Hii guys. I figured i'd introduce myself as an artist this time, instead of just as a person.
My name is ILL FELLA THE BACHELOR OF ART AKA THE DIRTBAG HANGIN BY HIS SHIRT TAG
I've been rapping under this stage name since I was 15 years old (i'm 24 now).
I made a name for myself locally, recording in my home recording studio over production from local producers.
I rapped about things what went on in my life, my daily routine & what I went through growing up where I did.
I grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
I originally started writing rhymes at 11 years old, but never really got serious until my skill was further developed in Jr. High.
I was ONE OF A KIND. Kids my age played piano, guitar, drums etc. and all thought they were better than me, and said i'd never go anywhere with my music.
BUT I FOOLED THEM!
At the age of 12 I went to a local studio with 2 other local rappers (Marc Cee & Mista Mack) {link to macks music below}
Mista Mack & Marc had showed me what was involved in recording your own music at home, and how much effort it took.
When I was 14 I recorded a few singles, such as "Say it To My Face" and "Lesson" at a friends house, and had received good feedback on both so much that another local artist, 'Fat Paulie' had invited me to his home studio to record.
I re-recorded 'Lesson' and sent it around to people, creating a local buzz even further.
I started High school (grade 10) at Age 15, and had been so well known for rapping that people would often offer me cigarettes and loose change to rap for them in the hall ways in between classes & on the way to the bathroom.
It was then when I decided to start taking music more seriously, and release a project. I wrote/recorded "Sky In My Mind" and released I on myspace, and I received over 139 plays in my first day (good for a small town of about 20,000 people)
Just before the school year finished, I found myself at a local bar in Glace Bay (North Street Club) when a local artist (Initial) {link to music below} had asked me to do backups for him, and asked if I wanted to play something myself. ----This introduced the possibility of concerts for me---
During the time in grade 11 I had spent my time writing/recording music in my bedroom with a local friend, Mike Fahey.
We released our first 2 singles, 'Introductory Note' & 'Peace of Mind' each receiving critical responses, which left kids in our school singing the songs for months. I continued writing/recording my own songs and released a mixtape entitled 'God Knows'. with 12 songs on it, 10 original beats and 2 industry beats.
When I was in Grade 12, I was in a computer class listening to music when an announcement came over the P.A asking anyone with ANY MUSICAL TALENT interested in competing in an East Coast Music Association competition to meet in room 116.
Well, I walked into the room so happy I was jumping. With loads of students gathering around (with only a 4 member band competing besides myself). I asked people what they were doing there. Some Girls looked at me agitated saying "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" I replied "I'm going to win this contest, do any of you even sing, rap or are u in a band?!" and I never got a response.
Bethany (woman in charge of competition) explained that we would have to send in a song as a submission, and finalists would be picked based on their (our) submission. The winners would play 3 concerts in a week, get a radio interview with a song played, and would have a song on Cape Breton Universities soundtrack.
I ran home, rolled up 2 joints & grabbed a pack of Marlboro Gold from my basement. I wrote my submission (clean of curses) and recorded it that afternoon in between good cigarettes and some greenery.
The Newspaper the next week came, and it had been stated that I was a Wild Card contestant along with another rapper, seeing as there had been no Hip Hop category. We had all been selected to perform concerts in front of our classmates.
I played Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay in front of 500 people plus teachers & show mates. I did 3 songs and I sold 25 CD's that day. The Next Day I did my radio interview on CBC Radio, they played my single 'Justin Other Day'. The day after that, we played our finale concert, where the winners would be chosen, in front of 900 people. ----I WON---
Fans came up after the show, hugging, smiling, congratulating me and buying my mixtape. I was so happy to finally be established in the Music Industry. The following night I did a concert at Savoy again in front of approximately 300 people.
The day after that to end off my 8 day long string of 4 concerts, a radio interview with all those CD sales. I played 'The Pitt' lounge in Cape Breton University with other local rappers, such as Mischif {link below} and others to celebrate out East Coast Music Awards which had been hosted here in our City.
As years went on I continued to play concerts in bars and local venues, I interacted with the most popular artists from our area, and made a good name for myself. I released 'Everything' in 2011 with an intro and 12 songs. It received a good following and I consider it my last release to date.
From 2011-2013 I was performing at local Skate Parks for Canada Day, Local Establishments in front of hundreds of fans.
I was recording songs at home and releasing them to my friends.
In 2014 I recorded my first music video, for a song called 'How It Goes'. Directed/edited by Mischif {who's seen above}
In the summer of 2014, I returned to writing new music. I had reached a whole new skill level. I wrote 22 songs in 8 months, recording some as I went along. In the winter of 2014 I got a camera and decided to ATTEMPT to shoot/edit my own music videos. The first one being called 'Just A Phase', a song about love and hate {1 verse about hating to love, the other about loving to hate}
I released a few other music videos in 2015. One for my favourite song 'In my Mind/Will Be Fine'. Where I rap about what goes on in my mind, including: day dreaming about ITALY, wanting to be a Were Wolf, travelling to the future through a Worm Hole, and portals to other dimension's. I WAS ONE OF A KIND, UNIQUE AND ORIGINAL.
Some of my songs are probably better to listen to, but I achieved greatness & perfection in my art.
I wrote & recorded the songs myself, and I even mix/mastered them alone.
In early 2015, I got word that my favourite rapper/actor {even if he's just a glorified extra} TYRONE (T) from TRAILER PARK BOYS had been planning a show at a bar in my city in a few weeks.
I contacted the DJ who for some reason didn't know if I was playing the show with them or not, asked if I was Playing.
I responded saying "I wish I was, I'll be there though...I've rapped for years".
The DJ conversed with other artists playing the show, and he hit me up asking if I wanted to play, I obviously said YES.
This was the last concert I played, filming portions of a music video, and enjoying myself with over 11 grams of weed smoked that day, 10 beers into me at the show.
In the spring of 2015 I recorded a few more music videos, 1 about being possessed by the devil
& another laid back, inspirational summer song entitled 'See You In Heaven'
This is my introduction, I hope to return to music some day to release my album, but as of right now I'm focusing on other aspects of the entertainment industry, such as Film direction, Screen Play writing & film editing. I hope you enjoyed my post, and hope you all like it..
Have a good day (night)