Events and Shows

Full Time Hustle Vs. The Evil 9-to-5

 Full Time Hustle vs. The Evil 9-to-5

- by R-tistic

Yep...that was me!  Don't laugh it ain't funny.  Just a shadowy figure constantly staring into space, thinking to myself, damn how many minutes until I get off from work.  Or my favorite, I only have ____ minutes left on Sunday.  Ugghhh and then I have to do this shit all over again! I hate Mondays...


I'm guessing you think this is amusing because either A) you like making fun of me or B) you've probably had some of these same thoughts.  I've been a full time musician before and it didn't work out.  The battle of getting enough income while pushing the music was too much.  It seems like my life has been in lightswitch mode. I call it the Off and On. 

  OFF & ON 

 I've had some really good paying jobs from a University Counselor to working at some high end sales companies.  Even when I was making "good money" I was never satisfied.  One minute I'm working a typical 9-to-5, the next minute, I'm hustling.  Then I'm working a different 9-to-5, then I'm hustling.  People must think I'm crazy because most would say you're going to give up something solid for something risky?

Why not play it safe?

Safe at this stage in the game = unhappy!  What does it mean anyways when we say safe?  First off, I've been working too long and too hard to give up on my dreams.  Second, your job isn't safe!  It's an illusion of security.  Any minute you could be fired, they could have a lay off period, or even remove your benefits.  How is that safe?  I figured I'd build my own safety net!

THE FULL TIME MUSICIAN

When most artists and bands think being a musician they see this picture above in their heads.  Millions of fans, millions of dollars, and living the lush life.  They don't see how much work goes into getting to this point.  If you're an artist who has a label that invests their capital into their music (i.e. Kendrick Lamar and Interscope Records), that's truly a blessing.  However, most of us artists do it just like me.  We have to hit the streets and organically build our brands so that fans even know we exist.  I love every minute of sharing my music with new fans and giving new music with existing fans.  I appreciate every one of you more than you know.  We sitting on 6 albums, over 14 singles, videos, and more so get ready! 

 

Momentum, Energy, and Growth

It's Because Of You

We can finally take a breather!  Finally things are beginning to pick up steam and we're rockin, locked, and loaded!  All of us have to overcome obstacles in order to reach our personal goals of success.  We finally feel like we're getting somewhere, thanks to the you!

An Amusement Park of Emotion

An Amusement Park of Emotion

It’s been quoted that “life is a bitch.”  Lil Wayne said his “is a gold digger.”  Well my life isn’t asking me for money but it is an amusement park field with all types of rides.  I don’t remember the last time I’ve been happy, scared, frustrated, relieved, lost, and intensely grateful all at the same time.  The way my mood has changed you would think I was PMS-ing or having some kind of male hormonal situation….definitely not!

I entered the amusement park with my ticket in hand when I moved out of Phoenix.  Knowing and having a deep gutted feeling that Phoenix wasn’t for me, I grabbed risk “by the balls” and moved out with only $1,000 to my name.  Originally, the plan was to go to Miami but when I touched down in ATX, my cousin said I wouldn’t want to leave here and he was absolutely right!  Immediately, I was booked for 5 shows, attended about a dozen other shows, and had fallen in love with the people and the city.  “Keep Austin Weird” was a slogan I couldn’t get out of my head.  I moved in with my relatives and life was all right…happy!   

About a month into it, my uncle wanted me out and things became extremely difficult trying to find a place to live.  I moved in with a guy I met on the street who was impressed with my freestyle abilities performed outside of the Blind Pig Pub. As we started build a “friendship” in this new roommate situation, we decided to checkout a show at Mohawk’s.  We come out of the club and my car was stolen downtown—scared.  Now going from bus-to-bus to get around was starting to become problematic and the new roommate situation just wasn’t working out. Everyday my roommate was asking for a favor and wasn’t willing to help me out but “promote shows,” which really meant he was going to be getting drunk, talking to girls, and inviting them to sleep with him…ooops I mean “come to the show.”  Typical, homeboy behavior—frustrated.  Time has passed by a few weeks, been pulling all-nighter after all-nighter, and still catching bus after bus.  Was heading to the studio with a phenomenal artist and his manager when a random call comes in on my phone… “Sir your car has been found downtown on 5^th street, do you want me to tow it” which is not where I parked it —relieved.    

I get the car back on the road, and head over to Mozart’s for coffee by the lake and it breaks down.  I had to get new brakes put on the car, new ignition switch with money I didn’t have…total mess!  Finally, get the car situated, move into a new apartment by myself, and have no “job” to pay my bills.  More stress, more questions, more confusion…start writing to a new mixtape—lost.  Got booked for 3 shows, started working on new music video, and began doing more writing.  I’m now working for a marketing company, doing music, promotions, street hustling when I can, building Phase 2 marketing campaign for my brand.  The struggle has been lessened, my family’s help has been outrageous, and God is good—intensely grateful!