Wow!  So I've heard if it ain't worth working for, it ain't worth having.  If that shit is true then this dream must be priceless...which it so is, which means I am still on the grind!  First off, if you're reading this and have not downloaded the "Eternal Flame" album then you need to click on the "home" page and download it right now for absolutely free and come back and finish reading this.  I've had many people ask me why I released "Eternal Flame" as a mixtape versus an album considering that every track, with the exception of a J Dilla track, is an original beat.  Well, for those who have been following all along, I released an album called "Ashes of Another LIfe" (www.itunes.com/jadefox) in 2007.  It was independently released but definitely was a benchmark for myself as an artist and what I consider a creative achievement. I began working on new music right after I wrapped up "Ashes" and it is a process that is allowing me to evolve as an artist as far as songwriting, producing, working with various producers and musicians, other artists, as well as being a soundtrack to my growth as an individual.  Now that whole project is still deep in the works and all the while I've had mad producers contact me and send me tracks saying they would love to collaborate.  Me being an mc, I can't resist a hot beat...no matter how hard I try...it'll just stay in my head and a song will magically appear and refuse to go away.  So with so many talented producers sending me tracks, and me being stuck in a zone which would can be described as the complete opposite of writer's block, I arranged with them to collaborate and release an album for free.  Now what "Eternal Flame" marks for me is taking the role as an engineer and recording and mixing tracks myself.  Now I have always declared myself to be a "sound snob" so I felt that with me taking on the engineering roles as an amateur, it would be best to release a compilation of tracks as a mixtape so people would know it's not the official follow up to the "Ashes" album.  So mad love to the producers who gave me full permission to release their tracks for free and worked with me out of the pure love of music...they completely inspired and made the "Eternal Flame" album possible.
         On top of all that I have tons of unreleased music.  And I know I may have a biased opinion, but the shit is hot!  I have my follow up to "Ashes" which is beyond creatively crazy I can't even begin to explain it.  There is also another album that I had been working on with an industry producer that ended disastrously, but it will become another chapter in my book of life.  If you don't know the story yet, you can catch up by reading this here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=430431649259 .   And on top of all that, what I am extremely excited about (live drum roll please)....is my band, Rebel Nation.  For those who have caught recent live shows, you have had the chance to see me rocking with a live band.  Well, we have finally put a name to that sound, and it is Rebel Nation, so make sure to join the rebellion.  It's been years in the making but it feels like the right members have been casted for the band.  I am honored to be in a band with guitarist, Nic Richards, drummer, Billy Dangerous, bassist, H.I. and dope mc, Delano Dutch.  Being a music fan and an asshole perfectionist I can honestly say that I feel the live shows are getting better and we are achieving our goal to have an experience with the crowd.  Some recent footage of the band can be seen here: Rebel Nation Live
       Well, it's going on 530 in the morning and studio sessions and band practice will be calling in a couple of hours, so hope I've been able to catch you up on a few things.  Make sure to check back occasionally, my mind and fingers are actually back in blog mode so I'll be documenting what I know will be a crazy, unforgettable summer of 2011.  Read and hear about it from the first hand perspective right here.  Make sure to check out the events calender on the home page to get caught up on all the latest shows...I know I'll see you there


One Love,

Jade

Do you know the trouble I've seen?
Sometimes I feel like life is a bad dream
or a play with nothing but sad scenes
wondering why the pain won't ever pass me
but everyday survived is a story to be told
my only regret, letting the world turn my heart cold
it keeps others from adding to the hurt I already hold
so for those who think they know me, I'm telling you, you don't know
got a minute to listen, take a seat in the front row
look through the window of my soul, I got something to show
and when I die, don't cry, I've been wanting to go
while I'm alive, I'ma try to turn nothing to gold
as I
search for words attempting to express just how I feel
no longer question if the visions in my mind are real
faint memories of a life with my dreams fulfilled
yet in this life, every path seems blocked and sealed
truth revealed, with every thought and emotion spilled
my soul slowly heals, realizing God's will
is the same as mine
the two bodies coincide like space and time
feel free to take these lines
straight to the heart
take my hand, walk with me as the seas part
to a place where life no longer seems hard
you say it's not possible, well I disagree
you say it can't be done, well in time we'll see
so it shall be in the end as it once began
I never thought that in this lifetime I would fly again
but where the doubt once existed faith can now be found
cuz I refuse to let the motherfuckers hold me down
see they're the ones who haven't figured it by now,
this is much more than music, it's a movement through sound
just ask those who believe by now,
this is much more than music,
it's a movement through sound

Time to spread the word! One of the hottest shows of all time (yes, Kanye said it out his own mouth!) will be going down this Saturday, October 23rd at Fish Head Cantina. Minlus and McCracken's "Believe" album release party is going down. Myself, Jade Fox w/live band (swear we'll have a band name soon =)) have the honor to be part of a great line up of artists that will be killing the stage. It's been a while since I've been so excited about a show! $5 pitchers of beers and $5 bombs all night long. This will be a good time, full of moments to talk about at the water cooler the next day, or if you're lucky, the beer cooler, lol. Anyways, bring yourself out, live a little, dance a little, drink a little, and have some fun. Check it out!

What: Minlus and McCracken "Believe" Album Release Party
Where: Fish Head Cantina 4802 Benson Ave, Arbutus, MD
When: Saturday, October 23rd
Cost: $10 admission at the door
Who: Fat 2 Death, No B.S., Jade Fox, Grad Dai, Minlus and McCracken, Big Slop and Ill Measured, Fresh Competition


Also, our band will be having special guest Krizz from Unstoppable Nuklehidz hyping it up on stage with us!

In other news, I'm excited to say that the JFK Mixtape Vol I: Eternal Flame is in the final stages of being complete. It contains all original beats, so expect it to shatter all previous conceptions and expectations of mixtapes! Make sure to check out the website in the upcoming weeks to be able to download it for free. The release party for the mixtape will be held at Sonar on Nov. 26th. Lots more details to come.

Here's a quick overview of the band's upcoming schedule:

Oct. 23rd - Minlus and McCracken album release party @ Fish Head Cantina Arbutus, MD

Nov.10th - Anger Management @ The M Room, Philly,PA

Nov. 26th - Sonar Baltimore, MD

Definitely make sure to keep checking www.jadefoxmusiccom for all the latest information on new music, shows, video footage, and just what the hell is going on with us!

See you this Saturday, Oct. 23rd!

One Love,

Jade

Wow, my first post in 2010 and the year's halfway over.  Time flies when you're having (fill in the blank with your own emotion).  I think I'm writing more rhymes and songs that I ever have since my voyage into music.  Been at a loss for word though when it comes to blogging, or maybe I'm confusing that with laziness.  Well I officially took a break from completing my follow up to "Ashes of Another Life" due to life issues such as buying a new car among other things.  I've consciously decided to wrap that shit up in September.  Don't have a name for it yet but it should be called "Forever and a day, and then some more".  It's been a long time coming and I'm feeling the excitement slowly creeping up on me.  I should be releasing a free mixtape for the next official album drops.  The mixtape consists of all original beats and really came about from having finished the recording of my new album a while ago, but having a lot of producer get at me to drop something on their production.  So it'll be more of a straight rhymes kind vibe for the mixtape versus the whole 5-8 minute loaded compositions I do for the album.  Been given a great chance to explore lots of different styles and vibes with all the different producer's I've had the opportunity to work with.  Lots of talented people out there and in this area.  Nothing soothes a bored mind like creativity!  Time to do the damn thing!

I've been completely out of the blogoshpere for a  while now.  Just been doing random shit here and there.  One statement that rings more than true over anything else is that my life revolves around music...mentally, physically, emotionally, physically, and whatever other category there is that exists.   So here's the latest  updates:

For all the few digits of people that regularly check the website.  The Ram's Head Live Show that was supposed to take place on Nov. 8th has been postponed.  Just keep checking back to see when it's all going to go down.  However, a huge show/party is going down at Fish Head Cantina on Nov. 7th.   The drink specials really can't be fucked with.  Talking about $5 pitchers of beer and bombs all night long!  As well as beer pong from 6-8pm and $1 domestic bottles.  If you want to be entertained come watch the show, and with those prices I'll probably being entertaining off stage too .   If you don't know, come see. 



Check out those killer drink specials at the bottom of the flyer!

As far as new music is concerned, fret no more listeners, I will be have a mixtape of all original beats and songs available for free shortly.  Yes, I said FREE, so keep checking into the website to see when it's available for download.  For those who haven't gotten some exclusive free tracks already, look through the home page for links to free songs. and sign up for the email lists to receive exclusive free tracks through email.  The official album and follow up to Ashes of Another Life will be available in early 2010.  All I can say is it's a lot more evolved than Ashes and beyond any personal expectations.  As an attempting perfectionist that's saying a lot!

Also I will be performing this Friday (October 23rd) on UMBC's campus at a special party thrown for the dorms.  Now's my chance to relive my college years and all I can say is I can still party with the best of them!  Frank the Tank watch the F out!    Also this Saturday, Halloween house party where I'll be performing live along with other bands.  Booze and Boos, liquor and costumes, live music and unbridled chaos...get at me to get the address.  Come on through with all your friends, it's an open paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarty!

One more thing, make sure to check out Escapizm Radio every Saturday from 6-8pm on UMBC radio.  Brown Monkey Music gives you the best of Baltimore and Underground Hip Hop on wmbc.umbc.edu or on 560am. Tune in MOFO's MUUUUHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Just a side note:  I will treasure every time I hear "Thriller" everytime this Halloween season.  R.I.P. Michael Jackson...Long Live The King!!!

Jade snitches!!!!

Well, it's been all of a few months so far since I got my new used car and that's exactly the time it took for me to blow out my speakers.  I blame one of the following cd's that I've been bumping in heavy rotation, for the crapola I now hear through my speakers:



Mos Def - The Ecstatic:  I like this cd as an overall piece of work.  Something to play as  whole, otherwise it might just be hard to get.



Khingz- From Slaveships to Spaceships:  this is a sick independent album.  In association with MADK productions, I've been bumping this album hard, total package, from lyrics that really get you thinking to creative off the wall production you don't hear anymore.  I love this album because it reminds me of myself as an independent artist putting out some professional quality shit.  Make sure to check out Khingz on ITunes and support independent/underground music



Jay-Z - Blueprint 3:  Jigga is back again!  I can say there's definitely some songs I don't care for on this album and skip right over, but as a whole, it's different from the hip hop albums in the last couple of years, so I applaud it for that reason on it's own.  I've heard others throw around the word classic in reference to it, and all I can say to that is, listen to the Blueprint 1, a real classic, and now think how bad you feel about even considering this may be a classic.  But still keep in mind, I'm bumpin it.



Pink - Funhouse:  Yeah, so I got this album probably way later than everyone else, but since I've had a chance to listen to it for a month now, I think it's good as shit.  It's Pink returning to form from her album Mizundastood.  The songwriting is something that deserves repeat listening and much of the production does a great job in fitting her vibe.  As far as Pink's voice, it's better than ever and a pleasure to listen to, making you realize that you're listening to a great singer.

So I blame all of the above for the reason I have to buy new speakers!   All in the sacrafice of music!

Kanye West what were you thinking???  Won't be so easy to shake off this tirade.  The ability to create timeless music is better than any award!  Appreciate the real gift.

Finally, finally, finally got a new car stereo put in.  Perfect timing considering I should probably get rid of my car soon.  I definitely had some time to think, considering I made the wise decision of silence over listening to a station play the same song for the sixth time in the day.  I actually use my car to make a lot of mixing notes in my head while in the process of mixing new music.  For those who have seen the movie "Once" (love that movie!).  There's a scene where the engineer takes the band into a car to do the "car test."  I loved that part because that's the shit I'm sure many musicians do in real life.  I know I do.  Since I drive so damn much I also do a lot of writing in my head while riding around so I am elated to have a stereo where I can just hook up my Ipod and throw on some beats.  Now I wonder how long before I blow out my speakers?

So the new album is still in the works.  It's a lot more evolved then the last one, therefore many more countless hours of working on the music.  It's interesting because I'm making an effort to shut out the business stuff that keeps coming my way, because in my head all I'm thinking is I want to finish my second album before having to go deep into all that stuff.  Keep my focus on the artistic part.  However,  I know that's the exact opposite of what I should be doing, because I need to be setting myself up for when the album is done not afterwards.  I'm kind of stubborn when it comes to creative input from the "suits" or people coming from the money side of things (I'll probably have to change that soon), but I've came this far with my album and paying for it, I'd rather just finish it out as something strickly done from my creative standpoint and not in terms of marketing and crap.  All I can ask for is growth on this new album.  There's no comparing it to the last.  Ashes of Another Life will always be that album, the one that got the ball rolling.  It started the fire and gave it air to breathe.  I guess it's aptly titled because it's a transition for me musically, creatively and pursuing and believing it as a career option.
   The new joint is shaping up to be nice.   I have been blessed enough to take the music even further with the producers, engineers, musicians, and other artists I've had the opportunity to work with.  There's more variety of producers on this album and I'm working with a lot more other artists.  In recent sessions I had a musician come in and play live violin on a track and it was amazing!  I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with a full orchestra one day (I'd have to repeatedly pinch myself if that were to happen).   Overall all, I think that album is a lot more melodic, even more diverse than Ashes, it's just captures the growth that has occurred over the last couple of years, both in life and music. 
   Speaking of life, I had a song on my last album entitled "Nothing."  I've come to think of it as my "woe is me" song and said over a year ago, I didn't want to make a song like that again.   It was definitely more in reference of staying out of situations that would allow me to make a song like that and I did a good job at that...for a while.   It's obvious from my lyrics and long ass blogs like these that I think a lot.  The problem is, it's more as a reflective aspect, and sometimes I just don't think enough in the moment or when I should and before you know it, I've gone and done something stupid and devestating again.  Mistake, learn, mistake, learn, mistake, learn, and I definitely have a lot to learn this time. Who knows, maybe I unconsciously do "interesting" things because it makes for good material.  Oh well, what doesn't kill me gives me another song... "Nothing II" ???
    Back to the point of the blog, I can't wait for the new album to be done!  Once again, it's shaping to be above and beyond what I originally envisioned.  Couple of more months.   Guess whose bizack!

I just saw an ad that said "Get your Obama check."  That's a little bothering.