3 CONTRIBUTORS...........................

7 EDITOR’S LETTER...........................

8 HEY MISTER DJ...........................12 TOP 6 RAP ARTISTS12 TOP 6 RAP ARTISTS

............................WE’VE FOUND MUSIC ARTIST’S YOU’LL WANT TO LEND AN EAR

TOO...........................

16 MUSIC MEETS FASHION...........................

BEAUTIFUL DRESSES AND RHYTHMIC MUSICIANSBEAUTIFUL DRESSES AND RHYTHMIC MUSICIANS

26 FEATURE...........................

RAHBI! RAW

32 HOW NOT TO GET YOUR CD PLAYED

...........................WE GIVE ADVICE TO YOUNG EMERGING MUSIC ARTISTSWE GIVE ADVICE TO YOUNG EMERGING MUSIC ARTISTS

Abstract Blends

of AllureFashions

by Jasmine Stocking

Curtis Taylor is the definition of a work in progress. He never realized that

picking up a camera would make him a photographic sensation. His photo-

graphs of famous names in music such as, J. Cole, B.o.B., Wale, and

Chiddy Bang have been featured in XXL Magazine. He is currently pursu-

ing a degree in journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communication

at the University of Missouri. Check out his photographs in our fashion

meets music photo shoot.

c o n t r i b u t o r s

Location: Saint Louis Art MuseumPhotographer: Dairon Forrest

Location: Saint Louis Art MuseumPhotographer: Dairon Forrest

St. Louis, Mo.St. Louis, Mo.

WHAT

WE’VE

SEEN

WHAT

WE’VE

SEEN

WHAT

WE’VE

SEEN

WHAT

WE’VE

SEEN

4

llllllll

Art onthe

STREETS

4

Location: Downtown ChicagoPhotographer: Martilla Davis

Chicago, Ill.l l l l l l

PHOTOGRAPHY

WRITINGPUBLIC RELATIONS

ADVERTISING

GRAPHIC DESIGN WEB DESIGN

FASHION BUSINESS MANAGEMENTCOMMUNICATIONS

Rikki ByrdRikki Byrd

We want to hear from you. Send us your feedback our issue at

sculptmag@yahoo.com

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @SculptMag

e d i t o r’s l e t t e r

77

By popular demand—we’re back! Our first issue gave you a taste of emerging artists in the St. Louis metropolitan area, but this time we’ve sought music artist from the East coast, the Midwest, and even the dirty South who are striving to make their footprint on the music industry. It’s obvious that music would fit into the seams of It’s obvious that music would fit into the seams of my passion for art. I come across young people daily who are making a hard attempt to become the next music phenomenon out of their basements, makeshift studios, or even the pavements in front of their homes. So, this issue I’ve decided to pay ode to some friends whom I know well, and others who I’m happy I will know later on in life.I will know later on in life. Check out our feature story on Atlanta artist, RAHBI Hines. Hines is defining his own genre of music being noted as the next Prince (now that’s a big deal). He gives us details on his friendships with R&B artists we’ve come to love, and I’m sure after reading this story you’ll come to love him just the same. We combine music and fashion on our pages this issue as we spend an afternoon under a beautiful tree in the park and our models take on the sounds of mar-velous musicians. If that isn’t enough, we’ve done some research and got the inside scoop on the art of the DJ. We’ve even searched around the nation for DJ’s that are getting their feet wet in the industry. Make sure to check and see if you neighborhood DJ is featured our pages. I hope that you find this issue as magnificent as you I hope that you find this issue as magnificent as you found the first. Continue to inspire, as we continue to evolve.

BY BRIDGET BOTCHWAY BRADLEY

Unfortunately, the groundbreaking music that used to blast through our radios has quickly been belittled by ridiculous dances and degrading lyrics to women, (think Soulja Boy’s “Crank Dat” and Travis Porter’s “Make It Rain”). The laziness in the composition of song lyrics have also began to affect the art form of the DJ. Similar to the newspaper, the DJ community has suffered blows due to new technology in software and hardware that can make literally anyone with access to a Best Buy, iTunes, or simply the Internet into a DJ.

The 1980s. The era that was full of thick gold chains and Adidas shell-toe tennis shoes. The era where the cool kids carried huge boom boxes on their shoulders, and ran home to watch “Yo! MTV Raps.” The era where hip-hop evolved and the parties bumped with the latest music. The era where your neighborhood disc jockey conwhere your neighborhood disc jockey con-trolled the success of the party, and contin-ues to do so today. From Madonna’s iconic song, “Hey Mister DJ” to Lil’ Wayne’s “Go DJ,” disc jockeys have played a crucial role in the foundation of hip-hop music. 16-year-old Ray Newby was credited as the world’s first radio DJ. Newby origi-nated the art behind the DJ in Stockton, California with the help of long-time mentor and radio pioneer Charles “Doc” Herrold. Newby played records on a spark transmitter at his local radio station. The popularity and influence of the DJ would continue throughout the 1980s and 1990s as DJ masters such as Kool Herc, Grand Wizard Theodore, and Tom Lewis made their marks in Hip-Hop.

We request songs and dance to the beats of our neighborhood DJs. We give you the pros and cons on the art of the DJ.

Hey Mister

DJ!

Hey Mister

DJ!

audio dj diva jdj aries

These recent advancements in music mixing and scratching have cultivated a new crop of “press play” DJs, who merely press a button and let the music play. This new crop of DJs present a slight threat for those who want to preserve the art form. Dr. Treva Lindsey, professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Missouri views the new technology with some optimism. Lindsey points out that even the legendary DJs use technology, but makes it clear that the greatest DJs know when the technology should stop and skill should take over. Despite the pros and cons of the DJ, young people around the nation are seeking to make their mark on the artistry behind the Despite the pros and cons of the DJ, young people around the nation are seeking to make their mark on the artistry behind the disc jockey. Now, get to know your neighborhood DJs: Audio, DJ Aries, and DJ Diva J.

1010

WHAT

WE’VE

SEEN

www.alisonnosila.com

#1#1#1

#2#2#2

WHAT

WE’VE

HEARD

Declaring music as his first love, Phillip Scott has set out

to make a career out of his passion for music. With child-

hood memories of listening to his father sing Stevie

Wonder, Scott hopes to make a positive impact upon the

hip-hop culture. His lyrcis are sure to uplift, and beats

sure to keep your head bobbing and fingers snapping.

We’ve searched around the nation for

music artists that you’re missing out

on. From boy groups to solo artists,

we’ve found the top six rap artists

to look out for this summer.

#3

Chicago natives, Eazy and “Be,” are two opposites

that have collided by coincidence. Eazy was always

at the forefront, singing in the choir and doing per-

formance poetry. “Be” was an outcast who found

solace in Hip-hop. Setting their differences aside,

while at the same time merging them together, Eazy

and “Be” hope to become the new normal. Together

they plan to bring what they call “Chicago Hop-hop” they plan to bring what they call “Chicago Hop-hop”

to the forefront with fresh ryhmes and even fresher

clothes.

From the age of six the four guys of iLL-iteracy

have formed their dreams collectively. Sitting in

one of the group members basement in their

hometown Roanoke City, Va., they began

making music. Since then, Scott Dudley, Kirk

Dudley, Corey English, and George Trent have

attemped to reveal their lives through their

lyrics. Though balancing school, jobs, and lyrics. Though balancing school, jobs, and

family is a difficult task, iLL-iteracy is showing

no signs of slowing down their music.

#4

#5

#6

New to the game, Anthoney Ellis is

winning many fans in the heart of

St. Louis. Ellis has only been rap-

ping for one year and has already

had the opportunity to open for big

name artists like J. Cole. Paying

dues to his hometown Ellis works

hard to give back to his commuhard to give back to his commu-

nity. Ellis is hoping to move to Los

Angeles in the near future and fur-

ther pursue his career in Hip-hop.

14

Kansas City, Mo. native, Tiio Watts is using his campus

as his fan base. As a student at the University of Missouri,

Watts continually promotes his music. With several mix-

tapes under his belt, Watts is no rookie to Hip-hop. He

strives to illustrate and paint vivid images for his listeners

to experience and enjoy.

Download RAHBI’s new

single today on Itunes!

www.theplaground.com

music is the universal

language of mankind.

henry wadsworth longfellow

timeless beauties find flaunt darling dresses while finding themselves caught in the middle of an outdoor symphony.

photographs by curtis taylor jr.

music expresses that which

cannot be said and on which it

is impossible to be

silent. victor hugo

SUMMER’S

KISS

PHREDDIAMOND.COM

Atlanta native, RAHBI Hines wants fans to make sure they spell his name with all capital letters--he’s that big of a deal. He’s rubbed shoulders with

Erykah Badu, opened for Bilal, and good friends with Janelle Monae’. RAHBI sits down with us for an interview and gives it to us RAW.

BY JADE EARLE AND RIKKI BYRD

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARCUS MAYES

RAW26

“my earliest memories

involved music and entertaining

people.”

-donna.

SM: Now, you’re also mingling with some greats as

well, like Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu. What is that

like?

R: It’s crazy because, yes, I was listening to Erykah R: It’s crazy because, yes, I was listening to Erykah

Badu in college and one year, this company booked me

to come and participate in the Dallas Soul Music Con-

ference and Erykah Badu happened to be the host of

that show and I was on stage singing and she comes out

with her camera and was flashing pictures of me and I

was like, ‘Wow, this is humbling’ and when it was

over, she asked her manager, ‘Who is that little guy? over, she asked her manager, ‘Who is that little guy?

He’s amazing,’ so I developed a relationship with her

and we talk a lot. She encourages me and I love her.

Me and Janelle met on a more regular friendship level.

It wasn’t the Janelle Monae we know of today, it was

the hustler. So, we were both kind of grinding together,

I’ve known her for some years before the pompadour,

before the black and white. But, to see her now and all before the black and white. But, to see her now and all

the greatness going on in her life, I’m just so proud and

the fact that she is out there telling people about me, I

really respect that and thank her.

SM: Is there a Rahbi that the fans don’t know?

R: Yes, offstage, I feel I’m a lot more quiet and shy.

I’m not shy at all on stage. I’ve heard people a lot of

time meet me in person and say, ‘Wow, you’re so soft

spoken.’ So, yea, it’s just a little different.

SM: How did you come up with that whole concept of

your new single, “Rollercoaster”? I know there’s a

phrase that is the first thing on the album.

R: That song was presented to me by an artist named R: That song was presented to me by an artist named

P.J. Morton and he’s an amazing soul artist. So, I guess

P.J. just took notice to the great things I was doing on

my side of the playground. He asked if I needed a song

for my album. So, he emailed me ‘Rollercoaster,’ and I

just tweaked it a little bit and I just loved it. To me, it

invites people to have fun and to let go. I know you’re

scared of heights/but, no need to fear your life/cause scared of heights/but, no need to fear your life/cause

I’ll be right there/And I’ll take real good care of you/If

you want me to.

SM: What is next?

R:I got to finish this album, I got to finish “The Golden

Child,” I got two more songs to record and then we’re

going to blow your minds and conquer the world.

SM: And when can we be looking for that album?

R: [laughs] All in good time.

10. Your album often features songs with artists who should no longer be making musicI.e. Lil' Rapartist ft. Flavor Flav and MC Hammer

9. Your lyrics feature an over abundance of played out words that are abundance of played out words that are better left in 2005.I.e. shawty, hater, hammer, or bammer

8. The number of features on one song should not exceed the number of songs on an entire albumI.e. Lil' Rapartist ft. Rick Ross, T-pain, I.e. Lil' Rapartist ft. Rick Ross, T-pain, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Common, Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Nikki Minaj, Cam'ron, Big Sean, Plies, T.I., Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, John Legend, J.Cole, Eminem and Ludacris. (There are only 10 songs on the album.)

7. Complicated and difficult CD titlesI.e. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

6. Your album offers more sound effects than actual music.I.e. gun shots, female groans and cash machine chimes

5. Your artist name is either a) ridiculous 5. Your artist name is either a) ridiculous b) obscene c) too random for wordsI.e. a) Waka Flocka Flame b) Old Dirty-Bastard c) Beeda Weeda

32

4. Obnoxious/Obscene and Inappropriate CD art I.e. Kanye West

3. Your album consistently tells of the struggle of the "hood life", but you were born and raised in upper middle class suburbia.I.e. The artist whose debut single is "Im SO Thug City Life" was I.e. The artist whose debut single is "Im SO Thug City Life" was born and raised on the corn fields of Tallapoosa, Missouri.

2. Your DJ screams at your listeners and has several DJ plugs throughout the song. Is it your DJ's album or yours?

1. Your album is so auto tune; no one knows what you sound like in real life.I.e. If you are not T-pain and made an entire career off of auto I.e. If you are not T-pain and made an entire career off of auto tune, take a word from HOV and “put flowers on the casket for the (DOA) Death of auto tune.”

10 ways to NOT get

your CD playedThink you have what it takes to make it in the world of music? We’re giving you our advice on what not to do.

-BRIDGET BOTCHWAY BRADLEY