When I say that I listen to a lot of music, I mean ...almost too much. I'm not an A&R or consultant; just a DJ. So, it's not my job to listen to EVERY single song sent to me. There are people who get paid to do that and market it. They're called "consultants." Not trying to sound condescending at all, it's just not my job. I know that some information is not common sense. You gotta look for it. If you're trying to be in this business, YOU MUST RESEARCH. ASK questions. Don't feel silly. ASK. READ. WATCH. LEARN. It's all available today.
If you want people's ears to notice you, then you have to put your foot on the pedal and drop it all the way to the ground. No one owes you anything. You owe yourself. But don't burn yourself out like I, along with countless others have done in this business. You can work your arse off and realize that your whole life zoomed by; not even one break of sanity.
This special commentary was triggered by some of the new talent in Los Angeles whom I've been hearing this past year. I keep my ears out for who's really working hard and has a gift. You see, LA's hip hop scene is very complex. For example, Hollywood's interpretation of hip hop is a very different scene compared to our underground or eclectic scene. We actually have a very stable and exciting creative scene. The flipside, of course, is our trendy scene. But what do you expect. Yet, there's no real balance or connection between the two. YET, it is possible to work hand in hand. It has been done before.
If you're a music entertainer, and have performed in LA, you know that it's not the easiest crowd. They may be feeling you but don't "give it up" like other crowds. By give it up, I mean LET LOOSE. Give the performer props with enthusiasm, instead of "I'm too cool for school" attitude. On the other hand, there are special LA natives who are the life of the parties...who don't ever hold back, always uber amped and just have their hands in the air throughout the show. (Run-on sentence, I know. It's ok. This isn't Rolling Stone or Urb.) But everyone who I talk to agree that LA is probably the toughest crowd to get a full reaction from. They will eventually give it to you, but you better WORK. (*Rupaul voice)
You see, the reason in which many Cali hip hop talents, especially Los Angeles, never come out is due to the lack of support. Instead of looking at the BIGGER picture, they'd rather look at the quick, SHORT TERM, right now small video. You know, the kind you see on MTV or BET, then don't ever see again.
Another reason talent rarely comes out of LA is EXTORTION. What do you mean? I'll explain. As you may have noticed, NO ONE ever comes to Los Angeles to shoot music videos anymore. Have you ever thought about why? Because you have some wish-they-could-bes or some people who think that they are Mayor Villagairosa and TAX people. HUH? Yeah, I said TAX people in the streets, not LEGALLY of course.
Now... NO ONE even wastes their time coming here. What does that mean for YOU & I? Well, just a few years ago, the city made money from entertainers shooting videos here. We may not have DIRECTLY got paid but we indirectly got paid because the city had more income which meant a bigger budget... which meant more money toward bettering the city, and so on. Right now, the lack of outside sources means LESS MONEY for ALL OF LOS ANGELES. We used to make a big chunk of money when it came to the music industry. Why would anyone in their right mind want to come to Los Angeles today, to shoot their music video while having to pay high state AND street taxes. Would you want to come here to get bullied? Exactly. As the saying goes, a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch.
There are many other reasons as to why our city is broke, but I'm focusing from inside the music business. Many people ask questions regarding LA's music scene and I'm telling everyone, all at once, you now know some of the crucial reasons. No one really wants to deal with talent here because of the possible baggage attached ...which slims the chances of other hopefuls. So then, you see a flock of talent move to various cities like New York, Atlanta, Miami, etc to take a shot at the moon.
It's going to be very difficult no matter where you go, but it's extremely difficult to make it in Los Angeles without the TRUE SINCERE support of our city. I've never lived in a city where they've had such a lack of support for their own musical talent. I'm not talking the trendy fads; I'm saying the future vets. You (most folks) got love for the LAKERS but can't even support your own talent? Why? Is it colors/gangs? Jealousy? Someone has musical talent that you wished you had? Whatever the reason, it makes you a hater when you wish bad upon anyone. Selfish. EVERYONE has TALENT. You were given a gift. It's YOUR job to figure it out. So, don't be mad when someone else has figured theirs out.
Can we get anyone new to hail from the west coast? Can we finally get some love? We can't until YOU, LOS ANGELES, give love. You may not prefer or like someone, but admit, you do know when someone has talent. There are SO MANY talented people in the hip hop scene of Los Angeles that I've been disappointed for many years that no one has really gone all the way ...again, since Pac. There have been some "almosts." The only reason being that someone or more didn't want anyone else to shine.
Can we be a city with more love than hate? (You're always gonna have hate, of course.) Can we just let someone, anybody SHINE? Aren't you tired of not seeing anybody from LA on the national and international music charts CONSISTENTLY? I know that we love the West Coast classics, but can we make some FUTURE CLASSICS? It's as if that's all we've been hanging onto for over a decade now, the classics. Be honest. I'm just sayin'!
Anyways, there are times when I must put my stamp on somebody and I am very excited to say that this fella, Skeme, oh boy, is GOOD. I wasn't born and raised in Inglewood but I reside here and my homie down the street had me listening to Skeme a few weeks back. After that, I was absolutely convinced that this dude is a package, almost a full package.
I replied, "I hope he has true friends and peers who will push him where many of us dream of going. This guy has 'it.'" I can't wait to hear more. He is NEXT. IF people in Los Angeles want any talented rappers to rise up, then SUPPORT.
“You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.” Jim Stovall
