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.