Artist Spotlight
Everything You Need To Know About Dror Marko, an international Guitarist
Israel born and raised, Dror Marko is an international guitarist, arranger, and studio musician. He is a graduate of both Starling Academy of Music (Rio de Janeiro) and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where he was granted three scholarships while taking his bachelor’s degree in Music (mentored by Scott Henderson, Dean Brown, Kiko Loureiro, Allen Hinds, Oz Noy, Andre Nieri, Carl Verheyen, among others).
Dror Marko focuses on creating real music. During his career, he got the chance to live in Israel, Brazil, and the US, gaining vast experience performing, touring, and co-producing with significant artists such as Jessica Sanchez (Runner-up of American Idol), hit R&B-band Surface, legendary drummer Marvin Smitty Smith (Sting, Sonny Rollins; Tonight Show with Jay Leno band), pianist Mahesh Balasooriya (Stanley Clarke, Natalie Cole), Ryan Gallagher (The Voice), Jerry Leoni (Drummer of The Lettermen), Lucio Vieira (Larry Coryell, Frank Gambale, Gilberto Gil), Francisco Fattoruso (Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Derek Trucks), American Idol-Vocal Coach Peggi Blu, ‘Filhes da Martins’ (official Carnival band from Rio de Janeiro)and opening act for Israeli singer Lior Narkis.
His unique background led him to become a versatile artist and to develop a distinctive musical universe with exotic flavor, crossing middle eastern music, Brazilian, R&B, and Jazz. While living in the U.S. Dror had a remarkable experience within the local Filipino music scene in LA and collaborated with top Filipino artists such as Janice Javier (finalist of The Voice of the Philippines), Bryan Termulo (runner-up in Pinoy Pop Superstar), Geneva Cruz (Smokey Mountain) and Dessa Salazar. He has performed at distinguished performance venues such as Aratani Theatre, Envision Center LA, PYLUSD Performing Arts Center, as well as some legendary jazz-fusion venues like The Baked Potato, The Blue Whale, Vitello’s, and Townhouse Venice. In the rock-pop scene, he played at House of Blues, Whisky a Go-Go, Troubadour, Rainbow, Silverlake Lounge, The Mint, Molly Malone’s, The Viper Room, The Study, and more, in addition to major U.S. festivals like Levitt Pavilions and LACMA’s. As a studio musician, among countless projects, he recorded the guitars for the 1st Place winner of both categories of “Best song” and “Best Production” at the prestigious 2019 European Intercontinental Music Awards. As musical director, he instructed Janice Javier’s band and assisted in directing the giant official Carnival band ‘Filhes da Martins’. As an arranger and transcriber, he prepared professional charts and transcriptions (all instruments) for top artists like Jessica Sanchez, Janice Javier, the hit band Surface, Bryan Termulo, Ryan Gallagher, and Dessa.
Currently, in addition to his work as a session musician and guitar instructor, Dror is writing his solo album, and together with Mikael Mutti (Jamie Foxx, Will. I.Am, Carlos Santana, Sergio Mendes, The Scorpions) and Fabio Rocha (Moraes Moreira, the band Eva), working on his original instrumental world music band ‘One Globe Radio’ (a mix of jazz, electronic, Brazilian, and African music). In order to check out Dror Marko, you can find him on Youtube, and he is always posting news surrounding his up-and-coming projects on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.
Artist Spotlight
Exclusive Interview: Rising Artist Rasta Man Jay
Hello Rasta Man Jay, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.
What 3 things does anyone starting in your industry need to know?
Always stay focused and consistent on your goals,never give up no matter how hard life gets,also never let people bring you down.
What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?
I Would be dropping music constantly and making my fans happy with new music every week so my audience is always listening.
Which people or books have had the most influence on your growth and why?
When I was younger I always listened to great music from Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa,Young Jeezy and many other artists from the early 2000s.
What would you say is the #1 key to success in your music career?
I would say dropping different tracks constantly spitting lyrics from my struggle and pain in my life that is why I came a long way in the music industry.
Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?
Getting criticized about my rap flow and will people accept it which eventually my fans started supporting me from out of town.
What has been your biggest success story and why do you think it was a success?
When I hit News Weekly, that was the best moment in my life. I started building my confidence again with my music.
What keeps you going when things get tough in the music industry?
Having 2 Daughters that count on me to win and I won’t let them down so they won’t have to struggle like I did.
What made you pursue being an artist full-time?
Wanting to prove people wrong that didn’t believe in me having a lot of non supporters and hate back in my hometown.
Would you sign to a label?
Yes but it has to be a label that lets me own my music and doesn’t control my music and all my royalties.
What projects are you working on for the rest of 2022?
I just dropped my album with Distro Kid called Don’t Try to Be No One You Not and also has multiple songs and projects dropping this year so stay tuned.
How can our readers follow you online?
Anyone can follow me from my instagram account @jholder051817 which already has an impressive following already from joining instagram within 1 year.
Artist Spotlight
BENNIHUNNA LAFLARE: AN EMERGING STAR IN THE MUSIC WORLD
BenniHunna LaFlare is an emerging star in the music world, and he has recently got fame due to his reality-based music rap music.
Hello BenniHunna, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.
Tell us a little more about when you first got into music?
BenniHunna- I have always been into music. Like I love how it makes me feel or puts me in a mood. I started rapping in 2017, I was on & off. I really just made rapping a career 2 years ago when I decided that this is really what I want to do for a living & that’s where I am now.
If you could describe your sound/style in one word, what would it be and why?
BenniHunna- Hustle or vibe. I use my voice as an instrument sometimes to give me sounds the beat can’t give you so I fill in the blanks. My subject of music really about hustling in a financial way or hustling to put myself in a better position like mentally or emotionally
What would you say to any aspiring recording artists who look up to your work?
BenniHunna- Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Future, Giveon, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller
What quote or mantra do you live by?
BenniHunna- Treat people how you want to be treated. You never who you need in the end
What is your hobby outside of music?
BenniHunna- Fashion. I’m in love with fashion. I’ve designed clothes for some of my favorite artist
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
BenniHunna- On tour & starting a label
Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?
BenniHunna- Yes. Another single is on the way. We’re planning the video shoot now.
What is the inspiration behind your latest song?
BenniHunna- It’s like a wakeup call for the people that aren’t paying me any attention to let them know that they should be & if they don’t I’m gonna make them regret it
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
BenniHunna- Save your money cause it will come in handy. Rap is expensive & you gotta have money to play this game. I’ve expedited missing out on feature opportunities & traveling opportunities that prolly would’ve had me further along if I was financially smarter back then.
BenniHunna- Don’t let the lack of support tear down your confidence. I mean everybody is not going to support you & that’s okay. Just cause they are not supporting me now. Doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. You gotta put in that work & stay focused. Keep ppl around you that want you to win so you can keep that confidence.
BenniHunna- Maintaining your confidence. Once you lose confidence you lose faith & you start doubting your talent. When you lose faith your audience will too. They can only believe in you as much as you believe in yourself.
BenniHunna- Be more spontaneous. Everything doesn’t have to be planned out strategically. Sometimes you just gotta get in there & go do it. Don’t think about it. Don’t prejudge it. Just go make it happen. & see what comes from it. I’m not saying do that every time. It wouldn’t hurt to do it sometimes because that spontaneous move might just give you what you been looking for that you couldn’t plan for.
BenniHunna- Believe in your talent at all times. You need to believe it til the point when people that just met you can see that you have a light that can shine way brighter than how it’s shining. You just have to believe in yourself & never stop believing.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
BenniHunna- I say different flows & beat selection. Try different types of music. You don’t want the audience to feel like they’ve heard the same song over & over. You can even keep the same style but just switch it up lil bit so they can’t predict how the record will sound.
How can our readers follow you online?
@Bennihunnaaa is my name on all social platforms. & BenniHunnaTV is my YouTube channel.
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