My boy @killavision: A vision for up-and-coming local talent | The News Journal | delawareonline.com

A vision for up-and-coming local talent | The News Journal | delawareonline.com


Kevin Allen Jr., known to the urban music community as KillaVision, is one of the most prolific music video directors and hip-hop documentarians in the Tri-State region.
His lens has trapped legendary artists on the rise, on the comeback and at the heights of their career, whether signed or underground, including Philly all-stars such as Joey Jihad and Quilly Millz. In addition to filming affordable, high-quality music videos for many unsigned and independent Delaware artists, which serve to grant them the polish and branding they need to compete, KillaVision's productions also include candid interviews with major names like Beanie Siegel, Common, Styles P and local heavy hitters such as producer SAP in session with Mac Miller. His collection also boasts exclusive footage of Meek Mill before and during his explosive success after signing with Maybach Music Group.
By putting in three years of hard work and building an impressive track record, KillaVision gained access to hip-hop history-in-the-making and iconic hip-hop hotspots such as The Batcave recording studio and was therefore able to film Meek Mill and Rick Ross in concert. The footage can be found on the DVD “In The Mix,” available at Killavision.blogspot.com (his website is www.KillaVision.com). “In The Mix” is a documentary that is the definitive work and culmination of KillaVision's visual artistry. AllHipHop.com caught up with KillaVision for an exclusive interview.
What is it that you do?
I'm a visual communication specialist and small business owner into independent filmmaking, with the majority of my work being music videos.
How did you get started?
I've always had a passion for inventing, putting things together, and admiring my creations. Somewhere in 2009 some friends and I decided to make videos showcasing local underground/ unsigned artists and uploading them onto the Internet, from that point on it was history. I remember watching movies and music videos thinking to myself, ‘I wonder how they did that?’ One day I just gave it a shot. Shortly after the death of one of my closest friends, Travis Daley (who was like a member of my family), is when I shot my first music video...


Do you have any formal training?
I took a video production course in college, but never really attended class because the majority of class time was spent watching tutorials, and I prefer a hands on approach. I was paying for college out of pocket for the most part and didn't think that school was good for visual communications. If I did attend school for a field in visual communications I would want for it to be one of the top schools in the nation, but even with grants it would still probably be too expensive. A combination of going out and experimenting, watching tutorials at home, and closely observing everything and person I come across and imagining it being filmed was how I attained the majority of my skill.
What are some of your most notable projects?
My most notable project is my first hip-hop documentary, “In The Mix.” “In The Mix” features DJ Bran, DJ Damage, Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Sap, Young Chris and many more. I consider myself to be somewhat of a reporter documenting hip-hop and entertainment (specifically in the Tri-State area) by capturing the performances, in-studio sessions, concerts and shooting music videos for different artists, producers and DJs.
Is it expensive to maintain your film business, and at the same time does it pay well?
The thing about filmmaking with me is that not only is it my job, but it's something I love to do, so I initially invested a good amount of money into it and got all my money back very quickly. Every so often I purchase a new piece of equipment if it will help in making better productions but not often. Some projects I do I don't make any money off of but do so that I'm able to show the caliber of work that I'm capable of and get new business.
How time consuming is a typical project?
There isn't really a time frame for a “typical” project because each project is unique and different aspects for differant projects are going to vary in time. A single project could be completed in a few hours or a few years, it differs. The majority of my projects are completed in a few weeks from pre-planning to post-production.
Who are some of your favorite film and video directors and why?
I like directors with unique styles and have videos that well match the mood of the subject or subject matter being filmed. I'm still somewhat new to filmmaking so I still need to watch more movies and videos to get a better feeling of my favorite directors. I'm a fan of work from F. Gary Gray, Hype Williams, Ridley Scott, Spike Lee and Little X.

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Congrats to the boy @shizznitty of @OTRecords on making the paper in Delaware...

I am going to link it but quite honestly I know how the paper does. It won't be there too long. SOOOOOOOO....I will at least copy and past the words.....

Here is the link: As told by L.Burner...

If you were to walk up to any random person in the tri-state area who is the least bit familiar with hip-hop and ask them what is the hottest single to ever come out of Wilmington, chances are the answer would be "Sox in Da Air" by Shizz Nitty.
Two years later the single is still a favorite in the region, both in clubs and on radio, and has begun to play in clubs around the country. The song has even crossed over to a Texas line dance on YouTube and has been remixed by Punjabi MC and released internationally on his mixtape under Universal.
Even as "Sox" continues to find new life, Shizz has two new singles heating up. "That Booty" currently is getting club play and has proven to be a fast mover on iTunes and Amazon.com. "Put Your Dukes Up," which is particularly popular with the Philly crowd, will be available on digital download Tuesday, the same day as Shizz's album "B.O.S.S. Shizz."
Most fans will recall that Shizz's independent label Overtime Records, also known as OT Records, was signed to a distribution deal last year under a subsidiary of E1 (formerly Koch Records), presumably putting OT in a better situation in terms of its marketing muscle and a distribution arm. Over the last year, Shizz, also the president of OT, and CEO Matty Gates continued booking shows and breaking new singles on their own.
Shizz and Matty Gates talked to Allhiphop about breaking the single that started it all and why Tuesday is "Independence Day" for OT Records.
"Sox in Da Air" put you on the map. Tell us about the journey of breaking that song.
Shizz: It was rough but it's smoothin' out now. It wasn't easy for a Delaware artist to get on the radio and all that and get the publicity. But I guess they liked the song now they got me labeled "Mr. Sox in Da Air," which I don't like ... (laughs) but I like the song.
Matty: Me and Shizz actually did the footwork. We went to every club in Delaware for maybe about a month. And the first time we gave them the CD they were like "yeah, alright." By the fourth time they started playing it and by the fifth time they were shoutin' Shizz out in the building.

I will give ya'll a part of it and the rest you can go read there.....

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Uh oh...Slim Thug's comments starting a firestorm...

You can go here for the rest...

Here is what he said though....Thoughts?



"The way Black people think in general is messed up. Both men and women need to change their way of thinking. It’s hard to trust a Black woman [sometimes] because a lot of Black women’s mind frame is that the man gotta do everything for her⎯ he gotta pay for this, he gotta pay for that, and if it ain’t about money then a lot of them ain’t fucking with him. If that’s what you’re here for then I don’t want to be with you.

Most single Black women feel like they don’t want to settle for less. Their standards are too high right now. They have to understand that successful Black men are kind of extinct. We’re important. It’s hard to find us so Black women have to bow down and let it be known that they gotta start working hard; they gotta start cooking and being down for they man more. They can’t just be running around with their head up in the air and passing all of us...."

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This week's "Here's What They Think About You"(NWA)

I don't expect people to agree with Mike Vick's awarding of the Courage Award. I am WELL aware of the large contingent that feels he should be burned at the stake. That said, here are some of those people. Not the writer per say either. While I DEFINITELY don't agree with him, as he is being an ass about things, he at least is just giving his opinion and managed to keep things tongue in cheek. I am more so speaking towards some of the comments that were made on the article. It is the usual fare honestly. Not mad about it. Just pointing it out. I said my piece in the comment section too. See if you can find it if you are interested. Nothing vulgar. Very snarky though.

Enjoy the read. I know some of you agree with the author so again, I don't expect some of you to be mad about the article itself.

Newsflash people! Here's what they think about you.....They love you as long as you do what it is they want you to do and sacrifice your body for them. After it is over/you don't do what it is they want you to do/or they have a chance to knock you down a peg or four, they discredit everything it is that you do. All of the sudden, it doesn't take courage to get hit. Doesn't take courage to step out back in the spotlight KNOWING THAT THERE is a contingent out there that wasn't forgiven for their OWN TRANSGRESSIONS so they can't forgive you. The threats on your life. All of that means nothing to them because after all, you play a game. Which for some reason, makes you a role model when you are great but a cushy spoiled athlete when things go awry. Yeah..Here's what they think about you..

"According to Philadelphia Eagles players, the most courageous man on the team in 2009 was one who started the year serving time in prison for an act of extreme cowardice.

Today, the Eagles announced that Michael Vick was the 2009 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who shows courage in the face of adversity. Vick's teammates voted for the award, thus demonstrating how tone-deaf and out-of-touch NFL players are with reality.

According to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Web site:

Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates for team effort, as well as individual performance.

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. He is also a community role model.

One recipient is selected from each NFL team, usually for things like coming back from injury, doing good work in the community or long, dedicated service to a franchise. I'd be surprised if the award's founders intended for the honor to be given to someone doing community service as part of the terms of his parole or for showing courage in the face of reporters asking legitimate questions about federal crimes.

The Eagles' vote is not only a slap in the face to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, but to the other 31 players who won the award for their respective teams. Some men are truly deserving of the honor, like Ravens safety Dawan Landry(notes) who was nearly paralyzed last year, but has come back in '09 with four interceptions and a touchdown or Mike Furrey(notes) of the Browns, who does extensive volunteer work in his community. Adding Vick's name to the roll makes the award seem illegitimate and meaningless.

Apparently Philadelphia players confuse Vick handling dogfighting questions and booing with a measure of class as some sort of courage. That Vick only got a chance to show this mild courageousness because of the extreme cowardice it takes to murder helpless animals isn't something that crosses their mind. They confuse Vick's desperation with some sort of integrity.

I'm all for second chances and find myself rooting for Vick to redeem himself both on and off the football field. He's served an appropriate sentence (and then some) and I see no reason for him to keep paying for his past transgressions. But I also see no reason to celebrate his character.

Michael Vick(notes) is very much a work in progress. A few years from now, I hope he will be deserving of such an honor. At this time, however, he has only just started down the path to redemption. "

Link to article

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