Last Friday, I was on Baltimore Flava Radio’s as a guest speakers to talk about the infamous topic that’s been stirring up quite a controversy; what’s wrong with these Baltimore artist’s that have this crabs-in-a-barrel mentality and why is it a lack for support for other artists here?
What did you do this past Friday? Did you tune into Baltimore Flava Radio, syndicated on Baltimore Internet radio station WPB Radio?
Last Friday, I was on Baltimore Flava Radio’s as a guest speakers to talk about the infamous topic that’s been stirring up quite a controversy; what’s wrong with these Baltimore artist’s that have this crabs-in-a-barrel mentality and why is it a lack for support for other artists here?
Antwon, one of the show’s hosts, came across my article, “#NewBaltimore or #OldBaltimore, We’re All Crabs,” while surfing the web, one day, and apparently loved it. I’m flattered, haha. But really, I’m glad he enjoyed reading it and offered the opportunity to come talk about it on his show.
I thought about all of you and made sure to have it recorded so I could share it with some of my readers who were out partying Friday night, instead of doing what my article says. It’s okay and I forgive you for missing it, haha. You may still have a listen, here.
Thanks for watching. I can’t tell you how much it means to have such a wonderful group of supporters supporting me talk about supporting one another.
This is a start to changing this city’s reputation. You choosing to do this is showing that you’re defying my theories of being crabs. This is exactly what I want you to do, show the rest of the world that we aren’t crabs. We care about our city’s talent reaching new levels of success. We want to see them do better. We want to show the rest of the world what we’re capable of. Let’s keep it up!
Ever met a rapper that seems to have a song for every moment in a person’s life? I call those people trendy rappers because they have music for everything, even songs for when you feel the urge to smack someone. This week’s music highlight is Quinn Shabaz.
Meet Quinn Shabaz:
Quinn began rapping in 2005. That may seem relatively recent being 9 years ago, but he’s musical experiences stretches back to his elementary school days, as he began playing the saxophone in the 3rd grade. By the time he graduated from middle school, Quinn was able to play the saxophone, the drums and the guitar. Like many of other great musicians, Quinn also was apart of his church’s choir. He spent 4 years singing for his church, while he focused on his writing skills until 2012 where he released his first musical project “Alternative Thanksgiving” with long time friend Leon Dominick. The following year, Quinn released his first solo project “Love&Hooligans” and not too far behind dropped his 2014 mixtape “Good Heart, Bad Habits.”
With only two solo projects under his belt, Quinn is showing us a job well done. When tuning to Soundcloud to find a song to share with my readers, I chose to share the most played. “Gator” is a song about pimp slappin a bitch. I can’t put it any simpler than that. Ha-ha! So if you’re in one of those moods full of pure frustration and can’t seem to let the tension go, I’m sure “Gator” can help with that.
But that’s not what I wanted to highlight in today’s post. I wanted to share Quinn’s music video “Day One,” which includes two previously featured artist on Doc’s Castle Media, Jimmy Apoet and Leon Dominick. It’s a song about true friendship and hanging out with people who’s been around since the beginning. I’m talking about those best friends you wouldn’t trade the world for.
Did You see my cameo? Ha-ha!
I really loved what Quinn did by taking it back to those celebratory cookout days in this video. It symbolizes a moment that everyone should experience when people spent time with their loved ones. I’m sure some of you had that experience this week, spending some time with your Day One’s during this Labor Day weekend.
Quinn Shabaz is definitely worthy of this week’s Music Highlight shoutout! I enjoyed every bit of his latest album. To hear more from him, follow his soundcloud at Quinn Shabaz.
The best moment to play Quinn Shabaz’s “Gator” is when…. Fill in the blank sending your comments, below!
Jose (Liquor Talkn) is my first recorded song, which addresses what many may call a “situationship.” It’s a personal excerpt from my life that I changed into a personification about my favorite alcoholic beverage, Jose Cuervo. The song was produced by a good friend of mine who goes by the name of Doowy Lloh.
The idea for writing Jose came from being surrounded by a bunch of people who are constantly submitting to me their music. I have an interest in independent works. It’s great content being sent to me on a regular basis and I’m not going to front, I believe I can compete alongside quite a few people who send me music. I’m humble, though. Ha-ha.
I’m a frequent visitor of local recording studio DugOut Dojo Studios in Baltimore. The art that comes out of there is absolutely amazing! If you’re a recording artist, I recommend you stop by to record and check out other artists’ work while you’re there.
Back to talking about my song…During the week of writing this song, I basically drank Jose every night before bed. It’s my go to drink if anyone who wants to know what I prefer. I don’t know why I was drinking so much. It might be because I’m young and young folks do stuff like that sometimes. Haha.
I woke up one day and thought to myself, Hey, I haven’t written a poem in a while. I usually write poems when something heavy is on my mind and I want to express my thoughts creatively. Jose (Liquor Talkn) appeared to be the product this go around because I thought if I made a song about what was going on in my life to conclude all the feelings that I had for a guy I absolutely knew didn’t feel the same for me, it would wipe away every unwanted emotion I had about him. Did it work? It damn sure feels like it.
A new form of creativity entered my realm and now I can say I feel like making music is the cure to what’s been buried inside of me for years. It’s only for fun that I’m choosing to make music. I don’t want to take the fun out of doing it. It’ll drown away every innocent speckles left in it if I made it into a job. But music always brought me joy. For some reason, I knew there had to be a reason why I’m so fond of being involved with it. I’m not saying that composing a song is my calling. But for some reason, I’m drawn to anything that deals with music. I’ve always loved it.
What’s it like to have a career writing music? What’s it like to be a music publisher? What’s fulfilling to me when I learn how to make beats? The possibilities are endless for me because it’s what I’m looking into doing while I’m bored out of my mind because I’m not enrolled in school. Ha-ha. I just want to learn more about anything within the musical culture.
When I made the song, I was lost out of my mind, trying to figure out what would sound right. I still believe my song needs some work done to it. But it’s my first song, whoever likes their first song? There isn’t too many people. So I consider it decent.
Brianna Ragler from RebelliousRebel backed me on the vocals. FluX, producer at the DugOut Dojo, “whipped my sound into shape.” The track became something of good potential. Others have told me they like it. (Hear José on Doc’s Castle Media.) It’s cool. You know, the artist is always their worst critic.
Music is love. A person can join it’s marvelous culture if they’d dedicated their time to it. If you enjoy the arts, you’ll know that music more than what people hear. It’s a lifestyle for many and I encourage more people to learn more about it before they judge it.
Are you a music lover? I found another music blogger in Baltimore that could possibly address your craving needs for the love of hip-hop and R&B. I interviewed AmirahRashidah Blog’s very own Amirah Muhammad as another addition to my Blogger’s Rundown. It was a fun experience, indeed. I’ve known Amirah personally for quite some time now, and I’m pleased to say she such a wonderful person to talk to. I can always expect a conversation full of laughter when spending it with Amirah.
This interview was not like others as I had a special appearance from Shareese Williams, former beauty blogger of Doc’s Castle Media. She joined in my interview with Amirah to ask a few questions about Amirah’s love for singing. (Special audio is at the end of this post.) Amirah, Shareese, and I spoke of how AmirahRashidah started, Amirah’s plans in the future for her music blog, her participation in Janelle Monae’s Instagram contest, and her passion for the art of music alone. I learn a lot about AmirahRashidah, though I also am a contributing writer for her site, as well. It’s good to be refreshed on someone’s vision. She’ll reach a lot of success in the future. I’m definitely rooting for this one.
Doc: What’s the story behind AmirahRashidah? Where did it all begin?
Amirah: It all began in 2008. I started another blog, a personal blog, called Amirah the Uncool. Yes, I was into Lupe Fiasco. (Laughs) It became more of a blog where I posted music instead of for personal. I decided to take Amirah the Uncool to the next level by creating AmirahRashidah. I started that in 2012.
Doc: Awe, okay. What is your motive to keep AmirahRashidah going?
Amirah: So I have a huge passion for music. I sing and actually play two instruments. It’s something I’ve always loved. Eventually in the future once I get my law degree, I want to practice law and protect the rights of musicians and their work. That is what keeps me going. I have a good ole fan base and people to go to and say, “Heyyy, you need representation? I got chu!”
Doc: Right. It gives you more experience, too. So how many contributing bloggers do you have for your site currently?
Amirah: I have, right now, four. But three are active. That includes you.
Doc: (Laughs) Yes.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: Are you looking to have more contributors soon?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m definitely looking to have more contributors.
Doc: Is there a way anybody can contact you about that?
Doc: In the meantime, do you accept guest bloggers
Amirah: I do. I do. They may contact that same email, as well.
Doc: So what made you decide to use your name as the name of your site?
Amirah: HA! Me and my lack of creativity. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: I had Twitter before I had changed my blog name to AmirahRashidah and I just liked that name. It rang so I ran with it.
Doc: Okay, cool. I mean, I would have done the same thing.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: I like my middle name. I use to use it a lot on stuff. So yeah definitely see what you were doing. (Laughs) Do you accept submissions from local artists?
Amirah: I do. I’ve actually posted a couple of submission for some local artists. I’ve done an interview for a local artist, too. I’m always looking for local artist to submit to the blog.
Doc: But with all of those emails coming to you at one time do they must have a specific subject line so that you can organize it differently?
Amirah: Yeah, with any email you send it should be like that. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs) I know but some people are oblivious to that. Sometimes they don’t. They just think they can contact you on anything and be like, “Hey! I got that fire!”
Amirah: I got a couple of those and I was just like, “NEXT!” (Laughs)
Doc: See? (Laughs) I like when people are specific so it can be filed somewhere nicely, you know.
Amirah: Yeah, on my website, I have a contact form. But on there I also have if you’re submitting music, make sure you email me at this email. You could use either or.
Doc: Alright. Umm, I recently saw some promotion on your Instagram about something new coming this summer to AmirahRashidah. Do mind letting us in on the scoop with what’s going on with that?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m so excited! Umm, I decided to do a video platform for AmirahRashidah, which it’s going to be called AmirahRashidah TV. I hope to have interviews mostly with local artists because they’re nearby. I’m not traveling too far. (Laughs) I ain’t getting paid for this yet.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: It’ll be interviews and just random discussions about what’s going on in music. I’ll even have my guest contributors and bloggers do videos, too.
Doc: So you’re blog isn’t just for local artists. It’s for others too?
Amirah: Yeah, it’s for national artist and indie arts.
Doc: That’s good to know because people will be all over it. Do you have a favorite local artist?
Amirah: Ahh, lord! (Laughs) I so want to give the political correct answer.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: My favorite local artist just might be this producer by the name of eu-IV. He does really well at mixing up R&B tracks. It’s this one track where he covered SWV’s Rain. He transformed it and I loved it. He’s one of my favorites. It’s another person. His name is Jonny Graham. He’s a Jazz musician. He plays trumpet and writes his own music. He gets people to sing on his mixtapes and albums. I like him, too.
Doc: Have you written about them on your blog?
Amirah: I’ve written about Johnny. I haven’t written about eu-IV yet. But I’m actually about to do an interview with him. Look out for one in April.
Doc: You should do a video interview of him.
Amirah: I know. If I do it then it’ll be pushed back to the summer to be on AmirahRashidah TV.
Doc: Is AmirahRashidah TV just interviews?
Amirah: It’s interviews. If we can get concert footage, concert footage.
Doc: …if it’s legal. (Laughs)
Amirah: Yes, legal footage. (Laughs) I’m not going to get in trouble for people posting stuff they not supposed to be posting. And…conversations about what’s going on within the music industry. I know you like to rant about certain things. (Laughs)
Doc: Yeah, I like to rant.
Amirah: (Laughs) So it’s a good platform for that, too.
Doc: Okay (Laughs)
Amirah: I can see you doing a video or two. “I just hate how R&B…” (Laughs)
Doc: HA! I like music rants. People listen to me. Hey, sometimes I make a lot of sense. But thank you for doing this interview with me.
Amirah: Thank you!
This is the point where beauty blogger Shareese Williams jumps in. Ha-ha!
Shareese takes the initiative to ask when Amirah will be dropping an album and doing a collaboration with her. Listen to what she says…
To view some of Shareese’s work, follow her on Instagram at @Uhhh_Shareese.
Did you read my last Blogger’s Rundown Interview? Check out my last interview with Shae of the UncommonRealist.
Previously featured artist Champ The General released his music video to mixtape single “All I Know” 2 weeks ago on his YouTube channel for the world to see. The update was submitted to us to promote his show on March 24 at Monumental Mondays at The Depot located in Baltimore’s Art district, Station North. Check him out.
It’s our special day! On this very day two years ago, I created what you now see today!
Doc’s Castle Media changed my life in so many ways. Before I started this blog, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go, career wise. Honestly, I still don’t. Ha-Ha! But through the development of my very own publication, I’ve learned what I love to do and what I’m good at. I love to write, and I’ve been told I do it well.
Five years ago, I was very unsure of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had dreams of being a model, an actress, an artist, and so many other occupations. But through rejection and people constantly telling me what I could and could not do, I learned that I hated be told what to do. So my interests in those “dreams” easily faded. I developed an interest in doing what I could do without people telling how to do it, a CEO mentality.
Through trial and error, I’ve learned I have a talent in creating ideas and, then later, executing them. I’m meant to have an impact, to be a voice and an innovator for something. I never knew what. But I’ve always known that if I wanted to be heard, my strength would have to be displayed through what I do best, in my writings.
Often I’d think to myself, if no one would hear me no other way, writing would get me recognized. I remember being 11 years old living at my aunt’s house with 7 other people getting frustrated when I felt like I wasn’t being heard. I would have journals filled with pages upon pages of thoughts I didn’t believe people cared about. I would tell myself, I’ll write my way into existence. What I find so funny is 12 years later, I continue to say this, and now, I’m existing because people find what I write worth being read. That’s an awesome feeling! Thank you very, very much!
Though I’m not at the point of full satisfaction, I am happy that I’m reaching someone. But I am not done! This blog is one of the few things I’ve been consistent with and truly enjoy.
This is my baby in which I’m very proud of. Doc’s Castle Media is on its come up and I do not plan on slowing down. I have too many things to offer to this world that I believe can make it become a better place. This is only the beginning. I’m still striving for my existence! I will be great!
Here’s some good news for the fans of our contributing writer K. A. Walker, author of the series Hide and I’ll Seek. She’s gone off to college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), and is a contributing script writer for a series on the college’s cable network. She writes for Sketch O Phrenia, a comedy sketch show that focuses on the humor of everyday situations. The show is popular on the school campus and labeled on its Twitter as “the best comedy show since 2012.”
K. A. Walker sent in her first skit production that was premiered on the college series last week. “Trouble on Valentine’s Day” focuses on the possible worst nightmare of someone who’s considered deeply in love. That nightmare being forgetting about Valentine’s day. The skit follows a boy who forgets that it’s Valentine’s Day. He must figure how to please his girlfriend at the last-minute while not having money to give her what he believes is the best day of his girlfriends life.
We’re very proud of K. A. Walker’s first production at this University. We hope that she continues to strive and do her best while perfecting her skills in screen writing.
To keep up with IUP’s Sketch O Phrenia series, subscribe to the school’s SketchOPhrenia IUP channel on YouTube. To read more of K. A. Walker’s work, read her teen horror series Hide and I’ll Seek on Doc’s Castle Media.
Today is a special interview because you heard it first from Doc’s Castle Media. It’s an exclusive interview with Vivid Visions’ newest member Janai! She’s joined in with Vivid Visions as the honorary host for their popular vlog interviews on their blog site. R. Chance will be resigning from the position to focus more on business and web posting asset of the Vivid Visions site. We’ll surely miss him but don’t be too down in the dumps. With Janai’s electrifying attitude, she’ll be sure to spice up the interviews to ensure that viewers enjoy what they’re hearing. I can’t wait.
In our interview, Janai and I discussed her feelings towards being chosen as the host for Vivid Visions, who’s her favorite artist in Baltimore, what school she went to, and who’s her inspiration to do what she loves. I really loved chatting it up with her, and I look forward to talking with her in the future as host of the Vivid Visions. She’s definitely someone to watch.
Doc: I’m hearing that you’re the new host for the Vivid Visions Vlogs. How do you feel about being addressed with that honor?
Janai: …Just as it is. It’s an honor! I mean, it’s an up and coming blog, and we’re trying to put Baltimore on the map. You know how it is music wise. We’re trying to help the artists. Also, it’s dealing with things that I love. It’s definitely an honor. Hopefully, we do it the right way and we do it BIG.
Doc: Yes, we need that, too. So how did it really come about? Did you ask Ryan if you could be the host?
Janai: No, actually. (Laughs) Well, me and Ryan have been friends and known each other for a long time. He asked me before but I was doing other things, like something similar. So at the time, I was just like “nah!” (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs)
Janai: But it came up again, and I was like “You know what; I think it’s a bit more structured now. I think we can definitely make some stuff happen.”
Doc: Okay! Do you have prior hosting experience?
Janai: In this aspect, a little bit. If anybody knows me, they know that I’m a talker.
Doc: I can see that. (Laughs)
Janai: (Laughs) I guess it’s just in me. So I could be hosting and not be hosting. I hosted certain shows like maybe a poetry slam and poetry night. But as far as blogging, nah! So this is a new thing for me.
Doc: This should be an experience for you then.
Janai: Yeah.
Doc: Have you been interviewed as a feature on another blog or is this your first time being interviewed?
Janai: Yes, this is my first time being interviewed. I did an interlude for Vivid Visions before, and it was just something random. We were in the store and I was being my goofy self. (Laughs) It just so happened that they posted it that way. As far as being interviewed, no. Not for another blog.
Doc: Oh cool! Is there anyone in particular that you look forward to interviewing?
Janai: Yeah…but they’ve already been interviewed.
Doc: Who?
Janai: Will!
Doc: Oh yeah!
Janai: Ryan definitely stole that from me. If it was anybody I wanted to interview, it would definitely be Will.
Doc: Later on, when he puts out another mixtape or when he gets really big, you could still interview him. You’ll always have the opportunity.
Janai: You’re right. There’s also this kid. I’m really, really close with him. He’s a young guy by the age of 16. His name is Tres’ McMichael. He does everything. He does art. He does dancing. He’s an actor and a singer. Everything! I really want to get cracking with him.
Doc: Oh yeah, he might want to submit to me or something. (Laughs)
Janai: I’m trying to put him out there. (Laughs)
Doc: So do you have a favorite artist in Baltimore, someone who you really support?
Janai: Oooh. In Baltimore? …Will. Yes, Will and Kaseo because I’ve seen where they’ve come from to where they are now. They’ve definitely grown with their craft.
Doc: And they seem to be real persistent in what they do.
Janai: They really, really are. It’s crazy to look at people who you know and be like, “Since when did you rap?” “When did you do these things?”
Doc: You went to Milford?
Janai: No.
Doc: Oh, you didn’t because you know a lot of people from there? (Laughs) I know Will went to Milford.
Janai: I know basically all of Milford’s class of 2009 and 2010. I went to Old Court Middle School, and then I moved to Pennsylvania right after so that’s how I know everybody. Also, you know how Baltimore be, when you know somebody, you know somebody else. (Laughs)
Doc: Right! (Laughs) So where are you hoping this Vivid Visions opportunity takes you?
Janai: I’m hoping that it opens doors for a lot of dreams that I have. I’m hoping that it is an outlet to a much bigger success for all of us. This is not just a blog. We’re a family. This is a community that we’re trying to build. So it’s a bigger picture that we’re all holding on to. I know a lot of people who are looking like, “Oh, they’re just featuring a lot of artists.” We’re really trying to tap in, and bring unity and support to a lot of talented people. Baltimore has enough strife and conflict. We just want to put the unity out there; put the love back out there.
Doc: I feel you. That’s what it needs to be in this city. Is there anyone in the industry that inspires you to do what you want to do already, like La-La Anthony? You know she started off just hosting.
Janai: Yeah, she sure did. You know what, that’s a good example. Actually now, Queen Latifah mainly because she started off rapping. Then she went into acting. She’s a wonderful actress. She’s a singer, and now she has her own talk show. She’s very influential. She’s breaking down a lot of barriers. She also worked for Cover Girl. She’s really well-known. She’s very inspirational to a lot of younger women. It’s not about what people see on the outside. But as far as what she is and what she stands for, she’s awesome.
Doc: I agree with you because she’s not doing one thing anymore. I feel like she kind of matured. She started off with rapping and then was like, “You know I’m a bit too old to be doing this. Let me find out what else I can do.”
Janai: Yeah. I see a lot of her in me. A lot of people don’t expect you to be a certain way. A lot of people expect me to be goofy and silly, which I am. (Laughs) But it’s also so many different sides of me that I’m pretty sure people are going to be surprised to see once we get out there and do a lot of things.
Doc: I mean a lot people may already be a little surprised of Vivid Visions already. It’s been a big turnaround.
Janai: It is. It really is, and a lot of people were thinking, “Oh, Vivid Visions, they’re about to do this again.” But it’s much more structured. So a lot of people are tapping in.
Sunday, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Raw Skinny, host of The Raw Skinny Show, an also a former featured Music Highlight on Doc’s Castle Media.
It was fun going into StaffRadio to be interviewed. It was my first interview on the radio but not my first time being on air. Two years ago when I use to intern for Blyden Multimedia & Consulting, LLC, I co-produced and seldomly spoke on a show called the Tiona B. Show. It aired on Baltimore Internet Radio network WPBRadio.com every Sunday morning from 8 am to 11 am EST. Being on the Raw Skinny Show brought back some memories of experiences on the Tiona B. Show. It felt great.
I’d say I did fine for it to be my first interview on air. There were questions that I thought about answering differently. But I assume that’s how everyone feels after they’ve been interviewed, a little self-conscious about what they say. They’ll be plenty more interviews to make up for any mistake I made.
I want all my readers to tune into the Raw Skinny Show this evening, February 12, 2014, at 11-11:30 pm EST to support my “grind,” along with Raw Skinny’s evening broadcast. He’s been such a great supporter and deserves every bit of your support for being such a great person who’s aspiring to be successful like the many of us. Raw Skinny is seeking to have his show syndicated on satellite radio. If we all take moment out of our Wednesday nights to listen to his show for a length of a popular sitcom, like Family Guy, we could push his goal further. So lets make it happen! Support local businesses. Listen to StaffRadio410 on BlogTalkRadio or on Stitcher Radio.
As an addition to my Blogger’s Rundown spree, I’ve had the opportunity to interview fellow Baltimore Blogger Briana Ragler, founder of RebelliousRebel, this past Friday. It was a wondrous meeting. We discussed what inspires her to write, where she got her edgy blog name, her secret to RebelliousRebel’s success, and other cool questions that gives more insight into her fashion and lifestyle blog. I enjoyed the time spent indulging in getting to know more about her blog, and I’m eager to work with her in the near on a project that’ll change Baltimore city, for sure. Briana is definitely someone who’ll provide an impact for this city with her generous attitude for picking up people’s spirits. It is my pleasure to introduce to all my Doc’s Castle Media readers the Q & A of RebelliousRebel.
Doc: What inspired you to start RebelliousRebel?
Briana: Well, three years ago I had lost my father in my first semester in college. I didn’t take time off to deal with the grief. I just sucked it up and came back to school right afterwards. I spent the year doing a whole bunch of dumb stuff, and just doing everything while seeping deeper into depression. At the end of 2011, I finally got myself together. I decided to start a blog just to share my story and to help other people who were going through what I went through, as far as dealing with depression. It has now gone from talking about my issues to becoming something more like a creative safe haven for other people.
Doc: Aww, that’s cool. I didn’t even know that. Wow! So where did you get your name from? Is that how you came up with it?
Briana: In a way (laughs)…I grew up in the church so everything that I was doing was not considered “holy,” as church folk would say, and I usually Rebel a lot against myself and things that I feel like are trying to keep me trapped. So I looked in the dictionary and saw the word rebellious and said, “Okay, I need something else to go with this.” So I was like, “Okay, RebelliousRebel!” I’m rebellious and I’m a Rebel. When I started it back then, it was about me and how I rebel against certain things. But now, it’s kind of turned into a thing where I’m not conforming to needs that I believe aren’t conducive to my well-being or to other’s well-being.
Doc: Okay, so how long have you been blogging? Like four years?
Briana: I’ve been blogging since 2010. I had another blog. I stopped blogging with that when I went to Hood College. So I’ve been blogging for about four to six years, on and off. I decided to stick with this one.
Doc: Well, it seems like it’s doing good.
Briana: Yes, it’s getting there. It’s not quite where I want it to be. (Laughs)
Doc: (laughs) How do you want RebelliousRebel to be remembered? What do you want people to know you blog as?
Briana: I ask myself that question all the time, even when I feel like getting rid of it. Sometimes I go through stages where I don’t feel like blogging. Someone said to me recently that my blog is a creative safe haven for individuals who create or need to find some type of inspiration. At this particular moment, I don’t know what I want it to be remembered as. There are so many things that go through my head sometimes. But I think when it’s all said and done, like if I decided to end the blog, I want it to be remembered as a place where someone who went through some hard issues decided to create a blog to express herself, and what she went through has, in return, blessed others. I don’t know. I go through this question every day (laughs).
Doc: (laugh)
Briana: Remember it as a creative safe haven for EVERYONE. If they feel like they can’t always put themselves out there, it’s there. I don’t know. We’ll probably come back later, in the future, with another story about this (laughs).
Doc: (laughs) Alright! So you’ve answered my question for what’s your initial motivation to keep blogging then.
Briana: Right now, it’s really about the art. Now, I’m getting to understand the concept of trying to keep my life personal. I try to keep certain things private because you know the Internet. Anyone can read anything. I was going to stop blogging in December. Take a nice long, permanent 6 month break. But what’s keeping me blogging is the people who come to my blog who are interested in the arts. They come to my blog and read it, or a person who has an issue with their body. Like someone said to me yesterday, “Oh my God! You’ve just inspired me to keep loving myself because you post pictures of strong women on your blog.” I’m like, “Okay, let me keep blogging because it’s inspiring people to be better and it’s a place where artist come to get inspiration when they’re not producing anything.” I keep RebelliousRebel up to keep those people inspired.
Doc: OH! Wow! That’s beautiful! So you’re just being an impact for people?
Briana: Yeah, I’m learning to be less selfish. I use to be selfish with my gifts and my talents. I didn’t share because I been through a lot of rejection as a kid. But now that people have blessed me so much, I feel like it’s my purpose and duty to give back in any way I can. It may not be with money. It may not be with donations. But it’s just with my words. If I give out kind words, I will in return be blessed and that person will be blessed. I just want to inspire people to be better because we’re all in this world trying to become better people.
Doc: I feel the same way. I want to be better and set an example for others. That’s why I write. Next question, have you thought about guest blogging for other blogs?
Briana: Hmm, I’ve done a guest blog post for my study abroad program, which is Kappa International. I don’t have a problem with doing it. I like writing for other bloggers because they give topics and that gives me time to research and experience something different from what I write about. I’m always inquisitive. I’m always wondering and wanting to know how come and what for to things. I’ve had people ask me to do a guest blog post. But I don’t want to commit to doing anything because I have too many factors going on right now, like school and trying to prepare for life when I graduate from college. But I’ve thought about it, and I would do it in the near future. I’d even have people guest blog for RebelliousRebel because I run out of ideas (laughs).
Doc: (laughs) That’s why I have them. I run out of ideas, too. But have you thought of any particular blogs that you would guest blog for?
Briana: I would really, really, really love to guest blog post for ProFresh Style and Bleed for Fashion just because I can relate to their blogs more. I mean, there are some other blogs. But I’m talking about blogs that have a greater impact that I would love to guest blog post for. Those are the only two that I manage to continue reading. I’ve read those five years ago. Its years later and I still follow them. I would guest post for them if they’d decided to. Those are the only two I’d blog for because a lot of blogs are mostly about fashion and there aren’t enough life blogs. Profresh Style and Bleed for Fashion are kind of like life and fashion blogs in one. It’s another I follow, Fashion Worked. I’d blog for them too. But yeah, I’m just hoping for a chance (laughs).
Doc: (laughs) So I recently saw a video on RebelliousRebel for your outfit of the day. I wanted to know, do you plan on continuing to bring us funky videos like your last one?
Briana: Uhh…Before that one, the last outfit of the day video was over the summer. When I shot this one, it was with the same videographer. It was just on the whim. It was because I just felt like it that day. I’m going to see. But I don’t want my blog to be solely about fashion.
Doc: What else do you want your blog to be about other than fashion and lifestyle?
Briana: I want it to be whatever. I really blog whatever that comes to my mind. There is no set theme for my blog. One day you could read a post on love. Another day you could read a post on what I think about on issues happening in Russia. It’s a melting pot of everything. Since I have people who follow me on Instagram who ask can I do some fashion post, I try to honor their requests. You probably will see more outfit of the day videos. But because of the funds, you won’t see as many. Secondly, weather is playing a factor in those videos, too. It’s too cold to shoot outside. I’m trying to wait until March. After the 21st of March, you’ll probably see mad (meaning more) videos. So hopefully, but I’m living that broke college student life right now (laughs).
Doc: (laughs) It was real funky. I liked that. Do you mind sharing the secrets to your success?
Briana: Can I be honest?
Doc: Sure.
Briana: I don’t feel like I’m successful yet. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my potential. I was always one of those kids where people asked me, what do you want to do in life? I’d always say I don’t know. It’s kind of still like that because I’m not entirely sure what it is that I really, really want to do. I’m just going with the flow. I guess people look at it like “Oh, she’s successful because she stuck it out through college. She didn’t dropout.” But the key to my success is keeping my connection with God because I trust him with everything in my life. I really don’t know how I got to this point. I don’t always make the best decisions. When it comes to certain things, I don’t always trust my instincts. I trust in God, and he leads me in the right direction. In the field I’m going into, there are a lot of snakes. There are a lot of people who’ll take credit for things that they didn’t do. In ten years, you can interview me again and I’ll probably have a better key. (Laughs)
Doc: I’m pretty sure you’ll still say God.
Briana: I probably will! (Laughs) But I’m a free spirit when it comes to just doing things. With college, I didn’t want to go to college. I wanted to work. But I come from a church family, and they were like no. That’s your ticket out. Even with blogging, I don’t know anything about how to have a successful blog. I just do what I do. I don’t think there are keys to being a success. I think being a success comes in different ways, like finishing college is one and overcoming depression is another. It’s all in what you believe in. If there were keys to success, I’d probably be a lot further than where I am.
Doc: Are you open to collaborations?
Briana: Yes, I’m always open to collabs. I don’t believe in the word team. I don’t believe in groups but I’m open to collaborations. I love sitting down with people and we’re all shooting out ideas. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re welder and want to collaborate, it’s whatever. I’m always down. I just did a collab with For Rent Shoes in Baltimore, the how to style. It was a big deal for me because it was my first real business thing I could put on my resume. Yeah, I’m always down to do it but not with everyone. I don’t want to put my name on everything because everyone is not who they claim to be. But if someone wants to, they can just shoot me an email and we’ll talk.
If you’d like to read more from Briana, check out her blog at rebelliousrebell.blogspot.com.
