my complete transformationMy music career has completely transformed over the years. I have to admit, I am completely pleased with the level of success I have experienced. I have built a pretty decent music catalog. I have seen my music grow from responding to a dare from one of the artists I was managing at the time. To see my music, explode on an international platform. The last time we kept track, our music had been released on the radio, in films, and had played in more than 21 countries such as Argentina, Canada, Germany, Italy, London, Japan, Mexico, Peru, United States, etc. Although I love music and I did find a level of release and enjoyment in writing music. I never saw it as a career path for me. I did not truly see the music industry as a good fit for me. I certainly did not imagine the level of success for myself as I have experienced. At one time I had major record labels like Def Jam Recordings and Virgin Records pursuing me to submit some of my music to their labels. He does not know that I know this, but even 50 Cent took a serious look at my music when Ace Reign, Kruixfy, and Lacy B recorded my rap/R&B track – Love Conspiracy. Okay, yea, that track is popping. It really expanded my music to many different international markets. And I had a lot to get off of my chest with that one. I’m just saying. As I said before, my problem was, that I could not see myself building a career in the music industry. Well, not as of yet. Despite my reluctance, for years, I continue to write songs for other artists in the Country, Hip Hop Rap, and R&B genres. And I was starting to expand out into other categories. Plus, I was making some money off of my singles. And to this day, I am still collecting some royalties. But for a long time, I really did not know what I wanted to do with this newly discovered gift I had. But everything changed in 2014. About two years after Felicia and I met. Somehow, Felicia discovered that I wrote music and had some tracks out there that were having some success. She started asking me a lot of questions about it and I really was trying to avoid the conversation. It was not that I was trying to keep that part of my life a secret. I just did not take my songwriting career seriously despite my level of success. To me, it was a hobble. A hustle. A way to bring in a little extra cash. I just did not see the true value of my writing ability or any value of establishing a real songwriting career. But then Felicia did something I completely was not prepared for. She pulled out a suitcase of songs she had written since the early part of her childhood. I was completely overwhelmed by the number of songs she had written. So, I pulled a few out and skim-read a few lines of several songs. THEY WERE REALLY GOOD. I MEAN REALLY GOOD. But I wasn’t sure how each song I pulled out sounded. So, I pulled out a song and asked her, “sing this.” And when she sang it, I was flabbergasted. So, I pulled out another and another and another. And each time she sang each song, I could not believe what I was hearing. They were so perfectly written and beautiful and emotionally moving. And I couldn’t believe these songs were just sitting in her dirty old suitcase. There was no way I could continue to let these well-written songs sit in this suitcase and nothing is done with them. And that was my turning point. The point when I start to look at a music career differently. I started to explore the possibilities. But initially, Felicia and I were heading in the wrong direction – mostly my fault. (Compare to Matthew 18:19-20; Amos 3:3; Colossians 3:7; 1 Corinthians 1:10). This created a lot of clashes and friction between what I wanted to write and what I was comfortable writing about and what Felicia desired to write about. the clash of the titans |
What’s next Lord Don’t you hear me crying out Burdens are heavy Don’t have the strength to call out…. |
As I was driving, I immediately grabbed a pen and a piece of paper. And right there, as I was driving to work, I wrote my first Gospel/Christian song called I Need You. I wrote the entire song right there in my car. Now, of course, in this post. I am purposely leaving some of the lines and words out of the track but….
… On my knees, I’m reaching up Bowing down to worship, but I…. I need you to grab hold…. I need you to quench my soul…. I need you to free me from…. |
Oh, my goodness, it is such an emotional, charging, refreshing, beautiful, and well-written song.
The transformation
It was then that I knew that it wasn’t Felicia that needed to be more open. But it was me. I needed to narrow down my focus and make some different decisions. If I was going to do this music thing, I need to pick a specific genre and stick with it. That was the only way I really was going to create my own brand/style and get really good at this art of writing music. But I also knew, Felicia was not going to be interested in writing any other genre but Gospel and or Christian music. So, either I need to move in the same direction she was heading. Or, just put on the brakes and give this up right now, before I waste my time and hers.
So, I prayed about it and 3 more songs came out of my belly. I even had one dream where I was in heaven and I heard an entire song that I actually wrote down later in the middle of the night called Glorious LIGHT. Since then, I have written enough Gospel/Christian tracks to produce at least 3 albums if not more. I finally knew what GOD was calling me to do with my songwriting abilities.
So, I prayed about it and 3 more songs came out of my belly. I even had one dream where I was in heaven and I heard an entire song that I actually wrote down later in the middle of the night called Glorious LIGHT. Since then, I have written enough Gospel/Christian tracks to produce at least 3 albums if not more. I finally knew what GOD was calling me to do with my songwriting abilities.
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significance of my music today
And today, since 2020, I have completely committed myself to writing music for the LORD ONLY. I am more confident in my songwriting abilities and know that I know that I am called to this along with many other giftings and talents, and natural abilities the LORD has anointed and gifted me with.
The only missing piece, that is in Felicia and my future is the right music producer and recording artists to record and produce our music. Over the years, we have been matched up with some very talented and professional recording artists and two great and talented music producers. But to me, SOMETHING was always off – it wasn’t JUST RIGHT. Not the perfect fit I know GOD wanted for us.
Then Felicia and I realized three things.
The only missing piece, that is in Felicia and my future is the right music producer and recording artists to record and produce our music. Over the years, we have been matched up with some very talented and professional recording artists and two great and talented music producers. But to me, SOMETHING was always off – it wasn’t JUST RIGHT. Not the perfect fit I know GOD wanted for us.
Then Felicia and I realized three things.
1. We were not in a season of harvesting for our music but building. Therefore, we were in a season where we needed to make some definite decisions about Felicia’s music – the music she had already written and the ones she will write. And the music I was beginning to write. 2. Because we were in a season of building – writing and creating more new music and organizing others. It was not GOD’s timing to match us with the right recording artists and music producers. WE WERE TRYING TO FORCE SOMETHING IN A SEASON THAT WAS NOT THE TIMING FOR IT. 3. And Felicia and I needed time to grow and respect each other’s craft; writing styles; management methods and skills; our natural writing and production abilities; and learn to work well with each other before we can bring others in that would help to further develop our music and musical talents. |
GOD IS CERTAINLY GOOD, WISE, AND PATIENT. And HE knows how to transform the heart and minds of people and get you heading in the right direction. (Compare to 2 Corinthians 5:17).
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God's word is for the edification, exhortation, and consolation; for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training so that every Christian is equipped for the work of service, to build up the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3; 2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 4:12).
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