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A Message from the Ambass?..
What?s going on world? I?m reaching out to you today to give you a quick run down on what?s been going on with TC. Well let me tell you. I?ve been busy creating a breath of fresh air for hip hop. Not only is ?A Breath of Fresh Airr? the title of the free MixCD I?ll be dropping in February, but it?s also my mission to give hip hop something new. It?s time for balance, and who better to give you that then TC aka The Ambassador of Hope Hop? Yeah I?m from the hood, but growing up and experiencing what I did, it gave me a different perspective on life and how I should go about living it, as well as assisting others to do the same. With my breath of fresh air movement, I?m bringing to you ?The 1st of Me?, which will be my first nationally distributed album. I?m working hard on it and it?s almost complete. It?s something fresh for your ears. None of that computer generated beats and basic flow; I give you real music with bangers for days and content for years. I?ll be demoing the album soon, so be on the look out for details on that.
Until the next time, be easy and God Bless and be on the look out for ?The 1st of Me?, dropping May of this year!
Sincerely Yours,
TC
the road to Local Sense Technology (1999-2014)
the road to Local Sense Technology (1999-2014) is elsewhere
TC of 39th Ave Music has signed a one album exclusive production agreement with Urban Legendz Muziks, based out of St. Louis, MO. The production team will produce TC?s upcoming album, ?The 1st of Me?, which will drop nationwide May 2009 via 39th Ave Music/ TMG!
The debut release of Indelible, the Introduction EP is out now. An amalgam of electronic and organic elements, this EP should appeal to fans of Ulver, Portishead, Zero 7 and Peeping Tom.
This release is free, and you can download it here:
Megaupload 1
Megaupload 2
Yousendit
The songs are also available through myspace, both for streaming and download.
If you like the music, please share it.
Indelible is:
Marius Sjøli (Especially Likely Sloth, Hollow Branches, ex-Formloff)
Mona Sjøli (Studmuffin)
Robert Osgood (Hollow Branches, Especially Likely Sloth, A Crown of Light, ex-Conversations about the Light)
Jason Walton (Agalloch, Sculptured, Nothing, Especially Likely Sloth)
With guest contributions from Sanna Hartfield (Sanna Hartfield Solo)
EP was produced by Marius/Jason/Indelible and mixed/mastered by Jason Walton at Audio Savant Studios.
The tracklist for the EP:
1. Escape
2. Breath, Inhale
3. No Results
4. Excuse
Indelible's full length which is to be released in 2009, promises a darker more refined sound.
Check out the new record "Lou-ish"
Lou-ish...
"The Gift to the City" inspired by the creativity of STL in its fashion/style and the way we party. TC wanted to give something directly to the people that have supported him and also to the new fans as well.
TC INTERVIEW WITH ARTISTOPIA!
Q: At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
TC: I?ve been involved in making music since I was young, but I was 16 years old when I realized I wanted to become an artist. It started off as just a free style for me, but after spitting for so many different people, I was getting the same response and feedback (you hot, keep doing what you do). So from there I just transformed my freestyle into writing. Once I start writing and creating records, I realized that I have a God given talent to do this, and not just rap, but be a complete artist.
Q: Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
TC: I can say one thing that influenced me was the reaction and feedback that I was and continue to get from the fans. They let me know that my whole brand and what I?m doing is hot. They are the ones that motivate me to keep going. That?s what matter to me and carry?s big influence.
Q: In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
TC: Jay Z- For his swag and ability to charm the audience as well as his glow on the mic. I also respect the hustle off the mic
50 Cent- For his aggression and his ability to capture the audience attention. I also respect the hustle off the mic!
Nelly- For his boldness and crazy delivery on the mic. He reminds me of myself, how I just do me and the rest follow. I also respect his hustle off the mic.
Q: With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
TC: That?s simple. I?m the artist of the future. I?m well rounded in my approach to the entertainment industry. I will fit what I believe will be the music industry model in the near future, the 360 deal for artist who make quality records, but who can also do quality business off the mic that will benefit the labels. I have and will continue to build myself as a brand, and not just an artist trying to make a song to get a deal, to never be heard of again. I?m putting in the hard work so that I can maintain longevity in this game. Not necessarily as an artist, but someone who remains relevant to the music industry even after I hang up the mic. I?ve been building a solid foundation under me. Also my style of music is different from the other artist. I?m bringing that Hope Hop! I?m on a mission to help bring hope back to the game of hip hop, and not just in terms of music, but my overall representation of the culture. TC aka The Ambassador of Hope Hop?.That?s separates me right there!
Q: Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
TC: No I wouldn?t. Because in the end I don?t think that I will be well off! Can?t sell my soul, which is what I stand for, for a few dollars. I feel like the brand that I?m bringing to the table is perfect for what?s going on not only in hip hop, but the world. It?s also 100% marketable with a niche. My music represents hope and change! You got to be true to your beliefs, but also back that stand up with hard work and actions. Make what you believe in and stand for work for you! A perfect example for me: My music is main stream hip hop. It?s some of the hottest music you will hear out today. The difference in my music is the content of it. I?m not using the B word, the H word, the N word, or none of that. I don?t talk about drug slanging and beefing and all that; even though I come from the hood and have been around this stuff most of my life. If the labels ask me to switch up and start talking about this stuff to get on, then I wouldn?t. If I switch up and do what?s not me, then I?m losing my self respect, which will in turn make others not respect me. That?s the true meaning of life, having respect and being who YOU are!
Q: Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?
TC: Strategy is the key! Just what I spoke of above, about the content of my music. My Ambassador of Hope Hop theme will be the key. I have a whole game plan in store to present this idea and my records to the world. I am an Ambassador, and it is campaign season, so I think that I have the perfect strategy in mind. I?m just campaigning now, so that I can be elected (album drop) in November!
Q: In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
TC: It?s very important. The old equation was 90% business and 10% music, but I think that the new one is 99% business and 1% music. Especially with the 360 deal format coming around. You got to be about your business 100%!
Q: Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
TC: Stay ahead of the game. Don?t just go out and run wild to try and get a record deal, have a game plan. Build yourself a foundation, which will assist you in putting your brand out to the world. Be a student of the game (business & entertainment). Find other ventures that work hand and hand with your music that can assist you in putting your music and brand out to the masses. Have the will power and work ethnic to make it happen. Stay persistent in what you do, because it?s not going to happen over night, not saying that it can?t! Remember, hard work pays off!
Q: Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
TC: I?m actually involved in non profits right now! I?m Vice President of The Damien Nash Youth Association www.nyausa.org, which was started in honor of my homeboy who passed away after playing in a charity basketball game that he and I put together. He was an NFL player, and we always did community work together. After his sudden death, I felt that it was only right that I associate myself with his foundation, to help continue his legacy and great community outreach program.
Also I?m doing work for Urban Future! The reason I?m doing this, is because it allows me to assist under privilege and troubled youth in turning their lives around. I?m doing a summer Hope Hop course for the kids at Urban Future. The course will consist of learning social skills, life skills, and hip hop business as well as how to become leaders to their peers, so that they can assist them to do the same.
Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.