UPCOMING FEATURED ARTIST

  TimMay Neon RaJah Raps Lyrics To Live By

When your constantly meeting and forming new friendships, its not rare to meet people that have the same interest as yourself.

I met TimMay Neon Rajah while attending Wake Technical Community College back in late 2009.
 He struck me as a nice well-rounded young man with his sight set on being successful.

This year I had an opportunity to interview this young man in a brief Q&A.

Myself-So TimMay where were you born? What is your age and your genre of music that you fit into?

TimMay-- I was born in Charlotte NC. I'm 23 years old. My genre of music is experimental hip hop.

Myself-What are your aspirations in life? and your concepts about life, and music?

TimMay--My only goal in life is to help other, be a good role model, and serve God. My life concept is basically do good to others, and you will be okay. My music reflects what I believe in. I'm not religious, however I have very strong faith.

Myself-What was the hardest or is the hardest obstacle you have ever to overcome?

TimMay--I dedicated over 7 years to putting together a musical organization which also acting as a starting foundation for artist who could not get to the level they were aiming for due to getting lost in the sea of other artist wishing to become well known. After finally reaching the point i was hoping the organization would achieve, the participants one by one got too fully of themselves and i watched as all my hard work crumbled into a pile of cocky, overconfident rappers.

Myself-How do these things relate to the music you create and your own lifestyle?


TimMay--I only make music based on what I've experienced. I make great use of metaphors to give those who a more visual a mental picture of what I am trying to say. You will never hear me mention money, cars, girls, or anything of that sort. Most of my music is very spiritual and thought provoking.

Myself-Is there a favorite saying or quote that you live by? a motto?

TimMay--A quote that I have always lived by is "Give, and it will come back to you"......It proves to be correct everyday.

Myself-What is your advice for other artist?

TimMay--Be yourself without selling yourself short. NEVER try to portray anything other that what you are, it will always backfire.

Myself-On stage describe how you prepare yourself for the moment.....

TimMay--Before I perform I always pray, and its never backstage or in a secluded area. I pray on stage in front of the crowd while my music intro is playing. I have nothing to hide, and want people to see that everything I have to offer comes from God.

Myself-How do you create? And at what peaks of time in a 24hr day do you feel the most creative?

TimMay--I create whenever I feel moved to do so. There is no particular time in the day where I have a peak in creativity, but more so after an experience. I create when I have something meaningful to talk about, or I feel the need to get something off my chest. Its more so of an outlet for me.


Myself-What do you support and what not?

TimMay--Im very open minded, and will support almost anything POSITIVE. If all you do is talk about "money this, girls that, swag, turn up" chances are I'm not even going to entertain it. I support things that support others.

Myself-In a few words describe who you are and what you represent

TimMay--I am who I am, and I represent the greater good.

Listen to the Artist TimMay Below

WEDNESDAY'S ARTISTIC DEBUT

Believe it. Mandy Peedin is so SURREAL

"The Head and the Heart," Acrylic, Ink, and Oil Glazes on Canvas

I first met Mandy Peedin; an amazing artist, in school.The Wake Forest N.C. native, was attending Franklinton High School in North Carolina.

Interested in featuring her works, she and I indulged in a very in depth conversation about her style of art and certain inspirations. Unlike most interviews, I was compelled to let her venture and go as deep into answering the questions, as she felt comfortable to. 

 

 Mandy Peedin begins, "All through childhood and high school I was interested in art and would draw all the time. It wasn't until high school that I began painting."

Peedin states," My earliest realization that I could draw was when I was very young. I was always drawing. I have one memory of buying a book on how to draw horses, and I spent countless amounts of time looking at that book and learning how to draw horses."

From there she continued to take art classes all through elementary, middle, and high school.

 Though, it was in high school that she wanted to make art apart of her day-to-day life. 

Mandy Peedin said,"Painting and drawing have always made me happy, so there was no question in my mind what I would choose when it came time to decide on a major in college."

From there she continues the story of her life after high school. 

She graduated in Dec. of  2013 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing; and a minor in Psychology, from East Carolina University.

Mandy Peedin follows by explaining her, "Process of Creativity., She states ' I feel like I can express my thoughts and my feelings through the act of painting. Sometimes I know exactly what I am painting, and others I do not know what the painting means until it is completed.'"


" For example, a triptych of mine is influenced by my exploration and indecision between atheism and spirituality (Christian iconography being the most portrayed since I was raised as a Presbyterian)." Peedin states.


Mandy Peedin continues by telling one of her goals in life.

She is planning on becoming an art therapist.

Peedin states," Most of my artwork portrays what is going on in my mind, whether or not I know what it is. I believe that the act of painting can be therapeutic."

"I don't necessarily believe that you have to be gifted to produce artwork,"Peedin said. 

Peedin elaborates that, "If a person has the desire to paint or draw, they should do it whether or not they feel or are told that they have the talent for it. Anyone, with enough practice and study, can create a meaningful work of art."

"Unconscious Mind," Digital Painting

(Drawn using a bamboo pen tablet in photoshop)

 "Most of my paintings I do for myself; they are a reflection of what I am thinking. I have done spiritual paintings, yes. A lot of my paintings are done just to express something without the use of words. Other times, I'll just paint," said Peedin.

The conversation continues as she explains the occupation of being an artist.  Her work requires her to paint what the customer wants. 

Peedin encountered an issue that resulted in her painting not being displayed, due to the possible offensive content. 

At first she states,"I was disappointed, but then later I realized that a piece of mine had caused that reaction and it made me feel better,'Truthfully, what I paint isn't anything close to traditional work, and I feel like it catches people's eye.'"

"Whether the viewer likes the piece or not, I like that I have potentially laid an impression upon them," Peedin said.

Peedin states," I feel like I am more influenced by the way the mind works, and that is why I minored in psychology. I am particularly interested in abnormal psychology. I know a lot of people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders, and I am fascinated with the way they perceive things, and how different their mind works than a "normal" mind."

Peedin concludes," I believe that creating works of art is very therapeutic. It is not just a hobby or a job; it is also a way to heal yourself mentally, spiritually, and/or emotionally."

"Cosmic Divinity," Oil Paint on Canvas

 "There have been many instances in my life where I have been stressed or in a bad state of mind where I have found the solution to be simply picking up a brush, pen, or pencil and creating something."---
Mandy Peedin

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UPCOMING FEATURED ARTIST

 BONGO MO hits the scene with an uncanny lyricism and powerful vocals

  The North Carolina native was born in Wallace, and gives credit towards his place of birth for his development as an artist.

When undergoing a brief interview this is what the artist Bongo Mo had to say

Q&A

Myself: What exactly does Bongo Mo mean?

Bongo Mo: I call myself Bongo because I walk to the beat of my own drum. Bongo is the drum and mo is only a man.

Myself: What time of day does your creative skills peak?

Bongo Mo: Most inspired late nights or early mornings.

Myself: Whats your say on certain topics; such as, music, life and people?

Bongo Mo:  I think music is coming back to a better place now, for awhile it was like people wanted the glamorous rap bunch of false truths about false occasions...now its getting back to the art and its raw rugged but much more on the lyrical side of things.

Bongo Mo: I feel as an artist you have to mix in what the fans need...bringing reality to the forefront is a great key to longevity.

Myself : Who are your Idols?

Bongo Mo: Mother and Father, Bob Marley. I mostly admire the grind and drive of others you know da guy hustling da corners n da 9 to 5 to feed da family. Anybody setting goals and pressing to find them.

Myself: Are you a rastafarian?

Bongo Mo: I've walked the path of rasta for four years the way life has definitely given me strength and knowledge of self... non violent principals that still evade me.  


In the end we exchanged thanks you's and he said "Rasta taught me how to give unfair biased on things more then nothing and taught me about self respect."
 '
While walking away he states " You gotta walk your own path dats what I try to do with my music."



To hear Bongo Mo please click below