When did it all change?
I remember a time of traditional Wall Street institutions headed up by CEOs who, although they were the epitome of greed… somehow had an endearing side to them. This is because many of them were self-made. Back then someone from the mail room could work their way up the ladder and achieve respectable status.

Then there was the new money CEO who would ride a Segway to work in flop-flops; was only about 24 years old and everyone who worked for them would be a millionaire within the year. Of course they would keep their jobs, because who could resist company-wide volleyball, beer and cookouts every Friday? As long as you got your work done OF COURSE you could bring your pet snake to the office.

When did we tire of such opulence? Somehow it was decided that the era of personal upward mobility needed to come to a grinding halt. In recent years it seems that corporations are no longer COMPETING with one another for business, for the best employees or even for territory. Instead there is industry-wide consolidation and co-operation going on between them.

Enter the era of the Industrial Complex
We’ve heard the term as related to prison…, and the idea of a Military Industrial Complex dates back to 1961 (Eisenhower warning people against it). Still, it is my firm belief that we are now living in a time where corporate autonomy is OVER. Instead the way business is being done is through co-op. It was an idea taken from the small neighborhood businesses and scaled up to fit major market players. This is the end of optimism. THE MAN has won, and regardless of education level you’ll do damn near anything just to have a J.O.B.

Major companies no longer stand alone. They play a role in something greater. They form collectives of related entities and work together to impact an industry. These companies are tied to one another by virtue of their business model, and form an “Industrial Complex”. If you own an airline, you need fuel prices to be lower. Knowing that the oil companies are planning to lobby (buy off) a politician to ease import restrictions, you might contribute some of your money. So would the shipping magnates, and the auto manufacturers. It’s in their best interests to work together; but the INDIVIDUAL doesn’t stand a CHANCE against them.

It’s going to be this way UNTIL……….. they reach the point where more bribe $$$ is going out than coming in. It’s only a matter of time considering politicians’ greed vs. consumers “buy local” trends. Still, that’s when companies will turn on each other. They will begin with negative advertising against their competitors in attempts to grab market share. Work weeks will get shorter. Suddenly you’ll no longer be chained to your desk. All these people seem to know are the extremes.

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.

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

As many of you might know I have 2 Chicago based residencies.
Freak Easy
// http://www.Freakeasy.net

FEx Events
// http://www.FExEvents.com

As part of the FEx Events’ new LIVE series, we played host to soul music legend Clarence Reid, aka Blowfly; at Reggies Rock Room.

Also in attendance were The Velcro Lewis Group playing a raucous Rock/Blues set, and Chicago Freestyle Killer The Dirty MF with his band The Smoking Sextion.

During Blowfly’s performance of Rap Dirty it was a must that dirty and I jumped on stage. It was pretty much at my insistence… I admit it. But it was a direct connect to my childhood. Things like that don’t happen everyday

Also on hand to write an editorial: Centerstage Chicago’s Jeff Min
// http://centerstagechicago.com/music/articles/blowfly.html

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

A promo vid for the new kids in town I am rolling with. I have two residencies in Chicago now. FreakEasy with the Burning Man contingent, and FEx Events. FEx is really a shortened version of “Foreign Exchange”. The music and philosophy are consistent with that as well.

We have an idea that we can build a scene around the artistic happenings in Chicago, while actually importing talent to the city at the same time.

The musical aesthetic is on a more global level. It is usually an electronic, uplifting, dance floor vibe with sounds that can hail from any and every corner of the earth. Hence the increasingly popular term Global Bass.

FEx parties are held on a monthly basis at Sub-T Lounge: 2011 W. North Avenue in Chicago
www.FExEvents.com

APOLOGIES Madison Wisconsin:
Due to severe winter storm advisory, I will have to join you all next week instead of tonight. The forecast is calling for up to 12 inches of snow in between Chicago and Madison.

I have already contacted the promoter Emily and I feel horrible for not making it (especially since it is her birthday). When we first made the booking though, we discussed the possibility of inclement weather being an issue; so this is not too much of a shock to either one of us.

It is however a major disappointment. So I am offering Free Downloads of my latest album to everyone who was planning on going.

Mind you, if it ends up NOT snowing I am going to feel (and look) like a straight up (_______) ..LOL!! Still this forecast is not to be fk’ed with. I would even chill in Madison, but I have to be back in Chicagoland by 7AM for early morning parental responsibilities   :o/   Hey, it ain’t easy being  Greazy…

Just random pix taken around Maui.. in between heavy rain showers, and yes… I STILL take nerdy azz MySpace photos. What else you gonna do when you roll out solo?

Click the picture to see gallery

Track 14 On the “Electro Track Therapy” album… It’s really weird, but it makes crowds go BANANAS. There really is no genre that it can be classified within, especially related to Reggae; and that’s JUST the aesthetic I am always going for.

This song was remixed by Top Billin records with tracks from Australia’s Mat Cant, Chrissy Murderbot, and Sir Nenis from Top Billin. The remixes have been released as a collective E.P.

Check The Frequency…

http://topbillinmusic.com/2012/04/06/out-now-top-billin-feat-mc-zulu-check-the-frequency/

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.