Inspirations

Today marks the 8th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The heart always gets a little heavy leading up to the 11th. It is a grim reminder of better times. And what you've lost.

When I started in music, Shawn was always one of my biggest supporters. When obstacles continuously reared their heads, he always simplified what always seemed to be the most complex of issues. And with a smile. Not many things in life seemed to phase him. He showed me the importance of resilience and developing tough skin.

He always said he envied me for being so laser focused at all times. He said he had joined the military and served in the FDNY because it gave him structure and focus.

But it was I who envied him for being able to bring out the best in everyone. I believe that to be an inbred, innate talent, not something you're taught. I have tried since to emulate this natural ability, with very little success. But I'm gonna keep trying.

He said that one day I will be a great leader and I would walk with the greatest in my field. But I have already walked alongside one of the greats.

On days like today, I remember a street I loved to walk, but can no longer go down, because you lit it.

I'll keep working towards being a better person. Thanks for leaving a cool blueprint homie.

Your Big Picture

Some of us spend most of our days trying to stay afloat. Some of us try to stay a pay check or two ahead of the game if possible. The majority of us spend our lives working, pushing and grinding to get into better homes, better cars, and better situations because we were taught that things make a better life.

I ask folks that play the lottery, if you won and after all of the superficial things were out of the way and you took care of family and friends, would you do exactly what you're doing now with your life?

Some of us live self destructively, thinking a facade truly makes a better life. But at the end of the day, who cares what people think? Folks are just judgmental. It's embedded in their DNA. If you're doing poorly, well, misery loves company. If you're doing well, they'll ridicule you for not giving back. And if you do give back, they'll scorn you for the amounts you contribute.

When it's your time to go, will you think, "man, I should have did more with mine", or "I had a great life!"

So, what's the big picture? Live your life. Take it a day at a time. Take those baby steps that'll get you closer and closer to your goals. Don't worry about the noise going on around you. It doesn't matter what level of success you're enjoying or what tax bracket you're in. The noise will always be there. At all levels. In the 'hood and in the hills.

Live now. Act now. Move now. Live your big picture. Go get it.

The costs of abundance.

When I was younger my grandmother used to say, 'you will be abundant when you can manage it'. I didn't agree with her - yet.

Growing up in the Bronx in the eighties I saw three kinds of people - blue collar workers, drug dealers and drug addicts. As a young kid, the dealers' lives seemed over abundant. The allure was strong. As I got older, I realized what dealers go through daily. You have to be strong-willed to be in that line of work. Territory issues, trust issues, looking over your shoulder, death or prison stints breathing down your neck by the minute. The costs of abundance. Granted, a lot of people who "chose" this lifestyle just want to get out of their current social and economic conditions. Nobody wanted to stay in the hood. The blue collar workers were driven by the same motives of changing social and economic status.

As an adult, I now fully understand what my grandmother meant. The management of abundance wasn't talking about bank accounts and financial consultants. Rather, she was referring to the dues you'll pay to get it and your resolve in handling it when it arrives.

What are you willing to pay for change? How much have you paid for success? Are you seeing results? Are you seeing the fruits of your labor? And if so, are you putting back into your soil to enjoy more harvests?

Even the best of us lose sight of our goals and what's important in lean and fruitful times. Sometimes the amount of loss weighs greater than the gains themselves. Stay focused.

The Sistah's Brown On The Edges

Ironhorse Music Group's alternative soul singer/songwriter The Sistah has just released her debut EP entitled Brown On The Edges, produced by yours truly and Slim of The Aqua League. It's a cool blend of Soul, Jazz and Hip-Hop and features one of my favorite rappers (that wears a skirt!) Eternia.

It's posted as a free featured download on the IHMG website. Go cop now!

Download Brown On The Edges - The Sistah

Follow her at Twitter.com/TheSistah

Over The Mole Hills

Your vision can get a little hazy in the midst of world noise, environmental noise. With all that is going on in the world, it is easy to get sidetracked. But don't lose your sight. In spite of environmental issues and distractions, in spite of detractors, in spite of your doubters, don't lose sight.

At times, people who do not have any sense of focus and vision themselves seem to be the first to doubt and belittle your vision. But do not let that hinder your success. Surround yourself with individuals who share your vision. Surround yourself with forward thinkers. Surround yourself with those who thrive on success, big or small. Every step forward is a success. Mutually beneficial success is even better.

Mountains to the oblivious are mere mole hills to visionaries.

Artist of The Week - Doug Simpson

Hey folks. I just did an interview with Adam Bernard and have been featured as Artist of The Week (shwwweeeeeet). Thanks to Adam Bernard and the folks over at Adam's World. Check it out: http://adambernard.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-of-week-doug-simpson.html

You can also download my project Sketches here: http://www.ironhorsemg.com

The Beautiful Struggle

It's funny, but in general, people are not very complex when it comes to action and accountability. You are either proactive or reactive. You do something about circumstances or you wait and react to a circumstance. Call it what you will "workshopping", "researching", whatever. It is still an excuse as to why you haven't started. Or finished.

As I continue to network, it is always beautiful to see folks in motion. Progression. Whether it's giant steps or baby steps, as the saying goes "slow motion is better than no motion".

How much have you/are you willing to spend to get to where to need to be? I am not just talking finances, but effort, drive, passion and most important, time. Your time. Your effort. Your resource. Every choice you make alters the universe around you. When you do absolutely nothing, the universe continues its motion, bringing whatever is in its movement to your doorstep.

Regardless of what you been told and/or heard, you can change your circumstances. Make choices to grind towards a goal. Your goal. Yeah, everybody wants money. And those that have some want even more. But ask any of those that have it if they love what they're doing. The majority will tell you "yes".

The proactive folks have gotten this far in this article.

If you are just getting started, go in! If you've been at it for a minute, keeping pushing. Hard work towards a goal gets results. It'll all be worth your beautiful struggle.

The Life You Lead

We usually are in a state of shock and disarray at the loss of a loved one. Or someone we admire. Nothing could be farther from the truth than the week of celebrities passing on. From Ed McMahon to Farrah Fawcett to Michael Jackson. Individually, they have greatly contributed to the world of entertainment and to our lives.

What kind of life are you leading? If you died tomorrow, could you honestly say that you've fulfilled your destiny? Could you say that you were truly a blessing to someone else? Have you lived?

I think Reverend Run put it best: "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. You only live once but if you do it right, that's all you need!"

The hand you're dealt isn't your choice, but the life you lead is up to you. Live it.

Patience in fast times

Growing up my mom used to tell me 'nothing before it's time.' It took a bit of time before I understood that and it took even longer for me to accept it.

Things sometimes need time to develop. And we need to allow that time to pass. That does not mean that you should not do anything and wait. What you should be doing is prepping yourself for change. Ready yourself as best you can for whatever is coming while you wait for things to develop. No one wants to be told they're not ready after a steady bout with impatience.

We all want it now. It's hard to wait. But the wait will be well worth it knowing you are well prepared for what's on the other side.

Take care of what you have control of -- yourself.

Due diligence

In my continuous journey of self-motivation, I do come across moments of sluggishness and reassessment. Sometimes the reason you started something just isn't valid anymore six months down the road. And sometimes you find renewed spirit in what you started. While I have touched on this before, it bears repeating. Follow through! Finish!

Most of us never finish what we start because we never truly needed it to begin with. When you need something - I mean really need something, you will shift the Earth to get it. Assess what you think you want. Are you willing to go the distance for it? You may get over the hill only to see two more hills, each steeper than the one before it. Still want it? Still need it?

And don't worry about the naysayers. Naysayers are usually the ones who don't have the courage to follow through on things themselves. Even when it seems pointless, see it through. Feeling unaccomplished is one of the worst feelings in the world.

We all have different motivational factors in our lives - money, family, friends, material things, significant others. But all of those things are just what helps to get you started, not what makes you finish. You makes you finish! What are you waiting for?

Setbacks

Setbacks get such a bad rep. I'll hear folks complaining about this or that not working out like they had hoped and really, really being upset about it. They'll say it was a disappointment. I disagree. A setback can be disappointing, but it should be viewed as a disappointment. That would be saying that you are a disappointment, and we both know that is far from the truth.

To me, setbacks are safety brakes. I view them as "take a closer look " or "look at this from another angle" statements. Life puts us in precarious situations at times and human nature causes us to act or react irrationally or impulsively. I believe a setback is just giving us a bit more time to look at that situation without the emotional baggage attached. Once we've let go of the emo-bags and dead weight, we'll have allowed ourselves to make better, smarter and much more logistically sound decisions.

I'm not saying you should be happy-go-lucky because you've had a setback. What I am saying is to access the setback. Then honestly access why it may have happened. Not enough funding? Not enough experience? Not enough time? Not enough effort?

With practice, you'll soon start to see setbacks for hat they really are... points of accessment.

Deterrents

Ever been planning something and just as you were about take your first step, something or someone comes around that claims to be more important that what you planned? How did you handle that? Did you move forward with your plans or did the "something more important" change your plans?

I have been guilty of the latter more times than I care to admit to. Everyone else's issues were just more pressing than whatever it was I had initially planned. Ha!

We let so many deterrents stop us (or slow us) from achieving success. From exercise and health choices to family and business decisions, we let the deterrents run rampant. And after they've run their courses of blockage, we are left with a void of goals unfulfilled.

So how do we combat this? Simple. Pay yourself first. It's a concept used in finance, but it applies here. Get to your finish line. Run with folks running in the same direction as you are. Attempt to catch up to those running successful races ahead of you. Deterrents are roadblocks. Deterrents run against the grain, against your grain.

Success cannot and will not ever be a deterrent. No one can stop you. It is you who choose to stop. Push the deterrents aside and if they persist tell them, "You are going to have to wait. I've got a race to finish."

But they won't stick around. Deterrents are impatient. Let them find someone else to stump.

The Avant-Garde

Last week there was a report that came out regarding the jobless market and the numbers, just like the month before, were staggering. The numbers that really struck me were the number of African-American men unemployed - from 13.3% up to 15% to date. That's crazy. But hasn't it been said that necessity is the mother of invention?

During the depression in the U.S., new and innovative companies sprouted up out of necessity of jobs, goods and services. As convoluted as some of this country's values are, it is still one of the greatest countries to build an empire from a fleeting idea.

Now is the time for the great thinkers and people of innovative thought to step up. And some of those great thinkers are nestled right within African-American communities across the nation, both impoverished and affluent.

Let us think ahead and move forward, not by reinventing the wheel, but by building better, faster and revolutionary vehicles of thought around and on top of a sound foundation.

The (Residual) Power of the Network

I got this quote from a friend of mine who posted it on his Facebook page. "Wise people make complicated ideas seem simple, while foolish people make simple ideas seem complicated." Whoever spoke these words of wisdom, spot on... spot on.

Sometimes I really think people don't get the simple task of networking. Showing up, talking, listening (not hearing) and building relationships are all parts of networking. Most folks talk about what they are doing or what they are planning to get into. While this is good, many don't listen to each other, so it just becomes a battle of who seems to have more of a life or I.R.R. (Individuals Reaching for Relevance). Not a cool club.

While networking is cool, it's the residual power of this networking that makes all the difference. Case in point: you head out and meet someone at a bar or club, talk about your business and they talk about theirs. You find common ground and offer your services/advice to help their business. Later down the line, you get a call from someone who was referred to you with high regards by the person you met in the bar/club. See? Residual.

While networking is such a simple concept, we do tend to complicate it to the point that we end up over planning and underacting.

The beauty of networking is that you make a new ally. The beauty of the residual network is that others will speak on your behalf, creating a web of allies.

Try it. You'll be amazed at the results.

What's the hold up?

I live and work in an industry of big talkers and excuse makers. It is also an industry of hurry up and wait folks. I can't tell you the amount of times people (performers) ask for production only to sit on it for months without following through. Don't get me wrong, I understand the creative process, but does it really take that long to get a song done?

My point is why do we have issues following through and finishing? For some of us, we dream so big the dream itself becomes overwhelming and causes us not to act at all. Some just don't know what the first thing is that they should do to move forward. The rest kinda take a 'I'll wait and see what happens', which translates to 'I'll wait to piggyback off of someone else's success if I can'.

Stop waiting for someone to do it for you. Go get it done!

DougSimpson's Sketches Available Now!

What it is folks,

Well, I have released an EP entitled Sketches today which is available as a free download. Feel free to pass it along to a neighbor, friend or significant other. It's alright.

I'd also like to take a moment to thank Slim and Mr. Fantastik of Euphon, The Sistah, Fresh Aire of TriBoro and Johnny Wah for the assists. Good looking my peoples.

Thanks for all of your continued support. Enjoy.
D.

Ask and you shall receive. Maybe.

I was in a recording session once and one of the gents in the room asked, 'what did you create this with?'

A lengthy conversation was sparked after expressions of disbelief were apparent across the room. I answered every question honestly (I said honestly because producers tend not to share their trade secrets, but that to me is just insecurity. But that's for another entry.)

I have come across that same reaction every time. The 'really?' reaction and the 'and you're telling me?' response. Why wouldn't I? I believe that in the creative field, like fingerprints, no two can and will be alike. Sure, I can take a crack at producing like Primo or Easy Mo Bee whose primary thump and boom-bap come from the SP-1200. But it wouldn't sound the same. It would sound like a sound-a-like. The soul or essence of that individual is missing.

It's like playing ball like Jordan in his prime. Yeah, you could go and purchase a pair of UNC ball shorts and wear 'em under your regular ball shorts and try and score 60 points a game. You can try, but chances are, it ain't gonna happen.

My comparision to these gentlemen is not to make myself seem more lofty or arrogant in any sense. I will never perform they way these men have in their respective fields. But what I will do is perform at peak in my own field, with my own soul, which in essence is what no else can do. They can try, but chances are it ain't gonna happen.

Ask and I'll tell you. Stupid? Nah. Cocky? Meh. Confident? Absolutely! We'll never make the same cake. I'll continue to ask as long as it helps to make me a better producer and individual amongst my peers who I hold in such high regard.

The Great Escape

I was watching The Black List Volume Two, a documentary showcasing affluent African-American artists, athletes and activists and one of the artists profiled was The RZA. After slinging a couple of anecdotes, he said he was speaking in front of about 400 inner city kids discussing his passion for chess and how the game is and has been played by many cultures. When he opened the floor up for questions, a kid in the front row yelled, "RZA, why you ain't up in the hood? You ain't keeping it real!" RZA replied, "Do you think anyone WANTS to be in the hood? Do you think anyone WANTS to wake up with someone above you, beneath you and someone on your left and right? Do you feel as if anyone WANTS to go outside knowing that all the drugs, guns and violence is within a 4 block radius of their house?"

Growing up in the South Bronx, I never knew I lived in the hood until I left the haven my Mom created and went into White Plains and Westchester to visit my cousins who were much more well off than I was. I watched my Mom work two jobs in order for me to achieve. She always taught us that we could achieve anything, if we worked for it. I always thought if she had the chance to do things differently, would she? Does she feel a sense of accomplishment or unfulfillment?

Later in the interview, RZA said he now has five acres. He can let his son run 100 yards ahead of him with no worries. Shweeeeeeeet. He also went on to discuss how he read Silver Surfer comic books to escape the world around him.

What is success for you? What is freedom for you?

Personally, I am not looking to escape from anything this world has to offer. Rather, I am looking to clear my five acres in it. How about you?

Take 'em by the horns.

Control stems from accountability and responsibility. Responsible when it's great news and accountable when the news is grim.

I watch dudes sidestep and disassociate when it seems like a verdict may be dark, but are quick to jump in front of the camera and claim prizes on a game show that they've never participated in. Is it individualism or just human nature? If it is the latter, people, we've got problems.

No one ever said a firing squad was comfortable. Obviously, a literal one would be fatal. But that does not take away from you being accountable. It's ok. We can and will make mistakes. Just don't repeat 'em. The more you take responsibility for your actions, the easier it will become when the rough patches come up. Deal with it. You'll stand tall even when they're chopping away at your shins.

Big City - DougSimpson feat. Slim

What it is folks. Here is the first single from my EP Sketches. The song "Big City" has been featured on MTV's Real World: Brooklyn as well as being featured as the title track for comedian Owen Smith's DVD Anonymous (thank you Mr. Smith!). Big up to Slim of Euphon for holdin' me down on this track man.

My EP Sketches is scheduled for release on April 28th. Thanks for your continued support.

Download the free single - Big City

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vintage75music

Brick walls.

You ever been in a figurative car with someone and could see the brick wall coming as the driver continues to floor the gas pedal? Did you say something, did you just bail or did you just brace for impact?

I gotta tell ya, I don't like the feel or taste of metal and glass. I will say something, a couple of times. But when we are about a quarter-mile away from the brick wall and you refuse to listen, I unbuckle the ol' seat belt, unlock the passenger door and tuck and roll.

Stubbornness stems from one feeling like he/she has no control over a situation. You behave stubbornly because you've got it all under control. Counsel is pointless because this is what you want to do. When you want to do it. A little lonely isn't it?

We all have our moments of bull-headed action(s). I think we should get a pass for one or two. But if your life is based in this realm of facade cars and brick walls, then let me apologize now. I will not be riding in your vehicle, as nice and shiny as it may seem. Brick walls are unforgiving at 75mph. Especially the ones we subconsciously construct ourselves.

Ignorance is bliss...

So we're in a recession. Our government is shelling out money; to taxpayers, the unemployed and big business. Big business is utilizing its spoils. Only in America can you screw up your own finances, ask someone else for money and continue on with business as usual. Granted, that's messed up, but isn't it what we are taught? Pass the buck? Your mistakes are someone else's fault? These businesses are clearly telling the rest of us "step your hustle up."

But enough finger wagging. I believe now is a time to focus on something more dire. The next generation. Robert Kiyosaki stated that our inner city kids are missing something far more important from their daily educational process. Financial education. We grow up around some of the basics of business education. Supply and demand. Unfortunately, it is in a violent environment, but the lesson is still the same. Whether its the street or Capitol Hill, we're hustlers, at least the business minded amongst us. The streets are lawless for the most part; Capitol Hill hides behind lawyers. The streets would too, if they could afford 'em.
Roughly 95% of our country are taught to go to school, go through various degree and accreditation programs and someday, if you're at the top of your class, then you may excel. Maybe. Of course, the problem with this thinking is there are more people unemployed, which makes for tighter competition. The small wedge of cheese to a box full of mice.

This is the time of the entreprenuer. It is these individuals, partners and groups that will create the small and mid-sized businesses that will create jobs, which will stimulate the econmoy. But if the next gen doesn't know how attain assets, reduce expenses and manage money, the cycle of poverty and despair will continue. And I know what you're thinking, "here he comes with his over-simplification again." This time your right. Yes, I am over-simplifying because it is that simple. In addition to Math, Science, and Geography add to this Finance Basics. I mean the simplicties of of supply and demand. Kids creating mock businesses and learning about overhead expenses, basic marketing and advertising, service versus product businesses, etc.

Yes, it may seem boring, but it only was made to seem boring. Making money is actually fun. Especially if you doing you love doing. Kids would probably figure out their calling sooner in life so their adult lives would be a bit more focused.

But then again, it is easier to complain about your problems rather than working toward a solution. Sweet sweet ignorance.

As Your World Turns.

I think everyone has one time or another come to a turning point or fork in the road. You know that point that you have to make a tough decision or two? How did you handle it? Or did you let the chips fall where they may so you didn't have to deal?

The messed up part of the latter is that a lot of people take that route. My question is... why? Why would you want the world to decide your fate? Granted, we all have to make some tough choices at times, but wouldn't you rather make the choice than have the decision made for you? I think it would be tougher to deal with a conclusion handed to me without allowing me to come to my own decision. Some decisions are just the lesser of two evils.

I believe if you continue to let the world decide what's right for you, you become a shell of what makes you, you. You'll never be happy, truly happy.

No one said this run through life would be easy. Some of us have it much harder than others. But isn't it nice to know that you're in the driver's seat instead of letting someone else floor the pedal for you, only to bail on you before you slam into a brick wall?

As your world turns, know that it's YOUR world. You can shape it and change it, even at its bleakest points.

Stay in Your Lane.

There was time when I worried about what other folks were doing or not doing. I spend hours on end wondering why someone would not take advantage of opportunities that were right in front of them. But I learned two very important lessons from this bad habit of mine.

One, most people don't cherish and/or appreciate anything that is GIVEN to them. To most, there is no real value attached because they didn't give up anything, they didn't lose anything, but they gained it all.

But more importantly, I learned something else about myself. That two, I was afflicted with envy. I was so concerned with others and their "opportunities" not because I couldn't understand why they didn't take full advantage of them, but because I was not being given that same opportunity. I liken this to someone sitting at a table in a five-star restaurant in the VIP section with the finest of food and drink, but they can't see that because they are so preoccupied with what's on everyone else's table.

What changed my perception is the fact that one knows how these opportunities were attained. To sit and contemplate someone else's fortune just doesn't make sense. At least to me anymore.

So, with that train of thought, I began a journey of self-definition, self-security and self-confidence. One step at a time, one day at a time. Today, I don't worry about other people's success or fortune. Instead, I say "that's what's up" and continue down my road of success.

Sometimes the street you follow someone down is not the lane intended for you.

Raise The Bar.

So I'm having a convo with my man and he says to me, 'Yo D, what's going with the music man? It's crazy! Ain't nothing moving me!' Personally, I take issue with that statement (keep in mind my man is a musician himself). My answer to him was simple. Maybe over-simplified. "Provide better music."

It's amazing how many musicians complain about the quality of material out in the music universe. As little as five years ago, I would/could accept this as a valid argument. But not now. Not today. The playing field continues to level out between major label ops and indie grassroot movements. By no means am I saying that the distribution process is fair or balanced, but I am saying that the quality of material standards can be challenged.

To my fellow musicians, show 'em how we do this son! The public will settle if that's all they are served. It's like the only fruit stand in the neighborhood and they knowingly continue to serve bad produce. The public can either eat bad fruit, eat no fruit... or find some new suppliers. The consumer can't find your better product if you don't set up shop correctly.

Stop making excuses. Set the standard. Raise the bar.

The Power of The Network.

I think of athletes and entertainers as superheroes. Not of the "role-model" variety, but as individuals that possess some kind of base power - super strength, super speed, etc. But after the base power, we each have that "something unique" about us that makes us an individual in a certain class. But even with the power, no man is an island. The more like-minded heroes you get working with you, the better the possibility of urban renewal.

If you get the chance to work with folks, do so. If you can seize an opportunity to work with someone, do so. Know who you are and what you do first. Then realize what it is that you bring to the fight and associate with forward-thinking, upwardly mobile individuals. See how your power can benefit their cause and offer it. Trust me, you'll get it back ten-fold. But let me be clear... move with movers. Innovate with innovators. Go get it with go-getters.

Surround yourself with success, and you'll have no choice but to breed success. Surround yourself with smart folks who challenge your thought process, and your brainstorms will become tsunamis of brilliance... maybe even referred to as genius!

There is no room for insecurity. Know who you are... first. The network become much more powerful that way.

Your Passion.

So I got to see Smif n' Wessun perform at Public Assembly in NYC. I also got to see SleepWalkas, Cavalier, and Homeboy Sandman rock (Big up my youts!). I saw the hunger of up-and-coming MCs as well as the mastery of veteran MCs as they performed fan favorites. They all shared a common bond, the passion for what they do. That always keeps the fire in the pit of my stomach burning. How can you not be inspired to move mountains?

My point? Have you lost/found your passion? You know, the love for that something that makes your eyes light up when talk about it? That something you'd do... income or no income?

Some of us may still be on the path to discovery, while others just may have given up on it. A couple of days ago, a friend of mine asked 'do you still have that hunger?' My answer was an emphatic "YES!" My train of thought was "why wouldn't I?"

Success is based on your personal goal(s). I have always been taught to set a goal and execute. What I wasn't told was the execution and eventual completion of that goal was driven by passion. It is this passion that keeps you moving when everybody's telling you "you can't....". It is this passion that gives you strength to endure the steep uphills you've conquered and the even steeper uphills ahead of you.

This Valentine's Day, as we all revel in chocolate and floral arrangements, I challenge you find or rediscover your passion, not just with the person you're with, but within you. 

There's no strength greater than a passionate person.

Execute!

So I just attended my sons' African dance recital. What was cool was not the fact that they did a great job, but that they had the courage to do it. At 6 or 7 years old I didn't even want to speak in front of a class of 20 much less perform for an auditorium filled with folks. They performed with confidence. They performed with pride. As the crowd applauded, they smiled with a sense of accomplishment. And so did I.

The lesson I hope that they walked away with is that anything is possible. Set the goal, create a plan and execute. Whether it's performing for an audience or simply following through and completing something, set, plan and execute. Make that phone call, write that email, finish that chapter.

Execute!