BEAT MAKERS -vs- PRODUCERS

Beat maker or Producer, which one is you? Before you answer let offer some insight just so you know your correct identity. I don't think the separation of the two has anything to do with status, how much you make per beat, not even talent. WOW! Yeah I did say it "not even talent". I do think you must possess a talent but I don think the separation is because lack of but
limitations.Way to often I encounter individuals that introduce their self as a Producer and when i go to listen to their product I quickly see that they didn't realize that they are a Beat Maker. And sometimes the beats are hot but they fall short of the full potential.

So here we go! If your process of production is to create a four or eight bar sequence with your sample or your drums and loop that for 3 to 4 minutes then I am sorry to let you know... BRACE YOUR SELF, You are not a Producer. Beat maker Alert Beat Maker Alert! I am not taking
anything away from your talents but take that chip off your shoulder, tame the ego, and take some advise. First let's get rid of the stop watch and stop bragging about how quickly or how many beats you can make in whatever time. A true artist no matter the craft or the gift is never satisfied they see and hear the flaws that a customer or fan is blind or deaf to. A true Producer will have a concept, direction, or at least feeling that he will lead the artist to. Beat Makers make it to hard on the artist. They limit the average thought process because there is no activity in the beat. Let me be the first to say that some artist can not be helped. I just don't want you to fall short of greatness. The chorus or the hook of the song should not be identical to the verse. Oh yeah, have you ever heard of a bridge? I think some of you need to listen to some Rock bands because they stick to the script. The basic song format for a song has been the same forever,
you can treat you beat like an essay. Remember when your teacher had you fill out your outline and you knew you need so many sentences,so many paragraphs, an introduction, and a summary. You that process for your beats.I know a lot of times the original idea or concept isn't a thought up process but once you got that then don't slow down, the finish line isn't close.
It is OK to let your emotions show and sometime you might have to communicate this to your artist or to the person that you have created this for. Treat that beat like your child. A good parent wants to guide their child through life and help them get in the right position where they can reach their full potential. Do the same for your beat! It starts with a seed and then blossom
from there but its not done growing. Keep adding water and you will be surprised what it can grow into and an artist myself I appreciate when the concept and mood is there and all I have to do is fill in the blanks. A lot of times it on the producer to find or bring out the potential of the artist. So what are you waiting for? Step up to the plate we're in need of a home run.

THATS MY SHIIIII....

I was sitting here thinking about the few songs you come across that you can't go without. Sometimes it's not even a song sometimes it might just be a verse that the MC zones out on and that hits you like no other. Today I wanted to pay respect to a few that I use as motivation and a couple that I think the MC was second to none on.
1. Ice Cube A Bird in the Hand
On here my man Cube brought Definition to Street Knowledge, giving a slice of whats in the mind of a Young Black Male at the time.
(SAMPLE) Always knew that I would clock g's, but welcome to McDonald's.May I take your order please? Gotta serve you food that might give you cancer, Cause my son doesn't take no for an answer.
Now I pay taxes that you never give me back. What about diapers, bottles, and Similac? Do I hafta sell me a whole lotta of crack For decent shelter and clothes on my back?...
2. T.I. The Greatest
Once my man TIP reached the 3rd verse on this song his swag meter and flow are off the charts! No matter if Im in the club, house, or the car this is one of them lose yourself moments!
(SAMPLE) Excuse me, but let Young Pimpin' brag a minute - Gotta bottle of Louie and a flock of groupies hotter than Rudy
Lickin' me dry when I get out the jacuzzi - They eatin' pussy, suckin' dick until they mouth got gooey - Can't another young nigga in the south out do me
3. Ransom - Pain
I was introduced to this guy on his CD Pain and Glory and I didnt know him from Adam and had never heard him. Im listening to the whole disk enjoying my listen then I reached this song and had to play it like 10 times in a row. I appreciated the slice of reality because when you dealing with real life you dont wanna here that braggin and boasting music.
(SAMPLE) You got the game twisted - You think a mixtape can prevent my daughter from having another lame christmas
Im in the same district with bitches that flame biscuits - you get yo brain shifted just to get yo chain lifted - HOMIE - I sacrifice my life for this - my baby mother dont really know how im nice with this
she think im playing around, cant pay the lights with this - that shit aint no meat on the table, cant eat no rice with this...
4. Jay-Z - Never Change
This is just one of my all time favorites from Hov. It just represents the bond of me and my REAL Ones!
(SAMPLE) The streets robbed me wasn’t educated properly - but fuck ya'll I needed money for Atari(change)
was so young my big sis still playin wit Barbie - young brother big city 8 million stories
old heads taught me youngin walk softly - carry a big clip that'll get niggas off me...
5. Tupac - Hold Ya Head
This song, but really the whole Makaveli disk gives me chills when I think about being able to leave behind words that really explains your life and emotions. The 3rd verse on this song has got me through some tough times.
(SAMPLE) God bless the child that can hold his own - Indeed, enemies bleed when I hold my chrome - Let these words be the last to my unborn seeds - Hope to raise my young nation in this world of greed
Currency means nothin if you still ain't free - Money breeds jealousy, take the game from me - I hope for better days, trouble comes naturally - Running from authorities 'til they capture me
And my, aim is to spread mo' smiles than tears - Utilalize lessons learned from my childhood years...

Thanks for your time and please give me some of yall favorites! I may need to do a part 2 because im still thinking of more...lol

TIMELESS

I am a person who loves many different forms of music, I was thinking of what makes certain music outlast others. As I have reached completion with the Pain Music project I was trying to put some of those ingredients into that project.
As i thought on I just started to name off a few songs that I could play today, yesterday, 5 years ago or from now and they will still touch me the same. I think it's the realness or the relation to real life that if its something you have went through or someone you know has went through, those songs don't have an expiration date on them. As rappers we tend to always try to out-rap the next man and forget to put some of ourselves into the music. I love a good metaphor as much as the next fan but when bills due, and your not in a happy environment I don't really care how well you rhymed that verse (lol). I think that was one of the great things about Tupac was that his lyrical skills wasn't to the ranks of Jay-Z, Biggie, or Eminem for example. Its was that he put so much passion into his music a lot of times you felt like he was from your neighborhood or even your house hold. I think Hip Hop or Rap I should say is more of a business than it ever has been and without blame most artist tend to duplicate what is guaranteed success. HOLLA BACK

SURVEY

OK OK I think its time to have a survey. I want you all to do some mental math for me. First think of how many family members you have dead or either in jail. Then reach into your pocket and count how much money you have or even have in the bank. Next look out the window and look at the type of car in your drive way (if you have a drive way) and while your looking out there take a quick glance at your surroundings. Lastly, think of what you do for a living. If its work hustle or both or nothing at all. Now that is all done let me continue with the question of the day. Why is the most popular music today all about money, cars, jewelry, how much drugs he or she is selling, and a bunch of stupid dances? It just gets kind of confusing that we embrace music we cant relate to. No content on our everyday struggles and hard times. TALK TO ME!!!

Limitations

While I was watching the Food For Thought interview with Jay Z a while back he was asked a question that kind of stuck with me. This guy, (sorry i don't remember his name) was asking questions trying to find out how much longer Jay thought he might continue to rap. After going back and forth for a while he then asked, "Why doesn't hip hop artist careers allowed to grow in the same nature of a Rock artist?" I am wondering why is it that we limit ourselves and put ourselves in a box like we do? Give me some input on why you think that we do not really see our rap artist grow in their craft. Dont get me wrong I dont really want to see any 70 year old hip hop shows, lol but just something i thought would be good convo. HOLLA BACK!

Content

Why is it that music with any substance, content, or meaning not successful today? I love having a good time as much as the next man but when you listen to the radio or watch videos you think thats all thats going on. I know the youth is the main target audience these days but Im really starting to believe that these ABC raps and excessive bragging and boasting is not only holding music back but our culture and community. "YALL TALK TO ME"