Do you remember the good old days? When your favorite song would come on the radio and you already had your blank tape in your boombox just ready to record. Mixtapes were replaced by curated playlists and we found a really good one for you. We caught up the two musical creatives behind TheCorner Mixtape and chatted with them about their inspirations and frustrations.
Read our interview below:
SwagHer: The whole mixtape idea is now known as “curated playlists” to match our current streaming atmosphere. What are your goals for your playlist?
Hala Maroc: We created it as an extension to what we do on our live show! A platform to share songs were into, upcoming, signed, or Indy. We figured we need more platforms and spaces that don’t conform to the mainstream but don’t compromise our quality either.
Cory Giles: Well what’s so funny is to me as a DJ I really hate the term Playlists when it comes to DJs because I feel it’s just putting songs together, sometimes creativity isn’t involved. Playlists are very popular and important today. But for what we have done was just modernize the Mixtape for today. We took tracks that were popping in the street, took indie artists, added drops and skits, sequenced the tracks, along with adding DJ scratches put it all together and released it on a digital streaming platform. The goal for this overall is to help build the brand of The Corner, help indie artists, and help modernize the mixtape for the culture.
SwagHer: How many years have you been working in music? Why is it your passion?
Hala Maroc: I’ve been working in music for about eight years now. I’m most passionate about opening doors for dreamers & hustlers like myself.
Cory Giles: For me, it’s just hitting 10 years off and on. I started out as an intern in Video Promotions at Def Jam and from there continued to move around within the industry. I love music, it’s a very important part of everyday life, it tells stories and expresses feelings. Why not be involved in spreading that story as your 9 to 5.
SwagHer: A lot of people think there are more talented musical acts in the Underground community versus the mainstream. What are your thoughts on that?
Hala Maroc: I definitely agree with that. Artists are more free underground to create as they please and deliver the messages they want to. In the mainstream, a check is involved more than anything. So labels and artists like to play it safe and keep doing what’s been “workingâ€.
Cory Giles: Very good question and I believe it’s half and half. Why it’s so tough today is the illusion of social media. I’ve run into artists who may only have 6K streams on an amazing song verses an artist who followed a popular trend for a song and hit a Million. When you’re involved in the monster of making music sometimes your creativity gets compromised but when you aren’t you are free to create in any way you see fit. Free creativity is the best thing.
SwagHer: You are an interesting duo. Can you tell us how “The Corner” came about? Whose idea was it?
Hala Maroc: Cory and I have known each other for over four years now… Worked in radio together at Hot97, and we’re just fed up with how things worked in the industry these days. Cory came up with the concept because the corner store was a common meeting place in any Hood in NYC. It’s a place where people shared information, culture, music, and snacks. So we modeled the show around that, and people gravitated towards how authentic And familiar it felt.
Cory Giles: One day I was hanging with my friend (Shouts to Plug Knight) and she was pitching me an idea for a Podcast. She called it “The Corner Store Pod†I was like “NO†but from that “The Corner†stood out and I know I had a situation in the works with Dash Radio so I took pieces of what she wanted to do with that POD and combined it with my vision for “The Cornerâ€. So when it came to finding someone to partner with me, Hala was someone I respected and loved how she worked. I knew it would work if I had someone who worked in ways as I do. Hip Hop has always had staple programming throughout its existence YO MTV Raps, Rap City, Funk Flex, Breakfast Club, 106 and Park. The goal for The Corner is to become a staple like those I just mentioned. As Hala says we are “Hip Hop at your convenienceâ€.
SwagHer: Who are some of the current faces in music that you go to for motivation and insight?
Hala Maroc: My mentor will always be Helen Little! She’s always been in every aspect of the industry and has plenty of great insight. Also, I love Karen Civil.
Cory Giles: It depends on my mood or what I am doing. But if I am talking outside of my mood always Biggie, Cam, Hov, Brent Faiyaz, Tory Lanez, and Drake to name a few. Each of those guys have projects that have messages that pertain to anything I may possibly deal with them on a daily basis.
SwagHer: What are some everyday struggles you’ve faced while trying to navigate in an extremely over-saturated market?
Hala Maroc: Building a solid team because people rarely have a specialty these days. Everyone does everything, but nothing. Entertainment jobs are very temporary… but also there’s never enough hours in a day when building an empire. So I think I’m challenged with finding security in my music career & balance.
Cory Giles: Over-saturation is a problem that I believe will never go away, especially with how technology will continue to advance. How I deal with it personally is I focus on my goals and plans. As long as I do that and market anything that requires execution better than what’s in the market or enough to stand out I will always be fine. All it takes is that one thing you do to catch the right wave and then you outta there!!!! But then you have to maintain, going viral doesn’t last forever if you can’t monetize it.
SwagHer: Living in NYC can feel like you’re stuck in a rat race. So many creative people struggle to find an outlet. What motivates you to keep growing?
Hala Maroc: At this point, this is just who I am and what I do. I couldn’t switch to a regular job or a different career path if I tried. Some of us are natural-born creators. Despite the struggle, all we can do is create. We just believe in the power of art. I also keep going because I truly believe representation is important. And little middle eastern girls like me need a voice to look up to too! I never had one.
Cory Giles: There are 4 things extremely important in the race your family, friends, relationship with God if you believe in him, and YOUR WILL. This shit isn’t easy and it isn’t for the weak. It’s draining you can lose yourself in this, people only see the success they ain’t say Tyler Perry homeless, they ain’t see Oprah deal with abuse, things can get dark don’t get it fooled. But if those 4 Pillars around you are well balanced and honest with you, you can fight the fight. This shit doesn’t come overnight you may hit some roadblocks but its not how hard you get hit it’s how you get up. What motivates me my family and circle I got people who look to me I can’t fold I have to take the hits and trust I’ve been hit. You just have to keep going never fold.
Follow: Hala Maroc @halamaroc
Follow: Cory Giles @CoryGiles_
About Tahyira Savanna: Tahyira is a lifestyle journalist and writer. Her interest includes human stories and introspection. She interviews everyday people doing their part to make our world a happier place.
Follow her on Twitter @TAsterisk and Instagram @iletthegoodtimesroll
