A behind the scenes look at the making of Calliko's SMASH HIT single "Whip It Around" featuring Wiz Khalifa Produced by Big Head Beats! This single has quickly taken the internet by storm amassing over 120,000 downloads in a month, as well as over 40,000 youtube views. The official video will be up in the next two weeks! Download Calliko's mixtape THE DEPARTURE brought to you by GREEDY GENIUS SNEAKERS out NOW!
Follow us THEM TWITTER:@Calliko @RealWizKhalifa @Ahunnidk @Scruncho_BHB @TreBigHeadBeats @GreedyGenius
Who is Calliko? Calliko is a small town kid with big city dreams. A hometown hero best describes my motives and mission to succeed with music. I am the voice of every artist from a smaller area where taking your music career to the next level isn't the norm and failure is accepted. I came to defy the odds.
You've been associated with Twista for a while. How does it feel to be compared to him? Being compared to Twista is an amazing feeling. Ever since he gave me the name Calliko, I always felt like my major breakthrough was going to be influenced by him somehow, someway. 10 years later, that gut feeling has turned into a reality and I am appreciative for everything I learned from him and his camp. The mid-West has produced many great rappers.
How has this influenced you? Me being from the mid-West has influenced my entire upbringing and has made a major impact on the development of my style. I grew up listening to 2Pac and idolizing the pictures he painted of a society I was accustomed to. I also had a cult-like following for Twista and Do or Die growin up because they were from Illinois like myself and I could relate to everything they spoke of because I'd seen it on a daily basis. Bring all those major artists together and you get Calliko.
Tell us about your mixtape 'The Departure'. The Departure mixtape was initially supposed to be my take-off mixtape that was going to push me over the top and welcome me to the mainstream. Some bad business decisions were made and the demand of the record forced our company to put the record out early. Due to the improper planning we pulled the record and now are coming out with "The Layover". The meaning behind the title is, when your departure becomes delayed at the airport gives you a new ETA (estimated time of arrival) and in between that ETA you have 'The Layover'. I feel like that is where I am with this new project.
'Whip It Around' looks set to be a breakthrough track for you - would you say there's more pressure on you now? I most definitely think there is more pressure on me now. But I perform better under pressure! I used to play a lot of sports and I am used to watching the clock. I feel like God has a plan for me and nothing can interrupt God's plan for any of us. So I will follow the path He chose for me and give 110% throughout it all.
Are you worried that hip hop fans may just see you as "another Wiz Khalifa"? Not at all! I think the fans are excited to hear an unknown kid on a track with Wiz Khalifa holding his own. Most of the feedback I got from the record was how I owned the track in my own way. Wiz and I have two completely different styles and lanes. When we come together it's magic. But this magician has A LOT more tricks up his sleeve! Ha ha!
You're working hard, collaborating with different artists in the US. Do you see yourself coming over to England in the future? To be honest, its always been a dream of mine to perform, work, and collaborate with artists in the UK and overseas in general. I am looking forward to booking events, shows, and release parties in that region soon. Thanks Calliko and we look forward to hearing loads more from you soon! Be on the look out for Calliko's upcoming mixtape 'The Layover' out soon!
Stace is a London-based freelance journalist/blogger with a love for all things musical, fashionable and artistic. (WATCH OUT FOR MORE FEATURES!) http://twitter.com/HIPHOPMANNEQUIN
Wanted: Lead role for Music Video – Jan 29th London
We are producing a Music Video for upcoming band “The Rocky Roostars”, we are very interested in finding key characters in this fresh innovative video. Please contact us if you’re interested in a days acting.
Military Sergeant Sex: Male, Height: 5’10-6’2, Age: 35-50
Description: Actors for this role will need to project a character that should be confident, serious and extremely disciplined, fierce and strong looking appearance preferably short hair or no hair is.
Also
Soldiers Description: Similar to the above, should look very military. Sex: Male, Height: 5’10-6’2, Age: 20-30
For further details.
INFO @ LUCIDTIGERMUSIC.COM TWITTER.COM/LUCIDTIGER http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucid-Tiger-Music/120896181291914
*********DO NOT MAIL BACK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!********
Attractive woman x 4 Description: You should look gorgeous! Sex: Female Height: not necessary Age: 18-30
Extras x 50 Description: Sex: Male/Female Height: not necessary Age: 18-30
The Extras are required for a party scene. To apply for the role, the extras should be good looking, outgoing, lively, and project a positive vibe amongst others as well as themselves. Unfortunately, due to a tight budget of the production, this will be unpaid role for all the extras but they will be offered free drinks and a great environment to hang out in. Upon completion of the video, all successful extras will receive a copy of the music video and regular updates on the video’s broadcast.
INFO @ LUCIDTIGERMUSIC.COM TWITTER.COM/LUCIDTIGER http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucid-Tiger-Music/120896181291914
Myke Deanz aka Biride Roth is a rapper from South London, UK, who has been crafting his art for around 10 years. He is a founding member of the PDC movement who you may have heard of from documentaries on gangs in the UK.
GetStarRich managed to track him down via BBM and had an interesting chat about South London, Riots, rap music and also watched his new promo video. Before you go in check out this promo below!
GetStarRich: : So For those who aint familiar introduce yourself in no more than 3 sentences...
BIDIE ROTH:MYKE DEANZ: I go by the name of Birdie Roth/ Myke Deanz PDC.. 1 of the founding members of PDC..
GSR: : & PDC stands for?
BR:MD: : It stands for a few things.. Peel Dem Crew, Poverty Driven Children, Public Demand Cartel.. Bang bang lol
GSR: : Doing it for the peoples!
BR:MD: : Yep.. We tend to do things most people are scared of doing i.e. going against the powers that be
GSR: : Kind of like a conscious movement?
BR:MD: : Nah not really.. We just organised so people see us as a threat.. But we just hear to make gd music ya dig lol..
GSR: : I hear that... I got a few PDC cd's in the collection... I was kind of wondering when we would get round to the music!
BR:MD: : What people tend to forget or get twisted about us is that. We started doing music as a path away from the street life. Some people saw us and thought wow. Real gangstas - doin music thats cool. Now everybody and their mother wants to rap. Doing it the other way around....Rappers tryna be gangsta..
GSR: : That's a problem for me, I feel that it makes misrepresentation of music & the message easy for the press...How long have U been rapping for?
BR:MD: : Me? Rapping? On and off for bout 10 yrs. I'm not like all the other artist.. I'm a rapper for about 2months a year lol.. That's when I get the "bug" and record a lot.. Put out a cd.. Then I do my normal life stuff & I usually write on the spot..
GSR: : I can hear a lot of life themes in your music...
BR:MD: : My cds tend to be my past year in music.. I try to switch it up a lil but keep it "Roth.."
GSR: : Haha... Roth as in the Rothschilds?
BR:MD: : Nah lol. Roth as in Birdie Roth.. My style.. Melodic.. I play a lot with melodies in my music. A lot of people don't know that I produce as well
GSR: : You learn something every day! I just did. Rapper & Producer... 10 years of music is a long time... I can see the timeline, kinda makes sense especially as the footage from your recent video is from the brixton riots
GSR: : How did that event affect you
BR:MD: : Well I was born the year of the first riots.. Which makes me 21 haaa.. But seriously.. It instilled that "spirit" which is evident in us.. Our parents where involved in that riot.. And the last set of riots that happened in 2001.. We was on the frontline lol
BR:MD: : The police killed and unarmed man outside jaja's front door.. We wasn't having that...
GSR: : That rebel spirit is obviously in the bloodline. Based on the reasons for the events in the 80's and 2001, Do U feel that the students of today have got a real reason to riot?
BR:MD: : I feel that the students are fighting for their rights.. This nation has become a nation of whingers.. That do nothin but complain.. So the government will do as they please.. Now that the student have got that "spirit" in them.. The authorities are shocked.. We need more people standing up for their beliefs or we just gonna be dictated
GSR: : Do you think that it will make a difference at all?
BR:MD: : Not an immediate difference but trust me they taking more notice than them green peace protestors that were camping outside parliment.. Lol
GSR: : Yep! And they camped outside parliment for YEARS... Back to the video... You got 2 videos sandwhiched together... Who's the fella in the first video with you?
BR:MD: : That's @NajaSozePDC for people that don't know.. That's @JajaPDC lil bro. They are actually 2 different videos.. Ima release the 1st half abit later down
GSR: : I'm sure people will be looking out for it... South London seems to be the hotbed for rap movements. PDC, So solid, Sn1 etc...
BR:MD: : Yh I think so.. All 3 of the above has brought something to the table that has improved the rap scene over here.. I really don't like sayin uk rap.. Or the "U" word
GSR: : Lol... Say no more. What is it about South London that makes such good music?
BR:MD: : I feel its because we do what comes natural.. I feel other type of artiste try to jump on any bandwagon that's going.. And they get lost..
GSR: : There you have it. I always thought South had the best rappers... East best grime emcees. But that's just a general statement.
BR:MD: : That's true. When it comes to grime they have that on lock.... All the best to them. Lol ... But when they get nominated for rap awards I find it offensive
GSR: : Lol... I take it from that you would do grime?
BR:MD: : Me do grime? Nah.. It would have to be a crossover track where grime meets rap..
GSR: : Haha... I see your angle, is there any1 in particular U might collab with?
BR:MD: : Even tho I'm not really into grime I do admire some of their artist that actually do grime. I haven't reached out to none of them yet as I feel that I'm still learning my craft.. But if/when I do.. It would be artist such as Ghetts.. He's the grime ambassador for me..
GSR: : Ok ok, I like to hear that track when it happens... While we on the subject of names... U got any shout outs?
BR:MD: : Just wanna shout out my close musical fam.. PDC of course.. Young Juvee.. Mdot-E and star muzik fam.. Free my boy Clue GoodFellaz.. Shout outs to Big Bad Blue and the industreetz entertainment.. My M1st fam.. Tyke and Versa my beat suppliers.. Sir Mykal Million Esq.. Lol shout out to the north weez.. My east side fam slim and megz.. 1 luv 2 everybody pushing..
GSR: : BIG! I think that's a wrap ya know ....Unless there ws anything else U wanted 2 mention
BR:MD: : Yh.. BR:MD: : STREETZ IZ WATCHING *Birdie Roth & Young Juve* mix cd is gonna be available for free download REAL SOON!!! Also check out PDC Radio @ www.PDCEnt.com BR:MD: : Bang..
I got an invite from Gemz to this event, TBH I was sold on the idea of customised headphones. Perfect timing, as I lost my headphones on the weekend!!! my fault. Oxford sucks for that!!
SOOOO tonight, is a night put on by the Charlatan lot... and Salute (www.sa-lute.com). Salute is a Magazine <>
giving awayFREE WeSC headphones (9-11pm), but heres the twist, they are exclusively designed to your own spec by the talented graffiti artist Amar Stewart (Upper Playground).
As well as this WAH Nails
(www.wah-nails.com) dishing out FREE Manicures (9-11pm), With all of that in the mix there is also have a great line-up with both live acts and well known respected DJs joining the night i.e.DJ Nikki Beatnik
''NIKKI is da F****** sh*t'' RIO FERDINAND // 'The Female Mark Ronson' The Daily Telegraph - DJ Nikki Beatnik (Kelis Tour DJ), - nuff said eh...
DJ Snips (Livin Proof),
CWD (maharishi),
Motive (Overproof),
DJ NickName (55dsl / Droppin Science)...
XO Man (Live ) as well as x4 WeSC Activists performing Live. Oh yeah did I mention everyone gets a FREE DRINK on entry and then boozey deals are running throughout the night i.e. £3 beer/ mixer
