As those who are on my email list are aware, I have removed “certain” social media apps from my phones. It's a beautiful break yet frustrating because majority of the people I connect with are still on it. That's fine, not gonna sell the idea of moving over to bsky.social but IT IS A DIFFERENT feel over there.

But the purpose of this blog isn't to speak on that, it's to speak on something different…but related. 

I watched a video today from songwriter Theron Thomas and the basis of this particular video was all the things in the music business the avg person doesn't know/understand or want to accept. And in this conversation, he was making the point about why certain people get mad at success….or why some are mad at the success of others.

In a nutshell, we tend to get mad NOT AT THE PERSON(S) DIRECTLY, but at the lack of understanding why we aren't successful.

Now, full transparency, “success” is a subjective phrase and each of us have different ways of defining it…and sometimes, those definitions may change depending on the tasks and/or day. Yet, there was one line in this video Mr. Thomas said “winners in this world aren't mad…” - This line stuck w/ me

When some of us see someone else enjoying the benefits of their hard work that we believe we've also put in, we get a lil sour at the thought of “them” and not “me”. We start questioning what did they do that I haven't done or they must have _______________ in order to get there. A lot of us tend to ignore the fact that THEY STRUGGLED on their path to success, also. It might NOT have been the exact same struggle as you or me - but they had their own variation of hardship.

Another line he said in the same topic was “people just want to be mad…” As hilarious as this might sound, it is a valid point. SOME folks just want to be mad because it allows them to justify how they feel, what choices they make and/or to use their circumstances as validated excuses of why things aren't working.

I GET IT, THOUGH! Sometimes, the emotions get the best of our thinking and we just stew and dwell. The problem with that routine is - while your movement isn't continuing…LIFE STILL IS! And because of that, you can't get back the time you lost focusing on what didn't happen. This tends to keep most of us stuck. And, also, it can cause progression paralysis and makes you afraid to try to get out the situation because “you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop”. 

Hence, the frustration sets in because they must have skipped that part of the struggle…or maybe, JUST MAYBE, you weren't around to see it

Now, when progress is being made and you look around you, the “mad” version of you isn't a resident in your mind and you keep moving. And how quickly we call someone else a “hater” when they “get mad” at our progress… kinda funny, ain't it?

So, I lean towards the way of thinking instead of getting mad at someone else for advancing to a place where you WANT to be, focus that energy on changing your course to get you there. You don't know their path nor their connections nor their environment that held them or pushed them…but you do know yours. And THAT is something we need to aim at daily. Another reason why I have made it a thing to focus on: “Compete but never compare” - this little game allows you to obtain YOUR goal for the time you dedicate to it. It's the little steps that climbs the biggest mountains…and too many people are skipping leg day

So, the next time you get mad at someone, ask yourself are they the real reason you're not where you want to be OR are you trying to find a landing pad for your deflection? 

My piece of advice, is take that “mad” energy and allow it to fuel you to push up that hill or through that wall or out of that pit. 

If you're sick and tired of being “sick and tired” then get mad at the things that are KEEPING you there…not those who have done what you haven't figured out yet to make it for themselves

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

Man, there are SEVERAL different types of “diets” out on the market and everyone has their struggles with their preferred results. ONE of the biggest difficulties in dieting is: which one works best for…YOU!

I've learned that regardless of the diet I pick, ONE thing is for certain - a 72 hr fast IS A MUST!!!!

I'll make this quick.

Pick 3 days you don't have anything planned that would either distract you or (heavily) tempt you go get off this plan. Eat something nice & filling your day before and from THAT point of completing that meal to 3 days later, have NOTHING BUT, water or…

Bone Broth. Yup. THAT'S IT! The broth will act as your “meal” whenever you're having the cravings/urges to eat. Pour into a cup, heat it in the microwave for about 3 - 4 mins and sip! I add hot sauce to mine just for some extra flavor

I get it. By now, you've already made all types of comments and retorts about the idea - but I bet you haven't even tried it yet (funny how people who have NOT tried something “knows everything about” that thing, ain't it?). 

There's 3 different flavors I've seen: Chicken, Vegetable & Beef; each one has it's own benefit(s) but each is still a preference. I go w/ either the Chicken or Veggie mainly because they're “lighter” and easier/faster for the body to digest while Beef is more “filling”. There is also a “Spicy” favor for the chicken. Beware tho - it DOES have a kick to it!

I add hot sauce to mine and just mix it up and sip on it.

I would say, day 2 is the MOST CHALLENGING of the 3 days because of what stage the body is in by this time. Simply just Google what are the stages your body goes through when on a 72 hour fast and you will then have a better understanding of what's going on at certain times during the process

I also have the understanding that the cravings you have aren't really cravings…as much as it is the “parasites” that are living in our gut, intestines, colon DYING/CRYING OUT FOR HELP. The lack of food is “starving” THEM and the liquid consumption is forcing them to “evacuate”. Again, just look up what is happening to them during your fast and it might blow your mind.

There's also a “mental clarity” around the 2nd half of Day 2 or by Day 3. It's hard to explain but when you feel it = WONDERFUL! My anxiety was damn near non-existent and I had ABSOLUTELY NO CRAVINGS for anything. It's like the body is going through a full fledge repair/recycle and by Day 3 it's loving you for it

I “want” to do a 72 hour fast weekly but realistically, I am going to do this at least every other week. 

Oh, another good source of fluid to drink during this your fast, or anytime in general, ORGANIC Cocconut water

You can thank me later

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

We have so many ways on how we process stress, distractions, emotional or simply "how to" process. I have tried SEVERAL different ways and they all work but the one thing I struggled w/ was, and at times, is consistency! I will do something for a day or 3, NOTICE IT WORKS, then old habits pull me back to square one!

ONE of the issues that I realized about myself is, once I notice something works, I tend to slack off on it - because I KNOW IT WORK; and I can just get back to it when I want. Some will say that this is a form of laziness or undisciplined behavior. Though, while that CAN be made as a case, in my personal deep digging, that wasn't it at all.

ADHD, OCD & layered w/ a MILD AF case of D.I.D all played a part in me starting something but then not finishing it completely - especially because I moved on to begin another task. Some current examples are my clothing line and my shoe line and my podcast. All still around but not as prevalent as the music. 

Ok, so what was it? Did I just get bored w/ one and move to the next “hot thing”? Did I not have a passion for the previous projects and walk away from them because they weren't “profitable”? NOPE & NOPE! I've always wanted to do each thing that I started and what I have yet to tackle. ONE of the major obstacles were time, focus & execution. 

I eventually am going to become my own “One Stop Shop” for everything I have going on. But, my focus was skewed because of “self inflicting pressure” I put on myself. Some non-existing expectations I made myself carry because of a band of critiques who didn't exist were going to judge me if I didn't. So, a lot of the issues were me in my own head - sort to speak.

But, the bombshell REALLY hit just a few weeks ago when I happen to see 2 videos; of the same point but not by the same person or time frame, speaking on the importance of sitting in silence. This is a dangerous place to be because then your brain begins to fill the noise w/ “stuff” and then you begin to act. You act because it's an automated “to do” thing or you do it to drown out the noise your mind is turning louder by the second. Either way, sitting in silence for 10 mins can make a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE in how the rest of your day/night goes.

I tried it…AND IT WORKED! So, naturally, I stopped for a week because I know it works and I can just get back to it. But, then I realized that I went back into that toxic behavior and made it my goal to SIT MY AZZ DOWN for 10 mins and do NOTHING! 

Its going to be difficult for you newbies, because you're going to have the itch to move. Fight it! You're going to want to reach for your phone and occupy your eyes. FIGHT IT! Best time to do this is 1st thing in the morning! Reach for your phone to ONLY turn off the alarm and then set it back down - SCREEN DOWN - and just sit there. 

Your brain is going to flow a cascade of images and thoughts and sounds and all kinds of cool tricks that is going to make you want to walk TF away. FIGHT IT! It's part of this “process”. After about, what seems 3 yrs but actually just 2 - 3 minutes, you will notice things start to quiet down and move slower. I see it as your brain is behaving like a hyper kid charged on sugar and has all this energy to burn. By sitting down and letting your imagination run around, you're letting it burn off all that “extra energy”. So, after about 10 minutes, you might feel a unusual difference in peace and calm. Do this for a week and it's almost like Day 3 you “feel” like a whole different person. You might even notice your thought process may seem less chaotic and you have more energy to do things that you normally would have been “too tired” to do.

Now, with this new toy I have, my days are different. My approach is different. When I feel that I need to take a break, I no longer “push through” because I'm being lazy. I now know I just need to take a step away and allow my brain to quiet itself down. Maybe go outside and breathe some fresh air, take a walk around the block or just go and “touch grass”. 

This new accepted discovery has allowed me to understand that overwhelming yourself isn't a sign of strength or leadership. It's a sign of self-neglect and lack of a boundary - to yourself!

I hope this post gave someone some insight on reflecting on how they approach certain things; work related, home related or mental awareness. And I hope that anything that I suggested sparked something for you to look into and possible experiment for yourself. Change won't take real change overnight. It might take a few days to a few weeks for noticeable change to occur. 

Three weeks to make a habit - Three weeks to break one. Just trust that if you want to create something different, you need to put in the work to learn what works for and/or against you. Then, trust that you can learn why it did or didn't. 

You got to trust yourself to be able to improve yourself. But, before all of that, you got to trust you are doing the right thing.

you got to just, trust the process - regardless of the time it takes YOU

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

The more the world spins, the more the (Entertainment) Industry changes its rules to assure its supremacy over artists. From the lack of compensation for artist to the limited options breaking free from the grips of this vile, drooling creature we so desperately want approval from.

The key to Independence isn't to be dependent on the machine, but to create a system to where the system needs to be dependent on you! And, where most people today weren't around to see, it was this way at a time. We just need to get back to THAT timeline. Well, here is ONE pathway to do so

STOP UPLOADING YOUR WORK TO THESE PLATFORMS and begin creating your own "platform". NOT your social media page, NOT a DSP, but YOUR OWN page, YOUR OWN site, YOUR OWN app! Now, by doing this, YOU own your artistic land! YOU own your pipeline to your fanbase! YOU are your own middle(wo)man!

Sure, your reach, especially in the beginning, won't be as large as it would be on the platforms that you probably are currently utilizing. But, at least YOU have more of a control of the “rotation” you music has when YOU are your own DJ!

2nd option - COLLAB! I have seen SO MANY POSTS/VIDS of Artists complaining about how nobody wants to support or how so many people are out here doing artists dirty and taking advantage of them. DESPITE THAT BEING VALID & TRUE, it can't be the “excuse” why things don't get done. So, instead of trying to find “promotors” who are questionable (but known in your area), reach out to other artists; in particular the ones within your range or a step or two behind/ahead of where you currently are. Listen, since you're artists trying to achieve the same goal and head in the same direction, you both would be enthused to be a part of each other's growth. And, to piggyback on this point, extend that to artists in different cities, counties, states - other markets. You never know where that might lead. Hell, you might connect w/ an artist who has an idea that isn't working in their market but could be the missing piece for you in yours.

Share each other's content. Post video of you guys collaborating on an idea - whether its brainstorming or putting in work, it can lead to a bond to help solidify your foundation. And don't limit yourself to just "YOUR genre". Working with someone in a different genre COULD inspire you to create some work that you didn't know you would fall in love with but also it exposes you to a different audience who might be interested in what you currently have.

You're welcome

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

Today was another reminder of how we all tend to take things that are minor and turn them into something MAJOR! 

I'm going to make this blog quick!

In the grand scheme of things, everything that we put as a priority, truly may not be what we make it out to be. Then, later on in life, we realize it and it's too late to cherish all the things that should've have mattered. 

Health, Peace & Memories…

Don't sweat the small stuff

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

I just wanted to give some encouragement to any and everyone out there is who is trying to find his/her way through this journey of life and “feels” as if “WHAT'S THE FUCKING POINT?!”

I get it. Lord, knows, I GET IT! But what most of us don't understand is how the things that “we don't see” are actually being created, existing and operating! See, we tend to have this “expectation” of how we define our success. And most of the time, our definition isn't the same definition that is used universally with others

Most people see success in levels of monetary advancement. Others might see it as in a large growth or following. Each one is similar yet completely different. Personally, I saw both of these as two separate yet equivalent parameters. Since the more money you have the more successful you are viewed, that one is a no brainer. In today's world, the more followers you have the more validated you tend to be. But, I have also noticed that, in several cases, those who have either or, possibly both, still are searching for something else. They are now searching for…. “success”

What I mean is, MORE of what they already have obtained. Which, by observation, tells me, success isn't truly either of the two things that I mentioned above. I lean towards it being something that most of us overlook. Success is “HAPPINESS”

What is happiness to you? Well, it might be the very opposite of what we universally accept as being happy. When you take the time to explore that and define it to custom fit YOU, then it might become signifigantly easier for YOU to achieve YOUR happiness. ONE thing that could help speed up that process is - STOP COMPARING YOUR LIFE/GOAL/JOURNEY to another persons. YOU don't know what (s)he had to witness, endure nor overcome to get to, what you see as, “man, they're so lucky”. 

Stop whatever it is you're doing, unless you're reading this, and give yourself 5 - 10 mins on COMPLETE disconnect and ask yourself “what is success”. If you need to say it out loud for your ears to hear, do so. IF you need to write it down so you can process the thoughts and see it in writing, do so. We all have different goals we want to achieve and it doesn't make sense for YOU to put yourself in competition with someone when your lives aren't giving you the same type of training.

Success is however YOU define it for you. So, as you process that, remember this race is at YOUR pace, YOUR speed, YOUR lane. YOU are in control of YOUR vehicle. And, as long as you never give up on the race, baby - THAT, IN ITSELF, SUCCESS!!!!

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

I was watching a clip online w/ Ray Daniels and he was breaking down how, what once was such a rare treat, is now becoming an expected norm. And in this clip, he was speaking on how everything is about “Entertaining” people; how everything is a “spectacle”. Initially, I thought I knew what he meant, until I realized I didn't

He used the examples of the late Michael Jackson & Prince. See, when we think of the term “spectacle”, Im sure we relate it to big flashing lights, megaphones & large crowds. Though this can be true in the entertainment world, it can also mean something else. Being on the radio, music videos or radio (station) tours. “Spectacles” were also going to the (night) club and making appearances to get the crowd hyped and/or exclusive details about a release in the near future. Those were also “spectacles”. Those were things that generated a stir of excitement and created an anticipation for that/those particular artist(s).

See, singing and dancing musicians were something that has happened all throughout time, so in order to stand out, you had to differentiate yourself from the crowd…you had to create a “spectacle”. 

See, according to Mr Daniels clip, Michael Jackson understood that his footwork on stage/while performing was something that people LOVED to watch and admire. So, what did Michael do? Simple…He wore shiny/sparkly socks! In regards to Prince, his fanbase was LONG before this example, but, during his super bowl halftime performance…the "Purple Rain" - NOW, the color is synonymous with him, aka “The Purple One”. Those were little, minor, insignificant things to some, but it also gave the crowd something to connect to and remember them by - creating an ever lasting relationship w/ them AND us. Now, when we see shiny socks or a red leather jacket or a metallic/shiny glove, we think of MJ. Whenever we see the color purple or hear a certain style of guitar or synth, we think Prince.

“Spectacles” aren't always something big or gigantically moving. It can be something subtle. Something rememberable. Something consistent. So, when you're in the field of trying to establish your name/brand in the ocean full of competitors, do something that will get folks to acknowledge who YOU are. Something that will allow people to gravitate towards YOU when something flashes across their eyes or across their minds. 

Give them a reason to remember you.

Give them a “spectacle”

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

Many of us are hesitant to take a chance on something new or to continue on w/ something that isn't yet yielding the results we expected in the beginning. Stay the course. Many will also "judge" their efforts or success by those around them. Exit THAT path.

If we continue to judge our outcome by the level of progress from others vs the quality we put into our own art, you will never be satisfied. Therefore, you will never be complete. 

We can't change the starting point of something we do - but we can change the starting point in which you continue from. Remember, it ain't how you start, but, how you finish!

D. Cal

GNSEntertainmnt.com 

Anything worth having won't be easy. So, what makes so many people belive that things that come easyare worth it?

It's the struggles, battles & wars we endure that teaches us the meaning, the value, the understanding of worth. It teaches us the patience to endure & the discipline of when to cease. It gives perspective of when somethings need more attention or when it's time to let things be. There is no “perfect” combination; each battle is fought one obstacle at a time. But in doing so, we inch that much closer to advancing in our own personal war 

👑

D. Cal

GNSEntertainmnt.com

some folks are so willing to do something different - as long as they can continue to do the same.

Think about it! A lot of us "talk" about changing until that change feels different then we go back to our muscle memory of routine. I even catch myself doing this & have to snap out of it.

And if you don't have any in house support, it can make this shit feel worse! Here is a WONDERFUL WAY to adjust your pattern; find an accountability partner - or few.

Just know your choices will either land you w/ those who share a common past OR those who share a common future. One option will help you journey towards where you WANT TO GO where as the other will help you stay where u currently are...

D. Cal

Years ago, I head a story of a farmer teaching his son the value of patience. In a nutshell, the son was watering seeds & frustrated that some of them weren't growing at the rate of some of the other plants. The father explained to him using the example of The Chinese Bamboo Tree. This type of tree requires to be watered, EVERY DAY, for 5 yrs without fail or it wouldn't grow. So, that's what the son did, daily, even on days of doubt & disbelief. Then, like clock work, after 5 yrs, the tree SPRANG UP FROM THE GROUND!

See, generally speaking, society has trained us that success is on the surface & is something we must see in order to believe. What The Chinese Bamboo Tree teaches us is, in order to grow & be ready for the surface, one must 1st develop strong, deep roots before we can rise.

All the things on our surfaces, ladies & gentlemen, are due to the watering we give ourselves! Some of us have skipped those days of "watering" & are expecting our foundation to be steady enough so that our talents & skills are able to breakthrough & be seen. The tragedy, that is possibly being avoided is, we might be seen but our beauty wouldn't be acknowledged.

I am also speaking to myself as I'm typing this - for everyday we don't properly water our seed, the longer it will take for us to properly breakthrough & be acknowledged.

So I say to ALL of us, stay grounded my friends & don't forget that our roots must be just as appreciated as our leafs.

D. Cal

I had a chat w/ World Renowned DJ LoLo Knows out of Ohio the other day about "Depth" vs “Surface” & afterwards my brain went on a "mild spiral"

Do we judge more on quality or trend? Again, her point about depth was about how sometimes she might now remember a person's name in a conversation that's in passing and how folks may get upset about it. To be remembered isn't so much about the introduction as it is about the impression - which is where the depth comes from. Having something meaningful and something that a person can take w/ them will nearly guarantee you won't be forgotten. And THAT is a great foundation on how to build a relationship w ppl

My spiral took me on a thought process of - you have someone who actually has substance, someone who actually has “depth”, someone who when you actually pay attention, you find yourself either craving for more and/or wanting to engage to learn what you might be lacking. There was a young artist I saw on TikTok, @Cqueli, who is a writer/artist & took a look at some of her art work she has pinned on her page. The art, in my honest opinion, was pretty dope! It's from a perspective that only those who have walked in those shoes can understand AND for those who haven't, her break down of the art makes it as if she is putting the shoes on you so your feet can hurt just the same. But then I noticed something…not something that “I pay attention to” but it was something I intentionally paid attention to in this situation

Why doesn't she have “THOUSANDS” of followers? I don't get it. Why aren't more ppl noticing this? This woman should have a Shopify where her inbox and orders are overloading the system - I know, a bit hyperbolic, but the sharp ppl will know what I mean. Then, it clicked, as it usually does while I'm questioning something. Besides the fact she even mentioned that she needs to put more of her art out and focus on her talent, most ppl are focusing on a different piece of art. Her physical beauty -  which is there, as well. But, it also repeated something that is obvious - so many ppl are focusing on the surface vs learning about the depth. If ppl just took time to go past the surface, you would see there's more beneath what the eyes can see. There are so many other artist, like her for example, that nobody wants to research and explore. Sometimes, it's those below the radar that can be the biggest surprises. And there's nothing like discovering something/someone before all the attention gets to them 1st!

Samething could be said for other artists, musicians, producers or any type of creator, right? Some probably, in fairness, need to create some type of a attention grabber to be noticed - again, it is something most ppl have do e over the years. I think the differenc is, however, the access is more significan now vs in years past when you had the newspaper or sat to watch your weekly talent show. But, still, a lot of ppl are getting desensitize becaus everything seems redundan & nothing really stands out. Hopefully, ppl will begin to distinguish"depth" vs “surface” with a little more consideratio & care in the comi g days for their entertainmen..

Maybe it's just the case of w/ the pace the world is spinning in, digging and asking and learning and discovering isn't the “trend” nowadays and if it isn't something that I can grab attention to within the 1st 5 seconds = lost focus. But, in my honest opinion, it is definitely a sign to why so many of these same ppl complain that they “can't find anything different”. It's almost as if our senses have been reprogrammed to ignore how to look for something “original” or “authentic”

So, next time you come across a piece of content & that content is something that you like, don't judge it by it's popularity - or lack there of - but judge it on the impression it leaves… and give them a follow while you're at it! ;-)

D. Cal 
GNSEntertainmnt.com

Anxiety! Yup! Let's get STRAIGHT TO THE POINT!

It's emotionally & psychologically deafening, crippling & haunting! And to those of us who have had to deal w/ this for YEARS…it's ANNOYING! Most ppl have the wrong perception or understanding of anxiety. They think it's more of just “get your head in the game” type of cold feet that you can just pep talk your way out of. Well, IT AIN'T! Another common misconception of this is it is something you can't just organize yourself out of. Well, this is also false…to a degree. See, anxiety isn't something that is a “one size fits everyone else, too” kinda thing. There's different levels & depths to it and each one will take some revisiting and some patience - while some MIGHT CAN TAKE A FEW DOESE OF “TOUGH LOVE”. But, these things matter on who is giving, who is taking & how well your trust is established - whether close friend or complete stranger

Think of anxiety this way: it's like having a list of things to do, but you don't know which thing to start 1st & while you're battling on which should take priority, you're now stressing over the amount of time it has taken to make the decision on what to do - only to realize the less important tasks are now piling up & the later in the day it gets, the less time you have to finish what u could've started hours ago. Then you start one task only to think you can multi-task & realize nothing is getting “done” because there isn't enough time. U want to ask for help but you also know that you don't want to bother anyone w/ what you have going on PLUS u know that they probably won't do it the way you want them to do it - you “Nevermind, I'll just do it” only to realize that it would be so much easier if there were 2 of you! Now, it's time for dinner & you're worried because now you're already worrying about how much time you have left before you have to go to bed for work tomorrow - and it's not even 7pm yet! LOL!!!! So, now you spend the rest of your time thinking about all the shit that didn't get done today that you NOW HAVE TO DO 2morrow! If this sounds like a mess to you, welcome to the brain of someone w/ anxiety (maybe a splash of some ADD, as well).

For myself, my anxiety comes from a few things. It comes from a well balance of having to carry the load mixed w/ some constantly not being good enough w/ a few gallons of lack of reassurance and a heavy dose of broken trust all stuffed in a container of trust & abandonment issues. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?! Trust me - IT AIN'T! For years, I searched for validation & acceptance from others all the while not understanding the importance of these things FOR me FROM me. I was so much of a people pleaser that I completely forgot about the one person who deserved to be pleased first…my damn self! 

Are you relating to this, yet?! 

Some people go a long period of time being isolated; whether by their environment or due to circumstances within their own battles. Either of these are a major step to understanding the core of a person's demeanor and mindset - but also HOW to approach/relate to him/her/them. Some folks who are primarily isolated, they WANT to be more social - no, seriously, they do - it's just they have been, for lack of better words, “conditioned” that ppl are not trustworthy. So, in some cases, their social cues are way off & revert back to isolation because it's just comfortable for them. Also, from my experience, large crowds also causes their anxiety to skyrocket past their threshold & it can be draining for them. I have learned that in many cases like this, “baby steps” work. Stuff like small gatherings or if you do go out in a big crowed area, a nice sized group of familiar ppl around them helps keeps the nerves more calm; I noticed because everywhere they will look, there is a familiar face

For those who get overwhelmed w/ tasks & to do lists, as I mentioned above, SOMETIMES our anxiety IS from lack of organization. We feel the most overwhelmed by the slightest amount of added responsibility. So, here is ONE task I have learned that works: take a piece of paper, from a notepad or binder - turn it horizontal. About a inch or 2 from the top draw a line all the way across; left to right…or right to left =). Then draw a line vertically between 3 holes, or draw 2 lines making 3 separate sections. Now, from mark the sections as A - B - C. Here's the tea, ladies & gentlemen… Section A; this is your HIGH PRIORITY SECTION! THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MINS OR THE WORLD WILL…no, it's not that serious but this IS the most important tasks that need to be done A.S.A.MF.P.! Section B; this is where “this needs to be done TODAY but as I go through my day" tasks. Not as high priority as Section A - but definitely needs to be checked off. Then, Section C; "this can easily be done 2morrow, or this weekend…or whenever" section of your list. Nowhere near your more pressing “high alert” projects.

I can damn near promise you, when you do this type of prioritization for your day, you're gonna notice how “few” Section A items you have compared to your “MANY” Section C items. When I did this, I was damn near embarrassed w/ what was giving me my anxiety due to what I thought was priority. But as simple of a thing to do like “make a list” helped me understand how to keep my anxiety under (more) control.

For those of you who felt seen and noticed, this was DEFINITELY for you. And to those who can't relate to this, then it was meant for you to help someone you know who deals w/ this to be seen

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com
 

S/O to “DJ Pain”; his handle is DJPain1…

I watched a video of his that kinda blew my mind - yet, not really surprised at all. In a nutshell, y'all, YouTube is now becoming a dangerous place for Indies (Independent Artists). 

In a nutshell, there's a producer who learned that someone from a different country, was able to not only take his beat/music from the platform, but was able to get another big name artists to collaborate w/ them and was trying to take credit for the production. CRAZY! 

Now, this producer reached out & made contact w/ SOME of the ppl involved apparently and of course, nobody knew anything about it and was trying to pass the buck off to someone else to be the blame. As of right now I don't know IF the issue was corrected, but, fact of the matter, on major platforms such as this one, we run the risk of our art being “borrowed without approval”. And from the legal aspect, it's not only expensive but can be EXTREMELY time consuming.

ANOTHER REASON WHY, I can't wait to remove my music from these platforms & run them exclusively on my own

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

Growth is understanding that there's more than one way to figure out an equation. A lot of us will come across a situation & get stuck because the method we are using isn't yielding us the results “we believe” we are suppose to get. Many of us will, in fact, neglect even attempting to do something that is foreign to us because it isn't something we are comfortable with. Some of us will overthink it & then there's some of us who are just too stubborn to even try

And, then, there's me, addition to those who are like me, who just understand where we stand where we don't. NOT because we are deliberately being difficult, but because we just know ourselves well enough. Well enough to grasp the end in the beginning so we don't have to fuss w/ the process longer than necessary. If you aren't one of these types of personalities, it DEFINITELY can take some time to figure yourself out because certain things will resemble something and actually mean something different - this kind of understanding will help you eliminate unnecessarily jumping to unwanted conclusions.
 

You see, I DON'T “follow trends” - never really been my thing. I UNDERSTAND that they can definitely get you seen and or heard, hell - they can even get you a whole career - but I also understand that w/ that journey comes the weight of having to continue w/ that pursuant of being what's hot/popular. And, IN MY MIND, that shit can get exhausting! Especially in a time where everyone's attention span is in the span of a TikTok reel - your spark that was once a fire, can easily fizz out by the next season of the same year. Most ppl don't really truly grasp the anxiety it can take to find something that's popular & stay w/ that momentum AND STILL be authentic to themselves. Does it happen? Sure - but how many ppl can say they rode a trend for 10, 15, 20+ yrs and stayed true to who they are/were? VERY FEW! And those who got lost in the mix, eventually they either lose who made them want to get into the field they are in OR their fan base can see right through it and some connections are lost.

I lean towards the MOST POWERFUL thing is to create your own lane & start your own style and be your own trend. And sometimes, that comes w/ some resistance because a lot of ppl may not be familiar w/ it OR, more commonly displayed, most ppl won't accept it because “it's not what everyone else is doing”. And that can be frustrating because it's like them saying they can't like you because not enough ppl do lol. W.T.H.?! 

But, it's also an understandable reason in today's world, right? People want to like something that's known or something else that they can have in common to bond and talk about - so I DO get it. But, there's just something about liking something that “nobody knows about” just yet & being ahead of the curve when it comes to showing support. But, as for me, I have came to grips w/ the fact that if someone else doesn't like it as much as me, well, that's THEIR loss! Same goes for accepting doing something that brings me joy and/or peace (of mind). I do appreciate having something in common w/ others but I also understand the power of being a part of “a selected few”. But, if you ever look at those who set their own path and blazed their own trails, you will see there's a different type of satisfaction w/ them - especially when they find “their ppl” aka the fans who love the fact they identify NOT as everyone else but something different…something unique…something “not trendy”

I have learned that being the odd ball out from popular trends sometimes does bring balance & gives you the chance to find the diamond that most ppl can't recognize value in. I have come to conclusion that following a trend could get you “hot” but doesn't mean that you're “on fire”. A lot of followers does NOT equate to fans & fans do NOT equate to support. Be in love w/ yourself & what it is that you do & everything else will fall in the places they were meant to at the time they were suppose to.

So, I guess after typing this & realizing that I rather just create my own lane & be unique & stay true to myself for those who appreciate that type of energy - I guess I do follow trends after all…

D. Cal
GNSEntertainmnt.com

“As long as the success isn't yours, your peers will believe it”

Isn't that a crazy sentence to read? Crazy concept to even think about, right? But, truly, is it tho? In today's day & age of everyone becoming a (Social Media) “Star” and having access to attention, everyone is having “success”. OR is it that everyone is being “looked at” in a certain way for attention? Let me clarify…

Women use to take their time and “experiment” on which make up worked best for them or which close were less/more flattering to emphasize or mask certain parts or figures. Men would wear certain shirts that exposed their muscular chest and/or arms or one that would shield the beer belly. NOW, we don't have to think about that because there's a filter for that. Which, I personally am NOT against using from time to time, but it seems this is a method used by ppl on a daily to display “who they are” to world & keeps their real selves hidden in the shadows for nobody to see. Is this shame? Is this embarrassment? Is this toying w/ having split personalities to be in private/public? Good question(s), right?

Now, take someone who learned how to use minimal make up or someone who spent hours at the gym & had the discipline on their diet for MONTHS - or take someone who was feverishly grinding on their craft to perfect it or even just to learn how to get consistent w/ the basics of it. Then, "out of nowhere", BOOM - a little success for them beings to take place. As excited as we get when we see some movement happening after trying to gain traction, we want to share this w/ the world - or at least ppl we know.

I noticed and observed that when we do exactly that, the opposite effect usually takes place. Instead of them asking 21 questions on how they can do it so they can stand on their podium & hold a “Goal Achieved” trophy, they instead tell you all the reasons why they can't do what you did or how “lucky you were” to be able to do it. And all of a sudden, their ears start to turn off & their irritation begins to turn on when you go even deeper into your explanation of how "they can do it, if…" Now, here is when the plot fucking thickens: Simply switch the character in your success story to a complete stranger, influencer or to a celebrity they follow/admire. Now, watch how their interest peaks and wheels start to turn on “how can I do that?”

As frustrating as this may seem or as frustrated you may have been when this happened to you, there is a logical reason for it: they don't know you as the person you're becoming - they only know you as the person you always been. That's it. “That's the tweet”. They didn't see the growth, they only seen your struggles. They didn't see your discipline, goal setting & achieving things on your to do list, they only saw “you couldn't afford to buy” something that you said you wanted (at that time). They only see what their focus tends to be on, and simply put, it's NOT on achieving goals. Primarily, many ppl have “given up” on achieving theirs so they really don't understand the process of someone they know doing it - but, when it is about a stranger, they automatically assume that success just came over night or because of….well, u create your own reasoning

So, how do we fix this? Great question. That will take trial and error to “fix”, but, I do have a substitute solution for you: simply tell your success story as if you're talking about someone else you know. Or better yet, get others in your network to “edify” you to ppl. Meaning, if you can, get testimonies from those in your network, especially those who truly appreciate your craft! When you have that, share those! Let “others” speak on your behave of your success & make mention of the hard work they seen you achieve & the grind you put in to get to this point. Then, eventually, those peers who only seen you as the person “you were” will have not choice but to FINALLY accept that “you've changed” into the person you were destined to be

D. Cal

GNSEntertainmnt.com

THIS BLOG is dedicated to all my House/Jungle/Latin dance fans! There's a lil known DJ who's killing it in the Mid-West and SHOULD BE a bigger deal across this planet! Make sure you check out Mz LoLo Knows at her website: www.LoLoKnows.com

She also does a mix between 12p - 2p (EST) EVERY THURSDAY which can be heard on: www.DeepSpaceRadio.com

Happy listening to every1 and KEEP KILLING IT, DJ!!!

D. Cal

GNSEntertainmnt.com

So many of us in today's day & age truly think that EVERYTHING has to be done on their own. Despite the responsibility IS yours, the journey does NOT have to be. There is a saying in the world of business and it goes “Your Network is your Net Worth” - and that holds MUCH VALUE!

Understand, however, there is a difference between having a lot of passive network vs a solid/progressive network. U can have 20 - 30 ppl in which you deal w/ on a regular basis that have connections & “elbows u wanna rub w/” but if no action is being taken, no traction will be gained! In this case, you woud be better of w/ 3 -5 SOLID AF ppl who WILL participate in the advancement of whatever it is you're trying to reach. WITH THAT SAID, YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO RETURN THE FAVOR for them as well. Too many ppl want YOU to work for THEM (or in reverse) and become “too busy” when it comes time to reciprocate.

Building relationships are, in deed, a risk, but the reward can definitely be worth all the blood, sweat & tears - ESPECIALLY if every1 is in grind mode & are able to climb that mountain together! Best practice, especially if you are in a similar field, make the 1st gesture and BRING THEM SOMETHING TO THEIR TABLE! If you're looking at working w/ an artist, as a producer, shoot them a free beat that's along their speed & give them insight on how you see this song being performed. If you're an singer/performer, take one of their instrumentals you heard & create lyrics within that range/pitch & ask for their feedback. U might be able to build a relationship that way and show how open you are to feedback. 

Are these suggestions going to yield you 100% success EVERY TIME? NO! However, it will 100% improve your chances of building your own network over the time it takes YOU to do so.

Best of luck to us ALL

D. Cal

GNSEntertainmnt.com

I'll get straight to the point: Anticipation! 

THIS was the one thing that I will never forget, that kept alot of us on the edges of our seat when it came to something “new”. Singles gave us crumps as the music videos wet our beaks UNTIL THE RELEASE DATE! Then, nothing else mattered except getting to Rasputin's or The Warehouse or T'Wauzi or Sam Goode or FYE or ANYWHERE to get that tape or CD or Vinyl! But, to go even deeper than that, the anticipation of: “How did they do that?!”

I remember looking at those No Limit Record album covers and, maaaan - those things were CRAZY! Like mini pop-up covers; some of them felt embroidered because u could run your fingers over the image and feel some of them lifted off the page! Those were dope…because there was something to the imagination & curiosity.

See, I want to get back to that. THAT “feeling” of being invited in by the artist & having that exclusivity vs having the feeling of “entitled” to have access or “needing” to have what's private now public due to fear of “irrelevancy”.

So, as against (today's) grain this may be, I am gonna stick to what I remember brought that good feeling to the fans & audiences - Anticipation & Invitation when it comes to my music & video content. 

I'm still gonna post stuff, DUH! But, I'm gonna keep what's in studio behind that door - until I invite you in. Just want to make my fans & listenters “feel” as special as I do when they support me

D. Cal

Granted, I am not a big time “influencer” online. It would be nice, but I don't think I'm the type of “fit” for that. SOME, not all, seem as if they're just putting up content because it's the trend to do so. No connection, no emotion, no relationship - just transactional! I get it, but at the same time, I don't get it. Maybe it was the time I was raised that showed me the importance of having a connection w/ your fans or customers.

My goal is still to use it but not in the same fashion majority of ppl are using it. I'm gonna be testing out a new method of “sharing” w/ my fans in the near future. IF you're curious, (and haven't signed up to my mailing list yet), be on the look out in your email within the next couple of weeks. This is going to determine how swiftly I “cut the cord” w/ my material on social media

D. Cal

As A.I. begins to gain even more momentum in the world, it is improving how some businesses are reaching new customers. With that said, it's also hindering others; artists, entertainers and/or musicians. 

A.I. music is definitely on the rise and giving some people are “in” on music production. Good for y'all - seriously. But what isn't being focused on enough, is how it's also hurting the musicians who are putting in the time to write, key, arrange, EQ and/or compose a track. The time it takes to create the theory; the time it takes to listen to it over & over & over….AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER! The money it takes to promote it & see which method/market connects. The feeling you get when you FINALLY “strike gold” w/ your customers & begin your following.

From a business perspective, ONE positive thing about having A.I. music/artists is that you don't really have to compensate them much—if at all. You basically just prompt an app to what you want to hear/play & it spits out “concepts”. For a business who is creating A.I. artists/music, this absolutely helps lower your overhead, but from the art perspective, it's missing something. It's missing, to many people & purists, a crucial element: the human element. Some would even say the soul of the sound. If you've never had to go through the previously mentioned steps, then you can’t truly relate to the joy of the aftermath. But if you have, you get the point.

Music has always been made w/ a certain type of feeling, a certain type of passion, a certain type of element. You can feel the love the artist put into curating their sound—from Hip-Hop to Rock, Country to Metal, R&B to Folk. A.I. doesn't really have that “umph” to it. Again, NO SHADE to A.I. creators—you definitely have a place in the music world, too! The main gripe Independent Artists have now is how A.I. music is being pushed harder, further, more aggressively than their own work It's almost as if all the hard work that was poured into this art is now being exploited while the benefits are going to those who didn’t put in that effort.

ONE great way to counter this is, as has been done successfully in places like Japan, is to support your Independent Artists! Buy their merch! Buy their CDs/Tapes/Vinyl! Buy tickets to their events! But DIRECTLY from him/her/them! There's nothing more for your favorite Independent Artists, or for yourself, than helping them grow from “up and coming” to “locally known” to “radio rotation” to headliner.

This is how the music industry was when I was coming up as a kid. It was the method that created the industry we know today.  But now it's time for the industry to get a reset. And by supporting your Independent Artists, YOU get to press that button!