One crazy month...

Hyde Park records...the best store on Earth (I think...)

Bo & Logik, YIC, and Raven at the Brace Your Self release party: Crocodile Lounge

Borders on 53rd street

My brother Nick with his signature absent minded expression

HP recs again

Mobb Deep n me at Coop's Records on 47th street

Man...this month has been nothing short of hectic. First, Dilla passes...takes alot outta me, but also puts a ton of motivation into me. I've been crankin out beats so often thats its scaring me. The fact that I'm making so many beats isn't the reason for the skepticism, its the quality of what I'm making--it's good...i mean, really good. I feel like I'm growing..which is a good thing. Im gonna quote one of my grammar school teachers here..."use the powers for good..."

Friday, I ran into Mobb Deep at Coop's Records on my way to dig. Prodigy was really, really high...and I really didn't a chance to speak to Havoc. I handed them a beat disc, and I'm not gonna worry about what they do with it. I have nothing to lose rite now...no crediblility, no money at all--there's no way i can have negative dollars, rite? So, if they steal something, oh well...i still know i made it...if they throw it away, i'm back where i started. OR...they might like it to death and call me and I make it big and everybody hops on the bandwagon (yeah, right....) So either way, it doesn't matter. Even though I was thinking about this, I was still very nervous...

Anyway, that same day I went diggin at my favorite spot...Hyde Park records...I just love going there becuase the owners and the employees are so cool, they help me out quite often....And their bargain bin ALWAYS has something ILL to sample...ALWAYS. So, whenever I have $5 or so in my pocket, I head over there to spend it. Not on books or anything, cuz who really needs books? (hehe)

I picked up some nice stuff...A Clockwork Orange OST (ILL!!!), "Caravanserai" Carlos Santana, some funny lookin comic book record, The Superbowl Shuffle by the '86 Bears (Chicago Classic,you know I HAD to pick it up), "Forbidden Fruit" By Nina Simone, and a "Reeds and Percussion" LP (EVERY song on here has sample potential. I made 2 going on 3 beats from ONE song so far...). I've been havin fun with these here...

Saturday, my brother and I went over to the BRACE YOUR SELF records release party. My now mentors Harvy Allbangers and PJ put together a pseudo-mixtape of their artists Y.I.C., Bo and Logik, and the mighty vocals of Raven. A pretty solid LP if you ask me...Getting back to the party, it was pretty packed. It was held at the Crocodile Lounge on Van Buren--its a small spot, it's nice, tho. The DJ booth sits up above the crowd--that was really cool to me, at least. I made a few contacts in the party with some rappers--I want to work with anybody rite now...just to get my catalog up. Not to take anything away from any of those artists, but I'm flat broke rite now. I've spent entire paychecks on this here passion/obsession of mine, and I would like to get at least a little of it back soon...

We left from the Croc, and headed over to Phli in Harper Court, Hyde Park. There was a so-called party there, but to me it was just a bunch of guys standing with alcohol, and a total of 7 girls sitting around taking pictures...very, very borign. I guess we went there to pass out copies of "Brace Your Self"...couldn't think of any other reason to be there.

I struck up a conversation with my buddy Prodigy...others might know him as Massive...and he knows the people running the beat battles at the sonotheque...YESS!! we're probably gonna go up to the one next week on weds, and talk to the people to see if he can convince them to put me in one of them. That would be really great for me, as people will know my name, cuz i have a knack for blowing people's minds as far as beats go...

In dire need of some wheels...I'm getting irritated with the secretary of state's office, as they are taking forever to get me my replacement title (long story that i dont feel like going into rite now)

I need to sell some tracks...hit me up on the email if you wanna get at me. We all gotta eat, and I'm not expensive, so just drop me a line...

Now, the moment you've all been waiting for...New tracks!!

Lick my special place (bass licks, get it?)
Coke Fiend Symphony
Synth Mania (crazy drums)
Some horny guy on a Sumday Nite (out there...no, really)
Untitled (something quick, but still head-noddable)

Alot of tracks that I've done I haven't recorded, cuz I get inspired and just go on to another one...

I don't think I've ever been this broke...and I'm feeling really good making my beats...what's going on? Do I have to be broke to love it this much? I just hope I keep the same passion and obsession I have now when cash starts coming in...

Peace and blessings...

Remembering Dilla...The Illest

For the past few days, I've been compiling everything I have that has tracks by Jay Dee: De La Soul, Slum Village, Phat Kat, Elzhi, Jalib...so on, so forth...everything I could find. I dug through my records, found even more stuff...all the while listening to Donuts.

Speaking of which, if you haven't bought the album yet, go get it. I love this album--I love it so much that I bought the cd, the LP, and I just ordered the cd again becuase it comes with the picture disc 45...yes, I am obsessed. there is a record store here in chicago that is re-issuing "Welcome 2 Detroit"...on lp and cd, and the intrumentals also...So, you already know I reserved my copies to blast when they come in.

Now, today's post is to give you all who have no idea who J-Dilla is a taste of the genius he has. I've compiled some of my favorite Dilla tracks that you CANNOT find in ANY store ANYWHERE...internet or local...I refuse to post anything that you can buy in a store for one simple reason--you can buy it in stores. I might be wrong about the availability of some songs, but they still might be really hard to find. Hopefully, this will at least get you people who slept on the illest producer of all time to open your eyes to a world of REALLY DAMN GOOD MUSIC!!!!

Check out Dilla's lengthy discography at the lovely label: Stones Throw
And if you want to hear a small biography of him...from him...check the interview by the Dustbusters.

Local Chicago producer Radius posted some of Dilla's tracks in tribute...It just shows how hard his passing has hit the music community...

Anyway, here are the songs

"Spooky Shit"
"Destiny" - Phat Kat
"Funky Space Invaders"
"Eve" - Spacek (Jay Dee Remix)

i miss dilla everyday...but now's the time for me to step up my game...get better and better and better and better and better. I have an obsession, and that's music...Dilla died pursuing his obsession...I don't plan to, but I'm letting nothing come between me and mine.

Peace

RIP Jay Dee/J Dilla/James Yancey

When I got home tonite, I turned on my computer to check up on the MPC Forums. I checked up on things, then i saw a post entitled "RIP J DILLA"...huh? You kiddin me, rite? I mean, there was a rumor a year or two ago that he was in a coma or something...which was partially true--he was hospitalized becuase of kidney problems...So, I was in denial...I couldn't believe it. His career was on its way tobeing even bigger than it already is. It's such an untimely death for Dilla...he has a cult-like collection of fans, followers and inspirees (myself being a member). Not now..it cant be...

Dilla's mom found him unresponsive in his room Friday morning...later pronounced dead at an LA hospital...Apparently, he had Lupus--an ailment that send the immune system into "ooverdrive", attacking good and healthy cells as well as unhealthy ones...

I've been listening to everything I have that's Dilla lately. Since I bought Donuts, I've been listening to that when I'm not making beats. Everything that I have that Dilla produced..let it be slum village, phat kat, jaylib, MED, oh no, busta rhymes, common, whoever, i've been litening to it. When I bought donuts, I wanted to compare this work to the others I'm used to--see the differences in techniques used (I'm a hip-hop geek, I study it like it's for a big exam or something)...

I remember seeing a photo of someone with a shirt that said "J Dilla Saved My Life" not oo long ago...which is very true for me. The combination of Hi-Tek and Dilla made me want to get serious about producing. Those two are my favorite--period...The first time I heard Hi-Tek was on the Reflection Eternal - Train of Thought LP...that opened my eyes to a world that has always intrigued me...The first I heard of Dilla was "Welcome 2 Detroit"...DAMN!!! That was and still is an amazing album. I blast it every chance I get...

I'm really gonna miss that dude...It's time for me to step my game up--take my music to that next level--like he did. I want to have an impact on people like he has...If I inspire just one person the way he has inspired me, then I have done my job...

Prayers to the Yancey family, and to the rest of the true hip-hop community. We gon' miss you Dilla...Rest in Paradise

Peace

And another one...

I'm crankin out the self-portraits still...this is another one of my faves.

Anyway...I picked up Dilla's newest album yesterday, Donuts. The instrumental album is pretty out-there...meaning it ain't the Dilla most of us are used to. One thing pissed me off, though: I went up to Dr. Wax to pick up the vinyl copy...it didn't arrive yet (go figure, the album doesnt arrive on the release date--not just there, but other spots, too). So I calm down, take a deep breath, and let my anger subside. Then, I asked about the special 45 that was supposed to come with the album: no show...Now that took the cake...and made me livid.

Again, I soothed myself by spotting a mint copy of BDP's "Criminal Minded" Lp...so I didn't leave empty handed (i never do when I go to any record store). I ended up gettin the cd of Donuts (grrrr....) in the mean time, cuz i had been anticipating it for months--I couldn't wait any longer. There is no advantage to having the cd, as wax sounds better anyway, looks better, too.

So, I have to wait a couple of more days till the lp hits stores, but I'm blasting Donuts in the mean time.

In other news, I have been meeting a ton of people lately that are hip-hop heads just like me. When i dropped into Dr. Wax last nite, I met a lyricist by the name of GQ the Teacher. We got talkin after he saw me looking for "real" hip-hop, and instinctively asked if I produce. Duh....

During our conversation, he put me on to some artists that I had HEARD OF but never HEARD. I chose to listen simply because he was older--I am young, he knows more than I do...period. One of the artists he spoke to me about was Nicolay..they had a copy of his album "City Lights 1.5" for like $20 on wax....Sorry, today's Dilla's day. Apparently, he's a member of the Justus League with Little Brother, 9th Wonder, so on, so forth. He's half of the hip-hop duo Foriegn Exchange--the other half being Phonte of Little Brother. His music's pretty good...I listened to the tracks he has on his site.

I don't know why, but it seems as if alot of the "underground" peeps use the same style of basslines and off-beat but on-beat swing techniques: i.e. Kev Brown and just about everybody involved with A Touch of Jazz, 9th Wonder Y'all (i had to say it), early J Dilla, Kareem Riggins...the list goes on. I can't front, cuz I do the same thing alot. It doesn't take away from either producer in anyway whatsoever, it's just something that I've noticed.

Next artist: Primeridian. They are locals here in Chicago, as well as nationally. Part of the good ol' All Natural, Inc. label (that's where I heard their name). All Natural hosts beat battles at the Sonotheque up north...featuring some of Chi-Town's meanest...most viscious producers. I have no idea whether it's an invitation affair, or if anyone can sign up. I really wanna get into it, but the guy that runs it still hasn't emailed me back (bummer...)...but there are several months left, and i think i can get in touch with him before I leave in june (it's a year long battle).

What else...? Hmmm...

I'm awaiting response from Columbia College here in chicago, as I am hell-bent on getting into that school and taking advantage of every resource available there. I hear mixed reviews of the school, but in the end, it's all up to me. My choice? Columbia. I get a degree while I'm doing what I love to do? That's the selling point for me. Add to that: I get extra time to practice my craft? and I'm around like-minded people? TAKE ME NOW!!!

Other than that, I'm still ignoring school work and making beats everyday. I honestly think it's an addiction, and I get distracted with all of these records around in the same room that I do my homework. Its hard to concentrate sometimes...but all I gotta do is get a b or better in my classes, and I'm good.

welp, that's it for now....

peace

Me and my mpc--a match made in heaven

Today, I went up to my old school. In an email a couple of days ago, they asked me to put up a workshop on the beat-making process. When I arrived, everybody was asking me if I had seen the studio. Now me being me, I'm thinking studio to them meant only a keyboard and a computer or somethin--WRONG. I damn near had a heart attck when I saw their facilities. maybe it was just that I was surprised about how well they had put it together. Of course, it could still use some work, but still--its a middle school. Most middle schools dont have this type of stuff.
I guess I can show you better than I can tell you.

I've been bitten by the beat bug in the past couple of weeks. Every other day, if not everyday, I'm gettin hit wit the urge to bang out on my trusty tan box here. Here are a few tracks to accompany this here pic.

Simplicity
Rolling Stoned
Dirty Orchestra

Back is the incredible

I'm sorry folks..been really busy for the past couple of weeks. My camera made a boo boo--cant download anything directly from it anymore. Why? I have no idea. No computers recognize it anymore--mac or pc. The manual says nothin about it, and canon sucks at customer service (really, no big companies are good at it). So, I'm getting a card reader to read my SD card. I really don't feel like taking it to get repaired, and I don't feel like paying any more than $10...and I get to continue taking pictures. So it's a win-win situation. I've been doin self portraits for the past week, here's one of my favorites.