Tag: Baltimore artist

Doc’s Thumb’s Up: Miss Kam FCTU featuring Ddm & Kotic Couture

Baltimore Artist Miss Kam is a force to be reckoned with creating buzz for herself straight out of BMore. She releases our most recent Doc’s Thumbs Up feature this month. The official video for FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture dropped in early June, and what can I say? What better song to pick from the Tew Faced album to be this LP’s first visual piece of art, than FTCU?

Miss Kam has been on the Doc’s Castle Media radar for quite some time now. The first time I saw her in action was in a cipher for Beet Trip Episode 60 summer of 2020. A year later, she creates buzz traveling for her musical performances and collaborating with other talented underground artists. Her efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Miss Kam is bursting out from the shadows so much so she mentioned in an interview with The Working Title Podcast that she’s even gained attention from the legendary hip-hop artist Missy Elliott following the debut of her We Are The World featuring Zadia official music video. So this lady is certainly a big deal.

Miss Kam released her LP Tew Faced last December 2020 via Bandcamp. It’s definitely worth blasting in your car, or even maybe in some headphones during your work shift since that’s how I listened. The LP is composed of 14 original tracks and features five other local Baltimore music artists. Awesome is she that the previously featured Doc’s Thumb Up artist for Faded, T.Ali is one of the honor guests.  Mentioned in her Bandcamp biography, Miss Kam “sets the tone with her rich, yet gritty contralto voice; all while being paralleled with angelic harmonies and unique production.” While she creates this audio art, she makes it “clear on delivering the audible conceptualization of what it truly means to be a Gemini.”

Miss Kam is definitely a “make it happen” queen. She understands the power of social media and uses it to promote original content. Simply check her numbers. She always keeps her social media booming running up retweets and likes while posting weekly freestyles and supporting other artists in Baltimore. My favorite campaign to watch is Freestyle Fridays when she posts new weekly freestyles for social media followers. She’s also a huge supporter of Bandcamp Fridays, a day when listeners can purchase music and an average of 93% of their money reaches the artist/label (after payment processor fees).

http://www.instagram.com/p/CQZeivjpIp8/?utm_medium=copy_link

Miss Kam often creates campaigns to promote her music and encourage the support of her peers. She collaborates with local business entrepreneurs promoting natural skincare and haircare products. Last summer she launched a campaign selling self-made beanies to raise money for her Tew Faced campaign. Doc’s Castle Media supported by purchasing and we received such a thoughtful note from the queen.

All this greatness said about this goddess, we want to give her her props where it’s due and grant FTCU with a Doc’s Thumbs Up for the hard work she’s putting in. 

FTCU features two other Baltimore’s hip-hop artists Ddm and Kotic Couture, both artists and representatives of the LBGTQ community, and also advocates in Baltimore’s Club music culture. They both made appearances in the club culture documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat directed by TT the Artist. Miss Kam couldn’t have chosen a better duo to shut it down for the video. Stylish, poised, and polished, yet still giving us a jab of fierce savagery through their lyrics, they definitely band together to show us how they come to “fuck the check up.” The track truly is giving us Gemini vibes. I’m a Gemini, myself. So I approve this message.

Watch full Video to FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture 

Listen to Miss Kam’s Tew Faced by visiting her Bandcamp.

What do you think about FTCU? Let’s start a conversation. Leave your comments below.

Alcohol Lamps Now Available in Tipsy Decor Collection on Doc’s Castle Online Art Store

I briefly covered some of this in What’s Up Doc: Where Have I Been and Hair Diary Vlog. I gave you the basics of the past, present, and what to expect in the future for Doc’s Castle Media. One of those things is the introduction to the Doc’s Castle Tipsy Decor & Art Store. Doc’s Castle, LLC now sells alcohol lamps as part of my Tipsy Decor Collection and Tequila Tasting Art Experience.

I’m highlighting myself today, duh!

I was not lying when I said you will see more of ME on Doc’s Castle Media. I’ve spent the last year revamping and rebranding the website to share more of what I’ve been up to offline – not just sharing current events or talking about what’s happening around me. 

In my absence from blogging in 2018, I submerged myself in rediscovering an old passion of mine. Painting, drawing, and many other forms of art became my calling during the depression. DCM Readers from 2018 could probably see a shift in topics covered at that time from being the majority about underground hip-hop in Baltimore swiftly changing to highlighting art exhibitions and museums. This was slightly before the craziness of my website crashing. 

A list of mentionable posts while Doc’s Castle, LLC was transitioning:

Not only did I start writing about the visual arts, but I also started an art blog via Instagram named @DocsCastlePix where I shared personal pieces to get away from the stresses of writer’s block and depression. I began sharing some of my old graphics and flyers. I didn’t tell people I created an art blog because I only used it as a virtual gallery of what I like to see of my own work. But we all know what Instagram and Facebook do. The power rests in algorithms and friend suggestions. My family and friends started following my page when they discovered I was posting art. Now I have over 220 followers watching me post creations from my art lab. 

Tipsy Decor by Doc’s Castle, LLC

Busy Doing Nothing Podcast is my biggest motivator for the Tipsy Decor Collection. I spent many Saturday nights drinking while recording for the BDN podcast numerous brands of wines and spirits. Many of those times I was caught admiring the appeal of the bottles featured on the show. Eventually, I thought to take a bottle home with me to make into a vase for my new home.

Once this was just a personal interior design project for my new home, later it turned into a plethora of bottles to showcase and share with friends I like to drink with. Decorative vases, stress bottles, lamps, and keychains are just to name a few things I’ve stumbled across creating all this alcoholic art during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is so much it’s to the point I don’t know how to share them all. I often try to find ways to get rid of them. Hosting my first tequila tasting was a start to a brand new awakening for Doc’s Castle, LLC. My next goal was to create an Art store to keep everything.

[Visit the Doc’s Castle, LLC Art Store]

Tequila Tastings

In early 2021 I invested in obtaining a bartender’s servers certificate. Though it’s not required in the state of Maryland, I am now certified under the TiPS Alcohol Certification program to serve at any bar in Maryland. But I probably won’t serve at just any bar here. I have reservations to serve the majority of different variations of tequila; a tequila bar exactly. I’m taking an interest in the alcohol industry but in my own little way.

Merging Tequila Tastings and Tipsy Decor, Doc’s Castle, LLC hopes to bring people that enjoy art and tequila together in celebration of a good time. I created a new art extravaganza giveaway experience and paired it with a cocktail class. I’m your catador serving you tequila while you win custom-made alcoholic decor, and because you’re having fun, I can guarantee you’ll walk away with a memory that’s one of a kind and possibly a new appreciation for this rich spirit.

Juneteenth Doc’s Castle Tipsy Decor & Art Store Appearance

Doc’s Castle, LLC’s official online art store is now open. We offer a mod podge of things Doc loves. Signature party drinks for small gatherings, magnets, keychains, lamps, and more. We’re now ready to take your orders. It’s not a grand opening as I expected. There were a lot of delays and setbacks. Instead of opening in Spring 2021, I tried my best to open before the summer. But still, it’s not a grand opening. Hopefully, I can do Doc’s Castle, LLC that justice later. We’ll do what we can at the moment.

For now, Doc’s Castle, LLC will pop up at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Dovecote Cafe Art Bazaar. This is the second vending event for Doc’s Castle, our first was over 8 years ago at the 2011 Body and Soul Salon & Spa Annual Back to School Drive. This time around, along with 80+ other art vendors, we’ll have a table that showcases custom decor and visual art created by us. I’ll promote Doc’s Castle Media and give everyone who stops by the booth a piece of what’s new that I have to offer. This will be the first of many to come participating in art festivals and pop-up shops.

There’s a lot to look forward to coming from Doc’s Castle Media. We’re evolving into more than just talking about the dope people around town. Doc also has a talent to share. I hope to merge everything that I’m learning about the alcohol industry with everything that I’ve grown to love about Baltimore’s art culture. I hope to use these to create even more opportunities for this art culture in the city.

Are you looking to sponsor vending events or collaborations with Doc’s Castle, LLC? Visit our contact page and send your pitch!

Baltimore Club Music Documentary Produced By Issa Rae and Directed by TT The Artist Now Streaming on Netflix

You could feel the spirit of K-Swift in the production in this one. Issa Rae, TT the Artist, and Nexflix come together to showcase Baltimore city’s club culture in Dark City Beneath The Beat documentary. 

Dark City Beneath The Beat initially premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and American Black Film Festivals prior to the 2020 pandemic. The documentary premiered mid-April 2021 with a bang on Netflix while artists in Baltimore share in pride and excitement across their social media timelines opening weekend.

I can speak for many in Baltimore when I say we were a little skeptical of the documentary. It’s been years since I celebrated club music. I reminisce of my peak in embracing Baltimore’s club culture when I joined dance battles amongst my middle school classmates. I miss making up dance routines with my neighborhood friends. Those fun moments in my past that I associate with club music and viewed as a distant memory, aren’t as extinct to many artists like TT the Artist, DJ Mighty Mark, and DJ Blaqstarr.

It was in the early 2000s when the city lost its club music queen K-Swift. There are small glimpses of a rise of Baltimore’s club culture – back when K-Swift traveled and advocated nationally for house music prior to her passing. Without K-Swift, the aura is not the same. It’s like the people of Baltimore secretly get jealous of acclamations that other house music listeners from states like, for example, New Jersey claims “to being the land of the greatest club music, ever.” & Such claims are absolutely absurd, of course.

TT The Artist is a Baltimore city arts advocate and director of Dark City Beneath the Beat. She speaks about the hate she receives considered an outsider of Baltimore. Originally from south Florida, TT moved to Baltimore city and fell in love with Baltimore’s club culture while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. When she left to pursue dreams in Los Angeles, she exited carrying with her the precious sounds of the Baltimore club mix to push an evolution. TT saw something magical. She felt that club music and dance were too good to keep confined to the streets and people of Baltimore city. She sees a culture that uplifts a community that also needs to be uplifted in return. So she created this documentary.

About the Film

The artists featured in the film have the charisma to share with the world what Baltimore’s club culture is about. What I and many other people lack is the knowledge of how they do this. The film sheds light on groups and organizations working to keep the Baltimore club music culture alive. Viewers learn a brief history of club music, the names of staple icons, such as dancers, singers, and producers, in the current Baltimore’s club music scene, and soak up the essence of feeling Baltimore’s original beat. The documentary isn’t so caught up on historical breakthroughs in club music by highlighting influencers that we so often hear of like the well-known Frank Ski, Rod Lee, and Ms. Tony. Rather we learn about influencers in the culture today. A new list of artists comprised of dancers and community leaders like Uneek and Tsu Terry.

I gave the documentary a shot the morning it premiered on Netflix and wasn’t disappointed. I had faith in it doing well so I support it. It stands as a good representation of what Baltimore club music does for those who live here. It’s not so prevalent in my lifestyle as it once was for me as a child, but the beat still speaks to me whenever I do hear Baltimore club mix. It’s near impossible to watch the film without doing the crazy legs or sexy walk in my chair. It should be the same for anyone who’ll stream the film on Netflix. I encourage others to give it a shot, too.

Overall the film gets a Doc’s Thumbs Up because TT The Artist served her purpose well. She paid homage to Baltimore and forged a visual representation for a famous Baltimore art subculture. She works her ass off helping to pave a lane for this art. The film is beautifully done. I commend her and everyone involved in the production of Dark City Beneath the Beat. It deserves to be celebrated.

Watch Hey Baltimore! Produced by Kariz Marcel and written by Rufus Roundtree and Eze Jackson.

This song was featured and can be streamed via the Dark CityBeneath the Beat soundtrack.

Do you have a favorite Baltimore club song? Leave your answers in the comments below.

Anticipated Dexter Baby Tee Collection Introduced to Fans in Short Film Dexy

The anticipation. The wait. As a matter of fact, when will it be? Who knows? But I’m with the chicks who appear in the short film produced and directed by Sofia Vidal along with Khamaree D. Owens. This comes as the second production shared by the two; their first being of the March 2021 promotion for Tre Stallion by Currency Studio. Their new collaboration for the 2021 release for Dexter Baby Tees premiered April 6th on @Dexter.us IGTV. Now after review, I can’t wait for these colorful tees to drop.

Photo Cred: Sofia Vidal

I’m not the one to follow fashion trends. I have a style about myself that most people can pick up if they truly pay attention to my wardrobe…if I’m ever spotted. Either way, I’m not a person someone would look to for influence on what to wear. I’m attracted to pretty patterns and bright colors. So initially the video drew me to the bright colors and pretty make-up done to the actors and models in Dexy.

If the Dexter Baby Tees aren’t for babies, then who would they be for? Welp, if you aren’t familiar with the brand, ‘it was the video for me’ that provided that insight. The production is quite intriguing and I want to know more about Dexter. So I did my research. Dexter is a clothing brand with over 2.6k followers to its Instagram account. A clothing brand with a simple, sexy, chic, and slightly grungy style. Designer and owner Dexter Williams promises to push the boundaries of fashion and innovation with the release of each of her collections. The Baby Tee collection, like the previous Dexter Summer 2019 and 2020 Ying Yang collections, should meet those expectations when it is released sometime in 2021.

Photo cred: Dexter.us Instagram

The accent, bright colors, and playful excitement of the 8 characters the director Sofia Vidal originates in the film evokes a warm fun flirty feel that equates to what I am truly anticipating…SUMMER. Will it be this summer that the Dexter Baby Tees will drop? We can’t be certain that this is what is to be expected. I want to be “dexy,” too. We’ll get to know what Dexter plans whenever she chooses.

Watch the Dexy via IGTV:

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CNVZ2Y5J9Tv/?igshid=ny2flmrm8jgv

The short film is an all-female production, features a few of Maryland’s Beauties, and credited to these awesome artists and brands: 

HMU @formulated.miracle @movakcollections

Talent: @calx33 @sweet.mlk @emmacheshire @j.heavy_ @trehanamary @ellikacross @hadiyadoll @effenanastasia @internationalscoots

Shout out to all the great talent!

What do you think about the drop of these new Dexter Baby Tees? More fashion short films? Leave comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Ashley Sierra’s Dummy Official Music Video

Lately, it’s been all about supporting and watching out for Baltimore Artist here on Doc’s Castle Media. In keeping up the momentum by sharing yet another local artist, the Doc’s Thumb’s Up for this week is Ashley Sierra’s Official Music Video for Dummy.

[Read Busting Out of the Barrel: How to Support Baltimore Artists]

Ashley Sierra was put on my radar in 2015 at the 2nd Annual Baltimore Beat Club event hosted by recording studio Line Up Room. She was one of the many freestyle artists to grace the beat club stage and leave a lasting impression. I have followed her on social media since, and look how she’s a feature on Doc’s Castle Media. 

Ashley Sierra’s Dummy is a song glorifying the Baltimore slang term. The word Dummy is of authentic Baltimorean culture. It’s defined in the Urban Dictionary as a word to address someone no matter the situation. “What’s Up Dummy” is a common greeting amongst Baltimoreans. Ashley also gives plenty of examples of how the word is used in the track. 

[Read How Baltimore Talks via Baltimore Sun.]

When asked where Ashley got the inspiration to create the song, she says from simply being a Baltimore native. “Dummy is a part of our slang. We say it to refer to a friend or comrade. I just wanted to introduce the world to some Baltimore culture, as well as make a visual statement about the current division in America to encourage reconciliation between America and D.O.C (descendants of slaves)” she shares with Doc’s Castle Media.

Ashley’s use of the word Dummy is catchy and captivating. Similar to her branding and artistic persona, the song gives off a “homegirl” vibe. That’s why it doesn’t come off as a surprise that Ashley’s song gives me thoughts of a friend who’s there to the end no matter what the situation or cause. A “dummy” is just that. The matter is that she’s lyrically painting her visual of comradery but also being first hand that representation, is awesome in itself.

The song Dummy, for me, is reminiscent of moments from my childhood. It makes me want to sit on my front porch similar to how I used to do in the 90s with the radio blasting and a bunch of my neighborhood friends, or shall we say “dummies,” vibing right along with me.

Dummy is from Ashley Sierra’s latest EP Noir Cycle which is available to stream and download on all major streaming services. Click here to visit her Link Tree.

Watch the official video for Dummy:

Dummy is one slang word Baltimore uses often. Can you name other popular Baltimore slang terms used as lyrics in songs? List them in the comments below.

#PrayForLove: Visit Loring Cornish’s #ICantBreathe Exhibition at How Great Thou Art Gallery

On another walk around Baltimore, I came across another outside art exhibition like the Black Lives Matter Mural in Patterson Park in September. This time in Baltimore’s Fell Point to get out of the house for a bit and visit Sound Garden to browse some vinyl and old flicks. A trip well spent because I bought some cool new socks. But also set my eyes upon a beautiful exhibit at the How Great Thou Art Gallery worthy of a PrayForLove highlight on Doc’s Castle Media. Baltimore Mosaic Artist Loring Cornish creates I Can’t Breathe outside exhibition to bring attention to police brutality.

Last month, we were hit with the devastating news of Breonna Taylor’s verdict. And just like when I scroll my social feeds, days later, I strolled by a reminder, in person, that we’re still in the midst of a war with police policy and reform. I’m tired.

Cornish exhibit is a pause in time. It makes you think. I took a moment of silence before I visited the Sound Garden next door. I saw all the names of victims fallen by police brutality represented by burning candles just under the “I can’t fucking breathe” sign. George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s pictures displayed large as day with words of frustration and “I will never understand” written in all caps all around them. This case is the loudest breakthrough we’ve had in recent years. Two pictures of Breonna Taylor stand directly along side the burning candles. The exhibit makes me upset. The build-up of all of this has gone on far too long. I don’t understand, either. So I pause to take it in.

The exhibit is getting quite the buzz as people share their experiences on their social media using the hashtag #LoringCornish. On Instagram, there are over 500+ shared posts of Loring Cornish’s exhibit. 

Cornish had many other exhibitions focusing on race and police in previous years. In 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray, Cornish decorated a police box in Station North “to bring attention to police operating practices that have made millions of Americans uncomfortable.” He also received national attention for his Black “lynched” doll exhibition in response to Eric Gardner, Walter Scott, and Michael Brown. Cornish used his passion and talent to raise awareness of police brutality throughout the decade.

The How Great Thou Art Gallery is owned by Cornish and is the home to a plethora of beautiful creations made by the Mosaic artist himself. Check out more art at the Loring Cornish website.

“I will never understand,” either. Would you visit this exhibition? Leave your comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Jai Ivy “I Know” ft. Luki Music Video Premiere

Last time I did a Doc’s Thumbs Up was for 4tae’s “Right Where I Wanna Be” Official Music video in 2015. I definitely need to catch up because there is so much content I’ve seen over the years. I’ve watched so many artists flourish in their crafts. I’m just long overdue to share what dope work I come across. It’s when someone really makes me feel they put in the effort to make a creative piece, it deserves its praises from me. That’s why Jai Ivy’s “I Know” ft. Luki makes Doc’s Thumbs Up. 

Ivy dropped her music video for “I know” August 11th via her YouTube Channel. It’s a simple music video that tells a story of heartbreak, something almost every girl can relate to. Honestly, during the generations full of entanglements, hook-ups, and situationships, Jai Ivy’s style is a hammer to nail when it comes to the many woes in the emotional roller coaster we call a toxic love.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CB36gglJM5u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The video follows Ivy as she deals with some doubt about the guy she’s dating. They get into an argument, and we watch and get frustrated along with her in the many inaudible cut scenes of her in a debate with the male actor of the video. This scene isn’t unfamiliar. In fact I think this is how Ivy pays homage to many R&B divas before her.

Source: Beyonce -Irreplaceable

“I Know” Official Video has an old school 90’s throwback vibe, taking me back to the days of pretending to be Brandy “sitting up in my room” writing in my diary about my many teenage woes. Not sure if the video release was in correlation to the recent Netflix premiere of popular Black Sitcom Moesha. The thought definitely came up as I watched this video. And to top it all off this month, we also got the news that our 90s R&B goddesses Brandy and Monica will be battling each other in the highly anticipated 90s throwback Verzuz battle this coming week! AND it’s on Jai Ivy’s Birthday; August 31st! Woo!

Check Out Jai Ivy’s “I Know” Official Music Video Below:

Jai Ivy is a Baltimore Native artist who is often spotted attending local shows throughout the city. Her album Bleu can be found on all music streaming services. Take a listen to Bleu on Spotify. Follow her on Instagram at @lovee.ivy. 

What do you think about this song? Leave your comments below.

Doc Finally Joins A Podcast Series as a Regular (Watch Episode 4 of Busy Doing Nothing Podcast)

It was a long time coming for Doc to join a team of podcasters. Being interviewed and making guest appearances have become a regular thing. It should be expected for Doc to be added to a line-up of great host for the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast, a web series/podcast series hosted on YouTube.

BusyDoingNothing

Busy Doing Nothing was started by Free Minds Clothing Co. creator and main Chris “Mills” Morton and also features three regular co-hosts Christian “Pastor” Dewitt, Jill AKA J Heavy and Doc’s Castle Media’s own Taylor “Doc” Walker. The podcasts focus on various topics starting from celebrity gossip, music video reviews, “adulting,’ current events, and previously mentioned on Doc’s Castle Media Loafer’s Sports Bar and Grill closures and controversy.

In episode 4 of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast, the four host interview their first local Baltimore guests; music producer Jonny B and hip-hop artist 7ucus (pronounced Loo-cus). Music guests join in on the conversation sharing their views on polygamous relationships, Beyonce’s beyhive, and generational differences. Watch the full episode below.

At the start and end of each episode, hosts make a toast opening and closing the show. Accompanied with each episode’s salute is an alcoholic drink that hosts rate the taste weekly on the podcast’s Instagram page. In this episode, the drink highlighted was Afrohead Rum. There wasn’t a group rating for this rum but it was the preferred drink during this episode.  

Other drinks featured on Busy Doing Nothing are Ciroc Summer Colada Vodka, Christian Brothers Brandy, Barefoot Moscato, and Doc’s favorite drink to sing about, Jose Cuervo.

AfroheadRum

What drink do you think the Busy Doing Nothing crew should try for the next podcast? Leave your comments below.

Rockview Entertainment Presents the Inauguration Concert in Queens, NY (What Indie Support Should Look Like)

Doc’s Castle Media had the opportunity to leave our regularly scheduled program to experience something we’re very familiar with outside of our comfort zone last weekend. Doc attended a hip-hop showcase in New York City, and there’s so much to be mentioned about why my experience out of town is worthy of being shared with Baltimore city hip-hop heads.

The Inauguration Concert was hosted my Rockview Entertainment, an independent entertainment group in NYC that specializes in the branding of New York City music artists. Taina and Jus Write are two New York artist of the brand’s roster that came to the showcase that evening. A majority of the Rockview Entertainment events feature local talent from all over NYC. But some artists travel from farther distances to perform.


As a part of the entourage for Baltimore recording artist Jae Duckett, I came to work my talent covering the event by taking photos and experiencing the essence of the show. We came with a total of 9 people. All of us bearing cameras and media equipment in support of Jae. We did this to show the people of the big apple how we roll. We go hard for Baltimore. But do we really?

I wasn’t the only media present at the Inauguration Concert. There were three internet radio shows present; Lyve Lyfe Radio, WVMR, and Baltimore’s own Strong Way Radio. But what took the icing on the cake was Shani Kulture from Hot 97 dropping by in full support of the showcase, as well.

Shani Kulture delivered a message of positivity that was well needed. He encouraged each and every artist’s’ passion for what they do. Coming from someone currently working in mainstream media with large notoriety, encouragement felt like it had come spewing from the fountain of youth. There’s no doubt admiration was projected at it’s finest from prospective talent in the audience that night.

The evening was full of energy and driven individuals. Simply off the atmosphere alone, you’d feel good about what you’re apart of, which is why I needed to write about this particular showcase for Doc’s Castle Media.

Where are these kinds of shows in Baltimore that have this energy?

Not to knock Baltimore too much, there are plenty of notable showcases and shows that receive a good amount of support from locals; like TheMixx Festival hosted by DTLR and The 2nd Anniversary of Baltimore Beat Club hosted by The Lineup Room. We even have shows like Baltimore Crown Awards that celebrate the successes of artists striving to share their passions in the city. But there are many shows that are “ghost,” without even a handful of spectators insight. Baltimore lacks the artist at the shows showing brotherly genuine support. I always ask why is it this way?

If Baltimore could take just a pinch of energy felt that night at the Inauguration Concert, I’d know it’d be another proud moment and a step forward towards the #NewBaltimore that we idolize in 2014 when there was buzz in the atmosphere of a new generation of artists changing how we celebrate indie artists in Baltimore.  If we gained the energy felt during the Rockview Ent. show, we might actually have a chance to climb out of the barrels this city seems to be too familiar with.

If I were to suggest some things that happened in New York that Baltimore artists should invest in doing, there wouldn’t be much I’d need to share. Simply showing up and show out for your friends is all that’s needed to be done.

Each artist in the building that night came with an entourage of supportive friends. Similar to attending a high energy sporting event, all friends cheered on their artist like no other. The night started off with each group of friends showing love solely for who they came for. But by the end of the night, the love shown spread into a huge circle of love. Everyone became one, with the help of the evening’s special guest Shani Kulture encouraging everyone to support all of their peers. He reminded the audience that performing in front of strangers isn’t easy. These artists had the courage to entertain the room. Shani basically told us to show our respect and listen to them.

Maybe artists in Baltimore don’t understand that concept of support at all. We ask our friends to come to our shows and end up partying with strangers. Every time we get to a point when we feel like we’re crawling away from the barrel of constant hate, we get pulled back in by those who are the closest to us. Trying to gain support in Baltimore is a never ending battle familiar to anyone who wants to pursue a dream.

“We are better off moving to another state to get ahead,” says a majority of dreamers spotted in the Baltimore arts scene. They say it as if other cities, like Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, are the chosen “mecca” lands, getaway places for serenity and peace, for their passions and talents.

This is not so if we’d just support everyone where we are.

Otherwise, my surroundings in NYC made me hopeful to see a concert like the Inauguration Concert replicated in my hometown. There were enough Baltimore natives there to experience the night’s vibes. Hopefully, those people can spread its essence somehow, or maybe I could be reaching.

Why do you think Baltimore artist struggle to gain support from their peers? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.


Did you catch the visuals for Boutzie’s Intoxico? Watch the music video for Intoxico feature Flu_x and Jimmy Apoet on Doc’s Castle Media.

YTube Vid of the Week: Young Moose “No Sunshine” Feat. Martina Lynch

Baltimore’s turmoil due to riots and protests for Freddie Gray have blossomed a hefty amount of creative masterpieces from independent artist of all sort. The Internet is buzzing of colorful opinions, many pale and others vibrant, depicting artists’ perception of peace and violence; justice and injustice; and moral or immoral.

I even had the opportunity to vent: Read “#OpinionEssay: The “Real Revolution Will Not Be Televised”

This week’s YTube Vid of the Week Is from Baltimore Rapper Young Moose.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggU4t0ZFVbA]

Many of Baltimore’s youth look up to local independent rappers Young Moose and Lor Scoota, who recently reconciled musical differences in February over disputes of competition at a local rap summit.

Encouraging words from these rappers are expected since so many young people support these artist. We need them to inspire our kids to do better; to seek success and progression instead of lawlessness and turbulence, as the world watched Baltimore Youth as they rioted and looted as a result of police brutality towards Freddie Gray.

“Dumb Dumb” artist scratched the surface of reaching the you by releasing “No SunShine” in honor of Freddie Gray. Unfortunately, I do not believe he took this opportunity by storm. So much more could be done. So much more could be said.

“No SunShine” doesn’t get much praise from me because there’s more to be said than what these children who live in these neighborhoods already know. There are ways to get a message across without stating the obvious of what’s happening in our city’s black communities. We know of what our state’s governmental policies enable and forbid us from doing. We know about the “slums” that blacks have systematically become accustomed to. My concern was for artists like Young Moose to do a bit more, maybe lead more as an example.

I guess, I’m expecting too much in such a short amount of time. Huh?

Where are the programs they’re continuously supporting. As I look at each artists background and choice of brand for their music, I’m a little concerned about outsiders not understanding what’s needed to be said for our city. It could easily be misinterpreted if someone would listen to more of Young Mouse’s discography as his music is majority about drugs and trap life.

We need more “substance.” We need more positive messages young people will enjoy and support.

What do you think? Did you like Young Moose’s “No Sunshine?” Leave your comments below.

Do you think that some children’s toys are too inappropriate for kids to be playing with? Watch “YTube Vid of the Week: Tree Change Dolls” on Doc’s Castle Media.