24: Introduce yourself to the readers and let them know where you’re from and what was it that made you want to start a Blog?
 
Prima: Konnichiwa, I’m Prima(**e-wave**). The whole “Prima Bloggerrina” represents my attitude for blogging. In ballet, everybody wants to grow up to be the prima ballerina, the leading female ballet dancer in a company. I’m aiming to be one of the leading bloggers in entertainment. I was born in San Diego, California. My dad was in the army so I ended up being raised overseas. He retired in Miami,FL so here I am. I started blogging as a hobby on MySpace. I have a love for Pop Culture. It’s actually a damn near an addiction. My partner, Napps, came up with the idea to start iBlog126 together.
 
24: I know that iBlog126  actually has a team so let the readers know who exactly make up iBlog126?
 
Prima: iBlog126 consists of Napps, Peiso, Fat Boy, Artillary and myself.  All of us work together to maintain and promote the site/brand whether it’s by email, social networks, blogging, word of mouth, networking, graphic design, etc. If one person can’t do it, there’s always somebody on hand to be able to”. One hand wash the other, both wash the face”.
 
24: With so many people having Blogs now how do you make sure that you separate your Blog from the others?
 
Prima: From the start of iBlog126, we’ve always said that we wanted to first and foremost be an outlet for “local” artists, designers, etc, especially from the Miami and South Florida area to have an outlet to be seen, heard, and hopefully understood and/or appreciated. Some people just need that one post as a boost of confidence in something they’re trying to achieve and some people need it to show the world that this what they’ve been working on and putting their energy and lives into. We’re very much approachable whether it’s via Twitter, Facebook, email, or in person.  We’re consistent and we stand by whatever it is that we post on the site, which can sometimes upset a few people but oh well.  We’re highly opinionated. You’ll know if we love something. You’ll know if we don’t exactly agree with something without crossing the line of “Being a Hater”. A lot of people don’t know how to differentiate hating and constructive criticism. Last but not least, we really do support Miami and the people that we work with. I love my city with a passion. We try to be involved in as much as we can.
 
24: How long has your Blog iBlog126 been up?

Prima: iBlog126 started in August 2008. August 2010 will make it two years.
 
24: Outside of your Blog is there any other Blogs that you love to check out?
 
Prima: There’s a lot of blogs I check out on a daily basis through my Google Reader. I don’t know how many blogs I’m subscribed to but I know it’s way over a 100. I say it’s way better than reading the newspaper on any day because it’s filled with stuff that I LIKE and stuff that maybe I’d want to post on iBlog126. I check out all the national popular entertainment blogs and of course the ones based out of Miami. I also check out blogs that people have probably never heard of before in their life that I may have found in my random Google searches but sometimes, they have the most interesting reads.

 

24: We have a section on the website called “Next In Line” where we highlight up and coming artist as well as new artist that just got signed so I wanted to know who are some up and coming artist that caught your eye and that you think would be for us here at 24HourHipHop.com to check out?
 
Prima: 24HourHipHop.com covers a lot of people already. I can go on and on and on but my favorites right now, I’d have to say would be City of God, Dashius Clay, Nak, Webbz, D. Cash, 126, Young Future and Jay Burna. 126 is 126. There would be no iBlog126 without 126. City of God and Young Future have supported iBlog126 from the days when nobody knew of iBlog126. City of God is by far my favorite alternative Pop Band out of South Florida “Hands Down”. They’ve grown tremendously since we first met and I see no signs of them slowing down any time soon. They just premiered their new single “Make It Hot” on Y100. Everywhere time I check in on them, they’re performing somewhere whether it’s Transit Lounge or at Disney. Dashius Clay, Nak, Webbz, and D.Cash just work hard. I’m big on work ethic. It’s amazing to see the progress of these artists without a major buzz or budget to catapult them into certain situations. They’ve gotten to where they are with consistency, networking, and just non-stop grinding. A lot of things are easy when you have the money but it’s when you don’t that you see what people are really made of to make things happen. I don’t knock anybody for having the support of a label but there’s just something about building something ground up and molding it that fascinates me but that I also respect deeply.
 
24: What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about starting a Blog/Website?
 
Prima: Don’t bother investing time and money into a blog that you’re not going to maintain. The worst thing to see is somebody doing heavy promo for their site and then when you actually check it out it hasn’t been updated in weeks or months. Don’t expect to be getting paid bookoo money like you’re Perez Hilton or Nicole Bitchie without putting work in and sometimes even then, your blog might not “Pop” as fast as theirs did. Be you. People love personality and a bold opinions.
 
24: Tell the readers what’s next for you and what should they be looking out for from  iBlog126.com  for the rest of 2010
 
Prima: We’re looking to expand the brand in other aspects and ways. We’re thinking of doing interviews again. I don’t want to jinx anything so I won’t let the cats out the bag yet.  What I can say is that there will be progress and the same unfiltered opinions of entertainment news. We’re looking to be involved with a few more projects to take iBlog126 to the next level.
 
24: Tell the readers what’s next for you and what’s the best way to stay in tuned with everything your doing?
 
Prima:  I’d like to think of what would be nice to be next for me but you never know. You might have the biggest opportunity just randomly hit you in the bathroom of a bookstore and or by the people you meet at some kind of networking event. Who knows. I would want to be on radio though. Maybe start an online segment. Start off small. Learn about it. Get some feedback. I can’t be on TV. My facial expressions are way too self explanatory. I’d probably get in trouble for side eyeing, rolling my eyes, and scrunching my nose. I’m open to trying new things. If it works, good. If it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world.
The best way to keep up with me in 140 words is on Twitter(OMG). I’m a Twitterholic. They should have a support group for people like me. They probably already do.  I’m on Facebook. If you’re trying to get something on iBlog126, you can submit it to Prima@iBlog126.com.
 
24: Any final words for the readers?
 
Prima: Your network is your net worth. Acknowledge even the smallest signs of progress. Live life and enjoy it. Don’t take it personal, sometimes it’s just business. Don’t let one monkey, two monkeys, or a bunch of monkeys stop your show. Say “Please” and “Thank You”. You’d be surprised to see where those two words get you. Have an open mind. Catch me on Twitter  at www.twitter.com/primaiblog126. I Love Miami. That’s about it. Chuck, chuck, dueces(smiling).

Photos By: Elisa Fierce




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