This title is still very relevant to me today. “Still Climbing”

From the “Still Climbing” project I did awhile back. Shouts to kigsonSNARES for the upload.

Quick Update

what up yall, sometimes I find myself trying to tackle too many things at one time. I was learning how to design my own site, finishing The Burnerz album, starting my album, building crates in serato and more! I gotta get back to the program, nt that I can’t handle all of those things at one but I start to loose focus. So here’s a few of the things first. The BURNERZ record is just about done. we will be doing a free EP first for everyone and then a full release of the album throughout most of the normal digital platforms. I’m flying out to oakland on on sept 11 to work on some things nd while I’m out there, me and Zumbi will have a chance to do a photo shoot and video for the upcoming release. After that, I think I should have my album close to being finished. I hope to have it ready by X-mas. Still getting the features ready, I’ll update yall on that soon. Until then, Keep grinding, follow me on twitter – TheARE and I’ll have some music for yall real soon!

Did anyone ever get this record I did called “Together Brothers” 2004 or 05′

What about this one? My first group, K-otix. Spontaniety EP 1996

The ARE “IRAN”

I was very moved by the people of Iran and their protest for democracy.  This album is dedicated to them and their fight for a better future.  I used all Iranian music in the making of this album. Hope you enjoy and spread it around.

Download the full project at Rappersiknow

Identification Please

 

As I sit and analyze the industry, there’s one thing that strikes me most. The producer’s position in the game. I come from an era where running to the record store to get that new album was a top priority. I remember going into the vinyl section and looking for all the new releases and 1 thing was a must. READING credits. I wanted to know who produced what, who remixed what and who the artist was down with. I used to buy some records based on who the artist gave thanks to. If he thanked Diamond D, Biz Markee, Marley Marl or anybody that I looked up to, then it had to be dope and was bought. I remember buying cassettes and sitting in front of the stereo as I listened to the tape and going over each song credit as the song played to get an understanding of who produced it and to make the connection of why it sounded that way. This was big to me and alot of other people as well. It was our own study of music in a sense. For most, those days are gone. With less and less vinyl being pressed and overall less print involved in the releases of today, the producer no longer has that platform to build himself on. In the 80’s and 90’s producer’s could make their names from print. Aside from their own projects, remember when you might have seen “Pete Rock Remix” or “Dj Premier Remix”?? It was a guaranteed buy. I was fortunate enough to get alittle bit of this type of promotion from print as I was putting out records in the 90’s but it was nowhere near the recognition of a pete rock or premier. In this era of music, the producer has no identity. Most blogs don’t take the time out to write who produced the song being posted. Itunes relies on the label to submit all of that and prints it a small percentage of the time only. Artist are recording songs these days and they don’t even know who did the track nor do they care. It may have been in a pile of beats and just got recorded cause it was somewhat of a banger, then leaked and nobody knows jack shit about the producer. The only time an artist seems to care about sharing light with the producer is if the producer already has a name and the artist can use that to his/her advantage aka Sales/views. The fact of the matter is the producer these days has to market themselves like an artist. Beat projects, rmx projects etc. but even more important, Blogs and online platforms have to start paying more attention to who produced what. Not just “New 50 Cent” but credits as well. To all music platforms/blogs, Please take the time to research the producer give him his identity back and let the new producers grow. You are the new “Insert”, you are now the backside of the 12 inch.

Grinding

what up yall, I know I haven’t been here as much as I should. the fact of the matter is that I’ve really been trying to get back to the basics of creativity. Being in NY alot of the past 2 years has been good but it’s also been alittle empty as well. Sure the opportunities have been there and I know some of the moments I experienced are moments that up and coming producers look forward to. The thing is, you really start to think different when your in these moments. It’s like you become a slave to the system and start to loose your creativity based on what other people want and not what you want. I built my name and resume on being creative and getting deep with whatever I was doing. Samples, chops, digging for records and ideas. After coming home from NY,  I decided I would stay here in Houston for a while and re-group. I started putting idea’s down for new beat projects, new artist to work with and an overall new game plan on getting beats shopped to not just every artist but artist i want to work with and the ones that will fit me best. Just do ME and nothing else matters. Along with these things, I’ve really been trying to figure out ways to increase my visibility. Artwork, Video blogs etc. In fact, if anyone is interested in contributing, please let me know. I want someone thats willing to be creative with their art. Whether it’s drawing, photography, graphics etc. Just do YOU. Whatever you submit for me will always be considered for press, artwork for projects, T-shirts and more. If you need my logo or pic’s, I can get you all of that. Some of the projects I’m working on include “The Burnerz”(The ARE & Zumbi of Zion I), and Iranian beat project(all beats chopped from Iranian funk records), A compilation/beat cd/album of all my latest releases from Lil Kim to EMC to Keyshia Cole, A new Together Brothers project, The ARE presents (no title yet) and much much more. All these things are either done or in the process as I type. New beats coming soon! Stay tuned!    ARE

Michael Jackson Tribute tonight on KPFT 91.7

Michael Jackson was a huge influence in my work and others. It’s been a tough couple of days since his death. He will be missed but his music will live on.
I will be spinning an MJ tribute tonight from 11-12 on KPFT 90.1 fm. Tune in and call in! Live stream link here: Soular Grooves

New Joints coming soon!

I”ll be posting more music soon. Raw beats, records I produced over the past year and alot of news. Stay tuned. I’m taking care of some server issues and then the music uploads can continue!
I’ll also be posting links to all the projects I’ve released over the past couple of years plus exclusives!

10 DEEP Holiday 08

If your not up on 10 DEEP,  Get Up!

10 DEEP Look book

10 Deep Holiday “Get High, Stay High” ‘08 Video

10 Deep Holiday “Get High, Stay High” ‘08 Video

New Lil Kim “Shook Hands” produced by The Trackmasters

ok, so check this out. When we all went in to do Kims album, the plan was to make the shit as raw as possible. We wanted to take Kim back to her first album. After I produced her joint “Chillin Tonight” we were on the road to accomplishing just that. This is another one among many that we did and if the album comes out the way we made it, Be Prepared!! Produced by my partner in crime Just Nyce of the Trackmasters “Shook Hands”