Lend Me Ya Ear.......

Ten Minutnes with the guy everbody loves to hate.........

Hungry?: Why do every body loves chris? --

Chris Shields: That's a good question seeing that I deal with a lot hate but those that love me have numerous reasons. They love me because of my humbleness, my honesty, my passion about music. Most of all, because they love my story. I got one of those life stories that when its all said and done its gonna be book worthy. Something that those after me can believe in and have something to strive for because no matter the adversity i've always overcame it.

Hungry?: Whats all the noize you making and plus the slick marketing of the infamous mixtape...? --

Chris Shields: I been blessed to have been featured in the Hip Hop Weekly as the Unsigned Hype(Sep 08). Blessed to have a #1 song(Mack Down) on WGCI's Go-Ill Radio for 3 straight weeks, 2 songs on the Go-Ill countdown, and 5 consecutive weeks of airplay. I shot a video for my song Smiling Faces that had the town of Maywood buzzing because NO unsigned artist has ever created such a scene or stir in the city like that. I've also been featured on LeBron James website eighty81.com twice in 2009 http://eighty81.com/v2/?cat=39. So I just like to think hard work and good music is paying off for me, and I've only been serious about this music for 18months. The marketing for the mixtape was a slick idea that came from certain situations i've dealt with. I just looked at it as a way to shed light on the Hate I get as well as showcase my talents. It also made people check out my blog whoischrisshields.blogspot.com.

Hungry?: What does Midwest World Order means to you? --

Chris Shields:To me that word means Chris Shields! I feel musically nobody is on my level, I feel no other artist can arrange an album like Lend Me Ya Ear or make a name for themselves like I have wit no Team. Now im not sayin that in a cocky manner. What I mean is in this game you have to have an unwavering confidence in yourself and your music. Every artist should feel untouchable and feel that they are the best at what they do and then go make a case wit their music to make people believers. My engineer Toolz always say you gotta gain fans one at a time. And I've gained much attention in a short amount of time and I feel im just one ear away from the big stage. I feel I represent the blue collar hardworker that Midwest is known for to a T.

Hungry?: So any plans for a midwest tour? and whos your alliances in the midwest? --

Chris Shields: Definitely have plans for a tour, but im thinking more than Midwest. Im thinking all across the states. I just feel after the reviews I received from my debut street Album "Lend Me Ya Ear" http://www.zshare.net/download/57018874f676ab4c/ that I can have the same impact outside of the midwest as I did in it. So I got things lined up for the Summer that hopefully pan out so I can hit the road. My alliances in the Midwest is a short list that includes the P.I.L Movement, N.E.P.H.E.W, and Project FR3SH. All talented artists in there own right all making noise on the music scene.

Hungry?: Hey whats this everyone saying TechNine and Atmosphere is the only real underground artist who put in work and do they actual show love to the midwest underground artists? --

Chris Shields: I've never heard of either one of those artists and im sure there grinding. But as for the only artists puttin in work, I can't agree with that. Like I said im a one man wrecking crew. Im the artist, assistant, manager, stylist, A&R, publicist, etc and i've made major waves in a short time. But I do feel there is only a handful of artists who are REALLY grinding and putting in work and I tip my hat to everybody grinding to get it! Theres a lot of artists who are really putting in work all across the midwest they just don't have the right connects.

Hungry?: The question many wanna know also since you being from the chihow do mr. west really contribute to the city/midwest? --

Chris Shields: Kanye gets the utmost respect from me musically. He is a big contributor to Chicago for one reason. Kanye isn't afraid to take chances wit his music which is important. I think nowadays a lot of artist wanna go along with the norm and Kanye will take you places music has never been before. The best thing about is he won't care whether you like it or not, but he's gonna do it because he's so passionate about music. He gets flack for his ways but Kanye definitely gives you his all when he steps inside the booth. So I think he means a lot and contributes a lot to Chicago/Midwest it just gets overlooked because of some of his sometimes questionable behavior/decisions.

Hungry?: whats your your plans for the rest of 09? --

Chris Shields: 09 is the year I feel that's gonna change my life. My 1st born, Chris Shields Jr will arrive in July first of all. Then im releasing mixtapes Everybody Hates Chris:Reloaded, Monsters of the Midway with N.E.P.H.E.W, and an untitled mixtape with Chicago artist P.City. Im plan to release a new album 4th quarter. Expect to see Chris Shields all over this summer LA, MIA, ATL, NY, etc because numerous things are in the works. Got plans for 2 new music videos. 09 is the year, its gonna be Crazy!! Chris Shields and Hundred Grand is on the way to the Big Screen in 09.

Hungry?: quick give all our foreigners (other) regions a run down onyour city from the music scene fashion, grafitti/street art, nightLife? --

Chris Shields: Like Lupe said "Im from a city in the midwest, best city in the whole wide wide world!". Our fashion and style is second to none. My crew is pretty simple on the fashion, either sweats and Jordans/Dunks or Jeans and Prada Shoes. Leaders Store is making noise fashion wise in the Chi, they're stuff be hot! Our nightlife is crazy, Its something going on any day of the week in Chi City. Lots of nice spots like Ontourage, Ruby, Enclave, and Excalibur to name a few. Chicago is definitely the place to be if your never visited before. Chris Shields

Hungry? Spotlight....Midwest whips.....

Hey too sad most of these guys are now doing that D-boy time. Hey the streets miss yall, but whats sad to say, but it's true, New ones will come and leave that's the d-boy life. One day they will get it, but hey can't knock the hustle. Hungry? ... Get a 9-5.

Hungry? UK Spotlight.....

Hey, since everyone knows we love hip-hop, punk over here, we wanted to interview someone from another music genre that we love. Actually two, which is reggae and R&B. I was put up on this artist over a year ago and she keeps burning the net up and plus I have family in the UK so I cant stop hearing about her, and we have had the chance to catch up with this busy and very progressive artist. Enough of the talk here you go....

Hungry?: Coraleena tell us about yourself?

Coraleena: I was actually born in the UK to West Indian parents. I lived a very sheltered life growing up "I was very sickly" and my
parents were considered "well off" because they owned their own home. (lol) I began singing in the Pentecostal Church where my mother was a pastor and I sang in the choir. We emigrated to the USA when I was 14. I returned to the UK and sang for a while until age 21 when I "retired" and returned to the USA.

Hungry?: Well first off I heard your music through a friend of mine a year ago when you did a track with a lady female rap artist, which was super dope. Tell me more about your history in this music game?

Coraleena: That track was my first collaboration with a rap artist. Mz Dyzihre is an excellent artist. She approached me and asked to work with her on the track "Smile". Five years ago, I returned to the UK and was in the studio with a US rapper who lives here in the UK named Jersey Villian. I started singing and before I knew it, I had recorded a cover version of "Wishing On A Star" A promoter heard it and the rest is history. He asked me to perform at a small show that was taking place in two weeks, except it wasn't a small show it was a large event with over 5,000 people!! It all snowballed from there, local radio stations started playing my music and its just been getting better and better.

Hungry?: Since R & B has been on a decline in the states other than Keshia cole, hows the uk?

Coraleena: R & B has also been on the decline in the UK. Its funny you mention Keisha Cole because my lyrics have been compared to hers (lol). I guess its the whole, man hurt woman thing.... The music industry has a way of packaging everyone and after a while it all begins to sound the same, so people became less interested. Keisha works because she is bringing something different to the table. In the UK we have Estelle. If you want to succeed in this industry you have to be able to stand out from the crowd.

Hungry? Since there is a big buzz for you in the UK, how do you plan to make that happen here in the US? Being the market here for r and b, music period here has been on a major slump?


Coraleena: I love the buzz!!! its amazing and I am just riding high right now. I just finished a show in Louisiana which was a huge success. I already have a following there as well as here, as I have been working both sides of the Atlantic for a while now. My music is being played on the mainstream and underground radio stations here in the UK. I am also being played over the net and on Shockout Radio in the States. I think will be able to make things happen in the States because I also bring something different to the table. R and B with a reggae flavor. I am different, I dont want to be like everyone else, and that I believe helps me.



Hungry?: any plans to work with any other Rap, R & B, Pop or Reggae artist thats here in the states?

Coraleena: I am working on a collaboration with a R and B artist in the States right now by the name of K.F.K. , I have already done a couple of collaborations with Rap Artists in the USA. One by the name of Kal, with a track called "Drama" which I wrote and another with an artist named Beastman called "Feeling You". I am hoping to work with some of the reggae artists there and am in negotiations with one artist who I will not name as yet, but its coming.



Hungry?: Also since you mainly live overseas, do you have a marketing team here in the states? Also are you with any label?

Coraleena: I have no marketing team in the States right now, I have been doing it all by myself, but its getting harder now, I am going to have to get some people in to help me. I recently signed with a label in the States named Moiko Records out of Atlanta and we just finished working on my first complete reggae album, also a compilation cd which I had the pleasure of being of the producers on for the label.


Hungry?: How is the music scene for independent music artists, fashion designers/brands, grafitti/street art scene? Whats the major diff since you live in both overseas and in the states?

Coraleena: As far as being independent, I believe its easier to make it in the UK than the USA. There are more opportunities and there is a great deal of funding to be had if you know how to work the system. The same can be said for fashion designers/brands etc. They are always looking for young people to invest in. As far as grafitti/street art is concerned, it is not so easy, the system is very much against it. I guess its a case of the UK still being old fashioned and stuck in their ways as far as street art is concerned.

Hungry?: Lifestyles how do they differ?

Coraleena: The way of life here in the UK is a great deal different to the USA. The USA is the land of opportunity, and everyman has a chance to make it there. Here it is very socialized, people rely on the system to help them get along, they really dont know how to do for themselves. Which means that even though opportunities are there, most dont know how to use it to their advantage.


Hungry?: What advice for a US music artist to break big in the uk music scene underground or major?

Coraleena: Use the Internet as much as possible. There are many sites where you can place your music for free. Take advantage of these sites, network with as many djs as you can. Dont wait to be approached, approach them, ask them if they are interested in your music. Work the underground music scene, that is where all the best new artists are coming from, not local radio stations, internet stations, and (underground radio stations) never stop pushing. Find the best artists in your ` field, and dont be afraid to ask them if they want to collaborate. Its surprising how many of them will work with an up and coming artist.


Hungry?: Hey any last words?

Coraleena: I just want to thank you for giving me this opportunity. Its hard but is not impossible to make it. You just have to bring something different to the table and that is what I have tried to do. Without the help of my sons, friends and the fans that have been there before I even had my first track played on the air, I would not have come this far. I feel really truly blessed.

www.myspace.com/coraleenehotmailcom
www.myspace.com/carolellis