Edumacation?

So late last night I was on a conference call with my manager (@diamondent) and heard a guy say something that kinda got to me. He said that you can't be a college student and a rapper at the same time. That school would take you away from music and that eventually you'll either fail out or just stop rapping completely. Now, I for one don't agree with this. I have two college degrees and I'm still doing this. I still found time to hit the studio, pass out fliers, research marketing techniques, rehearse, and stay on my grind. At the end of the day, if you want something bad enough, you don't have any excuses. Matter of fact, you don't even think that far, you just do. I'm here to tell you guys that I'm a living example that you can get your degree(s) and still rap. Also there are major artists out there that went to college and graduated with degrees such as; Common (Baton Rouge), DJ Premier (Prairie View A&M), Talib Kweli (City University of NY), Paul Wall (University of Houston), Mos Def (City University of NY), and Killer Mike (Southern). There are also artists that attended college but didn't finish, however, they did attend (which may be the reason they even became great artists); Lil Wayne (University of Houston) Kanye West (Chicago State University) Cam'Ron (Navarro) and Chamillionaire (University of Houston). Having an education gives you an edge over the competition anyway especially if you are trying to build your own label or learn how to read jargon (look that one up). So hit the books and know that it'll help you in the long-run

2009 Top Rapper #2

Is this dude really a rapper or just a great artist? Either way, he's earned his spot this year. I have to say, I respect Kid Cudi's morals when it comes to groupies and walking the lone path that a lot of us have to walk from time to time. Cudi is a great producer and visionary that welcomes listeners to his dark world of loneliness and drug use with hits such as "Day-N-Nite" and "Soundtrack 2 My Life." Kid Cudi is best to listen to when you're having a bad day and want something to relate too. His music isn't 808's and Heartbreak material (so don't worry about having thoughts of suicide or going into manic depression). Pop in Cudi's mixtape or album and take a trip.

2009 Top Rapper #6

This man is responsible for half the earth chanting T. Swift and also responsible for inspiring the cross genre rapper to come out. Mr. West came on the scene strong when he said the most infamous line of his career, "Everybody's self-conscious I'm just the first to admit it." He has influenced people to change their lyrics, fashion, and beats. Ye made the sped up sample popular by producing for artists such as Cam'Ron, Jay-Z, The Game, and even Fallout Boy. Ye's been on the grind and shows us how to be passionate through rhyme and beats. Kanye West is best listened to when you're having a bad day or want some laughs. Doesn't really have club bangers even though "Jesus Walks" was played in the club a couple of times. The Louie Votton Don scores at number six.

Who You Wit?

So, last year when me and my boy B.$imm$ were on our promo run for the Ha-Style VS B.$imm$ mixtape, we ran into a group of guys that stated they would help us. Not going to say their names because it wouldn't make a difference now, plus, I'm not helping to plug them anyway. Last year we did right around 30 shows and collabed on a lot of events. It all came to an end when the promoter of this group cheated me and like 20 other artists out of some money and stage time. Later on, the promoter was thrown in jail for drug possession and was losing friends crazy quick because he was shady. Now a year has passed and he's out now and decides to hit me up asking if I could collab with his artist. Nothing against the artist, I think he's great and very intelligent, but ol boy. Nah, not so much. Now he's hittin me up telling me he's mad cause I won't respond to his comments after his whole escapade. (there's a Kanye line that I'm thinking of that rhymes with loser) The point that I'm trying to make here, is watch the company you keep. If I kept running with this duke then I would probably be in jail because HE got caught up in some mess with the cops because of drug possession. Or better yet, have like 100 enemies cause he's been cheating people out of their stage time lying to people. But watch the company that you keep, because who you hang around with also represents you.

4 Heads Better Than Yours

Ever feel as though you have to be the promoter, the president, the CFO, the producer, and oh yeah the artist all at the same time? Yeah a lot of us do, that's why its so important to have a team behind you. There's no possible way to get everything done by yourself, its just not going to happen. When Kanye West first started out he had GLC and Consequence to help him along the way. When T.I. was just starting P$C was the name of his team and they helped him get his name out there. You may be the face because you're the artist, but the efforts of your team and the collaborative front is the reason you're going to be a success. That's why people are doing label deals now, big record companies such as Warner Bros. and EPIC records now want people that bring a team with them because now that means less work for them and less money that has to be spent to develop an artist. Now I think you guys are starting to understand why going independent is so important at a time like this. If you can find people that are willing to help you get your name out there and they benefit from it as well, you now have a team. Develop a name and a common goal and you now have your own record label/company. Of course the best thing for you to do is to go outside your box and start incorporating people that bring something different, not everyone can be great at producing, somebody is going to have to promote and design the flyers. Anyways, find out what you need and start developing your team. As far as leadership is concerned...well, you wouldn't be reading this blog if you wasn't one.

EGO? For what?

Now look, I'm not knocking anybody walking around confident or anything, I'm really not. But when is having confidence start to become arrogant. For instance, if you are still in your up-and-coming years why are you charging people for them to get on their track. Unless you produced the track, wrote the track, and the chorus, keep your mouth shut. We're tired of running into artists/bands that feel all because they have 10,000 hits on myspace that we should bow down to them. It don't work like that. In this life you gotta earn respect through work, otherwise, you're just another person acting out. You want people to pay for your studio time and to record a verse or two, how about doing something for them. Better yet create such a strong buzz, that their record won't get off the ground unless you're on it, even then at least be humble about it. Until then, leave the ego stuff to the pros. Even then, they have a REASON as to why they're acting like that. (Its called promo by the way) You on the other hand with no Grammys should just chill. How are you going to be arrogant with a part-time gig, still living at your parents place, and no car to call your own? Hit the ground and start running, cause the guys who are hungry for it are going to pass you right on by. Don't believe me? Who won, the Turtle or the Hare? (or rabbit, whatever its name is)

All-Together-Now

Now this has GOT to be one of the illest collabs of the year, if not the decade. I posted a question to DJ Willtothe (@willtothe) and asked him what would happen if everybody pushed they're egos to the side and came together on tracks. Do you know how much money you could make if you and another artist got together and joined forces and fans. If he has 100 fans willing to buy and you have 100 people willing to buy, that's 200 cds you guys can sell together. (by the way, if you sold each cd at $5 a pop that's $1000 you guys made. wow) Now Wayne has showed that he broke into everybody's iPod just by collabing with every artists on the planet. Now what if YOU did the same thing. Instead of charging everybody, how about you do it for free and start attracting listeners from other states. Now you got fans all over the country, and if you play it right, you'll have fans all over the world. (i.e. my first mixtape INFLUENCE: The Mixtape got me fans from Budapest and Australia, mate!) You want to do a show in Seattle, find a local artists and collab with him. Set it up to so when he comes to your town, he can perform with you, and when you go to his, you can perform with him. The possibilities are endless. You said we all can't get along!

Heartless ft. Tupac

Video Provided by DatPiff.com

Do Your Own

I've looked at all the old music videos of Michael Jackson and realized that this man has set many many trends. From the jackets that Lupe Fiasco wears, the belts that Jim Jones rock, and the hats that you see Mos Def wearing. Even the moves that Lloyd, Justin Timberlake, Omarion, Mario and even Marques Houston perform every night. He has inspired artists such as Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Missy Elliott and countless others. What this man's legacy has brought is something that no one will ever be able to immulate. Its crazy how now I see where the sneaks with the fat tongues, the velcro and studded belts, the vest with the white tees and the suites with the sleeves rolled up came from. The only thing that Michael didn't invent was the fitted hat. But then again, how could you with your hair constantly being wet from giving once-in-a-lifetime performances all the time. I just wanted to take the time out to thank Michael Jackson for not only his constribution to style, innovation, and music, but also to man kind. Michael has done a LOT of philanthropy work in his time and has really been one of the few to really make a difference. I tip my hat to him, and I'm glad to have lived to see what amazing truly is.

Clipse ft. Kanye West. Kind of Like a Big Deal

Good to see the Clipse are back on it.