I Humbly Thank You......

On Nov 3rd Baltimore came together for the Baltimore Crown Awards! Well not ALL of Baltimore but more than enough to have a feel good vibe.  I wrote up a little something already but this isn't about the event its self and more of my thank yous and all that!!!

I wrote a speech for the Special Appreciation Award that I won but never got to give it because we ran out of time.....as always.  LOL  There were so many people there and there were new awards and wonderful special performances!!!  But anyway this is suppose to be about me!  LOL

So this is the speech!  I posted it on my page and I posted it in the comments of the picture of my award on the Baltimore Scene Facebook page too!!


I want to thank all who nominated and voted for me. I am appreciative of those who acknowledge the things I do. Too many times we forget and take for granted the things that those we are close to do for us and sometimes a heartfelt THANK YOU means the world.

I sincerely want to thank Bomb. That’s my family and I will always be MIB. And for those who don’t care much for me because I’m too loud or too honest…Blame Bomb! LOL IF it weren’t for him reaching out to me as an artist to a fan in 2006 on MySpace I wouldn’t know any of you!

I want to thank Chin Yer and Shaka Pitts for all the shows and events that they have put together so that I can do the things that I do. Not just the photography but the networking and the relationships I have built over these past 6 yrs! WOWWW 6 yrs!!

Sonny Brown for all the phone calls and wonderful long conversations about business and even personal things I was going through!

Ogun, you are Bmore’s Hero but you are one of my closest friends whether you realize it or not.

My Tay Tay…Thank you just isn’t enough for you!! I love you with all my heart!!

My brother Vision and sister Misha, my BMWB family thank you for always holding me up when I couldn’t hold myself. 1Up 1 Down

Billy Lyve and the entire Wisdom Court, Mai, Sam, Latrice, Penthouse, There is too many of you all to name….I love you guys!! Thank you for the opportunities you have giving me and the ones that are coming. I feel really good about this year coming!!

There are tons of others I wish I could thank but I will save that for my blog! We would be up here all night with all the people I have to thank!!

The things I do are truly from my heart! The advice I give, the connections I make are all for the artists that ask me for them. I’m just grateful that many of you are in my life and I just want you all to achieve your dream. Then one day when you are up on stage receiving a prestigious award and giving your First of all I want to Thank God speech before you get off the mic you say oh and Thank you Lisa Stant Baltimore Paparazzi for taking pictures and believing in me!

Thank you again!!

That was a nice little speech!! LOL  If I hadn't written anything and I got on the mic I probably would have l been a smartass and I have been working on that and my Karma has been wonderful since cutting numerous people out of my world!  Blessings and meeting new people have came my way and good things in  my personal life as well.  So I'm going to try and be Lisa but Liezel might slip out!!  Now we will be good as long as L I stays locked away!!  LOL

I really want to say THANK YOU to everyone I have met since 2008 until now and those I'm going to meet in the future!!  If it weren't for all of you who have shared my photos with my name and logos over the years, no one would even know me or my work!!

I want to thank all of those who introduce me as LISA THE BALTIMORE PAPARAZZI!!  You are helping me expand my brand and my name!  In the past I have had people introduce me as LISA MY PHOTOGRAPHER!!  Sigh!!  Even THE PHOTOGRAPHER would have been better than making it sound like I worked for them!  LOL  Whoooooaaaa  Liezel slipped out!  So thank you to all of you who respected what I do and the role I play!

There are too many names to remember!!  It is so hard to not hurt anyone's feelings but I have met so many awesome people over the years who have added to my success and to my love for the music scene!

Tons of people!  LOL

Bar Cardy, Miss Cream...K's up, RIP Tone and RIP Stryfe, my girl Lena.......

Skarr Akbar who always takes a picture of me because I'm always taking pictures of everyone else!!


Dirt Platoon,
Lebora,
Only.....Love you,
Apex,
J5.....Love you,
Brownfish (Ooh and Jahiti)
Ernest Turner,
John Hudson....Mastermind
Street Heat
Block Hugga,
Sonny Grams,
Wood,
all of 1st Family,
Knatty,
Topp Dogg Hill,
Diablo Slim,
Hollywood
and Freight Train Records,
Block Boy Gang,
Miss Kitten,
Permiss,
Singleton Newman,
Dubbs Lane,
ED aka Frank Lewis,
DJ TNT,
Tiffany Couture and HalfPint,
Clever One,
Lenwood,
Savage Da Beast,
Flint,
Dime Poe,
Josh,
So Swagg (for always wanting a damn photo shoot at any event I'm at lol).......
all the members of MABA Pit Fights and Face Off Battles Leagues.....

I'm drawing a blank mind right now!  WOWWWWW  I know there are tons of others!!

Oh Profitt and Flamez,
Syncere,
Hunnit Proof (Rico Hopes and Talal),
Sonny Reddz,
Damond Blue,
Q Gutta,
Maintain,
Rockwell,
Chyna Doll aka Kima.......
Kelly Connelly,
PX aka Kneel Knaris and Juward
Mark Carey,
Lord Baltimore,
Blizzard,
Kellye Lo,
Yuk,
Baltimore Son,
My man Comp,
JonJon The Son,
My friend Bart Shiflett aka B-Side,
Kae Fields,
Jaydee,
trying to think.......
my girls Carrie, Devon and Nikima who keep me laughing......
Ty Hill who use to be Ty Gudda!! :)  And will always be Ty Gudda to me! LOL

Anyone who has ever offered to take a picture of me, anyone who has taken pictures of me!!

Ok I can't think of anymore people but anyone that I have met, crossed paths with I humbly say THANK YOU!!!


I also want to say thank you to Smif n Wessun aka Steele and Tek. They have re-posted my pictures I took of them.

Thank you to SwizZz of Funk Volume for re-posting the blog that I wrote for the Funk Volume Tour and being such a great guy to talk to!!

Thank you to all the club owners over the years that have been open because if it weren't for them I wouldn't have events to go to!!  Black Hole, Penguins, 5 Seasons, Turntable Club, Bourbon Street, and of course Sonar.

Thank you to the promoters as well!!  Especially Tay Tay who threw shows for anyone wanting to perform!!

Billy Lyve who has been working hard over the past couple of years creating a following and a brand name with Wisdom Court.

I'm sorry if I didn't name you personally by name!  It wasn't on purpose.  Just too many to remember and I have been writing this for hours now!  LOL

And last but not least.......

Thank you to everyone who has ever crossed me too!  LOL  Without you all I wouldn't know real people who appreciate what I do!!


So with all that being said......I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us all!!  Much Love!!!!

Photo taken by Skarr Akbar!!! Thanks!!

My Thoughts.....

Well the list came out a few days ago on who was nominated for The Baltimore Crown Awards that will be held on Nov 5th at 5 Seasons.  And there were alot of familiar names and some new names this year.  Yes I was nominated for Photographer of the Year and I thank everyone who nominated me.  And no I really don't think I will win this year but still to know that I have my own "fans" that love what I do, is heartfelt and puts a smile on my face.

For me the big news was that Wisdom Court had over 12 nominations for the company its self as well as it's members and those affiliated with Wisdom Court.  To me that means I made the right decision to be apart of this company.

I haven't really addressed that situation and maybe no one really cares but I think I want to explain not need to explain what has happened.

I have been supporting local music and artists since I met B.O.M.B.  I was never officially M.I.B. but I was of course a supporter and to some family.  Actually, I still am.  I just seen B.O.M.B. and Doc Baltimore today as a matter of fact.  LOL    Ok back to the story....I was never apart of any one team, clique or business.  I slowly became the Baltimore Paparazzi and had my own identity no matter how much people wanted to combine my face and name with someone else.  I was and will always be Lisa or the Baltimore Paparazzi.

I met Billy Lyve.  I had been hearing about Wisdom Court and it seemed like they came from no where but in fact had started out in the county and gained a fanbase there and then came into the city which I think was about the best move.  The city doesn't seem to try and get fans.  But that's another story!!

So I met and talked with Billy and became a fan and supporter.  I liked what I seen.  Not just music wise but on the whole business aspect.  I have been hollering this is a business treat it as such for so long and it was like no one wanted to listen to me.  But Wisdom Court gets it.  It is a company, a business and it's a family.  There is alot of support.  Everyone has a job that they have to do and they do it without complaining or making excuses about why they can't do it!

So when I was asked to be the official photographer for the Sleep When I'm Dead Pt 2 tour I said sure.  And then when I was asked to be a part of the Wisdom Court business I didn't even have to think about it.  I am still Lisa the Baltimore Paparazzi but I'm also Wisdom Court and we all bring something to the table.  When I was going through some issues and problems I got phones calls and messages making sure I was good because it was only a few that knew I was going through something.  But these people cared about me and not for what I could do for them and never have I felt like I was being used by anyone.  Business is business.

So with that all being said, again thank you to all of those who nominated me as well as those members of Wisdom Court for all the awards. I am so blessed to have so many people who appreciate what I do.

In The Spotlight Vol 1

A few months ago I got a message from my man Double P about putting together a mixtape of artists and songs that I like.  I got really excited.  I have been supporting the local scene for a while and this is a way for me to do it in a bigger scale!

So I thought about it for a few and hit up certain people that I loved their music or just genuinely loved them.  I knew that once I said I was putting together tracks to make a mixtape people would be coming at me left and right about getting a track on there.  And that's exactly what happened!  But I stuck to my guns and put those who I felt needed to be on there!!!  Those who I felt had something to say and songs that I personally like.  This was going to be my personal mixtape!!

After weeks of waiting, I got an email with the link from Double P.  I couldn't wait to download it and then share this withe everyone!

With such names as Ogun, B.O.M.B., Shy Lady Heroin, Billy Lyve, JonJon The Son, Savage Da Beast, Lenwood, Bar Cardy, Miss Cream, Dirt Platoon, Only and a few more, this mixtape has to have at least one track that everyone can vibe to and maybe even hear someone they have never heard of before and become a fan!

I'm hoping that everyone who listens to and downloads this mixtape enjoys it as much as I do!!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project! It's all love!!!

http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Double-P-In-The-Spot-Light-Vol-1-mixtape.223619.html

Tay Land Promotions aka Tay Tay

I wanted to do something different in a way!  Instead of doing a bio of an artist or group or a review of someone's cd, I wanted to give a special thanks to someone who since day one of meeting her has been a really caring person.

If you don't know who that is in the picture with me then you need to get to know her!!  Her name is Tay Tay and she is a promoter here in the Baltimore scene.  She puts on shows at Sonar and at Club Reality where she is also a bartender!  I met Tay through B.O.M.B. and Shy Lady Heroin when she was throwing shows and bar tending at Penguins.   She seemed really friendly and I soon seen that she was funny.  Tay isn't from Baltimore but you really couldn't tell it because of all the love she has shown for the local artists.

As time moved forward, she started throwing shows at Bedrock.  Her shows seemed to consist of known acts as well as people I had never heard of as well!  She seemed to be giving a shot to everyone who wanted to do a show!  Regardless of if they were wack or not.  I have became familiar with a few artists through Tay Tay!

When my camera broke Tay was like the 4th person to suggest taking up a collection to help buy me a new camera.  The reasoning was that I have taken pictures for free of just about every artists, rapper and wanna be since 2008.  Now my whole thing was that I wasn't sure how some people would feel about people wanting to get money together to buy me a camera something like what others had bought for themselves!  But then again I don't charge for the show pictures and the photo shoots I have done for people were so cheap I was basically doing them for nothing.

In 2008, I went to 60 shows and took a total of 6,870 pictures.  In 2009, I went to 41 shows and took 3,832 pictures!!  And so far in 2010, I have gone to 37 shows and took 4,396 pictures.  Not to mention the 11 photo shoots and other events I have done and taken 539 pictures for those.  Of those 11, I got paid for 3!   That is a total of  15,637 pictures in 2 and a half years.

So Tay took up a collection at her Purple and Green Event on August 18th.  She collected $61.  I was appreciative of it because I wasn't expecting anyone to give but a $1 or $2.  I wasn't expecting anything for real!  I was just happy that Tay cared enough about what I love and what I do to even try!

So Tay, thank you for all that you do, have done and will do in this music business!  That's why when out of town artists ask me about shows I send them your way.

I love ya Tay Tay!!!

B.O.M.B.

Born on the island of Haiti , and trained for life everywhere from Baltimore , to N.Y.C , to Columbus Ohio. At a very young age Bomb had a great passion for all kinds of music from pop, to rock , to hip hop.
Bomb picked up the mic at age 13 but it was all in fun, it didn't become serious until the age of 17. By then his influences were greats like Ice Cube, 2pac Shakur, and Biggie Smalls. Since then Bomb has been signed to Fortress Ent./ Nervous records under JayZ famed producer Charlemagne, Then signed a deal with Independent Charm City Records until finally deciding to start his own company "M.I.B Ent.".
Bomb has sinced released 2 mixtapes, and 1 E.P. Including the hit single "LEAN" which rode the Billboard charts for 5 weeks peaking at number 9, and has performed over 200 shows in two years everywhere from Boston to Atlanta . In 2010 Bomb is "plotting on taking over the world" as he loves to say. With his M.I.B Ent. on track and set to release 4 mixtape style c.d's , 1 full length c.d. , 1 double c.d. and 2 dvd's, all you'll get from Bomb is " It's good to be busy doing what you love " .
Bomb is the complete package. His word play and many flows are Genius, his persona (swagger) is as street as they come, women love him, he loves the stage, his business is just that and it doesn't hurt that he makes hit after hit....

Now that is B.O.M.B's bio that is on his Reverbnation page. http://www.reverbnation.com/#/datboybomb

This is the man as I have come to know him. Bundles On My Block

In July 2006, I received a message from an artist on Myspace. You know the usual come listen to my music. That was how independent artists try and get fans. So I had been hit up by many people all over the US and so I said ok let me go and listen. There were 4 songs on the playlist. At that time that is all they would allow you to post. Usually when I would listen to someone's playlist I would like 1 or maybe even 2 songs but never all 4. As I'm listening to his music, I'm realizing that I really like all 4 songs on there. I hit him back telling him so and added him onto my MySpace.

In January 2007, I met him face to face at his FYE store tour that he was doing. He was going to the FYE stores and promoting his song Lean. Selling it for $2 through FYE and actually meeting people and building a fan base. Through that tour, B.O.M.B. got his spot on the Billboard Music Chart. Debuting at 91 March 17, 2007. It finally peaked at #9 on the Single Sales Chart and was on a total of 3 Billboard chart listings. All of this without the help of local airplay.

Over that year, I kept in contact with him and his music. I went to another in store at Security Square Mall to show my support and took a few pictures of him meeting fans. This was the beginning. I never got to see him perform until I attended the Sonny Brown Benefit show at the Turntable Club in January 2008. This was actually the first time of attending anything in the Baltimore Scene. To see him on the stage and watching the crowd, who I came to realize was like 90% local artists, I felt like I was watching someone in the industry.

Over the years that have followed I attended shows, showing my support and love of his music. Because of that support I had gone to Brooklyn, NY and Manhattan, NY to watch B.O.M.B. perform and win crowds over. I have been to shows in the DMV to see him perform.

Now it has been 4 years since that first internet message and my love and support has grown for B.O.M.B.. It has moved from more than a fan. I am a supporter. I am a secretary. I am advisor. I am a friend. I am family. And that's just fine with me. He knows I'm going to be truthful when it comes to opinions on his music and I'm going to support him the best way I can.

On May 7, 2010, B.O.M.B. got a write up in The Source Magazine. http://www.thesource.com/articles/14360/Bomb/306/S.I.H.H.N In that article he says that he is "plotting on taking over the world". Well personally I can't wait. I have gotten to hear a few of his new music. On his Revernation page you can hear a couple of new tracks that he is sharing with the world. So go give him a listen and I hope that you enjoy his music as much as I do.