My Research.

The research I have completed on Hip-hop as a whole and individual artists has helped me create my own artist. I chose to take key assets from The Notorious B.I.G. and apply them to my own artist, I looked into a large variety of images of The Notorious B.I.G. to look into his style, this helped me think about how I wanted to present my own artist. I chose to present my artist in a classic gangster fashion. The Notorious B.I.G. was often seen addressing this fashion choice in his photoshoots with different magazines, I took inspiration from this and applied it to my own artist by utilising a look that involved; a bowler hat, a suit, a cane and a cigar. 
I also looked into different formats of magazine, I looked at particular magazines such as; XXL, Vibe, Fader, Rolling Stone and Billboard to give me ideas for my own magazine. All of these magazines applied to my research as they fit my chosen genre, I took the masthead idea from Fader and applied it to my own magazine as I think it makes the title more prominent and therefore audience members can identify it much easier. 

Magazine - First draft.

Article.

I'm here today to spend some time with arguably the biggest rapper to break onto the scene at the age of 29... Floyd Ellis Wallace. We're here to speak about the new debut album by Wallace, 'Fortune.' More commonly known by his stage name 'Welfare G', Wallace tells us the ups and downs of his career so far and the decisions he has made to get to where he is today.



Me.// Thankyou for joining me today Mr. Wallace. 

Artist.// Please, Floyd is cool...

Me.// As you wish. So Ellis, you must be very busy with all of this fame entering your life all of a sudden?

Artist.// Course g, I mean, my life has took a turn for the good and all, but it takes some getting used to you know?

Me.// Obviously. You seem relaxed about it all though, are you enjoying it so far?

Artist.// Man if I wasn't enjoying it I wouldn't be doing it, this is what I'm good at so it's what I do.

Me.// Good point, it's always good being able to do what you want to be doing whilst effecting other peoples lives in a positive way. Where did you get your stage name from?

Artist.// Welfare G? Well, Welfare pretty much is the overall happiness of a person, health & fortunes make up happiness. I'm healthy and I have been very fortunate to make it to where I am now, that's the reason for Welfare as my stage name.

Me.// And what about the G?

Artist.// G just stands for gangster bro, Welfare Gangster is the name in full.

Me.// Ah I see, can you explain the title of your debut album?

Artist.// I chose 'Fortune' as my album title because there is millions of rappers out there who dream of making it and go out and work for it but never get to live their dreams. I'm one of the lucky ones who is fortunate to have this chance so I dedicate this album to everyone who is working to make their dreams reality.

Me.// That's understandable, you seem to be very appreciative of the struggle that artists have to go through to make it this far.

Artist.// That's right bro, i've lived it so I know how hard it is to make it.

Me.// Can you tell me who inspired you to do make music?

Artist.// Yeah sure, my biggest inspiration is The Notorious B.I.G. I started listening to his music at a young age when he released his debut album, I still listen to his content today because of the quality of music he made, his lyrics are untouchable from my perspective. 

Me.// I see, it's funny you should say The Notorious B.I.G. because you look a bit like him.

Artist.// Haha, i've had that said to me a few times before, it's not a bad thing.

Me.// Of course not, do you have a highlight of 2014?

Artist.// There were many ups and downs in 2014 but I enjoyed making Fortune. I mean it was very hard work making it as high quality as possible but hard work pays off so hopefully it will all pay off this year.

Me.// How do you see your music fitting into the market?

Artist.// Good question g, i've done everything to make sure my content is at its optimum upon release, I hope the quality will make it stand out in the market and from that expand my audience.

Me.// Does this mean 2015 is a big year for Welfare G?

Artist.// I don't want to get ahead of myself in these early stages but Fortune will be released in two weeks exactly, I'm looking forward to that and i'll go from there. 

Me.// Any tours planned at all?

Artist.// Possibly, you'll have to wait just like everybody else g.

Me.// Haha I will, thanks for coming in today Ellis, it's been great having you with us and I wish you the best for the future.

Artist.// My pleasure bro, cheers for having me.

Name of Artist.

Welfare G

Welfare.// The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person.

G.// A Gangster.