haddup, whaddup? It’s been a hot minute since checking in with y’all. So much is going on that sometimes it’s hard to find time to just sit it down and write it down. When you’re living it, you don’t want to document it. You just want to live in the moment. But a lot has happened since my last entry.
Our Release Party DVD has dropped, which is amazing. I’m real excited about that. I’ve been overseas a lot lately promoting Dilated Peoples in general and my Weatherman LP. It’s just crazy to see them knowing the words to my songs when they don’t even speak the same language. We just came back from the Hip-Hop Kemp Festival which was crazy out in the Czech Republic. There was Redman, M.O.P., Bahamedia, Black Milk, Kidz in the Hall, the Cunninlynguists and so many more. We went on the main stage before Redman. We brought Defari there with us and we fucking murdered that shit. We performed “Worst Comes to Worst” in front of 25,000 people, which was crazy.
This independent shit is so different from the major shit which is dope. People are still finding out about my album today. With a major label, the push dies out after a few months. This one, since it’s independent, I bump into someone every day who treats it like it’s new shit. It’s giving me new incentive to push this project today.
Next year I’m going to pack my bags up and go back out to Europe and promote this Weatherman LP. Right now I’m getting ready to go out with Little Brother on their U.S. tour. DJ Flash is going to DJ for me which is dope and my hype man Montage One will be there with me. After I get off tour with Little Brother, I’m going to hop on tour with the Swollen Members and do the U.S. and Canada. There’s going to be a lot of the snowboard and skateboard-type fans and they have high energy. Dilated always attracts the extreme sports athletes and the graffiti artists and overall the hardcore elements of hip-hop. Those kinds of people have always been attracted to Dilated and we have always gone out and got those fans.
I’m about to drop my second single, “All Said And Done” and The “Letyourselfgo (Remix)” with Phonte. We premiered that on HipHopGame, of course. A lot of fans were disappointed that Phonte wasn’t rapping on the original version so I gave him the second verse on the remix. Bishop Lamont is on a remix to “All Said And Done” that will be leaked to the streets. He’s coming up out of the West. He’s Dre’s new artist signed to Aftermath and he has an ill tape out with DJ Skee right now. I gave him the third verse on that song. You’ll have to peep the verse Bishop Lamont did over a DJ Khalil beat. It’s crazy. You can hear it on the Audio Page now.
What else is going on? There’s so much. It’s just real ill to be doing this campaign. I’m about to shoot the video for “All Said And Done.” “Mr. Slow Flow” is on YouTube and it’s definitely doing well, with over 100,000 views. It’s a dope outlet that I have to take advantage of.
In other news, I got my weed card. Weed is legal out here in California. I had my doctor prescribe it to me for my headaches and anxiety from doing shows. He said, “I know what you mean.” I’ve been waking up and going to get my legal chronic, going to the lab and making my beats on Reason. DJ Babu and DJ Khalil forced me to get on that shit. I put my antique ASR-10 down. I know a lot of you are going to be disappointed to hear that. I’m really into the quality of the sound that Reason is providing. I still got my MPC beats and if you want to snatch one of those up, hit me on the MySpace before there’s no more. (laughs) But I got all of my sounds from my ASR and MPC into my new shit now so it’s not like you’re even going to be able to tell the difference. You’re going to be like, ‘His shit is knocking lately.’ That’s because I’m making adjustments. I want my beats to pound through the speakers as hard as possible. I’ve always been a cat to stay up on technology. I don’t want to be dinosaur.
We just made some new Evidence shirts. You can check them out on my MySpace. Come to my shows. You can always get something exclusive. I have a mixtape out with DJ Monky out in Chicago titled Stormwatch. I just came back from Cincinnati and rocking Scribble Jam. That was dope. I’m really excited though about how the momentum of The Weatherman LP is being handled and the response from the fans. It’s an independent venture right now and I’m just excited to be carving out my own lane and doing it my way and not doing it anybody else’s way. I have over 20,000 sold independently which is crazy. Multiply that by 10 and you can figure out what we’re generating, especially when not too much money has gone into marketing and promotions. It’s dope to have a business and to be waking up and doing what I love every day. I truly feel blessed. If I can get 30 or 40,000 of these things sold independently, I’ll feel really excited and I’ll feel like we accomplished something major. I now understand how this works, how much goes into it and the bullshit that you have to go through. A lot of people don’t even have a chance to make anything in this industry. I’m just fucking excited that people are recognizing what’s going on. At the end of the day, I’m a grown man that wakes up to make music. You can’t tell me NOTHING (Kanye voice). Any words of advice? Be your own boss.
Oh, yeah…on a final note, everybody has been coming to me to find out what Alchemist is doing because lately he’s been on the DL. His album is finished. Chemical Warfare is dropping next year on Koch (check for Dilated’s banger “Look Out” on there) . Also my dogs Sid Roams are in the lab working with Prodigy on some amazing shit. What I’ve been hearing is incredible. Hopefully it makes it to H.N.I.C. 2. Also be on the lookout for the Big Twin album on Dirt Class Records. I’m also doing some underground work with Ariano. That’s my dog on the West Coast along with LMNO. I have also been building on working with Sean P and La Coka Nostra. There’s some good things coming. I’m about to hit y’all over the head. Be ready.
I’ll be back soon. I’m a real person who goes through real life shit and sometimes I don’t have time to write it all down. I’m just living life like y’all. Buy my shit! Goodbye.
What’s up, everybody? Sorry for the little delay from the last journal. We had a world premiere of the new Dilated DVD The Release Party. About 900 people came out to watch it. We had a real limited time to promote the party and we were nervous about not having people come out and it ended up being almost sold out. There was a real good energy and I want to thank everybody that came out.
We’re heading out to Europe now for some shows. I’m really excited about that. That’s enough about promotion. As I’ve learned in reading the feedback from the journals, people don’t like that.
On some personal shit, people think when you’re making records, it’s all good all the time. I have a lot of my bills paid on Autopay. My accountant handles certain things. I actually fucked up and certain checks got issued and certain things didn’t get balanced and my account got overdrawn. They put a hold on my day-to-day checking account. I put money away, but as far as having money to live on, I didn’t have it. It was actually refreshing to be dead and broke. I was looking for quarters to go to Taco Bell. It brought me back to that hunger. I’m not rich, but not having loot was refreshing. I ended up hustling a couple of gigs. Some of them were planned before, but I called them back to generate some cash for myself until my account got straight. It was dope to feel what the hustle felt like again. I copped some Raman noodles.
But my money is back. Everything is straight and everything is wonderful.
Me and Termanology just did a song. He came out here to do the song. Him and I are going back on some WWF championship shit. Y’all will enjoy it. There’s another HipHopGame world premiere for you.
I’m going to be writing some journals from Europe. Our first show is Greece, then we’re going to touch Hungary, Spain, Amsterdam…That’ll be a lot of fun. I’m going to do a lot of digging and make some shit in the hotel room.
Also, I went and bought an old graffiti black book again. I’ve been doing my drawings again. It’s good to have different inspirations for your creativity. I went and bought the old school Rapidiograph and Prisma pens. I’m able to do everything that I was doing when I was young. Y’all can check that out. Alchemist went and bought a book too and he’s doing all these different collages, cutting shit out of magazines. Sometimes we get so caught up in this shit that we forget to explore other avenues of creativity. Life is short and you have to indulge in certain passions you have. You’re not promised shit. Life to the utmost and do what you do. Also remember that you might wake up the next day so don’t go too overboard. But don’t wait either. You’ll eventually lose the passion and it will go away and you’ll say, “That was something I used to do.”
The Weatherman LP is doing great. Look for me coming up to Scribble Jam too in August. I’m real excited about that. Check me out on the MySpace.
Dilated Peoples is not dead. It's funny that we've been hearing rumors like this because I did my solo album. I guess people are always going to think that whenever a group member steps out and does something new. I guess they think this is the end. I don't know.
First and foremost, I always thought everyone knew that was a part of the plan when Dilated started doing this. At least the diehard fans always knew. Rakaa and I met at the Hip-Hop Shop in the early 90s. I knew him from the graffiti world. He ran in crews that I knew and respected. We did demos together and eventually we formed the group. We always knew that we would be a part of something bigger.
But we always had intentions of doing solo records and side projects. The Weatherman LP is something I've been planning for a long time (since 2001). It just that when we signed our deal with Capitol, it wasn’t as easy as I had imagined it was gonna be to do my solo album. They had first right or refusal, but if they chose to pick me up as a solo artist, I would’ve had to sign a deal on top of a deal that had been on a downward spiral for a while. I don't think any artist would want to do that. So we had to wait it out. My opportunity came and I'm so blessed that I was able to do this record, which is very personal. This record is something I've been needing to do. Especially since the passing of my Mom (Jana Taylor Forever.) But Dilated is stronger than ever. We’re gonna do something incredible because we're off this major. This is just a beautiful time for us to regroup and look at the blueprint of how we created this and retrofit it to make sure it’s up to code. We're going to do what we do best, make raw hip-hop music.
If you've been coming to my shows, you've probably seen Rakaa and/or Babu there. Rakaa is in the lab working on his album, Crown Of Thorns, which I should be involved in to some degree...DOPE! That's what the Dilated Platform was intended to do - to let people learn more about us as individuals. We're really establishing ourselves and who we are as people this year so when we make this new Dilated album you will know us more personally. We are leaving for Europe June 28...Watch out!
Babu is in the lab working on Duck Season Volume 3 and the second Likwit Junkies album, Blood Sweat, Tearz with Defari. The fans are happy to hear that we are independent and that we're back to being where we're best at. We have no pressure in making this music anymore. Look for the feature film, The Release Party DVD, on July 31. It's directed by Jason Goldwatch and features Kanye West, Xzibit, DJ Premier, Alchemist, etc…We also have a single dropping along with the project titled "Spit It Clearly" featuring Alchemist and "The Release Party," which is produced by Babu (which is posted here!). That'll be coming out on 12" soon through Decon Media. Look out and spread the word. Fuck with anything Dilated-related. Word up.
Check out http://myspace.com/dilatedpeoples. There’s a free screening in LA for the new Dilated Peoples DVD/feature film. All of the information is on the page. Also check out The Knitting Factory in LA on June 27 for The Weatherman LP Celebration Show. Oh No and Roc C are opening. Get your tickets ASAP. There will be very special guests.
Oh yeah, here's a pic of my new studio I just built (refer to previous journal entry). I made a few bangers in here already! Niiiice! (Borat voice)
(Click to enlarge)
Also look for my Red Tape Instrumentals in stores now. That’s made up of some beats that were laying around for a while. Enjoy.
elcome to part 2! I’m going to start out the journal now and then get high halfway through it and see if it changes. Whaddup! I’ve been working on building a new studio this week at a real close location to my crib. It’s crazy. I’ve been working on the dry wall and plastering and painting it. I wanted to build a studio because a lot of times, I just wake up and get out of bed and just jump on the beat machine and just go. I always thought there was something dope in getting up, eating breakfast, taking a shower, getting some coffee and going to work. I wanted to have that same kind of work ethic. With Dilated, we all share a studio. I want to build this one, put some clean kicks and a shirt on and go to work. The whole mentality of how you present yourself in life affects the music you make. I want everything to be official because I feel like some big things are going to happen.
I just put the PMD remix of “Mr. Slow Flow” out there. That’s Parrish Smith from EPMD. He’s one of my favorites. I always loved his voice and the way he said everything raw. Having him on this remix was crazy for him to actually do it. He came through Alchemist’s crib in New York and did it. I had to get Rakaa on it too because it’s going on the Dilated DVD, The Release Party, which is dropping July 31.
Y’all really need to check for that. The DVD might be one of the most amazing rap DVDs I’ve ever seen. I watch it and I’m like, ‘Damn.’
I always think fans can tell when an artist is serious about his project. When you put out remixes and make videos, it lets you know that the artist is serious. I have the “Let Yourself Go” remix with Phonte and the “Mr. Slow Flow” remix. I like the fact that they’re going to be released on the DVD, but I’m not going to push those like they’re new singles. I’m just going to let them ride. And I got more coming from The Weatherman LP. There’s more remixes coming. I have the “Hot and Cold” remix featuring Casual. I also have a video coming for “All Said And Done.” I’m about to press “All Said And Done” with the “Let Yourself Go (Remix)” as the B-side.
I will be going on tour soon too. We’re putting some feelers out and we’re going to look into that. I’ll let you know. I’m doing Skribble Jam with DJ Revolution. I’m going to Europe with Dilated Peoples real soon to do festivals and small club joints as well. I’m working on a joint right now for Joe Scudda’s new album. Also look out for me on Strong Arm Steady’s new album Deep Hearted and my new mixtape Storm Watch with DJ Monky out of Chicago. The mixtape is a timeline from back in the day to now. I’ve also been working on Babu’s Duck Season Vol. 3. Look out for that. There’s a lot of good things happening right now.
I have to get back on my beat hustle. I’ve been focusing on this album so much that I haven’t really had time to do that. I have some time in between and I can be making those beats now. ALC is out here in LA with me. I listen to his shit everyday and it fucks me up. I need to be around people who can challenge and inspire me.
To everybody that went to MTVu today to vote for my video, it wasn’t there. It’s going to be soon. I’ll notify y’all about the date. Even though I’m with Dilated, it’s funny that when you start over as a solo artist, they really forget everything that you’ve done. I’m so grateful to even get the look and to get the opportunity. It’s dope in its own right and I deserve…well, let’s not get into that. It’s just funny how they’re looking at me like I haven’t done anything. I guess that’s what happens when you come out as a solo artist. You really have to build up your name from ground zero. I really have to prove myself and I’m enjoying that. Y’all motherfuckers keep me going anyway.
I’ve been waiting to smoke. Hold on.
There are good things about weed. Fucking is way better.
Creativity…I would say that getting high and making beats go hand in hand. How else can you be in complete darkness for 14 hours and not worry about answering the phone or paying any bills? When you’re not high, you’re like, ‘What am I doing here? This is not how I want to live my life.’ Being in the moment, weed lets you feel the funk.
When promoting music, it’s way better when you’re not high. You’re on time, you look fans in the eye more and I definitely recommend being not high while performing. Another bad thing is how expensive it is. It can leave you broke and you might not have anything to show for that. Smoking weed will keep you broke. It’s funny. You might not think about it, but if you total up all the money you spent on it, it might be $5 or $6,000 a year. That’s enough for a flatscreen TV or two. Instead you’re at home, watching your little-ass TV, but you’ve been high all year. Weed can be a good thing though. It magnifies everything in your personality. If you’re paranoid, it’s going to bring that out even more. If you’re enjoying yourself, it’s going to bring that out even more. Use weed to your advantage if it fits your personality.
Anyway, I have a lot coming. The Red Tape Instrumentals is going to drop on June 5 through Decon Media. Alchemist’s Chemical Warfare is coming soon. Look out for me on that. Be sure you get that.
hat’s up, what’s up? It’s me, Ev, shouting out my peoples at HipHopGame. It’s good to have this opportunity to talk to the people at HipHopGame. It’s one thing to be able to get your message across in the music, but when you don’t have to rely on music, you can get your words across like a fucking human.
For those who don’t know, I’m one-third of Dilated Peoples and I’m on the solo mission right now. As an artist, you can suffer always being in a group because we’re always trying to come up with topics together. It was great to get this solo record, The Weatherman LP, out so I could get some things off my chest. I’ve been on the independent grind. We’re off Capitol and I’ve been getting back to my roots. I’ve been holding a mirror up to myself. If I hustle, I’ll see it. I’ve been all over the place promoting this record. I was out with Alchemist in New York for three weeks. I’ve been on Shade45 and it’s been amazing getting the love I’ve gotten. I’ve been doing in-stores and doing all the shit that I needed to do. Now I’m back in LA right now and we’re finishing up this Dilated DVD that we’ve been working on for the past few months. It’s dropping July 31 and it’s an amazing piece of work. We’re putting a bonus disc with it too with some remixes. You’re going to definitely feel this next Dilated music.
Make sure you vote for me on MTVu.com for my video “Mr. Slow Flow.” If it gets enough votes, it’ll be added to regular rotation. I had to edit all the graffiti out because MTV won’t show that. They’re on some bullshit there but I play by the rules and I put some show footage up there instead. But it is okay to show half-naked women.
If you haven’t seen the video, I’m playing Spit from Beat Street. Some of you kids may not have seen Beat Street and I’m not mad at that, but go back and learn your hip-hop history. Beat Street made me want to get into hip-hop. This dude Ramo would go out at night and make nice pieces and then Spit would write his name all over Ramo’s pieces. Big ups to the artists that recreated the pieces again. I was the one waking up, bombing on the city and playing the bad guy. 50 Cent said, “I’ll take Spit over Ramo.” I always liked that line because the good guy wins too much. I look at the industry as Ramo because everybody’s putting up this beautiful stuff and there’s nothing wrong with fucking shit up. There’s nothing wrong with that and that’s where my head is at.
MTV and BET said the graffiti wasn’t good for the kids, but looking at strippers is. The edited footage shows me getting out of the car and getting on stage instead of hitting a wall. It may be kind of corny, but you can check the original version on HipHopGame TV.
Just to fill you in on my album, The Weatherman LP, this is a word of mouth album. I didn’t really have a lot of promotion. I had my minimal tools and I’ve just been trying to get this out and get it to the people. I’ve been doing the merchandise and the everyday networking. For everybody who’s out there and spreading the word is directly helping the project. I hate to use the word, but my project is happening organically. I hate to use that word. Damn. I just got a story in XXL, which is crazy. I got a Microphone Check with Kimora Lee Simmons on the cover.
All this press is great. The reviews have been great. Any rapper who says they don’t care about a bad review is a lying motherfucker. Reviews don’t define who we are, but if you get a bad one, you have to live up to your reputation and knock it out and if you get a good one, you have to live up to that.
I just ordered my Brazilian food. I got the salmon.
But this word of mouth shit is crazy and it gives hope to a lot of independent dudes to have success if you stay on your grind. People will want to hear it.
And look out for DJ Babu’s The Beat Tape Volume 1. He’s got a gang of instrumentals. It’s crazy. Alchemist just put his instrumental tape out called “Rapper’s Best Friend” and I got mine dropping soon on Decon Media called The Red Tape Instrumentals. I’ve heard some of Alchemist’s new album. He’s rapping more than he has and this is going to make a strong impression on the streets when it drops. The beats and cameos he has on there are way out. I will tell you first – it’s going to be some shit.
That’s enough for now. I’ll fill you in more on my day-to-day. This is just the intro. You need to definitely vote for me next Monday on MTVu.com. I got over 70,000 views for the “Mr. Slow Flow” video and it needs to be on TV.
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haddup, whaddup? It’s been a hot minute since checking in with y’all. So much is going on that sometimes it’s hard to find time to just sit it down and write it down. When you’re living it, you don’t want to document it. You just want to live in the moment. But a lot has happened since my last entry. 
What’s up, everybody? Sorry for the little delay from the last journal. We had a world premiere of the new Dilated DVD The Release Party. About 900 people came out to watch it. We had a real limited time to promote the party and we were nervous about not having people come out and it ended up being almost sold out. There was a real good energy and I want to thank everybody that came out. 
