Interview: Da Bosnian

AHHS recently got a chance to sit down with Da Bosnian during his busy schedule! Thanks for taking the time! Read on to find out how Da Bosnian goes pimpin' on his tricycle!

AHHS: Can you give your fans a quick bio of yourself?

Da Bosnian: I was born in Bosnia and lived in Germany for 6 years after the war started in Bosnia. We moved to the U.S. Feb. 1999 straight to South Austin.

AHHS: How did you get started in music production?

Da Bosnian: I just liked to listen to music. Everything from Wu-Tang to Michael Jackson. When I got my 1st computer I ran across a few programs that interested me and I experimented with different things from there...few years later I showed my music to DJ Grip who gave me my 1st mixtape appearance.

AHHS: What is distinctive about the work that you do and set you apart from other producers?

Da Bosnian: I'm not a musician and can't play any instrument. I don't take any of my music to serious or technical when I make it..soo shit I don't know but not everyone likes my shit.

AHHS: Which artists inspire you the most? and why?

Da Bosnian: I like every producer that did some playa shit! Organized Noize, Hypnotize Mindz, and Beats by the Pound are the main ones...its just the shit I love to jam to.

AHHS: Do you have a favorite project that you've worked on?

Da Bosnian: I'm excited about Rynos 2nd album due early 2009 and also the Southbound album.

AHHS: Are there any artists that you would like to work with that you haven't had the chance?

Da Bosnian: Everyone that is down to make songs because they feel it and not cause they need it for the club to hit a quick lick.

AHHS: How do you see the scene locally? and where do you see it going?

Da Bosnian: I see a lot of people being way to comfortable in the position that they are in already. Some of my favorite writers come from Austin and I think that a few chosen ones will shine for the talent and not for wanting to capitalize on a gimmick.

AHHS: What is the best piece of advice that someone in the industry has given you?

Da Bosnian: Bavu Blakes told me he and I jam and advised me to stay with it...I think that's the only advice I will take.

AHHS: And a more light-hearted question: Have you seen a correlation between your level of success and quality of hoes?

Da Bosnian: DaBosnian could catch bad hoes if he was riding on a tricycle pimpin'!

AHHS: Do you have any parting words to our readers?

Da Bosnian: Check out some music @ www.myspace.com/purplebass512
You can also check out my 1st release titled 'Crawl Before You Walk' 22 Original Instrumentals and songs by Magno, Chalie Boy, Bavu Blakes and more all production done by myself. And SUPPORT talent. Skip the bullshit. Thanks.

OG Photographer wins 2008 Billboard/PDN Ultimate Photo Contest

AUSTIN, TX - December 8, 2008 - Austin based music and entertainment photographer OG has been named one of the winners of the 2008 Billboard and PDN magazine Ultimate Photo Contest. OG's photograph of David Banner, taken at the Austin Music Hall during SXSW 08, was one of the winning photographs selected out of over 2,000 submitted images.

The contest, put together by Billboard and PDN (Photo District News), represents a collaborative effort by both the music and photography industries most elite publications. Professional judges for the contest included Tamara Coniff - Group Editorial Director of Billboard, Julie Greenwald - President of Atlantic Records, Josh Klenert - Creative Director for Billboard, and James Reyman of Reyman Studios. OG's photograph of David Banner will be featured in the december issue of PDN magazine as well as on their online site, PDNonline.com, later this month.

OG states...

"Being named as one of the Billboard and PDN photo contest winners is a blessing. My team and I work very hard for all of the content we produce, so having our work showcased and recognized is something I am grateful for."

"David Banner is one of hip-hops elite and an artist whose passion is always on display, especially during his performances. He is typically on the actual stage about twenty-five percent of the time and in the crowd with his fans the other seventy-five percent. That's how much his supporters mean to him and how much he puts into his craft."

"I'm looking forward to collaborating with even more of the creative and passionate artists out there. I attend many types of shows and the caliber of talent I come across is mind-blowing."

"The goal when working with an artist is to play a role in their visual development. Whether it be for album artwork or promotional material, I always strive to produce strong vision based imagery that accurately represents their music."

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, OG is an Austin based photographer specializing in creative collaborations with talent from the music and entertainment worlds. OG has collaborated with major artists such as Chamillionaire, Scarface, Killer Mike as well as a number of the rising talent in the independent and underground music scene. He works through his Luxury Mindz creative company and is an active member of the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers).

OG's photo work can be seen online here: http://www.OGPhotographer.com

Destiny By Design - Mexican American Cultural Center - December 9, 2008

From the rockin' wedding speeches department... Destiny By Design @ Mexican American Cultural Center on December 9th!

More info:

Who we are: Founded by Robert Gabriel and Jules Narcisse in 2006, the Narcisse-Banks Community Resource Center is a 501(c) non-profit foundation that serves the greater Austin, Texas area. Working closely with like-minded organizations including Guerilla Productions, Kinetic Global, River City Youth Foundation, and B-Boy City, Narcisse-Banks is a growing collective of hip-hop philanthropists.

What we do: The Narcisse-Banks Community Resource Center aims to provide young adults with the tools to satisfy their educational and career interests in hip-hop culture.

What we are doing now: The Narcisse-Banks Library offers a wide assortment of books and records to young adults and artists eager to explore the music, the history, and the career opportunities that correspond with the continued evolution of the hip-hop artform. To arrange to check out materials from the Narcisse-Banks Library, please send a message of interest through myspace.

What we plan to do in the near future: Beyond hosting neighborhood book and record fairs, the Narcisse-Banks Community Resource Center plans to develop after-school programs for teens that will serve as instructional clinics on deejaying, hip-hop dance, spoken word, film-making, music journalism, etc.

What we plan to do after that: Once the Narcisse-Banks Community Resource Center gains the footing to secure its own public space, the Narcisse-Banks Library will be augmented with a professional-grade production studio that will be made available to young adults motivated to learn how to record their music by way of a multi-track mixing board.

What do we mean by hip-hop culture: From the blues and jazz to soul, funk, rock, Latin, reggae, and electronica, the Narcisse-Banks music-related curriculum attempts to encompass the full expanse of contemporary influence.

What can you do to help: If you have any spare books and/or records that you think would make a relevant addition to the Narcisse-Banks Library, please arrange to make a donation by sending a message through myspace.

Who we’d like to thank for their most generous contributions: DJ Baby G, Ruben Cantu, On the Line Records, Lady Legacy, Friends of Sound, DJ Avatar, Sween, and DJ Enki.

Artists who have utilized our resources: Salih Williams, DJ Baby G, Tee Double, Public Offenders, 2-3 Mic Breakaz, Pilarsito, Lady Legacy, Global, Da Bosnian, and Black Mike.