Month: February 2006

Eric Miller and Carsiness…stay tuned:)

Rating: 4.5 stars
I have never really been into Linkin Park and co. I had heard about Mike Shinoda, but never really focused on his music. However, I recently stumbled across Fort Minor’s Remember The Name video and found it really good.
Introduced by violin and keyboard sounds, the video introduces you into an artist’s world.
Not only do I find the musical background interesting, the lyrics are very much appealing to me, because they enlighten an artist ‘s hard sweat before he wins an audience and becomes famous.
The chorus summarizes it well.:
« This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name! »
Many people don’t realize it, but when an artist gets displayed on the media for the first time, he has nearly ten years or more harsh work in the shadow behind him. You think it is easy to be an artist? Then step 24 hours in his shoes and live his life!
I have heard so many people say : « I wish I was Eminem! I wish I was Dre or Busta Rhymes…I wouldn’t care having their problems…if only I had their money! »
You fools. Have you ever considered that behind the music that pleases your ears, there is a human being. A person who feels the same emotions that you feel, an individual who is going through the same shit you do?
There is a lot of stress attached to artistic professions. Not only do artists experience the same problems as we do, they have a crazy schedule and a lot of stress due to the music industry’s numerous pressures to sell their « product » (the artist) the way they want to.
You gotta struggle hard when you’re underground, but you gotta fight even harder when you’re in the media’s spotlight.
Also, touring is tiresome and requires a lot of energy.
An artist makes a lot of money, but he also deserves the money, because he offers you all a gift through his music. Have you ever considered it this way? If not, you definitely should. If you really like an artist, he deserves your respect too: for staying on the grind for years like a true soldier until reaching success, for his performances on stage, for the numerous hours he dedicates to the music that pleases your ears.
An artist also sacrifices a great part of his life to his fans and listeners. So show him some respect, that’s the least you can do.
What is an artist’s main purpose? To be heard, as the song points it out:
« Mike! – He doesn’t need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it’s the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
But fuck em, he knows the code
It’s not about the salary
It’s all about reality and making some noise
Makin the story – makin sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak’s pickin it up! let’s go! »
It is not about the salary. It is all about reality. It is about enjoying putting words to rhyme together. Sometimes, the artist is like a lone wolf and needs to isolate himself and concentrate on the passion that makes him tick:
« Who the hell is he anyway?
He never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leavin them star struck
Humbled through opportunities given to him despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a livin from writin raps
Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never askin for someone’s help, to get some respect
He’s only focused on what he wrote, his will is beyond reach
And now when it all unfolds, the skill of an artist… »
Let Fort Minor’s members talk about each other and describe the passion that unites them:
« They call him Ryu, he’s sick
And he’s spittin fire with Mike
Got him out the dryer he’s hot
Found him in Fort Minor with Tak
What a fuckin’ nihilist porcupine
He’s a prick, he’s a cock
The type woman want to be with, and rappers hope he get shot
Eight years in the makin, patiently waitin to blow
Now the record with Shinoda’s takin over the globe
He’s got a partner in crime, his shit is equally dope
You wont believe the kind of shit that comes out of this kid’s throat
Tak! – He’s not your everyday on the block
He knows how to work with what he’s got
Makin his way to the top
He often gets a comment on his name
People keep askin him was it given at birth
Or does it stand for an acronym?
No he’s livin proof, Got him rockin the booth
He’ll get you buzzin quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they do and give a hundred percent… »
Remember that to get noticed an artist needs a little dose of luck and some good skills, but the determinant part is all about tenacity and willpower. Next time you’re about to give up, remember that only people with a great willpower have the best chances to win in the music industry and in other fields as well. Keep on grinding until you reach success.
Check out Fort Minor’s video on their my space account and live out the passion with them.
Good job, Mike Shinoda and his crew!

If you had to choose between quality and quantity, what would you choose? Regarding food, most of us would probably choose quality food.
Now I am addressing to all of you my readers…what about friendships?
What does the word friendship exactly mean to you?
Numerous superficial friends or a few valuable friends you can really count on?
I can make a choice very easily between both solutions mentioned above. I prefer a few quality friendships to numerous superficial so called friendships.
In fact, many people have difficulties in defining words such as « friends » or « friendships ». Many people merely confuse « friend » with « acquaintance ».
Some people also prompt to call themselves your friends while they don’t really consider you as such.
I used to consider many people from my hometown as my friends, but things have changed since I decided to really open my eyes about people’s behaviors towards me.
Many people who pretended to be my friends have actually badmouthed me and betrayed me in very cowardly ways and very few have proven to be real friends.
On the one hand, it is quite easy to become my friend. I don’t care about your race, gender, nor sexual orientation. I don’t care if you are young or older either. I don’t make a difference if you’re a graduate or a manual worker nor do I care about your religion and cultural background.
On the other hand, it is quite difficult to become my friend. I do place reliability, loyalty and real friendliness on a high scale. A friend is supposed to be there for me whenever I need him/her. A friend is not supposed to tell me what I want to hear, but the very truth.
A real friend will stick up for me whenever I need his/ her intervention.
We live in a society in which it seems to be trendy to fake friendships and to claim to have numerous friends. But how much of a friend are those friends really?
Next time somebody claims to be your friend, put his/ her intentions under the microscope and test the person before taking his/ her friendship as granted! This will prevent you from numerous deceptions.

Harvey Lee is an artist from Lansing, Michigan, with an uncommon voice.
Harvey Lee manages to combine soft R’n’B and soul notes with a hip hop flavor and to give his music a unique and quite nostalgic taste.
Your Hiding is a track that is about a love relationship. Maybe we sometimes try to hide our feelings towards a person, but your glance and body language can’t really lie.
The track that is based on soft instrumentals will make you fully enjoy Harvey Lee’s vocals. Aimed at all the lovers and disappointed lovers in the world, this song won’t disappoint romantic souls.
Do What I Gotta Do is an interesting track and gives you an idea of what can happen during a date.
Grimey Nigga featuring Reals is written in a darker style. The rhythmic track introduces you into the hood with its usual harshness and its problems. The ghetto, place of deadly connects can make you meet the reaper in no time. You gotta keep grinding, as a matter of survival. Filth and dirt belong to this harsh environment too.
Keyboard sounds in the background will make you feel the harsh fight of a ghetto soldier.
Also discover Cater2U featuring Harvey Ley, a soft track written on a rapid rhythm where you will enjoy light xylophone notes combined with keyboard sounds. Soft vocals in the background will enlighten Harvey Lee’s nice flow delivery.
If you are fond of artists with a warm voice who manage to marry a romantic spirit with some typical hood flavor, check out Harvey Lee here.

Harvey Lee from Lansing…stay tuned, folks:)

He’s from Canada. Gerry Sung aka GS is an Asian rapper. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, GS grew up in Vancouver.
Hip hop has always been Gerry Sung’s way of life and soon GS would make his passion for rhyming become a reality.
With an original style of his own, GS introduces you into his world.
Welcome to GS’ my space account.
Clap with GS while listening to his Gametime song. Feel the enthusiasm of a gifted lyricist who plays with words easily. I particularly enjoyed the rhythmic and dynamism of the song that fully exposes GS’s passion for the music and wordplays. The master in rhyming allies mad flow and good instrumentals. Stand up and dance to the very dynamic track while GS spits fire and enflames his public’s heart in no time.
You like it lyrical? Then GS is the kind of wordsmith you need to listen to.
Get It Back starts on a soft background, followed by keyboard and drum sounds. GS will make you feel his real life struggles. His song is very much enjoyable and rhythmic. Don’t miss it.
Best Of Me remix will allow you to appreciate the many faces of the talented emcee.
Very different from Asian rapper Jin, Gerry Sung has developed an original and unique rhyming style.
Discover GS here.

Tommy Lee got into a punch-up at a showbiz party recently after bad mouthing one-time pal Kid Rock.
The Motley Crue rocker was beaten up at Eminem’s Shady Records party, in Detroit, for the harsh words about his former friend.
The pair fell out when Rock started dating Tommy’s ex-wife, Pamela Anderson.
An onlooker is quoted in Britain’s Daily Sport newspaper as saying: “Tommy was talking trash all day about Kid.
“Some of Eminem’s posse got really upset and took some swings at him.”
Meanwhile, Tommy was left red-faced when he discovered a stunning girl he was flirting with was a transsexual.
The star had reportedly asked sexy Nina Arsenault to sit on his knee while he was partying at Toronto’s swanky Ultra Supper Club.
According to America’s New York Post, the pair were drinking Tequila and getting friendly when one of Lee’s employees told him his companion wasn’t all woman.
Nina said: “That’s when he took a good, long look at me.”
The star is said to have announced he needed cigarettes and fled the table.

Representing Vancity, Canada, GS has some good raps to offer…I’ll keep you updated with my new discovery:)

If you haven’t heard of emcee Phokus yet, he might become the center of your attention soon.
Phokus’ passion for his art is undeniable. Phokus masters flow, beats, lyrics and rhymes.
The incredibly good artist has been influenced by Nas, Jay Z, Biggie Smalls and Eminem.
Some of my readers once asked:
« What’s the most important attribute of a great rapper? The lyrics or the delivery or both? »
I’d say any of the elements needed are important to make a great rapper. A good emcee is capable of handling his lyrics with astute metaphors, punch lines and a good dose of realness. The good emcee usually has a good flow delivery, he flows faster than the wind easily. A great rapper won’t neglect instrumentals nor his beats. Instrumentals and beats are the essential component that will help the listener to capture the artist’s intentions and the atmosphere of a song.
Phokus is one of those emcees who fully understood that all the elements mentioned above are a whole.
His I Stay High track starts with heartbeats alike beats. A sick flow, some astute rhymes, nice scratches sounds make this rhythmic track very enjoyable. Feel the surrealistic atmosphere created by instruments and special sound effects. Nod your head to the track and let the music penetrate into your mind.
Soft piano sounds will introduce you to How You Like That while Phokus is taking over with his words on a definitely ghetto track.
You like it raw and dynamic? Then you gotta listen to Put Em Up. The « I don’t give a fuck » track aimed at the haters is a well written and dynamic track. No need to hate, bitches and hoes, Phokus takes you by surprise like a tornado spiral. Impossible to escape from his sick flow, words are surgical and ready to cut enemies off. Well done job.
Shake It For Me is a more commercial sounding track, but well handled and original, though.
Keyboards and beats keep it very rhythmic and Phokus handles flow and lyrics very well.
Hip hop lovers, I’d advice you to check this artist of talent. More music and more info about Phokus can be found at his official website.