#amauryislam

Wow, where to begin. Coming in especially after the orientation where I met Abhita and Marat for the first time, I was expected big things from the program and can say they were exceeded in every respect. I don't think I could have been given a clear perspective into the industry, while having actual experience added to it. The program really helped with figuring a lot about myself, and also giving me an idea of what to do in the future. I was inspired everyday to try and come back better every week with the amazing fellow future music moguls I was with, and the pressure I put on myself to make sure I took advantage of this program. My conversations with my fellow members of the program, the TA's, and Marat and Abhita were life changing. Seeing how much everyone else was doing for their development, and then getting honest/great feedback from the TA's and facility was crucial to the growth I had from being in the program. I've never been in an environment where there was such a level of competitiveness and yet overall support for one another. Alfredo, you're definitely going to make an impact on the industry and you were really helpful with talking business and then also giving me your perspective on how you got into Clive. In addition I thought your passion/hunger was so inspiring, make sure you never lose that. I also can't wait to see what happens with your artist! Topaz, yeah there was that day were you helped me with delivery in the studio when I was messing but you helped with much more than that. You brought out my competitive nature, and desire to be a much better rapper/artist. I hope you take off with this next project, and I better see some funky shit there haha. Sedona, the minute you said you were into St.Vincent too I knew you had to be awesome. I relate to you a lot, and your support was so crucial to me not letting any of my growing pains with rap deter me from sticking with it. Also your music is awesome, keep getting it with that I can't wait to hear more from you. Marat you were awesome with your lessons about the business, and that time you gave me the g talk about me as a rapper was incredibly helpful thank you for always keeping it real. Abhita you're beyond awesome! The talks about production in class, and in our off time were really helpful. I didn't think it was possible for me to be more interested in production, but my time in the program made it clear that's something I want to look into thank you so much for that. To my fellow Future Music Moguls, you guys were beyond helpful. From the times where y'all inspired me because of how talented you guys are and how much work you all put in, to your support I couldn't think of a better group for this. I know you all have the tools to be successful with music, and know if we all stick to the paths we're currently on we'll be working together in the industry! Overall I'm going to miss this program so much, it was an incredible opportunity and such a blessing. If I ever make it, I don't think I'll be able to point out something more crucial to me doing that then this program. So this isn't farewell for good, July 19th we're all going to kill it and obviously we're going to stay in contact. I feel like I'm cutting the thank you's to the faculty too short, but I hope I made it clear how grateful I was to meet all of you and gain so much from everyone. I hope we all keep the same fire, and passion that brought us to the program and go on to do big things.

Kanye West is one of the most influential artists, and has successfully maintained that influence through innovation and perseverance.  Kanye West entered the industry in a time where in hip-hop it was considered essential to have a street image and be able to be seen as having street credibility. In a billboard article covering the 10 year anniversary of “The College Dropout” Devo Springsteen is quoted as saying “There was not really interest in Kanye. People liked his beats but they saw hip-hop as 50 Cent, Ja Rule, streets and if he didn’t fit into that perception then he wasn’t really hip-hop.”.  Kanye would eventually stick to his vision, due to how he felt after the accident that inspired his first single “Through the Wire” as mentioned in the article by No I.D. The impact of the “The College Dropout” was felt right away, J Ivy was quoted in the same article as saying “The album got people through school, through depression, through death in the family, through relationships, through bad jobs, through career decisions – the album changed lives... It called forth a huge ripple effect.” Kanye’s success would go on to indicate a major change in direction for hip-hop when his album “Graduation” outsold 50 Cent’s “Curtis” which paved the way for artists who did not fit into that gangster persona. He would also influence a new wave of artists with his experimental album “808s and Heartbreak” such as; Drake, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd. and Childish Gambino. Kanye’s success and influence brings an important idea to artists and society in general that so long as you stay true to your vision, you don’t need to stay within the norm and that there is a place for those who choose to be innovators and follow their vision.

Key Songwriting success: Referencing becoming a real boy, which brings up the themes of Pinocchio which relate to the song. Bringing the song back to being about herself after focusing on Prince Johnny. Great use of vocabulary with lyrics like “holding court in bathroom stalls”, using friends and acolytes, and then the way she raises her voice for the chorus for what is a mostly soothing, laid-back song really adds to the powerful effect on not only this being so important that he is praying for this, but the Pinocchio real boy reference is also enhanced through this.

As of now I put a lot of time in towards writing verses everyday, and continue to work on getting better as an artist. Although I lack experience, I am very interested in production as a lot of my favorite artists are also producers on their own projects. I also love thinking about sampling records, and really go into studying how a lot of my favorite artists go about producing and tying together their lyrics by capturing emotion through their production. I don't have a video of me with Vanilla Ice, however here is a video of Frank Ocean performing Bad Religion on Jimmy Fallon. I really dig the live instrumentation here, and also Frank's songwriting ability and passion on this record. Overall I am very excited to work with all of you, as I have much to learn and am eager to be around people as passionate about music as I am.