Under the Smoke of HailMaryJane.com

Recent interview with Lenny, the man behind HailMaryJane.com

DVC: So Lenny, tell me about how HailMaryJane.com came to be besides what is written from your about page.

HMJ: Ok. I don't know what is even in my about me page and I am actually too stoned right now to check so I'll just give you the rundown.  The slogan is actually true. When I started blogging it was actually meant to be a sports website and it was one by the name of sportfiends.com. I didn't like that name and even though I had built that site up, I switched it to hailmaryjane.com.  Of course the idea for the name HailMaryJane came while stoned and trying to come up with a name that would encompass sports, hip hop, and urban culture.  Weed just happened to come along with that.

DVC: Had your audience changed in any way because of the shift in content?

HMJ: Some people stuck around. Some people didn't. Overall the site grew way more because of its unique niche.

DVC: Recently New Jersey just recently passed a medical marijuana law this past January. What are your feelings about his new law?

HMJ: Well being that I am a resident of New Jersey and a huge marijuana fan I am excited about it.  I will be looking into the possibility of opening up a dispensary in the future. The laws are going to be really tough though so in order to become a patient, you have to have a disease that you don't want to have. We are making progress but still have a long way to go.

DVC: Do you think the "loose laws" in California could lead to abuse if another state, such as New Jersey?

HMJ: I don't think that loose laws cause abuse. I feel like if weed was legal, it would be no big deal. The people who already smoke or who are curious would do it and those who aren't wouldn't. The way it's set up now, is more likely to cause abuse though because it's so easy to access for everyone including minors. If it's not regulated then anyone can get it.

DVC: On your site you feature hot women of the Internet. Who stood out the most for the month of January?

HMJ: You're making me pick just in the month on January? Still a tough choice but I'm gonna have to take Rosa Acosta. She is the sexiest woman on the planet right now...until the next sexiest woman on the planet comes along.

DVC: What inspired the Mary Jane of the Moment feature on your site?

HMJ: Everyone loves girls. Everyone loves weed and I find dozens of pictures of girls smoking weed on the net everyday so I decided to just make it a regular thing. Now I don't even had to look. Girls send me pics in my email (thanks ladies) and that has become one of the more popular sections on the site.

DVC: I know you've seen allot of movie about marijuana. Is there one particular movie that is timeless to you and why?

HMJ: Up In Smoke with Cheech and Chong. It changed stoner cinema forever.

DVC: Daily Joint is a musical tribute on your site to musicians that have marijuana themed songs. What's your favorite song that you have featured on HMJ this early in the year?

HMJ: Well that feature actually started out as a part of the Daily Tokes, then expanded to the stoner song of the week (which we still do) and now we have daily songs featured.  My favorite though? I don't even do them anymore, my writers do but I would say mine has to be Afroman "Because I Got High."  I know that is cliche but I love that song and of course it influenced the tagline of the site.

DVC: Last but not least, you have another feature on your site called the 4:20 Flick. Explain the feature to our audience.

HMJ: The 4:20 Flicks are funny videos that you can blaze and laugh at everyday at 4:20 pm east coast time.  That feature was really inspired by twitter actually.  When I first got on Twitter, it was a daily ritual for me, @High_Times_Mag and @B_Real420 to shout out 4:20 in our areas and so I decided that there has to be some way that I can shout out 4:20 in a cool way everyday on the blog.  That was what I came up with (after blazing of course)

DVC: Already two months in the new year, what's new for HMJ in 2010?

HMJ: We have new writers, new views, lots of contests and lots of surprises.  I don't want to give too much away so you will just have to stay tuned.

To see more articles and all the above mentioned features just go to HailMaryJane.com. Also become a fan of HMJ on Facebook.

Who is PLAYDOUGH?

Recent interview with Dallas, Texas native and hip-hop artists PLAYDOUGH.

DVC: So were did you get the name PLAYDOUGH come from? It's hysterical.
PLAYDOUGH: Playdough is a clever little way for me to hide my government name in a rap name. I won't say what it is but it's pretty easy to figure out.

DVC: What compelled you to start creating music and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
PLAYDOUGH: I've been drawn to music since i was a kid. It comes naturally and is such an enjoyable process to me. From the first idea to the execution along the way, then having a finished product that you're proud of. It can be whatever you want it to be, personal or very broad. I started rhyming when i was in 6th grade and haven't stopped writing since.

I've learned some people just have music (or any art) in them that can't be contained or kept inside. No training or upbringing in music is necessary to express what's inside of you. Kind of dope because that's what hip-hop is. Using what you've got to express what's in you.

DVC: So tell us about the last album you recorded.
PLAYDOUGH: "Don't Drink the Water" was the last full length solo record I did. About not buying into what people tell you to like, but deciding for yourself. I produced most of it but had a couple outside producers do production as well. It’s some pretty gritty sounding hip-hop, not very glossy or polished, some under the radar type of music. It’s taken me all over the world. Its official release was in 2006 so it's time for a new one.

DVC: Are you currently working on some new material? Do you have a working title?
PLAYDOUGH: I'm working on lots of new music. My crew Deepspace5 is dropping "The Future Ain't What It Used To Be" this year. I'm putting out a few mix-tapes as well, all leading up to my new full length "Hotdoggin".

DVC: What's the first single off that album "Hotdoggin"?
PLAYDOUGH: We haven't picked a single yet. I'm waiting to see what gets the most love with my publishing company and what some other industry nerds say. Some songs are being considered for placements in some TV shows, so that may force my hand to use what they pick for that.

DVC: How did Deepspace5 get together?
PLAYDOUGH: I hooked up with DS5 in 2001. We put out 2 major records since then and this new album will be our 3rd official release. Our latest free digital mix-tape is at deepspace5.com.

DVC: How would you describe the chemistry of Deepspace5 that you and the other members have?
PLAYDOUGH: I'm in a crew with some super smart dudes. The crew is comprised of attorneys, businessmen, I.T. guys, VP's and full time musicians. Some are good at really deep subject matter; some are the love bringers while others are really punch-line savvy or battle emcees. We all kind of fill a specific role amongst the crew. I think the more folks become familiar with our work the more they catch on to each member’s strengths.

DVC: Musically, who or what were your influences?
PLAYDOUGH: My dad hipped me to classic rock, so beyond a doubt that influenced me. But coming up I really dug DJ Muggs production so all the Cypress Hill, Funkdoobiest and House Of Pain stuff was big for me as well. Most influential to me growing up and still to this day would have to be De la Soul and Black Thought, very inspiring creatively and artistically. Still making exceptional music with each release. I can't say enough good things about them and what they've meant to my music live and in the studio.

DVC: Give me your favorite Roots and Cypress Hill album.
PLAYDOUGH: "Things Fall Apart" by The Roots. Though Black Thought has some monster verses on other songs from different albums. Cypress Hill's "Black Sunday" is the hardest overall album from them in my opinion. Plus I have really good memories listening to that record and skipping class.

DVC: So we found you through Twitter, how much have social media networks help you?
PLAYDOUGH: They've helped me tons. Promoting shows to booking shows and word of mouth from people. Being able to check you out right there with a link to your music is real helpful. The thing I want most right now is for people who have never heard of me to get a chance to listen to my music and it's a good way to do that. I have a hard time devoting enough time to all of the social networking sites but the time I do put in has been fruitful.

Check out myspace.com/playdough for upcoming music by Playdough and download his latest beat tape, Who's Harry Krum? Up for grabs right now at deepspace5.com for free, The Blueprint 3 Outtakes Deepspace5 Version. STAY DIRTY!