I get a ton of questions on facebook, myspace or when I run into people. Often times it’s from people looking to get their foot in the door, and they want to know how I managed to it, especially coming from Toronto! lol
I hope this Q & A I did with 24hrhiphop.com can answer and inspire those who inspire me!
Sheek Louch drops a freestyle using his alias Donny G, as The Lox work on their upcoming album New L.O.X Order.
Original beat is from Drake - “Hate Money” (produced by Neenyo & Jump)
I can’t feel my face!
Literally cause it’s so cold out here, I can feel it in my chest. As I walk down queen st. with my wool coat zipped past my chin, toronto feels different…but good different. I’d say there’s an electricity within everyone, but it would sound kinda cheese. There’s a confidence in the music industry here now, we’re indemand, we’re instyle…kind like how lightskinned guys felt when B2K was peaking.
20T.O. and beyond
neenyo x getti | 2010
Haiti:
In an effort to deal with the crumbled infrastructure, the Canadian military announced Monday that DART — Disaster Assistance Response Team — would be increasing its capabilities in Haiti by building full field hospitals and concentrating on infrastructure reconstruction. The team will focus also on rebuilding communication systems, which will help get aid to the survivors.
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=2457067#ixzz0d4R7yp7w
and be sure to check out 1loveto.com
Songwriting 101: From @ClaudeKelly
Hollywood or Hardly-Good?
When u first start out, just getting someone to let you get behind a mic is a HUGE obstacle…time is money and most producers, engineers and studio owners aren’t gonna give away free time or waste tracks on you if they’re not sure you can deliver something thats profitable. Its wack, but understandable…well if you’ve been perserverant you’ve passed that, been building your catalog, makin greats contacts and you’re name is kinda buzzing…Here comes you’re next obstacle:
You’re done being in the studio just cuz its fun, and you’re tired of writing songs just to prove you can do it:
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR TALENT A CAREER???
I love being in the studio, but not more than i love my crib so i dont waste time behind the mic. Think of it this way: the more time u waste bullshittin the less sleep u get. ( if you’re like me, you’ll wanna get some good sleep)
Its time to be strategic:
Make a list of the producer you work great with, the ones you dont work well with, and then a wishlist of the producers you really want to get to…
Be honest and fair, and dont make it personal it should be based on which producers you gel with and whose tracks inspire your craft the most
(so if you aint feelin someone cuz he/she called you out on a wack lyric and you been holding a grudge but the songs always end up comin out hot, get over yourself and put that person on the right list, you egomaniac!)
Now go over in your mind what your goals are…
“Am I an R&B writer or can i write every style of music?”
“Which artists do my style of songs fit best?”
“Which producers that I work with seem to have the most potential for success?”
This should help to narrow that list.
GROWING UP, SAYING NO
Here’s the tough part - without burning bridges or being rude you’ve gotta start focusing in on the producers that you feel will guarantee you the best songs, and the best chance of selling ur material. if you choose right, the work you do with these producers will allow you to get to the producers on your wishlist!
The more your name spreads the more people will want to work with you, but it is impossible to please everybody. so its up to you to pick and choose your schedule.
Folks are gonna say your Hollywood when you tell them no, or when they hear you’re doing bigger and better things without them. But you gotta ask yourself are they mad cuz u really did something wrong or just because they dont wanna see you succeed without them?
Are they mad cuz you are really Hollywood or can they not see that the work y’all did wasHardly Good?
Remember this, people will ALWAYS say your an asshole or a bitch when they dont get what they want…but thats NOT you’re problem, its theirs -you cant please everyone…
So focus on the producers that have been getting you recognition and keep the hits coming…the world is bound ot catch on soon…and if all goes well, the folk that hated on u will be inspired by your success and put in their own work to get to your level…if not, TO DAMN BAD!!
8 DAYS A WEEK
Dont force yourself to be in the studio just to say you were there…its okay to take a day off… sometimes you need a day or two or three, fuck it, a week even to clear your brain and come up with new ideas. Stick to that list of dope producers and go as much as they can fit you in… if they can’t…THERES NO POINT ON GOIN BACK TO WORK WITH THE BULLSHIT ONES cuz now everyone is watching to see what you do and you dont wanna be associated with wack records do you? no- so be wise where, and with whom you do your work.
Think of it like you’re Brad Pitt, or Julia Roberts- if you’re known for producing Oscar worthy material dont get caught in movies like Gigli or Catwoman…ya dig?
That doesnt mean you should close yourself off to new and upcoming producers that may be excellent, just be very sure of “every lil step you take” (bobby brown circa 1988 lol!)
This isn’t an excuse to get Hollywood, its a reminder that its ok to leave somethings behind in order to grow…
but be wise… every song counts now
Toronto, ON
I think it must be like 5 years now, but 2004 sticks out in mind. Looking for a studio to rent out in Toronto I ended up in blackcreek at Above Ave Studios. Through that I got to meet and start working with Y-Not and Soundsmith.
The importance of this is that it really took me from knowing how to make “hot beats” to learning how to manage session, record, mix, work with the artists; really produce a record. Any producers that are starting out, I’d heavy suggest finding someone wihtin you’re city that you knows what they’re doing and study under them learning what it takes to make commercial quality records.
