Miss Solow Dolow: 2010-04-11

J.Cole in Athens Tonight

Don't miss the homie Lyric Jones, Small Eyez, and Rico Suave opening for Roc nation's J.Cole tonight. Athens is ONLY a 90 min drive from Atlanta. Tix are $10 general admission and $20 for VIP Meet and Greet. No excuses people. Get there!!!!!

Rico Suave - Smooth Is My Name

Most people associate Rico Suave with that Hispanic guy from the 90's that was singing "ricooooo suaaaaaveeee". Yeah this ain't him. In fact, it's an even more attractive guy with a conscious Atlanta flow and a great live performance.

Miss Solow Dolow: How would you describe your sound?

Rico Suave: My sound is Atlanta. In Atlanta, there's a church, strip club, and Waffle House on every street. Positivity, debauchery, and food. My music is that medium between that combination.

MSD: What makes you so smooth Rico Suave?

RS: The confidence I've always possessed in myself has allowed me to be what they call 'smooth'. I've just never been afraid to approach life using my own individuality.

MSD: What are some of your comparisons?

RS: I tend to get compared to Andre 3000 because of my lyricism, song subject matter and ATL background. People often compare the pitch of my voice to Lil' Boosie though. I hate comparisons honestly but I must say the Andre 3000 comparison is respectable. I always have been compared to Wale.

MSD: What are some of your influences?

RS: Honestly, my biggest influences is music that's spotlighted by the public that I believe is sub par. I believe you should do what you do to provide what you're missing, so I'm influenced when I hear a lack of quality that I believe I possess in my music.

MSD: Are you familiar with the Athens music scene?

RS: I'm aware of it through many performances in Athens and friends who attend college in Athens. There is a great movement developing there.

MSD: Who would you like to collaborate with in either Athens or Atlanta?

RS: My dream collab is Cee-Lo, he's my favorite artist. Otherwise, I'm open to work with anyone, no one tops the list.

MSD: Are you familiar with the lineup for Friday's show?

RS: Yes. I know Lyric Jones and Vance Smith from previous performances. I'm a big fan of J.Cole!

MSD: What can the crowd expect Friday night?

RS: The crowd can expect me to leave my heart on the stage. I love music and I will try my best to relay this through tomorrow night's performance.

MSD: Any last words/upcoming projects?

RS: I plan on dropping a mixtape every month through my Suave Saturdays mixtape series with DJ Excalibur with the first installment expected May. Other projects will be live through my website and my Twitter.

The Motto

Smalleyez - The i Of It All

Hip hop soul doesn't just go with Mary J. Blige. Morehouse brother Smalleyez talks about what inspires the music he creates with a short answer as to why I helps identify everyone in some way. Athens is just one of the places he is chasing his dream.

Miss Solow Dolow: How would you describe your sound?

Small Eyez: Indie, hip hop, and soul. Soul being the feeling I try to convey in the records and the indie being the diversity in approach and sounds I'm going for in my music.

MSD: What are some of your influences?

SE: My parents. Innovators, lyricists, and songwriters from Tribe [Called Quest] to Bob Marley, from the Beach Boys to Common the list goes on and on. Anyone who has truly pushed the artform forward. I have studied and adapted my style from them.

MSD: Why the name Smalleyez?

SE: The short answer is taking a step back and seeing the whole picture. Look at I and i. I defines me, mine, ego. The small i in the word will is just as important as the rest of the letters. Without it you lose the meaning. There’s a bit of small eyez in everything.

MSD: What exactly is Che Sing the Cool?

SE: Che Sing the Cool describes the lifelong chase of the pursuit of your dreams. We all chase it everyday. Che Sing The Cool brands my marketing company and blog. It's the platform I use to promote me and promote good music from all genres.

MSD: Are you familiar with the Athens music scene?

SE: A little bit. Lyric Jones and Tommy Valentine brought me to Athens last year and I realized that the scene here is really bubbling.

MSD: Who would you like to collaborate with in either Athens or Atlanta?

SE: Lyric [Jones] is at the top of my athens list. I'm down to work with anybody with a great sound and good ideas.

MSD: Are you familiar with the lineup for Friday's show?

SE: Some. But I'm sure everybody’s gonna kill it in their own way.

MSD: What can the crowd expect Friday night?

SE: Mind explosions from the crowd, their hearts, bodies and souls! The radiant is coming!!! MSD: Any last words? SE: Visit www.Smalleyez.com. From the Sol, get it for free and spread it like mayonnaise!

Lyric Jones - Grind Season In Athens

Miss Sunshine herself is gearing up for a show in Athens that is set to put her on top. Hold her responsible for bringing one of newest rap talents to Athens and making things happen for everyone on the bill. With performances all over both A's, Atlanta and Athens, she is aiding the hip hop scene in Bulldog Nation with her lyrical talent, soulful voice, and big smile.

Miss Solow Dolow: Great music always comes out of Athens. Describe the Athens music scene.
Lyric Jones: [sigh] Ok, Athens for the most part is dominated by indie rock, pop, alternative or metal bands. That’s the bread maker around here. Sometimes I think of going the rock route. [laughs] If it’s hip hop or rap, it'll have to be a Soulja Boy or Gucci Mane to actually see cats come out in the masses. The hip hop scene as a whole is doing much better than when I was a freshman back in 2006-07, but from what I heard from folks before me, the scene was even more authentic and appreciated before I came. Hip hop was valued. Now, things may appear cool and thriving on the hip hop scene here to everyone else outside of Athens, but the Hip Hop community is struggling to stay alive. Folks are not coming out to support [good music] so it is what it is. I guess all in all It’s straight.

MSD: Any new influences?
LJ: Shouts out to my big sis Boog Brown whom you've interviewed a couple weeks ago, I've really been inspired and motivated by her. She rocks and is one of my favorite artists right now.

MSD: Who would you like to collaborate with in either Athens or Atlanta?
LJ: In Athens, my man Kayez, he's been supporting me and helping me out since day one. In Atlanta, I have a few at the top of my radar currently. Conversations have been had with Stanza, Boog Brown, Aleon Craft, J-Live, The Remnant Crew, Chantae Cann, Tom P, The 5ive, Small Eyez, and my newest partner in crime Ness Lee.

MSD: How did you become involved with the show? Are you familiar with the lineup?
LJ: I became involved by proposing the initial idea to bring J. Cole to Adrian Zelski (co-owner of New Earth Music Hall). I know J. Cole personally and actually have been talking to him and his team about coming to Athens since I saw him in Boston last summer while he was on tour. From then on we all started a little hip hop caucus around this show and a few others (316 Connection and H.E.R. Hip Hop Showcase) to build the buzz around all the hip Hop shows going on at New Earth. J. Cole may be the biggest. The success of this show is extremely important to me. I'm pretty familiar with everyone. I've heard a lot of good things and I'm excited to see them smash.

MSD: What can the crowd expect Friday night?
LJ: Seriously, I got a good set, great energy, and live musicians. I go on right before J. Cole so I have no choice but to warm up the crowd for him to smash. I'm excited!

MSD: Any last words/upcoming projects?
LJ: Hopefully, with this J. Cole show, we can prove we can have high profile hip hop artists here.

MSD: How is the degree coming? Last time we talked that was your main upcoming project?
LJ: Oh I am in school huh? [laughs] I forget sometimes. It’s cool and fun for the most part. Very chill semester. Mainly with classes, we produce a daily news show. I've had the chance to be a news reporter, sports reporter, anchor, producer, etc. Good stuff for the resume reel.

MSD: And I know you're opening for ……yuuup?!
LJ: Shhhh!! I wasn't gonna announce that until Saturday. LOL, well, it's out now. YUUUP, opening for Trey Songz on April 29th in Athens @ Legion Field UGA 8pm. Check out my website www.lyricjones.com.

MSD TV

Yes my loves, I know I've been real MIA but I've been working! Dolow, find some new music videos from Macy Gray, Kiley Dean, Melanie Fiona, and other folk. I mean really though, what ya'll remember bout Kiley Dean?! I used to love her! Kiley Dean - Say Something Remix (We love Kiley Dean on this side!)