The PUB Report

In the world of entertainment few people have the pedigree needed to be a multi-media artist like Draft. Born in Chicago, Draft was raised by a family of music aficionados and nurtured on the sweet sounds of the city. Born Alfredrick King Slater Jr., Draft was raised primarily by his dad, aunt and late grandmother. Surrounded by cousins, aunts and friends, Draft began to develop his love for music. Exposed to everything from blues, jazz, rhythm & blues and all forms of rap, Draft began to try his hand at writing. By studying artists such as: Rakim, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas, Draft began to tighten up his game. He also began to read as much as he possibly could. Remembering the lessons taught to him by his uncle (a successful entertainment entrepreneur) Draft knew the more knowledge he had, the more he could write about. Having gotten his writing game tight Draft felt there was still something missing in his technique. Little did he know he was about to find out.

Finding a new edge to his writing Draft was able to put his pain, joy and love into his words. As he began to grow as a superb lyricist, he now faced the most life-altering experience to date. On October 13, 2006, Draft’s mother, Venus Jones, passed away.

At this point, Draft felt completely lost and abandoned; his focus on music totally diminished. Inspired by a close family members Christmas card which expressed the term of endearment, “Don’t Ever Give up on Your Dreams”, was the motivational force that Draft needed to regain focus. Draft the artist was now officially born. Emerging back on the scene Draft began devouring the competition on every stage he stepped on. Turning heads in the music industry and having perfected his game, he was now ready to make his mark in Hip Hop. Always on the sidelines, supporting and inspiring Draft with music to rock on, in 2008 with F Records fully equipped, F.R.E.A.K immediately signed Draft as his Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist.

ABOUT F.R.E.A.K.

Dean “F.R.E.A.K” Farmer (RIAA® Certified Multi Platinum Producer) is an American record producer/multi-instrumentalist/artist born in Chicago, Illinois and currently lives in New York. He has sold over 37 million albums as a producer. He is well known for producing 50 Cent’s smash single “Amusement Park” with Dangerous LLC and Silence from the “Curtis” album. Recently, he contributed his guitar talents on Jay Z’s song “Say Hello, produced by DJ Toomp for the Billboard #1 album “American Gangster.” F.R.E.A.K which means Forever Reaching Excellence Attaining Knowledge is known for his unique guitar and bass tracks layered with lush Fender Rhodes electric pianos, moog synths, live percussion and horns. He recently launched his new record label, F Records and signed his first artist, Chicago hip hop artist, Draft.

The current music scene is never destitute or in need of a new hip-hop dance, cliché or music movement, however the entertainment industry would be nonexistent if new and innovative, possibilities, languages, and challenges were not developed through new musical talent. Hip-hop is always in search of that new sound and form of distinction and most importantly a female songstress who is not afraid to step outside your traditional “R&B” box and sing lyrics that represent not only the streets, but the ongoing struggle of women around the world. This distinction is found in Slip n Slide Records’ newcomer Shonie.

Life for a woman is anything but easy, that’s why South Bronx, NY native Shonie got an early start in her music career. At the tender age of nine years old, the young singer and her family moved to Miami, Florida and forged ahead towards a new scenery and outlook on life. During Shonie and her families shift to South Florida; her mother recognized her daughters budding vocal talent.

“My mom was heavily involved in the church, so it was only right that I join the church choir. It was at that time that my mom noticed my ability to carry a note. She then began to have me sing in front of different people to see if they would get the same reaction as she had after listening to me sing at church and around the house, and they all had the same response by saying, ‘That girl can SANG!!!’ I had written my first song when I was 9 years old and finally got the chance to record it when my mom arranged for me to go into a real studio.”

Immediately after moving to Miami, the young doe-eyed songstress began her longtime journey as a singer. At the age of 17, Shonie was offered a recording deal with an independent record label in Miami named South Beat Records. It was there she met her manager James Jackson of Slick Salt Entertainment, who released her nationally distributed mixtape hosted by DJ Khaled.

Shonie originally came onto the music scene as a rapper. “I have the gift to be versatile, so I plan on showing both sides.” As any aspiring vocalist/songwriter/rapper would do, Shonie kept her musical goals at hand. To date she has worked with Trina, Flo Rida, B5, Trick Daddy, Cool & Dre and more.

The inventive singer does not mind sharing her thoughts, secrets, or emotions to the world through her music. “I want to touch people all over the world with not only my vocal abilities, but my truth which is birthed through my lyrics. I want to be known as the popular songstress that is respected and successful for my sincerity that is displayed through my music.”

In the journey of this long road we call life, everyone has to have an alternative motive, or great theory. Shonie’s great theories consist of nothing more than making great music or better yet as she identifies it as “bringing the heat non-stop!”

The GRAMMY Foundation® selected 83 talented high school students from 75 cities and 23 states across the United States to participate in the fifth annual GRAMMY Camp® that took place from July 11-19 at the University of Southern California. GRAMMY Camp students worked with GRAMMY-winning and -nominated professionals and industry specialists affiliated with The Recording Academy® and experienced an immersive, interactive and highly collaborative residential summer music camp. GRAMMY Camp was sponsored in part by Epiphone. Financial assistance for GRAMMY Camp was offered to qualified students; this year, a portion of these resources was generously provided by ASCAP, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Fund, and the Ford Motor Company Fund.

Pictured above are Ford Motor Company Fund scholarship recipients (left, 2nd from left and right) Noah Corwick, Endea Owens, and Richard Tandy with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares® President/CEO and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. Students Noah Corwick, Endea Owens and Richard Tandy came from high schools in Phoenix, Detroit and Miami, respectively.
Photograph courtesy of the Recording Academy
Photographed by: Jesse Grant/WireImage.com 2009