Verse Simmonds

To paraphrase Jay-Z, “music should lift you like a light breeze and slide right into your spirit”.

It’s rare to find an artist that can apply their talents to do such a thing. However, Verse Simmonds aka The V.I. Bachelor seems to have found the winning formula. Perhaps it’s his island roots, his strong work ethic, or simply his ability to express exact thoughts and feelings through song. Either way, together they make Verse Simmonds the perfect tropical storm.

Born in Puerto Rico but raised in the Virgin Islands while maturing in Ft. Lauderdale, Verse Simmonds was blessed to be surrounded by a swirl of musical styles that shaped his formative years. Verse explains, “being from the islands, we listened to all types of music from Hip Hop to R&B, Soca to Reggae and Reggaeton and even Top 40. For me, the variety of genres helped to create an understanding of what great music is.” It wasn’t long before Verse, a name he would earn through his consistent songwriting, began his own musical journey. As he puts it, “My passion for music is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. Some people want to be firefighters. I’ve always wanted to be a singer.”

Verse Simmonds soon gathered his strength like a hurricane and pursued his goal relentlessly. He linked with longtime friend Sham to form the production team, The Jugganauts. After moving to LA in pursuit of his dream of being a top artist and songwriter, Verse was known to “show up” at artist sessions to lend his writing talent when needed. He was great at coming up with classic melodies. Together, he and Sham, were able to get work in LA because in the city of angels artists were in need of both writers and production.

Verse’s work as a singer/songwriter paid off by garnering the attention of Rodney Jerkins (mega producer for Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, Michael & Janet Jackson) who helped him ink a deal with Interscope Records. Most artists dream of getting a deal but for Verse, “I didn’t feel like I made it, I felt like it was just the beginning and I had more work to do.” So, he did just that; went to work.

On the strength of his hit song, “Buy You A Round (Up & Down),” Verse remembers, “Me and my team hit the road for almost two years. If we had a place to perform we would drive four hours, eight hours or whatever, it didn’t matter, we would just go. Sometimes, the money part didn’t even balance out.” But, as with every storm, there are dark clouds. Though Verse built a steady fan base and the song spread slowly but surely, at Interscope, Verse felt, “I was going against big people like Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Diddy so I wasn’t a priority. I know the record could have been bigger but there are only a certain amount of slots to go around.” As a result, Verse was happily released from the label.

There is always a bright day after the rain. Verse continues to work at his craft and has scored songwriting and production credits on records for Jay-Z/Kanye West’s upcoming Watch The Throne CD, radio stalwart Rihanna’s hit single, “Man Down,” R. Kelly’s “Crazy Night” for his Untitled CD, and an overseas gold album for Capital Records recording artist Accent. In addition to that, with work on Jerry Wonda and Brian Michael Cox releases under his belt, Verse Simmonds is headed in the right direction.

Recently Verse became a proud member of Akon’s KonLive/Bu Vision family. “Akon has built a route for what I where I want to go in this industry and Bu (Senior VP of A&R, Island Def Jam and discovered T-Pain) is taking a big interest in my project to make sure we do it right this time.”

Now, Verse Simmonds’ is set to focus on his new mixtape, Sextape Chronicles 2, hosted by DJ Trauma and DJ Sense. It’s a collection of songs that can best be described by Verse as “music that one can put on with their significant other to set the mood right whether you’re chilling or really getting it in sexually.” But as Verse warns, “I want people to be aware and responsible with sex.” With the lead single, “Boo Thang” featuring Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child and Billboard’s #1 song “Motivation”), Verse Simmonds plans to make sure his music isn’t the only thing turned on.

Verse Simmonds concludes, “I just want to be an international success and touch the world with my music.” With such a great spirit, determination, and inspirational music it’s hard not to be blown away by Verse Simmonds.

Wankaego

“Wankaego” meaning worth more than money in her mother’s native language was born to be a star. Coming from African and Italian decent, she was raised in Orlando FL where she started her career as a makeup artist. She went from working behind the camera to in front of it after being encouraged to model by everyone around her. Wankaego has come a long way from her small town to traveling to 20 out of the fifty states hosting events, doing photo shoots and videos along the way, dominating the urban market in one year’s time. She has graced the cover for numerous nationally published magazines such as Blackmen, Urban Ink, Straight Stunting, and Asis.

Wankageo began to rap at the age of 16, now in the lime light and having the opportunity to peruse her dream the sky is the limit and she is reaching for the stars. She introduced herself to the game by creating Wankaego Wednesdays where she would post a video of herself doing a 16 bar verse once a week. This alone created a buzz and instantly captured the attention of the people. Wankaego Wednesdays led her to earn her first show opening up for the artist “Cash Out” who has the hit single “cashing out”. Wankaego is now doing shows and working diligently on her mix tape entitled “Wannkaegos Sweet sixteen” Be on the lookout for her future endeavours, because the determination and ambition possessed by her will lead down the road to success.

 

Check out a few of her music videos!

 

 

 

Ashley Moore

Ashley Moore, who also goes by ATM, is a charismatic Urban/POP star who captures the attention of men and women alike with style and beauty as well as her edgy, sexy and energetic music, for example her new hit Single “BooFriend”, which has already made impact an on her hometown radio station WERQ- 92Q-FM Next @ Nine segment, Voted Top Song for 4 Weeks Straight, or the sexy, sensuous ballad “Freak” and High Energy Dance tunes “Blowing Kisses” and “Having Fun”. Ashley is not only a recording artist, s he is a writer and entertainer who’s stage performance rivals the top artists in the music industry today. Since the age of six, Ashley has had a passion for entertaining and being in the spotlight. She was a student at one of Maryland’s performing arts schools where she pursued her passion for entertainment. She began singing, Participating in church choirs, dancing in talent shows, appearing in music videos, as well as performing as a
solo artist and in vocal groups. All of these experiences on her journey have made Ashley the well-rounded and polished performer we all love. Ashley’s drive and inspiration to succeed in the entertainment industry comes from a family environment that nurtured her love for the performing arts. Ashley says that her entire family has always treated her as if she was a star entertainer from the first day she danced and sang in elementary school, and has continued to encourage her to pursue artistic ventures. Since then Ashley has taken advantage of every opportunity to expose the world to her talent. Today, Ashley is completing her debut solo project and performing dates throughout the Mid Atlantic Region. She as shared stages with many of today’s popular artist; Jasmine Sullivan, Eric Bennet, Joe, Gucci Mane, Young Buck, Little Kim, Plies and Freeway to name a few. She has appeared in music videos with Mario, “Break Up” featuring Gucci Mane, and Sean Garrett, and DJ Class “I’m the ish”. She has toured with Atlantic Records Young Steff and performed at events such the Radio One Stone Soul picnic, Bowie State University Homecoming, African American Festival, Caribbean Carnival , NC Charlotte Pride, Wet Tour With Bobby Valentino and Pleasure P as well as many other National Events and community based charity events supporting Families, Children and the Homeless. This is only the beginning for this rising star, so stay tuned. Ashley Moore is taking the industry by storm and will soon be on a stage or radio station near you. Visit her on the Web http://www.musicalATM.com and on Twitter @AshleyTMoore

 

Kenny Iko

Kenny Iko was born and raised on the North East side of DC. He attended McKinley Tech High School. Kenny Iko fell in love with music at a young age while listening to his godfather sing and by also being involved in church choir.  Kenny Iko knew that this was his dream and that he was going to do whatever needed to be done to make it. The early years in Kenny Iko’s life he auditioned for many showcases that he won, but was blown away when he won a grand prize of $5000.  That was the turning point in his life where he knew his dreams could come true. Kenny Iko Then joined Go-Go music and became the lead singer for the Go-Go band N2L and later joined Reaction Band. Kenny Iko is a Singer/ SongWriter/Actor/Model known for the futuristic renaissance in the art of sound, with his perfect falsetto and jagged tone. He dedicates a resonance that is beyond human comprehension. Your ear will be pleasantly surprised as your soul melts from every tinge that exits his mind. With vocal comparisons to musics GREATS; Brian McKnight, Prince, Michael Jackson & Maxwell, Kenyy Iko has set his vision on becoming a new trend setter of music.

DJ Gemini

DJ Gemini – versatile, ingenious, quick-witted and the life of the party as his name suggest, Gemini, a true artist who epitomizes the authentic essence of a DJ by his preeminent mix-tapes and who does not lose sight of the innovative perspective engrossed behind the art of music which allows him to play sounds that captivate the crowds.  Born in Baltimore MD, raised in Washington DC, Gemini’s love for music was acquired at an early age by listening to the emerging sounds from his dad’s music store, which he still frequents as a constant reminder of how it all began. As word spread, he expanded by dj’ing at house parties and high school dances. Where he is today and who he has become… was inevitable for him to be the hottest DJ in the “DMV”.  Gemini is quite favorable as he aspires to perpetuate being the number one rated mix show in the “DMV” with Ms. Jeannie Jones on the Meow Music Mix, host the release party for his premiere video on his first album titled “Welcome to the DMV” (July’10), In 2011 Dj Gemini was Nominated in Radio Facts Top 45 Dj’s where he was named Radio Facts #9 Dj in the country; which brings him closer to his goals to host a national syndicated radio mix show, attain a national night club tour and brand his own international DJ Coalition.  Every day Gemini wakes up and tells himself preparation is the key to success. There’s always another level to be achieved. So wait, watch and listen as the best is yet to come…DJ Gemini!