Mar
Collaboration…
I knew it would take some time, but I’m probably one of the most patient people in the world…..let’s say outside of all Monks and Buddhists, I’m around #1,985. Oh, you’re wondering, “you knew what would take time?” Working with musicians who want to create good music…. Let me rephrase, collaborating with several musicians who aren’t asking about upfront money to come together and create music. If money is the key to get you to create, the project will take a while to even jump off the ground. Months to a year.
I’ve been on almost all sides of the business at this point. I understand what it means to be a freelance musician, an artist, a promoter, a producer/songwriter/beatmaker, and engineer. I don’t even wish to DJ…. that’s a whole ‘nother skill set. But, I see a necessity of creating. If we’re not creating, then we can’t complain about the “whack” music that is out here. We can’t complain about the artists who aren’t talented. The thing is that they’re creating!!
I think we all should make money from project to project. Most of us are grinding and because of that, don’t have much time to work on a collaborative project that will potentially flop. I’ve been down that road before. I’ve decided to change my outlook on those projects. At least I walk away with a few recordings to add to my portfolio. I stopped playing gigs so much. I think that I’m tired of the hustle. I’m kinda worn out. Working the day job and producing, rehearsing, playing at night, etc….. it gets to you at some point. Maybe its just me. Maybe I haven’t landed the right gig yet. But, on a local scene, making $75-$125 a gig isn’t really working for me right now. I chose to concentrate on one project since I have to do many to pay all the bills. I’m banking on 1Project- putting as much creative energy into it as possible. In my experience, when you get something rolling, that’s when other folks want to jump on board. That’s fine, I don’t mind. But, through actually collaborating on a project, those folks would possibly be involved with the creation of that project… meaning they could have writer’s credit….meaning if we market the project right, we’d ALL make money from it. Thus, making it easier for us to focus our attention on the next project.
Trust me, I get that some musicians don’t want to work with certain folks because they feel that their caliber of musicianship doesn’t match the other. Or, sometimes artists fail in marketing their project. I just really feel that we all need to have a mutual understanding of what we’re doing and how we want to do it with all honestly and fairness. If the Roots could reach back to help revive Philly, then I believe Chicago can too.
Either way, I’d like to thank Byron “Stico Von Drake”, Nick Jaffe, Tina Howell, Phenom, Big Ant, Tiaybe, Tunji and LeRoy Bach for lending their expertise with this new project….. Penny’s Revenge
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