Post by dj on Feb 19, 2009 1:43:53 GMT -5
Rock River Times Article
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Songs and Scenes: Rockford rapper releases first album
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By Jonathan Hicks, Staff Writer Print this page
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The phrase “It’s showtime!” has been used to describe countless events, from movies to plays to sporting events. Regardless, anytime someone says those famous words, everyone listening knows something big is about to happen.
Rockford rapper Jesse Sanchez may be that something big. Better known as “ShowTime,” Sanchez looks to be on the fast track to being a household name.
So far in 2009, Sanchez has already released his first full-length album, The Wait is Over It’s ShowTime, as well as played his first concert at the Coronado Theatre, opening for DJ Unk.
In an e-mail conversation with The Rock River Times, Sanchez tells us about his eight years of rapping, and reveals that regardless of where his dreams take him, he’ll never forget his roots.
Jonathan Hicks, The Rock River Times (TRRT): Tell us about your musical/cultural influences
Jesse Sanchez, “ShowTime” (JS): I’ve been influenced by the hip-hop culture, which had a strong presence around me as I was growing up, from my older brother and his friends break dancing to the explosion of music in the ’90s on TV and the radio that I would hear everywhere I went. Some of the artists and musicians that have influenced me are Tupac (Shakur) and Biggie (Smalls) of course, as well as Do or Die, Twista, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ludacris and Eminem. I also listen to rock and older music like The Beatles, The Scorpions, Temptations and just good music that I felt was done from the heart.
TRRT: How has being from Rockford impacted your art?
JS: Being from Rockford and raised here, I have a love for my city and put it in my lyrics…you can hear about the way things are here in Rockford. Also, Rockford has yet to be recognized for all the underground talent here, and it’s one of my goals to help my city get on the map. My album was created featuring all local artists and producers, so what you hear is a product of Rockford.
TRRT: You’ve been doing this for a long time...what drives you to keep going?
JS: Honestly, it’s all the support I’ve been getting. Plus, I get inspiration from the underground scene here in Rockford that I’m involved in. I also I have a love for the music, and use rap as a way of expressing myself artistically. The more success I earn, the more opportunities I can have for myself and others, as well as the community.
TRRT: You played a big show recently at the Coronado with DJ Unk. What was that like?
JS: First off, I want to say thanks to Big Poke and everyone at BPE for putting it together and allowing me to be part of that. It was a good turnout, but it wasn’t sold out, but we will be doing more shows to help us fill the seats at the next one. I felt like the crowd responded well to my performance. I gave out a couple of CDs on stage, and got down at the crowd level for a song to let them get more involved. It was the biggest venue I have performed at so far, and overall I enjoyed it and hope to do many more—and even bigger shows—in the future.
TRRT: There are lots of artists trying to get heard in the hip-hop game...why should people listen to YOUR music?
JS: My music is me, and I’m not trying to be anybody else. I bring a unique style and presence to every song I write and record… and with the experience I have in the studio, along with the the production team, my music is at an industry/radio level. There’s not a lot of negativity in my lyrics, but a lot of creativity—and it’s something you can listen to and forget about the hard times everyone’s going through. Last, but not least, you should listen to my music if you want to hear real music that is good—and just because it’s HOT!
Independently released on Smoke Good Records, and featuring a bevy of local artists, The Wait is Over It’s ShowTime is available now. For more information about how to purchase the album, to listen to sample tracks, or just to learn more, visit myspace.com/815showtime.
Until next time…
Have an idea or topic you’d like mentioned in Songs and Scenes? E-mail us at contact@rockrivertimes.com. Please include “Songs and Scenes” in the subject line.
From the Feb. 18-24, 2009 issue
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Songs and Scenes: Rockford rapper releases first album
..
..
By Jonathan Hicks, Staff Writer Print this page
..
The phrase “It’s showtime!” has been used to describe countless events, from movies to plays to sporting events. Regardless, anytime someone says those famous words, everyone listening knows something big is about to happen.
Rockford rapper Jesse Sanchez may be that something big. Better known as “ShowTime,” Sanchez looks to be on the fast track to being a household name.
So far in 2009, Sanchez has already released his first full-length album, The Wait is Over It’s ShowTime, as well as played his first concert at the Coronado Theatre, opening for DJ Unk.
In an e-mail conversation with The Rock River Times, Sanchez tells us about his eight years of rapping, and reveals that regardless of where his dreams take him, he’ll never forget his roots.
Jonathan Hicks, The Rock River Times (TRRT): Tell us about your musical/cultural influences
Jesse Sanchez, “ShowTime” (JS): I’ve been influenced by the hip-hop culture, which had a strong presence around me as I was growing up, from my older brother and his friends break dancing to the explosion of music in the ’90s on TV and the radio that I would hear everywhere I went. Some of the artists and musicians that have influenced me are Tupac (Shakur) and Biggie (Smalls) of course, as well as Do or Die, Twista, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ludacris and Eminem. I also listen to rock and older music like The Beatles, The Scorpions, Temptations and just good music that I felt was done from the heart.
TRRT: How has being from Rockford impacted your art?
JS: Being from Rockford and raised here, I have a love for my city and put it in my lyrics…you can hear about the way things are here in Rockford. Also, Rockford has yet to be recognized for all the underground talent here, and it’s one of my goals to help my city get on the map. My album was created featuring all local artists and producers, so what you hear is a product of Rockford.
TRRT: You’ve been doing this for a long time...what drives you to keep going?
JS: Honestly, it’s all the support I’ve been getting. Plus, I get inspiration from the underground scene here in Rockford that I’m involved in. I also I have a love for the music, and use rap as a way of expressing myself artistically. The more success I earn, the more opportunities I can have for myself and others, as well as the community.
TRRT: You played a big show recently at the Coronado with DJ Unk. What was that like?
JS: First off, I want to say thanks to Big Poke and everyone at BPE for putting it together and allowing me to be part of that. It was a good turnout, but it wasn’t sold out, but we will be doing more shows to help us fill the seats at the next one. I felt like the crowd responded well to my performance. I gave out a couple of CDs on stage, and got down at the crowd level for a song to let them get more involved. It was the biggest venue I have performed at so far, and overall I enjoyed it and hope to do many more—and even bigger shows—in the future.
TRRT: There are lots of artists trying to get heard in the hip-hop game...why should people listen to YOUR music?
JS: My music is me, and I’m not trying to be anybody else. I bring a unique style and presence to every song I write and record… and with the experience I have in the studio, along with the the production team, my music is at an industry/radio level. There’s not a lot of negativity in my lyrics, but a lot of creativity—and it’s something you can listen to and forget about the hard times everyone’s going through. Last, but not least, you should listen to my music if you want to hear real music that is good—and just because it’s HOT!
Independently released on Smoke Good Records, and featuring a bevy of local artists, The Wait is Over It’s ShowTime is available now. For more information about how to purchase the album, to listen to sample tracks, or just to learn more, visit myspace.com/815showtime.
Until next time…
Have an idea or topic you’d like mentioned in Songs and Scenes? E-mail us at contact@rockrivertimes.com. Please include “Songs and Scenes” in the subject line.
From the Feb. 18-24, 2009 issue