Happy Holidaze from HHM

HHM would like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful, joyous and gangsta

 holiday season!

[event] 'Mr. Philadelphia Socialite' Isaac M. Hamm III Celebrates Milestone Birthday with a Purpose

This Friday, December 23, IM3 Media CEO, Isaac M. Hamm III, will host his first annual charity birthday bash at Gallerie Isada, located at 3320 Collins Street in Kensington from 8:00pm to 2:00am. HHM had a chance to catch up with Isaac to talk about this upcoming event and how much it means for him to continue giving back to the city of Philadelphia. 

HHM: What made you want to include a charity element into your birthday bash?

Isaac: Last year was the start of adding a cause to celebrating my birthday. Last year me and my staff (IM3Media.com) went out to Love Park to feed the homeless soup and I called it “Soup’r Saturdays”. Dec 19^th was the date. It really opened my eyes to what people are going through. So I decided that this year I would work alongside an organization Chosen300.org located at 11th and Spring Garden street.  

HHM: How did you become involved with the Chosen300 organization?

Isaac: I attended an event where proceeds were being given to the organization. I listened to their mission and wanted to know more so I did my research and set up a meeting with Brian Jenkins the founder of Chosen300. After our meeting I started coming to the center to help serve food. Each time I did it I had about 7 to 10 people come with me to help also. They do great things there. Outside of feeding people they also help them find jobs.

HHM: What goes into planning an event of this magnitude? How did you choose your venue?

Isaac: A whole lot (lol). It really takes a team to put on an event like this. It’s about five of us working on this party and things are moving like they are suppose to.  We have our press release going around trying to get the word out to local media to let them know about the event. Chaseing media is so much fun, sike. But I love what I do. The venue is the Gallerie Isada located on Collins street in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. This venue has all the bells and whistles from top to bottom and from inside to outside. Art work all on the walls. The royal color theme gives you a comforting feeling. It’s a must see and I came across this venue a while back for another event and fell in love with it.

HHM: How did you get the name "Mr. Philadelphia Socialite"? 

Isaac: Well it was given to me by Ms. Dyana Williams, co-founder of Black Music Month. We were at Warmdaddy's, I believe, and she was shocked to see me out and about and she said "You are a Philadelphia Socialite". I had to go research all it took to be a socialite (lol). But it wasn’t until I was turning 30 that I wanted to use that title. I feel this charity birthday bash is going to set me up for greatness and I want to bring it in right. Giving back is a passion of mine and the best gift that I can give to myself is to give back. 


For more information and to purchase tickets or donate log on to: http://charitybirthdaybash.eventbrite.com/!

[event] Kicks for Kids v5 Charity Shoe Drive & Concert with Meek Mill - Dec. 18th (WDC)

Join Kicks for Kids this Sunday, December 18th for their 5th annual charity shoe drive. Here's how it works: Your $10 donation = one (1) new pair of sneakers for charity.

When you donate $10 you receive:

• One (1) free concert ticket
• One (1) Reebok Gift Bag
• One (1) Young & Reckless Collabo T-Shirt
• Shoe City Friends & Family Discount

EVENT LINEUP:

Meet & Greet with Meek Mill & John Wall of the Washington Wizards - 2PM-5PM
@Shoe City at The Mall of Prince Georges, 3500 East West Hwy, Hyattsville, MD

Kicks for Kids Concert - 5PM - 10PM
@ 9:30 Club, 815 V Street, WDC


For more information and to make a donation log on to sneakersuite.com

[nostalgia] Philly's Most Wanted - Suckas

I've been listening to Philly's Most Wanted while working on an upcoming project. I love writing to music from my wonder years lol.

[music] Ke$ha "Sleazy" with Wiz Khalifa, Andre 3000, T.I., & Lil Wayne

[video] Pac Div - "Top Down"

[artist spotlight] Q&A with Johnny Crome - The New Bad Boy of Pop

HHM would like to introduce you to Johnny Crome, a singer/rapper/songwriter from New Haven, Connecticut by way of Brooklyn, New York. His upcoming project "Life In 3D" is lead by "Porn Star", a catchy and melodic single that is sure to peak your interest.

Check out our interview to learn more about this intriguing artist that you need to know.




HHM: Tell us about your project Life In 3D.

JOHNNY: The one question that I've pondered since I was born is, "what is the meaning of life?" It's really a question and theme that fascinates me. So, when I set out to record this project I wanted to touch on a plethora of topics. I wanted to do so by utilizing an array of genres and sounds to express my vision. At the end of the day Life In 3D is not only something that is entertaining, but it's thought provoking as well. In my opinion I think that's what art should be.

HHM: What are some of the challenges you've faced as an independent artist?

JOHNNY: I could run off a laundry list of "challenges", but they wouldn't be anything that you haven't heard before. Ultimately, I don't feel like I face any challenges. My intentions as an artist is to have my art received positively. That's really all I can ask for. Anything more than that is just a cherry on top. If you want to create music or any other art form just to get paid or be famous, then you're doing it for all the wrong reasons. The more people who embrace my music reassure me that I'm doing things the right way and adding positive energy to the world.

HHM: You have a very futuristic sound befitting of the moniker Johnny Crome. What made you decide to take on that name and how did you develop your sound?

JOHNNY: My name is based after a character from a book I read years ago called Come Home Johnny. The book was about the life and times of a futuristic rock star. I became enthralled with the character and I thought the name had a nice ring to it so it just stuck.

My sound is something that I’ve been developing over years. I’ve had the privilege to work with a lot of great producers and artists. So I just tried to learn as much as I can from them.

I have never been afraid to step outside of the boundaries of what people think a "Black" artist should be.  I listen to a lot of different genres outside of hip hop. Honestly, I don't consistently listen to a lot of hip hop anymore. Don't get me wrong, everything new that drops I listen to it. And sometimes I find a rare gem, but I do that just to be aware of what’s fresh and what trends are emerging. I am inspired by The Beatles just as much as I'm inspired by Jay-Z.  Right now Adele and Florence and The Machine are currently my favorite artists.  Hip Hop still sells, but artistically it needs to step its game up.

My music is extremely visual so I draw heavily from films and paintings. I’m a huge fan of directors Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick. I love the work of Salvador Dali and Picasso just to name a few.  I love architecture as well. I find the structure and design of cathedrals and mausoleums to be very fascinating. My inspiration comes from the extraordinary and the mundane. Therefore, my sound is something that continues to develop and evolve as we speak.

HHM: Do you prefer rapping over singing?

JOHNNY: I honestly don't have a preference. I deliver the record in whatever form it sounds the best. I don't really consider myself a rapper or a singer. I just create visions sonically. I never really know how I'm going to deliver it. I have a very awkward writing style.

I may go in with an idea or concept, but I'm never attached to it. Most of the songs for Life In 3D were written as I was standing in the booth recording. Once I get in front of the mic and I really start vibing to the music, it always changes. I compare my songs to paintings. The music is like a canvas, and it's my job to provide the proper paint to make the picture come together beautifully.

HHM: What would you like for people to know about you? Why should they follow and become a part of the Johnny Crome experience?

JOHNNY: I speak truth in my lyrics.  I have lived a life that a lot of people would die for. However, the topics I write about in my songs are things that truly matter to me. Life, death, love, hate, pain, anger, joy, glory, heaven, hell, religion, sex, money, and politics; these are topics that are important to me. I don't necessarily need people to follow me. I believe the universe attracts like-minded individuals to one another. So if you think in the same lane as I do and you enjoy my music, then that bridge will help us form some type of bond together.

CONNECT
http://www.johnnycromenow.com/
Tweet @KingCrome
Facebook
Media Contact: Laurena Marrone, Grit PR & Promotion

[video] Meek Mill f. Young Chris "House Party"

[video] Dres of Black Sheep and Jarobi of A Tribe Called Called Quest Join Forces as EVITAN

The founding core of the Native Tongues Dres and Jarobi have formed the duo EVITAN (which is NATIVE spelled backwards). The two are working on an album to be released in 2012. Their first single "P.T.I (Occupy Wall Street) addresses some of the issues that sparked the Occupy movement, the feelings of anger, frustration, and the desire to mobilize to make a change. The video was shot in the midst of the Occupy Wall Street protest. Check it out below.

Also Dres & Jarobi sit down with Sway and perform.

via Audible Treats