F.A.M.E Houston's fastest rising unsigned Hip Hop talent

F.A.M.E. hails from the North Houston suburb of Magnolia, Texas. F.A.M.E. burst on the local Houston scene in early 2006 though he’d been a hometown favorite for years. F.A.M.E. started rapping for anyone who would listen at the age of 12 constantly working to perfect his writing and lyrical skills. Some of his early influences included NWA, 8 Ball & MJG, UGK, Ghetto Boys, Scarface, Lil Flip and DJ Screw. Now playing for sold out crowds in Houston and other major cities, his smooth delivery, infectious hooks and excellent vocal range make him one of Houston’s fastest rising stars.

HipHopInformant: What made you get involved with Hip-hop?

F.A.M.E: I've always been lyrically talented, and its a passion so i said y not? and jus hopped in the game like i been it for 5 years.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved in the industry?

F.A.M.E: professionally, 11 1/2 months.

HipHopInformant: Do you feel that rappers from Houston have different viewpoints about life than a rapper from New York would have?

F.AM.E: Well, it all depends on what you're rapping about, For instance a texas rapper might be rappin about sippin oil...poppin trunk and reclinin' the 5th wheel..9 times outta 10 new york cats aint gon know what the texas rapper talkin bout cuz it's a Texas thang, ya diigg?? And on the other hand new york rappers might be talkin bout a certain lifestyle new yorkers live and texas cats aint gon know wut they talk about. But if either new york or texas cats are talkin bout LIFE, like the struggle..sellin dope..growin up wit no dad, that's UNIVERSAL...so everybody understands that.

HipHopInformant: What are your views on hip-hop at this present moment in time?

F.A.M.E: It's over-saturated..too many ONE HIT WONDERS..Most cats aint lyrical no mo..it's all about a CLUB HIT..and that's why i say hip hop dyin..but i'm breathin life back in it..startin right here in H-TOWN!

HipHopInformant: What do you feel about the state of hip-hop in the South?

F.A.M.E: Ima put it like this...we got some lyrical n**guhs down here...includin ME. ima leave it at that.

HipHopInformant: Are there any artists in the industry that you would like to live up to?

F.A.M.E: Nope..i wanna be the BEST..i wanna live up to myself...i respect and got luv fa a lotta rappers in the game, but this personal...i'm goin fa da top!
HipHopInformant: As an artist do you think that the industry needs to change? And if so why?

F.A.M.E: It'll change..it always does..it's just a matter of time..and as far as what i think, it doesnt matter..ima eat REGARDLESS.

My album "The Evolution of F.A.M.E." is very well put together. I have songs for younger kids[teens] songs for the grown and sexy crowd...songs for ladies..songs for G's..songs for the south...songs reppin where i'm from..songs that MANY people can relate to. In this album I touch on a lot of things..you can hear my lyrical ability on every track!! It's a good buy!! To order F.AM.E's outstanding album visit :

http://myspace.com/yaboyfame

Donny Goines New York's Unsigned Hype

Having joined the navy in 2000 Donny found himself unable to adhere to the restrictions and conventions that it set forth. He knew his heart was in music, he knew proving himself over the abundance of aspiring artists out there was not going to be easy. But Donny Goines wasn’t ready to fall prey to a life in a place where he didn’t want to be. He was going to make sure he was heard, he was here to be heard.

HipHopInformant: What made you get involved with Hip-hop?

Donny Goines: When I realized it was a true passion of mine and I decided to pursue it (around the beginning of Jan 06) is when I truly became involved with music. I’ve always been a fan of hip hop though and always rapping, I just never really took it seriously up until that point.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved in the industry?

Donny Goines: Professionally less then two years.

HipHopInformant: What is your current view of Hip-hop now?

Donny Goines:Its very watered down, boring and mediocre. I feel the majority of artists out there bring nothing substantial to the table and in all honesty I feel that most of them are just wack. That’s my opinion though.

HipHopInformant: Do you think the game is going to change soon or do you think hip-hop is going to stay the same?

Donny Goines: It’s already changing. It’s going to be more lyric based and talent driven soon. People are getting tired of the bulls**t music out there and it shows. Kanye sold 2 mil, Talib and Common both had the number one albums in the country this year. Times are already changing.

HipHopInformant: What artist do you aspire to be like if any?

Donny Goines: I don’t aspire to be like anyone at all. I just want to be the best possible artist that I can be and make great music. Although many artists inspire me at different times for different reasons, I’m not
them and vise versa. I can only be me.

HipHopInformant: What do you think about the impact of hip-hop artist's lyrics on youth today?

Donny Goines: Honestly, I feel it is very influential on the young minds of today. That’s why I try my best to speak on the truth and show bothsides of the fence. Whether artists realize or not, they are role models and they need to consider that when there making records. Everything doesn't have to be positive, but I feel like you need to show the youth the flipside of the coin as well. Everything that glitters isn’t gold.

HipHopInformant: Do you think that hip-hop artist's lyrics are reflecting upon real-life issues?

Donny Goines: Some are. There are a lot of talented MC's out there but they don’t get the shine and recognition they deserve. Most are fighting a battle where the odds are mostly against them. It reminds me of the movie 300, that’s what it’s like these days and as for myself, I rather go out great and be a fly by night rapper.

HipHopInformant: As an artist do you think that the industry needs to change? And if so why?

Donny Goines: It needs to change because the people are asking for change. It’s basically that simple. Time will tell though.

HipHopInformant: On your album, The Excerpt PG 1 there's a song called Never Let My Talent Die Who is that song about and what impact did the person it's about have on your hip-hop career and your life?

Donny Goines: The song is about a great producer and friend of mine who passed away this year. His name was David "Disco D" Shayman. He was one of the first people who really believed in me and he taught me many things about the industry and life in general. As long as I continued to do music, his legacy will never be forgotten.

HipHopInformant: The Excerpt PG 1 is an incredible album is there a reason for the name?

Donny Goines: Mainly because it is just a glimpse of what to expect, only apart of the story. There is much more that’s needs to be said and it will, once I drop my first major album. For now though, that will give you an
idea of some of the things you can expect from me artistically.

HipHopInformant: You talk about bringing back real-hip-hop what do you think real hip-hop is?

Donny Goines: Real Hip Hop is anything that’s REAL to you. You don’t have to be the best lyricist, the dopest rapper, etc. but you need to be authentic with your words and your fan base. You need to give it 110%
every single time you step in the booth. When you perform, you have to sweat. Real Hip Hop to me simply means music from your heart.

The Excerpt Pg. 1 is a concept album and also the first part of a trilogy. Its gives you a brief idea of what to expect in the future and this part of the story focuses on the artist. Every song on the album has some sort of hip hop theme or concept and describes some events that have occurred during Donny Goines career thus far. You can order the Album from myspace.com/donnygoines.