the lookout for those. We also working on a follow up project, won’t say much about that yet but definitely lining up shows and hopefully get on a solid tour by end of 2018. Shoutout OG, Offshore Groupe, Havana Gang shit! Its Ricky Season!

 

Program: “Danger” feat. Mostro [Digi-Single]

by Leave a Comment

Listen I’m a sucker for hip-hop that harkens back to the boom bap era of rap, some of y’all love me for it, some of y’all hate me for it. Either way, today I have a joint from Buffalo hip-hop artist Program. Program doesn’t just dip his toes in boom-bap, but takes a full cannonball into the foundation of hip-hop.

From the presentation of the digital single to the absolute grit and rawness from Program and Mostro in their single “Danger“. Also let me make it clear that Program not only emcee’s but is also the man behind the bangers on this single. It does my heart well to see artists still making unapologetic boom bap and I’m hype to see what’s to come from the Buffalo artist. Make sure you stick around though because like any single, there’s a b-side, this one with “The City” featuring Gaines from an upcoming project entitled “Tuxedo Dreams” set to drop next year. Peep the two tracks and get ready because Program is just getting started. These ain’t bars for your mama.