The Eminem Blog » general music related

13 questions for Dina Rae: an exclusive interview!

Isabelle — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:35:10 +0000

In order to clear some unfounded rumors, Dina Rae happens to be the mystery guest for my blog…hope this puts everything clear!

A few weeks ago, Dina Rae kindly accepted this interview. I’d like to thank her for that. Dina Rae is familiar to many people for being “track 13 girl” on Eminem’s albums. But the amazing artist has also a lot of collaborations with the Detroit underground hip hop scene at her active. She has done a lot of music of her own. Besides her music skills, she is also a gifted dancer. Often envied for her sexiness, the talented female singer has made a name in the music industry. Listen to what Dina has to say:)

1. What motivated you to become an artist and how did you get started in the music industry?

I was trained as a dancer at a young age, so that always gave me the creative outlet, but my musical career evolved because of me having a serious spine injury that halted my dance career and pushed the singer songwriter in me more to the forefront. As I child I always enjoyed musical theater, so I always knew I had it in me to sing. My vocal coach Cydney Davis, who has worked with many great singers such as Marvin Gaye, Barry White, and Joe Cocker trained me since the age of nine, so I was well prepare for my future as a vocalist…One day at Fat Lip of The Pharcydes crib, he began playing this loop on his turntable and heard me singing this hook I’d just wrote. Right then and there he demanded that I lay it down and record it and that was it for me! It was over then! I knew at that moment songwriting and singing was all I wanted to do. I felt like I found my nitch.

2. Define your musical style within a few words…

2. I hate to pigeonhole myself but if I had to sum it up I’d have to call it edgy Pop mixed with R&B. My sound is very Hip Hop influenced, so I also like to call Hip Pop. I like to curse alot in my music, but I think I’m pretty melodical and lyrical too. I love really hard beats as my musical backdrop, so I guess that’s why you can’t just call it your traditional R&B.

3. Can you enlighten the readers about your solo work?

I would definitely say that I’m a mouthpiece for women. In my music I like to say all the things women can’t sometimes say because were either scared to, we’ll lose our jobs or we gotta “play our positions” as women. I have a bluntness in my music that if you know me personally, it’s how I would have a regular conversation with you. I would say that my explicitness and hardcore production draws the male fan base also.

4.You also did some interesting choreographic work…a few words about it?

I love choreography and dance that’s the root and the backbone of everything I do. My favorite experience with choreography was a show I did when I was young with Tina Landon and Janet Jackson’s dancers based out in Los Angeles. Currently, I’m in dance rehearsals with my latest material, choreographing my new show.

5. Most people know you as the Track 13 Girl on Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP…I myself discovered you thanks to the Drug Ballad song.
Your vocals create the softness into the rough addiction universe of the song.
Can you tell us how you got to meet Eminem?

I made a promise to myself never to answer this question again, but I’ll make this one final exception; lol! A mutual friend from Interscope Records basically linked us up at the time, when I ran into them picking up food in LA somewhere.

6. You actually made impression on Eminem. How is it to work with a like him? Does he put working standards to a very high level?

I admire Marshall’s work ethic immensely and I have been inspired by it. He expects nothing but perfection when you’re in the studio with him; but he doesn’t mind if I get a little high from time to time. Just kidding, haha!!!

7. You also did some interesting collaborations with Detroit underground rapper Mu. A few words about them?

Mu is one of the most lyrical and articulate rappers I know. He has co-written a couple of songs with me on the R&B tip. He’s a very talented artist.

8. You do have other Detroit underground emcees collaborations at your active…what is your personal insight on the Detroit hip hop scene?

I keep up with my close friends and family in Detroit, but I haven’t been back to The D since Proof’s funeral. Everyone was and is so devasted by his death, I don’t know that Detroit s Hip-Hop scene will ever be the same without him. We can only keep his legacy going. I know I will.

9. What is the most difficult challenge you had to face as an artist?

As an artist I’d say that trying to release an album after working with an artist of Eminem’s caliber has been the most trying. There’s this misconception that because I sang on all these records with him I’m automatically straight, you know? But it actually works quite opposite. Don’t get me wrong I’m so grateful for the experience and opportunity of making history with him, it’s just that your identity is always next to, or compared to his and that’s hard to overcome. I don’t do what Em does; I do what Dina Rae does. Always have, always will.

10. Which ( mainstream or underground) artist earned your respect and why?

I’m really into Lady Gaga right now. She’s got that edgy dance thing, and seems real honest and integral with her art form. She was a hustler too and I respect that.

11.. According to you, what makes you appear as unique in the world of music?

I’d say I’m unique because of my diverse influences, in life and in music.

12. Besides your obvious musical skills, your sexiness is certainly a great asset too. Did you experience some envy or jealousy?

I think any halfway attractive female is going to get jealousy and hate from other females. For me I guess it was a lot of envy from Eminem’s female fans because he was grinding on my butt onstage while we were performing the song Superman during The Anger Management Tour Lolll!!!!!

13. Any upcoming musical projects/ collaborations for 2009?

Yes, I’ve formed my own label Purple Diva, Inc. that will be launching all my new music this year. I’ll be releasing a digital EP entitled The Return of The Real this summer, followed by my solo debut, Purple Diva, dropping in the fall. If you know what I’ve done and know what history I’ve been apart of, then you already know what you’re about to hear; nothing but hits! Dina Rae-The Purple Diva signing off.

Do you like music?

Isabelle — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:41:22 +0000

I’m not talking about hip hop only, but about music as a whole. If your answer is yes, then you should definitely check Music Mouth, a professionally designed website that will probably respond to most of your answers regarding the various musical genres it covers. You will also be able to find some of my reviews there.

Check it out, you won’t regret it!

Mr Waar, true ambassador of reggae music

Isabelle — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:46:09 +0000

Carrying the true rasta spirit, Mr Waar is a fighter for the right cause: more justice, more equality in this world. Like his predecessor, Bob Marley, Mr Waar denounces the cold Babylon system and brings his folks back in the state of war: black folks want more justice, more attention from the world. Put your hand up and follow Mr Waar, the leader.
Keyboards, violins, very cadenced beats enhance the Jacksonville artist’s strong winner spirit during the whole Mr Waar song.

Loud Electronic sounds introduce the festive, wine celebrating Wine song. Despite the light instrumental background and refrain, Mr Waar is not afraid to talk about dark theme such as slavery, the exploitation of black people, reminding people of a devil called hatred.

Soft violin sounds mixed up with slight piano notes are the prelude to a symphonic violin background in which harsh drum beats punctuate a tense atmosphere while Mr Waar conjugates the word hip hop with a Jamaican dialect.

Mr Waar’s music comes straight from the heart. Discover it here.

Stop demonizing hip hop culture. Try to understand it instead!

Isabelle — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:12:49 +0000

Today I would like to react against a specific kind of corporate journalism, which keeps defending a corporate America with its closed minded values.
Some journalists seem to point an angry finger at hip hop culture, accusing it of inducing violence, mostly among very young people. Mainstream rappers are also accused to contribute to the increasing praise of a scandalous gun and drug culture, to quote most of them angry journalists.

While it is true that some young people in the ghetto would definitely need some guidance from adults and stop taking some artists as their role models (in the wrong sense of the term), when those emcees don’t even claim to be- I do think that people should stop blaming each kind of violence that happens in today s ghettos on hip hop.

First and foremost, hip hop in its essence is artistic expression. Therefore, it should be considered as such and be treated with respect.

Although we could barely ignore that the context in which hip hop was born in the NYC ghettos was a context of rebellion against the American government ‘s bad housing politics towards black people in particular.

Not is the culture to blame for violence happening in American ghettos, but corporate America in itself. The American government of the sixties created the rage and rebellion of the ghettos. Who does gun and drug traffics benefit in the end? To ghetto inhabitants? Don’t be naive on that point: it certainly benefits to the American government. Ice Cube intelligently demonstrated it in his Why We Thugs song.

We cannot deny that violence exists and that people are getting killed in ghettos on a daily basis. Dramas do happen, whether they hit emcees or regular people.

However it is kinda ridiculous and narrow minded to blame it on the music.

Some mainstream emcees like 50 Cent and many others are certainly giving hip hop a bad image. They also seem to summarize it to fast money, big jewels, beautiful ladies and guntalks.

Therefore, we need to go back to hip hop’s essence, an art that is all about self expression, rhythm, music and the art of rhyme.

Open your ears to Soloman Beatz

Isabelle — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:19:53 +0000

Soloman Beatz is a Californian artist with a very intuitive and impressive sense of rhythm a true music lover could barely stay indifferent in front of.
Starting with some guitar sounds that progressively leave place to some powerful violin and harpsichord with a loud orchestral background and some good, rhythmic drum beats, The One is a beautiful track that will conquer more that one heart.
Soloman’s artistic expression will raise some real enthusiasm among the listeners, because you will feel the love, the dedication and the magic through the various sounds and vibrations.

AHHHHHH brings back the same, powerful spirit that will lead you into Soloman Beatz ‘ universe made of swinging piano sounds intelligently mixed up with violons and electric guitar. The artist s various musical influences are visible in this track that has a little bit of hip hop, soul, jazzy and even classical influences. Move along with the music and let it penetrate into your soul like light drops of Summer rain.

Wild 961 On The Air has a much more raw resonance in which you will be able to totally appreciate the artist s professionalism.

Pianist introduces the listener into a soft starting piano background whose sonority suddenly increases as violins appear in the background. A masculine voice echoes in the background, letting place for a surrealistic, dreamy atmosphere.

In case you artists need some good, professional beats lead from the hand of a master, Soloman Beatz perfectly knows how to do it. Discover the brilliant artist here.

Talking about favorite instruments…

Isabelle — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:15:44 +0000

Imagine a world without music, deprived of any bird song, a world in which sounds would be forbidden for good…I know I can t.

As far as I can look back, music has always been part of my life. Very early I have been taught how to discriminate between different instruments and to make real differences between different notes and sounds.

Having a good general musical culture, I am much more attracted to black music. Hip hop in particular plays a major role in my life.

I think that each of us has his/ her favorite instruments. Here are the ones that really know how to please my ears:

- the oboe: its very subtle, fine sound often opens the prelude to intense dramas. This instrument speaks directly to the heart and will transport you into the musician or composer s universe. Maybe Wagner s Tristan shaped my ear and increased my interest for this particular instrument.

- the violin is maybe one of the most emotional instruments. From slow to rapid, soft to darker tones, the violin deeply touches the human soul and beautifully describes its changing moods.
Essential component in a consistent symphonic work, violins totally fit into gipsy music. You can find them in any musical genres, as a major element of many compositions. It offers many artists the possibility to marry them violins with a rougher instrumental background in order to offer the listener a mental opposition between soft and raw. This is very likely to happen within many hip hop tracks.

-the saxophone has inspired many musicians. Also very popular in Jewish culture, the saxophone is almost human in its way of drawing human states of mind, from laughter to darker moods. It has a wonderful, sensual resonance in jazzy or soul tracks. I’d recommend any of you saxophone lovers Eric Daniel s Old Sax Nu Soul album. It is maybe one of the best worked on contemporary work on the sensual instrument.

- Cypress Hill’s drummer, Eric Bobo made me appreciate the art of drumming to the fullest. The artist s incredible sense of rhythm and undeniable gift left some unforgettable memories of his Latino flavored drum sounds at the Anger Management Tour 2003.

- I also love the nearly mystical yet with an erotic connotation beautiful violoncello. Built like a woman’s curvy body, its profound sound will probably move many of your hearts. It can be the theater of dramatic events.

Music can be viewed as a whole…however, the instruments mentioned above will always have a special place in my heart.

Mariah Carey vs Eminem(Entertainmentwise.com)

Isabelle — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:19:21 +0000

Part fifty of the Mariah Carey versus Eminem row has emerged, and it’s getting nasty.

OK! Magazine has reported that Eminem’s new album will go into intricate detail about his fling with Mariah Carey.

The magazine spoke to an insider who revealed “There’s more then one track that goes into really specific, intimate detail about what went on between Em and Mariah”.

The magazine reports that Mariah has asked the head of her record label to intervene, and plans to sue Eminem for slander.

Good luck with that Mariah, I think the queue starts over there.

Urban Transport: jazz made in Detroit

Isabelle — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:22:05 +0000

With its bass and piano accents in the background, Urban Transport will enhance the very soft chillout atmosphere of their Invitation song. Invitation is literally an invitation to hang around and to gently travel through the group s universe. The listener will probably love the mixture of softness and dynamic hammering piano sounds in the middle of the track.

Bass and drums introduce Freedom Jazz Dance, a beautiful, rhythmic track that will probably motivate you to dance along with the track.

Maiden Voyage draws a colorful ambience. Catchy beats, piano notes and drum beats will work together in order to create feelings of excitement and amusement through the music. Trumpets and trombones are also here to spice up the track.

Tokyo Blues is fulfilled with nostalgy and joy; The very sensula saxophone tones in the background will certainly increase your hunger for this gifted group s music.

Listen to Urban Transport here.

What matters most in music journalism

Isabelle — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:45:14 +0000

Today I would like to address to all of you who share the same passion as me for music journalism, no matter of they are aspiring writers or very experienced in the job.

Many people do think that what only matters in writing jobs are experienced people who manage to write very well structured texts and who will bring brilliant demonstrations of literacy and musical knowledge on paper. Little did you know if you think those details will make a brilliant and acclaimed music journalist of you.

While it is true that you need to meet some basic requirements to attract a readership that will include a quite proper spelling, some obvious editing skills, a good knowledge of the subject you are talking about, you can count them as nothing if you are not motivated by a genuine passion for what you are doing.

You obviously have to write with your heart and soul in order to communicate the same intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm to your readership. It is not only about raising rap or music fans interest, it is also about managing to captivate a neophyte s interest, sharing a genuine passion with the world and making the reader feel that it is real.

I once read a story about an interpreter who was singing I Know My Savior Lives. Technically, her interpretation seemed perfect, until she got some objective criticism that sounded like : Very good, miss…but you don t seem to know that your Savior lives…

Do you get my point? No matter how excellent you are in mastering your craft, you must be able to put some real feelings in what you are doing.

As Proof stated it in one of his songs, I put my soul to the ink should be a writer s state of mind when he is addressing to a readership.

As an employer, if I had to choose between a gifted, impersonal writer and a person with a genuine passion who happened to make some slight mistakes, I d chose the second person with no hesitation. You can always perfect mistakes, but you could barely remove the coldness from a so called perfect article.

Some commentators must be definitely right about it: this blogger’s “article” gotta be a joke!

Isabelle — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:38:16 +0000

A friend recently sent me a link to an article that I find more than outrageous, for numerous reasons.

Jill must have been totally out of her mind when she posted that blog entry. At least, that s what numerous commentators pointed out. I agree with them. Not only because it is an ignorant attack against Eminem and 5O Cent s misogynistic sounding and violent lyrics, but because Jill dares to advocate the KKK s points of view- I mean racial discrimination-, citing the First Amendment of the American Constitution. Which is scandalous in my opinion.

I too am in favor of freedom of speech, but I consider that it should be restricted when the speech becomes foolishly racially demeaning oriented. I won t grant neo nazis their freedom of speech because of freedom of speech.

I won t allow people to condone racial discrimination or ethnic extermination, just because of the principle of freedom of speech.

One should consider that the freedom of speech has its own limits when it involves total segregation against a group of individuals, because of their race or origins.

Of course, Jill is jumping to stupid conclusions, regarding Eminem s lyrics, mostly because of her obvious ignorance of the subject. I bet she will consider Eminem discriminatory against women or gay people, just because she doesn t get his subtle sense of humor.

When people talk about misogyny in hip hop, Eminem s name is the first name that comes to their mind, mostly because those brave, utterly schocked people, totally ignore hip hop culture.
Misogyny is ways prior to Eminem or to 50 Cent: it reflects a state of mind that is typical to ghetto culture and to gangsta rap in particular. Men will diss hoes in their raps. But Jill probably ignored about the many female rappers who diss men in their lyrics… Should men take offense for their disses?

The rap game is about hits and disses. Being shocked at the disses is just ignoring everything about what makes the game.

I am a woman, a mom of two kids, and I have been listening to hip hop for more than a decade. I have been listening to the most hardcore hip hop songs, like NWA s A Bitch Is A Bitch. How come i don t feel insulted?

It is simply because i don t consider myself a bitch, a slut or a hoe. I don t behave like one nor do I dress as such, so why should I feel dishonored by a rapper s statement in a song? That s simply ridiculous if you ask me.

When hip hop becomes a bad influence, it is mostly because parents don t watch their kids and lack dialogue at home.

My kids and I, all the three of us, are hip hop lovers. None of us robbed a shop nor killed somebody with a gun. We all love the music for what it is: artistic expression.

If you don t like what Eminem and 5O Cent stand for, why not stop listening to them? Rather listen to artists you like instead of bashing those you don t get.

Talking without knowing what your are talking about and for endorsing the KKK s statements in virtue of freedom of speech is rather hypocritical as far as I am concerned-unless your article is meant to be a big joke.