My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me...

Well, I've been trying to get some interviews, but no one is replying at all. It seems like this will be harder then I thought. I intially tried to contact local rapper Big Sean, but either he gets too many FaceBook Messages and rarely filters through them and reads them, or he just outright ignored me.

Either way my crusade isn't over, not to sound like a stalker, but I'm going to try to catch him at his next show and give him my information.

Ignoring me or not, he's doing big things, and I'm confident he'll put Detroit back on the map, which will make it all the easier when I come to power.

For those who haven't, check out his mixtape, UKNOWBIGSEAN, at UKNOWBIGSEAN.com . The mixtape is utter fire, and I myself would pay big money for it.

Anyways, some filler material right here: On his mixtape Big Sean told a little story off the famous Geto Boys track "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" and though it isn't blowing the original classic away, its still good and shows his versatility.

The Orginal Track; though there is an offical video, I couldn't resist the Elmo one.



Big Sean's Cover

The Reformation Of The Music Industry - - A Aspiring Manager & Executive's Early Opinions

Some would say, "gosh, this guy has no life". But no, have no fear, though I planned on eventually writing this in the near future, I also had the motivation of turning it in for my Writing class final. But seeing as I want to pursue a professional career in the music world, I might as well wise up and start my learning process now.

Funny little anecdote: This is a realitivly well written paper here, and my writing teacher refused to believe that I, an inner city African American youth, at the age of 16 wrote it. She suspected plagiarism. "Because the vocabulary is too advanced and dated". L.O. to the L. This makes me that much prouder of my work, and I hope its good enough so that I can send it in to a music source or magazine and start off a career.

______________________________

The Reformation of the Music Industry

Music is an ever changing industry that has consistently evolved throughout the years, although for better or worse is still to be determined. The most intriguing element about music is the products of influence that come about as a result of the artists actions. Numerous sub-cultures have sprung forth from the simplest forms of music, no matter the genre, artist, or company. Whether it be '82 Nike Air Force One sneakers, sagging pants, tight pants, or 'emo' hair cuts, the impact is generally immediate and temporary. Though occasionally a “fad” will become a staple, and stick throughout the years. Unfortunately there isn't a guarantee whether the effect will be negative or positive, which just drives the point further; anything can take off if the right amount of promotion is used. To have a culture conceived from mere sounds; carefully timed vibrations and crooning vocals, proves the vast influence in the possession of the musicians and executives. The downside to their having such control over the masses is their inability to harness and use their dynamism correctly. A greater effort needs to be made; quality as well as quantity needs to be induced in more LPs, the industry needs to be marketed to the masses, not just the targeted demographic, in order to combat declining sales, and spotlight should be casted over movements of amelioration (i.e. the neo-soul movement). The content of mainstream also needs to be augmented, and the trend of false representation of character needs to be eliminated from artists repertoire as well.

In the 90's, it would be an odd sight to spot an album sporting a mere twelve tracks on store shelves. The artists of that era couldn't fit their intended message in such an insufficient number of songs; more so, they wouldn't dare insult their listeners, wasting their time or money. Fast forward to the present, it's all too common to spend fourteen dollars for twelve to fourteen songs. Somewhere along the line the respect for the consumer was lost, and the artist got lazy. At one time, concept albums were prevalent in the music world and added an interesting twist of creativity to music. Take for instance Nas' debut album, Illmatic, certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The classic album tackled the ravages and deconstruction that came with urban poverty. Another prime example would be The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a recording for the ages. It shed light on the plight of a woman, and was successful by all means, as it gave something her fans could relate to. A reoccurring theme is obvious in both of the aforementioned works, and that is work ethic and quality. Today's artists are going for the money, forgoing the thought process necessary to assemble an exemplary album. Musical veterans, who've made a name for themselves need to sit down with the “stars” of today and explain, and then highlight what's required of success. The struggling industry needs songs of substance and albums of length to revive itself and reach the former glory of yesterday, otherwise the industries pitfall of failure will continue and eventually meet an all time low.

Equally important in the reanimation of the industry would be re-packaging and then, re-launching of music. Approach determines response, and consumers aren't exactly raving about the music of today. Too often is music's demographic restricted, whether it be regionally or racially. For the listeners of the Hip-hop and Rap genres, you're thought to have to be an urban inner city African American male. However, a majority of the Hip-hop and Rap consumers are suburban Caucasian males. The inequity works in reverse as well; for the alternative rock and punk rock genres, the first thought would be a suburban Caucasian youth. Though a majority of the listeners are in fact Caucasian, plenty of African-American and Hispanics enjoy the likes of Fall Out Boy and Yellowcard as well. Advertisements on specific channels cripple the sales, as the segregation-esque act just limits the availability of the product. As opposed to only advertising on BET, executives need to buy airtime on FUSE as well as MTV. Another self-inflicted burden the industry has afflicted itself with would have to be the absence of person to person interaction. Album signings have been virtually obliterated from the marketing aspect of the music world. After an artist had made it big and been signed to a enough contract, they forget the little simple things that would make them all the more popular.

Pursuing the idea of the little things further, there are a variety of crusades that seek amendment to both music and their respective cultures. Most notably the neo-soul movement, an attempt to repackage R n' B, and inspire urban renaissance in the African-American community. Advocates of the neo-soul movement consist of both the known and the unknown. Songstress Chrisette Michele, rapper Common, singer and pianist John Legend, and renowned vocalist D'Angelo have carried the movement on their shoulders. The importance of such movements are necessary in the industry, as with the relentless pursuit of improvement comes improvement. But, for whatever odd reason, the limelight continues to evade such factions. Record companies make the mistake of labeling such causes as hopeless underground trends with no potential of catching on. Of course music has, and will always be based on the current vogue, but there's no reason to completely ignore such unrealized aptitude. As with any artist, if the proper time is invested within the neo-soul movement or any other sub-genre of music, the sky is undoubtedly the limit. Though restricted to clubs and pirate radio stations, the neo-soul movement will unquestionably continue its ambitious quest for musical enrichment and hopefully influence artists and labels to crossover and abandon the repetitiveness of today's mainstream.

Laying on the other side of the plate, contrasting with neo-soul, mainstream music has been as sub-par and lackluster as ever. The problem with mainstream music is the repetitious role-playing involved. As said before, companies will only adhere to the current commercialism that the public demands. Which in turn handicaps the artist, who's ultimate goal is to make it, via being signed. This does nothing but further pollute the airwaves; which are already corrupted by gossip as opposed to the much needed interviews to give the public insight to the goings on inside the music business. Music is now in need of a metaphorical strainer, put in place by the general public, in an attempt to revert back to the original roots of story telling and enlightenment. Storytelling and songs of enlightenment need to be reimplemented into the craft of music making. Most music genres were initially created to express creativity and get a well needed break from the material world, but now music is nothing but the flaunting of materialistic possessions and half-hearted attempts of conformity. Mainstream has long been protested, going as far back as the '60's, with the hippie counterculture, and more recently with the dominance of punk rock and alternative Hip-hop, respectively spearheaded by the likes of Blink-182 and Jurassic 5. Slowly, but surely, mainstream is being ousted, and replaced with competent and efficiently sound pieces. There is a devastating difference between music designed to be music, and music designed for recognition. Which in turn spawns music flawed by design.

Last, but certainly not least, is the necessitation of accessing and utilizing proper emotion within both the actual song and production. The latter is nearly perfected, as today's producers are nearly flawless with matching the lyrics to the beat. The former on the other hand, has always been in need of practice. Very few artists are able to hone the affection that was prevalent in the classics of yesterday and those of today. For instance, take either work, Lauryn Hill's Ex-Factor, or Dwele's Find A Way. Such soulful lyrics and chilling vocals remain unmatched to this day. The talent is there for most, but the dedication is seen in few, which is what differentiates artists such as J. Holiday and Slyeena Johnson from the autotune using, one hit wonder crooners, who obliterate the progress made by going three steps back when only two have been taken. A common misconception has infiltrated the music rankings, and that is the need to portray a faux persona. Rapper and recently turned pop artist, Kanye West touched on this, during Everything I Am, a track off his junior album, Graduation. Stating, “I'll never be picture perfect Beyoncé, as light as Al. B., or black as Chauncey / I'll never understand why people would reach a, fake facade that they can't keep up”. The time consuming hobby of making, imitating, and reminiscing imaginary figments of their pasts is prohibiting the actual music making. Harming not just the careers of the artists and those affiliated with them, but the fans as well.

Altogether, it will be a long road and some time before all of the above is put together and correctly assembled to create an utopian like music industry. A single reoccurring theme is evident in the industry, and that is the fact that all of the negative aspects listed above introduce a crippling effect that starts off in one area and eventually spreads throughout the industry. Elimination of said crippling traits is necessary and though a daunting task to accomplish, the endeavor to actualize greatness is plausible upon harnessing the power of nearly unlimited influence, and annihilating the negative traits that plague the industry. The music scene is unbelievably close to reaching its potential. Once the art of quality and quantity is perfected, marketing strategies analyzed, edited, and demographics widened, the sky is the limit. Once attention is correctly focused on those deserving the limelight, the level of artistic content is amped up, and deceitful faux portrayal comes to an end, then, and only then, will the industry revive, and arise from its downward spiral and reach heights previously unknown. An assignment easier said then done, it'll have to be an universal campaign, a system of checks and balances. A process in which if another artist refuses to conform, he or she will have to face public ousting, a modern blacklisting in which no one will have any ties with that particular artist. With all that has been said, all it will take is one spark to get the movement started. One wise and self-informed revolutionary is all the industry needs to become lit with a new flame and a new spirit of creativity. It's only a matter of time before we have the ideal industry that many executives dream of. An Eden of music is perfectly within reach.

______________________________

Filler Post #2

So, I'm actually getting some work accomplished with both my writing and my music label. With the 3 or 4 artists I have "under my management" it'll be a pretty productive summer, and hopefully with my entrepreneurial mind Sovereign Music Label will have made a name for itself in Detroit. It's highly doubtful, but its nothing is impossible with a little hard work.

I've attempted to contact a local Detroit artist who is getting bigger every day, so hopefully I get a reply soon and that interview I've promised. This blog is probably getting zero traffic right now, but with this interview and the other various little projects I have under my sleeves, it'll get big quick. Soon enough it'll be big enough to rival WSHH, ( shout out to Jordan Towers, owner of World Star Hip-hop, who I'm also trying to do business with ) and will be a blog frequented by thousands.

But that's enough boring updates for now, I have a lot of work to do this summer, and that includes scouting for the unique talent that I want involved with Sovereign Music Label. I'm looking for a new, fresh sound, and if you or anyone you know can contribute in anyway, hit me up on FaceBook. My ID Badge is to the right.

Filler Post #1

The Blog Has Been Re-Upped, And Before I Start Dropping Articles, I Have To Finish Out The Last Week Of School. Until Then, I'll Be Posting Filler Items & Such.

What To Expect In The Coming Days:

- An Essay On The Music Industry
- An Interview With A Well Known Recording Artist
- Branching Out Of Not Only Hip Hop & R n' B coverage, but Alt.Rock & Punk Rock As Well.
- Several Artist Spotlights
- A Regional Review (Who's On Top Right Now? MidWest, East Coast, West Coast, South?)
- Writers Besides Myself Contributing
- Possible Posting Of Local Detroit Talent As Well


Kanye West - Paranoid - 808's & Heartbreak

Probably his last single off 808's & Heartbreak, Mr. West has seemingly thrown Rihanna a bone; in an attempt to help her rebuild her career and to cast her back in the limelight. Though she isn't featured in the song vocally, she's very prominent in the video.





Dolla - Georgia Nights - A Dolla And A Dream

A nice little find here - It's errie after the recent events, (i.e. his death) as it seems he predicted his death. Most likely its just a concidence, but either way, it seems he was on the road of improvement with this LP.

[ Did You Know - T-Pain recently paid homage to Dolla by having a mural painted on the hood of his car featuring the slain rapper. ]