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We asked Vayga a few questions. CLICK HERE TO READ HIS RESPONSES..Please listen to this mixtape below. You’ll become fans — just as we did.

Learn more about Vayga…


Your twitter says you’re in Florida…but it definitely sounds like you’re from up north. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Tampa, Florida but I was born in New York which is what influenced my style and taste in music. That and 90′s hip hop.

You’re lyrically amazing. What helped you become such a fantastic lyricist?
Thank you! I think what helped me with my lyrics was my interest in reading at an early age. I also had two older brothers who force fed me a lot of music that contained stories and meaningful lyrics. It made me become a fan of music that said something.

What made you decide to put together Famous Theories?
Famous Theories is my first real project. I wanted to put togethera tape with music people could relate to. I didn’t want to talk about money, cars or the cliché stuff. All of my lyrics are 100% real.

Talk about your track “State of Mind”. It is one of my favorite tracks and it hits touches on many deep personal topics.
“State of mind” is exactly what it’s titled, my state of mind at the time. Sometimes I don’t feel like rapping or being social. I’d rather just be at the house alone. lol. I wrote the song when it was just one of those days.. and a lot of people enjoyed it. I was actually kind of surpised. lol

What mainstream artists do you like and why?
Ah, man.. well, I listen to A LOT of music and it’s not all rap. If you were to put my iTunes on shuffle, you’d hear music from artists like; Joe Budden, The Fray, Rick Ross, Annex, Green day, Drake and Jay-z to name just a few. All of these artist’s have a different but real message in their music.

What are you working on currently or what should we look out for?
I’m working on a couple different projects at the moment.. a few features and my next tape that I’m looking to drop early next year. So definitely be on the look out for that.

Pac Div schools Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Derrick Williams and Eric Gordon on the history of bling. From ancient times to present day, the icons of bling… Even with a lock out…these guys are still working.

For 4.99 you can purchase the App and install on your iPhone. Check it out here in the itunes store

Hillary Scott and Rico Love with their awards

Encore Status Entertainment got a chance to cover the 2011 Sesac awards. Like BMI and ASCAP, SESAC is a service organization created to assist both the creators of music and music users through timely, efficient royalty collection and music licensing. There were over 400 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals there. We had the honor of quickly chatting with Rico Love, who was awarded Songwriter of the Year. He’s written a slew of songs, including:

-”There Goes My Baby” – sung by Usher

-”Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” – sung by Usher featuring Plies

-”Sweet Dreams” – sung by Beyonce

-”Just A Dream”- sung by Nelly

We also spoke briefly with the great Bryan-Michael Cox, Chrisette Michele (Ashton Martin Music), and Traci Hale (Rihanna “Whats My Name”). Hillary Scott of the group Lady Antebellum made her presence felt during the star studded event as well. She was awarded with Song of the Year, “Need You Now.” The song went triple platinum and was at the top of the Billboard charts for 5 consecutive weeks.

Chrisette Michele and  few of these top level songwriters gave Encore Status some advice to pass on to up and coming artists. Those videos will come soon. For now, check out some pics of the event.

Bryan-Michael Cox, Hillary Scott, Rico Love, Swizz Beats

Groupon Live

Mega discount site Groupon has teamed up with Live Nation to create a new site offering discounted concert tickets. The site called “Groupon Live” and will probably help to fill up those empty seats at concerts. Here is a link to the site if you are interested in checking it out! Groupon LIVE

Over the past few years, A-List artists, have had a hard time selling out large concert venues. According to MSN, Rihanna’s Loud tour is having a hard time selling out. In March the site mentioned that  Rihanna’s management has urged her to cancel some dates. A few days after that story was published, a blog stated that an unnamed Live Nation rep reported those rumors to be false and explained that consumers wait until the last minute to purchase tickets for R+B and Hip Hop concerts. Not sure which story is true, but I do know one thing…I haven’t purchased concert tickets in a while (late or early) because I’m BROKE! Thank You Jesus for GrouponLIVE.

Naked CD

Yesterday I attended the All Access Music Conference(Producer Edition). In attendance were A+Rs from Atlantic, BadBoy, Roc Nation, Hip Hop Since 1978 and more. There were many established producers there too… like Araab Muzik,  Amadeus, and Buda Da Future. All in all the event was spectacular. Its purpose was to be a knowledge share/networking event and contest for up and coming producers. The prize: A chance to record with Maino. Every panelist there was able to give a nugget of knowledge to help all these up and coming producers improve. I’m not a producer, but I certainly was moved and appreciated everything that was shared. I will be posting the panel discussion video shortly.

The only thing that I thought needed improvement was how some of the up and coming producers packaged themselves. Here are a few things that a should  have when you attend conferences with label executives – besides the music.

Business Cards - I feel like everyone should have a business card. Its the Music – Business. Have a business card that is not too cluttered, and has the following information:

-Name (of course)

-Email Address

-Phone contact (cell, Skype, Google Voice, or whatever it is you use)

-Some of the social networking sites where you can be found (Twitter, Facebook Fan page, Soundcloud, Soundclick, etc).

CD Cases or Covers - Its not quite summer, yet I saw many CDs without sleeves or jackets. You shouldn’t hand an A+R a CD with you finger in the spindle hole. What if they scratch it on the way home? Me being the technology lover that I am, I say skip the CD Cases and Covers – and use Drop Cards. Drop Cards are easy to distribute, customize, and carry.

Bio or Resume (optional) - I think the bio or resume can be a great idea in those situations where you are shopping your music to an A+R interested in one particular genre. The bio/resume can help to cross sell your ability to produce in other genres. If you are going this route, I believe 1 or 2 tracks on the CD or Drop Card should have genre you are cross selling. These should be near last in your track listing.

Folder (optional)- Everything could be packaged in a paper folder. Again, this is just to make everything easier for the A+R to carry.

You may have to make several of these “Kits” to bring along with you to the conference, but it will be worth it. I believe the saying is:

Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Pissed-off People (A+Rs)

…that’s not the real adage, but you get the point.

picture by: RambergMediaImages

In honor of AIDS walk 2010, Encore Status interviewed an up coming artist with a special story. Artist Sagittarius Black participates in the AIDS walk every year with his mom who contracted the disease a year before he was born. Just in time for AIDS walk 2011, Sagittarius Black and his crew Brooklyn Collectiv have created a tee shirt that represents his message to all those who may have a disease:

Take Your Medicine Everyday

Taking Your Medicine Everyday gives you more TYME (time), time to spend with your friends and family. It’s not how long you live its how you live while you’re here.

Be a reminder to someone to take their meds or give this as a gift for someone you know. Order one today.

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Interested in hearing Sagittarius Black’s story? Listen to his Encore Status interview here!