Above Average

While I touched on this topic in a recent interview, I wanted to go a bit more in-depth on being different than the other artists. The question: what makes you more than just your average rapper?

See, the thing with me is, I record music that I feel like will either connect or I think people will be interested to hear. But for every song you hear from me there's so many more that'll never leave my rhyme book. Music, to me, is more of a passion than a pasttime. It's powerful, provocative, inspirational -- there's so much that music has the power to do. The music in my rhyme books typically act as a personal outlet -- either for creative purposes or theraputic healing. The music I record tends to be music I think will be inspirational, moving, or interesting to others. So Cold is actually the first body of work I've recorded where I didn't really care about an audience per se', but rather, I recorded the type of music that I tend to keep to myself or in my close circle.

But I digress. In regard to the original question, and I talked about this in the recent interview I did, I feel like I approach music in a different way than most people. I'm at the point where I'm confident in my ability to write and record good music, and now I'm trying to actually go to the next level. I want to be on that "classic" level -- not classic like Nas or 'Pac, I mean classic like Michael Jackson or Luther Vandross. It's kind of like the gripe Kanye had recently with winning "Best Album of the Year" versus winning "Best Rap Album of the Year."

There's a fair number of people who are not traditional hip hop fans who enjoy my music because they can relate to it or they can appreciate it, and I feel like my music is getting to the point that it can be appreciated as more than a good "hip hop" song, but rather, a good song. I definitely do not want to stray from the hip hop genre, but I'd like it to be appreciated on a broader scale, without losing my roots.

I have a ways to go before I get to where I'd like to be but I listen to the music I'm making today and the reception I get today versus my older work and there's a clear difference, and that's where I want to be. Not that I can't appreciate my old work, but I feel like time has only made me better.

So how is N. Talekt above average? Well, maybe I'm not -- music is subjective, I won't be in everyone's top 10 :). But I think there are things that make me stand out as an artists. I put a lot of effort and detail into how I write my lyrics -- yes, I still write them -- while musically exploring various types of beats, rhythms, and tactics. My latest release, "Gave My All," is a perfect example. I recorded this on a high-energy, non-hip-hop beat, but I'm amazed at how well the song content (a relationship lost despite my efforts but learning to let go). It brings emphasis on the fact that, while there is an upbeat tempo, the despair is still felt and the instruments actually work.

I don't think it's especially hard for other artists to begin to separate themselves from the masses either, I think it takes first, making music through personal experience, as no one on this earth has lived the life you're living. Second, be comfortable with yourself and confident enough to look at yourself and your music objectively. As I said on "Can I Get Signed?," "only a true artist can paint a self-portrait." Finally, once you're able to do that, dare to venture out of your comfort zone. Find your niche, then expand. Learn. Grow. Don't accept mediocrity, don't be content with complacency. That growth will help you connect with larger audiences, and you'll then reach the tip of the iceburg in regard to wielding the power of music.

N. Talekt

Blog: Average Joe

Recently I was posed a very interesting question while discussing my mixtape and how it progressed (more on that later) as well as the music scene today:

What makes successful artists so successful?

I think what it really boils down to is how well an artist's fans can relate to them. The more people can relate to you, the greater following you will have. Now, I've never claimed to have a huge fanbase, following, or whatever you want to call it, but I do know there are people who appreciate the music I do and can relate to a lot of the work I put out, and that keeps them interested.

I feel like a huge part of the success of New York artists during it's last heyday (Diplomats, G-Unit) came from the fact that they personified exactly what so many people in popular culture were trying to be and trying to do, especially with 50 Cent, who's (authentic) story is widely known but also something people can understand and relate to. And once he moved further away from that, his (musical) success declined.

Eminem is (arguably) another example. In a prominently Black culture, to have a White representative stand out in the genre and be damn good at what he does was a huge culture shock. Now, this is not at all on the same level, but it could be argued that White artists saw Eminem's rise to prominence in the same light as Black people see Barack Obama's history-making achievement: people tend to relate to those most like them, and seeing someone like them in a place of prominence inspires them to believe that they, too, can get there. I think that factor played a sizable role in Eminem's widespread success but, that said, he has put out some quality music, period.

On smaller scales you have your Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West's, but the story can be generalized to the same principle -- they're just your Average Joe's that people can truly relate to. Nothing Kanye's written about has been off-the-wall; you get tales of his aspirations, his family, his struggles. His latest body of work, "808's and Heartbreak," is a quintessential example of what I mean. While the critics have already deemed this a throwaway album, I'm certain he will gain more fans with this and begin to separate himself from the pack. And yes, I enjoyed what I heard of the album.

All in all, I think that these artists success' stem from simply being someone you can relate to. I don't think it's about image, "swag," or prosperity.

At least, for the time being.

I definitely have a feeling this dynamic is going to change, and soon. I wish I could say what it's going to change to, but I certainly feel it will change. But, only time will tell.

N. Talekt

Upcoming Release: "Diamond" (So Cold) drops this Wednesday!

As the final touches are being put on the mixtape, I wanted to start releasing some material to give you all a taste of the music that's going to be on there. I've almost got the tracklist finalized, I am not sure of the number of tracks that will actually make it on there, but suffice to say the music is coming out very well so far and I'm anxious to get it completed.

Anyway, as I alluded to, I'm going to release the first track from the "So Cold" mixtape entitled "Diamond." It delves into a few things regarding my life and mindset and things I've had to endure between, well, the last time you've heard from me and now. This track should set the tone of the mixtape as I am open and brutally honest about my topics of discussion throughout the mixtape. I'll release production credits here when I drop the track.

See you here Wednesday!


... it's gonna be a cold winter ...