From now on all music updates will be via http://www.EMATiONONLiNE.com and I will be using this blog for posting my life stories. This one is kind of STRANGE! (no pun intended)
After some heavy searching I've found some early-EMATiON videos where we were really just starting with iLL-LEGAL back from 2007. I decided it would be iLL to put together a playlist showing my less-then-stellar start in the music industry and my incredible commitment to continue against all odds.
This story begins @ The Music Box on 07/12/07 with my manager J and his better-half, Shelly as they cross-promote for iLL-LEGAL at the Strange Noize show. It's quite convenient that only a couple months earlier they had convinced me to give this "Tech Guy" a chance. I thought it was going to be another wanna be thug-life... type albums... terrible!
Keep in mind; I was 17 at the time, stuck-up, senseless, self-centered, and stayed away from that type of scene. Still, the second that CD started spinning suddenly my life had a new purpose and potential. I wasn't expecting the anger and emotion to explode out of my speakers when I first heard 'Absolute Power"... I was in awe, under enchantment. Two years of too much crunk, non-creative, circus beats with garbage gimmicks.
Everything I do with a computer (engineering, mixing, graphics, open-source coding, ect) and making my music is self-taught and far-superior to college curriculum. I always considered Rob Rebeck (recorded A LOT of Tech's earlier albums) an inspiration for creating your own sound. I give him credit for coming up with consistent formulas that we fancy today... for example, using a pitch-shifter, individual panning, compression, delay effect, gated reverbs, and other enhancements all controlled by a single-bus or cluttered layer to combine Krizz Kaliko's harmonies ontop of Tech's main vocals.
Hands down, he set the standard for the quality of music we've come to expect today. It's complicated to convey, but even without ever seeing his method or owning a similar digital workstation I can re-create any effect with my own personal touch. ( I am 12 years deep doing this shit)
Another element I was able to experience is Tech N9ne's AMAZiNG ability to perform during a show!!! He sets the standard for live performances; probably the best I've ever experienced.
I had to skip-out on the first show so we could afford to buy a set of VIP tickets to actually meet Tech N9ne in person at his next show in Anaheim, CA on 07/14/07.. Looking back a couple of years later, I think it's a higher power that helped everything happen absolutely perfectly the way it did. Here's how it played out.... TRUE STORY!
I was going to do something "extreme" to introduce myself to Tech... My strategy was spitting something extraordinary. At the time I hadn't perfected the beating off your chest while rapping (which I borrowed too, Thanks!)
Well, we screwed up and didn't show up during the "meet-and-greet" phase which was way before the show-time.... in-fact we were a few hours past the opening acts. Still-determined we went and talked to the security to see if we could maybe still sneak backstage. They squashed that suggestion and stopped us dead in our tracks.
We were defeated, demoralized, darkened-spirits, who could only see the situation through shades of grey..
I can't explain all gifts God has granted me but this is one of the greatest thus far! . Without any warning, something special happened that's hard to explain...
I saw a colorful spectrum of sunshine and someone standing nearby it who I could only assume was a member of the staff. I still don't understand why in a split-second, without even second-guessing myself...I asked...
"Hey! Are you Violet Brown?" (it was like I had known her for years)
Her expression was a mixture of complete surprise with a touch of suspense over-shadowed by a soft smile. I was completely shocked that she was exactly the person I had envisioned, but also completely opposite of what I expected... she treated me with passion, kindness, and concern for my well-being.... I was in awe...
She has the most incredible ability to communicate on all levels. Before I met her I admired her ability to analyze different sets data and create a consistent connection between both the distribution center and the consumers. After 5 years of my chaos I've created and constant disappointments in my personal life, she's still answered every call, showed me love when I didn't love myself, and continues to give me advice on life and my career at no charge...
If anyone ever deserves a lifetime achievement award, there's no better candidate you can even consider.
But okay, back to the story so she took us backstage, gave me the chance to rap for Tech N9ne... and then even chilled on the bus with us while we jammed Krizz Kaliko's cd; Vitiligo.
The topping on the cake was when Tech N9ne took me on stage with him and the Kottonmouth Kings while they performed "City to City" at their next show.... It's easy to distinguish me in the video because I'm the one who can't dance and looks like he doesn't know what's going on.... I can't wait till the day I can turn my nightmares into someone's dream.
One day I know you will get the chance to read this and remember you're part of the reason I'm where I'm at today. Thanks!
Much love,
-Eddy
