This Baton Rouge born, Cincinatti Ohio bred, Atlanta transplant has roamed the globe captivating audiences with his mix of downhome soul and rock influenced music. Going through a bit of artistic growth since his debut album “Sayingthings” in 2003, the artist formerly known as “JONEZ” has reclaimed his real name and dropped his most recent release, Korporate Rockstar earlier this year. To add to his ever-growing lists of accomplishments, Kameron’s song “Kiss and Makeup” was featured on the soundtrack for the BET film  Blackout starring Zoe Saldana & Jeffery Wright.  Arize had the opportunity to catch up with Kameron to see why he’s no longer just saying things, but how he’s killing us softly with his song.

Arize: Heeey Kameron, how you doin’? You ready to do this?

KAMERON CORVET:: Hey! Yeah, I am ready.

Arize: Okay so ummm, explain the significance behind the name change.

KAMERON CORVET:: It’s something that kinda got attached to me in highschool right around the time the movie Love Jones came out.Everyone used to try to tell me I was acting like Darius Love Hall or whatever so it started out like a nickname…”Love Jones” what have you. And also it was a line in Meth and Mary J’s song “I got a love joooones for your body and your skin tone”.LOL. But I came down to Atlanta and looking back now, in hindsight, I was trying to reclaim the element of my blackness if you will….because I grew up in the Midwest and in a private school culture that used to make me feel as though I wasn’t able to connect with what I would inheritantly consider to be influenced by at the time. But a big part of it has to do with who I was influenced by at the time. I had a heavy soul element to me. As I’ve grown older and seeing things in the music industry and discovering myself in more ways, in a production sense and music sense…

“I felt like it was okay to go back to basics and go by my real name

“Spelman Girl”

Arize: So is Korporate Rockstar like a continuation of Sayingthings? Or …what are the biggest differences between the two albums in your opinion?

KAMERON CORVET::I would say that Sayingthings is very organic in a sense that,the album I created would I would probably say 80% on my own and it was, a “means to an end” record and I felt like, in ATL, I put pressure on myself to put out a record. I wanted it to be a culmination of both digital and live music because I knew that the crowd that I had already established was used to a certain type of sound from me but I wanted to account for the growth that I had already had. More from a straight-edged-soul-linear-borderline-progressive-R&B to more of a rock influenced type of soul at the end. With all the live instrumentation through the end. I was trying to envelope the type of music that influenced me which was the heavy pop, pop rock of the 80’s. The sound of Korporate Rockstar is primarilyall live instrumentation, the quality is very crispy, very clear.I took my time with it.A lot of the sonic elements of this album are very pristine.What I was going through on Sayingthings was like the “good guy always finishes last” type of thing and on Korporate Rockstar I was talking about things that I’ve seen and things that have affected me through a period of time, those were times where, and I am not shy about this, but I had to work…you know I thank God for a college degree. But the times I was in a corporate world really gave me the opportunity to write about things from the perspective that wasn’t the perspective of some glamorous star, it was of the people I try to sing to, that I hope would buy my records. I wanna be able to write from THAT perspective. I was able to create the most genuine form of expression with regard to music.

If you consider yourself an artist that stands for something you will be doing yourself a disservice by not contributing to the creative element that, in turn, will be what you are saying to people.

Arize: One producer and one singer you would like to record with. Just ONE of each.

KAMERON CORVET:: Just one? Awww man, this is hard.

Arize: Mmmmm Hmmmm. LOL

KAMERON CORVET:: Alright, well…producer? Kanye. I feel like working with another producer is only valuable if they can take you somewhere where you need to go.Where you want to go.He could definitely do that.And singer? Hmmm.I’d have to say Nikka Costa.She’s so dope to me.She got this blow-your-head-back flavor and I’ve always felt a collaboration with her would be out of this world.Her voice is is so strong and she’s not afraid to push the envelope.I would love to work with her.

Arize: Okay, so think of ALL the songs between your first and your second album.Now, what do you think is a song that pretty much embodies your the most or displays ALL of your many talents?

KAMERON CORVET:: Wow, I would have to say “Let’s Go Again”, from the first record that I produced and wrote.It was about making love under the right circumstances and that’s kinda my style, my flavor. And I would also say that on the second record,well, it’s a tough one. It would be a toss up between “Maybe, Hopefully” and “Kiss and Makeup” even though most people have heard it.It’s a classic record and I would pick that song because it came to me so easily.

“Kiss and Makeup”

Arize: What is your creative process like? Who is/are your muses?

KAMERON CORVET:: I am usually doing something else when I come up with a song.Most of the time I am driving.So, I don’t know why that is…but it just seems to happen that way.Let’s just say I’ll be driving and I’ll see the back of someone’s bumper sticker or a word, or I’ll think of something like a memory from my past

….the creative process for me usually starts with a freestyle over something.

Arize: You’ve done an Elvis cover. You’ve done a Maxwell cover. Were you trying to show your versatility or you like really, REALLY listen to those artists? Elvis???????

KAMERON CORVET::Actually, I’ve always considered Elvis to be one of my biggest influences. Like, I used to sit back and watch footage of him on stage, Elvis music…Elvis musicals. I’ve always wanted to have that type of impact musically by doing something people haven’t heard before, or form a stage presence without being cocky.I likened myself to him because I feel like when I was growing up I was a real real shy guy until I got comfortable.So he was an influence on my music most definitely. When I heard D’Angelo in 94′ 95′ and Urban Hang Suite, was done for.I was like…this is me.I mean I had that on heavy rotation…helped me get my weight up.

Arize: Is falsetto your trademark?

KAMERON CORVET:: I don’t knooooow.Haha.Just when it gets to be my trademark, I’m probably gonna flip it up and just be in my chest voice only.If it wasn’t my trademark I would consider it to be.To have a solid falsetto, to be able to sing a Maxwell cover is I think a very impressive thing for me to hear….and do it well? Not alot of people can do it….but i have, and have been able to incorporate other elements into my singin’.

Arize: Is there anything you wanna tell us…like if you have a hidden talent you’d like to reveal?

KAMERON CORVET:: Ummm…I’m a good whistler.

Arize: ((Laughs))

KAMERON CORVET:: I mean, there’s so many things…and I am not trying to toot my own horn but I do alot of things pretty well.If you name I’d probably done it and done it well, but decided to quit.Like in the 4th grade I was really really good at drawing. I wanted to be a ventriloquist back in the day.But other than that I am like a super good whistler, I owe that to my dad.

Arize: What do you want these folks to know about you? How can we get your music?

KAMERON CORVET:: I would just tell people that more than anything to reach our to me.I think that sometimes people don’t reach out because they feel like they wouldn’t be responded to but I pride myself on being as genuine as possible.You know when it comes to social networking, like Myspace or Facebook or whatever, I am the person who responds, I am really on there.I just want to encourage people, if you appreciate what I do, to hit me up. Don’t be afraid to hit me up.

Arize: What about the applications for the video girl tryouts I had suggested to your earlier? For your next video?

KAMERON CORVET:: The applications thing…we gon’ work on that.LOL.But if you’re really interested I just need some measurements…some errrrrr…ummmm…just playing.I don’t know about that one.

Arize: Haha. Well, alright.Thanks anyway Kameron. We appreciate you.

KAMERON CORVET:: Thank you. I appreciate your time as well.

“War Within”

www.myspace.com/kameroncorvet

www.kameroncorvet.com

After graduating Tufts University with a degree in American Studies, Theda worked at WBLS as the promotion coordinator alongside her radio hero, Frankie Crocker. She left the station a year later to became the first black programmer of a major market country station. In 1994, she was nominated for “Programmer of the Year Award” by the Country Music Association. Years later she left radio to move into print media, at Billboard magazine where she wrote the influential column Hot 100 Singles Spotlight and compiled the Hot 100 chart every week.

Bit by the label bug, Theda joined Def Jam Recordings in their sales department, but quickly moved to fill a void in the new media department. Nicknamed Theda.com by rapper Ja Rule, Theda developed a reputation for creating groundbreaking work. Critically acclaimed in the pages of Entertainment Weekly for a Foxy Brown comic-book site, Theda also received kudos when the Def Jam website won for best label site in the Online Hip-Hop Awards in 2000. Theda’s multimedia experience at Def Jam inspired her to expand into the mobile market in 2004. As Brand Director for Def Jam Mobile, she was responsible for branding, licensing and developing original content. Shortly after launching several applications she moved on to drive new technology initiatives at Rush Communications where she assembled an incubator team that developed the concept, business plan and technical execution for start-up company (Global Grind).

As an aficionado of both pop culture and modern technology Theda has fused her interests in a multimedia marketing and content development to create unique content campaigns and marketing strategies for her consulting clients, which have included Microsoft/Zune, SOHH.com, Phat Fashions, Asylum Records, Rush Communications, Community Connect, Capitol Records, Koch, Simmons Lathan and Kevin Liles Enterprises.

In her spare time, Theda co-hosts Wine Tasting events in NYC with her networking group, SuperNodes. She is also an avid photographer, collagist and blogger.

www.misstheda.com

“In My Dreams”

“Day Dreaming”

“Inner Beauty”

“Me”

“Predict Tune-Succede”

“Unite In Art”

“Corner Office”

The Day Of The Dead, Buntstift & Gouage, 2007

The Day Of The Dead, Crayon & Gouage, 2007

Durchgang, Screenprint, 2007

Rosa-Luxemburg Platz, Fineliner on paper, 2006

City Is Killing Me, Fineliner on paper, 2007

Messerwerfer, Acrylic on canvas, 2008

Seilmann, Acrylic on canvas, 2008

With his debut album Minute After Midnight behind him, Donny Goines has made quite a name for himself since his entry into the rap game in 2006. With only 3 years of grind behind him and a rather impressive blueprint of what hungry artists should work like, Donny continues to grind into 09′. With a reflective outlook on the rap game and how its changed in the last few years, we had the privilege to sit down and chat with Donny on tons of issues ranging from what it took to drop this album to his opinion of mainstream rap.

Arize: Much respect homie and congrats on the new album Minute After Midnight. I’ve read a few interviews and the responses have been spread out between a good album to a not so good album. Do you take the reviews with a grain of salt and any afterthoughts on what could have been done better now that the album is finished and out to the public?

Donny Goines: To be honest, I expected that. I knew people were going to either love it or not because I made it for a certain type of listener. For my very first album I wanted to make something that my core audience would appreciate. If you listen closely to the album you’ll notice that I don’t try to reach for any other demographic with trendy songs. I stuck to my guns all the way through and I knew that certain people just wouldn’t get it. So to answer your question, this reaction was expected.

Arize: How much have you had to sacrifice in your pursuit of making this album?

Time, money but most of all I sacrificed myself as a person to reach this moment. This album really sums up alot of struggles and in my opinion it was well worth it because the people who do get it understand and can relate. I could have held out for a deal and made some sort of major album with a bunch a features and major promotion, but the satisfaction that I have putting it out myself is very rewarding. It took alot to create this album but as long as the people enjoy it the sacrifice is nothing.

Donny Goines “Ricky’s Story” Dir: Mills Miller:

Arize: You go through a lot of different experiences throughout this album. Can you take us through your thought process while creating this album? What do you want us to take away after listening to this album?

I want people to take away a piece of myself. Many of the stories and concepts come directly from my own life experience and I have dealt with many issues growing. Drug abuse, jail, death, etc. and people need to understand that life isn’t always the best. I really touched on subjects that were close to my heart. Aids, the inner city, poverty, so on and so forth and for every so called Baller or drug dealer out there you have ten broke kids or abusers. I really thought about the people when creating this album and that made the process of writing it almost effortless.

Arize: If someone could only listen to 5 joints off of your new album what would they be and why?

Good Question. I would say listen to “I am Moving” Prod. by Dame Grease to understand how creative I am. “Ghetto U.S.A” Prod. by Beatnik and K Salaam featuring my girl Tess displays the struggles and feelings about my community faces. Another song I would suggest is “Heaven is with You” Prod. by DJ Static because it shows how you can deal with the loss of someone in a positive light. “What Happened” and “As the World Turns” are probably two of my favorite tracks because they show how much I really love Hip Hop and music in general.

Arize: You’ve been in the game for a while now. (Google Donny Goines folks lol) What have you seen change in the last few years? What has surprised you?

Things come and go in this world. That includes artists. The fans are very fickle and I notice that the people who rides certain waves usually crash eventually. I’ve seen the reggeton era, then the ringtone phase and now it’s the “hipster” movement as some may like to call it all in a matter of three years. Long story short this is the main reason I stick to my guns because I need people who believe in me and what I do and can see the long term. That’s probably the most interesting thing I’ve seen through these past couple of years. It surprises me that others don’t see it either and follow so blindly.

Things come and go in this world. That includes artists. The fans are very fickle and I notice that the people who rides certain waves usually crash eventually.

Arize: You are your own PR, management team, and publicist almost. You never sleep, (Really folks he doesn’t, I’ve emailed the guy at 3am and get a reply at 3:05am from Donny himself) How do you manage it all and do ever want to hand of certain things to someone else? Or do you like doing everything yourself?

The funny thing is I do have a publicist and a management team. I just like to be hands on with my approach when I can. I’m a people person and I like to deal with others so I only delegate things to others when I feel its something that cant be done myself. I’m not the lazy type of artists that expects my team to do everything. Im a boss and at the end of the day the boss is suppose to be the first one to come and the last one to leave so that’s why I am the way I am

Arize: What has been the challenge of artists of your caliber to actually keep putting music out and to be heard by the Internet audience? Is this full-time? How do stay afloat? Do you have sponsors, investors etc? People want to know how you do it if you aren’t signed at all.

It is VERY hard because the amount of music out there is staggering. I wouldn’t say its hard to keep up because Im only racing myself, but I would say its hard to be consistent sometimes. I always tell people that consistency is key. As long as you are consistently putting out material, consistently improving your craft and consistently making progress you cant lose. As for investors, its all out of pocket. No label, no investors, I don’t come from a rich family or had a uncle who left me an inheritance haha. Im just being smart and using what I have to do what I need to do. If you want this bad enough, you will make a way trust me.

Arize: Do you ever want to just give up? It seems like all the real hip hop artists seem to be looked at as wack. When in all hindsight the game has got it all fucked up.

All the time. Not because people may think I’m wack or whatever. Fuck what they think. Its because this game is a hard one. You can become very jaded and disappointed but besides consistency, the other thing I tell people is to be PERSISTENT!!! Don’t ever let people tell you that something cant be done or let them discourage you. Just keep the faith, stay positive and work hard. Your time will come.

Arize: You’re everywhere on the net, YouTube, Facebook, Myspace etc etc. Is the digital artist’s music somehow diluted since it’s so easy to get music out in the open? Now everyone, including of course lame ass rappers, now have unlimited access to distribute online.

It’s no different from any other market facing over saturation in my opinion. The solution. Distinguish yourself from the pack. Once you do that there will be no confusion and you will get the respect you deserve.

As long as you are consistently putting out material, consistently improving your craft and consistently making progress you cant lose.

Arize: Besides the obvious artists that everyone is a favorite of (Nas, Jay-Z etc) who has influenced your sound?

No one. Seriously. When I started to take music seriously I stopped listening to others as a fan and listened with a critical ear. I’m more influenced by the people and things that go on around me then an artist. My sounds is inspired by what I grew up on. Mid 90’s Hip Hop just in the present form, from my own perspective.

Arize: What artist(s) do you think continue to fuck up the game for all great independent artists such as yourself? Who continues to annoy the hell out of you? Major or Indie.

Honestly, I don’t pay enough attention to become annoyed. I’m in my own world right now and what they eat don’t make me shit so I just look in the mirror whenever I became frustrated because the only one holding me back from success is myself. I dont care what everyone else is doing. God Bless them.

Arize: What’s next for you?

Sky’s the limit fam. Right now Im just focused on my album but 09 is looking like its gonna be one promising year for me. I just have to stay grounded, work hard and pray for the blessing you feel me?

Arize: Thanks for sitting down with us Donny and much success.

I appreciate all the love and support fam. Thank you all the readers and everyone out there who is supporting the movement. Much love and God Bless.

Buy Album “Minute After Midnight” here

www.myspace.com/donnygoines
www.youtube.com/donnygoines
www.donnygoines.blogspot.com

Download Mixtape Here