Do You Want The Truth? Or Do You Want Me to Lie to You? Vol. 2

That song you did sucks because your hook sucks. A major mistake made by many rappers are pairing great lyrics to so so beats and trash hooks. Take these things into consideration when you are writing your next rap song ladies and gents. No one wants to hear your monotone voice over this whack beat repeating the same word over and over as the hook. Check this out:

1.  You can't write a hook. Not everyone knows how to write a hook. It is ok to reach out to someone else and have them write a hook for you. Its called collaboration. Some people all they can do is write a hook. This may be a plus for you. Since you're just great at writing your bars or verses let the other person handle your hook. They may even be able to show you how to deliver the hook. 
2.  Your delivery is trash. What is it that makes you assume you have swag? What exactly is swag in your definition any way? Stop it, I say. Stop it. Swag is over used and the correct terms are style and personality. Where is your personality? You focus so much on having swag you lost your personality. Show who you are on the track not who you think everyone wants you to be. This is how most people get dismissed in the industry their first year in. Be a one hit wonder if that is what you'd like to do or stick around for a decade or so. 
3.  If you're going to come into the game, change it immediately. You can do this, other artists have done it. The likes of Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, OutKast, Emminem, Bone Thugs N Harmony, E-40, Snoop Dogg and even Lil Kim came in the game with a new sound, new face, new personality for the game of Hip Hop. It doesn't have to be so manufactured. All of these individuals were like F*#@ It! I'm going to be me! That is what got them put on in a major way! Show us that you came to change it up and make us like it, then love it, then crave it. We want to hear something different, dance to something different and vibe to something different. If all of you sound the same and have the same swag we can't relate to you. We'll definitely feel as though we heard your story already and won't waste one minute on your song let alone your album or mix tape. 
4. That hook is repetitive. I can't any longer. I just can't. I'm not going to listen over and over to the same thing. It doesn't sound different you didn't change a tone in it at all. All in all, its blah. Then you followed up with the ending sound of the last word in your hook with every word in your verses. Why? What did you do that for? What makes you think its hot? Because it actually sucks! No one is in a rush to throw that song on the ipod. I don't want to ride around my city in my car listening to it on replay. Trust me no one does. 
5. We want to understand you. No one can understand you because we don't know what you're saying. If you are going to introduce us to a new dance, new slang, new trend of dressing then state it in the verse so when you say it in the hook we get it. Ohhhh, oh ok! I see what he was saying now. That's the reaction you'll get from those that are listening to your songs. So make it understandable, pronunciate your words and help us get you and what you're saying. 
6. I hate your beat. Your beat makes me want to throw a chair through the window of a moving car and start a fight with you and your producer. Straight Trash. You don't have to work with a producer because he's your homie or because the beats were free. For starters if the beat is free its not worth it to begin with. If anything is free its not worth it. greatness is going to cost you. So pay up and stop being cheap, unless you're the producer in which case you probably should give that up if all your beats are whack. Or, or you could actually practice making hot beats by going to school for engineering or training with a professional. All of the mentioned helps if it doesn't come to you naturally. (Saving the rest for Volume 3)  
7. Hooks are memorable!!!!! So make it count. Trust me when I tell you that we recall songs by hook first verse second. Unless the verses were waaaaayyy hotter than the hook. But hooks get you remembered in this game. Your hook has got to be deadly from jump. Meaning you have to kill the game with that hook. Just don't let it be your last deadly hook. Be ready to come back at them with hit hook after hit hook. 
8. Guess who is singing your hooks? Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, niece, nephew sometimes ya Momma! If they are singing your hooks you might have a hit. Don't tell them its you just play the song as if you just got a new CD from someone and watch the reaction they give to it. If someone asks you to replay a song its because they want to sing along with the hook. This is the response that you want. Remember these tips and bullet points are for you take into consideration and actually use them. Where else are you going to get this upfront approach?

This concludes the end of Volume Two. Stay posted for more volumes to follow on the topic "Do You Want The Truth or Do You Want Me to Lie to You? For more info on being interviewed, music submission or if you need artist consultation and or image consultation please contact me via info@modebrandhaus.com or blogme@modebrandhaus.com For Album cover designs, flyers, and web/print ad design visit modebrandhaus.com or send email to staffing@modebrandhaus.com

Do You Want The Truth or Do You Want Me to Lie to You? Vol.1

I have recently ran into some Underground Rappers that have grown a chip on their shoulder. My question to these and other rappers like them is this "Why is there a chip on your shoulder?" What do you feel is owed to you? Guess what? No one owes you anything. Work for what you want in this industry. Here are some things for you to take into consideration:

1. I critiqued you. So what. That doesn't mean that you can't get better. Correct whatever I pointed out was wrong with your music, song, image and presentation. Don't take it to heart that I cared enough about you as an artist to point out the things that are holding you back from breaking fully into this industry.
2. Are you aware that maybe you don't understand music arrangement? Because the majority of you don't. You cannot just choose a beat and rap on it. It doesn't work like that. You must understand the instruments in a track. Understand where these instruments fall into play and why they are there. Each sound has a specific reason for being on a track. 
3. Every beat is not for murder and mayhem lyrics and vice versa goes for party, club, conscious, and strip club lyrics as well. Respect the producer and what he has done with a beat. Do not just jump on because you think it can be hot because you're on it. Who told you that? 
4. Yeah I liked one song of yours and not the other. Ok, now you mad at me? Guess what? I don't even care. I truly do not care. It should ring loud with you that I even like that one song. I bet its your best song yet. Do you know how to make an album? Be it mix tape, EP, or full fledged album can you produce a good compilation of work?
5. Do a listening party. Get feedback from people who don't know you and those who are always honest with you. invite a few music journalist from your city to come in and sit with you and listen to your music. That's what they're there for. Utilize them correctly. Don't just run up on a DJ in a club and drop off your music. I don't care if you pay them. You may only get play as long as your paying. What good does that do for you when no one is even dancing to your music?
6. I've noticed something else as well. The lot of you rappers choose to think that if someone from your city makes it in this industry of music they owe you a put on. No sir/ma'am, that thought is inaccurate. No one I mean no one owes you anything. Were you down with them before they blew up? Were you in the same camp? Even then don't expect it. If they come through and pull you up see it as a blessing. But then again are you as an artist worth pulling up? Probably not because you can't take criticism. 
7. Ok its one thing to be hot in your hood but are you hot in your city. If you are hot in your city are you prepared to expand your audience within your State Region? You have to think big but plan small goals in order to achieve the big picture. Small steps lead down the road to big events to occur in your career.

This concludes the end of Volume One. Stay posted for more volumes to follow on the topic "Do You Want The Truth or Do You Want Me to Lie to You?

For more info on being interviewed, music submission or if you need artist consultation and or image consultation please contact me via info@modebrandhaus.com or blogme@modebrandhaus.com

For Album cover designs, flyers, and web/print ad design visit modebrandhaus.com or send email to staffing@modebrandhaus.com

A New Era of Miami Rap

What's up? Yeah it's been a minute since the last article and interview has been posted. But I'm bringing you a new era of Miami Rap right now. Let me introduce to you Young Dred from Miami, FL fresh out of High School this year, this young man is going in this summer. Freshly dropping his new mix tape entitled "Shray Up" That means "Straight Up" No questions asked. Now if you are not familiar with Miami music then you don't know what this new era is bringing to the table. Follow me for a bit through this article.

Eighteen years of age and this young man could have been going to college in the following fall to play Football at whatever school. Instead this young man's destiny led him down the path of music. Normally I would tell a young cat like himself to continue his education. But he graduated and decided for himself that he was making the decision that would definitely transform his life forever. Young Dred is a rare self endorsed and motivated prodigy from the school of "I Rep Me" no questions need be asked. I appreciate that someone such as him can see their dreams as a reality and go for it. He has definitely surprised me with his mixtape. I expected the mixtape to be cliche toned with remnants of a Rick Ross flow or a Trick Daddy sound. I even thought he would lay out some Billy Blue or Briscoe on his tracks. However that's not what I heard. What I heard was a Young Dread sounding like Young Dread. What a breath of fresh air. 

While I was listening to Young Dred's mix tape "Shray Up" I found out he has a purpose for what he does. He has to express himself this way. I heard the sincerity in his words the flow of lyrics and I felt as though I was in the song with him. How is that? He pulled me in and I saw the picture. I was a part of the scene, my ears became my eyes and he directed the entire movie that was his mix tape. So yeah "Shray Up" that's my lil Homie and go download that.

Lil Dred "Shray Up"

Follow Young Dread on twitter @305Dred

Find him on Facebook Dred Raps

P.S. Look out for that interview on Mode Brand Haus Vimeo and Mode Brand Haus Youtube channel.

My Favorite songs on "Shray Up":
2. Go Crazy
3. Dread Music
6. I Ain't Worried Bout It
7. F#*K My Opponent
12. Goin Round
15. Just Know I
18. What Did I Do

Stay FWEA!! In Other Words, Stay FRESH!

       Ok let me set the scene for you guys. It's a Friday in North Miami, FL. Windy as what outside. Today I feel as though I need to be wearing a hat. So  I throw on my Pumas to match, cream and olive, to the knee sneaker boots. I have on an Olive Tee as well, my hair is twisted into two Goddess twists like french braids. My shorts are washed toned denim that cuff my thighs and I'm sporting a denim SMILEHOLIC, Chiri brand tote. I'm definitely feeling relaxed fly. As I pull into the parking lot of FWEAGO FITS Shop I'm greeted by this cute little kid coming out of the Salon just next door. The kid waits for me to get out of my car and says "Hi," with the biggest smile on his face. I of course say hello back with a just as cheerful look on mine. 


     I get to the door and I'm greeted by P Fwea of FWEAGO FITS & ENT.. My Homie is sporting his FWEAGO FITS red Tee, glasses, fresh shape up, and what seemed to me, a twist hybrid of the baggy jeans turned Island  Boy shorts with the custom rips at the bottom that come just above the ankle, major wide legs with some of the flyest casuals on. These casuals are taupe and brown leather with the three inch detail stitch in cream going around the top of the shoe, no socks involved. I must say I liked his style just as much as I liked my own.


       P says to me "Come on we're about to head out real quick." I just tag along for the journey, because I obviously don't know where we're going. So we begin to walk through the neighborhood of 6th Ave. and I am completely enjoying the trip. It has been a long time since I just walked in a neighborhood to go somewhere local and just vibe. P leads me to this Haitian restaurant named Moca Cafe. It's quiet, with a comfy feel. There are about two rows of table seating, a bar and the third row is accompanied with a wall bench that stretches the length of the dining room to the front window. We are greeted by a beautiful waitress. She has some of the most glowing brown skin tone I've seen in a while. She of course greets us in Kreyol "Bonswa! Komon ou ye?" P answers her back in Kreyol and then she seats us at wall bench table.


     P orders us these tasty Passion Fruit juice drinks and I must say it was the best Passion Fruit juice I've had ever. Any how it was cool just letting him do him. I got a strong feel for the character he has. He was very forward and assertive in ordering for me, a true Haitian gentleman, lol. He orders Ox Tail stew with a side of rice and beans. I'm telling y'all I never tasted it like this before. I was falling of the bone as soon as you touched it. It was hard for me to be a lady without wanting to pick up a bone and treat it like a barbecue, lol! We talked a bit over our meal and he was giving me the background on FWEAGO FITS & ENT.. It was cool getting the history on the team and company.


    Soon after we finish eating P pays the bill and we walk back to the shop. I know he likes music or else he wouldn't be a part of company name FWEAGO FITS & ENT. as well as Promoter of The FWEAGO Squad. I ask him if he'd like to hear some music that he's never heard before. Plus I had promised him that the next time I came through I would bring new music with me and here I am. So P answers me yes and throws one of his eyebrows up as I hand him a CD. Sorta unsure of what I was handing him he seems to be on the edge of his seat waiting to hear something that better be fly, lol. About fifteen seconds into the first song he says who is this guy? I answer him CHip Tha Ripper. He's bobbing his head in jam to the song and skips to the next song. Then he says "This is hot! I like this. I really like this. Where is he from?" I told him "Cleveland, OH," with a smile on my face. Because of course you should know my nick name in Miami is CLEVELAND. So after listening to some Chip Tha Ripper we get into the interview and you can hear for yourself right here:

Fwea means Fresh in Kreyol!

Word On The Street Is!

Me: What's up HiClas?

HiClas: Nothing much. You?

Me: I'm great. So after speaking with a friend, I learned that you are a new threat on the music scene. So you are from Chicago, IL?

HiClas: Yeah.

Me: HiClas who do you like & who would you want to work with in the Mid-West? 

HiClas: As far as what? music?

Me: Yes

HiClas:  A few cats out in the Chicago area I like. Well I really like Kids These Days, you got uh Rocky Fresh, my Homie Brandun Deshay. That's who I pretty much listen to underground. Well I don't really listen to people mainstream I like underground. They're the ones making a lot of noise in Chicago right now oh and Curren$y.

Me: If you could really collab with somebody who would you collab with right now?

HiClas: I want to work with Frank Ocean, he's very talented I really like his sound and Childish Gambino and also Kendrick Lamar.

Me: So I hear you're getting ready to go to New York right?

HiClas: Yeah, can't really get too much into it. But the first step is to meet up with my managers and shake hands with people in the music world. I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of travelling this summer.

Me: So you are travelling this summer. What city are you most excited to get to and why?

HiClas: Man, I don't even know but as far as cities I pretty much already been everywhere. I probably want to go overseas this summer. I have been to New York. But I want to get to Paris, France. That question is like really hard to pinpoint a city. 

Me: Okay so we know you want to go to Paris, France but if you can really make your mark in the U.S. what city is it going to be?

HiClas: Probably L.A. Because L.A. is like once you have a foundation you can pretty much get rank anywhere else in the U.S. 

Me: Okay so you know I'm all about the fashion.

HiClas: Yeah (chuckles)

Me: So I need to know who is it that you are rocking right now? What brand or designers are making the clothing you want to wear?

HiClas: My style is pretty much all over the place. I'm not big on designers. I wear it but I wear all unique styles. But I'm one of those artists that say outlandish shit so I'm a tell you right now I'm wearing Abercrombie and Fitch. I really like their jeans. I actually suggest that people wear them too. (then he gives me a shy laugh)

Me: I guess. lol! But what are your top 3 T-Shirt companies?

HiClas: Man. I rock Diamond Supply Co., Ummm, Polo, definitely rock Polo. Like I said my style is so diverse, I rock the We The Superlative Conspiracy aka WTSC 

Me: Ok I need to learn about them.

HiClas: Yeah I'm really into the skateboard industry. But a lot of rappers wear these guys too. Like Rick Ross, Chris Brown, 

Me: Ok there is a rapper out here that you like I mean really like from his style of clothing to his over all music delivery. Who is it for you?

HiClas: Oh, That's easy, Kanye West. His style is on a whole other plane right now. His swag is crazy. You know he has a Rosewood Swag with overpriced sneakers and underground Tees to wearing funky bands and then he'll switch it up to the suits and what not. I  also like Pharell Williams he wears what ever he wants. Its cool to have a stylist but you should always wear what you like.

Me: But you know you have a stylist to introduce you to those brands that have your style in common with you. Its great to have a stylist that can take you to or bring those back alley stores and underground brands to you, that you might not have otherwise known about. I like a guy from the N.O. Christian P. of B.E.Z Stylze. Also I like a young kid named Stan his Tee line is called IBAKI. When it comes to shoes who do you like? 

HiClas: I really just became a sneaker head Jordans, VANS, The Griffys just came out with these Red & Black sneakers, Supra, Adiddas. Some days I don't care I just wear my Nike Flip Flops.

Me: Ok when you pick your hats what are you wearing, who are you wearing?

HiClas: I wear 59/50 not too big on the snap backs, Leaders I like to cop some of their stuff out of there, anytime I see a Chicago Bulls hat I cop one, I like Trucker hats too.

Me: 

I dig your style I can pretty much picture your style. Hey I want to tell you that I appreciate you being my first interview on my new blog. I love that you wear what you want to. You have to have a sense of style too in order for a stylist to have something to run with. 

HiClas: Oh no problem I appreciate you interviewing me. I can't wait to read the blog.

This was an interview with up and coming rapper HiClas Brown. I like this young man he is talented, has a sense of style and has great ear for music other than his own music. He expressed to me that he was feeling groups with that Roots vibe, producers who do neo rap, sky, club and a few more sounds that are popular in the UK.

(Supras)

(VANS)

(IBAKI)

(LEADERS)

(B.E.Z. Stylze)

(Diamond Supply Co.)

(We The Superlative Conspiracy a.k.a WESC)

You can find HiClas Brown via these social websites

Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/hiclas

or 

Twitter:

@itsHiCLAS

Check out his music via:

http://soundcloud.com/hiclas