Ally: Hmmm. Allyson Leak is a humble, sweet, creative person that genuinely wants to give back and help others…I know it’s story book but it’s me lol.
VE: Tell us how your blog she-blogs.com and your jewelry line Ally Marie are an extension of who you are as a person.
Ally: Well I guess I will start with the blog. My blog is dedicated to inspiring women to reach for their dreams and to help guide them to leading a happy life….and that’s me. I adore helping people. If I was rich I would do consulting for free and just help people. The blog makes me happy! My jewelry line is my baby. The line is an eclectic mix of pieces. I use Swarovski crystals, precious stones, wood and glass to create my jewels. I get inspired from nature. I feel like the jewels are a part of me because they are a creative expression I came up with…which is usually inspired by some aspect of nature.
VE: Define your blog for us, and what makes it different from all the other blogs out there?
Ally: My blog is a place of positive energy. Whether you are having a good week or a bad week, the blog is a place where you can find inspirational interviews with female entrepreneurs and artists, beauty and fashion tips, and articles on spiritual awareness and healthy eating. It is like a holistic approach to being happy. I love dong it!
VE: Is this what you envisioned yourself doing since you were younger?
Ally: I have had so many different things I wanted to do over the years but I always figured that I may have a career in writing because as a kid I always wrote short stories, journaled, and made plays that I would perform in front of my grandparents etc.
VE: What’s the most aggravating part of your career?
Ally: Lack of funds… I mean being an entrepreneur is hard in that sense because every extra dime I make I put back into my endeavors. But it’s all good because I figure if I tough it out for a few years then it will all pay off…literally
VE: LOL Don’t I know it! What has been your biggest obstacle so far?
Ally: Hmmmm I have had many. I would say two things. Making the decision a few years ago to leave my 9 to 5 to pursue my jewelry designing and the second is planning my she-blogs launch event.
VE: What was the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
Ally: My most rewarding moment in my career for my blog is my launch party that I had this past July. It was a testament of all of my hard work. But on a smaller (not less important) note I also really appreciate when my she-blogs readers send me encouraging emails. I don’t think they know how much that inspires me to keep going.
My biggest moments for my jewelry are when Alicia Keys wore my necklace and when I was a jewelry sponsor for the 2008 Fashion Rocks awards in NYC.
VE: Your event was at Saks Fifth Ave, not an easy feat. Tell us a little about planning that out, the process, outcome and all.
Ally: Ohhh Boy! It was sooo hard!!! I am not gonna lie. I swear I didn’t sleep and had back pain from stress for like two months but in the end it worked out great! Well I didn’t already know anyone at Saks (people always ask that.) I went to a reception at Saks after I left a summit at the United Nations about a year ago and when I walked in I thought to myself “I am going to have an event here.” I didn’t know how or for what but I just could feel that I would. So fast forward a year later, I knew I wanted to do an official blog launch event so when I started brainstorming about venues I remembered Saks. I literally went to the corporate website and emailed everyone LOL and a woman got back to me. I set up a meeting and basically told them about my site and what it stood for and they were on board and so supportive. The rest was executed perfectly because I had a great team Nicole Newsum (amazing publicist), Chantal DeSoto (marketing genius), and a few other friends and family members that helped along the way. The end result was a true blessing. My site gained more recognition and I got to meet some of the most amazing people and learn some of the best lessons along the way!
VE: You had some big names come out to show support. Name drop a little and how did it feel for them to come out and support your event?
Ally: LOL You are funny. I am not a name dropper but for the sake of the question–Free was the host. The speakers were Beverly Bond (who also DJed that night), Michaela Angela Davis (Cultural Critic), Lauren Lake (HGTV host/Author, and Merble Reagon (Executive Director of the women’s center). I felt absolutely honored that these women believed in what I do enough to share their time and wisdom with me and the people that attended my event. I feel blessed. But to be honest I think what keeps be ridiculously humble is that it never feels real. It might not make any sense but there is something inside me that is so happy about my accomplishments and so thankful for those that help me but everything still feels surreal.
VE: And I noticed you rocked one of your jewelry pieces at the event. You’re a full on branding machine huh? LOL
Ally: LOL you know it boo! I always wear my jewelry unless I have to run out the house real quick or unless I am in sweats and even then I just might LOL.
VE: LOL! You were on an episode of Run’s House correct? What was that experience like?
Ally: It was fun because I got to see what reality TV is all about plus I got to meet some cool people from MTV that I have stayed in touch with.
VE: You’ve had some notable successes, but at what point will you consider yourself successful?
Ally: Hmmmm. I think yesterday I would have said “Well maybe when I own my own boutique” or “When my blog reaches 1 million readers.”
But today I will say that I am already successful. It didn’t hit me until recently. When I started receiving emails and even some voicemails form she-blogs readers about how I (little ole me) inspired them to change their lives or motivated them to be bold and do what they had never done before. It made me realize that success for me means when you get to a point in your life where you are bold enough to reach for your dreams and you can figure out a way, through your creativity to help better the lives of others.
But I do have many more projects I am currently working on/want to achieve in the near future like my book that I am writing.
VE: Nice! We’re moving.
Ally: And I just want to say “Thank you” Rondel for giving me the opportunity to grace the pages of Vitalize Entertainment. Your company, creativity, and drive are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
I am not angry with Kanye West and let me tell you why. Right after Kanye’s stunt at the MTV VMAs, I was in shock for about 6 minutes. I really couldn’t speak or think clearly because I have been an avid music award viewer since I was a child, seen quite a few things, but nothing like that. Kanye was wrong for interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech, taking the mic, downplaying her award and re-awarding Beyonce – who from the looks of her face and body language was quite embarrassed and wanted nothing to do with the debacle. There’s no denying that Kanye had no right to take those actions and step on the Swift’s young, innocent joy.
However, I immediately knew something was wrong with Kanye. Something wasn’t the same. Yea we’ve known him to be outlandish and tell award shows that they’re being disrespectful for cutting off his acceptance speech (Grammy’s) or not awarding him when he felt he was deserving (MTV), but there was something different this time. Before he was defending himself and hurting no one. This time he was on a rant to defend another artist and hurt an artist who I’m sure worked hard for her success. I immediately wondered why.
People were quick to bash Kanye West. They didn’t take two seconds to see that this wasn’t his usual antic…that there was a deeper issue, which I think was pretty clear for any person with depth. But of course, the general population is rather shallow and oblivious.
Soon after, pictures surfaced of Kanye getting buzzed up on the VMAs red carpet (pre-awards) with a bottle of Henny to the left and snake skin woman to the right. Again, I’m not saying he’s right by any means, nor is being drunk an excuse for outlandish and hurtful behavior. Kanye was definitely wrong, and has been wrong+sober in the past. My point though, is that the entire study of psychology is based on the brain and how we all react to life’s circumstances differently. There are plenty of drunks on the street or even in our families who are the way they are because of their reaction to circumstances. “Dam, something is wrong with him, he needs help” is more powerful than “F*ck Kanye, he’s a d*ck,” which is all I was hearing at the time.
To be completely honest, if you didn’t like Kanye and didn’t support his music before this situation, none of what I’m saying is directed to you. You can continue disliking him and not supporting him, as I can completely understand and respect your viewpoint. He has done and said many controversial things in the past that can polarize you to either love or hate him. Personally, before this point, he didn’t make me do more than either laugh or shake my head. My comments are directed to the Kanye supporters who tolerated or even rocked with him before, who are suddenly anti-Kanye. These people are fickle and simple-minded. These are the people who read tabloid covers or hear gossip from a friend, nod their heads and all of a sudden that word is gospel. These are the people who ran Michael Jackson into the ground. Do better.
Ask yourself if you’ve ever been drunk and said or done something that hurt someone else. Or have you ever had a friend who you’ve forgiven for drunken dumbness after they apologized? Chances are you’ve been in at least one of those scenarios. I’ve forgiven friends who did drunken dumbness and they were not even drinking out of depression. They were just drunk to be drunk. So think a little deeper as to why some people would be weighing this simple situation between two artists so heavily, as if he beat someone, or statutory raped someone?
Not to mention, this is THE SAME Kanye who was THE ONLY celebrity bold enough to call out the President of the most powerful country in the world and say that he doesn’t like black people. How easily people forget. “George Bush doesn’t care about black people!” Career on the line and all, Kanye has always talked out of turn, hate it or love it. This time, yes, it went a little too far because he’s been drinking away his depression… because he’s going through some things with the his mother passing, his fiance leaving him, the stress of a non-stop life on stage and the ordinary stresses of life. You don’t know that you yourself wouldn’t turn to alcohol if you were dealing with his battles. Or even if not alcohol, what would your reaction be? Running through women/men to fill a void? Shutting people who love you out of your life? Becoming a workaholic so you don’t have to deal with the pain that is your reality? Everyone has something.
But the question remains, if Kanye sincerely apologized for hurting Swift and anybody else who got hurt, why are some Kanye fans turning their backs? Is he not human? Is what he did REALLY that bad? Or is it just easier to write someone off instead of trying to figure them out?
The overall point is this: Kanye isn’t paying me to write this, but as usual, celebrity lives reflect our own. We go through what they go through, just under less magnification. We get scrutinized from the people around us rather than people around the world. If you were a Kanye fan before and you turn your back now, you’re really high school and need to do better. Perez Hilton and a number of celebrities and bloggers are on this rampant anti-Kanye thing like he punched them in the mouth. High school!
Picture this. High school: you had a homie who was outspoken as hell, but you accepted it or even liked it. It was entertaining as hell and usually they didn’t hurt anybody but themselves, but they didn’t care. Then one day your homie was going through some personal things and had a bad day, he spazzed on some chick you don’t even care for. Word spread around school that he was uncool for it and even after he apologized and explained himself, people just stopped talking to him. Is that still your homie?
Cougar (Dictionary.com): Noun. A large powerful wild cat (Felis concolor) of mountainous regions of the Western Hemisphere, having an unmarked tawny body.
Cougar (Urbandictionary.com): Noun. An older female who is on the “hunt” for a much younger, energetic, willing-to-do-anything male.
How do we feel about cougars? Personally, I’m all about some good cougar action. I mean, if you’re a few years older than me, I’m all about it. The thing is, contrary to popular belief, some of us men actually are mature for our ages. Even if we’re not more mature, many of us young dudes know how to handle a woman better than a jaded ass older man who has been through the ringer and therefore has a secret vengeance against all woman-kind. And if research claims a woman reaches her sexual peak mid-30s, and us mean reach ours a good ten years earlier, why not fall prey to an amazing time?! I’m just saying.
However, if you are old enough to have had me nursing on your tate as a new born, then the bar is raised. I need for you to be Stacy Dash’s level of cougar hotness. Yes, I stand firm behind the fact that Stacy Dash is and forever will be the ultimate cougar, Queen Cougar if you will.
An old colleague of mine who was into astrology, numerology and such told me that in my love life I will deal with many diva-like, sassy older woman types who are into my boyish, fun-loving ways. I didn’t believe her until in the last month or so I have been approached by many a mountain lion. None quite a cougar of my caliber, but I was flattered nonetheless. Fact is, I’ve always been attracted to older females. When I was in 7th grade, all my crushes were in the 8th grade. When I turned 18, I definitely felt apt to handle a 22 year old woman.
But how old is too old? You know what, that’s a matter of personal opinion. We must refer to cougars in terms of YHS (years head start.) I am 25 right now and I’d probably be open to a 5-7 YHS. Maybe even 10, shit, it aint tricking if you got it. A woman is probably more financially and emotionally stable at that age. She is probably over love games and has either chosen the track to get serious and settle down or simply have fun and see where life takes her. I’m inclined to the latter, but I’m not even going to lie to you, I’m not mad at the man who marries a cougar.
I recently met a happily married woman who is seven years older than her husband. They met when he was 23 and she was 30. Fast-forward to today, he makes enough money where they mutually decided that she would stay home and tend to their children. Yes, a homemaker in 2009. That sounds like the life that some women I encounter are looking for (Not the woman I’m looking for, but I won’t judge you.)
If women have enjoyed sugar daddies for years, why can’t we men enjoy a good cougar? Take me out sometimes, help me map out my life, school me about your life experiences, teach ME some shit. In turn, I’ll put that young boy swag on it. All in all, I don’t see anything wrong with the pairing of an adventurous woman who is a little older and a young man who is able and willing. Fellas, how do you feel about cougars? If you’re down, what’s your YSH? Women, are you open to an “energetic, willing to do anything male”?
Guess who’s bizzack? Silkk. Yessir, Silkk the Shocker. Your favorite New Orleanian who helped put the No Limit movement on the map in the 90s. I had a chance to catch up with multi-platinum, multi-millionaire artist and entrepreneur, who forreal is just a really cool dude! We chopped it up on everything from the projects he’s working on, Lauren the Shocker, his brother C-Murders murder trial, jerking [PAUSE: We’re talking about the dance] and what he’s been doing with all that good green $. Check it out…
BB: You’ve been laying low since your last album. What you been up to?
STS: I’ve been working on this clothing line, working on a lot of films. Just focusing on the business side of stuff.
BB: I’m a believer that life influences art. Artists who release projects back to back without living seem to lose inspiration. Do you pull from life experiences to create your music?
STS: It’s funny you say that because I just talked to somebody about that the other day. That’s exactly what I did, I felt like I been doing [music] for about 12 – 13 years straight. We’re talking about being home for maybe a month out the year, if that. I did a lot of great things but didn’t have time to enjoy it. I would do back to back shows, like 28 shows in 30 days. You do all that stuff, a lot of great things, but you don’t enjoy it. So that’s exactly how I feel about it. I love music, I love everything about it, but I wasn’t really pressed to come back. A couple years went by but it doesn’t feel like it. I was doing things I really enjoy. Writing, I’m working on a book called “Poor Little Rich Kid.” I just got fed up with doing everything for everybody else so I just took some time off. We’ve done a lot of good stuff music, so I decided to take some time to enjoy what I’ve done. Once I did that I realized, wow, there’s something else besides music.
BB: Do you think people are ready for you to come back?
STS: Yea! Even though I haven’t put the record out, I’ve done a few shows did a couple of appearances and you know what, it’s actually the perfect time because my music right now is my best ever. People who’ve heard it, my family my brother they’re all are saying this is the best ever. And I agree, because there’s no pressure, I just love the music. I’m my worst critic, and if I like it, I think it’s pretty good. I liked my music [before] but uhhh… this one, I’m at my best. I’m very excited about it and it’s really not even my #1 focus to sell a billion records. If everybody likes it like how I like it, then I’m good with that.
BB: I hear you. You’re on that Diddy, Janet level where you’re not doing it for the money anymore because you’re all set in that respect. You’re just doing out of the pure passion for music at this point.
STS: *LOL* Exactly! You hit the nail on the head. I feel like I can go in the studio for 12 days and make a thousand songs and it would all be good. I’ve never felt how I felt now creative wise. When I got in the studio, I felt no pressure. When you feel like that, you have no writers block, you just give me a track and I do it. I really do feel like a Puffy where I’m just trying to make good music for the people. I’m pretty sure the fans are really going to embrace it. I speak to my fans all the time, they’re always asking when I’m coming back or they say “man, the rap game needs you!” And it feels good because, if I felt there was no need to come out, I wouldn’t even come out. I just feel there’s a lack of good music.
BB: What’s the vibe of the new music you’re working on? Like what can we expect? Is it serious, fun, laid back, upbeat?
STS: It’s a little of everything. I got heartfelt songs, I got rowdy songs, I got club songs, I got inspirational songs. I really can’t wait to see people’s perception of it. I really think I may have snuck up on what could be a classic, but you aint hear that from me *LOL* It’s definitely something for everybody on there. And I think by being such a good record, I think it will draw people to other songs. I like all types of music, no music is horrible to me. But let’s say like I don’t really listen to country, but I’ll listen to a Garth Brooks song every now and then and I start realizing how talented that guy is. And that’s how I feel this record is. You might like my rowdy stuff, another person my like my crossover stuff, another person my like my reality songs. At the end of the day, if you’re a true musician, you’re just happy that people are putting you’re record on.
BB: Will you be T-Paining all over that joint? Or you stand behind team DOA?
STS: *LOL* Yooouuu funny. You know what? I did one on [the album]. I’ve never done autotune before but my boy Tip produced this track, and it’s funny because I decided to try it. The good thing about it, it became one of my favorite joints on the record.
BB: What’s the name of it?
STS: It’s called Smiling. But yea, I like it; it’s one of my best songs on the record. But I didn’t get carried away and do too much of it. What happens is, I respect Jay and I respect T-Pain, but I just like music. I like Soulja Boy, Jim Jones, Jeezy, everybody who does good music. The catch is, as the music goes, you got to be able to respect all types of music. Certain parts of music, take you to the next genre of music. Like now it’s jerking. I mean I don’t jerk but I respect the fact that it keeps hip-hop going for the next person to come back. Like maybe the next Jay or the next 50 brings their next style. We don’t want to kill anything about hip-hop, we don’t want to stop jerking, T-Pain, Jay-Z. We want everybody to consistently put into it and then guess what? I might come out and they might stop jerking. But my point is they already got enough people trying to stop hip-hop, we don’t need to be trying to stop it amongst ourselves.
BB: A lot of people probably don’t know that you’re first album “The Shocker”, was released without the support of major label distribution and still went gold. That doesn’t happen for every indie artist. Why do you think people took to you so much, even without all the heavy video and radio promo?
STS: I just think it just caught on. I don’t know if it’s because I was always on my brother P’s record. I mean there was this one song with him, I can’t even remember the name of it. I don’t know what I did, but I kinda really did my thing on it. *LOL* Like it was just good, everybody was telling me I killed it.
BB: *LOL* Right, like “I don’t want to toot my own horn but, I MADE that record” *LOL*
STS: I did, he’ll tell you! But I didn’t realize how good it was until we look back on it now. So like I guess I set the bar with what I did there. The people grabbed it, almost like how Jeezy did on So Icy. I was only like 14 and I kept hearing my name. I remember E-40 was like “I’m a big old fan.” It’s funny, I don’t think I ever told this story before, but I remember I was on a video set, and I seen Tupac, I’m looking at him, he’s looking at me, so I thought he wanted to fight or something. *LOL* Like we just kept going back and forth and eventually I found he was a big old fan too, so that was a really good feeling, because you know, Tupac was a big deal. That was just kind of crazy. I guess overall it was just an energy, guys felt it, ladies felt it.
BB: I got a couple questions coming up about the ladies situation so you hold on to that. *LOL* How important is knowing this music business and making investments to your pockets? A lot of aspiring artists still think it’s all about talent and making hot music.
STS: The business side of it is #1. The first contract, the first thing you sign, you’re going to sign because you’re coming from nothing. Who knew that Jay-Z would be Jay-Z? Who knew Puffy would be Puffy? You’re not going to know that so you’re just going to try to get in somehow, which is good. You might get a contract with $500,000 up front, but that really isn’t anything. If you’re a big old star, you get a car for $90,000 a house for $250,000 and then you’re done. Not to mention, everything you do is recoupable, from the traveling budgets to the videos. Just put it like this, you’re going to be in the hole for five years.
Here’s what I would tell them and someone told me the same thing…Make them spend as much money as possible on your first record. I mean if they can spend $10 mill make them spend it. Make your single blow, become a big old star.
BB: So you’re saying make them make the investment early on and the money will come through later?
STS: Nah you’re not gonna get any money from them period, from record sales at least, so just get in the hole as much as possible. I should teach a class on this. *LOL* Say I want a million dollar video. I want a three million dollar marketing plan. Being in the hole half a million and five million is all the same thing, because you’re not even getting out of it, so don’t even worry about it. In the meanwhile you become this big star; you’re plastered everywhere, top of your game. Then, the next year, after you sell a lot of records everybody knows your name, then you just go in there, rip up the contract in their face and say I want a new contract.
BB: *LOL* that sounds like a good gameplan. I’m not even mad at that.
STS: Next interview you do an interview with anybody in this business, ask them how much they made on their first record. If they say they made one buck off of it, you call me and tell me who it is.
BB: *LOL* Aight.
STS: I’m just trying to be real with you.
BB: I like to focus on the positive, but I know people want to know your thoughts on your brother C’s murder trial. Any thoughts you can share with us?
STS: I can’t really talk about the case but I can say this about him. I’m proud of him, and I’m backing him up 100%. He’s a different dude. If he did the crime, then he should go to jail and do the time. I wouldn’t want anybody to come kill my brother so I’m not going to be biased on that. But he didn’t do it. If you read the pages, you know what’s going on. The justice system aint all right, you can tell something aint right. The first trial got overturned.
The Supreme Court doesn’t overturn a trial if everything is right. They wanted to sentence him because of his name. If we’re talking about justice, I mean I know he isn’t perfect, he has a history, but we’re talking about guilt and innocence. I can’t lock you up just because you hang with this guy. That means all our people, family and friends are in jeopardy. Now if he’s guilty, he needs to do the time. But if we know he didn’t do it, there’s all kinds of shady evidence in there, that aint right.
We need to fight, I’m not saying fight for C, but we gotta fight for the system because it could be you in there it could be me in there. If we don’t fight for this, they’re going to think they can do this all the time, to your kids, my kids, everybody.
What I do respect about C is that he is a different person at 20 than he is at 30. Yea he was a knucklehead, he did some stupid things, but as a man, and he got three kids now, he took his 10 years for that. But when I talk to him now, he’s a totally different dude. He changed, and he can do a lot of good. People listen to him, there’s a lot of dudes in Compton and Inglewood that know that he’s been through hell and back. He wants to talk to them and let them know this gangsta stuff aint all what it seems. Just like when I was 18, I thought I knew what I was doing, but I’m on a whole different page business wise right now. I thought I was doing the right thing at 18, but I’m doing the right thing now. We are able to change and we may have to suffer the consequences for what you didn’t do right in the past, which he has already done.
BB: Definitely hear you, thanks for sharing that. I recently interviewed Dawn Richard from Danity Kane who is also from New Orleans. Artists don’t always get the chance to speak on the good things they do. Have you contributed to the rebuilding of New Orleans? Or any other charity/non-profit efforts you want to let people know about?
STS: That’s all I really do now is charity. I’m doing a charity weekend with the city of Las Vegas, with City Councilman Barlow. We’re doing a back to school thing with the kids. We always give back to New Orleans and try to rebuild back that place. Really our main focus right now is the kids because that’s our future.
BB: Aight, enough business. Let’s get to know Silkk. I know ladies love you. This one girl named Lauren would have everyone address her in high school as “Lauren The Shocker” otherwise she wouldn’t even answer you *LOL* So I must ask on their behalf, are you single?
STS: *LOL* Ummmmm, you know everybody’s taken in some way. I’m pretty good right now. *LOL* yea I’m somewhat taken right now. You gonna get me in a lot of trouble on that one! *LOL*
BB: I’m saying, if I didn’t ask you that, Lauren the Shocker would not be a happy camper right now.
STS: Nah mean I was gonna wait for Lauren! But she never got with me so I was just kinda like, I needed to occupy my time. But I still got Lauren on speed dial. *LOL*
BB: I understand man, you can’t wait forever.
STS: Right! *LOL*
BB: What do you like to do for fun outside of roll around in big face hunnits?
STS: *LOL* I like to play basketball, bowl, do a lot of swimming and stuff. Just take care of myself, I exercise a lot. I sleep ridiculously, relax a lot. I go to sleep early most nights. I just chill, I don’t even be tripping.
BB: Who are some of your favorite artists out there right now? Or some songs that you’re feeling heavy?
STS: Lil Wayne is at the top, Jay-Z, Jeezy, Jim Jones. Drake has talent. I support everything. I don’t have a biased opinion. I don’t say anybody sucks, it’s just different. I send my assistant to go pick up albums on Tuesdays, just to support the movement.
BB: Have you heard any of the leaks from Jay’s new joint?
STS: I didn’t. I want to hear it but I don’t want to download it. I don’t want to support that. But I heard it was dope though. I heard it was tight.
BB: I mean yea, there’s a lot of different opinions going around. I try not to listen to too much of it, but I like the little that I’ve heard. But I feel like the situation is messed up. When there’s a release of that magnitude and it gets leaked, I just think that’s crazy. As if artists aren’t struggling enough.
STS: Yea, I feel like people should just be a part of the movement. I don’t like that. Like I don’t like the hating in hip-hop right now, period. Like if you go on the blogs and you see Soulja Boy, the guy is trying. But if you see the comments, like “he’s a F-ing jerk, he can’t rap.” I mean if you have an opinion, some criticism, that’s fine. Like say he needs to step his game up a little bit, whatever. But don’t be like “he’s the freaking worst.” Like I see 13 year old people calling chicks whores. But it’s like dude, how can you be sitting at home being a random hater?
BB: *LOL* So, How are you feeling about the current state of Hip-Hop?
STS: I’m up in the air about it right now. It’s good, the music could be a little bit better. But it’s kind of a stand still right now. The illegal downloading, all that takes away from it. Because I don’t see people really bootlegging rock & roll or country music like that. But it’s mainly our people, just constantly taking away from it.
BB: You’ve had movies, books, clothing line, music, record label, do you feel like you’ve conquered it all or is there something else out there that you’re itching to get into?
STS: I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface yet. I go hard man. I’ve done a lot but I’m around people who’ve accomplished a lot more than I did. I’m usually the youngest around when I’m doing business, but I can hang with the best. So that inspires me. I don’t like to rush into doing anything, but if I feel passionate about doing something, I like to try it. Energy drinks, cartoons…
BB: Cartoons? What’s that about?
STS: This one is really big. This will be one of the biggest things I’ve done in a long time. We got the people who used to work at Disney who are doing it. Can’t talk about it much right now. But in a month or two you’ll know all about it. We’ll have a launch party and everything. But I don’t want anybody running away with my ideas.
BB: Is that under your production company?
STS: Yup!
BB: And when can we expect your album?
STS: My video is shot and everything, the single just dropped. The album is coming out December 4th. It’s called Holla At Your Boy.
BB: Any last words you want to share with our readers?
STS: Thank everybody. It’s going to be a beautiful year. I’m looking forward to coming back out and letting you know what I can do.
Shut everybody down with the Sexy Sophisticated look. C’mon you’re a grown ass man now, take off those Kanye shutter glasses and that dam Arab scarf! It’s simple: one-button suits, a clean, freshly pressed shirt (solid colors please) and a great pair of hard bottom shoes.
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Look #2: The Goth Ninja
I never understood how, but Asian kids always seem to be able to wear anything and it looks great on them. For the Goth Ninja look, think the styling in Run This Town music video.
Here’s 5 Easy Steps to Achieve The Goth Ninja Look:
1. Think dark – Shades of grey and black are classic and you probably already have this in your closet!
2. Hard Metal – Tons of zippers, silver button things etc
3. A big ass scarf! –Remember the arab scarf you bought and only wore 3 times, put it to work this fall or go out and get a new chunky knit scarf but remember black or grey.
4. Shoes – simple black Chuck T’s will suffice
5. Layer it up – wear your black v-neck, grey hoodie, dark grey bomber/military jacket and then your scarf. (Yes, you will sweat!)
Look #3: Military Jackets
The time has come once again for you to break out your Military jacket from 2001. However, instead of wearing them so boxy like before, pick up one that fits a bit closer to the body. These jackets are bad-ass, period. I mean, they make anyone look good. Buy one, get a fresh haircut and pick up a box of rubbers because you’ll be getting some soon enough! lol
VE: Who is Allyson Leak? 
Soon after, pictures surfaced of Kanye getting buzzed up on the VMAs red carpet (pre-awards) with a bottle of Henny to the left and snake skin woman to the right. Again, I’m not saying he’s right by any means, nor is being drunk an excuse for outlandish and hurtful behavior. Kanye was definitely wrong, and has been wrong+sober in the past. My point though, is that the entire study of psychology is based on the brain and how we all react to life’s circumstances differently. There are plenty of drunks on the street or even in our families who are the way they are because of their reaction to circumstances. “Dam, something is wrong with him, he needs help” is more powerful than “F*ck Kanye, he’s a d*ck,” which is all I was hearing at the time.
BB: You’ve been laying low since your last album. What you been up to?
