Doc's Castle Originals Archives - Page 9 of 11

Behind The Music: Jose (Liquor Talkn)

Jose (Liquor Talkn) is my first recorded song, which addresses what many may call a “situationship.” It’s a personal excerpt from my life that I changed into a personification about my favorite alcoholic beverage, Jose Cuervo. The song was produced by a good friend of mine who goes by the name of Doowy Lloh.

The idea for writing Jose came from being surrounded by a bunch of people who are constantly submitting to me their music. I have an interest in independent works. It’s great content being sent to me on a regular basis and I’m not going to front, I believe I can compete alongside quite a few people who send me music. I’m humble, though. Ha-ha.

I’m a frequent visitor of local recording studio DugOut Dojo Studios in Baltimore. The art that comes out of there is absolutely amazing! If you’re a recording artist, I recommend you stop by to record and check out other artists’ work while you’re there.

Back to talking about my song…During the week of writing this song, I basically drank Jose every night before bed. It’s my go to drink if anyone who wants to know what I prefer. I don’t know why I was drinking so much. It might be because I’m young and young folks do stuff like that sometimes. Haha.

I woke up one day and thought to myself, Hey, I haven’t written a poem in a while. I usually write poems when something heavy is on my mind and I want to express my thoughts creatively. Jose (Liquor Talkn) appeared to be the product this go around because I thought if I made a song about what was going on in my life to conclude all the feelings that I had for a guy I absolutely knew didn’t feel the same for me, it would wipe away every unwanted emotion I had about him. Did it work? It damn sure feels like it.

A new form of creativity entered my realm and now I can say I feel like making music is the cure to what’s been buried inside of me for years. It’s only for fun that I’m choosing to make music. I don’t want to take the fun out of doing it. It’ll drown away every innocent speckles left in it if I made it into a job. But music always brought me joy. For some reason, I knew there had to be a reason why I’m so fond of being involved with it. I’m not saying that composing a song is my calling. But for some reason, I’m drawn to anything that deals with music. I’ve always loved it.

What’s it like to have a career writing music? What’s it like to be a music publisher? What’s fulfilling to me when I learn how to make beats? The possibilities are endless for me because it’s what I’m looking into doing while I’m bored out of my mind because I’m not enrolled in school. Ha-ha. I just want to learn more about anything within the musical culture.

When I made the song, I was lost out of my mind, trying to figure out what would sound right. I still believe my song needs some work done to it. But it’s my first song, whoever likes their first song? There isn’t too many people. So I consider it decent.

Brianna Ragler from RebelliousRebel backed me on the vocals. FluX, producer at the DugOut Dojo, “whipped my sound into shape.” The track became something of good potential. Others have told me they like it. (Hear José on Doc’s Castle Media.) It’s cool. You know, the artist is always their worst critic.

Music is love. A person can join it’s marvelous culture if they’d dedicated their time to it. If you enjoy the arts, you’ll know that music more than what people hear. It’s a lifestyle for many and I encourage more people to learn more about it before they judge it.

Bucket Listing It Up

I can’t sit still for anything. Maybe that’s a good thing. But I always have to do something to occupy my time. It’s how I started writing blogs. It’s how I found all the internship experience in branding and marketing. It’s how I’ve decided how I want to complete certain things in life. While accomplishing all these opportunities while I’m young, I’ll be able to have lots of stories to share when I’m older. It’s what’s considered living!

Last week, I got some thinking done and I randomly thought about creating a bucket list for myself to keep my mind occupied from being idle. I did some research before making my list when searching the web. The Internet makes it seem like it wasn’t a bad idea.

What is a bucket list?

For the many people who are unsure of what a bucket list is, I want to address the basics to you. It’s a list of goals you’d like to complete in your lifetime. A list of things that you’ve always thought were possible for you to do before you die. When I watch television shows or movies, whatever I’m watching usually gives off the intent of a person making a bucket list when they’re close to death. Well, I’m not close to death. Why wait until then? I already know a lot of what I want to accomplish now.

I do not have any serious sickness. I just wish to live a more fulfilling life while I can.

Doc’s Bucket List

First, my plan to make a bucket list was about trying to do things before 2014 comes to an end. I don’t believe I can do that with my list. It’s a bit much. It is a list that needs to be done before I die, most definitely. I have a list for starters that I may eventually add more to. Currently, there’s only one thing I’ve scratched off of my list. Take a look…

~~Make a Rap Song~~ (Listen to my rap song.)
Be in a music video
Write/Produce a music video
Go to 4 different states in one year
Go to a Rave (similar to those that I see in movies)
~~Be in a fashion show~~ (See the recap of the fashion show.)
Go on a Cruise with friends
Hot Air Balloon
Snow Tubing
Go to Mardi Gras
Swim with some exotic animal
~~Put out a mixtape~~ (Listen to Songs From Da Dugout)

I’ll get all of these things done! Eventually, I want to do everything, preferably before I have children and get married. Ha-ha! I can make it happen. As I complete whatever is on my bucket list, I want to keep my readers up to date on what’s being completed. So stay tuned to my post about my bucket list as time progresses.

The Music Highlight: Jose (Liquor Talkin) by Alissa Fere

Parental Advisory Apply!

Alright, everyone is a rapper. I know, I know. I guess you’ll throw me into the mix after you finish hearing my track that was released Friday evening May 30, 2014 (My Birthday).

When it comes to expressing myself, I sometimes need to find new ways of releasing how I feel about something. I have to let things be known creatively. I’ve always experimented with different techniques. While growing up, it can be said that I could be caught journaling, drawing, dancing, writing poetry, writing songs, creating clubs, or joining clubs. I’ve always had to stay active. As you know now, I’ve made a bucket list of tasks to complete.

These past two weeks, I’ve been dabbling in writing a song because it was a task on my bucket list. I’ve always wanted to write my own song, as if I was making a soundtrack for my life. I watch music videos on television sometimes and think that I have the skills to create something like it. So I made a song so that I could make a music video, too. Yay!

Jose (Liquor Talkin) is a page out of the diary of Taylor Walker, a song about an event in my life that I wanted to creatively express my thoughts about. There was no biting my tongue when it came to writing it. It was exactly how I felt about something I believed to be inhuman. It was my first time recording a song and I discovered talents about myself I didn’t know I had.

I have bars! That was surprising.

I may be writing more songs. I have a lot of things that I want to get off my chest that blogging won’t be able to fulfill. So, I guess, I’m making music until I find something new to experiment with. It’s fun.

One thing off of my bucket list is complete. Time to move on to the next!

Check out the last Music Highlight. Read the interview with The Mighty Third Eye on Doc’s Castle Media.

The Music Highlight: Interview with The Mighty Third Eye

The Baltimore city’s music scene is getting bigger and bigger by the day. I’m not saying this because everyone seems to want to be a rapper these days, but because if you really indulge in the hip-hop scene, you’ll learn that there are some really gifted individuals taking apart in something worth sharing about. Two of those very gifted individuals are this week’s Music Highlight.

The Mighty Third Eye are two sibling rappers, who are freshly new to the Baltimore hip-hop scene. They caught my attention sometime last month when I attended an open mic night and was granted a T-Shirt from one of the members, Divine King, during their performance. He definitely gave his shirt to the right person because it wasn’t too far after I approached The Mighty Third Eye about being today’s feature.

I met with the two at Terra Cafe, which was also my first time dining in the local restaurant. (I’ll talk about my dining experience another day because the food was good y’all.) But once I met up with them, we kicked it and I learned a lot about these Milwaukee natives. We chatted about their start as a duo rap group, the type of music they consider themselves to make, Love Truth’s view on women in the industry, and much, much more.

I started my interview by asking the two how they began. It came to be that the both of them already were writers growing up. But Divine King, while inspired by NWA, began rapping in high school with his friends. He often made beats as a hobby, as well. It wasn’t until 3 years ago; he would faithfully send beats he made to his sister Love Truth for review. At the time, Love Truth was into writing poetry rather than the art of rap. But she expressed that from life’s obstacles and tribulations, she was inspired to begin writing over beats her brother orchestrated. After a while, it became a thing they loved to do, or as they say “it kind of happened organically,” it wasn’t planned at all.

If you were to hear a Mighty Third Eye track, you’d be reminded of “soul-hop,” hip-hop music with a hint of conscious meaning that reaches the inner soul. Artists whom I would consider in this category of music would be Lauren Hill, Mos Def, or the Roots. They have a sound of which I believe has run scarce in the industry, today. As I’ve mentioned to them that their music reminds me of music from the 90s, they’ve expressed that many others have placed them in the same genre. Divine King wouldn’t want to say they focus on a specific era of music though many compare their music to artist from the 90s. Their aim is to deliver a certain message and to add value to the culture. Both aren’t too fond of the “turn up” music that’s so often promoted in the music industry, so they see the 90s comments from others as compliments because it’s an era of music they enjoy, and an era of music they take pride in listening to.

Female MCs are hard to come by in the Baltimore Hip-Hop Scene? Males dominate the culture but women still find ways to form a presence. As I went on expressing how I rarely see female rappers at open mics in Baltimore, the conversation led into a discussion about females and how they carry themselves in the industry. I asked Love Truth if there was reason for why she chooses to represent herself the way she does; in a conservative-simple manner. She went on to say “I don’t feel compelled to sell sex through my music. I feel like I’m going to shine no matter what. I don’t feel I have to use my body to get somebody’s attention because my intelligence and other things are going to be able to carry that.” She’s aware that she’s entering into a male dominated industry and believes there are choices people make to represent themselves the way they do. Every choice has a consequence. She chooses the path that won’t exploit herself in ways that will make her feel uncomfortable living with those consequences. I believe that’s always the way to go!

I asked the Mighty Third Eye’s about the idea behind their logo. Love Truth explained it represents their name. I didn’t realize how obvious it was until they elaborated on the design. The logo is composed of three gold letter “I’s” and a black crescent moon. The colors represent the gods and the earth. The logo is both simple and thought-provoking, which I believe is the best way to go about having a logo because a person who’s viewing the design doesn’t have to dig any deeper into figuring it out; as if it’s a puzzle. Divine King and Love Truth just thought it was cool to have a something to represent them because Wu-Tang Clan did it. Why not?

The Mighty Third Eye set the pedestal as one of the most unique groups I’ve found to be active in the local hip-hop scene. How often is it that you see a rap duo who are twins? They deserve a lot of the support that’s given, if not more. I encourage anyone who’s looking for some new soul-hop to speak into their inner conscious, or rather anything worth listening to as they go about their day, to consider downloading The Mighty Third Eye’s album Let Em See. Add it to your hip-hop collection. Also, if you’d like to see them perform live, attend one of their shows held every Tuesday at St. Mary’s Restaurant’s for Love and Hip-hop Open Mic Night.

In the meantime, visit themightythirdeye.com for more goodies from the two.

Have you read the last Music Highlight? Read about TonyBonez Sinatra “Mask Writter” Music Video on Doc’s Castle Media.

Fun at Baltimore’s 1st Annual Fashion Truck Rally

I did something new last Saturday. If you live in Baltimore, sometimes you’d consider this city as a place where it’s pretty hard to find something new to do as recreation. I spend my summers looking for places to go. It’s really hard to find something fun to do without having to repeat the same activities over and over. But there’s warm weather on the rise so I should be able to do a lot more this season. This Saturday was officially the kick off to my season full of events, starting with the Boulevard of Chic Fashion Truck Rally.

I had fun experiencing, for the first time, shopping from a fashion truck. It was indeed a moment of discovery. Imagine all the goodies a girl can buy from a truck that’s similar to your neighborhood’s infamous Ice Cream truck, except all your fashion treats can be found there. Yup, this is what I was apart of this weekend.

Check me and Doc’s Castle Media’s featured blogger Brianna of Rebellious Rebel flicking it up for the camera.

I met the owners of some of Baltimore’s local small businesses, exchanged some business cards, took some photos and bought some jewelry. It was cool. I hope that there will be other fashion truck rallies in the future. If there should be, I’m in there like swimwear! Check out my video of all the nice things I saw this weekend.

4/20 But Let’s Not Forget That It’s Easter Sunday

Four-twenty is an unforeseen holiday that I never pictured would have so much of an impact in the United States of America during my lifetime. Even while celebrating Easter Sunday, people will continue to take their puffs of smoke on the herbal drug as celebration for the cannabis culture. Too me, it has always been unpredictable to determine how fast this cannabis movement would develop. While growing up, I always assumed that marijuana would be illegal. As I’m seeing growth in the support to push this “drug” for legalization, I can now make assumptions for when I believe weed will be fully accepted into society. Times are truly changing when something that had such a bad connotation becomes praised in the mainstream media.

I know most of you are probably “waking and baking” this morning as a celebration for 4/20, but who’s celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, today? Every time a group of smokers mentions what day Easter falls on, they’re taking notice that it falls on an important day for them. It’s a smoker’s celebration on the Lord’s day?! “OMG! We’re going to be high at church!” Dang, soberness for the Lord was immediately thrown out of the window. Ha-ha! The hype for 4/20 is officially “off-the-chain” when people are looking to smell like the plant while praising Jesus Christ in church.

The holiday which should have rightful ownership is Easter. It’s the day we we’re all promises life after death. The celebration has been apart of people’s lives since the beginning of time. Why should it change now? Well that’s what I believe. I’m a christian. My day is starting with the Bible not a blunt because I respect my Lord first before some cigarillo full of weed. I glorify his blessing for dying for me before the blessing of the “natural” plant to my lungs, which over the years the plant has been manipulated by man to give an extra kick of THC for your body, so is it really all that natural? I will not forget about Jesus this day.

I know many other people won’t forget about him this day. I just hope the respect for God isn’t lost in your festivities today. You may smoke all you want but remember which choice is a true priority in your life; which rules over you? At the end of the day, you should know what is the most important to you. So what will it be?

What are you doing today? Are you waking up to a blunt or a bible? Let me know in the comments below.

Maryland Live Contestant Shows Us Her Pipes

The Maryland Live Casino’s Rising Star Live contest for best vocalist ended March 31st. Contestants entered in this singing competition for a chance to win $10,000 and studio time with Wright Way Studios in Baltimore. Though the chance to enter has surpassed us, Maryland Live is still in the mists of narrowing down their contestant pool. As for Doc’s Castle Media, we’ve continued to accept submission from contestants until April 10th.

One of Maryland Live Casino Rising Star contestants is below…

My name is Alaina Delucia, I am a newly 21 year old and this is me singing Hurt by Christina Aguilera!

Thanks for this opportunity 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4OY5xRERM0?rel=0&w=640&h=480]

Beautiful voice! You’re very welcome. Thank you for showing Doc’s Castle Media support by submitting your contest video to us. I wish you the best of luck in the competition. I’ll be rooting for you!

Q & A with Alumni Marketing Group

The Blogger’s Rundown has yet to come to a halt. I had the chance to interview one of Baltimore’s inspiring promoters as an addition about his event promo blog Alumni Marketing Group, which is stated on the AMG Facebook page as “an entertainment marketing guide connecting young professionals and artists globally through Social Media.” While interviewing founder Cortez of Alumni Marketing Group, I learned he’s someone that has a passion to help those who might not have an opportunity, like many of Baltimore’s “A-list” artist, at exposure to an audience. Alumni Marketing Group is different from previous blogs I’ve featured on Doc’s Castle Media because Cortez provides a service unlike the others. He’s work is more active in event management while his sites showcase what is expected at his events if someone should attend.

As I’ve talked with Cortez, we discussed how Alumni Marketing Group began, what his initial goal for his AMG blogs is, what the two most popular events hosted under Alumni Marketing Group are, and what to look forward to from his company. His company, along with his blogs will amount to change tremendously in the art scene. I can’t wait to see what new things will come out of what he’s doing for this city.

Doc: Where did the idea to create a blog for the Alumni Marketing Group start?

Cortez: The idea involved just being on social media and being able to utilize social media applications so it could help me put my brand out to an audience that I’m targeting. So essentially, what I did was brand myself using the Alumni Marketing Group’s network, and I was able to use different search engines so I can be able to publish the content that I distribute to my readers and audience.

Doc: Are you the only one involved with the updating of your site?

Cortez: Yes, I’m the sole proprietor of everything.

Doc: Oh, alright. Do you plan on bringing anymore people on?

Cortez: Certainly. That’s what a brand is. It’s Alumni Marketing Network. I’m always looking to bring on new people to the team.

Doc: Okay, so I’m aware that you have two blogs. You have a Blogspot and a Tumblr. Is there a specific reason for why you have two?

Cortez: I’m using two to capture different audiences. Social media is one of the trends now. I think anyone who’s involved in small business should have it.

Doc: Do you get most of you followers from Tumblr because I know a lot of people who use Tumblr? Is that where you post the most?

Cortez: Yeah, I would say I post the most frequently on Tumblr. Blogspot, I usually update sparingly.

Doc: So I guess Tumblr would be your primary?

Cortez: Certainly, that where I do most of the posting.

Doc: What kind of events do you promote on your blog?

Cortez: Right now, my sole service line is individual artist showcases. That involves scouting local talent where I’m able to give them the platform to showcase their music. Addition to doing the showcases, I’m also involved with the visual arts aspects of entertainment. So I work with local film makers, as well, and help them scout talent and promote their casting calls.

Doc: I don’t really know too much about the directors or videographers scene but that’s nice to hear that it’s people out there.

Cortez: Yeah, certainly. Baltimore, I think, is one of the most upcoming… Well, we’re late in terms of where we’re at in the entertainment industry. But I think Baltimore is on the rise in terms of providing these types of things for the urban community.

Doc: So do you promote events outside of the Alumni Marketing Group? I know you do the Monumental Mondays. Do you do anything else other than your Monday showcase?

Cortez: I also do a Saturday event. It’s once a month. I call that the Saturday Spotlight, where artist also have an opportunity to come out to the venue. It’s more so like a happy hour event but if artist would like to showcase, they’re more than welcome to come out. I try to do it at least once a month.

Doc: So Monumental Monday’s is every Monday?

Cortez: Yes, when we originally started it, it was a weekly event. But I was still building the brand and we had some minor setbacks. So I had to cut back from doing it weekly. Monumental Monday’s started in September 2013. So we ran it from September to December weekly; every week. Then we cut back in the beginning of the year because of the turnout. But now, at this point we’re starting to do it weekly again.

Doc: and then the Saturday event is monthly?

Cortez: Yes, Saturday’s event is what I try to do once a month. It’s a daytime event. That’s one of the trends that’s going on around the town now.

Doc: Oh really? Daytime events?

Cortez: Yeah, they call them Day Parties.

Doc: Oh, I’ve never been to any day parties so I probably come to that. Do you have any important events that people should know about in the month of April?

Cortez: Right now, I’m working with a local film maker by the name of Frankie Jones. He’s one of the guys that I’m a subordinate of. I’m helping promote his casting calls for his films. He’s actually trying to do a short film monthly.

Doc: Every month? Really?

Cortez: Yeah, every month. He’s doing short films to help build his brand. So be on the lookout for casting calls on the blog or from our street team. We’ll be putting the word out for talent to come in and cast for these positions.

Doc: Okay, how do people notify you for permission to perform at your shows?

Cortez: I’m best reached by email. I have a heavy social media presence. If you’re on social media through Twitter, you can find us by the hashtag #MonumentalMondays or you can use the hashtag #MonumentalMusic.

Doc: Can people submit events to you? If they had an event, do you post it on your blog to promote their event, or do you do solely your events?

Cortez: Well, at this point, I’ve networked with people around the city. But I’m willing to build relationships with other people, like event host and planners. But at this point, I haven’t received submissions for other events because we haven’t built a solid foundation in terms across promoting each other’s events.

Doc: What is your most popular event that you throw?

Cortez: At this point, it’s Monumental Mondays because we’re branding ourselves not just in Baltimore. We’ve reached a market and have had artist perform from as far as California. So I think it’s one of our most notable events at this time. It’s a great opportunity for these artists to showcase their talents to our followers and listeners.

Doc: Thank you for interviewing with me.

Cortez: No problem, thank you.

To see Cortez’s Alumni Marketing Group blog, visit amnep.tumblr.com.

Did you read the last Blogger’s Rundown post with Amirah of AmirahRashidah Blog? Check it out on Doc’s Castle Media.

Baltimore Hawks Attracts the Hungry and Humble for 1st ABA Tryouts

Saturday, March 29, 2014 marked the first American Basketball Association tryouts for Baltimore city’s new team, the Baltimore Hawks. The turnout of the tryout was bigger than expected. Over 30 prospects attended this Saturday to compete for a spot on the professional basketball team. Such event would have you proud to see a group of guys pursuing a career in what they dream.

I had to the opportunity to chat with both owners of the Baltimore Hawks. As I spoke with the power duo for the team, Gregory Brown and Quentin Harper, they discussed with me their expectations for the players.

Even as a spectator, it was easy to find those who were hungry for their opportunity to shine. Strong-willed players put in work to be noticed for a shot that could change their future, for they knew the decision was in the team officials’ hands. As I watch these men condition, I spotted a few individuals with heaps of determination. For readers to get an understanding of the possible talent, I interviewed Dominic Thompson, Jason Sharp, Dashawn Bradshaw, and Lamar Bentley. Listen to the audio below.

One quality the Baltimore Hawks expects their team members to have as perseverance for excelling in this sport is a strong mental. Players need to be able stand out in times of adversity. Many of the prospects were able to do this while also showing great collaboration in teamwork. While players seemed to struggle with a task, others were generous in showing respect through applauding to support one another. It was extremely encouraging for others to learn to not quit and to do their best, though this may be a competition for a position on a team. By simply watching these guys, I was encouraged do my best. I had to “Turn Up” for my interviews. Ha-Ha! They were so hungry for the opportunity. Who could help but be inspired by the positivity.

There definitely is potential in this city. Baltimore will have a great future with players that keep the drive and determination to reach success. The Baltimore Hawks will make sure of it.

There’s another chance for players who didn’t come out to the first team tryouts. Come out to St. Francis Academy on Sunday, April 27, 2014 to get your spot on the Baltimore Hawks roster. More details at www.baltimorehawks.com.

Did you read about Energy Drive Motivation Management’s basketball exposure camp coming to Baltimore? Listen to the interview with the owner of EDM on Doc’s Castle Media.

2014 Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo

I spent my weekend the natural way at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore for the 2014 Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo. It was a great experience to be a part of something so empowering, especially when I’ve never been to such an event. I had to wake up early Saturday morning to do my hair. I had to look fly.

I took it upon myself to attend the expo because I am a natural hair gal, myself. I spend hours of my time perfecting my natural curly bush. So I felt it was my duty to not miss out on this chance to learn some new hair tips and purchase some new goodies for this nappy head. I was in there in no time, accompanied by two of my lovely friends, one of them being the beautiful Karyn of NaturalHasStyle, a hair blog on Instagram that showcases all hairstyles natural.

Check out Karyn’s pretty hairstyle. Her pinned up puffy Marley Twist.

See more of her funky styles on her Instagram.

The event was delightfully free-spirited because it made me proud to say the hair on my head is real and majority of the people at this event hair is real, too. There were so many beautiful black people proud of their manes. I’ve never seen so many bushy heads in one place in my life. Sometimes the ignorance I receive from people who are unaware of this natural “movement” can cloud your reality of how many people who are for it. Being around a bunch of people who don’t understand my cause to be natural might have blinded me from the many that actually care. I guess I was brought back to life.

While at the expo, I bought some goodies. I now have new jewelry and some fancy smelling Shea butter for my body and hair. Everything I bought was from local businesses. You know, I love supporting the locals.

I had to get a pic next to the sign, too. Ha!

The message constantly pushed to those who attended Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo was there is beauty in what you are. There’s power behind being natural. We are wearing our hair naturally to make a statement that we aren’t false. We’re more comfortable in being real. We’re proud of who we are. We’re letting others know that. It was very empowering and nice to see people in support of one another.

The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo is held in the spring at a different location every year. I’ll be lurking on Google around this time next year to make sure I don’t miss it. But the current tour hasn’t ended. The next hair care expo is being moved to Eastern Shore. So make sure you mark your calendars for May 4^th to attend the Natural Hair Care Expo at the Hampton Inn (address below.)

121 E Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21804

Visit the Natural Hair Care Expo website for more details.