2010 Wrap Up!!

It's December 31st 2010. New Years Eve. Looking back at 2010, its hard to believe it's been almost a year since we left south Florida and made the move to Los Angeles. Amazing how following goals and dreams can take you to places you would never think you would be. In our case music being the driving force. Hard work and sacrifice lead us to accomplishment and progress. We have weaved out many fakers and met alot of great talented people that we built solid relationships with. These relationships brought upon new opportunities. Looking forward to 2011. We wish the world a Happy New Year!

Sky Is On Fire

Nothing beats a California sunset...had to stop and take a picture..(Hollywood, CA)

Pogo...very very very innovative work!

Came across this Australian based electronic producer named Pogo through a link posted on twitter. He is known for his work recording small sounds from a single film or scene and sequencing them to form a new piece of music. Here is his newest track called "Wishery" comprising vocal syllables, musical chords and sound effects recorded from the 1937 Disney classic Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. I suggest you check out all the videos on his youtube channel. AMAZING!!!

Michael Jackson new album to be released on Dec. 14th

The much anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released onDecember 14 by Epic Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. Tomorrow, an exclusive teaser for the project will appear on www.michaeljackson.com; on Monday, November 8th the world premiere of “Breaking News,” a full track from the album, will stream on the site for one week only.

The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.

“Breaking News,” a never heard before song by Michael that appears on the new album was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and recently brought to completion. Fans can begin pre-ordering the album on www.michaeljackson.com in the next 24 hours.

The attached image of the album cover of MICHAEL was created by painter Kadir Nelson in 2009. In the oil painting, Kadir – who is known for story telling through his art – takes us on a journey through some key moments and important people in Michael Jackson’s life.

Stay tuned for the worldwide launch of the official first single from MICHAEL later this month.
www.michaeljackson.com

New music in the docudrama called "Change"

Got some new music in a docudrama about change. It's dope how your creation can inspire a scene and bring out the emotion.

Luck-One True Theory Trailer

About a year ago we ran into the producers Northern Lights in NYC. They asked us if we were interested in producing a track for an upcoming artist with a heavy buzz back in their hometown of Portland, Oregon. We said sure why not. After sending him a batch of heat he ended up picking one to write to. It is going to be the first track on the album entitled "True Theory" which is dropping this winter. Check out the trailer below.

BMI Urban Awards 2010

Received an invite to the BMI Awards from a songwriter we are working with. Went to the Belvedere pre-party by the pool at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood..Free drinks a live performance by Donis and alot of great people having a good time..Then it was off to the Award show at The Pantages Theatre..Alot of good networking, good food, more free drinks, live performances and a dope award show!! Congrats to Will I Am for winning the presidents award! It was a great experience..check out a few pics:

No Boundaries When Opportunities Come Knocking

Can't stress enough the importance of networking when it comes to this industry. Building up a network of talented musicians, vocalists, songwriters, and artists of all genres etc.. can be very helpful when you least expect it. We were given a couple of new opportunities this week. One of the assignments is a spanish rap song for a feature film trailer. We said to ourselves "How the ****? We have beats that can work but where are we going to find a latin rapper to complete a song? We went through our contact list and remembered that a friend and fellow producer of ours that we met a little while ago in LA at a conference works with spanish rappers on the daily. He lives in Spain. We reached out to him and are now working on this project. Hopefully all goes well and we win the spot!! Never know what kind of assignment will be in your inbox in this world of producing/composing so make sure you have all the resources that can benefit what ever task comes your way. Would hate to of passed up the opp because we didn't have the resources. Expand your contact list!! Network=Networth

Nike 6.0 Commercial featuring The RZA

Was watching TV the other night and saw RZA in this new Nike 6.0 Commercial. There is actually 3 different spots and they celebrate individuality and the role of music in action sports by having The RZA remix tracks inspired by each athletes unique riding styles. The one below is the best out the 3 but the other 2 are worth checking out too.

Venom!

Check out this Venom Production by Grab, Junk, and Rekal.

Beat Swap Meet Los Angeles 2010

Took a ride down to the Beat Swap Meet in downtown LA. It was at the Grandstar Jazz Club in Chinatown. (And yea...it really felt like we were in China...craazy!) There were over 30 invited vendors & collectors buying, selling & trading records from all over the world. They had a few producers displaying some of their beats upstairs. BBoy jam next door.. Great event for crate diggers, collectors, producers, etc.. Overall good vinyl collections from the vendors and decent prices. Had to leave with a couple of gems. Good vibes!

Check out the video clip

PacSun Summer Solstice Beach Ballyhoo in Santa Monica, CA.

Our younger bro was in town and we decided to take him to the 2 day Ballyhoo beach party in Santa Monica. It was right on the beach next to the pier and hundreds of people showed up. Featured unique brand activities, action sports exhibitions, and some of the most buzzed about bands in the music scene. We attended on Saturday when they had the Tony Hawk Skate Jam, BMX athletes from Fox including Chase Hawk, Scott Crabmer, and Trey Jones in the beachside street session. The bands that played were Awolnation, Bad Rabbits, As Tall As Lions, Yelawolf, Ra Ra Riot, Circa Survive, and many special guests. Bad Rabbits and Yelawolf were the acts that stood out the most. First time seeing and hearing Bad Rabbits and got to say they destroyed it. It was dope seeing Yelawolf perform as well since we got the Trunk Muzik mixtape. That dude is a great example of artist branding. He also killed it. Dj Skee was the DJ. Graffiti artist EWOK also was there doing some live painting. Below are a couple pics we took. Check them out!

Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle at El Rey in Los Angeles

Went out to the Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles last night. Started with 12 producers and ended with the winner, Dibia$e, to represent LA in the Big Tune final battle in Chicago. The overall beat battle was nothing special but there were a few highlights throughout the night. Kardinal Official introduced producer Nottz as he went on to play a bunch of tracks from his catalog. Producers Battlecat, Jake One, Vitamin D, and more were in the place. And lastly, DJ Premier played a bunch of his classic tracks for the crowd. Here are a couple pics and a video clip...

Mix session at ES Studios in Burbank, CA

Had a last minute mix session at ES Studios in Burbank for a track we worked on to include in a library that has a blanket deal with Fox Sports.

Rob Dyrdek Opens New Skate Park In Noho

Rob Dyrdek opened up a new skate park down the street from where we live in the Noho arts district. Since we live close by, we thought it would be cool to check it out. The whole Fantasy Factory crew was there as well so im sure they where taping for the show on MTV. The 7-11 across the street is dedicated to the park.

ASCAP "I Create Music" 2010 Expo in LA

This was our first time attending an ASCAP Expo and have to say it was the biggest and most interesting event we have ever been to. Besides meeting songwriters and all types of creative people in music from all over the country, a massive reception, and industry house party..being in the same room and listening to interviews with John Mayer, Bill Withers, Justin Timberlake..and best of all Ludacris interview the legendary QUINCY JONES made this weekend special!!

Main Ballroom
Chart topping producers and composers spread the knowledge

2300 people registered
free wine?
amazing!

Ludacris interviews the legend QUINCY JONES!
Dr. Luke breaks down some of his hits.
Interview with Justin Timberlake and Bill Withers

Nas and Damian Marley "Distant Relatives" pre-release party at Kress

iStandard event at The Highlands

We went out to The Highlands last night on Hollywood Blvd for day 1 of the iStandard Producers event where upcoming and aspiring producers showcase in front of label reps, etc. The venue was crazy! It was on the fifth floor overlooking the city. Going back tonight for day 2.

Copyright Criminals Trailer

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money.

Copyright Criminals from IndiePix on Vimeo.

Pots and Pans

Big Boi Signs New Deal With Def Jam

After over a year of wrangling over release dates with his label Jive Records, Antwan Patton has found a home with Def Jam and Island Def Jam Chairman/CEO L.A. Reid — the man who gave OutKast their first deal with now-defunct LaFace Records over 15 years ago. That means Big Boi’s long-awaited Sir Lucious Leftfoot: Son of Chico Dusty album — which seemed dangerously close to becoming another Detox — will finally see the light of day.

It’s scheduled for a May 2010 release.