BLACKsummers'night (review)

I'll just say it, for the past several years Rhythm and Blues has quickly become a genre of gimmick and embarrassment. Auto-tuners and R&B thugs have inspired a culture of infantile skill and degenerate lyricism far removed from the likes of Cooke, Green, Wonder, Gaye and Vandross. "Fuckin hoes" and "poppin pussy" have quickly become the catch phrases of an art form once rich in love, heartbreak and raw emotion. BLACKsummers'night, however, is both a leap from stagnation and a renaissance of the soul that once flooded radio waves across the world. You will not find Jeezy features, 808 claps, watered down synthesizers, swag or any kind of "through the phone" kissing here. This is not an album designed to enable a night of bad decision making and the pursuit of shameful, empty grudge sex. If you are seeking such commodities I suggest that you join your local Highschool students in line at Target for the latest cracker jack, snap song. Maxwell has managed to corral a special balance of groove, instrumentation and sensitivity capable of facing the expectations of generations past, present and future. BLACKsummers'night is timeless and quite possibly the best release of 2009. Enjoy and be sure to purchase the album next Tuesday, July 7th.

1. Bad Habits
   
2. Cold
   
3. Pretty Wings
4. Help Somebody
5. Stop the World
6. Love You
7. Fistful of Tears
8. Playing Possum
9. Phoenix Rise

My favorite ladies...

I have a special place in my heart for beautiful women who make beautiful music (how original right?). Of all the talented ladies doing their music thing right now these are my 9 favorites.... Before you ask, NO!! I DID NOT FORGET ANYBODY... Ms. Hill is not on here because I'm convinced that she intentionally breaks our hearts every year by not releasing anything... Ms. Scott is off the list because it was either her or Ms. Badu (I'm a sucker for Badu). Keri Hilson is not on the list because she simply doesn't make music anywhere near the caliber of the ladies below. Rhianna, although interesting nude, doesn't cut it and Cassie... well, let's just say (stop Dekk)... Mariah... PPPLEEEEAAASSSEE!! Ha!... Anyways, enjoy y'all... Just press play ya diiiiggggg?!!

Adele
Crazy For You

Jack Davey (of J*Davey)
Dirty Peaches

Solange
T.O.N.Y.

Santogold
Starstruck

Yukimi Nagano (of Little Dragon)
Stormy Weather

Lily Allen
Not Fair

Eykah Badu
Telephone

Gerogia Anne Muldrow
Patience

Lykke Li
Breaking It Up

Spring/Summer fever

I've never been the type to get a wandering eye just because the sun is out, but I sure as hell know people who do. We all go through stages of lust and desire, but at the end of the day what most people long for is something that they can hold on to. Everybody wants to give and receive love. EVERYBODY. Unfortunately we are taught to believe that "love" should wait until we're older and that our younger years should be reserved for "freedom". As a result, young people often times allow great relationships to slip away for the allure of "single life". Funny thing is, after a few months of "freedom" most people begin to feel lonely and empty. There is always somebody around to fuck, but never anybody around to listen, laugh or empathize. I've seen far too many friends go through the same thing and to be honest it can be frustrating. I've learned that "youth" should never be used as an excuse to make bad decisions because the fact of the matter is that young people have more time to live with the consequences than the elderly. If you truly love somebody or believe in something don't allow yourself to be persuaded by temptation that is no more than a group think. I understand that we must make mistakes in order to learn from them. However, if you look hard enough you will find that we can actually learn some things from observing the mistakes of others.

I was really hoping to be on some goofy blogging shit today, but for some reason this came out... LOL!

-Dekk-

the new motto = slow down

I've been driving too fast lately... So fast that I'm afraid I would kill a dinosaur if I ran into it. I don't want that. I want to gently knock that dinosaur out, tie it up and bring it home with me... ya dig? I'm trying to find the balance between focus, hard work, productivity and mental health. Life is too beautiful to spend nervous and worried... not even the sexiest dinosaur is worth living like a maniac. Next week I'm going to start seeing my old therapist again. He is dope as hell with his craft LOL! These past few weeks have really exposed how much pressure I put on myself and how I allow that pressure to manifest in areas of my life where it doesn't belong. I've got to learn how to challenge myself without it being destructive. I need to forgive some people in my past and most importantly I need to trust the people who I am currently surrounded by.

I really love you guys (they few that read!)

peace.

-Dekk-

Jay Child- "Twitter Page"

Here it is... Jay Child's promo single. This track was produced by yours truly and inspired by the ever growing impact that online social networking has on the Hip Hop community. I am extremely proud of this record. It's a step in a different direction from Beautiful Music.

"Twitter Page" is an anthem for all my internet heads... Put this shit on and "update" your ass off!! LOL

If you like this, you will be blown away by the upcoming release in August titled "A Child Is Born". For more info on Jay Child click here.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

i just want to.. to... to...

BE SUCCESSFULL.

I'm obsessed with the idea of achieving the near impossible. I don't want to just "make it", I want to be great. I want to knock people off their fucking feet with my music. That new shit... That... That classic but never duplicated type ish. There are nights when I lay in bed sick to my stomach counting the thousands of ways that I can be better when I wake up. There are nights when I cry at the thought of a stadium full of people dancing to my music. I want them to hear me. I want them to move and sing. I want my mother to retire young. I want to buy my pops that Porsche he's always dreamed of. I want to take Miss Randa to Italy and make her my wife. I want to be the best. Good is not good enough... I MUST BE THE BEST. You might laugh and think it's impossible, but that only opens more doors for me. I accept failure because I know that it will only be temporary. I want this more than I've ever wanted anything in my life, and the longer that I'm alive the more possible it becomes. I WANT TO BE SUCCESSFULL. I want you to be proud of me so that when it's all said and done you can stand over my grave and talk about the success that was born out of obsession.

I finally get it.

-Dekk-

making Waves without Gravity..or Water

That's what Spread does. We create possibility without conventional resources... I mean, isn't that how all great movements start out? An impossible dream becomes reality... right? My dude Young Scolla said, "my ambitions are gettin bigger than my dreams..." I really feel him on that. A year ago music was a dream, now it's a challenge. The harder I work the more I respect those who have established themselves in the industry. I haven't had a day off in two weeks. In fact, most days I don't even have enough time to have a phone conversation with Miss Randa. It drives me crazy sometimes because I know that deep down it must hurt her feelings, but she still supports me. If that's not a sure fire sign of love, empathy and commitment, then I don't know what is. I need to get my life together quick and get a ring on her finger. Some things you just know.... ya know?

Next week is the week y'all!! Jay Child's promo single, "Twitter Page", drops for free... Produced by yours truly... Make sure and download it! It's fiyyyyaahhhh!!!

-dekk-

Kid Cudi- Heaven at Night

I'm speechless... really... I can't really explain what this song did to me the first time I heard it... simply incredible. Hip Hop is changing.. some of y'all are scared... I know it. Don't be.. just enjoy it mc tough guy... We are becoming a well rounded genre. Wow. Thank you Cudi.

-Dekk-

A playlist after Work...

I've never worked harder in my life than I have in the last 8 months. It's a wonderful feeling, but there are nights (like this one) where I'm so exhausted that I can barely tell what I'm thinking. What's amazing is that no matter how tired I am, when I lay my head down I literally can't wait to wake up and do it again the next morning. I absolutely love what I am doing. I love music. If you're tired from doing what you love, put this playlist on and focus. I'm out....

Ludacris (feat. Nas & Jay-Z)
I Do it For Hip Hop

Charles Hamilton
Honesty Box

Mos Def (feat. Talib Kweli)
History

Kid Cudi
50 Ways To Make a Record

Drake (feat. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne)
Successful

Dela (feat. Talib Kweli)
Long Life

Rick Ross
Valley of Death

Nas
Testify

Asher Roth
His Dream

Kanye West (feat. Mos Def)
Good Night

-Dekk-

have i been away too long?

Sorry blog followers. I have slacker-ness in me. Well, no, not really. I've actually just been working so hard that finding time to get a post in is difficult. There is so much going on lately. My world is constantly spinning and I am constantly running in hopes that I'll end up on the top. Spread Music has literally become a lifestyle where the key elements of existence are 1) hard work 2) creativity 3) coffee and 4) money. For those who are wondering, food and coffee are synonymous at this point and "money" doesn't mean "having money". In fact, "money" means "not having money but pursuing it"! LOL. I can't help but wonder what those closest to me think. Have I been away too long? I mean, even when I'm present I have trouble being there ya dig? My brain is constantly thinking about my next career move. This whole thing is new to me, so I guess it's understandable that I am consumed by it. This life is crazy. Some days my blog is nothing but a shit show of craziness and then other days I find myself typing as if it were my diary. LOL. Anyways, the promo single is done and will be sent out to our email list the week of June 15th. If you wish to receive a free copy along with exclusive access to future releases, please shoot an email explaining such to dekkmusic@gmail.com .

Love y'all... Really, I do!

-Dekk-

P.S.- The photo is a "Hall and Oates" photo... They released a record called "Have I Been Away Too Long"... just in case y'all were wondering what the fuck the pink photo of 80's guys had to do with anything. LOL.

-D-