First Trip To NY

So I was out of town for about a week. Went out to Bmore to watch #55 do his thing as usual. After they ripped up the eagles they got monday off. So we decided to head out to NY. Now this has happened were we are suppose to go down there then for some reason we never make it. I just wanna tell you that it was off the chain period. We hit as many Cities as we could. Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem just to name a few. 125th was coo and so was 145th in harlem. Did some shoppin. Picked up some dope threads then chilled. Not only did we hit times square but that's where our hotel was at also. We stayed at the W. lets just say it was real nice period. I even got a chance to meet Mos Def. I guess he was staying there too. Funny part about that is when he spoke he sounds exactly the same as how he raps. I've met few other artist who sound totally different in person than on their records. That same night I got a chance to walk times square a little bit its crazy out there for real. Then we headed out to this spot called Taj. Real laid back cool chill spot. Good music and plenty of lovely ladies lol. after that we went back and went to sleep. Woke up around 9am had some breakfast from the W then headed out again. Made some more stops went to marcy projects that was pretty coo. then went to Juniors. If you dont know what or where Juniors is. Think Diddy, making the band, etc. lol. lets just say its definitely good, but I still aint walking that damn far lol. We went to the Lebron james store(which I never knew existed). Lets just say my fam went A wall and spent about 1500 lol. The best part though was later that night. I got to go to Madison Square Garden and Watch King James play live for the first time. Plus by that time I was no longer sober(again). It was coo even though it was a blowout and Lebron sat out the whole damn 4th Qtr. Overall I had a great time and cant wait to do it again.

Classic Records

What makes a classic record? A timeless album that can be played no matter what year no matter what time. Here is some of mine in no particular order. Let me know what some of yours are. Send me some feedback folks.

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The State of Hip-hop

I've been wanting to write something on this for the past few weeks. I hesitate because I really wanted to ask my self what is the current state of hip-hop and where is it going? Well we all know that record sales are at an all time low. Obviously do to the fact that the digital world is here and here to stay. I still think it is highly possible to sell albums. People just need to find other avenues or streams to market their albums. The old fashion way just doesn't cut it anymore. The record companies aren't backing their artist like in the early 90's and 20Th century. Where artist were getting large budgets. I mean millions of dollars to promote, advertise, and to make videos to get a strong enough buzz just before their album would drop. Now a days only those artist who have a history or a track record showing their ability to generate profit for the record companies are seeing that. Which is mostly in pop music. A lot of hip hop artist are trying to reach over into that market and get a slice of the pie. They may use several different ideas but the most popular one seems to be collaborations with pop artist. The problem with doing that is that the people who don't listen to pop music reject it. Then say the artist is selling out. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that it truly is the future. Things of the past aren't things of today. Rap is changing and evolving right before our eyes. Many people have not and are not willing to except it. They probably never will. I don't think the youth really cares though. Its more what have you done for me lately then I remember what you've done in the past. Now today's audience will make you bow out as fast as the give you a grand entrance. So the tactic would be to stay relevant, hot, fresh, but at the same time original. So you don't seem like a bitter. You better have plenty of good material too. today's audience wants to hear you and a lot of you. If its good. Take Lil' Wayne for instance. He has such a strong backing from the 100's of appearances he did before his recent album. Along with the countless mixtapes he put out. Lots of material, easily accessible to the public across the world. So by the time his album dropped, which I also credit its success to the album being pushed back so many times to build an anticipation like no other. It sold a million copies in one week. Which is absolutely absurd in today's music market. OK so enough with that. I want to address Kanye West new album. We know Kanye for being a hip-hop artist first. So when the album songs started coming out one by one. Many people were taken back by its difference from his previous albums. Less drums and kicks and more melody. We think its a hip hop album. He calls it "Pop Art". Kanye West has been pushing the envelope since he came in the game. So honestly I expect nothing less. I think Hardcore hip hop which I'm a huge fan of is dying. Not hip hop in general. This is my statement to all hip hop fans, and to anyone who is sitting at home writing their next 16, their next hook, or making their next beat. I'm going to capitalize this for you also. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY SUBSTANCE OR MEANING BEHIND WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WRITING. YOU WILL NOT LAST LONG AT ALL PERIOD! Everybody wants the party songs. They do wanna hear about the good life. That's your tracks that are more mainstream, but for the meat and potatoes you better do more than just that. You take a look at the people who have lasted long in this game. Even the people in other genres that have lasted as long as they have. Look what they have done. Look at the total body of work. That's the definition of substance. They talk about things that a person not in their position can relate to. If you have songs that people can relate to. They are more draw in by it. It gives them more of a sense of where you are coming from and it makes them think. It makes them say "wow, he/she is just like me, me too, I can relate to that. Thus bringing them closer to you. My strongest passion in life is music. For those who are the same as me. just make sure that when your doing this music shit. That you convey it in a passionate manner. If you half step it. You will get a half ass result. Everyone cant be the artist, but there are many other ways of making your mark in the world of hip hop. The key is finding your niche.


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Is Corporate For You?

So I woke up a few weeks ago. I was thinking to myself. This corporate thing isn't for everyone. Its so structured in a sense where it completely runs and dictates your life. For instant you have a set time for when you come in, break, eat, and leave. Now I understand why its like that from a cooperate standpoint for structure and reassurance that things will move smoothly. If you let everyone dictate their own schedule and get the work done on their own time. That unfortunately just doesn't work now a days. Especially with so many people wanting to be their own boss. Call their own shots, and run their own life. Some people have no fear and will take and risk their entire lives to reach this point of financial success and reward of "being your own boss". Others will take the road more traveled of going to school, getting a degree and working their way up the corporate ladder. This is more of a safety net for many people in a sense that your told what to do, when to do it, and how. The benefit from this is that if you can do all of that depending on what type of business your in. You can wake up and have a job and not have to worry about where your next check is going to come from. They tell you when that's going to come and how much they are going to give you too. I guess I'm going to elaborate on this more in depth at another time. The point I'm trying to make is that(I'm sure we've all heard this before) Big risks can bring Big rewards. So to those people keep it moving and good luck. To those who are content with the cooperate structure. Live your life, and I hope you prosper.


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