• » Name: Torae
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DocumenTORAE

DetracTOR

Well, well, well I guess I knew this day would come. I didn't know exactly how I'd feel about it, but I knew it would be something I had to deal with when it arrived. What day you ask? The day my album leaked.

Hip hop artists, technology & the fans are engaged in a war right now & unfortunately us hip hop artists' are losing. That's not to say that we don't embrace the new forms of media & other outlets to get our music & content to the people because we do. Hell if it wasn't for the internet buzz I have, I'd have no buzz at all. But at what cost does this come?

This week I saw 3 incredible albums hit the internet for fans to download & share amongst themselves with total disregard for the artist who put in time, energy & most importantly money to make. Please don't think doing an album is inexpensive by any means. There are studio sessions to be booked, engineers to pay, producers to pay, mastering houses to pay, photographers to pay, graphic designers & so on & so forth. So for these albums to leak and people just grab 'em up and comment on & and not give a damn about everything that went into making this album is wrong. Imagine you went to work for a week or two weeks depending on how you get paid & on your pay day the boss said sorry your check is on the internet people downloaded it so we can't pay you. You'd be pissed the hell off right....exactly!! Now again I'm all for the net & downloading legally, it's an incredible way to get you product out to the people. It's immediate, it's accurate & it has instant gratification for the purchaser. Hell I'm not even opposed to illegal downloading as long as you still support the artists' and the product once its made available for purchase. I myself have downloaded a few albums over the last couple months. I also went out & bought those albums when they hit the stores as well. Perfect examples are Kanye & Little Brother. I'm a huge fan of both of those acts so for me not to be curious about the album or not to download the album & check it out once it leaks is asking me not to be human. However if I genuinely dig these guys & the music they're making how could I not invest in their investments. People have to understand, we don't rap on the side. THIS IS OUR JOB, this is how I pay my rent, and my light bill. This is how I eat. So when you go on the net & download my album or any other album for that matter understand that that's money out of my pocket, which means I have to find other ways to get cash, which means less time creating the music you 'claim' you love which means there will be less music for you to enjoy. Now take 'me' out of that scenario & insert you favorite artist. Same outcome people. Why do you think 'ringtone' rap is winning, why do you think companies invest in hit singles over great albums? It's because the consumers are showing they don't care about supporting the music industry, therefore the music industry doesn't care about supporting us. Yall got Ghostface on youtube telling yall he's gonna quit. Sean Price talking about walking away from music because all the work we put in isn't paying off at the end of the day.

I'm not writing this because my joint leaked but the other 2 leaks of the week affected me as a fan and friend. I was in the studio while these records were being made. I saw the efforts put forth by these individuals. Late night sessions, mixing, remixing, reremixing until everything was right and for yall to just go on the net & download it and not give a damn about what it took to make that product is wrong. Then yall have the nerve to 'review' it. C'mon with that you wanna give your opinion of the record give up that $10 or $15 and make all the comments you want. "Yo this album is banging" then cop it. "Definitely one of my favorite albums in the last 12 months" then cop it. Cause if not guess what, there won't be any good music coming out for you to enjoy.

Listen I understand everybody aint always got it to spend on a CD or legal download but when you do, you should. I went back & copped the joints I missed cause my funds were low when they dropped. This helps keep the cycle flowing and makes sure the artists' can go back in the lab and hit yall with another banger. If you love the album & aint got $9.99 cop a .99 cent single or two. Cop your favorite joint, cop the instrumental & rap over it just make sure you purchase something so heads don't end up in Wal-Mart working instead of in the studio....

 

P.S. there is nothing wrong with working in Wal-Mart, I was just using it as an example. Love is love....

 

- Tor

25 Comments             

SpectaTOR

What up DX'ers thanks for checking in with the kid. Off top I'd like to thank each & every person that checked out my video for "Callin' Me". I had no idea it would get the response that it's gotten. It's been on over 10 websites & is actually headed to the small screen as well. 99% of the comments & feedback has been great. I'm really, really happy that its being so well received. Aside from that I've just been working feverishly trying to get the record in the stores by January 8th. I appreciate everyone who has been there with me since the 1st release
date & everyone who has gotten involved since then. I assure you Jan 8th is the day. For all those that pre-ordered it you're still straight, it'll be there as promised initially. Its a lot of hard work to put a record out when you're doing it on your own & you actually care what your product looks & sounds like. I'm big on perception so if its not going to be presented in a manner that I approve of then it's not going to be presented. Bottom line. Moving past that I'd like to shout out all the people that've been coming out to the shows. I've been in front of a lot of packed rooms as of late & I'm starting to get used to it. So please keep it up, I'm usually on the bill with some dope acts so come out & check it when you hear about a Torae show. Me & my man Vega Benetton leave it all on the stage when the night is done.

Speaking of shows I was actually able to spectate a few this past week & they were really dope. The 1st was the J.A.M. Awards at the Hammerstein in honor of Jam Master Jay & the other was the Stones Throw concert at the Highline Ballroom. Both shows had serious line ups & quite a few high profile attendees. I'm a hip-hop head, I grew up on it & loved it since birth so I was really excited to meet people like Hank Shocklee, Rev Run & LL Cool J at the Hammerstein and Erykah Badu and Andre Harrell at Highline. It's fly when people come out to support good events even once they've attained a certain amount of success. Seeing Pete Rock at the Stones Throw show was normal, seeing Andre Harrell was a little unexpected.

I'm a big fan of live hip hop. Its a totally different vibe from recorded music. And I think that's what a lot of artists don't get. Its dope to have a banging record out, but at the end of the day just because you spit bodies in the booth doesn't mean that's going to get you over rocking a live show. I pride myself on having a nice stage show to accompany dope songs. Because realistically people already have access to the music, but what's going to get them out to a show. You can't sell them the same product again. You have to sell them you all over again, but this time live. I remember seeing Busta & Splif Starr at the Sound Factory and from rocking with the Diplomats in early 2000. Even recently over the summer touring with EMC & doing shows with Little Brother. The energy on the stage was electric, sometimes even more so than the records, but that's the beauty of a live show.
Bringing the songs from vinyl, cd or mp3 to life. Too often dudes think a hot song is a dope show, I can name countless dudes with dope records that bore the hell out of me on stage. I can also name dudes I've never
heard of before that get on the stage and light that ish up. The point I'm trying to make is artists out there take pride in your craft. Study it, all aspects of it. Only having dope songs at a show is the equivalent of only working out your upper body if you're into weightlifting. Its not a complete package. Looks at dudes, like Common, like Masta Ace & even newer dudes like Kanye & Little Brother, those dudes wreck the stage when they're rocking. Granted they have dope music but the have so much more on the stage & you don't need an elaborate band or choir to make it pop. Pharoahe Monch kills it with the band LB kills it with DJ Flash & D Brock. I've also seen Pharoahe without the band killing it & LB with a band and the results are the same "dope!!!". Its about what you 'the artist' brings to the stage & the kind of energy you give the audience, because that's the kind of energy you'll get back. I know I'm going to continue to bring it each & every time I hit the stage as I will continue to go out & watch live hip-hop so I can pick up on new tricks of the trade. Until next time my peoples, peace. Here are some pics from The J.A.M. Awards & the Stones Throw show, my video incase you missed it and a shameless plug. Deuces…

-Tor

8 Comments             

MenTOR

Some of you might have missed it in the video section so I decided to post it as a blog as well. Plus it ties into my catchy titles. Enjoy...


-Tor

5 Comments             

CollaboraTORs

What up HHDX’ers thanks for checking out my latest entry. I’m not gonna talk yall to death doing an intro & all that I’ll get right to it. Today I was riding in the car listening to Sirius Satellite Radio (The Backspin) and “Don’t Curse” came on. That’s one of my favorite joints of all time right there & it got me to thinking about good old fashion collabos & posse cuts. For those of you not familiar with “Don’t Curse” it was a Heavy D & The Boyz record that featured: Grand Puba, Pete Rock, CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Q Tip, Kool G Rap & of course the Heavster. I remember when this record dropped it was bananas to me. I loved when some of my favorite artists got together on a record. I lived for those joints. Posse cuts & collaborations weren’t like the collabos of today. I mean it didn’t feel like it at least. They seemed more genuine back then, like the artists actually had respect for each other & it wasn’t just about chasing a check or trying to tap in to a certain fan base. I’m sure those things played a part, but it didn’t look like it was the only motivation for these records. Remember Juice Crews “The Symphony“ or “Scenario” by Tribe & L.O.N.S. you don’t get classic posse joints like that now-a-days. The Native Tongue family had a few crazy records together, “Buddy” “La Ménage” “Let The Horns Blow” “Ladies First” “Saturdays” & more. Those were the days when The Native Tongue/Violator fam ran shit. But they weren’t the only heads making noise in the studio. Heavy had a few other collaborations & one in particular on his Blue Funk LP called “A Buncha Niggas” that introduced the world to a little known rapper out of Brooklyn named Biggie Smalls. Yup Hev had Big on a joint back in ‘92 a year before he broke on to the scene with “Party & Bullshit” from the Who’s The Man soundtrack. In fact it was before Biggie had to legally change his name to The Notorious B.I.G. due to some reggae artist having had already trademarked the name Biggie Smalls (yeah I does this). But back to the subject, now when I hear a collab on the radio it doesn’t give me the same chill I used to get. “Black Republican” isn’t as memorable as “Brooklyn’s Finest”. Not due to lack of lyricist because we all know Nas & Jay are two of the best to ever do it. But it just doesn’t have that replay value. I could go on & on about present day collabos we got Plies & T-Pain, Akon & T-Pain, Fab & T-Pain, Yung Joc & T-Pain, Baby Bash & T-Pain, R. Kelly & T-Pain fuck around & T-Pain be on a joint with Pac, lol. And not that I’m hating on T-Pain at all. I’m just saying these joints aint got that staying power like collabs of the last decade. Sheeit I remember when only top notch artists did records with R. Kelly. Big, Jay, Nas, Celine Dion. How the fuck you go from Celine Dion to the Birdman c’mon Kells. Anyway before I start to look like a delusional 90’s rap backpacker let me sign off. But I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite collabs & posse cuts of all time. Feel free to chime in with yours.

Head Banger - EPMD f. Redman & K-Solo (Hit Squad was the SHIT!!!)

DWYCK - Gang Starr f. Nice & Smooth

Life’s A Bitch - Nas f. AZ

It’s Mine - Mobb Deep f. Nas

The What - BIG f. Method Man

Brooklyn’s Finest - Jay Z f. BIG

Above The Clouds - Gangstarr f. Inspectah Deck

Scenario (LP & Rmx) - A Tribe Called Quest f. Kid Hood & Leaders of the New School

The Symphony - Marley Marl f. Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane

Buddy - The Jungle Bros. f. The Native Tongue Family (9 min version)

Erase Racism - Kool G Rap f. Biz Markie & Big Daddy Kane

Anti-Up (RMX) M.O.P. f. Busta Rhymes, Teflon & Remy Ma

Respiration - Black Star f. Common

The Life - Styles P & Pharoahe Monch

Rock, Rock Yall - A Tribe Called Quest f. Punch, Words, Jane Doe & Mos Def

Oh No - Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch & Nate Dogg

Money In The Bank - Kool G Rap f. Large Pro, Freddie Foxx, Ant Live

Roll Wit Tha Flava - The Flavor Unit f. Dres, Latifah, Freddie Foxx, Treach, Chip Fu, Heavy D & D Nice

Maaaaan it’s too many to list. I LOVE HIP HOP!!!

 

- Tor

15 Comments             

Fresh off TOR

Wow I gotta be one of the worst bloggers on hiphopdx. I have not
submitted an entry in forever but not without good reason, being a good
MC/businessman sometimes results in a bad "whatever" else. However the
good news is I've been putting in major work. In the last month I've
been on tour in Canada, been to Rock The Bells in Miami and in the lab with
Buckwild, 9th Wonder & Mr. Attic. So yeah I've been getting
it in.

1st let me talk about the "Back To Future" tour with EMC, Marco Polo &
friends (Moss, Mr. Attic & myself). Wow, being out on the road is an
amazing experience. Its very rewarding to know what starts in your mind
and ends up on wax (mp3, CD whatever) gets to the masses and becomes
part of their lives. I couldn't believe how many people knew the lyrics
to my joints. It was crazy. Shout to the whole entire Canada.
The livest shows were Toronto & Vancouver, the people came out to have a
good time. Touring isn't the glamorous event it appears to be though.
There is little time for rest, a lot of time spent checking in & out of
hotels, lots of time spent on sound check, a lot of traveling time and
when you have 11 guys in a 15 passenger van with 2 weeks worth of
luggage & merch each it gets a little uncomfortable. All in all I
wouldn't trade it in for the world. I love that I love what I do. I also
got to see how beautiful Canada is & how beautiful the women are. T Dot
got some thangs out there yessuuhh.

Being on the road with veterans is a great way to start your career, I
feel like I learned so much from Ace, Punch, Words & Strick. Their stage
show is flawless, they have great energy & chemistry. Most nights I found
myself chilling on the side of the stage & watching their set after mine
was over. I definitely picked up some pointers on how to rock the crowd.
The 3rd show in EMC also invited me to come be a part of their nightly
freestyle routine which was crazy for me to be on the stage coming off
the head with some of the best to ever do it. Wordsworth you're a beast
with the unwritten homie. Overall the tour was amazing and I can't wait to do
it again. Be on the lookout for the "Road Rage" tour coming to a city
near you this fall.

When I came back from Canada I headed out to Miami to catch "Rock The
Bells" since I missed Randall’s Island. RTB was crazy too Miami came out
to have a great time & even though it was hot as hell out the crowd
still showed love. I got a chance to kick it with Monch, Mos, Kweli &
Common while I was out there. A very dope experience I assure you. However I
definitely had the most fun with DJ Boogie Blind, MeLa Machinko &
Lenesha, those niggaz is crazy...."text me down" (inside joke).

When I officially got off the road it was back to the lab to wrap up
"Daily Conversation". This project is starting to feel like the greatest
story never told. However after a lot of hard work, sleepless nights &
at least 200 black & milds I'm glad to say "Daily" is done, recorded,
mixed and ret ta go!!! Hiphopdx will be letting yall know when it
officially drops and all that. Shout out to Fat Beats for respecognizing
good music.

Lastly I’ve been in the lab working with some real amazing producers. 1st up is the homie from the NC 9th Wonder. 9th was gracious enough to add me to the already incredible line up he had for his album “Dream Merchant vol. 2” which drops October 9th so be sure to snatch that up when it touches down. I also hooked up with Toronto’s own Mr. Attic the producer of Kardinal’s classic record “Ol’ Time Killing” he actually got the last record recorded for “Daily” called “Get It Goin” which is a banger. And speaking of legendary I was also blessed with the opportunity to work with D.I.T.C’s own Buckwild for a joint for his upcoming album. So all in all be on the look out for a lot of superb music to be dropping in the upcoming months. I’m gonna keep it brief for now but I’ll be getting into detail about all those new records I mentioned along with letting yall know about the album I’m doing with Marco Polo as well. Thanks for checking in with kid, I’ll be back with a new entry next week, peace….

- Tor

12 Comments             

SupporTOR

What up, what up yall. It's your boy Tor right back at it. I have to apologize to you all for not blogging the last 2 weeks things have been hella hectic. But I'm not complaining cuz the opposite of being busy is not having shit to do. And as a rapper if you aint got shit to do, you're done! The tour [Back To The Future] officially kicks off next week in Montreal, so I've been tying up all my loose ends in NY before I hit the road. I shot my video for "Callin' Me" with my homie Mike Q. from Science Projects. We filmed 2 days it's should be dope when it drops I'm excited. I've also been in the lab getting "Daily" mixed. I know a lot of people have been asking about it & I appreciate your patience. It's coming in August I PROMISE!! I've also been writing & recording for others. A nigga had a lot of verses to turn in, but it's all great cuz I'm featured on some really, really dope projects dropping this year & early '08. Shout to everyone that reached out to the kid. It's an honor and privilege to be considered for some of these joints and I'm really grateful. It would seem that I've been making some noise out there and I'm on the right path, with that being said I know I gotta keep delivering quality material. It's getting serious now cause people are watching. One of those people is none other than the lyrical monster Mr. Pharoahe Monch, who took time out after his show at the Highline Ballroom to tell me he dug my songs & liked what I was doing musically. That was the ultimate stamp of approval & battery in my back. Nigga I can't spit sub par bars if Pharoahe is listening.

Speaking of Pharoahe brings me to my topic of discussion this week. "Support & Sales". I hear a lot of people talking about hip-hop is dead, hip-hop is in the south and a whole bunch of other b.s . I don't know bout none of that cuz hip-hop is in my heart. I am hip-hop mind body & soul. And it pisses me off when people do a bunch of complaining but do nothing to resolve the situation. We all know radio & video and labels for that matter are on some bullshit when it's come to bringing balance to the masses. Not because they play southern joints or whatever, but because that's all they play. If Mike only shot jumpers would he be considered one of the greats? If Ali only had a right jab would he be the legend that he is? I think not. I think balance is the key to life (sorry LOX). And the game is lacking balance in a major way now a days. So when an illustrious icon like Pharoahe Monch drops an album yall complaining asses should run to the stores. The album "Desire" is banging and it has a little something for everyone. Yet his sales aren't reflecting that. This isn't some independent obscure release that you have to search the heavens & the earth for. This is an SRC/Universal release available in all major chains. Virgin, Best Buy and all that. How can we talk about changing the music and getting shit like this back to the forefront if you don't go out and buy a $10 CD, hell download it from iTunes for all I care but we MUST support this kind of hip-hop so that we can get more opportunities for our kind of artists to sign with majors. Monch isn't the only one either. Redman dropped, Ghost dropped, Mos Def dropped all on majors and did small amounts in sales. Not to mention the whole heap of independent releases. Marco Polo, Black Milk, KRS & Marley, Joell, Jazzy Jeff, The Poly's I could go on and on. Shit, Sean (Price) is talking about retiring cause it's getting so bad. We gonna fuck around and lose the music if we're not careful. Listen to Phonte's verse on Kardinal's "Rapper's Are In Danger" for a better understanding. I don't mean to come off preachy if I am but I'm passionate about music cause I love this shit. Anyways to wrap this up all I'm saying is support the music if you love it, cause if not it won't be here to enjoy. Here are some pics from the show at Highline...

Black Milk got their hands up.

Even the cool dudes use a sweat towel.

Monch just getting started.

Let's Go!!!

Gotta keep on pushin'

Monch and Styles gem em outta their seats.

Tiye, Rich Nice, Sway & Complex

Black catching the rest of the show after ripping it down.

MeLa Machino (Singer) and Bonsu Thompson (XXL, King, Hip Hop Soul)


This week's quote: "Being in demand is demanding"

-Tor

11 Comments             

My Weeks Are Never Weak

What up DX fam, it's your boy Tor right back like I left something. 1st off I'd like to personally thank everyone who checked the 1st entry & who took time to comment. That means a lot to me. Shout out to homie that said he could careless what I ate before a show or how me & Sky met. Dude had me cracking up. Honestly though, if that's all I had to offer I would've never accepted the gig. Cuz really who cares that the grilled chicken & tater tots from 'Anytime' was banging before the show on Wednesday, lol.



Speaking of which I had a really busy week. Hosting a show on Wednesday, performing with Jeru & The Group Home on Thursday, appearing on Preem's radio show on Friday night & having 2 joints played on Hot 97 on Sunday night (BIG shout out to Peter Rosenberg). All of which were dope, except not getting to actually perform. I love when promoters book 70,000 acts before the headliner. Because the headliner usually gets tired of sitting around waiting & either leaves or demands to perform ASAP. That's kinda what happened on Thursday, but I'm not gonna throw any dirt, love is love. Hell it was dope just to see my name on the board next to Jeru & Group Home (I took a picture).



So by now I'm sure you've all heard my latest record with Skyzoo produced by DJ Premier 'Click'. It's doing really well as far as spins & sales go which says a lot since it's only available on 12". Tor, Sky & Preem  "keeping the vinyl market alive" hahahaha. On the real though it's dope to be able to say I have a record in stores produced by the legendary DJ Premier. When we did the session for 'Click' I had the video camera with me. 'Get It Done' was the first time around so I wasn't gonna play myself & try to film. 'Click' however was the 2nd time working with Preem and I was way more comfortable with having the camera rolling. Below is the video footage & the lainks to Preem & Rosenberg's radio shows, I hope you enjoy it.  So, until next time be safe, be good & live life to the fullest. R.I.P. to the homie Stack Bundles.



Torae, Skyzoo & DJ Premier in the studio recording "Click"

Live from HeadQcourterz Sirius Radio channel 40 (Friday Nights Midnight - 2am)
http://primo.podcastpeople.com/posts/2393

Real Late with Peter Rosenberg Hot 97 (97.1fm) Sunday Nights 1-3am
Part 1 - http://www.zshare.net/audio/2322562f3ecdf9/
Part 2 - http://www.zshare.net/audio/232258458e780f/

- Tor

15 Comments             

The Beginning of Something Great!

What up wonderful readers of hiphopdx & welcome to "Torae's Blog". 1st & foremost I'd like to thank everyone reading this, there are a zillion other things yall could be doing so taking time to read what I have to say means a lot to me....nah, for real it does. Aiight, now that the mushy stuff is out the way heeeeere we go! As some of you may know & many of you don't I'm an emcee outta Brooklyn NY (Coney Island to be exact). I've been rapping forever & I've been back active on the scene the last 3 or 4 years.

Those that are familiar with me may have heard my work with DJ Premier, or some may know me from working with DJ Clark Kent or my group The Coalescence or as of recent my joints with Marco Polo ** "Port Authority" in stores May 15th shameless plug for the homie** Honestly you could've caught or heard me anywhere, as long as you felt there was something special in the music it's all good.

On the songs & at the shows you usually see the end result of a lot of hard work, time & preparation. So I figured now it's time for me to take you back stage. See what goes on weeks, days and even hours before the show. How did I link with such & such before the song. You know things like that. In addition if you got a question ask it. Wanna request something or someone go for it, want me off this site.....well that's not gonna happen but anything else get at me. I'm planning on doing some real exciting things here on DX. In addition to writing entries, I'll have 'guest bloggers', 'photo blogs' & 'video blogs'. So this is gonna be seriously dope. Not the same old same that you're used to. In the next couple months I'll be releasing my mixtape "Daily Conversation" with my DJ Vega Benetton & going on tour, so there will be plenty to blog about I'm sure.

Well that's all for now, I'm gonna TRY to post new entries every week. TRY is in caps because I have a bunch of stuff going on all the time so it may be hard to post weekly but I'll do my best. Trust this is gonna be a dope one to follow, so get ready cause it's gonna be live!

-Tor

19 Comments             

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