Dante Couture – Hold Us Down

Who you are? Do you represent a label? If so, what is the name?

My name is Dante Couture. Independent label: “The Couture Family”.

What do you do? Where are you from?

I’m a rapper/song writer/composer… I’m from Toronto, Canada.

With the current state of Hip Hop being in a slump so to speak, what is your plan of attack?
We’re gonna flood the market with prototype music.

When did you decide you wanted to be an artist? How long have you been seriously pursuing this as a career option?

If I really think about it, I’ve always been a hiphop artist since I was a kid working on my stage performance in the mirror, it all came full circle for me the first time I grabbed the mic. I’ve been in the seen since 98, that’s when I started doing shows, videos and touring. Being innovative, different and staying true to my style of music is what makes my fans feel amazing and they keep pushing me to keep going.

Why did you choose to pursue music as a career? How did you get started?

I went to a performing arts school as a kid, where I learned to compose music, and work on my musicality. While being raised in the government housing community I used to look up to the rappers on my block and someone just gave me shot and put me on the mic.

What is the significants of Unisigned Hype in your opinion?

Unsigned hype is a great platform for up and coming artists to get global exposure.

Whats the difference between the Canadian and American Hip Hop scene
in your opinion?
The Canadian scene is on the rise, we are making great music right now and of course we are heavily influenced by America.

What are some obstacles you have encountered in pursuing this as a career?

Not everyone has the same vision as you, not everyone has the same dream as you and in this business they are a lot shit talkers.

What are some of the artist in the industry you admire and currently listen to? Why?

Kanye west for his honesty and creativity, Curren$y for his laid back flow, French montana for that dope boy flow, Jay Z for his business savvy and I also listen to a lot of new, up and coming artists that we don’t hear too much of.

What are you working on now? What are your future projects?

I’m working on pushing out singles with a dubstep feel and pushing my hiphop mixtape called “The French Bouquet”

Have you had any accomplishments or milestones? If so, what are they?

In the late 90′s early 2000 I hosted Toronto’s much music rap city, dropped a few videos and did a Canadian tour twice. But you can read more in my bio.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you are doing now?

Believe in your craft, know your strengths, have a great team around you and go with it

Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you plan to achieve those goals?

Successful. I believe in working smart, long hours and having fun while I’m doing it.

Sum yourself up in 3 words.

Priced, Fresh and Nice

Dante Couture Info:

www.facebook.com/pages/Dante-Couture
www.youtube.com/dantecouture
@dantecouture
www.myspace.com/dantecouture

Celebrating our significant 5-year anniversary for this upcoming edition, the Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture returns this year with an 11-day long festival featuring an unprecedented series of events including the ArtReach Pitch Contest, FRESH (New Artist Showcase), the 106 & York Urban Arts Festival, Wombmanifesto, Origins (an Indigenous Hip Hop Showcase), Manifesto Movie Night, the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash, a Conference on Community & Career, a Street Dance Tribute and many more.

In Manifesto tradition, the festival will culminate on Sep 25 with a massive FREE outdoor concert at Yonge-Dundas Square headlined by Rakim & Kid Capri, 9th Wonder & Phonte, Blu & Exile, Andreena Mill, Zaki Ibrahim, Michie Mee and more. The festival will also include the participation of legendary hip hop forefather Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, Mr. Wiggles, the Inside Out Project, and Indigo.

Manifesto will once again transform the city for 11 days into a hotbed of youth culture igniting 13 venues with over 100 artists offering something for everyone. With constant new additions to the festival, Manifesto returns bigger and more exciting than ever!

See the latest video from this weeks featured artist, Buffalo’s own Thugzman! For more about Thugzman check out
http://www.myspace.com/thugzman and follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/thugzman

THUGZMAN & MR. EASTSIDE “CORPORATE OFFICE” OFFICIAL VIDEO
DIR: THUGZMAN

2011 UNSIGNED HYPE AWARDS WINNERS

Unsigned Hype HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- BISHOP BRIGANTE

UPSTATE

- FOSTA

Unsigned Hype RnB ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA (FEMALE)

- KIM DAVIS

CANADA (MALE)

- CHRIS STYLEZ

UPSTATE (FEMALE)

- RACHEL PALUMBO

UPSTATE (MALE)

- DAVE STEWY

Unsigned Hype PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- NICK ZERVOS

UPSTATE

- CAROLINAH BLU

Unsigned Hype GROUP OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- E.A.S.T.S.I.D.E.U.P.

UPSTATE

- DEM DYNASTY BOYZ

Unsigned Hype SINGLE OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- Bishop Brigante – My Style

UPSTATE

-Quite Boy – Use to Dream

Unsigned Hype PEOPLE CHOICE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- BISHOP BRIGANTE

UPSTATE

- BIG WORLD

Unsigned Hype PIONEER AWARD

CANADA

- DJ STARTING FROM SCRATCH

UPSTATE

- DJ JR

Unsigned Hype INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

- TOI – Fort Lauderdale, FL

UnsignedHypeMusic.com Video Of The Year

- MIZ STREETZ – COLD DIR: SHOOTER

2011 UNSIGNED HYPE AWARDS NOMINEES

Unsigned Hype HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- P.REIGN
- SIX TEN
- BISHOP BRIGANTE
- FRANKIE PAYNE
- SENSE A.K.A. NEW KID

UPSTATE

- BYLLE BARZ
- AK REED
- L-BIZ
- QUITE BOY
- FOSTA
- SOSH B

Unsigned Hype RnB ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA

FEMALE

- KIM DAVIS
- T.ANA COLE
- ANDREENA MILL

MALE

- STEVE JLIN
- CHRIS STYLEZ
- B&D

UPSTATE

FEMALE

- RACHEL PALUMBO
- TIFANI
- MANDIE

MALE

- DAVE STEWY
- ROMEY
- JOHNAL
- BIZ AKA HARMONY

Unsigned Hype PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- TONE MASON
- T-MINUS
- MAD MELLOW, DENISINTH & LIL SOSA
- RICH KIDD
- NICK ZERVOS

UPSTATE

- DJ SHAY
- THUGZMAN
- L-BIZ
- AK REED
- CAROLINAH BLU
- SEAN REISCH

Unsigned Hype GROUP OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- ANGERVILLE
- E.A.S.T.S.I.D.E.U.P.
- A-GAME

UPSTATE

- DIESEL & DENIRO
- A-STATUS
- DEM DYNASTY BOYZ

Unsigned Hype SINGLE OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- Chris Stylez – Fade Away
- P. Reign – When I Get Her
- Bishop Brigante – My Style
- T.Ana Cole – Back Around
- Sense – Too Late
- Six Ten – Baby Love

UPSTATE

-L.D.M. – Kick Drum
-Big World ft. E. Whyte – Headboard
-Dem Dynasty Boyz – I bet you I can get her
-L-Biz feat. Gee4 JAG & Shannon – We Rock
-Mandie & Kenny James – Sexxy
-Ak Reed – My City
-Quite Boy – Use to Dream

Unsigned Hype PEOPLE CHOICE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CANADA

- P.REIGN
- KIM DAVIS
- CHRIS STYLEZ
- BISHOP BRIGANTE
- SENSE

UPSTATE

- AK REED
- TiFANI
- L-BIZ
- BIG WORLD
- MANDIE
- QUITE BOY

Unsigned Hype PIONEER AWARD

CANADA

- DJ STARTING FROM SCRATCH

UPSTATE

- DJ JR

Unsigned Hype INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

- E. SMITH – Greenville, NC
- TOI – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- M-BASS – Raleigh, North Carolina

UnsignedHypeMusic.com Video Of The Year

- Azzie ft. Bradd Marquis – This Thing Called Love DIR: Scott Azzie Whitfield
- P. REIGN – CALL MY NAME DIR: RT
- FOSTA – CYFER DIR: SHOOTER
- JD ERA – YOU KNOW THIS DIR: Matte Black
- MIZ STREETZ – COLD DIR: SHOOTER
- SOSH B – NO COSIGN DIR: H. IMPERIAL

FEATURED ARTIST – SOSH B

Sosh B – Let Me Show You

Who you are? Do you represent a label? If so, what is the name?

IM THE HOTTEST DUDE IN QUEENZ, THATS WHO I AM! MY NAME SOSH B. VERSATILE RECORDS IS MY LABEL!!

What do you do? Where are you from?

I spit pure heat. I should have been a dragon. Im from SJQ SOUTH JAMAICA QUEENZ

With the current state of Hip Hop being in a slump so to speak, what is your plan of attack?

I dont see it as being in a slump, I see it as being misguided. Like hip hop is my girl and she is just being slutted out right now. She is giving her self away to other “artist” way too easy. I plan on molding her to be monogamous with me. Sosh Take over.

When did you decide you wanted to be an artist? How long have you been seriously pursuing this as a career option?

I wanted to be a artist when I saw “cheeks” from the lost boyz tear up lincoln park at a park jam. Ive been at it ten yrs now.

Why did you choose to pursue music as a career? How did you get started?

I have a passion for music. Its in my soul, I cant deny that. I got started in jamaica with my partner Duke.

How has your experience been with Unsigned Hype? Has it benefited you?

Its been a beautiful experience. Im looking to be a signed hype soon. Yes, I have gain a larger fan base now. Much appreciated.

Whats the difference between East NY and Western NY Hip Hop scene in your opinion?

The difference is the love. There is more love for the artist everywhere else. Nyc is a hard market. But it will be mine soon.

What are some obstacles you have encountered in pursuing this as a career?

Phony people, selling me dreams. Its absolutely disgusting what people have promised me lol!

What are some of the artist in the industry you admire and currently listen to? Why?

Ghostface’s Originality! Kanye’s Creativity and 50 Cent’s power!

What are you working on now? What are your future projects?

Im working on my mixtape entitled “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”!! and in the future I plan on doing a college tour.

Have you had any accomplishments or milestones? If so, what are they?

I toured with ghostface, I won over $15k from underground showcase in Nyc, I have songs with Busta, Grafh, Trife Diesel. I have 2 mixtapes out hosted by dj envy and dj kayslay. Man just google me or goto soshb.com

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you are doing now?

Dont take no for an answer and stack your money and invest in yourself.

Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you plan to achieve those goals?

Hosting the B.E.T. AWARDS. My personality and a few million in sales will get me there.

Sum yourself up in 3 words.

A Muthafucking PHENOM!!

SOSH B Info:

www.soshb.com
www.youtube.com/soshbacardi

FEATURED ARTIST – QUITEBOY

QuiteBoy – Use to Dream

Who you are? Do you represent a label? If so, what is the name?

My name is Quietboy aka Q B.. I do not represent a label at the
moment.. Free Agent..

What do you do? Where are you from?

I am Hip hop artist. My style is underground meets main stream. I’m
from the city of Buffalo New York.

How did you come up with your artist name?

My stage name came about years ago in high school. A couple people
called me Quietboy cause I was so laidback.

When did you decide you wanted to be an artist? How long have you been seriously pursuing this as a career option?

I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was like 8 or 9.. I was
fascinated by the art of hip hop. I thought it was creative the way
the words came together. I been really preparing for a career in music
since 2004.

Why did you choose to pursue music as a career? How did you get started?

Music had my interest all of my attention I thought what better career
to have. I just started writing and eventually recording and
discovered a Passion for it.

How has your experience been with Unsigned Hype? Has it benefited you?

My experience with unsigned hype has been beautiful it gave me
platform to showcase my work. It also gave me a lot of exposure. Which
spawned a fan base.

What do you think the biggest misconception of your city is?

The biggest misconception is that the people don’t support.. they do
support if your product is undeniable..

What are some obstacles you have encountered in pursuing this as a career?

Obstacles I say the biggest one is finances. It cost a lot of money to
do this. Another is time management I often struggle with both from
time to time.

What are some of the artist in the industry you admire and currently listen to? Why?

I am a huge Jay Z and Kanye fan.. Both of these artist grow every
album and they both take chances.. I also dare to be different and
push myself to the limit creatively.

What are you working on now? What are your future projects?

Well at the moment I’m working on promoting The Triangle Offense
mixtape and movement.. which is a group made up of Myself AK Reed and
Alumni.. I’m also working on a solo effort at the moment called The
Tutorial.

Have you had any accomplishments or milestones? If so, what are they?

I say accomplished what I set out to do and that’s make great music
that people enjoyed. I made three full length street albums in which i
funded myself.. The only milestone I faced is not having a machine to
promote the albums like I would have wanted.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you are doing now?

I would tell them to have a plan before making any moves.. And also do
plenty of research.

Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you plan to achieve those goals?

In 5 years I honestly don’t see myself rapping too much.. unless it
was worth my wild its so many other things I would like to explore..

Sum yourself up in 3 words.

Three words that sums up.. Quietboy.. I would say True To Myself.

QuiteBoy Info:

www.facebook.com/quietboy1

WATCH BAY DILLA’S LATEST VIDEO “THEY KNOW”

Bay Dilla – They Know from Footage Entertainment on Vimeo.

When you think of Alaska, the first thing that pops into your head is snow,
Governor Sarah Palin, or the video “Uh Huh” by Joker The Bailbondsman
featuring Bizzy Bone (if you used to watch BET Uncut). with time and
persistence, soon the only name you will think of when you hear “Alaska” is
rapper Baydilla. Since he was a young adolescent, Baydilla has always had a business mind
mixed with street smarts, earning him his nickname. “When I was young I was
hustling, I was always in the streets no matter what it was,” Baydilla
explains. “If you needed it you called me, Bay Bay. My friend Mike from
Chicago gave me the name Baydilla, because every time he saw me I was
hustling.” Baydilla has encountered a lot throughout his rap quest. Multiple trials and
tribulations while living in Atlanta almost caused him to give up on his
dream. “I moved to Atlanta back in 2001. My cousin Magic moved our studio to
Atlanta, and in the midst of all that he caught a Fed case,” Baydilla
recalls. “My cousin Hot Rod got twenty years for the same case. Then my
other cousin Hardcore got ten years for taking the rap for my brother, plus
they got my baby momma for five years. But they still wanted my brother, so
they took him, too. Through it all I just stayed strong and positive with
support from my fans. I started noticing when I went to different places
people knew who I was, so I just kept going with it.” Baydilla and his brother Wok started Out Da Cutt Records ten years ago. Since then, he has kept the label afloat with a slew of up-and-coming
rappers including P-Nut, Scoe, Day, and Lil T. But Baydilla remains the
label’s lead artist. “‘I have an album coming out soon, but we’re still
working on the title right now,” he says. “I’m thinking of Mr. BB. ” The
album will also feature appearances from the likes of Bun B, E-40, Kia
Shine, and Hell Rell.

With a story worth telling, Alaska behind him, and a cold flow that can’t be
denied, Baydilla is well on his way to proving himself as a notable rapper. Words by Jee’Van Brown
Photo by Littleton Miller

FEATURED ARTIST – FOSTA

Fosta – Glittered Up

Who you are? Do you represent a label? If so, what is the name?

My name is Fosta and I do represent a label I’m currently a member of L.O.E.G Music Group. (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)

What do you do?

I am an Artist/Songwriter

Where are you from?

I am from Niagara Falls, NY

When did you decide you wanted to be an artist and/or producer? How long have you been seriously pursuing this as a career option?

It was around the end of ’99 when I decided I wanted to do music, but it wasn’t until my junior year of high school (2001) when I realized that I had the talent to make a career out of it so I have been serious ever since.

Why did you choose to pursue music as a career? How did you get started?

I always loved music and I feel music is the best form of expressing yourself in a way people can relate to I got started in music with my two older brothers Chucky the Rocksta and Melody Q entering battles and recording at home.

Have you had any accomplishments or milestones? If so, what are they?

I have had many accomplishments and milestones in my years of doing music, but I would have to say releasing my first solo project has to be my most important and meaningful accomplishment one of them all.

How has your experience been with Unsigned Hype? Has it benefited you?

I just recently start building a relationship with Unsigned Hype and it feels like family already, unsigned hype has helped western New York get closer to me and I get closer to my fans here at home, I have nothing but respect for unsigned hype.

What are some obstacles you have encountered in pursuing this as a career?

There are a lot of obstacles but the biggest one is getting your music to the right people that can benefit your career there are a lot of people that impersonate like they can but they really can’t.

What are some of the artist in the industry you admire and currently listen to? Why?

If you jumped in the ride with me right now I’m still blasting Jay z, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Joe Buddens, my boy T.I, Wayne, and I’m rocking with the new kids like Drake(T-Dot stand up) and the boy J. Cole, just to name a few. These artists keep me on my toes and because of their hard work and their business techniques it keeps me watching their every move.

What producers and artist did you work with on your mixtape “Money Never Sleeps”?

My big brother Melody Q out in Texas, my big homie Jbeatz out in Atlanta, my man Nae Hollowz out in Harlem and my dog Buddah Bless are some of the producers on the MONEYneverSLEEPS project. I also reached out to my older brother Chucky da Rocksta, my boy Dutch and my lil brother Luccie to come rock with me on the project as well. Everyone is affiliated with L.O.E.G. Music group so it’s basically all in house.

What are you working on now? What are your future projects?

I just recently got invited to be a part of this short college tour, so I’m just preparing myself for that while also pushing the MONEYneverSLEEPS mixtape. I have a lot of music done and a lot more inside me I’m just focused on staying consistent.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you are doing now?

For anyone whose dreams are similar to mine all I can say is you have to get up and grind, grind grind, it’s a must and a plus. Anybody could put words over a beat but you have to have the grind behind it. You have to really want it, love it and live it. Only you can stop you.

Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you plan to achieve those goals?

In five years my goal is to be sharing my stories with a larger audience and letting people know that there is crazy talent in the Western New York area. I see myself with the help of our community to bring a lot of opportunities musically, educational and recreational to our area in five years. I do this for my city. I’ve sacrificed so much for my love of music so I have no choice but to dedicate myself to it and do what I was put on this earth to do.

Sum yourself up in 3 words.

Three words to describe me…MONEYneverSLEEPS…lol

Fosta Info:

www.facebook.com/fosta484
www.myspace.com/fosta484
www.twitter.com/fosta484

Check out “Who Run It” by $eed Da King. This video was Directed by: Tywan “Shooter” Abrams. The song was Produced by: Mister KA Music of **DYG Ent.**