Becoming a Rapper

Nowadays there are a lot of people aspiring to be rappers and little to no one that actually tries to improve on the quality of their lyrical content or how they flow over a beat. A lot of people believe that being a rapper is as simple as picking up a microphone and finding a hot beat to "spit" over. On the contrary, writing clever lyrics that flow good over a beat is a difficult task and requires practice. I have been writing music since I was 14 years old and I always worked hard to outdo my previous song.

Okay, on to some examples. Rappers such as Waka Flocka do not care about what they say at all, as long as they make money off of the consumer. He has club songs that people can dance to, but what happens if you aren't at a club... there is nothing that catches your attention besides the beat. When you begin writing start with experiences that you have had in the past. These can be work related, struggles growing up, or anything that you can think of. If you want to write a few lines about having money you can use words such as bread, butter, relish, cabbage, lettuce, cheese, or chips to talk about money. A few bars like I get butter like a slice of bread/ or I'm getting relish cuz I'm hot dog/. These bars have a little word play in them and will get you respect from other rappers who may not have thought about using those words in a sequence like that. Another thing most aspiring rappers need to work on is mic presence. This takes time and dedication because you have to be able to put the right amount of energy into your performance without going too over the top. After a few months to a year of writing and recording you should be up to par with other rappers that are trying to make it big.

A lot of people also need to realize that the music industry is a hard one to break into and being famous overnight is not going to happen without years of blood, sweat and tears. A lot of rookies believe they can make one hot song and then the entire world is going to know who they are. This is not true at all and it takes a great song, dedication, a little money, some live shows, and few good contacts just to blow up in your local area. You can start by making a website that has information about you and a sample of your music/photos. If you have any videos these will help your future fans get to know you better as well. A great site to start out is reverbnation, they also use a website designer called bandzoogle. Once you do that you should start joining as many social media networks as possible and find people to network with. Create a Press Kit and mail your singles to local radio stations around the country and college radio stations. If you would like to get paid for radio plays you need to create an account with BMI or ASCAP to make sure that you get the money you deserve. Once you do all of these steps and start to meet other local music talent you should be on the road to becoming a popular local rapper and maybe even a Hip-Hop icon someday.

If you have any questions about advertising, creating a website, writing music, etc... email me at chrisking919@gmail.com Also if you would like to network and exchange website links you can email me as well. Thank you for taking the time to read my article and I hope you enjoyed it.

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The DUBTurbo Beatmaker Contents List

This is a list of the features of the beat making software called DUBTurbo. I have been using this software for a few months and cant believe how productive you can be using it. It has sped up my production time tenfold. I sell my beats here and their and promote my beats on most if the social networking sites. I have gone from a few orders a month to ten or more a week. I'm making professional sounding music faster than I could have ever imagined. I will try to list all the features I can remember there is a ton!

The beatmaker works on both PC and mac so no matter what platform your on. DUBTurbo also comes with a variety of instructional videos that play on most all players which is convenient. These videos not only get you started but also show you the best way to promote and market the music you make. Knowing how to properly do this is possibly the best advice these videos will give you. You can't make money if your promotional skills aren't up to snuff.

This software includes every tool you could possibly need to produce beats including:

16 track sequencer
10 pad 16-bit drum machine
4 octave 16-bit keyboard
1000s of pro sounds
Bonus kits

The bonus kits will blow your mind. They include premium samples, extra mood and scene settings, additional instruments, and more. Everything in the bonus packs is free of charge and more importantly, royalty free.

This is just a portion of the things that are included. There is also a sixty day money back policy. Sixty days should be more than enough time to decide if the program is for you or not. If you are looking for something that offers ease of use,great sound quality and more features than most professional beatmakers have then this is for you. Like I said I have been producing for some time and can't imagine going back to the other software I used to use. I did a ton of searching online and I researched just about every software of this type available. I found by firsthand experience that this is the best deals around today. If you are just now getting into music production or if you are a seasoned vet this would be the best investment you could make.

I give this product a ten out of ten.

All in all this is the best value on the market today for fast, easy, high quality production. The best part is you have a full two months to try the software out and if you don't like it you get your money back. Cant beat that deal.You wont regret trying out DUBTurbo beatmaker. http://eazye123.blogspot.com/2011/08/dubturbo-review-best-beat-making.html

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Different Types of MIDI Keyboards

When you say MIDI keyboard you're talking about a variety of electric or digital keyboards out there. Unlike before where only special keyboards were able to do MIDI, nowadays almost all modern electric keyboards are MIDI compatible. You can't miss them - they're the ones with the MIDI In & Out slots in the back.

There are basically two types of electronic keyboards - the controller and the piano types

1) The controller is typically what many would associate with the term MIDI keyboard. While it has keys you won't hear any sound when you press them. You need to have a computer running a digital audio workstation (DAW) software to convert the MIDI impulses to sound.

Because they don't have any speakers controllers are generally smaller and cheaper than their regular piano type counterparts. This makes them versatile and portable and can fit in almost any space you can think of.

2) The piano or personal keyboard type has its own build in sound system - what that means is that unlike the controller, when you press the keys sound comes out. You don't have to connect them to a computer in order to hear anything.

The advantage of such a system is that you can set it up anywhere and not have to worry about having a computer and the required software available. Their disadvantage often tends to be their size due to the internal sound system - you may find it somewhat difficult to set up if you have a small studio and especially so in front of your computer.

Otherwise known as the number of keys you would like in the keyboard. A MIDI keyboard comes in a wide range of number keys -88, 76, 61, 49, 37, and 25. The high number ones are the big boys and are usually the piano type keyboards. The lower ones tend to be the controllers. If you don't play the piano then the smaller number of keys won't be a problem for you. However, if you want that piano feel then get the 88 or at the very least the 76 so you have a wider option to play from.

Speaking of that piano feel the action of the keys will help determine that. Full weighted keys offer the resistance and spring-back of pianos. Synth action has no resistance whatsoever and the keys spring back quickly too. Semi-weighted keys are the compromise - they have less resistance than full weighted ones and are slower to spring back than the synth ones.

Other determining factors include how you will use the unit. If you're always on the go then maybe a small portable unit may be for you. Same is true if you don't really have much space in your home studio. On the other hand if you're into live performances where space and set-up aren't a problem then maybe a bigger unit with the full set of keys may be what the doctor ordered. Price can also come in when choosing your MIDI keyboard but with the way things are going the differences can be negligible except perhaps with the really high end ones.

Check out useful tips in buying Midi Keyboards. Know what other users say in the Midi Keyboard Reviews section.

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The Bieber Fever Phenomenon Hits the World

The Bieber Fever

Do you have the Bieber fever? Well, millions of people of all ages have the bug. It seems to be quite contagious. I find myself humming Baby, Baby, Oh unexpectedly on occasion. The Justin Bieber phenomenon was once an everyday Canadian boy, but since gaining worldly notoriety in 2008, he has become a full pledged celebrity! This amazingly talented seventeen year old released an EP as well as an album within the first few months of being discovered on YouTube and has now become a superstar in the music industry.

Justin Bieber Growing Up

Justin's full name is Justin Drew Bieber. Born on March 1, 1994 in Stratford, Ontario, Justin was brought up in a single parent home. Justin's mother, Pattie Mallette, has been the rock in Justin's life and is supportive with all of Justin's personal goals. The Bieber learned to play musical instruments, first introduced to drums & guitar, when he was a child. Fast forwards to the year of 2007, Justin participated in a singing competition in his hometown called the "Stratford Idol". Without actually practicing, Justin was able to win the second place in the competition! Pattie Mallette, was so proud of her son that she helped Justin post his video clips of himself singing onto YouTube, successfully attracting the attention of thousands of viewers daily. The videos eventually went viral. The word spread like wildfire!

The Live Changing Moment

YouTube. Who uses it? Millions of people every day from all over the world. Guess who else uses it? Scooter Braun. Who is that you may ask and why is he relevant? Because he owns "So So Def Recordings" and he immediately took interest in Justin's video postings. The studio managed to track down the Bieber family and offered them to be flown out to the studios to try Justin in the sound booth to record his skills.

R & B singer Usher was invited to the studio to meet with Justin and to see if he had what it takes to be a success in the industry. Usher was blown away by the vocal skills as well as his confidence. They wanted this kid recording ASAP. Jointly, "So So Def Recordings" and Usher signed Justin Bieber to start his first album.

Justin's First Single

While still in the process of recording and refining the album, the studio released a single called "One Time". The world loved it and wanted to see and hear more. Even before the albums official release The Bieber Fever began to spread across the globe and reached the top twenty in five countries.

When the album "My World 2.0" was released in 2010 with the hit single called "Baby" the fans ate it up. Teaming up with "Ludacris" for the hit, The Bieber Fever was totally out of control.

The Bieber Fever Merchandise The word also spread to the business world. Offers for product line promotions began to invade the once innocent Justin Bieber's world. Today the Bieber promotes everything from clothing to jewelry. Generally people can become tired of seeing him everywhere they look... but I digress.

Full Pledged Celebrity

2011 comes along and the Bieber is in all the tabloids with Hollywood Starlet Selena Gomez. He is simply enjoying what life has to offer. Fame and money usually change a person. Justin seems to still be himself even though he is surrounded by the media.

More about The Bieber

If you love Justin Bieber, visit http://www.thebieberfever.com/ to learn more and see more of the Bieber.

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Sonic Producer Vs Dub Turbo: Which One Is Better?

Do you like to make beats? Do you like to save money? If you answered yes to both, then read this article because I have some great info for you! For decades, it was only possible to make professional sounding beats if you had the big bucks to spend. But, with the wide accessibility of the Internet, came other options for us non-professionals who still love to make music.

Dub Turbo and Sonic Producer are two programs that make it possible to make beats at your computer, without paying hundreds or thousands of dollars. They both sell for $30 and have similar features. So, the big question is, which one should you choose? Thirty bucks is pretty cheap, but of course you want to get the best value for your cash. In this article I'll go over some of the main comparison points of each of these so you can decide which one you want.

The first big difference between Sonic Producer and Dub Turbo has to do with accessibility. Sonic Producer's beat making application is NOT available for download; you cannot install it on your computer. To access the beat-making application you have to log into their member's only website and use the application there. So, obviously, the downside is you cannot make beats unless you have access to the Internet. The good side of this is that you can access the beat-making from anywhere, you're not limited to your home computer.

With Dub Turbo, you have to download their beat-making program and install it on your computer. So, you don't have to have access to the Internet to make beats once the application is installed on your computer. Downside is, obviously, you can't make beats using it unless you are at your computer.

The second difference I've noticed between these two is that Dub Turbo's music library is a bit better. It has a larger selection and the quality is a little bit better. It's not a night and day difference, but the quality is certainly better. So if you're a audio perfectionist, you'd probably want to go with Dub Turbo. You can export your beats in .wav format which gives you better quality than .mp3 (which is what you have with Sonic Producer).

As for the application user interface itself, they're both quite similar. I wouldn't say one is much easier to use than the other. They're about equal in this regard.

So, if you're someone who is on the go a lot, I'd recommend going with Sonic Producer so you can access your beats wherever you are. If you want the best possible quality, go with Dub Turbo. Those are the two big differences in my opinion. Hope this comparison helped, and good luck with your beats!

You can be making beats on your computer ten minutes from now! Take advantage of huge discounts and instant access to Dub Turbo and Sonic Producer by clicking on a link now!

You'll get a sneak peek inside the programs and access to a HUGE exclusive price discount! Start making sick beats today!

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The Android Meme Ordo Ab Chao

What if the threat of global domination by shadow governments was real and impacting us every day? What if, by employing space-age technology, these powers have programmed us to blindly obey? Makes me reflect back to the nightmare I had last night... Then again, it makes me wonder if this isn't really already happening right now with our U.S. Congress that can't seem to get its house in order.

As I listen to the mysteriously surreal music and the meaning behind each song on this album, I notice there is an under-pinning message of awareness and caution that intertwines nicely throughout the finely produced rock music that we have here. The lyrics are one of warning and prophecy drawn into rebellion against the ruling class and their highly technological war machines... "A lot of what we talk about in our songs concerns conspiracy theories and the idea that society is being steered in different directions by forces beyond our control," says lead vocalist/lyricist/founder Stefano Amelio. "Looking at the global stage, it's difficult not to think that there's some sort of New World Order afoot."

If you are into bands like Tool, A Perfect Circle, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, and Depeche Mode with their heavy muse and double meaning lyrics, then you will find the production here well worth its price in gold and silver. As for hidden titles and lyrics, "Ordo Ab Chao" roughly translates to order and chaos (or order from chaos).

Overall the Album is musically and lyrically multifaceted and has an eccentric palette of caution worth heeding. The Android Meme makes a great effort here with their unique sound and interesting words... So get online and your copy today!

Toronto-based quartet The Android Meme thinks it knows the answer to these burning questions and urges us to heed their warnings. With the release of their first full-length CD, Ordo Ab Chao, produced by Matthew von Wagner, The Android Meme might well be called rock and roll prophets, delivering a message the world needs to hear.

"A lot of what we talk about in our songs concerns conspiracy theories and the idea that society is being steered in different directions by forces beyond our control," says lead vocalist/lyricist/founder Stefano Amelio. "Looking at the global stage, it's difficult not to think that there's some sort of New World Order afoot."

Tracks such as "The Machine Stops", "Sumii", "Ordo Ab Chao", "Left Right Parasite", "Whistleblower" and "Stranger" range in topics from secret societies to secret government experiments. While not a concept record in the truest sense, Ordo Ab Chao explores the mystical realm of the unseen and largely unknown - an esoteric dimension represented by the rich Masonic symbolism adorning the CD's cover artwork.

"You'll find several overarching concepts running through Ordo Ab Chao, helping to create a kind of cohesive narrative," says Amelio. "Our music is inherently visual. The symbols on the cover are important because they relate to how a listener will perceive this CD."

Hidden and double meanings abound on the record. For example, Ordo Ab Chao, which roughly translates to "order and chaos" (or order from chaos), is also an appropriate description of the band's music. By working in various musical styles, The Android Meme has created its own artistic identity. Ordo Ab Chao certainly offers something for everyone.

Want infectious, driving hard rock? Check out "Polar Rose." Hungry for a techno-influenced anthem? Clue in to the bass-heavy "Sumii." Is prog rock more your speed? Zone in on "Left Right Parasite." Banging your head to hear some well-constructed metal? Play the title track and turn up the volume!

Despite universal overtones, each song signifies Amelio's personal spiritual search. On one level, "The Machine Stops" is a searing admonishment of how we, as a society, are becoming increasingly enslaved by invasive technology. But it also represents our difficulty in communicating with each other as people, one-on-one.

"Left Right Parasite" traces the duality of existence but also explores Amelio's inner struggle to find balance between science and faith. "Sumii", an open letter to an ex-girlfriend, portrays a society spinning out of control, toward an apocalyptic end.

"We wanted a well-rounded record," says Amelio. "Despite some of the individual songs being completely different stylistically, they all represent 'our sound.' I like the fact that we're difficult to label. I think that's our strength."

Self-taught vocalist Stefano Amelio formed The Android Meme in 2005 after experiencing a spiritual epiphany. Suddenly all of the pieces fit together and Amelio viewed the world with new eyes. This change was reflected in Amelio's musical approach, the subject matter of his lyrics and the band's ironic title: The Android Meme -- a phrase popularized by conspiracy theorists, signifying man-made social programming.

"From that point onward I no longer viewed the world in terms of black or white," says Amelio. "I took note of the cyclical nature of chaos and order. I touch upon these ideas in songs such as the title track, 'Sigma', 'Left Right Parasite' and 'Esoterika'."

Today, The Android Meme continues to decode many of life's baffling mysteries and warns us of the Western World's impending dangers. Like most prophets, Amelio and his band absorb the vibe of the times while presenting apocalyptic future scenarios.

With all due respect to The Android Meme, here's hoping they're wrong.

Author: Scott Thomas http://www.guitarz-for-ever.com/

Stars: I truly give this Album 5 Starz

http://www.magnacarta.net/

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Matthew Najar - Problem Child

Matthew Najar, born in Adelaide, Australia, began his music career almost four years ago with the release of his first single 'I Like The Way You Are', released on iTunes worldwide. The single received mediocre reviews but garnered the pop singer great attention from underground music social networking sites, propping up his online fame to the point where major record label IslandJaMusic Group signed him up on the spot. Since then he has released two additional singles and a variety of music video and dance clips earning him a great reputation as an accomplished dancer, at just 20 years of age. Apart from this new-found fame and attention, Matthew hasn't been consistent with music. Oh no.

In 2010 he appeared in various modelling advertisements worldwide for such brands as Diesel, Burberry and Calvin Klein. Matthew also modelled for boutique department stores in Australia such as David Jones and Myer. During his modelling stints he met (and subsequently dated) 23 year old model Elle Potter, also Australian-born. Their relationship latest just under a year with an abrupt end arising when Ms Potter revealed in a personal blog (in true celebrity style, which was 'leaked') describing Najar as a "childish" person who didn't "care for money or fame". She repeatedly called his behaviour "contradictory" stating that "(he) works as a famous singer but he doesn't seem to want it - he doesn't attend shows, meetings or ceremonies". Interesting, yes. But that's not it. Ms Potter goes on to claim that while he is an "amazing lover" his bedroom aptitudes do not make up for his "poor" behaviour. Further Potter stated that "isn't interested in (her) most days", which is hard to believe as Potter has been hot-property in the modelling industry since 2009, working for such houses as Dolce & Gabbanna, Louis Vuitton and Sax.

Bad news follows celebrities; it's part of their nature to become involved in embarrassing or complicated affairs. Najar, while only young, is still a 'freshman' in the music industry, still planning his conquering battle plans preparing to take on the world outside of Australian and Asian music scenes. Music critic Henry Watson was quoted saying "(Matthew) is only just beginning his career; he has a strong following in Asia already and a strong fan base in France. Any negative press would hurt his performance significantly this early on". Negative press seems to already have found Najar. By looking at him you would assume a sweet, quiet and humble person within but this doesn't seem to be true - don't let his soft smile, high cheekbones and deep eyes fool you, he is it would seem as much more than that. Is his bad behaviour necessary? How many people would treat the position he is in with more respect? He has the voice, the dance moves, the talents of any good musical artist and good looks to boot, but is he deteriorating his reputation to a point where his talents and fetching looks will not be able to liberate him? Time will tell, and if future girlfriends find his behaviour odd you can be sure that the media will be right there ready to report it. This could be a one-off situation or it could be the start of a future celebrity problem child.

Matthew is due to release an album this year in 2011 titled 'Crisis' which has been two years in the making, it will be interesting to see how this press affects it's chart performance. The album will be available at selected Walmart, Virgin Music, Leading Edge Music and KROCK Music stores as well as iTunes, Zune, Amazon and Napster online retailers.

Erin DeForte is a music, art & film reporter and has been in the business of celebrity news for over 10 years.

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