I met K-Illa, real name Dwight, by chance while talking to Reddz. After that encounter I had the opportunity several more times and he is a really cool person, very savvy musically and overflowing with confidence. I heard a couple of his songs and thought, yeah he is nice with it; but then he brought over his new joint ‘Swagger Man’ in the middle of the night and I realized after hearing it that he is not just nice with it…he understands how to be special.

The 25 year old artist has drive, lyrics, punch lines and a wealth of talent; all are heard in ‘Swagger Man’, a sure anthem for those “swaggerific” people. The hook is catchy, the concept is dope and the word play is fire. Belizeans….stand up

 

Download link for this song: soundcloud

Sat down with the talented and beautiful Ms. Denise Castillo a few weeks ago to discuss her hit radio single ‘Til Da Mawnin’ and talk about the Belizean music industry.

Denise Castillo is a 22 year old singer, writer and University of Belize student. Denise acknowledged that she gets  overwhelmed when people compliment her on her track ‘Til Da Mawnin’ which has been getting steady radio play.

Her style, seen in ‘Til Da Mawnin’, is Reggae Souls mixed with hints of R&B and Dancehall; which is accompanied with a beautiful and classic voice. Like many others, Denise started singing in the church. But being urged by family, friends and even Tanya Carter has brought her to this point.

In terms of memorable moments in her young career, Denise cites coming in 2^nd in the Next Level Project at the Bliss. She talked about learning a lot in that competition and meeting artist and being a part of something that brought latent Belizean talent to the forefront, which she expressed a desire to see more of.

Denise surprisingly stated that Celine Dion was one of her biggest musical inspirations attributed to her parent’s musical taste and LOVE FM (thanks for all those old hits). As for now, she takes interest in artists like Alaine, Tammy Chin and Alicia Keys.

Currently the independent artist says she is working on more singles, so prepare to hear more of her melodic voice on the radio.

Last words? Denise Castillo: I want to shout out everyone that has supported me. Friends, family, everyone…especially my fans.

Listen to her track ‘Til Da Mawnin’ below

When you think of the Hype in BZHypeMeter.com, don’t think of it as high energy (truth is we’re  more laid back than most) but think of hype as in high quality…as in great…as that is what we try to reflect in our features. With that said, Deron Thompson, aka Deady on da Beatz (da Belizean Hitmaker) is a Belizean Producer of great quality. The hard working, self-made beat maker is responsible for Mc Melo’s BlueNote Hunter and behind the sound of your last Duets winners, Jeremy and Earlyn. Here is how to achieve a sound of greatness. 

Where are you from?

Deady: Born in Belmopan City but now I live in Camalote Village, that’s where I got my studio.

So how did you end up becoming a producer? Better yet…a hit maker?

Deady: Well this started off like when I was 8 years old. I started playing different instruments in the church and by the time I was 13 I was playing over 8 different instruments. At that age I started a rap duo with my cousin and we called ourselves 3D. We were doing some cheap recordings and using known riddims at the time and it wasn’t until one day my aunt told me “why unu no stop use people riddim and start mek yo own”. Then I decided to give production a try, got a copy of FL Studio and from ever since I have been making beats. I got the name Hitmaker from a guy off myspace, he used to always rap on my beats and liked them. He didn’t know a thing about Belize and said the name sounded unique and just stared to call me “Belizean Hitmaker.” That’s how I started.

Speaking of locally, everything I’ve heard from you has sounded extraordinary; where do you get your inspiration and what makes you stand out?

Deady: Well first of all, I read a lot. I study my craft, I study different instruments and I listen to a lot of different genres. I’m mostly known for producing crunk which is known for heavy 808 drums but I like to mix that with some reggae skanks or some ethnic synths. I can make any genre, so I would say my style is no style. I can do just about anything it’s all about mixing different styles together. My dreams are what inspire me. If you want to make it big you have to work hard. If you want to be the best you have to work the hardest. I’m not the best but I’m definitely one of the hardest workers in the game.

So have you worked with a lot of artists and if so who? Or do you guys keep it in house at Jag Camp?

Deady: Well I started working with a lot of artists when I just started. In the past I’ve even worked with minor artists on Def Jam and Shady Records on mixtape songs. Presently I’m working with JAG Camp artists in-house because we are about team work and we’re building a fortress from the bottom trying to make it to the top. But I also produce for any artists who are interested in investing in their career and buying beats.

How can someone reach you for beats?

Deady: Just email jagcampent@gmail.com (or check him out on facebook )

What are your personal thoughts on the local music scene?

Deady: Well locally there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Belizeans need to be doing quality stuff that’s the only way we will ever be heard. We need to get to a point where people won’t even know it’s a ‘local’ song playing. But the music industry is about to take off in Belize and I like the direction it is heading at the moment.

  

Compared to the usual local stuff, the stuff out of jag camp seems to be of higher quality….I don’t think that is by accident is it?

Deady: Well to have quality you have to be willing to spend and when you spend you have to know how to use what you have. We have invested in JAG Camp and that’s what makes our quality stand out. On the other side I’ve taken audio engineering courses, read over 50 books on audio engineering and I’ve also worked with a professional engineer from France who has shown me a lot when it comes to being a professional. So when it comes to mixing, our engineers are capable of bringing the best out of our artists.

So what current projects are you working on?

Deady: Well at the moment we are working on an album as a group entitled “JAG Camp Allstars” and also this year we will complete Jacob Diggz’s Album called “Rebel Music”. All other artists are working on mixtapes at the moment and also dropping singles through the year which will be distributed globally on  Itunes, etc through Universal Music Group. By summer we will start other albums as well but that’s all in the making.

What advice do you have for other young producer and artists?

Deady: Work hard. Don’t try to get in the game for money or fame because you are going to fade away slowly. Money might come, fame might come but be original and don’t change. Take risks while making music because music has no rules involved as long as it’s listenable. And most importantly, take time to study music. If you don’t know to play an instrument take some piano lessons, drums etc. That will shave off a couple years or experimenting with stuff; garbage in, garbage out.

Anyone you want to thank or shout out?

Deady: I would like to thank bzhypemeter.com for this interview. Also big up to my JAG Camp family, Jacob Diggz, Del Beatz, FiyaMan, MC Melo, Jeanie, Dertty Dhurr, Bird, So Smoove, our manager Wild Turkey and the ZMG Family and everyone who believes in us. Thanks for the support! 2011 will never be the same♦

So BZHypeMeter.com went down to Dangriga this week to check the Ilagulei sports bar and restaurant. You really can’t miss it; it practically welcomes you to Dangriga. Inside is spacious and classy with room to breathe, great design and the necessary flat screen tv’s to top off the trendy sports bar ambience. The club is re-launching and starting off with a banging line up which includes Punta Rebels (with Supa G), Linda Blease, Mr. Hype Alfrain Supal and more. Definitely a can’t miss event if you are in the area and if you aren’t, you need to get there.

Also, look for future events at Ilagulei featuring BZHypeMeter and friends coming soon.

 

 

 

She’s one of those artists that always seems to come to mind when thinking about quality Belizean artists. With an outstanding voice, memorable image and great team behind her, Tanya Carter is releasing her first official album with intentions of carving her own place in the international music scene–watch out Rihanna–no, seriously.

So, when did you start your career?

Tanya: Probably at 16 years old. I started singing at events at places like Harbour View and Biltmore, so probably 16.

Can people make real money off singing in Belize?

Tanya: It can with the right marketing tool. Because I’ve made a lot of money off singing but there is sometimes when it’s stagnant and you make nothing and then there are other times when you could make a cool ten thousand dollars off singing depending on the time of the year. For example, in September is probably the highest point where you could probably, depending on who you are, make ten to five thousand dollars. Well yes, cause personally I’ve made a lot of money off singing in Belize.

Where does your inspiration come from to sing?

Tanya: Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve always liked it, from small and it’s just something that is like my getaway. So like for me not having to drink, I could just sing but if am not singing ah d drink (lol).

What are some of the challenges of being an artist in Belize?

Tanya:  Hmm…support, you don’t really have the support. Like yea you’ll have a lot of people posting on your facebook page and a lot of people will post on your myspace and you have 5000 friends and fans or whatever but when you need it, like especially in my genre, I have a lot of bougie fans that won’t turn out at anything quote on quote, “ghetto” because they are afraid they get shot. So then when the regular artist has their crowd that comes out and support them I am left alone with like 3 fans (lol). So it’s very hard because you don’t have the support; then when you are a female you get snubbed, like seriously.

 

So that’s the bad side, what’s the good side of singing in Belize?

Tanya: The positive side is that you get to show younger females that not just because you’re pretty you can’t make a change; that’s like one of my mottos because like you have it but you don’t have to use your body or do a lot of things to put you in a bad light. You can take your God given talent and use it to your advantage, along with your looks and become a positive role model. I mean, it might sound like a cliché but we have too many pretty girls in Belize giving away their body and doing a lot of silliness and I am showing them like we don’t have to go down this route. If you have brains then use your brains and your beauty, if you have arts and craft then use that; whatever it is you can use hand in hand with your beauty as your advantage.

So it’s an advantage to be pretty?

Tanya: It is, it is…it’s a blessing to be pretty.

Is this your first album?

Tanya: Yes, this is my first album but I have had promo cd’s and stuff like that before that were released in New York and L.A but this is my first album.

When is the release party?

Tanya: The Album release party is the 4^th of February at Thirsty Thursdays. Of course I will be performing there and in Placencia the following night, February 5^th, at my birthday party.

The name of the album?

Tanya: “Day Dreaming”

What are the singles like?

Tanya: I am actually releasing different singles on different radio stations. The two main ones are “Day Dreaming” and “What Does She Have Over Me?”I’m giving the people different flavours because “Day Dreaming” is Reggae with fusion of R&B; while “What does she have over me?” is a fusion of Reggaeton and a nice Soca vibes. I wanted everyone to get the idea that this isn’t a regular album, this is different and it has a lot of genres in there. But the video that I am going to do is for “Day Dreaming”.

Where can people buy your album?

Tanya: Well I am going to be teaming up with Venus, Tambran and Record Shack, those are the three places where my stuff will be for sale.

Which artists had a big influence on you?

Tanya: I am a very oldies type of person, so I listen to people like James Brown and Luther Vandross but I also love Jasmine Sullivan and Tesan Chinn even Alaine, nu mind how sometimes ih sound similar to me—sometimes am like errrrrr—but umm yeah a lot of different influences. Of course, Beyonce because you gravitate to people who sing like you and I also love Anita Baker and Shade, I think they are my ultimate favourites.

What are your future plans?

Tanya: To be bigger than Rihanna.

In terms of regional exposure, do you do a lot of international work?

Tanya: In the states, yes a lot. I get hired by the Belize Association in L.A and also in New York. They hire me almost every year to perform; which is really cool because you get to meet a lot of people and network.

Are you targeting the Caribbean market as well?

Tanya: To be honest with you, no because it’s like, I want to but I don’t want to put my eggs in one basket. I want to go where I will have mass distribution, basically I want to go where the bucks are because you won’t make any money in Jamaica and those places. When they make money they will make thirty thousand but I want to be in India, Europe and America where the market is millions and millions of people. So I am looking at mass distribution to help me get where I want to go. Because I know by doing that I will trickle right back down to the Caribbean.

What advice do you have for new singer?

Tanya: Get voice lessons, work with a band, and develop your air. I’m tired of hearing lacking stuff where you know the person has massive potential but Belize is not the place to be critiqued. Because usually people are offended when you tell them they need voice lessons, like how dare you? You’re jealous of me.

Anyone you want to shout out or thank?

Tanya: I just want to thank my team that has been behind me, they aren’t hired or anything. Like especially my mom, who has been my lawyer for some time and I can’t pay her; to my significant other, my family, my friends and supporters. I couldn’t come this far if I didn’t have them.