MC ZULU with Kush Arora at Dub Mission
Video Capture by Chad Lee Jones aka Process Rebel

Nice shot of DJ Sep who runs a weekly in San Francisco called Dub Mission. The party is held at the legendary Elbo Room and is now running 16 years strong….!

When she books an act she lines up interviews with the local press, radio appearances, citywide promotion and I am even working on a new Riddim series for her. The great Dr Israel has already submitted his version.

ATTN: ‘BRO’ promoters who say “it’s all about the draw of the artist”. You spend your college fund to book a big name, and then STILL have them playing to an empty room… You are HUSTLING BACKWARDS…lol Take notes, because this young lady is kicking your ass.

I have to be honest… I have not seen the value in attending music seminars for a long time. To me it’s really a lot of sales pitches, or panels about what COULD be.. rather than deciding on actionable ideas.

I see so much lateral thinking among music industry people… It’s like the quarterback running side to side but never throwing the ball. I’m happy to say a number of conversations I had in New York show that people share the same sentiment. As the standard music industry crumbles, many of these people are the ones who will reconstruct it.

I also got to introduce several excellent acts, (at a few APAP related functions), then Sunday night raised some hell at the GlobalFest afterparty.

VIDEO: Call Red Alert – MC ZULU @ The GlobalFest After Party with DJ Warp And DJ SoundCulture. Courtesy Of Ankur Malhotra (Amarrass Records)

NYC’s APAP conference, along with a concurrently running festival, GlobalFest have emerged as top tastemakers in Music industry booking circles. One of the main conversations I had with organizers is that electronic music could be given more consideration.

CROWD FOOTAGE Courtesy Of Marissa Neff: Call Red Alert

You definitely do NOT want to phase out the masters and virtuosos in favor of the local 13 yr old DJ/Producer with a World Beat sample pack… (that’s what the rest of the festivals are doing) but I believe there should be more of a balance. The simple fact is people all over the world are now making music electronically. That needs to be acknowledged.

VIDEO: Spanish Vocalist/Rapper “La Shica” is classically trained in the art of Flamenco dance and music.

The thing that has strained this argument before is because everyone was trying to RAP like Americans. As it stands today however, people have incorporated their indigenous feel into both electronic production and vocal delivery. There is no longer any pressure to sound like Tupac. Critics and consumers alike realize it’s not being done WRONG, it’s a different point of view.

VIDEO: Representing Electronic interests on the World front, A Tribe Called Red @ GlobalFest

True self-expression has entered into the picture. This is the same life cycle that Reggae/Dancehall followed. Once it evolved into something more than pale imitation, it caught fire on its own.

We all remember his affiliation with The Beatles, but Ravi Shankar stood on his own as a legend. He was a giant in the field of Indian Classical music, having toured the world several times before establishing the pop music affiliation.

Raga Ramkali (1964)

Indian classical music to this day is just as mysterious as it has ever been. With it’s varying rhythmic quality and ethereal nature, there is an air of unpredictability that cannot be encapsulated into the standard, Western sensibilities of 4/4 timing. The music never gets old, because it is timeless. It was that quality which attracted luminaries of the era; with people like Jazz great John Coltrane, David Crosby and even Bruce Lee seeking out the music of Shankar to free themselves from typical, condensed timing structures. In 1965 Coltrane would name his son “Ravi” in honor of Shankar.

David Crosby referred to John Coltrane and Ravi Shankar as “The world’s two greatest living musicians”. It was he who would make the introduction to George Harrison of The Beatles. The affiliation would prove to be a lifelong one, with the duo even touring long after the Beatles broke up. Harrison was even able to convince other members of his super-group to make pilgrimages to India, and embrace the music and culture therein.

Perhaps the “Beatles” most famous, (and my favorite) collaboration with Ravi Shankar.. a rare recording of “Across The Universe” serves to highlight the beauty of completely disparate cultures working together with respect for one another. Shankar was able to contain the seemingly unbridled nature of his classical perspective to enhance the blues chord-laden composition of Lennon/McCartney. George accompanies on guitar. The result was something that to this day gives me a feeling that great things can happen through music.

When I was younger (5th grade) I remember a discussion in music class about a famous Indian musician who played with the greats of the Western world, but he had a heart attack “back in the 70′s”. His name was Ravi Shankar…. and I spent the next DECADE thinking he was dead.

I also devoured every recording I could find with his name on it. Meanwhile he was continuing to record and release great music. The power of the internet allows us to find out what we need to know at a glance. I am happy to now see that this legend received almost every accolade he could during his lifetime, and passed away at the relatively young age of 92. He was also well-loved by everyone whose life he touched. We should all be so lucky.

This is the great thing about being a “nobody”…lol Every so often you can pull an “espionage” move and slip in where you don’t belong. So I submitted my project “Electro Track Therapy” for Grammy consideration in the “Best Reggae Album” category… just because I’m audacious like that. Out of the thousands of submissions the list was cut down to a “Top 50″, which my album was on!

I didn’t get nominated, but still… let me tell you why it makes me happy. I have never had a full project released by a record label, other than my own. Some “larger” artists in my Reggae-influenced, Global Bass genre have done the best they could to sweep my projects under the rug, while taking my ideas. I know you don’t believe that…., but such is life.

This small validation puts me next to great artists like Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal and Mr. Vegas, without having ANY of their connections. If Grammy music is judged primarily on how it SOUNDS….. then I’m on the right track, even as a DIY nomad.

I was quite sure the Grammy people would not even LISTEN to the album, but I sent it anyway… because I am not one to shy away from a worthwhile challenge. Making the provisional list gives me the confirmation to go swinging right back at them with my NEXT album “Love Machine”. Thanks, to all the sites that carried that brief news and CONGRATS TO THE NOMINEES!

You will see me again

Full List of Reggae “Provisionals”…lol
-
Freedom Fighter
(Anthony B)
Dust and Dirt
(The Black Seeds)
Catch Me If You Can
(Sophia Brown)
Reggae Music Again
(Busy Signal)
Rebirth
(Jimmy Cliff)
The Invitation
(C-Sharp)
Can’t Stop Loving You
(The Billy David Band)
Krazy Love
(Da’Ville)
Easy Star’s Thrillah
(Easy Star All Stars)
Love and the Human Outreach
(Echo Movement)
Gimme What’s Mine
(Chantelle Ernandez)
Diversity
(Gentleman)
Reggae Music Lives
(Gramps Morgan)
Ways and Means
(The Green)
Building an Ark
(Groundation)
Crying to The Nation
(I-Octane)
Life Teachings
(I-Wayne)
In Another Time
(Irie Time)
From Letters to Words
(Courtney John)
Mental Maintenance
(Konshens)
Dancing Shoes
(Malijah)
Electro Track Therapy
(MC Zulu)
In Awe
(Midnite)
Sweet Jamaica
(Mr Vegas)
Miracle
(The Original Wailers)
Tomahawk Technique
(Sean Paul)
Journey of 1000 Miles
(Perfect Giddimani)
Plays The Ventures
(Dwight Pinkney and DP Band)
Break Loose
(Prophecy)
No Fear No Man
(Anthony Que)
Regular
(Ram Ramakar)
The Next Chapter
(Delly Ranx)
Peace of Mind
(Rebelution)
Time
(Bunny Rugs)
Warrior of Jah Army
(Singer Jah)
They Call Me Mr Melody
(Singing Melody)
The Chant
(Sizzla)
In Gambia
(Sizzla)
New Legend — Jamaica 50th Edition
(Sly and Robbie and the Jam Masters)
Strength to Survive
(SOJA)
Children of Humboldt
(Jade Steel and Emerald Triangle)
Judge Not
(Ton-A-Hope)
Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill
(Toots and The Maytals)
The Hit List Vol III
(Various Artistes)
Jah Golden Throne
(Various Artisets)
Overproof Riddim — Full Strength
(Various Artistes)
Reggae Gold 2012
(Various Artistes)
The Ultimate 2012
(Various Artistes)
The System
(Romain Virgo)
Pon Di Gaza Mi Sey
(Vybz Kartel)
Tell Me How Me Sound
(Warrior King)
Masterpiece
(Glen Washington)
Land Of The Free
(Martin Zobel and Soulrise)

This is Guerrilla film making at its finest…
I met the group Gato Preto for the first time at a party at hit-making producer The Bumps’ London flat. Prior to that I sent them a verse for this song, but we had only pretty much corresponded on Facebook. The day after Bumps’ party we did the best we could to meet at the Notting Hill Carnival to shoot scenes for this video (with the crowd)… It almost didn’t happen.

After 3 hours of trying to link up… what we were able to get was me lip synching a verse, right when everyone was leaving, in the fading sunlight, while the police were telling us that we had to clear the street. There was also the frustrated resident of Notting Hill who threw everyone’s personal belongings into a mound of garbage. (If you’ve ever been you’d know…) Anyway, I have to thank Lidia Winestone and Domenik Broich for their patience, stellar camera work and editing.

Gato Preto is comprised of producer Lee Bass, and Gata Mysteriosa. She is one of the most charismatic onstage personas I have seen in quite some time.. We performed together later that night at Bumps’ monthly “Club Popozuda” DJ night, and she is brilliant. The rate at which this duo turns out work is quite impressive. They have also done several European dates in a short period of time.

My impression, given Lee Bass’ sense of urgency (and finesse) with which he enlists producers and vocalists for these projects, is that if an opportunity to do something great comes along they will be in a prime position to seize it. Get the above EP as a Free Download by visiting the Gato Preto BandCamp page and get acquainted early. I have a great feeling about them.

I am no fanboy for any site, but I am going to answer the number one question I see everyone asking. “HOW do you make any money as a musician these days?” One great answer to this is BandCamp. It’s been out for a while, but people aren’t “getting it” like they should. (Including me)

The #1 Killer Of The Music Industry… PLAY COUNTERS!
A lot of things killed the music industry, but play counters did the most damage. Whoever decided to integrate them into social media probably had the best (greedy) intentions, but what they ended up doing was creating an environment where sheep-minded consumers completely FORGOT about whether they even LIKED a song or not. The value of art is QUANTified now. QUALity does not enter into it.

The current music industry is not about art. It’s about “How many spins it got?”.  Musicians’ focus became about getting “spins” rather than creating good music. People are creating all kinds of crap THEY don’t even like for the “spins”. THEN they have the NERVE to expect fans to buy into it? Well they won’t because you aren’t getting enough “spins”… vicious cycle

Random Sheep Thought:

“I liked that song… but no one else does…. maybe it’s not so good after all”

Now there are exploitative business models set to help you FAKE the “spins”, and if you think the majors aren’t using them…. I have a bridge to sell you. The entire music industry is based on fake fans and hype. This is why “superstars” often play to empty rooms… because their “fans” are fake. Indies play to empty rooms because they cannot “fake the fans” as well as the majors. It looks like they have no draw because they only got 250 spins on “YouTube/FakeBook/FkFace”… what have you.

Additionally:
2) BandCamp is a same-day-fulfillment dream come true for a musician with no website. Set up, make music and sell it…. today. Then keep 85%. (NOTE* You need a PayPal and/or bank account) Fans can pay MORE for the songs if they want to! This lets you set up a tiered pricing model with rewards, depending on how much more they pay.

3) Bandcamp went mobile almost seamlessly, while SoundCloud (a true fanboy, circle-jerk website) stumbled through it. YouTube embarrassed themselves (completely changing their coding protocol) leaving millions of empty white boxes all over the net, like so many bastard children.

To make this… or any site worthwhile you need to constantly aim your fan base there. If you make a habit of letting people know they can find you somewhere… That’s where they will go to meet you.

Preview (and purchase) tracks from my new album…. As It’s Built

Think of it like a restaurant.
Will people look for you at McDonalds if you make it a habit of dining at the 4 seasons every morning?

Currently: As you release music, it eventually goes to Spotify… I love Spotify! I have about 200 songs there… but I will never see more than a dime from them. That means I have to stagger my release dates.

SO…For now…expect most of the music I make to be on BandCamp BEFORE it hits regular distribution channels. You might want to do the same.

I wanted to re-introduce this track after watching “The Cannibal Warlords of Liberia”, thinking about Chicago streets, and more unrest in the Middle East. It seems CORRUPT POLITICIANS are at the heart of everything. These situations all have that in common.

“Streets Of Hell” was a track I made with Liquid Stranger for his Arcane Terrain project. It started off as this aggressive kind of Dubstep. Somehow he got the idea that Reggae Dub would be a better fit, and remixed his entire album in a matter of weeks. (Don’t doubt the mad skillz) It stayed at Beatport Reggae’s Top Ten for more than a year.

Anyway, this song was eventually remixed into “Vigilante” which was..OK… but this was my original vision…. Aggro, Anti-Gun-Violence anthem.

//Streets Of Hell – (Free Download With Newsletter Signup)

In the West we really have no concept of how others are living around the world. Adolescent heroin addicts, child soldiers, underage sex workers… abound in Liberia, a country the United States set aside for slaves returning to Africa.

The thing is the slaves didn’t just return. They brought their slave mentality with them. The end result is what we have today. Can things be any different anywhere in the world? What’s to stop YOUR city streets from becoming this way if you let YOUR mind become enslaved?

===-===-===
Lyrics
===-===-===
Me a tell you fi real..
It’s like The gun man out a road a shot down the innocent people all the while.
Me nuh wan rush to judgement you know? But still, if dem nah have no regard
fi de innocent only one way fi deal with dem. Send dem straight down a Hell

Real Talk

Gun Man Search For Glory, People dem feel the pain
Life in the wrong direction, Everyone else to blame?
In judgement you stand before me, You nah see the morning light
I am sending you to tell your story, Inna the streets of hell tonight
-
Corrupted politician next to go. People dem fi carry heavy load.
Tell me if a better way to roll. Don’t really want to know

BANG … Run It…
A so we stay. This is the retribution episode
-
Think you hard? In that regard you’re not alone, but nobody want civilian terror zone.
Devil we a go send you home.
Take up your cause, plead the case to the Vampire jury. Feel the fury.
Executioner future waiting.
Gunman report to the Vigilante Gun Court. I’d rather peace inna the streets.
The corrupted official and the money dem shouldn’t accept it.
The life of innocent dem should not take it…. check it.

The world of Reggae music has lost one of its greats. Ska selector Duke Vin aka “The Tickler” has been ill for a while, but finally succumbed this morning. With regards to sound system culture Duke Vin was the originator on the UK scene. Stowing away on a boat in 1956, Vin arrived in England with his friend Count Suckle to a land of freezing weather, racial prejudice and no sound systems.

They went about the business of looking for work, a place to stay AND a place to PLAY their infectious brand of music, Ska.. which had yet to reach England’s shores.

The story is well documented in the movie “Duke Vin, Count Suckle & the Birth of Ska in Britain”, (because that’s what they DO in the UK). The Brits are far more concerned with posterity than in most places. They recognize the importance of things which usually get glossed over in the U.S. (and especially in Jamaica) The movie is a celebration of the original ska beat, Sound System culture and the life of Duke Vin. Please view the trailer below. Energyyyy.. You no see it how Reggae dance still a move so?

Storyline conceived and directed by Q Hefna from Writer’s Wednesday. Secret agent/mercenary types (Played by Searchl1te and Jeekoos) will stop at nothing to find and disconnect “The Frequency”… operated by yours truly.

Then they almost get “mean mugged” to death…lol

Actually the Special Effects person took another job, from what I understand. Post production was taking quite a while, so rather than wait longer we just dropped what we had. No “perfection paralysis” here, dammit.

Partially shot at 89.3FM WNUR (Northwestern), where we record our weekly show PTS Radio

This label is a steady Bashment killer on the Global Bass scene, and I am thrilled to be working with them. I have an alternate mix of this song on my album (I like the weird music) and these E.P. mixes are more straight forward.

Time again for some bashment vibes, you know how we do! This newest offering from the Top Billin camp comes produced Top Billin studio masters Sir Nenis and JM with vocals by the rudeboy himself, MC Zulu.

With banging drums and deep basses and Zulu’s aggressive and always catchy vocals makes this a must have if you play that dancehall/bashment vibe. While many of his Dancehall contemporaries, finding themselves in unfamiliar musical territory, adhere to a more classic Reggae songwriting style, Zulu enthusiastically breaks rules. He routinely channels a variety of artists which have nothing to do with Dancehall to create his intriguing sound.

Remixes come from Scattemusic Australia front man Mat Cant and the ghetto track master Chrissy Murderbot (name says it all). Time to check that frequency! Pack also includes instrumental versions.

Now available exclusively at our digital store:

http://topbillinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/check-the-frequency