When did you start rapping? 
I started rapping at the age of 8, and started taking it seriously at the age of 17-18.


Where does your inspiration for your music come from? 

My inspiration comes from my struggles that I go through as a person, my family and friends who are counting on me and always supported me.

With life circumstances as his inspiration, Heartbreakers Own’s music covers a range of topics, from love & lost love, to partying & charming females. Whether he’s giving you something to chill to or something to prepare for the club, Heartbreakers Own’s music shows potential to make him blow up. 

Why do you call yourself Heartbreakers Own?

I call myself Heartbreakers Own because I got my heart broken and then in turn I broke other peoples hearts. Collectively, heartbreak is what I’m all about. 

Where do you get your inspiration for your songs?
I get my inspiration for my songs from life. The things that I’ve been through, and that I go though.

How did you start rapping? 
When I was young, my uncle who passed away, God bless his soul, used to make me listen to some Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakure at a very young age. He’s the one that actually introduced me to hip-hop and rap. From then on my passion for that genre of music grew with time. 

When did you decide to sing? Why?
I’ve always wanted to sing, but I had been too shy. Then everyone started doing it and some sounded good,and some sounded ridiculous, so I thought why not give it a shot! 


What rappers/singers have influenced you?
Music in general inspires me. Everyone who I’ve ever heard, and who I ever hear, inspires me because when you have a strong passion and love for something everything associated with it is great. 

Where does your struggle with love root from?
From the very first relationship I ever had with someone I cared for deeply, but wound up learning a hard lesson about love.

Do you ever regret dropping out of university?
Uh uh. I don’t regret dropping out of university because at the time that I made the decision it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Why was it one of the best decisions you’ve ever made?
It was the best decisions I ever made because I felt like I was going to school for everyone else besides myself, and that’s not where my heart was, it was with music. 

What kind of experience can people expect to have when they listen to your music?
They can expect to experience pain that comes from a place that we all feel deep inside, but most people aren’t able to describe because they might not be so good with words. Luckily for them, I am. 

Could you explain what you mean?
What I mean by that is sometimes in life we all go through things that make us feel alone, like we have no one there besides ourselves and things that we hold dear, whatever those may be, each person has their own, and for me that’s music. 

But not all your songs are meant to give that type of experience are they?
No,not all of them, some of them are about the cliche rapper lifestyle, because unfortunately that is a part that is inescapable when you’re growing up, so I just portray it how I see it.

Do you have any current projects in the works?
Yes, I sure do. I am working on the Black Valentine Project, which will be out on February the 14th, Valentines day, and afterwards, 23 the album, which will be a re-collation of the years that I have lived so far. 

Who are three artists you would want to collab with, current and past?
Definitively Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and Lil Wayne. 

What can we expect from Heartbreakers Own in 2012?
In 2012, you can expect a lot of new releases because I am focused on making music and being successful.

Currently:
What’s on your Ipod? 
ASAP Rockey- Live, Love, ASAP
The Weekend- Echos of Silence
Myself and some instrumentals 

Favourite song? Silk- Freak Me, That’s what I’m bumping right now.

Favourite album? Drake- So Far Gone

Twitter: @XbreakersOwn 

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/heartbreakersown 

Interview by Natasha Jordan

Using his music to spread a positive message and setting himself apart from the too well known persona of rappers, K-Von The Great is making a name for himself. Using the struggles of his life to inspire others who may feel hopeless, he is a breath of fresh air for the rap game. 

What made you want to become a rapper? 

I became an artist more cause I was forced to as a kid. I had an older cousin that used to make me record songs, even when I didn’t want to. After a while, I put a lot of effort into it, and decided to make it a career. 

Listening to your song, “I Will Achieve”, it sounds like you’ve had a tough childhood. Does this play a big roll in your inspiration for your music? What are your main inspirations?   

I wouldn’t say I had a “tough” childhood. Due to my aunt saving me from my drug addict parents, I didn’t have a super hard lifestyle. It got hard seeing my friends with both parents, and me just having my aunts. Now that I’m older, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Just kids in general, play a big part in my inspiration. I may not have gone through a certain situation, but I know someone who has. I speak for the kids who are too shy to speak for themselves.

What can we expect from your mix-tape, “Finally 18”?

From “Finally 18” you can expect to hear atleast one song that you can relate to. You can expect a new era in the hip-hop game. Not the regular money, cars, clothes, music. 

Are there any rappers that influence your style?

Artists that influence my style are:
Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Big L.

 
Where do you see yourself by your 20th birthday? 

 I see myself just finishing up college, and on my way to Cali to pursue this dream of mine. I have a lot of talent, and I hope to have a very long career.

You’ve spoke to middle school students about not giving up on their dreams. Is there anything you’d like to say to any of our readers that might be young and in a tough place? 

To the young readers, I’d like to say, you’re opinion does count. Don’t ever let your voice not be heard. I started a full stop the violence movement at my school, and have touched over 5,000 youth with that program. And won 3 awards for it.  You can do ANYTHING. No matter how old you are. Also, never give up. God can get you through anything. He’s not going to get you into anything you can’t handle. 

Currently:
Who is your favorite rapper?  My favorite rap artist has to be between, Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole. Sorry, I can’t pick just one. (Laughs) 

What is your favourite song?  

My favorite song I’d have to say is, “High Power” by Kendrick Lamar. Very deep meaning behind the record. 

What’s on your playlist right now? 

With up and comers like Milly Roze, the future looks bright for the music industry. At the age of 18, Milly has high ambitions, not only for music but for fashion design as well. With songs like Stay and the more upbeat F.U.N, it’s evident that this young woman has the skills vocally, and with writing to do big things. Check out my interview with her below.

Where did you get the name Milly Roze? 

Milly Roze: Milly is short for my first name Emily, and Roze came about because it kind of describes my personality. A rose is beautiful but has thorns as well.

Nashville Tennessee is known as Music City, and produces many artists. Does this put pressure on you, in a sense of having more competition in your city?

Milly Roze: No this doesn’t put pressure on me at all. I’ve been doing music in this city for 5 years now and its all about building relationships with people that love doing the same thing as you, making great music. I also dont think there are many pop artists like me in this city. I also hope to expand to different cities real soon. Yes there is competition, but honestly, there is competition every where you go.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a singer?

Milly Roze: When I was about four years old my mom bought me a little karaoke machine and my cousins and I used to perform karaoke sessions for my family. I didnt start doing it on a professional level until age 12 though. Before that, I was just involved in choirs and I also was a member of multiple music schools. 

Who are your inspirations?

Milly Roze: Beyonce has definitely inspired me a lot. She is such and amazing performer. I also grew up listening to Pop/r&b Sensations like Brittany Spears, Mariah Carey, TLC, and my all time favorite till this day CHRISTINA AGUILARA. She is definitly killing the game vocally. There are just so many, because I am a very inspired person, so anybody that has great music and great performance abilities inspires me to be just as great. 

Where do you picture yourself, career wise, in 5 years? 10 years? 

Milly Roze: Signed to a major label, touring around the world, great success with two or three major album releases and world wide popularity. I also see myself being able to live comfortably doing what I love every day, just music.

Do you write your own music? If so, what inspires your lyrics?

Yes i write my own music. I also like co-writing. Everyday life inspires my writing. I like to write about things people can relate too. I also write music to get my message across, which is be yourself and don’t be afraid to let the world see the real you. There are also incidences where I write my music from my heart, that is telling a story about something ive been through.

You were once part of the popular group, Infinity. How would you explain the transition from being in a group, to being a solo artist? 

Milly Roze: The transition was very hard for me at first, because I hadn’t found my self as a solo artist yet. I didn’t know what image I wanted to portray, what type of music I wanted to do because I am such a diverse person. Finally I just decided to stop sugar coating myself, and trying to be something I’m not. I just became ME, started writing about stuff I felt, wearing clothes I felt were me and I love being able to control my own artistry. Being a solo artist allows me to be alot more free-spirited.  

Would you ever consider joining a group again?

Milly Roze: Honestly, no. Theres too many people you have to answer to and too many emotions set on one dream. 

As an aspiring fashion designer, how would you describe your designs?

Milly Roze: I would describe myself as very loose. I love vintage and stuff that has studs and chains. Im very Rock/girly when it comes to fashion. I love wearing clothes that posibbly have a tomboy/sexy vibe to it as well. I want my designs to be stuff celebrities and models want to be seen wearing in photo shoots and videos, not just urban everyday where. 

And one last question for you. 
What’s happening at this point of your career? When can we expect to hear something new?

Milly Roze: At this point in my career, I’m working on bettering my craft. I’m also working on a album (self titled), as well as multiple photo shoots and videos. This is so when it is time for Milly Roze to be introduced I can be fully prepared and it will be all me. My writing, my directing my own videos, and supporting my own career. You should expect to hear new stuff at the beginning of 2012.

Currently:

What is your favorite clothing line? Joy Rich

Who is your favorite singer? Jessie J

A BIG thank you to Milly Roze for taking the time to do this interview.

Check out her music at:
http://www.youtube.com/millyrozetv

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milly-Roze/214770125217035 

@MillyRoze 

Interview by Natasha Jordan