Describing his newest venture last thursday Thursday night, rap icon Pharrell Williams evoked another icon: 18th century French Queen Marie Antoinette. Antoinette was “a woman who had basically the world at her fingertips,” he said. Until, of course, the guillotine fell, Speakeasy noted. “But she had a hell of a lot of macaroons!” he said.

For Williams, Marie and her macaroons embody the exclusive and indulgent message he hopes to communicate with Qream, his new vodka-infused specialty liqueur. Hosting a party to celebrate the launch of the liqueur, Williams chatted with Speakeasy as celebrity guests, such as “Entourage” creator Doug Ellin, “Growing Pains” star Alan Thicke and Serena Williams strolled around a modern Spanish Colonial home set in the Hollywood Hills and a panoramic view of the city lights of Los Angeles.

To distinguish their new concoction, Williams and his partner, global distilled spirits titan Diageo, made Qream specifically with women in mind. With its designer perfume-inspired bottle design, Qream feels like a spirit that would be at home in a Louis Vuitton boutique, and that’s the whole point.

It also boasts fewer calories per serving than red wine and has a “thinner consistency than any other cream liqueur” on the market, says Williams.

Jayceon Taylor may be a lightening rod for controversy, but one thing he is, however, is one hell of an interview subject. I caught up with Game last week in a West Hollywood studio. Taking a moment from recording records for his The R.E.D. Album (set to be released August 23), the Black Wallstreet General and I chopped it up about:

– Whether or not any positive results have come from his “Red Nation” video being banned by TV

– What it was like recording with Tyler, The Creator and something people may not know about the Odd Future frontman

Game also let me hear his next single which has more than a handful of heavy hitters he’s bringing along for the ride. It’s an experience. I’ll just leave it at that.

It may sound cliche, but Machine Gun Kelly is an artist who marches by the beat of his own drum. He claims the land that Bone Thugs N Harmony put on a national stage (Cleveland) and represents it to the fullest with each lyric, show and and interview. Thankfully, MGK allowed me to get a glimpse into the life of one of the more entertaining and hardest working new artists on the circuit while at his first Los Angeles show at Roxy Nightclub. In the newest episode of “The Flipside,” Kelly and I discuss various topics centering from Travis Porter to Young Jeezy to SXSW.

– Why he is such a big fan of Travis Porter’s music and when we can expect more music from the four of them

– The importance of SXSW and why continues to help the progression of up and coming artists

– When he became such a big Young Jeezy fan and if he sees any characteristics of The Snowman in himself

– How his album will stand out from the majority of projects this year

Check MGK on Twitter and be sure to visit his official website.

Last week, Omarion released his DJ Drama-assisted mixtape, The Awakening. I had the opportunity to catch up with the R&B singer out in Hollywood for the latest installment of “The Flipside” and my first one as a resident of the West Coast. O was a laid back guy who was more than willing to chop it up about whatever including:

– The reason for the tape not being a Gangsta Grillz, but still hosted by Drama

– Why he chose now to reveal his rapping abilities

– What the past year has taught him about the industry that the previous decade didn’t (with the Young Money and Raz B controversies) 

Big Sean has been everywhere these past few weeks. Last week, I had the opportunity to snag Sean for a few moments for the newest episode of “The Flipside.” Sean and I went back and forth about a list of topics, including:

– The exact moment he knew he was “Finally Famous.”

– The mixtape he revealed that would be released before the album. When we can expect it and whether it will consist of tracks which didn’t make the album or specifically created for the tape.

– How concerned he is releasing an album during a time when sales are traditionally low.

– What it was like being on stage with Bun B at SXSW and how important he thinks the event is to the progression of the culture.

– If we can expect a G.O.O.D. Music compilation in the future

And just for kicks, I asked him if he credits himself with the return snapback hats and his top three favorites.

Much respect to Sean for taking the time out of his schedule to grace KarenCivil.com with the the interview. Finally Famous: The Album hits shelves May 3.

Consider this the first of many installments of “The Flipside.” It’s a new series we are bringing here to KarenCivil.com bringing you interviews from some of the more talked about artists today. With only my handy Hello Kitty flip cam in tow, I traveled to Highline Ballroom to catch Mac Miller’s performance last week. Weather be damned, the Pittsburgh upstart performed to a packed house and the energy was insane from the moment he stepped on stage.

Afterwards, I manged to pull Mac away for a few minutes and ask him a few questions in regarding recent events.

- If he puts any pressure on himself to capitalize on the XXL nod in similar fashion as Wiz did last year.

- His upcoming role in the VH1 series Single Ladies, how that role came about and if he sees a long-term future in acting.

- His relationship with Just Blaze.

And if you haven’t done so already, be sure to add his newest tape, Best Day Ever, to your collection.