A Side B Side Podcast Episode 25: @MarcusAriah Interview

Episode 25 of the A-Side B-Side Podcast features an exclusive sit down interview with Marcus Ariah.

The Newark Native just dropped his newest project, SilkySZN. RamseySaidWHAT and Marcus break down the album in addition to family, New Jersey, his last project Making a Man, and some other things he has lined up in the new year.

This is the last interview of this season of the podcast. We'll be back in 2020 so as always binge us everywhere podcasts are available or go to WhatsTheMovement.net to find us. Thanks for rocking out with us this long, and we'll be back really soon.

I Need You To Feel This.

Editorial Feature: @Olawumiii - Short Stories, A Stroll, and Preview of #CROWNS

"Hey, I'm outside."
"Where the hell are you, I'm outside too?"
"Oh man, my bad I see you down the street wrong number same street."
"Aight"

I remember Olawumi when she was just Hillary. Circa Fall 2011 first day of classes I step foot into my media writing course. Michael Salfino was the professor, a writer for Yahoo Sports and the New York Times. Anyone that knows me knows if I actually do go to class I go early and usually in a tie where everyone else rolled out of bed in sweatpants. 30 minutes goes by and Mr. Salfino is talking about his experience in the industry. In walks Hillary. Dark skin tone, Military Jacket, Janet Jackson high waisted jean shorts, flannel, and purposely ripped stockings. Stylish, like anyone I've seen on my tumblr dashboard. I was a little dazed because I generally pick what girl I'm gonna flirt with the entire semester in the first class.


"Does anyone know what a lead is?" Asks Salfino. Everyone just looks around, I was staring at Hillary like a creep. She raises her hand.

"Isn't that like the beginning of the article." 

"Correct, kinda."

After an assignment or two, a few conversations about previous writing experience with blogs and magazines, and one occasion where I saved a classmate from Olawumi's fury we clicked. In fact, I remember our professor holding us after class telling us we were the only good writers that has a shot at doing this for a living (to be specific, "You guys are the only ones that are good, everyone else sucks").

That was four years ago. I don't mean to put her in a box but I was into hipster chicks who liked going to thrift shops and finding new music like me. She curved me a week later because I put her in a box and called her a hipster. That's a different story but I know we'd work on a professional tip after that. It's now 2015 and we are countless releases and a couple EPs later waiting for a new one and I got the privilege of a short conversation and a car ride to campus. Check that out below:

What's the Movement: What can we expect for your next project? You got a drop date yet?

Olawumi: I can't spill too much but I'm aiming for spring as far as time frame goes. It's called CROWNS. But I'm on my Queen Shit man, like Queen Shit. Like seriously. And not on no Beyoncè stuff, like bow down though.

WTM: Queen Shit and Crowns. I get it. In comparison with Noir and MANGO what kind of sound will it have?

Olawumi: Same producers, you know my Boi-1da and 40 with Cloud Atrium and RecklessG4B. There's a few new sounds and a couple new producers on there but it's not as dark. I feel like it's my coming out. You can listen to the story in Noir and tell that I was in a dark place. CROWNS is different and I can't wait for you all to hear it.


WTM: Any Videos? Are you continuing your trend of visual EPs. If so who shot them, Kalani did an amazing job on the 5 video.

Olawumi: Yeah there's gonna be multiple videos on this project. I would show you like I did last time but only thing I got on my phone is the music. You know what I'm gonna let you hear it. Well the beats and Ima sing it to you cuz it's just instrumentals. I'm sick tho so let me not.


WTM: Nah let's hear it. It's fine I know you can sing plus studio mixing and mastering I don't wanna wait. You know we always do a listener early.

Olawumi: (smiles) Aight word, lets do it.

For the rest of the snowy and traffic filled car ride. Olawumi serenaded me personally. I can tell you straight up from the live (and sick) version you need to keep an eye out for the EP. Point Blank Period. Word on the street is her visual for Queen Shit drops this week as well. Anyways, we have a lot to look forward to in the near future. I hope this satisfied your hunger, til then Stay Tuned.

A Sit Down with Quincy Savage

Everyone says "Let's Build" and usually nothing happens after that.

It took me close to two weeks to link up with the artist formerly known as DanQwelle aka Quincy Savage but it finally got done. I got to chance to shoot a few questions to the Neptune Emcee before he left for the Navy again. Check out the quick Q&A below.

WTM: First and Foremost, What is your stage name now? Lord knows you've changed it a few times.

Quincy Savage: The Stage name is Quincy Savage, DanQwelle got annoying.

WTM: We spoke a few years back before Far From Nothing dropped. We were talking about the Wale influence and watching That 70's Show. Did the tape come out the way you wanted?

QS: I'm not gonna lie Wale was an influence on the early writing, but it's changed. It leans more towards the Capitol STEEZ, Kendrick Lamar, and a little bit of Chance the Rapper. I'm finally starting to find myself musically. My sound, my boundaries, my flow, everything basically I'm starting to have fun with it and I like it, a lot. I'm still working on a 70's show tape.

WTM: Me and Wil G go back and I didn't know he was rapping now. I know he's an amazing drummer and picking up producing. He was great on the tape, how'd you guys meet and go about the features?

QS: Bruh, Wil G is amazing. His work ethic is so laid back but yet it's sophisticated. He knows what he wants which is a direct relation to his....stubborn like persona lol but it fits me and Jah perfectly. He gives us the biggest confidence boost in the studio. We met up soon after I made my first song off Adrian's laptop. I forget exactly but it led to me hearing his work which I liked a lot. The features are becoming more of a work instead of a last minute cram session. You'll see the difference between Don't F*ck with Me & All Day All Night both featuring Wil G...the energy and chemistry is becoming unstoppable. He has a very keen ear for music.

WTM: Is there anyone in the industry you look up to? Anyone you'd like to work with in the future?

QS: Super Duper Kyle. He's an indie artist I've been listening to for a while. His album Beautiful Loser is a low key hit. Chance the Rapper off Acid Rap alone I just think we'd do damage on something. Ab Soul because we'd find ourselves erasing and editing our rhymes trying to do something crazy. Rich Homie Quan A$AP Ferg, He reminds me of Bone Thugs - Max B Joey Bada$$ Period. Lil Bibby

Producers - Boy1da, HitBoy, MikeWilMadeIt, THC

Singers - SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, The Weeknd

I also plan on working with Joe College & Sir Moore in the near future, I love their style.

WTM: I been on Kyle for a minute and I swear no one heard of him out in Cali until you just said it. He look exactly like Drake in the face too lol. How do you feel about the current state of Jersey's music scene and where do you stand in all of that?

QS: I think we're too focused on sounding like somebody instead of finding our (their) own sound. A rapper hits the scene, everybody sounds like hiim. I'm trying to change that. Convince people to be themselves and just have fun with what they do. There's too many followers. (Hinting at my Outro record)

WTM: My definition of art is anything that could be loved and crafted to perfection whether it's music, visual art, film, photography, anything really. What is your personal definition of art and how it pertains to you?

QS: Not trying to sound cliche, but art is life. It's what we make of it. If art is a relationship then that's your idea of art. Music is life to me. So they can go hand and hand. My version of art is music. Putting thoughts into words into a pattern that can tell a story and also rhyme at the same time. That's an art. It's a power.

WTM: What has the military and all the travelling done to your music career? Has it hindered it or helped by giving you new experiences and stories?

QS: The military has only hindered my studio time. No doubt, I'd be making way more music but the military is helping me understand other cities and how they rock and their lingo so that way I can tap into their style of music whenever I want.Or say something that makes a Cali n*gga or female say "Oh sh*t that's our word" or " He knows his sh*t you know?" Kinda like a culture shock. It expands my vocabulary a lot. I know now what a more broad perspective of people wanna hear. So when I jump in the booth, or when I go write some shit I think of that. Now it's whether or not I wanna try to mesh the Jersey style into it. Might as well right?

WTM: Lastly, The name of the game is What's the Movement? So that's the last question, any projects, videos, tours coming up soon. Let the people know.

QS: Changed the group name. It's now The League. Trying to call the next tape either #ShoreKnights #BoyindaCorner or #FarFromNothing2. Jah should have a project coming soon. He cookin' up as we speak. Wil working on some sh*t that sound crazy, that's hook master flex lol. I'm also trying to put a permanent camp together. Me Jah, Tyrasia as the main artists. Tryna get essO in on it too. Yaya on the Networking C/O. Tryna get a hold of my boy Zay I hear he's good at the managing. Faheem as the photographer, so on...you'll see soon.

Thanks again to Quincy Savage for the interview. You can check out his music on his soundcloud and download Far From Nothing on DatPiff right now. Big things are coming soon, just like he said. Remember where you heard it first, right here at WTM!

Tonight's Guests 2/21 D.O.P.E

Tonight's guests on WTM will be hip-hop duo D.O.P.E (Despite Our Parents Expectations). Mayday and Conway's interview will be held a little later than expected. You can catch it primetime live from 11pm until 2am. To hear the broadcast tune in the same way via WPSC 88.7 FM (greater NYC metro area), www.gobrave.org online, and using the TuneIn app on your mobile device. While you're home or turning up tune in and I'll play the best hip-hop, R&B, Pop, and Top 40 (or whatever you wanna hear on the request line 973-720-2738). Tune in!!!

If you wanna hear them listen to their mixtape Orientation on datpiff below.

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

QuietMan Samford Interview

QuietMan Samford

QuietMan Samford (Issac Kemp) hails all the way from Flint, MI. Upon the release of his first single Is This What You Really Want featuring little brother Jonah, I got to hop on the phone and do a quick Q&A with the Midwest artist. Check that out below.

WTM: How did you come up with the name QuietMan Sam?

QMS: The name QuietManSamford came about freestyling one night with two of my folks you know lol. Up til about 4am just going and that name rang out. Definitely had to go with it.

WTM: My definition of Art is anything that can be loved or crafted to perfection, What is your personal Definition?

QMS: My definition of Art is simple. A productive skill expressively obtained.

WTM: We grew up with a ball in our hands playing sports and running around. When did you know music and poetry is what you wanted to do?

QMS: Writing was always a great tool for me. It made the process of writing music very lucid for me. Poetry came about first, from there on my thought with music grew over the years as I continued to realize I could make a difference.

WTM: From what I've been hearing, you have been making a lot of noise in your area. What are you doing to showcase your talent? When is the date of your album release?

QMS: The album is set to release June 7th, 2014.

WTM: If you can work with anyone in the industry who would it be? Producers? Guest Verses?

QMS: If I could work with anyone in the game it would be Kenny G or maybe J. Cole.

WTM: When you listen to some artists you can hear other artists in their sound and voice. Your sound is unique and doesn't sound like anybody. How do you do it? Who would you say is your musical influence?

QMS: Certainly so, my music was inspired by a unique variety of lyrical artists. Brother Tupac Shakur was most definitely an influence on my music. I was also inspired by R&B music.

WTM: A lot of people don't know Flint is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA short of Chi-town and Camden, NJ. How do you keep your head above water with all the crime and distractions?

QMS: Positivity is key. Too much negative energy can hurt the progressive of any process. Flint is just like any other city in the US. I don't think about the distractions. When you have a plan you must set goals for yourself and keep your faith in God to reach them. The focus of someone has to be a force in order for any mission to be accomplished.

WTM: Your first single off the album features your little brother, how old is he? Who influenced him to sing at such a young age? Does he write his own lyrics? Can we expect him to do a solo project in the near future?

QMS: Yes my first official single is with little bro, he's ten years old now. I'm not honestly sure who influenced him to sing at such a young age, but pops always pushed him. He doesn't write his own lyrics but when he learns that'll be great.

WTM: The name of the show is What's the Movement?! So, what is your movement? What's next for you? Albums/Mixtapes/Projects? Tours?

QMS: My movement is #924EVER #NobodyBigYet ; much love to my @NobodyBigYet family. After the album in June drops I really want to help release an album for my brother at least as a song writer. Great quality music for an eleven year old (in which he will be then). It's titled Don't Forget to Keep Dreaming. Definitely looking to take some tour trips for sure. Seeing the world, that's important to me. I have to thank God first and foremost. Thanks to my family, big bro, and all my brothers serving in the armed forces. Thanks to all my fans and friends that support me, and my lady for sure. Peace and Love! '92 4EVER

Deeper Than the Music with Sir Moore & Khalil Jibran

Snowed out Tuesday equals Late Night Friday.

 Between chilly weather, precipitation, and campus police alarm settings, hosting WTM on our normal Tuesday night time slot was impossible. All setbacks lead to a better opportunity. The station gave us the go so we convened WTM on a prime time Friday Night from 10 pm-1 am. Well we didn't let the snow stop us from this dope sit in with Sir M00RE & Khalil Jibran. Of course we spoke about both of the artists and their projects and upcoming events. 

Khalil came in with a few announcements to make. The first of which was an announcement of his upcoming mixtape Rain On a SUNday which is expected to release on February 14th. I asked why Valentine's Day and he explained the oxymoron of the title. He got into his R&B roots and disclosed the smoothness of the project. "We don't have music for rainy Sundays where you can just look out the window and listen," he says. Valentine's day seems perfect in my eyes for something that soulful. Later on in the broadcast we played one of the tracks off that tape titled Please Just Get Away from Me featuring The Olawumii. 

#RainOnaSunDay
— The Chosen One (@KhalilJibran_) January 25, 2014

Throughout the segment we chopped it up with Sir Moore. We talked about his first ever EP, August Rush. He discussed the name and inspiration behind these six tracks. We also got a little off-topic and broke into his relationship with The Strivers' Row Poetry members and fellow NJ Emcee, Moruf. He filmed the show Moruf had with Jasmine Mans earlier this month in Newark. Joe V and August Rush was featured in Garden State Hip-Hop's "10 NJ Rappers to look for in 2014" article ran by Rodney Coursey.

Following the inteviews both artist had a killer freestyle to multiple instrumentals old and new. Both of them killed their spot. All in all both artists have a crazy 2014 coming up on the way. Glad to have gotten them on the show before greatness occurs. Clips from the freestyle will be posted at a later on, tune in.

Your Editor,

Mota Raps Interview

Twice as fun, the second go round.

Angelo Mota & Nathaniel Hawkins (founder of Scoob Daily) stop by in studio for the second time on #WTM. This time around was special. Besides our usual state of the hip-hop conversation, we chop it up with the two before the moment of truth arrived. On top of secret spilling and a little bit of question asking we have a few laughs.  Last week, the Sticks & Stones emcee announced his album and a release date on his twitter as seen below.

this drops on 6.21.2014 if you forgot pic.twitter.com/YhmbXUxHhG
— angelo mota (@motaraps) January 11, 2014

This time he got to announce it on the air waves and I'm proud to say What's the Movement was the first to know. A video will up soon with clips from the show keep on the lookout. Also, keep a look out for Hawkins' site www.scoobdaily.com launching 2/8/2014. looking forward to working together.