Tekh Togo ft Willie the Kid!! Special Feature

Ladies: YOU aren't married and it is YOUR fault!!

What's good fam??  Did I get your attention ladies??  I've been asking for a few ideas to help round out our entries.  So from time to time we will bring you something off our beaten path.  Again, we encompass EVERYTHING that is associated with living the GoodLife.  This entry will be designed hopefully to spark a healthy, thought provoking debate, and the opinions in this entry are that solely of  DeAndre Lee Thrash.  Feel free to leave comment and respond.

As my 29th Birthday approaches, just as any other birthday I began to reflect on the years I've been blessed to still be here.  I also think about where I'm at in life, along with where I thought I would be in life.  Not ever in any of these years has marriage been something I ever thought about as seriously as I am now.  Don't panic, not getting married anytime soon!!  But why not??  I'm about at that age right??  Either way I guess I'm kind of curious.

I then began to ask myself why are there so many single, sucessful, beautiful women around that are not only not married, but not in a relationship that could produce marriage anytime soon.  Always the bridesmaid and never the bride.  Why do you think that is??  I have an take on it, and I feel a lot of you can only blame yourself to an extent. 

Or you can blame Destiny's Child, Whitney Houston, Terry McMillian, and all those other "I'm Independent, I don't need a man" type of message senders.  Those songs, books, and movies I believe have set a lot of women up for failure.  Don't get me wrong, I love a woman that has got her own handled nicely, but I believe that the concept of "Independent Strong Woman" has gotten slightly out of hand.  There are certain arenas where this attitude can be acceptable, but your love life shouldn't be one of them. A man IS needed for comfort and companionship.  You both should be there to make the value of each other's lives better.  To posture like your life will be just fine without us is well...ridiculous!!

Truth is there are many, many men out here that you could share your life with. Men with plenty to bring to the table, and will equally share your vision of happiness.  The question is are you seeing them??  What are YOU really looking for in a man??  What makes him marriage material??  Dateable even??  I have a feeling that many of the things you are looking for has absolutely no value in the big scheme of things.  Money is important, but where is your cutoff point??  Attractiveness is important too, but I'm sorry everybody doesn't look like Morris Chestnut or Matthew McCantputashirton.  What do YOU look like???

Now by no means am I saying those things aren't important ladies.  I also don't want you to think that you need to take care of a dude that looks like Tracy Morgan and hasn't a penny to his name.  What I am saying is that I believe these lofty standards you put yourselves to and the "all or nothing cuz I'm independent" attitude really helps finding the RIGHT man difficult.  You wanting flawless is a bit illogical, seeing that you have flaws yourself.  Your unwillingness to bend from your futile formula has you in the position you find yourself in now.  Why can't you be ok with a man that is just as human as you are???

I'm wrong right?  Ok, you have a few male friends that have tried to holler, but you didn't really give them the time of day because they didn't fit into your criteria??  You still became good friends because you had so much in common. Over the years you guys have seen each other grow up and now he is a great father and partner to some other woman who doesn't appreciate him nor have the connection you guys used to have. You may have missed your blessing.

You could be the one who held out for that certain fit, and gave up.  Maybe got tricked by a guy into thinking he was the one and now you are the second baby mama for the year.  Not your fault, but what are you looking for??  Where are your standards??  Too High??  Too Low??  Are you accepting more than you thought you would ever deal with because you are now afraid of being alone??

This began as a random thought, and a conversation with a dear friend.  She then turned it on me and asked why I never got married, or why am I not in a relationship with potential??  Well that's a complex answer I had do give her.  I don't know why I wasn't married before, seeing how I was in a 8+ year relationship, what kept me from actually getting married.  Age possibly, the idea of losing my freedom eventhough I didn't quite have it anyway.  Something to think about I guess.  Why no relationship at this point yet??  Am I really as open to finding the RIGHT woman myself, I think so!!  Not really looking, but I'm open to it I think.  Still waiting on Alicia Keys to leave that lame so I can shoot my shot though!!

Truth is there is no right answer, just something to think about.  If you are a career driven woman and there isn't a scenario where marriage fits right now that's fine.  But if you have been looking, you are 27+, this is some things you should be thinking about.  Quit settling on being just the Baby Mama, demand more from the man you are seeing or find the right one.  If you are the so-called Five Star Chick that won't accept a man not pushing a Beamer, Benz, or Bentley, I suggest you quit trying to live a life you see on 106 and Park and realize that there is a little more to consider in the big scheme of things. 

Again, feel free to comment on FB or below right here.  Hope you enjoy, or hate, just be sure to let me know!!  Thank you for your time and continue living the GoodLife fam!!

Drey Thrash

 P.S. I know I opened a big can of worms, but nothing gets done if you are afraid to get your hands dirty!  Enjoy!!

J-Lyrical Is Michigan To The Fullest

We' re baaack with another artist who hails from South Haven Michigan. He goes by the name of J-Lyrical. Now this artist is what we call a lyrical monster. He brings passion to his music and you can hear it in every line when he spits. Raw is another word we can use to describe this talented artist, but I can go on all day using words to describe him, but lets see what he had to say to goodlifecampaign when we sat down with him for an exclusive interview.


GLC: So J-Lyrical tell us how you got your name?

J-Lyrical: I started rapping when I was about 8, my brothers use to call me young lyrical, and of course I didn't signed young or anything but as I progressed into a man it was no more being young about anything, so I converted it over to J-Lyrical, and the whole lyrical came from how young I was being able to put my words together. I had a consistent run on flow, not really a punch line rapper, so you know people was like lil dude lyrical right there, so you know it all just fell into place from there.

GLC: Tell us a little bit about your style and how you got it?

J-Lyrical: I took my style from my brother and i twisted it. You know my brother was real big on hitting off his words, so you know I was like I want to rap just like him but I want to be different, so I started off as a real good story teller. If y'all listen to some of my mixtapes you'll see i got some mean stories on there. Basically it was like a touch of pac but with my own Midwest twist to it, so i wouldn't have the same delivery as everybody else, and that's how that whole thing kicked off like that.

GLC: Who would you say are some of your influences in both the industry and in underground?

J-Lyrical: I have a lot of respect for Ludacris, his versatility is threw the roof. Andre 3000, and I have a huge, huge inspiration from Tupac, you know he didn't punch line rap he just talked straight to you. I got major respect for Diddy, his whole aspect of how he runs his business, cause you know a lot of these guys think that music is forever, its for you to hit it and take your turn and run with it, and then up your lifestyle from there. Underground a got a lot of respect for SelfMade records, and Relentless Way, Chi Boy, and he's a real hard underground rapper, he goes in. On the production side of things you know I got a lot of respect for Dr. Dre, if you ever watch his youtubes you know that he's a perfectionist and i pioneer in the game as well. And also Timbaland, his creativity is threw the roof.

GLC: Where do you see yourself going with your music?

J-Lyrical: What Ima do with my music is make feel good music for the world. I'm giving it two more years you know before I really start popping off on these charts. I got a lot of love in Germany right now. But I see myself  making a couple number one hit records and then I want to fade off into the movies , clothing, you know all the necessities people need to function in life.

GLC: If you could sign a deal with any label in the game, which label would it be and why?

J-Lyrical: Good Question. If I could sign a deal with anybody right now that would fit me best it would have to be with Luda and DTP. Reason being is he's gone let me hit every aspect that I want, cuz I'm a gangsta slash feel good slash story teller. Then second up I would have to say Kayne's label because those are the categories and the areas I would fit in best.

GLC: Tell us a little bit about your production team and how it is working so close with your family?

J-Lyrical: My production team is Straight Bang Entertainment. Pretty much what it is, is I got my brother Recognize, he does all my semi club tracks, and my feel good music. Then I got my brother Lugzi, he does all my story telling, he gets off into the keys, so we really got the best of both worlds. You know my brother is the bass line king, on top of that he is the hook master, so when we all come together on something its crazy. And then my brother John like the icing, he just lace the whole thing, but if you had to put it in categories you would see my brother Recognize like the bass line, my brother John is the drum and key, and then you know I come in with the lyrics.

GLC: Tell us your top 5 rappers?

J-Lyrical: Tupac, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, T.I., Drake

                                                                                       
GLC: What can people get from and out of your music?

J-Lyrical: I give a little bit of everything. You know when you feeling like life is down you can bump that J-Lyrical, When you feel like everything going great you can bump that J-Lyrical. I started a mixtape and it was called Life, Music, and Lyrics, and i think my music is like life avenues, you know your everyday life things that happen on a everyday basis, you know the things that you thinking and won't say, but you feeling them.

GLC: If you had $25 and you had to get something to eat, drink, and something to listen to, what would they be?

J-Lyrical: You gotta use that 25 dollars for all those? GLC: Yea(lol) J-Lyrical: I mean if you go to the record store with that 25 dollars you know that's gone, but what ima do is go to the store and get that new Ace Hood, then I'ma go to McDonald's and hit up the dollar menu with a couple cheeseburgers, and a Hi C. And with the rest which is like only 4 dollars I'ma go ahead and give it to my lil nephews so they can go hit up the dollar menu too.

GLC: Here at goodlifecampaign we are all about positive energy. Tell us what your definition of a good life is?

J-Lyrical: Man a good life is this. When you doing something that you love to do and your getting paid for it. Its nothing greater than that. I mean is like if you love waking up and you wake up every morning and you get paid for it, who wouldn't love that. I don't feel like nobody should go threw life being miserable and especially without making money.

GLC: As far as underground hip hop is concerned in Michigan, where do you think it is going, and what do you think it needs to work on?

J-Lyrical: Michigan needs to work on originality. We was the originators back in the day you know with Motown and all that, so we really started it, but its like we following. Its not enough leaders, and if the game keep going like that we just gone keep following, and forever stay behind. But I know its some true pioneers out there, and its gone come up. Then another thing that needs to be worked on is SUPPORT, stop hating and show some love.

And another one goodlife. J-Lyrical is on his way y'all. Already having worked with some names in the industry such as Gillie the Kid, J-Lyrical can't and won't be stopped. This young mans drive and determination to make it is like no one we've seen before. Be on the look out for his next mixtape labeled Diamond in the Dirt dropping next month. Check out this video from him and here are some links to his music. Until next time stay in this Campaign for the Good Life.

Links; www.jlyricalmusic.com

Catch him on soundcloud, facebook, myspace, also catch him on itunes next month

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

CHECK OUT COMMON AND NAS. THEY'RE BAAAACCCKK!

DAMN YEEZY AND HOV

                                                                                  

Meet Lauren Delatorre

This Campaign that we are on is really Good.  Here at GLC we want to bring you the best of everything going on in the Midwest, but not only the Midwest but eventually the entire country.  Recently we got a chance to sit down with a beautiful model who's name you will be knowing really soon, because of her hard work and dedication to modeling. Get ready Good Life because we bring to you a supermodel in the making by the name of Lauren Delatorre.


GLC: So where are you from?

Lauren Delatorre: You can say I am from Grand Rapids, MI, but growing up, like four months out of the year I lived in Miami every year because i have family their, so I'm pretty familiar with the city of Miami, but for the most part I'm from Grand Rapids.

GLC: How long have you been modeling?

Lauren Delatorre: I started when i was 14, I was like a freshman in high school. That's when i got my first contract.

GLC: What made you want to pursue modeling?

Lauren Delatorre: I don't know. I get that question a lot, and its kind of hard for me to say. Its just always something i wanted to make a career out of, but just in case it didn't fall threw, that's what i am in college for, but It just appealed to me.

GLC:  Who would you say that you look up to, and who would you say is your favorite model?

Lauren Delatorre: Look up to, I would have to say my dad. I don't really have a favorite model, maybe ummm... it's kind of hard like as far as the urban stuff i would have to say Cubana West or Rosa Acosta, but as far as like fashion I would say Kim Kardashian. I like her style.

GLC: Are you single?

Lauren Delatorre: No I'm not.

                                                                                 
GLC: Do you get a lot of guys trying to talk to you all the time, and if you do how do you handle that?

Lauren Delatorre: I tell them I'm married. I actually have a ring that i bought just so people would leave me alone, but for awhile it was working but now its like guys don't even care, so i gotta come up with something new to say. But usually you tell somebody you're in a relationship or your married or happy and they don't even care, they think that you want to have somebody on the side, but I'm definitely not like that.

GLC: Lets just say you were single. What type of guy do you go for, like whats your type?

Lauren Delatorre: Well I like pretty boys I don't like hood guys at all, I'm just to old for those types now, so i like somebody that's in school and has a job.  I like guys that are really professional and well put together. Seems like only the hood guys try to holla at me.

GLC: Who's your favorite guy entertainer?

Lauren Delatorre: Well I have a couple, Johnnie Depp, Ryan Philipee, Paul Walker

GLC: As far as modeling goes, do you see yourself in the big magazines in the near future and if you could be in any magazine which one would it be?

Lauren Delatorre: Well the industry is really hard for people to get that big break and make it now, so its really hard to say, all i can do is keep trying and keep getting the exposure that i need to get, but right now i love to do it and have it be my career, but if i could be in any magazine, I would really like to be in any high fashion magazine. I tend to only get work for urban modeling. But anyone of the big  high fashion mags would work for me. Just to really get published on a bigger scale.

                                                                                     
GLC: Could you see yourself in the King Magazine?

Lauren Delatorre: I mean to start out yea. I mean i won't do anything degrading. A lot of times like i said im only getting contacted about the urban stuff such as King Magazine. I feel like i kind of have to do that stuff in order to get to where i want to be. Its not my mag of choice but I would do it.

GLC: If everything plays out the way you see it as far as your career, where do you see yourself with modeling at the end of it all?

Lauren Delatorre: I would love for it to be what i live off of, so hopefully that will happen, but outside of modeling I will have a degree shortly, so if it doesn't get to where i want it to go i would still like it to be a side hobby that i do for fun, so at that point Ill probably be more open to do whatever, but either way it goes I'm still going to be modeling whether it be the big stuff or the smaller things. I will definitely have a degree and doing something I like doing if modeling isn't my career. But either way it goes i come out winning.

GLC: If you had $25 and you needed something to drink, eat and listen too what would they be?

Lauren Delatorre: To eat it would have to be my chocolate chip ice cream. And to drink it would be Lambrusco its a red wine, and to listen to, any type of Latin or R&B music.

GLC: So are you Latin?

Lauren Delatorre: I'm half Latin. My dad is black and my mom is Cuban.

GLC: So where you and ya girls going out to, and what you sippin on, and whats your favorite city to party in?

Lauren Delatorre: I'm either going to be going to a Latin bar with my Latin friends, or an urban club a place that plays r&b. I'm drinking on corona when i go out, and the best city to party in would  have to be Miami.

GLC: So being a model and a mother how do you handle both?

Lauren Delatorre: Well its kind of a struggle because being a mom theres somethings that i will absolutely will not do, if i wasn't a mom i would probably be more open to do certain things, but i do have to maintain that image for my daughter so that when she gets older she wont question anything that I've done. Obviously being a mom is really important to me and modeling too, so i laid down my boundaries awhile ago as far as what i will and wont do, so its not really too much of an issue because ill just tell people up front i will or i wont do this. it works out.

GLC: Can we catch you in any fashion show here in the future, and where can the people go to see your pics?

Lauren Delatorre: I just did a shoot for a magazine for 2012 ill be the month of October so that's coming up.  Its for a motorcycle club in Grand Rapids. I'm probably going to be doing some music videos for La The Darkman soon. I might be doing a fashion shoot pretty soon too.

GLC: So do you see yourself as a walking business?

Lauren Delatorre: I do. I actually get a lot of referrals and job offers from my facebook and and my model mayhem page. I always get a lot of offers to do things I've never done before such as movies and videos and things like that, so yea I would call myself a walking business.

GLC: What is your definition of a Good Life?

Lauren Delatorre: Having a sense of accomplishment, self fulfillment. I feel like a lot of people just strive to satisfy people around them instead of focusing on what they want for themselves.  I feel like as long as you are satisfied with yourself and you accomplish things then that's the good life.

Good Lifers this beautiful woman is on a road to success. Thanks for checking out the campaign stay tuned for more of the GOOD LIFE CAMPAIGN, and stay tuned in to Ms. Delatorre. Hit her up on facebook and check her out on model mayhem.

                                                                             

Livin' The GoodLife@ Teazer's BattleMania

Lovin' this GoodLife shit fam!!  Hope y'all are doing the same.  If this is your first time at our site thank you for your support.  Become a member and be on the lookout for more reviews and interviews.  We are committed to highlighting local and underground artists, nightlife destinations, and giving the latest in fashion trends to help you and yours stay in line with this GoodLife movement. 

Back to the subject at hand, BattleMania II @ Teazer's Bar on Tuesdays is a PRIORITY.  I actually went last week to check out my guy MC Lil Mack spin.  He has been holding down local hip hop in the area for awhile and giving artists a platform to display their talents.  One of my first performances ever was @ Teazers with Lil Mack hosting on Tuesday's.  The atmosphere is something any fan of hip hop, casual to true hip hop head, can enjoy to the fullest.  Great energy, great crowd and something we all like, great drink specials.  That same great vibe, with a few new additions, has made BattleMania @ Teazer's a can't miss!!

Battlemania II has MC Lil Mack on the wheels bringing you the hottest tracks and club bangers in between the live performances.  Each individual artist or group performs 2-3 original tracks.  There can be about 4 to 5 different groups during the night.  After the performances is the actual freestyle battles.  The artists are battling not only for respect, but great prizes including studio edition Beats By Dre headphones and a Video Shoot for their single of choice.  Any artist that feels they have enough skills to take home the prize and the title, all you have to do is bump into the right guy and tell him you want in.

That guy would be Anthony "Ant" Lazar, the host of BattleMania.  Ant's credibility as an artist(Goggle if you need) and true love for this thing we call hip hop helps bring the necessary formula to help make these battles and performances a crowd pleaser.  Dude's energy and charisma is enough to make Mekhi Phifer look tame in 8 Mile.  That element makes the whole atmoshpere so much more hype and exciting.  Also not even knowing this man well, you can tell he is a TRUE hustla by birth, which REAL hustlas alike can love and respect.  Anybody coming in with a TTMG shirt gets into the battle for free.  TTMG is Ant's music company, I'll give you a link to check that out!!  Must add that the shirts look more than right on the females!!!

To be honest you would be hard pressed to find much better entertainment any day of the week in Grand Rapids.  Ant and Lil Mack have a real good look on their hands.  Give these guys a mic and some wheels in a MCDonald's parking lot and I'm sure they would pack that thang out!  I have never seen so many women, beautiful women I may add, at a rap battle.  Reason being is that it is more than just a rap battle. Any and EVERYBODY that comes out will enjoy themselves to the fullest.  My ONLY negative is that I caught this 8 week battle series kinda late.  There are three weeks left and each week so far has been better than the last.
There are $1 raffles for bottles at least twice a night.  Big bottles of Grey Goose, Moet, or whatever the host decides he wants to giveaway!!  Adding that the cover is only $3, there is no reason not to be there next week. 

Below are a few links y'all should check out.  Also a few videos and pics of the live battles!!  Enjoy Fam and continue Livin' this GoodLife!! See y'all Tuesday!!!

Drey Thrash

http://www.reverbnation.com/antttmg
http://www.youtube.com/ttmgtv
http://www.soundcloud.com/mclilmack

video from battle
 http://www.facebook.com/antttmg?ref=ts#!/video/video.php?v=114693951962022&comments&set=t.100000650658745&type=1

Anybody interested in performing or entering the battle hit this link:
http://www.facebook.com/antttmg

INTRODUCING BOODA BLAOU FROM THE CHI

..

What up Good Lifers! As you heard we are going to be bringing you a lot of underground talent throughout the Midwest. We just recently got a chance to sit down and chop it up with a phenomenal hip hop artist named Booda Blaou from Chicago. We call Booda HIP HOP. Check out what he had to say when glc sat down with him.

GLC: So Mr. Booda Blaou! Where does the name come from?

Booda Blaou: Well i had got the name first because i use to smoke a lot, and i still do. So cats start calling me Booda. Then the more i started getting into cultural knowledge reading things concerning spirituality, I learned more about Buddhism. Not necessarily Buddhism specifically but just spirituality in general  and the meaning of that name.

GLC:What first got you interested in making your own hip hop, and who were your influences?

Booda: Well back at the time in like 95 we was listening to a lot of Wu Tang.  Wu Tang had the game as far as me and my fam was concerned. Just listening to the Wu Tang records, my boy came up with the idea to start rapping, and writing rhymes, and we started doing it. You know we was able to use our imagination and it was a cool and creative way to express what was on our mind, and we just kinda grew with it.
GLC: Tell us about the emphasis Chicago has had on your music?

Booda: Well the reality of my music, Chicago is the reality of my music because I'm rooted in Chicago. The images it gave me of struggles, triumphs and the streets. Chicago is more in my expression of life than my music

GLC: How do you separate yourself from other artist?

Booda: You know the music that I do is just different. You know I have my own style. Its unique. I can't really locate or find one specific thing that I do different than other artist or what makes its sound different from other artist, I can't tell you. I know that it does, and I'm satisfied with that.

GLC: What are your thoughts on the current state of hip hop?

Booda: I think its more underground than its ever been. I see a lot of heads not knowing about new projects (commercial projects) than I did when I was younger. Its more focused on exposure. And the business is more focused on commercial. I like where its at for the fact that its giving a lot of underground artist exposure threw the people. You got traditional hip hop and mainstream hip hop. this is as general as i can break down my opinion or my outlook on hip hop. On the mainstream side if you got that promotion and if you got those catchy type of sounds and songs that people are responding to nowadays that's whats going to put you on top. You don't necessarily have to be talented you know in my frame of reference nowadays its more about the presentation. But on a traditional tip, its about the talent and also the promotion you know and the grind, and the quality of your music is carrying you more on a traditional tip than on a mainstream tip. Mainstream is more about appearance and presentation.

GLC: Lets say you got $25 and you need to get something to drink, eat, and something to listen to. What would it be?

Booda: Wow (lol). Eat, drink and listen to. Well I'd grab me some neck bones. I'd grab me some peach tea from the local book store, And to listen to I would grab some dope ass old school soul, you know 60's, 70's type of shit. I listen to that stuff more than hip hop. honestly.

GLC: Some old school soul like what?

Booda: Like some Lost Generation. 

GLC: If you could work with any artist who would it be?

Booda: Locally I would work with my man Dr. Who from the blunt crew. And mainstream it would be Mad Lib

GLC: Whats your definition of traditional hip hop?

Booda: Traditional hip hop to me is based on lyrical skill with imagination, charisma, style with some substance to it. Something that people can relate to, you know whether its positive or negative. Hip hop is about life and what people go threw. Hip hop is not about selling people dream or tunnel vision into a material world. Hip hop is a very influential type of music. Traditional hip hop is more use of the music than what you see in mainstream. Traditional hip hop is Dizzy Gillespie and mainstream is Kenny G.

GLC: What are your favorite 5 albums of all time?

Booda: Biggie Ready to Die, Busta Rhymes The Coming, Nas Illmatic, Pete Rock Soul Survivor, Tupac 7 day Theory

GLC: What is your ultimate goal at the end of your hip hop career?

Booda: Just to be able to continuously express myself threw music, and have it as another stream of income.

GLC: Where can the people go to listen to your music.

Booda: Reverbnation, Soundcloud, in September you can catch me on itunes with my project called Diamond Neckbones.

GLC: Any advice for the up and coming?

Booda: Be original, and give the people something that they can eat on. Whether its positive or negative give them something they can eat on and give them some type of nourishment, and i would say always try to keep as much as an independent control over your career as you possibly can.

 Links For Booda Blaou:
www.reverbnation.com/#!boodablaou
http://soundcloud.comsearch?q%5Bfulltext%5D=Booda+Blaou

search Booda Blaou on www.youtube.com also