Kev Brown said," Eff this!"

[Lazy Eyes]

Yeah thanx man, within 2 weeks i get my internet back up and running so i'm not relying on work solely anyore for internet facilities. Then i'm try to get 2 new beats for each showcase, finished or rough drafts.

I need to put up some deadlines so i can stay moving up and stay motivated. It's hard these days cus i've been so damn busy with all other things except music.

I'm thinking bout putting an album together wich consists of guest MCs and just my own productions. I want to give it a consistent feel and make it my precious..

 

[bigdmakintrax]

I interviewed Kev a few years back for my my online station may have posted it, i first heard of him when he was with lo budget crew, but this is more than likely true, i also know DJ RBi or knew of him from runnng into him at some local events, basically this is more of a testament for not just cats in the majors but more for that bangin underground sound, i guess its more like he needs either funding or a day job to support the level of what he has to put into the craft to get anywhere, not a lot of major labels getting behind that sound and also the sampleheaviness of the music...I do find this sort of hard to imagine because it seems like has put out records and from my understanding got quite a following in Europe.

But let me tell i know a few cats all the way on the inside whose music is VERY standup and miles ahead of me and some other cats you guys might consider are hot, i hear their every day struggles too, and when you do this music, it can make you give up especially you do it FULL Time and everything you do is under a microscope, basically they look at music as competitive because thats how they eat, so in other words most amateurs dont look at music as competitive because they not completely sustaining themselves off of their music, its a whole different perspective when all you do with your mpc and ideas is make music to compete with other people who are just as or more talented to get on projects....i know a lot of REAL producers and the percentage that get regular work you would be surprised, and especially now cause the industry is flooded with sources of tracks and music, i think a lot of people are fantasizing about what they can do with their music or how good they really are if you think you can make a living off of music especially hip hop and do it consistently, how many people here are doing that completely and how many records have you put out.....i'm not talking if you might have been lucky to place a song i'm talking some major checks or money, if so can you explain whether making that cake is easy or not and have you considered giving up, im not talking someone that considered giving up that has yet to get anything substantial in the way of profiting or actually being in the game, this cat was in the game somewhat or still is.

 

[Lazy Eyes]

I interviewed Kev a few years back for my my online station may have posted it, i first heard of him when he was with lo budget crew, but this is more than likely true, i also know DJ RBi or knew of him from runnng into him at some local events, basically this is more of a testament for not just cats in the majors but more for that bangin underground sound, i guess its more like he needs either funding or a day job to support the level of what he has to put into the craft to get anywhere, not a lot of major labels getting behind that sound and also the sampleheaviness of the music...I do find this sort of hard to imagine because it seems like has put out records and from my understanding got quite a following in Europe.

But let me tell i know a few cats all the way on the inside whose music is VERY standup and miles ahead of me and some other cats you guys might consider are hot, i hear their every day struggles too, and when you do this music, it can make you give up especially you do it FULL Time and everything you do is under a microscope, basically they look at music as competitive because thats how they eat, so in other words most amateurs dont look at music as competitive because they not completely sustaining themselves off of their music, its a whole different perspective when all you do with your mpc and ideas is make music to compete with other people who are just as or more talented to get on projects....i know a lot of REAL producers and the percentage that get regular work you would be surprised, and especially now cause the industry is flooded with sources of tracks and music, i think a lot of people are fantasizing about what they can do with their music or how good they really are if you think you can make a living off of music especially hip hop and do it consistently, how many people here are doing that completely and how many records have you put out.....i'm not talking if you might have been lucky to place a song i'm talking some major checks or money, if so can you explain whether making that cake is easy or not and have you considered giving up, im not talking someone that considered giving up that has yet to get anything substantial in the way of profiting or actually being in the game, this cat was in the game somewhat or still is.

This is a common problem and like what was said before, I dig Kev Brown and the whole sound he's going for. But i can imagine people not getting at him for producing an album because his sound isn't all that versatile. Not to diss on him cus i listened to his joints all day but to get to the top there's versatility needed or you need to be the best at what you do. Which he is not IMO. There's Pete Rock, There was Dilla, There's 9th. But he makes great beats.

I myself was and still am heavy on sampling but i'm moving my focus to composing also.. This because i'd like to make music without limitations and to meet the demands of the people that's gonna use em..

There's nothing wrong with sampling, Hell I love sampling. But it might be that some cats is feeling that Kev is doing the same 'ol trick and he's outshined by many other underground producers..

 

[bigdmakintrax]

Yeah exactly I think it's been that way for awhile, i mean there are tons of artists that will not even think of using anything other than that style of beat though and vice versa, i think themes and content driving production in a lot of ways not saying that's the sole factor, but supply and demand cant be denied, the masses don't want Kev Brown beats and you wont find that shelf stocked at best buy with that for the most part....i think the economics speak for itself, he'll never compete with Soldja boy or whatever that kids name and producers are as far as making cake and selling though unfortunatly, when for the most part he's putting all the same time and effort into the craft.

 

[Lazy Eyes]

BigD..

Right, but i think with the skills and level of recoughnition he has it can't hurt to step into some other forms of production too.. I mean he got connectsl he got the mp.. Now all he needs is the guts to try some other things besides the stuff he does now..

he prolly has 1000s of soulbeats so when someone asks for it he can just pick one out the closet.

In the meantime he can work his craft by making up hooks, creating whole songs.. and such

 

[DJ Excellence]

He's probably broke

 

[bigdmakintrax]

BigD..

Right, but i think with the skills and level of recoughnition he has it can't hurt to step into some other forms of production too.. I mean he got connectsl he got the mp.. Now all he needs is the guts to try some other things besides the stuff he does now..

he prolly has 1000s of soulbeats so when someone asks for it he can just pick one out the closet.

In the meantime he can work his craft by making up hooks, creating whole songs.. and such

Hey man im not making any real points, the point i guess from my understanding that tru skooling and keeping it real kind of stick to formulas thats not gonna go way out of the box with sampling, patterns and techniques, when you do a lot different you breaking the rules then you start to move into the direction of mainstream music feel me or risking stepping into genre changing sounds? these cats i am talking about that rapped and hung out at places in DC back in the day like State of the union down on U Street if you familiar, the types of issues and rap never gonna fall too far out of that tru skool feel or the shit yo gonna have at a cypher, or howard u back in the late 90's ....that's what im kind of saying, he could do differnent things but that aint with the element of keeping things real and classic though, i know the angle he is coming from with the music, closest i can think to compare might be original Rawkus records sound.

 

[Font]

WOrd!

 

[Beatz 101]

Its hard out here nowadays.

These coming years is going to be very difficult for people trying to break into the music industry, underground and mainstream. I must admit that tryin' to make producing a living has taken a toll on me. Its crazy. The game is so oversaturated that i question why i even stress it so much. Its gonna take an act of God for a nicca to get lucky in the music biz now. There is so many kats with talent and so many kats with no talent doing the same shit.

You can't jump into this game expecting to get paid anymore. Your motivation has to be the love of your music. If you truely love what u do then u wont quit cuz its apart of you. I make beats most of the time to chase the feeling of making a hot beat.

I stress to all my peeps who wanna rap or produce or sing to have a Plan B and Plan C. At least get ur Bachelors Degree and have a full-time job on the side or a dependable hustle'. And also be more than a one-trick pony. If u produce, know how to make sample-free AND sampled joints. And if u got the slightest bit of flow in u, you need to rap too. lol

 

[Ash Holmz]

^^ yo wassgood with ur boys album .. j gunn ... did it drop?

 

[LDB]

Its hard out here nowadays.

These coming years is going to be very difficult for people trying to break into the music industry, underground and mainstream. I must admit that tryin' to make producing a living has taken a toll on me. Its crazy. The game is so oversaturated that i question why i even stress it so much. Its gonna take an act of God for a nicca to get lucky in the music biz now. There is so many kats with talent and so many kats with no talent doing the same shit.

You can't jump into this game expecting to get paid anymore. Your motivation has to be the love of your music. If you truely love what u do then u wont quit cuz its apart of you. I make beats most of the time to chase the feeling of making a hot beat.

I stress to all my peeps who wanna rap or produce or sing to have a Plan B and Plan C. At least get ur Bachelors Degree and have a full-time job on the side or a dependable hustle'. And also be more than a one-trick pony. If u produce, know how to make sample-free AND sampled joints. And if u got the slightest bit of flow in u, you need to rap too. lol

Depends on what level you're trying to do things. Everybody wants to blow up over night and make millions off the rip. That actually isn't and has never been practical. Grind it out in your neck of the woods instead of looking nationally. Put it in the streets by way of your local clubs and Dj's. If it's hot it's hot. Dj's spin hot shit period. With club Dj's it's not about what's hot on the radio per se. Build a following locally and you can make descent money right at home doing shows, putting on showcases or hosting parties. Too many look right over the scene that they frequent on the regular.

And once again...as a new producer try to break new artists!

 

[Ash Holmz]

lil drama ur sooo on point .. nowadays it doesnt even matter how hot ur beats are.... everyones looking for songs, not beats... theres alot of avenues you can take ur music once its been completed but you need to have a product to begin with .. breaking a new artist with a new sound is where its at.... beatmakers need to step there game up and become "producers" in 2008 or it aint happening ...... i still believe the game is wide open right now .. if u can come with a fresh sound u can find a lane.... theres lots of dope beat makers, and lots of dope emcees , but very few dope ALBUMS being made... very few albums with replay value and universal appeal... the old formulas are dead .... but i feel there are more opportunities in music than ever before as long as you can come with something truly ill and original. Like beatz said .. if your a one trick pony, good luck ............ but if you can keep the people guessing on what ur gonna hit em with next, then u can def make a living out of this ..

 

[trez260]

The game is so oversaturated

You can't jump into this game expecting to get paid anymore. Your motivation has to be the love of your music. If you truely love what u do then u wont quit cuz its apart of you.

both of these comments remind of me of a comment i made in regard to the 50 vs. kanye promotion a while back.

alchemist has also gone to state "find another means to support yourself finacially, other than by way of the music, if you intend on making music that's different that what everyone else is making"

i think everyone has touch on things are at the root of Kev's frustration in term of the business of music. he's trying to collect money owed to him, he has equipment that needs to be replaced/repaired, the endless process of shopping beats, and the bills that are always certain to come without fail. sounds like there are several issues that are compounding that's taking it's toll on him at this point in time.

another thing to consider. after listening to Kev's album, i've come to the conclusion that Kev's a recluse, and he may (i'm no expert) have issues with depression. listening to him at times leads me to believe that he allows things to weigh real heavy on his heart at times (more than any of us would allow)

the issues he's dealing with are nothing different from what we've all experience at one point in time or another, but consider his state of mind.

he's worked with the likes of De La Soul, Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli, Biz and has had work on a slew of indie projects. not real major acts, but acts that are held in high regard. he's toured overseas with his low budget camp and has a nice following from what i'm aware of. so he's accomplish some level of success with his music, so i wonder if it's a matter of stepping up to that next level of personal musical accomplishment and pursuing placement with bigger name acts and projects (or the failing of) that's really eating at him.