Back in Business (TV + Labels + shows)

I can't believe I haven't updated this since October. That tells you how busy life has been since coming back to OH.

I'm not sure where to begin so I'm just going to skip over everything and get to now. lol

TV
I'm preparing to shoot pilot for my own TV show on a new online network. We have a few reality shows and other music programs but I'm really excited to be hosting this show...and I call it....(drum roll por favor).....

"The Essince of Hip-Hop".

Sweet right? yeah, it is. lol

We picked up a few new clients and expanded our radio network to be able to offer this. I'm pretty excited about it.

LABEL

Things with the label are going slowly but that's to be expected. There's a lot of work to be done still. I wasn't going to share this but then thought, who cares? I can't only share the good/positive news because that wouldn't be the whole truth.

I got a call out of the blue maybe...2-3 months ago from someone I respected who had a pretty dope career back in the day (80s-90s) who heard through the grapevine I was planning to start a label. He wanted us to put out his album (with an advance of course). Sent me some new music. I've always had respect for the guy as a person and artist. His new stuff was dope. But I didn't see much for him in years as far as sales goes or even a consistent/demanding fan base aka 'no $ to be made'.

I told him we were going to pass but if he wanted distribution I could take care of it if he delivered the finished project. He basically told me off then unfriended me on facebook. lol

I don't know if it's possible for a simple deal (sign this, no complications, put it out, every ones gets paid) but it has to be easier than that. I don't want our first release to lose money especially since a lot of my $ already invested in other things/projects. I want things to come out RIGHT.

SHOWS

I'm also doing a few events soon. One in Cleveland at Anatomy with Frenchie from the Brick Squad (Waka Flocka). It's been about 1/2 a year since we did an event but I'm looking forward to it.

I contacted the Southern Entertainment Awards in Nashville about speaking at their conference in April so I'm looking forward to their response soon. So many places to go, so much to do, so much needs to be done to finish MY CD and videos...but this is the life I chose and I love it.

Til next time...

California Knows How to Party

Yes, yes, y'all...and it don't stop.


This past month has been BUSY (hence the long delay in updates).

First, we released a new song of my homie, K. Vincent's album, "Shit Iz Real". The track is called "LUXURY" and features Realm Reality (bka actor, Rick Gonzalez from Old School, Coach Carter, and many more). Check it out below.



Copywrite's tour is coming along well and I'm really excited. I'm waiting for a few agreements so I can post the updated tour flyer BUT it looks like he'll be in San Diego x San Bernadino x Tempe, AZ x Las Vegas x Santa Fe x Albuqurque x El Paso x Durango, CO x Fort Collins and a few more in the works before heading back to the coast.



And in a few weeks I'll be back in California at the California City2City Music conference


It's nothing fancy but I made this commercial for the conference (Word to Ken Burns).




Tonight we just aired the 7th episode of Urban Tribe Radio with my homegirl, DJ Kachina.

Urban Tribe Radio's Cloudcasts on Mixcloud

I have a few other projects in the works including a November showcase to send a performer to SXSW, an event bringing ThisIs50.com, Konvict Muzik, and more to St. Louis, and the first release from Royal Heir Records on our new Digital Distribution Deal.

My new EP is coming out soon, too with DJ Likkle Platinum in London...as you can see I'm trying to end 2012 Strong (even though my Mayan ancestors might destroy everyone).

Shows + Radios + Conferences

Update time! I've been a busy beaver since my last update. The biggest move is with Urban Tribe Radio! I'm working with my beautiful co-host, DJ Kachina and we'll be doign this show weekly. Broadcasting from the UK on Tuesdays and a second show Saturdays on Revolt Radio. If you miss those just subscribe to our feed on iTunes. We'll be there. Catch the first episode below.

Urban Tribe Radio's Cloudcasts on Mixcloud

Also, I'm continuting my worki with Hunid Racks energy drink (got a case of drinks and cigars today) and we're presenting the CALIFORNIA CITY2CITY MUSIC AND NETWORK CONFERENCE. BIG shout out to my partner, Push. He's doing amazing work with the conference and we're doing a few other things together. Here's the flyer: 

Next weekend is the annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards in Columbus! Not only was I asked to speak on a panel at the conference but I will be an award presenter, too! I have a few more things in the works but I'll reveal them when the time is right. Stay tuned.

Back on my Grizzind

Wow, I've been busy re-adjusting to midwest life since finishing my projects in CA and coming back but I've been in the proverbial 'beast mode' since I got back. Event planning on overload.

As some of you know I moderated the Digital Money and Music Power Summit in Cleveland August 4th and from that new opportunities came and we're looking to do another in the northeast soon (details TBA but we had a brief convo last night about the location). Also working on DVD documentary and I'm now a writer for Get Signed Magazine based in NY with my "Music Business 101 with Essince" article.

Here's my schedule:
September 1 - HipHop Workshop, CSU Cleveland (speaker)September 21-23 - Ohio HipHop Awards, Columbus, OH (speaker on music industry panel)
October 13 - RocBar, Cleveland, OH (co-promoter, performer)
October - CA - Central Cali Music Conference (promoter)
November 3 - Festival. Details TBA, Cleveland (co-promoter, performer)
November 4 - Conference speaker, Cleveland
November - Boston (conference)
2013 - Big 3-Day tribute festival to 2 of hiphop's greatest fallen soldiers, Detroit.

THAT's just the events. It doesn't include My EP (which is in the recording process now and scheduled for a mid-October release). Nor does it include clients. We're still working on Copywrite's tour as well as now officially working with Amar'e Stoudemire's artist, Judge da Boss. Royal Heir Entertainment. is working!

 

 

I reached out to Jeezy's new artist, Tone Trump and set up the endorsement deal with him and Hunid Racks Energy Drinks. I'm excited about that. Cigars are coming out and we're offering samples (I don't smoke but if you're an adult and that's what you do go'head. I can hook you up).

Out with the Old and In with the New

The Old

I'm finishing up my work here in California and heading back home for a bit (2 weddings, concerts, family things, etc)

I'm not staying too long but I like having Ohio as my home base and just traveling. Since October I've been to:

• Tokyo
• Bangkok
• St. Louis
• LA (4 times)
• NY
• Chicago
• Oakland
• Detroit
• Columbus
• Pittsburgh
• and on tour up the west coast (Reno, Frisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Whistler) and that's just the business trips... 

I did what I came to do and will continue traveling where I'm needed.

I had to sever ties with a company because it took up too much of my time without the money that was promised and my business suffered because of it as did my personal health (remember this?).

My site www.Essince.com's viewer numbers went DOWN 1,100 last month alone!....if something as small as a blog gets hit that hard you can imagine what it's done to the other things in my life. I got a pretty nasty response to my departure which twisted my words but honestly, I could care less. I wish them and all their future endeavors the best. God bless them but it's not right and not right for me. I feel no regrets for what I'm doing.

The New

The work with the energy drink is going well and I set up a sponsorship deal with Young Jeezy's newest CTE signee and we'll be starting a new campaign soon.

We signed some new clients to Royal Heir and working with a conference in Cleveland coming up.

My new business cards are in, an agreement was signed in booking a tour for a national artist, and one of my business partners and I are going over a VERY exciting proposal with someone major out here in CA...

Sorry for the delayed post but as you read earlier I didn't have much time for anything else (I won't go into details and would like to leave the past in the past) but I'm VERY excited for the second half of 2012!

One Month Later

It's about time for an update, right? Seeing as I've finished my first month here in California.

 There were a lot of struggles and successes. I've been working 50+ hours/week at a place and had some issues of being taken advantage of for my services. I love this business and I'm always willing to work and learn but there are times you need to understand your value and your worth. You need to know when to pay dues and when dues need to be paid, ya dig?

 Last weekend I spoke on 2 panels at the California Music Industry Summit in Oakland, CA. I was asked to stand in for Michael Brandvold who did marketing for KISS. So that was an honor (and I talked to him later because we follow each other on twitter which is just as cool if not cooler).

After the big festival we're doing this is one of the projects I'm helping put out for the Real Life Gangsters DVD series.

Be careful what you wish for.

So I was talking to a friend about how I wanted to have some time off from work because I've been working long 10-12 hours days and it started taking it's toll on me. 

 I woke up at 3:30 with one of THE most intense pains I've ever experienced in my life. I lost feeling in my hands and they turned pale, my legs were wobbly, I couldn't breathe, I was lightheaded and my left kidney felt like it got stabbed. One ambulance ride/ER visit later I'd passed my second kidney stone. I got home at after 6am, ate a McDonald's breakfast and crashed til after noon.

BUT good things came.