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Chicago’s Growing Icon Precise Talks Hip Hop, Youth, Million Man March, & More (@Precise_chi)

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MJ: MJ here with On The Scene NY.   I’m excited for tonight’s interview as it’s always a pleasure to chop it up with Chicago’s own Hip Hop Artist, Actor, Motivational Speaker, and Writer Eddy Lamarre, known worldwide as Precise.  Here we are 4 years later and I want to first and foremost thank you for taking time from your industry moves for another interview! Let me also say that 4 years later I still listen to “Ladies Love Mixtapes” on a regular basis!

Precise: Hey MJ, thank you so much for that. I really appreciate you and the fact that you still listen to LLM, means so much.

MJ:  For those who are not familiar you grew up in a Haitian household where music was as natural as eating!  Your father was in a band and played instruments. What was it like for you to watch your father in his element?  Was that the initial spark that ignited your passion and love for music?

Precise: What I remember mostly was being surrounded by music all the time. The camaraderie and creativity always intrigued me. I knew it was something I always wanted to do. Hip-Hop provided the vehicle for me to follow this dream.

MJ:  You mention how you always dreamed about becoming a rapper.  But your first taste of Hip Hop and the culture was deejaying.  How did that evolve?  From there you went on to join a Hip Hop group.  Did you feel that something was missing?  Did you feel the need to experience and emerge into more within the culture? Is that when you decided to begin a solo career?

Precise: As a Chicagoan from the south side of the city House Music was always prevalent. I was always impressed by the blends and one of my friends John Evans who is a master at blending showed me the ropes. As I was learning how to deejay rap was evolving. I could always write and decided to write some rhymes the first verse I wrote was to Aaron Halls “Don’t be afraid”. It was mad wack but it got me started.  I did a few talent shows sharpened my skills then met two of my closest friends Vic “Creole the Individual” Moore and Christopher “Ideal” Rice, may he rest in peace. We formed Nub Earth and gained some notoriety in the city. Soon after life happened, we split and I decided not to put my pen on the shelf. I linked with Tye Hill and DJ Thunder of the Produktionix and we did my song “It’s On Me” and I was able to get back to what I love.

MJ:  You credit KRS-One, Slick Rick, Mos Def, Rakim, among other Hip Hop pioneers and legends for your style of lyricism.  You credit them as your canvas to paint beautiful images through lyrics.  I have followed you since our first interview about 4 years ago.  There are many attributes that classify you as unique and genuine.  The one attribute that stands out the most for me is your dedication to the culture of Hip Hop and not conforming to what media portrays as Hip Hop.  Hip Hop is not a genre of Music; it is a lifestyle.  Conforming to the latest trends that involve zero talent is a lane you refuse to follow.  Talk a little bit about that.

Precise: At some point in the evolution of Hip-Hop so many people would use rap and Hip-Hop interchangeably. I always want to make it clear that Hip-Hop is the culture and rap is one of the ways I express the culture. This culture has spread all over the world and it’s important not to lose sight of how it started and why its origins are important.

MJ:  22 years ago you had a life altering experience that continues to impact your life.  Share your Million Man March enlightenment.   What kind of influence did that historical event have on you as a man and as artist?

Precise: The Million March changed me in so many ways. The main way was it made me realize that I had to grow up and be a better man and a better father. Black men have a tough struggle around the world. To see one million black men gather for change was a transformation and always serves as a reference point in my development. I became more spiritual and self-aware. I continue to grow every day.

MJ:  I want to thank you!  Thank you for creating music not for the now, not for popular hits, but for the longevity!  “That Ol’ Boom Bap” is a perfect example of that music.  It is and will remain a timeless classic regardless of release date!  Share with us the story behind that track and how important that track is to you and to your fans, and to the culture of Hip Hop.

Precise: My manager Redell Drakeford linked me with an amazing DJ by the name of Dj Tekwun from New York. He was working on a release and I was fortunate enough to make the cut. “That Ol’ Boom Bap” is an ode to the culture and a nod to what is new. We can’t have one without the other.

MJ:  I want to also take this time to salute you!  Not only are you a phenomenal lyricist, but you are also an Actor, Writer, and Motivational Speaker.  How did those roles come about in your career?

Precise: All of us have a plethora of gifts. These are things that I was inspired to do. In this day and age there really is no excuse not to pursue your dreams. Nothing can stop you. I’ve done some sketch comedy, I write for the national publication Rollingout.com and I use my words to effect change. I speak truth to power. I speak life to the world.

MJ:  Talk about the youth!  Tell us the first three words that come to mind when you think of our youth.  Why has educating our youth become such a mission for you?

Precise: The first three words are love, future, and blessing. Educating the youth properly is important to not only their future but to ours because they are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to feed them properly and share positive vibes that lend to growth and a better world.

MJ:  For all your fans, supporters, and followers take a minute to share about current and upcoming projects.

Precise: I’m currently working on a project called “Man of the Ages”.  I have a song called “Speak Life” on all the streaming services that’s been picking up some steam. Right now I’m focused on getting better in all aspects of my life.

MJ:  Give us some fun facts!  Why Precise as your artist name?  What 3 artists are in your personal play list?  Where are your favorite places to tour?

Precise: I got my name from a Gangstarr song called “Precisely The Right Rhymes”… Right now the three artists I have in my playlist are Rapsody, Tyler the Creator, and G Herbo… I like New York, New Orleans, and Miami as places to tour.

MJ:  When we come back to the table in another 4 years what will we be catching up on?

Precise: 4 years from now when we catch up I hope to have grown as an artist and as someone who can influence others. My project would have broken some records and I’ll be moving on into the next phase of my career doing speaking tours.

MJ:  Is there anything else you would like the world to know about Precise?

Precise: I would like the world to know that I am doing this for a purpose. The reason I speak into a mic is for the uplifting of my people and the culture. I would also like people to know that I am grateful and appreciative to the creator for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. Also, stay focused, positive, and productive.

MJ:  I want to thank you again for taking the time out for MJ.  I want to thank you for being true to the culture and for creating that feel good music, that undeniable bona fide Hip Hop!

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Management: Redell Drakeford takeaxshun@gmail.com

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Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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