Coming August 2nd, illRoots2 is going to just completely flip the script on this whole "music blog" thing and rise above the competition.
EPISODE 1: GREAT SCOTT
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Two 18-year old college kids would usually spend their summer at the beach, enjoying the days just relaxing and trying to get a tan. That, however, is certainly not the case for Chicago based, college students Mike Waxx and Mike Carson. They instead run a music site by the name of illRoots and have been working especially hard lately for their new site relaunch under illRoots2, which is basically a huge progression for them from illRoots. Don't get the idea that they're not enjoying the summer though - not at all. It seems to me like they're having a fabulous time doing what they do. As Phil Annand says, "Work isn’t work if you love what you’re doing. Work hard and play harder, and if you’re blessed what you consider playing will be your work." Even though I'm already starting at a young age (17), it really pushes me even harder when I see both of them doing such big things at only 18. Working with artists they like and highly respect, just doing what they love. Who knows what to expect from these two, both as a duo and individually, in the future. Coming August 2nd, illRoots2 is going to just completely flip the script on this whole "music blog" thing and rise above the competition. This is the second episode of a series under Boundless Dreams TV called 'Youngest in Charge.' The series is about a young generation of talented beings who are already on a path filled with making moves along the pursuit of nothing less than greatness.
EPISODE 1: GREAT SCOTT Here's a video from my friend Dondre ("Kid Swag") who has developed a passion for music lately and is showing nice progression. Personally, I think this is his best work yet.
This video falls under the new series entitled 'Musical Visual'. Basically, it's music videos done with the idea in mind of quality and uniqueness. Look for more to come in this area in the future for sure. Great Scott! - No, I'm not referencing the brilliantly crafted movie known as Back to the Future. I'm talking about the ex-fashion stylist, branding and marketing mastermind, as well as cultural influencer. To learn more about the man, just press the play button on the video above. Sit back, relax, and take notes. This is the first episode for a new series under Boundless Dreams TV called 'Youngest in Charge.' The series is about a young generation of talented beings who are already on a path filled with making moves along the pursuit of nothing less than greatness. The day with Scott was unexpectedly crazy as mid-video we had to hop in a cab to midtown. Scott brought me along upstairs in this building and had me help out shooting the cover for Diggy's new mixtape called 'Airborne' (dropping July 29th - get ready for that folks). For those who don't know, Diggy (Simmons) is the son of Joseph "(Rev) Run" Simmons from the famous rap trio Run- DMC (maybe 'My Adidas' rings a bell?). However, Diggy, who is only 15 and already signed with prestigious record label Atlantic Records, is carving out his own totally separate lane music-wise. Don't just think he got signed because of who his father is. He's the real deal. Besides music, Diggy even has started his own shoe line called Chivalrous Culture. I got to see a pair of the kicks from the brand that are dropping later this year and they were very well done if I say so myself. "Diggy's got next" Scott simply said at some point during the day. I couldn't agree more. It was an honor to shoot, along with Scott's friend Yvette, possible images to be intertwined for the cover. Thank you to Diggy, Rasheed, Perry and everyone else for letting me be a part of history. Let's in no way forget the man behind this all though. Very thankful to him. If first impressions are any indications to how a person is, Scott truly does live up to his self-proclaimed moniker.
My new visual weapon of mass detonation, the Canon Rebel T1i. This amazing piece of equipment arrived at my home a little over a week ago and has been nothing short of spectacular. Prepare for higher quality photographs and much higher quality videos.
To celebrate and salute the old camera, my Canon Powershot SD880, I threw up a ton of photos under both sections! Have a look as those will probably be the final images ever put up from that camera. Not getting rid of that camera or any thing of that manner - just most of the shots that go up will most likely be taken with the new camera. It's all coming together..get ready. The second installment of 'The YoYo Kid' arrives as Adam Schultz is back with more jaw-dropping tricks while at the same time describing technicalities, the online community, and how he sees his yoyo future panning out. Soho. July 14th. The duo Kidz in the Hall, with members Double O and Naledge (which is why this post may seem to have a misspelled version of knowledge resting upon the title, but it is instead just a classic play on words) rocked the stage along with Donnis. Concert postings aren't going to become any sort of regular occurrence or anything, but I've been getting inspired lately at them so why not throw it on the good ol' blog here. Now you're probably wondering..he's just discussing a concert, what could be so inspirational? Well, take a scroll down the page. After some jams being played with some perfectly placed live drums and Double O jumping up on the front row seats to bang an ear-shattering drum right near the crowd, a point arose where Double O took the mic and said something along these lines: "I used to not know anything about protools or anything, I just hoped that when Naledge went into this box that and vocalized his lyrics, it would go well with this beat I made. That just shows to always dream big. You can really do anything." Wise words and while I already knew that (as I preach 'dream big' all the time), it always heavily reinforces the concept to hear someone like that say it again in their own way. Personally, it just pushes me harder and keeps my drive that "gets me where I'm going, even if I don't have a ride." Credit goes to the man Big Sean on that last line. Shouts to Donnis, of course, too. I first heard of him when he put out the mixtape with 10 Deep (which is a great and respected clothing line based out of Brooklyn - Big ups to Emeka and the team over there!). Ever since that musical showcase, Donnis remained high on my up and coming artist radar and it was great to finally be able to see him live and talk for a minute after the show. *Photographs are of poor quality at some points due to my camera's poor ability in low light...that'll change for the better soon though. By what do I mean? Look out for the answer within the next couple of posts. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet each of them following the performance. This led to a brief, but memorable conversation with Naledge. I started to mention how even though the crowd was a bit dead, they still did their thing. They performed with tons of energy the whole time. They brought it. I mean just look at Naledge in the photo below. Ha. Grooving and enjoying performing like an artist is supposed to. He didn't care that the crowd lacked any sort of substantial energy, that's not what it's about for him and Double O. They're just concerned about making great music, doing it for the people who truly love their music, and taking over the world. It's always such a tremendous feeling to see people living out their dreams (especially at such a level like they're at). Naledge also said at one point during the show: "Are you living or are you existing?" Think about that one. He added, "If you're just existing, you're never heard." So, with a name that explains what the man encompasses, join with him in saying "I'm Living!"
Blisstic is a particular life mindset which we do our best to describe in some sensible manner throughout this video. While I want to let the video speak for itself, I'll mention a few other details as well. There's much more to it than just what is said, but no worries as more information will be unveiled in the future. This idea or project has been in the works since the end of 2009 and was filmed during several tomfoolery-filled trips to the downtown part of the greatest city in the world. I wanted to drop the video close to the Fourth of July because I felt that Blisstic is, in a way, our own independence statement. We're lucky enough to live in a country where we have a lot of freedom and what you do with that freedom, is up to you. We take it into our own hands, make the most of things, don't stress or take things too seriously, stay positive, and just sit back and enjoy life while still dreaming big. Many of you probably came to the site to see what was supposed to be the new re-launch of the site and new content that was going to accompany it. I regret to say that due to various problems the site will instead be releasing on some other bright summer day during the early stretch or first half of July. Whether it was scheduling conflicts, issues with the site design, or other problems; the July 1st release date ended up just not being possible to any degree (much to my dismay).
However, to do my best to accommodate you all for your patience during this process, I'm dropping a few things early. First off, there is a visual preview below of what could and what will be arising on the horizon of Imagination Detonation. Secondly, I will be dropping two videos within the next two weeks (whether the new site will be up before both are posted is up in the air). The first video will be posted on July 6th and the second video on July 11th. I know there hasn't even been one video posted since the first one almost four months ago but this summer will bring plenty of videos to fill your motion picture appetite. Until then, enjoy the glorious season of summer. Sit back and relax, grab a cold glass of lemonade, hit the beach, and give me a little more time to get everything together. I assure you it'll be worth the wait. Take it easy, folks. *UPDATE*: The video that was supposed to go up today will not be due to an unfortunate issue with my vimeo account. I know it seems like site delays are becoming the norm now but I'm trying hard to get things on time, just unexpected problems arise at sometimes the last minute and things just haven't been going quite as planned.No worries though, I'll have the first video up on the 11th or 12th and then the second video up on the 17th. Apologies once again for the delay. |