Blog Archives

So, what’s your Story?

Apr 24, 2021 by admin - 0 Comments

And what is your story?

This is one of my most favorite questions to ask people. Not only is it an open-ended question, but it more often than not gets the person to really tell me something that isn’t just surface level fluff.

So often we may get bogged down with trying to keep up and maintain every single thing that is associated with being an independent artist that we forget in integral aspect to our real reason for pursuing our passion… to create & connect. In the midst of posting to IG, livestreaming on YouTube, taking pictures of yourself being creative, making some poll on Twitter to generate engagement, and on and on and on – you forget that the main thing folks want from you is just you. But again, we’re all so busy trying to make sure all the plates are spinning that we forget the small detail of not having enough hands to spin all the plates with.

Your fans want to know what’s your story. Meaning, what makes you do what you do? Have you ever had your soul beat up by an unforeseen event? Why do you have that lisp and how have you made it not be a hurdle in pursuing your artistry, or do you still consider it a hurdle? These are some of the things that people actually want from an artist, not just another foodie picture on IG (unless of course you are a foodie in which case having lots of food-related pictures is part of your story).

If I for example mention that one of the reasons I make beats like this one is because I went to private school as a child and was exposed to a lot of liturgical music, then it would start to add to my ‘narrative’ as far as what comprises some of my influences as a beatmaker/producer. That little extra detail alone now begins to add another shade to the mosaic that comprises Duplicuts. Now other connections can begin to unfold based on that one detail and you can see how it’ll lead to other things and perhaps even further exploration.

So while I’m not saying don’t post your foodie pics, just remember that your fans want to know your story over everything else.

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Creativity doesn’t play fair!!!

Apr 02, 2021 by admin - 0 Comments

The Muse SUCKS!!!

Creativity can often times feel like it’s fleeting, randomly assigned, and not always conducive to a person’s time table. Or is it?

Much to the dismay of what many think of as artistry & inspiration, endeavors in the sciences for example have always benefited and arguably wouldn’t exist without the innovation and creativity of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.  In an effort to better access the “mojo” behind creativity, some things that I’ve done are operate on a set Monday – Friday schedule for when I go about my music endeavors.

Now yes, from time to time I will stray from this as it isn’t entirely set in stone. But that’s where the flexibility aspect of the formula comes in. The above-referenced template is just that, a guide by which to structure my time by. If I find myself mentally wandering off, I have the template to refer to and snap me back into my workflow. But since that framework already exists, I can afford then to be flexible should something unforeseen arise. And remember that this flexibility can also be part of what allows you as a creative to get into unexplored areas to tap into new energy. It’s why you’ll have people like Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna adopt an entirely new sound. Sure they may initially alienate some of their fanbase because the fans may have been expecting the sounds & themes they became accustomed to, but in the long run as artists, they are better off for exploring their artistry.

Always remember that fortune tends to favor the bold. If you’re truly bold in your creative endeavors, your reward may very well be like nothing you could’ve dreamt of. Keep chiseling on the technique to the long road of craft mastery because while you tackle your creativity upfront and head-on, you allow inspiration to sneak in through the back door.

-Dup

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Once a creative…

Dec 13, 2020 by admin - 0 Comments

 

I tend to look at things just a little bit differently. Perhaps not in a sense that’s considered radical or anything, but just differently enough that it would place me in the overall ‘odd’ or ‘askew’ category in life. It never really bothered me because I didn’t even see it as something of an issue quite honestly. But looking back, it’s probably one of the the reasons why things like skateboarding, Hip-hop culture, and so many other things appealed to my senses. Things that sprung out of an ethos of ‘doing-things-MY-way’. In Hip-hop culture, it wasn’t the norm to put the needle on the record and walk away from it. It was the norm the put the needle on the record and manipulate the record in ways never before imagined. We took a regular run-of-the-mill spray can that no one gave a second thought to, and made sheer art. Skateboarding took a handrail, made to assist you in descending/climbing staircases, and said “nah, this is how were going to utilize this” and proceeded to create their own art & artists.

So whether it’s putting together an unusal outfit for yourself or making a beat like this with odd Gregorian chants, keep that creative spark about yourself because once a creative, always a creative.

-Duplicuts

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✨ Let’s collab!!! ✨

Oct 19, 2020 by admin - 0 Comments

This is a brief post going out to all the dancers/rappers/singer-songwriters who have downloaded any of my beats in the past… let’s collab! 

You’ve already downloaded a beat or two from me which I am super thankful for, but it doesn’t have to stop there right? Need a version of a beat without the bassline on that hook? What about a dancehall version of this Hip hop beat you got last month? Let’s get to work and keep the energy goin’! This is not just about music, it’s about creating an environment and a community of artists thriving for the highest resolution art possible.

So if you’re down to forge phenomenal art and moments – HIT ME UP and lets WORK!

-Duplicuts

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My Studio Workflow

Sep 08, 2019 by admin - 0 Comments

What goes into my workflow when I make music? Well that mostly depends on what day of the week it is, time of day/night, etc. I generally stick to the same output process, although it can vary:

  • Monday & Tuesday = create melodies, refine & polish older melodies
  • Wednesday & Thursday = add drums and accompanying instruments/sounds to melodies made earlier in the week as well as sequence/arrange/mix beats
  • Friday = Everything else related to music ie. create videos for uploading to IG, YouTube, FB. Write blog posts. Review any pertinent analytics. Source designers for single/album covers. Create marketing plans & review budgets for ad spending, etc.
  • Saturday & Sunday = Live life!!!

Now this schedule is something that’s a framework with some wiggle room as sometimes things will come unexpectedly (and you have to come to terms with the fact that things DO and WILL come up unexpectedly), but overall it’s a schedule that seems to work for me. And the main thing is that come Monday, I already know what I have to do. Even if I wake up and I’m not “in the mood”, in those moments I treat this like a professional and just do the work. Whereas if I just do whatever it is whenever I feel like it, I would meander to & fro and at the end of the day have nothing or very little to show for my efforts.

May your skies be blue, and your beats be DIRRRRRTY!

-Dup