So recently ive done a few under 18s shows and ive seen a few local MCs perform their stuff, and largely ive been unimpressed with what ive seen.
When a 16 year old walks on stage shouting ‘where da pussy at?’ you know there’s something wrong. Too much MTV Base? Too much Channel U? Or just too much of what we think Hip Hop is all about? Kids (Because they are kids) are easily influenced and lead by what they see, read and hear about, On TV, on the net, by their friends, pretty much anything and everything while influence an adolesent. So if what they see is 50 Cent, Flo Rida or Diddy dressing a certain way, talking a certain way, behaving a certain way, They think it is acceptable for them to do so as well.
Going back to the REAL roots of hip hop, people rapped about what they knew, Whether it was hardship, drugs, violence, or to the lighter hearted side, girls, college, school, partying. It was only once hip hop exploded in the mid/early 90’s that flossin what you had became the big thing, even then it was more about what you could aspire to (Think Biggies ‘Juicy’). Now it is more important to look the part, than what actually comes out of your mouth.
if you are under the age of 16/18 please DO NOT rap about getting paid, Cos your NOT! Im 27 years old been working hard all my life and as far as im concerened im STILL not getting paid. When you are getting paid you have your OWN house, Your OWN car, Your OWN life, and you have no money worries at all. Please DO NOT rap about getting laid, Cos your NOT! A quick fumble behind the bike sheds is not getting laid. In fact even if you are ‘getting laid’ fucking a girl getting her in trouble and abandoning her is NOT what a real man does. In fact any real man doesnt have to brag about getting laid, cos he actually IS!
What i wanna hear from young MCs/Rappers/Artists is real life! Dont be frightened to make a dance track with great punchlines. Dont be frightened to write about how your feeling. Dont be frightened to talk about school or troubles your having at home. But more important than ANYTHING, PLEASE DONT THINK THAT BECAUSE YOU RAP ABOUT BITCHES MONEY AND CARS IT WILL GET YOU SIGNED, IT WONT!!!!
Its boring! Its been done! As i said there’s nothing wrong with a great party track, but be real. Do you honestly believe in your heart of hearts that a music exec of a big multi million pound firm is going to believe your bullshit, And he will know its bullshit, Cos he is ACTUALLY getting laid and paid!!!! Haha. Ask yourself this question, and BE HONEST! Are my lyrics true to myself? Is my flow flawless? Does anyone outside of my clique think im hot? Am i really working as hard as i can? Is there anything i can do to better myself? What makes me different from EVERY OTHER RAPPER OUT THERE!!?? Seriously!!! Think of all the people in your clique, think of how many other groups there are out there, think of how many there are in your city alone, then how many cities there are period. What makes you better than them.
These are questions that every young rapper should ask themselves. Remember NOBODY starts at the top. But its about how far up that ladder you can climb, how hard your willing to work and how exceptional your talent is. Cos without the hard work, talent means nothing. I would rather work with a hard working rapper than a talented lazy rapper, But ideally i love to work with hard working, talented artists.
If right now your thinking to yourself, He doesnt know what the fuck he’s talking about, He’s just some small time DJ. Your right. Seriously. You are. But everything ive got, everywhere ive been, everything ive got, ive worked my ass off for it, and i will continue to do so.
But if you dont believe me, Here’s a few words from the legendary DJ Kay Slay
Please copy and paste the link till i can get the video up!
When all is said and done, believe in your self. Dreams can come true.
Welcome to 2 thousand & Grind
Posted by: djgrind
01 Mar 09 - Typical me!
Well its been a very strange month! Very up & down! So i thought id blog it!
I guess all of this will be in no particualar order, and complete randomness, much like my life is anyway!
First ill talk about the radio show. About a month ago we had our show review which is roughly every 6 months, we were told unofficially we had probably the biggest and best show on the station, and to keep doing what we were doing, if anything we could try and keep a little more local than we do. Getting too big for our own boots! However not one to leave things at that 2 weeks later i go and get myself an offical warning from the station, for joking and talking about the Chris Brown/Rihanna situation. Now anyone that has ever heard our show will no that we never take ANYTHING seriously, however i do understand that what i said could have been libalous. So i accepted my warning and will hopefully move on from it. Again not one to hang about this friday just gone i was asked to cover the breakfast show in may (Which unfortunately i cant do) and also we had a huge EXCLUSIVE from Lethal Bizzle. Bizzle has just dropped his new track with Doneo called Go Hard and he joined us on the phone to introduce the new track. I was the 3rd dj in the world to be given that track and the 1st outside of London, All in all a very good look! You can here the interview and track at http://www.myspace.com/djgrindmusic
Also the last month has seen me travelling all over the country, my car didnt know what had hit it! Ive been to shows in Southampton (Where Junk Club treated us like royalty ) Croydon to see a good friend off on his round the world trip (Have a great time Jav) Mansfield where we met Dap C for a business meeting which was proceeded by a night out where Dap asked EVERY female in mansfield if the would sleep with me (They all said no!) And numerous trips to London! Ive had nights in Ministry of Sound with 308 and Embassy club with Frixion, It amazes me how these ’super clubs’ always fail to live up to the expectations. Plus, the drink prices in Embassy, Wow! Take a loan out the next time you go there! But on the whole ive met some great people in the last month and been to some great places and seen some great shows.
Next month could be just as crazy with a Say No 2 Knives show already booked on the 7th March, Tinie Tempah show in Bournemouth on 20th March. Numerous acts coming down to Portsmouth, so hopefully we will get them on the shows for interviews, except Chipmunk! Damn you Chipmunks management!!!!! hahaha. Chipmunk was due to be down on the 13th, where i was due to be DJing and interviewing the man, however, for whatever reason, they had to delay it for a week and because of my commitment to the Tinie Tempah night i cant be in 2 places at one time!
Im always working hard as you know! Trying and endevouring to be the best, my aim is still to have a radio show in London, and ive been in contact with an up and coming station from London, if all goes well and i badger them enough, who knows, it may just happen!
Anyway, ive always got stacks on, but i like to talk to people and get as much feedback as possible, so always feel free to drop me a line.
Well, 2008 has had soo many good things for me personally, But in general, it wasn't the best of years for the rest of the world! The recession hit, 1000's of people lost theyre jobs in the UK alone, they say its gonna get worse before it gets better, with millions set to lose theyre jobs next year. The financial world has gone into meltdown, and it WILL get worse before it gets better, Dont be fooled by the petrol prices going down right now, all that will come back to bite us in the ass. Finally we get rid of the worst leader in the World in Mr George W. Bush, And 2009 Bring us a new hope in Mr Barack Obama. Forget the fact that he's black, He has a real optimistic belief about himself, and regardless of race, he has the right attitude and beliefs to turn things round. And while things change in the most powerful nation in the world, very little has changed in one of the smaller countries in the World, Zimbabwe. How did Robert Mugabe get away with rigging the election again? Scratch that, How did we LET him get away with it? When Slobodan Milosevic did this, we put a stop to it, and charged him with war crimes, But for some reason we let Robert Mugabe get away with mass genocide. I know they have reached an 'agreement' but he has still got away with all the things he has done. 2008 has also been the year the knife and gun crime has risen in the UK, with so many needless killings over so many trivial things. Thats why im supporting the S.T.O.P(Solve This Ongoing Problem) We need to raise awareness of this problem and let our youth know that this doesnt HAVE to be the way forward, we dont HAVE to follow America in everything we do. Please show support by following this link Click Here
However on a more positive note, for me personally, Musically, 2008 has been an amazing year! The RnG Show has gone from strength to strength, interviewing some of the biggest names in the business, Robin Thicke, Dizzee Rascal & Gym Class Heroes to name a few. With the show getting more & more listeners every week, we've gained a reputation as the biggest specialist urban music show in the south! Its such a good feeling to know that we're really doing something, and 'The RnG Show' reputation is something that people know about. If you've been sleeping under a rock! You can catch us every Friday 1900 - 2100 GMT on 93.7 Express fm in the south (UK) or www.expressfm.com . Also 2008 has seen my mixtapes explode! It saw my first major wordwide release 'DJ Grind presents Busta Rhymes - Gifted & Blessed' Was released in october and is available all over the internet and in all good record stores. Ive collaberated on mixtapes with some truley great artsts and every one ive done has just got better and better. 2008 also saw me gain a clothing sponsership from Musically Motivated and what could be better, because that exactly what i am! Check them out at www.musicallymotivated.com . Ive DJ'ed at some amazing shows, both major events & low key events, From major shows like the Revolution shows with Jay Sean & Sway to more low key events like College partys, ive enjoyed them all greatly!
And so onto 2009.....
Well it WILL be the year of 2 thousand & Grind!
Where to start! Well already confirmed is a UK tour, An RnB duo that i have supported for sometime 308 is going on tour with X Factor runner up JLS, and im going on tour with them as theyre official DJ, That'll be taking me all over the country so check the dates on my page and see if im coming to a town near you! Im constantly working on mixtapes, you'll see my latest one with in the next week, and as i said, theyre getting better all the time! If you would like your mixtape hosted by me, Check the prices on my page, and send me a message. The RnG Show will only get bigger & better! We moved to our new state of the art Express fm studios last week, so once the teething problems are sorted it will be a joy to broadcast and invite the big name guests there. As well as the big names we also like to promote unsigned talent as much as possible, If you have something you would like to promote send any info and tracks to therngshow@hotmail.co.uk
Well i cant think of too much else now! So i want to thank all the people who have supported me and worked with me in 2008, i shouldnt have to name names, chances are if your reading this, its you. And to all the people i have yet to work with or meet, Im looking forward to doing so in 2009.
No slacking, No resting, Why wait.
Stay on the Grind, 2 thousand & Grind!
Thanks for all your support
DJ Grind
Posted by: djgrind
08 Sep 08 - Mixtape hosting & bookings
Hey! Been getting quite a few requests lately to host, mix and produce mixtapes for people so i thought id put it out there!
I will host and mix your mixtape/street album for as little as £30/$50/EUR 35.
Obviously the more you want me to do, i.e remixes & providing beats, the price will go up. But feel free to contact me and put your ideas to me!
Also as an experianced DJ & radio personality i am available to DJ and/or host events! The same goes for this, feel free to contact me and put your ideas to me!
OK so ive kinda neglected this site for awhile, Sorry!!!!
Few different reasons, The first and main reason is that my computer died. This was a cross between a virus & a mouse, Not a mouse virus or a mouse with a virus, A virus & a mouse (Were they in cahoots? Who knows!). First of all i got a virus then when the computer was left open whilst being fixed and mouse decided that my computer looked tasty and decided to eat it!
SO..... Im now back online (Duh!) with my old computer that im using temporarily, but i will soon be investing in a new laptop. So i should be updating more regularly. The other reason is that i have been more occupied with Myspace of late, I have a new page - www.myspace.com/djgrindmusic - Which has been designed by a talented young desinger by the name of Fraawgz (Check her out in my top friends). So if you haven't added my new page make sure you do! It already features new mash ups ive done, and im getting back to my old best after my short break!
Also The RnG Show has moved to a Friday, We can now be heard every Friday from 7-9 on 93.7 Express fm in the south of U.K or www.expressfm.com worldwide! The RnG Show as always is going from strength to strength and has featured WORLD EXCLUSIVES from Nathan & Lethal Bizzle in the last month, Also check out freestyles on youtube from Bashy, Bizzle & Nathan. Recently we have been inundated with tracks from unsigned artists so we have decided to dedicate an Hour show to new, up & coming and unsigned artists. RnG Xtra will be available exclusively on our myspace page and will go online every tuesday. To send us tracks email mp3's to therngshow@hotmail.co.uk and to hear the show go to www.myspace.com/therngshow
Well thats all for now, but keep checking hear for some BIG EXCLUSIVE NEWS very very soon.
Until then
Stay on the Grind
Posted by: djgrind
07 Apr 08 - Over coming objects & obstacles
Hey its been awhile since i sat down and wrote something on here that wasnt just news, so i thought id talk about 2008 so far.....
Well the start of 2008 has been a mixture of real ups and downs! Without going into specifics it seems whenever someone strives for great things and to improve themselves & their lives theres always something or someone trying to hold you back or trying to make life difficult. Sometimes i wonder weather thats just life & ’whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger’ or does someone really not want me to be the person i wanna be!
Well im hoping its the first of those, And im trying to focus on the positive things of the year so far! I know what i want out of live and im gonna try my damned hardest to get it, The people that love and support me i wanna take along for the ride, but i guess sometimes you have to cut lose the things and people that slow you down.
This year has seen The RnG Show grow & evolve, We are always working and striving to improve the show, and its no secret that we wanna move on to bigger and better things. Ive put out 2 Mixtapes so far this year, The first being ’Tha Durty Souf vol 1’ which featured all local artists, and condsidering i didnt promote it or put my usual ammount of effort in got a great response, and ive already been asked when the next one will be! (Im aiming to put out 2 or 3 a year) As for my 2nd release of the year, well, definately my biggest to date, ’TheReal O.G (Original Grind) Vol 1. Hosted by Nathan’ has been a crazy experiance from start to finish. As everyone should knows we’ve had Nathan (from Big Brother) on the RnG Show a few times now each time we’ve got on real well, So in a moment of insperation i decided to call E Plus Nathans manager about his thoughts on Nathan hosting my mixtape, and he gave it the go ahead. With Nathan working on his album in the states it was tough getting it together, But i gotta show mad love for Nathan and E who got all the drops and bits n pieces together for me. The Mixtape was by far the most downloaded ive ever had!
We’ve had some big interviews on the show including Soulja Boy, Sway & Dizzee Rascal, As well as the usual up & coming artists we love to promote on the show. In the next few weeks/months we hope to have Chipmunk, DJ Ironik plus Nathan & Lethal Bizzle in to do 1 hour takeover of the show!
In my personal life i recently got engaged! So there has been lots of extra shifts worked! (They dont call me Grind for nothing!) The date is set for Oct 18th, Just a small ceramony for family and a couple of friends, But a big party will ensue after!!!
So without going on too much (Too late!!!) I think we live in what i like to call ’The Crab Bucket’ with everyone trying to climb on top of each other to get out to the better life. But the strongest and most determined crab will always succeed! People will always see through the fakeness! Jealousy is a muthafucka!
Till the next time, you know what to do
Stay on the Grind
Posted by: djgrind
30 Dec 07 - Happy New Year!!!!
Just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone! Im off to Spain for the New Year so you to chill somewhere a little bit warmer!
Wanted to thank everyone for theyre support, 2007 has been an amazing year for me. On a personal note ive worked with some great people, both the big names (MiMs, Clinton Sparks, DJ Drama etc) and the unsigned artists (Shirin, Drast, Marvelous etc). Ive put on some great shows, some were a success some weren't (You live & learn), But overall the big success for me this year has been the RnG Show. At the start of the year it was something id thought of but you need a slice of luck to get in, Well i got that slice of luck thanks to smeakin. The show has grown and got bigger and better with myself and Decyfa, having some great guests on the show (Check out www.myspace.com/therngshow). Im sure we can expect bigger and better things from the RnG Show in 2008 as im really enjoying myself in the media side of the world and hoping to progress to other projects.
So with that said i wish you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2008!
DJ Grind
Stay on the Grind
Posted by: djgrind
03 Dec 07 - Mailing List!!!
Hey guys & gals!
Just a quick note for you guys, if you wanna find out whats goin on in the world of DJ Grind, and what shows ive got coming up then go to the contact page scroll down down and subscribe to the mailing list!
) Croydon to see a good friend off on his round the world trip (Have a great time Jav) Mansfield where we met Dap C for a business meeting which was proceeded by a night out where Dap asked EVERY female in mansfield if the would sleep with me (They all said no!) And numerous trips to London! Ive had nights in Ministry of Sound with 308 and Embassy club with Frixion, It amazes me how these ’super clubs’ always fail to live up to the expectations. Plus, the drink prices in Embassy, Wow! Take a loan out the next time you go there! But on the whole ive met some great people in the last month and been to some great places and seen some great shows.
. First of all i got a virus then when the computer was left open whilst being fixed and mouse decided that my computer looked tasty and decided to eat it!
with my old computer that im using temporarily, but i will soon be investing in a new laptop. So i should be updating more regularly. The other reason is that i have been more occupied with Myspace of late, I have a new page - 
It already features new mash ups ive done, and im getting back to my old best after my short break!
.
So there has been lots of extra shifts worked! (They dont call me Grind for nothing!) The date is set for Oct 18th, Just a small ceramony for family and a couple of friends, But a big party will ensue after!!!
