THE PLACEMENT

​THE PLACEMENT

Imagine Dragons w/ Lil’ Wayne, performing at the College Football Championship

 Today me and my brother were talking about music and he brought up to me how he’s listening to Imagine Dragons now because of the college football championship. Imagine Dragons is a band I believe wouldn’t typically be heard by my brother even though he has a wide range of music choices. Him hearing them made me think of how important proper placement is. Your music on the right platform, your clothes on the right person, just solely being in the right place can change your life in an INSTANT.

Check out my albums, available on all platforms !  

UNITED MASTERS x NBA, the new partnership allowing independent artists to shine on the NBA’s digital platforms. 

 That importance is also noticed by Marketing Expert and Music Pioneer, Steve Stoute. Through his new startup , UNITED MASTERS, independent artists can sign up to have the opportunity to have their music played on NBA platforms. Stoute understands how labels have utilized sports biggest events to highlight their artists but the monopoly the labels has exempts the lower tier artists from having a chance of a huge audience via sports. I even signed up for a chance to be featured lol.

 Placement is extremely important it’s why top fashion brands pay for retail space inside department stores like Macy’s , Bloomingdales, etc.

Brands pay top dollar for very strategic placement in the store.

Extreme product placement is heavy throughout Grown-Ish/Black-Ish, you don’t see that many BUICK logos for nothing lol. 

 Although the placement is extremely important what’s more important is having good product to begin with. No matter how many people see the product, the positioning won’t be an advantage to you if the product isn’t good to begin with.

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LACK OF THE “REACH BACK”

​LACK OF THE “REACH BACK”

Today, I was watching THE JUMP and Kobe Bryant was a featured guest (via telephone) and he discussed his thoughts on Lebron joining the coveted LAKERS franchise.

He said a profound statement in which he spoke on how the Lakers housed plenty of hall of famers who can provide proper insight for Lebron on how to lead the Lakers to the forefront of NBA dominance once more.

That sparked an idea in me, that statement attributes to the multiple reasons why it’s hard for some people to bear the burden of the responsibility to succeed.

🗣 LAKESHOOOOOOW

Many people are first generation of whatever they are doing; college students, athletes, entrepreneurs,etc. There’s a lack of people for those who strive for greatness can reach back and gain advice/guidance from.

Wisdom from elders and those who been in your shoes is extremely advantageous. Experience of others allows a person to navigate with minimal mistakes and approach difficult situations from new perspective but with just as much as poise as their predecessors.

It’s like how T’Challa has access to all the previous Black Panthers. He don’t always go to them for every dilemma but when something exceed his scope of problem solving he can go to previous generations and can come to a swift conclusion. Whether that is to listen to them verbatim or makeshift an answer based on his solutions and theirs.

To increase success, success must increase (don’t let that go over your head). More success mean more mentors more advisors to lead the youth to more prominence in society.

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THE TEETERING LINE OF AN ARTIST’s EGO

​THE TEETERING LINE OF AN ARTIST’s EGO

 There’s been a thought that has been lingering on my mind lately and its the question of “how big of a role does ego play in the life of an artist”? I mentioned ego specifically because I’ve thought about the public display of artists’ work.

 When an artist prepare for a showcase the artist puts their heart and soul into pieces that will be appreciated (and purchased if for sale) by those in attendance. Isn’t that a bit egotistical? Think for a second..in the simplest of terms you’re basically saying “everyone this is my art please praise to no end and give me money for coloring and making stuff..please and thanks”. However what stops showcases from being a public display of an artist’s ego is people interest in them.

 People gather round to shows and museums not to fall head over heels for the artist (although some do) people attend for the experience that comes with heart. You come together and look at extensions of a person’s mind in tangible form, you enjoy food, time with family, etc. All the things that were mentioned from a negative perspective earlier can be spun to a positive point, its all about how the user look at it.

 Just like there are people who couldn’t understand why four blocks of color could be considered art there are those who are able to find the deeper meaning in it and those are the ones who help art be seen as an appreciative measure rather an egomaniac begging for attention.

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THE FLUIDITY OF AN ICONIC CHARACTER

​THE FLUIDITY OF AN ICONIC CHARACTER

Ryu in Power Rangers?!! Who would’ve knew  

Ryu as he appears in super smash bros

 After watching the reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I saw RYU and I was like “man my guy is in everything”.He was just revealed as a guest character in the POWER RANGERS mobile game, POWER RANGERS: LEGACY WARS. That discovery led me to think “man when you have a truly iconic character there is no limit in what you can do with them.”

Kishimoto drawing his iconic characters NARUTO and SASUKE

 Many artists/creators start out with the mindset of “this is my character and here’s how this character is going to play out in this story”. What the creator don’t realize is that the character may transcend that limited script and be featured in almost everything because of how beloved the character is.

 Iconic characters can end up in cross-genre movies, merchandising, and even with their own theme park (I see you Mickey).

 So if there are any creators out there just hoping for their game to be played, manga to be read, or film to be seen just know if you play it right your character can transcend culture itself to become a global icon you never imagined it could be.

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THE QUIET MVP:YG

 THE QUIET MVP: YG

 2018, as I mentioned before as been one hell of a year for music. But while everyone is looking at the biggest name in music , Bompton’s all star has been having a quiet MVP year.

YG never been short on features as you’ve heard him tear up tracks like “Gucci on My” and “Want Her”, this year seemed to unlock an even more consistent beast.

NIKE SWOOSH

listen here: https://tidal.com/track/88263181

YG sounds very fluid on the track with Memphis breakout star, Blocboy JB and its probably my favorite song from his mixtape.

PROUD

“Me and these hoes can’t get along (why?) cuz my mama ain’t no hoe”! Easily one of the best lines from that song. Not to mention he has his mother throwing up gang signs and rapping his verse, how fire is that?

SHE BAD

listen here: https://tidal.com/track/86900562

 Man so simple but so got damn catchy. And it make you want every damn bag this young man is talking about. “Louis Bag (Aye), Gucci Bag (Aye), Prada (Bag).”

 Basically beloved if you haven’t been paying attention to YG this year its never too late to start. His new album Stay Dangerous is coming soon.

IT WILL BE STRIPPED AWAY

IT WILL BE STRIPPED AWAY

 In the phenomenal blockbuster, Black Panther, there are two scenes in which the powers of the Black Panther was stripped away from T'challa , however the significance of those scenes didn't hit me until I listened to a T.D. Jakes sermon the other day.

  In his sermon he spoke about how our blessings is not in what we have (expensive bags, cars, and fancy tech, etc.) but it is within our character. 

  I realized that T'Challa had to be the Black Panther w/o being the BLACK PANTHER. Our possessions is not there to form us but to enhance what we already have. If we had none of the material things we cherished, who would we be? 

 Would our essence of being caring, charitable or even a cold-hearted son of a bitch change because our lack of material possessions or would our character shine through no matter what.

 Our blessings in life is like T'challa's throne, to prove that we are worthy of such a thing we must be stripped of possessions we hold dear to truly test our character.

 Once we can prove we are something with nothing, it becomes nothing to have everything.

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VICTORY DELAYED

VICTORY DELAYED

Yesterday I made a critical step toward one of my goals and man did it feel good.

After a year of investments: Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual , those investments finally paid off.

Part of my goal was reached despite the naysayers and even against some internal conflict that arose within myself.

I’m glad that it took a while (even though, it felt like an eternity) to take such a victory.

ITS MY SUCCESS AND I WANT IT NOW

  Delayed gratification is spoken about a lot in today’s social climate although it is hardly implemented.

   If each goal was attained as soon as it was pursued it would be like playing 2K on rookie mode. How fun is it knowing that victory is guaranteed 99% of the time.

    The payoff of having hours upon hours come together in one moment is worth extremely more than an instant flash of victory.

  It’s like seeing Naruto get to use rasengan after numerous episodes of him struggling and within those episodes being told that he couldn’t even achieve the technique that he practiced day in and out.

 Much like how Naruto steps to the rasengan start as minuscule and insignificant so does our process to success.

 Naruto had to try to burst a water balloon and rubber ball before being able to create a great ball of wind. That water balloon and rubber ball doesn’t compare to the power of pure wind in your hands, so why is it needed?

 The foundation of anything you hope to attain is the most important part of your success. Without a solid foundation whatever you build is bound to sink, be destroyed , or worse not even created in the first place.

 So as you progress through life’s journey remember all the toiling and sweating is not worthless and in vain it is just the bridge that connects an idea to physical success.

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TIMES OF WORK: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DAY & NIGHT

TIMES OF WORK: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DAY & NIGHT

I'm one week before law school "officially" starts but it's been feeling like two weeks already. Everyday I've been studying and briefing cases all of which have led me to allocate my time correctly.

MORNING

Probably the most effective way to take advantage of any day is getting your day started earlier than the average population. There's too many working advantages in this equation: the roads are clear, the lines are short, and the noise is non-existent. In my case my early rise has allowed me to get high demanded books checked out in the library before anyone could think of using them.

EVENING

Much like doing things very early, accomplishing tasks late at night also have unparalleled advantages. Usually everyone is sleep or locked away which can give you time to exercise without any interruptions, go for an unbothered swim or simply catch up on some much delayed reading. In my case I use the late night as a precursor for the next day of work so I won't have to get up as early all the time. Using the late night hours effectively allows for extra sleep in the morning.

As you move in your adult years you'll find the best time for getting things is done is either really early in the morning or really late at night. If you choose any time in between you can't complain about the horrors that comes with it , be prepared to deal with it and carry on!

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SOAP AND ABUNDANCE

​SOAP AND ABUNDANCE

Yesterday, I was taking a bath and was using a bar of soap that was on its last leg. As I was using the soap I stopped and asked myself "Why am I still using this tiny piece of soap like it's actually doing something"? I remembered I was using to its wits end because, I only had so many in a pack then; I asked myself "Would I be doing this if I was swimming in millions already" and the answer was an immediate "NO"!

This realization brought me to how people operate in a scarce mindset. People hold on to limited things because the thing they hold on to is limited in supply. A lot of people are holding on to relationships, careers, even cars that they should've been thrown to the wayside but are too hesitant because they don't have an immediate backup supply.

I've made a declaration in my life and with soap, when you see something heading towards its last leg toss the shit out. It'd benefit you way more to operate in abundance than scarcity. Even if you don't know where the abundance would come from operating like you already have it is always the first step.

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POWER OF REPETITION

​POWER OF REPETITION

 In my recent days of preparing for a big task ahead [I'll reveal at a later date], I've been required to do a lot of reading, I mean A LOT! It's been done with the purpose of me to understand and comprehend the concepts that are presented before me. I realized that repetition is what really drives information to our core.

 It's why our parents used to have to tell us things more than once and it's even why the radio play a song more than once. A song can't be a hit from being played once but you can understand what your parents mean by being hit once, lol.

 When a song on the radio is played constantly and constantly it causes a couple of things.It drives the melody into our sub-conscious and we take a liking to the song the more we hear it. Even if we don't listen to the song in our spare time we still know the words to songs we don't even like because how frequently it's played.

 The true power of repetition is when what we constantly repeat becomes second nature to us. If you can get it in one try kudos to you, but there will always be something that you will have to try again and only repetition will assist you in the task you're trying so hard to complete.

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KNOWING WHEN TO STOP

​KNOWING WHEN TO STOP

Sometimes it can be very easy to become addicted to winning. The thrill of achievement and overcoming can be a feeling many people don't want to let go. However everyone should proceed with caution and know not to go pass their intended mark of victory.

This is an idea mainly supported by one of the 48 Laws of Power but in recent history it can be seen enacted by NBA Player Zach Lavine. Zach Lavine is a two time back-to-to NBA SLAM DUNK Champion. After giving two historic performances people thought he was bound to go for a three peat. To the shock of many he declined the invitation to participate this year in New Orleans. He told ESPN "I feel like I've accomplished everything I could in the dunk contest".

To come to such a stunning conclusion one must know their self and know their true purpose. If Zach's purpose was just to accumulate another accolade for the hell of it, then there would be no reason to participate again. It is clear that his objective was to push the limits of the dunk contest and once he felt like he accomplished that he knew it wasn't a point of going any further. So the key is never to do something just to do it, always have a purpose no matter how minuscule it may seem.

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THE SYMBOLISM OF GREY

​THE SYMBOLISM OF GREY

"Descent on Gotham by Alex Ross" 

Today I was watching videos of comic book artist ALEX ROSS and I realized how much of an important role the color grey plays. Grey serves as a neutralizer; it is neither this or that but it's a mixture of both. Think of when people say the term "grey area". Much like in a painting the word grey can carry a dark tone or a light tone. Even in the worst of people you can find something good about them and vice versa, the "grey" serves as the enhancer and/or reducer of a situation. The color grey can act as a remainder to not take things a 100% as it seems but to always examine things with a second look.

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