Tag: Hip Hoppa

Free Ya Mind: The Story of Demetrius Clayton


Patience is most definitely a virtue. It’s something I had to learn for majority of my life. I always hated waiting and I sometimes hate not being able to come across stuff on my own. Even worst when someone is trying to put you on to something or someone but they keep asking “Yo! Did you check it out yet?!” Then I’m like “No! Stop frickin’ asking me!” LMFAO!!! Anyways, I love to come across interesting new people and things all on my own. The experience is much different because it’s organic and authentic. Not saying that someone else introducing you to something or someone isn’t but it hits differently when you discover it on your own. Sometime a week ago, I was scrolling on my Instagram, regular thing, and this guy pops up on my feed. I don’t know how long I’ve been following this guy but I was glad to be able to finally go through his page real quick. I would like to point out that there’s a huge difference between a beat maker and a producer. See a beat maker just makes beats but a producer creates magic. They’re like magicians. They take those beautiful sounds they create and put together to create something much, much larger than life. A soundtrack for the perfect artist that depicts their aura presence so perfectly. I was going through this guy’s page and loved what I was hearing. Not your typical, monotonous, mainstream “turn up” sounds, this when you go downtown shopping in those random thrift stores and hear a Joey Badass or some other ill ass, dope, underground sounds that you never heard before. It’s super refreshing and original and most definitely captures your ear. Y’all should know already that I had to get at this guy and see what’s up. So I got the 411 on this dope producer. Turns out his stage name is Free Mind, born Demetrius Clayton on April 23rd, 1986 in Watts, California but raised in Los Angeles. A Taurus from the West Coast whose a dope ass producer. This is going to be really interesting right here. A’ight, so boom! I’m automatically thinking about N.W.A. This is the West Coast during the late 80’s. Never mind my thoughts right now, Clayton talks about his life growing up. “Growing up for me was like some real storybook shit. I grew up in the projects and It was crazy around my way. I saw and experienced things that cause PTSD in people. It wasn’t all bad though. There was definitely a balance.” Of course. Balance is key. Where there’s good, there’s also the bad. Gotta know how to maneuver through it. Obviously, music is the good in his life. He continues about his inspirations. “Musically, I was inspired by J Dilla, 9th Wonder, and the “old” Kanye West. If you listen closely you can definitely hear their influence and inspiration in my beats. And as far as inspiration in my life outside of music, I would have to say my children are my biggest inspiration. It’s because of them that I am who I am today.” Great inspirations right there and a father? Nice! It’s all good indeed, there’s always story of the beginning of when the good started. Clayton continues, “Music is a way to express what’s in your spirit and soul. It’s a way to communicate the intangible and immaterial. I just wanted to tell my story through my music. It was the only outlet I had at the time I first started. Not having anything gave me my start. I didn’t have the money or other things that keep people complacent and content with where they are. All I had was my will to be great and do something that would outlive me.” So relatable! It’s always the will power to be great in our heads and minds that pushes us to heights and levels to getting what we want and where we want to go in life. It’s a weird but scary and beautiful way of reaching for the stars that’s hard to explain. Sort of like a Super Mario Bros. video game, you have to go through all these obstacles in order to get to the goal at the end. You’ll often fall off, slip up, lose energy and power, all these things coming your direction to destroy you but you keep popping back up and you keep going. The best part is actually getting there. Then there’s this big sigh of relief like “Wow!” Then, the music actually comes in. Clayton talks about his work. “I just dropped “Soul Immortal 2”. That’s my latest instrumental album. It was released on December 31st, 2020. I have a lot of projects coming in the near future. I’ll keep that on the low until the time comes for the release of those projects.” Dope! Definitely have to check it out and stay on the lookout for those future projects. Lots of lessons that comes with a journey of an artist and how they got to where they are creatively in their careers and life; as well as regrets. Sometimes we regret not knowing enough earlier or not pushing ourselves or in Clayton’s case, none. He says, “I don’t have any regrets, but I would for sure do a lot of things differently. All I can do is learn from my mistakes and keep striving to become a better musician and most importantly, a better human being.” No truer words have been spoken. Beautifully said there sir! You’ve came this far and still have a lot to look forward to in the future. Many more years to come. Where do you see yourself years from now?, “I see myself happy! Living a life of purpose. I have a lot to contribute to this world. I plan on doing that before my demise.” Amazing. For music and more, keep up with Free Mind by following him on all his social media platforms. 

Social media handles:

https://www.instagram.com/3rdeyefree

https://freemindsoul7.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hkdcwn2cNAWHKak8Ffkbw

Written by Jalen Hemphill

Long Live The Kane: The 30th Anniversary

June 20th, 2018. Ford Amphitheater. Coney Island. Brooklyn, NY. Mister Cee is on the stage and on the big screen spinning all of the classic hip hop and R&B joints of the 80’s and the 90’s. People are still walking in just in time before the show starts. Looking for their seats, buying food at the concession stands, buying shirts and other merchandise, it’s a hip hop celebration. At exactly 8:18pm, the man himself walks out dripped in all white with two beautiful women by his side and the crowd goes wild. Hit after hit, banger after banger, it’s an amazing show in dedication to the hip hop legend’s debut album that dropped 30 years ago. The Juice Crew, M.O.P., Doug E. Fresh, Ecstasy of Whodini, MC Lyte, the list goes on and on. They all come out to perform their hits as well. It’s another Yo! MTV Raps 30th anniversary show 2.0 and the crowd is still going wild. June 28th, 2018. The actual day that marks 30 years since Big Daddy Kane dropped his debut album, “Long Live The Kane.” The then twenty year old fresh from Brooklyn became friends with Biz Markie which started the infamous Juice Crew, a collective that was headed by Marley Marl. Kane signed with Cold Chillin’ Records in 1987 and released his debut single “Raw” which he showcased his pioneering fast rhyme style that then influenced a new lane of rappers like Jay-Z. The album displayed topics of love and Afrocentrism. With four singles, “Raw”, “Ain’t No Half Steppin’”, “Set It Off”, and “I’ll Take You There”, they were all commercially successful. “Long Live The Kane” is to be considered one of hip hop’s most influential albums of all time. Especially one from the Golden Era. Kane’s lyrical ability and flow, to his style and grace, and the references and samples used that came from this album are all an example of the impact of Kane. The perfect but timeless title for an album that fits. Even thirty years later. Long live the Kane.

It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot: The 20th Anniversary

As the 90’s were slowly coming to an end, hip hop was in a place where it was shiny, glittery, and downright Hollywood. With it’s shiny suits and dresses, fancy cars and jewelry, big smiles and alcohol, all it took was for one guy from Yonkers to come along and redirect hip hop back to it’s roots in the streets. With his rough exterior and vulnerable lyrics and big attitude, Earl Simmons aka DMX not only brought hip hop back to the streets but he was the first artist in hip hop to release two number 1 albums in the same year. On May 12th, 1998, DMX released his debut album “It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot.” With four singles out, DMX was the new face and voice for the streets, the ghetto, the first to be the voice for vulnerable black men in hip hop since Treach from Naughty By Nature. Giving us stories of pain, abuse, struggle, drugs, violence, and sex, while staying true to his higher faith. Just like his hometown natives, Mary J. Blige and The LOX, he also gives that same gritty, street, raw emotion, pain and truth in his music. “Get At Me Dog”, “Stop Being Greedy”, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”, and “How’s It Goin’ Down” featuring Faith Evans were all big hits for Simmons. 20 years later, Simmons is known as one of hip hop’s most treasurable artists. One of those artists that stayed true to hisself an where he comes from, despite the troubles with the law, drugs, and alcohol. With an acting career and also party hits underneath his belt, DMX is a certified legend in this hip hop biz.