This is such a treat. Dread's Crayons mixtape is artistry at it's finest from the timeless Music to the visuals provided by Dome Apparel: Creative Minds & Grinds. You have to watch the video below on how they created the cover art for Crayons. This project has so much love and creativity behind it. I just know it's going to do really well. Not only is this mixtape hot lava, but all of Dread's past mixtapes found on his Bandcamp site will make you pay attention! Dread is only 21 years of age, but has a lot of wisdom and will definitely be a light to many from his generation and beyond. Well, I'm going to zip it cuz I can go on and on, but before I go 1. Make sure you watch the making of the cover art video 2. Get to know Dread, the man behind the music from the conversation we had below 3. press Play on the Crayons Mixtape below and 4. Be prepared to have a new favorite artist! k bye.
Really Not Radio: Who is Dread? Who is Ayo Beckley?
Dread: Um. Well I am a 21 year old mass communications major that attends Jackson State University. The twist is that I am also a artist, photographer, and director.
RNR: What is Flight League?
Dread: Flight league is my tribe. We are not a label. We are not a company. We are simply just a group of kids who share the same vision but with different artistic talents. Whether it is music, videography, photography, engineering, or production, every thing comes together and transforms into Flight League. This year, after i drop CRAYONS, Imma really focus on my team and their debut projects to introduce the world to. In due time, everyone will understand what flight league is.
RNR: Well, I'm excited to hear and see more. I see you are from all over the map, but where do you call home?
Dread: I represent alot of places California is my home. I was born in Oakland and I grew up going to school in Berkeley. I learned alot from my hometown. We have such a rich culture out there and people think so radically that growing up in an area like that was an amazing experience.
RNR: I know Berkley is live. I've checked out all your past releases on your bandcamp page, and I'm really digging your music! You use a lot of fresh, new metaphors that I haven't heard before and I LOVE IT! The word play is nice too...very intelligent flow. What can we expect from your upcoming release "Crayons" on 4/30?
Dread: Expect everything to be turned up times 100. This my first project that i have put out where 90% of the music is all orginal and made from scratch. This is a brand new sound that im about to unleash the world. I tried to push the boundaries of music with this one. I feel like there should be no specific genre when you are making music. Just make whatever your heart feels is right. All that has lead me to this point this point in my life. Im excited.
RNR: You should be. I'm excited about Crayons too it does have a great sound. It's mos def in rotation over here. I also totally agree with you that music is more of a feeling for me as well vs. giving it a specific label. How did you come up or what is the significance behind the title Crayons?
Dread: So the meaning behind crayons is that i am at a young stage of my music. When we were babies the first thing we were able to use to express our art were crayons. Thats where we started from. Thats where i feel i started from. I can only use the basics that have been given to me. I can only color within the black lines. In a year if this project takes off these crayons will turn into paint brushes.
RNR: Hmmm...I love that! So poetic ;-) How do you describe your sound or style? What sets you apart from the rest and makes you...YOU?
Dread: I feel like i am realist. What naturally bonds every human in the world is the will to survive. Thats what brings us all together. Whether you are rich or poor, life is not guaranteed. So that is how I live my life. Thats the picture i want to paint when I make music. Real Feelings, real Observations, and real beliefs. I wouldn't say it sets me apart from any artist because i honestly feel like every artist has their own path. The fans choose what path they wanna join. I just hope that they respect mine.
RNR: What producers have you worked with on your past releases and who will be featured on Crayons?
Dread: Really I stuck with my in house producer since 08. I used alot of industry instrumentals in my previous projects. This project is slightly different. Royal T produced over half of the mixtape but i added a new line of upcoming producers that I feel shouldnt be slept on. Producers like Itzumiaki, and Matt Mcghee are only some of the names. As far as far as features go. I really wanted to feature alot of key people that i feel are at the same level of creativity that i am at right now. I think i have about 9 features on the this tape which is the most I have ever had on a tape. I really dont wanna spoil who's on it . I just want you all to enjoy the collaborations when the tape drops lol.
RNR: Nowadays you have to wear many hats and I see that you are a recording artist, photographer and video director. What came first the microphone or the camera? Briefly, what's your story of evolution up to this point in your endeavors?
Dread: Well ive always been doing music since i was freshman in high school. I took photography course my junior and senior year in high school and instantly fell in love with photography and videography. Music and photography are so simalar and they are both equally powerful. Now im at jackson State university and me being a mass comm major has really filled all the loose screws for me and meshed both the things that I love the most.
RNR: Yes, audio and visual when done right marry very well. Sometimes I don't necessarily like a song until I see the video or vice versa. Who are some of your influences, musically and in general?
Dread: I am naturally just influenced from living life and my familly. They are reason that i think the way I think. A teacher told me this past semester, " If you are not thinking, you are not alive ". That was the realest thing ive heard in a long time. I come from rich roots. My parents exposed me to all types of music at a very young age. From artist like yanni, to sting, to Fela Kuti. Also moving so many places, helped really get a vibe of different sounds in the world. Different cities have different sounds. Its a beautiful thing.
RNR: mmm Hmmm yes it is. I can tell from your music that you are very cultured and have seen a few things with the years you've been thinking and alive. What have you been listening to lately?
Dread: I have been listening to ALOT of Top Dawg Entertainment right now. By far, they are the top dogs in the game right now. I been keeping it real cali these past couple of months. I have alot of Dom Kennedy , IAMSU, and Casey Veggies on my ipod. Gotta pay hometown artist homage and respect because we are all we got. Ace Hood's new mixtape was pretty dope. As far as singers ll i have been listening to these past months is stacy barthe and kevin Cossom. They are also pretty dope.
RNR: Nice...nice. Great picks! What is a typical day like for you?
Dread: Wake up. Take a shower. Go to class. Leave class. Go to the studio. Go to night Class. After night class, I am right back in the studio till i fall asleep. This is my ritual every day lol
RNR: Hard work pays off...just wait and see! All the imagery I've seen of you and your past projects online are very intersting and vivid to me. Just curious growing up what was your favorite TV shows and/or types of movies?
Dread: I always loved action hero movies when I was young. Just because I thought the idea of someone being able to do what others cant has always been epic to me! I watched alot of cartoons when I was young. I loved shows that made you expand your imagination.
RNR: Yeah, I had a feeling you were into something along those lines! Where do you see yourself in the next two years?
Dread: Comfortable. Free. I just want to be able to do what i want and make what i want when i want to. I just want to be respected for being an artist. I just want my parents and team to not have to worry about anything anymore financially. I feel like i deserve this. I want it all and wont stop untill i get what i feel we deserve.
RNR: Oh, and you will as long as you just keep pushing and never give up! I believe in ya. You truly are a dope artist! Lastly, let the viewers know about your upcoming projects, shows, etc. and how to keep in touch with all your happenings!
Dread: I will be announcing shows and tours in about a month. Im gonna let this tape really marinate with my fans. I plan to drop visuals for every song on the tape throughout the rest of the year. I havent even begun to think about a new project yet. When ever it feels right I will start on a new project! Download Crayons 4-30 available on bandcamp and livemixtapes. Follow me on twitter @DREADorALIVE
RNR: Thank you so much for your time Dread and you will always have Really Not Radio's support and fandom LOL
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