Independent Hip Hop

We got so much to do these days. It’s amazing how this whole music thing ebbs and flows.

But we’re about our business though. Got two releases coming up this fall, including the anticipated Vox Merger project. I think y’all will be pleased with the outcome after such a significant wait. We took it back to the drawing board a few times, but it’s finally ready to go.

While we’re on the topic of business…we couldn’t help but notice a few folks out there in the music sphere using the term “Illamental”. Well, aside from the fact that I’ve had a grasp on the word Illamental since maybe 96-97, to quote The Stones, “it’s all over now”.

We’ve trademarked the term. We are Illamental. Adjust yourselves accordingly…

from erwin's iphone

last week was a crazy week for me. aside from preparing for midterms, my financial aid check has yet to come in, so i’m literally living off of change and the dollar menu at the carl’s jr down the street from my apt. to top it off, a very close relative has been sick in the hospital for over a month. needless to say, i needed a break on the weekend. so on friday, i went to check out the Far East Movement in whittier. Aside from being dope performers, these cats are some of the most humble dudes i’ve encountered. big ups to them for always holding me down (Vox Merger/FM collabo coming soon). On Saturday, convinced my uncle to buy me into a poker tourney and headed out with some of the homies. I finished 7th, winning some lunch money for the week. Noreen won 3rd and bought Korean bbq for everybody. on sunday, i was gettin ready to drive back down to san diego when some folks convinced me to hit downtown LB to celebrate president’s day. ended up at a wack 18 n over spot and left within an hour. it’s all good though cause we polished off a bottle of JB’s in the car. on monday, passed out at 8pm and woke up at 8am today, drove down to san diego, and now i’m here waiting for my 11:30 class to start. i probably should’ve studied this weekend but fuck it, i had a good time with some good folks. i’ll hit the books hard this week and get my focus back on.

We keep it mad hood with the Hen dogg and Shasta cola!

Just recently, we were able to finish up all primary vocals for the upcoming album by The Vox Merger. Many late nights and early mornings at our spot, which we have unofficially dubbed “The Rock Next Door,” have begun to bear fruit. And if I do say so myself (and I do), I think you’ll all like the style of hip hop that hear from the fellas. Even with the pressed time and sometimes limited resources, they’ve been hitting their milestones and are finally starting to see some daylight as far as a release date is concerned (which I’m sure will be announced soon as well).

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I’m finding myself spending most of my time fighting. The recording and record releasing process is a unruly bitch at times, who apparently only understands “five across the eyes”(as the great (S) Al (B) undy would say). Seems like no matter how careful and loving I try to treat my mistress music she only loves me when I’m hitting it hard, fast and upside her head. So fuck it, no more flowers and candy.

I’m putting the word out, any of you who stand in the way of me and “Lady Heroin”, I mean Music I’m knocking you the fuck out. Fellow emcees, rappers and producers a like, beware!

We have been operating under the mantra “it’s not about the music anymore” for some time now. So we been trying to step up our promo and merchandise game. Got some nice t-shirts coming your way soon (hint hint wink wink).

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So we teamed up with an up and coming label if you will to assist us in marketing, promotion and distribution; run by indie veteran Dizzy Dustin of “Ugly Duckling”. We’ve been patiently waiting while loose ends get tied up in anticipation that this deal will finally give us some of the leverage needed to make our mark.

So, I’m waiting on a call to confirm if our 7:00 meeting is still going down tonight and it got me thinking. Believe it or not patience is probably the most important skill needed in this game. I realized next to physically recording or performing music I’ve spent the majority of my time in this biz waiting.Waiting for the tape to be striped (new school cats probably don’t know what I mean), waiting for the track to be laid, waiting to get level, waiting for my turn to lay my verse, waiting for the track to be mixed, waiting for my (tape) copy to be dubbed. And that’s just in the studio, I won’t get in to all the waiting on the quote unquote business end of things the shit is endless. So, as you can see my wait it is not over I just hope that at the end of it all we get what we’re worth in life.

Hope you all will wait with me. Peace

I logged into the Triple Helix Myspace today. It seems like almost everyday there’s at least 1 person who leaves a comment or drops us a message, with real, genuine appreciation, props, and sometimes thanks for the music (And I’m not counting the “fake props” where someone’s just trying to post up their advertisement). And every time I see that it means a whole lot to me. Because that particular person listened to the music, or watched the video.

Listening may not seem like much, but when you listen, we view it as a grand effort on your part. Getting people to “lend you an ear” for 3-4 minutes these days is not easy. Phonte of Little Brother said it best on their Myspace Page

As artists coming along in the digital age, the key thing to remember is that we are not fighting for people’s money, so much as we are fighting for their time and attention. I mean, real rap……content is everywhere. Free downloads, screensavers, raingtones, Youtube clips, etc. Consumers are constantly bombarded with free shit

The amount of music & artists out there is overwhelming. While the digital age has made it so much easier for fans to get the music they like, it’s also made it easier for us musicians to try and shove more shit at you.

I’ve never been a fan of overly aggressive promotion, which puts me in a bind. If I speak too loudly, you might tune me out…..if I don’t speak loudly enough, I’ll get buried in the ocean or noise. It’s a very thin line to walk. Which is why whenever someone takes the time to stop & listen to any music from our team, I am gracious.