The Real Stevie Bee

Check out the new song from Stevie Bee – Louder ft. Mr Markus and Stewie Strong

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
Stevie Bee aka Bishop, born Stevenson Benoit, has been rapping since 2001 while serving his country in the United States Army. After his contract with the military termed he moved back to his hometown of Homestead, FL and started a rap group called 66 Clips. From there Bishop decided to form his own label called P-Squad Entertainment. At that point he released his first full length album titled “Bishop: The Man, The Myth, The Legend” featuring hit singles the “How We Ride Remix ft. PSE” and “Excuse Me Miss ft Jay Gutta, Tariq & Sheena” amongst others.

In 2006, Bishop moved to Tallahassee, FL. and passed the reigns of PSE (P-Squad Entertainment) to the VP Tariq. Bishop switched over to Christian rap and released “Confessions Of A Sinner,” “Broken Levees: The Mixtape,” “The Resurrection,” and “H.A.R.D.” In 2010 Bishop recorded “Red & Blue (Haitian Pride)” in memory of the earthquake that devastated the island country of Haiti. The song grabbed the eye of execs of Flatfoot Hustlers Entertainment and signed him to a one year contract. In 2011 Bishop enlisted the services of JMX Artist Management. Bishop recorded his first project back in the secular rap titled “Switchin Lanes Vol.1? featuring his rap buddy Tony “Leo” Zamora. Already the songs have gained ground and are circulating through the Tallahassee underground music scene. Singles include “Anywhere (Higher),” “Smoke Something (Da Session) ft Leo,” and “So Fresh.” Stevie Bee is currently working on a fall release for his current mixtape “Stevie Bee 4 Prez.”

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
The song “Louder” is a view into the distractions that life brings especially when you are out there trying to remain focused and accomplish all the goals you were raised to believe that you couldn’t. The higher you go, the more you do, the better you get, the louder the crowd will be.

What are you currently working on and what can we expect to see?
I’m currently working on “Stevie Bee 4 Prez.” It’s the culmination of my many faces within the music game. It is all my personalities rolled into one CD. I take it back to how I really like my music, with a lot of passion and life in it. It’s good music in case Kanye reads this . One of the best things I like about this mixtape is the production is different. I don’t want to sound like what is on the radio. Bump the radio. It’s crap for real. I’m giving you funky beats, horns, and lyrics that tell a story.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
One of the hardest things about the industry so far is dealing with other artists that have a different work ethic, can’t trust or rely on many of them. They don’t conduct good business. If you know me you know I’m about business being handled correctly and plenty of these cats trying to get it or barely getting in are eventually making it harder for themselves in the long run. I’m all about everyone around me eating. Everyone has their niche, their market, but it’s ok. I don’t see those crabs anyway.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
My biggest setback was for the most part a large majority of the year 2011. I lost my job. Bills couldn’t get paid. I did what I had to do to survive, but it got to a point where I couldn’t do more and still stay out of jail. Ended up breaking my lease where I was staying in Tallahassee and moving back home to Homestead, Fl. There is only one way to bounce back from something like that ending the whole year with nothing, no phone, no whip, no crib, no cash, no nothing. Stack major cash up and vow that it will never happen again. Money becomes the focal point. Get as much of it as I can. That was how I bounced back – getting my money.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Hungry bitches with a hand out and green ass niggas that play like they are your homey.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Honestly the main thing I can tell another artists is through it all, just remain yourself. Stay who you are. Don’t get swallowed up by the game around you. It will change you at all costs. Never forget who you really are inside and follow that person inside. Surround yourself with loyal people that know the real you and will give you a reality check when you need it. There’s no room in my camp for “yes” men.

What are the best ways to sell your products as an artist?
Make sure your music reflects the real you. Get a team to do all the marketing work. Let them sell it while you focus on honing your music and performance skills.

Where can people visit you?
www.facebook.com/dabishop82
@steviebee82
www.facebook.com/bishoptheevangelist
www.reverbnation.com/steviebee82 - WWS Magazine / Redeemer Publications

I2G chilled with the talented Stevie Bee for an exclusive interview. We discuss his motivation for getting into music after serving in the armed forces, future plans and much more so check it out.
You have spoken to the world through your actions and now through the mic, what made you decide to get into the music industry after the army?
Music has always been an integral part of growing up. I was introduced to music at a very early age from learning to read music for piano to playing the drums for many many years at my dad’s church. Yes I’m a preacher’s kid. Music was the only escape that I could attach myself to being a pretty smart kid growing up and not being able to capitalize on that because with each “gifted” and “advanced” program I qualified for, my dad would hold me back thinking it was a conspiracy to categorize black people. After the drums, I picked up the trumpet, sax, clarinet, and a bunch of other instruments. When I was in high school, I auditioned to go to an advanced music school at the time, MAST Academy. I qualified but once again, my father held me back. Unlike others, the first rapper that I got into was DMX. His raw passion and energy coupled with my frustrations is what led me to being involved with the music industry. Why would God provide me with a gift, a talent and not be able to expound on it you know.
Where does your inspiration lie & where is it found when you have writers block?
I draw my inspiration from all over really. I never really know what is going to trigger it so as an old fashioned “backpack rapper” so to speak, I always try to keep a pen and pad around and if not, then I use my phone and text myself. I had an interesting journey. I took the scenic route so I’ve seen a lot. Being that I’m passionate each time I step behind the mic, I draw my inspiration plenty times from my own hardship or that of others close enough to me where I feel it as well. When I have writer’s block though, in the past, honestly, I used to smoke weed to elevate my mind out of the box. Now I just try and let it come without forcing it and see where my mind takes me. It takes longer sometimes to get it done but oh well, you can’t rush a masterpiece lol.
In Remember My Name I quote “My past can’t hold me no more” you strive for progress in everything you do but name an experience you always revisit and has given you reoccurring hope.
Well, knowing the dirt that I did over the past several years is fuel for me. It’s an additional wrinkle to the story of Bishop aka Stevie Bee. I replay all the performances that I’ve had, the trips that I’ve taken, and the people I’ve met. I’m all about positive energy and forward motion. Anything outside of those two characteristics I pretty much just ignore to the best of my ability. Some people tend to let their past hold them back but I believe that I was prepared by my past. I went through all that for a reason, to share with others who are currently going through or about to go through very similar situations.
Haitian Pride was a huge success for you and such a heartfelt tribute. When there is “hell down here” how do you find the peace needed to place that into your lyrics and still affect as many people as you do?
I aim to be as close to transparent as possible with my listeners. There is plenty of “party” music out there and naturally people are going to gravitate towards it to have fun but you can only party for so long. A major thing that is missing right now in music is people saying that “no everything is not all right” but I’m still going to keep my head up anyway. I love that kind of music. That’s why I like DMX, Pac, Big Krit and various others.
Do you remember the first song you fell in love with?
The first rap song I fell in love with honestly was DMX’s Ruff Ryder’s Anthem. I couldn’t get enough of that song lol.
We often forget the dreams we had as kids, would you say that you are achieving yours or did your dream change throughout the years?
Funny thing, my dreams changed over the years. I remember in elementary school, I first wanted to become a baseball player. Then I wanted to become a private detective from reading all kinds of mystery books. Then I wanted to become a lawyer from reading all of John Grisham’s books which I still do to this day. Once music came into my life, I knew I wanted to do something with music and here I am lol.
What made you transition into Christian rap?
I actually started off as Christian Rap. I veered off into secular rap because I just had extra things I wanted to get off my chest. Now, I have much love and respect for Christian Rap but I don’t classify myself as that kind of rapper. I tend to say things that are frowned upon in the overly religious Christian community. I like to speak my mind and convey what is placed on my heart. When I speak, when I touch the mic, know that I’m giving you that which is in me. Maybe one day you will be able to classify me as a Christian rapper but I’m sti - illuminati2g

Stevie Bee, formerly known as Bishop, has been rapping since 2002 while serving his country in the United States Army. After his contract with the military termed, he moved back to his hometown of Homestead, FL and started a rap group called 66 Clips. From there, Bishop decided to form his own label called P-Squad Entertainment. At that point he released his first full length album titled "Bishop: The Man, The Myth, The Legend" featuring hit singles, "How We Ride Remix ft. PSE", "Excuse Me Miss ft Jay Gutta, Tariq & Sheena", amongst others.

In 2006, Stevie Bee moved to Tallahassee, FL. and passed the reigns of PSE (P-Squad Entertainment) to the VP, Tariq. He switched over to Christian rap and released, "Confessions Of A Sinner", "Broken Levees: The Mixtape", "The Resurrection", and "H.A.R.D.". In 2010, he recorded "Red & Blue (Haitian Pride)" in memoriam of the earthquake that devastated the island country of Haiti. The song grabbed the eye of execs at Flatfoot Hustlers Entertainment and signed him to a one year contract. In 2011, he enlisted the services of JMX Artist Management. That same year, he released, "Switchin Lanes Vol.1 & 2" featuring his rap cohort Tony "Leo" Zamora and other members of P-Squad Ent. Quickly, some of the songs gained ground and were circulating through the Tallahassee underground music scene. Singles included, "Anywhere (Higher)", "Smoke Something (Da Session) ft Leo", and "So Fresh".

Stevie Bee is currently working on the final installment of the Switchin' Lanes series, Switchin' Lanes: Reloaded, as well as his new album, Walk Wit Me ft the single Second Chances. Stevie Bee is back in Miami, Fl and working with Odd Muzic honcho, former P-Squad VP, Tariq.

"Performing at the Legacy Retreat in Georgia was a blast. Performing at LPC in Homestead FL was also a great moment for me. Being on the road just travelling to different performances and shows are the proudest moments in music for me because I am out doing what I love."

popVLTR: You've been making moves in Miami, how'd you get into music? SB: I started the same way many other artists have started, in the church. I played the drums at first and then picked up a bunch of instruments and started running with them. It was when I listened to DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot that I started experimenting with rapping. Long story short, 10 years of blood, sweat, and tears has me here making the kind of music that I want and love and enjoying it.

popVLTR: Congrats on the recent success, who are some of your influences? SB: I'm inspired by a few artists. First there is Nas. I love his lyricism. I've always been a huge fan of his music. It's crazy being born and raised in the south and your favorite artist for a long time is an east coast rapper. Even my own flow shows strong ties to other regions' music. I'm big on Krit right now. Definitely the homey from Mississippi. Other influences would be Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, J. Cole, and Wale and maybe one or two others. I love Budden's verse on Slaughterhouse's Truth or Truth. He killed it. He won me with that song.

popVLTR: What are some of your proudest moments in music so far? SB: There have been a few. Performing at the Legacy Retreat in Georgia was a blast. Performing at LPC in Homestead FL was also a great moment for me. Being on the road just travelling to different performances and shows are the proudest moments in music for me because I am out doing what I love. I'm pretty humble. I view every performance as an accomplishment.

popVLTR: What cool stuff is on the horizon for Stevie Bee? SB: I have another vlog coming as we count down to the completion of everything I have going on. We're shooting a music video for Second Chances on the 6th of April. I'm working on Switchin Lanes Reloaded which will be the final installment in the mixtape franchise. I'm also working on Walk Wit Me. Both should be complete within the next few months. I'm also working on my second book, Backslidden: Malik's Story. That should also be complete sometime this year so stay tuned for that. I'm competing in the Hard Rock music competition and currently have a buzz rating of 83.4% so everyone go to www.battleofthebands.com/u/steviebee82 and shoot me a vote, share with your friends and the whole 9. I have some features I did with Block Bezzle from Odd Muzic and Buga B my label mate on P-Squad Ent. I have some giveaways coming up for my supporters. To keep up to date on everything, stop by www.psquadent.com and subscribe to the mailing list.
- Pop Vulture Magazine