YoungBlaze of Chi-Town

Maurice YoungBlaze Clopton is the epiphany of hip-hop! Growing up in the hard streets of Chicago is just one of the hard life struggles that made him who he is. Both of YoungBlaze parents were musically inclined! His father played the sax and his mother sang, which meant it was only destine that he be in music.Blaze taught himself to write, produce, mix and master his own materials and decided to enroll himself into Studio Chicago Schooling MIW(Music Industry Workshop), which is a school for the arts and a brother school to Columbia College for more Guidance. He Trained under famous Engineer Chuck Kuwal who mixed on R Kelly's and Prince's records and many more famous recording artist.

Not only does YoungBlaze mix, produce, and write his own songs, he has also done work for other artist as well. He has also written R&B, he has done Ghost Production for Major Chicago's Artist, and many other big names in the industry, he's done some remix work for Ciara's 1.2. step, Gwen Stephani's Holla Back Girl, and Next Selection recording artist Cassie which also got him to feature on The Infamous TapeMasters Inc. MixTape Circuit as well. In Late 2005, YoungBlaze decided to put out merchandise on his popular website www.youngblaze.com, selling everything from T-shirts, bookbags, plush teddybears and and womens apparel, and has sold over 500 items without being an established artist. He created his own fan base, also putting out a mixtape via internet and being his own distributor and hand pressing them up himself. He sold from 1000 to 1500 mixtapes in 2 weeks. He is currently becoming a Internet as well as a music Phenomenon by reaching a status other artist cant achieve independently. 

YoungBlaze has received a great amount of recognition from YouTube, for his hit song 365 words in 1 min. He got over 100,000 views for this song on YouTube and even performed over seas in Bahrain. Check it out!!

YoungBlaze is no stranger to the music industry, he is simply buying his time and working hard to build up his fan base. He has also gotten strong recognition for his hit single, "That Girl Ain't Cute", which was written and produce by him. Check it out and let me know what you think.

As of today YoungBlaze has gotten back on the grind and has put out a hit remix to "Look At Me Now"! The video was produce and recorded by YoungBlaze and he has now gotten the video on worldstarhiphop.com. YoungBlaze is an unsigned artist that really has worked hard and have built a fan base for himself. Please support him and his music as he makes an impact on this music industry.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhXqGIFdaAA0K0H1JT

If you would like to know more about this artist, please click the links below!

www.youngblazesite.com

www.facebook.com/youngblazechitown

www.twitter.com/youngblazeofchi

Full Sail University Black Student Union presents guest speaker, Attorney Shannon A. Ligon

On Thursday March 3^rd, 2011 Full Sail University’s Black Student Union had the pleasure of listening to Attorney Shannon A. Ligon speak on the entertainment business. Shannon Ligon earned her Juris Doctor Degree from Florida A&M University College of Law, and her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University. She later received her certification in Television & Radio Broadcasting & Production from the CSB School of Broadcasting in 2004. Ms. Ligon has experience in the areas of Entertainment, Media & Business Law, where she has successfully worked within the entertainment and sports industry for the past eight years. With previous experience as an A&R and connections from over her nine plus years in the industry, she often assists clients in the areas of creative development and production. As many would say, sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. Ms Ligon previously worked Sports Agent Richard DeLuca, Big3 Records, and Clear Channel Communications. 

Ms. Ligon is a very humble person and with very little time the audience was able to ask the main question, which was how do you get into the music industry?

Point #1:

Find your passion.

She said, “Whether it's music, fashion, film or sports; determine the industry in which your interests, desires and motivation lies and move forward in that industry. The entertainment biz is a grind, you MUST eat, live, and breathe it; so you might as well love what you do. The entertainment industry is a treadmill with no 'OFF' button. It is constantly changing with the influx of customer demands/trends, technology and new media. Staying on top of your hustle and your grind is imperative but if you love what you do, it may not seem so much like work.”

Point # 2:

Determine your niche.

She says, “ The entertainment business is so vast that you need to find your passion and your niche.”

Point # 3:

Network

She says, “ You never know who you are going to meet so always be ready to network.” This industry is all about going out and meeting people so if you are lazy this may not be the industry for you.

The last couple of pointers Ms. Shannon Ligon gave was always be excellent with whatever you do and never be afraid to lose, but never give up. This was really the speech most of us needed to hear. As the new generation of music moguls, many have told us this will not work or that we are not the best. However, Ms. Shannon Ligon has relit the fire for us  all to accomplish the impossible.  Not only does Ms Ligon practice law, but she also gives back to the community. She serves as founder of her own non-profit, Legacy Entertainment & Arts Foundation, Inc. (L.E.A.F. Inc.) which advances entertainment and the arts by creating scholarships for underprivileged youth.  She is also a proud supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

If you would like to know more about Shannon Ligon you can go to her website at http://www.ligonlawgroup.com/

Staying connected with Music Associations to protect your music!

It has always been a dream of mine to work in the music industry! However I feel like everyone should understand the issues that can affect this industry and what associations are set in place to help. The Internet has changed the way we buy and listen to music. The changes have had both positive and negative effects on the industry. Many would say that the industry is having trouble, while others think that the Internet has help enhance the industry and brought new technology. The Internet has greatly enhanced piracy and influenced the use of online radio. Two major issues that the industry is facing are, downloading and streaming. The Internet has increased piracy problems in the music industry by making it easier to get music. Piracy is defined as illegally making copies of copyright material without getting permission (Colons English Dictionary).  A company that can help with this issue is called RIAA.

The Recording Industry Associations of America (RIAA) is an organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major companies. Their job is to help protect the music, artist and company’s rights, weather it is illegal downloading, sales or breaking certain laws. The RIAA members are a combination of record labels. Downloading has always been an issue in the entertainment industry. According to The Recording Industry Association of America, “The Internet offers music lovers virtually limitless possibilities” (riaa.com). Many consumers have taken on the mind frame of, why pay when you can get it for free! Downloading was convenient and you could do it at anytime or place. I am honest to say that I had that same mind frame until recently when I stated educating myself on these issues. I was very unaware of how it was affecting the artist and companies that I love and wanted to work for. I began to read more about companies like RIAA that are set in place to protect our music industry and artist.

The RIAA has other companies that are connecting with them to help artist and other entertainers protect their products and services. One that I am very aware of is Broadcast Music Inc or BMI. This company helps with collecting fees and paying out royalties to people who composed, distributed or published the music. Overall BMI is set in place to make sure that your song gets license and if it is used by anyone that you collect your royalties. The company also offers other programs and resources like career building and song writing support.

Although I am not personally an artist I feel that everyone should be connected to this association, because we should be aware of the issues that is affecting the music industry. I work with different artist everyday and for me to not be aware of these issues is saying I do not care about my artist. Please educate your self on your rights and get all your music licensed. Also please tell your friends, family and associates to stop downloading and purchase the music that these artist, composers and producers have worked so hard on. In the end the music industry is the way it is because of its fans so lets help it grow and become stronger. If you want to know more about RIAA and BMI click on the links below.

RIAA

http://www.riaa.com

BMI

http://www.bmi.com

My analysis on how to live before you die speech

How to live before you die by Steve Jobs (TED.com)

Listening to the speech that Steve Jobs gave at Stanford University commencement was very inspirational.  For many of you that may not know Steve Jobs, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Apple and Pixar. Some would not consider him their most favorable person, but he has created some of the best technology that we use today and that was all because he thought outside the box. He did not settle and adapt to what the society wanted but did what made him happy. However in his speech to the graduating class of 2005, he encourages them to pursue their dreams and do not allow the setbacks in life to stop you, but use them as opportunity to do better. Steve tells three stories in his life that could have set him back but instead, he used them as stepping stoles to learn and do better.

The first story that Steve told was about connecting the dots! He explains how his mom put him up for adoption and felt like people that have a college education should adopt him. However, when he was born, the family that planned on adopting him decided they didn’t want him but wanted a girl! Later, a nice family finally adopted Steve. He went to college at the age of 17 to Reed College, but only attended for 6 months before he dropped out. Then he explains how he was tired of taking classes that he did not like, so he continue to stay on campus with friends and take classes that only interest him.  He was very interested in calligraphy and he learned as much as possible and he found it fascinating.  The moral of this story is that with all the trials and tribulations that he went through he still did not give up. He continued to educate himself and take classes that were of interest and because he did that he was able to create the computer we all love which is the Mac. This computer has multiple typefaces with different fonts, and this is all because he dropped in on the right type of class and didn’t give up because of his circumstances. Steve jobs states, “ it was impossible to look at the dots forwards, but it was very clear looking backwards at them ten years later”.

The second story he talks about is the love and loss!  This story explains how he began his career at an early age with his partner Woz. They developed the product Apple in Steve’s parents garage and after years of hard work they grew this product and company to estimated $2 billion with over 4000 employees. He explains that he was successful and very happy but all that changed when he got fired from apple! He was confused on how he could get fired from the company he started! The issue was that he hired someone that he though would be good to run his company but as the company grew, both there ideas and values began to collide and they had a falling out. Well the Board of Directors for the company ended up siding with the other guy and Steve was let go. He was humiliated and hurt, however he did not allow that to get him down because he still loved what he did. So what he did was start over and that allowed him to become focus and creative. Over time he started a company called Next, then create the company Pixar and got married. The funny part is that Apple bought his company Next and he returned to apple. The life lesson in this story is that none of this would have not happen if he did not get fired from Apple. He states, that sometimes like with come at you with a brick, but don’t lose faith! (TED.com) He kept going on because he loved what he did and did not allow the downfall to change that.

The last story is about death! In this story he explains how he was diagnosed with cancer and how the doctor told him he had a tumor on his pancreas.  He was explain that this was a cancer that was incurable and that he should go home and get his affairs in order, because he was going to die. However there is nothing to hard for God! He begins to explain how he went back for a biopsy. The results showed that he had a rare form of pancreatic cancer that was curable with surgery. He got the surgery and is here to tell his story. Overall he explains that no one wants to die. He explains that no body wants to die however we all share the same destiny. He also says that death is a way of clearing out the old to bring in the new. We must live our life to the fullest and now allow death to live it for us.

Overall this speech was very inspirational to me because he showed how is life had a lot of ups and downs but he did not allow his self to live someone else life. He lived and loved his own life and followed his destiny. I feel that for anyone trying to go into their dream field, you should utilize what Steve Jobs said in this speech. Do not give up and keep the faith that things will work. Sometime our destiny has some curves in it but as long as we go with the flow we will get to the final destination of success. If you want to know more about Steve Jobs and this speech you can check it out at www.ted.com or click the link below.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

B.O.B is a nominee for 5 Grammy's!!!!

Sometimes it pays off to be different! B.O.B is a native from Atlanta, GA and is up for five Grammy awards! He is in the running for Record Of The Year, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Best Rap Song for "Nothin' On You" (the first with Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars, and Mike Wilson, the second with Bruno Mars, and the third with Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Bruno Mars); Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Airplanes, Part II" (with Eminem & Hayley Williams); and Best Rap Album for The Adventures Of Bobby Ray.

Check out this video of B.O.B expressing his gratitude on getting nominated for the five awards! 

Honestly this news is not a shock to me, because he is just an outstanding artist, performer and lyricist. He came into this industry full throttle with no chaser and he is doing nothing but moving up. With on only being in this industry since 2006 he really has made an impact on this industry with his different sound. If you did not know, he was signed to Atlantic Records through Jonsin’s Rebel Rock Entertainment and Grand Hustle label, because of his song “Cloud 9” in 2006! He continued to work hard and not give up on his dream. B.O.B is not conforming to the standards of this industry and more artists should be like him. I do not see him going any other way but up.

B.O.B stated, that he is really focused on painting a picture of himself as a musician and an artist and not just a rapper. However if you want to know more about this artist just got to http://www.bobatl.com

If you know good music make sure you support this artist and tune in to the 53^rd Annual Grammy awards. B.O. B will be performing, so you will not want to miss it. The show will air on Sunday, February 13^th, 2011 on CBS at 8pm (ET/PT)

Read more about it here.

Lil Romeo is President of No Limit Forever Records???

There is no limit or boundaries for the Miller family! Lil Romeo once again turns some heads in the news, and it is not for basketball or acting but music! Hip Hop legend Percy (Master P) Miller really made some noise with his Record Label No Limit in the late 1990’s. Coming from the ghetto of Louisiana, Master P was no stranger to the struggle. 

Scoring a huge distribution deal in 1995 with Priority Records was just the beginning of his success.With being able to keep all ownership of his music he really came in the game with a business mind. He sold over 75 million in records sales and was name one of the highest top 40 paid entertainers in The Forbes magazine. However as time went on No Limit Records began to fall and finally closed for good in 2003.

I am personally excited to see what this UCLA college graduate has in store for this up and coming Label!

It is now time for Lil Romeo to fill some big shoes and take off where is father Master P left with No limit Records, Romeo has teamed up with his brother Valentino (Vice President of No Limit Forever), his uncle Silkk The Shocker (COO -Chief Operating Officer") and cousin Black Don (Senior VP of A&R).

According to Romeo the new Label No Limit Forever, will focus on digital content that can be released to the world. I guess they will not follow what Master P did in the 90’s and sale music out their cars! Lol

NO LIMIT FOREVER IS BACK FOR GOOD!!!!
Check out this video, they going ham!

Well I am proud of the No Limit Crew for coming back and making a change. They have change their whole focus and will be pushing more music that is positive. The company has a lot in store for the year 2011 and there is no limit on what they will be doing.

Check out this exclusive interview with Master P and Lil Romeo!

For more information go to http://www.rapbasement.com

Lil' Kim Disses Nicki Minaj Again

Lil' Kim Disses Nicki Minaj Again

It is now 2011 and the beef between Lil Kim and Nicki Minaji is still going on. So how far is to far? Words are being exchange face-to-face, over radio station interviews, at concerts and much more! Can we just agree to disagree! Yes Lil Kim was the Queen of her time, but it is now a new generation! So why don't you both just come together and squash this craziness!