neenyo's blood sweat tears & love

"Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock."

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0500

“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.”

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Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:59:00 -0500

24hourhiphop.com Next In Line : Neenyo "Its My Time"

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:59:00 -0500

24hourhiphop.com Next In Line : Neenyo "Its My Time" :

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!

"Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon."

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:08:50 -0500

“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

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Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:33:00 -0500

Sheek Louch drops a freestyle using his alias Donny G, as The...

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:32:00 -0500

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...

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0500

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

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:59:39 -0500

neenyo x getti | 2010

Haiti: In an effort to deal with the crumbled infrastructure,...

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:02:00 -0500

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

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:00:00 -0500

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

"The Influentials: Y-Not"

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:09:00 -0500

“The Influentials:
Y-Not”

Toronto, ON I think it must be like 5 years now, but 2004 sticks...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:08:00 -0500

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.

"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way."

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:47:32 -0500

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.”

Video

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

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Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:36:31 -0500

Writing session… “So if you find a Blackberry with...

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:51:39 -0500

Writing session…

“So if you find a Blackberry with the sides scroll / Sell that m*thaf**** to any rapper that I know”

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Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:03:06 -0500

Billboard Mag: Top Rap albums of 2009

Billboard Mag: Top Rap albums of 2009

"There is a lack of imagination in music. Create your own thing and stop copying what you hear &..."

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:34:55 -0500

“There is a lack of imagination in music. Create your own thing and stop copying what you hear & see on television.”

- Jimmy Iovine

Songwriting 101: From @ClaudeKelly

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

Silence In Your Songs

Most of us define music as noise that comes together harmoniously and rhythmically. That’s what makes it sound pleasing to us, but…

SILENCE IS AS IMPORTANT TO MUSIC AS THE NOTES YOU PLAY OR SING.
The rests in between each note, each phrase, each beat are what make the song special.

Music has changed.
—Songs are way faster than they used to be. (What used to be an uptempo is now considered a midtempo, what used to be a midtempo is now a ballad, and what used to be a ballad would put you to sleep now)
—Songs are much shorter than they used to be. Our attention spans are shrinking. (We only have 3:30 to create a perfect musical radio masterpiece)

Because of that, it is easy to try and cram something into every single millisecond of the song. Every little space is filled with a tracks, 100 stacks of backgrounds, and complicated ad libs. For that reason you often hear songs that sound great but are so jam packed with shit, that u dont even know what you’ve heard. Too many words for any one phrase to stand out. Too busy for any one melody to be memorable.

Stop! Stop! Stop!
Simplify.
Most hits are hits because they are simple enough for everyone to sing. Its okay for there to be space in between phrases in the verse. Its ok for a chorus to NOT been drowning in backgrounds vocals. Its ok to not scream, holler, and do gospel runs over everything. its O-K!!!
Treat ur song like women treat fashion. Start out naked, then get dressed peice by peice. Make sure everything matches and is tasteful. And then before you go out the door, take off one or 2 of the accesories you have on. You’ll get more compliments for a simple classic outfit than you will for having on every piece of jewelry you own.

Listen to how simple and elementary these choruses are:
“Take A Bow” - Rihanna
“Since You Been Gone” -Kelly Clarkson
“Apologize” - One Republic
“We Belong Together” - Mariah Carey
“What Hurts The Most” - Rascal Flatts
“Let Me Love You” - Mario
“Bleeding Love” - Leona Lewis

Sometimes the best thing for a songwriter to do is SHUT THE HELL UP!
Live Life,

Claude Kelly

“Hell Rell trippin’, you don’t seem em and he changed. I heard he left his homies, he forgot about...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“Hell Rell trippin’, you don’t seem em and he changed. I heard he left his homies, he forgot about his gang. That’s my man, but he don’t love me foreal…he acting funny. …but they always say that when you get money.” — Hell Rell “When you get money”