Independent Artist Spotlight

TAKNbySTORM

What got you interested in pursuing a musical career?: I got kind of tired of hearing negative content in popular Music. Music Videos and Songs on the Radio are raising our children. So I decided to write Music from my Heart that people from all walks of life can connect with and benefit positively from.
Can you give us a background on your career so far and your overall experience in music?: I was always active in Choir at school as well as the Drama Club. And I had always written Poetry. Most of my experience thus far has been with smaller Venues and Clubs, but the most rewarding ones have been in programs where I have spoken to juvenile delinquents as well as performed for them.
Are there currently any places where visitors could go to see you perform live?: I just performed at the 2008 Juneteenth Celebration in Austin, Texas. I can be seen at the BossBar in San Antonio, Texas. Other Venues will be announced.
Looking back on your musical career thus far, what's your proudest moment?: Writing, Producing and Performing the Song, "What's Going On?", a Tribute to the Victims and Survivors of Hurricane Katrina.; TAKNbySTORM's "Your Luv" off of his new album, The Return:

Gina Green

What got you interested in pursuing a musical career?: I realized at an early age that God gave me a gift and I wanted to use that gift and not let it go waste. I have always been drawn to music. I love everything about it. Why not spend your life pursuing what you love?
Can you give us a background on your career so far and your overall experience in music?: I started singing as young as 8 at school and went on to recording my first project in 1996 with a Christian rap group the GOGZ. From that I signed my first recording contract with Grapetree records releasing my first out of 3 gospel CD'S "IN HIS TIME." My second CD was released in 2003 "CHANGES", "TELL UM" was independently released in 2005, and my current CD, which was written and executively produced by me, "MY JOURNEY" was released this year. This is my first Neo Soul Album and "TRUE LOVE" is the first single to be released from this CD.
Are there currently any places where visitors could go to see you perform live?: Yes, I will be performing a Stevies Creole Cafe on Sunday June 29, 2008 at 8PM in Encino, Ca.
Looking back on your musical career thus far, what's your proudest moment?: When I received a Las Vegas Black Music Award in 2006 for best female performer.; Gina Green's first single from her new album. The track is titled "True Love":

LeVar Thomas Pt. 2

I understand you're from Atlanta, Georgia, but your imeem notes that your network is now New York, NY. Both cities are real hot beds for music. Do you feel the flavor of R&B in the two regions differ much, or are the styles similar in both regions?

Well I was born and raised in Beech Island, SC near Augusta, GA. I've been living in NYC for about 5 months, and I find that there is a bigger playing field for singers in NY. There were a lot of rappers on the scene in ATL but singers come out in force to open mics here.

I saw on your imeem profile that you've got an EP you're working on. Can you tell us what your goals for this project are? How has the progress been going on this?

Since I am an unsigned artist, the EP will double as a demo and my first formal release. I hope the disc will make me a household name. I have already completed the writing for the EP and "Missing You" is the first single.

Looking forward at both the immediate future and the long range, what do you have planned for your musical career?

At this point, my major focus is completing and releasing my EP. I look forward to working hand in hand with producers, engineers and other songwriters to perfect my sound. Most people don't know that everything I have done is out of my home. I write, record and promote myself all from my living room. In the future I hope to have made timeless classics to inspire a whole new generation of singers and songwriters, like the ones who've inspired me.

If you could team up with any artists or producers to work with in the future, who would you be most interested in working with on a collaboration?

This is such a hard question because there are so many that I am inspired by. I would most of all like to write a new classic with Stevie Wonder. I also like the live sound of The Roots, Erykah Badu's style and vocal power, Kanye West's ability to flip a classic and many others. These are just a few that I could make magic in the studio with.

As a 90s R&B site, one of my best ways of evaluating an artist's talent is his or her taste in R&B (okay not really, but it's always nice to know). So what are some of your favorite tracks from the 90s?

Aww man! You're wrong for that question. How much time do you have? I could go on for days but a few of those would be.

Blackstreet - Before I Let Go
SWV - Right Here (Remix)
Shai - If I Ever Fall In Love
Silk - Freak Me
R. Kelly - Sadie
Case & Joe - Faded Pictures
Aaliyah - At Your Best
TLC - Waterfalls

Another track by LeVar, this one's titled "Gotta Love You":

Back to Previous Page