What’s going on Whitley D, Please introduce yourself.
Shit. Adulting. I’m Whitley D. by the way. Gritty Ent.’s First Lady.

Tell us about life growing up in your city.
Grew up between North Chicago and Gurnee, and went to Gurnee schools because they were better for me.

What’s the origin behind your name?
The First name is Whitley. The “D” is my middle Initial, Darnisha. My last name is non-optional for various reasons.

How did music become a passion for you?
I’ve been singing since I was 4, and my mom kept me in both vocal lessons and choir for both school and church.

How would you describe your style of music?
I do R&B/Soul.

What’s the most recent single or project that you released?
I will be releasing my first project sometime in the middle or end of next year w/ our family producer Dinasty.

Throughout your journey in music, what’s the biggest obstacle that you had to overcome?
My biggest obstacle in music that I’ve overcome was singing in my college’s concert choir. I couldn’t stand a lot of them, and they couldn’t stand me either. Lol!

Besides Music what other business ventures are you pursuing?
I want to venture off into communications work that’s geared towards music and entertainment. However, I do enjoy working w/ special needs youths and adults. I’ve been doing that since 2017.

What piece of advice could you offer to any new upcoming artists?
Stay humble, and fuck your haters. They are there for a reason.

What’s next for you musically?
My project w/ Producer Dinasty. Also, continuously sing for the College of Lake County Gospel Choir.

Where can we keep up with you online?
Instagram: whit_whit0106 Snapchat: whitleydb

And a shout outs?
Shot out to IlBoi and Dinasty for making this all possible for me! I wanna thank the Lord for the musical accomplishments that I’ve made thus far as well!

What’s going on? Please introduce yourself.

What’s going on? I’m The Ville

Tell us about life growing up in your city.

I was born and raised in Freeport, IL just like both of my parents. My father being a pastor, I was raised in the church. I started in music by playing the drums for my church. Even though I didn’t care for singing as a child, that is where I found my gift.

What’s the origin behind your name?

My name, The Ville, had much meaning behind it. When I first got into music my name was The Village Child of Freeport. As you can tell, it was pretty long, so shortly after I started using the acronym TVCOF for simplicity purposes. After a while, I decided to cut it short and now go by the name The Ville, short for a Village. I am proud of my roots and will always represent my city.

How did music become a passion for you?

Truthfully, music has only recently become a passion of mine. While I grew up in the church choir, I wasn’t always glad to be there, especially when I had to sing. But in the more recent years, I lost my niece and since have found music to be my outlet, a way to express myself. I feel as though I keep a piece of my niece alive with my voice.

How would you describe your style of music?

Honestly, describing my style of music is probably one of the more challenging questions to answer. I do not conform and I find myself venturing into different styles all the time. While I work most on R&B and rap styles of the hip hop culture, I recently stepped into reggaetón and more.

What’s the most recent single or project that you released?

I have so many songs in my vault! With quite an idea for releasing more music in the year 2023. But as far as the most recently released project, it is the music video to my fans long awaited R&B favorite, Touchin’ You. The video was shot in Puerto Rico this past spring and watching the video on YouTube is the only way to hear the track for the time being.

Throughout your journey in music, what’s the biggest obstacle that you had to overcome?

I have learned a lot in just this past year. One of the many obstacles that I would consider to be a lesson learned is that not everyone who is in your Face is a fan. Sometimes it’s hard to tell because as an influencer, I want to inspire all. But I’ve learned the hard way so early in my career that not all companies are good companies. I just know to stay focused and God will show me what is truly for me and who might be against me.

Besides Music what other business ventures are you pursuing?

Those who know me know quite well, and those getting to know me, I have a great passion for my community, especially the children. They are our future! I have been active in involving my community and I have aspirations of bring fun and safe activities to my community for the children. I also have a few new merch ideas in the works with hopes of some new drops coming in early 2023.

What piece of advice could you offer to any new upcoming artists?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, stay true to yourself. Be uniquely you. It can be challenging to remain your authentic self in this industry, but that is truly the only way. No one is looking for the next 6lack or J Cole. Sure they can be inspirational, but you are who you are and you can’t be someone else, nor should you want to be.

What’s next for you musically?

Oh man, next year is going to be a big year for me. I have really grown a lot through 2022, but I am nowhere near down! You’ll have to stay tuned for upcoming release and performance dates!

Where can we keep up with you online?

I am on all platforms. For my music, just got to your favorite streaming platform, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, you name it. Type in The Ville! As far as keeping up with me, Facebook at The Ville and Instagram at _TheOfficialVille. You can also visit my website at www.theofficialville.net for all Ville related news and merch!

And any shout outs?

shout out to the ones that love, support & rocking with me! Without them i wouldn’t be great artist i am today, shout out to them.

Hosted by TampaMystic

What’s going on Real Smokesta? Please introduce yourself.
What’s good. I’m the one and only Real Smokesta. I’m a award winning hip hop artist from Temple, Texas. 15 plus years in the music business and I’m excited to be here today.

What is the origin behind your name?
Smokesta is short for my childhood nickname Smoke. Given because of my dark complexion. When I first started out rapping I used to go by Smoke until I found out there was many Smoke’s. So I started going by Smokesta and there was many Smokesta’s. So I was like you know what, I’m the Real Smokesta and that’s going to end all that.

How was life growing up in Texas?
Texas is a whole country by itself. Growing up here you have so many options. The music scene is big business. Sports is big business. I mean how can you not want to live here.

How did music become a passion for you?
Music wasn’t something that I always dreamed about doing. I was introduced to it by a friend who was already rapping and doing his thing. I didn’t even know how to write bars or knew how to structure a song but my homeboy seen something in me that I didn’t even see in myself and that was potential. I remember my first time performing. We was in the studio recording and he was like ,”Hope you’re ready because we’re about to go perform these songs tonight “. I had butterflies like you wouldn’t believe but once the beat came on it was like I was a veteran on stage. That’s the part of what my friend seen in me.He retired from music but he knew I would still be here. His name is MG Pooh. He discovered me. Ever since then hip hop has been a passion for me.

You’re a very active and dedicated artist. What’s keeping you motivated?
My fans and supporters. They believe in me. That’s what keeps me going.

You are signed with the legendary artists Spice 1 & Q Bosilini. Tell us how this came about.
Hard work and commitment. I had all the qualities that a artist should have. You can always run across talent but it’s hard to find talent that works hard without you telling them to do this and that. I’m a artist. I’m a entrepreneur and business owner. I already had all the keys to be successful. I just needed mentorship and direction in the music industry and that’s where Spice 1 and Q Bosilini came in. They gave me an opportunity to learn and grow as much as I can before the next level. The freedom they give me, I don’t want to be anywhere else right now.

Tell us more about Black Sheep Worldwide LLC.
It’s my brand. I represent all the black sheep’s around the world.

What’s the most recent single that you released and where is it available?
I usually don’t drop singles. I believe in making albums but I have two albums “K2” and “KII (The Sequel)” out right now that’s on all major digital platforms and on my official website www.realsmokesta.biz

Do you currently have any albums in the works?
I have a new album on the way called “Out The Hood” and I’m so excited. I put a lot of creative concepts on this album

Besides Music tell us about any other business ventures you are pursuing.
I’ve been setting up some charity events . You know just trying to give back to my community. I’m a real person who cares about the people.

What piece of advice could you offer any aspiring artists?
Learn more than just being a artist. If you’re going to be in the music business learn everything and brand yourself. At some point in your career things are going to slow down but if you brand yourself correctly you’ll still be able to make a living.

Tell us what makes Real Smokesta The Industries Most Wanted.
I’m the real deal. I’m who your favorite rapper want their kids to listen to because I tell it like it is.

Where can we follow you online?
Follow me @realsmokesta on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Also join me on my official website www.realsmokesta.biz

Any shout outs?
Yeah shout out to Spice 1, Q Bosilini, The whole Thug World South family, My Major Grind bros and my hometown Temple, Texas!

Introducing Jadi Torres

We’re happy to be speaking today with a phenomenal Latin American singer Jadi Torres!
Before we get started, how has 2022 been treating you thus far?
2022 has been nothing short of amazing. I have been able to jump head first into many projects that were only a dream in conversation a few months prior, so needless to say, I am loving 2022!!!

Tell us the story behind your brand name came to be?
I was born in Dominican Republic so there’s always a shortened version of the full name, I was nicknamed Yadi with a “Y” since I was a baby, but in America people pronounced it (Yahdee) for us the “Y” has a j sound. So I simplified it as a total artist boss move lol, to Jadi with a “J”.

How did you learn to sing / write/ to play?
I grew up around music, choirs, talented musicians that were self taught. Music grabbed me very early on in my life and I fell in love with it. Writing poetry, developing them into songs. It was easy to want to learn to play instruments and sing because I was always around it. I realized I had a talent and I work everyday to perfect it.

What was the 1st concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
I was young, I went to see a live band in concert ill never forget the feeling even though they weren’t a largely known band. I knew that’s something I saw myself doing.

If you could have a musician tag along with you on tour, who would it be?
Wow! I would want someone like Alicia, or HER for sure! Let’s create music at any time on tour. We’d probably have 3 albums by the time we’re done.

Do you prefer to listen to music more or create?
Create for sure, I can honestly say I can go a few days without listening to music but in my head I’m always creating.

Being Bilingual do you think you have more Latin fans than American fans?
I know my Latin America fan base is pretty big so I would like to say maybe lol, however within the last few records I’ve made I’ve tapped into more of my English side and it’s gotten a pretty big response from the American fans, but Latinos are definitely on the higher end, for now.

Have you experienced stress on stage before? If so, what do you do about it?
Not really, I don’t normally stress out. I always get sudden butterflies in my stomach feeling, but that goes away the moment I step on stage.

As a female artist, if you could change one thing in the music industry. What would it be?
I feel there may be, more now in this culture than before, a high demand for “sexy” to be a part of being a female artist. For me that’s a box I would like to see broken, you don’t have to be half naked to attract the Audience’s attention.

If you didn’t pursue a music career, what would you be doing?
I love being able to make a difference in anything that I do, I remember for the longest time I wanted to be a doctor, a surgeon or something like that. Maybe I would’ve pursued medicine.

What can your fans look forward to seeing next from the phenomenal artist Jadi Torres?
They’re going to get the best music they have ever heard from me! I’m going to continue to inspire every dreamer with my life and accomplishments so I hope they don’t get tired, I’m here for the long run. There’s a lot of acting in the works, so they’ll be seeing my face on the big screen. I’m excited for that experience.