Interviews
A Conversation With Pontiac’s @YAKTOWNBOYZ248

YTB Kaine is one of Michigan’s hidden gems. With recent releases like “Vent” and “Some Money,” he shows a kind of versatility that normally isn’t seen until record labels and A&Rs get involved. He’s got something special to pay attention to and he’s on the rise.
4ShoMag talked to him about some of his music and where he’s at right now to paint a picture of where he wants to go.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What’s the YTB in YTB Kaine stand for?
YTB stands for Young Thugs Bussin it was Yaktownboyz which represented our city Pontiac aka Yactown, but it got changed for certain reasons.
How did you get into rap?
I got into rap at the age 13 after listening to Eminem, T.I., DMX, Ruff Ryders & Nas. I loved the art. I started writing poetry and it turned into rhymes. I took rap serious after I lost my brother in 2013.
How important is authenticity to your message?
Authenticity is important to me because I can’t tell you about somebody else’s life. I want to give my fans and supporters My Story. I want them to feel my pain understand where my aggression comes from when I rap.
How has being from Detroit shaped your approach to rap? Who are some of your favorite rappers, past and present?
I’m from Pontiac. Being 20mins from Detroit making a name for myself most people were scared to travel to those open mics, competitions, and performances. I went every night I had a show with my head held high ready. It was times I went on last bit after I performed I got love and things changed.
How would you describe the Detroit music scene?
The Detroit music scene popping right now. Their eyes are definitely on Detroit right now. Michigan has been had the wave they are just now making them pay attention.
When recording a song like “Vent,” how do you decide what works and what’s too personal to include in the track?
When I wrote “Vent” I showed a side of me I was scared to show or express. I didn’t hold anything back like I usually would. I vented to my fans as I would to a shrink. I just figured they’d understand me more without judging me.
Who are you looking forward to working with and why?
I’m looking to work with Styles P. That’s my right-hand man favorite rapper. He got 20 years in prison. That’ll definitely make his bid easier. It’s a lot of artists that’s upcoming that’s hot. I just wanna work with other hungry upcoming artists like myself.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2019?
I dropped a mixtape on June 22 entitled “Vent” and mid-July I’m dropping again “Still A Menace II Society.” My third mixtape, I don’t have a name for yet but that’s done. That’ll come sometime this October. I plan on putting the game in a choke hold. Bring back that old rap the G’s want to hear.
4sho Playlist
92 Byu Sets The Tone With “B.I.N.G.O.” and Follows Up With “Love Me Or Not”

Fresh off his most recent release “B.I.N.G.O.,” 92 Byu returns with a new song called “Love Me Or Not.” He’s starting the new year off with a bang – the rising artist from Sumter, South Carolina is following up his “B.I.N.G.O.” momentum with the brand new track, a love anthem. He switches it up
92 Byu, who is ½ of the duo 9INE11, is pursuing a solo endeavor this time around and making his debut as a solo artist with this record. He’s showing off his talents to new heights and while the sound of the music is true to what he’s been doing within the group, the new music is refreshing as 92Byu explores a lane of his own rising out of South Carolina.
According to 92 Byu, the meaning of the song represents the concept of “winning,” such as in a game of Bingo. Throughout the visual, 92Byu brings audiences on a journey with him into a day in the life in the studio, having fun and making music with the homies.
“Time and time again you get that board where your pieces don’t line up right after the ball drops,” 92 Byu explains of the track. “Then the ball finally drops for you and it’s like ‘BINGO.’ ‘This is it, it’s finally my turn to enjoy the winner’s moment.”
As far as what he wants audiences to take away from the music, he ultimately wants listeners to know that people’s outside opinions do not matter.
“Why care about the thoughts of others?” 92 Byu says. “Do whatever you have to … whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to get in the position of life you want to be in. Just get there, just get it done and when you get positioned, just remember it was all worth it because you only have one life to live. Life itself is beautiful, it’s meant to be enjoyed.”
Stay tuned for more content on the way from 92 Byu, but in the meantime, check out “Love Me Or Not.”
CONNECT WITH 92 BYU
4Men By Women
Bronx Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist, Denise Styless, Talks Hiphop Fashion and Fatman Scoop

Denise Styless, New York upcoming celebrity wardrobe stylist is making moves and breaking barriers in the fashion industry. Commencing her budding fashion & entertainment career in 2019 Denise is already making a name for herself as a fashion staple. Growing in her career she has styled NYCs elite from Fatman Scoop, actor and child prodigy River Mason Eromosele, and Rizr Footwear. Denise styling technique is a merge of lifestyle meets couture. As well, she is a model liaison merging models with events, runway shows, photo-shoots and casting calls nationally. In addition to gaining online support from fashion house FUBU. Rising in fame she has been featured on various top tier outlets: Medium, 24hiphop, Vocal, One West Magazine, and Grind Magazine. Here’s my interview with celebrity wardrobe stylist, Denise Stylesss.
How did you land such prominent hip-hop clients? I landed my clients by building my relationships with people. As well, through networking within the entertainment industry. When you’re transparent with your intentions, opportunities present themselves.
What made you get into fashion? I got into fashion through my grandmother. She had a sewing machine and would create my Halloween costumes when I was a child. Her creative influence inspired me immensely. Once I unearthed my vast zeal for fashion I realized her influence carried me through my adulthood.

How was it working with the legend FatMan Scoop? Working with Fatman Scoop was an amazing experience. Fatman scoop is an icon that I watched in my youth. It made me reflect on my childhood. It was a full circle moment for me to dress someone that created roots within the hip-hop community.
What is the best advice you can give to someone aspiring to dress as a hip hop artist? The best advice I can give an aspiring celebrity wardrobe stylist is to be normal and organically yourself. You want to treat your clients with love; similar to family. You want to enhance their style while capturing the essence of fashion.
What is the key to your success? The key to my success is God. My faith in God continues to keep me motivated and devoted to my craft.
Interviews
Q&A w/ @MidnightCyphs: Talks Beginnings, Journalism, Inspirations + More

It’s hard to find dope, genuine creatives in today’s industry, but one that we’ve grown to personally know and connect with is Michael DeBlasio out of Queens, NY. Michael currently writes for ITSBIZKIT.com — and formerly AllHipHop.com and MissInfo.TV. His organic and passionate approach to journalism is what separates him from others and has garnered him the attention of some legends in his field, such as Elliot Wilson, Rob Markman, Mikey Yi, and of course, the ‘Biggest Blogger In The World’ — ITSBIZKIT.
Mike also wears two other important hats. Publicist and studio manager. In 2020, he established his own PR company, deblazeo PR LLC. He then leveled up to his own office space in Studio 17, a recording studio based in Brooklyn, NY. A few months later, he found himself taking over the role as the studio’s official booking manager.
So of course you know we had to get an exclusive Q+A with Mike, where he speaks on his beginnings, what inspires him, his future endeavors, and much more! Check-in below!
Q: How did you start your career in journalism?
– In 2014, I had a friend who was rapping and we were brainstorming ways to get his music more traction. At the time, blogs / sites were still the #1 source of people getting their music. So I thought, how do we get him on these sites? So I started my own, [which I shall not name because I plan to revamp it somewhere down the line] and from there I started blogging heavily. Unfortunately I was new to the WordPress game and my site got shut down for too many copyright infringements. I then connected with ITSBIZKIT in 2015 because he was looking for writers and he took me under his wing. Biz God taught me almost everything I know and connected me with a lot of people. Because of his referral I started to write for AllHipHop.com — where I learned more about journalism and not just blogging. At the time, this was my 9-5, so I took the craft very seriously and learned all that I could, connected with whoever I could, and attended as many events that I could. With my work ethic being recognized, and a lot of help from networking on Twitter, my name started buzzing and around 2017 is when I felt I actually have my foot in the door and my work is starting to pay off. I have a lot more to learn and accomplish, but where I envisioned myself to be when I first started in 2014 is where I am now. But the real work has just started for me!

Q: How do you define “journalism”?
Obviously journalism is different depending on the field, but to me in Hip-Hop, it’s the journalist’s job to bring light to up-and-coming artists on their respective platforms. With many publications fully focused on mainstream artists and their news, I like to go in a different direction and write about those who people may not know about alongside the big names. Helping unsigned artists get recognized was the reason I even started in the first place and will always be my main reason for writing.
Q: What / who inspires you?
Everything about Hip-Hop. It’s more than just music. It’s a culture. There’s a certain cloth you have to be cut from to make it, which I can relate to being a self-starting journalist. Many artists I listen to also inspire me. Mainstream and unsigned. I may not relate to their exact struggles but I can relate to the struggle of wanting to make it on your own and doing anything possible to guarantee your dreams. A perfect example is Nipsey Hussle (RIP). Everyone that knows me, knows he is my #1, and was long before his tragic passing. Him as a man and artist gave me that motive to take that leap and begin my career. His words and music have been my hussle and motivation since I started, and forever will be.
I am also inspired by my fellow writers. I am blessed to be a part of a circuit of writers that genuinely help each other, and keep one another afloat. These are people I can say are really like my family that honestly care for one another’s well-being and work. And I am forever grateful for that.
Q: What are you currently working on?
I have a few things in the works but what I can speak on is my upcoming, fourth “Midnight Cyphs” compilation. These are projects I put together with artists I like and personally know, with original fresh songs from them. My first three were successful, but with this next one, I plan to do things differently. This time around I plan to create with the artists in actual studio sessions and organically cook up. I also hope to do 2-3 visuals, and ultimately a show with the featured artists. It’s still in the beginning stages but I hope to drop in the fourth quarter of this year.
I also have a few more podcast appearances secured, so be on the look-out for that as well!
Q: Drop a gem for anyone who is aspiring to succeed in your field.
Man, just be real and transparent. Don’t come off as a writer who is doing it for clicks / clout but because you really care for what / who you’re writing about. Also build genuine relationships with fellow people in the industry; artists, managers, writers, etc. A lot of the music world is who you know, not what you know. However, with that being said, learn as much as you can about your craft! There’s always more to learn.
I also pride myself in being a writer that is not just “behind a computer” — so I attend events, studio sessions, industry parties, etc. as much as you can! NETWORK! — You never know who you will meet and how they can put you in position to win! Which will ultimately put you in a position to help your people win! We’re all in this together!

Be sure to connect with Mike on all social media platforms: deblazeo (IG) / @MidnightCyphs (Twitter).
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