Wussup Good Folks and Loyal Readers of this Insightful Blog,
For a while now I've made up my mind about taking a new direction in life, but I was waiting on a sign from God on when to announce it...... well, I got my divine sign today.
Since I could remember, I always loved music, and it gradually developed. From writing poetry to lyrics, from beatboxing to freestyling, I liked pushing the limits of my creativity as far as I could. I came up in the game of Hip-Hop in the golden era, when Tupac Shakur was still alive, I witnessed the realist do it. I wanted to do the same thing. I wanted to rep it not just for my own people's struggles, but struggles everywhere. I still remember the first time I performed one of my songs... it feels like yesterday. I got a standing ovation. It was a crowd of 50 people, and I finally overcame stage-fright. It felt incredible.
I went on to do shows on a monthly basis at the Towards Mecca Center, at a Hip-Hop/Poetry/Spoken Word night. I got to meet Sofia Baig and The Sound Of Reason, to name a few prominent Muslims in the Music Industry. Still, I felt no love, maybe politics, maybe cuz the event was managed by Sunnis, and I was born Shiite, and the message I was pushing was of Universal Love & Acceptance..... whatever it may be, I don't got any ill feelings towards anybody, I wish them all success and the best of Allah's rewards.
Afterwards I went through a series of failed partnerships, one even wished upon me hell and my own demise, all cuz I didn't wanna be his bitch. Instead I wanted do music that would be uplifting or at least have some sort of a positive message in it.
I always think to myself, when I have children, I want them to look at their dad and be proud, and not be like 'Yo, dad was a Sell-out'. That's always been on the back of my mind anytime I formed any alliances or did music business deals.
After a trip back to the 'Motherland', and getting the blessings of my aunts, I came back to Montreal and enrolled at Trebas Institute, in their Music Business Program. I never enjoyed going to class as much as I did back then. I was learning things I WANTED TO LEARN. After graduating, I moved to Arizona.
Why Arizona??? I was dating a woman who lived there (my love life's been an adventure too), and they had one of the top 5 music schools in the country: the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. Well, it seems like God didn't plan it for me to stick in the States or go to that school or stay with that woman, so after a few years of painlessly trying everything legal I can possibly try to get a job, I moved back to Montreal.
Back to square one...... Had to rebuild myself again.......... Here we go: I joined the HitsFM Hits Squad, that summer was a blast, I met tons of cool people, did major networking and had fun. I built up my own label: Introspective Records International Enterprise.
Last year, I got back on the stage after at least a 5 years hiatus. It felt good to command the Mic and feel the crowd's energy. Thanks to a soul sister of mine, Marina and her boyfriend John G, they put me on to host the West Island Blues Festival. It was awesome, to say the least.
I worked on one of my favorite young and up-and-coming MC's first mixtape for which he was very eager and excited to release 'Masta Khalifa - BACK TO THE BASICS'. We got very positive feedback for it.
Anyways, All this to say............. I've busted my ass, I've payed my dues, I enjoyed my time working in the music industry, I met really talented artists, I wish them all best of success, but I'm hanging up my jersey for the last time.
The only thing I will probably contribute to is The Familia Univerzel Mixtapes - so long as the Warriors are down, I'll be down. Or maybe, who knows, one day, I'll pass the torch.
I learned a lot from the 'biz'.
- Working for free don't get your work appreciated it.
- And people ALMOST ALWAYS expect you to work for free.
- Artists have Egos, don't let it get to you.
- Being nice doesn't always get you through, you gotta be a jackass in specific situations, like standing your ground and believing in yourself.
- Be ready to receive feedback, positive or negative, filter out the hate and constantly work to improved your product.
Well, I ain't gonna give it all away......... So many more lessons, but we each have to learn our own. So today, I finally chose to retire from the Music Industry. It's been a fun ride, the memories are amazing, I appreciate all the good and bad, the disses and death-threats, the compliments and support, but it's time for Mr. MoeKeezy to move on to something bigger...... Thanks for all the love & loyalty.
Peace,
Respect
and always in ALL ways...
MAXIMUM BLESSINGZ
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