It's been such a long process that I don't even know where to begin. I learned so much releasing this project that whether or not it does well commercially is secondary at this point.
I don't even know what to say. But what I will say is this... A year ago I was in Seattle, sitting at a park, writing notes on a journal about a project I wanted to release. Or in this case, re-release. I had the words "The Growth" in a circle in the middle of the page. And next to it I had the word "Objective" with a question mark. Underneath that word, I had the words "Teach/Inpsire them to listen. Again".
I hope this project finds whoever needs it when they need it most.
Sincerely,
AJS
Muzik Reviews - Anthony J. Shears (The Growth Deluxe Edition)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Damnant Quodnon Intelligunt...
My uncle used to tell me "If you have no haters, you're probably not very successful." Ironically, the woman who helped bring me into the music business, my 6th grade Language Arts teacher Maggie Everett, used to tell say, "Never pay attention to the critics - Don't even ignore them!"
From my first day of elementary school when my bus driver asked me if I carried so many books with me to make people think I was smart, I've been aware of the fact that if my critics saw me walking across Lake Washington, they would say it was because I was too lazy to learn to swim. Some do it because they love it. Others "critique" because they cannot actually do. I've learned through a series of unfortunate experiences that many critics are like VIRGIN SEX EXPERTS. In a technical sense, they know how it's done because they've read about it and seen it done before in movies. But in the end, they are unable to DO it themselves, and because of this, are unable to fully understand the meaning behind it.
But fortunately for me, I have never placed pleasing the critics as a priority in making music. I'll continue to take my chances with the public. I'm called a "conscious backpack rapper" by street rappers. My critics on the "conscious rapper" side call me a "street rapper". I must be doing something right.
ALL HAIL THE ESSENCE.
From my first day of elementary school when my bus driver asked me if I carried so many books with me to make people think I was smart, I've been aware of the fact that if my critics saw me walking across Lake Washington, they would say it was because I was too lazy to learn to swim. Some do it because they love it. Others "critique" because they cannot actually do. I've learned through a series of unfortunate experiences that many critics are like VIRGIN SEX EXPERTS. In a technical sense, they know how it's done because they've read about it and seen it done before in movies. But in the end, they are unable to DO it themselves, and because of this, are unable to fully understand the meaning behind it.
But fortunately for me, I have never placed pleasing the critics as a priority in making music. I'll continue to take my chances with the public. I'm called a "conscious backpack rapper" by street rappers. My critics on the "conscious rapper" side call me a "street rapper". I must be doing something right.
ALL HAIL THE ESSENCE.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
All Hail The Essence...
There's a certain artistic insecurity involved in creating art and selling it. It feels a lot like ditch digging. Entertainment is the end goal for some. For me, it's a dirty word I've tried to avoid as much as possible. What this process has help me discover is that LOVE is a strong as death. But that passion is stronger than both of them.
My music is paradoxical. It allows me to find myself and love myself simultaneously.
And so I continue to pursue this end. As a beginning. And an end.
"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude." - Friedrich Nietzsche
My music is paradoxical. It allows me to find myself and love myself simultaneously.
And so I continue to pursue this end. As a beginning. And an end.
"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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