New Artist Spotlight: Kertasy From New Jersey
More of his music on the myspace page,
The name is Gabson Augustin, known best as “Kertasy”. Grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His father passed away when he was 6 years old and his mother, having difficulty with her grief, found comfort in drugs. As his mother struggled to raise him and his siblings, Kertasy was forced to grow up fast, becoming the man of the house at an impossibly young age. His grandparents took in him and his siblings, but Kertasy had developed into a very independent child with a keen sense of intuition, picking up on the games that the adults around him played on one another. He dropped out of High School to pursue a career in rap music. Infatuated with hip-hop music Kertasy would often steal his mix tapes and write down the song lyrics, only to recite them and mimic the rapper’s flow over the beats. He began to develop a deep love for the music himself. After completing a Black History Month project in the 6 Th grade, in which he and his friend wrote and recorded a rap song for Harriett Tubman (getting them attention in the NJ Star-Ledger newspaper), Kertasy knew that he was destined to make a name for himself in hip-hop. With this first taste of fame, Kertasy began to study the hip-hop greats: Jay Z, Nas, Mase, etc. to learn what elements made a strong radio single, what moves made a career artist.
During his first year of high school, Kertasy won 1st place in his first high school talent show and began battling the upper classman to create a buzz around his name. During his sophomore year, he hooked up with a DJ in his class and began throwing teen parties, distributing flyers and organizing all-female street teams from the local schools to spread the word. As his fame grew around the city, Kertasy became the man of the hour; however, his grandparents did not support this new lifestyle and eventually kicked him out of the house. An older friend named Woolden who lived in Brooklyn took him in. Kertasy began commuting between Brooklyn, NY and Elizabeth, NJ, balancing school and survival- without his grandparents’ financial support; he turned to hustling drugs in Jefferson Park. Believing in Kertasy’s talent, Woolden put up money so that he could begin recording. After partnering up with Lyvv, another well-known rapper from his hometown, the two put out their first mixtape under the name “1 st String,” selling around 1000 copies in NJ. Through the success of this effort, the duo was approached by and signed A deal with an independent label.
Through his journey this young artist worked with the one and only super talented music producer, songwriter & artist R.KELLY. In an effort to increase his name and get recognition he landed a performance at the Apollo, opening for Eve, Benzino, Lil’ Kim and Sean Paul; part of a Foot Action promotion, broadcast live on Power 105 in NYC. Kertasy is one of the best unsigned artists right now and will be one of the best things that happen in hip hop once he bet a chance to showcase his talent to the rest of the world. The perfect mix of street and suave, he has the makings of a great artist. His natural talent and charisma has been refined by experience; coupled with his independence, Kertasy has made great strides without a major label deal behind him, all before the age of 21. Utilizing newer producers for a novel sound- the middle ground between gritty East Coast and sexy Southern influences- his flow and delivery varies greatly by song, sometimes bubbling smoothly over the melody, other times, exploding fast and punchy, ricocheting off of the bass. “I favor up-tempo beats because of my versatility,” Kertasy explains. “I like to flip my flow, which is unusual for some rapper.”
Most recently, Kertasy linked up with a friend’s production and management company, Debonair Entertainment. Together, they are working towards a label or distribution deal for the project. Last year in the effort to create a buzz he drooped two club SMASH HITS singles, “All Eyes” & “Move dat ass” and One of the Hottest mix tape On the Street out right now “Kocback And Reloaded” Leave A Message Vol. 1″ Hosted by the Harlem Diplomats.
The video for the single “All Eyes” is currently playing in some of the local video Channels, and also got some airplay in Boston, and Connecticut and Music Choice. The single is also on the Vibe Magazine Artists on the Verge CD Compilation that came out in February 2006. The Compilation was sent to over 400,000 customers with their new subscriptions. He also had a few dates On the Vibe Magazine College tour trip last year in October that feature some of the top artist that’s out right now such “Juelz Santana & “Teairra Mari” to name a few.
KERTASY is back again this year droping his second club SMASH HITS single “DRINKIN MY MONEY” & “JUST LIKE DAT” FEAT YOUNG JEEZY.Taking a creole term and translate it in english to create the smash hit ” DRINKING MY MONEY”. KERTASY explain “It’s living life to the fullest and having fun, whether you on a foreign island drinkin your money like “P-DIDDY, JAY-Z and BEYONCE” or on the block playing domino’s drinking barbancourt with your family and friends.That’s “drinkin ur money”. So relax, play the record and drink ur money with us. Thank you!
Suggestion Box
June 26th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
good sound, if you put first after you me, ahahahahaha
June 26th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
DUDE IS Hooooooooooooorible! That’s what PETE ROCK is talking about. It to easy to rap now, no talent needed. Can’t believe yall posted that, he has to be conncet with someone at yall site, that bull would have never made it on mine. Sorry just truth!
June 26th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Im not sure with this dude, I would probably give it a 1 out of five (1/5). Okay okay… eazy… it was wack. This dude needs to put more work on his verses and his flow. Sounded like my first time.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
freestyle vid didnt impress me enuff to make me go to his myspace.
i actually cut the vid off 2 bars into his first verse.
maybe i jumped the gun, but iono. maybe y’all will like him.
i dont.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
If you even thought that trash was a little bit of good u would love my talent
check me out @ http://www.myspace.com/shodway
jus lisen the music speaks for it0self
June 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
(and the crowd says)
BOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
realtalkny this wasnt even worth puttin up the site..
June 26th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
NUCCI REYO FROM JERSEY IS A MILLION TIMES BETTER!!!
June 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Shodway:
“Don’t smile in my face nigga/That ain’t funny.”
Ahem.YOU are wack.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
1st thats not what I say
and you haters = motivators
thanks for checkin out the page
June 26th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
YA HATERS ARE THE REASON THE EAST COAST NOT POPPIN. YA QUICK TO CRITIZE YA OWN. I’M FEELING HOME BOY. THIS SHIT IS MUCH BETTER THAN ALLOT OF THE SHIT THATS OUT RIGHT NOW. DO YOU HOMIE.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I FUCK IT> I WANT TO HEAR MORE.
June 26th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
dis nigga is trash ya betta focus on joe budden and ransome b4 this wack ass nigga real talk!!!!!!!!and im from jersey passaic all day joey and ransome the only ones holdin us down!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Dude is decent still he reppin jersey ? he got a hrd act to follow after Mr joe Budden…
Peep my music im 16 years of age http://www.myspace.com/iamrootz
June 26th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
IM LUVIN THIS!!!I WAN HEAR MO FRM HIM
June 26th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
this niggas is the worst, he dont even ride the beat & his lines is wack. get him outta here quick lol
June 26th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
hot vid ima definetely b checkin 4 lata news on this kid
June 26th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
YALL NIGGAS NEEDA STOP HATIN ON HIS SWAGG…LETS C YALL DO BETTA && THEN STEP 2 HIM…I RESPECT HIS SWAGG AND FLOW
June 26th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Jersey Is here…. Like its 93 all over again… Please stop da hate… If u aint got shit good to say y say it at all…Kertasy Keep doing ya thing my nigga,Eastwick till da mutha fuckin casket drop, U hearing it from jerseys King…HEN Mutha Fuckin ROQ…. 1 Luv…
June 26th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
ALWAYS GUD 2 C A JERSEY NIGGA DO HIS THING..IM FEELIIN THIS SHIT..JERSEY ALL DAY NIGGAS
June 26th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
honest shit.
check me out.
click http://myspace.com/birdsnesthoodrich
if dude is hot than so am i…..
witout even takin rap serious.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I retract my statement as well, he looks like tony yayo’s retarded son, talking about shooting people. like mind of mencia this guy is “dee dee dee”
June 26th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
wow niggas bac 2 hatin…yall kno yall juss makin him mo famous by hatin? niggas needa keep they mouth shut…stop hatin cuz he doin him
June 26th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I THINK THIS SONG IS CRAZZI HOT FIRE!!!
&& I THINK KERTASY’S A CUTIE!!! LOL HOPE HE DUN GOT A GURL
June 26th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I knew this dude ever since elementary school…He always thought he was the nicest…That’s the mentality you’re supposed to have in the game…But the reality of it is dude is trash…Some of his earlier work was cool until he switched his style….
But in today’s rap game, you don’t have to be nice in order to make it…
I wish lil homie the best of luck with his career though…
And if Kertasy or any of his people are reading this, my money’s on Arsonal Da Rebel…
Y’all know how to reach me…
Just gimme a time and place and let’s finally make this happen once and for all…
*Loyalty Is Not A Word, It’s A Lifestyle*
http://www.myspace.com/icebergnga
June 26th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Lol.
I made it about 2 bars in.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
yea i made it to about 3rd time he said gangster .. his lisp is almost as deep as RUTTHHHEELLL simmons
June 26th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
I’M FEEL WHAT HOME BOY IS SAYING. NEW YORK GOT TOO MUCH HATE IN THE BLOOD.
YA NEED TO STICK TOGETHER LIKE THE FUCKING SOUTH.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:28 am
have some courtesy kertasy!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:23 am
I LIKE THAT SHIT. YA NIGGAS DO REALLY TALK ALLOT OF SHIT, AND DON’T BACK IT UP.
ROOTZ I WENT TO YOUR SHIT, AND YOU TRASH. STAY THE FUCK WHERE
YOU AT.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Ya wanna know something funny about these comments? Well, if you notice, all the commenters with their names in ALL CAPS are the ones who said something positive about this garbage. Hummm… Coencidence?… I think not!!! This lame is probably the one thats leaving all the positive feedback, seriously! LMAO!!! Thats a shame, we keeps it funky over here my dude and it aint hate, you just aint ready for the big leagues, period!!! –
ps. Now watch another name pop up in ALL CAPS complain about this post and give him some more undeserved props!!!
June 27th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Come Jerz I know u can give us better then this cat. Buddens is that FIREEEE
June 27th, 2007 at 10:36 am
@ 31
i was sayin the same damn thing.
and the hyperlink is all the same, its http://nah/
yo is a clown for that. hahahaha.
but yeah shodway. you from my city and i cant even rock wit you.
your flow need some work, lyrics a lil basic.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I didnt even get past his hook….lmao…Sorry….NEXT!!!!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:17 am
this nigga is pure trash and that bullshit he was rapping was not no fucken free style either, who the fuck this nigga thinks he is fooling!!! i stop watch his wack ass video after the second verse
June 28th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
All jealousy.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
jealousy is a sin. ya should get down you knees and repent. let the nigga do him.