One the eve of the most important Presidential Campaign, I am sad to hear that Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama's grandmother passed away toady. Madelyn Payne Dunham was 86 years young. If you have been anywhere in the United States over the past 21 months or so, you know how much of an impact that his grandmother had in the shaping of his life. I'm deeply sadend with the news and my thoughts and prayers go out to Barack Obama and his family during this troublesome time. I know that the election is tomorrow and he would have loved for his mother, and grandparents to be alive to see him get elected president, but they are all together now celebrating what we are going to find out on Wednesday!
The other day I stopped in 7 Eleven for my daily fix of Arizona Green Tea,( you can't beat 99 cents for 24oz yessir!). As I was going to get my daily dose of green tea goodness, I passed by the magazine rack. I noticed the XXL put out The 10 Freshman Hip Hop Class of 09. I seen a couple of familiar faces, (Curren$y, Wale, B.O.B. Ace Hood, Charles Hamilton and Corey Gunz ), so I picked up the magazine and decided to buy it.
Don't worry I'm not going to talk about the articles itself, I rather you read the magazine or get the scoop from a more known blogger. What I do want to say that I'm happy with the direction the Hip Hop is going in. The one thing I will say about the "Talented 10" is that they are all different and offer different things. Meaning I feel they are just being themselves. Not trying to portray some character of a fictional persona. They come off more genuine. So that leads me to believe that maybe other aspiring artist, such and myself will start to follow suite.
Its time for aspiring artist to start focusing on their craft rather than what sub- category of hip hop their music belongs in. Think about it there are too many categories.. Don't worry if your music isn't Gangsta, Conscience, Backpacker, Hipster, Underground etc., good music is just that Good Music!!! Think about this, the cats that rise to the cream of the crop all have one thing in common…they just did them regardless of what anybody thought. They didn't box or pigeon-holed themselves into a category that capped their talent!
As I was reading the XXL article I started to think about these questions:
As an Artist.....Am I comfortable in my craft?
As an Artist.....Am I being true to myself?
As an Artist.....Am I compromising my music for the sake of getting noticed?
As an Artist.....Am I throwing a new spin on the same topics, or am I spinning a new subject from the same topic? ( hint hint the last one was a trick question lol)
Rather you like it or not, being an Emcee means you are in a position to teach. What will the message be in the lyrics that you'll put out there to the public? These are question I think that aspiring artists should ask themselves. I think that is how the game continues to evolve. People should continue to "explore" their talents and be true to themselves rather than trying to get in where you fit in.
So in closing, Kudos to the "Talented 10" Freshman! I don't know how successful any of you will become, but it nice to know that the some artist aren't' afraid to be themselves! Question is are you?
Today I reached a milestone!!! After three years on myspace, I surpassed 1 MILLION TOTAL PLAYS!!!!!
It feels like breaking the backboard on NBA JAM, doing your first finishing move on Mortal Kombat, (Sub-Zero was my favorite!!!), and biting into a York Peppermint Patty while skiing down the Swiss Alps!!!! Well you get the point!! Lol
The next question that popped into my head was this…What next!!! I mean after you surpass 1 million total plays, what is the next milestone that you could achieve? It feels that myspace has became a game to me over the years.
I’m trying to get signed/noticed/put on etc, and myspace is a viable way , or so I think, to get into mainstream America! One has to think at some point in that time when is the best time to stop!?!? Have I done everything that I could possible do through myspace?? Do I start building my profile on another website? There has to be another social website that I could conqueror ? I must admit Facebook is looking real sexy to me!!! Nah myspace has been a good friend to Dubbs Lane over the years!! Helping me getting my name out to all four corners of the world! Its just time for me to start exploring different option through myspace!!!
Long story short, I’m thankful for all the people who have supported me through the years!!! From the producers who have helped me with Productions, Artist that I have collabed with, Djs that have put me on the mixtapes, and last but surely not least…The 3F1s!!! There have been so many people that have emailed/commented on the material that have been on my page!! I am thankful for each and everyone of you!!!
Now its time for me to work on the next Million!!!!
Today I received news that all artist dread hearing. Recently I submitted my EPK, Electronic Press Kit, to an online Radio Station for consideration for airplay.
The advertisement read
"ShadesRadio.com is the platform for original Hip-hop style talk, music and culture. At the same time, it is an edutainment source through which they cultivate an appreciation for music in general. The station focuses on Hip-hop and the music that influenced it, but they also set aside broadcast time for non-Hip-hop based genres geared towards Hip-hop lovers.
The station interviews, live shows and panel discussions. They are currently accepting Hip-hop song submissions, as well as Soul, R&B, Funk and Alternative Rock for other programming. Please note that they are interested in old-school Hip-hop sounds, not gangsta or dance. Lyrical artists and Christian rappers are encouraged to submit, especially artists along the lines of Run-DMC, Common, Little Brother, Slum Village, Rakim, etc. "
The advertisement sounded like something that was feasible for me to be accepted. I like the fact that the station focused on lyrics and substances vs. swagger and gimmicks. So I submitted my song "Thoughts Lyrics and Music" off of my next project Welcome To Myspace Vol2 :Thoughts and Lyrics. Do to the fact that lyrics and substance are selling points for this station my management and I felt that Thoughts Lyrics and Music would have been the best song to submit. Well after the reviewing process was completed my management team notified me that I wasn't selected--bummer!!!!
I wasn't mad or anything of that nature, because if it was meant to happen it would have. The biggest thing that I have learned throughout this grinding process of recording,peforming, and searching for media outlets, you learn to understand that there are going to be speed bumps along the way.
Notice I said understand not ACCEPT!!!! Please, don't think that I am totally cool with not being selected!!! This "setback" lets me know that a couple of things:
1:) Work harder as well as Smarter 2:) A bigger opportunity is out there with name on it!! ( This just may be a blessing in disguise!)
I am writing this story for all aspiring artist out there in my boat. I understand your pain. Sometime the grind seems like a treadmill!! Your running in place, but your not moving. Please don't be discouraged!! Keep grinding. Remember you have to have "Drive like a Trucker" if you want to get somewhere in this buisness!!!
Last night was supposed to be an uneventful night. I went out to chill at my folks house. It was raining so we wasn't going no where that meant getting dressed up and walking with umbrellas! So after a night of shooting the breeze, I decided to call it a night at about 11:30pm.
I’m taking my sweet time home when the I get a flat tire. So after curses, mostly due to the fact it is raining cats and dogs outside, I get out to get the spare and jack to change this flat tire.
Well the parkway I was driving on has no light so it is basically pitch black dark. But I still fine just pissed off still that it raining. I putting the spare on, and about to start tighten up the lugs’ when the oh SHIT FACTOR KICKS IN!!!!
The damn jack slipped and the tire along with the tire fell on my damn foot! That’s right on my damn foot!!!! What really sucks is who in their right mind will stop for a total stranger at 1am in the morning on a dark highway in the rain?? Your damn right nobody!!!!! I tried to signal everybody that passed. The pain was terrible, and not to mention it was raining like hell.
But God sent me two people to help me out. Two dudes by the name of Malcolm and Cool. They both were driving and seen me wailing my arms out of sheer panic! They took the chance and pulled over. They lifted the car off of my foot, and change the tire for me.
Afterward I went to the damn hospital!!! A couple of cold compresses and a X-Rays later I was released with a severely sprained foot. No broken bones. Milk does a body good folks!!! Lol
But I am grateful that Malcolm and Cool were there to help me out in my time of need. Thirty minutes with a car on your foot is not a way to spend your Friday Night!!!
On 9-11-08 I had my first Radio Interview! I had a blast with AR Radio!! Sirius, the host,on point with question and he knew what was going on with Fresh Air Ent. So check out it out! Hopefully I didn't make a fool of myself!!
Also, the Long Awaited AR Radio Mixtape was released on 9-25-08. So Be on the lookout, it will be sold for $4 and will feature artists such as: Dubbs Lane, Lil Be-Z, Sha Stimuli, Sirius, T-Mell, KB, Lil Dee aka God Gift, E.ness, Elliott Ness(NC Emcee), and many more!!!
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