reyshizz

Step 1 – Concept & Create Music

Back in March 2010, I decided to do a Hip-hop Tribute. The idea was simple: write and record a track a day AND, on top of that, I would use instrumentals of tracks that were made from 1979 to 2009. The plan was 31 tracks in 31 days. Due to a minor hiccup, it ended up being 31 Tracks in 29 days. I’m just glad to say that I pulled it off.

Step 2 – Review and Critique

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I’m finished, YES I’m DONE with the EP. It’s mixed down, mastered and delivered to the Industry Alternatives. The next step is to put it up on iTunes and other digital music distribution companies to make it available for download. While that is going on, I’m going to get a promotional CD out there to hand out where ever I can so that people can get a sample of the product, just enough to get them wanting more.

I am also going to be on a local mixtape hosted by @LaProfecy. I heard about the mixtape via Twitter, then I connected with dude to see what it was about. Apparently this mixtape features a bunch of indie artists, w/ the exception of J. Cole, and it’s going to be pushed heavy in the Metro New York Area. Which means if someone who could make things happen hears my shit… my phone should be buzzing crazy. So shot out to the boy @LaProfecy and check out his blog at PiffAvenue.com.

I have a special announcement to make. I will be releasing an EP very very soon. I got contacted via Twitter by the homie @Apex of Industry Alternative. He proposed that we work together in getting my music the exposure it deserves online and off. Taking everything into consideration I decided to team up with his group and hire them as my marketing and PR squad. The terms of our agreement is for three months. If all goes well I’ll extend the contract.

What does this mean for Life on Rap? Good question. And honestly I really don’t f-ing know. Life on Rap is more than an EP to me so I can’t reduce it to 4-5 tracks. With an EP that will be heavily marketed, I can’t release Life on Rap until the buzz around the EP is dwindling down. Stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place. So we’ll see what happens. Oh and BTW the EP is titled Making of a Man

In other news I haven’t had a chance to sit down with the producer I spoke about last week but hopefully it’ll happen this weekend.

Last week I initiated Operation Spread the Word. The idea is to get my friends and family to help me introduce myself to the local community and the web. I sent an email to about 26 people and in a month I’ll check my MySpace Band Page, Facebook Fan Page, and Twitter to see of there is a major differences in the amount of friends, fans or followers I gain.

As far as music goes I may have a producer… He’s new on the scene but seem motivated. I’ll let you know if it works out. I’m currently working on producing the track which i hope will be the first single to the mixtape titled, “Play to Win”. I want to give it a screw and chopped hook and a heavy drum kick. When I’m done with the beat I’ll post it up for review….

That’s it for now…

Below are the details to Operation Spread the Word. If you want to participate let me know.

As you know, I rap and have a website with music, videos and blogs featuring my artistry (http://reyshizz.com). Recently I’ve decided to make an effort to gain more recognition locally and on the web. Logically I thought I’d begin spreading the word with you, someone I know personally.

Your mission if you choose to accept it is to help spread the word about my web site, MySpace Band Page, Facebook Fan Page, and Twitter Account.

How to do this?
For each web presence I have listed ways that you can help to spread the word. You can choose to do all or none of these things, no pressure.

The website: reyshizz.com

• Mention my website in casual conversation with your friends and associates. If the topic of local music, rap or independent artists comes up just mention my site (reyshizz.com).

Twitter: twitter.com/reyshizz

• If you have a Twitter account please follow me and RT anything I post regarding my music updates.
• For example:
  reyshizz I just posted some new music on www.reyshizz.com
  yournamehere RT @reyshizz I just posted some new music on www.reyshizz.com
  (any questions on this just let me know)

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/ReyShizz/19290437448?ref=ts

• Suggest me as a friend to your friends who are interested in rap music
• And/or direct people to my fan page (facebook.com/pages/ReyShizz/19290437448?ref=ts) so they can become fans of reyshizz.

MySpace: myspace.com/reyshizzthestudent

• Send the below message to your friends who are interested in rap music
• “hey a friend of mine raps and he’d like to get your opinion on his music. Check out his page at myspace.com/reyshizzthestudent and tell him what you think”

My current statistics

• 116 fans on Facebook
• 85 followers on Twitter
• 261 friends on MySpace

I will revisit my stats in one month to see how Operation Spread the Word is going.

Thanks in advance for any amount of help you provide

With 18 weeks to go I’m steadily making progress. This past week I came up with two new concepts for two tracks and I have nailed down the overall concept for the project.

The Concept
The title “Life On Rap” kind of hints at the concept which is being hooked on rap, as one would be hook on crack or similar drug. I can’t put it down, it’s a passion (addiction). The way that this concept will play out on life on rap is the tracks will go through different parts of my life’s experience since my graduation, lryically displaying how rap has played a big part. So this is the idea, how this idea will completely manifest itself is to be determined.

The Artwork
I had a friend I work with hook up the album cover. The tracklist will be out as soon as it’s available.

The Party
I want to throw a record release party for my album. It going to be BIG so the planning wil have to start NOW. If you are in the Jersey it will be something to definitely look out for. More details to come (when i figure it out).

Songs written this week
I started writing a song which I think may be the first single titled: Gamble. It’s going to have a screwed and chopped hook and a sick beat. The lyrics of course are top notch… when I record it I’ll post a snippet.

Songs recorded this week
0

Beats made this week
0

I would like Life on Rap to have all original beats so last week I spent some time trying to figure out where I would get these beats from. I can create them myself, buy some for cheap and/or use a few ot the beats that I already have. Right now I’m leaning towards buying and using what I already have. I don’t really want to add the roll of producer to my already extensive list of titles.

In other news the album cover is almost done. I should have a preview for you all next week.

As you may or may not know, I’ve been working on a new mixtape. Due to the fact I feel that all my previous mixtapes were rushed and not thought out enough, I wanted to take my time with this one. That was my mind set since April… Now it’s August and I still have no mixtape.

I realize now that I need to take my time AND enforce a time constraint so that it doesn’t take me forever to complete the project. So now I’m starting from scratch (sort of) and sticking to a release date, which is Dec 14.

That date happens to be my birthday and exactly 20 weeks from yesterday (08/03/09). The mixtape will have 15 to 20 tracks on there with the best material I have to date. It’s going to be straight fire

To keep myself on schedule I’ll be recording one track a week and reporting back with status updates to share with you my progress. I also have a timer on my sidebar counting down. 20 weeks may seem like a long time but I’m sure it’ll go by fast.

Wish me luck!