Lessons From Blueprint, Mad Dukez, Fresh Kils Show

I'm still trying to discover exactly what this blog will be. So I'm going to try something new and post when I go through great experiences, lessons, success, and failures.

Recently I was honored to play the same show as Blueprint (of Rhymesayers), Mad Dukez, and Fresh Kils. I have to admit that it was the best show I've seen, from Journey to OFWGKTA I prefer this hometown awesomeness. I learned big lessons that will follow me throughout my life.

To begin Mad Dukez and Fresh Kils killed it, truly great music and stage presence. Fresh Kils gave me a first hand look at how the MPC can be used live effectively and how much energy it can bring. Mad Dukez flowed over it so well, I can only imagine how much practice they went through.

Blueprint rocked it of course, just having a Rhymesayers artist in Huntington was crazy enough but the fact it was Blueprint seemed unreal. His live set was so flawless, no awkward silence between tracks, utilizing a DJ, a midi controller and a keytar! There was so much energy and he kept the crowd mesmerized for what I think was two hours.

What I began to see was that I owned everything they had on stage, just in non-working condition so I'm in a rush to get this set up. Turntables (w/ mixer), MPC 1000, Macbook, midi controllers, and a eight person crew! I thought to myself "Why are we not owning Huntington, and beyond on that the fucking state!?" With B Stinky having the PA system, my gear, and things here and there from others we could set shows up anywhere and turn what usually is local dudes just rapping on stage into something that cannot be seen anywhere else in the state (or tri-state with the exception of Blueprint).

I honestly became a little depressed and upset with myself so I went home and over the past three days I have written two new songs, started into photography, delved into graffiti with more eagerness, have really started looking into production, and am re-inventing my entire live set.

So thanks to Blueprint, Mad Dukez, and Fresh Kils for coming to Slumington, WV. I know all who came to the show and some that couldn't make it are very grateful, hope to get you back here!

Music Piracy

Recently posted this on a message in support of Music Piracy.


It is rare you see an artist pursuing legal action against the file sharing community simply because downloading songs/albums illegally does not hurt them. In fact it is beneficial to them for the most part since they don't really make their money from that, they receive most of their income from touring/live shows. The only way album sales really help them is putting a dent in their debt with the record company.

So by downloading music for free the consumer is able to hear music they otherwise wouldn't go out and purchase unless it is an artist they are already familiar with. 

I would like to point out this is the same even with third party labels such as Aftermath, Shady Records, Roc Nation, Bad Boy, Young Money, Cash Money, Def Jam, etc. etc. A parent label still own's that label and if you look up the parent labels roster you will find that artist listed most of the time.

So this brings up the thought: "Okay, it still hurts the label, that isn't right" wrong. Large music labels are just heartless corporations like the rest. Here I would like to refer you to an essay written by Steve Albini titled "The Problem With Music". It's from the mid/late nineties but nothing has really changed except the numbers are larger. 

Also I would like to point out there is someone out there it can hurt, independent artists. Record company's such as Rhymesayers, Strange Famous, Definitive Jux, etc. offer their roster much better deals when it comes to album sales and work on a budget. Even so though artists still make a majority of their income from touring/live shows.