Dubb Zero

 

Dubb Zero is far from being a Zero. His perseverance and passion for music has got him well on his way of being #1. Born in Cape Verde and raised in Brockton, MA he is able to give us the best of both worlds. As a creolo living in the states, he brings the American hip hop flavor along with the Cape Verdian island flavor to his music. His music ranges from hip hop to r&b to zouk, so you'll never be bored. His lyrical ability will have you wondering about what comes next...

Dubb Zero reps the one and only:

Working alongside other very talented music artists such as Chris Barbosa (1st artist featured on MusicBound), Passada Barbosa, Delano Barbosa, Kharee, Capito and many more...

"Dubb Zero this is for all my Jordan fans, the Air Jordan shoes. Anybody who knows what Dubb Zeros are the Dubb Zero sneakers when they brought it out was basically a compilation of all the best Jordans at the time. So for example they took the 7s, they took the 10s, they took all these great pairs of retro shoes and put it together to make one super shoe. So basically I took that and I ran with that because I feel like i'm alot of different styles and a lot of different people all in one. I dont think that anyone can really say 'hey thats particularly how he raps or how he does music', that one way. I give you a variety..."

-Dubb Zero [Citiflix Interview]

Dubb Zero's First Mixtape Greatness in the Making

To download it visit:

http://www.datpiff.com/Dubb_Zero_Greatness_In_The_Making.m192522.html

For more music check out:

BFMI "Ready or Not Remix"

Passada Barbosa ft Dubb Zero "My Touch"

Kharee ft Dubb Zero "I Wasnt"

BFMI "Unthinkable Remix"

Citiflix Interview



[LL] How long have you been interested in music for?

[DZ] I been interested in Music since the first time i heard Michael Jackson!

[LL] How did you get started?

[DZ] Me Rapping all got started in High School when me and a bunch of friends would just freestyle for hours together just for fun. 

[LL] Is music just a hobby or do you plan on making it your career?

[DZ] Music is MY LIFE...Career is a understatement! 

[LL] Who do you look up to (musically)?

[DZ] I have always looked up to MJ "The King", Nas, Jay Z, 2pac, Biggie, BIG PUN, Lionel Richie, Boys 2 Men, Fugees... All of these amazing artists have had something to do with how i make music today!

MJ because of how he made every woman want him and every dude wanna be like him

Nas because of how he painted amazing pictures of his life...thru Rap

2pac because he was truly a Poet with his words...

Boys 2 Men because they poured there heart in every song...i could go on All day!

[LL] Who are the top 5 artists you would like to work with? Why?

[DZ] Top 5 artists to collab with would be Jay Z because he is literally the current KING of HIP HOP,

NAS because i have looked up to him since i knew what HIP HOP was, Andre 3000 just because his style is so unique, Usher because i think he is a Musical Genius, and Weezy cuz his swag and energy on a track is 2nd to none... Oh and i cant forget about this talented young lady named Lisa Lopes...Great Voice! [LOL]

[LL] Do you write your own music? Whats the process?

[DZ] Yes i write all my own music but we also on occasion have creative team writing session #BFMI!

I first come up with a concept that i wanna portray then i start to piece together line by line exactly the picture i wanna paint...I have the heart of a true writer...no blackberry rhymes lol pen and pad..old school status... 

[LL] What have been the highlights of your musical career?

[DZ] A highlight in my music career was opening up for Akon in my homeland of Cape Verde the experience was truly incredible...Akon is a Amazing performer! It was great performing for "my people" the response was legendary!!

[LL] What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a musical career?

[DZ] My advice to someone trying to do music is "IF you put your soul into your music along and honestly work HARD then your dream can become a Reality" 

[LL] What are you currently working on right now?

[DZ] I am currently working on my Sophomore Mixtape... 

[LL] Do you have any albums/ mixtapes out? What is the name of it and why did you decide to name it that?

[DZ] I have my Debut Mixtape called "Greatness in the Making" out now and its getting a GREAT response...I chose to name is that because i truly believe that at this point in my career i am in the beginning stages of becoming Great...so this is the Making of Greatness...

Cant get enough of Dubb Zero?? Check him out on:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1487970012#!/dubbzero86

http://twitter.com/#!/DubbZeroBFMI

www.DubbZeroNation.Blogspot.Com





Manny X



Singer/Songwriter/Producer

Genre: RnB/Pop/Soul

As of lately, most RnB songs tend to be more about the beat than the voice. If you feared that RnB was dying off, you may rest assured because there is still hope and his name is Manny X. This young and talented individual has so much soul that once you start listening to his songs you get lost in his harmonic voice. He not only sings, but he writes and produces his own music. You can call him the one man band. This is someone to look out for because he is motivated to achieve greatness and he is on the right path...

From E-Major to Manny X

When i asked Manny what the meaning behind his artist name was, he had an elaborate response that I could not just paraphrase it, so i'm going to let you guys read exactly what he wrote:

[Manny X]: "Me growing up without a father was a bit more than I could handle during my younger years.  I was bitter, rebellious, stubborn and hurt because I could not experience that bond between father and son.  One day, during the early stages of my musical development, I wondered…..what can i call myself?? I thought of various names……and for a while I stuck with one….that one was “E-Major”….I thought E-Major would be a perfect fit.  My first name starts with an E, i play piano, E-Major is one of the scales I sing most comfortably in and so I stuck with it.  But it still felt empty to me.  So I started writing my name out to see how it looked on paper.  I tried numerous times because I reaaaalllly wanted something that was a lot more personal.  During one of those i started noticing a pattern I was doing.  I often crossed off the Last name because i didn’t want anyone to know it.  My nickname has always been Manny…but Manny just wasn’t enough. And for a moment in time, the planets aligned, the sky opened up and it all made sense….Manny X!"

The FIRST NAME has traditionally been used throughout time to identify people, it’s the LAST NAME that gives that individual his/her distinct value.  The LAST NAME represents you heritage, your ancestry, your inheritance and even your legacy.  It bothered me to have to carry around and be the legacy of a man that was never a part of my life.  I felt it was unfair to me to be branded with an heritage that had no value to me.  and thus, the ‘X’ represents me DISCLAIMING the heritage and legacy tied to that last name.  It may seem bitter but it goes deeper and with that depth, a more profound meaning will be attained.  Allow me to elaborate a little bit more. As an aspiring mathematics teacher,  I’ve learn that the most common alphanumerical device used to represent a variable is ‘X’.  (A variable, though it may contain several definitions based on context, is also known as ‘something whose value may be dictated or discovered’.) So in a nutshell, the ‘X’ ultimately represent me DISCLAIMING what is tied into my last name with the hopes of discovering and defining myself so that I can give new meaning, create a new heritage and leave behind a new legacy of WHO I AM! Put it this way, The variable (my self, ‘X’) is placed into an equation (life) and that equation is manipulated with various techniques (MUSIC, love, family, friends, etc.) until it can be thoroughly defined (self-realization).  Once that variable is defined, then it renders itself USEFUL and MEANINGFUL.

Manny X is currently unsigned, but he does have his own production team that goes  by the name of:

"Keeping your ears healthy with good music"

Manny X just recently put out a "EP" (extended play) which is a sampler for his upcoming album that will be released later on this year.

To listen to it visit www.MannyX.Bandcamp.com

Other works:

"Just Me" - May, 2008.  This was the culmination of my first project and the beginning of it all.  The title track, Just Me, talks about what this album and, in general, what my music means to me. 

"Planet X" - Sept., 2009.  This was intended to be a mixtape that slowly turned into something more. It's the mixtape/album that has taken my art to a whole new level with the song "Forever Yours".  Forever Yours is a song that i created that blew up beyond anything i imagined, in fact, it's the driving force behind the exposure my music has gotten. 

"Before H.E.R." - Feb., 2011.  This is a mixtape i released earlier this year.  Its really a collection of original songs and remixes that are tied into the experiences i had in the year prior to releasing my upcoming project "Songs About H.E.R."  It has remixes to some of the biggest hits from last year and in it i made sure to include some originals that did not make the cut for the album. 

"A Song About H.E.R. (EP)" - April, 2011. This is an EP of the Album i'll be releasing this later year.  It has 6 songs that i feel were great for capturing the essence of what is to come. 

COMING SOON:

"Songs About H.E.R." - TBA.   

 

Here's some good music for those ears:

(my favorite) "You Can Always Come Back"

"How do i tell H.E.R No"

"Forever Yours"

For more Manny X music you can visit:

www.YouTube.com/MannyXTV

www.MannyX.Bandcamp.com

www.MannyXWorld.com

[LL] What was your first experience with music and what made you realize you had the talent?

[MX] For some odd reason i've always been surrounded by music.  From what my mother tells me, i used to sing and dance when i was just 4 and 5 yrs old.  Of course, these are events that i just cant recollect.  However, my first personal experience occurred when i was about 8 or 9 years old.  For Christmas I got my first keyboard, it was a Casio.  During the early stages i just played a ton of the demos in the piano and i would try to mimic what i heard but i got bored with it quickly.  One day, after a church service, i went home and i could not get this song they sang at church out of my head.  The melody was so peaceful and beautiful...so i went straight to the piano and fiddled with notes and after an hr or so i somehow managed to play the melody.  I was alone in that room, I didn't understand what just happened but i can still remember the feeling of knowing i just played my first song.  Later on i learned that i was endowed with a "musical ear."  As the years passed that ear developed more and more as i delved deeper into music.   

[LL] What made you want to purse a career in music?
[MX] The motivation to pursue a career in music occurred much later in my life.  It wasn't until i released my first project, "Just Me", that I was inspired to do so.  You see, i had equipment at my house for production, i had tons of lyrics from years worth of thoughts and feelings i wrote and i had all the time in the world to do it.  When i set the goal to make the album, it was a personal thing.  i just wanted to put my talent to use and have something tangible to prove it.  When i released it, it was the completion of my years worth of blood, sweat, tears and sleep i sacrificed to make it happen.  and when i realized someone actually purchased a song........i was overcome with emotion.  I never suspected anyone to enjoy what i created let alone be inspired by it.  From that moment on, i realized i wanted to experience that over and over again.  A 'career' in music, to me, simply means still being able to create art that's relevant enough to influence/inspire people. 

[LL] You seem to be drawn to RnB, why is that?
[MX] Well, during a trip to Puerto Rico my aunt introduced me to a cassette tape of Boyz II Men's "II" album.  Growing up in church, 'secular' music was pretty much forbidden so a long time i never got to appreciate or experience the music being played in the states.  But when i heard them, I was mesmerized.  I never knew that music could sound so passionate and soulful...When i came back to the states, she let me keep the tape...i fed off it for months...then i heard Usher, Tyrese and R&B in general just blew me away...had to sneak around to listen on the radio but once i heard it, it moved me. Later on, when i started writing music, i naturally inclined in the direction of that genre.

[LL] Do you write your own music? What are they usually about? What's the process in writing?
[MX] Yes i write do the lyrics to my songs.  The themes they are based on tend to vary.  Lately, because of the direction i wanna take the album i'm working on, (Songs About H.E.R.), i've been really analytical about my emotions and experiences in relationships.  But I've slowly started to detach from that aspect and am beginning to explore different concepts. The process is strange, really. It either just happens right away or it builds up.  Sometimes i make a beat and write to it other times i have melodies that i build the instrumental around.  sometimes, they just happen together naturally.  writing a song can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of months. I try to begin with conceptualizing what I'm writing about. Different scenarios, what i've gone through, how would i think, how would other people think, what would men/women do, what am i trying to tell people, how poetic can i be, if i should go deep and how deep i should go.......and when i'm done conceptualizing, i just vibe to the music...this can take a few days to vibe to, a few months or just a few minutes...i think melodies melodies melodies and from there, it begins.

[LL] Do you produce? Play any instruments? Which one(s)?
[MX] Yes i produce my own music (for the most part). I've been playing piano since the age of 10.  It is my first passion and its the means by which i produce the majority of my music.  I like making original compositions.  There's a certain feeling of knowing that these songs came from your imagination and are being appreciated by someone, as opposed to a song that was sampled and flipped.  Although, i loooooove the art of sampling, in fact i've been producing for some artists and i've been incorporating more of that aspect of production into my work. Aside from piano, i can play drums, i'm learning guitar, i can dominate an mpc, and i'm a vocalist.

[LL] As an indie artist, how do you define success?
[MX] As an indie artist, success is an object/goal blurred only by distance.  Sometimes, i sit at home, see how far my music has gone and wonder, why am i not out there? Other times i sit at home, see how far my music has gone and think to myself, man, i cant believe i made that happen.  In the end, i think the measure of success is internal and not as tangible as others may view it.  I've set goals for myself.  Goals that for many others, takes years and years and years to do....some of which never actually accomplish them.  I've been able to sit home, imagine something, create it, present it and have it be receive with high acclaim.  I believe i am successful but i don't think I've reached the levels of success that i know i can attain.  I am at a place where i can make the music i like, the music i feel is right, music that comes from within.  The fact that people outside my home, outside my state, and even outside my country are listening, dancing, singing, connecting, reacting, inspired and sharing this material defines success to me.  I've made it to another land without having to travel.  I've made it to the ears of people who sleep while I'm awake.  And I've done this all with no funds just passion and time.  Success and my goals are tied together and so far, "Every goal i've aimed for, i've Beckham'd it."
[LL] What advice would you give someone that wants to pursue a musical career? What should they expect?
[MX] Well, truthfully, i can only give advice from personal experience.  One thing that is CRUCIAL is.....BELIEF IN ONE'S SELF.  Long before i had followers/fans/supporters or anything, i had myself.  I learned that i have to be able to love my art, define my art and understand the direction i'm taking it in before i can expect others to. 

It really boils down to four things: 

(1) Belief

(2) Hard Work

(3) Dedication

(4) Courage

It's the passion and patience for what we do that drives us to accomplish these things. 

What to expect? Expect doubt, expect haters, expect failure, expect counter-productivity.  It's the natural reaction of people and things when you aspire to transcend your life through a dream.  But also.......as long as you can keep those four elements in check, you can expect growth, you can expect a shift in your mind as well as a shift in the attitudes of the people that are on the receiving end.  you can expect the comfort of being true to yourself, you can expect the success of your hard work, you can expect opportunities for more.     

For more MANNY X:
www.Facebook.com/MannyXMusic
www.Twitter.com/MannyX
www.Myspace.com/MannyX401
www.MannyX.Bandcamp.com
www.YouTube.com/MannyXTV
www.MannyXWorld.com

For show bookings contact him at:

MannyX401@Gmail.com

 

C. Barbosa

 

Chris Barbosa was born in Boston, MA. Shortly after he moved to where he calls "City of Champs", Brockton, MA, where he now resides. As a young Cape Verdean growing up in Brockton, it was "very tough", as he stated. With a lot of negative things going on, C. Barbosa was able to stray away from it all. With a positive mentality, he knew he had to take the higher road...

... the road lead him to M U S I C ...

C. Barbosa just recently dropped his debut album Grown. 

 HOT Hits Include:

"So Fine"

"Bad Boy" ft Jrod

"Dance With You"

and many more... 

To download his album visit:

www.cbarbosalive.blogspot.com  

Check out the video for "So Fine" 

  

 

[LL] How long have you been interested in music for?

[CB] I've been interested in music since i could speak. Something about music always got my attention. I always associated music with something good. I remember my junior high dances & the feeling I would get when I heard a particular song was so unexplainable! It Gave me the courage to talk to the the finest girl in the room lol

[LL] How did you get started?

[CB]  I officially got started after high school. I joined an R&B group called Image with three of my friends,Shane,Ryan,Eric and we did show's all across the New England area, we created a big buzz. After a couple of years we decided to go our separate ways.

[LL] Is music just a hobby or do you plan on pursuing it as a career?

[CB] Music is me, I don't really like labeling it. I love doing this regardless of anything. A Career is my goal definitely.

[LL] What made you decide to pursue music as a career?

[CB] I'm feeling like drake " i want this shit forever man". Its the only thing i wanted to do since childhood that i never let go of. Music defines me, its who I am!

[LL]  What has been the highlight of your music career?

[CB] One of my highlights was performing in Cape Verde and opening up for Akon. That was an amazing experience and I enjoyed every moment of it.

[LL] Do you write your own music? Do you play any instruments? 

[CB] I write all my own music with my writing team Fineprint Music (BFMI). I also play the piano. Im okay, but getting better lol

[LL] What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a musical career?

[CB] Never give up because you only get better. You create your own reality, believe in yourself and block out the negativity.

C.Barbosa will be performing in NYC on April 14th

for more info visit:

 www.cbarbosalive.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/cbarbosalive
www.youtube.com/cbarbosa24
www.facebook.com/cbarbosalive

 

MusicBound

Hey there everyone! I'm Lisa Lopes and this is my first blogging experience EVER, so bare with me!

MusicBound was created to bring light to artists from all over. We all know how important exposure is. Different genres, styles, languages, etc... but the one thing we all have in common is the love for music. We are all connected by MUSIC! 

I will be interviewing different artists and sharing their music with everyone on this blog. 

Enjoy!