CEE-LO GREEN HAS BEEN PUSHING THE ENVELOPE ARTISTICALLY FOR A GOOD WHILE NOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER RELEASING SOLO JOINTS AND LINKING WITH DANGER MOUSE FOR THE HIGHLY CREATIVE GNARLS BARKLEY VENTURES. WITH HIS NEW ALBUM THE LADY KILLER, HE EMBARKS ON A NEW ARTISTIC CHAPTER IN A VERY SLEPT-ON CATALOG OF DOPE MUSIC. "BODIES" IS THE VISION OF CEE-LO MANIFESTED THROUGH THE LENSES OF DIRECTOR MIKAEL COLUMBU. SET AS A MURDER MYSTERY MINI-MOVIE, "BODIES" WILL CAPTURE THE SENSES. ALONG ON THIS VISUAL JOURNEY YOU WILL FIND KERRY WASHINGTON, KARL LAGERFELD, AND ANOTHER RISK-TAKING ARTIST JANELLE MONAE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MINI-MOVIE FOR PROOF POSITIVE THAT MR. GREEN IS INDEED ONE OF THE DOPEST ARTISTS IN MUSIC PERIOD, NO MATTER THE GENRE. THANKS TO SHAMZ AND MY OKAYPLAYER FAMILY FOR ALLOWING DOPE MUSIC TO BE SEEN AND HEARD.
"BODIES"
LINK: http://www.okayplayer.com/news/video-cee-lo-green-bodies.html
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
THE LEGENDARY: A FILM ABOUT THE ROOTS
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| THE ROOTS AT RAMS HEAD LIVE--PHOTO BY WISDOM |
Tuba Gooding, Jr. Frank Knuckles. Owen Biddle. Captain Kirk. Kamal. Black Thought. Questlove. Four-time Grammy Award winners. Hardest working music outfit in all of music, not just hip hop. The Legendary. An appropriate moniker for a band I hold near and dear to my 41 year-old heart. Giving us true notes since 1987. I have been a faithful listener, fan, and extended family member of The Roots from the beginning, taking it back to the days of The Square Roots and Organix, their first actual release that fetches a pretty penny from collectors and music lovers alike. I am very proud to own EVERY album released by The Roots: Organix, Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife, my personal favorite Things Fall Apart, Phrenology, The Tipping Point, Game Theory, Rising Down, How I Got Over, and the John Legend collaborative album that garnered three Grammy Awards Wake Up! I am so very proud of this Illadelph collective, not only for being EXTREMELY dope, but for adding a touch of class and decorum to the hip hop landscape. Without The Roots, the genre we know as hip hop would be an even sadder state of affairs. With that bold statement in mind, take a look at this Okayplayer TV jawn (that's Philly speak for joint, if you didn't know) known as "The Legendary: A Film About The Roots". Cam Be was director and editor for this glimpse into the sometimes hectic touring schedule of The Roots. Jeff Baraka served as interviewer and co-producer for this project. I've been fortunate enough to have seen this dynamic hip hop group more times than I have fingers, so I know the energy and showmanship they bring to the table. This film touches on that, but of course doesn't replace the live and in-person element. What you do have is a mini-documentary that will pique the interests of fans and non-fans alike, I'm sure. Thanks again to Okayplayer TV, Vimeo, The Roots, Jeff Baraka, and Cam Be for allowing this slice of hip hop to be shared by the masses. Enjoy this "Legendary" teaser!
The Legendary: A Film About The Roots from Cam Be on Vimeo.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
ARTICLE SWIPE----Karyn Parsons Talks 'Fresh Prince' Reunion for Non-Profit Org Sweet Blackberry
HERE IS A VERY GOOD ARTICLE REGARDING THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SET UP BY KARYN PARSONS, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN TO THE WORLD AS HILARY BANKS FROM "FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR" FAME. I LOVE THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION, AND IT IS A WELCOME SIGHT TO SEE HIP HOP GENERATION CONTEMPORARIES FLEXING THEIR MUSCLES IN VARIOUS WAYS. A SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO ZACH DIONNE, ARTICLE WRITER VIA WWW.POPEATER.COM. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW A SNIPPET OF WHAT MS. PARSONS HAS BEEN WORKING ON FROM A CREATIVE STANDPOINT, GIVING BACK SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO THE MOST IMPRESSIONABLE OF INDIVIDUALS, OUR YOUTH. ENJOY THE READ, AND GO TO THE LINK AT THE END TO SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUCTION.
Karyn Parsons couldn't be more different from her nasty 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' alter-ego Hilary Banks. A generous, conversational mother mostly distanced from acting for the last decade, Parsons founded Sweet Blackberry, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing rarely told inspirational stories of African-American history.
Now Parsons is staging a Charitybuzz auction where the winner and a guest will spend time with four reunited members of the 'Fresh Prince' cast as a benefit for Sweet Blackberry. "It's a dining experience," Parsons tells PopEater, "with Alfonso Ribeiro [Carlton], Tatyana Ali [Ashley], James Avery [Uncle Phil] and myself, and a meet-and-greet with Will Smith. Will's gonna come by and hang for a minute and meet the winner."
Read our full conversation here, touching on everything from Will to Willow to a bizarre 'Transformers 3' rumor.
This reunion is going to be huge for the auction winner.
I mean, I hope! [Laughs] It's so funny because for us it's such a different thing. For six years we kind of took for granted our wonderful relationship. You were used to seeing these people every day. It's a different experience for a fan of the show, but even for me, shoot, it makes me want to bid on it to get everybody together. It seems like just weddings is how we all end up getting together.
It's a pricey lunch, though. The bid is past $3,200 right now.
You know, Will is always worth it. I mean, we all are, but Will, I have to say, is great. He's such a generous, fun person, and I think he always makes it worth someone's while.
The Will Smith-ness comes across even in a brief meet-and-greet, huh?
He's not somebody who just turns it on or turns it off. Will's one of those people that walks in a room and all that charisma is just him. He can't really help it, it's just who he is. He's very positive, very bright.
Who'll be the biggest surprise for a 'Fresh Prince' fan to meet? I'm guessing you or Carlton. Er, Alfonso.
Definitely Alf and I, without a doubt. Oh yeah, Tweedledee and Tweedledum! [Laughs] We were the ones that really played knucklehead characters. I like to think we're not like that.
Where's the auction money going to go? How will it be used?
It's going to benefit Sweet Blackberry, which is an educational organization I started in order to bring little-known stories of African-American achievement to children. My mother headed the Black Resource Center in Los Angeles at her library, and she used to tell me stories, incredible information and stories from archives. One day she told me the story of Henry "Box" Brown, who was a slave who literally mailed himself, in a box, to freedom. It was a true story, and I couldn't believe I had never heard it. This story, on so many levels, has such magnitude.
So that got the wheels turning.
It was such an obvious story. A man inside of a box, pretending to be mail. I immediately thought, "That's a book." I wanted to a series of books for children that tell stories that we don't hear about.
And the Henry "Box" Brown story became your first Sweet Blackberry DVD.
It was the impetus for the whole thing, and it became the first one. In schools we seem to get a handful of stories we're told -- incredible stories of black people from history, but just a handful, kind of the same people that we always hear about. Yet black people helped build this country. I don't think we understand that. Obviously it's important for black children, but it's important for all of us to understand this together, to see our value and our neighbors' value and how we relate and how our culture is all of our culture and its history is all of our history. It should be all together for all of us to understand that.
How did you approach that goal?
I started it after my daughter was a couple years old. I wanted to pull more stories up that are relevant and teach lessons to children about overcoming obstacles. Obstacles are actually opportunities for greatness, which we learn from the stories. The first one, about Henry "Box" Brown, Alfre Woodard narrated. It's a lightly animated story. Then Queen Latifah narrated our second one, 'Garrett's Gift.'
See a Sweet Blackberry clip:
Sweet Blackberry Intro from karyn parsons on Vimeo.
Sounds like you stay busy. How often do you see your old co-stars? Was it easy pulling them together for this?
Well Tatyana is on the board of Sweet Blackberry. It doesn't mean I get to see her all the time; as far as I'm concerned I don't see any of them enough. James I get to see, he lives by me. Every time I see Will, I don't want to let him go. I'm like, "I don't know how long it's going to be 'til I get to see you!" He's wonderful, and he's the same Will. He's just so busy. He's a wanted man.
There were rumors about a year ago, talking up an actual 'Fresh Prince' reunion episode. Did you ever hear about that?
I hear that all the time.
And?
I doubt it. I don't know, maybe? It's possible. As long as Geoffrey doesn't have to wear his butler outfit while the rest of us wear gowns and tuxes. I have no objection whatsoever. I don't know if I could drag Hilary out, dust her off.
Tatyana Ali told me she gets such a warm response everywhere she goes, that she feels like fans really care about her because of her character. With Hilary, it's probably a different story...
Oh yeah, they wanna dropkick me. I had a friend say a guy jumped in at a bar and defended Tatyana. People feel like she's their little Ashley. But no, Hilary never had that. I was in Paris and some people come up to me and said, "You were that girl! On that show! We hated you!" Oh, thank you. Hilary definitely gets a different reception. That was part of the fun of playing her. I'm over it.
Showbiz isn't your main gig anymore, so why is IMDb saying you're in 'Transformers 3'?
[Laughs] No! I don't know what ... it's a lie! I don't know what happened or how. I had a family member on Facebook go, "Great news on 'Transformers 3,' Karyn, congratulations!" I was like, "What are you talking about?" Someone's trying to keep me current.
So you never heard about it?
I never heard about an audition. I have no idea. A couple years ago I saw that I was gonna do the biopic of Wendy Williams. Where that came from, I can't begin to imagine.
What would it take to get you back into acting?
I never say never. I have to say that now. I'm so consumed with a 7-year-old, a 3-year-old and Sweet Blackberry. My plate is so insanely full it's hard for me to think about it right now, but I've never stopped loving acting. We'll see what happens.
How do Will and Jada juggle family and showbiz so deftly?
Uh ... help? They're there and they're very present, but they can also structure their life because of their situation. And Willow and Jaden are doing their things too now, aren't they? They're incredibly smart, thoughtful parents.
What do you think of Willow, anyway?
She blew me away. Will played a little of 'Whip My Hair' for me before it was released -- it sounded like Rihanna or something. I was like, "Whoa, how old is she?" She's incredibly talented, and she's a really cool kid. She's been her own strong personality, a real strong flavor, since day one. You can see it when you watch the video -- it's all her own thing.
What do your kids think, knowing you know the Smiths?
We went to the 'Karate Kid' premiere, and my daughter was so excited. She didn't meet Jaden or Willow, which was probably fine because she would've been so overwhelmed. She would've passed out.
FOLLOW "FRESH PRINCE" AUCTION AND BID THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH
Article link: http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/15/fresh-prince-reunion-karyn-parsons-sweet-blackberry/
Article written by: Zach Dionne
Date posted: February 15, 2011
Site credit: AOL Original/Pop Eater
Karyn Parsons couldn't be more different from her nasty 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' alter-ego Hilary Banks. A generous, conversational mother mostly distanced from acting for the last decade, Parsons founded Sweet Blackberry, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing rarely told inspirational stories of African-American history.
Now Parsons is staging a Charitybuzz auction where the winner and a guest will spend time with four reunited members of the 'Fresh Prince' cast as a benefit for Sweet Blackberry. "It's a dining experience," Parsons tells PopEater, "with Alfonso Ribeiro [Carlton], Tatyana Ali [Ashley], James Avery [Uncle Phil] and myself, and a meet-and-greet with Will Smith. Will's gonna come by and hang for a minute and meet the winner."
Read our full conversation here, touching on everything from Will to Willow to a bizarre 'Transformers 3' rumor.
This reunion is going to be huge for the auction winner.
I mean, I hope! [Laughs] It's so funny because for us it's such a different thing. For six years we kind of took for granted our wonderful relationship. You were used to seeing these people every day. It's a different experience for a fan of the show, but even for me, shoot, it makes me want to bid on it to get everybody together. It seems like just weddings is how we all end up getting together.
It's a pricey lunch, though. The bid is past $3,200 right now.
You know, Will is always worth it. I mean, we all are, but Will, I have to say, is great. He's such a generous, fun person, and I think he always makes it worth someone's while.
The Will Smith-ness comes across even in a brief meet-and-greet, huh?
He's not somebody who just turns it on or turns it off. Will's one of those people that walks in a room and all that charisma is just him. He can't really help it, it's just who he is. He's very positive, very bright.
Who'll be the biggest surprise for a 'Fresh Prince' fan to meet? I'm guessing you or Carlton. Er, Alfonso.
Definitely Alf and I, without a doubt. Oh yeah, Tweedledee and Tweedledum! [Laughs] We were the ones that really played knucklehead characters. I like to think we're not like that.
Where's the auction money going to go? How will it be used?
It's going to benefit Sweet Blackberry, which is an educational organization I started in order to bring little-known stories of African-American achievement to children. My mother headed the Black Resource Center in Los Angeles at her library, and she used to tell me stories, incredible information and stories from archives. One day she told me the story of Henry "Box" Brown, who was a slave who literally mailed himself, in a box, to freedom. It was a true story, and I couldn't believe I had never heard it. This story, on so many levels, has such magnitude.
So that got the wheels turning.
It was such an obvious story. A man inside of a box, pretending to be mail. I immediately thought, "That's a book." I wanted to a series of books for children that tell stories that we don't hear about.
And the Henry "Box" Brown story became your first Sweet Blackberry DVD.
It was the impetus for the whole thing, and it became the first one. In schools we seem to get a handful of stories we're told -- incredible stories of black people from history, but just a handful, kind of the same people that we always hear about. Yet black people helped build this country. I don't think we understand that. Obviously it's important for black children, but it's important for all of us to understand this together, to see our value and our neighbors' value and how we relate and how our culture is all of our culture and its history is all of our history. It should be all together for all of us to understand that.
How did you approach that goal?
I started it after my daughter was a couple years old. I wanted to pull more stories up that are relevant and teach lessons to children about overcoming obstacles. Obstacles are actually opportunities for greatness, which we learn from the stories. The first one, about Henry "Box" Brown, Alfre Woodard narrated. It's a lightly animated story. Then Queen Latifah narrated our second one, 'Garrett's Gift.'
See a Sweet Blackberry clip:
Sweet Blackberry Intro from karyn parsons on Vimeo.
Sounds like you stay busy. How often do you see your old co-stars? Was it easy pulling them together for this?
Well Tatyana is on the board of Sweet Blackberry. It doesn't mean I get to see her all the time; as far as I'm concerned I don't see any of them enough. James I get to see, he lives by me. Every time I see Will, I don't want to let him go. I'm like, "I don't know how long it's going to be 'til I get to see you!" He's wonderful, and he's the same Will. He's just so busy. He's a wanted man.
There were rumors about a year ago, talking up an actual 'Fresh Prince' reunion episode. Did you ever hear about that?
I hear that all the time.
And?
I doubt it. I don't know, maybe? It's possible. As long as Geoffrey doesn't have to wear his butler outfit while the rest of us wear gowns and tuxes. I have no objection whatsoever. I don't know if I could drag Hilary out, dust her off.
Tatyana Ali told me she gets such a warm response everywhere she goes, that she feels like fans really care about her because of her character. With Hilary, it's probably a different story...
Oh yeah, they wanna dropkick me. I had a friend say a guy jumped in at a bar and defended Tatyana. People feel like she's their little Ashley. But no, Hilary never had that. I was in Paris and some people come up to me and said, "You were that girl! On that show! We hated you!" Oh, thank you. Hilary definitely gets a different reception. That was part of the fun of playing her. I'm over it.
Showbiz isn't your main gig anymore, so why is IMDb saying you're in 'Transformers 3'?
[Laughs] No! I don't know what ... it's a lie! I don't know what happened or how. I had a family member on Facebook go, "Great news on 'Transformers 3,' Karyn, congratulations!" I was like, "What are you talking about?" Someone's trying to keep me current.
So you never heard about it?
I never heard about an audition. I have no idea. A couple years ago I saw that I was gonna do the biopic of Wendy Williams. Where that came from, I can't begin to imagine.
What would it take to get you back into acting?
I never say never. I have to say that now. I'm so consumed with a 7-year-old, a 3-year-old and Sweet Blackberry. My plate is so insanely full it's hard for me to think about it right now, but I've never stopped loving acting. We'll see what happens.
How do Will and Jada juggle family and showbiz so deftly?
Uh ... help? They're there and they're very present, but they can also structure their life because of their situation. And Willow and Jaden are doing their things too now, aren't they? They're incredibly smart, thoughtful parents.
What do you think of Willow, anyway?
She blew me away. Will played a little of 'Whip My Hair' for me before it was released -- it sounded like Rihanna or something. I was like, "Whoa, how old is she?" She's incredibly talented, and she's a really cool kid. She's been her own strong personality, a real strong flavor, since day one. You can see it when you watch the video -- it's all her own thing.
What do your kids think, knowing you know the Smiths?
We went to the 'Karate Kid' premiere, and my daughter was so excited. She didn't meet Jaden or Willow, which was probably fine because she would've been so overwhelmed. She would've passed out.
FOLLOW "FRESH PRINCE" AUCTION AND BID THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH
Article link: http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/15/fresh-prince-reunion-karyn-parsons-sweet-blackberry/
Article written by: Zach Dionne
Date posted: February 15, 2011
Site credit: AOL Original/Pop Eater
Sunday, February 13, 2011
SAMPLE SUNDAY---EPISODE 10
It's 2011, and I am LONG overdue for a new installment of Sample Sunday. Today's session is a gem, in my humble hip hop opinion. Death Of A Pop Star, the stellar album by underrated emcee David Banner and producer extraordinaire 9th Wonder, is full of sampling treats. My favorite happens to be the last cut on the album, which was released December 21st, 2010, just in time for the holiday season. The album was released at the end of the year, but was such a stand-out that I had to include it on my year-end hip hop review (see http://wisdom40.blogspot.com/2010/12/as-we-come-to-close-for-2010.html). The song in question is simply entitled "Strange", and it is more of an indictment on the ills of society than anything else, with Banner and Big Remo supplying the commentary over a dense 9th production.
.
The basis for this song comes from a classic, yet overlooked, song from The Sylvers. "Cry Of A Dreamer" is a 1973 composition from the dope album The Sylvers II. I distinctly remember this record spinning on my aunt's dark mahogany-hued component set in our living room in the early to mid 70's! Before I digress any further, let me say that this song showcases the talents that the Sylvers family possessed. "Cry Of A Dreamer" may not be as well known as "Cotton Candy" or "Misdemeanor", but it stands out as signature song in the Sylvers discography. The recognizable sample starts at 0:14 of "Cry Of A Dreamer".
If you haven't encountered or purchased Death Of A Pop Star, please do so immediately. It is definitely one of the best buys from my standpoint over the past twelve month period. I appreciate the fact that David Banner was able to connect with 9th Wonder to great effect. Lyrically, Banner is not spittin' for the sake of riddlin', but he is bringing substanced by way of his Southern sensibilities. Sonically, 9th Wonder is 9th Wonder, someone with a keen ear for soul. The album is a must have, in my opinion. Follow David Banner and his music via http://www.myspace.com/davidbanner. You can visit 9th Wonder's discography and music via http://www.9thwonder.com/
Go back and visit the Sylvers catalogue to listen to music that is simply not being created any longer. Even though there is no official website for the group as a whole, there are plenty of sites that will provide information about the musical family. A good place to start would be the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sylvers.
It's great to be back on my Sample Sunday grind, and I promise to bring you thought-provoking and dope music that is overlooked and shunned by mainstream. Mainstream acceptance shouldn't, and won't, dictate the flow of creativitiy!
WISDOM
.
The basis for this song comes from a classic, yet overlooked, song from The Sylvers. "Cry Of A Dreamer" is a 1973 composition from the dope album The Sylvers II. I distinctly remember this record spinning on my aunt's dark mahogany-hued component set in our living room in the early to mid 70's! Before I digress any further, let me say that this song showcases the talents that the Sylvers family possessed. "Cry Of A Dreamer" may not be as well known as "Cotton Candy" or "Misdemeanor", but it stands out as signature song in the Sylvers discography. The recognizable sample starts at 0:14 of "Cry Of A Dreamer".
If you haven't encountered or purchased Death Of A Pop Star, please do so immediately. It is definitely one of the best buys from my standpoint over the past twelve month period. I appreciate the fact that David Banner was able to connect with 9th Wonder to great effect. Lyrically, Banner is not spittin' for the sake of riddlin', but he is bringing substanced by way of his Southern sensibilities. Sonically, 9th Wonder is 9th Wonder, someone with a keen ear for soul. The album is a must have, in my opinion. Follow David Banner and his music via http://www.myspace.com/davidbanner. You can visit 9th Wonder's discography and music via http://www.9thwonder.com/
 |
| Death Of A Pop Star (E-1 Music, 2010) |
Go back and visit the Sylvers catalogue to listen to music that is simply not being created any longer. Even though there is no official website for the group as a whole, there are plenty of sites that will provide information about the musical family. A good place to start would be the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sylvers.
 |
| The Sylvers II (Pride, 1973) |
It's great to be back on my Sample Sunday grind, and I promise to bring you thought-provoking and dope music that is overlooked and shunned by mainstream. Mainstream acceptance shouldn't, and won't, dictate the flow of creativitiy!
WISDOM
Saturday, February 5, 2011
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Written by: Wisdom
As the record industry tries to recover from declining sales, many artists have decided to go the independent route, leaving the labels in a precarious position. I am an advocate of artists within the hip hop diaspora going the independent route, but making sure they fully embrace the "business" portion of the music business. Because there are four major labels at the moment (Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Group, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group), the industry have really shifted to a more entrepreneur-based mentality. Here in Baltimore, for instance, with the blue-collar aesthetic that many artists embrace, you will find countless individuals that are going for dolo, setting up de facto independent labels. Of course there are some aspects that independent artists have to overcome to be successful. Successful is a relative term, however; success from an independent standpoint doesn't necessarily equate to huge sales from a SoundScan or Billboard perspective. Success can be building a steady, solid buzz with a core audience. Generating income from shows and tours can be a measure of success as well.
The problem that independent artists may encounter is not building a solid plan to negate the lack of major label push and promotions. Truth be told, record companies, upon signing a prospective artist, act moreso as banks than musical partnerships. This "plantation mentality" is one of the main culprits taking the reigns to the careers of signed artists. As Q-Tip famously stated in "Check The Rhime" (from The Low End Theory), "Industry Rule Number 4080, record company people are shady". Artists need to take heed to that, because a label is only looking at the bottom line in today's industry. Grooming and cultivating an artist is probably at the bottom of the totem pole when a label is signing an artist, not only in hip hop, but in general. That is why independent artists should be astute from a business standpoint, read and research as much as possible, network and communicate, and be a "business-minded" artist. When I say "business-minded", the artist should treat the business as art by being creative. With the advent of social media taking over the lives of many, independent artists are using Twitter, Reverbnation, Myspace, Facebook and other portals as avenues of spreading his or her music to the masses. The internet bridges the gap, so an artist based in Baltimore, for example, can now reach out to potential fans in Anchorage, Alaska, showing that Baltimore is indeed more that The Wire.
Other advances in technology, such as computer-based software packages such as FL Studio (Fruity Loops, made popular by 9th Wonder) and Native Instruments new creation Maschine (a hardware/software combination), allows independent individuals the opportunity to create within their own walls, saving monies with the recording process. Previously, an artist had to spend exorborant amounts of money in the studio, writing, recording, re-recording, all on the studio's clock. Now an artist may be able to either do pre-production, or the entire production or project, at home. This all-encompassing nature is giving rise to many independent artists, and it is a breathe of fresh air, because now artists are not necessarily being governed by a dictating label.
Of course, the downside to the plethora of independent artists is a lack of quality, because anyone and everyone may profess to be "independent". I have encountered many individuals that are releasing mixtape after mixtape that doesn't differentiate itself from the next project, causing a lack of creativity. Conversely, there are many an artist that deserves shine on a national front, but may not be known. Ultimately, talent, creativity, and drive are key elements in an artist being noticed from an independent standpoint. Monetary push is also important, but having the most money will NOT ensure that a project is widely accepted, and this is true from a major label or independent notion.
Again, I advise artists to be versed in the business aspect of music. Focusing solely on the musical portion may help with putting out a good project, but that good project may not get any type of notice without proper business acumen. I am a firm believer in acquiring knowledge and information from as many sources as possible. This opens the doors to numerous opportunities. A good reference tool to acquire that proper music mindset is Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry, written by music artist and producer Kashif (Brooklyn Boy Books, 1996). This comprehensive book, written with an eagle eye by a music insider, is a must-have when entering the music business. So for all aspiring emcees, producers, deejays, managers, promoters, label heads, or venue owners, purchase this book to acquire that knowledge that will be so very useful in the industry. Experts have been depicting the demise of the music industry for a good while now, with overall sales declining. That decline in sales can be attributed to pirated music and available online downloads. I believe that the demand for music is as high as ever, but the way the music is delivered has to be observed. File-sharing and data transfer are very popular right now, and the industry has been too slow in adjusting to this notion. I do see a slow movement in the embracing of social media and other means in delivering the music. Just as experts ten to twenty years ago issued a death knell to vinyl records, there is almost an underground/cult movement of sorts with deejays and vinyl connoisseurs. I don't believe that vinyl records or albums will die, because there is a sub-culture that relishes that feel only a vinyl recording can give to someone from an audible standpoint. In the same manner, CD's are not going to be fully replaced in this day and time. MP3 files and music USB flash drives are the new wave of music distribution. Custom crafted music USB flash drives can now be designed for independent artists to distribute music. These USB flash drives work in the same manner as a normal USB flash drive, but they deliver music and other media to your laptop or desktop. Now an artist can have a fully-formed project, including album art, liner notes, lyric sheets, songs, remixes, and links to social media on a USB flash drive that can easily be attached to a keychain. Indiedrive (http://www.indiedrive.com/) is a company that specializes in this exciting and new market. Their marketing approach is simple yet creative: deliver a product that is cutting edge. I advise independent artists to look at this site to gain ideas about marketing and delivering their music from a 21st century standard, and be ahead of the curve instead of behind the proverbial eight-ball.
I hope that this synopsis on the pros and cons of independent music will shed some light, spark some conversation, and ultimately push artists to find ways to be marketable, creative, and noticed. It doesn't take platinum record sale status to be a viable artist in today's age. A comfortable career can be made going the independent route. Tech N9ne is a perfect example of this. If you aren't familiar with this Kansas City, Missouri artist, check out his discography and backstory at http://www.therealtechn9ne.com/ for further proof of how he has mastered the independent artist niche. "Independence Day", in my humble opinion, will no longer be a movie or national holiday, but mantra to artists in Baltimore and abroad.
As the record industry tries to recover from declining sales, many artists have decided to go the independent route, leaving the labels in a precarious position. I am an advocate of artists within the hip hop diaspora going the independent route, but making sure they fully embrace the "business" portion of the music business. Because there are four major labels at the moment (Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Group, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group), the industry have really shifted to a more entrepreneur-based mentality. Here in Baltimore, for instance, with the blue-collar aesthetic that many artists embrace, you will find countless individuals that are going for dolo, setting up de facto independent labels. Of course there are some aspects that independent artists have to overcome to be successful. Successful is a relative term, however; success from an independent standpoint doesn't necessarily equate to huge sales from a SoundScan or Billboard perspective. Success can be building a steady, solid buzz with a core audience. Generating income from shows and tours can be a measure of success as well.
The problem that independent artists may encounter is not building a solid plan to negate the lack of major label push and promotions. Truth be told, record companies, upon signing a prospective artist, act moreso as banks than musical partnerships. This "plantation mentality" is one of the main culprits taking the reigns to the careers of signed artists. As Q-Tip famously stated in "Check The Rhime" (from The Low End Theory), "Industry Rule Number 4080, record company people are shady". Artists need to take heed to that, because a label is only looking at the bottom line in today's industry. Grooming and cultivating an artist is probably at the bottom of the totem pole when a label is signing an artist, not only in hip hop, but in general. That is why independent artists should be astute from a business standpoint, read and research as much as possible, network and communicate, and be a "business-minded" artist. When I say "business-minded", the artist should treat the business as art by being creative. With the advent of social media taking over the lives of many, independent artists are using Twitter, Reverbnation, Myspace, Facebook and other portals as avenues of spreading his or her music to the masses. The internet bridges the gap, so an artist based in Baltimore, for example, can now reach out to potential fans in Anchorage, Alaska, showing that Baltimore is indeed more that The Wire.
Other advances in technology, such as computer-based software packages such as FL Studio (Fruity Loops, made popular by 9th Wonder) and Native Instruments new creation Maschine (a hardware/software combination), allows independent individuals the opportunity to create within their own walls, saving monies with the recording process. Previously, an artist had to spend exorborant amounts of money in the studio, writing, recording, re-recording, all on the studio's clock. Now an artist may be able to either do pre-production, or the entire production or project, at home. This all-encompassing nature is giving rise to many independent artists, and it is a breathe of fresh air, because now artists are not necessarily being governed by a dictating label.
Of course, the downside to the plethora of independent artists is a lack of quality, because anyone and everyone may profess to be "independent". I have encountered many individuals that are releasing mixtape after mixtape that doesn't differentiate itself from the next project, causing a lack of creativity. Conversely, there are many an artist that deserves shine on a national front, but may not be known. Ultimately, talent, creativity, and drive are key elements in an artist being noticed from an independent standpoint. Monetary push is also important, but having the most money will NOT ensure that a project is widely accepted, and this is true from a major label or independent notion.
Again, I advise artists to be versed in the business aspect of music. Focusing solely on the musical portion may help with putting out a good project, but that good project may not get any type of notice without proper business acumen. I am a firm believer in acquiring knowledge and information from as many sources as possible. This opens the doors to numerous opportunities. A good reference tool to acquire that proper music mindset is Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry, written by music artist and producer Kashif (Brooklyn Boy Books, 1996). This comprehensive book, written with an eagle eye by a music insider, is a must-have when entering the music business. So for all aspiring emcees, producers, deejays, managers, promoters, label heads, or venue owners, purchase this book to acquire that knowledge that will be so very useful in the industry. Experts have been depicting the demise of the music industry for a good while now, with overall sales declining. That decline in sales can be attributed to pirated music and available online downloads. I believe that the demand for music is as high as ever, but the way the music is delivered has to be observed. File-sharing and data transfer are very popular right now, and the industry has been too slow in adjusting to this notion. I do see a slow movement in the embracing of social media and other means in delivering the music. Just as experts ten to twenty years ago issued a death knell to vinyl records, there is almost an underground/cult movement of sorts with deejays and vinyl connoisseurs. I don't believe that vinyl records or albums will die, because there is a sub-culture that relishes that feel only a vinyl recording can give to someone from an audible standpoint. In the same manner, CD's are not going to be fully replaced in this day and time. MP3 files and music USB flash drives are the new wave of music distribution. Custom crafted music USB flash drives can now be designed for independent artists to distribute music. These USB flash drives work in the same manner as a normal USB flash drive, but they deliver music and other media to your laptop or desktop. Now an artist can have a fully-formed project, including album art, liner notes, lyric sheets, songs, remixes, and links to social media on a USB flash drive that can easily be attached to a keychain. Indiedrive (http://www.indiedrive.com/) is a company that specializes in this exciting and new market. Their marketing approach is simple yet creative: deliver a product that is cutting edge. I advise independent artists to look at this site to gain ideas about marketing and delivering their music from a 21st century standard, and be ahead of the curve instead of behind the proverbial eight-ball.
I hope that this synopsis on the pros and cons of independent music will shed some light, spark some conversation, and ultimately push artists to find ways to be marketable, creative, and noticed. It doesn't take platinum record sale status to be a viable artist in today's age. A comfortable career can be made going the independent route. Tech N9ne is a perfect example of this. If you aren't familiar with this Kansas City, Missouri artist, check out his discography and backstory at http://www.therealtechn9ne.com/ for further proof of how he has mastered the independent artist niche. "Independence Day", in my humble opinion, will no longer be a movie or national holiday, but mantra to artists in Baltimore and abroad.
Documentary----"Copyright Criminals"
"Copyright Criminals" is a documentary I viewed a few years ago on PBS, and I was mesmerized by the subject matter that was covered in the film. This film traced the lineage of sampling in the hip hop arena, telling a story on both sides of the proverbial sampling fence.
Sam-ple [sa'mp'l] : a piece of recorded sound or a musical phrase taken from an existing recording, especially in digital form, and used as part of a new recording
As someone who has utilized the art of sampling on various levels in the past, I know and understand the dynamics behind this topic. Opponents of sampling (and basically hip hop music) will say that it is stealing, but the concept is much, much deeper. Truth be told, no ideas are original, at least from a general or generic standpoint. Most "new" ideas are nothing more that reinterpretations of something that a person may have encountered or been influenced by. Opposition will also make a point that sample-laden (coded language for hip hop) music is not "real" music. I challenge a traditional musician to embark on the journey of digging in the crates, searching for the proper samples, utilizing samplers and other production equipment, and constructing a sensible, dope creation. To me, the instruments are different, but the end result is an aural piece of artistry. I see someone such as a Pete Rock or 9th Wonder as putting pieces of a hip hop jigsaw puzzle together, making the picture become visible (or in this case audible). Not only are Pete Rock and 9th Wonder considered by me to be some of the best hip hop producers that showcase talents in the sampling arena, but others such as DJ Premier, Khrysis, Black Milk, Alchemist, Kev Brown, Oddissee, 88-Keys are keeping the tradition alive. Prior to these dynamic producers, Marley Marl, Mark The 45 King, Howie Tee, Ced Gee paved the way by manipulating SP-1200's and other sampling devices to great effect. To me, there is nothing better than finding an obscure album during a record hunt, sitting down, playing song after song in its entirety, and coming across a snippet or portion perfect for sampling. Now when I say perfect for sampling, I don't mean in the case of a blatant "You Can't Touch This" type of sample, because I don't see too much creativity in rhyming over the entire beat of another song. In its truest and purest sense, a sampled creation is making something new from other items, in much the same way the art world will give praise to Andy Warhol utilizing posters and advertisements in a new form. There lies the double-standard, because in the art world, Andy Warhol was not "stealing", but reinterpreting through his artistic vision. So to me, Pete Rock utilizes a sample like Warhol interprets Campbell's Soup art, so respect must be given to this brother and others that share that same passion. That is why this documentary is important, because it gives voice to those that may only use their music as a speaking piece. I will cover at a later point the finite aspects of sampling, but in the meantime view this engaging documentary, and give some honest feedback, positive or critical. Rest in peace to MC Eyedea, who appeared in the documentary, along with his deejay Abilities. He was an incredible emcee who will be missed in the hip hop world.
Source: www.hulu.com/watch/201358/copyright-criminals
Sam-ple [sa'mp'l] : a piece of recorded sound or a musical phrase taken from an existing recording, especially in digital form, and used as part of a new recording
As someone who has utilized the art of sampling on various levels in the past, I know and understand the dynamics behind this topic. Opponents of sampling (and basically hip hop music) will say that it is stealing, but the concept is much, much deeper. Truth be told, no ideas are original, at least from a general or generic standpoint. Most "new" ideas are nothing more that reinterpretations of something that a person may have encountered or been influenced by. Opposition will also make a point that sample-laden (coded language for hip hop) music is not "real" music. I challenge a traditional musician to embark on the journey of digging in the crates, searching for the proper samples, utilizing samplers and other production equipment, and constructing a sensible, dope creation. To me, the instruments are different, but the end result is an aural piece of artistry. I see someone such as a Pete Rock or 9th Wonder as putting pieces of a hip hop jigsaw puzzle together, making the picture become visible (or in this case audible). Not only are Pete Rock and 9th Wonder considered by me to be some of the best hip hop producers that showcase talents in the sampling arena, but others such as DJ Premier, Khrysis, Black Milk, Alchemist, Kev Brown, Oddissee, 88-Keys are keeping the tradition alive. Prior to these dynamic producers, Marley Marl, Mark The 45 King, Howie Tee, Ced Gee paved the way by manipulating SP-1200's and other sampling devices to great effect. To me, there is nothing better than finding an obscure album during a record hunt, sitting down, playing song after song in its entirety, and coming across a snippet or portion perfect for sampling. Now when I say perfect for sampling, I don't mean in the case of a blatant "You Can't Touch This" type of sample, because I don't see too much creativity in rhyming over the entire beat of another song. In its truest and purest sense, a sampled creation is making something new from other items, in much the same way the art world will give praise to Andy Warhol utilizing posters and advertisements in a new form. There lies the double-standard, because in the art world, Andy Warhol was not "stealing", but reinterpreting through his artistic vision. So to me, Pete Rock utilizes a sample like Warhol interprets Campbell's Soup art, so respect must be given to this brother and others that share that same passion. That is why this documentary is important, because it gives voice to those that may only use their music as a speaking piece. I will cover at a later point the finite aspects of sampling, but in the meantime view this engaging documentary, and give some honest feedback, positive or critical. Rest in peace to MC Eyedea, who appeared in the documentary, along with his deejay Abilities. He was an incredible emcee who will be missed in the hip hop world.
Source: www.hulu.com/watch/201358/copyright-criminals
Documentary----"Freestyle---The Art Of Rhyme"
"Freestyle---The Art Of Rhyme" was released in 2000 to critical acclaim. The Urbanworld Film Festival award winner for Best Documentary showcased a multitude of artists versed in the art of freestyle. Freestyle, in one sense, is the ability to deliver impromptu rhymes on the spot, spontaneously using environment, circumstances, or rhyme opponents as material to showcase who is the dopest "off the dome", so to speak. In other circles, freestyle is more of a stream of consciousness rhyme that has been written. Both proponents of freestyle are represented in this thought-provoking film. A wide range of hip hop artists appear in the film: Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, The Last Poets, Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa, Juice, Supernatural, Craig G, Otherwize, Black Thought, Questlove, Talib Kweli, and countless others. The documentary was directed by Kevin Fitzgerald, also known as DJ Organic. With him having a foot in the doorway of hip hop, he was able to tap into the energy that fuels the art of freestyle. Freestyling, along with other components such as graffiti, deejaying, and b-boying, all play a part in making hip hop the viable culture that it is. If you haven't seen this film, take a look at the artistry and poetry represented by those that represent urban angst and living.
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Source: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/freestyle/
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