KUOMagazine Karibbean MusikVybez
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| (L) Stoneface, (M) Lady Mea of KUOMagazine and (R) Stripes |
Anthony Mannings-Ballard, who's known to his fans as
"Stripes", born in South, Philadelphia, but raised in Portmore,
Kingston Jamaica. He found his love and passion for music at the age of
5 years old. Music began for him in the church, were he was a part of
an amazing praise and worship team and choir. He was always told that he can
sing and that God blessed him with this gift and he’s never doubted it
ever since. Even though he wasn't born in Jamaica, I grew up in the
Caribbean cultural. He also shared with KUOMagazine that nothing was
handed to him or a rich lifestyle, but, he worked hard, stayed humble to
reach where he is today in his career. His dream in life is to like his style
of music be heard worldwide and hope it will inspire others to never give
up their dreams in life and always follow your heart. I also, never take
NO for answer and most important, never do something just because someone told
you to, but do it because you love and put your Mind, Body & Spirit into it
and let it flow. That being said, look out world because I’m coming to a
city or town near you, to give you the greatest musical experience you
have ever received in your life. Here is quote that I live by which is the name
of my Clothing Line and it called PLUTO. Failure will never overtake
me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. So, Stripes let's get a
little up close and personal by sharing with my reader a few questions!
KUOMagazine: I
was blown away at the One Mic Jam in July when you did a
guest performance. Ok, Stripes where have you been hiding, because I’m at
a lot of cultural events, fetes and I have not seen you. It’s time for Orlando
to know your and hear this voice on stage. Tell me something your fans don’t
know? Who is Anthony Mannings-Ballard (aka Stripes)?
Stripes: Anthony
Manning is a talented young man from South Philadelphia, who has a passion for
music and is striving to be successful not only in the music industry, but
business management as well.
KUOMagazine: Ok,
I like that, because you have a plan ahead for the future. Now, let me get this
straight, a young city man born in South, Philadelphia, and raised in
Portmore, Kingston Jamaica, which is a large coastal city in southern Jamaica.
Wow, that is like night and day. Why the move and what was it like growing up
in my birth place, the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica?
Stripes: First and foremost, my mother wanted me to grow up with good traditional roots. It was a great experience growing in Jamaica and learning how to appreciate the everyday things in life not to mention the music.
Stripes: First and foremost, my mother wanted me to grow up with good traditional roots. It was a great experience growing in Jamaica and learning how to appreciate the everyday things in life not to mention the music.
KUOMagazine: Where
did you get the name "Stripes" from?
Stripes: The
color of my hair.
KUOMagazine: Will you keep your hair that way during your music career to reflect the name "STRIPES"?
Stripes: Yes, I will always have the Color in my hair.
KUOMagazine: Ok, You had shared that you found the passion for music at the age of 5, but what was it about the art music you found that passion?
Stripes: To
be honest…I’ve always known that music was a part of me....It’s what I use to
express my physical and emotional stories in life.
KUOMagazine: Yes, I think whether you are a poet, songwriter or simply writing your thoughts in a journal, it's about expressing our inner feelings and experience which can make great music. Other entertainers share that same process in getting their inspiration when writing their music. So, what was your favorite song as a child?
Stripes: “Papa
San”. I remember writing down, memorizing this man’s song quote for quote. My
favorite song was and still is “step pon di enemy”.
KUOMagazine: How
did you come to singing in a choir in Jamaica and what was that like?
Stripes: I felt and knew it was my breakthrough in music, a chance for many to hear my voice and the opportunity to sing with people with the same passion I have.
Stripes: I felt and knew it was my breakthrough in music, a chance for many to hear my voice and the opportunity to sing with people with the same passion I have.
KUOMagazine: Did you family encourage and support you in the music world?
Stripes: My parents are fully supportive of my music and had even encouraged me to audition for American Idol back in 2006, which I did.
KUOMagazine: Who else in your family sings?
Stripes: I’m the only one that sings in my family but my brother is a rapper and he does contemporary music.
Stripes: My parents are fully supportive of my music and had even encouraged me to audition for American Idol back in 2006, which I did.
KUOMagazine: Who else in your family sings?
Stripes: I’m the only one that sings in my family but my brother is a rapper and he does contemporary music.
KUOMagazine: Can you share who are your musical inspirations (as in other artists)?
Stripes: I have many artist that inspire me just to name a few we have Jah Cure, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man.
KUOMagazine: We are listening to three of your songs starting with the first one (West Indies and Go Gyal). What kind of music do you listen to today other than reggae?
Stripes: I know it might sound weird but I love country and Spanish music.
KUOMagazine: Where would be your ultimate dream to perform and who would you want to opening up for?
Stripes: My Ultimate dream is to perform in Europe opening for Jah Cure.
KUOMagazine: Where do you draw inspiration when writing your music?
Stripes: My inspiration comes from different situations that I go through on a daily basis.
KUOMagazine: Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics?
Stripes: I’m more driven to write lyrics because it verbally tells the story of what I’m trying to get across, but I am in the process of learning to write music.
KUOMagazine: For some who is going in the music business, what advice would you give them?
Stripes: To stay focus on their dreams and never give up, make sacrifices, because at the end of the day you will regret that you never took the risk to go the extra mile into doing something that you really have a passion for.
KUOMagazine: Have you had any disappointments so far?
Stripes: Of course!! Disappointments are a part of life, but with every road block I face I build my own pathway to reach my goal. I never let disappointments stop me they strengthen me, and prepare me for the next obstacle.
KUOMagazine: What type of instruments do you play?
Stripes: It’s been awhile but I do know how to play the keyboard and base guitar.
KUOMagazine: If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?
Stripes: I would say country music, because it's different and no one would expect that.
KUOMagazine: If
you weren't singing, what would you be doing?
Stripes: I
would most likely establish my own restaurant because I also have a passion for
cooking and I’m pretty good at it.
KUOMagazine: What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3
player or phone?
Stripes: lol
that’s funny that you’ll ask that; but its “Sisco, release the dragon, Jagged
Edge where the party at, Backstreet boys. All I have to give, and lastly
Aaliyah one in a million”.
KUOMagazine: What genre of music can't you stand to listen to?
Stripes: I
don’t hate any genre of music, but I somewhat dislike Chopped and Screwed music.
KUOMagazine: What
other hidden talents do you have?
Stripes: I
am a great chef and a pretty good sales man.
KUOMagazine: For your fans what else can we expect from you in the future?
Stripes: I
will continue to put out great music that my fans would love and be an icon for
other young upcoming artists who are striving to make it in the music industry.
KUOMagazine: Any final words you would like to share to the readers?
Stripes: First
and foremost I would like to thank KUOMagazine for the opportunity to share my
passion for music and a little about who stripes is; and I hope my story will
inspire not only artists but anyone who has a dream to go out and chase it.
On
behalf of KUOMagazine, we would like to say thank you to Stripes for allowing
us this interview. Here's is quote that he lives by which is the name of
his Clothing Line and it called PLUTO. Failure will never
overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. The initials
stands for: P-Patient, L-Loyal, U-Unstoppable, T-Talented,
and O-Outstanding. So, Stripes says, if this applies
to your life then please feel free to hashtag #Plutolife!
You can also follow him on:
Written by Mea Allman, KUOMagazine.com Founder/Editor-in-Chief
Article Published September/October 2015 issue of KUOMagazine.com
Article Published September/October 2015 issue of KUOMagazine.com
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