Da Famous Boyzz

Brand new song and dance coming straight out of the A via Da Famous Boyzz and choreographer Chris Flo called “Traffic Light”. It’s definitely high energy and workout but looks like it will be a lot of fun once you get the steps down. This old guy might have to work up to a few of them, but you can best believe the time is now to get down with this one because it looks like this song and dance will make the Summer hot!

To pick up a copy of the single “Traffic Light” go here. - Grown Folks Music

Famous Boyzz Help Celebrate Relay For Life - Henry Herald

Teen boy band empowers middle schoolers.... - Clayton Daily Herald

HAMPTON — Local teen sensation Da Famous Boyz will render a special performance at Dutchtown Middle School for a worthy cause Friday.

The group is made of four Dutchtown High School seniors: “FliBoy Ace” Malik Ashley, “Rico Reese” Michael Blecher, “Just Jr.” Branden Barkley and “Dae Dae” David Bishop Jr.

The gentlemen will perform in an effort to help the school celebrate its fourth annual Relay for Life event. They will sing three inspirational songs for their devout fans at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - Henry Daily Herald

HAMPTON — Local teen sensation Da Famous Boyz will render a special performance at Dutchtown Middle School for a worthy cause Friday.

The group is made of four Dutchtown High School seniors: “FliBoy Ace” Malik Ashley, “Rico Reese” Michael Blecher, “Just Jr.” Branden Barkley and “Dae Dae” David Bishop Jr.

The gentlemen will perform in an effort to help the school celebrate its fourth annual Relay for Life event. They will sing three inspirational songs for their devout fans at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - Henry Daily Herald

Da Famous Boyzz Present Stand Out School Of The Year Award to Hampton Middle School & students. - Hampton Middle School

Da Famous Boyzz perform on stage before the introduction of Dikembe Mutumbo at 100 Black Men Youth Conference. - On Common Ground News

A few months back, I had the pleasure of attending the official New York City album release party of the newest group of male teenage superstars of hip hop better known as Da Famous Boyzz. Now, I’ve seen a lot of performances in my lifetime, but I must say that these young men definitely stole my heart and won me over as a fan that night.

With the release of their album, “Private House Party”, Da Famous Boyzz are making noise in their Atlanta hometown and beyond. From songs that give you that early 90s R&B/Hip Hop feel like “Come On” and “Make You Famous” (which is my favorite track on the project) to reggae-inspired records like “Let Me Move You”, this album definitely showcases the versatility of the group. On “Money I Blow”, the group displays their swagger at its highest level. I absolutely love this record. It’s one of those songs that makes you feel like you got “it” even if you don’t! Ha.

From beginning to end you are guaranteed to party all the way through this album. There’s no wonder how the project title “Private House Party” came about. This was an iTunes album purchase I don’t regret and I urge you to do the same. Admission to their “Private House Party” is only $10. Support these young men. #SIHHapproved - Posted by SheIsHipHop

Check out Da Famous Boyzz live television interview on SCBTV Charter Channel 15. - SCBTV Charter Channel 15

Henry County’s branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host a parade and program Jan. 21. “Our grand marshal this year is Da Famous Boyzz,” said Rivers. “They will also perform at the end of our program.”
- South Fulton Neighbor

FOREST PARK — Da Famous Boyzz are giving their fans everything they got.

Da Famous Boyzz left the crowd screaming for an encore at New Vision Christian Church in Forest Park.

They left their audience yelling for more, following a surprise performance at the Fifth annual Feed My People Give Away on Saturday. The rap group turned the New Vision Christian Church parking lot into a stage as they excited the crowd. - Clayton News Daily

McDONOUGH — They flipped through the air, danced all over the stage and at times glided through the audience sending their fans into a frenzy.

#Da Famous Boyzz were polished and smooth as they gave a live performance of “Private House Party,” “I can make you Famous” and other tunes, during the premiere of their ’80s inspired music video, “Come On,” and the launch of their “Don’t Fit In? Stand Out!” Campaign. - Henry Herald

Not having the chance to update Music Historian’s Hear; Don’t Listen at all for the month of June is completely inexcusable on my part. Although I have not published anything in a while, I have not placed writing thoughtful articles about musicians and their work on the back-burner. In fact, I have been exploring an exciting and riveting genres – hip-hop, reggae, and calypso. While I knew about these genres, learning and was very new for me; and I want to share my new experiences with all my readers.

I have interviewed the following artists, Tarrus Riley, Da Famous Boyzz and The Mighty Sparrow for the newspaper, and the weekly voice of the Caribbean American community, New York Carib News. While I applied the same interview techniques for these articles as I did in my previous ones for Music Historian; each of these interviews took me to several new musical territories, almost like a vacation. So, here is a review of my trip so far.

First Stop: Jamaican Jazz and Reggae

My trip starts with a stop at Monty Alexander‘s Birthday Bash, which took place in the Merkin Concert Hall of the Kaufman Center on June 6th. Here, the Jamaican music icon celebrated Jamaica’s 50th year of independence with noted Reggae singer, Tarrus Riley. This event also marked Monty’s birthday and his 50 years in the music business.

That night’s performance was a union of canonical jazz from Monty and pop-infused reggae from Riley. My coverage of this event is a union of a concert review and an interview with Tarrus Riley – a rare opportunity I just had to take. Please feel free to read it right here,

Tarrus Riley joins Jamaican legend, Monty Alexander to celebrate 50 years of independence and music

“People of my age and in the music business continue to represent Jamaica, and those that paved the way for us as young musicians.” – Tarrus Riley

Second Stop: Atlanta Hip-Hop comes to New York City

On June 10th, just days after The Monty Alexander Birthday Bash, I arranged an interview with a young Atlanta-based hip-hop group, Da Famous Boyzz. I learned a little bit about hip-hop in Atlanta from these group of well-spoken and well-mannered young men. In Atlanta, for example, various artists join one another in collaboration during performances, whereas in New York City, everyone is expected to be a solo artist. Further, in Atlanta’s musical scene, hip-hop groups usually perform as main acts for an event. Meanwhile, in New York, artists will usually perform as part of a line-up.

The interview I had with Da Famous Boyzz focuses more on their debut album, “Private House Party” and everything that brought them to where they are now in their career. Please have a read:

Carib News Exclusive: Talking with Da Famous Boyzz about their debut record

“The most important element in old school hip-hop is having fun; partying; and having people get along with each other.” – David Bishop, Da Famous Boyzz

Final Stop: Trinidadian Calypso with The Mighty Sparrow

Just last Friday, I was able to arrange a telephone interview with the king of Calypso music, The Mighty Sparrow. This opportunity was nothing short of amazing, because it is very rare that you sit down with someone who: firstly, has a rich story as a performer that spans over decades and various locations; and secondly, is more than happy to melodically recite to you any song he has ever sung and written.

The editors at New York Carib News decided to divide my interview article on The Mighty Sparrow into 2 parts. In the first of this article, I talk about the history and the purpose of Calypso music, as well as The Mighty Sparrow’s beginnings. Please have a read:

Calypso – the Voice of the People: Carib News talks with Music Icon – the Mighty Sparrow Part 1

“Calypso is the mouthpiece of the underprivileged…and the Calypsonian…is like a newspaper reporter.” – The Mighty Sparrow.

More vacations on the way?

So, that is it for my June vacation. While I p - Music Historian

Not having the chance to update Music Historian’s Hear; Don’t Listen at all for the month of June is completely inexcusable on my part. Although I have not published anything in a while, I have not placed writing thoughtful articles about musicians and their work on the back-burner. In fact, I have been exploring an exciting and riveting genres – hip-hop, reggae, and calypso. While I knew about these genres, learning and was very new for me; and I want to share my new experiences with all my readers.

I have interviewed the following artists, Tarrus Riley, Da Famous Boyzz and The Mighty Sparrow for the newspaper, and the weekly voice of the Caribbean American community, New York Carib News. While I applied the same interview techniques for these articles as I did in my previous ones for Music Historian; each of these interviews took me to several new musical territories, almost like a vacation. So, here is a review of my trip so far.

First Stop: Jamaican Jazz and Reggae

My trip starts with a stop at Monty Alexander‘s Birthday Bash, which took place in the Merkin Concert Hall of the Kaufman Center on June 6th. Here, the Jamaican music icon celebrated Jamaica’s 50th year of independence with noted Reggae singer, Tarrus Riley. This event also marked Monty’s birthday and his 50 years in the music business.

That night’s performance was a union of canonical jazz from Monty and pop-infused reggae from Riley. My coverage of this event is a union of a concert review and an interview with Tarrus Riley – a rare opportunity I just had to take. Please feel free to read it right here,

Tarrus Riley joins Jamaican legend, Monty Alexander to celebrate 50 years of independence and music

“People of my age and in the music business continue to represent Jamaica, and those that paved the way for us as young musicians.” – Tarrus Riley

Second Stop: Atlanta Hip-Hop comes to New York City

On June 10th, just days after The Monty Alexander Birthday Bash, I arranged an interview with a young Atlanta-based hip-hop group, Da Famous Boyzz. I learned a little bit about hip-hop in Atlanta from these group of well-spoken and well-mannered young men. In Atlanta, for example, various artists join one another in collaboration during performances, whereas in New York City, everyone is expected to be a solo artist. Further, in Atlanta’s musical scene, hip-hop groups usually perform as main acts for an event. Meanwhile, in New York, artists will usually perform as part of a line-up.

The interview I had with Da Famous Boyzz focuses more on their debut album, “Private House Party” and everything that brought them to where they are now in their career. Please have a read:

Carib News Exclusive: Talking with Da Famous Boyzz about their debut record

“The most important element in old school hip-hop is having fun; partying; and having people get along with each other.” – David Bishop, Da Famous Boyzz

Final Stop: Trinidadian Calypso with The Mighty Sparrow

Just last Friday, I was able to arrange a telephone interview with the king of Calypso music, The Mighty Sparrow. This opportunity was nothing short of amazing, because it is very rare that you sit down with someone who: firstly, has a rich story as a performer that spans over decades and various locations; and secondly, is more than happy to melodically recite to you any song he has ever sung and written.

The editors at New York Carib News decided to divide my interview article on The Mighty Sparrow into 2 parts. In the first of this article, I talk about the history and the purpose of Calypso music, as well as The Mighty Sparrow’s beginnings. Please have a read:

Calypso – the Voice of the People: Carib News talks with Music Icon – the Mighty Sparrow Part 1

“Calypso is the mouthpiece of the underprivileged…and the Calypsonian…is like a newspaper reporter.” – The Mighty Sparrow.

More vacations on the way?

So, that is it for my June vacation. While I p - Music Historian

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT CAN CURE DISEASES, THEN YOU CAN BELIEVE IN “SONGS CURE CANCER,” an initiative started in february 2012 by Ryan Burton after his stepdaughter Callie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Burton and Canadian songwriter VANN wrote a song called Sometimes You Gotta Fight, which was then recorded during a full week at Real 2 Reel Studios in Jonesboro.



Studio owners Steve Rawls and Bill Turpin donated the studio and their time and efforts in recording the song, bringing in local artists’ David Buice on drums, Sloan Hayes on keyboards, and Wendy Sheffield on vocals. A promotional video was shot at Real 2 Reel during the production process.

“It’s our preference to work on material that is positive, powerful and pure,” said Turpin. “And this song certainly qualifies on all counts.”

Burton and VANN had once played in a band called I.C. Red, but Burton had left the music business and moved to Smyrna, GA, from his native Canada. Last September, when Callie was first diagnosed, the Burton family had practically moved into Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston as she underwent chemotherapy. It gave Burton time to reflect on life, and by the time Callie was released from the hospital, with her cancer in remission, he and his former band mate had written a song about fighting cancer.

Sometimes You Gotta Fight is the first of what Burton hopes will be a number of songs featured on the website Songs Cure Cancer (www.songscurecancer.com). Burton started the website asking artists from around the globe to record one song and donate all proceeds to a cancer charity of their choice.


“It took us six days, a total of 65 hours, to record Sometimes You Gotta Fight. It is a process. It is not unusual for a song to take that long to record” Rawls said.
Real 2 Reel certainly has the expertise to record almost anything. On this rainy May afternoon Turpin and Rawls were getting ready to host a twenty four person choir. This session was not long after completing work with local hip-hop group “Da Famous Boyzz”. “We enjoyed working with them. They are really nice guys,” said Rawls.

The digital revolution in audio recording was decades in the future when Turpin started Real 2 Reel in the Stockbridge basement of what he laughingly calls “the Turpin Estate.” “It was 1976, we had eight Tracks and it was as time when audio engineers still had pocket protectors and slide rules,” added Turpin.

Over the years as the studio’s reputation grew beyond the basement. Real 2 Reel began offering video production services in 1990. While still in the basement studio Steve Rawls, a longtime friend, was starting an audio-for-video company. “It was 1993 and Bill had a PC computer and 2” 24 track machine,” said Rawls. “I had been in the telecommunications business focusing on technological development in the fast growing computer world and after 14 years just wanted to get out of the corporate world and back into music.” Rawls said he was the second person in Atlanta to buy ProTools, a computer-based audio recording system. Bill Turpin setup a room for Rawls’ new venture in an unused room at Real 2 Reel. AudioMation provided the audio-for-video work for Real 2 Reel.

In 2000, the two companies merged. Now, the studio had outgrown it’s basement location and a new studio was constructed. Located in a nondescript row of offices, Real 2 Reel brought in Atlanta’s premier architect and consultant, Les Duncan, to help design the all-important recording and control rooms. Today the studio is a Class A facility due to the meticulous care given to it’s design and construction. Turpin and Rawls delight in showing off their studio and the all important “vibe”.

Over the years Real 2 Reel has worked with some well-known Grammy-winning artists such as Kansas, Collective Soul and Toby Keith at it’s studios. “We have done surround sound work for DVD titles for many clients including Martina McBride, Alabama, Kenny - We are Clayton Magazine

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT CAN CURE DISEASES, THEN YOU CAN BELIEVE IN “SONGS CURE CANCER,” an initiative started in february 2012 by Ryan Burton after his stepdaughter Callie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Burton and Canadian songwriter VANN wrote a song called Sometimes You Gotta Fight, which was then recorded during a full week at Real 2 Reel Studios in Jonesboro.



Studio owners Steve Rawls and Bill Turpin donated the studio and their time and efforts in recording the song, bringing in local artists’ David Buice on drums, Sloan Hayes on keyboards, and Wendy Sheffield on vocals. A promotional video was shot at Real 2 Reel during the production process.

“It’s our preference to work on material that is positive, powerful and pure,” said Turpin. “And this song certainly qualifies on all counts.”

Burton and VANN had once played in a band called I.C. Red, but Burton had left the music business and moved to Smyrna, GA, from his native Canada. Last September, when Callie was first diagnosed, the Burton family had practically moved into Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston as she underwent chemotherapy. It gave Burton time to reflect on life, and by the time Callie was released from the hospital, with her cancer in remission, he and his former band mate had written a song about fighting cancer.

Sometimes You Gotta Fight is the first of what Burton hopes will be a number of songs featured on the website Songs Cure Cancer (www.songscurecancer.com). Burton started the website asking artists from around the globe to record one song and donate all proceeds to a cancer charity of their choice.


“It took us six days, a total of 65 hours, to record Sometimes You Gotta Fight. It is a process. It is not unusual for a song to take that long to record” Rawls said.
Real 2 Reel certainly has the expertise to record almost anything. On this rainy May afternoon Turpin and Rawls were getting ready to host a twenty four person choir. This session was not long after completing work with local hip-hop group “Da Famous Boyzz”. “We enjoyed working with them. They are really nice guys,” said Rawls.

The digital revolution in audio recording was decades in the future when Turpin started Real 2 Reel in the Stockbridge basement of what he laughingly calls “the Turpin Estate.” “It was 1976, we had eight Tracks and it was as time when audio engineers still had pocket protectors and slide rules,” added Turpin.

Over the years as the studio’s reputation grew beyond the basement. Real 2 Reel began offering video production services in 1990. While still in the basement studio Steve Rawls, a longtime friend, was starting an audio-for-video company. “It was 1993 and Bill had a PC computer and 2” 24 track machine,” said Rawls. “I had been in the telecommunications business focusing on technological development in the fast growing computer world and after 14 years just wanted to get out of the corporate world and back into music.” Rawls said he was the second person in Atlanta to buy ProTools, a computer-based audio recording system. Bill Turpin setup a room for Rawls’ new venture in an unused room at Real 2 Reel. AudioMation provided the audio-for-video work for Real 2 Reel.

In 2000, the two companies merged. Now, the studio had outgrown it’s basement location and a new studio was constructed. Located in a nondescript row of offices, Real 2 Reel brought in Atlanta’s premier architect and consultant, Les Duncan, to help design the all-important recording and control rooms. Today the studio is a Class A facility due to the meticulous care given to it’s design and construction. Turpin and Rawls delight in showing off their studio and the all important “vibe”.

Over the years Real 2 Reel has worked with some well-known Grammy-winning artists such as Kansas, Collective Soul and Toby Keith at it’s studios. “We have done surround sound work for DVD titles for many clients including Martina McBride, Alabama, Kenny - We are Clayton Magazine

HAMPTON — “Ladies and gentlemen! Time for the party of the year. We have a guest list, and if you ain’t on it, you can’t come in,” declares David Bishop Jr., vocalist and keyboardist for the Da Famous Boyzz.

The lyrics are from a bouncy hip hop single entitled “P.H.P.” [Private House Party], which is on the newest album of the same name. The four Dutchtown High School seniors are making waves in the music business. They have been performing together for six years, and the group is increasing in popularity.

Da Famous Boyzz, composed of musician Branden Barkley, rappers/vocalists Michael Belcher and Malik Ashley, and Michael Bishop Jr., are back in Henry County after completing a tour in New York City this spring.

The group is busy this summer and they are booked through the fall, said Rosalind Bishop, the group’s manager. She said she is the former manager of Arrow Records, which is owned by the wife of Rev. Creflo Dollar, Taffi. She’s the mother of David Bishop Jr.

“With my experience in the recording industry, I am familiar with all of this,” she explained. “For me, seeing all of the fame unfold before my eyes, I know I am watching my husband’s vision for Da Famous Boyzz unfold. That’s what keeps me going and pushing. ... I started the label to support and protect Da Famous Boyzz from all the evil that is out there in the music industry.”

Da Famous Boyzz’s video “P.H.P.” has become a “viral sensation,” according to the group’s manager. The group has a radio show on Blog Talk Radio.com on Sundays from 6 p.m., until 7 p.m. They are scheduled to appear Sunday, July 15, at the National Black Arts Festival. They will be in concert Saturday, July 21, during the “Feed My People Back to School Giveaway” at Red Oak United Methodist Church in Stockbridge. Later the same day, they will be in concert for the Connecting Henry “Parent Expo 2012” at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The group is scheduled to perform at Dixieland Fun park, in Fayetteville, on Sept. 1, during its Labor Day celebration.

The multicultural group has known each other since their days at Dutchtown Middle School.

Group members said they were motivated by the loss of their mentor, David Bishop Sr., a former New York disc jockey, to make their “P.H.P.” video.

“We found one of his cards, with “Private House Posse” on it, so instead of crying over his passing away we put all of our [energy] into the song,” said his son, David Bishop Jr., 17. Some of the other tunes on the CD include, “Take Your Girl,” “Boom,” and “My Life’s Amazing.”

The Dutchtown youngsters, like other artists, have gotten the ultimate recognition for their work, PHP and their other songs are being played on major national music radio stations.

Members of Da Famous Boyzz admitted it is rewarding watching people enjoy their music, but they had no idea how popular “P.H.P.” had become.

“I was in the Walmart, and someone walked up to me singing the song,” said Ashley, 18. “The same thing happened to me while I was in school, too. I’ve always wanted to have a hit song. It made me realize that we have to work even harder now that our music is exposed.”

“The first time I heard the song on the radio, I was like, wow!” exclaimed Belcher, 17.

“I felt like we were one step closer to our dream,” said Barkley, 18.

“It’s good to know that my grandmother, mother and entire family can listen to our music without hearing any profanity,” said Bishop, Jr.

Da Famous Boyzz are returning to the recording studio to work on a new single.

“We want to make good music while in the studio,” said Barkley. “We are looking for perfection from each other.”

“There’s bigger things for us to do, so now it’s time to work harder,” added Bishop Jr. - Henry Daily Herald

Da Famous Boyzz

“Uncle Craig”

More of a conversation with an old friend doing big things than interview… I recently chatted with “Uncle Craig” of M2C Productions who recently directed the short film that showcases the new single “Private House Party (P.H.P.)” by Atlanta based group Da Famous Boyzz. In this interview we discuss the inspirational back story behind the song, the genesis of several companies formulated as an outgrowth of this recording project, the NYC to ATL connection, bridging the generation gap musically and much more.

What “Uncle Craig” shares with us in this interview truly demonstrates the power of music. The members of Da Famous Boyzz are all currently upperclassmen in high school yet, they have been actively recording and performing since 2006. The beneficiaries of talent and great mentoring Da Famous Boyzz have a sound that has been missing in the Hip Hop marketplace for quite some time: Music that everyone can listen to without the aid or assistance of bleeps, bloops or reversing objectionable words.

Shout out to Blahzay Music Group label home of Da Famous Boyzz, M2C Productions for this great film and Day After Productions for holding down the scoring duties.

Checkout the interview and the film after the jump! You can keep up with Da Famous Boyzz around the web at these outlets:
FB: Da Famous Boyzz
Twitter: @DaFamousBoyzz
Youtube.com/dafamousboyzztv

Blogtalkradio.com/dafamousboyzz (more…) - Grown Folks Music

The Georgia Amateur Boxing Association, along with the Henry County Parks & Recreation Department, will host a free 2012 Olympics Day event on Friday, from noon to 4 p.m., in the Jason T. Harper Event Center at Heritage Park, 95 Lake Dow Road, in McDonough.

#Kevina Franklin, of McDonough, is coordinating the inaugural event in Henry, as an official with the boxing association. Her goal for the day’s activities is to send a message to young people about the Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship.

#“I hope they walk away knowing the community has come together to empower the dreams of our youth,” said Franklin. “It’s about reaching for your goals and dreams, not just in sports, but in every aspect of life.”

#Olympics Day will include instruction on non-contact Olympics-style boxing, as well as trivia games, music and poetry.

#Franklin said participants will also celebrate women competing in the Summer Olympic Games in all sports, for the first time, because women’s boxing is now recognized as an Olympic sport.

#Individuals who are slated to participate in the event include McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland; women’s boxer, Taversha Norwood; and a two-time Georgia Golden Gloves boxing champion, 12-year-old Nick Eisner. Olympic Day will also feature performances by rap group Da Famous Boyzz; Afro-Cuban conga player Deshone; country singer and 2012 Union Grove High School graduate, Aaron Hudgins; and spoken-word artists Tribal Raine, 1MO’Poetic Soul, and Stephanie “Virtuous” Suell. - Henry Daily Herald

The New York Carib News interviewed Da Famous Boyzz while on their album release tour in New York. Read all about it! - The New York Carib News

The New York Carib News interviewed Da Famous Boyzz while on their album release tour in New York. Read all about it! - The New York Carib News

Check out Da Famous Boyzz interview with Bear Frazer of 101 Distribution. - 101 Distribution