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2015 July Unplugged NYC showcase winner : Mocha

Hailing from South Jamaica Queens, Mocha is only 16 years old making her mark in the music industry.

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Mocha rapper from South Jamaica queens

Hailing from South Jamaica Queens, Mocha is only 16 years old making her mark in the music industry. She got her name Mocha from her father because of her skin complexion. Her music can be best described as raw as she draws back on personal experiences in life.

Get to know a little about Mocha below and check out her music.

Introducing rapper Mocha

UV: Tell the UV family a little about yourself
Mocha: I’m from South Jamaica Queens and the name Mocha originated from my father when I was young. He used to call me Mocha because of my complexion.

UV: How did you hear about the Unplugged Showcase?
Mocha: My Manager made me aware of the showcase and the opportunities that I could receive had I won. I think the opportunities the showcase provided were very helpful and beneficial to me and my team.

UV: How would you describe your music?
Mocha: I would describe my music as real rap in as an outlook on my life and the experiences I faced in my life.

UV: How long have you been creating and performing music?
Mocha: I have been writing and performing since I was 12 years old.

UV: What are your passions and what makes you continue to strive in a cut throat industry?
Mocha: My passions are for rapping of course, writing, dancing and just excelling in general. When I see other artist who grew up in such hard conditions but continued to strive for greatness and then later achieve success, it makes me believe that I can do it if I stay the course. Artists such as Lauryn Hill, Eminem, Drake, Nas, Meek Mill, Jay Z and J Cole motivate me and help me to realize that if you’re smart with your decision-making and you stay focused anything is possible.

UV: What separates you from other rappers?
Mocha: What separates me from other rappers is of course the most obvious. I’m a 16-year-old female who didn’t grow up in the worst condition but certainly not the best. But I’ve never had to degrade myself or make one decision to be successful. I grind for the things I want and I will never pretend to be someone that I am not .

Mocha

UV: Who are your greatest musical influences?
Mocha: J Cole, Eminem, Meek Mill, Jay Z and Fabolous have the greatest influences on me and my music because although they all have different stories and flows they keep it real to themselves and their fans and have not forgotten where they were and who they are prior to the fame and fortune.

UV: Have you ever received negative feedback? If so, how did you react to it?
Mocha: Of course I received negative feedback on my music but only from closed minded people. When people are used to hearing the same form of music from the same artist or listen to very little rap music anything other other than that may not be respected but that has never discouraged me. It has only motivated me to make them come out of that closed box.

UV: What has been your best performance to date?
Mocha: My best performance was at the Apollo theater in Harlem. At the time I was 14 years old. This performance made people realize that rapping was not just a hobby for me but it was a way of life. The positive feedback and love I received after the performance made people look me up.


UV: Any current projects you’re working on?

Mocha: Right now I’m working on putting together a mix tape and working on a single so stay tuned for that!

UV: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Mocha: I see myself much more popular, much more successful, way more focused and we are more humbled .

UV: Any words of encouragement?
Mocha: Never ever doubt your self or let others opinions affect how you view yourself. If it is truly your dream, stay focused and be consistent and your dream will become a reality!

Bridging the gap between indie and industry is what best describes the Unplugged music series held in New York City. The showcase provides a supportive environment in which artists are able to share their music with an audience, develop their fan base, and to network.

The series is produced by music and entertainment industry professionals whose mission is to encourage COMMUNITY over competition. Past performers include McDonald’s Gospelfest Award winning group The Sisters, former Motown recording artist Yummy Bingham, and Grammy Award winning Songwriter/Producer Timothy Bloom.

Unheard Voices is proud to be apart of this series. Each winner of the showcase gets a series of prizes including a featured story right here on the Unheard Voices website. We are proud to introduce rapper Mocha, the winner of the July 2015 Unplugged Showcase.


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Unheard Voices is an award-winning news magazine that started in 2004 as a local Black newsletter in the Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, NJ areas to now broaden into a recognized Black online media outlet. They are the recipient of the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and CV Magazine's Innovator Award for Best Social Justice Communications Company.

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Interviews

Meet Singer TruSoul Davis

As an up & coming artist hailing from Cleveland, Ohio’s Morris Black housing projects, TruSoul Davis is adamant to keep love in music.

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TruSoul Davis
TruSoul Davis

As an up & coming singer hailing from Cleveland, Ohio’s Morris Black housing projects, TruSoul Davis discovered his affinity for music at a young age, singing in local choirs in his youth.

TruSoul Davis discovers his voice

In his later years, he began to take music more seriously, honing in on his gifts and finding his voice. TruSoul Davis went on to release multiple singles leading up to his first major release “The Tru Experience” to widespread local & international (UK) acclaim.

After a short promotional tour that included various radio station visits & shows such as “The FreeThinkers Tour”, “Indie Acoustic Soul Live” & “Song Wars 5” to name a few, TruSoul looks to make an impact in the R&B scene by “Bringing real R&B back”, as he says.

Unheard Voices had a chance to ask TruSoul Davis some questions on his journey.

Get to know the soul singer below and see why he’s Unheard Voices featured artist of the month.

Unheard Voices: When did you fall in love with music?
TruSoul Davis: At a very young age, probably about 5 years old. I can remember back when my mother used to bring home records from her job at the local record shop and let me just “dive” deep into her collection from artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, etc.

Unheard Voices: How would you describe your style of music?
TruSoul Davis: Simply a touch of 90’s RnB with today’s twist.

Unheard Voices: What is the meaning behind your name?
TruSoul Davis: My name came from me and a friend of mine listening to music. I started to sing the song we were listening to with a lil bit more sauce then my friend was like ” man you sang that with some true soul ” so I just dropped the “e” and put it together.

Unheard Voices: What does your work aim to say?
Trusoul Davis: With my music, I sing songs to the hearts of women and the minds of men showing the up’s and downs of love and life, good and bad, and just trying to keep ” love” in music because we need it.

Unheard Voices: What or who have the greatest musical influences on you and your music?
TruSoul Davis: There are just too many to name. I can name a few to keep it brief; artists like Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Johnny Gill, Dave Hollister, Michael Jackson just to name some ALL PLAY A GREAT PART IN MY MUSIC.

Unheard Voices: What has been the biggest challenge you have encountered during your journey with music?
TruSoul Davis: The biggest challenge I have encountered is being my own worst critic, and just trusting the process.

Unheard Voices: Where do you see yourself musically in five years?
TruSoul Davis: I can’t say but what I will say is “where ever hard work and consistency gets me”

Unheard Voices: What is next in the works for TruSoul Davis?
TruSoul Davis: Dropping a video to my latest single “Wildflower” ft my homie Big Trip. Shout out my shooter Logan Kyngston also some big shows coming this summer.

Unheard Voices: What do you like to do in your free time (outside of music)?
TruSoul Davis: Outside of music I love spending time with loved ones, working out, and doing something proactive for those around me friends and strangers alike.

Unheard Voices: In closing, I would like for you to leave the Unheard Voices readers words of encouragement and inspiration, especially for those pursuing a career in music and entertainment.
TruSoul Davis: Some words of encouragement for those grinding just like me “keep ya head down stay focused stay sharp rock with the people that rock with you just like that and TRUST THE PROCESS stay consistent and results will come”.

Check out him on Reverbnation.


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Interviews

Missin Peace holds police accountable with national misconduct database

Missin Peace is the only national police misconduct database that collects formal civilian complaints against law enforcement.

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Missin Peace national police misconduct database
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Missin Peace is on a mission to connect the dots when it comes to police misconduct.

For decades, many Americans have suffered various forms of brutality and injustice at the hands of “bad” law enforcement officers.

With the upsurge of cell phone cameras, citizens are finally able to document their interaction with police. The unfortunate murders of
Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others have galvanized the masses to demand justice.

Police officers are intended to be public servants, but what happens when the officer is accused of misconduct?

Sometimes, a civilian puts in a complaint in a step towards holding the officer accountable. But only a small percent of complaints result in the officer being disciplined —partly because the accusations are hidden.

Records of misconduct are filed away and rarely seen outside of their department.

Investigators can’t take action against corrupt officers if they are missing the pieces of the puzzle regarding stories of misconduct.

That’s where Missin Peace comes in.

How Missin Peace works

Missin Peace is a national police misconduct database that collects formal civilian complaints against law enforcement.

Missin Peace organization

 

Released in 2017, the registry offers two type of accounts.

One, it enables civilians to put the formal complaints they filed against the officer on record. Civilians are able to submit the official civilian complaint along with pictures, videos, and other accompanying documentation.

Two, the database also serves as a portal for investigative journalists, hiring managers, and civil rights attorneys to conduct research. For this type of account, users must contact Missin Peace to be granted access.

Currently, Missin Peace is the only national police misconduct database that allows citizens to follow and find any police officer’s history of complaints. The organization’s goal is to increase awareness on the database to be used as a tool for police accountability.

Check out Unheard Voices interview with Missin Peace founders:

For civilians who file their complaints on the database, personal information is stripped from the complaint, assuring complete anonymity.

The intent is to put on record police misconduct without fear of retaliation.

Traditionally, corrupt law enforcement officers have been allowed to transfer from one department to another and avoid the repercussions of their actions. To circumvent the recycling of corrupt cops, the American public and politicians finally understand the need for a centralized database of citizen complaints.

Missin Peace is here to fill in that void.

How to submit your complaint(s) in the database

If you have filed a complaint against a law enforcement officer, Missin Peace encourages you to put your complaint in the database to fill in the missing pieces. It doesn’t matter how old the complaint is, as long as it’s official.

To visit Missin Peace, check out their website and spread the word with your loved ones.


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Interviews

Rapper Chad Watson Is Poised To Become LA’s Next Rising Star

Chad Watson is a lyricist, songwriter, producer, and classically trained pianist based out of the Los Angeles area.

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Rapper Chad Watson
Chad Watson

Chad Watson is a rapper, songwriter, producer, and classically trained pianist based out of the Los Angeles area.

Who is rapper Chad Watson?

His roots began in the church at a young age where his love for music manifested. But it was only a few years ago that he started taking music seriously and he’s never looked back since.

His deep appreciation of acts like Andre 3000, transcends into his own style. He is the quinessential artist that is poised to become one of the biggest acts in the country and he’s well on his way.

With his growing buzz, he has appeared on various media platforms and now Unheard Voices.

We had the chance to chat with Chad Watson, asking the music artist questions on his journey.

Check it out below and click here to listen to his music on YouTube.

Interview


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