ASiEL is Here!

After a successful video release party earlier this month, and a performance set of 4 songs at Pridefest, ASiEL (pronounced ah-see-el) is here and is making sure you know it. The question to the listeners is: Are you ready for him? Are you ready for the self dubbed, "King of Hip Pop," to let you into his true, raw, lyrical world of Gay Rap? While at Pridefest this year, I chatted briefly with ASiEL backstage in between our sets and got a few details of what's on his agenda. Leaving me intrigued for more, I decided to brew up this feature and get the 411. After meeting up with him for some Q & A and a delicious meal, I must say ASiEL is a man with a plan and lots up his sleeve. A true inspiration. Let me introduce ASiEL.

ASiEL, which is Hebrew for created by god, is someone who strives to be the greatest entertainer in every sense of the word. From writing his own lyrics, designing his own costumes, and choreographing his own moves, ASiEL is an artist fueled by the countless doors shut in his face some years ago in the "not so pretty" land of Hollywood. The idea of ASiEL was created 8 years ago, the same time he began penning his many life experiences, which he now proudly shares with the world. ASiEL slowly began to emerge on the music scene after moving to Hollywood and being homeless for a year all while dreaming of the day he would make it. While in California for 12 months, ASiEL made it to the final rounds of numerous auditions including Step It Up and Dance, and dancing behind Janet Jackson for her infamous Superbowl performance. Though he came close and his talent recognized, everyone had to criticize. I was shocked to hear that time and time again ASiEL was asked to "tone down the gayness." Excuse me, seriously? That is like asking someone of color to not be that color. After hearing no countless times, ASiEL decided to move back to Denver and make it all on his own. He took those turned down opportunities and lessons learned from a great vocal coach and transformed them into motivation and dedication, stopping at nothing to fulfill his ultimate vision.

Once back in the Mile High city, ASiEL had a small lived role in the rap group, R.A.P. After the group mutually split, ASiEL began making connections with producers via online networking sites and started recoding demos from the endless lyrics, poems, and journal entries he penned since his teenage years. ASiEL then began sharing his music online as part of new promotional techniques. All demos recorded by ASiEL are currently available for download at www. hotnewhiphop.com/kingofhippop. ASiEL strives to be a real gay rapper, not toning down, covering up, or abiding by industry standards. He records under the genre of Hip Pop music, which is defined as a hip hop artist who incorporates pop elements into their act. The heavy hard hitting beats, racy lyrics with some pop choreography or a high fashion costume. ASiEL takes note that a handful of gay rappers out now may be successful, but they are not being true to themselves and most importantly to their fans. ASiEL wants his music to speak for itself. Don't judge, just listen, feel the beat and enter a new place that no one has dared to take you. Until now.

With his first music video single, "Eastside," the first song he ever wrote, ASiEL clearly lets you know who he is and where he is from. "Denver Colorado is where I be at." The video which is featured on gaymusicrevolution.com, may be too gay for some but it is exactly what ASiEL wanted. Filmed over the course of 9 weeks and directed by Denver Lighting Company, the video debuted at Tracks Nightclub on June 12th. ASiEL is already in pre-production meetings for the second video. "The next video will make 'Eastside' look like Sesame Street," he says with a grin from ear to ear. The video for "Bad Boy" will be shot on location and feature a bit more eye candy than the first. On this track, which he will perform live for the first time in July, ASiEL gives a shout out to none other than the Queen Lil' Kim. He explains this by stating, "She was the first artist to make shock music. No matter who is rapping now, or claims to be on top, Lil' Kim started it all." ASiEl lets me know that the late great Tupac is his all time favorite rap artist. "I don't think he would've liked my music though," he laughs. ASiEL realizes his music can attract negative feedback, but he doesn't take anything personal. As an upcoming artist, ASiEL will not take the praise or criticism too seriously. He tells me he will always be a perfectionist when it comes to his craft.

ASiEL continues to post new demos online while continuing his plan. Post Pridefest, he is excited to release a collaboration track he recently recorded with E-Rok, an interview with Out Front Colorado, and a performance at Damn Gurl! queer dance party going down on July 8th. If you missed the Pridefest performance, check out the videos at facebook.com/kingofhippop. ASiEL is hoping for a possible third video single, a gay club tour, and an upcoming album. The album will include all new and original music that he is currently writing along with his three man band. The full ASiEL album is in discussion for release within the next year. The album may contain as little as 9 tracks, but he assures me no skipping will be needed. "If all tracks are well written high quality tracks, why do you need anymore?" he asks. I have to agree. I would rather purchase a complete album with fewer tracks that I can play start to finish, instead of an album with 15+ tracks that needs skipping every other song.

ASiEL's last words to me are, "The best sex, is NO sex." I look at him puzzled, questioning his words as I think differently. He proceeds to tell me that although his lyrics are explicit, graphic and real, he wants his fans to know "NO" sex is best. "If you are having sex, please be responsible and safe at all times." He speaks freely about the topic because this is a subject all can relate to and for him all he raps about are things he's experienced first hand, knows someone who has, or been very close to being in that situation. "Why can straight rappers speak about women explicitly and it is accepted, but men speaking about men causes outrage?" This is ASiEL, this is what he has to say and he will continue to work his hardest to give us something we do not have. A King of Hip Pop, who pushes all boundaries and sees no limits. I wish ASiEL the best in his future and highly anticipate the next video single. If you are not ready for this, you better learn how to deal because ASiEL is here!

View the "Eastside" video here ---> http://youtu.be/0dVm_m1X6iM

Denver Pride 2011

Saturday June 18th and Sunday June 19th all in Denver flocked to Civic Center Park to celebrate Pridefest 2011. The annual event is held all weekend in downtown Denver with attendees ranging between 275,000 - 400,000. Pride Denver is one of the top ten celebrations in the country, attracting people from our neighboring states. Last year I participated in the Pride parade always held on Sunday. I was atop the Club Vinyl float as it made its way from Cheeseman Park to Civic Center park. This year all that was on my agenda was to: DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. Saturday afternoon I left my home and caught the 16th Street Shuttle from Union Station to Civic Center. I made my way across the closed, yet packed streets of Broadway and Colfax. I headed to the Main Stage dressing area to meet up with the lovely ladies of GO GO Galaxy. Upon my arrival I was pleased to find various dance teams that GGG had selected to dance. Teams consisted of Love, S & M, Galaxy, Pride, Gay, Barbie and Drag. I chatted with the other dancers and changed into my cowboy attire.

Go Go Galaxy was rotating sets between the main stage and the dj stage which was rotating dj's throughout the day. I anxiously awaited my set to start to get on the stage and rock the crowd at the DJ stage. It had been 12 years since I had danced at Pridefest. Last time I was a teenager dancing with a dance group performing to Janet Jackson. Oh to be back, a full grown man. Was I ready? Of course! More ready than ever before! Once on the stage, shared with 4 other dancers I begin to move and groove and acknowledge those who were snapping pictures or recording video on their cells. One chick even handed me her dog to dance with and pose with. Cute little doggie. After this set, I headed back to the Main stage to await my "Boylesque" routine.

The Go Go Galaxy Showcase on the mainstage was designed for all teams to showcase their skills. The set included: fire spinners, female burlesque, belly dancing, dub step and of course "boylesque." The boy routine was shared with two other male dancers teasing the crowd and shedding our clothing down to our undies. I must say I was nervous before stepping on the stage, but after I was on... IT WAS ON! Feeling the sun shine on me, the endless crowd of people cheering, hearing the music blasting, and seeing the fellas to my left and right gettin down, this was an experience that was out of this world. I am extremely glad and thankful to Lauren and Becca for allowing me to dance with them.

Sunday was my return to Club Vinyl after the opening Memorial Day weekend. I headed to the club around 7 pm and checked in. The club had all 4 floors open and each floor had a different sound. After checking the schedule I noted I had about 2 hours until I was on duty. I met up with my cousin and some of her co-workers and hung out and mingled with some old friends which insisted for me to start sooner as they were eager to see me. Hearing things like this and receiving positive compliments/feedback make me work harder and push myself further to be the best I can be. I live for dance. At about 9:00 p.m. I headed to the dancer's changing room and prepared for my first set. I was happy to find a handful of male and female dancers rotating every half hour. Things were looking to be more organized than they were on 5/29. Gracias!

In between sets I hung out with the other dancers and also chatted with the doorstaff and barstaff. Various dj's rotated on all levels of the club and the crowd just continued to grow and grow even with the pouring rain and hail that fell all night long. After a long night of dancing, seeing a face I haven't seen in awhile, and the clock striking 2 a.m. I waited for the rain to let up in the changing room and snapped photos with my fellow dancers. I finally decided the rain was not stopping and headed out. PRIDE 2011 was an adventure, although my feet are barely beginning to feel back to norm. :) The pain the last two days comes with the job, the territory, the endless movement to the rythm. I am here to Live, Laugh, and Dance.

Catwalk on the sidewalk

Saturday June 11th I had the privilege of modeling in a Francis Roces fashion show. Since I have been modeling with Fashion Denver, I have become very familiar with his designs and unique creations. I am proud to say his line is one of my favorites to model. After participating in the Spring Market event in May, Francis graciously asked if I would walk in his show. The show took place @ Lumos and Nox a local boutique which sells local designers clothing and accessories. The show was scheduled for 8 pm and hair and make-up was scheduled for 4 pm. Mad Thanks to the staff of Rebelle Salon and Proper Barbershop. You all hooked up the models big time. The combo salon/barbershop is located at 39th and Tennyson, blocks away from what used to be the original Elitch Gardens.

I reported to Proper Barbershop to get my hair faded. Big ups to Junior Barraza who hooked me up with a mohawk high fade, taking my two weeks of uneven hair down to my bare scalp. Nothing like feeling so fresh and clean after a fresh fade. After hair, I waited in Rebelle Salon for make up. The theme of the show was "Tokyo Street Fashion" so each model was painted with various bright colors and designs. My face was a graced with a bright stripe of yellow and orange across my eyes. Shout out to Carly Isbell for hooking me up along with the other models. As you can see from the pix, everyone's hair and make up came out bad ASS!! After make up was done I grabbed a bite to eat with a fellow model, then hurried home to shave.

When I arrived at Lumos & Nox located at 3107 E. Colfax, I was pleased to see the catwalk was being set up outside the shop. The green astro turf was being placed on the sidewalk just feet away from the Saturday evening madness going down on Colfax. After all were dressed we began the show to some Tokyo Pop mix Francis personally chose. All models walked the green turf and posed for the numerous photographers gathered along the sidewalk outside of the boutique. We then posed for group photos with the ever so talented Francis, himself. Thank you to Made Photography who took the awesome group picture. I look forward to working with Francis soon along with my fellow models: Tawanda, Antoinette, Jeremiah, Mandy and Goofy. We definitely worked that catwalk on the sidewalk!

Push it to the limit!

I cannot believe it is already June 2011. The Summer dance season officially started last Sunday. I must say... I was put to the test. I reported to Vinyl at 7 pm and the rooftop already had a crowd building up. Schedule was made for a total of 6 dancers. First set began at 8 pm. I changed along with fellow dancers Kim, Chelsea, Lauren, and Taylor. I took the box at 8 pm for my first half hour set. The feeling that takes over me when I dance is something that is very hard to explain. The music, the beats, the rhythm just take over my body. After dancing for half hour, I realize other dancers were switching sets and I still remained on the box on the rooftop inside. My relief had not shown up. I continued to dance until the next change hoping this was only some minor mix up. To my surprise a dancer did not show up and all my thirty minute sets turned into hour long sets. I definitely shook my thang more than I expected, pushing thru and thriving off of the large crowds energy and the continuous club bangers that DJ Tatiana and DJ Kimberly S spun all night long. I am proud to say that I survived and a person never truly knows what they are capable of, until they are unexpectedly put to the test.

I danced the night away and found a few moments of break time to hang out with my family and friends who came down to get their party on and show support. That means the world to me! Just one note to the club goers of Denver. ATTENTION PLEASE: Go Go dancers are entertainers, as our checks clearly state. Our small 4x4 box is barely large enough for us to dance on, more less collect your empty drink cups and beer bottles. I spilled a handful of drinks that were placed on the box during my sets causing one female to get noticeably upset and knock over my glass of ice cold water while rolling her eyes at me. Excuse me? Really? WTF? Why are you angry with me? I am on the clock working, dancing my ass off to entertain you. The least you can do is find a trash can! When folks set items on the box, I am not sure if they realize it can endanger my safety. By the nights end the box was soaked in a mixture of sweat, water, beer and various alcoholic beverages. I could have easily slipped and hurt myself. Fortunately I did not. Night was a success, and I didnt expect anything less. I'M JUST GETTING STARTED!