Music label Ca$h Money Records decided to throw a private event, together with SwaG ShaQ, in Amsterdam, to introduce three of their new signed artists. The third artist of this event, that I got to talk to is Veronica V.

Introduced as the record label’s First Lady, this passionate singer has proven herself to be diverse and soulful when it comes to today’s R&B. In this short interview she talks about the process of going from a little girl that loves to sing, to being signed to a worldwide known record label.  She also talks about her faith and following God’s path in her life, which includes where she is right now. She is the first new artist that I have interviewed, that mentions her goal being what God has in store for her, rather than becoming an award winning artist. I found that to be very refreshing. Go Veronica!

With thanks to Rudii from SwaG ShaQ for making this possible.
Veronica V’s Twitter page: @veronicaymcmb

Photo by: Tim Pen

Music label Ca$h Money Records decided to throw a private event, together with SwaG ShaQ, in Amsterdam, to introduce three of their new signed artists. The second artist I got a chance to talk to, is Chris Richardson. This Virginia Beach native got a chance to show his talents when he reached the top five on the sixth season of American Idol. This got him in a spot where he caught the attention of Cash Money Records, who just had to sign him.

About the signing, label co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams aka Birdman excitedly comments, “The second I heard Chris sing, I knew he was a star. Talented beyond belief, he’s got a voice that transcends boundaries, and he’s an amazing addition to our expanding team. Watch out because this kid’s got real heart and soul”.

Chris talks about how after being in the music industry for 15 years already, this opportunity puts him in a place where he feels he can really develop as an artist.

With thanks to Rudii from SwaG ShaQ for making this possible.
Chris Richardson’s official website: www.chrisrichardsonmusic.com.

Photo by: Tim Pen

Music label Ca$h Money Records decided to throw a private event, together with SwaG ShaQ, in Amsterdam, to introduce three of their new signed artists. One of them is 20-year old Brandon Caskey from the Orlando, Florida area.

This humble young man has some serious skills on the mic and Birdman heard that through Caskey’s uploaded video’s on YouTube. Caskey, using his last name as his artist name, tells how it feels to be “hand-picked” by Birdman himself and how it feels to suddenly roll with the big boys.

With thanks to Rudii from SwaG ShaQ for making this possible.
Caskey’s official website: www.bakingwithcaskey.com.

Caskey – Words (official video)

Bristol is a lovely city. I enjoyed the scenery very much. Caro showed me around the city as a true experienced tourguide. We went by the docks, there was a chocolate festival going on there and trust me, we got all the free samples we could get our hands on. Although it was cold, it was sunny so I didn’t mind being on the streets playing tourist. The thing I liked most about Bristol is the amounts of art you will find here. Not so much in form of all the museums and art galleries, but also the street art. Loads of street art is to be found on buildings. Caro took me to the graffiti district and we walked through See No Evil (Inky) street (Nelson St). Amazing what people are capable of. I get no further than drawing a stick figure on a piece of paper.

We also went to the movie theatre in the new mall called Cabot Circus. A huge outdoor / indoor mall with all the stores and restaurants you can find. The Showcase De Lux movie theatre includes a special Director’s Lounge where the two theatres have huge separate leather seats with tables and you get free drinks, fries and a box of chocolates for the movie. The lounge itself is very luxury and gives you a true VIP feeling, as if you were invited in the Director’s private in-house theatre to preview their latest motion picture film. We had a blast, with the entire theatre to ourselves. Not to mention the last evening we also had half a pizza with us from the dinner before, where we stuffed ourselves at the bar & grill next to the theatre, with pizza, steak and an entire chocolate fondue as well.

Bristol has a nightlife as well. Although we didn’t dive into it (Pay being in her granny mode), we did drive through the city at night. Every time I am in England during the winter, it amazes me how these UK women walk in the middle of the night in short skirts and dresses and open toe shoes without tights and its -10C outside. Only in England. I swear. The cold definitely did not take away from my Bristol experience but I can only imagine how lovely this city is in the summer time. I already told Caro, I will come back and visit in the summer, to stay up on the hill again w/ her.

]]> http://www.payology.com/bristol-uk/feed/ 0 http://www.payology.com/the-dayjob-dilemma/ http://www.payology.com/the-dayjob-dilemma/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:16:20 +0000 pay http://www.payology.com/?p=3692 Continue reading →]]> Anyone that immediately gets the title of this article, probably has or has had this dilemma at some point in their life. The dayjob dilemma usually exists in the lives of people whose dreams and goals are so huge, they want to dedicate all of the time they have in to reaching them and making them come true. Their passion is what drives them and they don’t want anything getting in the way of getting to that point in life where they can breathe and say “Momma I made it” [/Jay-Z voice].

When you have reached the point where you can pay your bills with your art, your passion, your dream, you can relax, look back and think to yourself that it was all worth the blood, sweat and tears. Because honestly, we all know it takes a lot of dedication, to get to that point. Some people may think it’s an easy road, but there’s only a few in this world that have their dreams handed to them on a silver platter. For most of us “common folk”, its hard work.

As much as its wonderful to not have to divide your time between a job that pays the bills, and your passion and goals, its not necessarily a bad thing. See, the thing is, people are always so proud not to have a “dayjob” but fail to realize that having one has a lot more advantages than they think. Especially if you’re not at that point of “sitting back and relax, while my art pays my bills” yet. But are still struggling to make it. Some of the advantages of a job, that I experience myself, are (in no particular order):

1. Steady income. –This adds to whatever you’re doing on the side. The money can be used for more than just paying your bills. It can be used to invest in growing your own business.
2. Learning the business (whatever business you’re in) and applying this to your own business. –This especially goes for those whose job is related to the field your are trying to make it in.
3. Gaining professional work ethic. –Something that most of these “free agent” artists seem to lack a lot nowadays, thus blocking their own progress. Networking & maintaining good relationships with people in your field, are key.
4. Progress as a person. –In any aspect of life, expanding your knowledge, broadening your mind. Which you can apply, again, to any of your life aspects and situations.

In my opinion, only those that have and value excellent work ethic and have genuine passion can actually work a job next to their passion. It’s far from easy. Getting up early, working all day, coming home in the evening, being tired. But then having to work again, for yourself. It may be your passion, but it still requires “work” and energy. Not to mention sacrificing time from your social life for building your business.

Though it seems to be a luxury, not having to need a dayjob, it also can block artists from progressing as a person, as they can be stuck in the same mindstate for long time periods, trying to make that money with what they do, paying the bills. Having a job in which you can develop yourself and evolve, makes you progress every day, even if your own art is standing still for a minute. So as a person, you’re never standing still.

I struggle with it sometimes. But I have been blessed to find a job that: a) is related to the field I am in, somewhat. And b) is also giving me the chance to develop as a professional in the field I have studied for. My luck is that my study is applicable to all of my own businesses. All of the knowledge I have and gain through my job, I can apply to whatever I am doing on the side. Combining your job and your art is in my opinion, a huge advantage.

I have two degrees in Marketing (equivalent to a Master’s) and its not at all what people usually think it is (quote: “Marketing is lying to people“). It’s much more than just branding. It’s becoming an expert in your field, knowing your market, your competition, your economical situation (for the company products/services etc.) and predicting the future curve of the particular product or service. It’s anticipating on the future and on market demands. Something not a lot of people can do, or know how to analyze and research. And all of this, is very useful, when setting up your own business, or trying to brand yourself as an artist/service/product.

The point of me writing about this, is that whenever people “go back” or are forced to having a job again next to their passion, others are quick to call it a step back. Providing for yourself, making sure you are not struggling to have food or keep a roof above your head, is never a step back. Every decision you make as an artist or entrepreneur, is always a step forward, given you have the right mind set and strategy about it.

Making conscious decisions on how to be better, how to be smarter, how to progress, how to get to that “Momma I made it” point in life, is always moving forward.

There are no guarantees in life, not in any business. The only thing you can guarantee yourself, is to stay focused, stay positive and believe that no matter what you have to do in life, you can make it work and make it happen. Dayjob, or not.

Peace & Blessings.

My direct flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco was a fast one as we experienced tail winds. Within 9,5 hours, instead of said 11 hours, I found myself stepping into a much warmer environment than the snowy one I left from. Going from 15F to 68F in the middle of January was not something I felt bad about. Off the plane, I had the driver waiting for me and he took me straight to downtown San Jose. A love place, as I had only been there once, in the middle of the night in a club, 10+ years ago. Knowing I found myself in the capital of Silicon Valley, got the geek in me fuzzy and warm inside as well as the outside temperature.

Staying at the Fairmont Hotel was absolute luxury. As exhausted as I was, I was too excited to take a nap. I got up at 7 am in Amsterdam and arrived at the hotel around 3.30 pm, California time. Meaning it was already past midnight for me. Still, I had to stretch my day even longer because we had two shows to go to that evening, at the San Jose Improv.

I met up with my friend Melvin and his fiancée Primal (congrats guys!) at the Improv and watched Freez Luv and Charlie Murphy take down the audience w/ laughter and screams. During the second show that evening, I found myself drifting off in a chair in a corner upstairs, trying to stay awake. By the time we got back to the hotel, it must have been at least noon the next day for my body. Needless to say I crashed in the big fluffy hotel bed.

The next day I got up late and had to go outside to find some medicine for my allergies, that were waking me up all night. Wondering the streets of San Jose to find a Walgreens, I’ve learned two things about this city. 1) The skating scene is huge. Everywhere I walked, there were skaters occupying the streets with tricks and speed. 2) The people here can’t give directions if their life depended on it. But that’s ok, my adventurous nature loves wondering off in strange places, finding my way by myself.

That evening, I met up with one of my closest friends, Lori, who happened to be in San Francisco visiting her family. Last I seen her was in the summer when she stayed with me for a month. She brought her friend Joy to the show and we absolutely had a blast that evening.

The next day, even though I was still jetlagged and tired, we decided to go see Django at the movie theatre. It was pretty quiet because the 49-ers were playing. Everywhere people in football jerseys on the streets, but we sat in the theatre to watch Django. Again, needless to say I again found myself drifting away in the last half hour of the movie. Luckily, I had seen it already. After the movie we went to eat at McCormick & Schmick’s, a seafood restaurant I had never heard of. It was really good though but of course, the food instantly put me to sleep. The restaurant was right below our hotel so we hopped back in the room and knocked out.

The next morning we flew back to New Jersey. It was so cold outside though that I pretty much stayed in the house those days. At one point I wanted to walk the dog because it was so nice outside, but it was about 5F and even with gloves on, holding the leash was just torture. The dog did his thing and practically RAN back to the house when he was finished, too cold for him too haha. The woods are a beautiful place but I think I may do the long walks in warmer weather next time.

It was a nice week of relaxation (although the jetlag messed me up), and being with friends and loved ones. This was definitely one of the nicer travel experiences, even though I didn’t really get my “culture on”. Sometimes, its about spending quiet time with the people you love.

Riggs Morales was one of the guests at the Buma Rotterdam Beats music conference last November in Rotterdam. The Vice President of A&R of Eminem’s Shady Records was so kind to free a moment of his time to talk to me about his profession in the industry. Riggs speaks from his 15+ years of experience of what makes a good A&R, how to spot artists with potential and what the difference is in having talent and having a business mind, as an artist.

Another year has passed. And I have been blessed with so many great things in 2012. Even though the year started w/ a heavy emotional situation, God pulled me through and showed me that it was not the setup for the entire year. On the contrary, the year could only get better from then on. January was a month of reflection as I had closed a situation the month before that. And although my closure didn’t fully come until mid 2012, it did give me more time to reflect on my life and how to handle things.

In February I went a way for a week with my mom. Its the first time in our lives that we went to do something together as mother and daughter. We went on a Nile cruise in Egypt, for 8 days. It was not so much a “resting” vacation, seeing we literally were running around from the moment we set foot in Egypt, til the moment we got back on the plane back to Amsterdam. It was a beautiful experience though, learning and seeing the history of Ancient Kings in a civilization long before ours.

In the summer I decided to take a 3 week break. Its been years since I have been off for this long of a time in a row. I went to see my sister Rabéa in Houston again and it was absolutely great not having any schedule or work but just relaxing, enjoying my time with her and soaking up the sun and heat, that we were clearly lacking in my country, as I had to turn on my heater for the first time ever, in July. Its always great spending time with the people you care about most. I also had the wonderful pleasure of hanging out with my good friend Kendall as he came down to Houston to spend time with us as well.

In the fall, my business partners and I have been working extra hard towards the launch of our company’s first project, www.hiphop360.cn. Mid november it was finally time. During the Buma Rotterdam Beats music conference, we launched the website through a presentation. Its been a lot of blood, sweat and tears but we are fully operational right now. The hard work is not over, but this definitely put more motivation in me to make this succesful. As I have no doubt that it will be. Much love and respect to Deams, Eddy, Adam and Marco, for taking this adventure with me.

In the fall of 2012 I also met a person that changed my perspective on life on some aspects. He teaches me something new about myself every day and adds a lot of happiness and love to my life. I didn’t expect to meet someone like him. I have only been focused on my work and business and didn’t intend to get emotionally involved with another person again. At least not for a while. But I guess it’s true what they say, when you least expect it…. It definitely caught me off guard. I am grateful to God for putting a person in my life, that adds a lot of value to it. For whatever reason, one can never have too many people in their life, that bring smiles to your face every day.

Right before the end of the year, my dad turned 65. A milestone in one’s life. As not everyone makes it healthy to that age. Sadly, two people I know passed away that same week. I had to deal with two heartbreaking funerals in one week. As sad as it made me, we celebrate their lives in our hearts. As they both contributed a lot to my life, from the day I was born, into my teens, even til today. Through themselves or an extension of themselves. Rest in Peace Uncle Victor and John Esveld.

As the end of the year is near, I am counting my blessings and am grateful to God for everything He has given me and for the amounts of Love I have in my life, through the people around me, my family and friends. I am blessed to have a wonderful job and to be able to pursue my passion in music at the same time. I am blessed because I have a roof above my head, hot running water and food in my fridge. I can only try to spread the love and positivity that I experience in my life today, and hope that its contagious.

Blessings & Love,
-Pay

Little did I know I was going to get a chance to talk to Charlie Murphy, when I got tickets to go see his show in Amsterdam, for his Acid Trip Tour. After the show Charlie said he was going to be at the merch table for signing and pictures. I decided to buy his book “The Making of a Stand Up Guy” (great read by the way), which he signed. When I told him I would love to have done an interview, he gave me the opportunity to do so after the signing.

Well, the following footage is not so much an interview, as Charlie totally took over and left me thrown off on the couch. I have to say this is the first time I got so thrown off, that I just let him run with it. Charlie talks about how the Acid Trip Tour came together and a whole bunch of random things. This was too hilarious not to post, even when I can’t really publish this as an “interview”. Charlie said this was the realest interview he’s done. Because we just went with it, no same old questions. But that’s usually how I do. I never ask the obvious. Anyway, go ahead and watch “The Charlie Murphy Take Over” as I labeled it.

I have known this girl for quite some years now. When I first heard her sing, I was blown away and kept bugging her about wanting her own music. In the end, I quit bothering her, because we all know, the creative process is not one to be putting time limits on. Needless to say, I was very excited about Mela Machinko dropping the first single “What you want me to do? (I’m sorry)”, from her soon to be released debut album (finally!).

Mela: “It began with one chorus: “What you want me to do? I’m sorry!” which of course comes from the singer Mya’s “Best Of Me” remix featuring Hov. I loved it, and thus the inspiration behind this project was born.”

“What You Want Me To Do was the very first song I wrote for the project, and it remained one of my favorites and a guiding point for the album. It’s a lot of fun and the Jay-Z lines are very familiar to most listeners, so it’s a great introductory point, I believe.”

You can listen & download “What You Want Me To Do?” here.