This past week has been more confusing then usual. I now realize how tuff it is to maintain some discipline in maintaining a calm order of things when it comes to a music group and its music. I am sure we all question why did the FAT BOYS break up, or N.W.A, DIP SET, THE ROC, THE FIRM , T L C, THE TEMPTATIONS etc. Or what makes certain people whom have grown together in the music industry, now seem distant? For example, I dont see "Uncle RUSS and RUBEN, still kicken it. Or what happened to HOVA and DAME, or even WILL SMITH and JAZZY JEFF? Was it the fame, the money, jealousy, the egos, bad decision making, just decided to quit, someones girl got involved, lack of communicating, or just differences in where they believe who gets credit?
The reason why I am asking all of these things is because I am starting to see a pattern of all these things I had just mentioned. I am sure we all start with the greatest intentions. Especially if it is a group effort that started with friends and now music partners in business. Everyone starts with the same goal, and that is to get a hit record and blow the fuck up! You know what I'm saying! To have the fame and the fortune. No more bills, no debt, no problems. You can just do what you love doing already... just making music. Of course all that "baller shit" too, if thats your thing.
But as the months go by and the music gets better , You start to become critics of not just your own work but of also the partners involved. Maybe its just a creative look at the way the music is now being made by the individuals in the group. Some of the people may now feel they are doing more than the other, and others in the group dont even feel as if they should'nt work as hard, because in that persons mind it is because of that persons skill that they dont have to do anything. Is it because someone else has more "pull" than the other, or that one has more listeners than the other? Or is it that one feels as if they have evolved from how they use to be to a stronger and more creative artist now, and that they need to express that, and move foward as a solo artist if they must. Also what is going on with OUTKAST? Why is it that on the last album we got to see and hear both of them seperately? And I do mean literally the cds were meant to be solos. Bottom line is I am working all my efforts in everything I do to succeed as a group, a solo artist , and a young business entrepreneur, even though the unusual moments I have with others that I work with make me sour to almost fear what the future might bring. Shoot if things keep going the way things have been there might not be no future in this. I am staying strong and wont stop either way. I just dont want to rebuild a SLANG CITY LABEL , or any other label, and watch it wither to where its just back to its roots again.
Just like an old oak tree, we are all going to start together from the same roots, but as we grow we may branch off, but we will all still remain together as one tree reaching toward the sky. And the sky has no limits especially when we are now so far away from the dirt where we all began. What I am trying to say is... as long as the partnership or label we are in is not already like the once at their prime N.W.A. or THE ROC ... meaning big time, world wide respected, and paid artists. Then why are we complaining. We all need to build on getting ourselves established in this industry first. I will begin with faith and fairness. How about you?
Please feel free to comment or message me your thoughts. And no, I am not talking about a certain person in general. I am just overall remembering experiences, and avoiding any future repeats.
This was a good day to reflect on.
