Usoul Mag Issue 4 / January 2010 by Johnny Johnson

JANUARY 2010 Nia Penn MarqSeven Boots Riley Deana Dean

88-KEYS

88 Keys The Death of Adam

With his debut album, The Death of Adam, 88-Keys sees his first foray as an MC, coming from behind the scenes to front man under the direction of long-time friend and executive producer Kanye West. From Hip-Hop bangers like "Stay Up (Viagra)" featuring Kanye West to rock ventures such as the high powered "The Friends Zone" or more reflective moments ("M.I.L.F. feat. Bilal"), the album narrrates the most universal of themes, the relationships between men and women, all with a pervasive humour. Amazon Editorial Review

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On The Cover

Contents

Underound gems 4 Nia 5 Marqseven 12 Boots Riley 18 Penn

Poetic Spotlight 16 Deana Dean On The Radar 10 Dennis D. C. Coronel

USOUL PODCAST MIX

Keys Opens Doors!

boots riley

USOUL MAG CREDITS Publisher

Johnny R. Johnson johnny@usoulmag.com

Contributing Writers Preach Jacobs Ursula Fitzpatrick Pilar Audian-Reed

Links

Homepage http://usoulmag.com Podcast http://podcast.usoulmag.com Twitter http://twitter.usoulmag.com Facebook http://fb.usoulmag.com Myspace http://myspace.usoulmag.com

Dirty Peaches 88-Keys ft. J Davey Stay Up 88-Keys ft. Kanye West May-December Mos Def & 88-Keys Thieves In The Night Blackstarr produced by 88-Keys HER Musiq Soulchild produced by 88-Keys Dealbreakers Fonzworth Bently produced by 88-Keys Handcuffed 88-Keys MILF 88-Keys ft Bilal Step On Nia Completion Penn In Love with You (remix) Marqseven She Deana Dean Mixed and Hosted by Johnny Johnson

deana dean

nia

A POETIC WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER Walk in fire, speaking life into desires! Make it come alive… Turn those invisible dreams into tangible realities! Make it come alive… Make those that had doubts, admire your victorious bouts! Make it come alive… Remain optimistic, get back up and try it again! Make it come alive… Do when others are talking, move when others are stalling! Make it come alive… Use positive reinforcement, against those negative forces! Make it come alive… Look past disappointment, push forward through tough moments! Make it come alive… Create it while they criticize, display it while they sit on the side! Make it come alive…. Recognize the journey; character doesn't come in a hurry! Make it come alive… Look to the sky for direction; understand that life is a blessing! Make it come alive... Learn from your tears, it will make your lessons dear! Make it come alive… Take hold of what you've earned and celebrate what you've overcome! You made it come alive! by Johnny Johnson

Nia rq on the indie soul industry

Multi-talented Singer and Songwriter, Nia is quickly building her brand with Amazing vocals, soulful delivery and Poetic lyrics!

BLOG STYLE My Inspiration

Nia: I listen to all different kinds of music and artists, you can get inspiration from anywhere but hands down, I am a Hip Hop fanatic, (can't rap a lick though!) The culture that came with Hip Hop in the late 80s and 1990s is so amazing to me; the unity and creativity that was founded by its pioneers is what makes it so powerful. I've been blessed to be working with one of Hip Hop's pioneers, the one and only MC Lyte, for 3 years now and in our travels and touring, I get to experience true Hip Hop, walking with those who planted the seed that grew into the most influential form of music ever, and that is definitely a blessing. If I had to name anyone whom I was inspired by it would have to be, TLC, they are my all time favorite and a lot of my inspiration comes from them and their uniqueness. I'm Unique Nia: I think my uniqueness derives from the fact that I'm realistic, meaning that I say what I feel, and I express myself musically based on what I have seen and experienced in my own life. I feel that people are most drawn to my work because they can relate to it and my emotions are in the lyrics. What comes from the heart, reaches the heart. It's very important to be true to yourself because you never know who's watching and looking to you, you've got to watch what you say, what you do, and make sure you can stand behind your actions and I do that with every song that I write.

http://nialand.com Be Wise Nia: Study. Know what it is that you want and invest your time in learning the best way to accomplish it. Get legal knowledge of this business because at the beginning of the day, it's all about making money, even if you aren't materialistic, the industry wants to use you as a product, and that's okay, it's business first. But be able to tell them just as much as they are going to try to tell you. The stronger and smarter you are about the business, the better you will be and the longer you will last. The Future Nia: I am currently working on my second project titled "Inside Out." I have gained a lot of experience since doing my first CD and the new project is definitely reflective of that. It's a bit more mature and very expressive, the concept of "Inside Out" is just that, taking what is inside and putting it out for others to experience. I am still performing and touring with MC Lyte which has definitely opened many doors and allowed me to grow immensely. I have also performed with Chico DeBarge, Roy Ayers, and a good friend, Malik Yusef. Of course, ultimately I am pushing to take my music to the highest level, I want to be known for my work, to display my talent and use it for the good of making music better as well as making the image of the Black Woman more admirable and relevant in the music industry.

"Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and learn from them."

Marqseven

Making her marq on the indie soul industry by Johnny Johnson

In the early 90's you may have caught this soulful, sultry singer dancing with the female rap group, Rapture; but times have definitely changed for Marquecia Jordan, better known to the music world as Marqseven. Drawing

comparisons to the likes of India Arie, Jill Scott and Sade, Marqseven is also inspired by these artists. Marqseven launched her singing career by landing an opportunity to work with experimental jazz musicians David Boykin and Nicole Mitchell, who taught her that musical expression should be free. Since independently releasing her CD "Synchronicity", Marqseven has received rave reviews.

"Synchronicity can be best described as a Sweet, melodic,smooth and soulful; perfectly groovy with a combination of jazz, soul, acoustic and house flavors. Music that speaks to the heart, from the heart" CDBaby.com So what's the next step for this indie artist? "Well, I'd like to perform more nationally and internationally, sell as many CDs as possible, write and record more material, collaborate with other talented artists while experimenting with different sounds, and license my music to movies and television. I tend to take a couple of steps at a time." Finally, Marqseven advises those aspiring to break into the music business to listen to as much music as possible, while paying attention to the sounds of the environment. Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and learn from them. Always keep a positive and friendly attitude because you never know who's watching you or how connected the next person you meet is; a friendly demeanor makes a world of difference. Finally, sing the song that fits YOU and not the song someone else wants you to sing."

"Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and learn from them."

Keys Open Doors by Preach Jacobs

There’s a difference between being birthed and being born. Of course there’s that day we all go through in the delivery room, but there’s also a moment when you arrive. When your purpose becomes inevitably clear. For producer 88-Keys the calling came early in his life.

Photos by Eric Vogel

"When it comes to making beats, I wouldn't consider it a process. That's too big of a word. It's like saying what's your process for walking and breathing. To me it's so natural," 88-Keys confesses while having downtime from promoting his album "The Death of Adam." The New York native talks about his concept album that's about a subject that drives the majority of the male population. Yes, the 'p' word. It may seem a crude of a subject, but 88 assures that there's more to the story than just the chase of the tang. "The album is about the power that the vagina has over everyone. It's a strict story line that follows through Adam. His journey, his plight to get some." 88's passion for the project is apparent when speaking as he explains that it's the passion that made him decide to put an album out after so many years. Once slated to be released under the BBE's 'Beat Generation' series, Keys found out early that mishaps are bound to happen as industry politics kept it from coming out. We speak about that debunked project as well as talk about his relationship with one of our generation's greatest producers, Jay Dee. "Dilla actually hooked me up with BBE. He came to NY and I took him record shopping and we dug for samples together. I met up with the people from BBE, and they gave me a portion of my advance in good faith and was ready to move forward. But one of the producers apart of the BBE series, I'm not gonna name names, made off with over 100k so that led to my project not getting made." Due to his unfortunate events with his would-be album debut, along with two other opportunities that fell through, could have been some of the reasons 88 rejected Kanye West's offer to executive produce his project at first. Eventually Kanye, who is the godfather of 88's kids, eventually gave him a change of heart. "I've been close friends with Kanye since 2000. So, when I met up with him to let him hear the songs off the project, I was just happy that as a friend and colleague that he enjoyed the music. While I was playing the music for him, I was totally not keeping in mind that this was the biggest musician in the world giving me props. At first when Kanye wanted to executive produce it, I didn't want to do it. The album was two years in by the time he heard the songs, and it was a story, so for anything to be taken out or rearrange would screw it up," 88 admits as the issue with the album cover changed things. "I worked on the album artwork with the Decon artist, but there were things that I wanted to change. The label was getting frustrated with me thinking that I was taking too much time worrying about the cover, but I'm like this is my album! It has to be right. Kanye asked me where the label's office was and he was like 'let's go.' At the time when I wanted something added to the cover, it was a big deal, but Kanye had them change it and make it right in seven-minutes. Kanye told me that he wished he could put out my album so he could have my cover alone. It's like what he told me about Jay-Z. Jay would say 'you like my song?' and 'Ye would respond 'yea.' But then Jay would ask "but are you jealous? Are you mad that you didn't make this?" Hanging with one of biggest artists on the planet has its perks, and that may have sealed the deal letting 'Ye put his touches on the album as well as being featured on the first single "Stay Up (Viagra)." But don't get it twisted, 88-Keys doesn't get geeked over acclaim, the music is always first.

88-Keys "When I first got started, I used to try and hustle my beats but the fish weren't biting. It became more and more frustrating. I've been doing beats half my life. I know nothing else. This is how I pretty much set my life up; there's no plan-B for me. I was getting tired of the whole industry thing. A&R reps asking for a copy of the beat cds, setting up meetings and when the artists come out I'm nowhere to be found in the credits. I couldn't figure it out, and eventually I said I didn't want to figure it out. I eventually started to focus on myself and it became the right thing to do. It's like now, there's two major figures in music, when I say major I mean millions of records sold, and it maybe a wrong turn, but felt empowering for me to tell them I can't do that right now. It's a lesson that I learned from Dilla." For those that don't know, Dilla was the Detroit producer that is credited for being of the pioneers in creating the sound that is coined as neo-soul, or as beat-makers call a 'drum god.' Being your favorite-producer's producer, many people wonder why he didn't get placements on more commercial acts projects before his untimely passing in 2006. 88-Keys tells a story about Dilla being a producer cared about the art before financial gain. "I remember when me and Dilla would trade our beat cds back and fourth, and I would say to him 'let me shop these for you. You gotta be heard.' I mean, I had connects to possibly get him on Jada, Fabulous-whoever's record, and he would shrug his shoulders and be like 'if you want.' One person in particular, a major figure in the game, wanted two beats off of Dilla cds. They asked me to ask Dilla to put the song in a traditional format. You know, the 8-bar hooks, 16-bar verses, etc. I told Dilla, and it was the first time I've ever seen him flip out. He was like, 'F*ck that! Tell them to suck my d*ck! I put my sh*t together the way I do, I have fun with my sh*t. You know what, when I give you beat tapes from now on, this is for your ears only.' He told me, 'when you let them tell you how to do beats, you shouldn't be doing beats anymore.' Now, I understand what he meant. I internalized that." 88-Keys seems to be going in the right direction. Now, with a song bumping on Hot 97, without any payola or major label backing,Funkmaster Flex declared that "this is the album that needs to be heard." If that's not a sign of true hope in hip-hop, I don't know what is. But for 88, it's nothing surprising. "I'm pretty confident in my stuff because I know I'm trying to hit people with music that's very visual. I'm not worried about competition, right now I'm worried about me. When I stop having fun is when I shut down. I think hip-hop has a bright future ahead of itself. The support has been tremendous, but I'm not as shocked as the people around me. If you follow God's words, they'll lead to the promise land. I've never got involved with illegal activity, never worked a 9-to-5, but opportunities come and I manage to stay afloat. That's enough proof for me that I'm doing the right thing." -PJ

Artwork by Alex Kok

Artwork by Ryan Leary

ON THE RADAR producer Dennis D. C. Coronel

Usoul: How did you get into producing? Dennis: I transitioned from DJing to producing about 5 years ago. I started DJing in 2000 and was heavily into the battle scene. That pretty much laid the ground work and foundation for my production. Usoul: What makes your production unique? Dennis: I have an open ear for music and because of that I'm able to blend sounds and different genres in interesting and new ways. I think that because I reside on the west coast but I am very heavily east coast influenced, I can put a different spin on sample based tracks. Also, I work in almost all genres of music so I can switch from a Hip-Hop track to a Rock track to an Electronic track. This keeps my mind fresh and I'm constantly concocting new techniques to apply to my music. Usoul: Who are some of your influences? Dennis: The RZA is definitely my number 1 influence. He is a very wise and talented individual, I am constantly expanding my mind with everything I read from him. Madlib and Pete Rock are also big influences. Their choice of samples and the way they flip them are inspirational. With all three of them you can tell they genuinely love music. Usoul: What are your immediate goals for your music career? Dennis: Well right now I'm working on an album with Penn Bannekar. The project is looking solid and we've been getting some great feedback from the tracks we've put out. Also, I've been building up my TV/movie/commercial placements. I've gotten placed in over 15 different TV shows so far with multiple tracks being used by some of those shows.

http://www.pmpworldwide.com/dc

Boots Riley an interview with

Rap music seems to have lost its balls. Rappers have traded the ‘fight-the-power’ creed of the late 80s for a flashy, light-hearted approach to the music that was born to rebel. Thankfully, for about a decade and a half, Boots Riley has been going against that grain and doing more than just ‘sticking it to the man.’Now, he’s collaborating with like-minded guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine fame to form the Street Sweepers Social Club. One of rap’s most intriguing voices sat down with Words by Preach Jacobs me. Photo by Jorge Peniche

Preach:Being that rap music isn’t as politically charged as it once was, how do you feel about the climate now compared to when you started? Where do you feel that you fit in?

Preach: How do you feel today’s politics affect your music now? Things like Iran’s outcry with the election etc.

Boots: People are in a position where they’re stressed out. They have a hard time paying their bills, hard time keeping a roof over their heads etc. Naturally people want music to Boots: When ‘Kill My Landlord’ came out in ’93 all of these clubs that are doing hip-hop now weren’t doing that. They talk about the struggle that they’re going through. Stuff that’s considered political, hip-hop isn’t addressing that were doing rock. We had a video that was number two on stuff. Artists are talking about money and people can’t BET and couldn’t get a tour going. Booking agents didn’t relate to it; there needs to be a movement with artists have the connections to get touring around the country. addressing our problems. One thing that’s interesting Rap was always thought to be be bought by white kids but about Iran is how when they felt the election was stolen, people were out in the streets. That didn’t’ happen here. attended mostly by people of color. Back then rap shows The people wanted radical change, and when they’ve got shut down before they happened, because they gotten to that point that they may get killed but they’ll be thought it would be too violent. out in the streets to make it happen. Here we think we’re so free that we don’t have to worry about that. Preach: Did you feel uncomfortable that this black Preach: Tell me about Street Sweeper Social Club and music was purchased mostly by white suburbia? how you ended up working with Tom Morello? Boots: It was always known, even in the late 80s, that Boots: Over the years The Coup’s live show was a rock show people buying hip-hop were white kids. The difference instead of a hip-hop show. Tom hit me out of the blue and was that white people were scared to come to the shows. told me he wanted me to join his ‘Tell Them The Truth Tour’ in the fall of ’03. We would play together and do stuff on The white kids that came were the ones that would hang stage together at his ‘Night Watchman’ shows. Then one with the black crowd. Now, white kids can come to these night he took me to dinner and said,“We’re in a band. It’s shows and not know any black people. That’s how you called Street Sweeper Social Club.” He didn’t even ask me. can do 150 shows a year as a hip-hop artist now. He just gave me a cassette with 26 riffs and told me to start writing. I didn’t give him an answer; I told him I wouldn’t http://www.streetsweepersocialclub.com answer him until we sell 30 million.

model: brandei bell photo: blophoto

Quantum Health and Healing for Movers & Shakers by Pilar Audain-Reed

Law of attraction

noitcartta fo waL

We live in a society that is inundated with do-it-yourself anecdotes that tell us that we have the power to draw to ourselves anything that we desire…money, prestige, love, and the list goes on. The law of attraction says that by focusing intently we will ultimately achieve our desired results. Powerful, right? How exciting is it to know that the promotion or that big break you’ve been waiting for is waiting for you. All you have to do is focus and attract it. Hmmmmmmmm. If it’s that simple, why aren’t we all living in mansions on a hill with money pouring out of our ears? The law of attraction is a universal law that many people believe governs everyone, everywhere. However, not everyone really understands how the law of attraction works. All matter and energy in the universe attracts matter and energy with a like vibration. More specifically, positive energy draws positive results and negative energy draws negative results. This is a neutral law that functions whether we are aware or not, much like the natural law of gravity or inertia, so by putting forth some effort into focusing your energy, you may use it to your benefit. This may sound simple enough, but this is more difficult than it seems because you have to focus on the positive results you would like to achieve ONLY and block out the negative energy or the fear of failure. After all, it is a natural reaction to at least think about the possibility of failure whenever embarking upon a new endeavor. This is one of the many fundamental reasons that one’s own spiritual funnel, or faith base, should be the guiding light at all times when employing the infinite law of attraction. In addition, because this practice requires much mind manipulation to work effectively, being spiritually intact will help to draw the line between focusing on your desires and worshipping your desires. As a Christian, for example, it helps me to know that at the end of the day, my faith in God is the ultimate source of my power, and that my ability to focus on my desires and draw them to myself is a gift ultimately governed by a much higher power. The most common way, I find, to overshadow all of the positive energy you emit into the universe is by sitting around and wondering just when your desires will manifest, as this casts a negative sense of doubt over

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"All matter and energy in the universe attracts matter and energy with a like vibration. More specifically, positive energy draws positive results and negative energy draws negative results." your focus. Just relax. Trust and allow the law to take place. An open mind and faith that what you need will come to you and what you don’t wil not will help you to recognize the positive results your energy has drawn, for it is crucial to remember that the results may not be exactly what you intend. Instead, your positive energy may open up other opportunities even bigger and better than what you imagined for yourself. Words to the Wise: Stop trying to control the laws of nature, for in doing so, remember that you just might be limiting even greater opportunities for yourself. Let the universe do what it’s been doing since the beginning of time, and trust that it will do it well!

model: tamara young photo: jody tucker designer: marian collier

Deana Dean on the scene

by Ursula Fitzpatrick

Chicago has become a major hub for the lost art of Spoken Word. Out of these "sets" emerged Deana Dean, a female wordsmith holding her own in a non-gender specific expression of art. With an unreleased novel due soon, Deana's ultimate goal is "to stop punching a clock and allow her gift to feed her and her children." To ensure the probability, she has a poetic DVD aptly titled, Natural Progression, which consists of 9 vignette style films masterfully formatted, scripted, directed and filmed by David Weathersby of Subverse films. Continue to read as we take a peak into the creative mind of this Poetic Phenom.

Tragedy Breeds Art

Though Deana Dean always loved Creative Writing, it wasn’t until the death of her mother in 2000 from Breast Cancer, that she cultivated and honed her skill. Visiting several open mic sessions, she soon realized that these performing artists were seriously passionate about their gift and that if she didn’t “step up her game, she should give it up.” Gone were the days of being happy just writing a couple of lines and sharing them with friends and family. In 2002, she developed her poetic chops at Java Oasis, a Chicagoland venue on the South Side of town. It is here that she networked with the likes of Chicago poets, Khari B. and Danny Devine. Along with them, she cites Mama Brenda Matthews, Yahya, Triple Blak, just Blak, Momentum, Yahdna, Sparrow, Mreld, Celeste, Harold Green, HB, Thee Alias, and Jason as some of her favorite poets.

My Kind of Town, Chicago Is….

Growing up in Chicago has created experiences that are exclusive to Chicago and Chicagoans. According to Ms. Dean, “I wouldn’t be as in tune to urban living and lifestyles with just enough southern love and comfort to create a balance. Although most of my peers were born and raised in the city, the majority of us are direct descendants of native southern sons and daughters and that sense of family was passed on to us. That’s what’s so beautiful about Chicago. It’s a big city infused with a little Southern Hospitality.”

Poetry of Distinction

Poetry is as unique as the person writing it. Whether it be performing free style or reading from your soul’s spillage, poetry is a matchless form of communication. Some write about personal experiences, some write to provide comedic relief, others write to promote world change, Deana Dean’s work is from her heart. She never tries to glam up her pieces or write over anyone’s head to show how deep she can be, she chooses instead to write about her pain, her struggle and her joy. She believes her work is appealing and that her work is appreciated because it’s from a genuine spirit. Dean’s gift has allowed her the opportunity to give back to her community via performances at local area schools and rehabilitation centers. “My favorite thing about spoken word is when I get to perform for youth,” she says. In the true fashion of bequeathing, Lady Dean offers the following advice to those admiring and interested in poetry:

“Always surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do. It’s better to be around people that you may think are on a higher plane of understanding than you are. The better they are, the better you’ll get.”

Featured Poetry ON THE TIP OF MY HEART by Angelica Traylor

NUMB by Bianca J. Walker

I realized one night while I was sleeping wide awake, That some time ago, I’d slipped into a comatose state. It’s been judged But who claims Conscious, I am to the rest of the world. By a jury of What seems to be insane Unconscious internally. Lust sick slaves LoVe ? Transformed Still I have no reactions. From innocent to brave It sits I’ve lost all feeling. And guarded the opening On the tip of my heart Everything is in place. To it’s very own grave So in its own Everything is missing. And it sits Misty way On the tip of my heart What once was a woman, now roams as a zombie. It’s been As love induced soldiers Broken, Confused, and Dazed I am not sad. March toward the sickness In return I am not happy Later named lust It learns I am here. Lustful warriors fighting for How to Here.... love Break and Confuse Against lovely soldiers The minds Where is here and why am I here for so long? But no one wins Of those Crazed How do I get to there? As it sits Along with any I want so desperately to get there On the tip of my heart Rebels that try to I’ve been working my entire life to get to there, but always He traveled from the bottom Upraise end up here... up Which is why, Going no where It sits Stuck He claimed On the tip of my hear Trying to sort it all out until To love the game my body has shut down, my mind freezes, the disappointments and over analyzing have caused my spirit to weaken, Why do we fear to live, to love, to try? unconsciously there are efforts to say optimistic and strong, I hung alone in space, I and the elements but then all inside of me becomes numb. Death or injury lying below, maybe neither. I do not like it here where there is no feeling who knows. And there I was suspended. Although I can’t feel The slight wind hugged me, I know that I’m drifting. The sun warmed me, I want to cry out in frustration, but I have no tears The water below waiting to bathe me. A bird soared below, while the sea turtle I want to shudder helplessly, but I have no fears. Penetrated the calm waters. I want to laugh until my tummy hurts, but I can’t produce a Can you see what I saw? sound, nor place my feet on solid ground. The shore bustled with life. Rambling Can you hear what I heard? The calmness of the water, the calamity of the air. Rambling Breathe in, breathe out, I took in air and much more Rambling As I hung alone in space, I and the elements Get me out of here Death or injury lying below, maybe neither. Who knows. And take me there As I hung, There I thought and wondered Where I am not numb Why do we fear?

FEAR by Lisa George

Pennjamin Bannekar

An Interview with

http://www.myspace.com/pennjaminbanner

"I started rappin right after Diddy came out with 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down.' I figured if he could rap, so could I." -Penn

Usoul: When did you decide you were good enough to pursue rap as a craft and profession? Penn: I was a freshman in college when I thought I could actually make a career out of music. It's funny because I wasn't really that good at that time but I kept improving over the years and with my improvement came a stronger belief that I could make this work. Usoul: How has your experience as a member of Project: Fr3sh helped you as an artist? Penn: Everything has helped me grow as an artist. For example, Chi and Byrd are great hook writers so a lot of times when I am writing a chorus I pattern my hooks after what they would do. Usoul: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date? Penn: I think getting my music heard by some important label heads in New York and them liking it would be my biggest accomplishment to date. So getting them to move on something is the next step. Usoul: What can people expect from your new solo project? Penn: I think my solo project is taking the Penn that everyone knows from Project: Fr3sh and multiplying that experience by 10. So in addition to making a dope album, it would allow listeners to see more sides of me musically.

Usoul: What is the most important attribute an artist must possess to make progress in this industry, and why? Penn: I think the most important attribute to have as an artist in this industry is to be "hard headed." Everyone isn't going to like your stuff and this thing doesn't happen over night. So you must have the confidence in yourself to stay the course even when the road looks like a dead end. Usoul: Where would like to be within your career in the next 5 years? Penn: In the next 5 years I definitely want to be in the mainstream light sharing my music with the world and being able to make a living from that.

"I think the most important attribute to have as an artist in this industry is to be 'hard headed.' Everyone isn't going to like your stuff and this thing doesnt happen over night."