Why You Should Actually Buy Music

by on November 18, 2013, 0 comments

A few months ago, I mentioned that I was working with AB and 14KT on their new collabo album, “Saturn Return.” It’s possible that I didn’t tell you what it was called back then because that would have led me into a whole post about what Saturn Return actually is.

Oh, you’d still like me to explain that? Well astrologically, (ok, ok, even if you don’t believe in such things, stick with this because it’s worth it)…as I was saying, astrologically it takes Saturn 29.5 years to come back to meet your natal Saturn. It’s a slow process and you feel the impact between 27-30 (it can also last a little longer.)

That was the about.com explanation. What does that actually mean?

In other terms, have you had that feeling like you just didn’t know what to do with your life? Has everything in your life seemed chaotic…all at once and without any sight of it letting up? Have you ever felt like you didn’t know who you were supposed to be or how to get there? Have you questioned your career? Have you questioned love? Did all these questions and feelings start to arise in your late twenties and early thirties?

The answer is yes and the reason is because Saturn smacked you. And chances are, you didn’t even know it (uoeno it…yes, I really did that).

Scattered through this blog, you’ll find all the pieces of my Saturn Return. I knew I was going through something and trying to figure out life, but I didn’t realize that there was any type of reasoning to it. It seemed like everyone around me was going through it too (except for Rah’saan who’s always been an adult).

When Ab told me about this project around this time last year, it started to all make sense. You mean I’m not just crazy and on the verge of losing my mind every other month? I just need to accept it and grow up? Done and done.

Working on this album has brought me such clarity and kept me from falling apart as I dealt with all of the delays of Studio No. 7. I can’t promise that it will solve all of your problems with your Return, however, it will remind you that you’re not alone. So if you’re inclined, buy the album. If you’re not inclined, become inclined. You can listen to it below or here if the player doesn’t load.

Does Saturn Return sound familiar to you?

I’m Taking a Hiatus…

by on September 23, 2013, 4 comments

(No kaiyote, although they make solid music.) Anyway, I’m taking a hiatus.  I’m taking a year off from writing this blog to go out and do…to be remarkable. I don’t want to be another one of those people that just writes about what other people should do without getting somewhere first. It’s not that I haven’t done anything, but I’m not where I want to be at the moment and I know it’s because i’m not doing enough. Please don’t tell me that I do. You mean well, I know. However, when I sit alone and I’m honest with myself, I know I’m not creating enough, that I haven’t been fearless enough. I can admit that. And more than admitting it, I’m going to do something about it. I’ve spent the last few years after quitting my job playing it entirely too safe and my goals have suffered because of it. I’ve worried about being too awkward and too introverted and sometimes even adequate.

Don’t fret for me. This is actually great news and it’s been a great journey getting to this place.

It’s taken me a little over 12 months to get here and it’s been awesome. This year, I read more than I’ve ever read and picked up great advice from people like Seth Godin, James Altucher, Derek Halpern, Dave Ramsey and countless others.  I watched just about every TED talk and gained tons of wisdom and inspiration. I spent days at a time just sitting still, thinking and processing everything in its entirety. I started waking up at 5am and saw my productivity skyrocket. I learned how to be honest without being hurtful or offensive. I crumbled my confidence and then put it back together again…twice. I wrote regularly and I am finally stepping into and accepting my voice. I helped create a great event, broke down after it because I’d finally publicly succeeded at something and then got myself together to do put together two more great events. I’ve shot more than I’ve ever shot and fallen in love with photography all over again. I removed people and things that didn’t fit me anymore. I learned how to eat better and in the process I lost 16 pounds in the process. I started reading the bible daily and going to church weekly (most Sundays, it’s been online).

So why the hiatus? I’ve done these things at different points during the past 12 months. Sometime after crying last week about not being able to figure it out, I realized that I already had, I simply needed to step into it . So that’s what I’m doing. I’m taking everything I’ve learned in the past 12 months and I’m putting it all together. I’m allowing myself the freedom to create and fail and create and fail and create and fail…you get the point. I’m excited.

Before I go, I’d like to share with you this great article that I read last night. I’ve been in such a great mood for the past few days and after I read this I realized it’s because for the past week, I’ve been doing everything on the list. Read it. And if you have time read just about everything else on James Altucher’s blog.

Ok, a lot of this post has been about me, but what about you? What are you going to do? Are you going to go after what you want or are you going to sit around and settle for being mediocre?

Hasta la pasta.

Get Everything in Writing

by on September 17, 2013, 1 comment

One of the things I’ve been working on lately is Ab and KT’s new album. It’s a great album and a way for me to put my communication skills to use while I wait on things to get in order with Studio No. 7. First order of business was to formally dissolve the contract with the indie label they signed a deal with. Seven years ago that might might not have been my first instinct, but after being in business for awhile now, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to get everything in writing. It just makes life so much easier in the end.

I’ve been lucky that Rah’saan (my friend since we were 8…I’ll tell you about the Queen Latifah tape another time) is a lawyer and I can always send him over things to look at and have him write stuff up for me. (I’m sure it’s a bit more technical than I’m making it seem). He recently started a legal writing service called Footnote, so now I can share him with other people. The whole thing is really genius and takes away a lot of the stress that small businesses and individuals deal with when needing contracts or simple letters, mainly because it’s so affordable (check the prices…I’ll wait).

See! (Did you really look? Did you? Sigh…Here it is again…Seriously, I’ll wait.) So yeah, it’s very affordable. You couldn’t ask for more. (Well, I  guess you could, but then you’d just be totally unreasonable.)

Yesterday, I had the guys get on a conference call with Rah’saan so that they could explain the situation. After he told them how terrible the contract was to begin with and that they should have never signed it (he said it nicer than that) he explained the next steps. This all took about 15 minutes. The document will be ready in about a week. Win and win.

Moral of the story: Get everything in writing and have Footnote do it.

 

How Long Does It Take to Figure Something Out?

by on September 16, 2013, 0 comments

I stared at my screen for about 20 minutes yesterday. As each minute passed, my frustration grew. After four years of having this blog, I still didn’t know what to write because I still don’t know what this blog is. If I stared for another 30 minutes, would I then have the answer?  If I changed the design again, would that help me figure it out? I sulked…then I groaned…then I cried.

I honestly don’t know where the tears came from. They started and then I couldn’t stop. Before I knew it, I was in this messy cry with my entire body heaving. It wasn’t pleasant. Ten minutes later I realized that this blog was just how I was feeling with life in general. In the past few days I’ve become really impatient. (Ok, I didn’t just become impatient. I’ve always been impatient, but I was getting much better at tempering it.) I’ve been waiting to hear news about getting the final permit for Studio No. 7. They say it should happen this week, but I’ve heard that same response for eight months now. I don’t want to be patient about it anymore. I don’t want to feel uncertain anymore. I want to yell. I want to give up. And then I just want to lay here and cry about it.

However, I know that I can’t quit. It wouldn’t really make me happy. These dreams have enveloped me in a way that makes them impossible to shake. And while some days are just ridiculously sucky, for the most part I’m really happy going after them. So, I’ll walk along with reckless abandon and allow patience to drift back in. I’ll keep doing my part and allow God to do his.

Studio Sessions #2

by on September 12, 2013, 0 comments

A few months ago, I sat in on a studio session with Dre King and Ab. The thing I love about studio culture is the conversation before the conversation. As musicians, it doesn’t take place with words, but instead with sounds as each person presents their musical wares to the other as it’s met with vigorous head nodding and shrilling ooooo’s. It’s a riveting display.

In this session one of the things that Dre mentioned was producing a couple of tracks for Raheem DeVaughn’s upcoming album. It immediately piqued my interest because I’ve liked Raheem DeVaughn’s work since around 2004 when my roommate at the time (a DC native who will hate that I’m calling her that) blared his mixtapes out of our apartment. His major label released that followed that in 2005 was very blah (I’ve been weary of record labels since), but I still had hope for him. I heard the “A Place Called LoveLand” album the other day and it’s solid R&B. Very dope. There’s nothing like a good comeback story and with this album, Raheem DeVaughn is at the beginning of writing his.

Check out the album when you have a chance. But before that, here are a few photos from that session.

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An End to the Couples Baby Shower

by on September 11, 2013, 3 comments

I was talking to one of my friends on Monday about the rundown of his weekend. We got to his Sunday activities and he mentioned he went to a baby shower. I shook my head and typed a defiant “NO” in response. He went on to explain how ridiculous it was being there and how he spent the afternoon sitting in a corner drinking rum. Sounds about right to me.

This whole couples shower thing is something I’ve seen increasingly more and I’m putting my foot down about it. We need to stop. I know that most people think of me as some type of rebel, breaking rules all willy nilly (hello Rahsaan), but I’m actually pretty traditional when there is a reason behind something. I don’t believe in tradition for tradition’s sake, but when tradition makes sense, I’m riding for it.

Let’s look more closely at the baby shower: The intent  of a baby shower is for women to share wisdom and lessons on the art of becoming a mother as well as “shower” the expectant mother with gifts. That’s what it’s for. There’s a clear purpose here. It’s done all over the world and in just about every country it’s done in, it’s for women. Yes men are a big part of the process of parenthood, but this isn’t for them.

I guess you’re wondering why this makes me so angry. (Oh, you couldn’t tell that I was thumping out these letters on my keyboard as fast as possible?) Well it’s simple…

1. We’re becoming an anything goes society. Everyone can do everything. Everyone should be included. Absolutely nothing is sacred anymore. And I’m drawing the line at baby showers.

2. It’s important for women to bond with each other and fewer of those opportunities are starting to exist.

3. Women should have lives outside of their husbands. Having a well-rounded life is important. It’s just not healthy to operate this way.

Let me be clear. I’m not against men being part of the process of parenthood, however, this isn’t for them. If we want to start new rules, how about the men get together and talk about fatherhood and share advice (if they choose to). That would be very dope. That’s a new tradition that I’d be all for. Or if you’re having a pre-baby bash, a welcoming party, etc, then that’s cool too. As long as you don’t call it a baby shower, we’re on the same page. Gathering with friends and family before a baby comes is pretty cool. Again, just don’t call it a baby shower. You’re having a party. Please know the difference.

And while we’re at it, men have no business at bridal showers either. Yeah, some folks are doing that too.