Month: February 2021

Michael Carey talks Southern Music, Gumbo, & His Latest Single “No Doubt About It”

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“This song is personal to me. I wrote it for my wife. It tells the true story of when we met in detail. It’s a song that lots of people can relate to. Everyone has a love story or can remember the very first time they met that special person. No doubt about it!!!” -Michael Carey
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Mistah Wilson: Hey, Michael Carey! What a tremendous opportunity it is to have you here with us for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock Magazine! Love your style, man! How have you been?
Michael Carey: I’ve been blessed. Doing good!!

Mistah Wilson: Real quick, for our audience reading this could you hit us with a brief background on yourself?
Michael Carey: I’m a singer-songwriter from Louisiana. I’ve been performing with bands for over 20 years. I started back recording a few years ago. I felt the need to show another side of my talent. No other way to do that but to be original with Music that’s built from the ground up.. A part of my past

journeys consists of performing at the Super Dome in New Orleans for the bayou classic. I also wrote a song for the University of Texas; opened up for a lot of national artists.

Mistah Wilson: Your single “No Doubt About It” damn near got me up off tha wall, man and I don’t even dance lol! Kool & The Gang couldn’t even do it but your song was most definitely amazing! Tell us about tha single. What was your aim with this one?
Michael Carey: This song is personal to me. I wrote it for my wife. It tells the true story of when we met in detail. It’s a song that lots of people can relate to. Everyone has a love story or can remember the very first time they met that special person. No doubt about it!!!

Mistah Wilson: How did you and Hits Wit La Keith come to work together?
Michael Carey: My daughter Tee Carey had a session at his studio and she asked me to go with her to sing on the track.. After he heard me, out came one of the tracks. He told me to take it home and write something to it. Two weeks later, No doubt about it was born.

Mistah Wilson: Who are some of your biggest musical influences that have inspired your artistry today?
Michael Carey: Al-Green is my favorite of all times. I grew up singing all his songs. In high school, one of my nicknames was Al-Green some say I sound like him. Mint Condition and Stevie Wonder are two more I love to sing.

Mistah Wilson: What is your creative process when making new songs?
Michael Carey: I’m a thinker, I process lots of stuff at the same time. But, when I sit down to write music I pick a topic and lock in on it until the song is complete. I can sit down and in an hour, the song is done.

Mistah Wilson: In your own words, what makes Southern music distinctively different than music coming out of other regions?
Michael Carey: Southern music got that Gospel root. It has a lot of feelings that come out of life

situations that an artist can form a song from. The word gumbo is big around here. Southern music is a mixture it’s a lot of soul that goes into making a good gumbo. The culture where a musician grows up in is what makes their sound.

Mistah Wilson: What current and upcoming projects do you have in tha works?
Michael Carey: I’m currently in a pickle right now on my next release. My name is starting to buzz around the country so I have to make sure the next one is always the best one!! I may do a remix of an Al-Green song called “I’m still in love with you.

Mistah Wilson: Where can people find and follow you online?
Michael Carey: Instagram @acostlyrush
Facebook @Michael Carey
YouTube @Michael Carey

Mistah Wilson: Hey, Michael Carey! Thank you so much for coming through for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock Magazine! We look forward to checking out your new releases while enjoying this single “No Doubt About It” that’s out now. If you wanna send any shout-outs, let’s hear it..

Michael Carey: I would like to give a shout-out to J Ross and Lisa good for doing a great job in promoting this record!! And thanks to your magazine for giving me the exposure!!!

source https://www.mistahwilson.com/2021/02/michael-carey-talks-southern-music.html

Jsun Borne talks Midwest Rap, Passion for Hip Hop, & Violence in Chicago

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Mistah Wilson caught up with Chicago rapper Jsun Borne for an exclusive interview on Midwest Rap, Passion for Hip Hop, & Violence in Chicago. You can find his latest album on Soundcloud below and reach out to him on Instagram. 

“My biggest challenge was not getting embraced. To be honest, everything outside of our city they jumped on but local artists were and still are overlooked… My reward was storming every stage I could getting the name out there even leaving the state as a solo artist”
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Mistah Wilson: Yo, Jsun Borne! We are honored to have you come thru for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock Magazine! It’s been a long time coming, but you’re back! We read your biography and wanted to hear from you in your own words. For our audience reading this, could you give us a quick background on yourself?
Jsun Borne: I’m a Hip Hop artist named Jsun Borne aka Ikaflo from Chicago, Illinois. I was in a group named Darcsyde that took over the rap scene throughout the midwest. 

Mistah Wilson: First off, let’s talk about your love for tha craft. Who or what led you to do music and how has being a part of it impacted your life as an artist?

Jsun Borne: My love and passion for hip hop came from being a B-Boy growing up, breaking, a graffiti artist etc… I was a drummer growing up listening to jazz, rock, gospel, soul music, everything I could play until I saw the video to Eric B and Rakim I AINT NO JOKE, and that’s what sparked my inspiration to rap.
Mistah Wilson: What’s tha Midwest rap scene like? Give us tha good, bad, and ugly…
Jsun Borne: The midwest scene is live right now and Chicago is being back on the spot light music-wise but its actually a lot more to the music scene than what’s being exposed to the world. It’s so creative here in music but the state of violence that has taken over in our city is hurting us very much. Everything is violence, destruction, prison, deaths, and funerals that’s all it’s become but it has always been more than that here in Chicago.

Mistah Wilson: What current and upcoming projects do you have in tha works?

Jsun Borne: I released my 1st solo project in 2017 THA BORNE SUPREMACY STORY and now I’m working on The Circle of the 5th with 4 singles out right now.

Mistah Wilson: Where does tha motivation behind your message in rap stem from?

Jsun Borne: My motivation behind my paragraphs starts from my imagination, my mental visions, where I wanna go, and all my experience; my good days in my everyday life.

Mistah Wilson: What have been some of tha biggest challenges AND rewards throughout your journey in music?

Jsun Borne: My biggest challenge was not getting embraced. To be honest, everything outside of our city they jumped on but local artists were and still are overlooked… My reward was storming every

stage I could getting the name out there even leaving the state as a solo artist mainly. The internet has helped a lot but still challenging but you gotta grind.

Mistah Wilson: What do you ultimately want to accomplish in music and why?

Jsun Borne: What I want to accomplish in music is finally put on a larger scale being recognized as an all-time great lyricist collabing with other artists having my music in movies, tv shows, games, and inspire people’s lives.

Mistah Wilson: Where can people find and follow you online?

Jsun Borne: You can find and follow me on Instagram @borne_legendary726, Twitter @9Legendary726 spotify itunes ect. Jsun Borne and SoundCloud @Jsun_Borne726

Mistah Wilson: Yo, Jsun Borne! It’s been great having you here with us for this exclusive interview for ThaWilsonBlock Magazine! Thanks for coming thru!

source https://www.mistahwilson.com/2021/02/jsun-borne-talks-midwest-rap-passion.html

Mistah Wilson’s Podcast Breathes Life Into Local Music Scene

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Mistah Wilson has a podcast where he attracts listeners to discover local music thru interesting topics. Although many of these topics can easily classify as Opinion, you could say this is his version of headlines with somewhat of a shock value. 

With this new podcast, Mistah Wilson wants you to know something. WilsonBlock100 Radio plays not only tha best in local music, but Pasadena Music! And if you’re from Pasadena, CA, then you know it’s a big deal. 

Tune In to Mistah Wilson’s Podcast YouTube Playlist to hear Mainstream WilsonBlock100 certified content. Mistah Wilson’s Podcast can also be heard on Spreaker, Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Castbox, JioSaavn, Listen Notes, Podimo, Player FM, Deezer, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, and wherever podcasts are published. 

source https://www.mistahwilson.com/2021/02/mistah-wilsons-podcast-breathes-life.html

Historic Architecture Abounds Amid Nationwide Homelessness

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“I just think there is something to be said about affluent organizations discussing homes as a recreational hobby when we have countless people (students and taxpayers included) who can barely get approved for studio apartments.”

I moved to Pasadena, California in September of 2002. Wilson Avenue. Bungalow Heaven. Being only 12 years-old at tha time, I had no idea that I was dwelling in a reputable community. Through my early teen years in Pasadena, I would notice that every now and again, members of the neighborhood would have an open-house tour. It took a few years before I caught on to what it was; seeing whole groups of strangers walking up tha streets I call home. As an youth and an outsider, it developed a sense of pride in me. You know, like, what are ya’ll doing in my hood? lol
It was April 2006. I’m now 16 years-old. Bungalow Heaven’s Home Tour was set up in McDonald Park and I was AWOL from my group home in Baldwin Park. I was virtually homeless, but I had “homies” that looked out for me back then. Me not knowing exactly what it was about, I walked up to the booths and started checking it out. I didn’t understand it. It was something I wasn’t formally introduced to yet. I soon came across the coffee and bagel table. But, I didn’t see any fixings for tha coffee, so I thought it was kinda wack. About an hour or so later, I got arrested for something I won’t mention in this article but it was completely unrelated to Bungalow Heaven’s event. 

This was pretty much my first encounter with the BHNA (Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association). But, while I was being hauled off to juvenile camp, I still didn’t understand what that event was. It didn’t bother me much, but years come and gone would show me just how significant those home tours were. While I was locked up, I remember reading a Home-based magazine that just so happens to list something like the Top 10 Best Neighborhoods to live in around tha United States. Much to my surprise, Bungalow Heaven appeared #2 on that list just behind a neighborhood in Oregon that took it all. It hit me hard because tha people that were featured in tha article were…my neighbors on Wilson Avenue. I read tha whole article and felt so proud to have my neighborhood (that I technically wasn’t even a part of) featured in a magazine let alone hitting the #2 spot. It made me feel proud to be from this part of town.
Fast forward to 2013. I’m 23 years-old and I start ThaWilsonBlock Magazine amongst other relative projects. I start doing conceptual street sign photography later that year and it led me to start paying closer attention to homes. I began to realize just how much of a “thing” historic architecture was. That there are huge organizations that help maintain tha integrity of an era that has become a treasure in today’s society. I started to read up on tha different landmark districts and historically registered neighborhoods to know and understand their borders. I like to think I’ve acquired some of tha pride that comes with having such prestigious status as a neighborhood. I mean, it’s one thing to have a historically registered home, but to have an entire neighborhood classified as such is a pretty big deal. I would walk the Historic Highlands. I would pass by Assembly Member Chris Holden’s home in Orange Heights. 

Now, in 2013, I was dealing with homelessness. I was aware of tha architecture cult but I just wasn’t there yet. My interest in wanting to learn more about historic architecture grew to tha point where I decided to reach out to Pasadena Heritage. Janet W. from Garfield Heights corresponded with me and offered to do an exclusive neighborhood tour with my photographer and I. We did an exclusive article interview with them and it turned out to be a great spread! Janet was even gracious enough to sponsor our membership for a year. But, then, life hit. I couldn’t ignore how I was interested in something that was so special; something only a few people can really boast about. 
Homelessness throughout LA County has been severe since tha day I started actually paying attention. You’ll hear a lot of preservation advocates insist on an open discussion now that our ancestors who’ve already done tha damage are gone. But, tha issue has a little more depth than that. See, homelessness is clearly a systemic problem. It was caused by inhumane business practices from Wall Street, insurance companies, realty firms, politicians, and so on. I mean, let’s be real for a minute here. In a capitalist society, those who are without have no seat at tha table. Because of that, people throughout all generations alive today are left in a disposition. In my opinion, it starts at tha Federal level. But, without going too far back and into this thing, let’s discuss on a local level. 
Over tha decades, industry and building has been an ever-growing activity. Firms are granted contracts and those contracts come with stipulations that must satisfy Federal administrative appetites. Now, you have big development companies wanting to buy and rebuild plots of land while a plethora of commercial real estate and residential apartments lay vacant. Yea, that big high-rise they’re building around tha corner that has all tha construction delaying your travel every day. Your local politicians approved it while renters have little to no protection. It begs tha question to council men and women: how do you manage to close new development deals that impede on tha quality of life in tha city while, at tha same time, allowing tha displacement of your own citizens? Who’s really benefitting here? Because it doesn’t appear to be tha people being gentrified out. 

Now, with all that said, let’s get back to historic architecture. I have a growing suspicion of these advocacy groups because tha people in possession of such properties most likely benefitted from tha poor and unfair practices around homes and developments in this country. I mean, again, let’s get real for a minute here. Who in tha world would want to change something that works for them, right? Rich people in America don’t want much to change because it was this very climate that got them to where they are at. It’ll be war if you try to take it from them. 

I wrote this article because I thought it was worth mentioning that hey, “Historic Architecture Abounds Amid Nationwide Homelessness”. I just think there is something to be said about affluent organizations discussing homes as a recreational hobby when we have countless people (students and taxpayers included) who can barely get approved for studio apartments. Is this tha type of America I was supposed to be proud of? Is this a country I should want to die for? Because when you’re Black in America, there is nowhere to go, when there is nowhere to go. 
Thanks for reading. -Mistah Wilson

source https://www.mistahwilson.com/2021/02/historic-architecture-abounds-amid.html