Dreamland is the debut Album and coherent thoughts of Bay Area Rapper 8BitJ, a dive into the psyche of a man dealing with issues of depression and all of his vices but also accepting his mind and Understanding his reality, Coming to grips with his problems and expressing them through Lofi and soul, Leaving no stone unturned and nothing hidden.
StaJe delivers a masterful music video that will give you the escape you desire. During a lunch date with a female counterpart he receives a text message that shifts the evening into a night to remember. He still has to be mindful and sneaky to escape the grasp of the older gentleman that takes care of Keisha. From hiding behind doors to sliding across the rooms, StaJe carries us through the incident in hilarious fashion. Did he get away with it? Let's see how the story ends.
Jashi Bands is just your friendly neighborhood Puerto Rican rapper from the Bronx. His music mostly touches on mental health including his own and those around him. He failed out of college senior year and moved back home to find what he wanted to do with his life.
Welcome to Mollie's World (The Breezy Says Hot Seat), Jashi Bands
BS: What’s your name and tell us a little bit about yourself.
JB: My name is Joshua Toledo. Just your friendly neighborhood Puerto Rican from Bronx, NY born and raised. I’m a big big nerd when it comes to anime, comics and other cartoons. Raised by my mom, grandmother and step dad. I have two little sisters.
BS: Where are you from? And what affect does that have on your music?
JB: I’m from NYC which is a huge influence on my writing style, my motivation for the music, the type of sound my music has and the experiences I choose write about.
BS: What was highest and lowest point in your career?
JB: I don’t have either of those yet since I’m still building the foundation for everything. The journey feels like climbing a mountain at this point. Every new accomplishment, such as a music video, new merch product, and song everyone loves is another ledge for me to grab onto to climb.
BS: How do you separate your personal life from your music life and how does how does the music industry affect your personal life?
JB: Right now in my career the two go hand in hand. I’m a newer act so it’s my responsibility to create content to engage with fans and make them feel like they’re a part of the process. So they will want to see me in the studio, at the concert, and/or giving my opinion on something. Since I’m an independent and building my fanbase, the only thing I can say about the music industry is that it’s definitely weird for someone like me, whose a private person around strangers, to be sharing all this personal content that isn’t the music. I find trouble crossing the line between keeping things private and putting on IG live for all to see. These are weird times.
BS: What project/track means the most to and which project/track are you proudest of?
JB: I think it changes with every song I make. Some tracks I really love but I know the public won’t ever hear. So I may love it but it’s not something I can put out and say “Yeah I put my all into that track. I’m proud of the way it came out.” A lot of people like "Smile" off my first mixtape and I have some tracks in the truck for my upcoming album.
BS: Let's talk about your latest record/visual " If You Disagree" BLM...what made you take a stand and show your support?
JB: The answer is simple, I have empathy for my people. Anyone with any resemblance of empathy and a brain can see the racial tension and injustice built up over YEARS.
I was in 2nd grade when Sean Bell was shot 51 one times. The newspaper was taped up to our closets and I remember thinking, “that’s a lot of bullets for someone on his way to his wedding.” I was six.
A big problem with today is the numbness we as a collective in this country choose to take part when racial or socioeconomic injustice occurs. Most of us continue with our day with “thoughts and prayers”. We go to work, take care of our kids, hang out with friends etc. We talk about these incidents, debate even, but until recently, not much radical action was being taken and this isn't to put blame on anyone (except capitalism.)
I decided to write “If You Disagree” because an anger would build inside of me when I would debate with an ignorant individual about the BLM matters. Because anger built inside of me from seeing the actions of policemen/women against my people. Tear gas, beating people senseless on camera and even the saboteurs who loot to give the protestors a bad name. It also inspired me to see
BS: There is a general consensus that Latinos don't support the Black struggle, where do you think that comes from?
JB: To be honest, I think it goes both ways. Both the Latino and Black communities seek support from each other because we all have Black blood in our veins and racists see us the same anyway. The disconnect happens when ignorant Latino’s, for lack of a better term, act up. Some Latino’s believe they aren’t black and then carry that ignorance with pride. In my opinion those ignorant Latino’s are few and far between. Every Hispanic friend or family member I know supports the movement and acknowledges the black struggle.
However, there Latino’s that feel the Black community doesn’t reciprocate support we give them in times like these. There was no rioting or protestors for the Hispanic kids ICE detention. There’s no protests for the kids that went missing under ICE custody. I’ve had Latino friends and family members express that when something like a George Floyd or Trayvon Martin happens, the Latino community is right there to back them up; however when something tragic is happening/happens to us there's mass tweets about it, but there’s no protests etc.
You also have to take into account that the Hispanics who aren’t born here or didn’t go to school in America aren’t taught about the Black plight in their schools, so they might be ignorant to it when they move over here.
LET'S PAUSE AND CHECKOUT "If You Disagree" [BLM]
BACK TO THE HOT SEAT
BS: What type of feedback have you been getting since the release of this project?
JB: A lot of people loved it. They loved the message and the visuals from the protests. Several of my friends who went to the protests and dealt with being maced and tear gassed all loved the song.
BS: How do you plan to keep supporting the movement?
JB: Keep signing petitions and donating to bail out those who’ve been arrested at protests. I would go to the protests myself but if I catch covid and bring it home, my family might NOT be able to fight it and I can’t take that risk.
BS: What is the hardest part of the music industry?
JB: Getting into it. It’s definitely a grind as an unsigned talent who’s trying to make their own way in the game. You have to find your sound, build your fan base, learn new flows, pay for studio time, pay for videos, and pay for promotion etc. All while trying to live your normal life. As a creative in general it always feels like you’re balancing plates on sticks, like in the cartoons.
BS: What are your thoughts on how the rap game has changed?
JB: A lot of it has changed for the good because now there's more money in it, it’s easier to put music out, and a lot easier to build your fan base thanks to social media etc. Unfortunately, those same reasons changed the game for the worse. Since it’s so easy to start a music career, there is a plethora of artists who sound the same, and don’t really do it for the love of the process or the game. Since there is more money involved it brings anyone and everyone with a mic and auto tune. The Music Industry is just one of those situations where you have to take the good with the bad.
BS: Who or what has the biggest impact on your career?
JB: I would say my best friend who I grew up with since Kindergarten and my late grandmother. He’s my biggest supporter and critic. If my music doesn’t impress him then I have to go back to the lab. My grandmother was a such pillar of support, love and strength and when she passed my heart broke in 100 ways. All that pain is channeled into my lyrics.
BS: What can we look forward to seeing in the future from you?
JB: I am working on an album with no title as of right now. I’m also working on new merchandise ideas and clothing to put out. To stay tuned follow me on all my socials.
Connie Boy Records recently dropped the official video for the Syndrome produced record "Bottom Baby", by artist Nario Da Don. You can find "Bottom Baby"on the forthcoming mixtape "The Kid From Ebony Gardens" hosted by Think It's a Game A&R, Bigga Rankin. The visual is directed By Charlie Sky and Hollow and is already generating a major buzz, that being said, today we bring to you the lyric video, so you can rap along. Check it out and Follow the Movement.
Dark Boys Records presents Miami, FL born and raised rapper and recording artist Dyamond Doll. Her latest offering "DWade" ft the Baddest Bh Trina is a fan favorite and has quickly risen to the top of the charts.
At only 21 years old, Vic Blends is younger than younger some of his hip hop clients, but his business savvy has proven light years ahead of the game. An authentic hip hop head, Blends has combined his love for cutting hair and his commitment to entrepreneurship and the result is a million-dollar business with legacy as the long-term goal.
CELEBRITY CLIENT LIST: Nelly, Trae Young, NLE Choppa, Polo G, Mozzy, Cam Reddish, Desi Banks, D’Angelo Russel, 2kBaby, Sonny Digital, Dennis Smith Jr, De’Andre Hunder, Brandin Cooks, Evan Turner, Bruno Fernando, Kostas Anteokounmpo, Xavier Wuff, Harry Giles III, Willie Hernangomez, Haha Davis, Dorien Finney Smith
Checkout our exclusive 1 on 1 with Vic Blends
What is special about the relationships with some of your celebrity clients?The best thing about my relationships with my A-List clients is the privacy and genuine relationship I build. Do you have any advice on how to build relationships with your clients?I think this is extremely important for building relationships, especially someone you look forward to growing with. You never know who is going through what, mental health is extremely important so I advise everybody to take some time out their day if they can’t just to call someone you care about! Are you a hip hop fan?Yes, hip hop is a huge part of my life. I just turned 21 so my first favorite childhood artist was Lil Wayne and first concert was Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Do you want to focus on hip hop artists with your talent? Do you feel like you're part of the culture by cutting hair for some of today's hottest artists?I wouldn't say that would be my only focus, but I think we go hand in hand because its something i'm already passionate about and love to be around. What do you think about then new procedures that show men adding hair after going bald?I think they're amazing! I’m all for anything that adds confidence in the client.
Why is a fresh cut so important? What does it do for a mans confidence?There's not many things on this earth a man will love more, than a fresh haircut! That has to be the #1 confidence booster we can get. So ladies, please take notes, if you want to treat your man to something nice, pay for his haircut every once in a while, I promise there's nothing we love more! Connect w/ Vic Blends:
Instagram: vicblends For more information or for interviews please contact:
Christal Jordan |Enchanted Branding & Public Relations | 678-499-0297 | christal@enchantedpr.net
