The boogieman is always just over the horizon. It was Y2K, then it was Bin Laden, then it was H1N1, then it was global warming and then and then and then… But we are still here. It’s business as usual except that another freedom has been given away to save us from something that has been greatly exaggerated. It’s the same old game. The totalitarian tip toe.

Now the media is telling us to worry about radiation. Now the politicians want to start checking the power plants to see IF they are safe. More fear. Maybe the people who’re behind the Carbon Tax plan might reword their agenda into the “Radiation Tax”. After all, once they realized that Global Warming wasn’t working they reworded it to “Climate Change”. New name, same result. More control over the population unless the population decides to grow up and start taking responsibility for their own well being. After all, that was the intention of the Founding Fathers when they created this country. A very noble experiment.

So where do we go from here? It’s a sad thing that happened in Japan but lets keep it in it’s proper context. Continue to pray for them and all the others in the world who are suffering. Don’t let those with different intentions use the current crisis as a way to keep you in fear. In time this will pass and they’ll have to come up with a new boogieman. Ignore them.

Someone once said that “Fear doesn’t keep you from dying, it keeps you from living”. I couldn’t agree more!

Peace.
GETPARADOX

Here’s the link.
http://ventsinterviews.blogspot.com/2010/09/getparadox.html

Forgiving people is a very interesting experience for it really puts faith to the test. It reveals the actual dynamics of salvation and Jesus’ purpose as our advocate before the throne of God. He continuously pleads on our behalf to be forgiven for our misdeeds. We would be ungrateful if we don’t forgive others while we rejoice in our own redemption. If you feel that you’ve been wronged then let the individual know. It could be a simple misunderstanding. If not then sincerely forgive them anyway. It’s easy to do when you keep in mind what Jesus is continuously doing for you. Don’t let animosity root itself into your heart. It’s toxic and will hurt you in the long run.

The journey continues.
GETPARADOX

From the media outlet’s perspective, you’re “stealing” 77k eyes away from their primary revenue source–especially if you taped it while at their show!

If people are watching clips on YouTube, they’re not likely to watch the show and be bombarded by the ads that keep the lights on. The way they see it, the artist is getting free promo through their brand name (the credibility of the group to be on BET) and ad dollars are going to YouTube for having content people are interested in watching.

If comments were about the groups performance, but not BET, they are simply a prop in the process is why they asked for the content to be removed. That’s a lighter judgement to asking to be compensated.

I’m not saying it’s right or fair. I am saying that’s just business P!!

Ms. Edwards

Paradox
http://www.getparadox.com
http://www.twitter.com/getparadox

The Apple/Lala deal was finalized since December 4th but Apple reps have yet to disclose how they intend to integrate Lala into the iLife ecosystem. One significant possibility is that Apple will take Lala’s commerce infrastructure and add subscription based streaming to the iTunes store. Therefore you can choose between downloading songs for 99 cents or indefinitely streaming whole songs from iTunes for 10 cents each.

Now I wouldn’t be surprised if A WHOLE LOT of iTunes customers begin to use this hypothetical subscription service for obvious economic reasons. I’d use it myself! There’s also a technical convenience to the streaming model as well. Instead of copying files from and to your desktop/laptop/mobile device, all you’d have to do is login from whatever device you’re on at the time and listen to music from your centralized play list. This is known as ‘Cloud computing’ and it is the future. Look at ‘Google Docs’ for example.

Subscription based music stores have been around for a long time such as EMusic and Rhapsody; but Apple has the ability to make the subscription sales model very popular. This is great for consumers and some independent artists. I say some because if a particular artists audience leans more towards streaming instead of downloading, that artist would have to survive on a royalty that is one tenth of what they would get from actual download purchases. Artists will have to be observant and continue to develop economies around all the new technologies and fads that pop up.

Regarding my theory of Apple’s new subscription service, I believe the lower price point will encourage people to take the risk of purchasing music from artists they’re not familiar with. That is if Apple pushes the idea of discovering new music as opposed to getting music for cheap! Consumers would also have to take the responsibility of actually looking for new music as opposed to only focusing on what’s featured on the front page of the iTunes store. In the end we all have to make adjustments because ‘Everything Is Changing’ and will always continue to change. As for the here and now, Apple is very secretive and we don’t know where they’ll go with this. Only time will tell and so will I.

Paradox
http://www.GETPARADOX.com

Now lets bring this into the context of the Christian based rap industry. The idea of finding your niche is almost completely ignored and even frowned upon. I’ve met many artists who’re going through all the motions but are not really making an impact on the audience they’re trying too or believe that they should reach(I’ll address this further down). If you ask any Christian Rapper why they do what they do, the answer would be to reach the youth and or the streets because the traditional church has not been able to do it. The dilemma is that most Christian Rappers aren’t able to reach the same people either. Just like in the general market, most weren’t meant to be artists and the talented few rarely find their niche. And if you’re wondering what I mean by niche; It pretty much means to be who you really are and to develop (you) into a marketable form. Here are some examples. Braille has a different style and content than Cross Movement but they’re all very influential and successful in their own arenas. T-Bone knows who he and his audience is and he works his situation very well. Just look at his success. KJ52 has a different vibe and sound from either T-Bone, Cross Movement, Braille or the GRITS. Get the picture? Some work the streets well, some do the Church. Some are mainstream, some are underground but they all have a real audience and positive influence. For many years I’ve heard people claim that a Christian rapper is *supposed* to do this or that but their solutions do more harm than good to artists in the Christian Rap industry.

We all have different abilities, personalities, education, outlooks, etc… and we have to be honest with ourselves and find out who we are as artists. If you’re a theological rapper then your songs won’t really impact the streets (For some reason people get upset by this truth). If you don’t have a strong theological presence then you might be better off marketing your music to the streets but a lot of churches aren’t going to feel as comfortable with you in their concerts and won’t invite you. Don’t take it personally.

Is one better than the other? Not at all for the Church needs good artists to keep it’s members encouraged and moving forward in the Christian experience. The streets also need people who are able to do the same outside of tradition. Then you have to think our your rap style and music. Are you actively developing your own sound or do you sound current? Do you have a 90’s sound? Do you have an 80’s sound or are you all the above (Very rare and are expensive to promote). Be honest with yourself. This is how you find your proper demographic or audience. Once connected they’ll listen to you for life and you wouldn’t have to pay a PR firm to create a phony buzz for you because a real one will already exist.

PARADOX
http://www.GETPARADOX.com

We’re winding down to the release date (November 22nd) of the new EP titled ‘Pace’ which I subtitled ‘the progressive EP’. I believe ‘progressive’ is a much better description than ‘positive’ as in Positive Rap. Progressive gives the sense of forward motion and that’s what the PARADOX experience is about. Being on the cutting edge.

With that said, this release is the first in my evolved approach towards song writing. As you can hear from the previews, I’m more free form and not limited to any particular style of Rap. This approach is more truthful to my personal tastes. My only other choice would be to follow the accepted descriptions of Rap such as East Coast, Hyphy, Dirty South, Underground, Gospel Rap, etc… The truth is, I am all of these and neither at the same time. I listen to many genres of music and am influenced by them all. I’m not a purist and I believe that every style has it’s place in the music melting pot. Especially our own individual styles. I tend to make songs based on inspiration which also contributes to my musical diversity. Here are some of my inspirations and experiences which led to this EP called ‘PACE’.

Song 1 – Pace
I created the track for sale through Jahrock’n Productions. I liked the track and it was hard to let go but I did. I always hoped that no one would purchase the track so that I can use it or if someone did purchase, they would make a great song with it. I just didn’t want to see the track go to an artist who would just let it fade into obscurity. After a few years I decided that enough time has past and I started to write to it.

Most people nowadays don’t know that, as a teenager, I spent a whole lot of time at parties. One of my closest friends is a DJ so where ever he played I was there either helping or hanging out. From those experiences I learned how to move a crowd and I tend to write more songs that lean in that direction. I also enjoy performing so it all blends together perfectly. Even though it is a party song, the subject matter is not shallow. I don’t want to give the story away so I hope you can decipher it on your own over time. Lets just say that “Pace” is the outcome of certain revelations I had over the last year and a half.

Song 2 – Make My Move
This is a rare occasion where I really mellow out. Savor it because it might not happen again!
In this one I expanded on a line from the song called ‘Role Model’ on my last album.

(If you’re nice you always sell, you have nothing to lose.)

Artists like Jay Z or 50 Cent have proven themselves but I still meet rappers who call them and everyone else wack. They don’t understand that giving respect where it’s due doesn’t take away from their own accomplishments but that’s where the problem lies. These critics haven’t accomplished anything so they attempt to hide their insecurities behind endless distractions, nitpicking and manipulations. I know of things done behind the scenes to mess me up but regardless I’m still here and still moving forward.

Song 3 – I Know
From the first note you can tell that I was serious with this one. ‘I Know’ is about personal betrayal and keeping an eye on those who would stab you in the back if you let them. I compiled the situations from things that actually happened to me so I kept the facts a little obscure to protect the guilty for now. It’s a hard subject matter but I balanced the song out with thoughts of redemption. There’s always hope out of tough spots if you (sincerely) want to get out.

Song 4 – Everything Is Changing
The title speaks for itself. Or does it?

Until next time, enjoy the new EP!

Click here to preview the new EP!

Paradox

The New Music Elite

Unless you were in New Guinea, hiding in a cave over the last nine years, you should be aware that the Music and related Industries have been going through some rough changes. What’s interesting to me is the bizarre circumstances that have gotten us to the point we are in today. A sort of economic “Mexican Stand Off” that would make John Woo or Quentin Tarantino proud. The circumstances are numerous but I’ll focus on just two. Pride and greed!

Despite the negative elements, I personally like the music industry. I like the business and the artistic side. I release my own material and release other artists. I’ve done music internship as well. This is where I first saw the actual working of the vices. There are many desperate hopefuls who’re willing to give up too much for 15 minutes of fame and there are just as much sharks who are willing to take advantage of that.

I say “too much” because sometimes you have to play the game while not playing yourself. For example, when I first started doing music production, I got an “offer” to do production for a new artist on a major label. This offer came from his manager. How it would work is that I would have to give the advance that the label would give me to that manager in exchange for having my track placed on the album. He would get a couple of grand in his pocket, I would keep my royalties with the potential of doing a lot more production work and everyone would be happy.

Now was I getting ripped off? It depends on how you look at it. (I’m mentioning names in this case because it’s public knowledge) The deal that Daughtry has with American Idol is a rip-off. But now he’s a millionaire. Where would he be now with out that deal? Everyone from American Idol has the same deal. Some were able to capitalize off of it, most were not. As always, It depends on your situation.

Regarding my bad deal, I was a new producer at that time. No track record, nothing to show. That would have been a quick way to get my foot in the door. So I thought is was a bargain. At the end, that artist ended up going to prison so it didn’t matter anyway.

I’ve seen the vices from the other point of view as well. While interning at one label I saw pride destroy an indie company that just got a deal with a major record company. They got their artist signed and the record was out and being pushed by the major. This was the worst time to let the indie label fall apart. They were on their way to the top but the two owners lost focus and everything crumbled. This happened because of only one success!

At the end of the day it’s the potential to acquire great riches in a short space of time that attracts people with bad intentions. Still, I’ve met a few people that I believe have good hearts and intentions. None of them have been around as long as the Clive Davises and Jimmy Iovines so I look at them as the “New Industry”. If positioned in the right places they can really turn our failing business around with new ideas, outlooks and attitudes. It’s also important that they stay on the path of integrity.

Music is not as valuable as it used to be. After so many years of one hit wonders and “bait switch” albums, consumers have gotten fed up with the gimmicks and are no longer willing to “pay” for bad music. On top of that, people are spending more time with video games, movies and social networking than they do specifically listening to music. I believe that we can bring value back to music in time. I know this won’t be an easy task but I’m very optimistic. During most of the events I attended this year, I met a lot of sincere people who were entrepreneurs in the music business. I believe my peers understand that we cannot be attached to the old way of doing things or we won’t have a future. We must treat our art form as art and not a get rich quick scheme. Virtues like honesty, humility and respect are some of the core values that will restore life back into the music business. A honest record company executive will not enslave an artist with a bad contract. A respectful artist will acknowledge another artists talent and not do things to hinder their progress and so on. I’m very excited to see how everything plays out over the next few years and I’m happy to be a part of it.

*These pics are some of the cool people I’ve met over the last few months!

Paradox

I’m working on a follow up single called ‘PACE’. The energy is higher in this one since the song is a little faster. I also did a feature for a Christian Rap mixtape thats coming out in September. Heesun Lee is supposed to be on the same song.

I recently put up a video mashup of ‘Role Model’ on Youtube. I made a new youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/getparadox

Here’s the video.

This new Youtube page will have my entire catalog as well as newer interviews and performances. Everything thats already on the GETGOSPEL Youtube page will stay there.

I also taught my son to ride his bike a few weeks ago. Now my son, nephew and I have been going to the park as much as possible to ride. We even rode to the beach a few days ago. Now that the weather is finally hot, we’ll be heading out to the beach as much as possible. You all who live in the warmer parts of the country are very fortunate. It’s always Summer for you!

Paradox