LV Jay Lives with No Regrets!

Meet  LV Jay an artist from Miami, Florida who refuses to live in regret. LV plans to take on his passion to another level and pursue his dreams as an artist and entrepreneur. V-Henny had the pleasure of interviewing him on his process and what he’s been currently working on.

V-Henny: Who inspired you to make music? 
LV Jay: As far as who inspired me I would say Lil Wayne  inspired me to make music because he is so versatile and can do a lot and that’s something I strive for in my music myself. My twin brother had introduced me to Lil Wayne music back when we were in middle school. I used to walk around with all his tapes downloaded on my PSP and It was over from then.

V-Henny: What age did you start writing and recording music?
 LV Jay: I actually started writing music at the age of 24 but at first I used to just freestyle with my friends and I eventually made my first track . Most of the time I would go off the flow of the beat & how I’m feeling at the time. But now I actually write my songs out. 

V-Henny: What made you want to become a player in the music industry?
LV Jay: What made me wanna become an artist is the freedom of expression they have and music is something that could help me talk to others that may be going through the same thing I’m going through in life . 

V-Henny: What is your goal with being an owner of a label?
LV Jay: My goal is to have my label big like QC one day and build a label with family vibes that’s very important to me . 

V-Henny: Looking back then to where you’re at now, give me a moment that made an impact within your music career. 
LV Jay: What made an impact on my music from back then to now is seeing my friend Yung JD go so hard and seeing other artists from Florida go hard in the rap game. They make me want it more and become a better artist myself.   

V-Henny: Has it been a smooth road for you as an artist? 
LV Jay: No it hasn’t been a smooth road as an artist because I’m an independent artist and you have to be organized in order to compete with other artists that are actually signed to these big labels . But to be real I Love the grind and the hustle that come with the music industry. 

V-Henny: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
LV Jay: If it wasn’t for music I’ll be going to school getting a masters degree or owning a business if I wasn’t focused on my music career . 

V-Henny: What were some of the steps you had to take to get to where you’re at in your career?
LV Jay: The steps I had to take was to find out what kind of artist I am and what kind of music I wanna make . Then after I discovered that I just started working on songs and investing in myself also started networking within the music industry. 

V-Henny: What projects are you presently working on?  
LV Jay: I’m working on a mixtape that I’m making with Yung JD right now. It’s going well so far and will be a hard tape. The tape will have 10 tracks on it. 

V-Henny: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
LV Jay: I would like to work with Lil Wayne , Future , DMX , Lil Durk, No Cap , Lil Baby , Polo G , Lil Tjay and Drake and many women artists like Summer Walker and Cardi B. 

V-Henny: Other notables you have worked with?  
LV Jay: Other nobles I have worked with was an artist named Saintlee. She has a great voice and we made a track called “Right from wrong” . It’s on my EP “I Jay You” which is on all platforms. 

V-Henny: What’s your ultimate goal within your artistry ?   
LV Jay: My goal is to become a gold artist first and then a platinum artist next. I wanna be the next big thing out of Florida .  

V-Henny: What is one message you would give to your fans? 
LV Jay: The message I wanna give people that listen to my music is a point of view of my life and also a positive message to grind and go get it no matter what challenges you may face. 


V-Henny: What is the best advice you’ve been given to pursue your goal as an artist and a label owner?
LV Jay: The best advice I got as an artist and a label owner is you go get out what you put in with this music game. Meaning the more I work the more progression I’ll see and if I don’t work on my craft you won’t see much change. 

V-Henny: Is there anything else you would like the world to know about you?
LV Jay:  I would like the world to know that I’m going to be the next big artist coming out of Florida. 

You can find more of LV Jay’s work on

https://linktr.ee/lv_jay

Meet The Other Shade

The Other Shade is a multifaceted artist in which he is known to be a talented R&B singer, a producer and owner of his own clothing brand. Pushing his artistry to become a notable powerhouse, the Virginia native is making a name for himself as he set the tone throughout the industry. Pyro Da Arsonist had the pleasure of interviewing him as you learn more on who is The Other Shade.

Pyro Da Arsonist: Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what do you do and where you are from.

T.O.S: Thank you for having me, I’m an R&B artist named T.O.S. Also known as The Other Shade. I own a clothing company called KALIFRAGALISTIC, and I also produce beats for movies and musical artists of different acclaimed levels.

Home used to be Fairfax, Virginia, in my early life I moved around different areas in the same county till I came to college in Morgantown at WVU.

Pyro Da Arsonist: Why did you choose The Other Shade as your stage name?

T.O.S: I remember I was making my first Instagram account in the middle of 7th grade and I wanted to make a name no one will think of but that represents me. To me the other shade offers colors and the shade between the lights of things. Basically I’m just always the other aspect.

Pyro Da Arsonist: What or who inspired you to become an artist?

T.O.S: Big L, Rick James, The Weeknd, Tupac, and Nas were the biggest influences when it comes to greats in music. I had two close friends that passed at the beginning and the end of 2020, those two were my most physical influences which is what pushed me to be the no look back artist I am today.

Pyro Da Arsonist: How would you describe yourself as an artist and describe your sound?

T.O.S: As an artist I see myself as very detailed and extremely personable. It’s always been hard to show my emotions but I found the easiest way to express is through music because I can only judge myself. The sound that comes out is very cinematic and has been compared to films more than day to day music.

Pyro Da Arsonist: What project are you currently working on and what kind of feedback have you received from your current single?

T.O.S: So I’m working on my studio album called  “D’evils of beauty” that I’m recording at IMI studios throughout the month of April. My current single “All in Ones” will debut and mark the first release of the project. After submitting to music reviewers I’ve had nothing but positive feedback, the most negative comment was a better mix-down which IMI studios will undoubtedly take care of in April.

Pyro Da Arsonist: What is one of your most memorable performances and why?

T.O.S: I would say my very first one at 123 pleasant St. in Morgantown. It was a beat battle and we had a whole promo and everything for the area. It was my first taste of the life I always felt needed me.

Pyro Da Arsonist: Have you ever had a bad performance and if so how do you move past it without letting it affect your confidence?

T.O.S: My second beat battle had more of a randomness to it, my competitor had lost their father just a few days before so it kind of dulled the atmosphere. I noticed I felt sympathetic but I realized no matter what music is music and pushed forward.

Pyro Da Arsonist: In this age of social media what do you feel is more important in an artists success, talent, number of followers or an investor?

T.O.S: In this age I would say investors for sure, money makes the world work that much faster for you. Social media makes chances more available for the everyday artist but no matter what money comes into play at some point.

Pyro Da Arsonist: What words of wisdom would you give to those who want to start a career in music?
T.O.S: My best advice would be that if it’s been your gut feeling over multiple years and you keep ignoring it? Don’t. That’s how history gets lost. Those artist with a natural tug to them are the ones to watch out the most for because they’re usually behind the scenes till they realize they are the scene.

Thank you for sitting down with The Artistry and we wish you lots of success in all you do.

Follow T.O.S on all Social Media

Meet Sasha Melo

Sasha Melo is an American recording artist, performer and creative from Brooklyn, NY. with a sound packed full of drums, clever lines and a New York spirit. Sasha Melo embarks on a music journey familiar yet uncharted read more below as you learn who is Sasha Melo.

V-Henny: Who inspired you to make music? 

Sasha Melo: To make music & pursue a career in it, my cousin, Worldwiide inspired me. I’d say Aaliyah & Drake as the artists who inspired my approach to the craft & industry of music. Aaliyah showed me whatever your style is, be true to it. Do what you must but add your flavor to make it alright. With Drake’s early music I was introduced to an artist who was emotionally connecting & reflecting on experiences that I also was able to resonate with in a sonically different way. It showed me, another example of how music could transcend through tough feelings & experiences. 

V-Henny: What age did you start writing and recording music?

Sasha Melo: I wrote my first rap when I was 8 in third grade. No beat, acapella & it was the hardest rap ever. I don’t remember the words but there was a vibe there. I first recorded music like songform with Worldwide when I was 15. 

V-Henny: What made you want to become a player in the music industry?

Sasha Melo: My love for performing is what drives me. Growing up, my uncle would play music almost everyday in the house. Different genres, but mostly dancehall, hip hop & rap. He & I would come up with dance routines for me to perform to whatever song was hot in the moment. I wanted to rap the raps, dance the routines & sing. I wanted to do all of it. As I got older, my relationship with music just kept growing deeper. & we’re here now. 

V-Henny: Looking back then to where you’re at now, give me a moment that made an impact within your music career. 

Sasha Melo: Meeting and working with my mentor Jhai Signature, may he Rest In Peace. From our first meeting until our last conversations, he was always an encouraging force. Reminding me to trust my instincts, see the potential in myself as an artist, writer & creative. He came in my life right when I needed guidance, right on time. Helping me to tap in to my talent & channel it “correctly”. It wasn’t easy because he never let up on me, always challenging me to be better than my last take. It was pressure then but it’s the discipline that’s paying off now. I miss him a lot though. Especially after a new music accomplishment but I’m grateful for our time together. 

V-Henny: Has it been a smooth road for you as an artist? 

Sasha Melo: It hasn’t been a smooth road at all & I’m not where my destination is but, the journey I’m on is lit though. 

V-Henny: What were some of the steps you had to take to get to where you’re at in your career?

Sasha Melo: In the middle of a pandemic, my step 1 was to realize who really runs shit concerning me, & it was me. Everything else is out of my control therefore out of my worry zone. My Step 2 was to figure out what to do with the truth of  Step 1. Step 3 was to apply Step 2 & make it work. 

V-Henny: Has the pandemic affected your career? If so, how?

Sasha Melo: The pandemic halted me on one journey in a separate profession & sat me down in stillness. In that stillness I was able to mourn, heal, purge, cleanse, create & begin a new journey, completely different path. Really able to tap back into self which at the time when the pandemic hit was needed. As scary as the unknown was, everything coming to stillness was a reset button I needed.

V-Henny: What projects are you presently working on?  

Sasha Melo: My new single Lionheart is on the way. Near the end of March. Something for the people. A song I hold close to my heart about self courage, an ode to cycles of change & rebirth but heavy on the turn up. I also just finished recording some tracks for my mixtape too. Soon come. 

V-Henny: Other notables you have worked with?  

Sasha Melo: My debut single “Choosy” has gotten some airplay on HOT 97 by Dj Drewski & The New Movement, in addition to Desert Storm Radio via The Last Take podcast. I’ve also performed in the Grind or Starve Showcase and will be performing there March 20th. Pop out. 

V-Henny: Ultimate goal within your artistry ?   

Sasha Melo: My goal is to leave a great entertainer’s legacy behind when I’m finished. To be the best Sasha Melo in the spot. To be able to say I helped pay it forward for the next generation of creatives. When you think of Sasha Melo I want you to get hype, get lit & want to make the most of every moment. 

V-Henny: What is one message you would give to your fans? 

Sasha Melo: To my day one OG fans, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for spending your time on me & supporting me. Dancing, engaging with me at the shows. Being amazing crowds, I humbly appreciate it. Thank you for the streams, the reactions. All of it. To the fans on their way, you right on time, wassup widdit ? Tap in with me. 

V-Henny: Is there anything else you would like the world to know about you?

Sasha Melo: World, we soon come. 

Check out her latest music video “Choosy”

Follow Sasha Melo

https://www.facebook.com/melothemagnificent

https://instagram.com/melothemagnificent

The Artistry Performance Clip: JayR Dion Ep 128

Catch JayR Dion perform “Been on some Shxt lately “

Watch the full interview as JayR opens up about his latest album “Seen it all”, his writing process, his journey from his roots as a kid fro the Bronx to the Jazzy sound out in Ohio. JayR also performs his song “Been on some shxt lately” off his project.