I was reflecting on a few conversations I had in the last couple of days. I have come to the conclusion that life has a way of carrying you through when you are unsure of how things are headed.

I’ve been real quiet about things because we’ve been pushing the music real hard and I’ve been either on the road, in the studio, or promoting. Life still happens while all that’s going on. So you get tired and just road weary and then my team pulls together and carry me. I really thank them for that. The more success the more stress.

I don’t know so far if its what I wanted it to be but I do love the experience of it all. Thank you to my Mom, Fred, Maro, John, Paule,Kim,Des, Carrie, Jennie, Jason W, Jason M, Pete. Ya’ll have held me down individually in your own way.

So I’ve been struggling with the concept of fame and popularity. Also the people close to me have been telling me that I am a workaholic and always busy but I find I have more free time then most would think my mind just stays active.

Back to fame and popularity, what is really crazy is the people around you that change. Not so much in negative way but become more agreeable. Then all you really want to do is spend time with people who have not changed. When your outside world changes you really have a desire to just go inside yourself more importantly you try not to lose yourself in the accolades.

Point of all this is surround yourself in life with people who support what you become but know who you are.

Holla
Wes

Got booked for a show in Japan this year and if you’re a hip hop head its a big deal from a personal standpoint.

Did like six interviews plus an album breakdown. Finally got a smartphone and still got my trusty dumb phone.

Went to promote for a show this weekend in college station. Got two free pizzas. Gotta love it.

Just really trying to bring good music to you.  Well more work to be done so deuces.

Anyway this week One of my best friends is getting married therefore I’m in Manchester New Hampshire, as well as I found out I’m going to Japan in the fall to perform and then have 2 shows in austin, and another next week in Houston. Also I believe there is one in Paris, France coming.  (How arrogant to not know)

I can see how everything has come a long way and I’m appreciative of all that has taken place and all the support. Seems like life moves so fast that when you think about it.

You’re in the hole already and now that you’re in this hole, you present it to your friends and the first thing they want is a free copy.  But Fuck it you give it to them because these are your people and you know they gonna keep it real with you and play it for people so you can develop fans.

Here is the catch to that, they don’t listen to it. Not because your music is bad or anything but because its YOU and they know you and can reach YOU. This is your first lesson in the music business called over exposure.

People live for the opportunity to say you are acting different, get your first job or make a move in the direction that makes you stand out and it will always be the same. In order for people to pay attention you have to separate what makes you special.

I’ve put music out overseas  to complete strangers, performed in U.S. cities where I was the only person I knew there. People love the music and really give love to it. However, I have to pull a gun on the people I know to get them to listen but it is very easy for them to tell me about someone else’s music. The Psychology is no one wants to ride the dick of a person they know.

So don’t get mad. Its just human nature. People are not in awe of you if they know you. Jordan is not awesome to his kids, or his college roommate.  You will appreciate it and hate it all in the same space.

Now here is the nitty gritty you spent the money you’ve sold some in the streets and now you want distribution , a record deal, etc. No physical distribution company is talking to you without a budget of at least 10k-15k at the smallest ones. They are suffering right now and contrary to your belief you are not gonna sell numbers to make everyone rich. If that were the case you wouldn’t be talking to them. There no lose situations that you can use , that I will cover in my book next year, but for right now no physical distribution for you.

Let’s go digital because everyone is selling on Itunes and I can compete with all the majors on Itunes. Well that’s nice a wonderful idea but its not likely and you will have to go through a digital distribution who gives anyone who wants a shot an opportunity and has about $50.00 a chance.

Now lets crunch some real numbers on digital distribution. Also lets assume the company you deal with is legit. 0.99cents is the charge of which Itunes takes about 20-30% so you are at 0.70cents to which your Dist. Company takes 0.09 cents and that leaves you with 0.61cents. Not bad if you don’t mind giving up 40% off top. Which is still more than most artist with deals get. Now here is the problem, you don’t know your actual numbers so they tell you whatever makes sense to them. If you signed up for a soundscan report, its going to cost you something in the neighborhood of 15k a year to check on your sells.

Ok I was recording a project especially for south by southwest as well as fulfilling my commitments to do my B.N.D. project called “Great Western Form” that will be out in May and whewwwwwwwwwwwwwww that is with my protege’ Producer/MC 7th Letter a Gardena, California native the West Coast is Down South Getting it in.  Also I’m back in the studio with The Frontman and working on some new music for his album “I’m done talking”.  So as you can see I’ve been pretty busy but I thank you all for your support also you can go to www.imaflycat.com to download my exclusive mixtape

So that covers why I’ve been quiet.  Now as far as experiences I recently signed my company to do a promotion and distribution deal with Fly Cat Music Group. It was really a no brainer because I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for Maro at this point. The homie always extended an invitation when opportunities provided themselves so it just seemed like a natural fit that if i’m going to get money with someone than I should keep it in the family. So on a business side of things that’s  whats new there.

yes the chain is that big

Couple weeks ago I got the chance to go to Austin and experience South By Southwest.  I have no words to explain the experience but Austin is a cool place. Met a ton of cool people gave out 170 cd’s wish I had more. If you love music its a great place to be and I will be back next year.

The future I’m waiting to get some shows confirmed but I’ve got some things in the works on that end so look for show updates real soon. Also I’m going to be directing a short film in June title is TBA, but I’m excited about that getting the opportunity to show off some more artistic me, I did direct a skit for a friend of mine and you can check that out below.

Rebound Energy Drink by Steal the Show Ent

That’s really all that’s going on now…. but as shit happens I hope to share in a timely fashion

Peace

Wes

So I’ve set this controversial goal of selling a 100k units this year. In this economic climate it seemed laughable to some but we’re making offers you can’t refuse. Stay tuned to the details coming soon.

I’m thankful to all parties involved.  We’re going to achieve bigger and better.  Camera is in the car so I can’t add pictures but I will later…….I’m in cali rediscovering my roots.  Nothing colder than a Wes Coas Winter!!!!!!!!!

Tonight I did something I have never done before, I walked out of a show I was supposed to perform or call it a showcase. Now here is the thing I’ve been rapping a solid 10 yrs seriously and have never walked out of a show, for any reason. By far this has been my most successful year financially as well as progression when it comes to entertainment, and some would say its getting a big head and others would say I did the right thing. I kind of disagree with both points as an artist I don’t believe in walking out on shows, because there was a point in time you would kill for a chance to go on stage and do your thing.Also there are a lot of snakes in this business that are about making money off the dreams that people have and you have to make a decision on what type of person you are to put up with the tatics used by these promoters. With that being said tonight made me want to seriously quit doing music not because of the venue or the promoters, or the crowd, or other artist.

It was because of me, I’ve done this for enough years that I’ve seen people be crazy about their status in the world and the possibility of where they could go and I never wanted to be that guy. So tonight leaving before performing mind you the circumstances in which I left were based upon the set being pushed back about 4 hours and being continuously lied to about the time. I didn’t cause a scene I just asked for the music back and thanked the guy for the opportunity to perform after continuously being told different things by this individual. I’m not really complaining about the delays but at a certain point you have to be upfront about where things stand.

I have always said I will get on any stage and perform and its not a problem, my requirements are really bare minimum I don’t mind opening, love going on first. Either way put me in situation I can prepare for, If I’m going last just tell me.

Now here is my problem with walking out, personally, I watched about 8-10 acts perform and it dawned on me I’m no longer here, the hunger to be heard in that manner is no longer there I agreed to do the show not because I wanted to do a show but because a friend called and asked me, yesterday. So as I’m watching these acts I see that fire to be heard the desire to just be out there. The excitement that comes from being able to say I got a show, now this year I don’t even know how many shows I’ve done and in the last 3 years I couldn’t count the numbers. I just know I’m not at the same place as the people performing last night. I know it sounds like I’m saying I’m better than people but its really not about that, some of the things I heard made me come to that conclusion. I invited a guy to my video shoot and he tells me “I will come through and give ya’ll a cameo” (Where I’m from we appreciate the opportunity to be invited to something and show love, but not acting as if a favor is being done).

Another guy got on stage and finished his show by telling the crowd to “meet him outside”. That may have been the moment I decided I couldn’t take it anymore. I believe in freedom to say you are toughest man to ever touch a mic and you are the hardest in the streets. I’ve always been able to ignore certain things but it all just came to me at one moment, my hunger is not like the same is theirs, I don’t care about being heard as much as I care about making good music and giving a good show. If I can’t give a good show then I would rather not perform at all. I put together my own show cd’s based on time not on songs, I actually try to make no two shows the same, incase you’ve seen me before. So as it got to the last part of the night and the video camera’s were on and all that I just decided that, I couldn’t give a great show and it was time for me to go. Sure I could have sucked it up and performed but would if have been a great show on my part, nooooooooooo!

Here is where it gets interesting though,its a growing moment for me because I will never do a show again that puts me in a position to decide to walk out unless its over money. I’m not knocking showcases or anyone who does them because they are viable opportunities to figure out your music. So I first apologize to any fans that are out there that I may have offended by these actions in the Houston area. Second I want it to be said that despite what things you may ever hear about me as an artist I am not an ego maniac nor do I knock anyone elses hustle. Just not that kind of hungry anymore, I’m still into doing shows, collab with anyone. I reiterate the fact that no one asked me to leave or was I verbally disrespected. I just saw a situation where I was being thrown shade, and made the executive decision that I put to much effort into building something that would be tarnished by disrespecting my own efforts. We feed off the energy of a crowd and when you’ve spent 4hrs listening to rap you don’t want to hear more.

So with that being said remember that you are always gonna have to stay hungry, but when you have nothing you’ll eat anything, when you begin to get something, you still can be hungry but you are able to eat at a table and have a meal. So if someone offers you scraps , you may very well politely decline because those scraps can feed someone else. You may not be that hungry and hopefully never again.

Peace.