The Rabbit Hole (Blog)

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Potential

Have you ever did something that impress somebody?
That would be Jenny, my new Slam Poetry coach. We have started training for October Sac Poetry Slam. She training me to write and perform powerful performance poems and improve my ranking with competition.  I definitely wanted this to happen and I am going to follow her lead to get it.  I have known Jen for almost a year now. We met at Joe Montoya’s poetry unplugged at Luna’s cafe. She has watched me perform spoken word poetry and participate in the Sac Slam every third friday for a year. In her words,  I am an inspiring poet who has potential but I am still an amateur.

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My Interview

I was excited to have an interview done on me. I like to thank Izzy Lala for doing an interview on me and my poetry pieces. It was an amazing experience to see me from someone else’s point of view. Plus, I started to understand the image that I projected publicly. The statement of being a tone setter is interesting since I, primarily, sign up as the first poet that starts the show.

My roots with poetry are premature. I have been rapping since I was 10 years old. So, alot of my poems were turned into rap lyrics immediately. Some people say that Rapping is not poetry. I question the remark because evolution is a recurring event. So, when poets view new or strange styles of poetry, they need to understand the importance is still the words. I thought about how I would define my own. I always assumed poetry was similar to a painting or music. I made it for someone to check it out and they created their own interpretation. But reading Austin Kleon’s book, Show Your Work, states my work can’t tell stories itself.

My poetry is my work.

Check out Izzy Lala interview of me:

Seeking The Mic

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Honour thy Rap Fathers?

I just read the PitchFork article between Anderson Paak and Lil Yachty. The fact that Lil Yachty rap knowledge is premature is interesting. But, he did bring up a good point: where in the hip hop handbook does it say you need to list some key rap songs to make music? It doesn’t because there is no such thing as an official hip-hop handbook.

http://pitchfork.com/news/67889-anderson-paak-and-lil-yachty-beef-over-rap-history/

Generation Conundrum

Every generation always seems to understand the blueprint of hip hop but fail to be aware of its background. This situation doesn’t surprise me: Should he know anything about his predecessors (i.e. Notorious BIG or Tupac) that the rest of the older community has grown fond of?

We are so complacent of the past that most hip hop purist announced the death of the culture a decade ago. Lil yachty was born when some of the most influential rappers died. They don’t resonate with this generation and they shouldn’t have to. The rappers or MC they have grown up with are not the same as the 80s and 90s rappers. We should not have to hold every young rappers accountable with hip-hop’s history. Since, Most people are not doing this for the culture and we know this.

Hip-Hop Education on its Evolution

Since we all love the same genre we should subside our differences and educate each other. The music is there, but it has new and different players like sports. Dead End hip-hop did five YouTube episodes with a few of younger guys discussing the differences about hip-hop evolution. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC43CC2B8CE1CEF53][https://www.youtu.be/crbnWt5aU2A]

We all know the rap game has changed. Some say it’s a young man sport but hip hop purists rather be zombie than bury their music in a 6 foot deep grave.

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Production Side

In The Beginning

I was playing musical instruments and working production before I started Deejaying.  Most hip-hop producers were Djs first. I started playing musical instruments in 5 grade.  But, I stopped after two years to pursue typing (not my choice).  In my teenage years, I started searching for music for my rap lyrics. Unforunately, I didn’t know any local music producers.  So, I went to record stores.

My early production process was simple: I would raid the record store for maxi-singles and instrumental CDs. Then, I would write songs to the instrumentals and perform them at talent shows. I acquired a large CD collection.

Sgt. Johnson

My production style started to evolve in Washington state. While working on songs with my rap group, The Essence Of, I met Sgt. Johnson and he began our first sound engineer. I would ask questions during recording breaks about recording. He noticed my curiosity about production. So, one day, he surprised me with a gift: an Alesis HR 16 drum machine and a guitar amplifier. I was amazed. I took it home and started playing with it. My partner, Malcolm, saw this as a great opportunity for me to learn about music production for our group.

So I started shopping at music store and looked for recommended hip-hop hardware. It was expensive.  An AS-10 were $1200, a MPC 2000 were $1000, etc. So, I went a different route: software.

The Software Route

My first music programs were Cakewalk and Mixman. I purchased a desktop computer with a Soundblaster Soundcard and a Casio keyboard. I was determined to learn. So, I began to purchase music magazines and books.  I figured how to connect midi cables to my Casio keyboard, drum machine, and computer. Then I started to make a decent beats in a few months. Plus, I started to teach myself keyboard playing, programming, recording and remixing by using music magazines and books.

JAY of B&R Production

My rap group got a new official music producer, Jay of B&R production. he produce most of the songs on my first group album: The Essence of EP. I watched and studied his method. His funky music style amazed me.  One day, I brought over my drum machine to show him. He was impressed and began playing it. He created a funky beat on my drum machine that blew me away in 10 minutes.  I still have that beat on it.

The Remixer

To advance on my musical studies, I saw a great opportunity to integrate my large CD collection with my music production by remixing songs.  Remixing became a big thing since, the increase popularity of dance music. So, the use of accapellas off CD maxi -singles was wonderful.  I would also use remix programs (Acid, Mixman, and Ableton) to compile musical loops with music artist’s recordings.  Plus, I graduated with sound engineering certificate from American Music. So, I would make music in multiple genre: Hip hop, House, Drum and Bass, Grimes, 2-step, and Trap for several years. I started A Serious Production and aquired additional new gear and music programs.  I opened several music accounts and uploaded a few music tracks.

My Big Break

When you don’t trust people, you begin to hide your creation. I didn’t want them to steal my music without my permission. So, I was holding unfinished songs and instrumentals on my hard drives for years with nothing to show for it. Luckily, I started working as a recording engineer at Aloha Studios in Stockton.

It wasn’t until I met my friend Letter K and TG that I started playing my music to them. We made a compilation album for Letter K’s 5150 record label.  I produced 3 songs, recorded various artists’ music, and engineered the compilation at Aloha Studios. I give a big thanks to Letter K for believing in me.

R-Cal’s first EP

My first solo production project was my little brother, R-Cal. He was starting to be an interesting MC and Beatboxer. So, I persuaded him into producing his first 5 song EP.  He agreed and R-Calogy: the study of C.A.M was created.  The EP was loaded with Beatboxed and musical composition songs with one guest feature MC, Letter K.  He rapped and beatboxed. I engineered, ad-libbed, and produced. It still available for download here on Noisetrade. Not bad for my first solo production credit.

It’s Only 5 (almost)

My first solo album never appeared because I never finish it.  I did make one video for the single, High Scorer on Youtube. But, I never finish my 5 song album that I co-produced and co-wrote it with Juda.  I fell into a low point in my life that consumed my creativity.  I never finished what I started.  But, I still have 80% of the album done.  I never said I quit.

Currently

I have been producing music for myself and others artists for almost 20 years.  I have worked with numerous artists.  I have produced and engineer several projects.  I still have a Soundcloud page and Reverbnation page. I enjoy music production and sound engineering.  Now, I work with a local Burlesque group, Pesky Passionettes, as their sound engineer and DJ.  It’s different, but I enjoy the work the same as making my music.

 

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Pedro

So, my friend, Pedro, is leaving for Minnesota to persue his law degree today. I met him performing poetry at Luna’s cafe. We became friends. Plus, he was in the Army, so we had several stories to share. Everytime, he would get on stage, I would shout “P” from my seat. I was definitely one of his fans.

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Manhattan to Brooklyn: Bridge Style

So Cheshire suggested we walk across the Manhattan bridge to return to Brooklyn.  I was adventurous since, we were hanging in Chinatown and dined in Little Italy for a while. It was a two miles stretch with a gorgeous view of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Many New Yorkers crossed this bridge with or without cars. Their activities varied but they used the scenery and distance to their advantage. I noticed the building rooftops were the tenant’s backyard. Many barbeques and parties were performed on there. Some rooftops even have swimming pools, tennis courts, batting practice area, or golf driver courses. One group were having a wedding ceremony. They definitely utilize all the building space.

After we crossed, we went to Juniors restaurant for cheesecake and black and white cookie. The food was excellent. I laugh now because people associate food with a regional area like NY cheesecake, Philly sub, Florida oranges, Idaho potatoes, or Georgia peaches. But when you are there, it is just food.

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Make A Move Feat. Aerial – SoundCloud

This is a pretty cool track. Interesting rhymes scheme and the use of the Black Sheep, “Choice is Yours” hook. Shout out to Aerial on the rhyme and the Beat. Now, make a move. 

Listen to Make A Move Feat. Aerial by Aerial09 #np on #SoundCloud

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Res on the Go Podcast Ep 2: Austin Kleon: Just keep Telling Yourself It’s Art.

I headed to San Francisco to view Austin Kleon’s “Just Keep Telling Yourself: It’s Art” presentation at Mule Gallery in North Beach (80 Fresno St., San Francisco). The Gallery presented 22 Framed Arts and 9 Illustrations from his New York Bestselling Book, Steal like an Artist (which was also available, for sale, at Mule Gallery).  Most of the Framed Art were either Blackout Poems or Pop out Poems. I was able to score a solo viewing with the Art. So, I made a podcast inside the Gallery.

Continue reading “Res on the Go Podcast Ep 2: Austin Kleon: Just keep Telling Yourself It’s Art.”

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A Good Deed or Panda Express 

No good deed goes unpunished

After a long day at work, I hopped on the light rail heading to 16th St station. It was running behind schedule, so the light rail was packed with people trying to escape downtown. I had to squeeze out the door when I arrived at the station.

I headed to Safeway to grab a sandwich but, was stop by a homeless gentleman. He asked if I could buy him a meal at Panda express. I wasn’t interested in getting food there, so I told him I could get him food from Safeway. He agreed.

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