Class is Dismissed...... YES!!!

So our first song now has a title.... which is "Roll Call". We finally finished it yesterday, and even reached some new progress on our next song titled "Dedication". Once again, I'm exploring rapping as opposed to singing, and I'm actually starting to like it. I would never abandon my passion for vocal music, but rapping is something that i might consider making room for. Unfortunately, before the session was over, I had to leave the studio for another rehearsal. A very good friend of mine is doing a presentation on Praise & Worship for his graduation project, and invited me to sing. I've never been a person to deny the two things I love most [God and music respectively :)] no matter how busy I am. The presentation is tonight, so I'm trying my best not to talk much today in order to give my voice a break after last night's rehearsal. I think the whole process should be smooth sailing but I'm the the type who is always aware of those pesky little shortcomings, and tries to avoid them.

"Ok, Let's get with the school time. Let's get it over and done and get them diplomas"

So yesterday my new group in the Hip Hop on L.O.C.K. project finished our first song, which is currently referred to as "School Time", but a final title has not been confirmed. Recording it took me just a little out of my element, not only because it the subject matter wasn't something I was used to, but because I'm so used to being featured as a vocalist, as opposed to a rapper. Even though I wasn't feeling good, I got through the session, and did what I had to do for the sake of the group. We have already been invited to perform but we haven't decided if we're ready for the opportunity just yet. We've only been a group for a few months, so we have to get used to each other on stage before we are ready to be in front of people. Because we were such good friends before we formed Shinobi, with the help of the Hill House Association and Kassi Leadership Academy, we shouldn't have a hard time figuring each other out. I can't wait. Its been almost two yeas since I first entered the program through East Liberty Presbyterian Church's Hope Academy of the Arts,and gained my Bachelors in Hip Hop. and I've been itching to perform. My next step will be to start intense vocal training and then about two weeks before the Graduation i will put myself on a strict voice rest, eating mostly fruits, and drinking only tea and water. I have to be ready and give my best at all times, to be a success. You never know who will hear you or when, but you have to be prepared for your 15 minutes of fame. For all i know my career could depend on the next 16 weeks.

Crazy dreams, frightening thoughts, falling tears

Last nignt I had the craziest dream. I had completed my graduation project, and followed through with my action plan flawlessly , but I failed because I missed the day that I was supposed to present because I had to fly to Los Angeles. I had benn offered deal with Jive Records, and had to be in the city to start recording my debut album.

After I woke up I started to think about myself from a perspective that I rarely consider. I know that I am a student, and have been for my entire life, but I never actually think about myself as a student because its become the norm for me. I was wondering…..

Would I really drop everything, including my education if it mean a shot at the big time? I’m perplexed. Following my dream would be amazing, but its such a big risk to take. The entertainment industry is probably the least secure career choice to make but I don’t know that I, as a person, would have the courage to take such a risk. As these thoughts continue to run through my mind I’m not only in deep pondering, but deep fear.

The Hip Hop on L.O.C.K. project has taught me not only the ins and outs of the entertainment industry but about myself as an artist. My former group M.V.P. had a lot of successes in the year 2008 including several requests for performance airplay on WAMO 106.7 radio station. Hopefully this time around my new group, Shinobi, will have even more successes and become even more memorable than the Prodigious were. whichever way the cookie crumbles, I hope to get an even better understanding of the music business, and learn more about myself and the members of my group who I am also honored to call my friends. The project has given me the opportunity to do what i do best, and shine as a vocalist, but had also allowed me to explore being a rap artist, and learn more about the business realm in the music industry. It has also showed me that there is more to music than just pressing record. Being a raw talent and having had very little formal vocal training, showed me that walking into a studio requires more than talent. You have to be very attentive and well rounded in order to survive in the business. The thing that I've learned and value most is that you must always put your best foot forward and try your best never to rub anyone the wrong way.

Back to the Cradle!

So once again I’m spending most of I’m time in around or thinking about YaMomzHouse. That studio and things it has taught me since I first walked in the door has changed so much about me as an artist and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

So for this long drawn out project, my action plan has been to write and record an original based on my findings on what the meter of success is in popular music. Thankfully now that I’m back in the Hip Hop on L.O.C.K project for round two, I can earn my Masters in Hip Hop and gain useful tools, killing two birds with one stone.. Hopefully the next two weeks will bring me successes and blessings for this project.

I think my next small step towards taking a bigger step will be to scan people from my generation and find out why they listen to the music they listen to and what they look for in a song. This might help me to get a better idea of what I should push for with my recording down the road.