Just in case your interested in where I come from, what I do & how I roll (no pun intended) :cheeky:
http://bayundaground.com/index.php?do=interviewSingle&idInterview=37
http://bayundaground.com/index.php?do=interviewSingle&idInterview=37
Exit: Gemini - Enter: Tha Grindhouse
- Thread starter Gemini
- Start date
When I took on the name "Gemini" it was simply going by my zodiac sign. Hence 2Face Entertainment & the label color, green. When I found out there were a few Geminis out there (regardless of how they spell it), it was like Damn! I'm going to have to change my name again. I ran into a few altercations due to mistaken identity.
YOU FINALLY CHANGED YOUR RAP NAME THEN HUH. i HAD TO RELUCTANTLY DO THE SAME THING LIKE 6 YEARS AGO. I THOUGHT GEMINI WAS THE MOST ORIGINAL NAME TOO AND I HADN'T HEARD OF ANYONE USING IT UNTIL AFTER I CHOSE THAT NAME.
thats one of the longest rap interviews ive ever seen in my life.
YOU FINALLY CHANGED YOUR RAP NAME THEN HUH. i HAD TO RELUCTANTLY DO THE SAME THING LIKE 6 YEARS AGO. I THOUGHT GEMINI WAS THE MOST ORIGINAL NAME TOO AND I HADN'T HEARD OF ANYONE USING IT UNTIL AFTER I CHOSE THAT NAME.
thats one of the longest rap interviews ive ever seen in my life.
LOL!!!! Yeah, Bro. It just got hectic & a lot of drama with people thinking I was the Gemini from TX. And wanting to beat my ass LOL! I don't personally know dude from TX, so I can't call it. Personally, I go nothing against dude.
About it being one of the longest interviews: I figured give real answers & not fall into the stereotype of using slang words & go with the, "I'm doing it big right now! Look out for my album next month! You feel me? My new shit is bananas!" whatever whatever.
Or when the answer is shorter than the question LOL! They asked the question, "So what are the other upcoming plans for you and the label?" The typical answer for rappers at that point is countless shameless plugs.
I simply answered the question he asked without it being, "me me me me."
Thank you & good point, but it's worked to my advantage to where I keep the people curious as to what I look like. They hear the music & cast no judgment. It leaves them wanting more. And to be honest, although people say myspace is dead. It's been working wonders for me (as well as other sites).
Like I said in the interview, I had these people sending me pictures of themselves to post on my page. Pictures of them wearing the t-shirts I had pressed. And not one of them know what I look like (go figure).
[ BayUndaground.com ] : Then you somehow went off the radar. You were supposedly working on a sophomore solo "Walking Tall". What happened?
[ Grindhouse ] : "I recorded like four albums worth of material for the "Walking Tall" project. Album cover was done as well, but I honestly wasn't happy with the sound. Coming off the "Casualties Of Life" album it still had that underground / dark depressing feel to it. I was trying to shake that sound. My vision & plan for "Walking Tall" was an up-tempo cheerful / good feel sound & I wasn't getting it. It was to display my life had moved on from "Casualties...". I dumped everything & scratched that project."
I been doing quite a bit shows. On this one show out by Bakersfield I had just stepped off stage after my set & I heard somebody yell, "Oh! Shit! He has a face!" LOL!!!!!!
Plus when people of that city get wind of where I'm going to perform (they already like the songs), and they go to see what I look like.
I guess you can say they don't get to see me unless they go to a show (I'll work it as long as I can) ...I know somebody will expose pics from shows I been to, but it's all in fun. I'm not trippin'.
Plus having adult material and family friendly material has opened more doors of where I can perform. Plus, like I said in the interview. I take other artist to let them shine as well. It's not all about me.
Like I said in the interview, I had these people sending me pictures of themselves to post on my page. Pictures of them wearing the t-shirts I had pressed. And not one of them know what I look like (go figure).
[ BayUndaground.com ] : Then you somehow went off the radar. You were supposedly working on a sophomore solo "Walking Tall". What happened?
[ Grindhouse ] : "I recorded like four albums worth of material for the "Walking Tall" project. Album cover was done as well, but I honestly wasn't happy with the sound. Coming off the "Casualties Of Life" album it still had that underground / dark depressing feel to it. I was trying to shake that sound. My vision & plan for "Walking Tall" was an up-tempo cheerful / good feel sound & I wasn't getting it. It was to display my life had moved on from "Casualties...". I dumped everything & scratched that project."
I been doing quite a bit shows. On this one show out by Bakersfield I had just stepped off stage after my set & I heard somebody yell, "Oh! Shit! He has a face!" LOL!!!!!!
Plus when people of that city get wind of where I'm going to perform (they already like the songs), and they go to see what I look like.
I guess you can say they don't get to see me unless they go to a show (I'll work it as long as I can) ...I know somebody will expose pics from shows I been to, but it's all in fun. I'm not trippin'.
Plus having adult material and family friendly material has opened more doors of where I can perform. Plus, like I said in the interview. I take other artist to let them shine as well. It's not all about me.
Props to Grindhouse aka Gemini for this interview. Yeah, in fact it was one of the longest I have ever conducted and it required lots of work. By Grindhouse in the first place, then by me as I had to read it like 3 times to make sure everything's on point lol.
Be also sure to read the review of Young Blaze's solo titled "Blaze 2 Richez". This cd came out earlier this year and got reviewed a week ago from what I remember.
Young Blaze - Blaze 2 Richez
2Face Entertainment (2010)
Rating: 3.5/5
01. Let Ya Self Go
02. Can't Live Like This f. Young Faultless
03. Ride Wit Me
04. Don't Cry
05. Thick N Tuff f. JP
06. Back It Up
07. Notice Me
08. California
09. Klock Figgaz f. Superior 1
10. Freak Show f. Gemini
11. Irresistible
12. Blaze 2 Richez
I assume you haven't had an opportunity yet to hear about a rapper by the name of Young Blaze representing Salinas in the 831 area code in Central California. I probably wouldn't recognize him either, if it weren't for the the underground 2002 solo album by Gemini entitled "Casualties Of Life", where you could hear a verse by Blaze - the only one I know of. Obviously except for the currently reviewed solo "Blaze 2 Richez" that was released in the beginning of 2010 under the wings of 2Face Entertainment, which was founded by the already mentioned Gemini aka Grindhouse.
The hereby solo is mainly directed to people, who are not necessarily looking for dynamic entertainment, rather to those who just want to listen to laidback, calm type of rap. As Young Blaze is far from lacing you with block-type gangsta shit with thug/street type of motives and drug sales going on in the background. Don't expect an intensive party where everybody pops a pill and swings one's dreads. The artist is more old school with it and primarily focuses on the surrounding reality. For instance on "Can't Live Like This" you'll hear about low incomes and inability to make ends meet when you have a typical 9 to 5 job. What is more, "Don't Cry" talks about hardships in childhood, adolescence as well as lack of love and support from the closest around, while "Thick N Tuff" is a portray of ghetto life, far from being glamorized though. Indeed, the mentioned tracks are serious, middle-paced and feature a smooth, laidback music with frequent and ear-catching (electric) guitar and key instrument samples. Blaze also talks a lot about women - it will definitely be appreciated by the female part of the audience. Such tracks as "Ride Wit Me", "Notice Me" or "Irresistible" are simply melodious and mesmerizing odes to all beautiful chicks, the ones who are difficult to be ignored, yet often not even pay attention to you. Tempos become faster only occasionally, namely on "Let Ya Self Go" as well as "Back It Up", but don't get fooled by the titles, as they have totally nothing in common with the hyphy movement or club-like vibes, maybe more in a Baby Bash type of mannerism. The rapper himself handles his verses in a decent way, he has absolutely no problems with being smooth and more often than not leaves behind really nice bars. From time to time he will surprise you with an interesting rhyme, however note that it was not his intention to shock you with stunning punch-lines or heart-touching metaphors. Have a look at the below quote:
We turn the dance floor into major freak show
I love the way you movin' nice and slow
So continue to rock the thang like a pro
So unstoppable
Especially when you be touchin' your toes
The album wouldn't have this unique feel to it, if it weren't for the polished production, entirely handled by DJ Mix-N-Spin; only one song was done by M-Fluence. Composers rose to the occasion and cared for middle- or slow-paced tempos as well as soft, nice sounds with the already mentioned instrumental samples. Only few cuts stand out of these standards, for example "California" that is a bit harder, even darker Cali anthem. I was only not fully satisfied with the beat on the last, title track - "Blaze 2 Richez" - where rapper himself came up with a couple of played-out rhymes as well. That's why I'm glad that it was put as a final one on the solo. In other words, get ready to go back to basics while listening to these laidback vibes and hooks performed by female singers. Truth be told, "Blaze 2 Richez" is not a breakthrough in the history of rap, neither a perfect album. Nevertheless it has something to offer and definitely provides a solid dose of pleasure, because you can relax to it, take a breath. What is more, it's balanced enough to appeal to both male and female fans. I'm glad to see the new face of 2Face Entertainment back in the rap game and I keep my fingers crossed for upcoming projects.
The cd can be purchased for example on CD Baby.
I would also like to give big props to the 2Face Ent. CEO - Gemini aka Grindhouse - who submitted a copy of this album for review purposes.
Here's a grip of handy MySpace profiles: Young Blaze, Grindhouse, 2Face Ent. and DJ Mix-N-Spin.
Be also sure to read the review of Young Blaze's solo titled "Blaze 2 Richez". This cd came out earlier this year and got reviewed a week ago from what I remember.
Young Blaze - Blaze 2 Richez
2Face Entertainment (2010)
Rating: 3.5/5
01. Let Ya Self Go
02. Can't Live Like This f. Young Faultless
03. Ride Wit Me
04. Don't Cry
05. Thick N Tuff f. JP
06. Back It Up
07. Notice Me
08. California
09. Klock Figgaz f. Superior 1
10. Freak Show f. Gemini
11. Irresistible
12. Blaze 2 Richez
I assume you haven't had an opportunity yet to hear about a rapper by the name of Young Blaze representing Salinas in the 831 area code in Central California. I probably wouldn't recognize him either, if it weren't for the the underground 2002 solo album by Gemini entitled "Casualties Of Life", where you could hear a verse by Blaze - the only one I know of. Obviously except for the currently reviewed solo "Blaze 2 Richez" that was released in the beginning of 2010 under the wings of 2Face Entertainment, which was founded by the already mentioned Gemini aka Grindhouse.
The hereby solo is mainly directed to people, who are not necessarily looking for dynamic entertainment, rather to those who just want to listen to laidback, calm type of rap. As Young Blaze is far from lacing you with block-type gangsta shit with thug/street type of motives and drug sales going on in the background. Don't expect an intensive party where everybody pops a pill and swings one's dreads. The artist is more old school with it and primarily focuses on the surrounding reality. For instance on "Can't Live Like This" you'll hear about low incomes and inability to make ends meet when you have a typical 9 to 5 job. What is more, "Don't Cry" talks about hardships in childhood, adolescence as well as lack of love and support from the closest around, while "Thick N Tuff" is a portray of ghetto life, far from being glamorized though. Indeed, the mentioned tracks are serious, middle-paced and feature a smooth, laidback music with frequent and ear-catching (electric) guitar and key instrument samples. Blaze also talks a lot about women - it will definitely be appreciated by the female part of the audience. Such tracks as "Ride Wit Me", "Notice Me" or "Irresistible" are simply melodious and mesmerizing odes to all beautiful chicks, the ones who are difficult to be ignored, yet often not even pay attention to you. Tempos become faster only occasionally, namely on "Let Ya Self Go" as well as "Back It Up", but don't get fooled by the titles, as they have totally nothing in common with the hyphy movement or club-like vibes, maybe more in a Baby Bash type of mannerism. The rapper himself handles his verses in a decent way, he has absolutely no problems with being smooth and more often than not leaves behind really nice bars. From time to time he will surprise you with an interesting rhyme, however note that it was not his intention to shock you with stunning punch-lines or heart-touching metaphors. Have a look at the below quote:
We turn the dance floor into major freak show
I love the way you movin' nice and slow
So continue to rock the thang like a pro
So unstoppable
Especially when you be touchin' your toes
The album wouldn't have this unique feel to it, if it weren't for the polished production, entirely handled by DJ Mix-N-Spin; only one song was done by M-Fluence. Composers rose to the occasion and cared for middle- or slow-paced tempos as well as soft, nice sounds with the already mentioned instrumental samples. Only few cuts stand out of these standards, for example "California" that is a bit harder, even darker Cali anthem. I was only not fully satisfied with the beat on the last, title track - "Blaze 2 Richez" - where rapper himself came up with a couple of played-out rhymes as well. That's why I'm glad that it was put as a final one on the solo. In other words, get ready to go back to basics while listening to these laidback vibes and hooks performed by female singers. Truth be told, "Blaze 2 Richez" is not a breakthrough in the history of rap, neither a perfect album. Nevertheless it has something to offer and definitely provides a solid dose of pleasure, because you can relax to it, take a breath. What is more, it's balanced enough to appeal to both male and female fans. I'm glad to see the new face of 2Face Entertainment back in the rap game and I keep my fingers crossed for upcoming projects.
The cd can be purchased for example on CD Baby.
I would also like to give big props to the 2Face Ent. CEO - Gemini aka Grindhouse - who submitted a copy of this album for review purposes.
Here's a grip of handy MySpace profiles: Young Blaze, Grindhouse, 2Face Ent. and DJ Mix-N-Spin.
