Sarah’s Blog

Here’s a very cool interview from our Special Correspondent Renee, she had the opportunity to do this online interview for all of you to see! So let’s go read!! xoxSarah

Thanks Sarah for letting me borrow ur blog, gees a Special Correspondent cant even get her own blog these days? lol Lets go read this interview its exciting!!

Hey everyone! It’s Renee your special correspondent for Hip Hop In The Tdot. I recently got the opportunity to interview an amazingly talented artist, Karl Wolf. We got to chat for a while and I learned so many things I never knew about him before. Here’s your exclusive look on my one on one interview with a very open & honest Karl Wolf. Trust me you’ll be amazed, and it won’t be boring because we were silly sometimes too lol Enjoy!

Karl Wolf:
yo yo
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Hey, Let’s get this interview started lol First questions, then you can tell us some other stuff @ the end!
Karl Wolf:
Koolio
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Where are you from?
Karl Wolf:
Is this part of the interview? lol
Hip Hop In The Tdot says:
yes lol
Karl Wolf:
k…
Karl Wolf:
Lol
Karl Wolf:
originally Lebanese
Karl Wolf:
but Canadian
Karl Wolf:
so = Lebanese/Canadian
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
very cool, where did you grow up?
Karl Wolf:
I was born in Beirut, Lebanon then moved because of the civil war when I was 3 Years old.. moved to Dubai till I was 16 .. then came to Canada and voila
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Awesome
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
how long have u been dancing and singing?
Karl Wolf:
Well I started this business as a DJ in my teens.. spinning hip hop/ dance and R&B.. When I came to Canada I was pulled from side to side by other Trip Hop and Hip Hop groups like 10 ZEN and DUBMATIQUE…where I got my stage training from and all this happened in a span of 4years
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
busy busy lol
Karl Wolf:
from there ,.. I began producing and won my first award at 20
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
that’s cool
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
how does your background/where you’re from influence your music or dance?
Karl Wolf:
Well, having a Lebanese background I had to drag elements from that culture into my music especially evident on my new and first solo album FACE BEHIND THE FACE…It was something that was burning in me to do…I felt I had enough experience doing “Westernized” Music.. that I wanted to try and add an element of real live Eastern touches to it…and I have a Juno nominated Album today !!!!!!!!!!
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
its great that you could bring your culture into something you love to do
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
lol yes I heard, and u can explain later, there’s a question coming up about the nomination lol
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
what inspires you to write songs or dance?
Karl Wolf:
he he..
Karl Wolf:
I think it’s an expression of self…in whatever form .. I love to do and the best way I know how to, is through music, singing and dancing…so everything inspires me
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
awesome!
Karl Wolf:
whatever I am moved by…could be tragedies, could be Love.. whatever the scenario.. I can channel it into an expression and a form of communication to my listeners etc…and it gives me pleasure to do so…for some reason!!! lol
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
lol it’s a passion
Karl Wolf:
most definitely
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
so do you have any artists that you look up to?
Karl Wolf:
100% I was huge fan of MJ growing up..
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
me too lol
Karl Wolf:
“THRILLER” WOW!!…I recall staring at the making of that music video for days and days…glued to the screen…He was just a phenomenal (not afraid to be emotional) artist…true and expressive, without a doubt
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
that’s so true
Karl Wolf:
the best entertainer this world has ever seen
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
amazing influence to many in this industry
Karl Wolf:
True…others are /..SADE, Stevie Wonder, even a group called CAMEO, “112″…soo many…all around the early 90s
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Cool
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
so do you sing and dance often?
Karl Wolf:
I feel music today is Lacking
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
continue, u can answer when your ready lol
Karl Wolf:
I am more from that school where you had to move people’s hearts and feet.. not only feet…today…we have a generation of musicians and artists that for some reason have lost that emotional closeness and openness
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
its true
Karl Wolf:
people are trying to be “hard” especially in Hip Hop and R&B…everyone want sot be “Hard”…and in fact they are not being true to themselves…and think this is what attributes to the decrease in record sales…and not just downloading…
Karl Wolf:
but that’s another subject altogether
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
true but you bring up good points
Karl Wolf:
I have a strong feeling that music will change soon…we need it
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
I hope so! lol
Karl Wolf:
we’re senseless today…we are soo desensitized by whatever they “MEDIA” feed us…it’s not about MUSIC anymore.. it’s more about BUSINESS… Marketing and MONEY…very very SAD!!
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
I know
Karl Wolf:
Believe me…I am the president of LONE WOLF RECORDS as well…and I see this happening everyday…where Media would add an artist on their play list because they got the right advertising money from the label and not because the artist has potential to be great!
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
oh I believe it, I see it all the time working in this industry (media, music, dance, shows)
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
so speaking of changing music and connection, who would you like to work with in the future?
Karl Wolf:
I would love to work with the Greats…SADE, STEVIE WONDER, especially a duet with SADE…damn.
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
lol
Karl Wolf:
that would be phenomenal, she’s so Unique….yet incredible…in terms of making people feel something
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
that’s great, I should try and check her out
Karl Wolf:
u never heard of her?…omg…you have to
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
no I’m too busy to have time for my passion of musical artists lol…but I definitely will tonight
Karl Wolf:
lol…amazing!
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
so here comes your chance to talk about your Juno lol You’re up for Juno Nomination, one of the greatest honors for Canadian artists. What’s going through your head?! How will you prepare for the awards?
Karl Wolf:
Well, I am extremely excited that they chose me to be one of the 5 nominees for this category, which is “R&B/Soul recording of the year”
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
congrats by the way
Karl Wolf:
I have always believed that the R&B and Urban Music in Canada has soo much potential…however, it’s all about the MEDIA opening their minds and listening to the youth! .. Canadian Media are still very traditional in their musical genre.. Rock always BIG and Rap always Small. If we are going to learn anything from the US…look at how they have embraced Urban Music It has become Mainstream POP
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
exactly why I am here to get this kind of thing out there and promote Hip Hop & Urban etc…in Canada so people can see we have some good artists
Karl Wolf:
and that’s what we need here…it’s a great genre of music…it’s real and youthful and touches Many of our Urban and Suburban kids alike
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
well said
Karl Wolf:
so.. I am honored to be recognized for my work in trying to help further
Canadian R&B and Urban music..
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
that’s good to hear
Karl Wolf:
and I am glad that the industry is allowing us to reach new heights with Urban music!
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
speaking of music, you have an album with some great music, how long did it take and when the album was finally released, how did you feel?
Karl Wolf:
“FACE BEHIND THE FACE” Album.. took me about 2 years to complete (from start to finish)…I had produced, composed, written and Mixed the WHOLE record in my studio by myself…A lot of people don’t know that…and I don’t think a lot of people care…it’s always about how large your exposure was…
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
well they should, its an accomplishment that you were able to do it all on your own in a short amount of time
Karl Wolf:
however…I am glad that the industry recognized it It felt like a BABY was born when my album was ready…it takes soo much determination and focus…as well as being somewhat of a visionary, to know what it will come out to be in the end.
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
well you accomplished something huge and did a great job!
Karl Wolf:
thank you …soo happy
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
happy is good lol
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
now speaking of the industry, How do you deal with the demanding and hectic schedule that comes with this industry?
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
so how do you deal with the demanding and hectic schedules that come with this industry
Karl Wolf:
When you love something and you have been driven for soo long to strive even when there was hardly any feedback or even negative feedback at times…you begin to understand that everything else (especially when things begin to show signs of success) you will go and strive even more…imagine 7 years of hard work and sometimes NOTHING to show for it…
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Wow
Karl Wolf:
so when you pay your dues.. and then people start to react to your ART.. imagine!! when you used to travel all the way and work late nights for NOTHING.. believe me you will do anything when any little sign of hope comes your way…that has always been my strength
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
well it got you to a good place so hard work did pay off
Karl Wolf:
that’s my motto
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
now here’s my fave question:
what is the craziest thing a fan has done for/to you?
Karl Wolf:
he he…Slept outside…WHAT SHE thought was my home…lolol…but it was my studio. Downtown Montreal…lolol
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
Lol
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
ok now you can tell us anything you want (promote yourself) upcoming projects, new music/albums, where you see yourself in the next few years etc…
Karl Wolf:
I have major things planned this year! I have a major marketing Campaign starting on Feb 14th here in Quebec and Canada…Musique Plus, Much Music, radio stations etc…Performing overseas, in EGYPT, DUBAI, LEBANON, JORDAN, EASTERN EUROPE, GERMANY, AUSTRALIA AND THE USA ALL THIS YEAR…all booked already
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
wow busy
Karl Wolf:
things are just moving really swift this year…and I am incredibly grateful to my Canadian fans who have stuck by me since the beginning you guys made this possible.. now let’s go and win this JUNO! and make more things
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
exactly!…well it’s been so great to have this opportunity to be here and get to interview…so much fun! we will have the interview up soon on the MySpace and I will let you know.
Karl Wolf:
awesome!…my pleasure
Hip Hop In The Tdot:
I am glad that I got a chance to do this interview, I love you’re music and I was like we
gotta have Karl wolf
Karl Wolf:
aww. soo sweet
Karl Wolf:
take care peace!
Hop In The Tdot:
you too! Bye!

Well that was my interview with Karl Wolf. Be sure to check his website @
www.karlwolf.com and his MySpace @ www.myspace.com/hiphop_tv. Also be sure to pick up your copy of Face Behind The Face now! I hope you enjoyed our crazy interview! Until next time…

Renee
Special Correspondent
Hip Hop In The Tdot
Manager of HHTD Myspace

Hey guys,

WOO HOO! The show premiered this morning at 6:30 am! Everyone did such a good job, I couldn’t believe how good it looked. And i’m even (some what) keeping up with the dancing which shows just how good they really are haha.

Last week I got to meet this singer and dancer, Denosh, a fellow Torontonian on tour with..get this..none other than the man who brings sexy back..JT!! She was in town for JT’s performance at the ACC and had her own concert on her night off. I couldn’t believe how many people she has worked with, from Mariah Carey to P.Diddy to Aaliyah to Madonna to Jay-z, thats about as good as it gets. She was really down to earth and easy to talk to. If you want to find out more about Denosh, than go to her website www.denosh.net

Last week I also got to meet these two boys who are only 10 and 12 but are much better dancers than people tripple their age. Their names are Shemar and Lamar aka 2Badd. They are unbelievable dancers. While we were setting up our cameras they learned an entire routine, something that would have taken me…around 3 hours!!They also are amazing at freestyling and just blew me away, the way they could move so easily, as if their bodies were rubber. They have also worked with more celebrities than you can imagine, they are in Sean Paul’s video Temperature, the feature film Honey with Jessica Alba, BET’s 106 & Park as well as the Apollo, Ytv and the Marc Ecko Getting Up Festival. If you want to check them out, go to their myspace at www.myspace.com/2badd

I hope everyone had a good holiday and a good start to the New Year. My family and I went to see my grandparents and cousins in Sydney, Australia. It was really nice to get away from the cold for a few weeks and relax in the sun down under and see our family and friends again.

Don’t forget to check out the show, Monday 11:30 AM, Wednesday 6:30 AM (I know its early!) Thursday 7:00PM and Friday 5:30PM!

Sarah

I had the best day ever! My really good friend and our own website moderator/myspace creator, Renee, organized a bake sale to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital. My mom, Dani and I stayed up all night baking like crazy to prepare for the busy day and let me tell you, it was worth it. The cookies, cupcakes, lemon tarts, eclairs, and gingerbread houses went so quickly. We also had some help from Canadian actors; Jajube Mandiela from Degrassi the Next Generation and Radio Free Roscoe star Kate Todd! After the bake sale, Renee showed them around the hospital and they were kind enough to meet some fans and take pictures. In the end, we raised around 400$ which will all go to Sick Kids!
Good job to the bakers for all there hard work and thanks to everyone who bought our treats and contributed to this great cause.

Sarah
xoxoxo  

Hey. 
As you know I met Citizen Kane ( www.myspace.com/citizenkanespade). I went down to his neighbourhood @ East Scarborough, to the streets where he grew up.

He told me all about the background of hip hop and somehow managed to teach me a few so called “BASIC” moves…(not basic enough for me though) He showed me the 400, where he and Canadian hip hop grew up, and I even got to meet his mom! That’s right..i met the mother..who was the sweetest and nicest person you will ever meet! She also had some pretty funny stories to tell…

Then I met up with Jae Blaze who is one of the best choreographers in the world! She is so talented and funny and has worked with EVERYBODY!!! Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Nelly Furtado, Sean Paul, Jay-z and even 50 cent!! Ahh i’m so jealous..they are all some of my favourites. If you want to find out more about Jae (there’s a lot more to be impressed about..!) you can check her out at (www.blazeent.com) and (www.myspace.com/blazeentertainmentdance)! 

Here are some pics i took that day..
 

Recently I went to an amazing Hip-Hop competition and the Toronto Urban Music Festival and no, I was NOT competing in any way (but Im sure you figured that out by now)

Basically I went to watch. And to interview. except there was one set back: Irada came too. Typical Irada..she jumped at the chance to film and do what she calls “efp” work. EFP>? What does that mean, does anyone have any ideas? Im clueless here. HELP!

yeah, so as soon as we arrive she goes off to film the competitors and dancers, TOTALLY IGNORING THE FACT THAT IM THERE. Like hello, I’m there so you can also TAPE ME talking to the judges and watching the show!

It was VERY frustrating. And the most irritating thing is that she does what she does and she does it very well. The footage looks awesome. I hate to admit it.

Ok. Back to the good part of my day. I went to watch and was totally entertained. Hip hop dancers Blew me away. And guess who was there? A big crew from HHTD

Diana was organizng the whole thing and running around like mad to get everything in place, Mark, Jae Blaze, Martin, Fatima and Jedi were judging and RUKUS, and Chaka were performing. They did such a good job…I wish I could move like that…

This was absolutely amazing. Brace yourselves. I met Raven. As in THE Raven from That’s so Raven. I wonder how many times I can say “Raven” in one post. Anyway, she was so funny. kinda like her character? Really laid back and down to earth. Really easy to talk to and it was probably my best interview yet! Basically..we nearly had a dance off..on camera..

Here’s how I met her. I went to this fundraiser That’s So Raven Eye on Fashion. Around 75,000$ was raised to help sick children. AND Raven had a new fashion line out!

So, when I was in the VIP area I bumped into her. And ended up getting an interview. Guess what? The interview will air soon, so make sure you look out for it.

Have u ever had a run-in with a celebrity? If you have, tell me about It!!!

P.S. Raven is awesome  here is some of her fashion line….aren’t these kids sooooooo cute???

P.S.2. I have to do another dance lesson. This time no popping or locking. It’s gonna be pure old school. *gulp*