Dream It. Believe It. Produce It. This is my new motto and I hope this blog will give you insight into what we are doing at Semuh Breeze (pronounced "summa") Promotions to assist young, talented artist to realize their dreams.
One day my mother, who worked two jobs to support us, dropped me off with my cousins while she worked. My cousins and I got up early to watch TV while the rest of the house was quiet and sleeping. The sun had not reached it's peak and the house was dark and cold. We turned of the TV, tuned in to MTV and caught the Thriller video just as Michael, in that iconic red leather jacket, walked a young girl down a dark street. I still get chills thinking about it. A mix of emotion came upon us. Scared, thrilled (no pun intended) and in complete awe of the effortlessness of MJ's dancing skills. It was captivating. Michael Jackson left an impression on me that day that I will never forget. I would walk around the house, grabbing my crouch, thrusting my pelvis - all of which would have never been socially acceptable in my house if it where never for MJ. I wanted to be him. No for the fame or fortune, I had no value of such things at the time. But he had this "something" about him. You knew he was great.
He set the bar for others to follow. He was, and still is, the only artist that could cause adult Asian men to cry. His style and performance was the mark of creative genius. Though near the end a cloud settled over his life, Michael Jackson still sold out tours. He was the marker in the definition of my youth and his music was the soundtrack to my young life. I have to admit - I never owned an album. You didn't have to own an album to be impacted by his music - it was everywhere and so was He. Today you can still hear the latest music from MJ--when you buy a Ne-Yo album - you hear MJ, when you by a J.T. album - you hear MJ and the list goes on.
What I remember most is the Moon Walker movie. If you haven't seen it - you owe it to yourself to check it out. The movie takes you on a journey and for a child growing up in the hood I learned to appreciate escapism. Michael help a lot of us see a better tomorrow. He was a lot like all of us - his family, though not without it's share of drama, embodied the American Dream. He showed that hard work and talent pays off - and dedication to your craft can make you a legend in life and in death. So we at Semuh Breeze Promotions raise our glasses to Michael Jackson - may his music and his artistry be an example of the value of GOOD music; and may we never forget his impact on the world.
Every week we highlight the best in Hip-Hop and R&B. From Indie labels to freshmen in the majors we look for the dreamers, believers and producers holding it down for their fans--bringing music we can appreciate and aspire to. This week in no exception. The "mixing bowl" of hip-hop comes in many flavors. From laid back southern vibes to up north street bangas, and out west hood anthems--hip-hop is a mixture of grit, passion and style. Yet while the majors struggle to keep mainstream fans interested in rampid commercialism Indie labels and their passionate front men and women are up to the challenge. Enter Melskino and his camp of superstars taking Latin Hip-hop to new heights and the digital airwaves by storm. This mogul has his hands in everything from producing to director to establishing Smoke Squad International has a pivotal name in the rap game. We had the opportunity to correspond with Melskino to ask him some questions about the status of Smoke Squad Int. and his vision of their bright future.
Finish this statement...."Hip-hop is...." "Hip Hop is not just music it’s a lifestyle, a way of life, it’s a World wide culture. It’s a form of expression, a voice for every urban to suburban neighborhood around the world. Some more dramatic than others, however the bases remain the same (Money, power and respect, etc). Followed by attitude, rhythm and self confidence that are all fused together to create what some refer to as (swag). That's Hip Hop!"
What is Smoke Squad International (S.S.I)? And how are you involved? "Smoke Squad International LLC. Is your all in one Independent label. From Artist Development, Management, Publishing, Marketing & Promotion to Audio/Video Production, everything is done in house. S.S.I roots were seeded in the early 90's. However the company came into existence in March of 08. Me being the President and C.E.O and Axcess and Scott Steez being V.P's and Co Owners And Robert Nasa heading the video Production."
Who produces your music? "I am the producer and a label executive, getting beats is not hard. Everyone now-a-days thinks they are producers. Just because you make a beat doesn't make you a producer! You have to handle your projects like a symphony at radio city music hall, and you're the conductor, you have to be able to compose and arrange your work. Come up with concepts, melodies, hooks, lyrics, you have to be able to give the artist direction and know how to communicate your vision. That's why our in-house production team consist of El Griette Exagerao, Chris-P, T.N.O, Masta Beats, Axcess, Mike Dynamite, Soumbie, Millions, Huggy, Sean Chris, Scott Steez and Oddesa--they Provide the sound for the future. It’s a top priority of Smoke Squad International to seek out the hottest up and coming talent."
Who are your musical influences? "I am influenced by music it self being raised in Spanish Harlem as well as the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Mecca of music and expression. I have been exposed to a verity of different types of artist, sounds and styles since I was a kid. So I learned to appreciate all genres for what they are and offer."
There are a lot of different sounds out there. People with talent are being looked over for commercial flavor. Where is Latin Hip-hop going? "Just like any other genre gradually becoming accepted by the commercial Industry, Latin hip hop is evolving. For example, early hip hop to now. The music gets more sophisticated--concepts are becoming more complex--the visions are more vivid the beats are converting from the traditional dembow to more urban hip hop, dancehall, RnB and Pop tracks. I definitely see the culture going in the right direction and having a place in this industry."
You’re a step away from becoming a mogul, what's your next big move? "The next big move is a documentary called "Strykah". Its a true story of how 1970’s cold war politics and International drug trafficking led to the rise and fall of one of the era’s most violent Gangs, Jamaica’s notorious Shower Posse. For more info and to view the trailer for strykah check out www.strykah.com."
You got a huge NY buzz going on right now what other projects can we expect coming from your crew? "We have a few projects being released this summer, first is our urban Latin artist O.A ( El Sicodelico) debut mix tape "Psychodelic Documentary" Hosted by Latin mix award nominee DJ Pistolero that was just released this week, it's a breath of fresh air for the Latin market. The Mix tape debuts O.A ( El Sicodelico) New Single "Esa no es tu gata" Featuring: Anurey and Pre Production for the video is in the works. For Mid summer we have Realz Sadam of the rap group (D.I.S) highly anticipated solo debut mix tape, "I am general vol 1". Realz Sadam has a New single "I wanna know" featuring Chris-p and Reddy Rock of (D.I.S) taking off over seas. Shout out's to the whole Swag magazine staff, A&R Dreks wuz good. We should be shooting the video for that late this summer as well. Towards the end of the summer we will be releasing a Smoke Squad mix tape or compilation album that will feature Smoke Squad artist and affiliated artist and up and coming talent. You can stay up to date with our music and ventures by logging on to www.SMOKESQUADINTERNATIONAL.com and www.DTFRADIO.com
How did you guys get DTF radio off the ground? "After the success of DTF Management/Entertainment whose executives are “A.Z” and “A.R”. In 2007 A.R had an idea to start up an internet radio station which would merge the urban and commercial markets together. DTFRadio.com was launched in A.R’s bed room with the Morning Madness Show which quickly became a success. With the buzz of the morning madness show, Fm and satellite radio personalities and club DJs started to approach the execs for shows and slot times on there station. That’s when the move to the 2nd location happened, and other shows where implemented. The station continues to grow now at its 3rd location which I designed and constructed with the help of “Decay” DTFRADIO now boast over 20 shows and 24hrs of music along with live video streaming, and has been nominated for best online radio station for a Latin mix award all in less than 2 years. For more info and to tune into DTFRADIO check out www.DTFRADIO.com"
You've got an impressive drive and passion for what you do, how do you manage it all? "I'm a perfectionist, I believe if your not going to fully commit your self, and direct all your attention and ability to what ever it is your working on don't bother. Personally am not into half-ass shit, your reputation is everything in business. That's why I go as hard as I do with everything, with my art with our Business with my FAM, and yes it's difficult to manage all these aspects of my life that's why I don’t play games and time management is a key factor in everything I do."
Independent labels are really becoming the catalyst for aspiring MCs nationwide. Do you think this is the future of hip-hop? "Independent labels are the future for all genres of music not only hip-hop. Internet gave indie labels the ability to compete with majors and be successful."
I ask everybody this question....where do you see yourself / DTF in five years? "I see Smoke Squad International having a huge impact on the global industry as well as becoming the go to indie for all aspiring artist. I see DTF radio continuing being the blue print for internet radio, and solidifying its position in broadcasting becoming larger than satellite and fm radio stations can ever be. "
Don't ask Cise Da Con, one of New York's hottest Rappers, what he thinks about the rap game. He's got his eyes set on making history for himself and hip-hop with his latest album, "Da Biography". Veteran Cise gained fame in local spots, battling underground. He molded his prominent style through joining various rap groups such as DA CORPORATION, , A.K.O ENT., A MILLION WORTH, FALLOUT SHELTER and his click DA FIFTY POUNDAS, which he led as the front man. Harlem native, Cise has been bringing effortless lyricism to the game for almost a decade. His style takes you back to a time when lyrical style meant everything. Cise is a true artisan of his craft and for that - we choose him as our Spotlight Artist of the Week. We had the opportunity to correspond with with The Mega Man of rap and this is how it went down:
First question...Who is Cise Da Con? "CISEDAC.O.N- IS THE SOUL OF THE STREETS, C.O.N. STANDS FOR (CREATIVITY -OVER -NEGATIVITY) I'M A HUMBLE DUDE, I'M A LISTENER, I HAVE THE SOUL OF A RAPPER FROM THE 90'S LOL!"
For those who don't know..what is "street" hip-hop? "STREET HIP HOP TO ME- IS THE RAW ATTITUDE OF HIP HOP MUSIC! RAW LYRICS, RAW BEATS, ITS THE NEWEST SLANG, FASHION, DANCE ETC. ITS EDUCATING & ENTERTAINING PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME."
There are a lot of MCs coming out of NY right now, what seperates you from the masses? "ITS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MAINTAIN THAT NEW YORK SOUND OF HIP HOP, PROVIDING INSPIRATION, HAVING THE FANS ABLE TO RELATE TO MY MUSIC IN ANY SITUATION THEY MAY BE EXPERIENCING, AND ENJOY LIFE THROUGH MUSIC."
You've been grindin' in the hip-hop scene since '96 - what drives you? "THE LACK OF TALENT THATS OUT NOW AND WANTING TO FILL THAT VOID, I HAVE GOOD PEOPLE AROUND ME THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO FAIL, PERFORMING AT SHOWS AND SEEING THE REACTION FROM THE CROWD, HIP HOP IS SOMETHING I'LL BE DOING UNTIL I HAVE GRANDKIDS LOL!"
You've got crazy flow and ability to change it up flawlessly, who are some of your lyrical inspirations? "MY LYRICAL INSPIRATIONS ARE- FALLOUT SHELTER,RAKIM, B.I.G., NAS, BOOT CAMP CLICK, WU TANG, SLICK RICK, KOOL G RAP, THE LOX, MOBB DEEP, COMMON, MOS DEF/ TALIB KWELI, KRS 1, RUN DMC, MC LYTE, QUEEN LATIFAH, LITTLE BROTHER, BIG PUN, OUTKAST, BEENIE SIGEL, NWA. SNOOP, UGK, JAY Z, I CAN GO ON & ON OF ENDLESS EMCEES WHO'S WORK I RESPECT!"
Okay, best rapper ever? "CISEDACON OF COURSE LOL!, BUT UMM THATS A TOUGH QUESTION BECAUSE ALL THOSE ARTIST I JUST STATED ARE THE BEST IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, I THINK IF YOU'RE STICKING TO THE FORMULA OF HIP HOP MUSIC AND SPARKING THE BRAIN LYRICALLY YOU'RE THE BEST."
What can the people expect to hear on "Da Biography"? "A MORE PERSONAL CISE, MY FAN BASE IS STARTING TO GROW SO FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW MY PREVIOUS WORK AND PROJECTS LEADING UP TO THE "MEGAMAN OF RAP" MIXTAPE, THE "BIOGRAPHY" ALBUM, THE "RADIO ACTIVE" COMPILATION ETC., I'M GETIING THEM CAUGHT UP TO SPEED AND FOR MY PREVIOUS FANS ITS SOMETHING NEW FOR THEM TO VIBE TOO, AND I THINK THEY EXPECTED FOR ME TO PUT A PROJECT LIKE THIS TOGETHER."
What's The Fallout Shelter? "A GROUP OF EMCEES, PRODUCERS, A DJ, A GRAPHIC ARTIST & A VIDEOGRAPHER, WE WERE PUT TOGETHER BY THE POWERS THAT BE LOL!,WITH THE SAME ASPIRATIONS TO KEEP HIP HOP IN ITS TRUEST FORM AND DELIVER QUALITY MUSIC, VIDEOS, CLOTHING, PRODUCTION ETC., WE A FAMILY!"
Who's the mastermind behind those ill-ass beats? "NONE OTHER THAN THE MAN HIMSELF (D-BOARDS) FROM BROOKLYN, HE'S ALSO A SURVIVOR OF 911, BUT PRIOR TO THAT HE'S BEEN A FAN OF HIP HOP SINCE DAY ONE! EVERYBODY READING THIS KEEP AN EAR OUT FOR THIS GUY HE'S GONNA BE IN THE LOOP OF SUPER PRODUCERS."
Who else can we expect to hear from on your up coming album? "MY FALLOUT FAMILY! KIMBO 3:04 FROM (L.E.S NYC), HAYLO DA GOD FROM (EAST NY BROOKLYN), INDEPENDENT R&B SINGER PAULA FROM (L.E.S NYC), PRODUCTION BY D-BOARDS AND LEE THE BLACK NINJA."
What's your dream collabo? "I HAVE A FEW, IT WOULD BE WITH STYLES P, CHRISETTE MICHELLE, COMMON, ALICIA KEYS, JILL SCOTT, BILAL, THE ROOTS, THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE, JOEL ORTIZ, NAS, I CAN KEEP GOING ON BUT I'LL GIVE YOU THOSE FOR NOW."
You've got a crazy schedule now. In fact the first time we corresponded you where headed to the studio for another mix tape session, how do you handle it all? "ITS JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR ME, ITS SOMETHING I LOVE DOING, I LIKE TO STAY BUSY, I DON'T WANNA COOL OFF, PEOPLE CAN HIT MY MYSPACE BLOG (MYSPACE.COM/CISEDACON)AND CHECK FOR SHOW DATES THIS SUMMER I HAVE A FEW MORE IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR LATER THIS SUMMER, I'M FINISHING UP THE NEXT MIXTAPE TITLED "THE FIBEROPTIC", ITS A LEAD UP TO THE "BIOGRAPHY" ALBUM, WE'RE SHOOTING 3 VIDEOS IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FILM WE'RE SHOOTING THIS SUMMER, WE HAVE ANOTHER GROUP COMPILATION ALBUM IN THE WORKS AS WE SPEAK, WE HAVE A INTERNET RADIO SHOW EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FROM 8PM-2AM, SO I MEAN WE GONNA BE HEAR FOR YEARS TO COME."
Last Question: Where will you be in five years?
"STILL MAKING GOOD HIP HOP MUSIC, MAYBE GETTING INTO TO FILMS, TOURING OVERSEAS, AND MOST LIKELY LAUNCHING MY OWN COMPANY TO PASS DOWN TO MY SON, AND HOPEFULLY SITTING AT THE GRAMMY'S LOL!"
Semuh Breeze - bringing you the heat!
Robert "Bobby" Du'Vall Humes, Sr. Director/CEO Semuh Breeze Promotions
Imagine an orchestra without its Master Violinist, a mass choir without a soprano section or a rock band without its photographer. Hard to image right? For decades photographers have braved swarms of excited fans and dangerous stage performance enhancing props to bring us the photos that commemorate timeless musicians. Vincent Lagana is one such artisan in the craft of photography. Vinnie's extensive background has given him the opportunity to work (use the word "play" interchangeably whenever you see the word "work" because photographing rockers looks fun as hell to me!) alongside some of music’s most talented legends to include: Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Canned Heat, Tito Puente, Uriah Heep, Living Colour, Sting, Joan Baez, and Crosby, Stills and Nash just to name a few. Vinnie was gracious enough to let us review his Interview with Flash, an international music magazine:
Why did you decide to become a photographer?
"I've always had a passion for photography since I can remember thumbing through magazines when I was approximately 3 years old. The power of the image is so strong and I enjoyed experiencing that power first as an observer. When I was ten years old I became fascinated by a draw full of negatives that my family kept over the years. I was then drawn to the mystery of how a negative transformed an image onto paper. So I asked my father how it was done and he explained. He then agreed to buy me a developing kit from a photo store in New York. That is when I learned about black and white developing. My "laboratory" was the family bathroom. I was not able to afford an enlarger at the time so, all I was able to do was to make contact sheets. I fooled around with an "instamatic" Kodak of the time and enjoyed the darkroom. As I grew older during the 70's I became re-intrigued by the power of photography.Growing up between the 60's and 70's in New York was great for the visual arts. EVERYTHING was image. The Peace sign was elaborated in thousands of ways, posters were all over and in everyone's room ranging from Jimi Hendrix, to Black Power, to the famous Zodiac "Love Positions" Black Light Poster. If you walked the streets of 42nd Street in Manhattan you could not go without seeing the famous Frank Zappa poster known as "Fizzappa Crappa." The 60's and 70's were also rich in Rock & Roll photos and posters. The photos of Rock & Roll stars were also all over. Posters and photos of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, The Who, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, The Beatles, The Doors, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Carlos Santana, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Janis Joplin, Cat Stevens, James Brown, Cream, Grateful Dead, Steppenwolf, and the list goes on and on. For the first time photography also gave us very real, powerful, and insightful looks into the Vietnam War. The impact those photos had been so profound around the world that, it eventually played a role in stopping the Vietnam War. Photography and the images it portrays were also going through a revolution of its own in technique. The new use of 35mm cameras was a revolution in itself. It afforded the photographer to be in places he otherwise could not have been with a larger camera. This revolution was also recorded into photos from this new small professional camera.The 35mm. camera played a big part in concert photography in the time period of "Make Love, Not War." It was those events, and times that inspired me to be a photographer. I wanted to be able to capture the energy of the moment. I wanted to make photos that "say a thousand words." In September of 1980 I received my first 35mm camera, a Canon AV-1 which was an automatic 35mm camera for amateurs. In December of 1980 I was personally working for the Chief of Bonn of Newsweek as a photojournalist. In January of 1981 I had my first photo published in Newsweek. The feeling was awesome, especially when I received my check! After this experience I was hooked on photography."
Did you attend some professional training school?
"No. I did not attend any special schools. I am self taught. I did however attain a Certificate of Graduation in Professional Photography, from the New York Institute of Photography in 1992. I felt like "legitimizing" myself. However, the bulk of my training came from "The School of Hard Knocks." I learn from my mistakes, I research, I read books, magazines, Internet articles, and most of all I observe and "take in" any information regarding photography. Of course one of the obvious things to do is look at other great photographers that came before you so; you can have a "meter" to evaluate yourself."
Is there a photographer who inspired your works?
Yes and no. I can name some that inspire me like Helmut Newton, Mapplethorpe, Annie Liebowitz, Chris Dreja (original Yardbirds member) for many of his fantastic historical shots of
Led Zeppelin, Jim Marshall, Ansell Adams, and many more. I am also inspired by photographers of National Geographic, Life Magazine, and all concert photographers, and photojournalists in general. The first photographs that inspired me, many times did not have names of author on the picture. Photography, in my opinion, is just like music. "It doesn't matter who makes it, what matter is if it is good.”There are a lot of "no name" photographers out there that are good but, unknown. Just like in the music world there are a lot of great musicians out there that just have not yet been discovered."
Why did you choose to work in the Rock scene?
I chose the Rock scene for two maybe, three reasons. First, I love Rock music and lived a
period of time when Rock music was revolutionized, had an impact on social change, was louder than ever, and it was the time Rock & Roll made its transition into the labels we give it today called Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Latino Rock, Protest Song, Alternative Rock, Acid Rock, which some day will all be "labeled as classic?????." Today I still get a chance to see some of those legends of rock music and experience the same passion they created. That is what WE DIDN'T HAVE in those days of the "Rock Revolution." We listened to every style of music there was all on the same radio station!! People actually listened to "unlabeled, not categorized" music. At one moment you could be listening to Ina Gadda Da Vida, then Superfly, then some Tina Turner, next some Hendrix, Doors, next Simon & Garfunkel followed by King Crimson. This is what people forget about of that period time. Music between 1960-1975. The music we listened to on the radio varied in style and context. It created a multilevel listening level of enjoyment from all strands of society. This was a sign of the times. Free thinking, listening, and protest against the established repressive globalized "system," or "The Machine" as Pink Floyd called it. People were becoming more universal through music and more expressive. Freedom to "listen" existed. Then came the agents. Then came disco and it killed everything for a while. I have nothing against disco. Good dancing music with a limited fundamental beat but, you hate "to dance to the same drummer." That mixture of diverse music once heard in the 60's and 70's is gone. As Ian Paice, drummer for Deep Purple once said to me "over the years record company's talent scouts have been replaced by accountants." A second reason I chose the Rock scene was because I can get in FREE to see great concerts! I dig Rock music. I'm an old rocker that had the opportunity to see great rock & roll history in its making. As a concert goer I saw the Who when Keith Moon was still playing with them, I saw Led Zeppelin live at Madison Square Garden in the 1970's. I've seen Kiss in its prime when everyone knew of the "Kiss Army." I stood in front of the right channel of mountain like speakers at an ELP (Emerson, Lake, & Palmer) concert. And now that I am a concert photographer I have had the opportunity not only to see these concerts but, also to be backstage with legends of Rock music. At times I have had the added pleasure to party with Rockstars, or just sit down and have a beer with them to chit chat. What more can you ask for? Third, I just love Rock music, and having the ability to capture a special moment in Rock history on film, or digital camera is an awesome sensation of accomplishment. Having both a passion for Rock music and photography, to have them coexist and produce a moment worth looking at, "just makes for greater music." To put it in simple English "It's fucking great to see your profession and passion on the cover of Rolling Stone."
Any good stories about the bands with which you've worked?
"There are a few strange stories but I think they are only strange if you think that rockstars are not human beings and hold an image in your mind of what you think a rockstar should be like. You know what? They are just like you and me. Some a little bit more eccentric than others but, just the same, they are flesh and blood just like us. At some point their passion is also a profession, somewhat of a job sometimes. They have families to take care of, bills to pay, deadlines to meet, and lots of time away from home. Just like you and I they experience all the same problems in life like we do. What used to seem strange about rock stars years ago is now a standard of most Western industrialized civilizations. That is "Sex, Drugs, & Rock and Roll!" Which sector of society is any less strange? However, the strangest band I ever met was TAMPAX, an original Punk Rock band from Pordenone, Italy. These fuckers are strange and are still alive! Which are the difficulties that a photographer can have during a photo session? The biggest difficulty is in the "pit" as it is called. The pit is the area usually in front of the stage area where photographers stay and photograph. The area is restricted and shared professionally by all. However, the area is not entirely yours and at times you can find yourself in the wrong position of the pit area and miss a great shot. The pit area is also limited in time. You can only stay in the pit area for the first 3 songs of a band, sometimes on only 2 songs. Not much time to get a great shot. There is a lot of pressure in the pit."
In your opinion, is competition one of the rules of the Rock
photographers’ world?
I'm not sure what competition you mean. Personally, I look at my photos for myself first and then I criticize. If I feel a photo has some merit to appear in the public eye, and meet certain professional standards, then I keep it. I constantly compete with myself to get a "better picture." As far as competition translating into "making a living," then there is no competition.I am a freelancer and once again I have to compete with myself to try to get published. Marketing yourself is one hard lesson to learn when you are a freelancer. I think the biggest competition professional photographers are faced with today is the competition with people that give their work away for free to bands and magazines just to see their name in print. That has truly hurt the capable professional concert photographer. I could not do this job if I didn't have additional income from other sources. But, again, I feel the competition comes from within. In order to do the best job you can with passion as to represent yourself with pride and honor is not solely based on extrinsic values. Hopefully they will come to someday.”
Which bands would you like to work with?
“Rush, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, anything with David Gilmore, Beck, Evanescence, and there are so many more.”
How do you get such high quality shots?
“I try to keep my shots in the best focus possible while trying to catch the proper lighting, and action of the photo. The photo has to be more than just a candid. There must be the proper combination of focus, lighting, expression, and action of the subject that ultimately expresses into "this is great photo." That is what I strive for.”
Who was the most "difficult/easy" musician that you worked for?
This one is easy. Mick Box of Uriah Heep is the most easy to work with. I have met few people like Mick that can make you feel totally at your ease and treat you with the utmost respect. The man just has it all mixed up right. He is professional, kind, respectful, and down to earth. In a very important way it was Mick Box and Uriah Heep that kept me believing I should continue my concert photography. It was easy to get my photos to them, be exclusively published on their Sonic Origami CD, be nominated their official concert photographer, be brought on tour with them to Croatia, Germany, Austria, and Italy AND get paid for having my photos published exclusively in my very first professional music CD with a legendary band called Uriah Heep. The most difficult to convince that I was worthy of being their official photographer while they tour in Italy was Deep Purple. Deep Purple's manager is a tough business man and a photographer to boot. I must say he has many great shots of Deep Purple and I admire his work. The first time Bruce Payne recognized my work was after about our third meeting in a hotel lounge during a Deep Purple VIP party. I handed Ian Paice a new photographic poster I made of the band. Bruce Payne caught the poster by the corner of his eye, stopped, looked at the poster and said "That is great. Did you do this?" I then gave out free posters to Steve Morse, Roger Glover, and Jon Lord, and of course Ian Gillan. From that point on my work proved itself worth for Deep Purple. That is all I ask. I don't want fame but, I'll take the fortune. I just want my work to be worthy and get its just recognition. A "fair pay for a fair days work."
Shout out to Vinnie Lagana and the folks at Flash Magazine for their support and long history of keepin' it real.
Holla!
Robert "Bobby" Du'Vall Humes, Sr.
Director/CEO
Semuh Breeze Promotions
One day my mother, who worked two jobs to support us, dropped me off with my cousins while she worked. My cousins and I got up early to watch TV while the rest of the house was quiet and sleeping. The sun had not reached it's peak and the house was dark and cold. We turned of the TV, tuned in to MTV and caught the Thriller video just as Michael, in that iconic red leather jacket, walked a young girl down a dark street. I still get chills thinking about it. A mix of emotion came upon us. Scared, thrilled (no pun intended) and in complete awe of the effortlessness of MJ's dancing skills. It was captivating. Michael Jackson left an impression on me that day that I will never forget. I would walk around the house, grabbing my crouch, thrusting my pelvis - all of which would have never been socially acceptable in my house if it where never for MJ. I wanted to be him. No for the fame or fortune, I had no value of such things at the time. But he had this "something" about him. You knew he was great.
