
How did you get your hip hop name? 
 
My real name is Ali and that's a name rooted to my heritage and background – literally translated as "Noble, Exalted & Elevated". That's something i couldn't change; let alone people have been calling me that my whole life! 
"Kulture" came from the movement i started alongside of my closest brothers when we originally got into Hip-Hop and rapping all together.  Till this day we are a united movement in the D.M.V area but everyone else that was originally rapping alongside of me took on other roles within the umbrella – from clothing to videos.
 
Since everyone decided to push me to the forefront and support me as far as the Hip-Hop aspect is concerned, it only made sense to make Kulture my last name.
 
Where were you raised, did you move around at all?
 
Being raised in a single-parent household; moving has been a consistent part of my life.  I was born in Pakistan and lost my father at age 2, this transpired into my family moving to the Bay Area when I was about 5 years old – San Jose to be exact.  I lived there till I was about 15 and still hold everyone I grew up with in that city very near and dear to me – which should shed light to the label I'm currently under [Greenhouse Hunnitproof records].
 
At age 15 I moved to the D.M.[V] area and moved around almost every 6 months – which in the long run has proven to be a blessing in disguise.  It has helped me to establish a wide network, and that at the end of the day, sheds light to the saying "Your network is your net-worth".
 
I've lived everywhere in this area from Falls Church, VA to Fairfax and I currently reside in Centreville, VA.  I hold my faith in Allah to a very high degree and at the end of the day I believe I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
 
What are some of your life experiences that pushed you towards making music?
 
I think the past few questions might answer that already but the concept of loosing my father at a young age – seeing the struggle my mother has had to go through to raise a son and going through that day to day struggle of becoming the man of the house has triggered a creative side for me to express.  The avenue i chose to relay my story is Hip-Hop; which has truly become a means of release therapy for me.  Most of the time i listen to my music and i can pinpoint exactly what i was going through at that time in my life – and exactly how i felt about it.
 
I think my music now is more reflective of the man i've become and the responsibilities i've had to take on, i believe in telling your story exactly how it is – i wasn't raised around a circle that allowed me to fabricate stories in my music just to hold some sort of a persona – and i'm thankful for it. 
 
What are some of your music influences, or favorite artists?
 
The only artist i can truly say has been an "influence" on me is 2pac.  My music influences have become highly diversified through the recent years – mostly due to how ignorant hip hop seems these days – i catch myself listening to everything from Jazz, Alternative, Contemporary – even Country.  Of course Hip Hop is a daily part of my life but i've grown to appreciate all genres of music.
 
What age did you start making music?
 
Man me and my cousin Aftah Sum wrote our first rap when i was 12 years old 
 
What is it like working in both the Bay Area and the DMV?
 
Its a blessing – networking is key.  Having a solid network is the best foundation you can have.  I'm blessed to have solid people in both areas standing behind me and pushing me constantly – its really the driving force that keeps me going – seeing how many other people are involved in what i'm doing and how much they really believe in it.
 
Tell us your best experience in the music industry so far?
 
Thats a tough one – i've opened for artists like Bone Thugs, Lloyd Banks, Joe Budden, Pusha-T, etc. and meeting them and talking to them about the industry has been very eye-opening for me; but above that i think the best experience ive had has been my growth.  I'm thankful for all the connections i've made and i have bonds now that will last me a lifetime.
 
Whats the newest single you just dropped? 
 
I just dropped "I'm Winning" and i have a video that is set to drop later this month called "Let It All Go".  They are all in rotation on DMVLIFEradio.com 
 
Do you have an album in the works?
 
I absolutely do – it's going to be the epitome of all the hard work i've put in so far and the bridge between the Bay and VA. Its called E.P.I.C [Every Piece I Create] and i'm hoping to drop it in the summertime. 
 
Anybody in the industry who you are interested in working with?
 
I would love to work with Lupe Fiasco.  I think he is one of the few big names in Hip Hop that has held onto the idea of "Artist Integrity".
 
Besides that it would be dope to work with Styles P, Nipsey Hussle, J.Cole or Maino – they're dope.
 
Where can people find you? ( Social Media )
 
www.facebook.com/ALIKULTURE
www.twitter.com/MRKULTURE
www.instagram.com/MRKULTURE
www.soundcloud.com/MRKULTURE
www.reverbnation.com/ALIKULTURE
 
Last Project Link: http://www.datpiff.com/Ali-Kulture-The-Long-Road-Ahead-mixtape.515716.html
 
Just youtube or google the name: ALI KULTURE
 
What separates you from every other up-and-coming rapper?
 
I think the key aspect that separates me from every other up and coming rapper is content and background.  I'm rooted to the struggle – whether you talk about single parent households in America – low income or what its like to be a muslim in the world today.  
 
What separates me is my choices – i never let the situation i was in define me.  I was taught to defy every odd because at the end of the day this is the land of opportunity, there are opportunities here that i would never have in my home country of Pakistan. Through it all i did something not many rappers do – i got an education.  Then i went back and educated myself more – i have an Undergraduate degree and a Masters degree in Business. Everything i did was on my own two feet, i've never gotten a handout in my life – i'm thankful for it and i am the definition of self-made. 
 
I am the American Dream.

In an age where musical artist rely on gimmicks and elementary hooks to sale records, and the thought of having pure talent to entertain an audience is obsolete, here comes an audible breath of fresh air sure to quench your thirst for a singer, songwriter and producer that will seep into your soul…“J-Stylz’. J-Stylz is the future face of R&B/Pop set to raise the bar and change the industry standard for R&B/Pop Music for years to come. J-Stylz was born the last child of 3 female siblings to Arvella & Sherman Tisdale Sr. in Chattanooga Tennessee. J-Stylz’s love for music was recognized by his mother when she noticed the only way 3 year old J-Stylz would remember his telephone number and address is when she sung it to him in the form of a song. By the age of 6 J-Stylz had a love for music although it could not compete with his love for football but his favorite sport had to take a back seat. His parents looked at his vocal ability as a gift so they forced him to join the church choir to show his appreciation to the creator for his musical talent. Being raise in the Baptist church J-Stylz was not allowed to listen to secular music, but his parents knew by singing his praises to God in the church choir would sharpen his vocal ability. J-Stylz’s father moved the family to Charlotte NC when J-Stylz turned 6 in search for a higher quality of life despite the fear of losing his only son to the streets, but by age 10 J-Stylz did the opposite and began playing the piano and drums for “Nations Ford Baptist Church”. At age15 J-Stylz decided to following in the footsteps of his parents who met singing in a gospel group and began singing in several gospel groups around Charlotte. After making a name for him in the local gospel circuit J-Stylz began searching for ways to improve on his sound when he realized that his knowledge of secular music was missing. J-Stylz introduction to secular music came after hearing Tony Thomson on the radio which created a whole new appreciation for music. He quickly gravitated toward a young singer by the Name of Wanye’ of the Philadelphia based group “Boyz 2 Men” who today he still credits as being his biggest influence to date. J-Stylz also began listening to the works of Michael Jackson, Prince, Brian McKnight, Steve Wonder and Elvis Presley. After the tragic loss of his older sister Yolanda, J-Stylz decided to pursue a serious career singing R&B and ended up in Virginia auditioning in front of Teddy Riley to be a part of the second edition of Blackstreet. Teddy quickly took a liking to Stylz and decided to give him the name J-Stylz because of the way he adjusted his singing style to every song, but due to Teddy being called to work on the Michael Jackson album the projects was put on the back burner. After several years of writing songs for national artist such as, Slim of 112, and Bobby Jones along with producing and singing hooks for up and coming music greats, J-Stylz was summoned by Teddy Riley to finish what they started a few years earlier in V.A. J-Stylz became a part of the infamous Blackstreet and toured the United States and over seas, such as Japan, London, Australia performing along side of Marc Middleton, Eric Williams and Teddy Riley for the first year. The following year J-Stylz took to the stage with Teddy, Chauncey and Quinn. While touring J-Stylz learned from his mentor Teddy Riley and created his own production company “PowerPLUG(MG)- Music Group” in which he uses to assist up and coming artist to develop there sound and prepare them for a career in the music industry. J-Stylz collaborated with Teddy Riley to write and produce the first single for the Japanese based group “Full Of Harmony” who debuted in the top 20 of the pop charts in there native home of Japan. J-Stylz also plans to release his first solo LP ”My Side of the Story” under his PowerPLUG(MG) imprint. Armed with the Lyrical word play equivalent to Jay-Z, the swagger of 2010 Wayne, and the high vocal range of Stevie Wonder, J-Stylz is destined to be a house hold name.

A fabulous remix opportunity from BugCoder Records comes to a close, check out https://soundcloud.com/groups/bugcoder-records-remix-contest and listen to the other remixes!!

Another release out on K.Pro Productions... remix of Patria o Muerte by DJ.Nece - Look for it on Beatport!!

BIG THANKS to K.Productions records for including my remix on Taisouegao's Subway EP, and for putting two of my remixes on Giuliano Trevisan's latest release (July 2013), Heartache!! Be sure to check it out on Beatport...some serious progressive tech house to be had from this fine label!!

Ahh yeah!! 4/20 once again...2013 Chillin this fine EarthDay in Oaksterdam rockin out to Fish Stix (SF), R3M, and some of the bay's finest UG Jungle/Ragga hard hitters!!! Thanks Hatter for a fabulous evening!!

Happy B-Day Dr Spook! LaboRave September 2, 2012 is a night to remember...Massive sets by Aleks A-10, Sychosis, Ocho, and Michael Liu!!!

Big shout out to the Primitive Science Crew, 8 year anniversary party was rockin it! June 2, 2012 is a night to remember...crazy sets by Ernie, Sychosis, Doza and Carlos!!

Thanks Nichole for an awesome 420 (happy birthday Jesse!) campout in Big Sur, CA...3 hour set featuring many Soundcloud exclusive downloaded tracks! 4/20/2012...

Amazing night Feb 3 2012! Massive lineup from the bay's psy scene: Michael Liu, Mubz, Saucy, DrMindbender... thanks Jay for organizing!

Big thanks to Primitive Science! gotta love the East Bay warehouse scene...Dec 2, 2011

Thank you thank you thank you to Michael Liu and Sunkissed crew...awesome time at the park, nice beats and bbq! Aug 20 2011 will be remembered forever... 

Big thanks to Jay (SSP, SF) and the Big Gay Warehouse for a rockin party July 9, 2011... 

DrMindbender was hooked on techno on a cold winter morning in 1994...from the first night Romper Room spit him out onto the sidewalk on Market street at 6am... 
Having "grown up" amongst Legendary San Diego DJs like Jon E Thin, Paolo, Mark E Quark, G.Maxim, Alien Tom, Jef Scott and Steve Pagan, B-Side, Merlyn... Visited by some of Los Angeles' and San Francisco's best underground DJs like DJ Dan, Christopher Lawrence, Xavier, Thee-O, Ron D Core, Garth, Thomas, and many others...it didn't take long for a tenderfoot raver to find enough of his own vinyl to become DrMindbender... 
Thanks to Equinox Records, Elevator Records, and United Records, DrMindbender percolated in the deepest House, Techno, and Trance the scene could offer... 
Teaming up with DJ Device, Energy Quotient was born and after a run of underground gatherings from '98 to '99 from the SD metro area to the Borrego desert with DJs including Christoper Lawrence, Brownie, Brad and Ben Annand, DrMindbender turned to producing tracks... 
In 2004 David Gates moved to the San Francisco bay area to re-invent his music, expand the horizon of opportunities, and most importantly, start his family with beloved wife Adrienne. Together, David and Adrienne created Golden Gate Sound and began building a platform to bring light and joy to people everywhere... 
Having shared the decks with some of San Francisco's revered DJs like M3, Jeno, Solar, DJ Adnan, Michael Liu, Harry Who, Alland Byallo, David Gates and Golden Gate Sound are set to help elevate human conciousness to the next level!

This duo from the west end of Toronto has be known to bring the party anywhere they go. Their infectious personalities, witty one liners and energetic charisma are not only showcased in person but also in their music. With topics that range from being broke and spending your last for a good memory to adventures with women and the journey of fatherhood. OSIYM which stands for Out of Sight, In Your Mind set out to make music that you will remember long after they are gone with their unique but relatable topics and their uncanny songwriting abilities.

Check Out My Website For Beats To Purchase & Newest Music To Hear 

Go To http://www.antoinetheicon.com/

God First! 
INFINITY FLOWERS OUT NOW!!
 A 19 year old whose working hard for his dream..

Rio Sentrez is following