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.

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

Canvas II [video]

Canvas "Music-Art-Culture" from LiveLoveFilm on Vimeo.

Confidence (On top of the world) - YLA (produced by @MrNotesMusic & @Sankeyz)

Here it is world.

I have to say, this is pretty dope.

The latest collaboration with AG One and and the very talented people of Youth Leadership America.

Confidence (Top of the World) - Teaser #1

Recently AG One linked with YLAmerica to make a song to help high school students prepare for their job search and interview process...YLAmerica and see what they are all about.

AG ONE -We do more than music

Produced by Mr. Notes

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

What do you do for inspiration

Canvas II: Hi Life Ideologies [video]

At roadside with Sankeyz and Mr. Notes the weekend before Arnold Randall's Canvas II event. Here is a sneak peek at what's in the works for the highly anticipated "Canvas II: Hi Life Ideologies."

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!

Artist Integrity Vol. 2

Prov 28:6 better is the poor who walks in integrity than he who is crooked and rich.

What's good young world? So I'm watching the Mo'Nique show the other night, bored out of my brain, and this cat Roscoe Dash is one of her guests. He's the cat that sings the "All the way turnt up" song. Anyhow, I'm listening to him answer the questions Mo'Nique is feeding him and this cat can barely put together an entire sentence (BUT HE'S GOT A RECORD DEAL!? lol).

He gets up to perform and you can't understand what he's saying... aaaaaaaand what little you can catch is either about some skeet skeet, swag or weed; but it gets worse. Souljaboy tell'em runs out on stage -- pants on super sag and a long red fox tail hanging from his belt (he really had a fox tail, watch the video lol).

Now don't get me wrong I would never dis what Soulja Boy and his team are trying to do and say it's not music -- because it is. But at what point do you stop and remember your integrity? At what point do you say, "My following is strong, my production is sick -- let me spit something influential, let me spit some truth about life; About my mistakes and how I learned from them" ...so that the kid that's looking up to me instead of his mom or dad doesn't have to re-invent the wheel. At the end of the day would I like to have some extra dough, a nice house and a walk-in humidor(lol)? ..sure. But not at the expense of losing my respect, my integrity and everything I've worked so hard for. I love this game, but on the real its time to start cultivating what we do. I coone for no man -- never have and never will.

So as we perfect our crafts as artist remember this -- a record deal and a large cash advance does not define you. Your fans and your haters don't define you. It's what you accomplish through your love for the people, your self-respect and your integrity for your craft.

What good does it a man/woman to gain the world but loose their soul?

Peace and love.

Friday Night Adventures: Greco's Pizza with Mr. Notes and Akapela Jonz

Last Friday night Akapela and ya boy stopped by Greco's Pizza...check out the video!

-Mr. Notes