I been really into Blackouthiphop.com lately, they posting some fire shit. Came across this dude, Tone Tuoro and just had to share. He has the true hip hop vibe and groovy old school flow that I love to smoke and ride to.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Music Success in 9 Weeks: Week 6 BLOGGING
This chapter of Music Success in 9 Weeks really gets me excited. Up until this point (with the exception of the pitch (Week 2) some of the website stuff (Week 3) I feel like I already had a pretty good handle on what it was she was asking me to do. For the first time I've learned something completely new about Blogging strategies.
Of course, since you're reading it right now, you know I already have a blog and while I could definitely be more consistent I do a fairly decent job of posting regularly. And I have known the impact a blog can have when it comes to building your brand.
What I haven't been doing that much of is reading other blogger's blogs and interacting with them by leaving thoughtful comments much like you would on any other social media site. This is the chapters first bit of advice. To create your RSS reader (I used The Old Reader and DISQUS which isn't exactly a reader but has a similar idea) An RSS reader makes it possible for you to get information from blogs and websites that you read regularly to come to you instead of having to search it out. For more details check out this video: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english
Next, you need to set up your Blog reader profile. This will show that you have visited a blog, even if you don't comment, your photo/ logo etc will appear thus making you memorable to the blogging community. Once these are set up, start to add blogs that interest you as well as relate to your brand into your RSS reader, and start engaging.
The next section was also new to me, "How to get reviewed on Blogs." First, the author suggests making a list of 10-20 blogs that you would like to be reviewed on that relate to you and your music. This BlogSearch Website can help. Then, as I have already mentioned, it's important to treat blogs similar to Facebook or Twitter. You get attention when you comment and like people's posts. So read a lot of blogs and comment about what the blogger has written, ask a question, or express your opinion. Remember not to make these comments self promotional. Build a relationship. Then once they get to know you and trust you, you will have the opportunity to ask if they would be willing to review your music on their blog. Finally, Hyatt also suggests attending conferences such as SXSW Interactive, BlogHer, and BlogWorld & New Media Expo to meet bloggers face to face.
Starting your own blog is the best and way to get involved and is also extremely beneficial for artists. If you don't already have a blog, I recommend www.Blogger.com. Other options include Wordpress, Tumblr, HostBaby, and Bandzoogle. Since it is much like an online diary it gives your fans insight into more personal "backstage" areas of your life (yet you still have the ability to control how personal it gets) so your fans stay connected. Here is another post of mine that may be helpful as you start your blog.
Further, a blog will expand your Google index so people can find you even if they aren't specifically searching for your music. Your blog also creates content for your Facebook, Twitter and ReverbNation pages, post everywhere!! By having your own blog and adding a blogroll of blogs you read regularly to it, you gain credibility with other bloggers. Finally, you can use your blog to get feedback from fans, ask them questions that you're struggling with!
There is a lot of great info in here, so I hope it's as inspiring for you as it was for me! Good luck.
Of course, since you're reading it right now, you know I already have a blog and while I could definitely be more consistent I do a fairly decent job of posting regularly. And I have known the impact a blog can have when it comes to building your brand.
What I haven't been doing that much of is reading other blogger's blogs and interacting with them by leaving thoughtful comments much like you would on any other social media site. This is the chapters first bit of advice. To create your RSS reader (I used The Old Reader and DISQUS which isn't exactly a reader but has a similar idea) An RSS reader makes it possible for you to get information from blogs and websites that you read regularly to come to you instead of having to search it out. For more details check out this video: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english
Next, you need to set up your Blog reader profile. This will show that you have visited a blog, even if you don't comment, your photo/ logo etc will appear thus making you memorable to the blogging community. Once these are set up, start to add blogs that interest you as well as relate to your brand into your RSS reader, and start engaging.
The next section was also new to me, "How to get reviewed on Blogs." First, the author suggests making a list of 10-20 blogs that you would like to be reviewed on that relate to you and your music. This BlogSearch Website can help. Then, as I have already mentioned, it's important to treat blogs similar to Facebook or Twitter. You get attention when you comment and like people's posts. So read a lot of blogs and comment about what the blogger has written, ask a question, or express your opinion. Remember not to make these comments self promotional. Build a relationship. Then once they get to know you and trust you, you will have the opportunity to ask if they would be willing to review your music on their blog. Finally, Hyatt also suggests attending conferences such as SXSW Interactive, BlogHer, and BlogWorld & New Media Expo to meet bloggers face to face.
Starting your own blog is the best and way to get involved and is also extremely beneficial for artists. If you don't already have a blog, I recommend www.Blogger.com. Other options include Wordpress, Tumblr, HostBaby, and Bandzoogle. Since it is much like an online diary it gives your fans insight into more personal "backstage" areas of your life (yet you still have the ability to control how personal it gets) so your fans stay connected. Here is another post of mine that may be helpful as you start your blog.
Further, a blog will expand your Google index so people can find you even if they aren't specifically searching for your music. Your blog also creates content for your Facebook, Twitter and ReverbNation pages, post everywhere!! By having your own blog and adding a blogroll of blogs you read regularly to it, you gain credibility with other bloggers. Finally, you can use your blog to get feedback from fans, ask them questions that you're struggling with!
There is a lot of great info in here, so I hope it's as inspiring for you as it was for me! Good luck.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Wiz Khalifa Launches BASH Clothing Line with His Son
I have been a big Wiz Khalifa fan for a long time, and I'm always inspired by a lot of the moves he makes business wise. This past Saturday, October 15 he and his son launched, BASH, their capsule collection of men's and boy's clothes in partnership with Junk Food Clothing. It seems like the ventures Wiz is a part of are always something he feels genuinely passionate about and cares about, BASH is of course no exception.
The fact that he did this with his son is incredible because Bash then gets the business experience at such an early age. He gets the memories of doing it with his Dad, he gets the confidence and he gets recognition for actually helping to create this clothing by by drawing some of the designs himself!!
Ultimately, in my mind, this a shining example of why all artist need to put as much attention and time into developing their personal brand as well as their music. It's the brand identity which makes you easily accessible to do collaborations and explore business ideas that are outside the box. Every rapper has a clothing line these days, but few can say they designed theirs with their three year old son. Just thought this to be super fucking cool and I had to show it to ya'll. Shout out to http://allhiphop.com/ for dropping this news...read the full story HERE. #TGOD
The fact that he did this with his son is incredible because Bash then gets the business experience at such an early age. He gets the memories of doing it with his Dad, he gets the confidence and he gets recognition for actually helping to create this clothing by by drawing some of the designs himself!!
Ultimately, in my mind, this a shining example of why all artist need to put as much attention and time into developing their personal brand as well as their music. It's the brand identity which makes you easily accessible to do collaborations and explore business ideas that are outside the box. Every rapper has a clothing line these days, but few can say they designed theirs with their three year old son. Just thought this to be super fucking cool and I had to show it to ya'll. Shout out to http://allhiphop.com/ for dropping this news...read the full story HERE. #TGOD
Sunday, October 16, 2016
New Music Courtesy of datPiff
I'm on datPiff right now and want to share some music I'm excited about...
1. Taylor Gang - TGOD Volume 1 LISTEN HERE
1. Taylor Gang - TGOD Volume 1 LISTEN HERE
2. Cassidy - The Barbarian LISTEN HERE
3. Dave East - KAIR CHANE LISTEN HERE
4. Curren$y - Andretti 9/30 LISTEN HERE
Friday, October 14, 2016
Underground Rap: Eno Abasi - All Time Greats
Just came across this video from underground rapper, Eno Abasi. I appreciate the smooth flow and his simple video concept, I think that's the way to go, this being his debut video. Being that I'm gearing up to start seriously and consistently releasing content myself I definitely appreciate the simple cuts, fresh outfits and focus on the rhymes. It's a good look for Harlem rap right now.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
How to Drink More Water Daily?
Over the past year or so I have been working to improve areas of my life especially surrounding my health, so along with my vegetarian and sometimes vegan diet I have been trying to drink MUCH more water. I don't need to go into all the health benefits, I think it's safe to say that it's common knowledge that the more water you drink, the healthier you are.
I will say that sodas, sugary drinks, coffee, and alcohol are all equally as addictive and tear down your body. The good thing is that once you make a conscious choice to start drinking more water, your body immediately thanks you for it by giving you more energy, improving your digestion, clearing your skin, and helping your mental focus and alertness.
It has always been hard for me to drink water consistently, until I came across this amazing app that I want to share with you guys today. It's called "Water Drink Reminder" and it's FREE. Basically it starts you off with a daily set goal of fluid ounces based on your weight which you can change to add more or less if you like. The app allows you to keep track of exactly how much you intake by including a variety of different cups and vessels that you may be drinking out of throughout the day. It shows a regular kitchen cup (9oz), what looks like a fast food type cup (12oz), a Gatorade bottle (20oz) up to your larger hiking type bottle (24oz) all of which are also customizable if you have a container that you use every day and know how many ounces it is.
The best part for me, being busy and on the go, is the alarm that comes much like a text message every hour, but instead of a message you receive a little picture of the bottle reminding you to drink. Once you hydrate you just add the little plus sign on the bottom and it adds to your daily drinking total. I find it to be extremely motivating because it makes it like a game and you can compete with yourself from day to day. Plus, a yearly graph chart is incorporated into the app which breaks your progress from month to month and week to week, including averages. You can also track your weight within the app.
It's compatible with Social Media platforms so you can share your success which I think is super cool because people always like to see exactly how someone is doing something in order to help see themselves do the same thing. As you know by now I'm always about showing you guys exactly how or what I'm doing at a particular time to stay motivated as I develop a healthier lifestyle. Look out for my logged in ounces on Facebook and Twitter. You can do it too, take action and improve your health now with a water drinking app! Let me know what it does for you!
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