Akapela Jonz at the 1st Annual Playground Festival

Fresh in the Royal-Tee: Renee Prudhomme, Akapela Jonz, Nick E. Nice

I don't remember what we were looking at...

but it was funny.

No Fear of Heights...

Akapela Jonz

Dynamic Duo.

amazing set by Nick E. Nice!

Photos all courtesy of @Nubp

Other Side of the Tracks [foto]

I was creating ac collage of fotos this weekend for my new office, and though I would play around with the settings on a photo -- this is what ended up with.

Friday Night Adventures: Las Montañas DAY UNO

Señores y señoritas, say hello to my little field....well, big field...and it's not really mine, BUT, the photo is so 'technically' the way that works is the photo is mine, therefore the field could be said to be mine, so basically it's mine. OKAY, WE BEGIN!

So the mountains gave us a dirty look when they heard we were driving up from L.A. but that's because they had no idea how good we'd look doing it. EY, EY, YO GURL, LEMME HOLLA AT CHA!

Sankeyz sat down on a rock to admire his plump shadow. Randy took a photo. Sankeyz threatened to charge a large fee. Randy pulled out a Betty Crocker Lemon Cake Mix Slice. Sankeyz was silenced and continued to pose.

Clifton is such a ham for the camera. We love catching him smiling outside. Teeheeeheee.

And we call this artifact right here the Brontosaurus' Appendicular Testicularis. With facial hair.

KEEEWEEEEEEE. KEEEWEEE. (whispering) keeeweee. so deleechus. like peesh of froot estake.

This'uh right hurr is ye fella' we call Shhhankeeeze. He is been'ur muggin right hurr for y'all lookin' like he's smuggling a pair of chicklets urr sumt'in.

Bet you didn't know oranges and apples make for great...balls of fiyaaaaa! The young Akapela Jonz posted up in the game room killin' it.

This is the view from the top of one of the bunk beds that was strategically placed outside of the patio set that was organically placed on top of the regionally organized slabs of wood that was carefully grown and picked out of the artificially contrived confine of words via a sentence that is longer than it is wide. HENCE, and FURTHERMORE...we have...THE RIVAAAAH!

This message has been brought to you by Smokey the Bear. Remember, if only YOU could prevent forest fires, half the civil servants residing in the mountains would be without a job! Please contact your Congressperson.

KTHXBAI.

Appearances By: LcR, Jenny P, Akapela Jonz, Mr. Notes, Randy Z. and Sankeyz.

Akapela Jonz - Another Goodbye (live from UCR)

Akapela Jonz at UC Riverside [fotos]

The ladies of UCR with their Akapela Jonz Stickers

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity supporting!

UCR students with their Akapela Jonz stickers!

More ladies from UCR who enjoyed the Nooner

I just loved this dudes enthusiasm.

aKDPhi showing love for Akapela Jonz!

Wake Up and DREAM (EP) [early preview]

Not your ordinary blog

Dear Mr. Akapela Jonz,

I'm so proud of your progress. You've come a long way from freestylin' over old Rawkus Records beat tapes, to putting out your own mixtape, and now approaching the release of your EP. I remember when we used make a beat out of anything -- I'd grab a plastic cup and spork and make a beat, and you'd go in lol. You've always been nice wit it.

I don't think anybody knows just how great the passion you have for music is, but that's why I'm blessed to have been a part of this process. When the world experiences what you have to offer them they will never forget your name, but most importantly they will never forget the cause.

I can not say whats going to happen once this project gets released, but whatever it is never forget what you represent. Remember the pain, struggle, sweat and tears. Remember the faces that doubted you and the smell of deceit. Remember what being hungry and broke because you spent your last dime on studio time felt like, and after all of these things remember how none of it could stop you nor the calling on your life. Continue to stand on the giants shoulders with no fear of heights, or falling down.

I leave you with a quote from my favorite MC "Go for what you Know" - Akapela Jonz


Ya Mans,

Mr. Notes

Wake Up and Dream Promo [video]

Akapela Jonz - Wake Up and Dream Promo from AG One Entertainment on Vimeo.

Another Goodbye (feat. Krista Mone)

We recently had the beautifully talented Krista Mone in the lab to work with Akapela Jonz on a record for his debut EP!

Stealing Is Such An Awful Word...

As the publicity strategist of a small independent music company you will face a ton of day to day challenges while navigating the creative landscape. As the publicity strategist for said small independent music company who is also juggling a day job, you will learn to balance both jobs and the importance of "borrowing" office supplies. I say that as I am sitting at my day job simultaneously doing work and thinking of all that I need to start and finish for the "Wake Up and Dream" campaign. The most important of this marketing campaign is leveraging the assets we have to work in our favor while not boxing ourselves in a corner creatively. In layman's terms that means using whatever free platforms we have in order not to break that bank. Our newest pursuit in this campaign is our Crash the Campus series (commonly known as the CTC series and which you're likely to see videos for in the coming weeks) which is a tour of all the local colleges in the Cal-State and UC systems. A three part blanket campaign which includes airplay on campus radio, noontime campus performances and exclusive singles for each campus, Crash the Campus is a way for Akapela Jonz to not only gain notoriety within the college community, but it is also a great way to start branding Akapela within the local community. Many artists start out doing college campus shows, again it's a great way to create a community groundswell for your music. However in this day and age, consumers (especially college students) want to be engaged, they want a full experience and a compelling reason to pay attention to your brand. You need hit your audience from all sides, coming at them traditionally with elements like live shows and radio play, then engagement through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and BandCamp. The creative engagement (i.e. the exclusive campus singles, limited edition campus stickers) comes through involving your audience in way that makes them feel special and like the artist was thinking of them and that's what keeps people brand loyal long after an artist has evolved into their career.

So, let's talk about the fun I've been having all week with two elements of the campaign: radio submissions and performance scouting. Here's another tip, as the PR point person you will dust off those old elementary school arts and crafts skills. I spent a generous amount of time at Staples (oh yes, I am a proud Staples reward member) this week printing, cutting and packaging the materials for the campus radio submissions. Some schools will ask you for everything under the sun, from an artist bio to a press kit to pictures. Other schools (thanks UCLA!) will make it super easy and just ask for what really matters, the music. Just be prepared to provide whatever they want and make sure you've got some time blocked off and don't forget to befriend the copy clerk at your local printing franchise, cause when she asks if you want to make extra copies and you say no, you're good. Yet inevitably you will cut something too small and need th extra copies she asked you for in the first place (not that this happened to me or anything, lol). Also going on this week is the following up with the schools who we are working with for our campus performances. Get ready for phone tag and making nice with the Student Union office receptionist, you'll need her at some point too.

Stay tuned for our progress with the CTC series and videos of Akapela in the studio gearing up for the Wake Up and Dream release on October 5th. We've got a ton of stuff going on, including the sticker designs which are sure to be amazing. Now if you'll excuse me, we just got a shipment of office supplies in at work and I brought my big purse today. Until next time!!

And So It Begins...(Wake Up and Dream)

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...or something profound like that. That's how this blog series should start out, saying something deep and meaningful as I begin to chart the making and completion of Akapela Jonz's "Wake Up and Dream" EP, which is slated for an October 5th release. However, while there are going to be alot of moments when we get deep, we get philosophical and downright, dare I say it, professional. This blog series, complete with companion vlogs from Mr. Jonz himself, is going to take you from a marekting concept to execution to reality. So much has to go into the building of an album. As I am learning, it is not just slapping a bunch of tracks onto a cd and calling it your album. Music listeners have gotten so particular in the last five years, an artist cannot just serve up a full album with a pretty cd booklet anymore (remember drooling over the cd booklet and being excited when they printed the lyrics on the inside? Was that just me?). Consumers want to be entertained and not just the afterthought or the dollar sign. Most importantly, they don't want to be taken for granted. Albeit, no one does, but consumers, especially music consumers, want to feel like they are getting a full experience, they want to be involved completely (see Kelly Rowland letting fans name her next album). As I am beginning to figure it out, the marketing plan, whether you're an established artist or not, needs to be simple and complex at the same time. The concept needs to be brandmined (thanks R.C.) down so completely, it's almost laughable that you didn't think of it yourself.

"Wake Up and Dream" is as literal as it sounds. Stop sleeping on your potential and get out there and not only dare to dream, but dare to chase that dream, put it in a chokehold and firmly make it your reality. It is my (and that of our illustrious Arnold Randall) responsibility to make sure that our audience is strategically getting that message in way that resonates and creates a top of the mind awareness as Akapela Jonz continues to grow. So stay tuned as we build a campaign from the ground up, hit walls, count our wins and flex our creative muscles. October 5th will be here before you know it and you don't want to miss a single second of what is sure to be an entertaining journey.

Don't need a needle, just a hay stack.

I'm often asked, "what do you look for in an artist?" and yesterday for the first time I was asked, "WHERE do you look for artists?" ..which is something I've never given much thought to -- I'm referring to the latter.

I'm blessed in the sense that a lot of times artists come my way by referral...or I stumble upon some talented people while I'm out enjoying an evening with the fam. As far as my search goes...I usually make it know what I'm looking for and hope my networks come through..or I just make a post (sorry if its expired by the time you've read this)

But in regards for what I look for...its a simple answer; just not always easy to find.

Much like baseball, you got to understand that 90% of this game is half mental. You're thinking the math doesn't add up, right? Wrong.

An artist my not have an abundance of talent, but that is what artist development is for. To cultivate, mold, and create complete artists.

What I look for in an artist is simple: Consistency, diligence, work ethic, dedication, and potential. If an artist shows me that they are wanting to grown and learn more about their craft and understand that music is about progression -- personally, professionally, and emotionally -- then I'd say I've found a great candidate.

Its really hard to help someone grow or become the artist thy are capable of being when they are just content with where they are currently.



This blog is also featured on The Beacon

Mr. International [video]

Akapela Jonz and the band Wiggum Performing Mr. International at The Commonwealth Lounge.

M.A.S.H. | Music.Arts.Soul.Harvest. at Commonwealth Lounge presented by M.oovmeant

Free show tonight at The Commonwealth Lounge courtesy of the kind poeple of M.oovmeant

Come meet Akapela Jonz and see him rock to your favorite tracks off his new mixtape preview!

"Will You be My Fan?" mixtape preview!

Akapela Jonz has released a small preview of a promo mixtape that we are putting out at the end of the month!

stay tuned to www.akapelajonz.com for more free music!

Artistry

AKAPELA JONZ OPENING FOR PETE ROCK!!!

Come kick it with Akapela Jonz at The Commonwealth Lounge on Tuesday May 25th!
You can watch him bring down the house performing his single "I'm here now" along with new songs off his "will you be my fan?" mixtape that is available on Tuesday May 25th for early download exclusively on www.akapelajonz.com! (check back soon to see when the mixtape will be in stores!)

Tickets are $10 pre-sale/$15 Day of the event (So get your tickets before they are sold out!)
For Tickets call (714.525.8888)

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE HERE

Friday Night Adventures: Fish Fry!!!!

Last friday, The Harden family opened up their home and invited the whole team over for a fish fry. What fish fry isn't complete with a whole table of food, bon fire, and of course...BONES!!!

The spread...

Fighting for who gets first dibs on the peach cobbler...

Sankeyz Won...

Tamika tried to steal a piece of Akapela's share.

Mr. Notes and the host Terrance getting ready to break out the bones

Miss Nishi and TC

and the game begins between Akapela, Mr. Notes, and Terrance

Randy Z. and Nishi...rockin one of smitty's rosaries

Fitness Consultant extraordinaire Marv Davis dropped by too!

and whats a night without another bon fire!

Friday Night Adventures: Did someone say S'MOREESSS???!!

So Sir Akapela Jonz decided to send a mass request of attendance to the AG One camp, and this is what become of us...don't we look smug? mmmm yessss TOASTY MUCHO MY BUNSSSSS.

would you like some grey poupon on your weiner?

smiles abound when marshmallows are in town

"so listen closely...in order to enhance the smore experience, you first toast the cracker..."

let the burning COMMENCE! its a good thing i always pack heat in my PANTSSSSS.

Randy's weiner looks bigger than everyone else's in this lighting...teeheehee

BAKE! YOU MUST BAKE! sizzzzzzle sizzzzzzzle! smoreeeeeeesssss. yessssssss.

p.s. you AG One blog minions....Randolpheus was el photographer extraodinario de mi vida santaaaaaa.