Artist Spotlight: I.V.

Wes “I.V.” Scott pays homage to his roots through his raspy tracks and dialect on his latest release “Album Practice” a mixtape hosted by DJ Young Breezye and DJ Prez that has been gaining a buzz in the South. Taking on dual duties as both rapper and producer I.V. is poised that it’s his turn in the industry. He started working with music when he was about 14. Started rapping first, then took a break from it for a long time to engineer studio sessions and produce tracks for others. He never gave up writing because it fueled his passion and was a release from the everyday struggles of the world. When asked what are the advantages of being both the rapper and producer, I.V. stated, “it gives me total artistic control doing both, and it puts me on my own timeline for music creation. I can produce a track, save it, and come back to it whenever I want. Lately, I’ve just been producing the tracks as I write the song.”

New Age asked I.V. what his outlook on mixtapes were he claimed, “It’s a love/hate thing, I love the avenue because of the exposure. It has helped me and a few other artists I work with closely to get the brand of music we produce out there. It has also hipped me to artists I wouldn't have heard otherwise, that put out quality music consistently. I hate it in the fact that some people just put out stuff without even considering the quality of music on the tapes versus the number of tapes they drop.” I.V. stays hungry by recording and producing tracks every day in his home studio. The ability for artist to record and produce their own music has changed the way we listen and discover new music. The industry is so accustomed to the standard that when artist like I.V. come along creating a new avenue the executives at labels don’t have the solution which can mangle the A&R formula. When asked what type of success he was looking for in the industry he claimed, both the indie and mainstream scene has pros and cons. “I believe the indie scene would provide the freedom of creativity I enjoy, but the mainstream would allow wider exposure. I wish I could combine the two and get the mainstream budgets with indie creative freedom.”

Some of IV biggest music influences can be attributed to his environment, growing up in Memphis, TN. I.V. was exposed to everything from blues to UGK and 8 ball and MJG. “They really showed me that I can keep my southern identity and do music that’s true to myself.” He credits Nas, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Black Thought for their lyrical ability and simply describes his style of music as what “feels right”. “I like creating music that people will sit down and listen to, or just drive and vibe to. I'm all about track selection and lyrical content. I just like making great quality songs.” The future is looking bright for I.V. who is partners with fellow rapper MT the Great, “We have some things in the works on the indie front that really will be DOPE in every sense of the word.”

You can hear more music from I.V. >>>> http://omg.ly/8LGk

Download the “Album Practice” mixtape for free today!
Follow I.V. @ www.twitter.com/ivonthetrack

Introducing Kidd Russell

Kidd Russell's music and name is sure to be in every household like a flat screen TV before the year is out. Perseverance, pure talent, and faith are sure to get this small town rapper with a sharp tongue to the top. Kidd Russell grew up in the sleepy town of Riverwoods, Illinois But growing up; his favorite music was harsh, urban hip-hop. Call it a small miracle but Kidd got his start writing after an unlucky break when he suffered an injury in high school. After junior college in Philly, Kidd left for California where his first hip-hop endeavors began in a radio production class. He wrote a theme song for a Powder Puff Girls Football team and after seeing how the girls and the students reacted to it, he was hooked. Kidd knew from then on, he wanted to become a song writer and performer. He then made a risky move by leaving school with only seven classes left to pursue a career in music. Kidd Russell never gave up and returned to Chicago where he enlisted help from a team of industry insiders and released his first solo album in 2006 called "Untied" and gained local and regional success opening up for acts like Common, The Roots, The Flobots and many more. Personal and creative differences with his team couldn’t hold him back he channeled his frustration and wrote his biggest single to date, “Dear Shooter”. His follow up single, "Rush" was picked up by 3 TV shows. In the midst of his success Kidd was faced with personal issues and misfortunes that could have very easily prevented him from continuing his craft. Fortunately his two new singles kept finding their own successes, carrying him through the dark ages in which he had little, if no resources, to continue making music. After a few struggles faith would have it that Kidd would be introduced to a producer, Matt Jenkins and Junkyard productions was born. The newly duo began to write and produce songs and finally the music and Kidd was getting the recognition that he dreamt of. In 2009, six songs were placed on TV including MTV, WB, HD.net, Fox Sports and more. They have created several wildly successful theme songs for professional wrestlers that are heard around the world. Their single "Rush: Rock Remix" was chosen for the TV theme song for Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDnet. This year Kidd Russell is set to release a new mixtape called RUDY RUTIGER MUSIC and his First full length album on JunkYard Productions title "BACKYARD HERO's is set for a March release. New Age was honored to get a one-on-one interview with Kidd Russell as he self-promotes his upcoming album:

New Age: What are some things that you have had to sacrifice to get into the industry?

Kidd: think it would be easier or it would be a shorter list to know what I haven't sacrificed. The life of an indie musician is hard and complicated. Every day you sacrifice time in your relationships, sleep, money and more. At this stage in my career I am the only person who is willing to invest this much in my dream. Its been worth it and the 14hour days marketing and promoting have paid off. I guess it’s like starting any business from scratch you have to put in the work and Time because without that effort you might as well not make music.

New Age: What are the advantages of making moves in the industry as an independent artist?

Kidd:The advantages are freedom to make your own decisions. The majors try to control buzz, release dates and everything which sometimes slows down what is organically happening in the streets. They only do that for monetary reasons. So the advantage to being indie is freedom to do what’s right for the fans and not what’s right for your label making money. Music is a service to people it gives them escape, happiness and brings people together.


New Age:What is your opinion on the industry's current state?

Kidd: I think I've figured out the new business model of the music industry. I can't explain it fully because it wouldn't be wise to give away my secrets. But I will say the mistake major labels make is that they try to make one big wave and ride it out. My philosophy is to find all the boats in the ocean making waves and ride with them because their waves are constant! I know stupid metaphor but it makes sense to me. I think the industry is a great place and it’s exciting because how fast and easy you can get music to listeners. You just have to be smarter about how to make money.



New Age:What is the best way to describe your music?

Kidd: I like to say it sounds like the Midwest, fall leaves, flannels, hoodies, love, football, friends and hard times rapped or sang over original reggae, rock, hip hop and occasional rockabilly beats. Or to put it simple my producer Matt Jenkins and I say we are the Ween of hip hop.


New Age: If you could collab with any mainstream artist whom would it be and why?

Kidd: Common he's been my idol for years. After that the rest would just be icing on the cake. If I could collab in another way it would be Zoe Salanda ;)!


New Age:What is the most important element in the TEAM you speak about in your bio? i.e. manager, producer

Kidd: My producer Matt Jenkins is the most important member of my team without him the rest of the people on my team wouldn't exist . Music comes first the rest is just getting it out there.

*Kidd has opened for: The Roots (twice), The Flobots (twice), Mr. lif (twice), Common, Uncle Cracker, Mickey Avalon, G Love and the Special Sauce, N.A.S.A., Glacier Hiking etc...

Hear and Purchase Kidd Russell music on Itunes today!
http://www.kiddrussellmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rickyrage
Dear shooter official video link


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTBStWcv5r0

Rush ROck Remix (hd.net theme song for Ring of Honor Wrestling)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmT5ylpk_LA

All-Star Music Edition

New Age will be bringing you some inside exclusives from All-Star weekend.Stay tuned for interviews, pics,and video from some of the rising names in the music industry.

Q&A with WanderingStar Management

Name, Age, Birthplace:


Traci Crews, 29, Cincinnati, OH

Modestly dubbed the “Queen of Nashville” Traci Crews is an entrepreneur and educated music junkie who has started her own music development/artist management company in Nashville, TN. New Age caught up with Traci to ask her a few questions about her roots, goals and views on the music industry state of mind.



New Age: What is your music background experience?

Traci: “Of course everybody has that same story where their parents played all the records growing up and all that. Well, mine is the same but I liked to tape the radio with My First Sony tape recorder. I always bought blank tapes to tape the songs off the radio to make my own mixtape of songs I liked to listen to. Music got me through a lot growing up, took me away from what was going on in my house. I could just pop in a tape and sing all the songs and rap all the lyrics. That's how I knew music was aesthetic just by helping me. My music background experience comes from being in the 5th grade starting out playing trumpet for band and ending high school playing marching baritone. After high school I came to Tennessee State as a mechanical engineering major and left after a year to pursue Audio Engineering at Middle Tennessee State. During that transition I was under Def Jam Records street team, interning in promotions at 92Q and volunteering at various music conferences that came to Nashville. After graduating from MTSU I engineered for about 5 years with signed and unsigned artists.



New Age: When and why did you start Wandering Star Management?

Traci: “I started WanderingStar Management in 2007 mainly because I knew a lot of talented people that didn't have a clue as to what direction they wanted to take their music in. Basically, they held the talent but didn't have the business end to make their talent profitable. Hence the meaning of the name WanderingStar, a talented person who is wandering about.”

NewAge: What is the most single most important advice that you would give to an artist on your roster?

Traci: “The single most important advice I'd give an artist on my roster is if you think you are worth it you need to find out how to exploit yourself to the fullest first before someone tries to come with a contract some money telling you they can do it for you because all they see is a cash cow in you and if you don't see the cash cow in yourself then you will get used until you cannot get used anymore and therefore you will be tossed to the side. KNOW YOUR WORTH.”

New Age: What type of artist would you like to work with?

Traci: “I’d like to first work with artists that have much talent. Talent to me comes first because no one wants to work with a talentless individual. That's not what drives my passion for music. Secondly they have to have a drive, a grind and a hustle to get to whatever goal they're trying to obtain. You have to want to work for yourself before any one manager is going to want to work for you.”



New Age: Current artist roster and things to look forward to at Wandering Star?

Traci: “WanderingStar Management current roster is FinessDaBoss and Diablo. I was under contract with Diablo from 2008-2010 as we are currently renegotiating contracts. FinessDaBoss is my new artist just acquired her in late 2009.This year I plan to brand WanderingStar, I will be more visible as I am continuing to build my company.”

“The world of music is constantly changing and we have to be able to help change it for the better or just be the one running behind those trendsetting and innovating.”- Traci Crews

You can find out more about what WanderingStar Management and what it’s artist have in store for 2010 at www.myspace.com/WanderingStarManagement and http://www.finessdaboss.com/Home.html

Follow @iamTRIZZ on Twitter!

NEW AGE: MEMO

New Age has got a lot of things in the works for 2010 we want to expose the most talented artist, exceptional business owners and communities. Please if you know someone who is worthy of notoriety  please send an email to mmoniquej@gmail.com for consideration on New Age.

K'Jon: Next to Blow

 The Detroit native got his start in 2003 when he recorded a demo and distributed it locally.  The demo found its way to New York, and after writing for a number of under-the-radar artists in the Big Apple, K'Jon got his first major placement in 2004-on the "2 Fast 2 Furious" soundtrack. He hoped that would open some doors. "But it wasn't happening," he says. "I wasn't moving as an artist or as a songwriter." Before K’Jon got his big break in the industry he was making strides in the corporate world after being fired he dedicated his full attention to his craft. Four years later-after self-releasing an album-K'Jon found himself frustrated with his singing career. It seems like many artist face the up and down spiral of the music industry before they really get the break they need and that’s when “On the Ocean” came to him. After writing the heartfelt lyrics over the warm, piano-based beat created by his production team, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, K'Jon began working the record independently and started receiving a positive response from Michigan radio stations. Labels always come running when they get word of a new talent that can achieve spins and sales independently. After getting the call from Universal Republic, he signed a deal months later. In 2009 “On the Ocean” peaked at #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since signing with Universal Republic K’Jon has released his debut album “I Get Around” which has sold 135,000 copies in the United States. 2010 is looking very promising for K’Jon who will continue to work on his craft of songwriting while promoting his album across the country.

Click here to find out more about K'Jon

City of the Week: Chicago

Chicago is known for having some of the best food, shopping, and music. If you happen to be visiting the city this weekend you can look forward to hearing sweet sounds from Robin Thicke, who recently released his latest album "Sex Therapy" which has been getting heavy rotation on radio. He will be performing at Vic Theatre/Brew & View - 3145 N. Sheffield Ave on January 23,7 p.m. If R&B is not quite your style then you can catch rapper Timbaland January 24, 11p.m. at House of Blues - 329 N. Dearborn St. Timbaland's latest single "Say Something" ft. newcomer Drake is HOT! Not quite into hip-hop or R&B you can catch a host of indie rock and alternative bands at House of Blues Jan 21, 7p.m. that include the Roots Down Below, Pacifier, and Pour Habit.