From one independent kid to another.

We Define The Culture

Post 1 "Lost in the crowd"



       In our modern era of music, whatever you may be inclined to like, it seems as though a larger percentage of the consumer/fan has began to gravitate towards "what is in". As an independent artist myself at times it feels like I have to practically force people to support what myself and fellow musicians are doing and I feel lost, do we just suck? ( we definitely might...) The wild realization is the subject matter and individuals that I see the masses gravitating to, it's bologna over steak to me, bologna is cheaper... When you turn on your radio, I-pod, smart phone, Mp3, TV, or blue tooth device, what do you listen to? With that all said what are you willing to actually buy? What do you want to support? What type of individual do you want to succeed? You do have more power over that matter than you know.

       Independent hip-hop is a circuit of unorganized showcases, scattered openings for "famous" artists, a social media assault on your peers/family, and a whole lot of well wishing to be honest. When an "artist" takes the steps to create a couple social media pages, record some "studio" tracks, shoot some photos, harass their video buddy to shoot/film a video, (for free) and slap on the  label of "rapper" the journey has begun. I'm thirteen years into the Frodo-ish saga of one track to break it all, and to be honest I've begun to reformat what my idea of "making it" is. The bulk of individuals embarking on any type of hip-hop hood dream think they'll become an overnight success, I know at one point in time I did. Most men and women losing sleep over a dream believe; one night one person, one event, one day, or one track will be the catalyst for all of Midus's gold in a mind as fresh as an oasis we'll never touch. This is the brilliance of dreaming, it may happen, but if it doesn't the way you've always imagine why not form success to your own life.

      Staring at the back of a thick dusty curtain my hearts pounding like six junior high kids thumping "Grindin" by Clipse when it first hit the air ways. We start at precisely ten-thirty and it's five minutes till, to us this was the first day of the rest of our lives, it always is. The curtain opens, the crowd screams, the sticks count us in, and we begin to live what we call life... We headlined House Of Blues in San Diego, we'll never do it again, at least not all of us together. I stared at a legend holding a vacant microphone calling for some one to claim it, a hand pushed me on the small of my back and I began walking forward; five emcees, twenty minutes, and a fever of bars later I won. I won a mini freestyle battle before KRS-1 was about to perform held by Nick V from The Baka Boyz, that was seven year ago. I hated staring in the mirror why did I do this to myself, "what if..." "why not..." "some day..", all I want is a shot. When I was six-teen all I wanted was to make music and be heard, now at twenty-five that's exactly what I do, is it enough?

     Success and goals are funny aspects of the growth process of every individual. We set goals that we feel we deserve and hope we'll succeed while obtaining them. No matter the size of the goal the act of accomplishing it is the true fruit behind all of the work; it proves to us that we can truly set, seek, and finish. Now the backing to obtaining many goals on the avenue of music/artistry in many cases never comes with a price tag. Looking back at all the aspirations I sought out as "younger" me I rarely paralleled any to financial security. Now that I'm older I see the need for income in the world of music and what it can do even if at times the product isn't moving at all, the shifting world around us has a huge influence on what we all do. To succeed in our modern society honestly isn't to feel the purpose of one's life goals being met, but to obtain the material, physical, and statistical means of a successor. Are you succeeding? Are you succeeding in your own eyes? Are you succeeding in your peers eyes? More importantly does it matter?

      "I don't want to make music that simply moves you! I want to create music that MOVES you! I want to be a voice for individuals that will not, can not, or have not been able to speak. If I can create something that helps even on person in a time of need than we've succeeded."

       Success should be an internal victory that platforms you to unspeakable heights. What you do with your life should echo to lives around you and cause an infectious force rippling through souls. Do not limit who you are! Do not put limits on what you can do! Think larger than the oceans and deeper than the galaxies we'll never roam. Open your mind and drown any bystander with the beauty you have locked within. Rise to heights so high even if you fall you'll merely go back home.

      The world around us is a forest set on fire by those who never climb trees. The cities we roam are built upon the energies of those who founded them drowned by concrete, expose the real. Speak in volumes so soft individuals will quiet down to hear and so loud they'll heed each word, yet speak words worth the air lost. Create masterpieces written in the color encapsulated behind the pain like bars in your mind and never stop running. Push away the dark of night and the wretched evils of old and embrace the new dawn. From one independent kid to another, I feel lost in the vast crowd, but it's alright I know those who hear my subtle sounds.

-JP

We Define The Culture