You are not a victim!

I don't write these types of blogs too often, but I felt that someone needed to hear this today.

On many occasion, I get the opportunity to talk to different people about different subjects other than music and I listen closely at their views. Now, I grew up in the Midwest and moved Texas in my teens and the mindset that I control my own destiny was instilled in me as a child and has held true into my adult years.

I have heard time and time again people blaming "the system" or "the man" for the reason they can not get ahead and then I look at the situation. After a good hard glance, the only problem that I see is them. They are getting in their own way. And while others may say that the black man has been setback due to 400 years of slavery; I say "bullsh*t!" Slavery is well over and while racism is still prevalent, it is still not so prevalent that we can overcome its obstacles.

Recently, I received a phone call from someone that wanted to tell me that growing up without a father furthers the chances of a person going to prison or getting involved with the wrong crowds. Again I say "bullsh*t!"

I grew up without a father. I didn't meet my father until I was 26 years old. I didn't go to prison or fall in the wrong crowds. My mother was not a serious watch dog either. I made decisions! I decided that I didn't want to do the things others were doing. I decided to stay in school and excel in my studies. I decided to go to college. I remember sitting at the kitchen table looking at college applications trying to figure out what to do. No one was there helping me fill them I out. I chose to fill them out.

So honestly, I don't want to hear about you being the victim. If your life is messed up; its your fault! Take some responsibility. If you got bad credit; that is your fault! You ran up the bills and didn't pay them. If you a criminal; that is your fault! No one told you to rob a liquor store and if someone did tell you to and you did it; then you are a fool for listening to them.

You call the shots in your life. Stop looking for someone or something to blame. Stop making foolish decisions and then saying "no one told me." Ignorance is not an excuse. Not being told is not an excuse. Momma and daddy are not an excuse. You are not a victim!

A KBM Update

I have been promising since January that I would get better about my blogs and I just can't seem to keep these updates coming on the regular. I a way, it just means I have been mad busy.

We have been really promoting our artists. I have been talking to radio music directors on the daily in many markets. We just had our artist showcase at D&B and it was a hit. Thanks to all those artists that performed.

Also, I spoke at the Desoto Hip-Hop Summit on Saturday and it was great. It was nice to meet all the artists. Special thanks to The City of Desoto, Smooth D and Emortul Entertainment, Big Bink of 97.9 The Beat, Attorney Tangerla Williams and all the artists and people involved in the event.

J Gist's debut album R&B Gangster is making headway daily. Thanks to all the radio stations and DJs spinning the record.

K Jazz has completed her album and we are staging for her release. Right now we are really focused on shows and appearances.

I will be posting footage from the Desoto Hip-Hop Summit soon. Be sure to check out http://www.kasinobrownmusic.com for more information about K Jazz and J Gist and coming projects.

Who's an authority?

Have you ever submitted some work and then you get an email, a phone call or an in person critique that was not warranted? Well, this has happened countless times not just to you, but to me as well.

Now, don't take this wrong and please keep in mind that I have nothing against constructive criticism. But asking questions like: "did you do that on purpose," or "what is supposed to be like that" is down right offensive.

What I really don't get is that most of the time these criticism come from those that have no authority on the matter. They are usually a peer or some one who just happen to come across what you did.

Now in the application of music, we have to stop criticizing each others work and give each other the opportunity to explore our creativity. And I know someone is going to give the "man, we gotta keep it real."

Well, for the record let me say that it is difference in keeping it real and stomping on someone's dream or hard work. There are those of us that are working hard toward a goal. I realize that as much ground as I have covered in my career; I have a ways to go and each time around I get better. It all goes back to being humble and working hard.

I get a lot music and I have a lot people that send me music that value my opinion. I only give a critique if it asked for. I make sure that I give them something they can use to grow.

Keep it real by learning some compassion and leading by example. It doesn't make you better by belittling what someone else has done. Let's change the game.