#Randon - Philly 360 and SXSW

Philly 360 made it all the way down to SXSW to show the Philly take over! Take a look at their recap filmed by Rashid Zakat.

FUN Fridays!

So ... A great way to start off the weekend was having Karmin stop by for an office visit. If you don't know who they are, you should get familiar. Graduates of Berklee Amy and Nick were discovered from covering some of their favorite songs on YouTube. Their most notable a lyrically packed "Look at Me Now" cover. Now they are signed to Epic records and recently released their own single "Brokenhearted." I'll be looking out for their project which should be coming around May!

Check out their performance from SNL.

#Random ... Someone Like You Cover

So someone posted this video on Facebook and I took the time to watch. This kid murders this record. I love his inflections and interpretations of the record! Take a minute and check it out.

I was just thinking ...

“...even if you're doing what you love, there will be times when you don't want to do it anymore, wish you could take a break, or otherwise just get a little tired of it. That's completely normal, and don't let it convince you you're on the wrong track.”

This is a quote that was shared me by my good friend and co-worker Caitlin Vivian and it couldn’t be more on point.  Sometimes I feel like I clearly will never find that one thing that is just satisfying all the time. The best thing about this quote is that it can be applied in all areas of your life. Whether it’s your career, relationship, whatever … sometimes you just aren’t going to want to do it. But how often do we take that as a signal to quit? Being great at anything quite frankly takes a lot of work! I have to remind myself that while pursuing my songwriting endeavors. This business is so not for the faint at heart. When people say you will hear a lot of NOs before that special YES … it’s TRUE! But I know that when I complete a song, my soul smiles. It’s a feeling that I am willing to strive for the rest of my life. We work at jobs for the security and healthcare, but the love of something is what makes it all worth it. I know that I can’t continue to work a “job” for the rest of my life because without the love I’m sure I will be quitting for the rest of my life. With love comes endurance and this quote is a great affirmation of that. 

Adventures in Vocal Lesson ...

So I recently embarked on taking vocal lessons at Deliverance church in Philadelphia. And really I’ve gotten way more than I bargained for, in a good way. If I’m being honest, I started out taking the class because it was less than the vocal lessons I was looking at, at Temple. But after settling into it, I realized that I might grow much more in a church setting. Well right from the first day, I appreciated how the teacher just made us sing! No fear! I usually spend a lot of time complaining about how much I don’t want to sing before I actually do it, But I could tell there was going to be no room for that in this class. The greatest part about the class is that it’s so much bigger than “learning” how to sing. It is really about the anointing of singing and how to use singing as a tool. She talks about the importance of singing and how singing can pull you through battles. It took away a lot of the shyness I was feeling about my voice. There is something about singing songs for God that makes the importance of the notes fade away. And in that, you end up singing better because you’re not thinking so hard about it. I know a lot more about music than I give myself credit for. I often deal with insecurity in writing music based on the fact that I haven’t had much formal training. For so long I just wanted to understand the music that I hear in my head and be able to translate those musical ideas better to those that can execute it. So what I find in my voice class is not so much that my voice is getting better than it was, I am just gaining more confidence to use what I already had. Don’t get me wrong … reading with sheet music and singing with the piano is still very helpful ear training for me. I can be all kinds of flat and sharp and I am really trying to wrangle in my ear. I’m looking forward to getting in the studio and seeing the difference in my recording.

Dope Writers - Andrea Martin

I have never been a big Melanie Fiona fan. I think that she is a good singer. But quite frankly I never felt like her songs were that great. I couldn't really connect. But then I heard "Gone and Never Coming Back" This was the first Melanie Fiona song that I could actually vibe with and I ended up really digging it.

Recently I stumbled upon the writer of that record, Andrea Martin. Turns out she has written so many hits dating back to early Monica and SWV. Always nice to see women with great catalogs! Men can seem like they dominate the charts sometimes.

Congrats to Melanie on the two GRAMMY wins. Check out Gone and Never Coming Back!

Dope Writers - R. Kelly

Say what you will about R. Kelly in his personal troubles. But one thing remains, he is one of the most talented musicians of our time. R. Kelly is one of those people you just always hoped got it right. He seemed to always be struggling with his spirit and his flesh. I hope that in the wake of such the sudden death of Whitney Houston that many of us will start to choose the spirit.

This song really didn't stick to me until now. I don't think at the time it was released that I really even thought about it as a spiritual record. But in the wake of all the buzz with Whitney's death, I turned on the radio one day and this was playing. It just meant something completely different to me now. Just a beautiful record! And it was written by R. Kelly. I really wanted to hear him kill it at her funeral, but I understand he was emotional. I hope that one day I can hear a version of R. singing this. I feel like it meant a lot for him to do this song with Whitney.

Anyway, Check it out here.

I was just thinking ... It Is Well With My Soul

Have you ever had that moment in life where you feel like you have everything you need? It’s really an amazing feeling. This is not to say I have everything I want, strive and dream for. But the reality is, I have all that I need. Funny in this business you run into so many people and you are constantly networking and finding yourself in situations where people are asking you “So what have you been up to?” It’s as if they’re waiting to be wowed about a huge placement or artist that you’re working with. I have resolved to just saying, “working.” I mean isn’t that what we’re all up to? Writing songs, making records … “I’m doing the same thing you’re doing.” LOL. I’m really looking forward to this year and hoping it will be a break out for me, but I am soooo content. I had the strangest thing happen to me in my vocal class, where my teacher out of nowhere says “yeah I know you are trying to get your funds together for something big but God is saying It is Well.” That really floored me. It really put so much into perspective for me. And these last couple of days, I couldn’t be happier to just be breathing, to wake up every morning, to know there are people that love me, and to continue on my journey in creating music. I am so blessed. And though on the daily I continue to work towards dreams and goals … I realize that I am closer than I think. Most of us in this business dream and harp on when we actually make it, but the reality is, that every day we create we are in the music business, doing the same thing that those that have “made it” are doing. It’s just on a WAY SMALLER scale. Lol. So I am thankful for the opportunity to write music with the talented people surrounding me. I can’t wait until the world catches up!

Here is a rendition of It is Well. It may seem a little dry at first. But listen to the words. And when you read the story of the writer, you really feel it even more! 

I was just thinking ... You in your own way

You’ll only go as far as you want to go. Period. Moving through this business, I find that a lot of people are very focused on staying “true to themselves” and not wanting to bend on a lot of the things that make this industry work. Let me preface this by saying, I am a firm believer in sticking to your beliefs and morals without a shadow of a doubt. But … you also have to realize that this IS a business! There are plenty of people who are very talented musicians and artists who realize that they don’t want to pursue their music professionally. They work a regular job and create music on their own time for fun or therapy or whatever. But at the point where you are trying to make a career out of this thing, you have to know how it works and how to bend on SOME things, NOT ALL but some. For instance, when I first started writing everyone told me that I was too deep and wordy! At first I was defensive because I thought “Most music is crap and has no substance these days.” But what I had to realize was that it took the perfect marriage between a catchy melody and subject matter to make a song more pleasing and enjoyable to a larger audience. I don’t have to start writing explicitly sex kitten songs or write about how much I was balling. All I had to do was find more creative ways of adding substance and work on better melodies to fit my wordiness. I could have hauled off and said “Nah they want me to sell out.” But you have to be smart enough to understand that the people who have been in the game, know what they’re talking about. Find mentors that you trust. I know so many talented writers that didn’t have to compromise their integrity for commercial success, but they did have to learn how to package a product. I believe that the most innovative and legendary musicians in the game did things that people didn’t necessarily agree with or thought would work. But even in their innovation, I think they had to have an understanding of how to manipulate popular opinion. I’m not sure if that makes sense to you all but hey what can I say? I just think you have to give a LITTLE to gain a lot. Don’t be an artist if you don’t want to think about branding and your image and all the other things that come along with making music. Just make music in your basement for your 5 friends that will hear it. But if you are really striving towards something, know that sometimes the advice that people are trying to give you, is for a reason. That’s just my ten cents, but who am I really? Hahaha. 

Songs That Changed Our Lives ... Aisha Winfield

Songs That Changed Our Lives is a brand NEW segment that I am adding to the blog. Each month I am posting a short blurb from a songwriter, producer, or music professional about a song that either changed their life, their career, or their approach to music. Looking forward to sharing these stories with you all. Stay tuned every month for a brand new post!!!

First up ... Aisha Winfield, Creative Consultant, ED of Jill Scott's Blues Babe Foundation and Founder of Jr. Music Executive. Make sure you check out and support her program at www.jrmusicexec.com. Aisha has made helping students obtain careers in the music industry her priority while promoting literacy and continuing education.

"Songs that changed our lives immediately made me think of "Isn't She Lovely" from Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. I remember being around 5 years old and my mom playing it for me for the first time… I was dancing around, loving the joy I could feel in the record, then freezing when I heard my name. All I could do was smile and play it over and over again. The lyrics made me feel warm and fuzzy. I felt special when he said my name, even though I knew he wasn't talking about me. Stevie Wonder’s lyrics are simple, but they paint a vivid picture of real life. I made it a point to REALLY listen to the lyrics of every Stevie Wonder song after that. Years later Another Bad Creation with "Iesha" had the opposite effect on my love for lyrics. I couldn't shake that song for a LONG time, and I hated it. "Iesha you are the girl that I never had". For me, those two songs changed my life."

#DopeMusic ... My Chick, My Boo Commentary from Naturel

I am constantly surrounded by some of the most phenomenal people in this music industry. I have been privileged enough to meet an artist named Naturel recently. And he is super dope. Not only is he a beast in the fashion world, he released an album called Momentous, that has a sound like nothing else happening in hip-hop right now. I am definitely a fan! Below you can check out some of his commentary on probably my FAVORITE song from the album!

and check out his site to see all the dope single artwork ... naturelnaturel.com

Dope Writers - Marsha Ambrosius

I actually heard this song for the first time when Marsha Ambrosius performed it live at a concert. Didn't even know that this was a Jamie Foxx song until a lot later. Anyway, who can't love the girl from London that says Jawn and reps Philly everywhere she goes. Definitely one of the writers I would like to be able to pen a song with one day. She's honest, raw, and she has a flow like a rapper sometimes.

Check her out as she was a writer and featured on this record with Jamie Foxx.

Dope Writers - Jessie J

Sometimes music is the greatest form of therapy. It is really something when you can take something that your feeling and articulate it this well in a song. I don't know exactly what Jessie J was feeling when she went to co-write this record, but it conveys such a strong emotion that I believe resonates with so many people. 

"Brushing my hair do I look perfect?

I forgot what to do to fit the mold

The more I try the less it's working

Cause everything inside me screams

No, no, no, no, no, no, no"

I mean if you have never been trying to go along with something and everything in you tells you no, then you're a robot! LOL. But really just such poignant words and the vocal performance on this record is phenomenal. 

Check her out here. And support her latest single "Domino" co-written by a Dope Writer alumni, Claude Kelly. 

Just A Thought ...

I haven't posted just some writing in a long time. This is a hook that got passed on. But you never know where it could end up. Just thought I'd share it.


"Grind so hard missing life moments
Work so hard you barely breathe
Your vision is all I see 
Just promise that you'll shine
Your long nights make my life worth it
Right beside you on this journey
Your vision is all I see
Just promise that you'll shine"

-writelaughdream

#Random ... Common, Cloth

I have always loved Common. For me, this is the hip hop that I think is truly art form. I am not a huge rap fan, but for the most part I like very soulful music that feels REAL. Too many people rapping about cars they don't own or don't have yet, the streets, trapping. That music definitely has it's place so I would never do that but not all of us can relate to that. Here is a song that really makes you feel something in your soul. It was brought to my attention and I fell in love with it. Sometimes songs just tell our stories....

Check it out ...



And here is his commentary behind the song.



And here's the link to buy the album. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-dreamer-the-believer/id484275413?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC or don't complain about what's on your radio. :-)

Dope Writers - Sterling Simms

Marsha Ambrosius really did her thing on her solo debut, Late Nights & Early Mornings. Not only is Far Away nominated for a GRAMMY this year, it also showed the resurfacing of a Philadelphia native, Sterling Simms who was a co-writer on the record. Sterling has had some solo success of his own, but has most recently been writing for other artists. Many will watch as they cheer on Sterling along with Marsha and Just Blaze.

Check out the record below ...

Where have the A&R's gone?

 As a songwriter, there was a time when you may be able to score a meeting at a label in order to play music for A&R’s working with artists. It seems that time has passed. As an upcoming songwriter, the idea of actually having someone at a label listen to your music is just a fantasy. In the age of email, you meet people, who tell you, send me some stuff. But I guarantee there is like a spam filter that all your stuff gets sent to. Lol. As much as people ask you to send them stuff, it seems that I never hear anything back. So you might say, “Well maybe your stuff just isn’t that good.” And yes that is what I thought for a certain period of time. But I must say my friends eventually you get to a point where you know your music is undeniable. To help with that I started sending music to known friends in the industry asking them just that! “Hey, tell me is this music up to par with industry standards or not?” And after listening they all gave me the thumbs up. One notable manager saying “Yeah someone’s just not doing their job.” So now that I can feel confident enough to say, hey I have good music here, I am wondering “What happened to the A&R’s? It seems that when it comes to making albums, they just look at the billboard charts and grab the writers and producers from the top ten … which is FINE … I mean it’s somewhat of a sure bet, I guess, but what happened to discovering new talent? New writers and producers with new ideas? So what is the solution? I have pretty much given up on the idea of trying to “Shop” songs. Just feels like a waste of time in my book. But I have some upcoming artists that I am writing with that I am really excited about. I’m no longer fixated on getting a placement with this HUGE artist. I am more interested in trying to break artists of my own with great songs that will be undeniable. We have a great team! And all of us are focused on making the best music possible and making a space for ourselves. Forget waiting for some suit to tell us that what we have is worthy. Another solution to getting songs heard is co-writing. I am fortunate enough to know some really dope producers and songwriters in the game. So your chances of getting a song placed with one of them is way more likely. They have the ear of the industry. They are the ones who can still get meetings with artists and labels and whatnot. So having the opportunity to work with them, there is a good chance that one of the records you work on together may end up in a meeting. I would think that in a business where everyone is looking for the sure thing, that it might be neat to find the next best thing. But what do I know?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well it’s the New Year. And although most people have a jaded view of resolutions and that type of thing, I think that a new year is a great time to re-evaluate. Now I know that some people make the same resolutions year after year and never take any steps toward actually achieving their goals, but that’s on them if you ask me. I find the New Year refreshing. In my mind I always think that the upcoming year is going to be better than the last. If your life isn’t steadily improving then what is the point? It felt so good to sit in church on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and be reminded of the great life that we are blessed with. One where God gives us so many more chances than we deserve to get it right. So personally I am looking forward to a better me in 2012. There are so many things brewing and I feel like this is a great year for some of those tops to burst off with great things. In working on having more discipline and patience and all around love for others, I am hoping that my year will be something for everyone to talk about!!! I really am planning to show out this year. I am just so blessed and ready to do things differently then I have before to reap a great harvest. To set the tone of what I hope is many many more to come, I was coming home from a friend’s house on New Year’s Eve and I heard my song on the radio!!! “I’m in Love” by Dilemma. My song, something that I wrote was playing at 3am on New Year’s Day on Hot107.9, one of the two urban format stations in Philly! If that’s not a way to kick off the New Year than I don’t know what is! Below you can check out a video of me “FLIPPING OUT!” LOL because I heard the song as I was parking. I know that anything I set my mind to I can have. Even if it takes a little longer than I might think, this is proof! Looking forward to experiencing this so many more times in my life. HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can’t wait to continue to learn and grow!