| B.L.K. LEIGYON from Michigan, USA |
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| Written by tricksta |
| Friday, 01 January 2010 18:56 |
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Bless: “We are from the United States, Michigan to be exact. Me (Blessit B.), Big Meeks & M.A. Grays are from a small town called Benton Harbor. Ahnanymis is from Grand Rapids, but we are all from the same state. In my personal opinion where we from the hip hop scene are not where it should be. Grand Rapids and Detroit are really the only two cities in Michigan that are really up on underground hip hop. Their radio stations play underground music and also they have numerous record shops and hip hop nights at clubs. Both cities also have a lot of DJs most of them are under DJ Drama’s AMG label. There are plenty of rappers in Michigan and quit a few does their thing might I add.” How did you get into music and what was the first Hip-Hop record you ever brought? Bless: I got into the music industry by just keeping at it. I been writing since a child, well at least I was trying to write rhymes when I was 8 (lol). And as time went on I just elevated and it came a time that I had no choice but to get into the business. When we formed the Leigyon it was more then four of us but things change and so do people. And not everyone was on the same page so we moved on. I’m not gone get into who those individuals are because they are not important anymore. It’s who’s left that’s important. M.A. Grays, Big Meeks, Ahnanymis, and myself (Blessit B.) all came together and took initiative to continue recording and putting music out. You know getting mixtape slots, mixtapes made, myspace plays, etc. My first record I ever bought was Kris Kross Tape. No CD's then lol. I banged that in my walkman for months. Then I got into the Nas and Pac, you know. M.A. Grays: “Well the first CD I bought was Styles P. Gansta and a Gentleman. I have always been into music I just never saw myself getting into the music business it just happened. Bless was a help in assisting me in actually recording my work. I could go on but I’d be rambling...” Big Meeks: I got into music because of my cousins they introduce me to it through videos and what not. I just followed suit and listened to what they listened to. The first CD I bought with my money was Kris Kross Ahnanymis: The first album I bought was Aaliyah One in a Million. I didn’t start in music necessarily I wrote poetry and short stories it just developed into putting my stories and lines together over a beat. The rest is history. What have you released so far and what has the response been like? Bless: “Well we have only been on two of DJ Ames mixtapes and recently we released our first instalment of mixtapes titled “Denotation” hosted by DJ Ames. We have quit a few downloads since it has been out but we still got time. The streets are feeling what we are aiming at though. Plus it’s just the first of many. We have so much material its ridiculous.” M.A. Grays: “It’s been aight...” Big Meeks: “I was surprised at the outcome so far. I didn’t think it would get a good response so quick.” Ahnanymis: The denotation dropped and I feel like the material we put out was good but not where our skill level is now but it’s been doing aight for the amount of time it’s been out. What would say is the most popular track that you have released to date? Bless: “I would have to say “Repping BH” it is the hardest but “Living for The Moment” was my favorite.” M.A. Grays: I for one think it is “MayDay” because that shit was tight...oh, sorry.” Big Meeks: “I would say “Changes” because it was something different and real.” Ahnanymis: I agree with MayDay but Livin for the Moment is the truth, that’s top three mos def. What producers, mixtape DJ’s, record labels and rappers do you work with, and label are you signed to? M.A. Grays: “Well I do most of the production; we have other beats made by our friend Sizzle who deals with the same manager as us, an underground cat that lives in Niles, MI, who goes by the name Undesciple, and Benton Harbor Native Lil Harbor. We deal with a few rappers on the recording tip and a few on just shout outs and plugs. For instance we have tracks with Zapp Sola and G.C. they are both from Benton Harbor. Also we have a track with AK Billionaire of Do or Die on our next CD. We also deal with our good friend Breeze who also deals with the same manager as us and same label. We are not technically signed but we deal with Strictly Biz ENT. An independent label out of Minneapolis, MN and we are trying to brand our own label also. And we deal with DJ Ames as far as it goes for DJ’s. We have other DJ’s on deck for mixtape slots and things like that but we only feel as if DJ Ames can give us what we need when it comes to hosting and promotion etc. and supporting up and coming artist such as ourselves” Tell us about your latest release, who it features, what producers where involved and where you recorded it. What radio stations in are supporting your music, and how important is radio play in the digital age? M.A. Grays: “I feel that it is not important to me because I personally don’t listen to the radio and I nobody I know listens to the radio.” Big Meeks: “I feel like radio is important but it depend on which radio station. Because aint nobody listening to Benton Harbor radio station that would get out of Benton Harbor. So we are working expanding where we from.” Ahnanymis: Presence is more important than radio. The radio might not necessarily want to hear what we have to say, but that don’t mean the streets don’t. You Tube is a massive medium now for worldwide exposure. Do you have your own channel, and apart from music videos what other footage do you have? Bless: “That to we are also working on. We have footage but we haven’t placed it on You Tube at the moment. But we have a channel ready for us to put the music and videos and interviews on there. Its coming, we realize the importance of the visual exposure so all of the above will be on there shortly.” M.A. Grays: “Yeah what he said” lol. Ahnanymis: You can still get exclusives though on www.myspace.com/blackleigyonallday. As a recording artist or musician how do you hope to stay earning money in a time where record sales are notoriously bad due to downloading? Bless: “Me personally I hope to stay earning money by street sales and digital sales. But I’m not looking to get just that out of it cause its not just about making money for me. I really love music and love making music. So I only want to make money cause it’s still a business and people have to survive but money is not the only thing its about. My vision is to put out good music, feel me?” Big Meeks: “Out the trunk selling, selling at shows, doing more shows, heavy promotion with flyers and posters everywhere we possibly go.” Ahnanymis: This is just a stepping stone for other ventures, we see how it is so we livin like it affects us too, it forces us to think smarter and how to avoid it. Thanks for your time, before you go is there anything you want to add? Bless: “I would like to add that if you’re trying to come up in this business be patient, stay humble, stay focus, and aim at something. Also look for our next release in Feb. titled “Anti-Swagga” a double disc by the way. It full of original songs no industry beats this time. It’s more like an album then a mixtape so we call it our mix-album, be aware of it. Also we have a DVD coming soon title “The Music Business Unscripted” along with it we will release CD’s to go along with the concept of the DVD.” M.A. Grays: “Look for the Anti-Swagga next year and cop the Denotation. Don’t care how you got it when you get it just get it!” Ahnanymis: Thanks everybody for the support, shoutout Grand Rapids and the whole Midwest. Denotation first CD in the catalogue so get ya collection started while it’s free. We in a recession. www.Myspace.com/blackleigyonallday Interview by Tricksta |
| Last Updated on Friday, 01 January 2010 19:36 |
