Hi. How long has it been? Way too long. I've been mr. busy busy working on various projects and such--most notably "Younger Frame, Older Mind" with Wa'Jee (you see that album cover above, don't you?). It feels really good to have my first project out on the streets...even if it isn't a major-label-everybody-holding-a-damn-press-conference-about-it release. I'm happy. I had the opportunity to work with one of the most amazing emcees around--and he continuously gets better. We have the next project in the works, not too sure what we're going to title it though.
With the "Younger Frame, Older Mind" project, we were learning how to do everything the most efficient way. I had just met Wa'Jee through S.O.G. Entertainment, an organization of which I am now a part of, and I was really taking my time learning the way everybody worked in the studio. I look at this project like losing my virginity--I really didn't know what the hell I was doing until the end. Now that I've been fuckin' for a minute (continuing with the metaphor), I'm getting close to Mr. Marcus status. This next project is going to change the way people look at hip-hop--most importantly one of those people will be me. So much has happened since we wrapped up YFOM--particularly outside of the music. I mean, so much, well, SHIT has happened that I feel like there's no where to go but up.
I've been on the edge of depression and giving up, but thank whatever god or God that you pray to that I have music on my side. I'm not really a religious fellow, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I don't know where I would be without music. I honestly think that I'm being tested to see if I can withstand the pressure--and I'm doing pretty well. The way I see it: if I wake up in the morning; if i can walk, talk, see, breathe, etc., then I don't really have much to complain about. SUCK IT UP!
In other news, I've paid much more attention to my bass. For a while I couldn't find time to practice, now I make time to practice everyday. I've gotten so much better over this past summer than I have in the year plus I had it. In addition, I'm takin' a jazz class that forces me to practice all the time. That's pretty much the only thing school is good for right now...
Enough about me...My guy Options is visiting from Japan a couple of weeks from now. Our little triad--Options, Dave and me--and a new addition my buddy Sam, are going to go on a long overdue diggin' extravaganza. Since the diggin in Japan is like super-expensive, we gonna hit like every thrift store and bargain bin in the chi. I can't wait, cuz I've been diggin' alot on my own, but it just ain't the same without my friends around. It's really something when I'm around people that I can really talk music with--I just hope someday we'll all make it in our respective fields. The crazy thing about musicians is that we all tend to have vastly different backgrounds, yet we always connect through the music.
I'm going to start podcasting my mixes for you all--as soon as I figure out how to do it for free. I know there's somebody out there that'll host a podcast for free--Ima get around to googling it pretty soon...
In the meantime, enjoy "Younger Frame, Older Mind".
Download it here
Until next time...Peace and blessings
- Issues
