Gettin' Jacked On Tha Road!

Ok, I know none of us like to think about this, but I've heard so many horror stories over the past week , that I have to address this one! You just got through rippin' it up on stage! You and your crew decide to stop, and get a bite to eat, come out your van is gone! All your sound equipment, instruments, your favorite mic>>Gone! This could happen to you in your town. That sucks, but it sucks even more when your out of town! Most Indie artists can't afford security, and unless you always go on tours and out of state gigs with a couple pit bulls in the van, it is highly likely that this someday could happen to you! I know , I know , I know,  you think it could never happen to me! Before you arrogantly insist on clingin' to this false sense of security, please allow me to point out a few facts. Most indie artists announce gigs online prior to attending the show. Do you realize that this means hundreds, and for some indie artists thousands of people know exactly where you are going to be! They know when, where, and it's quite easy to guess how long you will be on stage! It is also quite easy to see what vehicle you came in! I have talked to a professional drummer who was loading up, after a gig, and he came out to put more gear in a van that had been stolen! One of these artists came with 4 other people riding in the car with him! If you use facebook, twitter, myspace, reverbnation, soundclick, your own artist website, blogs, fan mailings, or any other kind of internet accessible means to promote upcoming gigs. Please don't wait until you've been robbed, or jacked to take security measures seriously! Just because you are licensed to carry a gun, doesn't mean you will be in the parking lot at the right time! One of the rappers i spoke to left his gun in the car! So now he has lost that too! Here are a few words  from Wize for you to consider. Rather you are performing in the city you live in or are out of state! Always leave valuables at home! Decide which jewelry your going to wear! Don't be a Male/Female indecisive diva and carry alot of expensive items that you may or may not wear! You know what i mean? Plan what you are going to wear before you even go on tour, or to a gig! Bring only that! If your going to change clothes, they should be in an area in the building just offstage, being guarded by someone you trust! Don't depend on Club Managers, Security, and Club Bouncers to protect your gear! When it all comes down to it, protection of your valuables are on you. Always load and unload gear quickly! Even if your tired, don't be even remotely lackadaisical! Do this task, quickly, directly, and with a no nonsense, non-approachable attitude. Don't let fans distract you! It can also be a good idea to use one of the front men/women in your group to exclusively deal with the afterglow of fans that hang around and want to talk, while the rest load up , and literally ignore the whistles, catcalls, and screams!  Keep a person on your team who is willing to stay with your vehicle during the whole show! It would be better to park your vehicle in a secure garage and taxi to the club or venue! Find out ahead of time where to park off-site of where you are performing! All indie artists can't afford a limo ride to every show, but if you can hire a a limo, or a  driver for your vehicle, then by all means, do it! Don't rely on local law enforcement to be able to quickly , and seriously search for your stolen vehicle, gig van , tour bus, or truck. One of the rappers i spoke to, told me that clearly the police did not like his rap image, or presence in the city, and were very hateful towards him! Another tip i would like to pass on, if you are part of a group, or you roll with a crew of people with you, when your out of town, rotate watches! All of you shouldn't be asleep in the hotel! Someone has to guard the vehicle, and valuables at all times. Take turns! One of the rappers i spoke to, said, "they took the laptop that has all of our business information in it!" They lost their list of fans that they send mail to monthly, list of club manager phone numbers, irreplaceable photos, demos,  articles that they had downloaded, and more! Despite the fact that they party with their fans, , allowed strangers to ride with them, they still didn't even see the value of investing in a car alarm! He said that he knows there were times that he trusted people he doesn't know that well to go get stuff out his car for him, and get this, he admitted that he din't always lock up the vehicle! This came out when he said ," I never had to worry about stuff like that, I've been places that I didn't even have to lock up my shyt, becuase people don't phuck with me!">>>Don't think because you are an indie artist, that noone would want to rob, or jack you! You are in the public eye, and it's wise to remember that we live in an unpredictable world! Sounds like common sense right? Probably won't ever happen to you right? If you said , "right", then you are vulnerable, because this is touring and gigging 101. You've been lucky so far, hope your "right" though, and it never happens to you. #WordFromWize
(Image found at imageshack.com)

Back In Tha Music Saddle!

Wazzup Wize One'z! Been a long time since i have posted in the hip hop gumbo blog! MJ went on to glory>missed alot of oportunities to write about alot of significant things that happened in and out of the world of hip hop and music! But I am back! Glad to be back>and i appreciate tha love u showin' >and have always shown me>new music comin' soon>and my own personal style of blah blah blah will be here! lol luv ya'll stay blessed!

I'm still standin' world!

After many setbacks, Wize on tha Rize! Whew~ Had comps blowin' up, relationship dramas, a surgery, ouch! Yo, I neva been cut on b4, they took my gall bladder, but still, I'm standin' world! Got a Cd being mastered, and I'm back in the ring , wizer, stronger, and still real. Thanks for all the emails! I have the coolest internet homies and fans on the planet...Stay tuned wize ones, and keep checkin' the wize records website, its been dormant for a long time, but I was makin' music, I wasn't dormant! U gotta be tough in this life even when the rains come. So much has happened in the hip hop world since, i last posted my lil' opinion, i wouldn't know where to begin, but most recently on my mind is the passing of guru, rest in peace homie, GURU! U WILL BE MISSED.

A Poppin' 4th of July Interview with Northern Persuasion/ Presuesión Norteña of Cat Room Records!

Wize: Hola! Como estas?

NP: Estoy Bien.....Chillin at work...since they made me work July 4th and all...hehehe..

Wize: Yea, today is the 4th isn't it. Well in the spirit of Independence, let's do something other than pop fireworks..lol..Happy 4th though! Gracias por taking the time to participate in this interview!! I know your a hardworkin' hombre. Okay- First of all, I admit I know the answer to this question, but someone who isn't hip to you yet may not know, So I need to ask, Where are you from?

NP: My Mom and whole family is from Santiago,Chile... I'm born here in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and lived in Chile off and on in my life....but im Etown Raised....I rep these Etown streets and I go back and forth to Denver, Co as well...

Wize: For those who aint knowin', Is there a Hip Hop or Rap culture in Chile?

NP: There sure is...there is a lot of artists puttin it down and speakin truths about Government corruption, police corruption, cartels, then love, life, food....a good balance cuz in Chile food and love is the most important.... a lot of Rock/Hip Hop mixture there as well. but there is a lot of Hip Hop that is just all about havin fun cuz Partyin in Chile is "super importante" like said there....

Wize: Same question as above for Canada.

NP: Well in Canada the Hip Hop Scene is exploding....and always has been...a lot of misconceptions about Canada exist....Its just like any other country...got your big cities and small towns and in the big cities the scenes is poppin.
A lot of great artists come out of Canada...Maestro Fresh Wes.....ACON.....Nelley Furtado.....Devon....The Dream Warriors....There is more to name.... Lots of talent here in Canada.

Wize: You Sing, and Rap in Spanish. I love that about you! I know Spanish speaking artists who never sing in their native language. What if any thing would you say , lol, I know I am drawing you out forgive me, but what would you say , if anything, to those artists? (smiles)

NP: I say keep it real....integrate both worlds...can't forget what u r or where u come from so since we live in a place which is different its good to mix it yet not forget it... and combine the best of both worlds....Frost once said " It aint where you from it's where your at." True enough but can't forget where you from......so its good to rep both worlds.

Wize: (Your answer made me smile, that's what's up.)
Wize: I know every track is different, but what image do you want your music to convey overall?

NP: Diversity. Real life situations...heart and soul.....sadness....happiness....joy....tears....everything.

Wize: Who are your major musical influences?

NP: ZAPP and Roger for sure... SPM.....Snoop Dogg and the Dogg pound...The mexakins.....Kid Frost....FunkDoobiest... The Doors.....The Gypsy Kings.....Diana Ross.....Victor Jara.....Warren G....Nate DOgg.....The Platters.....Smokey Robinson....Marvin Gaye..... I could go on forever...

Wize: How do you define success, and what is the main character trait that makes a person successful in your opinion?

NP: Success...I think it is more spiritual than Material...at least in my opinion...so success is doing what helps humanity and makes you feel you are doing what you are meant to do in this world....following God's plan in so many words..Not money...not bling.,....not lots of woman....not lots of blunts.......these things are not what is real cuz what is temporary is not real and this world, this body, this life is not forever so its not real in so many ways..what is real is the everlasting with God...so yeah..hope that makes sense to y'all.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful ~Albert Schweitzer

Wize: The Song You and Terry "Zapp" Troutman did is smokin', what is he like, and do you plan on doing more songs with him?

NP: He is a cool cat..He is down to earth and easy to talk to and he is a hard working person, always on the grind, I think that is why we get a long....Oh yeah there are many more to come....Next track comin is a track featuring my main man Str8 Gutta...he is real...he reps the streets... and Holy Ghost....Holy Ghost is one of the most energetic rappers I have seen...his energy has been compared to that of Tupac...
and there are another 2 - 4 tracks comin out soon...with myself and Terry. If anyone would like to collab with Terry hit me up and we can see whats up... as long as the track is tight we can do that up....

Wize: What other kinds of music- if any- do you listen to?

NP: I listen to spanish oldies...English Oldies from the 60's cuz my mom is a cool hippie lady from Chile...I like arabic music very much as well as reggae in spanish and english....and flamenco so so much.

Wize: I know you have a very special lady in your life. I know a lot of single artists , so forgive me, I don't get to ask this question , lol, and I am not going to let this opportunity pass by- smiles-What is the key, in your opinion, to making a long-term relationship work?

NP: Willingness to change..Of course not change who you are as an individual, but maybe change those negative aspects in your life, and the willingness to compromise and plenty, plenty, plenty of open communication and a whole lot of love and plenty of hard work.

Wize: Is there anything else you'd like to say, or that you want people to know?

NP: I want people to know that God is everywhere...maybe he is hard to recognize at times but just open your ears and eyes in a different way and you will see him....
He could be the homeless person begging on the corner that was turned away or he could be the lil baby takin a walk with his mom smilin at u passin by...take time to enjoy everything out of life, especially the lil things cuz those things are what makes being human so beautifull..
Help your brothers cuz we are all brothers and sisters and every lil good thing done creates some positive energy in this world and if we all do this we can overpower the negative...
IT takes all of us to work as one unit...all humanity....

ON ANOTHER NOTE.... to all u hustlaz.....get ur cash but remember in the game noone lasts forever....find a legit hustle...use the brain which is the most powerfull muscle in our bodies.... it is much harder to use the mind and accomplish goals than it is to grind on street corners and crack houses....It is much more satisfying too....cuz this legit hustle would be blessed by God and this fruit tastes so much sweeter....Also it's much nicer to live on the outside and not in the inside....AND THESE ARE WORDS OF EXPERIENCE, NO BS!

One last very special thing I would like to say.....
Thank you to you Wize one for being so real and for doing so much with music....I want your fans(including myself who always will support u) to keep supporting you because you are a force of light and we all love u and ur music....You keep it real and don't pretend to be anything your not...you are U and we all love and respect that....Never change and keep doin what u do...

Wize: Right Backatcha!!! So That's What's Up Ya'll!

On behalf of the Hip Hop Gumbo Blog Visitors, Gracias por taking time to share with us. ¡El Dios Le bendice! Keep puttin' it down, and Gracias por being verdadero, as alway! (smiles) -Wize

You can listen to and Purchase NP's Music at
http://www.myspace.com/Northernpersuasion

angie Wize, the chick that does it all, can't always do it all at once!

Sometimes , angie wize , the chick that does it all, can't do it all at the same time->->smiles<-
Wize Records is expanding. As a result, I have less time for writing articles, and tinkering on the web site. Keep checking back for a new post, however, because I do have a few articles in the think tank.