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Musician of the Month: JerVaughn Bratton

JerVaughn Bratton

From using pots and pans as his drum set and wooden spoons as his drumsticks, Jervaughn Bratton has had a love for playing the drums as well as music since the age of 2. Playing and any forms of percussion, Bratton speciality is the drums. After playing being the drummer boy for his church, Living Faith Ministries, located in Queens, Bratton is now a drummer for his band called ‘Poofy and the Busboys”. After playing for six years together, members of ‘Poofy and the Busboys’ are Charles Sams, the keyboard player, Justin Zim, guitar player, vocalist, Greg Ktcher, bass player Ronnie Lahzolatta and Bratton, have undergone seven name changes and five line- up changes, the Funk and Hip Hop band are still going strong. Although Bratton has high hopes and dreams for his band, the19 year- old hasn’t forgotten about his college education.  Bratton’s dream is to become a music production engineer, but at the moment, he’s studying music business with a minor in education.

Poofy and the Busboys

Q:  When did you start actually getting into music?

        My mom said in her womb I was beating her up. But I was two years- old and my dad had a camera and said that’s when I really started. My dad had “Black Magic Woman” by Santana playing, put some pots and pans out, gave me some spoons, tied a bandana on my head and we just started rocking out and I actually played. I watched the video a couple years back and I realized that I was on time for 8 measures. But I grew up playing in church. I’d get on during offering, I never really got former lessons, but my godfathers Leon and Deon Lacy, who are twins, taught me how to play. They’d always tell me pray before I play as well.

Q: What’s your religion and how long have you been going to your church?

            Living Faith Ministries where my pastor is Rasheen C. Rutludge and we just had our fourth year anniversary, in November. I’ve been going there for four years and the church was birthed out of my house, in our basement. Once in the basement, to me bringing my drum set down, my friend playing keys and my mom would do the praise and worship. We would do one song, and it would go to three songs. This year we actually got our first building. There’s no way we could have gotten it ourselves, without God. We had enough money to buy it, but that’s it. Our whole church is based upon faith. I grew up playing in church.

Q: What’s your bands future endeavors?            

For my band, the way we’re going right now is the right way. The goal we had for 2011, we met it and surpassed it. Our goal was to make an album and a video and for people to like it, and we did it. In two to three years, for a label to sign us and be able to put our music out there. And that’s what I want, but that doesn’t mean that’s what God wants. For myself, I want three studios.  The main one will be for professionals, artists like if Jay-Z wanted to come in. Award winning Grammy artist come in and record. I also want to have that middle studio for college and high school students, between 15 to 25 years- old. I want to be able to keep kids out of trouble. Music is getting cutt from schools. Come from school, and take the train to a local place, where there’s a studio. Kind of like a PAL but different. They’re learning how to play an instrument, but they’re mixing down too. They want to cut down the arts and its what keeping people insane.

JerVaughn in action

Q: What set started the ignition for you to take music seriously?

I was thirteen and I grew up playing baseball only. At that time, I played the drums only at the church. At that specific year, I pulled out my back and the doctor said I couldn’t do anything strenuous for three weeks. So, I couldn’t play for six and seven games. I was in the school jazz band but I’d miss rehearsals for baseball practice. Then I started making all the rehearsals I would usually miss. After that, I was like I love baseball, but I didn’t really want to do it again. I tried out my freshman year of High school, and I didn’t make it. And that was the kicker, and I never ever gotten cut.  

Q: Now you do say that your inspiration comes from church, what’s your favorite Bible verse?

            Psalms 150. It’s kind of like a musician’s favorite Bible verse. In church, if people are there worshipping, giving God praise, usually the drummers are rocking out the tempo. That’s the thing with musicians in the church, we have the ability to change the atmosphere from one place to another. We’re here to praise God and I can do that all the time, by playing the drums.

Q: Did your parents have any particular influence for your love for music?

My mom was a born and raised singer. She’s been singing her whole life, from Donnie McClurkin, to Hezekiah Walker and Dorinda Clark-Cole. She also pushed me to be involved in music and brought me to her concerts. She’ll have lead songs in the choir and take me to all these events.

 Check out JerVaughn's band, Poofy and the Busboys' video entitled 'Victory'

Musician of the Month: Bernard "Bizzy Bee" Smith

As if being a college student isn’t already enough, students like Bernard Smith are willing to go above and beyond the status quo to achieve their dreams. The communications technology major is taking ambitious steps to advance his career. Considering himself a jack-of-all-trades, the 20 year old Brooklyn native is a father of three-year-old son named Bernard Joseph Smith III, and is a rapper, manager, videographer, promoter, a producer of his own production company, Bizzy Bee Production. Smith received his rapper name, Bizzy Bee, from a couple of friends at the tender age of nine. Growing up with that moniker became a lifestyle for Smith.

Q: Who have you managed?

Well, its not like I exactly manage, but I take people under my wing. For example, my home girl Briell$, without that push from me she wouldn’t have been serious about her music. My friend Fidelity, he’s a rapper and a singer and I was really on top of him and now he’s working on a mix tape. I have some younger artists. I always look for the youth, especially those who don’t have that connection so I can give them an upbringing.

Q: So where does this passion come from?

I love music since I was little. That was my first excuse to curse, when I bought that DMX album and asked “Mom can I curse, when I listen to the song?” Then one day I got into film, and I said I was going to use film to help others with their music. With music there’s always a message. A message isn’t felt unless you actually see what they’re trying to say.

Q: I see you mention DMX, who else inspires you? Who are your top five rappers die or alive?

That’s always a hard choice, but that’s Nas, Biggie, Pac, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and I can keep on going but that’s some of the top that has hit me in the heart.

Q: Besides Nas, the others they haven’t really put a record out. So who are one of your favorite rappers out right now.

I would have to say Common, Kanye West. I’m not that much of a Weezy fan. I respect Lil Wayne as an entertainer, but not as an artist, he doesn’t click with me. I’m not going to say Jay-Z though, just because he’s from Brooklyn. I would say Busta Rhymes too.

Q: How do you get artist that’s under your wing to ignite that fire and get that passion out?

Basically, I give them tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years as an artist who loves music. I bring the best out of them by bringing the worse out of them. Until you touch what the hell is messing with you, your music won’t really be you. I try to help people understand, if it doesn’t fit you try to adjust it to you, instead of people that doesn’t exist.

Q: Does your career affect your son?

My career affects him whole-heartedly. He’ll listen to my music all day and say “That’s Daddy!’ He keeps me pushing because there’s days where I really can’t walk or stand up and carry what I’m carrying, whether its cameras, but I still have to get out of the house and do it because I’m doing this for him. At the end of the day, I need my son to have something when I leave. I don’t care if I live before him or after him. People say people make mistakes, but I now I’m following up.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Simple,  Bizzy Bee Productions on everything. I got people. I got skills and I’m a people’s person and it’s easier to work with people who are humble, other than someone who think they’re the sh*t.

Q: You say you’re a rapper, how many mix tapes do you have out?

It’s crazy you mention it because I wasn’t going to drop my first mix tape. Right now I’m working on my second one, Instrumental Crazy 1.5. If it weren’t for Lady Poison, I wouldn’t have dropped my first mix tape. Literally I’m too conscious of a rapper. Most of the stuff I put out would really appeal to the public, you would have to sit down and listen to my lyrics. Right now I’m working on an album right now called Writings of a Loser. It consists of deep thought, original beats and more realistic lyrics because I’m going to talk about not just my life, but also the life of someone who people consider a loser. Someone who has been pushed back from their goals. So it’s going to be real.

Q: How does the mother of your child feel about your career?

Honestly, she has always supported me. We might have had a few altercations, but I tell her she’s not with me all day for you to tell me what I’m doing is not that important. It gets real between us, but at the end of the day she still supports me.

Q: Have you met any celebrities?

Yes. I’ve been to Doug E. Fresh’s house. I’ve met Slick Rick, Grand Master Flash, Furious Five. I’ve met a lot of old school rappers, new school wise I met Fabolous. I met 50 Tyson and that was the highlight of my career. He came to New York for the first time, and to actually watch him perform, its crazy because he can sell out a show. He has something that a lot of artists don’t have, which is stage presence.

Q: if there was a label you’d like to be signed to, what would it be?

I would have to say Shady Records. I wouldn’t sign under Jay or Diddy because it wouldn’t make any sense. If I sign up with you all I’m getting is a good name on my back. A lot of people don’t get love because of the label their under.

Here's a video of Bernard Smith's work. 

New Music: Rihanna- You Da One

Ahhhh shhhhh... SHOT! RiRi is back at it again! With her 6th album entitled "Talk That Talk", Rihanna has debuted her second single called "You Da One," after her pop single "We Found Love." This single brings me back to that middle/ high school kind of love, where all you think about is your significant other, or even the 'honeymoon' phase in any relationship.  "Talk That Talk" is out in stores November 21st.




                                                    







                                                                Rihanna- "You Da One"
            

Here's Rihanna's first single - "We Found Love"

Meeting Tyrese!

November 1st was a big day for me! Not only was the first day of such a festive month (Thanksgiving and Black Friday), but THREE incredible artists blessed huge fans, like me, great music. DC rapper, Wale debuted his sophomore album entitled 'Ambition' with featured artists, like Jeremih, Miguel, fellow Maybach Music Group rapper, Rick Ross and many others. Singer and now rapper, Trey Songz gave his fans a double dosage by releasing two mixtapes. One entitled 'Anticipation 2', which is R&B and the other  'LemmeHolDatBeat2', which portrays the rapper side of Trey Songz.

In addition, actor, model and singer Tyrese debuted his fourth album 'Open Invitation' after taking a hiatus from the music industry. On this album, Black Ty has Rick Ross, Ludacris and many others featured on it as well. Right now, Tyrese has two singles out 'Stay' with 'Baby Boy' Co-Star, Taraji P. Henson, featured in the video and 'Too Easy' featuring Ludacris. On this album, Tyrese is bringing a 'Melange' of different types of music. While 'Stay' brings me back to old school R&B, 'Too Easy' gets me amped to go out and have fun.

Luckily for me, I had the pleasure of meeting Tyrese for the FIRST TIME (and most certainly not the last)! Tuesday Evening, Tyrese was signing albums at the Basement Mixx in Brooklyn, New York. Once I found out that Tyrese was just a town away from my school my friend Clloyd & I GPS'ed our way to Brooklyn. And ladies I must say, Tyrese looks absolutely handsome in person ;).  Be sure to go ahead and buy the album! 

All Photo Credit goes to Clloyd Smith*

Circle of Sisters 2011

Sunday, Oct. 9^th, I had the opportunity to attend the 5^th annual Circle of Sisters convention at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City. Sponsored by 107.5 WBLS-FM and 1190 WBLI-AM, the Circle of Sisters was a two-day event that's filled with concerts, informative events and panel of discussions about how African American women can ameliorate their lives by staying fit, eating healthy and tons of other activities.

In attendance were many A-list celebrities, such as, Boris Kodjoe and wife Nicole Ari Parker, radio personality, Egypt, runner-up in season two of BET’s ‘Sunday’s Best”, Jessica Reedy, and winner of season three, LeAndra Johnson, as well as many others. Although I didn't get the opportunity to go both days, I absolutely enjoy myself. 

It was also my pleasure to meet some of the celebrities, like Egypt and Brian Carter, who gave great me advice on my endeavors in my degree in Journalism.

Here's a video of the Circle of Sisters 2011 (Courtesy of Circle of Sisters).

Me meeting radio personality Liz Black

Nicole Ari Parker & Boris Kodjoe 

BET's Sunday's Best Winner of Season 3, LeAndra Johnson



Trin-I-Tee 5:7 were also performing! 

Me meeting Runner up of BET's Sunday's Best Season 2, Jessica Reedy

Aww man! I must say meeting Jessica Reedy was such an honor! She’s just so down to earth, and humble, that even when she was bombarded after her performance with fans, she still managed to kept her cool. 

The City Gym Boys were also in FULL EFFECT! (eye candy for the ladies!) 

One of the COOLEST DJ I've met DJ Marcy & I

DJ Marcy & I trying to be cool. 

From left to right: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker & Brian Carter

On Sunday, the Circle of Sisters had a Gospel Explosion that was attended by many well known Gospel artist, such as, Dorinda Clark- Cole, Canton Jones, Erica and Tina, a group also known as Mary Mary

Dorinda Clark-Cole

*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

The legendary Yolanda Adams

*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

Joe & Coco Brother

*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

Erica & Tina members of Mary Mary

*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

Canton Jones performing at the Gospel Concert
*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

Canton Jones
*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters

Radio personality Coco Brother
*Courtesy of Circle of Sisters 

The exercise forum

Overall, this was one of the most informative, adventurous and inspiring conventions I have been to to date; and I am most certainly looking forward to going next year! 

Grace Cathedral's Youth Revival

      Last night, September 23^rd 2011 I went to a gospel concert that inspired me to live my life more for Christ. It was at Grace Cathedral International, which is a church that is known for their live church services, amazing concerts and warm welcoming people.  At the concert, I had the pleasure to see Richie Righteous perform and I must say that listening to every lyric of all the songs he performed, it was the spirit of conviction that overwhelmed me because I wasn't living my life fully for Christ. 

 With swag like no other, Richie Righteous is a Gospel rapper that makes sure that the audience is having a good time praising the Lord. Performing hit songs like Do Wut It Do, and Who You Representin from his latest album called R.I.C.H., which stands for Resting In Christ's Hands, Richie Righteous’ main objective when performing and in life is to spread the gospel.
         The youth that was at the revival were not only enjoying themselves, but wanted to rebuild or start a relationship with God, especially after Richie did an alter call for those who wanted to seek God.
         Because his performance stunning performance, I just had to take a picture with the  man himself and of course buy the album.

Me cheesing pretty hard, a little too hard.


                                         Here's a song, Who You Represent? off his latest album R.I.C.H. 

                                      

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

   

The youth of Grace Cathedral

Man of the Hour: Richie Righteous

Kids dancing to Richie's single Who You Representin'? 

People patiently waiting for Richie Righteous to perform