This is the blog of Shaun Cave, host and producer of uHeard Radio - an online and public access show in Chicago, that is also podcasted. We primarily play independent hip-hop and R&B, but we also interview directors, actors, actresses, dancers - entertainers, in general. Feel free to check us out at www.uheardradio.com.
I was just going through my phone, looking for a number, and it hit me: some of my friends are a big deal. I mean, really, they all are, but some are intimidating, in a way. A lot of my buddies make things happen on a regular basis, but I talk to them so often, I'm used to it (you know who you are - Kofi, Terrance, Mark etc.). With some of them, though, I try not to wear out my welcome. A couple of bogus calls, and you'll be leaving voice messages from then on - you know what I'm talking about. I figured I'd do a quick post on my current top-ten list, in Chicago (in no particular order).
Marshaun Williams - This is one well-connected dude - and talented. He always has something big going on, and is mad young. I'm impressed with his hustle.
QDotcom - In my opinion, the most under-rated rapper in Chicago - and I think he knows it. He actually turned down a free music video offer from me because the concept was too small.
Sheku Swaray and Timbucktu - Two people, but equal in respect from me. Their music and grind is incredible. Real talk, I'm a little star-struck.
Juan Diaz - Possibly the only person more connected that Marshaun XD. This guy knows everybody, and is responsible for more of my personal connections than anyone in Chicago.
B. Ford - THE BEST R&B-Rapper in Chicago - period. Not one of the best - the best. Anybody better, you gotta show me.
Marcus East - I had no idea this guy had that kind of talent. I also didn't know he does the same thing I do, for a bigger company.
Carla D - Networking at its best. She knows how to meet, and stay in contact with, the right people.
J'mme Love - He will be a big-deal one day.
Moe Money McCoy - I only met him by chance, and I still can't believe my luck (blessings). His resume smashes mine, and I could learn a lot from him.
V.I.R.U. - This guy is a low-key big deal. He turns down record offers on a regular basis. His interview on uHeard had more views in one week, than all of the other videos, from day-one of uHeard, put together. And he didn't even push it.
Hit me back and let me know what you think, or if you put together a list - especially if I'm on it XD
So, um, I learned a lesson earlier this week: get in where you fit in. I came across this video from a friend's Facebook page, and made a bit of a critical remark about it. Wrong place, wrong time. Dude's fan base is on point. I got treated quick. On the plus side, Bo Deal and another homeboy held me down, kinda toning things down.
I respect grind, though. So show some love for the homie Bo Deal. He's doing big things, and has a lot of love from his fans. Check his Facebook; you can take it from there. And I would spin it in uHeard, but I don't have the necessary permission; I don't know Waka like that, and don't need any problems.
Shout out to the girl Tanika, too. We in da building.
I did a little acting in college, but never really took it serious; I wanted to be behind the camera. This uHeard thing, however, is opening old doors - sometimes violently. Okay, so that might be a bit extreme, but I was really unprepared for this.
I expected a student production where everyone was fumbling around trying to figure out how to make it happen; actually, I thought I would be doing a lot of help behind the scenes. Not at all. The actors had years of experience, and were totally prepared. The crew knew exactly what they were doing. I was the only deer-in-the-headlights. The cast had their lines memorized. Not a big deal in a movie (the director determines how much you need memorized), but it did further the divide between them and me.
But you know your boy, I had to pull it off. Young Cutta kept it together - shooting for the show, and movie at the same time. We even got an interview with a music industry vet. Of course I'll have clips from the set in the show, but I'll also keep you posted on how to check it out, once it's finished. And your boy will continue to act!!
I wanted to include this in the show, but I'm not so sure it's for my target audience. Still, I like the video. How many times have you seen a rapper swim in the ocean, with his full get-up on? Comment on the video and let them know where you saw it. Maybe we can get them on uHeard!
I've been doing this independent media thing for a few years now, and for the most part it has been fun - meeting new people, being the first to play hits, watching artists "blow up," all of that. I've got to admit, however, I'm loosing confidence in my ladies. Where's your grind?
Aside from Ms. Cristal and Joy Tolentino, all of my other female artists have been flops. Early on, I attributed a lot of it to wisdom on the ladies part; it's dangerous to meet strange men off of the internet. It's different now, however. I'm in the game with a track record - proof of what I do. Yet still, I'm running across a lot of flops. And the thing that makes it worse is that 100% of them contact me first! Just this week, two artists agreed to interviews, and then never showed up, called, or emailed - costing me time and money.
This is a personal-experience post - a little something about what keeps me going.
If you haven't had a chance to check out the show from June with Freddy King and Marky McFly, here is a link to the Freddy King clip:
If you follow the show, then you know there are three blocks, so this is just a third of what we did that week/night. Everthing was so crazy because I was just getting back from Carolina, and we had all of this shooting scheduled. The day started off with a lot of headaches at home that put me back a couple of hours. Naturally, I wanted to bail. I was tired, it was hot, King was in Glendale Heights (a 2-hour commute for me with traffic), we were way-the-hell-behind on shooting time, and it was costing me money.
Man, am I glad I stuck with it. We ended up shooting Mark's video in like 30-minutes (and had fun doing it), we were able to get some footage in front of some Ferraris at Trump's Tower, King did a great interview, and Chicago is just the place to be on a summer night. And really, I was just holding it down with a few homies. Young Doug (my dude for a few years, now) ran the camera, Fly Boy is like a little brother, and King and I go way back - late 90's, fam. I hadn't seen him in years, and it was tight to be able to show him what I do. It just turned out to be a fantastic night.
