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Chey.N is the self proclaimed neon kid that's got the
internet buzzing and now the international community as well as the States are
starting to take notice of this budding superstar. With her crazy swag and
slick delivery she already stands apart from the crowd of females in the
industry from rappers, to r&b and pop acts, as far more then just another
pretty face. But before the bravado and the style she was just a kid from the
wood...
One of two kids, she learned early on the harsh reality
of self reliance from an absent father who left her mother to raise two kids
alone. A task that was at times too much for the single mom. Forcing Chey and her brother to
become fiercely independent. Back and forth between the UK and
America her family struggled for most of her youth trying to stay afloat in an
affluent neighborhood so that an academically gifted Chey could get the best
education but she found acceptance hard, being the only mixed kid in her class
and one of the only low income families in the community, even homeless at a
time she found a home with the other outsiders, the skaters, the punks,
the musicians. She fell in love with music through classic rock and soul and in
hard times got her strength from singing and writing poetry. At about 11 her
teachers and mentors began to take notice of her talent for acting, uncanny
ability to pick up music by ear, to teach herself how to play instruments and
craft full songs in a matter of minutes. It was at that point her life took a
turn and she realized that she had the ability to change her quality of life
with her talent and mind, thats the moment where her unshakable drive was born.
She'll be the first to say it was never easy but she pushed on through poverty,
no's and thousands of doors slamming in her face. Holding onto her
unique style, just knowing that one day she would be able to let it out
and achieve her full potential. And now at 22, after years of financial
and emotional struggle, years of trying to get the industry to understand what
she possessed. She's evolved from a hungry kid to the ultimate go-getter.
Creating the foundations of an empire, that includes beyond her music, her
production group (The Cut Crew), a crazy acting resume (Law&Order,
NBC,ABC,Nickelodeon, etc), writing/publishing (GEM LYRICS), fashion (dumpe
fresh), a label that she now heads (def pen music group) along with a new
marketing platform for artists thats currently in the works. Chey.N is slowly
becoming not just an artist but a lifestyle choice.
A consummate example of a true boss, she's the beacon of light for so
many young hustlers, who've been caught up in the struggle,
who haven't been accepted so instead paved their own way. Listening
to her music is a conscious decision to turn away from the same manufactured
music thats taken over radio. Rockin her style is pushing away the boring
standards for fashion and instead reppin individuality. Getting down with her
crew is embracing the outsiders who have all suddenly become trendsetters. From
Fly Society to Dumpe Fresh to Def Pen all the young power players have come
together and co-signed Chey.N simply because, whether you understand her music
or not all who know her know Chey's business savvy and drive
alone guarantee she IS the future.
MOST importantly I've learned that a true artist isn't defined by what they
create with what they have, but how they go above and beyond to acquire what
they lack....
Urbansteez.com Interview with the multi talented O' So Lovely Chey N
 Urbansteez.com: So
Chey N, we meet again this time we have to enlighten what you are really ALL
about. Tell us what you have learned in the process of grinding your way to the
top?
Chey N: Hahah I dont think we have enough time for me to go through it allllllll.
But MOST importantly I've learned that a true artist isn't defined by what they
create with what they have, but how they go above and beyond to acquire what
they lack.... People will always tell you, "you dont have what it takes or
you need to link with the right people". And dont get me wrong
networking is very very important in this industry but people are always
looking to jump on a bandwagon. Thats why you have to be able to create
whatever you need from yourself when no ones in your corner. And they will all
jump on u, guaranteed.
Urbansteez.com: How
have you dealt with getting some doors slammed in your face in the past? And
what is their reason for slamming them in the first place?
Chey N: I'm very lucky to have adapted early to rejection and critiscm. I
really use it as a learning experience now. I like to study why people dont
respond to my music or what makes people not want to be apart of the project,
because once I understand it I can overcome it...I think the reason alot of
doors slammed is cuz people couldnt put me in a box or a genre and for alot of
people in this business thats scary, cause they cant predict how consumers are
going to respond to you. My style is so different that it was too much of a
risk for most people to take. So I got the hell no's lol or the your not ready
or the you need to change your sound blah blah blah hahah
Urbansteez.com: They
was telling Kanye that for the longest, now he average's a grammy a year, I
like the "Imma do me approach you got!!"
So how was life in the UK? Did you pick up on the language,
can you speak different languages, if so explain?
Chey N: I loved Sheffield always will. Theres just a part of me that will forever feel at home
there, the way of life is so much different and alot of my british friends tend
to put America and American culture on a pedestal
but to me the Uk and Europe have got us beat in so many ways.
NOT saying I am not proud of my country and my city. NY stand up! As for the
languages I speak a little Spanish and a little French. When I was a kid I just
had this thing for picking up accents and languages. I would always come back
to the states from Sheffield chattin Uk slang and that, and no one could
understand a WORD of what I was saying hahah it was hilarious. I still whip it out
from time to time to confuse people.
Urbansteez.com: Out of dancing , acting, and music which
would you desire to be established in first and why?
Chey N: I'm not good at choosing one...as
you can see haha. I still do them all and in a perfect world I will always be
able to do all three. I live to perform. Whether its losing myself in a
character or in choreography or in a song... those moments are what keep me in
the game and I just couldnt see giving any of them up!
Urbansteez.com: What
is your true passion in the entertainment world, your first love??
Chey N: Well it all started with dance. I
guess you could say that was my first love. When I was a kid I was hella
shy..(I know hard to believe lol) and the only time I really got to flex was
when I was dancing. I started dancing at some crazy young ass age like 3 or
something like that... And I was singing on the low but I wasnt brave enough to
tell anyone about it. So dancin kind of became my thing.
Urbansteez.com: Where
are you getting the inspiration? every time I'm on myspace I see that
little guy lit up under your profile..
Chey N: Lol I'm a griiiinder. I have a lot of faith and if I'm being real thats
the only thing that keeps me going. Cause I tell you its a fight, being broke,
trynna get heard, trynna show people that "different" can work for
the mainstream. Keepin in contact with all my myspace fam... I have my days
when I'm like why the *uck did I choose this!? But its always on those days
that something amazing happens to remind me why I love this or someone comes
through and lets me know that I inspire them or that they respect my grind. And
that makes it all worth the struggle for me.
Urbansteez.com: That's
wassup!! Get em Chey!! How did you get involved with the Dumpe fresh crew?
Chey N: Shout to my fam! Ce sa! Skating has
always been apart of my life. I ended up writing a record called Skateboards
and Braids, I still remember.. I was jussst about to finish the record and my
assistant at the time sent me this page randomly and was like check this out.
It was Boy Shy's page and I was thinking man this kids flow is sick his music
is dope and I kept seeing this Dumpe Fresh floating around his page. So I did
my research and decided to put Dumpe Fresh in the record. About 3 weeks later I
did an interview promoting the single and Boy Shy hit me up to say he was
feeling the song. The funny part about that story is he's french and he had NO
IDEA what I was saying lol. So he didnt even realize that I shouted out Dumpe
Fresh in the song. But after that we just gelled. I start workin with
producers from their camp (Shout to Lecs! My freezy producer) and building with
Mellow and Sully and I kind of took them under my wing and said I'm gonna do
what I can to bring you guys to the US cause I think they are the next big
thing. So we're promoting like crazy right now, looking at some great
distribution deals on the table. The first collection just dropped and the
online store is open. So cop those exclusives dumpefresh.com its only available in stores in France, but we ship international from the
webstore.
Urbansteez.com: Dumpe
fresh, check them out in the urban steez fashion blog, " Check my Steez"....Lets
talk about acting, what would you say are the pros and cons?
Chey N: Acting is so rewarding. Cause to REALLY become someone else is an
amazing experience. The cons for me are that unfortunately... there's
a stigma attached to being an artist AND an actress. It gets hard for people
to believe you as anyone but your public persona and that sucks
Urbansteez.com: I
see...Tell me a little bit about your Def pen music group?
Chey N: Well its Ducketz def pen music
group actually lol but they are my fam. The new era of media, we have the viral
promo game on lock. The Kasmo&Ducketz radio show is killin' em.
Defpenradio718.com is coming up right along side the other major hip hop media
websites. And me and Ducketz are creating this label as the example for the
new successful business model for marketing artists and distributing
music to the world. Every day Def Pen expands... we've got the UK, Canada the States and its just going to
continue to grow and bring young hungry business's to the table that we
can pull in under the Def Pen Umbrella of companies. We are multimedia in
every sense of the word. But you'll just have to watch an see to understand the
real scope of what we're getting ready to do. Its major ;o)
Urbansteez.com: Define
for me your true definition on a Boss??
Chey N: A boss is someone who can create opportunity,
maintain a network to achieve all their goals and negotiate without ever
compromising their vision, holding or ultimate power of decision.
Urbansteez.com: Would
you say you're a Boss?
Chey N: Yes sir ;o)
Urbansteez.com: So
"Boss Lady", what is your ultimate goal?
Chey N: On the artist side I just want to
make music I love and share it with the world. On the biz side I want to usher
in a new era of entertainment. To build a bridge back to the consumer, give
people something to believe in and subscribe to that they will go out
an support.
Urbansteez.com: Where
do you see yourself a 2 years from now?
Chey N: Touring the world
supporting my music. Loving life. Selling off my current business ventures and
starting new ones.
Urbansteez.com: Name one major, "No No" for guys
when trying to pursue you?
Chey N: Haha. I cant name ONE I have a list
1.Do not compete with my business...you will lose 2. Do not try and use
business to get on some romantic tip...it wont work 3. Don't compete with my
male friends... I have alot of them and once again...you will lose lmao...Hmm
what else. Dont drop game, its corny and highly unattractive and plus you cant
game a mac...you'll lose. Hhaha I'm playin. You know, I dont really have time
for dudes but if EVER I was in that situation...you just gotta be real, be
confident, make me laugh. I dont need too much just dont be fake thats a BIG
no, no.
Urbansteez.com: You
had a brotha taking notes for a sec lol...Let everyone know where to see more of
you ?
Chey N: I'm gonna be everywhere soon. But
please come through and check me on myspace. I love to hear from you!
Urbansteez.com: Any
shout outs???
Chey N: Ameer of course always lookin out
for the kid! Ducketz, The whole Def Pen. H.I.T, Fly Society, Dumpe Fresh,
Sully, Mellow, Shy, Lecs, Carter. Big Lou and Da Fam Ent, keep an eye out for
their new group Physha P. All my familia on myspace and throughout the internet
game thatshiphop.com
(Shout to Stephy Cyn) WWSmag...so many I am forgetting but we'll get 'em next
time!
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..lol...Keep at it,gurlie... 
P.S. - I hope that tatoo is'nt permanent!