tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047555493106004612024-02-18T18:50:08.234-07:00Music, media, and other rantsBlog covering all things Psychopathic or Juggalo related!Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-24328268589803204012023-11-02T21:36:00.006-07:002023-11-02T21:36:30.851-07:00Closing out 2023 and setting up 2024<p> Holy shit it has been 5 years since I posted to this blog! This is all changing as we close out 2023 and move into 2024. So what does this mean for the blog? Well I plan to cover as many concert events as I can this next year, attend the 2024 Gathering of the Juggalos, review as many albums as I can for Faygoluvers.net and most of all get back to the energy and love of the Juggalo community! This post is short but I will be working hard the next week to get a review of some new music posted! If you want me to review your album hit me up at juggalotus0069@gmail.com</p><p><br /></p><p>Peace,</p><p><br /></p><p>Juggalotus</p>Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-59167862455855156892018-04-25T14:18:00.000-07:002018-04-25T14:18:03.523-07:00New music reviews on the way!Boy is has been forever since I posted on here thanks to my good friend Scottie D of Faygoluvers.net! I am still reviewing music for that website but have recently been given an opportunity to review music outside of the Underground Hip Hop genre. So this is a quick blog letting you all know music reviews from other genres are coming to this page very soon! My first review for Duece Music will be a group called Pretty Gritty. They are soulful Americana duo and I am looking forward to expanding my musical horizons and bringing you guys music you may or may not dig! I will also still be reviewing for faygoluvers.net and will share albums on there I think you guys might like.<br />
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Thanks for checking it out!<br />
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JJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-71437425145978503262015-01-07T00:38:00.000-07:002015-01-07T00:38:41.433-07:00Who are the Internet Psychos? I have seen a growing and stupiud trend in the underground, mostly Juggalo, fan base lately. That is to post surveys like "If you were on a psycho killing spree what song would you be playing?" or "Do you prefer knife, hatchet, or gun?" Here is my take on any and every single person who posts or answers these surveys, if confronted with the possibility of actually killing someone a vast majority (98+ %) would not have the guts to do it. I am sick and tired of these people thinking you have to act or claim to be a psycho killer because you listen to our music! If you listen to the music and dig it, that is great. But if you honestly think any of the lyrics that ICP, Twiztid, etc have in a song is actually anything they have ever done you are a complete moron! Their music is entertainment. Nothing more and nothing less.<br />
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For me the music is a way to release certain emotions that I have no other outlet for. It helps me battle anger and depression. It has helped me through so much and these kinds of displays do nothing but devalue the music and what it helps people through. It also helps the outside world to say "See they are all degenerates." That is why when we have shows and Gatherings the cops are always there and in some cases shut it down. In life peoples first impression can make or break what they think of an entire group of people. Why would we as a fringe group want to further push that negative image?<br />
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ICP and Psychopathic have done a lot recently to help change that perception. With toy drives and other charity events they are showing us what we need to do to help fix the FBI and gang label problem. Why is it that they get mocked and made fun of for doing it? People say they are getting soft or bitching out, I disagree. They couldn't be any better an example for the fans to follow. There is nothing wrong with being a socially responsible person in society. People will never look at our fan base any differently unless we give them something different to look at. <br />
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Don't get me wrong there are a ton of groups in local communities that are doing good work and trying to make positive changes. But if you go on Facebook and browse through Juggalo groups you will find a large population of these "Internet Psychos" and that is what some people see first. I personally try very hard to change peoples ideas when I am in public. I don't flip off cops and yell fuck the police. I wear the hatchet proud while acting like a productive citizen. You know how many times I have been harassed or arrested for wearing the clothes or chain? Not once. The cops have so many other things to be concerned with that what someone is wearing or listening to on their iPod makes no difference. If you do the things I said then you more than likely will get hassled. If you draw attention to yourself no matter what you have on you will be harassed, period.<br />
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When it comes down to it the fact is we are the ones making us look bad. We are the ones continuing to make people think negative of us. We are the ones who can ultimately change these things. As a united group we need to do the right things, act like productive citizens, and try our best to improve our communities. Until we do those things all anyone will see is a bunch of "Internet Psychos."<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-1432642484550982702015-01-01T03:19:00.000-07:002015-01-01T03:19:19.427-07:002014 Year in Review This was a very productive and busy year in music for me personally. With Faygoluvers I was able to do 23 album reviews, that is a little less than 1 every 2 weeks! I was hoping for 2 a month so I missed that a little but I was so close. I also did Interviews with Gangsta Boo, Madchild, Adlib, Ganxsta NIP, Slaine, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Mr Grey, Raz Simone, DJ Clay, Prevail, and Sozay. That is an average of 1 every month! Once again I could not have done any of that without Scottie D hooking it all up on Faygoluvers.net.<br />
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I also hosted another concert this year. It was Mr Grey and his "Warpath to the Gathering of the Juggalos" tour. It was a super small venue but the show was dope and all the artists threw down! I attended a ton of concerts and wrote reviews for Faygoluvers and I once again owe all that to Scottie D, James Wright, and a few others for the hookups on that.<br />
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In 2014 we saw Twiztid create Majik Ninja Entertainment and announce their first artists signed as Blaze and ROC. They have also announced they will be releasing an album called The Darkness on Jan 27, 2015. When their tour came through Tucson I had a chance to lead their street team and actually meet them for the first time since I was in the Homies video way back in the day. This year the label released it's first album Blaze Ya Dead Homie "Gang Rags: Reborn". In 2015 we have been told Twiztid will release "The Darkness" and "The moment You've All Been Waiting For" and re-releasing "W.I.C.K.E.D" and "Abominationz", R.O.C. "Digital Voodoo", and Blaze's next untitled album. I can safely say I am super excited to see what is coming next from the dynamic duo and MNE.<br />
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2014 saw Psychopathic Records release some bombs. They released AMB "The Garcia Brothers", Boondox "Abaddon", ABK "The Perfection Collection", Dark Lotus "The Mud, Water, Air, and Blood", Killjoy Club "Reindeer Games", ICP "20th Anniversary Hallowicked" "The First Six" box set, and "House of Wax". This was a much better year for Psychopathic than 2013 without a doubt. We also saw the Gathering moved to a new location. From all accounts it was a nice change and went off without a hitch. Coming up for them in 2015 we have been told albums from DJ Clay, DJ Paul, ABK, AMB, ICP, Otis, Big Hoodoo, Boondox, The Hav Nots, Vanilla Ice, Zug Izland, Legz & the purple gang, Rydas, and more are coming. But that is purely speculation.<br />
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2014 was a big year for Strange Music as well. They released Tech N9ne "Strtangeulation", Mayday and Murs "Mursday", Ces Cru "Codename: Ego Stripper", and Rittz "Next to Nothing". They went on a massive nationwide tour. Not much has been announced for 2015 yet except Tech N9ne "Special Effects" and K.A.B.O.S.H. "Amafrican Psycho".<br />
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All in all 2014 was a really good year for Underground Horrorcore and it's fans. <br />
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As I look forward into 2015 I would like to accomplish the following things with Faygoluvers:<br />
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1. Write and post at least 4 album reviews a month (1 major label & 1 independent artist every 2 weeks)<br />
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2. Continue interviewing artists and try to broaden our reach into other genres our fans are interested in (Metal, Rock, and Hip hop)<br />
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3. Make it to Dallas and ride to the Gathering with the Faygoluvers crew. Then make the Gathering as accessable to our fans as we can!<br />
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Personally I would love to do these things in music:<br />
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1. Host 2 concerts in Tucson.<br />
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2. Finish recording and release JV's album.<br />
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3. Work with artists I have worked with in the past to get production credits to add to my resume!<br />
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I have a feeling 2015 will be a dynamic and highly evolving thing this year. Faygoluvers is just starting and I project we will continue to dominate the internet coverage of all thing Underground. I also hope Juggalos can truely embrace what I know as "Family" and stop the division in the fan base. We are all in this together, artists and fans alike, and we need to have each others backs cause noone else will!<br />
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MMFWFL Family,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-69496111066589851242014-12-02T02:39:00.001-07:002014-12-02T02:39:05.189-07:00Juggalo Family? Pt 2I wrote a blog a while back titled "Juggalo Family?" in that post I discussed the "New school" vs the "Old School" and how we are all family regardless of when we found the music and family. I said "Family is Family, period. No matter how "down" someone is or isn't if they support the movement they are family in my book." I have been a huge advocate for unity and having each others backs no matter what. Recently some events have happened which make me question this attitude.<br />
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Earlier this year Twiztid began forming street teams to help promote their music, shows, etc. I was selected to be the lead for Tucson. The people over at Desert Juggalos had Phoenix on lock. I assembled a solid team and waited for the promo to be delivered from the promoter here. When it arrived I received around 50 black and white flyers and 50 small hand flyers. That was it. I got with each member of my team and we began pushing what promo we had into the community. When the Twiztid concert came through we were given VIP access and some swag for our hard work. The day of the show we showed up on time and ran into the lead for Phoenix and his girl. They told me they didn't think there was a lead or team in Tucson because they hadn't found the page on Facebook so they asked Aaron if they could come to Tucson and get on the VIP list for both the Tucson and Phoenix shows. Since my team was already on the list they were denied and had to drive home without even getting into the show. While they were here we discussed supporting each others teams and cross promoting to make both cities stronger. About a month later I received an email from the street team lead at Majik Ninja saying they were going with a different lead for Tucson. I started looking around out of curiosity to find out why they made that decision. My gut said the Phoenix team had something to do with it but I could not confirm.<br />
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I wrote to the team lead and asked who the new lead was and gave him my info so I could still support Twiztid and help out any way I could. I got no response from this. I am still a part of the street team leads group on Facebook and came across a post today from that Phoenix lead suggesting a friend of his for the lead position. He ended the post by saying "Since the Tucson show was a bust last time" as his justification. The show here was sold out and packed and all of our promo had been put out. I private messaged him and said "I think my team did awesome and the show was packed. Not sure why you say it was a bust." He did not respond but immediately went to the page and deleted his post.<br />
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So these series of events have opened my eyes to the fact that my kindness has been taken advantage of. It isn't the first time but I held hope the times before were isolated instances. I now believe that is not the case. Because Twiztid is giving away cool swag and freebies to their leads (Which I think is awesome and well deserved) you now have people looking out for themselves and their click and screwing others over to make it happen. As a street team there should be solidarity and unity but this case proves that is no longer the case. It is a sad day for me that I am losing what little faith I had in the fans. I still want to hold out hope we all are united and stand against the world of haters but I am finding more and more haters and self centered people than the Family I once knew.<br />
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We may all come from different backgrounds but we all united together. That is what drew me to the fan base and genre. The feeling of belonging no matter what town you were in. A sense of community that no other fans had. Bad concert experiences, bad interactions, and shady dealings has stripped me of that feeling. There are still Los and Lettes I have respect for that believe in these things. I still have nothing but love for Juggalos and will always give my non bias opinion in my Faygoluvers reviews and interviews. I have love for people like Scottie D, RAM in Roswell, Legion in Tucson, Docta Mann, Madchild, Twiztid, and Blaze. These guys are great examples of what we stand for. So I have to ask are we still Juggalo Family? Or has it all been a dream?<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-33794084050301407952014-09-27T23:56:00.000-07:002014-09-27T23:56:03.251-07:00MarketingIn music, as with any business, one of the most important aspects to be successful is being able to effectively market yourself. Making yourself appealing to potential investors (Record Labels and Executives) is vital to not only getting signed to a label but staying signed to a label. Marketing includes everything from your public image to who your friends are. In most local rap/hip hop scenes you can find the cliques. The groups of friends who are local heroes but will never make it out of their local area. The main reasons for this can be seen all over their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all other social media. Here are three examples I have personally witnessed in my local area that will and have limited artists from being marketable:<br />
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1. Blatant and over usage of drugs and alcohol. Now anyone who doesn't realize most rappers have or do currently smoke weed, dab wax, or drink while partying is obviously blind. In this case multiple times a day you will see them post their wax, drug paraphernalia, or them doing the drugs. This is a sure fire way to turn investors off. They do not want to inherit a "Problem Child" or someone who is addicted to these things so much it limits their productivity and availability. If you need to be high or drunk at all times during the day while not on the road you will definitely over do it while on tour and cost the company money. That is why groups like the Kottonmouth Kings and others have limited their reach. Are they successful? Hell yes but they came in at a different time where there was no social media. Today your life is on peoples screens 24/7. At any given minute people can log in and find out what you are doing, who you are with, and what you had to eat for dinner. Social media allows fans and investors alike to see you scrapping for every dollar while still posting all your drug and alcohol pics. If these artists invested that money back into their music and image they could be a lock for a contract.<br />
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2. Your friends. In social media everyone knows who you hang with, get drunk and high with, and what you are doing at all times. If you are hanging out with bums who can't hold job, act like thugs or gangsters, or post anti-establishment propaganda you will most likely not get any interest, no matter how good you are. Your friends and associated are a direct extension of who you are. In some cases give the best possible look into your personality and habits. The days of Gangster rap are long gone so having a ton of pics or tags with you and your friends flashing gang signs is probably not the best idea. Posting anti-cop posts is also not going to help you. No label wants the authorities eye because of an artist who yells Fuck the Police every other post or tweet. Another way this hurts you is that you may be in a group of 5-10 guys and no label is willing to sign all of you. In most cases there is one or two guys in that group worthy and the rest become D-12.<br />
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3. Associates or political causes. Not since Public Enemy came out with Fight the Power has there been a really successful political rapper. Sure there are big names that have taken up causes like legalizing weed, helping foreign nations, or brought awareness to political candidates. Most of the time these people are anti-establishment and it is ok because they have made it and are already huge stars. There are very limited people who are unknown and new to the business that are successful when trying these things. With popularity and money you can afford to tarnish your image a little and still be successful. If you are struggling to make it this is a sure way to make them pass and move onto someone else.<br />
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There is way too much competition in this business to fall victim to any of these things. All three of these are easily avoidable. Now before anyone hits my comment section with "Yo I am from the street, this is who I am. Fuck them if they don't want it." remember that your image is important. <br />
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If you pay attention in your local area you too will see these artist and realize I am 100% right in this case. I understand there are exceptions to these rules but for a majority of artists these will hold true. The ones who make it are called out as being fake or selling out. When in reality they did things the right way and made the right first impression.<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-26699936758895889812014-09-14T05:08:00.001-07:002014-09-14T05:08:26.040-07:00Investing in yourselfI am back! And within a few weeks, I know unbelievable right? The past few weeks one theme has been brought to my attention on quite a few occasions. That theme is artists who are unwilling to invest in themselves. The ones I am speaking of are never willing to pay for quality studio time, quality album production, quality mixing and mastering, or any other quality products necessary to be successful. To me there are only a few things any artist should invest in and they can achieve success far beyond what they are doing right now.<br />
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1. Invest in quality beats! If you are rapping over tagged beats or beats that everyone else is rapping on you will not stand out. Take time to research unique quality beats from all over the world. The internet has allowed millions of beat makers world wide to be at your fingertips. So what do you do when you find the perfect beat? Some say rip it, remove the tags illegally and call it yours. I say invest money in the beat! Not only does it help the guy making the beat out it will open future doors for discounts, custom beats, and more. Now you can buy exclusive rights (Which let you have the beat and no one else can use it) or lease it for a limited number of copies you can sell (But others can still buy the beat and use it). Of course the first option is more expensive but it allows you to have sole possession of the beat.<br />
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2. Invest in a good quality studio to record the album. Yes every rapper has a "studio" tucked away in his closet where them and all their friends make "hot tracks" but I promise you that will not get you any further than your local (Your city) market. Do I think you need to pay for a studio at $200/hour? No way! But there are plenty of studios in every single city that can provide top quality recording, in most cases mixing and mastering, for between $40 & $70/hour. By investing money in this process you will create a better product that could catch the attention of people outside of your local market.<br />
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3. Invest in quality CD Production. If you hand me a CD to check out and it is a recordable cd with your name written on it in sharpie I am more than likely going to find the nearest trash can and scrap it. Take pride in what you are doing and find reputable CD replication company (Copy Cats Media as an example) to produce your vision. In most cases these companies will have an online template that you can add pictures to as well as designing the entire album cover inside and out. By doing this you give a professional appearance and can sell these for a few more dollars a piece. Most of the time the larger the order the better the discount.<br />
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4. Invest in high profit merchandise. Most artists who have made it in the business have T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hats, Bandanas, and anything else they can mass produce to sell. These items unfortunately have a very low profit margin unless you buy hundreds at a time. For a newcomer in the business look for high profit items such as shot glasses (you can get these for .40/glass and sell them for $3-5), Di-Cut Vinyl stickers, and your album. All of these things are low cost high profit. Once you get the bigger return on those items you should invest in things like bandanas or t-shirts. Research and time invested with pay dividends here.<br />
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5. Invest in going on tour. Sounds expensive but you can find regional tours and even some national tours that if negotiated properly can be a low cost high return investment. You should not dedicate yourself to doing 200 shows a year in your city or even local cities. If you are going to invest the time and effort to promote those kinds of shows you should just research and reach out to national tours and commit yourself to exposing a huge fan base to your music instead of performing to the same 50 people show after show.<br />
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By investing in these five simple things you will find that success you are looking for. If you do not want to take the risk and invest in yourself I can promise you nobody else will invest their time and money in you either.<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-34009941093145592022014-08-31T05:32:00.000-07:002014-08-31T05:32:25.362-07:00My 20 min with interview seriesFor those of you who might not know, I do an interview series for Faygoluvers.net called 20 Min with..... In this series I interview various artists for about 20 min. Now the difference in my interviews is that I take a lot of pride in asking questions that other interviewers may not. For instance I interviewed Potluck a while ago. At one point I began asking about their song "My Dad" and in the interview I ask 1 Ton about his father who just passed and how much of an influence their fathers were on their career. The question seemed to catch them off guard a little bit. But that is what I do. I actually research my interview subject and try my best not to ask the same thing they get asked all the time.<br />
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I also review albums on the website. All of my reviews are 100% honesty as far as my opinion. Now I have had artists ask me to remove my review once it was posted because they were not happy with my thoughts. I will never remove a review once it is posted. I also will never give a glowing review if the album does not deserve it. I take pride in giving constructive criticism. I also take pride in being genuine. I don't get paid to do reviews or interviews. I do it because I love music and the genre of Horror Core. I would be lying if I said I didn't hope at some point in the future I could get paid for those things but for now it isn't happening.<br />
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If you want to check out my interview series head over to https://www.youtube.com/user/FaygoluversHeaven/videos and check out my latest and greatest with Mr. Grey, Sozay, Ganxsta NIP, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Slaine, and many more.<br />
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To read my album reviews head over to http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/category/reviews/albumreviews/ and look for reviews posted by Juggalotus0069.<br />
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I hope to keep this blog more current as I have been hella busy and slacking. If you dig my blog here and want to help spread the word I would seriously appreciate it! Please leave me some comments and let me know you checked it out and where you are from. I am really interested in where my readers are at!<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-63551625121544101772014-04-19T00:01:00.000-07:002014-04-19T00:01:16.013-07:00Successful artist or weekend hobbyist?This blog is going to give the secret to making it in the music business, hell any business for that matter. <br />
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The secret is this, surround yourself with people whose primary goal and focus is helping you get ahead. Not pushing their own agendas, projects, or ideas. Artists should hire a good manager who will do everything in their power to help the artist make money (if the artist makes money so does the manager!). The manager of course will have a contract that has percentages of the profits on shows, merchandise, and appearances that go to them for their time and effort in promoting, finding shows, setting up merchandise deals, etc. Most contracts have options to cancel if you are not satisfied with their services, if they don't be wary. Your manager will have a majority of control of the business side of your career, this is what you want. If they are a good manager they will handle all business affairs, while including you in the decisions, with your best interest in mind. They will help you hone your craft and produce the best possible product to market you effectively. I can tell you from experience there in no artist in the world who can handle both the business and creative side of things. It is way too much for one person or two people to do. At the same time a manager should help you with the quality of sound and production they should not take over what you write, how you write it, or any part of that process. <br />
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Over the past 6 months I have watched as people close to me surrounded
themselves with "friends" that were helping them in the music business.
These so called friends may have had the best intentions when they
started out but as I have watched I see these people doing everything
except helping the artist get ahead. In most cases the "friends" are
riding the artists coat tails to fame and notoriety while doing nothing
to help that artist get ahead. <br />
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In a few cases their lifelong friends have managed to drain the artist of their money while doing nothing to help them get money back. They do this by stretching the artist in too many directions, get them involved in things that are not relevant to their careers, or have them running and doing shows that are not benefiting the artist. <br />
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Some of these so called friends are what I call part timers or hobbyist in the business. They will put in minimal effort, finances, and time to the project they are working on with the artist. By doing this they force the artist to pay for a majority of the albums, shows, or merchandise out of their pockets while barely doing enough to "make it work." I have said many time that there a only a few traits an artist must have to be successful. Those traits are:<br />
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-Commitment<br />
-Willingness to invest in themselves<br />
-Natural talent<br />
-Willingness to learn and adapt<br />
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That is the most simplified list.<br />
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The last thing these "friends" do is drag you into their drama filled lives. They will fail to pay rent and get you kicked out of houses or apartments. They will make it a point to make drinking, drugs, and living the "rock star life" the number one priority. They will allow their personal trials and tribulations to ge tin the way of doing what is best for the artist.<br />
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It was said to me not too long ago that the music business was just like any other business. The example I was given was an author and editor. Authors are wary of trusting editors to edit their work. They are worried the editor is more concerned with making money off of the author. When in reality a qualified and great editor will do everything in their power to make that author successful. By doing this the editor will make more money over the long term. This same principal applies to musicians, athletes, or anyone else who must market themselves to make it.<br />
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Please don't think I am naive to the fact there are shitty managers out there who do take advantage of artists. I understand that any business can be abused. I would ask all of you artists this simple question, what are the people around you doing to help you? If you cannot think of a long list of things they are doing to pitch in and promote you as an artist, maybe it is time to change your circle. I know a lot of you have life long friends that you wouldn't want to cut ties with. But if those people are weighing you down and hurting your career why would you want them around? Your manager should be your friend and closest confidant. They should be the one you talk with about where you want your future to go knowing they will work their ass off to help you get there.<br />
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If you have 10 different projects going on with close friends how do you have time to complete your solo work? How are you finding the money to support all of those projects? How many of those projects are you in with part timers? <br />
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If you are the only person putting 100% effort into your career and projects while others are just along for the ride it should not matter how long you have been down. This is a business first and foremost. If that isn't your focus then you need to reconsider what you are doing.<br />
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Do you want to be a successful artist or a weekend hobbyist?Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-11966446101547729552014-04-10T03:13:00.001-07:002014-04-10T03:13:38.450-07:00Underground to the mainstream There has been a transformation in the underground that many "fans" have shown immense hate for. There seems to be this belief that once an artists gets underground fame they should never be allowed to do anything remotely similar or involved in the mainstream. For instance, once Twiztid left Psychopathic and released New Nightmare they were skewered for working with "mainstream" artists such as Caskey. The truth is I praise them for doing whatever they want and working with who ever they want. Another example is Tech N9ne and Strange music. In the Faygoluvers forum recently someone said "Strange music isn't an underground label anymore. All of the artists are mainstream except maybe." Another person commented that Tech had "<a href="http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/forum/strange-music/tech-sold-out/" target="_blank">sold out</a>" because he is finally getting recognition in the popular arena. In the same breath those people praise ICP for their work on Fuse TV for finally "getting their dues." This is the double standard I was speaking of. Why is it that the number one group in the underground, the originators of the underground wicked shit are given a pass when others are not? <br />
<br />
I personally feel that any artists that represent us, the Juggalos, should be praised for getting us recognized. The fans should continue to support these artists even if we might not like the artists they collaborate with. Each and every artist that comes from the depths and breaks through in pop culture brings us closer to being accepted and better understood. Tech N9ne didn't sell out, he MADE IT! Twiztid is not selling out, they are making music they want to make. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to hate these guys for making these decisions. I think a lot of the hate has to do with jealousy. People don't like that these guys are making money doing the things they love.<br />
<br />
I was working with a group for a while out of Amarillo. From a business perspective I was trying to do what was best for the longevity of the group in the business world. Shortly after we had a small dispute and parted ways they posted <i>"</i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><i>We don't kiss ass to be accepted period. *********** will stay running local shows before we sell out just because its doing "good buisness" fuck you if you don't like it"</i> When they mention kissing ass it was in reference to my trying to keep a business relationship with a printer who supplied stickers, backdrops, and other printed items to us at a great discount because of my friendship with him. Unfortunately this is the attitude that leads to people never getting ahead, never making it, and never, ever getting out of their cities. Guys like this are proud to be local opener heroes for guys in the business that are making moves and getting ahead. This group, while very talented lacked the most important traits: Commitment, ability to control their emotions, and common sense. The biggest problem with guys like this is that they are the biggest haters towards people making moves. I promise you that guys like this will not get anywhere in this business. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> So I guess I can sum up this article by saying as Juggalos we should back these artists even if they are working with people we may not like. We should support these artists until they begin to make music we don't like. It shouldn't matter if someone is on MTV or BET regularly. Hell ICP was on MTV back in the day! We all need to remember, even if you are an underground artist, that if you were offered a good chunk of money to be on Strange, Subnoize, or any other bigger named label you would be an idiot not to take it and run with it! If you are not in this business to make money, you shouldn't be in this business. As it is a majority of these artists in the underground will never make it. Not because they are being shunned, held back, or kissing enough ass but simply because they don't have the talent, connections, or drive to make it. For most of these guys they do music as a hobby nothing more. They work from a studio in their basements, garages, or closets to save money. In order to be successful in this business you need to invest in it. That means investing time, money, and energy into everything you do. Find the best studio you can afford, get your tracks mastered by professionals, and don't try to sell cd-dvr's with sharpie as "the hottest thing on the market" When I get those I rarely listen to them. A first impression can only be made once. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I got nothing but love for every single artists struggling to make it in the business. I got nothing but love for my Juggalo Family. Let's stop hating on los and lettes for making it. Let's celebrate their success. Hate and jealousy will eat you alive and make you do and say things that will hurt you in the long run.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">MMFWFL,</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Juggalotus</span>Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-81691192377252576012014-03-07T00:24:00.001-07:002014-03-07T00:24:30.621-07:00Juggalo Family?<br />So this is my first post of 2014. The reason behind this is simple, I have been busy working music reviews over at Faygoluvers! I have tried to post at least one per week and for the most part have done well with it. Now lets get to the crux of this post and why now is the time for it to get posted, Juggalo family.<br />
<br />
For those who don't know I was introduced to ICP back in 1997 shortly after Milenko was pulled from the shelves. I knew from the first track I heard that I was a Juggalo. It wasnt something I learned, became, took a test for, or any of that. When I heard the songs I knew I had been a Juggalo all along. I felt a sense of belonging. I found a group of people just like me. We don't fit in with other people. We are outcasts. We don't apologize for who we are. When I would go to shows I would feel like I was home. Everyone treated everyone else with respect. Regardless of our social class or background, if you had any merch on, or anything. We didn't need a list of rules. We didn't call ourselves gang bangers. We didn't cause havoc, tag shit, or destroy property. We managed to go to shows and have a blast without cops harassing us. We could hold a Gathering every year without worry of people dying, FBI showing up, or someone getting robbed. Well things have changed greatly in the past 17 years.<br />
<br />
I am a member of quite a few groups on Facebook that contain "old school" and "Kid" Juggalos. More and more I am seeing a division in our group. Things are popping up like the 13 Juggalo Commandments, Juggalo code, etc. A lot of people think unless you know these by heart and follow them religiously you are not a Juggalo and thus not Family. This is complete crap. There is also a group of people that believe we are in a gang because of songs like Gang Related and groups like Psychopathic Rydas. These people also miss the point. The music we listen to is <b>ENTERTAINMENT! </b>Nothing more, nothing less. The Psychopathic Rydas are a group that rips off other rappers beats and puts their own lyrics on them. Once again, entertainment. <br />
<br />
For the longest time I was not willing to call out these new school family. I was hoping they would fade away when the novelty of being a "Juggalo" wore off. Unfortunately that is not happening. There are people out there that think old school los and lettes have a mandatory requirement to train the new school on how to be a Juggalo. This also is crap. No one ever told me how to be a Juggalo. I never had to learn rules and follow trends. When I heard the music I knew I had been a Juggalo all along. For anyone who has called someone a Juggahoe for not knowing all the lyrics to every song, not wearing all the merch, or not paining up for the shows let me clarify something. You are the one who is wrong. Being a Juggalo isn't about all of that. It is about knowing no matter where you go there will be people looking out for you. When you go to a show you don't have to worry about being robbed, beaten, or killed. We have a sense of right and wrong and we always look out for each other. <br />
<br />
Family is Family, period. No matter how "down" someone is or isn't if they support the movement they are family in my book. <br />
<br />
We need to stop the in fighting. The world hates us enough without us making it worse. When we go to the Gathering we should not destroy everything we touch. We should take care of the site, each other, and the towns that welcome us (Because they are getting fewer every year). We saw this years Gathering have to be moved after it was announced because the community didn't want "Gang members" in their town. The same town that welcomes Hells Angels every year didn't want Juggalos. Let that sink in. The Hells Angels. A murderous biker gang. Notorious for murder, rape, and many other things is more welcome than us. Why is that? Simple, they respect other people and try to make positive changes in communities that welcome them in. Why can't we be the same way? One reason, the new school has embraced the gang tag, cause problems, and make no effort to improve anything. <br />
<br />
Instead of us against the world and us against us we should embrace positivity. Make positive changes. Make an effort to change our community and help them understand we are just fans of a certain type of music. Nothing more. We need to stop destroying shit. Stop saying Fuck the police every time you see a cop roll by. Stop trying to make a statement. Once we embrace the positive we will see positive in return. In the most recent interview on Faygoluvers with ICP Joe Bruce said "When Twiztid left that was the end of the family era." I couldn't agree more. <br />
<br />
I do expect a ton of hate for this post and I welcome any discussion you want to throw at me. I love the Juggalo Family. I want my kids and grand kids to bump the wicked shit if they choose. I want to see Gatherings happening when I am an old man. I do think without change we will become a dying breed.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-48380303915856432642013-12-27T04:24:00.002-07:002013-12-27T04:24:55.328-07:00End of the Year blog timeYes we have reached the end of 2013! With this being my last post of the year I wanted to take a minute to look back and reflect on the changes we have seen in music and then look to the future and give some predictions of what we might see in 2014. So without further ado here we go:<br />
<br />
In 2013 we saw turmoil and upheaval in the Underground music scene. It has been one year since Twiztid left Psychopathic. In that time we saw them release A New Nightmare, return to the Gathering as Guest performers, go on two tours in support of their last release on Psychopathic, Abominationz, and open a new web store. While they have yet to release an official statement about their release the speculation behind A New Nightmare is that it tells their side without a statement being needed. <br />
We also saw what many of us hope is not the future of Psychopathic Records. In the past year the label has released the following albums: Legz Diamond 9 Pistolas, DJ Clay A World Upside Down, Big Hoodoo Crystal Skull, and Zug Izland Toxicology. Those albums all fell way short of the expectations Juggalos had. Legz and Hoodoo were both heavily co-written and influenced by Joe Bruce and that really hurt the albums. Clay's album was good but nothing really outstanding. And Zug's was not really promoted and I have yet to actually hear it. We also saw them bounce every check they wrote for the Gathering and have yet to this day not paid those people. I firmly believe that is why the Gathering is being moved, but I don't have any evidence of that so for now it is a theory. We saw them let Blaze leave when his contract ended, send people on the road with limited funds and little to no promotion, and have lawsuits filed against them for sexual harassment and other charges.<br />
We saw the Kottonmouth Kings leave Suburban Noize Records and claim Kevin Zinger was ripping them off. Since then we have seen hateful accusations in interviews on both sides. We also watched Johnny Richter walk away from the Kottonmouth Kings after 18 years and go solo. He released a solo EP called FreeKING Out on Suburban Noize Records and is preparing to release his next solo LP next year.<br />
The highlight of the Underground music scene this year was Strange Music. In 2013 the label released ten albums. Releases from Brotha Lynch Hung, Kutt Calhoun, CES Cru, Rittz, Wrekonize, Mayday, Tech N9ne, Stevie Stone, Krizz Kaliko, and Prozak. All of those albums were expertly done and will not disappoint both mainstream and underground fans. This label has shown themselves to be the cream of the crop. They put out top notch music throughout the year and kept the fans eager to buy the next. This is how it should be done.<br />
<br />
Now lets leave the past behind us and look to the future. I am going to break this section down per record label or group and then give you my thoughts on what I expect to happen.<br />
<br />
First lets look at Psychopathic Records. The release of the Joker's Cards Box Set has been delayed from it's Dec 17, 2013 release date and there is no new date given. The speculation is this was done due to immediate backlash when pics surfaced of the product itself. We expect Anybody Killa "Shape Shifter", a new ICP EP, Mike E Clark, Vanilla Ice, and Axe Murder Boys "Garcia Brothers" to all be released in 2014 but no release dates have been given as of the date of this post. We also will see the Gathering of the Juggalos change venues for the first time since 2007. We still have no information on where it will be but there is plenty of speculation on the net. <br />
Now here is what I think is going to happen with them this year:<br />
<br />
1. The ABK, Vanilla Ice, and AMB releases will all be released and do horrible due to lack of promotion or they will not be released at all and delayed.<br />
2. ICP and Mike Clark will be released and hopefully live up to expectations although I am skeptical they will.<br />
3. This will be on of the last years for the Gathering. After the events that occurred last year I think they will have a difficult time finding groups to perform, sites for the event, and money to make it happen.<br />
4. Finally I think we will see a large number of fans drop the hatchet. I know I will get some hate for that prediction but we have already seen a lot of old school cats walk away. Once Twiztid left there was a huge group of fans that lost all respect for Joe and Psychopathic Records. I expect those trends to continue as long as mediocre albums are released and horrible business decisions are made.<br />
<br />
Next lets see what Twiztid has in store for us. They have announced that a new album is on the way. It will be titled "The Moment You've All Been Waiting For." They have also announced that they would like to get more TV and movie opportunities. So let me share what I think is going to happen with the demented Duo:<br />
<br />
1. The new album will be released. I think it will be the beginning of their rise in mainstream as well as cementing their legacy in the underground.<br />
2. I think they will tour for a majority of the year again. I also think they will make a trip out of the country if legal issues permit it (Canada and maybe Australia).<br />
3. I think we will finally see the collab most Juggalos have been demanding, Eminem and Twiztid. If it does happen you can count on this being the year of Twiztid.<br />
<br />
Next lets look at KMK. I think we will see KMK really disappear. Once the "lawsuit" gets settled I think KMK will release a new album and possibly tour in support of the album but I do not see them climbing out of the hole that Daddy X has put them in.<br />
<br />
Let now look at Suburban Noize Records. I think we will see them bounce back from the lawsuit well. Once the legal issues are cleared up we will see them sign at least 2-3 more acts. I predict we will see Potluck release a successful album and tour in support of that album. I think it will begin the rise of Subnoize back to a respectable label. I do think Johnny Richter will release his next album on Subnoize and it will be a huge success.<br />
<br />
Finally here is what I think we will see from Strange Music. I think they will continue to put out solid releases from all of their artists. I think they will once again hold the flame for the underground. They will be the beacon for crossover fans. Their label is going strong and I do not see that slowing down in 2014.<br />
<br />
Now all of these things may or may not happen. These are just my thoughts. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you checking out my blog as often as you guys do. I wish you all a a Happy New Year and want to thank you for your continued support!<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
Juggalotus<br />
<br />
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<br />Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-3468675937309254052013-12-06T04:20:00.001-07:002013-12-06T04:20:11.360-07:00Turmoil and changes Many long term established groups and record labels in the music business have begun to break apart this year. We have seen Twiztid and Blaze leave Psychopathic Records, we are seeing the downfall of Psychopathic Records due to horrible business decisions, Daddy X and the Kottonmouth Kings leave Subnoize Records, and Johnny Richter leave the Kottonmouth Kings and release an album on Subnoize. So why is this in my mind right now? Well I got an email today and will be adding another interview to my 20 Min with.. series on Youtube with none other than Johnny Richter himself when he rolls through Tempe on Dec 15. He did give an interview to Faygoluvers where he answered questions fans had submitted online and that cleared up a lot of his side of the story. By doing my interview I can ask expanding questions to hopefully clarify more about that situation. <br />
<br />
It is sad to me that all of these situations have to do with two things, power and money. Let me make my points here before you guys hang me.<br />
<br />
1. While Twiztid has been unable to say anything about why they left Psychopathic these themes seem to be universal in people that left the label. Violent J is too controlling with production and all things involved with recording and performing, they wont pay any other act on the label what they are worth, and the only group getting 100% production and promotion time is ICP. Violent J and Billy should have done everything to make Twiztid stay. They should have promoted them better, gave them a bigger cut of the money off their albums, and made them bigger decision makers in the label. But the money and power that those 2 guys couldn't let go helped make that decision easy for Jaime and Paul. I think all of these things contributed to Twiztid deciding it was better to walk away.<br />
<br />
2. Psychopathic's business decisions are killing the label. We have seen them allow Twiztid leave when Twiztid was in my opinion the #1 group on the label. They have stripped everything they built away from the "Family" Violent J and Billy have made Psychopathic into a money machine that uses it's fans. Sure we have seen in the past 3 different covers of albums (Melinko and Riddlebox), but those were made in small numbers and made to be a collectable for the fans. Now we get 5 different versions of albums mass produced and each one has 1 or 2 new tracks to entice people to buy them. Then about a year or so later they re-release the same 3-4 albums in a huge box set with another "version" to get people to buy another copy of all the albums. In the past we saw them give away things to the fans, show love without buying the VIP pass for the shows, and basically present themselves as Juggalos themselves. Now we see that was just a ruse to gain a huge ravenous fan base to use for profit. They have become the big record label tycoons they told all of us they never would become. Last year's Gathering saw them cut checks to vendors, police departments, and Hogrock that all haven't cleared. I think this is why this year's Gathering is being moved to another place. I predict in the next 5-7 years we will see the end of the label.<br />
<br />
3. KMK split from Subnoize Records with Daddy X claiming that they were the first of many groups we would see leave Kevin Zinger due to his "Shady business tactics." Since the split was released we have seen no other groups leaving the label. On top of that we now have Johnny Richter leaving KMK and making another album with Zinger on Subnoize. The more we hear Daddy X whine and complain the more their fans turn on the group. We still don't have all the facts but it is becoming very clear that Daddy X is falling on the losing side of the debate. I hope to be able to get some more clarification in the next week when I get a chance to talk with Richter and review his solo tour.<br />
<br />
So as you can see all of these situations were because of shady business practices, refusal to give up power, or greed. I will always be a Juggalo. I will always love music and be willing to listen and review anything people send me. I will always speak my mind and give a 100% honest opinion on the albums, situations, and other things in the business. No one will ever make me tone down my honesty. I hate coming on here and talking about negative things. In this case I am so tired of seeing these great movements and groups dismantle and disappear while nobody is willing to stand up for the fans and say enough is enough. We deserve a little consideration and respect.<br /><br />Respect is something that is earned in this community and these things make all of us wanna walk away. Truth is I considered it myself. But I feel like fighting for this because it means that much to me. I have nothing but clown love for all my Juggalos and Juggalettes. I have mad respect for Twiztid, Johnny Richter, and Subnoize Records.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
Juggalotus<br />
<br />
<br />Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-83856158047947613482013-11-24T01:33:00.001-07:002013-11-24T01:33:56.743-07:00Why local Hip Hop is failingSince I have moved to Tucson I have noticed the same thing I have noticed in any city I have lived in for the past ten years, Local Hip Hop artists refuse to support other artists in their cities. There seems to be this accepted understanding that if you or your friends do not like another group of people you have to do everything you can to stop them from making moves. I understand that the complex mix of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and loyalty drives this idea. The local hip hop scene is dying a slow death because of this philosophy. <br />
<br />
The solution to this problem is quite simple, whether you like the music they make or not you should have respect for the fact they are trying to make it just like you. The other day on Facebook the guy who runs the Tucson Rap page posted a cypher which had 4 white guys on it as part of his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg1FdVYTjYw" target="_blank">Southwest Cypher Series</a>. Almost immediately another rapper posted this:<br />
<br />
"<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Y'all
need to stop showing these whack white boy rappers and focus on
artists. The only true artists in tucson are EMG, EZ Goin, the Kennedy's
and efresh. Stop showing this stupid typical tucson rap because that's
why no one gives tucson love."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">This is exactly what I am talking about. This guy has a few people he supports and because of race has decided the guy on that cypher are whack. It is a fact one of the best rappers in the world is Eminem and he is white. I think it is time we move beyond the idea that a persons skin color makes or breaks their ability in Rap and Hip Hop. Why does it matter if the guys on the cypher are white? It doesn't. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/stacc.styles?viewer_id=100001086495434" target="_blank">Stacc Styles</a> is one of the best chopping rappers in this city. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/capo.crookyd" target="_blank"> Crookyd</a> is hands down one of the best battle rappers here. They have been asked to perform at shows and have been the only Tucson rappers on the bill. This isn't by chance it is because they work constantly on their craft. They don't make cheap ass music or music videos. The hustle hard, make quality music, and always have their eyes on what is important, their career and what they want to accomplish. That is how you succeed. They also show love to anyone trying to make it and actually doing the work needed to make it. Rap isn't a hobby, I have said it before, it is a business. In order to succeed you need to do anything and everything to make it. Deprive yourself of sleep and other things to make your dreams happen.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">There have been times I have heard people say "I would love to see the headliner but I don't support the locals on the show so I am not going." How does this make any sense? You should be buying tickets to shows for the headliner not the locals. Who knows if people gave someone they heard was whack a chance they might actually dig what the guy(s) do. If local scenes continue to get shows of 25-30 people and by the time the headliner is out you can count the fans on your hands because the fans only came to support their friends then rappers and other artists who can give you exposure will not come to town. Then nobody wins. Small or big a national tour can get you exposure and fans nationwide. If any artists refuses to see that then it is time to quit and get a 9-5 job.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">There is a movement by some on social media to "support locals" and that in words is great. But the same people who post such things do not back up that idea with actions. What they in turn are saying is "Come support my friends because I think they deserve it, but I will not return the favor." As local shows refuse to support one another the entire movement fails. Not until we can all band together and support people because of their hustle, abilities, and drive and stop hate because of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and blind loyalty will the hip hop movement in any city begin to see success and love from anyone outside of that city. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">MMFWFL,</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2z1ew].[1][3][1]{comment181971852000648_285372}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Juggalotus</span></span></span>Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-27070373085558113852013-10-11T04:45:00.001-07:002013-10-11T04:46:31.883-07:00Random rant on societySo a few things in the world have gotten out of hand and to be honest I am sick of hearing about them. So this post is really me venting and hopefully you guys can give me feedback not just criticism.<br />
<br />
The past few weeks I have heard a lot about the government furlough and have personally seen how it is effecting military personnel and civilian government employees. My issues with this topic are this:<br />
<br />
Why should congress and the president continue to get paid? Yes it is granted by the constitution that their pay will not stop. But in this case I think they all should voluntarily donate their paychecks to pay the military, civilian, and veterans who still have to go to work without pay in most cases. The furlough happened because the government failed to do their job! The military and civilians didn't cause these problems. The government and their petty arguments caused it all. Facts are this, Obamacare sucks, neither party gives a crap about any of us until their job is up for reelection (Which I feel doesn't even matter because I feel most of our "free" elections are rigged and our choice doesn't matter) and then they tell us what we need to hear to vote them back in knowing once they secure the office they will not do a damn thing they promised, and both parties are striving for the same goal (Government take over and totalitarian rule).<br />
<br />
So what can we as citizen do about it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing we do matters. We have given the government so much power nothing we say matters. We can rise up and fight the government and I think Americans should throw all of those people out of office and start over. But once the citizens rise up against the governments we will just begin to get slaughtered. I hate to say it but at this point we have given so much away we are beyond any repair.<br />
<br />
Another topic I keep hearing about is peoples sexuality. I will be honest, NOBODY cares who you are doing or not doing. Until you tell people your preference no one can tell. But I will say once you tell the world that preference you need to be prepared for people that agree and don't agree with your choice. We dont all have to agree or be o.k. with anyone else s lifestyle. We all need to shut our mouths and keep our private business private. Unlike racism or the civil rights movement until you stand up and yell from the mountain tops your sexual orientation nobody can tell. The civil rights movement was about being repressed and persecuted because of the color of your skin. That is 100% obvious the second you see someone. Unfortunately racism will never cease to exist because people will keep being ignorant. Your sexuality is private and not immediately obvious unless you make it that way.<br />
<br />
The next topic is abortion. Let me clue you in on something, it was not the babies choice for you to get pregnant or get someone pregnant it was your choice. Why would you punish a life that is 100% dependent on you for survival because you couldn't take precautions to prevent it? With all of the options out there for birth control there is only 2 reasons pregnancy happens, you had unprotected sex to get pregnant or you took the risk even though you knew the consequences. Either way the fetus had no choice in that. You might be killing the next Einstein, Beethoven, or rocket scientist.<br />
<br />
Finally I am sick and tired of hearing how guns kill people. I will let you in on a little secret, Guns do not work unless human hands pull the trigger. Yes if it is dropped it can misfire but that is not what the argument is about. People in the government, media, and communities claim that our constitutional right to bear arms should restrict what arms we can own. Nowhere in the constitution does it clarify what I can or cannot own as a firearm. But those supporters of gun control want you to believe that an AR-15 is more deadly than a knife. This is true and untrue. Yes it can shoot more rounds quicker. But it only shoots one round per trigger pull. No matter what guns are taken out of law abiding citizens hands criminals will still get weapons and commit crime. Look at prohibition if you need an example of this.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. My rant on all the crap is society pissing me off. I will get back to my music posts and hope you all will stick with me and even have an intelligent debate about these topics.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-60234468208710558622013-09-26T02:50:00.000-07:002013-09-26T02:50:48.308-07:00Peeling off the masks in the Underground<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I don't think this blog will come as a surprise to most that
frequent here. But in recent months, ever since Twiztid left Psychopathic
Records, there have been numerous reports, interviews, emails, and lawsuits
that are exposing a side of the label I think most of us didn't want to ever
see. The side of the label that is focused on money, lust, and mob style
tactics. </div>
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A report was released last week of a lawsuit from a former
"in-house" legal Counsel/publicist claiming that many employees
within Psychopathic Records engaged in prolonged sexual harassment,
intimidation, and creating a hostile work environment. Having read the lawsuit
here are the highlights:</div>
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1. She was consistently called a bitch by everyone
around her including Billy. </div>
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2. She was consistently subject to unwanted sexual advances
from Dirty Dan and others. </div>
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3. Sugar Slam created a hostile work environment due to her
jealousy toward the woman suing them. </div>
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4. Dirty Dan gave a glass dildo upon finding out she had
recently separated from her boyfriend. </div>
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5. She was asked to cover up wage issues being investigated
by the US Labor board. </div>
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6. She was asked to act unethically in a legal capacity to
cover up many things within the organization. </div>
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Now those are the major issues in the lawsuit. It is 17
pages long and filled with a ton of fluff such as "I was always being
flirted with" type comments. But looking at those six issues I can say if
they are true there is a serious issue within the label. Yet another sign
things are sliding downhill quicker than anyone in Psychopathic wants to admit.
Then a few days later it came out that many vendors from this year’s Gathering
either hadn’t been paid or the checks they were given would not clear the bank.
The total of those debts is around $300,000. Are we really seeing that
Psychopathic is broke? Maybe or maybe not but either way it doesn't look good
at this point. </div>
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So I log in today and see yet another story about the
business dealings in the label in the form of two anonymous emails sent to
testdummy22 from someone he says is in the inner circle of the label and a very
reliable source. Those 2 emails state: </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ANONYMOUS MESSAGE SENT
TO: TestDummy 22 from ?????, (A EMPLOYEE AT PSYCHOPATHIC RECORDS, AND A VERY
RELIABLE SORCE) TESTDUMMY 22 *Some of this e-mail was cut out to protect the
identity of sender* I gotta be honest man, I'm deeply disapp...ointed in this
company. I had hooked up with Mike Clark down in Detroit at the fowling
warehouse. We had a long conversation that night about Psychopathic and at one
point Mike was almost in tears telling me about how he believed they were
brothers (Him,Joe and Joey) and when it came down to it Joe tossed their
friendship in the trash and chose to steal millions of dollars from him. The
money he was referring to was from the first 5 cards and associated Eps that he
was was tricked into signing away all his publishing on. Fucking devastating
right? What if you made millions and someone stole it from you? How would you
feel? I was fucking floored that they would do that to him but it doesn't
surprise me because its the music business and he was naive to the workings of
the music business. They fucked Mike HARD and it hurt him, he's still bitter
today make no mistake. The only reason he does shit with them anymore is
because he has to make money and he loves the juggalos. At the GOTJ last year
and he was literally sobbing because the potential for what this movement could
have been in the hands of people who cared could have been massive. Mikes just
going through the motions now, his heart is not with ICP anymore. Mike isn't a
problem, he's fine the way he is, its everyone else thats the problem. I mean,
Joe doesn't exactly pick Mikes best stuff and at the end of the day EVERYTHING
you hear out of Psychopathic is a product of Joe Bruce is some way shape or
form. Mike still makes great shit, but Joe don't know how to pick it and in my
opinion he actually picks some of the worst beats I have ever heard regardless
of who the producer</i> is. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And</b>: </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ANONYMOUS MESSAGE SENT
TO: TestDummy 22 from ?????, (A EMPLOYEE AT PSYCHOPATHIC RECORDS, AND A VERY
RELIABLE SORCE) TESTDUMMY 22 Here's the reality of Psychopathic. It's not a
business, its a hustle. ... I noticed Kuma is not really talked about in the
juggalo community, First of all Kuma is Joe's bitch, I don't know if you know
that or not? Kuma wears all hats at psychopathic and basically fails at all of
them. When I first met Kuma I thought he was a super cool genuine dude and he
had me believing that for the majority of my time at psychopathic,but as time
went on and I started to question his abilities is when I started seeing a
drastic change in his attitude towards me. Kuma is the source of all things
generic at Psychopathic. He's the reason everything comes out like watered down
cheap rip offs, he's the reason the informercials suck, he's responsible for
the worst videos in ICP history and thats why Joe is using outside directors
and producers now, i'm not just being a dick i'm being honest, Kuma is the
source of suck but they refuse to fire him because he's loyal and he rides that
dick HARD. Ok, so, Eric Heiden is the only special effects guy at psychopathic
and he calls Kuma out on not being able to his job in front of Billy and Rob.
Billy and Rob decide instead of firing Kuma they will remove him from the video
department, fire me and stick him in the lotus pod. I honestly feel deep sorrow
for the fans at this point because the future of this label is pretty much
completely abandoned. It obvious they don't give a fuck and honestly Big Hoodoo
is just a way for Joe to make himself feel better about Twiztid leaving the
label, thats all. I wouldn't be surprised if he only lasted one or two records
tops. You said it yourself, when were juggalos most happy? That was when ICP,
Twiztid,Lotus,Blaze were rocking out. That will never happen again bro, it's
over.</i> </div>
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Now with that out there let me just say if the first email
is true, which wouldn't surprise me, I am truly disappointed they would do Mike
Clark like that. I do feel that Mike Clark supports the fans and has nothing
but love for the movement. I also think that we are seeing that Violent J and
Billy have a firm grip on everything and everyone under Psychopathic, they have
given into greed and arrogance, and they have become everything they claim to despise
in the business. </div>
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I think things like this point to more and more reasons why
Twiztid walked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they are
unable to say anything about their release publically I would not be surprised
if once the timeframe of that silence is over we see the final pieces fall from
the masks J and Billy have worn for so long. </div>
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I have long said that Alex leaving changed the entire
dynamic of the label. It went from a movement that meant something to a gross
exploitation of a dedicated and rabid fan base. I am going to get hate mail for
this post and I expect it. Don't misunderstand me, I support ICP and all other
artists on the label but I do not support the business tactics that Billy and
Joe have instituted to make millions. I respect what they built, what they have
done independently, and the movement they started. But having done business
with certain members within the label I can attest that the mob tactics are
used to get things out of people. Threats are made to ensure they make money
even if they do nothing to earn or deserve that money. They will threaten not
only the person they have the dispute with but also their wives, husbands, and
children to get paid. The reason the FBI began to investigate them was
extortion, wage payment issues, and illegal activities similar to street gangs.
As long as they and their fans continue to act like thugs we will never shake
this stigma. </div>
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I am saddened by the state of the record label. I am even
more saddened by the fact Joe has become everything he hated. I sincerely hope
He and Billy realize this is the wrong path to be on and can save what all of
us have come to love. If not I know Twiztid, Strange, Mad Insanity and Subnoize
are poised to take over the underground and make us proud. </div>
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MMFWFL,</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Juggalotus</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5gFpEbKk8QBhEsmKsgCbhcs1lrYEqlAplDRduvP9WPOXliQ3bjt4jl8SUf1lLbuMGenJ1kJYM-oghFHvP4lONW2-ox0yIjCAmDHM4i6usrQ6qUh1I8C0nIcCIdsCOmm7Gpqi_uY-FJsD/s1600/WB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5gFpEbKk8QBhEsmKsgCbhcs1lrYEqlAplDRduvP9WPOXliQ3bjt4jl8SUf1lLbuMGenJ1kJYM-oghFHvP4lONW2-ox0yIjCAmDHM4i6usrQ6qUh1I8C0nIcCIdsCOmm7Gpqi_uY-FJsD/s320/WB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-63241914126738583892013-08-30T19:37:00.000-07:002013-08-30T20:00:27.996-07:00The fine line between business and friendshipAnyone in this business knows that we all take our steps into this business with friends usually. We find our lifelong friends or people we grow to know as friends and make our way into music together. Most of the time the line between friendship and business is hard to distinguish. Most people are unable to separate the decisions made for the benefit of the group or business from personal feelings if things don't work out. This is the case for Black Project and I today. <br />
<br />
I am not going to dive into great detail but will say that some business I had outside of the group has been rough. I had trusted friends to let me vent when things were not going the best. Due to this my friend felt the need to approach the other party in that other business. I talked with that party last night and let them know I wasn't happy my friend took it upon himself to write and get into business that wasn't his own, even though I understood he was just trying to look out for me as a friend. This whole series of events led to a huge disagreement between them. I refused to take sides and in the end Black Project felt by me not taking sides I was not taking their side. Then made the decision to not keep me as their manager.<br />
<br />
While I did not want that to happen I cannot stop them from making that decision. So I made a public announcement stating that they were released from Wicked Butterfly Entertainment due to professional disagreements, because to me that is what it is. I have nothing but respect for Black Project and wish them the best in all they do in the future. I have at every turn put my own money up to pay for studio time, demo pressing, and other expenses and allowed them to pay me back at their leisure. I never pressed them to get me the money back immediately as I understood their circumstances. I have taken a lot of my time, energy, and finances to help them be successful. In return today one of them went on a twenty minute rant saying I did nothing for them, held them back, and hurt their career. I am really sorry he feels this way as this is the first time I have heard they were not happy. Our management contract was a six month contract the ended officially at the beginning of January and I have not pressed them to renew it, so I have been providing my services for nothing but our friendship. I have put up my own funds in this time to mix and master tracks for them to have for shows they had coming up.<br />
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I cannot change how anyone feels but I can say that I have acted in a professional manner in the best interest of Black Project for over a year. I have gained absolutely nothing for myself financially. At this point I have lost money I have put into the group. <br />
<br />
I will not ever attack them personally as I have no issue with them on the personal side of things. Business wise I am upset they feel like I screwed them over but once again I will not say anything negative about them. Part of being in business is understanding that not every bad thing that happens is personal. Sometimes people are mad because that line gets crossed. Sometimes people involve themselves in dealing that they have no involvement in except to be a friend to one or more of the parties.<br />
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It is a hard lesson for people to learn or see happen and I wish nothing but the best for my homies in Black Project. I am always here if they need advice or to vent as unlikely as that may be.<br />
<br />
Keep business as business and friends as friends. Make sure you don't blur the lines and think business decisions are anything but just that.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-83731114165410791102013-08-11T02:30:00.001-07:002013-08-11T02:30:36.805-07:002013 Gathering of the Juggalos thoughts<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">So the Gathering of the Juggalos went back “Underground” this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event has been going on since Wed Aug 7 as people started lining up to get into the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well on Monday Aug 5 there were several people who overdosed and had to be taken to the hospital; mind you this was before anyone was allowed to be there except the crew setting everything up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having gone to the event last year I saw more drugs available than anywhere else I have ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This should have been a sign of things to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apparent drug causing the problems is a designer drug called 25I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The street name for the drug is N-Bomb, Smiles, and 25I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is similar to LSD in its effect on people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>News breaks Friday that someone was found dead in their tent of apparent overdose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cause was initially reported as 25I but has also been reported as a Heroin overdose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what the cause this is absolutely horrible news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well it is simple, the public at large is finding any way possible to label us delinquents and shut the Gathering down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drugs have expanded way out of control and last year I saw people who were obviously “professional” dealers who were only there to make money off dumb ass Juggalos who did not even remember their experience at the Gathering because they were wasted the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drugs are out of control at this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this important to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I GIVE A CRAP that’s why!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People need to go out there and enjoy themselves but this is getting ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have now lost Family because of this problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggest we as Family get this under control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our Mecca (as Violent J said today).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Now the other huge news everyone was waiting for was promised by Violent J to be “The biggest news we have ever released in our career!” and we were promised this life changing news at the seminar today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s briefly go over what they released at the seminar:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Juggalos at the Gathering are the most elite Juggalos on the planet!</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ICP considers the Gathering the mecca of Juggalo-ism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He gives us the epitome of news in the Juggalo world<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Psychopathic is resuming the Mighty Death Pop tour right after J’s knee surgery<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tour will include Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Florida, Texas; Last show of the tour will be Hallowicked<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">November dates for the tour in Australia<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ICP theater has 8 episodes (3 of which have aired so far). If ratings are good, they will get 25 more episodes for season 2!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They are starting the 3rd Joker’s card of the new deck after Hallowicked!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Planning of the 3rd card will be more precise<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It will be available on CD! The rumor that it would only be on digital is “straight bullshit”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He said the difference between a physical copy of the album and a digital copy is like the difference between porn and a real neden!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They are bringing back Psychopathic Radio after the Gathering!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Shaggy is off probation (finally!) so they will be touring in Canada!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On Juggalo day, they will be performing the <b>Great Milenko</b> in its entirety! It will be available on iPPV, and may not be in Detroit! More Joker’s cards shows are in the works!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Violent JJ made 3 beats (beatboxing) and they will release it on the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">6th Joker’s card box set is ready to go!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Violent J confirmed that Blaze ya Dead Homie did officially leave<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Psychopathic isn’t trying to replace anyone who left, just trying to leave a legacy of great artists!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They want to do more concept music like <b>Wizard of the Hood</b> or solo albums like Shaggy’s <b>Fuck the Fuck Off</b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They said that Twiztid told Psychopathic they were leaving via text message<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They then announced that <b>Axe Murder Boyz</b> and <b>Boondox</b> are officially back on the label!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Everyone was handed a ticket before the seminar started, without knowing what it was about. They then started talking about the <b> Chronicles of the Dark Carnival</b> series that was filmed for SyFy years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They said that the end product they got back had a “little twinge of suck”. Jumpsteady said it was SO BAD that it came full circle and ended up being entertaining again!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They said it would ONLY be available for Juggalos who were in attendance at this year’s Gathering!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Now with that in mind what could possibly have been the huge earth shattering news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ICP is touring Australia?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">AMB and Boondox have resigned with Psychopathic? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Blaze leaving the label?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Are any of those the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Biggest news ever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I take this list of news as just that, news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ICP once again pulled the wool over Juggalos eyes to sell tickets and get people in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have discussed before ICP is all about the bottom line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t care about the Family any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew the lineup this year, while great underground acts were on the set list, was not enough to sell enough tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So J tells us all they are going to drop devastating, huge, Juggalo world changing news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we get nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we are told there is a mystery seminar after ICP that I think everyone including me thought would be Twiztid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope Twiztid and Blaze bounced and the seminar became AMB and Boondox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong Boondox dropping some good news that I am pumped about but really why not give Twiztid a seminar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How many times are we going to see the fan base abused by this label and do nothing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Twiztid left I didn’t want to “take sides” and I still support the music Psychopathic, Twiztid and Blaze put out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think J and Shaggy need to seriously look at what has happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex left and it has been a steady decline into money and ego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">People will read this and some will agree while others disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take heat for saying these things but I know people out there who view it the same way (testdummy22 and I see eye to eye on a lot) and that is ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have opinions and so does everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one thing about me that never changes (whether it is CD reviews, Event reviews, my blog and opinions, or anything else I do) is that I am honest and will say what I believe to be the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I still rep the hatchet and will always support the underground movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This years Gathering has shown me that the Mecca for the Family is on life support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attendance was down, we had a death, and we saw a glimmer of hope that things were ok with the ending of the Lotus set (which quickly went away when J told the family Twiztid left via text. That was a low blow if you ask me), and the police getting a “financial” advance from the “organizers” (Psychopathic) which let them buy new equipment for the force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I love my Family and hate to feel like this whole movement has been shifted in the wrong direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope things will change and we will see Juggalos return and rebuild what has been lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate to say I feel that movement is now with Twiztid but that is how I see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Let’s hear your opinions people, I welcome everyone’s thoughts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">MMFWFL,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Juggalotus</span></div>
Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-71560997757636408052013-08-08T02:33:00.001-07:002013-08-08T02:33:33.057-07:00Paying dues<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The more I work with artists on all levels in the music business the more I am seeing the downfall of the industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far too many rappers bring the street mentality to business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this I mean they handle their music career like they would handle a drug deal on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Established artists continually fail to remember that they once were opening shows in their local areas and struggling to make ends meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use their position in the business to abuse, intimidate, and use local acts to pad their bank accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Popular performers in local cities are charging nationwide touring prices for a show in their home cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And up and coming artists are no longer willing to put in work to get known and advance their careers beyond the local level.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each of these things is killing the business locally and nationally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to break each one down so I can expand on the problems I see and ways we can overcome these issues and once again make live music exciting, profitable, and most of all trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">First the big name acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people have paid their dues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deserve to get paid above the cost of their tours to do a show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have earned the right to ask people to pay a reasonable ticket price to see their shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have marketed themselves, have national exposure and following, and have earned their spot on the ladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem comes in when these acts use that position to not only exploit promoters and local acts but abuse their position and prevent others from making moves up the ladder after them, thus killing competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have personally seen "street tactics" used to exploit promoters for money that they were not entitled because shows had been cancelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These shows usually do not have a non-refundable deposit (Which would protect that shows cost for the artist) and normally do not have a signed contract to back up their claims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the artists end up making verbal threats and resorting to these "street tactics" to exploit money they are not entitled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other way they kill up and coming artists is by charging thousands of dollars to do a verse for the newer artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time the big name artist does little to no actual thinking about the verse they record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give a canned verse to a beat or a verse they had recorded for something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some out there that do not do these things and those people have earned my respect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next we have the big local name act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These guys may be known in the city, state, or region they are in and are entitled to get paid a small amount to do shows in these areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have earned the right to charge a few hundred dollars and travel expenses to do shows but not more than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These guys usually are easier to deal with but some can still have the ego issues and have been known to back out of shows at the last minute and not give the booker/promoter anything back for the time, energy, and money invested in promoting these guys for those shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of these guys promote their own shows and then fall into the habit of charging openers high amounts to fill slots on their shows knowing their notoriety locally will "encourage" the smaller local acts to pay just to have the right to say they were selected by the artist to open their shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again not all of the bigger local names are like this and you can find trustworthy people to work with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly is the local guys who have paid to open shows for these big local or national names and now feel entitled to be paid for their performance, not have to sell tickets, or be treated like a big fish when they are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people usually resort to "street tactics" because that is all they know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some sell drugs, are in gangs, and are too young to have any business experience or knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those reasons are why "beef" gets brought into shows causing violence and making venues not host any hip hop or rap shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cities that have been huge support cities for major artists have been crippled by these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These artists have yet to earn their stripes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t paid their dues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have no right to charge a promoter to open the show with no guaranteed ticket sales or assistance in promotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my blog "what-exactly-is-pay-to-play" I outline how a show should be booked and promoted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This format makes everyone some profit for every show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the format these types of people should be following when they do local shows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have quite a few low and mid-level artists in the business that I speak with frequently and they agree that this format is the best one for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the mid-level guys still only charge a small appearance fee and travel costs to go anywhere and do a show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do this not because they can’t get paid more money but they understand they haven’t earned that right yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are still grinding and hustling to get known nationwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know how to properly work up in this business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These types of artists give me hope that live music isn't and will not be dead in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was a time in this business it was like a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all looked out for one another and supported each other because we had to in order to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all went to shows, stayed for everyone’s sets, bought merchandise from others, and stood by one another to make every show a kick ass time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe this mentality isn’t dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that honest hard working artists still exist and know that by grinding, paying their dues, and supporting others will pay off in the end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes there will always be snakes who take advantage of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why we must stand up and stop these abuses from happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop paying high value for minimal effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop letting these abusers get away with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a BUSINESS and should be handled as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live music should be an event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should make people not want to leave because for several hours they were able to leave their problems and worries at the door and cut loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end everyone should leave with something, whether that is money, memories, or new friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">MMFWFL,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Juggalotus</span></div>
Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-27455760830128871412013-07-13T01:59:00.002-07:002013-07-13T01:59:38.589-07:00The MovementA ton has happened in the last week and I have learned a great deal.<br />
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First thing I wanted to formally address was the first show Wicked Butterfly Entertainment booked and promoted here in Tucson, the Snug Brim Arroggant Tour. After James Barone royally screwed that tour booking up Snug Brim trusted a long time friend to rebook the tour. For those who don't know James Barone was taking deposits from promoters and artists and not passing the cash onto Snug Brim. Anyway the tour got re-booked and I sent Snug Brim the first half of his appearance fee, $225.00. Not a lot but it was what had been negotiated. After he got that money I could not reach him for any kind of flight info, arrival times, or anything. Bottom line is Snug Brim no-showed the appearance and has yet to return any of that deposit money back to me. No I normally don't air dirty laundry on here but I think if a thief is discovered they should be called out! Despite that fact the show went awesome. I heard many comments that it was the best local show they have had here in Tucson in many years. As many of you know from previous <a href="http://juggalosupport.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-exactly-is-pay-to-play.html">blogs</a> I promote so that the artists, venues, and myself all make money in the end. If you want to know how I do it go back and read my last few blogs. The night had a variety of local Tucson Hip Hop artists. They included first time performances by From Tha Ash and Chi!pz, Full Kontakt Entertainment, Tha Silent 1 & J Dawg, The Source and Cultivate Creative Sound(CCS) stepped up as the headliners. Top to bottom all of the acts performed very well. The crowd showed love consistently throughout the night for all of the acts. In the end we all had a kick ass time and I think we all are looking forward to the next show as I bring T.O.N.E-Z and Poe Whosaine to Tucson Aug 28th!<br />
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Now to the main theme for the post, The Movement. I have seen this past week a lot of love for my promotion method and how it benefits everyone at the show. I had several people come up to me at the show and after and state that they have never seen a crowd stay through every act in a show. Like I said all the acts and their fans stayed at the show and gave each and every act love. In the weeks leading up to the show all the artists were given a chance to make money bringing people to the show, and I hope most did in the end. So I am starting The Movement, the Promoters and Artists working together to make each and every show a success. Instead of each side trying to screw the other so they make more money, everyone works together and everyone makes money. Sure no one person or group is making thousands of dollars on the shows but in this economy every hundred bucks helps. There are too many times I have seen headliners do what Snug Brim did to me, get a deposit(make it non-refundable) and not show to perform. This hurts everyone and it needs to stop. Artists, if you are paid to show up and perform, do it! That is easy. The promoters are paying you, covering hotel costs, and in some cases travel cost and all you have to do is show up and do 45 min to an hour on stage, that is your JOB! Mars told me once he keeps a list of promoters and performers he has worked with. Each one has notes, if he trusts them and a label on if he will work with them in the future. I have started to keep a list as well. I hope as The Movement gets going we can build a network of trustworthy promoters and artists so we all can get ahead in the music business. That is what it is a BUSINESS! In my blog <a href="http://juggalosupport.blogspot.com/2013/02/business-or-hobby.html">Business or Hobby </a>I make it clear where I stand.<br />
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The next show Wicked Butterfly Entertainment is hosting is DJ Clay's Scratch the Surface Tour with Mars in Albuquerque, NM on July 26th! 2 weeks away so get the word out!<br />
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I truly feel as though this movement is needed and wanted in the business. Leave me some comments and let me know where you stand!<br />
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MMFWFL,<br />
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Juggalotus<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc565k8fJo3CozSvJbMufm_iAAUAUk7CxQe1Ihk1fUZNBhWoXlacBjQ5s1MsU76qd3Izj_HHWokZzZV-Ny17O68BxjWXdUErMYsVxmnUzZWu2sO_voDYZ64KX4q88Tofwpttpi-zllbhtl/s1600/wbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc565k8fJo3CozSvJbMufm_iAAUAUk7CxQe1Ihk1fUZNBhWoXlacBjQ5s1MsU76qd3Izj_HHWokZzZV-Ny17O68BxjWXdUErMYsVxmnUzZWu2sO_voDYZ64KX4q88Tofwpttpi-zllbhtl/s320/wbe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-48602587196445102612013-07-04T05:07:00.000-07:002013-07-04T05:07:11.438-07:00What would you do? I recently reviewed the newest CD released by Kansas City rapper Irv Da Phenom for Faygoluvers. The review was favorable and quite different from any other CD I have reviewed up til now. For those that don't know Irv Da Phenom is a more mainstream rapper who recently went out on the road with Horrorcore legend Mars from California. He has done a lot of work with many artists such as Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, and Kutt Calhoun. His album was very well written and lyrically on top of the game. So I posted the review and sent the links to all the Facebook pages I am a part of and also posted it to Irv's Facebook page and ensured he got the link as well. Yesterday he posted this on his page:<br />
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<span class="userContent">"Hey! The guys over at Faygoluvers reviewed Irv Da Phenom's new album <span class="_58cl"></span><span class="_58cm">Los Kangeles</span>.<br /><br />Leave your thoughts in the comments below.<br /><br />Do you agree with this review? Do you disagree? With everything leaking early now days & being streamed before release do you even feel album reviews are still important?"<br /><br /><br />Shortly after it was posted someone responded with this:</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">"<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">With a site called "FaygoLuvers" and a reviewer named "Juggalotus", I can't take any of this seriously."</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">I found this response odd for two reasons. First if an artist I liked took the time to post a review of their album I wouldn't really care what the name of the site or reviewer was I would go check it out and answer the original question asked by the artist "Do you agree with this review? Do you disagree? With everything leaking early now days & being streamed before release do you even feel album reviews are still important?"</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">Second, why would someone choose to not only ignore the review but then criticize the reviewer without seeing if the guy knew what he was talking about based simply on the name of the site or reviewer?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">So I guess this blog is asking all of you who read this blog this question Would you go read the review if a favorite artist of yours posted it? Would you not go to the link based solely on the site name or reviewer name? And I would also like to know your thoughts on Irv's original question are album reviews still important?</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">I personally would go check out any album review posted by a favorite artist of mine because I welcome all opinions and feel they can broaden my perspective on music. I would never not go to a site based on the name or reviewer name. and yes I do think album reviews are important not only for the fans but also the musicians. Musicians can take the positives and the negatives and improve what they do.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">So this is a short post but I would really like to get some feedback from you guys!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">MMFWFL,</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0]"><span data-reactid=".r[ojka].[2]{comment10151699677228469_27517831}.[2:0].[5:0:right].[4:1].[5:0:left].[2:1].[2:0].[2:0:2].[3:0].[4:0:0]">Juggalotus</span></span></span></span>Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-27790478878127478162013-05-25T00:37:00.001-07:002013-05-25T00:37:33.118-07:00What exactly is Pay to Play?Promoters are often shady and take advantage of artists. I have pointed this out in several blogs on here. But not all promoters are snakes. Not all promoters want to screw the artists over. The one thing all promoters have in common is they invest their own money into booking shows. They have to pay for artist travel, hotel, riders, venue cost, ticket cost, promotional materials, and much more. This can be a very expensive venture and a promoter wanting to protect themselves so they do not continue to hemorrhage money hosting shows should be acceptable. At the same time not every artist is shady. They all don't want to get on shows for free, be allowed to not sell any tickets or get fans in the door, or have nothing invested in the shows they do. This blog is here to clear up my thoughts on show promotion and how in the end everyone can make money and be happy.<br />
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One of the most popular and shady promoter tactics is called Pay to Play. I recently started planning a <br />
show here in Tucson and was accused of this tactic. So this blog is my response to this accusation and hopefully a better understanding of what the term means and why what I do is not pay to play.<br />
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The most simple explanation is this, paying to play is where artists pay the promoter a certain amount of money to secure a spot on the show. That money gets the artist nothing in return except a 10-20 min slot on the show. The artist gives the promoter the cash and gets no money in return. Quite simply they "Pay to Play." The biggest problem with this is that most promoter that do this do not care about the show. They only care about the money. They will book 10-15 openers at $150-200 per opener and essentially make their money off of the artist. They don't care about getting fans in the door or "Promoting" the show. To them their money is made off the openers. This leads to minimal crowds for the headliners and really poor performances. By doing this these promoters ruin tours and shows for everyone. All the benefits are on the promoters side.<br />
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Another tactic promoters use is having openers sell tickets to secure the spot. They will consign the openers a certain number of tickets (25-50 usually) and have them give them the money from the sales the day of the show. This is a perfect scenario for the artist. They get the tickets and are expected to sell them to secure the spot. There are three major problems with this. First all of the money from those sales is expected to be handed over to the promoter the day of the show. So the artist once again makes no money. It becomes a pay to play scenario which brings in fans by the artists hustling ticket instead of the promoter. These shows have a better turn out because of this but the artist is still without payment. The second problem is in the fact that the artists don't have to sell the tickets, they simply have to give the promoter the cash the day of the show. So this still allows for artists with minimal skills or hustle to get onto shows and not have to bring one person in the door. And finally if the artists do not sell tickets and show up with no money the promoter is really assed out and either has to let them perform or have a huge hole in their lineup. The benefits work more in the artists benefit here but still leave the financial benefit in the promoters hands.<br />
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The final way of promoting and booking a show is what I prefer. I ask the artists put a deposit on the tickets I ask them to sell. In this case I am asking the artist "buy" 25 tickets from me for $6 per ticket. This means when they pick up the tickets I receive $150. After they have the tickets they are allowed to sell them for $8 per ticket and keep all of the money from the sales, this is $200. So by selling the 25 tickets required they make $50 in the end. After the 25 tickets I sell them tickets at $4 per ticket and they sell them for $8 per ticket making $4 for every ticket they sell. So lets do some simple math:<br />
<br />
Artist buys 25 tickets at $6 per ticket-I (promoter) get $150<br />
They sell them for $8 per ticket- They (Artist) get $200. A $50 profit in their pocket.<br />
Lets say they sell another 25. They purchase them from me for $4/ticket- I get another $100.<br />
They sell those for $8/ticket. They get $200. Another $100 in profit.<br />
<br />
So as you can see in this scenario I as the promoter am able to protect my investment in the show, the artists has a chance to make some good money with their hustle in ticket sales, and the fans are brought to the show because of the sales. This is the closest thing to a win-win in the business. The artist does take risk in the ticket deposit but that is mitigated when they sell the tickets. I as the promoter take a risk someone will "pay to play" and not bring anyone in the door but that is mitigated by the fact the artists have an opportunity to make money. I don't know anyone in their right mind knowing they can sell 25 tickets that wouldn't take the risk in the deposit to make $50 or more. <br />
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No situation is perfect and all can be abused. But I can promise any artist I work with an honest and fair deal that can be mutually beneficial. I can also promise that any artist on my shows that "pay to play" will never be asked to do any of my shows again. I am willing to give anyone a chance until they burn me. I want artists that are willing to put in as much effort as me in promoting, getting fans in the door, and putting on the best shows in Tucson. <br />
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We need to start being fair and helping each other make money. We need to get away from the me first attitude. The what are you going to do for me while I do nothing for you mentality. I would love to get your thoughts and opinions so feel free to let me know!<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-63927231483383971322013-05-09T03:24:00.001-07:002013-05-09T03:24:36.636-07:00Wicked Butterfly Update!So the past few months I have posted a lot of things on this blog but today I am here to give a little update on Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and what we have going on, so here we go:<br />
<br />
Black Project officially has a demo out in the public space. It contains five tracks from our upcoming album and is pure fire! This demo has two collabs on it that are absolutely the best of the best. The first is "Lay my body to rest" it features both Bukshot (Underground Avengers, Mobstyle Records) and T-Razor (Underground Avengers). This track took us several months to get together but it is one of the best things we have ever done. The second collab is with a guy named Stacc Styles of Cultivate Creative Sound. It is called "Wrote this letter" and shows a softer more deep side of Black Project. The demo is rounded out by "Darkest Place", "Dig ya Grave", and "Never make it out". If you are in Tucson or Amarillo hit up our Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Project/479855342036749?fref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Project/479855342036749?fref=ts</a> leave a message and we will hook you up for just $5. <br />
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Black Project has two shows coming up on the nationwide "Eerly Birds Tour" with J Hornay & Cultivate Creative Sound. The first is in Albuquerque, NM on June 8 @ Blackwater. The second is in Tucson, AZ on June 12 @ The Rialto. These shows are not to be missed!<br />
<br />
Finally Black Project has been steady in the studio finishing off more tracks for the "Highly Classified" Album. We are hoping to have at least 4 more tracks done before the Eerly Bird shows, if so you might just get to see them performed live at the shows.<br />
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I have been busy working on a lot of concerts and scheduling with Unstable Promotions. The big news is that July 7, 2013 former Strange Music artist Snug Brim is bringing his Arrogant Tour to Tucson, AZ! You heard that right the show is 8 pm at DV8 on July 7, 2013. It will be headlined by Snug Brim, Mr. Grey and Cultivate Creative Sound. Tickets are just $8 presale and $10 at the door. Cheap price for a great show and one that shouldn't be missed!<br />
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At the end of July Unstable artist Jigsaw is going to be in Tucson for a show. Details are still being worked out and I will give you an update as they get finalized.<br />
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Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and West Coast Chill are teaming up to bring the new energy drink in a self cooling can into the market here in Tucson! This can is awesome, it cools the drink 30 degrees in just 3 minutes! We are also working on bringing West Coast Chill to the Gathering of the Juggalos so be on the lookout for that. If you don't know about this energy drink hit up <a href="http://www.westcoastchill.com/">www.westcoastchill.com</a> and see what it is all about!<br />
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Finally it has been my pleasure to continue to do reviews for <a href="http://www.faygoluvers.net/">www.faygoluvers.net</a>. Scottie D has kept putting his trust in me to give my honest straight forward opinion on the music he sends me and for that I am greatful. I have had the pleasure of hearing a wide variety of good, bad, horrible, and great music and hope to continue into the distant future. <br />
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With all that in mind here is my shout outs:<br />
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<strong>Scottie D</strong>- Much Love Homie. Thank you for the trust and confidence in me.<br />
<strong>Randy Forester aka 806 Outlaw</strong>- Been a year man and I couldn't be happier with what we have accomplished with Black Project.<br />
<strong>Cecil Martinez aka Narkotix</strong>- The past year you havent made my job to easy but it has been an awesome ride. Keep you feet to the fire homie and lets get this CD out this year!<br />
<strong>Stacc Styles</strong>- Thank you for the love, support, and trust you have place in me for the past few months. Your new solo album is going to be pure fire. Still wanna work that Heel Stacc "I'll pull your Bitch" album.<br />
<strong>Crookyd</strong>- Road trips have been interesting to say the least! Been a great time with you and all the guys from CCS. Cant wait to get crackin on that solo project!<br />
<strong>Bukshot</strong>- As one of the truest and most honest musicians I have ever worked with it is my pleasure to call you my friend. I will get you out here for a show and we will bring that Mobstyle to Tucson!<br />
<strong>Mars</strong>- People love you and people hate you man. Been that way since day one. I consider you my friend and have truely enjoyed working with you and hope we can do more together in the future.<br />
<strong>Kung Fu Vampire</strong>- What can I say man you are doing big fangs! No doubt you have earned everything you have gotten and have still managed to stay humble in this business. I proudly say you are my friend and I am always here to help out.<br />
<strong>Mr. Grey</strong>- Hopefully the beginning of big things man! I have enjoyed your work and the times we have had to meet up or talk have been awesome. I am here if you ever need anything homie.<br />
<strong>Steven Natale</strong>- As Black Projects Producer and main mixer you have been awesome. One of the best I have ever worked with and I definitely look forward to a long and hopefully prosperous future making hits!<br />
<strong>Kristina (My Wife)</strong>- I would not be where I am without your support. You have been there since day one in this music business. I have made good decisions and bad decisions and you have always had my back. I have no doubt with you in my corner I can make it in this cut throat business. I love you and thank you for everything.<br />
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Thats it for this post. I know a lot of shout outs and love in this one. But I feel truely blessed to be where I am and doing the things I am doing. Keep your eyes peeled on the blog for more info on the album release and upcoming concerts.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
Juggalotus!Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-34611449456667697802013-04-28T01:16:00.001-07:002013-04-28T01:16:45.081-07:00The 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!<br />
<br />
1. KMK vs Subnoize<br />
2. The Gathering of the Juggalos 2013<br />
3. Breaking the fourth wall and getting to know artists/rappers personally<br />
<br />
So lets get at it!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
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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.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
Juggalotus<br />
<br />
Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604755549310600461.post-78527646192223506602013-03-23T03:26:00.000-07:002013-03-23T03:26:05.075-07:00Brutal HonestyFor a while now I have written blogs about honesty in music. This week I got a shock when a review I did on an rapper's CD led to his quitting. Yes you read that right, I made him quit. The CD was good as far as recording quality but it lacked substance, originality, and passion. Since I started reviewing CD's for Faygoluvers.net I have prided myself on giving brutally honest reviews. I have done a few negative reviews in the past and had artists take my criticism to heart and change the way they do things. I have also had artists disregard my opinion totally. But never have I had someone quit. I have said in the past that any artist in any genre needs to surround themselves with people who will tell them the truth. People who will tell them when what they are doing is not good or needs improvement. So many rappers surround themselves with yes men. People who refuse to tell them what they are doing might need work for fear of losing their friendship. So it came as little suprise that this review was so hurtful the guy quit. I hope he takes it in stride, modifies what he is doing, and comes back to prove me wrong.<br />
<br />
I do not review albums this way to be cruel or force people to stop being creative. I do it because without that brutal honesty the whole genre suffers and gets a bad name. I am trying to make the overall acceptance of the music more common. There are a ton of talented artists in Horror Core that are often overlooked or lumped in with the unimaginative and uncreative masses in the genre. I have reviewed so many artists who deserve to "make it" but are not even given a glance because they are Horror Core. I will never back down from the standards I have set for music. I will always be as honest as I can in my opinions. But at the same time they are just that, my opinions. I do not expect everyone to agree with me, heck I expect at least 90% of people to have a different opinion. I always welcome comment, opinions, and feedback.<br />
<br />
Scottie D over at Faygoluvers appreciates my honesty as do many big name artists in the Underground. That is why I will never comprimise that position. If we as fans, reviewers, and artists set a higher standard for our craft we can make positive changes. We can make our genre more accepted. If no one speaks up nothing changes. Sure 1 man can't changes the world but no man speaking up cannot change anything.<br />
<br />
MMFWFL,<br />
<br />
JuggalotusJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542097611197095565noreply@blogger.com0