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K.L.U.B. Monsta: A Fresh Canvas

2/20/2017

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On a rainy Sunday in Birmingham, I found myself lightly jogging through the rain to meet 3 of Birmingham’s most respected emcees.  Even without being a collective, known as K.L.U.B. Monsta, they can each hold their own.  Here lately, it seems they have taken time to remind us.  First,  Junie + Raps from Joshua, then Dusty Rhodes 79 from Kel. Ricks, and post- interview, came Define HYPE from J. Dotta (#SecretSongs ... but  we will get to that later.)


So, as I sat down with these humble young men, I started my questions with Joshua.  I wondered why, of all the music that had been released, did he settle on this cut from  Solange’s A Seat At The Table.  “I don’t listen to a lot of people,” he explained. “This is one of the few albums I can listen to in its entirety.  Honestly, it fed my soul.”  Who could disagree with him?  The Grammy Award winning artist took us on a journey with her album that was unapologetic in it’s love for self and culture.  But now, we have Joshua along-side her professions.  Starting his verse with a strong and relevant statement, “Black women, I love ya.”  What seemed obvious to me had to be addressed.  Why start with this?  His response was simple,“I love black women.  I think they are the greatest thing God put on earth.”  I didn’t interrupt his appreciation, but had to add an “Amen.”  Sitting in his black and white KLUB Monsta sweatshirt, he continued, “I felt like doing an ode to the black women who raised me… my mom, aunts, sisters, play sisters…”  But he didn’t leave out black men.  He explained that after having watched the documentary 13th, he felt inclined to add the line “you can lock up the body, but can’t shackle the spirit.”  A line he describes as a reminder to those behind walls, that though they may be incarcerated, man can only lock up so much.


In a similar vein, Kel.’s now popular line from Dusty Rhodes 79 “Need cash money like Baby, but slim right”, is more than about financial stability.  So I turned my attention to Kel. Ricks who was sitting on a much different sofa than that described in this old school reminiscent track.  He explained that “it’s a metaphor on Cash Money [records], but it’s about stability.  Being stable isn’t just financial, it’s mental as well.” Kel. went on to say that, though the lyrics may be interpreted different ways, the group doesn’t focus it’s music on trying to “razzle and dazzle people with shiny things”, but instead tries to be a source of motivation.  With a history of creatively developed pictures using metaphorical lyrics, no one can argue that they accomplish that goal with no problems.

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I would transition to J. Dotta’s Define HYPE, but he didn’t tell me it was being released.  (Yes, I’m salty.)  But if he had given me the exclusive, I would have asked why he let Josh peer pressure him into doing that third verse (“Thought I finished, Josh said let the led bang.”) .  Hahaha! … yes.  Salty.  Had I known, I would want to know what makes him feel that “niggas doubt ‘cause [he] from the South.”  Well, since he was holding onto this secret song, I’ll move on. 


But apparently, secret songs are common for the group.  Joshua explained that as a result of growth, they have a feeling of what to share with each other and what not to.  Anything group related gets to be bounced around, but solo songs, not necessarily.   Kel. feels that if he isn’t satisfied with the song, he doesn’t feel a need to share it with the group.  But as we all anticipate a group album, we can rest assured that time and effort are going into the process.


So, sitting on the table in front of the laid back trio, I inquired what the process of this heavily anticipated album looks like?  Pre-written verses brought into a creative collective space is the way it was explained to me.  Sometimes those verses survive the process, sometimes they don’t.  Sometimes they are met with creative ideas and adjustments.  Maybe... just maybe, sometimes they are met with Joshua’s devil’s advocate approach that forces the group to evaluate just how good what they have created really is. 

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So, I asked, what can we expect to hear on this album.  I was glad to here there would be more features from family like Jazz’Mine & BFlat.  Yet, Kel. would say, a sound you won’t expect.  So as we all wait. I had to have something to tell those who have been waiting since Canvas.  Kel. says, be looking out for something new.  J. Dotta’s message, “I can honestly say with all confidence that we have worked so hard on this project, it’s worth the wait.”  Joshua’s message to waiting fans, “thank you.”  He goes on to say how people don’t have to support.  So, “for anyone who bought a sweatshirt, an album, or a ticket, it makes us work harder.”


So many people love Canvas and it was well received in many places.  So, there has to be some level of pressure. But how do they handle the pressure?  Their responses...“I’ve always been myself.  If they continue to accept me for me, the pressure goes away” J. Dotta explained.  Joshua feels that the pressure comes from the growth of the brand.  “When people support your, are pushing for you, and championing you, you want to put that same effort into growing the brand.  … we want to put that energy into something they can be proud of”, he says. 


So we wait.  But I asked them to give us something.  So, I asked of the plans for release of this new album.   Based on a history of releasing music, the group can only hope to partake of solid marketing using the lessons learned throughout the years.  J. Dotta says that as independent artists, “we say we will do a lot, but we don’t always do it.”  Kel. agrees.  “People give up on their project.  They put it out and stop.  They feel like if people don’t respond, it’s time to get back into the studio.  But there are 3 million other people who have never heard it… it never gets old.  You have to keep pushing it.” 


Before we ended, I had to ask my signature question for indie artists based in Birmingham.  Now standing against a wall of windows with the heart of Downtown Birmingham as a backdrop, I asked “what do you think of the music industry and hip-hop scene in the city?”  J. Dotta thinks, like many, that there are a lot of dope artists.  He mentioned that he likes that “they are taking their artistry to the next level.  Like that G.I. video.  He took it back to the old days.  I love House Party.  So to see him take it there, with dancers and everything, it was dope.  But that’s what I mean.  Everyone is trying to take it to the next level.”  Joshua enjoys watching the scene develop for the newer and younger artists.  “It’s great seeing them take what they want to do, their sound, and make it what they want on the scene. “  Kel.  feels  that the scene has grown.  “People seem more involved.  I never thought it would be that way a couple of years ago.”


Leaning on music as their therapy and each others as brothers, this Birmingham based collective is pushing themselves to continue after the dream.  They lift each other up.  They have grown their friendship into a brotherhood.  As Kel. said with confidence and conviction, “you can’t give up on your brother.”  Standing there with them, hearing them laugh at each other’s critique style about the other group members, I can’t help but smile at how some of the city’s most humble artists, are also some of the city’s most talented. Like the weather we soon had to face on the other side of glass we stood against, they are strong enough to make people pay attention, yet calm enough to enjoy. 

If you're smart, you will keep up with this trio.  Find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Be sure to also visit their website for additional info on upcoming releases.  

​-Jacqueline Jones

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Druex Kaine: Elevators to Success

1/26/2017

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Like the weather on this day in Birmingham, AL, Druex Kaine is unpredictable.  I met the Hip-Hop artist, producer, and self-proclaimed student of the music game on a dreary day at Railroad Park in the heart of the Magic City.  His demeanor is calm.  His choice of words is thought out.  His vision is clear. 
 
“My goal is to get 2 platinum albums.  Then I’ll stick to production.  After that, become an EDM DJ.”  Now that you know the end of the story, let’s back up to the beginning.  Druex Kaine has been creating music since he was 12 years old.  Like many independent artists, he has had to play just about every role himself.  “When I started, I was copying everyone” he said of his production beginnings.  Because he let his creation be influenced by the likes of  pre-“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Kanye, Druex Kaine says he doesn’t really have a “style”.  Being a student of the music game, the inspiration ranges from Big K.R.I.T to Smokey Robinson.  All of that shows up in the wide range of sonic variety you can find on “The Sneak Up (the beat tape). “
 
When asked why he chose to do a beat tape, Druex said he really just wanted to do something no one else was doing.  “A lot of people are learning about me and they wonder what they will get.”  But then, the truth.  “I wanted to make something for the people who are sleeping on me.”  He declared that he is not just another rapper making his own tracks.  He indeed wears the producer hat, and wears it well. 
 
If you didn’t know, Druex Kaine has done his due time in the corporate world.  9+ years of office time led him to this line in KingzRul3.  “My people perish for the lack of learning.  We’re supposed to sign our own checks while we are out here earning.”   He broke it down.  “I’m supposed to be paying my own way and making my own money.  Instead of being stressed by the employer, I have to remember to believe in myself enough to seize opportunities to push for my dreams and I can be signing my own checks.”  Though he says even with a 9-to-5, he still put in maximum hours for his dreams, he has decided that he won’t return the day job hustle.  “I’ve been praying that God increase my situation.  I have a job.  I just need financial increase.  [And] God has been sending people my way.  The more I seek Him, the more I put Him first… since I’ve been chasing Him, He has been opening a lot of doors.”  Dig that.  

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As with every interview, I asked what the Elevators rapper thought of the Birmingham music scene.  His opinion was short and straight to the point.  “No support.”  He didn’t point a finger at any side, creators or “fans”.  Maybe doing so leads you to believe he doesn’t want to step on any toes or possibly you will subscribe to the idea that he didn’t specify because everyone plays a part.  You choose.  But he did express that he would love to see people on the scene embrace Birmingham’s own sound and not try to be like other cities so much.  (Insert my own opinion here…  I agree.  When frustrated, many Birmingham based artists take to social media to express how they don’t do this in *insert over saturated large city where every one has moved there to be a star*.  Stop.  Just stop.  Back to Druex.)  To be fair, he also stated that it can be difficult for people to truly become fans of independent artists in general.  “They have heard so much garbage, they won’t give indie artists a chance.”  Interesting theory. 
 
So what’s next…
In the immediate future, you can catch Druex Kaine on stage in Birmingham, AL at:
01/27/17 – LBMX presents Skoolie Escobar / Druex Kaine / R Daniel / DJ Rhadu
02/03/17 – CURREN$Y (Opening)
 
Looking a little further ahead, you can expect a new project to follow up his last banger Elevator, titled Southern Nights.  Of course, we inquired further about the developing album.  Druex wouldn’t tell us much, but we did find out that you may hear a little singing.  *insert emoji eyes here*.  The track may or may not be called “Assumptions”.  If it is, you heard it here first. 
 
Get connected with Druex Kaine via Facebook and Instagram.   
Don't forget to pick up Druex Kaine's most recent project "Elevators".  
Jacqueline Jones
(all photography by Jessica Latten for Jessica Latten Photography)
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10 Things We'd Like to See From Indie Artists in 2017

12/12/2016

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1.  Consistency.
You can’t claim to want worldwide success, but not be willing to stay committed to your efforts long enough to see something happen.

2. Less Whining.

Every indie artist, even some majors, have less than perfect situations to achieve their goals.  Every artist has to deal with people not believing in them or supporting their efforts.  Unfortunately, it’s a part of the journey.  I’m not saying you can’t have feelings about all of that, but choose to let it motivate you rather than prompt you to use social media as your woe-is-me soapbox.

3. Do Unto Others
If you believe in good energy or karma in the universe, you must understand why you can’t just record music and put it out, asking for people’s hard earned $0.99 and never reciprocate. It’s simply amazing how many people cry “no one supports me” who have never purchased any one else’s music, tshirt, or even entry into a show.  Don’t get me wrong, don’t do it just so people will support you.  Understand that it takes deposits to allow for withdrawals.  

4. Stop Asking Your Friends
There are a few friends in most indie artist’s lives who won’t simply pat them on the back and say “good job”.  When asking for feedback, ask people who (1) aren’t afraid to tell you the truth and (2) have some clue of the topic.  It’s understandable if you simply want a consumer/listener point of view, but don’t take criticism from a group of BFFs turned “yes men”.  (Now if you have friends who will give you the real… GREAT!)
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5. Brand Yourself
Having a hashtag you always use does not constitute branding.  Take time to actually think about your brand strategy.  Try to figure out how a person/consumer could recognize your social media posts or your style if they didn’t have your name displayed.  If you don’t think you can do it alone, employ or consult with someone.

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6. Don’t Be Your Own Competition
Social media is both a blessing and a curse.  Because it is so easy to allow people into your personal thoughts, a lot of indie artists tend to forget that they are their own product.  It’s not uncommon to see artist post things that have nothing to do with their musical endeavors.  As any indie will tell you, support pours in for every post except their musical efforts.  So artist should slow down on being their own competition.  The phrase “any publicity is good publicity” doesn’t apply to all industries.  Decide what you want to be known for.

7. Treat Your Music Like A Business
This is self explanatory.  If you want it to pay bills, be as diligent with it as you do your 9-5.

8. Be On The Scene
This is the cousin to #3.  Be a body in the building.  Don’t simply get out when major names come to your city.  You are responsible for the music culture in your city.  "They don't do this in *insert major city here*."  The unfortunate part about that sentiment is that most would go to that city and support EVERYthing going on, but won't do that in their own city.  

9. Don’t Be Swayed By What’s Popular
If you are a boom-bap rapper, don’t suddenly adopt the popular cadence (raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing the same songs over and over on the radio. ugh!)  Be yourself.  If you want to do classic R&B, don’t try to be drake.  Just sing.  You will always excel in what you are good at and you love.  Adopting it because it is popular guarantees your momentum dies when the trend dies.
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10.  Invest In Yourself
I’m pretty sure everyone has heard this a million times.  Investing in yourself isn’t just about paying for studio time, artwork, and videos.  There are many other things your career needs financially.  You can pay for marketing, a website, social media promotions, or classes to learn how to play an instrument, learn to record, or take vocal lessons… to name a few.  And if money is tight, invest your time.  Don’t ever think that just because you can’t purchase something, you have nothing to invest.  Youtube has a wealth of info.  Use it.  Research.  Read.  Invest everything you have.  

So… let's do better in 2017.  
As usual, the MIcCheckBham family is always here to support indie artists any way we can.  So if you want our help, or the help of our parent company, One Degree MMM, just let us know!  

If you have something to add that you think is absolutely neccessary for 2017, feel free to drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.

Now go be great music creators!

Jacqueline Jones

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G.I. Magus: Stand Apart "Ampersand" Nelson

12/1/2016

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If you are wondering if he can “Kick That Flow”, yes he can!  G.I. Magus has been a consistent indie artist for over a decade.  This well-dressed, hip-hop creator keeps pushing to defy the stereo types of rap music.  Without one expletive and without one negative image, he continues to merge dope lyrics and positive messages. 
 
His latest EP release, “Stand Apart”, is proof that he has a larger picture in mind.  He has created the #StandApartMovement in an effort to encourage youth and young adults to be themselves and allow others do the same.  He uses that EP as the soundtrack to his performances in front of hundreds of young people regularly.  Performing at churches, youth organizations and groups, and schools, he is walking proof that hip-hop doesn’t have to be filled with flashy material things and unrealistic lifestyles to be enjoyable.
 
However, he doesn’t leave out his own generation.  He recently released the video for his single “Kick That Flow”, an 80s & 90s Kid N Play  inspired cut that features a house party atmosphere, bright colored spandex, and choreography by Antonio Mincy.  The video has had over 7500 views on Facebook.  You can check out the red-cup party scene in the video here:

Recently, G.I. also introduced us to his pork pie hat-wearing lion, Nelson D. Lion who tends to have a dry way of communicating what’s coming up and going on with G.I.  Can’t lie, we are looking forward to seeing what all Nelson might say.  He seems to have a little bit less of a filter than G.I.  Nevertheless, the “dapper rapper” isn’t done introducing things.  Per Nelson’s posts, we have learned that G.I. has released his next project “Ampersand”.  Apparently, the plan is to release 1 song every Thursday in December that features another indie artist (hence the title).  Knowing that we live for a great collaboration, we will be locked into his Soundcloud page for the  releases this month!  
 
After a new website, a new mascot, and new music, what’s up for G.I. in 2017? 
“I plan to expand my Stand Apart brand with more motivational speaking to youth.  I also plan to take my art in a different direction.  I think it is important to keep pushing boundaries and challenging myself as an artist.  So, I intend to try to do different waves that are more aggressive and adult than some of my previous work.  I just want to do something different for me.”
 
We’ll keep up with G.I. to see what those differences are.

​Jacqueline Jones
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MicCheck Mixer: 09.12.16 Producers, Singers, & Songwriters

9/1/2016

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That's right!  We are on to the next mixer.  The first one was a great success.  The HipHop community came out and we had a great time.   

Don't miss this next mixer.  Even if you are not a singer, songwriter, or producer, you should still come out and network with the music community.  So writers, photographers, web developers, models, artists of any genre, lawyers, etc... BE THERE!
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