Filling the void

I grew up with the mind set that if I want to see change, I must be the change I see. So with that ingrained in my mind, I initially started off my quest to leave my positive impression on the world through education, but that is a blog for another time. I don't know if many people know about my business ventures and/or my involvement in music...more specifically music business rather than being just an artist.

I created a "record label" called AG One Entertainment, and as I reflect back on that now I'm not sure if the goal for AG One is consistent with the definition, or the role labels are currently playing in an artists career. On some levels I feel like we are a management company because we focus on artist development, branding and helping artist establish stability and sustainability. Labels today are no longer investing the time to mold quality artist, and in my opinion they have turned into distribution companies rather than a record label. That in turn has left the music industry overflowing with one hit wonders that labels invest money into to turn a quick buck off of a trendy hook rather than investing the time to develop an artist that will have the potential to grow and maintain in an industry that is starving for someone with talent to come along and contribute to the revolution that music industry so desperately needs.

I created AG One Entertainment over a three years ago with three main goals in mind. First and foremost we want to re-establish artist development. Its one thing to create a dope record, but when it comes time to perform live you have to be able to outshine what you have recorded because if you don't then there is no point for people to come to a show when they can just listen to the CD on extra loud and get the same experience. What ever happened to artist like Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, etc....people forget that having talent is a gift, but without the work and dedication; the talent is nothing.

Second, I wanted to provide a home for artists. A collective network in the sense where creative people work with each other to create music. No limitation of genre or types of music, but where people who are passionate about music can get together and create dope music for people to listen to. For people who have something to say through their music, help provide them with an outlet to get their music heard. The industry is a cold business...and I've learned the greatest gift we can give to one another is encouragement, so with that being said I would like to see AG One be a stepping stone for young, hungry, up and coming artists, or even staff members to build upon and become complete artist or well rounded music business individuals...ultimately helping them reach their desired goals.

Finally, and probably most importantly I want to provide the people with quality music. Timeless art. I want to contribute to people falling in love with music all over again.

One day at a time, we'll make it through.

To everyone that has supported me, my music, and AG One Entertainment, I want to take this time to say thank you for your love and support. I would not have made the progress I have without you...its your belief in me that keeps me going and challenges me to strive for bigger and better.


peace and love.

This blog was also featured on The Beacon

Canvas II

On Saturday June 26th, a group of artists, musicians and philanthropists gathered together for a night of great art, soulful music and also help support a few charitable causes. Since the first Canvas show in January, awareness and anticipation for the quarterly art show has grown and that wasn't more evident than Saturday night as the crowd filled Melrose Lightspace for Canvas II. Featuring new works by the exhibit's creator, Arnold Randall, Canvas II also featured work by a few other Los Angeles based artists as well. Here are a few shots of their work:

Kyla Wright

Patrick Haemmerlein

Mark Brunner

Zimero Bennem

Jenny P.

Arnold Randall

As guests filled the room, some participants of the first Canvas and others new, they were greeted by a kaleidescope of colors as the work of each talented artist filled the candlelit space. The eye was drawn to the bright depictions of the pop culture icon Hello Kitty and then drawn to the comforting tones in Mark Brunner's abstract and representational pieces. It was also hard to miss the work of our own Arnold Randall, whose newest piece was an attention grabber and provided the perfect backdrop for the various singers and musicians who took to the stage to add another layer of creativity and inspiration to a night already brimming with both. Check out a shot of our own Tanya Thomas performing "Joy Like Sunshine"

However, let's not forget that this was not simply a night to appreciate and celebrate the sights and sounds of musicians and artists. It was also a night to show support for a few worthy local causes that strive to make a positive impact in the lives of children everyday. Free Arts for Abused Children is an organization that has been around for thirty years and uses innovative art programs to inspire abused and at-risk children and their families. Proceeds from the night went to support the Free Arts Foundation and their continuous efforts to make a difference in the lives of children who need it the most. Canvas II also saw the return of Speak Child,a non-profit organization using reading and writing programs to increase literacy through the arts and developing creative excellence in youth.

Jennifer of Free Arts for Abused Children

T-Shirts for Speak Child

Canvas II also saw work from our very own Cliffnotes and Sankeyz on the official exhibit cd, Canvas II: Hi-Life Ideologies. A major fixture during the first Canvas show, Cliffnotes again proved that his work is able to fuse all the elements of the show together to create a symbiotic relationship between the art, music and the audience. It was a spectacular night for art, music and giving. Check out more pictures from Canvas II below as well as info for each of the organizations featured during the show. Make sure you stay tuned for more info about the Canvas series and your chance to be apart of this truly amazing show.

Canvas II: Hi-Life Ideologies

Arnold Randall and William Hawkins hosting the show

Cliffnotes, Sankeyz and our girl Jazz

Randy Z. and Jenny P.

Audience enjoying sights and sounds of Canvas II

Recording Artist vs. Performing Artists Vol. 1

Many people don't understand the difference between a recording artist and a performing artist, let alone recognize that the two are not correlated. There is a difference between being a recording artist and being a performing artist; title says it all. Very few have mastered both realms, and those who have are legends.

What young artist need to understand, and I stress this to my artists all the time, they need to have something that isn't on the CD or the album. They need to have something that is going to keep fans wanting to see them live in concert over and over again. If a fan goes to see an artist live and their concert sounds exactly like what they heard on album...what’s the point of going to the concert when there is nothing special about the show. You’re just paying to hear the album extra loud.