We are at the most revolutionary time right now in the entertainment industry! Rather you’re an artist, DJ, actor, record label, or even a hair stylist the number of independent contractors flourishing especially in Atlanta has sky – rocketed since the pandemic! Today more and more people are walking away from positions in Fortune 500 companies, offices and taking the leap of faith to build their own empires from the ground up! To do so takes a certain type of dedication, resilience and strength to tap into uncharted waters. Deshawn Rattliff aka Ocho Cinco has jumped into the waters just a few years ago and has been diving through the trenches ever since! Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA the budding entrepreneur wanted to make a way on his own so 10+ years ago he came to the Mecca of Black Hollywood, Atlanta. Anyone who has taken a chance with betting on themselves can relate to his story. 15 years ago, he moved to Georgia with his family and had to immediately adjust to a new environment and a shock compared to back home in Pittsburgh. Deshawn is an entrepreneur in every sense. He’s also a father so he’s always going to put the extra work in to make sure that his family is taken care of! The budding entrepreneur is the CEO of his own Dog Breeding Business, Za Za Kennels. Being a devoted family man, his children love animals, so he launched the business as a way to bridge his children with him. Za Za Kennels currently has French Bulldogs, Old English breeds and the infamous XL Bullys. The pricing ranges from $1k up to $10k on his more exotic breeds, and Za Za Kennels ensures that you’re getting top of the line service at all times! Follow Za Za Kennals on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zazakennals/ and the pups at https://www.instagram.com/frenchi_on_the_nawf/ Moving to Atlanta, 1 of the most popular cities in the music industry Inspired him to jump in on the wave in the south. Not only does Deshawn manage artists, but he’s open and available for artist consultations as well. If you’re unsure of the direction you want to go in with your music tap in with him! He is also the owner of ‘Bounce on the North Studio’ in Gwinnett. This full-service sound haven has professional engineers and is a solid place where he connects with his artists and other clients. Deshawn has talented artists under his belt and a quiet mentor in the industry Benny the Butcher, whom he says he gets solid advice from. This is a man always hustling and grinding to be better than he was the day before! Mentioning that he gets great advice from Buffalo, New York rapper Benny the Butcher, the most valuable information he’s received was that ‘it’s not for everybody, this industry is not always as good as it looks’. With a solid MC like Benny in support of him, several successful growing businesses, and ready to take 2023 by storm, Deshawn is heating up and building his table of success with his team! This year he plans to be more involved at his studio. Already there 5xs a week he plans to push out more star power from his elite roster including Bray Druz, Mr. Major, Succa Free, Ceeb, Pluggedin Diego, Loney B, K- Rose Royalty. “My thoughts on the music business are simply networking. If you don’t have a lot of networking skills, you won’t survive. You have to do things that you’re not comfortable doing sometimes but you will also need to have a serious network!” Deshawn Rattliff Follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/d4dnawf/ To contact Deshawn in regard to animal purchase, studio time, management, consultations etc. please email him at corey_deshawn91@yahoo.com Check out his Star artist Bray Druz
RIP to the RAP QUEEN ‘Gangsta Boo’ 🕊️🕊️
By: Carisha The industry is mourning the loss of famed Memphis rapper Gangsta Boo who passed away. Lola Chantrelle Mitchell better known by her stage name Gangsta Boo, was a respected rapper and the second female member of the music group Three 6 Mafia. The Academy Award winning group gained bigger notoriety off their hit single ‘It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp’, from the movie Hustle & Flow’. She left the label after the release of her second album due to creative differences, but her reign carried on forever! With several solo projects in her catalog as well as commendable collabs with Eminem, Latto, GloRilla and more, the MC was loved by many for her raw skills and personality. The rap Queen was found dead at a home Sunday morning according to the Memphis Police Department. She was 43. Known as a pioneer, she was amongst the first of female rappers to build off the Gangsta rap image and owned it! This was a sound that really took off in the 1990’s. As a teenager she joined Three 6 Mafia which went on to be one of the most influential rap groups of all time. There have been no immediate signs of foul play and the investigation is on – going reported by the MPD. Fans all around the world are mourning the loss of this powerful woman whose legacy will be remembered.
East Atlanta Rapper ‘SupaStarDaGreat’ Talks Contributing GREATNESS to the Southern Rap Game!!
By: Carisha the Diva To the whole world in the south particularly, Atlanta has become a city that houses some of the most talented individuals in the music industry. This is a city where new trends are started, and new sounds break into the mainstream masses. The rap game has housed some of the biggest Atlanta born artists and continues to keep adding ‘greatness to the line-up. Rapper / songwriter SupaStarDaGreat is amongst those names of people who are making monumental milestones. Hailing from East Atlanta, Georgia the rapper originally started out making beats before going full throttle into the rap game as a music artist. While he was still in high school, he was already directing and shooting his own music videos which evolved into completing successful singles, albums, connections and overall being respected in the city for his craft. SupaStarDaGreat managed to hit a major peak in his career after a press run on Atlanta’s notorious radio station Streetz 94.5 FM. From there he went on to perform at several stages, but most recently had a stand-out show at the 2022 Revolt Summit where he performed in front of Hip Hop greats DJ Drama, Atl Jacob, and Rhapsody. Not slowing down anytime soon the artist is planning to drop more music at the top of the year including the visual to his new hit single ‘Creed’ out now on all platforms. Follow SupaStarDaGreat on Instagram SupaStarDaGreat.com (@supastardagreat) • Instagram photos and videos Check out his Q&A below Talk to us about where you grew up?-I grew up around Decatur and East Atlanta which are very close by the way…both my elementary and middle school was in Decatur, high school was in east Atlanta. So, I mainly claim East Atlanta. How did you first fall in love with music?-My household, my family was very into music…I had all kind of instruments around my house for as long as I can remember. Who are your musical influences?-Lil Wayne, 2pac, Ye, Skooly, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson. What has been the most challenging aspect of maintaining your career?-Keeping up with all the changes in social media and the trends that affect how more fans are reached. How do you prepare to go into the studio?-I normally don’t, I just have a few beats in a folder and kind of create the vibe as I go along there, it works better for me that way. How would you describe yourself to the world. What do you like to do on your off time, favorite movies, food, introvert, extrovert, etc.?-I am very extroverted! I don’t hate on anyone for any reason, I love helping people and I’m very passionate about anything I do!My favorite food is “Broccoli cheese casserole” and my favorite movie of all time is “8 Mile”. On my off time I just spend time with my son or loved ones! How did you come up with your artist’s name?-I wanted a “Big” name to capture my energy and how talented I am at what I do. Talk to us about your new single ‘Creed’-Creed is that one track for real! Creed is a high energy club banger that highlights things like how me and all my people getting money, my girl is foreign, and how the way I’m kicking it other folks who “aren’t popping like me”! The best part is when I perform it the crowd goes crazy every time! What do you hope the single will display to the world about you?-How lyrical and talented I am with the different cadences and melodic flows I use in the song! What are your plans for next year?-Drop music videos to all the singles I’m pushing and continue to elevate to the next level How would you describe the single in 1 word.-GAK
T Hood, Elijah Lamar, Siva, Soufside Chino, & More Turn Up at ASIANAE’S Single Release Party for ‘New Atlanta’ at CLUB ESCOBAR
By Carisha the Diva Atlanta rapper Asianae has steadily been rising up the charts and heating up the streets with dope music. The leader of the infamous ‘Mermaid Gang’ had the whole city outside at Club Escobar in Atlanta Thursday night celebrating her successful new single ‘New Atlanta’. Asianae first hit the scene just under 3 years ago and started to get the attention of the radio DJ’s, labels, even Clayton County MC rapper Big Latto, SINGLE HANDEDLY creating her own wave out of the trenches. Signed to the infamous Break Em Off Music Group, the rapper is always booked and busy these days reaching new milestones in her career every day. Thursday night was another one for the books with a sold-out show at Escobar hosted by Jabo 2 Crunk. Since then, she has had several successful singles including ‘Period Pooh’, ‘Jump’ ft Erica Banks, Dingo and more. Her previous body of work, ‘Chosen One’ was nominated everywhere for best album and she’s been racking up the street nominations for best new artist. She also recently just got off tour with rappers Latto, Saucy Santana, and Kali leaving the streets begging for more from the beautiful rap Queen. ‘New Atlanta’ also features T Hood, Ace Apollo, Soufside Chino, and NDA Mollo. Always open to working with other artists and embodying a fresh empowering essence about her, she is winning the hearts of not just Atlanta, but the entire south who is beginning to pick up on the Asianae takeoff train. The club was packed with media, her supporters, and new fans who all came out to show love to her latest single. Rappers T Hood and Elijah Lamar were also in the building and opened up for Queen Nae. Taking the stage dressed head to toe in white, rocking long black tresses and a boatload of energy she shut the house down and left no crumbs after getting off the stage. Photography by King Leeq Photography Leeq (@kingleeqphotography) • Instagram photos and videos Follow Asianae on Instagram for upcoming shows, new music and more HURRICANE NAE (@theasianae) • Instagram photos and videos
BEAU SAGA THE ORIGINATOR OF AFRO-HOP BRINGING HIS SOUND THE MASSES!
By: Carisha Music is an art that can bring even the two most culturally different people together to embrace the beauty of the sounds. No matter what genre of music you prefer to create, there is a pair of ears somewhere on the planet who will appreciate it, and even have a personal testimony as to how it helped them get through a trying time. When you listen to what Beau Saga develops in his craft you instantly become filled with good energy, an easy spirit, and devour into relaxing island vibes to sooth your mind and soul. Not one to fill his music with anything but substance, this is a solid artist who takes his time to create something meaningful that his fans will appreciate. Beau Saga grew up in the Bronx but was born in Harlem. He did not have anything handed to him and had to earn everything on his own. This disciplined upbringing is what developed him into the artist he is today! Beau Saga was the 1st American born in his family, so he was able to see several things from several unique perspectives and have a versatile view on cultures as opposed to his family born back home in Africa. Beau Saga is the type of artist who can appeal to the masses. He embodies a ‘household name’ essence about him due to his easy listening lyrics filled with high vibration beats and Caribbean undertones. His single ‘Boots’ out now on all platforms is a must hear song that really highlights just how authentic he is with his sound! The song masters what he brings to the music world in his signature lane of Afro-Hop. Check out his Q&A below 1. Talk to us about where you grew up? I grew up in the Bronx yet was born in Harlem. I was raised in the south Bronx to be exact. I know this lifestyle can seem entertaining to the eye, but one must sacrifice and learn many gems along the way. In short, everything starts with knowing who you are. I was not born with a silver spoon, and I always considered myself a diamond in the rough. I have not had anything handed to me; I went out to obtain the things I dreamed for, which I am still jumping hurdles today to make it happen. Life is simple, does not mean it is easy. I am staying out of trouble, staying focused so I can remain financially stable to do things I need to do, meeting the right people at the right time to establish those relationships and friendships with those who can help aid me to the next level. 2. How did your upbringing influence your sound and your creativity as an artist? Being the first generation American in my family, I was able to see life through multiple lenses. Essentially this is how I was introduced to the disconnect that the barrier of language can inflict, and how one can feel social awkwardness being in a room full of “mixed backgrounds” even though we all can trace our roots back to Africa. I found this to be a frequent problem amongst the new gen Americans and sought to become an influence for change. Not only in the nightlife but as well in our day-to-day interactions between people and music. 3, When was the 1st time you fell in love with music? Where were you? What song did you listen to? I was always an outgoing person, an adrenaline junkie, which led to me trying my hand at a variety of sports, from basketball to track, and aggressive inline skating. I was constantly striving to push my body and myself to my utmost limit. All throughout my life music had a deep impact on my development. At a young age while at home in the living room with my father, he played Michael Jackson and upon hearing him was hooked on music for life! I was influenced so much that I later became a musician myself. 4. Who has been the most motivating person on this journey? I can not say it is solely one person, but more of the idea of legacy and family. I believe in the motto that it takes a village to raise a child. 5. Tell us a time you were most doubtful in your career, what were you going through and how did you push through it? I have been blessed with the opportunity to wake up every day and work hard while living in my truths. All the proceeds I receive from Beau Saga’s creative work, sustains me personally. From day one there were many obstacles and issues, but every day I grew increasingly in my craft and learned valuable tricks to the trade. I just had to remain focused and consistent. Eventually I began to strategize and work smarter. Although this journey is tedious and truly a marathon the rewards are astounding and speak for themselves. Follow Beau Saga on Instagram Official Page (@beausaga) • Instagram photos and videos Stream Beau Saga on YouTube YouTube Music Stream Beau Saga on Apple Music Beau Saga on Apple Music