The Boombox Music Blog

Tamar Braxton Talks 'Braxton Family Values,' RuPaul and More -- EXCLUSIVE Interview

Ryan Shea — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:51:00 EST

Kevin Winter, Getty Images Tamar Braxton has had quite the bit of success over the past couple of years. Braxton Family Values -- her hit show on the WE network -- continues to be a smashing success she's finally finding her groove in music, scoring a number one record on iTunes with "Love and War." Now she is expecting several other big things in her life. Like a new single, new album and oh yeah, a new baby. In the coming months she'll give birth to her first child with her husband, music producer Vince Herbert. We sat down with Tamar in person for a quick but EXCLUSIVE chat. Here's how it went. ...

Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images

Braxton Family Values is in the midst of its 4th season. Any juicy tidbits you can let us in on?

Well, you know my sisters and I have come into a little pickle. It was very hard for all of us to kind of get along and how we really felt. We were holding onto things for a while and it all came to a head and exploded".

You debuted at number one on iTunes with "Love and War." How did it feel when you saw that?

It felt amazing. It was totally unexpected. Matter of fact I didn't know what to expect and that's the worst kind, but I am very surprised and excited that people understood that I could really sing and they appreciated my music.

Daniel Zuchnik, FilmMagic

You and Vince are on a reality show but you really are a real couple. You look at so many couples on reality shows lately that are divorcing and breaking up, how do you guys get past that and get people to see that you guys are for real?

Vincent and I are a very honest couple, and very honest with each other. Our situation is a little bit more unique than a regular couple because we work together and we communicate and talk about everything. So there is no secrets or surprises on national television and keep it honest and that's how we stay together.

Rupaul's Drag Race is a really big show right now...

Don't you love it? Yes, yes miss Roxxy did it honey!

Ha! So I guess you saw the episode of "Snatch Game" where she played you and did it really well?

Yes. I thought it was hilarious!

D Dipasupil, Getty Images

We thought that might be offensive to you.

No, why would that be offensive to me? I love it. Once a drag queen does you, you have made it. So I thought it was just hysterical.

Let's talk about the album's second single.

Well the second single is called "The One" and its an amazing throwback record. It's one of those summertime records that are so familiar to you and you just wanna rock out because you feel like you lived it. It kind of reminds you of the times you are in the car and jamming to your favorite records, that kind of a feel.

Ray Tamarra, Getty Images

Love it. What about the upcoming album?

It's definitely R&B driven. It's called Love and War like the single. It's not based off the single but its based off of relationships period. Sometimes you are in relationships you are all in love and then at one point you are fighting with each other and figuring things out, and to me that is what life is all about.

Tell me about being pregnant.

Well there are two sides to being pregnant. There is the beautiful, wonderful blessing side. The second side it sucks!

What are you ultimately hoping for in your career?

I am only hoping to stay happy, and this whole thing to stay fun. I just want to stay loving what I do every day, and that's it.

Watch Tamar Braxton "Love and War" Video

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Fat Joe Talks New Album, Pitbull and Ending Beef with 50 Cent -- EXCLUSIVE Interview

Ryan Shea — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST

WireImage It's been twenty years since Fat Joe entered the rap game. Represent, his debut album featuring the eponymous first single "Flow Joe," dropped in July of 1993. Boy, time really does fly. Since then the Bronx native has scored more hit records than most casual rap fans even realize. "We Thuggin," "What's Luv?," "Make It Rain" sound familiar? That's not to mention his collaborations like "Twinz" with Big Pun and "Lean Back" with his group Terror Squad. Yeah, Joe's catalog is crazy. Now, the rap legend is prepping his 11th LP, The Darkside Volume 3. Read our EXCLUSIVE Interview to hear why he settled his beef with 50 Cent, why Big Pun is still the most famous Latin rapper and whether or not he feels he gets the respect he deserves. ...

Getty Images

Your last project The Darkside Vol. 1 was a serious rap record, where you went back to the underground. How do your new LP compare to the last one sonically?

Well, this new album can't compare to any other album because it's a collabo album. It's me and a bunch of artists that got together and put together some great music and it's nothing like you've ever heard before from my stuff.

"Another Round," featuring Chris Brown, was a big mixshow record. Is it on this album?

Yeah that will be on this, and the remix. We got a bunch of people. Wiz Khalifa, Teyana Taylor, Fabulous and Trey Songz to name a few.

Chris Lighty was such an important part of your early career. How did losing him affect you?

It was sad for his family and was a bad day for hip-hop. This guy changed my life. I came from the streets and if it wasn't for him finding me I wouldn't have a career in hip-hop.

Getty Images

What was the significance of you and 50 finally putting your beef to bed?

Well, the Chris Lighty thing happened, and we were all supposed to perform at the BET Awards. When we went to rehearsal, 50 came over to me and was like, "You know Chris wanted us to be cool with each other. He wanted this to be over with a while ago." I agreed with him, and it went from there. Chris would've been happy ultimately with how we handled things, so I'm glad that that is over with

From Big Pun to Cool & Dre to DJ Khaled, your eye for spotting great talent is amazing, if not underrated. Why do you think you're overlooked as a tastemaker in that respect?

Critics out there always seem to overlook what I have done, yet I have been the one to discover a lot of this talent out there, on top of putting out my own stuff. "Lean Back" was number one for 19 straight weeks. "I Won't Tell" with J. Holiday went number three; "Another Round" just went number three in America last year. "We Thuggin" went number five. These are facts, man. I just don't get it. You got Remy Ma who is one of the best female rappers in the game. DJ Khaled has his own company and is a huge mega-producer out there. Chances are if I am the one to cosign people they will become a big part of the industry.

WireImage

When you moved to Miami years ago you really helped certify that that's where you needed to be if you wanted to be involved in hip-hop. What has the success of guys like Rick Ross and others from Miami meant to you?

In New York there wasn't really any unity. When I moved to Miami, things were really looking up for me. I linked up with so many different guys from Rick Ross to Lil Wayne to Birdman. All of us knew each other but had never worked with each other. The biggest misconception in the hip-hop industry is that people are only focused on the money. We should just be happy for everybody that is working in the hip-hop culture. I got a better sense of that unity when I came down to Miami.

Pitbull has taken Latin rap to the biggest place it could be. Do you feel any which way about the fact that he had to sort of cross over and make dance music to do it?

I feel like he is so creative and is a genius, and we all know he can rap. I could give you a fake answer, but I'll give you the real answer. Real answer is that I am happy for him. He's rich! He made his way and I am happy for him regardless.

WireImage

Had he not died, where do you think Big Pun would be now? Would he have been the most popular Latin rapper of all time?

Of course! I think he is already the most popular Latin rapper of all time. There never has been a better one in my opinion.

I see in recent pics that you have been losing weight and getting in shape. What advice can you give to our readers about steps you have taken?

Man, that hasn't been easy. Just been doing the normal routine of working out and trying to cut down on the carbs is the best way I can describe it.

Watch Fat Joe's "Pride N Joy" Video

Watch "Why Bronx Rapper Fat Joe Became Slim"

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Anthony DeCurtis, Clive Davis: Music Journalist Talks 'Soundtrack of My Life' -- EXCLUSIVE Interview

Ryan Shea — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST

Michael Stewart, Getty Images Journalists are usually the ones asking the questions, but legendary scribe Anthony DeCurtis has done enough in his 25-plus-years covering music that he can have the tables turned on him every once in a while. Because if there's an artist you can think of -- especially in rock, but also hip-hop and R&B -- chances are the New York native has been involved in covering them. Recently, between splitting time teaching at the University of Pennsylvania and continuing to write for publications like Rolling Stone, he's made appearances on stage interviewing rappers like Nas, and seen the release of Clive Davis' memoir The Soundtrack of My Life, which he helped write. We recently caught up with DeCurtis in-person and picked his brain about music journalism, not being star-struck around Jay-Z, what it was like covering The Notorious B.I.G. and those pesky Kelly Clarkson comments that just won't go away. Read on. ...

Johnny Nunez, WireImage

What age did you decide that journalism was the career you wanted to go into?

I was older when I made that decision. I set out to be an English professor. It was after I got my PHD in American Literature, so it would've been probably in the early 80's. I wanted to get an academic job and I got one out of grad school at Emory University in Atlanta where I went to teach. That fell through after a year, and I didn't get a decent job offer after that. Journalism then became something I started pursuing.

When you were making that decision, who were some of your influences in music?

I was a teenager when the Beatles arrived in this country. So that generation of artists made a really profound impact on me -- The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Who -- that was transformative. It felt to me like being in the renaissance era when that happened.

And in music journalism?

I wasn't somebody that was drawn to Lester Bangs and that school, so to speak. I liked people that were smarter and wrote better. I would consciously mimic someone like John Rockwell, try to set out and write exactly like he did. Robert Palmer is a beautiful writer but someone whose knowledge was comprehensive. My friend described his tone as, "Don't worry, I know everything." Jon Landau was very thoughtful, somebody who you could just feel bringing his intellect on what he was writing about.

You did you first official piece for Rolling Stone back in February of 1986 on Bob Dylan. What was your experience like when you started there?

I might be the only person in the history of that magazine that was pulled aside and asked if I could write less. I never said no, I was determined to make that a success. I knocked around for a while, I was in the early 30s then. I tried this academic track that didn't really work out and [was] getting by as a journalist but never felt like I really got my shot. When I got hired at Rolling Stone it was scary at first because I realized there was no more excuses, like this is it. I would never ever be able to say again, "Well I never got a chance."

Right.

It was an amazing transition because suddenly you are at a place that had a tremendous impact on me. Rolling Stone was exactly what I wanted to read when I was 16, when it started. It was perfect. It was kind of a dream, and it also made your job easier. If you called up and said "Hi, this is Anthony DeCurtis from Rolling Stone," it became like "What can we do for you, what can we give you?" It wasn't like the other places where there was all this hassling. You had assistants to do stuff. All you had to do was report and write. It was a tremendously heavy period for me; it's really hard to put into words. It was exactly what I hoped it would be.

Henry S. Dziekan III, WireImage

You've written reviews on iconic R&B and hip-hop records throughout the years. What was your favorite one to review and why?

A whole generation of hip-hop writers has come along in recent years, but at first when the genre was new there weren't a lot of people to write about it. In the early days there was a KRS-One record I reviewed that I loved; Beyonce's first record was great as well. The Notorious B.I.G.'s Life After Death was a posthumous record but it was an amazing sort of occasion to write in a very visible place about an important artist and important issues. That was a thrill. I also really tried when I was the Reviews Editor at Rolling Stone to really cover [urban] music responsibly and get younger writers in. Danyel Smith and Toure' were two people I brought into Rolling Stone. Alan Light was somebody that I was instrumental in hiring and identified a lot of great writers in the hip-hop community for me.

What was the most shocking thing you found out about Clive Davis while working on The Soundtrack of My Life?

I knew Clive's career [but] we weren't buddies... The big revelation is about his bisexuality. I had asked him as we were working on the book, and he assured me it would be apart of it. After that, I kind of left it to him. He drafted that part and then we made a determination on how it would be handled. I had been around him and the industry enough to not find that to be too much of a shock.

Clive brought Diddy and Bad Boy Records to Arista. How did Clive feel about Diddy?

Clive loves Puffy. There was certain person that when Clive talks about them, you can really tell it was beyond a business relationship. Something he admired about Puffy though was how business-minded he was. I think Puffy in some sense wanted to be Clive, he saw him as his model and mentor. He would show up at Clive's office and say "Ok I'm ready for school now," and would spend the day with him and watch him in meetings.

Go on.

I was touched by Clive's ability to connect very viscerally with someone like Puffy, and I think that feeling was mutual. When Whitney Houston died, Puffy ended up introducing Clive's party that night. She died on the day of his Grammy party. Puffy called him and said "What can I do to help you?" He had been scheduled to participate but told him "What do you need." I think Clive really valued that. Clive has worked with a lot of people -- LA Reid and Babyface; there is a whole chapter on LaFace -- but there is a special thing with Puffy and I think they were very close and continue to be close.

Michael Stewart, Getty Images

We wouldn't be journalists if we didn't ask you about Kelly Clarkson's response to what Clive wrote about her in the book [ed. note: this is not exactly rap-related but we couldn't pass up the opportunity]

This is problematic for me. Clive has taken the high road in this, Kelly hasn't.

Do you think she is justified in what she said? Do you feel she should've said anything in the first place?

I think she was being exactly how she was portrayed in the book. If you read that chapter, which is really one of the best chapters in the book, you would not have been surprised by her outbursts. It seemed entirely in character. As far as the accuracy about that chapter, I can say this -- Clive took such pains to make sure the accuracy was vetted. I think Clive understood what the impact of it might be. Everybody that he could get to that was involved in it did an advanced read. He would come back to me and say "We need to change this." It went through a rigorous fact-checking process. So the idea that there are misrepresentations in there, it is very hard for me to find any truth to that.

When I saw you interview Nas a couple of months ago at the 92nd Street Y, your demeanor the whole time came across as calm, cool and collected. Is that something that you have always had or something you learned to develop throughout time?

You realize what is required in certain interview situations. In a public situation like the one with Nas, what people are there for is the subject and to get the best interview from that person. What they really want to see is an interaction. That's why I don't go out there with notes and [I] try to make it as spontaneous as possible, so that there is immediacy to it that people can see. You are partly dependent on your subject, and I always start out interviews with something just to get them to talk so I can get an assessment on how the evening is going to go. With Nas, he was there from the start, so when you have that you can just go for it. Then you are paying attention and just trying to ride whatever waved you have set in motion. At that point you can relax because the more relaxed you are the better the experience is going to be. And whatever stature they have attained, they are still looking for you to steer the ship. So you want to give that sense that you are in control and there is nothing aggressive or off-putting about that.

Has there ever been a moment where you yourself have been starstruck?

Artists that are really important but who made their impact when I was an adult -- meaning over 25 -- the ship has sailed. I might respect them tremendously, but it pales in comparison to when I interviewed George Harrison. You don't want to walk into the room being like "Oh my god, I can't believe I am meeting you," because you watch your subject disappear immediately upon arrival. Jay-Z is a tremendously impressive interview and a great guy and fun to be around. Someone like Nas -- who is really smart and very impressive and emotionally available I should add -- I wasn't starstruck to meet [him]. I was impressed and it felt great but it wasn't that other thing because I was a grown person when they were doing their work.

What is the best advice you would give to the young writers out there?

Work on being a good writer and develop your voice. That is what really sets people apart. When you can read something and get a sense from the individual then you know you are onto something. The other thing is to get your work out there. There is blogs and Facebook and tweets and every other way to do it. Put it out there. Nothing teaches you more in a way than the responses that you get. That said, for the more serious parts of your writing I would try to find people you can trust and people that are good to edit your stuff. Editing is not a lost art but it's harder to find now than it has been in the past. A good editor can really teach you a good deal, whether it is a teacher at your school or your best buddy or whoever it is, don't take that for granted. It is not always going to be there for you.

Watch Anthony DeCurtis Interview Nas

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LL Cool J Announces SXSW 2013 Performance, Partners with Doritos -- EXCLUSIVE Interview

Ryan Shea — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST

Imeh Akpanudosen, Getty Images LL Cool J is bringing his legendary catalog of hit songs to SXSW 2013. The 45-year-old rapper-cum-actor has a new album dropping -- Authentic, due in stores April 30 -- and has partnered with Doritos for their "For The Bold" campaign, which will see him hosting and performing at the tortilla chip powerhouse's #BoldStage. He's bringing along friends like Ice Cube, Public Enemy and Doug E. Fresh too, who will also perform. But it won't be entirely about the legends that night (March 14). Three rising talents -- Devin Miles, Seth Sentry and Snow Tha Product -- will compete ahead of LL's headlining performance to open up the show (the winner will be selected via Twitter response). The entire show will be streamed live on Doritos' Facebook page. We spoke to LL Cool J before he heads down to Austin and picked his brain about SXSW, hosting the Grammys, his new music and the current rap scene. ...

How does it feel for a rapper of your caliber and recognition to be hosting and performing at a SXSW, which is primarily known for indie artists?

I think it's great. That's where the true artists are. The big icons that I have met and worked with and rubbed shoulders -- whether it be at the Grammy's or in the studio -- all have that same fire that these artists have at SXSW. That fire never leaves. It never dies. Never goes away. If anything it's a compliment to be on the same stage with some of the hungriest people in the world. I feel it's kind of like comparing college players to NFL players. Some of the big guys in the NFL keep that hunger from the time they are in college to when they make it to the big leagues. So I am definitely excited for it.

What are you excited for most at the event for SXSW?

The opportunity to be interactive with the audience, more than I ever been. We got everything from the 62-foot-tall vending machine to performances with Doug E. Fresh, Ice Cube and Public Enemy. I'm really excited to see who wins and opens up for us to see what kind of energy they bring to the concert and what evolves from that happening.

In your promo video for the "For The Bold" campaign (ed note: watch at the end of this post) you say you want someone who is bold, dynamic and adventurous. In the hip-hop world right now who do you think has those qualities?

There are quite a few guys that fit that bill, for different reasons though. [Lil] Wayne is like that, Kanye [West] is like that. Those are two that definitely come to mind. In the grand scheme of things when it comes to legends you have ones like Public Enemy and Eminem that definitely have those characteristics. I am definitely like that. When I think about the way my new record sounds it fits those qualities. That is what we are hoping to find at the Doritos #BoldStage event at SXSW.

What was your overall experience in hosting/performing at the Grammy's this year?

It was a lot of positive energy in the air. I tried to make it fun and keep the show moving throughout the night. The quality of performances were amazing and I really enjoyed them. The Bob Marley tribute for one stood out to me and I also really liked fun.'s as well, with the whole water beating on them and their instruments.

The song "Whaddup" has a feel to it that is like "Mama Said Knock You Out." Is that the arena you are headed in with your upcoming release Authentic?

The record has a lot of energy and a great bravado to it but at the same time it's really diverse. Where I am headed with this is still doing the music that I love to do but keeping it current in the 2013 style. Ultimately it's just a true and authentic album that comes from the heart. I'm very curious to see how people receive it because I don't think it's what people expect from me.

When you came out with "I Need Love" back in the 80's you were criticized for going soft in an industry that is known for being tough and hard. So many artists like Drake these days do both elements really without critique, so do you think that element has changed in hip-hop?

I think that's just part of being one of the first people to do something. You get the praise and you get the criticism. I'm glad that people can realize my contributions to the genre and really become a meaningful part of what that is about. I'm happy to be one of the people to pave the way for that. Each time you get to do that it's a wonderful pat on the back for any artist. I'm very grateful for how my career has developed and I don't think I could've started at a better time. It's interesting because when most of my people started we were ineligible for Grammys. Now I've been hosting it for the past two years, so that's another first. I've learned throughout that just because you are the first at something doesn't always mean its instant gratitude, it comes with time.

That said, are you happy with the rap industry right now?

I mean what kind of hip-hop are you talking about? If it is the type that you hear on the radio nowadays and you are a 34-year-old who grew up on hip-hop from the beginning you may not like it as much. If you are talking about some of the music that is out there online, there are a variety of artists that are putting together some really unique stuff. I think hip-hop as a genre is very sub-divided in the sense that there are a bunch of sub-categories that go along with it. I think overall it's definitely not as bold, dynamic and adventurous as it was when we first broke the doors down. That's why it is the perfect time for me to get with Doritos and do a contest like this to find someone that has those characteristics. I'm not trying to be an elder statesman that slams the whole genre, that's not how I want to come across and not who I am. Just the way I see things in its current state.

Watch "LL Cool J Introduce the Doritos #BoldStage @ SXSW Video

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Hoodie Allen, 'Crew Cuts': Rapper Opens Up In Exclusive Interview

Ryan Shea — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:07:00 EST

Diana Levine Hoodie Allen has accomplished quite a lot at the young age of 23. From his Long Island roots to a permanent stay at the top of the underground music scene (ex: his All American EP topped the iTunes hip-hop charts last year), he is starting 2013 out with a bang. With the release of his new mixtape, Crew Cuts, and a 28-date tour, he has quite a year ahead of him. He sat down with The BoomBox Monday night (Feb. 18) at his mixtape release party at The Griffin in NYC to talk about all things Hoodie Allen. ...

How old were you when you decided to take your career seriously?

I would probably say around 13 or 14. It didn't exactly work out then. It became sort of a rebirth of that idea when I was finishing up school.

Who are some of your musical influences?

For hip-hop it can be anyone from De La Soul to Outkast as well as The Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest and Mos Def to name a few. In the late 90's-early 2000's I was really into pop-rock bands like Sum 41 and Blink 182 who were a big inspiration to me as well.

What are your thoughts on the term "frat rap?"

I don't really associate with that genre specifically. Not to go off on a tangent, but I don't promote drinking or smoking in my music. Those types of topics are associated with things that bring "white, poppy rap" down to an equal level. For me, I happen to do something that is kind of hip-hop and kind of pop and I look the way I look.

What can we expect from the Crew Cuts mixtape and how is it different from your previous efforts?

I wanted to make a real concerted effort to be more musical on this which is pretty much the best way to describe it. It is a little bit more grown up and way edgier and less safe. Other songs I have done in the past tend to be a bit predictable and safe and with this album I wanted to shift that completely.

Tell me about the collaboration you did with Chiddy on your song "Fame Is For Assholes"?

Me and Chiddy have played 20 shows in our lifetime together. Ones at colleges and that sort of world, yet we never actually got to do a track before. We have a similar fan base and I've always pushed for that collaboration to happen because I feel it would be a perfect fit and something that everybody could enjoy. The timing for this was great based off of that. When the fans found out we were working together they were totally psyched. The whole process came pretty naturally. I went to one of his shows and reached out to him after asking if he would come to New York to do a track. We did the whole song together from coming up with the verses and recording in the same room. It really came together well and the results turned out amazingly.

The hip-hop industry has sort of an unspoken 'inner sanctum.' Do you feel like you're outside of it?

I've had a lot of conversations about this in the past and had those feelings of "Why can't this work, why can't I fit in blah blah blah." I'm over having those emotions because I make music that I like and there is an audience that responds well to it. I am lucky to have that and am only focused on that factor. There are a lot of people in that world that wish they could have similarly to what I have. Kind of "grass is always greener on the other side," except for me I am happy to be where I am at.

Do you feel like you don't get half the respect you deserve?

I'm happy that I get to do this as my career. I get to tour on a national level and make a good living doing this. All of that other stuff will come with time and those walls in this industry will be broken down. You can't force stuff like that, it has to come naturally. Every release I do open's a new group of people's eyes that didn't see my stuff before and to me that is awesome.

Why do you think white rappers who are just generally happy with being white have a hard time fitting into the industry?

It is at odds with what the hip-hop roots are and what I grew up listening to. It certainly is an evolution because it's what people like. When I grew up I listened to a lot of underground music. Now that music can actually be me because I am underground yet prevalent on the internet so its much different. So many genres and people from different backgrounds are trying to fit into this mold and they all face separate challenges in getting their voice heard, so it's not specifically tied down to what I do.

What was the feeling you got when your All American EP debut at number one on iTunes?

I was ecstatic and stoked beyond words. Personally that was a goal but didn't have that kind of an expectation. It went way bigger than I ever expected and is my biggest career defining moment so far.

What else is popping for 2013?

To support the mixtape we are going on a 28-date tour. I am hoping to have my debut album come out at some point this year. I already had a goal of being number one on the independent charts but now I want to set another one where I am number one on the mainstream charts with an independent release.

What is the one thing that you feel not only defines you as an artist but ultimately as a human being?

I would tell people to follow your passions and give what you love a try. It is the only way to feel truly fulfilled in your life.

Download Crew Cuts at HoodieAllen.com

Watch Hoodie Allen "Fame Is For Assholes" feat. Chiddy Video

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