The Triumph of Talent, the Frank Ocean Story (the Review)

   We live in a society that  looks down on individuality.  A society that wants you to play it safe. No matter your diligence to hard work,  or your vices, or even your own adversity, society assumes that we should act and be one way. To be different is wrong,  instead  be like everyone else. Don’t rock the boat, don’t make people feel uncomfortable for being you. For those of us that live in the real world we know that everything is not meant to be painted black or white but much deeper, but  a canvas with several hues expressing new possibilities of life.

     If you’ve never been to a party where they played Novacane, or if  you, haven’t felt the lyrics of Thinkin bout you or even beyonce’s I miss you then you don’t know Frank Ocean. The Odd Future member has evolved with his  debut album  Channel Orange making it a body of work that speaks for itself.  

Before  the debut of  Channel Orange, Ocean decided to be real with himself  by telling  the world  his sexual preference. No matter what you may think one thing is for sure, Frank Ocean is a student of music who has created a masterpiece from his lessons of music and life. 

      Channel Orange is a soulful,  funky, alternative, and  honest body of work that touches on lust, sexuality, and what most diverse individuals have discovered while living in this thing we call life.

Channel Orange is a LP which all tracks must be listened to, a body of work that does not give you the option to fast forward. Ocean’s honesty depicts a vivid picture of what crack cocaine did to many individuals from a 80s baby’s perspective on  the track crack rock. Tracks like Pilot Jones, Pyramids and Monks paint the picture of a life full of  wild escapades.

       Channel Orange debuts Ocean’s talents with little big name appearances  however for the tracks that do have guest appearances, Ocean delivers big  with the help of Andre 3000 in Pink Matter and John Mayer with White. Forrest Gump is the all familiar tale of the highs and lows of dating the wrong lover that makes a  lasting impression with its retro hip hop approach.  Super rich kids is   a trippy new age feel telling the story of the super rich adolescents and their demons all while paying homage to Mary J bilge’s real love in the process.  The track entitled  Pyramids sexs it up with the theme of loving  a stripper, the forbidden fruit.

      Over all Ocean delivers some of the best work to date with Channel Orange  which is sure to be a classic and a must have. Channel Orange illustrates that no matter how complex an individual might be, talent is something that can’t be overlooked. You cannot deny Ocean’s talents which is the  single reason why big name artists like Jay-z, and Kanye have flocked for his assistance. Ocean’s music speaks for itself giving him an open invitation to be looked at as one of the greats of originality.           Channel Orange gives its audience something to ride to, something to paper plane to, something to dance to, something to set the tone to when your in the mood for sexuality and overall just something to  appreciate.

For hipsters, Frank Ocean gives life to those who are happy to be themselves while  exploring  life and all that it has to offer.

written by scotlaroc

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: KENDRICK LAMAR

SOURCE: DIARYOFAHOLLYWOODSTREETKING

Foolish Wednesday's: T.O.N.Y.

written by Scottlaroc

I think we all have had a T.O.N.Y. ( the other night why) as complex people we tend to find love in hopeless places. Hooking up with a TONY usually means that your going to have some type of regret, deep down inside you know its wrong but the feeling feels so right. TONY's exist only because of emotions. Emotions that don't exceed pass the current moment. Hooking up with a Tony means you know the outcome, you know its not going to last as well as  the potential of you getting hurt, but you do it anyway because of the " current" feelings he/she brings you.  T.O.N.Y is love that's only temporally its not lasting love, its love you crave at  your most vulnerable times. The times where you are waiting on love but become anxious and impatience with loves slow delivery.  If I had to characterize what a TONY would be, it would be a bad boy , a free cage bird (party girl), a smooth operator (smooth talker), a Ex or maybe a hood rat( what ever opposite you know you should stay away from) Many of us have had experience with these types of individuals, the ones  we know we shouldn't date, but date anyway  because of the feeling that we know we are going to get, the satisfaction, even if its a short satisfaction. We all want love, we all know how good the feeling is and sometimes we are willing to risk our sanity chasing a TONY. Tony’s are not in it for the long run, they are the moment seekers.  No matter how good you might think you two have it, Tony’s are not going to stick around in the long hall.  There’s no need to talk commitment or relationship because Tony’s don’t have the intention to be the poster child for  what a committed relationship looks like. A Tony could also be someone who you out grew but your just caught up in the moment of having and loving someone. Once that Love Jones is gone and reality sits in, your asking your self “ what the hell” did I get myself into. Its only human nature for humans to want and feel some type of love even if it’s for a moment. A wise person once told me that we were not meant to be by ourselves, this may be true but just make sure you don't run true love off because your chasing the TONY's of the world.

Solange T.O.N.Y

Meek Mill the People's Champ? Dreamchasers 2 review

Writtern by Taira " Scottlaroc" Scott.     

Its 2012, but it’s feeling more like 1986. Shit’s fucked up. With black on black crime at an all time high, where it’s more common to attend a funeral then a college graduation, people are losing hope.  Among the hopeless, are those who see  adversity but are still pushing forward.  25-year-old Philly rapper Meek Mill, knows first hand what your environment can make you become. From having the circumstances of a “have not” to transforming a weary destiny to self made. Dropping his new Mixtape entitled Dreamchasers 2 Meek gives the people what they need the most; hope and reality.  Dreamchasers 2 lives up to its anticipation with DJ Drama setting up the theme and direction throughout each track. “They say your brain is most creative in your sleep, in the sleep state the brain thinks much  more visually and  intuitively, as dream chasers we accomplish that wide awake.”   DC2 is a sightful mixtape that shows a young kid from the hood on the brink of reaching his dreams that seemed so impossible.  DC2 picks up right where the first dreamchasers  mixtape left off. Its no secret, why over 2 million people waited to download this mixtape mainly  because we all can  connect with the under dog. Just like other Philly rappers, Meek Mill is able to connect the streets  with gritty  imagery, soul provoking concepts and a voice where you have no other choice but to listen. DC2 gives its audience a glimpse to what it feels like to wish, to hope,  and to continue to walk forward with your dreams and to finally see progress with tracks like “ Use to be, Ride, Big Dreams, Ready or Not, On my way.” In addition, Meek Mill keeps it sexy for all the independent party chicks to the strippers all around the world with tracks like “Take u home,  and Face down.”  Meek Mill’s life may have changed since jumping on the hip-hop scene but he keeps it hood and ratchet with tracks like : Everyday,  Racked up Shawty,  Str8 like that ,Amen, Burn & House Party Remix. DC2 deliver’s a good balance of stuntin, hood life, thug life  and lyrical content while serving its core fans but applying pressure to the masses.

Not only does DC2 express Meek Mill’s abrasive lyrics but with guest appearances from other artist like: Big Sean, Drake, Wale, Rick Ross,  2 Chainz, Trey Songz, Kendrick Lamar,  & Fabolous sets up the tone of a league of underdogs.  With Dreamchasers 2 dropping, one things for certain Meek Mill is a force that can’t be overlooked, he definitely has something to say and he definitely wants in. Over all its worth having and worth nodding to. 

How to promote your music effective

How to effective promote your music.

There use to be a time, that being a indie or independent artist was never heard of like it is today. No matter what kind of music an artist did they didn’t want to be an independent artist for long term but eventually signed to a major record company, but this has changed. Now days, artist are not so gun hoe about trying to get a record deal, majority of independent artist are a happier being labeled as an independent artist. With the innovation of internet, social networks, and online stores has helped independent artist create their own lane where they can profit from their music, distribute their music, make a name for themselves and keep true to their own craft. With all of theses outlets available to indie artists it sometimes becomes overwhelming not to mention a lot of resources (money) end up being wasted trying to promote their music. A lot of artists do not know how or when to promote their music which leaves a lot of them feeling like they want to give up. Being an indie artist is just like owning your own company (well technically it is) you have to know where your demographic is what they like and how to reached them without saturating the market. Check out my dos and don’t on how to promote your music.

Do’s

1. Research: You have to study where your demographic is located, how can you promote your music when you do not know who you are promoting to. If your demographic is between the ages of 18-24 who are die hard hip-hop listeners than you need to work the clubs within your city that this demographic is at, there is no need to keep sending links to your music on facebook when you know your facebook friends are a combination of your professor, pastor, and aunt, there is no need to reach out to them because that’s not who you are targeting your music too. Once you find these nightclubs that have your demographic set up meetings with the dj’s to see how you can get your single played there. To be effective you really need your record to be played at least 3 times within one night that way the demographic can get use to it and hopefully enjoy it, once they start to enjoy it than they are going to want to know who you are and where they can get the song.

2. Create Online Accounts- The internet is a great tool to get your music out there to be effective, there is several outlets that will help you promote your music. Create a facebook, a twitter, youtube, cdbaby and reverbnation accounts These outlets keep track of whose purchasing your music as well as how big your following is. If you are trying to get signed to a record deal these tools help executives figure out if you are a liability or an asset. Record companies want to sign people who already have a following because it makes it easy for them to market to your demographic.

Don’t:

1. Do not over abuse your e-mail blasts, facebook status and twitter timelines with the same messages, we got it the first time, this can turn people away from your music. If you want to use these social networks as a way to promote your music that’s fine but find creative ways to get these individuals to check out your links, make contests, or trivia questions or cool videos, something that makes people want to click to see what’s going on.

2. Pass out Flyers- Flyers and CD pass outs can be beneficial but there is a time and place for it. If you have just started out and no one has not heard your music than why are you passing out a flyer, trust they don’t care and majority of the time they will throw it on the ground once your not looking. If you start with do #1 (above) than you can work into passing out flyers and other promotional items. Flyers and other promotional items are good once people already know who you are but it’s very risky when the masses have no clue who you are.

My advise to independent artists: 5 things you must do to be successful:

It always seems that I always see so many artists that are trying to get signed to a record deal, and that might be great but being independent helps you to know the business side more and prepares the artist to the major league. It’s important that an artist becomes independent and learns the robes of independence before getting signed to a record deal. Time in time artists who have no business aspects sign record deals that leave them poor once the hits stop. I suggested that every one try being indie so, they know more of the music business side, here is my top 5 things that all independent artist need to do.

1. Don’t Copy ME: Copyright, trademark, are very important, you want to make sure that all of your music is not done in vain but you have it registered with the right people, that no one cannot steal your music without going through you.

2. Be your Own Sales Person: Create a online music store account, If you are becoming popular than its very important that you register your music with a online music company rather its itunes, cdbaby, or reverb nation you want to make sure you have an account with one of them. When it comes down to a record company choosing you for their roaster, these accounts are used to see how big your current fan base. In addition its good to see what songs consumers like the best, plus you make money for every cd, or song that is purchased which you can’t beat.

3. Joining a performance organization: its no need to try to track down everyone who owes you money have someone else help you with that, its good to join a group like ASACP, BMI, SESCA. These groups track down what radios, what clubs are playing your music as well as making sure that you get paid. These organizations are like unions for artists, they help in so many ways.

4. Create a Marketing/PR package: This is the best way to market yourself to DJs, booking agents, and other places. The viewers gets to know a little more about yourself your music and what you stand for. This package helps people understand what they are getting once they play your music or book your for a show.

5. Always stay true to yourself and your talent: No matter how big you may get or become always remember the people who have helped you get there never believe your own hype keep focus and stay true to your true self.

Does Marketing Really Help

Rap superstar T.I recently dropped his latest album entitled no mercy, but do legal issues, T.I. was not able to promote his album. So far it looks like the album came in number 10 on the billboard charts. Some may say that this was good considering that he was in prison, but does promoting your own body of work help. I believe so; no one cannot market you and your body of work like the person who made the music. Before T.I. went to prison he was still searching for a number 1 single, and he never got it. I heard the album is really good, but because of the fact that he is not here physically to promote the album himself the masses will never know. Could the record company have done more, could they have used the time that he was in prison, for marketing purposes, could he have created 22 letters from prison as a marketing plot? Or did is actions not help him with the album. All in all I believe that the record company should have done more marketing for the album instead of treating it like a lost cause, I understand that he couldn’t do anything but his team and record label could have done more.