Slaughterhouse @ HMV Forum, London (15 May, 2012)
Joe Budden was high, and wanted to DANCE. Royce was drunk, and apparently has never been in a cinnamon chimney. Hmm..
ISSUE ONE - OUT NOW (CLICK ME. NOW! DO IT! GO ON…)
FEATURES: Mic Righteous | Jaja Soze | Adz & Shallow | Political Peak
SICK 16s: Mic Righteous | Adz & Shallow
ARTICLES: Behind The Madness | The Latest | Show Me The Swag! | Hip Hop 101 |
Hip Hop Illiterate | Chiino meets Byron | J Dilla Changed My Life | Linton Vassell
We recommend watching the Outtakes, and the Mic Interview, and the Sick 16s, and the Behind The Madness video… and pretty much everything else.
PARTNERS
CALM | Stare Into The Sun
Part of Terry Richardson’s new photo shoot with Rihanna, and they get better. Click the link to check out the rest and drool to your heart’s desire.
I don’t have ALL TIME favourites because what I listen to depends on my mood. Off the top of my head as of right now:
Black Hippy; De La Soul; ATCQ; Slaughterhouse and BlackStar.
Just got the confirmation that my song Gonna Be That, will be featuring in Bashy’s new film, The Man Inside!
MCA accepting the video vanguard award @ 1998 MTV Music Video Awards
Name your favorite current artist, and ask yourself if they’ve ever done anything this cool. MCA wasnt afraid to speak his mind and stand for issues that were important to him. Along the way he influenced a lot of people positively. I know that MCA was a positive influence in my life growing up through his music and in moments like these. He was one of the few in the realm of popular entertainment that did influence me actually. So, I suppose my point in posting this video is to give my props to anyone in the game thats following MCA’s lead… because you do have influence and you can change the world.
UK Runnings Presents.. Underground Trendsetters
Download this brand new UK RAP Mixtape for FREE
I’ll go and put the kettle on. Though I’ve never heard about the spoon’s handle thing being the same as the cup.. maybe I’m not plush enough. Quite.
RKZ x STATEMEANT (SPOKEN WORD ACAPELLA & LYRICS)
It’s been a long time coming, call me Fatlip - spent a long time Runnin’,
to the stars, I was reaching for something,
until I got to where the stars were.. found nothing.
Then it’s mind over matter, that over heart.
Then the heart breaks and then there’s no spark.
And then there’s no matter for the mind to exist..
we’re all slaves in 21st Century politics.
And then we leave what we knew for the better,
until we find ourselves lonely and bitter.
And I am here with these talented young spitters,
that don’t know about anything, and anything we consider..
to be real never makes it to the news.
In the sticks, we’re all tougher and rougher but we’re abused.
And these little kids, man, they can’t even go to school,
‘cause of the price hike so now we’re sitting around like we’re fools.
Never that though. There’s still a bank roll,
without the need of a bank, there’s still a cash flow.
And that ain’t your concern, but now you wanna listen to the hood?
Okay, so it’s our turn?
To talk about the same things that don’t change?
Rearrange a couple rules and regulations, it’s okay?
Man I’m tired ‘cause I got out of that mess,
but when your friends are still there, how can you move without stress?
I’m from a place where, knowledge would get you far,
until the jealous glare would knock you down a peg or two, hard.
This one man up shit is so stupid.
We don’t support so of course we ain’t moving.
I’m from a place in South West they call Luton.
The roughest place but around here, there was no looting.
I’m tired about, all this confusion..
but if you judge a book by its cover then believe me you are losing.
So tell me can I kick it like Alhi Rashid and Statemeant?
Knowledge is Power, Power is Patience.. Peace.
This issue was long! Hilarious, but long. The initial response for the Promo with Durrty Goodz was great, with a lot of people appreciating the interactivity – even though it was minimal! We spent the next couple of months really analysing and working out new ways to bring in more craziness! And we delivered!
With some great content including a conversation with Mic Righteous in his freezing hometown of Margate; the street famous Jaja Soze intimidating the hell out of Jimmy; a feature from the latest J Dilla Changed My Life gig at Scala; Linton Vassell sports the 16BARS logo on his way to winning the MMA Heavyweight Championship.. and then the usual features! It’s an action packed issue, pretty much.
My random song of the month: Mac Miller x Posdnous x Raekwon – Of The Soul (Remix)
View Issue #2 of 16BARS Magazine, here!
So, after leaving University in 2011, I never thought I’d go straight into work. And even if I did, I never anticipated running my own publication! Absolutely, insane! So much has happened in the last few months at the parent company, RGS Entertainment. We’ve signed some awesome artists, got some more going in and out of the studio.. and here we are today!
16BARS Magazine is hoping to do something massive, and be the one-stop shop for all things UK Hip Hop. Videos, reviews, releases, interviews, insights, blogs… everything. Absolutely everything. Who’s to know where we’ll end up next year?
This issue we talk to upcoming rapper Cashtastic, as well as the legend that is Durrty Goodz. We get the latter in the studio as well as Political Peak to drop some SICK16s. The more people we get on board, the more elaborate this mag will become. Here’s to a great 2012, and a ground-breaking 2013.
View Issue #1 of 16BARS Magazine, here!
First things first, this is subjective. These are my personal opinions, and following what I say will NOT guarantee your demo will be successful, however, it’ll hopefully be a step in the right direction.
After receiving a series of terrible demo and artist submissions, I decided to write a blog about this after being inspired by fellow work-colleague and rapper, Nyt Arcanum. There ARE a few other blogs for what a good demo should consist of, including this one by Simon Pursehouse which I recommend reading also. So, let’s get into this..
The Content
The Music
The Press Shots
Additional Points
Pretty sure I’ve covered the basics there, and I really hope this helps anyone that is a bit lost in regards to how to send demos. Like I said, I can’t guarantee success, but the smallest step in the right direction is better than nothing. What’s to lose?
Just to show you the general processes when creating a record. I’ll break this down by stages, and further elaborate on the thought processes for each section. In terms of the production technicalities, it’ll be brief. This is more of a sociological stance of production and production methods.
Definitions (just the basic terms I frequently use, so you fully understand. Taken from Wikipedia, but they’re correct!
Mixing - Audio mixing is the process by which a multitude of recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals’ level, frequency content, dynamics and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may be added. This practical, aesthetic or otherwise creative treatment is done in order to produce a mix that is more appealing to listeners.
Mastering - Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device (the master); the source from which all copies will be produced (via methods such as pressing, duplication or replication).
Engineering - Audio engineering is a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including electronics, acoustics, psychoacoustics, and music. An audio engineer is proficient with different types of recording media, such as analog tape, digital multitrack recorders and workstations, and computer knowledge. With the advent of the digital age, it is becoming more and more important for the audio engineer to be versed in the understanding of software and hardware integration from synchronisation to analog to digital transfers.
Tracks - Multitrack recording (also known as multi-tracking or just tracking for short) is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole. Multi-tracking became possible with the idea of simultaneously recording different audio channels to separate discrete “tracks” on the same tape—a “track” was simply a different channel recorded to its own discrete area on tape whereby their relative sequence of recorded events would be preserved, and playback would be simultaneous or synchronised.
BPM - Beats Per Minute - tempo (Italian for time, plural: tempi) is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.
Stage One: The Idea
First and foremost, every record needs a point. As any product, you need to define the target demographic and listening trends. The style of music is designed around the listener. A good way to start is by referring to select musicians that are popular in that genre at the time. For instance, ‘Gonna Be That’ is targeting the 18-24 year-old UK and mainstream US audience, particularly the male Urban demographic. The reason being, because R&B and Hip Hop are at an experimental stage with cross-genres. (Refer to: Britney Spears – Hold It Against Me; Loick Essien – Love Drunk & Stuttering; Magnetic Man & John Legend – Getting Nowhere). Predominantly Pop and R&B artists have been fusing various elements of Dub & Dubstep into their sound. Diplo, Skream, Rusko and Chase & Status are notable producers that have been successful in bringing Dubstep to the forefront of Popular Culture. Predominantly in the UK, and now in USA.
Stage Two: The Reference
For this track in particular, the BPM (beats per minute) or tempo is 143. 140BPM is generally a popular tempo for Hip Hop (half-time) and Dubstep. (Refer to: Rick Ross – B.M.F.; Chase & Status – Eastern Jam).
Stage Three: Production
The metronome (or click) provides the tempo so when you produce, you know the right speed you’re meant to be creating the record in. Usually, the foundation is the drum pattern. For slower music, occasionally the main melody would be played in by piano (or guitar), and the beat would be created around it. ‘Gonna Be That’ was created in Fruity Loops, a popular programme used by producers including Lex Luger and Benga. Obviously I wasn’t around for the production process, so I can’t go too in depth with this section.
Stage Four: Demo Vocalling
The same process for producing, the vocalist would have to reference songs/artists in order to write on the record, all-the-while keeping it tailored to the specific market. ‘Gonna Be That’ used elements of Rick Ross (verse two – song reference: B.M.F.), Kano (verse three – song reference: London Town).
Stage Five: ReProduction
Although we didn’t for ‘Gonna Be That’. The next step would be the re-creation. The producer would listen to the guide vocals, and alter the beat to suit them. After the beat was mixed (not mastered), the vocalist would record the track again, this time adding energy, and other subtleties.
Stage Six: Mixing
For professional quality, the vocals and beat would need to be mixed. Using a Mac, this could be done in two programmes – Logic or Pro Tools. Difference is purely out of personal preference. This is the longest part of the job, especially if you recorded in a different programme. For instance, this song was recorded on Logic, and mixed in Pro Tools. In order to transfers files, each track (or layer) would have to be ‘tracked out’ individually. See below (this isn’t the Gonna Be That recording session, but it’s just to get a better look at the Logic interface. See ‘global tracks’).
This process requires bouncing (saving) each individual line of recording and can range from 10 to 100+ tracks.
Stage Seven: Mixing, Mastering and Rendering
Once the files are transferred, the engineer (sometimes the engineer is also the producer) would focus on getting each individual sound perfect. And it is usually monitored on surround sound speakers, and sometimes in headphones – JUST for reference. To alter the sound, once more, they have to reference different mixes. There weren’t any particular songs for ‘Gonna Be That’ as ADP (engineer) was only mixing the vocals. He went on to say that if he was mixing the entire project, the reference would have been Usher & Jay Z’s ‘Hot Toddy’, produced by Polow da Don. The mix process can take several hours, and even days. This particular track took 2 hours as it was solely a vocal mix. Finally, the record gets mastered.
Stage Eight: Bouncing and a Re-ReProduction
This means saving, and converting to an audio format. The most common type is .WAV, and occasionally .MP3. .MP3 is compressed, hence why .WAV is preferred as the sound quality is considerably richer. Following on, there would usually be a listening session with various musical experts. If all parties clearly stated that something needed changing, the song would be re-produced once more – implementing those changes.
*Post extracted from Tumblr Page, dated February 2, 2011.
Hello all, this is just my little test. I wanted to create a professional blog specifically for free-writing, poetry, blogs, magazine editorials and lyrics. I’m on the majority of social networks, but not too many blogs. The only ‘blog’ I have is Tumblr, but let’s be real. No one reads anything on there. I’ll leave that for the random music images, my music posts, videos, Hip Hop nostalgia, and pretty much anything to do with Rihanna/Jhene Aiko.
I’ll be blogging sporadically for the moment, but hey.. at least the novelty will remain in tact! So. Here’s my face.