E.L.B. Exclusive: Lauren Mayhew Interview

KALIN: You started out as an actress at age 8 working for PBS. What was it like working at such a young age? Did you understand how big of a deal that was?

LAUREN: No I don't think I ever thought of it as a big deal at all (laughs). It was just something that as a kid I was very outgoing and loved to be around people and loved to perform so I just kind of fell into it. I just did it because I enjoyed it.

KALIN: At what point did you realize that “Wow, this is something that most people will never be able to do” and start appreciating it more for what it really is.

LAUREN: I think the first moment was when I was on tour with PYT, the band that I was in, we were opening up for Brittany Spears, 'N Sync, Destiny's Child and stuff. When I was opening up for Brittany it was in Nebraska I think and after I was done performing I went to the audience to watch the show and the lights came back on before she was on. One kid went “That's PYT!” and the whole place literally swarmed us. I remember all these huge massive body guards came and grabbed us and were carrying us out. It was pretty crazy (laughs). I had never experienced anything like that before.

KALIN: That's definitely pretty awesome. So what was it like opening up for such big names?

LAUREN: It was pretty awesome. Whenever you get a chance to perform in arenas like that it's such a rush. Performing doesn't get any better when you're in front of a crowd with that much energy.

KALIN: What happened with PYT? Why did you break up?

LAUREN: Many reasons. One of the main things is that we had different ambitions of what we wanted to do. Everything changes. The music industry changes. How it worked out was an amazing experience. We learned and we moved on. Now I'm doing the type of music that I love even more so it worked out.

KALIN: Tell us a bit about your career as a solo artist. How are you trying to really take off as a solo artist?

LAUREN: Well so far I've been able to open up for Katy Perry and Ray J. I've had songs on “The Hills” and “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” I've had songs on MTV and VH1. I've had songs on “The City” on MTV. It's been really cool because I've been able to fuse my music and acting. When I did Frat Party, the comedy that's out that has been airing on Showtime, I was able to put two of my songs in the movie which is pretty cool.

KALIN: I actually watched Frat Party last night. How much did you enjoy playing the role of the crazy ex girlfriend turned bitch?

LAUREN: I guess I'm kind of used to it by now. I get a lot of roles as the psycho bitch girl. I get those roles a lot, but they are very fun to play as opposed to just playing a straight laced kind of character that is just one dimensional.

KALIN: Let's be honest, are you that bitch in real life? Is that why you're so good at playing the part?

LAUREN: You know what, I am actually usually pretty even keeled, I'm a very friendly person and I get along with everybody. Maybe the reason why I'm good at it is because everybody handles their anger differently and for me it's like a take it take it take it, but if you push me too far it's like an explosion. That's like once in a blue moon. You have to do something really bad and mean to me.

KALIN: You played a huge role in the movie “Raise Your Voice” with Hilary Duff. At more towards the beginning of your career doing big movies like that, how was it working with such a big name in the movie industry?

LAUREN: It was cool. It was very cool. It's always fun to work with people who's careers are exploding, but yet they are still humble and nice. She was all of those things. You never know how they will treat you or whatever, but she was very sweet. There were a lot of other big name actors in the movie who were really cool like John Corbett who is off all of the Sex & The City movies. We also had Rita Wilson and David Keith. They are all veterans so it was really amazing to work with them as well.

KALIN: You also do a lot of work on television shows. Do you prefer movies over TV, TV over movies, or are they about the same?

LAUREN: It's different because when you go into a film everyone is coming into it fresh and you kind of become a family for the two months or whatever that you're shooting. It's always sad and hard to say goodbye. With TV, if you're coming in and being a guest star, it's just so quick. You only know someone for about a week and you're just starting to get to know them. It doesn't quite have that same family feel unless you're a regular on a series. I was working for a while on a show called American Dreams on NBC so that was kind of like the best of both worlds. I got to perform with them multiple times and got to see the arc of my character which was pretty cool.

KALIN: You played a part in American Pie Band Camp and American Pie is a huge movie franchise. What went through your head when you were offered the role?

LAUREN: It was definitely a lot more exciting then just hearing some random movie title that I've never heard before and not know if the movie will be good or anything. With American Pie it already had the name so yeah it was kind of exciting to go from growing up being a fan of American Pie to actually being involved in it. That was pretty neat.

KALIN: Looking at your resume it's easy to see that you've been acting for quite sometime now. Do you have a favorite role that you have played?

LAUREN: I really liked the role that I played in CSI: Miami. I really liked it because she was like a suspected killer in the case. It turns out that she wasn't the killer and she was just a hard working girl that looked guilty, but wasn't. I liked playing her because in most things I'm the bad girl, but in this one I wasn't even though I still got to look deceiving. That was fun.

KALIN: You were also working with WWE for quite some time on the ECW brand. How was that experience?

LAUREN: That was a crazy experience. It was different from anything I've ever done before. Being on the road every week was awesome. I loved it. I've always loved traveling so that was really fun. WWE is such an amazing company and it's so wide spread that you are always in a lot of big arenas which is a blast. They're professionals and they know what they are doing. It was definitely very different from anything I had ever done, but I loved the challenge.

KALIN: Growing up a wrestling fan I understand that those guys are on the road literally all the time. What was it like never being home?

LAUREN: Yeah that was rough. I would stay so exhausted that anytime I would lay down I just fell asleep. I was living by my alarm clock. When you're traveling that much you don't even have a time zone. That was kind of an interesting experience. I never felt tired though. I was always just so excited to get up and go to the next place. That was a pleasurable experience. If you didn't like it though it would be pretty awful.

KALIN: If you were still with the WWE would you ever consider having a match?

LAUREN: Oh my goodness, I leave the wrestling to the professionals. I don't think at anytime will I ever be in the ring. However, I do appreciate what they do and I think that they are incredibly athletic and talented. I love sports and playing sports, but wrestling is not my game.

KALIN: Let's take a look at every movie you've ever seen in your life. If you could take anyone's roll in any movie, who's role would you take and why?

LAUREN: Oh I love that question. I would love to play Angelina Jolie's part in Mr. and Mrs. Smith would be a freakin fun role to play.

KALIN: Would you like to be in Mr. and Mrs. Smith because you would be a badass or because you would be with Brad Pitt?

LAUREN: (laughs) I mean Brad Pitt is definitely a bonus, but I want to be a badass. If you can do all these crazy stunts then Brad Pitt should be the prize.

KALIN: You are involved with The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness. Tell us about the foundation and what it means to you.

LAUREN: You know, being in LA and being involved in a lot of things that require me to stay in good shape, there is a lot of pressure to make sure that you look a certain way and maintain a certain image. I feel for certain girls who see pictures in magazines and stuff like that and then try to attain something that's sometimes unattainable. Even the girls in the magazines don't really look like that, you know? There's airbrushing, retouching, and they have a team of like make-up and lighting. All of these things make them look this way and it's hard for a girl that's growing up to measure up to those sorts of standards. Obviously you should stay healthy and fit because it's good for you, but you have to learn to accept what's healthy and what your perfect body size is. That's why I wanted to get involved with it because I feel like it's just if you are confident and happy, that's more attractive then anything. I want to kind of get that message across.

KALIN: Let's look in the future about twenty years from now. People talk about leaving a legacy. What kind of legacy would you like to leave?

LAUREN: I would love to leave a legacy in both music and the acting world. I would love for people to say that I was a good talent. That it wasn't something that was forced or tossed in the pan, but that it was something that I was talented at. If people could say that about me I would be incredibly happy. I think that being able to touch people through entertainment with a movie that makes you feel something or a song that makes you feel something is a very powerful thing. I would love to create something that can make people feel better or just make them feel something.

Check out the following links to get more of Lauren!

Lauren's Official Site: http://www.laurenmayhew.com/

Lauren's New EP On ITunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-changed-my-mind/id370411976?i=370412012&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Lauren's MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/laurenmayhew

E.L.B. Babe of the Week: Chloe Burton

KALIN: Let's start this off simple. How did you get into modeling? Is it something that you've always been into or is this a more recent endeavor?

CHLOE: A couple years ago I actually worked at Hooters and I did a photo shoot for a calender so it pretty much just escalated from there. I've always been interested in modeling, but it just now got to where I've gotten a little more serious with it.

KALIN: Hooters girl? Not bad. Did you enjoy the food there? You a hot wings type girl?

CHLOE: (laughs) I'm not too big on hot wings, but I have to say that there food is pretty good.

KALIN: I love the food at Hooters. I try to tell people that I go there for the food, but I'm a 19 year old guy so nobody really buys that.

CHLOE: I mean you've got good food, you've got good beer, and you've got pretty girls.

KALIN: Exactly. What's not to love about that? So what are some of your goals in modeling? What do you hope to accomplish?

CHLOE: Well eventually I would like to do fashion. I would like to do something with swimwear and then later on do fashion.

KALIN: So you're pretty big into clothing?

CHLOE: Yeah, at some point I would like to run my own clothing line years and years down the road.

KALIN: You have quite a bit of tattoos. Tell us a little about what they mean, why you got them, and which is your favorite.

CHLOE: My favorite one is the one on my foot. On my left foot is my sons name. He's my entire world.

KALIN: Have you had the chance to travel much since you started modeling?

CHLOE: Not very much, but I would love to. I haven't yet, but hopefully soon. It's definitely something that I'm interested in that I would like to do.

KALIN: Where would you like to go most?

CHLOE: I would love to go to Costa Rica or Spain. The beaches in Spain are just beautiful. One day hopefully I'll get to do a photo shoot there.

KALIN: What all exactly goes into a photo shoot? I mean to me it looks like you just take a picture, but I know it has to be so much more complex than that.

CHLOE: There's so much preparation. You have to get your hair done, you have to go tanning, you have to get your makeup done, pick out your outfits...an average shoot can take four to six hours. There's a lot of touching and untouching up makeup, trying different poses, so there is a lot that goes into it.

KALIN: What would you consider to be your favorite type of shoot?

CHLOE: My favorite type of shoot would be anything outdoors or at the beach. I think that a natural scene is better than any type of set you could put up.

KALIN: So you love laying out in the sand?

CHLOE: (laughs) I guess you could say that. I like lingerie and I like the beach.

KALIN: Do you live somewhere that you can go to the beach whenever you want?

CHLOE: I'm actually in North Carolina where I'm only about an hour and a half from the beach so it's not too far.

KALIN: Outside of modeling what all are you into?

CHLOE: Well eventually I would like to go to college for psychology. I would love to be a child psychologist. That's a huge goal of mine that I would really like to acomplish.

KALIN: Psychologist? Do you really enjoy helping people out?

CHLOE: I do! I really want to work as a child psychologist.

KALIN: So are you a model because you like helping people out? You make guys lives better one picture at a time?

CHLOE: (laughs) Definitely not. I've always had a thing for photography and eventually just ended up getting into modeling. I did a little bit of it when I was a kid, but not for very long. Now I've just kind of gone back to it.

KALIN: What all do you do for fun in your free time?

CHLOE: Well other than the beach, I love to wake-board. Any time I have the chance to I'm definitely there.

KALIN: Let's see here...you model, you wake-board, you're going to be a psychiatrist...what is one thing that Chloe Burton is not good at?

CHLOE: Umm....I'm horrible at math (laughs).

KALIN: Now to the question that every guy is wondering right now. Are you single?

CHLOE: I am at the moment yeah.

KALIN: What all do you look for in a guy?

CHLOE: Well I'm from Athens, Georgia so I'm very much Southern Belle. I love a southern gentelman with a cute smile and a southern accent. That's my weakness.

KALIN: I know that you've had some pretty cheesy guys try to pick you up. What would you say is the cheesiest thing you've come across?

CHLOE: Wow, umm...let me see.

KALIN: You know that's a great question.

CHLOE: It is, I agree, it's a very good question. Probably the cheesiest is I ran into a guy at this bar and he kept telling me that I look very familiar. I was like “No, I've never been here and you don't look familiar either.” He was like “Oh, I remember now, you're the girl in my dreams.” I just kind of laughed and was like “Are you serious?”

KALIN: Umm...I'm pretty sure that was me. No, seriously though, I can't imagine a guy actually saying that. I thought that stuff was just said in movies.

CHLOE: Believe it or not I've had some guys say some pretty corny things to me and that was one of them.

Check out where Chloe works at http://wilsonoffroad.com/

E.L.B. Exclusive: Reef Tha Lost Cauze Interview

KALIN: I'm here right now with Reef the Lost Cauze and Reef I just got done listening to your upcoming album Fight Music. I have to say I think this might just be your best album yet. What all went into the album and are you happy with how it turned out?

REEF: Yeah man absolutely. I'm really excited. This isn't so much a solo record as it is a group record. I'm really proud of all the ideas and energy that everyone has brought to the table. I'm excited about some of the guest features we were able to get. Just all around I'm very proud of the album. I'm looking forward to seeing what it does.

KALIN: I seen somewhere that you put two years into this album; is that correct?

REEF: Yeah, I mean we didn't have no set plan. We started recording actually three years ago in late 2007. We took our time with it and decided that after we had a few songs that we really liked that we would make an album.

KALIN: Is there one or a few songs that really stand out to you on the album?

REEF: I'm proud of the records with Kool G Rap and RA The Rugged Man because they're both legends. The fact that they would even be on a song with me really speaks volumes. I love the intro track because it's just me being raw. “Cut You Up” is one of my favorites because it's one of those throw back battle joints. There are a lot of songs that I'm proud of.

KALIN: What's your goal for Fight Music?

REEF: My goal is to get people more aware of what I have going on and to grow as an artist and hopefully have the opportunity to open up some doors that haven't been opened yet. With this album I'm trying to get closer to being established as an artist on a bigger level. That's what I'm really working on right now.

KALIN: You mention trying to grow as an artist and it's easy to see that you really have grown because you're now with Army of Pharaohs which is made up of some of the best underground rappers alive. What's it like being able to work with such legendary rappers on such a consistent basis?

REEF: Aw man we're like one big dysfunctional family. Those are my brothers. It's crazy seeing what they've done on an independent level and being apart of that crew. I take a lot from them not just from a lyrics stand point, but also business wise. It's great to be apart of that and I love it when we all get together and perform and record. It's a dope process.

KALIN: You started out your career by battling other rappers. What would you say your winning percentage is for freestyle battles?

REEF: I was undefeated dog I only lost one and that was because they set me up. The only time I ever technically lost was Scribble Jam 2006 and anyone that watches the tape will see that I got robbed. I came from the battle era man. Anyone that went to school with me knows I'm not just talking shit because I was ripping everyone's head off. I'll still go right now and I'll still be choppin nigga's heads off.

KALIN: I was actually watching some of the Scribble Jam footage before I called you and seen your battle against that fat white guy and I have to say you might just of made him look a little too bad. I felt bad for the poor guy.

REEF: Yeah, well, that's the one I'm talking about. The judges said I lost that round.

KALIN: Are you kidding me? I assumed that was the opening round or something.

REEF: Yeah, they said I lost. Like I said, anyone that watches that footage will say they don't understand how I could of lost that battle. A lot of the judges there had already lost in battles to me so they were salty and trying to get their revenge. That's all that was.

KALIN: When you said you were robbed I figured it would be bad, but I didn't think it would be THAT bad, you know what I'm sayin?

REEF: Nah, nah, that's it. Everyone that watches it knows for a fact that I didn't lose.

KALIN: You were awarded a film scholarship for Philadelphia University of Arts. What lead you to earning that scholarship and then eventually dropping out to focus on your music career?

REEF: Basically man school took all the fun out of it. My passion for film and writing was taken away from me when I went to school. I had to go back to music which is my first love, you know what I'm saying?

KALIN: No doubt. Speaking of Philly, anyone that knows you knows that you are passionate about being from that great city. What does Philadelphia mean to you?

REEF: Philly's home man and it always will be home. I represent every time I'm out no matter where I'm at in the world. I feel like we still have a long way to go as far as the music scene goes, but other than that I'll put our MC's up against any MC's in the world. I'm very proud and excited to be from Philly.

KALIN: I actually write for an MMA magazine and I was in Philly about a year ago covering a fight. The city was great and the fans made for the most exciting live crowd I've ever witnessed.

REEF: Yeah it's a great place man. Like I said before, there's a lot of bullshit that goes down, but it's like that with any city. I'm very proud to be from here.

KALIN: We stood in line for five hours just to get a Philly Cheese Steak from the original store, you know what I'm talking about?

REEF: (laughs) Yeah man, but that one the tourist go to ain't the best. I'll take you to one of these hood places because that's where the best steaks are.

KALIN: One thing I notice while watching your freestyles is that you get very personal and you'll call people out on things as they're doing it. What's it like to be able to create lines like that in your head on the go and here the crowd getting into it?

REEF: I mean it's practice man. Practice makes you perfect. I came up doing that. My whole high school experience was about being able to train your mind to know what you're going to say before you say it. As you finish one line you have to be preparing for the next. That's the accommodation of God given talent and just really working and practicing. I never wanted to be embarrassed by anyone so I always tried to make sure that I was on point especially when it came to battling and freestyling. It also helped me as a writer by taking that mentality of being a freestyle artist and said whatever was going on and allowed me to be open with that while writing songs. So yeah man absolutely.

KALIN: Growing up which artists influenced you and inspired you to get in the rap game?

REEF: It started off with Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, even going back as far as Fresh Prince. There were people doing it big in the late 80's that were from my neighborhood. I would say it started off because of my early favorites like Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Big L, Big Pun, Biggie, I mean I came up in an era where hip-hip was everywhere. Those were the people that I always looked up to. I could never just say that this person was my favorite, but hip-hop in the late 80's to mid 90's the music just took over my life and I'm blessed to be doing this.

KALIN: What's it mean to you that the words you write down on a piece of paper and spit can change peoples lives?

REEF: It's one of those things where when I'm doing it I don't even think like that, but the end result where it transfers from my pen and pad to my listeners ears, I can't even explain to you how that shit feels man. It's beyond words. I had a fan come up to me and had some of my lyrics tattooed on his arm. I almost broke out crying at that shit. A lot of times when things aren't going well financially we tend to get a little discouraged, but it's really more about the people. People will come in and say that one of my songs helped them get through a rough day or that my lyrics helped them see the light. That's the whole point of this shit. I try to do that with my music.

KALIN: Speaking of how your music can change peoples lives, it seems like you don't always see that in mainstream rap. What's your thoughts on mainstream rap music?

REEF: I feel like some people go mainstream because their music makes them popular and I think that some people go mainstream because they make music to make them become mainstream. I feel like people that make music strictly to become mainstream don't have that long of careers and never make an impact. I don't hate on people who start of making music and their music starts to pick up and they become mainstream because there is a big difference. I'm not one of these people that says I don't like any mainstream because I like music that's good. It can be on the underground that nobody has ever heard of or it can be on the radio every day as long as it's a dope song by a dope artist. Ludacris, for example, I think is a lyrical genius...but he's also very mainstream. We as artist and we as fans need to be a little bit more open to allowing people to be successful and not saying that just because they're successful that we can't support their music. I'll never be like that. There's some bad in mainstream rap, but there is also some good. Just like how there is some fuckin horrible underground rap, but there is also some good.

KALIN: Who would you consider to be the top pound for pound mainstream artist out right now?

REEF: It's hard for me to say anyone but Jay-Z. Nobody has come close to doing what Jay-Z has done. He's still here at 40 years old and he is an inspiration to people that are trying to make it. So for me, pound for pound, Jay-Z would have to be number one. People would be surprised that I actually like Rick Ross. I know that he's phony as far as his street cred, but the guy knows how to make great records. I'm a big fan of Jay Electronica who is coming up right now. There are so many great rappers out there right now so it's all about supporting their talent.

KALIN: Do you find that weed or alcohol benefits you while writing lyrics?

REEF: Yeah, absolutely. With alcohol I'm not one of these people that can one and done. I love to drink so it's very rarely that I mix my music with my drinking. Weed is something that eases my mind and helps me open up. Weed is like my little buddy man. It's always going to be something that I go to for inspiration and help. Even when I'm having a bad day I just roll up a blunt and it feels good.

KALIN: Do you think weed should be legal? I don't see how they can allow cigarettes that kill people and alcohol that kills people and not legalize weed.

REEF: I said it on my last record on a song called “I Wonder.” In so many words I basically said I don't understand how alcohol can be legal, people can buy guns, get these over the counter medications, but weed is still illegal. I find that ridiculous. I think that in a few years we're going to find that a lot of states are going to be overturning that. I was just out in Cali and it's becoming legal out there. It's a whole new vibe to be able to go out and get your weed and not worry about it. It just relaxes peoples minds. You go into a room full of people smoking weed and there is not a lot going on. That's what it is.

KALIN: With you being an underground artist, the way I see it is that when you go to a show that you're putting on everyone is all up on you and telling you how great you are, but then the next day you can walk down the street and nobody recognize you. What's it like to have both sides of that equation?

REEF: I can go overseas and play a show for ten thousand people and then come back home and nobody knows who I am. A part of me enjoys it, but a part of me also feels like I want that recognition. I go to a show in Philly and everyone is loving me and then I go to another show with a different type of vibe and people don't know who I am. I often struggle with it. Sometimes I think it's a blessing and sometimes I think it's a curse. I don't necessarily ever want the level of fame to where I can't walk down the street. I would never want that. Ever. I'm happy where I'm at man.

KALIN: Before I let you go, a lot of my readers are actually fans of MMA and might not know who you are. Drop us a quick freestyle to introduce yourself to those out there who aren't familiar with your style.

REEF: Word up. Shout out to all of yall, they call me Reef The Lost Cauze, what can I say, shout out to the MMA. We be fightin and lightnin, it's exictin when I'm writin, MC's know I'm like the Clash of the Titans. They know I come through spittin that rage and if they fuck around they goin get beat down like Rampage. Or Kimbo, yo remember, Reef the Lost Cauze, Fight Music, go get those. Go get that CD, Fight Music, June 8th, Peace.