Meet Dahshanae, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer

Dahshanae Denise Jones, known as Dahshanae,is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer from Chicago. Check out her latest song, "Sashay," on SoundCloud.

Dahshanae is currently managing her little brother's career as a upcoming rapper. He has a project coming out in June called G.A.S. Her oldest brother is also a rapper named Tazzie H, and he and Chewy Bandzz just came out with a song called "Rock," which is also on SoundCloud right now and doing amazing. Dahshanae was the director and shot the video for this song.

You can keep up with Dahshnae on Twitter as well as Instagram. Her website is at www.Dahshanae.com.

1. How did your career as a singer/songwriter get started, and would you tell us a little bit more about your family members being involved in music as well?

I've always had a passion for music since I was little. My entire family is like a boombox. When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I started a singing group with my two cousins and we called ourselves The Talented Angels. We were like the young Destiny's Child, and I was Beyonce lol. We used to perform for family functions, and then we evolved to talent shows and competitions. I would always choreograph our dances and write our songs, if we weren't performing someone else's. It was nothing but great times.

As of now, I am a solo artist, of course and that venture is always exciting working on my projects and working with my brothers, Tazzie H and Kaza Block, who are both amazing upcoming artists.

2. What was your process like in producing your latest project, the "98:An Imperfect Masterpiece" EP?

Now that was an amazing experience I will never forget! I always knew that when I put out my first big project, I wanted to produce it myself, and that's exactly what I did. Every aspect of that project came from a soft spot in my heart for 90's music, and I love how everything came together. My whole thing was, this era of music is nothing compared to the 90's era, and one of my favorite things about music from that time was the pureness and how it made you feel. It made you feel things you didn't know you could, and I just wish we could bring back that aspect of music we so desperately need in this generation.

3. How have people been responding so far to your new single, "Sashay"?

I've been getting a lot of feedback and positive vibes so far! I hope that more people listen to it and love it as much as I do.

4. Who do you look to in the industry--are there people you see as reference points for your own work?

I look up to strong woman in the industry who continues to make the impossible possible. I love to listen to artist like Beyonce, of course, but I love Janet Jackson, Erukah Badu, Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse, Kehlani, and the list goes on. I also look up women outside of music like Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Monique, Viola Davis, and the list goes on again. I like to take from those amazing women when it comes to patience, creativity, and confidence.

5. What are you working on now, and what projects are coming up for you over the next year?

I'm literally the multitasking queen right now lol. I'm of course working on my music. I'm working on a few special projects that will be released this year. I also recently came out with my official merchandise, which is on my website right now. I'm working on some modeling and acting projects, and I'm in the process of writing books and so much much.

I am also working with my two brothers. Tazzie H and Chewy Bandzz just came out with a hot song called "Rock" on SoundCloud. I shot the video for the track and their working on a dope project for July. My younger brother, Kaza Block, is also releasing a dope project for June called "G.A.S". Right know, we're all just non-stop working and can't wait for everyone to see what we're made of.

Thanks, Dahshanae!

Meet JgTheAnimator, Rap Artist

JgTheAnimator is an independent rap artist. He is 19 years old and has been finding success with his song, #AMSUPERMAN. You can give it a listen on SoundCloud.

1. What gave you the idea to write "Am Superman"?

I thought to myself, people go through a lot of problems daily that affect them, making them feel either weak or useless, so the idea of Am Superman is to encourage people to believe that they're not weak but they're strong.

2. What's your definition of what it means to be Superman?

To be strong, to be able to keep working to achieve and never give up.

3. Why do you think your song has been getting so many plays?

Because it's a song that they've never heard before, just like what the start of the song says. It switches from various ranges of flows and music dimensions and also we (Take Baf) have been putting effort in sharing the song to lots of people, and we've been gathering fans for a long time now.

4. Did you produce the song completely on your own--and what are you currently working on?

Yes I produced the song all by myself. I'm currently working on a new song which might be very controversial...but that's as far as I can say.

5. What else would you like people to know about you?

Don't start listening to me when I'm all over the news--start now.

Thanks, JgTheAnimator!

Meet Sean Breed, Recording Artist

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sean Breed grew up listening to R&B and rap music and began writing poetry and lyrics at a young age. He has traveled the world and performed with a variety of artists and musicians, and in 2005 he started Selym Records and released several independent singles. In spring of 2014, Sean Breed is releasing his full length LP. The album's title is an acronym meant to start a dialogue : H.ate I.s T.aught L.ove E.nds R.acism.

1. How did you come up with the acronym which makes up the title of your forthcoming album?

I was on social media, and people were asking me what the title of my album is. I remember without a second thought writing HITLER. I kept saying to myself that there had to be a reason that my subconscious mind thought of that title, so I called my producer Beat'n Da Oddz over to figure it out. Hate Is Taught Love Ends Racism came to life.

2. Why did you choose to move forward with a controversial title?

It just made perfect sense. There is continuous hate, racism, and murder being committed on a daily basis because of someone's ethnicity. Even the perpetrators sometimes don't realize why they are wired to hate, but if they backtrack in their lives, they would realize that it is taught. That title gives a reason but also a solution.

3. What artists have influenced your work as a musician?

A lot of artists of old and some of the new ones. I love the whole Motown movement. The DefJam Movement, Badboy Movement. I like Movements rather than songs. I rarely like specific artists nowadays. I like specific songs. I like Drake's Movement.

4. What do you find to be the easiest part and what do you find to be the most challenging part with writing music and lyrics?

The easiest part of making music is making music. The challenging part is all the BS that comes after. The business part of the music business. The most challenging part in writing music and lyrics is recording it and hearing it a few days after and thinking,"Is this GREAT?? Or does this Suck?"

5. For someone who hasn't yet heard any of your work, how would you describe/introduce yourself as an artist?

My work relates to everyone in some way or another. There is no one who can ever say that they got nothing from my body of music, especially from the H.I.T.L.E.R album which by the way will release on 4-20-2014 which was the birth of the dictator from Germany. I would describe myself as a diversified artist who speak about Love, Hate, Party, and Ratchetness. I'm one of the future saviors of the music business, and I may not support Jordan sneakers any more.

Thanks, Sean!

Meet Mbeyeline, Independent Music Artist

MBeyeline is an artist on the rise. Her worldwide fan base is closing in on 100,000 people and growing, and she's approaching 4 million views on her YouTube channel, MBeyeline TV. At just 19 years old and being an independent artist, she will open for Pitbull in New York and France in the coming months, and her music video, Total Control, is advertised in Times Square, NYC.

1. When you were growing up in the Republic of Moldova, how did you first get introduced to R&B music?

I got introduced to R&B music thanks to my aunt. Being just a couple of years older than I am, she was always watching MTV so the music played there grew on me and defined me as an artist later.

2. What made you decide to break out as a rapper?

My "too manly" attitude doesn't fit with me just being a pretty lady performing R&B on stage. I feel rap music with all my heart. I've been through many things in my life, and all the aggressiveness can be easily converted to art through rap. Rap music allows you to share your lyrical diary with the world.

3. Why do you think there aren't more female rap artists in Europe?

There are. But none of them have made it all the way across the ocean. And none of them have the recognition I've worked so hard for and gained for myself. 4 million YouTube views, 50,000+ worldwide fans and collaborations with American rap artists--and this is just the beginning.

4. How has YouTube helped you find fans all over the world?

YouTube started my career. Through this amazing platform, I have managed to build a strong name for myself, get booked on shows, be invited for interviews on TV channels and radio stations, and now, earn money, too.

5. Finally, a two-part question: What's the biggest challenge in being an independent artist, and what's the biggest benefit?

The biggest challenge is that you basically have to do for yourself everything that a record label does for their artists. From writing the songs, to taking them to the professional studios to have them mixed and mastered, promoting them to radio stations, hiring video producers, paying for video production, having your music videos pushed to all available broadcasting channels, managing yourself, booking your own shows and gigs, taking care of all transportation to the interviews you are invited to, and so on.

The biggest benefit is that you learn all these things--otherwise you would have never known how this business goes for real. This way when you get more money and take your career to the next level, you know what's good, what's bad, what's a scam, and what's a real opportunity. You prepare the throne for a long lasting career.

Thanks, MBeyeline!