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Showing posts from November, 2022

Detailed Look at the Run the Jewels x Nike SB Dunks Dropping in April 2023

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  Rap duo  Run the Jewels  is working with Nike SB on a sneaker collaboration that’s scheduled to launch next year, sources with knowledge of the upcoming release tell Complex. The project will see RTJ rappers El-P and Killer Mike team up for a Nike SB Dunk High and a Nike SB Dunk Low, sources say. A first photo of the shoes leaked on Monday via  @zsneakerheadz on Instagram , who previewed a pair with the group’s logos on the heel. Image via @zsneakerheadz on Instagram Nike did not respond to a request for comment on the upcoming Run the Jewels x Nike SB Dunks—the brand generally does not comment on leaks. Reps for the rappers also did not respond to a request for comment. Killer Mike, through a third party, declined to comment. According to one person who’s been briefed on the shoes, Nike plans to release the Run the Jewels SB Dunks around April 20, 2023, which could situate them in the long line of  4/20-themed sneakers  from the brand’s skatebo...

First Look at the Air Jordan 3 'Wizards PE' Releasing Next Year Worn by MJ during his stint in D.C

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  One of the more obscure exclusives from  Michael Jordan’s  brief tenure with the Washington Wizards is rumored to drop in 2023.  First reported by  Sole Retriever  and corroborated by  zSneakerheadz , the Air Jordan 3 “Washington Wizards” PE is set to release to the public for the first time ever. Very similar to the OG “True Blue” colorway, this PE replaces the latter’s red accents with a Wizards-appropriate metallic copper to match their uniforms. Image via  zSneakerheadz  &  Yankeekicks The “True Blue” Air Jordan 3 saw its first retro in 2001, which aligned with MJ’s stint with the D.C. team. Rather than wear the pair that hit stores, Jordan’s pair was tweaked with the aforementioned copper coloring, an oft-overlooked detail. Along with the Air Jordan 3 PE, Jordan wore pairs like the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 11, the Air Jordan 18, and the Air Jordan 19 while with the Wizards. Early info slots this “Wizards” Air Jordan 3 PE fo...

J Money reportedly got shot and robbed of his three chains and Rolex, while sitting in Rolls Royce in Los Angeles; Said to be in critical condition

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  J Money shot in Los Angeles in a robbery attempt of jewelry  Back in the 2009-2012 era of Atlanta hip-hop , J Money  had a huge buzz for himself. At the time; his stage name was J Futuristic, and frequently collaborated with  Yung LA . The two were part of the futuristic era of Atlanta hip-hop, during those several years. However, the Atlanta rapper has run into a very unfortunate situation. According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, he was  shot  in LA, last night. This was in a robbery attempt for his three chains and Rolex. At the time, J Money is said to have been sitting inside of his Rolls Royce. This was in front of the Kurve luxury apartments, in the Koreatown area of downtown LA. The site is located in Wilshire and Hoover. J Money reportedly rented the Rolls Royce that he was in, from Korean royal, Andrew Lee. At this point, J Money is said to be in critical condition. No other updates have been made available, as he is still being treated for his injuries....

4 Benefits That Come From Focusing On What You Love In Music

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  The non-musical world often thinks that making and performing music is always fun, easy, and instantly gratifying. But serious musicians know that this is only one part of their story. Loading your equipment out of a venue you just played after a show that no one attended isn’t fulfilling. Pitching your new album to a long list of email contacts and never hearing back isn’t fun. And yet both these examples are things independent musicians have to do to find audiences for their music. You can think of it as “paying your dues,” but the kicker is that some artists never manage to move past the stage of trying to get the world to notice their music, even if their songs are great. That’s a hard truth about pursuing music.  One of the only sure things you’ll have in music is your ability to enjoy what you do as a musician, whether it’s getting on stage or writing music. But as important as this connection is in music, we often neglect it by acting in certain ways that we think we ...

How To Write About Experiences That Are Human And Interesting

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  Songwriting is arguably one of the most compelling art forms. It is humanity looking back at itself – giving us the ability to reflect in profound ways. A song about heartbreak has the power to bring a person to their knees by ways of evoking memories that are universal. One of our most important missions as songwriters is to present universal experiences to listeners in human and accessible ways. Making human experiences come off as interesting in music demands a delicate balance. By simply saying “I’m in love and am very happy at this moment,” you may be missing out on an opportunity for greater creative license. However, that same idea presented as “Since I found you, I don’t feel like eating spiders anymore,” rings cryptic and obscure past the point of comprehension. Universally relatable topics mean your lyrics will take shape as ideas that your listeners can identify with. Be mindful not to veer off course with overly complex descriptions, as you may risk alienating your au...

5 Ways To Reset Your Musical Mindset

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  For most of us, falling into predictable songwriting habits is more and more an inevitability the longer we make music. It’s natural to favor certain ways of doing things, whether it’s a specific genre, DAW, or instrument. But even if cohesion is one of your top priorities as a creator, your fans probably don’t want to hear you make the same songs over and over again.  Launching yourself into a new musical mindset every once in a while isn’t just a good idea, but is a way to creatively thrive as a songwriter. However, finding yourself in a new mindset takes work. Here are five ways to change how ways of thinking as a songwriter: Songwriting Exercises  Trying out a songwriting exercise is one of the quickest ways to put yourself in a new musical mindset. By design, exercises like trying to write in a different genre or creating lots of music in a short period of time help us to alter our mindsets in huge and enduring ways as songwriters. If you know you’re in a serious r...

How To Build a Thriving Community of Fans

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  When it comes down to it, we all just want to feel seen. We long to be a part of something that feels like we belong. For so many of us, music is that escape. It serves as a safe haven, a creative nook where we can express ourselves freely. Best of all, when we find a community of others who like the same music, band, or genre as we do, we feel seen. We belong. And we thrive. We’ve all experienced this, but when you’re an indie musician trying to grow a fan base for the first time, it can feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall. So how do we create an ecosystem that supports and lifts our careers? Understand the community you want to create It’s understandable that we would like to attract as many fans as possible – but the key here is to build a community of like-minded individuals who have common ground and interests. With this in mind, the first step is to get really clear about the community you want to build. Hone in and imagine the profile of your followers. To illu...

Why Distractions Are Hurting Your Songwriting Practice And How To Remove Them

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  Whether it’s a talkative roommate or the constant desire to be on your phone, distractions can be one of the most significant barriers standing between you and your full potential as a songwriter. If you’re serious about making the best music you can and sharing it with the world, you’re going to need to identify what distracts you the most when you write. Then comes the hard work of consciously removing distractions from your writing practice. While this gets easier the more we work at it, it’s a job we’re never finished doing. Distractions will always make writing music harder than it has to be unless we do the constant work of addressing and removing them. Recognize what tends to distract you the most when you write music To rid your writing practice of distractions, you’ll need to first know exactly what they are. It could be a needy pet that vies for your attention, or the irresistible urge to check emails or social media notifications. It might be a well-meaning partner tha...

3 Ways To Raise Money For Causes You Care About As A Musician

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  As a musician, you have a unique platform to raise money and bring awareness to important causes. Even bands and solo artists with small followings can engage their fan base to get behind causes they care about – whether it’s fundraising for a personal cause or a pressing global issue. Here are three ways how to raise funds for the causes you hold close to your heart. Giveaways Modern-day music projects involve a music strategy that surrounds your brand. This could range from physical items such as merchandise (e.g: shirts and stickers) to non-physical things like your individual songs. You could host a giveaway of these items to your fans in exchange for donations towards your cause. This is an easy way to spread the word about a special cause and raise money for issues you care about. The cost involved is minimal, as you can host these giveaways with items you already have on hand. Rare and bespoke gifts If you’re fundraising for a cause you really care about, consider pulling ...

5 Tips For Defining Your Musical Taste

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  If you’re having trouble finding your musical identity as an artist, it could be because your taste in music hasn’t been defined yet. Alongside musical intuition, writing music as often as you can, and letting life experiences shape your songs, your musical taste is incredibly important for your work as a songwriter. When you’re in touch with your musical taste, creating music that’s meaningful and authentic to you gets much easier. Here are five tips for defining your unique musical taste as a songwriter.  Look back at the music that has defined your life the most The first place you’ll want to start defining your musical taste is in your past. Specifically, think about the music you listened to most in your youth. Ask what music you have listened to throughout your life and why. Are there any links between artists stylistically or lyrically? Did you rely on specific songs to get you through hard times, or do scenes of you and your friends dancing to music in your car durin...

A Guide to Roles in the Music Industry: Building Out Your Team

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  If you dream of having a career in the music industry, there are more opportunities than ever! It can be a lot to keep track of – the music industry includes a variety of roles that work together to create the music we listen to. Hence, we’ve compiled a simple list of some of the most common industry roles and careers. Whether you’re building your team as an artist or exploring new career options, here’s a good starting point for understanding the diverse range of roles in the music industry. Manager A manager may oversee many facets of an artist’s career. It has a broad role in overseeing and managing an artist’s career. There are also different kinds of managers – business managers represent artists in matters such as finance, while tour managers coordinate logistics on tour. On top of that, a manager’s role may vary depending on whether they are managing an indie artist or a major label/well-known artist. It may be kept to an advisory role, while others may assist in booking s...