CTR or Vic Mensa??

There's been a lot of controversy over these two artists. I have been told that the two were related? Cousins maybe. I find it extremely crazy that they sound EXACTLY alike musically. The two find their expressions through experimental live music. I think it's absolutely amazing but I was put onto Chance the Rapper before I even knew who Vic Mensa was. I did a little research and it looks like Mensa was out before Chance. Not to mention their affiliation with Chicago band "Kids These Days" and #SaveMoney. I'm unsure if #SaveMoney is still in motion, but it looks like they had a collective. Not sure how it works anymore.

ANYWAY...

Hearing CTR's "Brain Cells" first put me in a different perspective. I never heard anything like him and I thought that he was throughly original. Of course, you'll hear peoples opinions here and there about his originality being subjective. Again, I thought he was very much impressive, knowing that he was only at the beginning of his journey. As for Vic Mensa, I later heard "Orange Soda" and it almost made me think that these two were the same people. They sounded too similar. I thought Vic Mensa was good but after hearing something like him before, changed my perspective. I didn't enjoy Mensa's music as much as I enjoyed CTR's. Is that bad? 

CTR's Brain Cells Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq016ZOWYw

Vic Mensa's Orange Soda Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLp7M5SMBkQ

#KNOWAJ

Okay so as a female artist myself it means so much to me to see other female emcees on the rise. Nowadays we're in so much competition that we forget to pat those we support on their backs and say, "keep grinding." Introducing AJ Peace, apart of the Higher Learning clique along with artists feature Roy French, Black Ralphl and more. She released her EP entitled "Know Aj" at the beginning of August.

Knowing Aj personally, she's very optimistic and creative along with her trendy look that really grabs peoples attention. She's also happy 24/7 and I've never met a person like her, she embraces new faces and new adventures. Here latest song and visual, "I Don't Feel Bad" was very interesting. Very well thought out and psychedelic. I love the movement she's leading. Feel free to check out "I Don't Feel Bad" by clicking the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EAVGRglSkQ

Listen to her 7 track EP "#KnowAJ" by clicking the link below.

http://sweetestmag.com/2014/08/14/music-review-aj-peace-know-aj-ep/


Let me know your feedback!

One Hit Wonder!

We've had so much new music come out of the midwest and there's been many problems with staying on "your rocker" as an artist. "Your rocker" means on top, consistency with having something to bounce back to the public after your highlight. For example, everyone knows the song, "FeFe on the Block" by Stunt Taylor. I've met him one on one before his career popped off and numerous times after the hit single's success. He's been the same, humble guy with a positive attitude and he knows his lane. This is good. Anyway, my point is the hit single, "FeFe on the Block" was promoted months before the song populated and circled the city (Chicago). Along with when the bopping dance populated, it all created a new wave. Once it was the hottest song in the city, Stunt watered his buzz by riding out the wave of his hit single for too long. This is not beneficial for any new hits the artist has to offer especially if the song is whack. He released another single, "Flee Amigo" just months after the single went viral.

The message is, if you're an artist always be prepared for the music business. It's not all about chains, money, labels etc. It's about your relevance as an artist. No matter how long it takes for you to put your material together, don't rush. Just make sure that everything you're doing is somewhat relevant to what you do. This is 80% of why I haven't released any music because I'm preparing my listeners/fans for a journey folks. I want my music to be the reason you're motivated.

Stunt Taylor's FeFe on the Block:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bou5E_NGk

Stunt Taylor's Flee Amigo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxoFSGy0kx0

New Music Alert: Mick Jenkins "The Water[s]"

Meet Mick Jenkins, a god fearing poet. Artists from Chicago are discovered everyday which is a good thing. For this past week I've been flooded with promotion of his sophomore project, "The Water[s]." Haven't heard any feedback personally but he's buzzing all over the internet and the most popular hip-hop blogs as of now. Along with Travis Scott, the two are very talented artists. These two are literally the most popular artists I'm hearing about daily! This obviously proves what our class discussed previously about the "Word-of-mouth strategy" in the Business/Marketing & Media class. That strategy could become very efficient if what an artist is selling to their consumer is "liked" in some form. Which could then spread overnight. Most of all you want people talking about you whether it's good or bad because either way is beneficial.

By this being the first time I've ever listened to Mick Jenkins, it's going to take sometime to gravitate towards him. Not saying that he doesn't have a message, in which he does; but I need to find something I can relate to. Although it's good to be an intellectual artist, if I personally don't under stand you or you're way over my head then I don't want to suffer from trying to search everything you're talking about. I did run into a video entitled "Jazz" by Mick Jenkins which was impressive. Then again, it was above my head, specifically vocabulary. Feel free to watch the video by clicking this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-4KiszXxHM 

Stream/Download "The Water[s]" by Mick Jenkins here:

http://www.datpiff.com/Mick-Jenkins-The-Waters-mixtape.638443.html

Will Hip-Hop be Hip-Hop again?

I know we've heard or spoke upon this subject before but I'm still worried. Will Hip-Hop contain its message still or will it be watered down forever? Honestly, I'm starting to reflect on how hard it is to actually sustain a career in music. Not to mention being smart about entering the music business, investing and becoming an entrepreneur. As much as I personally love music, I'm starting to see that there's no money in music itself. There's money in the things you invest in and in the connections you make with others. But does that make those who are affiliated with music and they don't want to continue, weak?  Consider losing the motive and the interest etc. For some music is their life, for most it's only a song.  

There's such a wide variety of things that are congested; fashion, music, media etc. It's becoming more and more difficult to make a difference. We can't stop change, the invention of new mediums/material or the people. We can only move along with it. This was pretty much written because I'm really trying to pick a spot, "niche," a place. Somewhere to start. I don't know yet, but I think it's something we all need to consider.

Trey Songz & Chris Brown Tour?

As of the other day, I was scrolling through random peoples Instagram accounts. I'm rarely this bored but it was something that might actually be a great idea! Trey Songz uploaded a 15 second video questioning whether or not him and Chris Brown should do a tour together. Well, this would be one of the most freakiest, sexiest ideas in history considering Trey Songz just released his album "Trigga" and Chris Brown is preparing for his album "X" that's dropping September 16, 2014! Question is how will they construct such an awesome show, yet they haven't even gotten a name together for the tour itself.

Then again, it's still up in the air. I'm still not for sure. Also, another addition to the tour, New Orleans R&B singer, August Alsina would make a good partner as well. I don't after listening to "I Luv This Sh*t Remix" featuring Songz and Brown was damn right amazing! So what do you think? Successful? Good idea? You may see more ladies than fellas?

7 reasons why Hip-Hop has no Billionaires

Okay, I know what you all are thinking. "Why is she doing this?" Well, it really caught my attention during the week/weekend. Whole time I thought we had atleast a few billionaires in our current music of choice..Hip-Hop! Crazy thing is, we don't. This article was shared by one of my friends on Facebook. The author of the article, Kelby Cannick brought this to light on makinitmag.com and I found it very eye opening, and inspirational. Cannick stated seven reasons why Hip-Hop doesnt have any billionaires and out of 1,200 billionaires on the planet only 9 are black, and outside of Oprah Winfrey, none of them are American or have built their fortunes on entertainment. Why is this? He starts from the bottom..

7. Hip-Hop is a hustle.
6. Hip-Hop devalues its most important asset.
5. Rappers have poor brand value.
4. Lack of Diversification in Investing
3. Market Share Scavengers
2. We'd Rather Look Good Losing Than Look Bad Winning
1. Racism

Cannick also states that theres nothing we can ever fix about the number one reason which is rasicism, but we can fix 90% of it which is number 2-7. Do you agree?


Read the full article here: http://www.makinitmag.com/blog/nw-7-reasons-hip-hop-has-no-billionaires#sthash.4WaEN5fh.dpuf

Loretta Mars Discusses Chicago's Contribution to Contemporary Hip-Hop

Who is Hurt Everybody?

Honestly, I was introduced to one member of this group..@SupaBwe (Twitter Name) by a friend of mine through a music video. He reminded me of Chance The Rapper the first time I heard his vocal chords but the kid has something significant about him. I have yet to see what he represents but I'm liking this wave of new material Chicago has to offer. Down below is the artwork of Hurt Everybody's EP which can be found on SoundCloud. While doing a little more reading I found that the group is made up of 3 members @SupaBwe, @LongLiveCarl and @MulattoBeats. (Twitter Names)

I don't know what to say about this music. It's more spiritual than you may think. I hear that there's 3 things they stress Magic and Royalty. I have yet to find the other 1. If anyone's familiar with the Music Garage in the West Loop of Chicago, it's making hell of a lot of noise right now. There's many artists who are slowly gravitating to that location. I'd say check it out! But yes, keep an ear out for Hurt Everybody. Sounds like it's worth it. Just a heads up! :)

Link to Hurt Everybody's EP:
https://soundcloud.com/supabwe/sets/hurt-everybody-ep

Most Relevant Hip-Hop Artist Goes To..