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Street Soldiers

Aug 25
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Street Soldiers TV: Mastering the Music Business

By | Fox 5, Street Soldiers | No Comments

Many people want to become stars in the music world. And there are more ways than ever before to realize that dream. But what does it really take to get to the top and stay there?

Paterson’s own Fetty Wap made music history as the first act to have four hits simultaneously on Billboard’s Top 10 Hot Rap song chart. By the time his first song was out, he’d already recorded several albums.

His work ethic and authenticity made the most of his management team’s strategies, says his manager Danny Su Griffin.

“He was coming from his heart, it was definitely coming from his heart,” Griffin says. “He was being himself and he had it in him.”

Also coming from the heart is his new artist Shamyra. She has won on the Apollo stage and is now communicating her latest message through her music video “Reaching for the Stars.” She says that as long as she stays true to herself, she can’t be compared to anyone.

Whether it’s the phenomenal-creativity and career of Drake, or the groundbreaking success of Cardi B that took many by surprise, the big names all share a strong work ethic and stick to a career strategy.

But it begins even before that, Griffin says. An artist needs to believe that they can achieve their dreams and then work hard to make them come true.

–LISA EVERS

FEATURED CAST: LISA EVERS @lisaevers Street Soldiers host https://twitter.com/lisaevers

SHAWN PREZ, Marketing Expert and Founder, Global Spin Awards https://twitter.com/ShawnPrez

SOWMYA KRISHNAMURTHY, Music Journalist https://twitter.com/SowmyaK

DANNY SU GRIFFIN, Fetty Wap’s Manager and CEO, RGF/AMG Productions https://twitter.com/DannySuuu

Aug 11
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Street Soldiers TV: Hip Hop & Video Gaming Revolution

By | Fox 5, Street Soldiers | No Comments

A popular music video by Lil Yachty, Ski Mask the Slump God and Yung Bans is a tribute to one of the most popular games in the world—Fortnite. Top music producer Murda Beatz incorporated the game’s original theme into the rap version.

This is just part of the growing relationship between hip-hop and gaming, which makes perfect sense, according to expert Sherri L. Smith.

“Because it’s lucrative, you have cameos, you can provide a soundtrack, you can make your own video game,” Smith said. “And gaming is so mainstream in America you can reach so many more potential fans than you ever could on Spotify, iTunes or Tidal.”

In the new NBA2K19, hip-hop artists 2 Chainz and Rapsody join forces with LeBron James in a win-win for everyone. Industry powerhouse and champion player HipHopGamer said other artists are starting to pay attention.

“Cool factor played a big role in it, the money, the attention, the value and the engagement,” he said. “It’s beneficial for them, it’s also fun, and it also gives them an opportunity to grow their brand, and that right there helps them become sustainable no matter where they go in the form of entertainment.”

Murda Mook, the king of battle rap, grew up playing video games. He said sees similarities with his art form—both are about winning. “Video games is another way of the competitive aspect, and another way of getting your frustration out too,” he said.

Hip hop artists have even more incentive to tap into the trend. At a time when some have trouble filling large venues, gaming fans are packing the stands.

“Lego Legends, Counter Strike Go, which is also known as CSGo, all these arena-style games, they are selling out stadiums,” Smith said. “People are paying to watch these people play competitively.”

Evolving technology which transformed the music industry is also transforming gaming with the growing popularity of live gaming.

“If you look at music the way it was and the way it is now, you’re talking about how many streams you got, not how many albums you’re selling, so everything is different,” HipHopGamer said. “If you look at Twitch, YouTube, and Mixr, that’s backed by Microsoft, these new platforms allow you to engage with your audience in a whole new way.”

–LISA EVERS

FEATURED CAST: LISA EVERS, Host and Executive Producer, Street Soldiers https://twitter.com/lisaevers

HIPHOPGAMER, Video Gaming Champion and Gaming Journalist https://twitter.com/HipHopGamer

SHERRI L. SMITH, Games and Tech Journalist and Editor, Laptop Mag and Tom’s Guide https://twitter.com/misssmith11

MURDA MOOK, King of Battle Rap and Video Gaming Enthusiast https://twitter.com/MurdaMookez

Jun 25
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Mental Health Myths and Realities with Mike Shinoda

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The song “Crossing a Line” is Mike Shinoda’s tribute to his close friend and fellow Linkin Park band member Chester Bennington, who took his life in July 2017.

Shinoda’s debut solo album is called “Post Traumatic” and features music with a message. Shinoda told me his goal with “Post Traumatic” was to peel away every layer of superficiality in the national mental health conversation and get people talking and reaching out.

[WATCH THE EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SHINODA: https://youtu.be/S3m1OJc1KhY]

Sometimes there is no warning. Anneliese McCain was a popular college junior who took her life at age 20. Her father, a retired Port Authority Police Department ESU sergeant who spent his career saving lives, said he didn’t see a hint of any problem. He said the day before she died they were texting each other as usual. Then, less than 12 hours later she was gone.

High-profile celebrities like Mariah Carey and Kanye West are among those talking openly about their personal battles with mental health issues.

Dr. Elisa English said that getting professional help can save lives. She points out that mental illness has an 80 percent cure rate, which is phenomenal.

And government statistics show about a third of Americans suffer from depression. The CDC said that suicide rates are rising across all demographic categories.

Getting help saved Lawrence Hines’s life. His message to anybody dealing with suicidal ideations and depression is that hope really is out there but along with that hope you have to get help. You can’t do it alone, he said.

We want to share those important phone numbers if you or anyone you know might be at risk. Call 800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress. You can also call that same number to talk to someone about how you can help a person in crisis. Para soporte de crisis en Español, llame 888-628-9454.

–LISA EVERS

STARRING: LISA EVERS, Host and Executive Producer, Street Soldiers https://twitter.com/lisaevers

MIKE SHINODA, Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Linkin Park https://twitter.com/mikeshinoda

DR. ELISA ENGLISH, Clinical Therapist https://twitter.com/AskDrElisa

SGT. EVERETT MCCAIN, Retired PAPD ESU Sergeant https://twitter.com/emcc4

LAWRENCE HINES, Mental Health Advocate https://twitter.com/LawrenceHnyc

WATCH THE EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SHINODA: https://youtu.be/S3m1OJc1KhY