Sunday, April 28, 2013

The more you know

  Wow has it been a month already?!  I know I have been super busy but heck I have had a ton to blog about, especially with the events happening in the underground.  Here is a quick list of topics I am going to give some thoughts on!

1. KMK vs Subnoize
2. The Gathering of the Juggalos 2013
3. Breaking the fourth wall and getting to know artists/rappers personally

So lets get at it!

A lot has been said back and forth between KMK and Zinger of Subnoize Records.  My take is this, what happens between them is really not important to fans of the label or music.  The only thing affected by all of this is who is involved in business at Subnoize and what label pays KMK.  The music is still going to be released by both entities.  Various Subnoize artists might jump ship if Daddy X does not manage to get the label and forms his own, then again they might not.  This is yet another camp diving into chaos.  A few years ago the top labels in the underground were Psychopathic and Subnoize.  Now they are both in a free fall due to internal conflict and Strange has quietly taken the top spot.  I know there are those of you who would disagree but I guess it is all a matter of opinion and since this is my blog that is my opinion!  I will continue to buy KMK albums, review KMK albums, and support their music.  I will also continue to support Subnoize and any artists associated there.  I have friends on both sides of this argument and respect everyone involved for their contributions to our music genre as a whole.  If you were a KMK fan before this stuff, you should be a fan after, period.

This years Gathering of the Juggalos has been dubbed "Rise of the Underground". I have no issue with Psychopathic giving love and some spotlight to Underground artists as long as their intention is just that.  I think Kung Fu Vampire deserves to have a slot on the main stage along with several other big names in the Underground.  But my fear is that the shift in focus is due to Psychopathic saving money either but cutting corners and not trying to get big name artists (Ice Cube, Ice T, etc) or no big name artists being willing to show some love.  As we have seen in the past few years big name artists get booked and just fail to show.  I hope it is just that, a fear of mine.  I do think Psychopathic should spotlight more Underground artists but I do feel there is a place for a few big names on the bill too.  I hope to be able to attend the Gathering again this year and hope it is as fresh as it was last year.  I would also like to see more Family love.  Last year the golf carts were rarely seen and when they were the main guys (ICP, Twiztid) were not on em.  I saw ABK, Chop, and a few other but the big guys stayed hidden away.  Maybe I just missed em I am not sure.  So that is my take on the Gathering this year.

Now with both of those topics out there let me say the past year and a half has been very eye opening to me.  I have had the oppotunity to do some great interviews for Faygoluvers and meet a lot of good guy and bad guys in the business.  That is when I discovered that breaking that fourth wall is a blessing and a curse.  Now I am not going to name people who I love as artists but really have grown to dislike as people but I will give you all a glimpse at artists who say they support the family and actually are good people on and off stage.  The first guy I can say is a down to Earth dude is Bukshot.  I contacted him about a collab for my guys in Black Project and he was nothing but professional.  We talk often and I consider him a friend in business and life.  He has nothing but respect from me.  Another is Kung Fu Vampire.  I have met and talked with him quite a bit and he is always down to chop it up.  Respect is definitely earned by me as well.  Potluck, cool dudes who always have love for the Juggalos and have earned my respect on many levels.  Liquid Assassin, great guy and I hope to work with him in the future.  Mr. Grey, met him at the KFV show in Mesa, cool dude and definitely talented.  Mars, some people hate him and some people like him, my interactions with him have been all on the positive.  He sat down for my very first interview and has done several collabs with my guys.  I consider all of these guys my friends as they have always held themselves to a higher standard and make me appreciate this business.  Now on the other side there are guys I have met and they all seem dope at first but as I have gotten to know them and how they do business I realize they are self centered, egotistical jerks who will only be cool with you as long as you can do something for them.  Unfortunately there are a ton of them in the business and they make me question being involved at all.  Luckily the guys who I mention first have made it all worth while. 

As a fan I had respect for many artists and as a reported/reviewer/interviewer I have lost respect for some.  I guess that is the real pitfall of being involved beyond the fan level.  Do I regret it, hell no!  I love what I do.  I love listening and reviewing everything submitted to me by artists and Scottie D.  I have nothing but love and respect for all artists out there grinding on a daily.  I hope to continue to provide this blog, Faygoluvers, and other media outlets positive vibes on the Family and movement.  Most of all I appreciate everyone who comes here and checks out my brain droppings and then goes over the Faygoluvers and hits up my reviews.  I have Much Family Love for life.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus