RANDOM ISH!!

My, my... What a mess. Why oh why must a woman in this mental state be made a laughing stock! I must admit I did crack up a little, but after I was disturbed. It's so messed up, but what I'm trying to get at is that there are videos of random 'crack-heads' who need help doing nonsense and it's seen as a 'FUNNY'. If I saw a relative like this it wouldn't be funny so why laugh when it's not our close one? What do you make of this randomness?



Blog ya!

BLUEEEEEY!

Ahh this boy... I tell ya. The UK serious need to watch out. I am definitely a girl's girl all for my sisters 'n all but, it's been a while that the UK have seen a black/mixed raced young male create waves and a buzz in the music circuit. Bluey Robinson is the name the young gentleman goes by... and thats a name I think will stick to mind.

Bluey performed about 5 songs at the Hoxton Bar and Kitcthen last night, funny I went on my own. I hardly do this but to be honest it has it's benefits, I'm quite sociable so I got chatting to a couple of folks there. Actually couldn't be asked to go with anyone, sometimes people are long so I just go and do my own thing. It was such a good turnout, totally packed the place out, saw a few industry folks in there. Even a bunch of lasses came from Hastings to see him. Dedication or what?



Currently looked after Next Selection - Ryan Leslie's company whos expanding his media mogul-self in the UK. His last track for the night was the MJ classic 'Rock With You' which he did justice by with his smooth moves. Seems like a humble guy, with a good head on his shoulders and pretty much enjoys what he does. He has a mad following, various videos on YouTube where he performs around NYC (including the train platforms there) good ploy right?

When I found he wasn't signed I was... 'WTF! A&R's hurry up, whats with the longness?' But you know how the game goes... HOWEVER, I have a feeling I know who'll sign him... I'll wait in time to reveal just whom to confirm I was right. An A&R said to me he has someone up his sleeve but wanted to keep it a surprise. We'll see :)

Please enjoy his debut single 'I Know' on video (good quality right? ) BIG track and very touching live-o. Released on 28th September.

GO GET IT, SUPPORT UK TALENT!

HIPPITY-HIPPITY-HOP

Ello, ello my fellow bloggers! How's all today, on this blessed Monday morning? Monday mornings are always a hit or miss for me. Have a great attitude, however I just don't like being welcomed by PCN's - Penalty Notice Charge. I did expect it because I accidently drove on the Congestion zone but c'mon not on a Monday morning, at least Wednesday! EVIL I say, EVIL! Anyway, thats my little rant for the morning but I'm blessed.

My sentiment for today is my favourite subject music but genre Hip-Hop. My journey with Hip-Hop has been quite here and until say November 2008. When I heard Q-Tip's 'The Renaissance' was to be released, I was absolutely suprised but I was quite confident that he was going to deliver a fantastic record. The man is a legend, so there was no way that this album was a flop. From that point, the research started kicking in, looked into his previous album 'Amplified' and the renowned 'A Tribe Called Quest' catalogue thats when I remembered the old school tunes like 'Stressed Out', 'Can I Kick It', well the hit singles.

Thats all I knew, I didn't buy albums then - I was too young and listening to Capital Radio too often! This has lead me to work my way backwards of particular Hip-Hop artists in all of forms not just conscious, but includes mainstream (good mainstream) or gangsta rap, and of course alternatives.

I went to an event @ Cargo (Shoreditch) held by Doctor's Orders who usually hold DJ nights playing a whole catalogue of one of my favourite producers - J Dilla. It may sound cliche but he really did make me fall in love with Hip-Hop! Honestly, when I was t that event... I was in some subliminal state, despite the rammedness it was absolutely... there's no word to describe it. Despite J Dilla's death, it was about celebrating his life and the musical genius in him. After that event I went on another research rampage, discovering his sick beats as well as the featured artists I really love the instrumentals the most. My ear really takes to J Dilla's instumentals, particularly the bassline, chord structures and classic samples he experiments with are QUALITY. I'm just glad I have a collection of his catalogue, his work inspires me - I call them Hip-Hop's jewels forget flipping Flo Rida. The irony is his album is called 'R.O.O.T.S' what a joke,what the hell is organic about his album!?

Dilla's younger brother Illa J and alternative producer on Warp Records Flying Lotus share similar composition styles as him but his brother is much closer to keep his trilogy. Whereas Flying Lotus has an eccentric and innovative twist to his music, I literally can't put it in any category. Let's just say the main charactersitics with all of them are jazz and syncapated rhythms.

Hip Hop is not always agressive, not always too masculine, not always degrading. Many are true talk, intellectual, articulate and chilled out. Have a listen to my Spotify playlist, you'll love it, for those who are open-minded - http://open.spotify.com/user/aries84/playlist/7qHYKNQ5kkc5rDQ3Dl52SH

So many artists like Jean Grae, UNDERRATED... Talib Kweli, UNDERRATED... HI-TEK, UNDERRATED... Stacey Epps... UNDERRATED I could go on but this is what I call GOOD MUSIC, trust me. Which is why I want to start DJ-ing, most bate places don't play the tunes I want to hear and it gets boring. So watch out folks before you know it, I may have a debut event... FIRST I need to buy me some decks and practise!

In the meantime enjoy this by Illa J -'Timeless'.

My chale bloggers, LATER!

The mini journey of... FRUSTRATION

Yep, I'm there... Frustration mode. I don't have it so bad but you have good days and bad days. I'm trying to network my a** out there to get my face, name and profile out there. I do expect some downfalls, flops, longness, time-wasters and users. However, when the success arrives I will probably forget about these frustrating times. I really enjoy meeting people and talking to them I just need somebody totally understand where I coming from. I see a lot of young people who have no sense of trust, hope or control of their future. Although the government try to convince or promise this and the other but too many have been broken. Or shall we say they don't meet realsitic expectations. Even the work I intend to do I hope that people become inspired and determined to build on a better future for their lives.

To be honest, where I live is not the ideal place however, I make sure that the knowledge and skills I have, I'd want to pass onto the generation younger than me. Yes...I know I'm still young and still learning but I think it's so beneficial when they have a peer or just empathises with their situations I think younger people would be understood more often. This is the reason why I want my message out there for people to hear my calling, what I'm embarking will open doors for young talented people. Also, just showing there is enough opporrtunity in the world can help narrow-minded people expand their horizons.

Some people that live in my estate can't leave the place or step out of E.9 because they fear they'll get "shanked" as that what they called being stabbed or, "can't step to next man's yard". I may sound old but that language is appauling!


This is what frustrates me too, the language/dialect barrier can create people at worlds apart where it shouldn't have to be like that. Not all young people are ASBO's, scary, dumb - a lot are actually intelligent and ambitious I wish more of this was exposed in the media rather than the ASBO rubbish that seems to scare the average old lady. Even I get judged myself - without speaking! One old lady had the audacity to think I was going to steal from her so he clutched onto her bag HARRRD! Take note - I was dressed appropriately. Do I look like I could terrorise somebody? Secondly I couldn't even hurt a fly! Really annoyed me but what else can I do? Hot her up - not a good option.
Do I sound like I'm ranting? Ain't even going to lie, a lot of things I've seen can get frustrating and distract your sense of motivation especially when trying to pitch to people a fantastic idea. Can be quite mentally exhausting I tell ya. Can't wait till my ideas become a reality. As Cassie says "Gotta long way to go".

Blog ya later!
Peace.x

ARIES MUSIC CONSULTANCY

Hello and welcome back! Yep, another blog from your music obsessed girl. I have really begun the grind of running my freelancing services which has been an absolute dream for me, for a very long time. Ever since I was young, always thought that I wanted to run my own business. People from all walks of life - family, friends, associates, and people who I just meet the first time have always said to me that they 'see me as a person who would run their own company'. Knew this was true but it's about putting dreams into practice, had no idea when was the right time but... the time is NOW!

Through my observations of working within different environments, I've noticed I tend to stick out. Could be seen negatively or positively depending on which environment I'm in or the saying 'A Diamond in the Dirt'. Definitely in a corporate environment I really do stick out (always seen as the 'quirky' one - I'm not even that quirky!), never works out for me. One thing I don't like in corporate environments that it's too restrictive, non-creative, dishonest, lack of colour and soul destroying - those are my experiences no-one else. To be honest most people that work in these environments feel the same way, some just haven't taken chances like I have. Throughout my career, I've always strived for some sort of linear direction in the music industry, tried and worked in different avenues (which represent the zig-zags in my career) to be the innovator I aim to be. In my journey, I have endured emotions and experiences of frustration, positive buzz, failure, bitterness, betrayal, fun times, networking (so fun), fake and real personalities and beneficial associates (gotta be real). Fell into various roles (work experience, A&R, song-plugging, assistant for arts organisation, and licensing) throughout transition trying to find and explore the ideal role in this declining industry which I have a passion for.

One thing that was important to me was remain the same person I was when I first stepped my foot in. You come across so many people who sell their souls, fake a-holes, very genuine people and total nasty people. It's always been important to remain humble that is so vital in this game. I'm aware you need to be tough and I'm still going through that transition to become the assertive woman that I need to be which is not so easy.

I've learnt that you can't let people take advantage of you, in order to survive people will step on your toes to get that piece of cake. Maybe I haven't fought or tried enough but my intuition has always maintained that theres no way I'm changing my mentality or self-worth for anybody and a lot of people sacrifice that just to get a job. I mean a job is a job right?

Things do happen for reason, I've had so many job interviews particularly for music supervision/co-ordination that was perfect for me. Everyone around me knew I was capable for those roles, so close always in the last round but never got it. Why? We all know why innit? Lets just say there are still some barriers. However, I believed in myself that prosperity will come my way but, had to seek and create it myself.

This is the reason why I created my Aries Music. Now the name obviously from my fascination of astrology and I'm a complete dreamer, optimist, driven, and passionate about what I do. The Aries sign encompasses who and what I am - a creative enthusiast. Music - the word speaks for itself my first passion, ever since I was a little girl I knew I was destined to work in music no matter what. It's embedded in my DNA!!

I look back and I'm pretty glad I stuck to my guns, no matter what struggle I've endured whatever industry you work in you have to work hard regardless. My parents are typical Ghanaians at times that they rather I pursued a career in law, sciences, economics - boring stuff (sorry to offend) but those subjects are no interest and doesn't mean you're less intelligent just because I'm not in that profession, hate that mentality.

My intellect comes from music and strategy, so all those ignorant folks who thought what I was doing was pants, stick a remote up your arse. Sorry but I don't fancy sitting in a glass ceiling office with stiff folks.

The whole point of my consultancy is to work with art organisations inner London to create new initiatives and I mean new initatives that haven't been done before and for real I have finally found my niche. I'll reveal no more, as you will see from my actions and results. For now I'm working in small steps.Watch this space people, I will not be defied... my time is now. As Obama said, 'Yes I Can!' I'm really looking forward to this new journey and I have every confidence in God will protect me and enable success come my way.

Till next time, blog ya later.

BLESS!

Get Familiar with this...

Hey I'm back y'all! Yeah, yeah trying it with the American slang. As promised I'm blogging more often as I have a lot to say... OMG - flashback, just got back from Canary Wharf shopping center, walked into Ted Baker and I was mesmerized by this chick's hair, I soooo have to do it like that! Once I get the hair did tomorrow it will be on display for all to see!

Anyway back to the seriousness of the blog...I am in such need of another holiday but this time on the beach for real. Had enough of the city breaks, Rome and Paris which I did enjoy but the beach is calling me! Off to Portugal in August for my other half's b'day which will be absolutely nice, ooh can't wait!

Once again the randomness kicking in, remember I said I will be continuing my quests from the previous months?? Well let me start with my birthday I turned quater of a century. WOW how exciting!! To be honest I really wasn't bothered. Didn't want to make a big deal of however, I my good friends treated me to a shopping spree which really brought my spirits up. Those who know me know I LOVE TO SHOP! Can you believe they had the cheek to blindfold me in Bond Street H&M to Selfridges, ain't gonna lie it was frightening but I was overall happy :)

Skipping to July, I went to the wonderful WIRELESS festival! To be honest, all I cared about was Q-Tip, even though he was better in Paris plus the crowd @ Wireless were teenyboppers so they knew nothing about him, all they knew was Kanye West - blah!

Seen Kanye West at the O2 and he was fantastic and wait for it...the Wireless afterparty hosted by Reggie Yates was off the hook! Good Lord, it was absolutely surreal. My girls and I of course rubbing shoulders with Kanye, Young Jeezy, Mr. Hudson, Shingai from the Noisettes (so have to see them again) and of course I met Mr Abstract himself Q-Tip! I will never forget that moment, I have the upmost respect for this man and I had to say him how much I appreciated him and how much of an influence he is to me, maaayne I was going on and on.

He replied 'Aww thank you', so humble... :) Bless his cotton socks, his DJ set was good as well. Talking of DJ's, Reggie Yates was fantastic, for God sake why so short? His set is the music I love to hear! GHANA represent, EEEY! The 'Ol Skool' is my obsession, it speaks to me. Wow... what a night it was!

Just a taster track for you to enjoy by Young Jeezy, 'Go Crazy' really summed up my weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtleR4veJCM&feature=related

On a real to end on this note, get familiar with this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiAbFJT2WsQ

ENJOY! Blog ya later!

CATCH UP!!!!

Wooooweeee! It's been a long time since I've blogged on here for a while...so much has happened in a space of a year and a bit. Changed hair again, and changed jobs again... but this time this was something that I was going to make use of for my consultancy. I've done it! Now I'm ready to set out and go on my own. It's what I'm destined for, I honestly cannot work for someone elses vision and direction... I have my own I want to fulfill and now the experience is there, I must admit I feel VERY UNIQUE!

Well I left a LIFELESS job, a recruitment consultancy as an... Administrative Assistant - how boring that I had to go. Honestly it was good for money but career-wise I felt absolutely crap! No the one! Afterwards went to Corfu with my girls NOLA, one of the best holidays I've been to. We met lovely people out there and it was such an adventure.

Next job, the UK licensing body MCPS/PRS! I must say this was a very challenging role and I did enjoy it, but it came to a point when I missed being creative. It's not about the music when you're chasing invoices from various record companies (ain't no flipping accountant), ain't about the music when answering endless calls to clueless licensees who range from dumb to dumber, lol. Those who read this will absolutely know where I'm coming from. Ain't about the music when there is no creativity whatsoever... I love working with creative people and developing talent - thats who I am. I'velearnt that through various jobs you'll know what you're destined for and God has showed me. Well he showed me ages ago, I just needed the licensing knowledge to break free.

Whilst fighting with my inner demons I've been to Paris to see Q-TIP!! My other half took me there for my b'day pressie. I must tell you, those who are not into him, you have to be, this man is a Hip-Hop legend bigtime! Love this guy! The man has mad charisma onstage and the album 'The Renaissance' is fantastic, my favourite track is 'You'.

I must say very meaningful chord structure in that song! Got more to follow about this man, read on... Plus, Paris is a beautiful place love it! Would go again.

I also went to ROMA... Well first to Milan because my beloved mate Janine (yes I'm exposing you hun, lol) was late to the airport so we missed our flight! Maaaayne, I was boiling but really composed myself... I was ready to give up and go back home but Janine in her right mind fought for us to get a free flight. Her lovely Aunt 'Pam Pam' paid for us to stay in Gatwick Hilton Hotel, I will never forget that, so lovely of her to do that! Rome is an interesting place, aesthetically beautiful, romantic, and the men HA... lets say they're not use to seeing attractive ethnic women and get boring at times. Plus, the trip made me realise that Italian is not one of my favourites foods. Pure pasta, lasagne, pasta, McDonalds, McDonalds...pasta and pasta! Naaah getting to much for me,was always bloated, I must say out of all the people I know Janine has the highest energy level EVER!

Man I can go on forever gotta meet a friend, so Imma holla back. TONIGHT!