don't worry little buddies. we'll find you a home soon enough.
So I thought today I might write a little blog about one of the many hiccups we had along the way in the making of the above vinyl, but I say “why talk about old problems you solved when you can talk about the new problems that are happening right before your eyes.” Alright, I don’t say that and neither should you, but in this instance I must put the aforementioned quote into action.
As quickly as we had a date for our release party we lost a date for our release party. I could scream, shout, yell, and complain, but I feel like I personally know everyone who reads this (and in actuality I probably do in some way, shape, or form and if I don’t let’s change that – holla at a backpacker) and if you know me you know that’s far from my style.
As I had to hit you with a little bit of negative with the news I’m gonna quickly shift to the positive. We will have a release party sometime this century (gotta start with wider goals before you narrow them down. lol) and it will be dope. Also I have a new song I recorded last week with the homie Dial 81 (he might kill me for doing this, but I think he’ll understand as we’re about to grab some drinks) and I want to share it with you as I’m in a bit of a jaded mood and need to love music again. It’s very rough and unfinished, but it’s a bit how I feel about the state music is in right now. I think music could be served well by being a little more rough and unfinished so here it is.
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(if you happen to be reading this by way of facebook you might have to go to the actual blog to see it. www.hiphopismysoul.com)
Tags: D. Allie, Progress Report, Rock 5-0, Superior Belly
ATTENTION: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. STILL THE SAME CREW, SAME MOVEMENT, SAME VINYL, BUT THE VENUE ALAS IS A FLEETING HOPE. HOWEVER, AS I LIKE TO WRITE WHAT I’M FEELING IN THE MOMENT I STILL WANT TO KEEP THIS POST UP. I MEANT WHAT I SAID WHEN I WROTE THESE WORDS BELOW AND I STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT. AS FOR EVERYTHING ELSE WITH THE POLITICS AND BULLSHIT WITH MUSIC….eh. lol. ANYWAYS, STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ON NEW LOCATION, BUT SAME OLE SOUL. PEACE.
-D. ALLIE
What’s up my people,
As always it’s been a minute, but it will be more than a minute before I leave you for a minute if you get what I’m saying. I think I confused myself so I’ll put it another way. I’ve been off the scene for a minute just trying to find myself. I trained with the Shaolin Masters, observed with the monks, flew with the seagulls, ran with the wolves, and of course completed seasons 1-5 of The Wire. In this soul searching period I also had time to form a new group with my man Eddie Logix entitled Progress Report, and our self titled debut release is done and will be out later this year, but before all that LP nonsense and digital ish allow me and my comrades to take you back for a sec with a little something I like to call Vinyl.
Yeah that’s right….Vinyl. With the help of our friends over at Superior Belly and Exchange Bureau Music we are putting out a limited edition colored 7 inch record which we shall call the Gold Star Edition (since the industry ain’t gonna give us one we printed up our own gold record). There will only be 300 copies available and I know what you’re thinking. Is that because they only had enough money to print up 300 copies? If that is your question you are absolutely right, but allow me to be serious for a second.
When I released my debut album “The Cooperative” I said to myself “If nobody feels the project I can say I gave it my all, quit, and put on that suit and tie, or for those that know me my apron and oven mitts (I rep Caesars on occasion).” Luckily, or unluckily as some may see it, it was everybody that is reading this (that means you) that helped me to believe in myself and push all those fall back plans to the back. Now there is no turning back. I have definitely had my ups with this music thing, but I have also had my downs and I try to let you see both through my writings and my music.
I don’t know where I’m going with this so let me sum it up. Through all the shows that I’ve played no matter how big or small your support and encouragement have truly meant the world to me and it will continue to do so. I don’t got fans (I’m not that cool), but I’m blessed to have a lot of friends I’ve met through my travels that support me in whatever I do so this music is for all of us. It is my hope that you will see this project as a step forward for me (hence the title Progress Report) and continue to support.
With all that being said, we are having a release party for the Vinyl on Saturday June 26th in the Shelter. The cover is $7 and we are giving away the vinyl to all that attend. This is my first time playing at The Shelter. This is special for me in the fact that it has always been a childhood dream of mine (or at the very least a drunken high school fantasy) to play this venue. However, I no longer want to be that tree in the unpopulated forest so I would enjoy some people there to hear me make a sound (probably a bad metaphor because I don’t want to fall. lol).
If you’ve read this far you’ve probably been in my corner for quite sometime and of course as this is up on my blog I’m merely preaching to the choir. Therefore, it is my hope that you’ll tell a friend, post the flier up on your page, write about it on your blog, or do whatever you think will get one more person in the door. I’ve never been too proud to ask for your support and as I have set the date for my biggest show thus far I’ll need it now more than ever.
In the 3 weeks leading up to the show I’ll try to blog about the long strange journey it’s been to create this vinyl so keep posted and stay connected. I’m definitely swinging for the fences with this project so hopefully I hit that home run before I max out all my credit cards, and I know what you’re thinking. … This guy really takes a long time to sum things up. With that being said I leave you with the lead single that will be on the vinyl aptly entitled “Wake Up”. (Don’t think I’m giving away all the milk for free as there is a b-side remix done by The British Knights for Exchange Bureau Music and a bonus track featuring someone very special to me). Let’s Go!
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Tags: Exchange Bureau Music, Progress Report, Superior Belly, The British Knights
Whaddup my people,
As I was only able to do the Midwestern leg of the Clipped Wings Tour the last show I appeared on was last night in Milwaukee. I am writing this from my friends apartment in Chicago taking a day of rest here before I head back home to Detroit. Yeah, I know it’s not a far drive back but I’m lazy and like to take my time. lol. As I’ve done more specific tour diaries in the past and will probably bore you with the minute details of the road in the future I will opt out of doing so this time around. For one I was only on the road a short while to really get into the debauchery that I’m usually known for, and I feel it far better that I discuss how I’m feeling instead of specific events. It might come off as random and scatter-brained but here goes nothing.
For one the road is a rough place for artists like us that are still out here starving. We are kind of caught in a catch 22 in the fact that we don’t have a ton of fans throughout the country so it’s difficult to tour, but we have to hit the road in order to build a fan base so there’s really no choice in the matter. There are no tour buses (honda element), no hotel rooms (although I was able to talk my way into a $25 room one of the nights), there’s not always showers, there’s not always people at the shows, there’s no fancy technical and personal riders sent out so that means there are definitely no bottles of champagne popped. There’s us, our tour mates, and the artists and people we have built connections with before. The goal and what ultimately determines if a tour is a success are the new connections we are able to build in each city.
Gone are the days in which artists can breeze into a city, chill backstage, hit the stage, and then dip. When we are touching down in a city we want to know what the scene is like. I’m trying to talk to everyone I can to acquire the info, and to share my experience with them inside and outside of music (I still pretend like there’s still a difference). Gone are the days where artists can even stand behind a merch table. After I leave the stage the first thing I’m going for is my box of merch and I am talking to everyone personally in the venue. After I have tried to sell everyone in the building then I go for the email list and I offer them a free download as a thanks for them signing up. I wait till after we go on stage so the audience has a chance to hear what they’re supporting but next tour I think I’m gonna go in swinging for my career. There were a few times when the crowd was lost before we got on stage and those were definite missed opportunities.
Still I am not seeing artists do the method I mentioned above enough which is probably one of the reasons I have no problem sharing. The playbook is nothing without execution after all. On the other hand, I want to give myself more credit than that. I want my peers to succeed in this game and I do believe there is a place for us all, but everybody has to put in work. The only people that really think music is so competitive are the ones that expect something for nothing. And yes, although making music is important in this game, this is NOTHING. It’s what you do with that music and your plan to get it to the people, and furthermore your application of that plan that will get you to where you want to go. Your personal opinion of your own music in relation to others is also NOTHING. Opinions are like assholes and most people usually ARE. I’m not thinking about why these whack musicians are successful. I’m thinking about how they are successful and if there are any strategies I need to co-opt.
When I hit the road I expect nothing. To every single person that put us up in their homes, fed us, let us shower THANK YOU. Although some of you I have known for a long time you didn’t have to do that so I am forever appreciative. To everybody that put us on a show giving us a path to build a fan base in your city THANK YOU. Although there were high’s and low’s in attendance we saw the promotional efforts put in and my new motto is if you give us 3 shows in a city we will build your hip hop scene for you if you don’t already have one (those ego’s can get a bit crazy. i got a few). To all my friends that came out to the shows along the way THANK YOU. I know some of yall don’t even listen to Hip Hop but I’m thankful you’ll lend an ear to me and my musical peers when we fall through town. To the sites such as Fusicology, La Famiglia, Potholes in My Blog, and Detroitrap (if I’m missing anyone forgive the mind) THANK YOU for shining light on what we’re doing.
To my brothers in United States of Mind, thank you. As I am not able to continue with the tour it is you guys that are spreading the USM name and getting our music out to a larger audience person by person.
To sum up everything touring is rough business. Nothing is given and everything is hard to earn. I didn’t even bring up the ego’s. lol. We’re all crazy deranged artists so of course we’re gonna but heads from time to time. Sometimes the day in and day out can be like walking on eggshells. You want to be mindful of other peoples thoughts, opinions, and schedules without getting yours stepped on. This is also an impossibility but we do our best in this respect. lol. Taking all this into account I can logically only come to one conclusion: I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING.
This is exactly what I signed up for and what a beautiful struggle it has come to be. The small victories, the big mistakes, the huge shows, the off nights, the getting wasted no matter what happens. lol. That’s what it is. Can’t wait to fully process this experience (which will take at least a week mind you) so the next time I hit the road (hopefully touring my new project with Eddie Logix entitled “Progress Report”) I can do it bigger and better. That’s right folks. Next time around I’m going for the couch as opposed to accepting the floor. Until the next time I’m in your city folks.
-d
What’s up people,
So I was aimlessly wandering around the internet as I normally do and decided to stop home for a minute at http://unitedstatesofmind.bandcamp.com/ and all I see is album covers. Sometimes I forget that we really do put in a lot of work at USM to get this music out to the people. Then I click the link and remember that we made most of our back catalog free as we just want you guys to hear it. Below are the album covers and click whatever one you like to jump to the site and download. Click em all. Tell your friends to do the same. I believe all of them (With the exception of Zo and Asylum 7′s “Overdue Process” and my release “Live @ The Get Up”) are free and soon enough “Live @ The Get Up” will be as well because I made it for the heads wanting to give you guys a little something different than your average. Anyways, it is my hope you enjoy and check for the new shit when it drops. Check 1, check 2, check it out.
it’s coming up in the next couple weeks so be on the lookout and spread word.
whaddup my people,
The subject line of this post pretty much sums it up. To make a long story short the gallery is being forced out of their old place and need some seed money to move into a new space. If you know us and our history we had a good run with “Kill The Bullshit” at 5e and we want to do everything we can to help the Gallery move into its new space. Luckily for us the Gallery is not asking for much and frankly it deserves a lot more. All they are asking is that you go to the website (www.5egallery.org) and donate $5 as their “$5 for 5e” campaign. It definitely takes a village and if we all do a small part we can keep this movement moving. This is “our space” and the work that Sicari and Piper along with many others put into it is at the least commendable. Lets do our part and donate, spread the word so others can donate by writing on your own blogs, hitting the phones, and sending emails. Below is an attached press release to circulate but you already know the deal. All too often we have been faced with great tragedy in this city and have lost a lot of our hip hop saviors. We have been good about bringing flowers to the funeral but this is an opportunity to give a little soup while one is sick.
Article on The Gallery:
There are so many amazing stories of the people that have taken matters into their own hands to make a difference in our community. For those of you with an understanding or appreciation for the arts and music education programs, you most likely understand the current economic issues surrounding the city of Detroit and how it has affected the schools and community programs. Not just in the city, but the surrounding areas as well. Many have tried and failed, yet there are those who have created something really so moving from simply bringing people together.
Sicari “DJ Sicari” Ware founded 5 E Gallery in Corktown—the oldest neighborhood in Detroit—back in 2008 with the intention of raising public awareness and encouraging visual arts, music, hip-hop culture, and community through exhibitions and education. Since it has served as an outlet for artists, musicians and people to unify and empower themselves, the space has become a resource for various nonprofit organizations to utilize for fundraising, community events and cultural awareness programming.
The energy and activity that has been nurtured by the people involved with the gallery has stimulated positive change in the arts community and Detroit. The vision has grown and with that, a new space and community support is needed. The gallery is currently in need of a larger space and is being forced out of their current building. During this move, DJ Sicari and the rest of the 5 E staff are planning and organizing plans for new programs that will enable the local community, especially children and young adults, to create opportunities for themselves and build a better future for themselves and future generations.
Some of these plans include a multimedia lab that will provide employment training skills to lead to competitive employment opportunities, as well as a member-based design center for creative professionals in Detroit. We are committed to providing resources, opportunities, and a dynamic, creative network community at large. The new space will also house studio space for artists to rent, a coffee shop, art education programs and a theater.
Even though the gallery has come so far, and all of these programs are needed with the city of Detroit, the 5 E Gallery staff operates on a 100 percent volunteer basis. Monthly expenses are covered by personal income, donations, and grants.
Over the next several weeks, the gallery will host a series of fundraising events and an online donation campaign starting at just $5. We are focused on assuring that these programs and the gallery will always have a home here in Detroit.
If you are interested in donating to our current campaign or learning more about our current needs, programs and events, you can find more information or make donations through PayPal online at: www.5egallery.org.
Tags: 5e Gallery, DJ Sicari
Hey All,
I usually write all my own ish, but the homie A. Biggs over at the USM blog (www.usmdetroit.com) took the words right out of my mouth so I figured I’d just copy and paste his words over here.
So here we are mid april 2010
Yes USM is gonna try to make that big leap into USM being a career move & not just a cool hobby type thing we do around Detroit
& when I say TRY I mean we ARE gonna make that big leap…
USM & PPF HOUSE PRESENT….CLIPPED WINGS: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
(cuz we aint flyin… were drivin…. ya dig?)
YEAH MY BABIES TOUR TIME!!!!
So me being CEO it is my job to make sure the USM veneer is polished & shiny all the time…
we look cool we do cool shows we make cool music we put out cool product yadda yadda yadda…
& believe me these guys that I work with make my job oh so much easier
well im gonna give you THE REAL….
Not everything is cool all the time.
This tour shit we are GOING IN
like by the skin of our teeth GOING IN
Sleeping in a mini van GOING IN
showering at truck stops GOING IN
Like leaving with $500 gas money GOING IN
oh holy shit did he just say how much money we are working with??
YES!
I try not to ask people for help because I like the satisfaction of knowing I got up off my ass & made something happen for myself
So here we go…..
USM Fans, Friends & Fam WE NEED YOUR HELP
These are the EASY & NEW WAYS TO HELP
1. All NEW All ORIGINAL tracks….USM SAMPLER VOL.4!
listen to em
you feel em enough buy em it goes straight in the gas tank
& we need that
2. USM w/ KILLAH PRIEST! WEDNESDAY APRIL 21st
if you were out here for halloween than you already know
we know it’s a wednesday and that sucks and $10 is steep for our people and that sucks but…..
THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SHOW IN DETROIT before we leave
if you come out you will be helping us in a MAJOR way
send us off in style PLEASE
if none of the above suits your fancy
Suggest our fanpage on Facebook
Share our Website
give our FREE DOWNLOADS to your friends
if you know people in any of the areas that we are traveling HIT THEM UP!… tell them to come on out & rock wit us!
Cause part of the REAL is yeah we do have our promo & shit tight….
but we are only so many & limited
Take me for example other than doing this USM stuff I bust my balls in a kitchen making food 40 hours a week… every week
now Im not crying about it….. Im proud to work hard but I (along with the rest of my crew) have the same 24 hours in a day you do
& can only do SO MUCH
YOU GUYS can help us put this thing over the top
To anybody who has ever came to one of our shows, paid cover, bought a t-shirt, bought a CD, took a flyer from my goofy ass, commented on a song on facebook, put up a youtube video of us doing the damn thang…WE APPRECIATE THAT SHIT….more than you will ever know
real heads we LOVE you…you are the reason we LIVE
You have all helped get us to this point
LET’S PUT IT OVER THE TOP!
if not for us than the D
if not for us than for HIP HOP period
Im not gonna front like alot of other cats round these parts
even though i have PRIDE I will not let that silly pride be a detriment to my crew
IM ASKING FOR HELP
PEACE & THANKS
Aaron Biggs
1 rule on this thing though you gotta at least voted for 20 things in Detroit (place to eat hang out etc. etc.) if you don’t fill out 20 your ballot won’t go through.
Tags: the bosco, United States of Mind
boy meets girl with two guns
Whaddup yall,
Been a minute since I blogged as usual, but it means I’m busy outside of the net so it’s all good. Anyway’s I’ve been meaning to get at you about my boy Chief’s new album for the last couple weeks but am just finding the time now to sit down at this computer. Goes without saying as I don’t promote ish I don’t like, but let me hit you with the disclaimer. I have known Chief for quite some time and we’ve shared many beers and many shows as we toured together last year. Now that you know my bias here goes nothing….
To really get the experience of Chief you have to check out a live show which I had the pleasure of doing by attending the album release party for this project. I’m not gonna say his music is for everyone as the masses enjoy that whack shit, but the people that are in to Chief’s music hang on his every word like it is the gospel. He really speaks to a certain demographic that is diverse but also quite niche pertaining to specific experiences around the Detroit area, but ghetto’s and suburbs surrounding them are found everywhere I guess (meaning you don’t have to be from around Detroit to get it, but it helps). At his show he ran through a catalog of material and the crowd knew all the tracks like it was Jay Z at the Garden or some shit. As I’m not an expert at the body of work Chief has released I had to ride with the CD in the car for a week to get a feel for what this specific project was talking about. Needless to say it hasn’t left the CD player too much. Here are my thoughts specifically on the CD.
Chief “Broken” Review
I don’t know what it is exactly what people love about Chief and I’m sure there are an array of reasons, but if I could take a guess it is that Chief is a man extremely comfortable in his own skin and it shines through in his music. He speaks his mind (i know this is what all artists are supposed to do, or at least they front like they do, but Chief has a uniquely direct way of letting you know how he feels) and leaves it up to you to hate it or love it. However, it would seem that Chief is most comfortable in pain and that pain is what connects you to his music whether you can relate or perhaps feel better about your problems. I was telling a friend that after listening to this CD i felt like giving into all my vices and just saying fuck it. For some reason I MEAN THAT AS A COMPLIMENT. You figure it out.
As an EP the CD covers an amazing amount of ground in terms of mood, subject, and feel while staying true to its downtempo and headphone roots which get close to stretching the bounds of what hip hop is considered.
Starting off with “This Cloud ft. Rusty” Chief acknowledges his pain but you feel like there is a desire to climb out from the under and win.
On “Broken” which is the title track and my favorite track, he discusses what is probably one of his and all man’s greatest vices in terms of a woman and it also works if it is a metaphor for hip hop. Just because you are broken doesn’t mean you can’t find and be in love.
With “Lesson in Love ft. Kiko” Chief finishes the woman thought out with a sick lesson in vocal harmony from Kiko. This lady absolutely killed it and should be checked for on the solo tip if she has any work out. The last verse begins an emotional ascension of sorts. Taking a departure from just pointing out the flaws and mistakes there is a desire to change.
On “Gotta Stop Running” finds a little help from his friends as Phathom rips this track to shreds as far as you can tear up a downtempo track. Hook is dope.
On of my favorite phrases is “If you don’t know where you’re coming from, where would you go”. Chief acknowledges his love of this phrase on “Days I Remember” which is the lead single. This is probably the most feel good track on the album in my opinion and as we are a reminiscent generation, I think everyone will appreciate this track. Good choice for the single, but i wanna see anything from track 2-4 get released next (my vote is “Broken”)
“In Times Things Change” is not my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t consider it a miss but this is also a feel good and inspirational tracks (perhaps I myself am too bitter to truly appreciate the inspirational. lol or that’s actually not that funny if true).
“SODC” puts me right back on track with the program. This song can give you a sense of pride if you’re sharing the same experience as Chief is. As he has this desire to change, he’s also trying to love every moment on the in between time. And isn’t that when life happens.
“Vinnie Johnson” is the closer and the most perfect way to end this CD. Although we all have to handle serious business, you gotta have fun and enjoy yourself and that’s exactly what Chief does with this joint. As the rest of the CD is extremely up close and personal, this is an ode to the punchline style and attitude that Detroit is probably most known for.
I usually won’t go through every song when reviewing, but this is a shorter project and the man is saying something on every track. This ain’t a club project but if you’re into that you’re not reading this anyways. To me this is one of those “Headphone Masterpieces”. You will enjoy this most in your bedroom with the lights low and just zone out, or when driving in your car alone thinking about your path. The production is tight (check the credits and know i could write a book of compliments on everyone involved), there is real substance to the lyrics, and it is a complete project in a world filled with singles and ringtones. What more do you want? I could go on and on but I have my own struggles to attend to. Cop this from www.megaroyal.com (CLICK ALBUM COVERS ABOVE TO JUMP TO SITE) and tell em Large Marge sent ya. In a minute yall.
Tags: Broken, Chief, Mega Royal Records
The Subject Line pretty much says it all but here are some added reasons
1) it’s for a good cause with all proceeds going to Gleaners
2) there’s an eclectic line up so a little something for everybody
3) i’ll be drinking (you might think this is just fun for me, but if you think that you haven’t seen me drink)
4) The Situation is rumored to be there (i know it’s your guilty pleasure too)
5) 2040 will be holding me down on the 1′s and 2′s
6) I’ll be giving away free CD’s and shirts
to sum up it will be a good time for a good cause so get involved.
Tags: D. Allie, Gleaners Benefit Show
