Year in Review....So Sincere

I first want to say I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday session. Tonight is New Years Eve and I hope everyone has an amazing time and is safe and happy as well. With 2009 literally knocking at my front door in a matter of hours, it makes me reflect on 2008 that will soon be a memory.

This year for me personally and professional, was great, hard, stressful and wonderful. I honestly can say I wouldnt change a moment of it to be at the very moment I am at right now. There are so many people that have come into my life, some have left but that I believe was the way it was meant to be. I saw a lot and I mean A LOT of people helping eachother and on the flip saw a lot of people stabbing eachother in the back. I hope for 2009 that more people can realize that this is a BUSINESS not a highschool. I hope that more people continue to give back and help where they can.

I wanted to share some of my personal and professioanl highlights from 2008:a lot of big "firsts" for me this year:

-Attending the Thresold Underground Music Awards in NYC-
Thank you to Kai Denninger Founder of Yoraps.com for allowing to represent Yoraps at the awards (Winner of the Website of the year!) Big shout to The Wattys Music Camp (Slick Watts was nominated for Midwest Artist of the year), Kalam aka Killah Beats, MR 44 who also attended the UMA's. It was great to be out in my hometown and be with some of my OH family!Special Thank you to Jesse Jess and Mars for the hospitality and for putting together the UMA's!

-Hugging Donny Goines before he went up to recieve his UMA for Buzz Factor of the year. This man's grind is UNMATCHED! and if you think I am lyin' GOOGLE HIM and watch what happens. But before you do that, let me give you some advice, make sure you get a drink and a sandwich cuz you gonna be reading for a while!and to Donny Goines, I got to say it here I TOLD YOU SO! :). Thank you for all your support!

-Attending the In The Know Seminars via Webinar. OK Kim Ellis and Wendy Day are about to change the face of Seminars as we know them. I have been lucky enough to attend 2 webinars and it is beyond convient and informative. I even got the webinar packet set to my house if I missed anything in my notes. I was able to answer my cell, do work, be at home and learn from some of the best in the business! This is the future....DONT SLEEP!

-Going to my very first ever Spit Boxin' with Suave Goddi and Al Porter. These men have knowledge and have helped CREATE this scene. Much Respect to both of you and everything and I mean EVERYTHING you do! and thank you for always being so amazing to share your knowledge.If you loose faith in this system, take time out talk to either of these men, and see the faith still in thier eyes and voices for Cleveland and the up coming artists in the scene.

-I went for the 1st time ever to: Kings of the Iron Mic and then to Kings VS Queens. all i have to say is, I was like WOAH! :) both put together by NappyHead Ent.. I think a lot of promoters need to take notes from them! PERIOD! They still doing the only way promotions for non headlined hip hop shows can be done, hand to hand/in the streets! KEEP IT NAPPY!Thank you for showing me so much love, and for continuing to bring shine to the Cleveland Scene.

-Attending the New Music Seminar in Cleveland Nov. 1st at the Crowne Plaza. The event was AMAZING! Special Thank you to Stephanie Carnegie and Kelo. I hope to coninute to be able to attend the NMS everytime it touches down. I learned a lot! and networked even more!



Some amazing performances that stood out for me:
-Paulie Rhyme in Cleveland on the Ice Bears Tour
-Prince Po in Cleveland on the Ice Bears Tour (Thank you Paulie)
-Boaz out of Pittsburgh.
-JBang at Peabodys
-MR 44 at the New Music Seminar finals
-Gotta Husle opening for Lil Wayne in Youngstown
-Scheme D and Lost Nation performing for the 1st time "Where Im From" at Peabodys.
-TuT on stage winning Battle Rapper of the Year.
-D.Roof at MR 44 release party

Special thank you's....

My business partners Ivette and MJK....What can I say, I wouldnt be standing right here at this very moment without all your help! You both are two of the most amazing human beings and unconditionally are there, and two of the hardest working people I know, I just am beyond blessed to have you all by my side!

To My Clients:
KJustice, Gotta Husle, Klassik, A Klassik Design, LBS Clothing CO., MR 44, Jay-Five, Kalam aka Killah Beats, Hunned Buck, DJ Nitro, RAPHEAD.COM, MR 44, Paulie Rhyme, The Sound Teck'z, Young Yonny, L.T. mOE
-I have a special relationship all our own with each and every one of you, and I am so amazed everyday that you allow me to be on this path with you. each of you work so hard, and are so talented!LETS GET IT! You are the reason I wake up and continue to work to be the best. Your grinds make me work 10x harder. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! I am so blessed I can't even express it into words. THANK YOU!

-Trillvision. Good Bad whatever, Trillvision the support you have shown artists, people, professionals and more this past year has meant a lot to many, I myself included. Thank you for your continued support and cant wait for sesson 3!

-Catalyst from NYC. it is rare you meet someone in the business who is not only on top of thier game, but also willing to help, is cool, professional and always about thier business. Catalyst is all that and then some. I apperciate all his help and support! I dont know how he does it but he is EVERYWHERE I turned. from Atl to Texas to NY!

-Nydrew, You are a true friend and supporter. I adore your hard word and admire your constant work ethic. you inspire me!

-Shaun D. I love you fam! You are one of the closest people to me. you are like my brother! I may not always like to hear what you say, but I apperciate that you say it! Thank you!

-Ryan-What can I say, you are like my limb, I am so glad you in this to win this!Thank you for coming back into my life, you were deeply missed.

-Kim Ellis and Wendy Day-hands down they are IT (for a lack of better words lol). I admire a women who does what she has to and keeps her business moving forward. I don't think it would be possible for new coming women like me if it wasnt for professional women like Kim Ellis and Wendy Day. As a women I say to them THANK YOU for leading and setting examples for all professionals in the business. and Thank you for being role models to women like me to learn from.

-Arica (manager for Slick Watts) what can I say, your grind is bananas! and your continued support def is most apperciated. To see a women like you making moves for your artist the way you do keeps me in hope that everything and anything is possible if you work hard, and then work even harder and keep focused! Thank you!


Coming Up in 2009...
*Klassik interview in Jan 09 issue of RapFanatic
*Klassik to drop EP, LP and another Mixtape 2009
*Paulie Rhyme Tour in Japan starts in Osaka 01/10/09- PaulieRhyme.com
*Paulie Rhyme EXCLUSIVE Interview on RAPHEAD.COM by: Underground Kween
*Hunned Buck Mixtape "What U been Waitin' for" Vol.1 Jan 09
*Young Yonny Bi-weekly Vblog "Producer Corner" on Yoraps.com
*Young Yonny working with Na'Shey, Jim Jones, Brisco Album and more.
*MR 44 opens for Naughty By Nature/M.O.P Jan 20th at BB Kin Theater in NYC.
*MR 44 album "Birth of an MC" available on CDBABY.COM
*MR 44 drops mixtape with Legendary DJ Showtime
*Green Giants tour starts Spring 2009
*Gotta Husle to drop Best Of and New Album Spring 2009.
*Sound Teckz Street Album coming Spring 2009
*Grind Hard DJ's Showcase with RAPHEAD.COM on May 6th at the Rockstar
(also Sin&MJK Bday Bash)
*L.T. mOE currently working on The Plague Album which is set for release: mid 2009
*Yoraps.com Nominated Online Magazine of the Year S.E.A's (March 19-22nd in Tunica Mississipi)
*"Love You So" Music Video by Velocity will be out Spring 09.
*Almost Famous showcase from ATL will touch down in Youngstown OH (I will be a guest judge for this event along side TJ Chapman and several others in the industry.)


There are SO many people I want to thank and HAVE to thank but we would literally be here all day, so I want to just shout a few people out by name who have impacted me (some on this list may not know it lol) in 2008 at one time or another and who deserve a big phat thank you! If you dont see your name come on now you know me I FORGET EVERYTHING! MY BAD!

Phoenix Jones, Shugabooga, Legendary DJ Showtime, DJ G-Spot, Marlo, Chris Z, Zelakhan, DJ Steph Floss, Dave S., Johnny O, Troy, Aundrea Jackson, Harlen Ashe, Shimmy, Speed, Underground Kween, Janiro, Xtro, Joey Fingaz, Ray Cash, Mexie, Pooh Manchew, Charity Luv, Jeff and Slick, Slick Watts, Gio, Ennio, Warbucks, Xplosive, Chip, Duke, Cool TLC, Jay Lewis, Tara, Amanda, Kristy, Siege, Velo, Heiku, Jawlal and Josh, Nate, Lou Draws, Ashley,Unknown, Tropikana, Rovella, Ang, Scratch Master L, Q, J.Hall, and My sister Jenna.

and last but never least my 8 godchildren: Fifi, Heaven, T, Jordan, Niki (R.I.P), Devon, Tashana, Jabari and my Nieces:Logan, Annalynn, Alicia, Marissa, Bre, Justice and my nephew Connor I think about you everyday and Aunti LOVES YOU MOST!

and Rest in Peace to everyone who was lost this past year. Cleveland and music lost a young voice this past year, Joy Cranfield. Her loss even though she was not close to me really impacted me. And to see so many of my fellow hip hop scene members support her charity event was very good for the heart. It was unfortunate it took a tragidy to bring some of us together, but we came together and thats what counts! We miss you JOY!!!!!