#write house

I’ve been expanding my sights lately, and especially after becoming “Mommy Gitmo”, I wanted to branch out passed #dDFW. Texas Tour seemed like a logical “next step”.  So I got with a booking agent/DJ/Artist Manager I know that does San Antonio and Austin events, DJ Notion of MusicNMind, and scheduled out a tour with Killah Priest who is affiliated with Wu Tang and Gensu Dean of Mellow Music Group.

We launched a fundraiser and really did a good job rallying Denton/Dallas/Fort Worth around our efforts. Raised a total of $500 (after % taken out to Gofundme, ya know). We asked the High Rollaz to join us because they had been through those cities before and are the best branded artists in Dallas (I think) so it just made sense. 

We gathered our troops and headed to SATX first, FItzgerald’s Bar was the first tour stop. I’m kind of a cheapskate and decided to press my luck by waiting day of to check hotwire and the like. A lot of times you’ll find that’s when you get the best hotel deals. Chose a place that had free wifi and breakfast and reserved 6 rooms. We were easily rolling 13 deep. I had my kiddos, nanny and dogs so we had our own room, and each of the other rooms were 2-4 deep. #Gitmo Rolls Deep. Within the first 30 minutes after checking into Budget Hotel, my group was asked if they were holding drugs, asked if they wanted to buy drugs, and basically propositioned by a prostitute. Good times, great story for the road. 

We arrived at Fitzgerald and scoped it out. It was a nice little spot with booths for sitting and an outside stage and patio area. I liked it a lot. Their were a decent amount of people there early, the night didn’t get as busy as I’d liked, the headliner went on way super early to the point I had to get my guys to do a freestyle cypher just to keep people IN the bar drinking. Had a plan for San Antonio, made friends with the bar owner and planned to get together for future shows and went on our way......without our merch box (oops).

Friday we woke up, checked out this breakfast....frosted flakes and milk was about the best it got. Rendezvoused at my oldest little brother’s house in Austin, found hotels and went in for naps. Arrived at the Austin Venue, North Door, and was pretty stoked. The venue was also a pizza shop which was perfect because I hadn’t eaten dinner.  There was a large projection screen that displayed graphics, a nice touch I thought.  Mindz of a Different Kind were the local support and I always like catching up and watching this group perform.  We kept waiting for the night to pick up but, alas, it wasn’t a stellar turn out.... Everyone on the line up mingled, networked, and built bonds AND were on their top notch game. Even better show than San Antonio so I knew Denton would smash it. 

My nanny has a connection at the Hilton and after San Antonio’s #FAIL on hotel rooms we chose to go that route. The room we got was so nice I almost didn’t want to leave....but I had to get back to the dDFW for the night’s show. Sure enough, I arrive at 9pm and hear about the line that was waiting for the door to open.  I understand Denton is our backyard but how is it that locals can’t sell/promote a show whoever is on it? I guess no one cares until it’s their money that’s up for gambling. If they get paid no matter what, where’s the motivation? Moving on, we had the place packed, the bartenders were commenting on how generous our crowd was, the Photo Booth was rocking and the floor in front of the stage never had less than 20-30 people watching the performers. Three of my favorite crews were represented- Gitmo (of course), High Rollaz and Dielex Kemposed of Fort Worth. All three of these crews have a special place in my heart so it was a special night. 

This tour was expected to be a learning experience. We knew we had Ces Cru coming up and Ces Cru/Strange Music has a cult like following. There’s almost slim chance to fuck that one up. We made friends with the venues, introduced ourselves to those markets, earned a few new fans, showed a national act how we do it in Denton (#represent), bonded more as a crew, formed some really great opinions on how things SHOULD be done (don’t we all), and made some great memories captured on film from our film crew and the soon to be infamous, Tuna Pryor. So I’ll chalk it up as a win when it’s all said and done, and it is.

This event series is like my first Hip Hop Baby, The Funkytown Showdown, on steroids. I've explained more in detail what this series is all about here if you want to take a look and catch up. For everyone else, keep reading.

There has been so much buzz leading up to the night and I’m not going to lie- I was super anxious about this night running smoothly. I had T Wrex hosting and DJ Snoopi on the wheels of steels so my mind was set at ease as soon as they took over the reigns. 

At the beginning of the night a group of younger MCs arrived who introduced themselves as Mason Weaver, NautQuite, R-Sanik and RJ the Grinch (I think). They rolled deep and showed so much energy and love!! This is why I do it, for the fresh new faces to get their foot in the door. I was quite impressed with their hunger and ability and not to mention they brought the most females out of all the MCs there that night. 

A few of the contestants did not show so there were a few breaks in performances where- like a pro- DJ Snoopi and T Wrex started a dance party! Everyone was having a good time, that’s what events are all about! Rod had his Photobooth Dollar set up with props, the bartenders were amazing as always, and everyone was networking! 

At the end of the night only 10 could advance and I know the judges had a hard time choosing! After a long deliberation, our judges Tay 5pew, DJ Sean P and Steve Watkins, a local writer, chose the following:

Mason Weaver Beast DK Madame Mims Mark Spits Kye Yote Casey Tex Mordecai The Zenith Vincent Fabila Jacob Ware Shoose McGee

Here’s some advice the judges gave:

-Aimed at no-one in particular

Presentation is everything when you are stage, no matter if it's hiphop or comedy or rock and roll or poetry or campaigning for public office. I saw several cats up there who I could tell what they were trying to do and say, but it came across as if they were reading from a cue card. They didn't make me believe it.

If you only have 7 minutes, don't screw around with long intros and build up. Most of the people I voted for I knew I was going to vote for in the first 10 seconds. Be aggressive and be different.

-Most importantly is mic control. No cuffing would help us understand what you're doing. If we can't hear it, then it doesn't make any sense on the whole song. Lyrically some have it just didn't have one direction on where they were going with it.DON'T CUP THE MIC!!!

I thought a few of the other artists should have made it but that’s why I let the professionals handle that one! I look forward to helping all of the contestants develop their skill and maybe we’ll see some of those that didn’t make it this go round, advance next year! 

And keep in mind, Casey Tex was not one of the original competitors but because a few MCs who signed up did not show up, and he was there and ready, he got a chance AND advanced. Congrats Casey, way to be prepared. 

Til next time! 

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