Producers

Like writers.

From an early age, I’ve always had an affinity for the PRODUCER of a record. From Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to Quincy Jones. Over the years, I’ve developed biases (Dilla, 9th, ALC, etc.), but I remain open minded. I also know that there are architects to …one genre in particular. D’uh, nigga. Hip-Hop. The first sample-based producer IS Marley Marl. A huge win for hip-hop, but the first artist to smoke is Herbie Hancock. This making it a big win for Jazz.

DJ Premier is the architect of “SPIT TA DIS TO COME UP AS AN MC” type beats. From the beginning, might I add. Every time I feel trash as a rapper, I throw on a choice Preemo joint and go McStupid (peep the song on the blog). Preemo dead tells you whether you’re ready to spit, IN THE BEAT. I love him for that. Outside of whatever alien identity Preem has, I respect and honor him as if he revealed the secrets of the right ball to me.

Still, this post is about how grateful I am for Pete Rock.

My first beat folder was called #Hamiltonstrumentals. I flipped the title #Petestrumentals. I heard Petestrus at HMV in Harlem. Fell in love. PR became the architect of my melancholy soulful groove, as applied to ANY AND EVERY GENRE. This is the early 2000s, and though I had a web presence, I was VERY sheltered. I didn’t have access to as much PR, Deezy, Preemo… and we were poor. I caught what I could, stole what I could, and begged mom for the rest.

I can go on for days on Pete Rock’s influence on me. And we are connected through family. I just don’t want to exploit the man. Many people have. 

Since *drKiwi* gave me their subscription to Apple Music, I been raping the catalogue. I’m now caught all the way up on all my favorite producers and artists. ALBUMS, tho. Not just the singles. Long live Alice In Chains!!!!

Long live Pete Rock.

Peace to Hi-Tek, Stu Bangas and Apollo Brown.

Columbine Gang, bitch.

#CzH

To the tune of Beck...

I spent the last 2-3 days working on another new album. Nothing new, really. Just vibing out a recent discovery about myself. I don't always put this out there (I founded the religion Positivism, for Sun's sake), but I find the negative/downside to things MUCH quicker than I do the bright side.

I was on the phone with... a rather positive  *drKiwi*, and they were somewhat giving me my flowers. I kept dwelling on the negative. And when I tried to stop, I got sick to the stomach. My comfort zone is self-depreciation. I initially used this as a battle technique. Enough people got used to it, so I had to switch it up. With that being the case, I hadn't had any real battles since the "cypher" against Rone in 2008. And even that was bs, because I didn't see it as a battle. I was tired from a 30 minute performance set, and he asked me WITHOUT a camera if we can cypher. 

I was caught off guard.

A lot of my demeanor was railroaded by some behind the scenes stuff. Still, I kept my battle spirit ready for hardcore action. I've battled small time cats (Tsu Surf included), but nothing worth looking at the downside of myself as often as I do. I have every reason to love myself. Nothing is (technically) wrong with me. Type shit, all the ammo there is to fire at me with, I PROVIDED. It's like I'm battling myself.

It's not hard to believe that The Sun is shining somewhere, ALL THE TIME. And The Sun is big enough to be a target and a resource. It's just... The Sun is so addicting. It can be an alibi, if it wants to be. I do find myself charging up in The Sun more often than not. And I project positivity to those around me. But what if I want to be a light for myself? Is it possible, without thinking about all the people who have a problem with me (for whatever reason)? I give reason to hate me, in my own smart ass way. 

I can stop, but why?

Right. For my own peace.

#cHamEra, still under way.

Then, #CharacterHop.

4/20, next week!

Load up, roll up, go nuts!!!

#CzH