Interview with Nitara Reaves

                                               What is your name?

 

Maya Nitara Reaves aka “The Songstress”

 

                                               Where are you from?

 

Charlotte, North Carolina

 

                             Have you always been in the music industry?

 

Music has always been a part of my life. I started out at the age of 5years old learning Broadway and show tunes at Ms. Donna’s School of Dance in Charlotte, NC. I have been a lead in more than 20 Praise and Worship teams, including the New Jersey Mass Choir, Greg Hoover & the Charlotte Community Singers, and many others.

 

                     What is your first memory of being inspired by music?

 

My parents embedded in me the love for good music, especially soulful sounds, and music that have meaning. I remember my parents having Spade parties, where their friends would come over and enjoy food and good music. Although I should have been sleeping, I would lie in bed listening to the sounds of the O’Jays, Betty Wright, Millie Jackson, and the Isley Brothers, and pretend to have my own mini concert.

 

                    When did you realize you could actually do this as a career?

 

Music has always been my first love. I remember signing up to perform Mahalia Jackson’s “Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child” for an assembly program during Black History Month. I was not sure what to expect from my peers, but I wanted to share the song that was in my heart. To my surprise, after I finished my song there was a dead silence, as I place the microphone back on its stand, there came a roar from the crowd that made me realize that not only could I sing but people actually liked my voice.

What has been the hardest part in getting your music out there?

 

I would say that the hardest part would probably be the fact that I am a full-figured woman, and most saw only my appearance or image instead of my talent. I did not want to conform to the mentality of thin is better. I love my curves and did not feel I had to conform to the status quo.

 

 

 

                           What was the inspiration behind All Thru the night?

During a late night session at the studio, I started to developed writers block. I decided to take a short break, so I put a little of my favorite music on to relax. Gerald LeVert came through my speakers, and started to speak to me. I began to wonder, “If Gerald was a woman how he would complete this track? After a few moments of deep thought, I took those thoughts and wrote and recorded All Thru the Night in one session.

                              How would you classify-if you can-your music?

I would say my music has a combination of several music genres; to be exact I would say it is R&B with a taste of Soul and a touch of sweet aggression. I have a unique mature soulful sound that many have said to have a blend of flavor such as R. Kelly, Betty Wright, Lalah Hathaway, Angie Stone, Gerald LeVert, and Millie Jackson. This is a combination sure to stir the soul and set the mind on fire.

                                              Who is your inspiration?

I love me some Gerald LeVert; however, I must admit most of my songs comes from real life experiences; whether they are experiences that I have encountered personally or those of close friends and family members. I believe there is a song in everything we do, its finding the words to express and vividly paint a picture through lyrics.

                                     Where do you hope to be by 2012?

My dream is to be an International Artist; globally known for promoting love and sensuality through music.

                            What's the best piece of advice you have received?

The best piece of advice would be to protect your music, and never sign any contracts without legal representation.

                What advice would you give to other musicians trying to get off the ground?

Make sure that you have researched the person or company thoroughly that will be representing you. Their image or business dealings could bring a negative light on you as an Artist or possibly have you music tied up in so much red tape that it is shelved, and never released. You want someone that will always have your best interest at heart, has knowledge of the Industry, and understands the meaning of loyalty.

 

                                          Where can we buy your music?

Album will be released in July 2011, and you will be able to find me on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby,and www.vyzion-ent.com

                                    Do you have any last words or shot outs?

Of course I want to thank you, Gamedup Magazine for taking the time out for an interview. Crystal Coxton of Checkmate Management, I thank you for seeing my potential and believing in me or my dream, and continued to push through the pull without hesitations.  To my record label, Vyzion Entertainment, thank you for showing me that without a clear vision there is no direction. Also I would like to send a special shout out to Demetrius Richardson (D-Rich) and Brandon Coxton (Play DoE) two very special and talented Artist from the Queen City, thank you for adding your southern swagger and lyrics, Dean Walker with 2A Photography, and most of to my children Jazz, Symphony, and Stix Reaves the youngest producer, for being my soul supporters. This album’s success could not be possible if I did not have the people listed above. Thank you again. 

Interview With Brotha Lynch Hung

How's it going?

What's up man. Just saw the website this morning and I love it!

Yeah? Glad to hear that! Hope you become a repeat visitor.

Yeah, yeah! I will be now!

Coathanga Strangla is about to come out and it's the second album in your Coathanga Strangla trilogy. Where did this concept come from and where do you hope to take it?

Well, the concepts come from me being a young kid and always loving horror movies. I'm an only child so I used to watch horror movies in my room by myself all the time. And I've been watching them all the way up to now. And I hope to take it to where I'm writing screenplays. I'm writing some screenplays right now and I hope to get those noticed later on in life. That would be my second career choice.

I had heard that you're an avid screenwriter, which makes me wonder if the story of the Coathanga Strangla was originally written out as a movie or as this trilogy concept album?

Well, it was originally planned as a trilogy concept album. When I first signed with Strange (Music), I came at they with that whole concept and they decided to sign me for three albums, so I could do just that. If you don't know already, we're doing nine videos: three per album. I have three out for 'Dinner And A Movie' and have just completed the three for the 'Coathanga (Strangla)' album and it'll be three for the 'Mannibal Lecter' album, once I get done recording that one.

Yeah, I heard about those videos. What intrigued me is that supposedly each video connects to the previous one, making it so that, in the end, all nine videos will be a short movie.

Right! Yeah, and they're coming out beautiful. Strange is doing a real good job of connecting that for me. Basically, I just do the rapping and set up the storyline of my three albums and they're doing an excellent job.

Is the story of the Coathanga Strangla completely written out or does it continue to grow and develop in your mind?

Well it's matching the album, so since I'm going to be writing 'Mannibal Lecter' now I'm still stretching it out in my mind.

Now, since you've been officially in the music scene since '93 with the release of '24 Deep', you've seen not only a lot of change in the music industry and in musical styles, but also in horror and how horror is portrayed in mass media. Do you feel that your music was affected by all these changes or at least influenced by it?

I hope so! I never really considered myself to be a horrorcore rapper. I gave myself a title 15 years ago called 'rip gut' but the horror community really accepts me. And I love to be accepted. And I hope my stuff is good, to answer your question. And I love that genre!

What is it about horror that appeals to you?

Well, with me it all starts with meat. I love meat, and I'd probably try any meat that somebody prepared for me. And it started from there and that's why I called it 'rip gut', you know, 'rip guy' cannibalism type of rap. But since they accepted me, I started listening to the Esham's and other artists just recently and I'm thinking, "Wow, I'm not the only one out here talking like this on my music."

What about horror films and the horror genre? How does that appeal to you?

Pretty much the creativity that goes into it. It's not the movie that goes "Boo!", it's more of a movie that could happen in real life. Movies like Hostel and stuff like that, THAT turns me on. It's not so much the Friday the 13ths and movies like that. It's the intenseness and that's how I like it in my music, y'know? Stuff that really could happen.

Now, I also hear that you're a big video game fan. What types of games are you into?

I play a lot of Madden, Fight Night, 2K and also golf. Golf is relaxing for me. And you know I gotta play the CoD. To me, I'm one of the best killers in Call of Duty.

What are some of your favorite horror movies?

I love Hostel. You know I gotta love Saw. And one of my favorites that's old school, even though I love the new school one, is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The best thing I like about that movie is the yelling sound of Leatherface, which creeped me out when I was younger. I like the newer stuff but it's the older stuff…I guess I was younger and more subject to belief and it all kinda spooked me.

Do you remember the first horror movie you've seen?

It's gonna be crazy because everyone I tell says they've never heard about it. Have you heard of Salem's Lot?

Oh yeah! Of course!

That is the first movie that scared the hell out of me. I was watching it by myself and I love that movie! I actually gotta try and find that.

Awesome! Well, Lynch, thanks so much for taking some time to chat with me and I wish you the best of luck with 'Coathanga Strangla' and 'Mannibal Lecter'!

Thanks man! Thanks for having me and please tell all the readers that I really appreciate them and that I plan on giving them a hell of lot in the future.

Stay up-to-date with Brotha Lynch Hung through his Official Website, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

Interview With Lexis King

Gamed"Up: What's Your Name?

LK:lexis king..
Gamed"Up: What Type Of Car Do You Drive?
LK: imports, mainly a group of mazdas. Rx models to be exact.
Gamed'Up: How Long Have You Been Racing? 
LK: About 2 years. semi pro. Streets since highschool.
Gamed"Up: What Advice Would You Give To Someone Who Wants To Drive/Race Cars?
LK: Stick to what u like. it can posdibly become discouraging if it begins to frustrate you. I've never seen it as a task, and thats what keeps it fun. Yes its a good amount of money, but if you can handle the costs. The reward and excitement is staggering in comparison.
Gamed"Up: What Made You Go Into Cars?
LK: To keep it 100, i was raised into it. pops had em, and he used to sit me on his lap when I was 5 and let me steer when we were out at our family spot for the summer. from there, when I was like 13 i used to steal the car when pops would go to sleep I would mobb all over the hood, and do wild shit. from there he just started buying me cars, to keep me out of his I would wreck the shit out of em, probably tryin some video game like maneuver then he would cop another.... It was kinda bad for me, because I didn't realize the value and privledge of having a car back then I just thought it was like gettin some new shoes, figured I was supposed to have em. that point forward, I couldnt live without cars. it grew to the love affair that i have today with em. I got a car lot outside.
Gamed"Up: So What Is Your Favorite Memory With A Car? Just 1
LK:Ha, shit... so many. aiight, lets see. back when I first started foolin' with makin my cars fast, we used to freeway race alot. My rx7 had about 365whp, and i was pretty damn fast. my homie did a 6 cylinder swap in his 240sx, and we were goin for a few freeway pulls to test it out, It became evident early on in the night his shit was getting aired out still, so we had a clever idea to see how fasy I could reel him in once he got to 120mph so I sat back at 70mph, he took off. we had nextels at the moment, and he chirped me when to chase him down well when he hit me I blast off. I was smooth haulin ass, we were coming past pinole when i started coming up to 155mph I caught him at the hilltop exit and blew past him, when i looked over at him as i passed, i saw contra costa county sheriff getting on the freeway at the speed I was going, And the mentality I had he was in for a long night My homie saw him and stood on the brakes, said dude didnt even care about him... he came after me, but I just kept it pedaled, and jumped thru a few cars. my nextel keeps goin off with a nigga laughing my patnah comes over the mic talkin bout "blood this is hilarious" homie doesnt know where youre at, and everytime you switch gears or let off the gas flames are lighting up the freeway, and he turns back on his lights to persue your last location..." well by that time im off the freeway to the crib, and he said the police stayed in pursuit of a ghost toward oakland. that was kinda like my day to day at that time, but that has to be one of the more memorable pursuits.
GamedUp: What Cars Impress You?
LK: Well put together ones.. I'm a fan of form and function. If it looks clean and low... and just happens to be fast, im wit it. the right set of wheels that arent too big for thw body of the car, and the proper ride height go a long way for me. but I will tell you the shit I HATE! them dumb ass tonka lookin cars on ferris wheels. wheels so big you cant even see the brakes past the center if the wheel. people that do that kinda shit, simple minded.... you cant even stop the car properly, not to even mention turn that dumb ass shiy without eatin the back of yo' fenders up. lol, fools make the suspension so stressed the car bounces around lookin like its on a piece of solid metal. shit like that has me dyin laughin in traffic. my shit 2 inches off the ground and the 2 years off the ground... but to get back on topic, and off my pet peeve... im all about ride height, and clean bodys. thats whats dope.
 
Gamed"Up: Do You Wanna Give Out Any Shout Outs?
LK: yea, matter of fact I do. shouts to all the black dudes that fool with imports, im starting to see more now.... might be cause yall foolin with asian girls more, but makes me not stick out so much anymore. shout out to the wife, holdin down the homefront and helpin me change tires at the track. shouts go to my crew, SYTFU "shut you the fuck up" (if you have to ask)... keepin it solid in 11'. shouts to my bro' and all my cousins also, shout outs to my homie, and mentor in this cut throat motorsports game, justin. hope you dont wreck my shit filmin this movies, haha... and for the most part you, my nigg.. keep'n it 100.
Gamed"Up: What's Next For You?
LK: Uh, well like i just mentioned briefly.. Im taking part in a independent film being shot in LA. I've been sourced to provide my vehicle for the flick. so I will be back and forth to socal for the next few weeks. also the new season is getting ready to gear up, and I plan to bust a move bigtime. lastyear i had small issues that plauged my season, this year Im bustin out solid, and really want to leave an empression out there. Other than that, keep building, and collectin fresh cars make moves with my son, since he started driving this year. hopefully I can get him on the road to riches, and I can finally quit workin.... well, in my dreams, but you get the idea.

Interview With Cee-lo Green

Q And A With Cee Lo

FORGET KILLING them with kindness -- Cee Lo Green wants to kill you with music.

The singer-rapper-producer's new CD is titled "The Lady Killer," and while it has some romantic tunes on it, the title more reflects his approach to connecting with his audience: He's looking to do it with lethal precision.

"Instead of random gunfire, like, it's about marksmanship, directly in the center of the cross hairs. POW, single shot, done, clean, from 100 miles away," he explained a recent interview.

"It's a side of myself I had yet to showcase -- a softer side. And it's more straightforward and direct, which is synonymous with killer."

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, the Grammy-winning musician -- who also hosts his own show on Fuse TV called "Lay It Down" -- talked about his new album and smash hit, "(Expletive) You!"

Q: You've gotten a  lot of critical love for this new disc. Have you been checking the reviews?

A: I have quite a bit of it sent to me. So yeah, I'm up on the popular opinion of the album. "... I feel so fortunate -- all warm and tingly.

Q: Are you a perfectionist when it comes to making music?

A: I'm becoming more of, not a perfectionist, but a practitioner, meaning I'm getting more involved in the technical aspect of it. When I really took the leap was with Gnarls Barkley's "Odd Couple." "... See, the music I do has a very humane kind of quality. "... Life isn't perfect and I do believe that there's funk in the flaw. So a lot of it I let it be simply because, I mean, this is only recently I've begun to be my own worst critic. Earlier in my career I let so many things go, and I look back in some regret because I probably could have done better, but it's the most honest the first time around.

Q: Why are you so critical about yourself now?

A: I guess because I know better. I've experienced more, you know. I'm a lot more involved and enthusiastic and in control and so, you know, I aspire to master that feel and that aspect of my own personal art. "... So I have a very genuine concern about how it's perceived and the production and fine-tooth combing every intricate detail.

Q: When you write songs, are they coming from personal situations or ideas and dreams?

A: It's not a whole truth, the story line that is. It just depends. Not everything is biographical. Some things are third-person. Some things are vicarious, other things are cathartic.

Q: "Forget You" was released on iTunes a month after the song went viral. Did you and the label think of releasing it once the song was everywhere?

A: No. We had to kind of react after "Forget You" was released. It was such an immediate, overwhelming response. Far behind my own personal expectations, you know. I think I speak on behalf of almost everyone to say that it just surpasses what we could have imagined. "... A song titled as such, again, I could've more easily assumed where it wouldn't work as opposed to where it would, you know.

Q: How does it feel to see Gwyneth Paltrow perform the song on "Glee" and similar happenings?

A: Tubular (laughs). It's awesome man. What do you think? From Gwyneth Paltrow to William Shatner to the numerous many versions and covers and parodies on the Internet, on YouTube, it's like, "Wow." It's phenomenal, it's humbling and it's empowering all at the same time. It's awesome in the literal sense of the word and I'm just very fortunate, very lucky, very blessed. It's all that anyone could ask for. It's more than enough incentive to keep going.

Interview With Marcus "Poke" Miles

 Gamed'Up: #1 What's your name and tell us a little about yourself
Poke: My name is Marcus "Poke" Miles. I'm from Richmond, Ca. I love God, my family, my job, sports, and comedy. I been doing comedy for 3 years. My inspirations are Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Bernie Mac.
I love to bring laughter into peoples lives. It is a gift to laugh and I'm thankful that God has blessed me with the gift to make others laugh.
Gamed'Up: #2 So Where Have You preformed?
Poke: I have performed most in the bay area and Northern California regions. Spots such as Kimballs Carnival, Dorseys Locker, APT C, and The Air Lounge all in Oakland, CA
19 Broadway in Fairfax, CA, Purple Onion and The Impala Lounge in San Francisco, Ca
Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club in San Bruno and Tommy T's Comedy in Pleasonton.
Gamed'Up: #3 Are You Working On Putting Out A Dvd or a Cd Of material?
Poke: Yes I am. I'm currenting filming all my stand ups, I am going to be filming how I prepare before I take the stage as well. It is a process that I'm not putting a deadline on. I want the world to see me and how I get down.
Its going to be a very good product when finished.
Gamed'Up: #4 What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a comedian in the bay area?
Poke: The advantage is we have a diverse setting and we have open mics Mon - Sunday. Very good to our advantage of working out our material. The disadvantage is we sometimes get overlooked out here because we are not LA or Hollywood.
Gamed'Up: #5 If you were a Muppet, which Muppet would you be? Which Muppet would you date?
Poke: LMAO! I would be Cookie Monster because he could make women laugh and he liked cookies like me. Plus it was a rumor on Seasme Street that he ate pussy good like I do. Cuz I got the hurricane katrina tongue that can break a tree branch.  If I had to date a muppet it would be Miss Piggy all day. I like BBWs and fat chicks. Shout Out to Precious. She is hella sexy!
Gamed"Up: #6 What's the funniest knock knock joke you know?
Poke: Shit! LOL! None of them. They all corny! LOL!
Gamed"Up: #7 Compare Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock or Tracy Morgan with other comedians.
 Poke: Can't compare them. They are all in a league among themselves. All great comedians with totally different krafts.
Gamed"Up: #8 What do you think the future of black comedy is?
Poke: Me
Gamed"Up: #9 You got your own radio show tell us about it and how can people listen in?
Poke: Yessir, the show is titled Poke and "The Nutt House" you can listen to all archieved or live shows at www.blogtalkradio.com/marcusmiles We talk about all topics and views that everyone can relate to and we welcome all opinions and views.
Gamed"Up: #10 How can people get in contact with you? (Facebook, Twitter, Etc)
Poke: Facbook: marcus miles Twitter: Poke510 You Tube: Nuthouseradio
Skype: Poke94804  E-mail: mr_mmiles@yahoo.con
Gamed"Up: #11 You got any last words for our readers?
Poke: I have a small penis

Interview With Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey

Let's review Steve Harvey's year. (This may take a while.) His syndicated radio show has an audience of 6 million, and President Barack Obama has been one of his guests. A version of the show appears in prime time on the Centric cable channel. He became host of the long-running "Family Feud" game show. His advice book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" spent a good part of the past two years on the New York Times' hardcover advice best-seller list, was No. 1 for 23 weeks and is being made into a movie by Screen Gems. The recently published sequel, "Straight Talk, No Chaser," had an initial printing of 750,000 copies and makes its debut at No. 1 on the advice list.

It's not going out on a limb to say that Harvey never has been more popular -- and he is not exactly a stranger  to the spotlight. He has appeared on television before, in his own sitcom and as host of a variety show, and he was for years a successful stand-up comedian.

But the books have landed him on " The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Ellen" and "Good Morning America." His turn as a relationship adviser is not a complete career reinvention, but it is definitely a dramatic redefinition.

Harvey has become "a legitimate, genuine American media star," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, which covers the radio business. "He's a successful radio host for the African-American community, and he's multicultural." It's the goal of any contemporary radio host, Harrison said, "to not be just a radio personality, but to be a television personality, an author or a newsmaker."

Not everyone likes it

Even with Harvey's new profile, some people sure seem mad at him, and the object of that anger is the phenomenally successful "Act Like a Lady," which has sold 1.2 million copies, according to BookScan, whose figures do not include sales at some mass-market retailers like Walmart.

"I was shocked by his misogynistic views on love and marriage," wrote one commenter on Amazon.com.

Another wrote: "The book is sexist, stereotyping all men into knuckle-dragging, sports-loving hunters that just need a little sex to keep them happy." (The book elicited nearly 900 customer reviews on Amazon.)

Harvey said he was unfazed.

"You know, I've been in front of people for a lot of years," he said after an appearance at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble in December. "I've told a lot of jokes I thought were hysterical that weren't as funny as I thought. I've been getting criticism for quite some time. I don't expect everybody to agree or understand. I get it. It's OK."

"Act Like a Lady" offers conversational counsel on topics like "The Three Things Every Man Needs" ("Support, Loyalty and the Cookie," cookie being Harvey's term for sex); "The Five Questions Every Woman Should Ask Before She Gets in Too Deep" ("No. 4: What Do You Think About Me?"); and "The 90-Day Rule," the time he says should be required before a woman will agree to have sex with a man.

More than 300 people waited in line for Harvey to sign copies of "Straight Talk" (subtitle: "How to Find, Keep and Understand a Man") at the store. He is commanding on a stage, but near the advice aisle on the second floor he has the warm radio presence that makes "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" so engaging.

He tells 'the truth'

He began his comedy career in small clubs in Cleveland, where he grew up, then went on to bigger stages across the country; in the 1990s he became a regular presence on television. From 1996 to 2002 he starred in " The Steve Harvey Show," a comedy on the WB network in which he played a music teacher named Steve Hightower. From 1993 to 2000 he was the host of the syndicated variety show "Showtime at the Apollo."

He was perhaps most famously one of the four Kings of Comedy (along with Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac), a successful touring act and later the subject of a Spike Lee documentary, "The Original Kings of Comedy," in 2000.

Harvey, 53, said the appeal of "Act Like a Lady" and "Straight Talk" is that he tells "the truth."

In "Act Like a Lady" he writes that men can deliver "the three P's" for women: profess (declaring his love "for all to hear"), provide and protect. But there are things men can't do, he said in an interview at a Manhattan hotel. (Harvey's fashion sense is one of his signatures, and this afternoon he was wearing a midnight-blue suit, a dark-blue-and-white patterned shirt and a tie that matched the suit.)

"I do understand what's missing for women," he said, "and I do understand that a lot of times as guys we are not capable of filling in what's missing. The problem is women want their love returned the same way they give it out. That's pretty lofty expectations to put on a guy, and we don't have it in our DNA to give it to you like that."

The advice in the books, he said, is based on what he learned in his own life: "It took me two marriages to really get it in my head, 'Steve, you're messing this up because you're getting ticked at these women who want all this stuff from you, and you're saying: 'Hey, this is enough. I'm doing this. What do you want?' I spent two marriages going, 'What do you want?' "

Harvey said that his children were another source of inspiration.

"I have daughters that are of the dating age, and I was just passing out all types of advice to them because they were bringing these guys over, and I was just peeling them apart," he said.

One daughter, Brandi, 28, said that the books "are great tools for women." She added: "I think that they're true. Men really do like the chase, and we have to allow them the opportunity to chase us. We're the prize. It's all the things he's been telling my sisters and me forever, and we said, 'Dang, he put that in a book?' "

What could have been

The reason he has sold so many books and has so many listeners and viewers is that "people have come to respect the fact that I'm honest," Harvey said. "I'm very honest, man."

Dawn L. Davis, publisher of the HarperCollins imprint Amistad, said that quality led her to approach Harvey about writing a book. "He reminds you of the smart, funny uncle who always tells the truth," she said. "When you have that honesty, people see it and respond to it."

Davis' initial idea was to have Harvey do a book based on the "Opening Inspirations" segment of "The Steve Harvey Morning Show," the spontaneous, spiritual monologues he delivers every morning on the radio. Harvey long has been public about his Christian faith. After "Kings" he appeared in a concert film called " Don't Trip ... He Ain't Through With Me Yet," which included a section in which Harvey rousingly introduced Jesus to the audience as if it were showtime at a celestial Apollo.

When Davis and Harvey "sat down and talked" about what kind of book he might write, "I realized I loved his relationship advice," Davis said. Harvey's show has a regular feature called the "Strawberry Letter," in which a co-host, Shirley Strawberry, reads a letter from a listener soliciting relationship assistance, and then she and Harvey provide it. "He peels the onion back a little more," said Davis, who came up with the "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" title. "He took it much more seriously than I thought he would. He wanted to give women the truth."

The radio and television executives who work with Harvey tend to echo Davis. "Steve is a very down-to-earth guy, he's very credible," said Dennis J. Brownlee, vice president and managing director for urban sales and marketing at Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates Harvey's show to 59 stations nationwide.

Loretha Jones, president for original programming at the BET and Centric channels, said that Harvey "really is the uncle-brother-father you wish you had." She added, "He may not always tell you what you want to hear, but he'll tell you what you need to hear."

Harvey's current Centric show, "The Steve Harvey Project," features highlights from his radio program; it is shown at 6 p.m. weeknights on the channel, part of Viacom, and reaches 46 million homes.

Harvey said he planned to tweak the Centric show -- less comedy, more relationship advice -- and that he was "really looking forward to" the next season of " Family Feud." "I don't think there's ever been a gig more suited to my skill set," he said. "I mean, first of all, grass-roots people -- that's who I love and have always respected because that's who made me."

Interview With Sam Sneed

GamedUp: Can You Tell Us About This Project Your About To Drop.

Sam Sneed: The Project Has 4 Original Tracks From 94-95 And The Rest Is New Material.

GamedUp: Did You Produce The Beats The Beats Or Did Others Handle It For You?

Sam Sneed: I Did A lot Of Producing On The Album Along With Others. You Will See Their Names On The Album.

GamedUp: Being That You Are Originally From Pittsburgh You Are The Original Mr. Black And Yellow How Do You Feel About Wiz Khalifa?

Sam Sneed: I’m Very Happy For That Brother. I Know How Hard It Is To Make It Out Of Pittsburgh. I Support His Movement. Matter Of Fact Tell Him I Said Wussup.

GamedUp: What Can Fans Expect With This New Project That’s Coming Out?

Sam Sneed: I Call It A Full Balanced Meal. You Gone Get The Street. Then The Club. Then You Get Some Consiousness. I Call It A Full Balanced Meal.

GamedUp: A lot Of Cats Don’t Know That You Produce As Well. Can You Tell Us Some Artists You
Are Working With?

Sam Sneed: A Brother Named Jeff Cherry From New York, A Brother Named Goldie From Atlanta, A Brother Named Mag From Pittsburgh. A Singer Named Jazz She Like a Sister To Me, A Singer Named Slick, And Another Brother Named LJ. I Also Got My Group Money Inc Out the South As well.

GamedUp: I Know You Moved To Atlanta How is the Music Scene Out that Way?

Sam Sneed: Atlanta Is the music scene. Its Beautiful In Atlanta.

GamedUp: If I Was An Upcoming Artist How Could I Contact You For Game or Advice?

Sam Sneed: 1st I Would Have To Hear what you doing then if I’m interested we can talk.

GamedUp: So Are You Trying To go on Tour With this Project?

Sam Sneed: We Tryna Do Everything With this Project.

GamedUp: Gimme 1 Memory from the Death Row days.

Sam Sneed: Meeting Everybody, Chilling In the Studio.

GamedUp: A lot Of People Don’t Know Your Behind the Track “Keep They Hands Ringing”. Tell Us About That.


Sam Sneed: Man That Track Was Supposed To Be On My Album And I Brought it to Dr. Dre Just to get His Opinion. When I Brought That Track To Him Dre Was Like “I Need That” He Already Had The Concept. Its An Old Song. Dre Can Remake Old Songs And Make Em Sound Great. Long Story Short Dre Said ” I Need It. And He Said He Would Pay For it I Said How Much He Told Me And I Said Cut the Check. LoL

GameUp: On This Album Will We See The Old School Sam Sneed The One Who Was All Out there With the I think You Better Recognize?

Sam Sneed: Your Gonna See All That. Playful Side. Animated Side. The Party Side And the Street Side.

GamedUp: What instuments Do You Use To Produce?

Sam Sneed: Mp3 3000, Reasons And Complete. I Like Live Musicians Tho.

GamedUp: Who We’re You’re Influences Coming Up?

Sam Sneed: Nobody Really.

GamedUp: What Do You Want Your Mark To Be In Hip Hop?

Sam Sneed: Legendary

GamedUp: Do You Have Any Other Ventures Your Working On?

Sam Sneed: A Book And A Clothing Line For Males and Female.

GamedUp: Do You Have Any Advice For The Younger Generation?

Sam Sneed: I Want Them To Know their History. To Understand Who they Are. I Want them To Do More Positive Music. How they Do Each Other is Crazy I Want them to Be Educated. Research Black History So We Can Be A family.

GamedUp: Any Last Words?

Sam Sneed: I Appreciate All the Love
I Got Over The years In this Thing Called Hip Hop.