Welcome to Real Men DON’T Cry!!! Which is the informative self-help guide for ALL artist who are attempting to secure a position in this financial funnel we know to be “Hip-Hop”. As I have stated in the past, my sole intention for doing this column is to help those who may involuntarily have a blindfold on. It is my hope that there is SOMETHING in these entries that help you to OPENS YOUR EYES!!!
This particular entry “Valleys & Peaks” is one that hits home for me. I first heard this term from my brother Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Ali always was the one who kept me grounded during my days with Tribe. I knew I was skipping the line by joining the group and he would remind me of that fact when it was necessary. I always took it with a grain of salt because of their storied “Industry” experiences. He would always say, ”This game is filled with valleys & peaks. Little brother you haven’t been through NOTHING yet!” I’m glad he did because it always served as a reminder to never severe my ties “In The Hood”.
The allure of the music business is the perception that the unattainable is attainable. One verse, cameo or record can “make you a celebrity over night”. In the wink of an eye the average “Joe” can become the landing strip for flies aka “The Shit”. There is no course in high school or college to prepare you for how it will affect your psyche. For some it is the fuel to rise to another level and for others it becomes the plateau they always wanted to acquire in order to look down on others. But what happens when that song gets old? Or that video is no longer in rotation? And the PHONE STOPS RINGING??? It is the inevitable in this business. Once you get that LOOK you now are under the microscope!!! (By the fans,the haters, the chicks, your friends, the bloggers and even the broke MFers. That’s just the game !!!) But once you get a taste of “The Life” how can you live any other way? Well how you move from that point will determine how you are perceived for the rest of your career.
If anybody could speak on this topic it’s definitely ME. I went from the highs of recording and touring with Tribe to basically starting from scratch. That’s an extreme shift!!! I’ve never ranted about my situation with Tribe because I am a student of the game. A teacher can only teach after being a student. If I didn’t allow myself to learn then I would be the cause of my own discontinued growth. When I opted to walk away from Tribe I was definitely in “The Valley” but having scaled such a huge mountain at such a young age (By being in Beats,Rhymes & Life in the first place) I was confident that without a grappling hook, so to speak, I could do it again. Yes, what took 2 years the first time took 10 years the next time but was well worth it. This is because when I connected with Kanye I valued every opportunity that came my way. Whether it was something successful (Spaceship) or some bullshit (They Say…) I embraced it, learned from it and continued to climb. When it came time to climb Mt. Everest aka Sony, all the preparation and careful notes I had had embedded in my brain up until March 6th 2007 would help me to pull off the IMPOSSIBLE. I swear to ALLAH if it wasn’t for what I went through in the past, “DayJob” would have never seen the light of day. I will admit I’m a writer but NOT a reader. The one book I have read over and over is the Quran. This book’s sole purpose is to embody the reader with wisdom.( Which makes it a GIFT) There is a passage in the Quran that says something to the affect of, “Do you think that you will say that you are believers and NOT be tested”. On a religious level that means if you say you believe in God be sure that Satan will test you various ways. If you believe in yourself (abilities) then know you’re going to be tested by obstacles & adversity. The jewel is if your heart is truly dedicated then you will reach your goal no matter what the circumstances.
In my opinion every “Valley” is the pathway to a “Peak”. Without struggle there is NO true success. The one virtue that will get you through “The Valley” in Music Industry is consistency. If you’re a writer then no matter what happens knock out a song as often as possible. If you’re a rapper never be content with one HOT verse. If you direct never let anything block your imagination. If you’re a blogger post that exclusive before anybody else gets their grubby hands on it! And if you’re Cons then finish your 2nd Album already!!!
Check out Real Men DON’T Cry!!!
This week’s Video Installment
“Hit The Road Jack” featuring Chrisette Michele
Next week’s entry “Art Of The Deal”
For all the latest Consequence updates & info:
Itsthecons.com
Myspace.com
Check out my Kyte Channel “It’s The Cons TV”
This week’s features include P. Diddy,Beyonce,Jay-Z,John Legend plus many more…
Don’t Quit Your DayJob
In Stores & Online NOW!!!
“Disperse” Video COMING SOON!!!
“Q.U.E. Another E.N.S.” Video COMING SOON!!!
“Job Song” Video COMING SOON!!!
The Cons Vol.6 “King Of Queens”
June 2008
The Natives Are RESTLESS Mix CD
July 2008
Job Training DVD “The Making of Don’t Quit Your DayJob”
Fall 2008
Paula, Patrick, Rik & Raymond are Band Camp
Band Camp Records Coming Fall 2008
Three21 Films Present…
Inside A Change
Feature Film & Soundtrack
Coming 2009
Consequence NEW Album
You Win Some, You Lose Some
Hits Stores This SUMMER!!!
It’s The Cons Fool
WORD!!!