Interview: Christina Perri – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 10/28/2010

When you wish upon a star, sometimes dreams really do come true. Such was the case with Christina Perri, who received nation-wide exposure – through no act of her own – on So You Think You Can Dance, when her song “Jar of Hearts” was passed on to Stacey Tookey, a choreographer for the show. And as is the case with all fairy tales, one thing led to another, and Christina Perri landed a last-minute replacement gig on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which cemented her status as an artist to watch in 2010 and beyond.

In support her debut EP, The Ocean Way Sessions, which was released on November 9, 2010, Christina Perri managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the musical influence of her brother, the video treatment for “Jar of Hearts,” and the steep learning curve in the aftermath of her Jay Leno appearance.

Interview: Flo Rida – Hip-Hop Artist

Date of Interview: 10/27/2010

Time and time again, Flo Rida has proven that he has “the Midas touch.” In spite of the music industry’s ballyhooed downward spiral, Flo has sold more than 10 million digital copies of his popular club anthems over the past three years. For this reason, he has firmly supplanted himself as the undisputed “King of the Club.”

From “Low” to “Right Round,” in addition to a string of guest appearances, Tramar “Flo Rida” Dillard has crafted a sonic style that is immediately recognizable, memorable and unique. And with the release of his third studio album (on November 30, 2010), he is resolute in his reminder to the world: “there is Only One Flo.”

Upon the release of the album’s lead single, “Club Can’t Handle Me,” Flo Rida managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his formative years in Las Vegas, the importance of “connecting” with fans, and his professional relationship with Walt Disney Studios.

Interview: Greyson Chance – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 10/26/2010

Greyson Chance is the first artist to be signed to Ellen Degeneres’ new music label, “eleveneleven,” which was inspired by her love and admiration for the young Texas native, who she discovered on May 11, 2010. After a rousing performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” on the award-winning talk show, Chance’s star has been on the rise. And for the past few months, Greyson has been hard at work on his debut album – working closely with Ron Fair, who mentored and guided the careers of Christina Aguilera, Keyshia Cole and the Black Eyed Peas.

In support his debut single, “Waiting Outside the Lines,” which was released on October 26, 2010, Greyson Chance managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the sacrifices that were necessary for success, the influence of John Lennon, and his favorite composition: “Purple Sky.”

Interview: Bei Maejor – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 10/21/2010

For young emerging talents, who are often on the brink of a collegiate career, it is often thought that the sacrifice of one’s pursuit of higher education is a necessary step in the process of obtaining success within the entertainment industry. And while many artists have fulfilled their dreams without the possession of a college degree, those who manage to juggle the chaos triggered by their academic and professional careers tend to go unnoticed. Bei Maejor is a prime example.

In the midst of Bei Maejor’s undergraduate years at the University of Michigan, his production skills landed a life-changing slot on Trey Songz’ debut album. And the rest – as the saying goes – is history. With movie credits including Disney’s Princess and the Frog, along with the remix to “Ride,” Ciara’s chart-topping lead single for Basic Instinct, which featured Andre 3000, Bei has managed to capture the hearts – and ears – of a diverse array of music lovers.

Following the digital release of the Upside Down mixtape, and during the preparation of its highly anticipated sequel, uSd2, Bei Maejor managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his college experience, his signing with Compound Entertainment, and “Never Knew I Needed,” his favorite collaboration with Ne-Yo.

Interview: Hope – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 10/19/2010

Considering the focus and direction of artists in the contemporary music landscape, what the world needs now is a little bit of “Hope.” And while it may be standard practice for music lovers to be inundated with sexual imagery and care-free lyrics, should one search hard enough, they will no doubt find a rare alternative: the proverbial “diamond in the rough.” Last year, in 2009, Atlantic Records found their precious gem in Los Angeles, California. (Perhaps the old saying is true: “Hope springs eternal.”)

With song placements in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? (“Who Am I To Say”), P.S. I Love You (“Fortress”) and MTV’s “The City,” Hope has steadily increased her exposure behind-the-scenes. In fact, her first single, “Love Love Love,” captivated Jason Mraz so much that he sought a collaboration with Hope, in order to be a guest feature on the track!

In preparation for her 2011 self-titled debut, Hope managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her move from New York City to the “City of Angels,” the inclusion of “The Rain Don’t Last” in the American Red Cross’ PSA for Hurricane Katrina, and the lasting impact that she “hopes” her music will have on the world.

Interview: Nelly – Rapper, Producer and Entrepreneur

Date of Interview: 10/14/2010

With a genre-defying discography that includes “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” and his latest smash, “Just a Dream,” it is easy to see why Billboard Magazine recognized Nelly as the #3 artist of the decade (2000-2009). Taking his best-selling and chart-topping performances on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 into consideration, there is no refuting Nelly’s impact on the current generation of music entertainers. Even more impressive: this decade-long journey all began in St. Louis, Missouri – a city that is better-known for its jazz, blues and rock music exports.

On November 15, 2010, the “rapper-preneur” will release his fifth studio album, which has been aptly titled “5.0.” In support of this effort, Nelly managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his entry into the rap game, the legacy of M.C. Hammer, and the “business” side of the music business.

Interview: Conya Doss – Singer, Songwriter and Educator

Date of Interview: 10/07/2010

As a graduate of Cleveland School of the Arts, it should come as no surprise that Conya Doss has found a way to utilize her craft in nontraditional ways. A full-time teacher by day, and a critically-acclaimed singer by night, she has managed to balance the worlds of academia and entertainment with relative ease. Even so, living life as an independent artist has had it fair share of ups-and-downs.

Since 2002, Conya Doss has slowly and steadily built a dedicated fan base, who patiently await every new release. And with the announcement of Blü Transition, her fifth studio album, the excitement reached record levels. In September 2010, “What We Gone Do” made waves in the online community for breaking Lalah Hathaway’s digital download record on Soultracks, which honored Doss as “Female Vocalist of the Year” in 2008.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Blü Transition, Conya Doss managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the integration of art in education, the journey to finding her “natural” voice, and the challenges of motherhood.