The Power of the Mind

    What's good fam? I know two posts within hours of each other... What happened is I havent had much time to really reflect on whats been happening in my life lately. I've been fed alot of information this past week, but havent had time to digest it. Well, it finally took hold of my mind tonight - tried falling asleep - music playing, my eyes overlooking the peaceful street outside my window as the cool breeze blows in my face giving off a scent of serenity - Just how I love falling asleep (no joke). It's then that I've started to think about recent events and how much my life is changing at this very moment. How much it changed from just the beginning of the school year, a year ago, back in high school, middle, elementary - and down the chain. Just the thoughts, memories, and everything flying before my eyes, and I lie there wondering - why life goes by so fast? 

    It's funny - we have one life to live and yet we spend it struggling to survive, or survive in this society I should say. If we have one life to fully live out - why dont we spend it doing something we enjoy everyday? Honestly, I dont need to goto college to be producer - you really dont, and I'd prob reach my goals faster If I dropped out of college and worked at the studio I'll be interning at in the summer. However, I can't do that because if my parents are forking out the amount of $ for me to be here, I owe it to them that I atleast leave here with a degree and put all my effort into school. Furthermore - college is all about the experiences, people you meet, new thoughts, delve yourself into new cultures/settings/lifestyles. Quite honestly, as I reflected tonight - I wondered if I truly was taking advantage of the opportunities that lie in front of me. I've been thinking bout this for some time and asked others on their thoughts. But, I feel that If i were to graduate tomorrow and someone asked me what I did in my college times - i really wouldnt have much to say that's interesting, and I dont want that to happen. My biggest failure in high school was I didnt get involved until the end of junior year, missing out on a lot of great times I could have had, but I didnt know it until it was too late. 

      What I'm trying to get at is make most of this life. Take advantage of everything that comes your way, you never know what might be a blessing hidden behind the surface of things. Always remember your past, and learn to live with regrets. Let life unfold itself on this journey, and never be afraid to take risks...It's 5:30 am, have yet to fall asleep.  I decided to clear my thoughts by embedding the emotion into a beat. After 20 minutes of work, I've came out with a beat that captures the essence of this reminiscent night of mine. I'll post it up later for yall to hear... Good Morning.

Wake up Mr. West! 

*RIP to the man who got me into hip hop - Christopher Wallace - 12 years has past - we wont ever forget you*

Craze week...

     Ok - so I got my internship all straightened out. It seems like it's going to be legit - hours are whenever I want them to be (haa gotta love that right?!). Line of work: Clean toilets? Make coffee? Get lunch? No, no, and no (well maybe?). It actually consists of me sitting in the studio doing one of the following: A) making music B) mixing my music (or others) C) helping either Tony or Bobby with their music D) being in studio sessions - names of who that will be is TBA (currently Bobby workin with Bun B and Goapele), or E) maybe even working on the projects that Bobby or Tony working on. In all - it's going to probably be the best internship anyone can have, and Im lucky for this opportunity - Im actually looking forward to it alot. So expect alot of music updates in the summer - and possibly even studio sessions.
     But before I get to that - as mentioned prior - Im moving out of my studio due to some reasons I rather not put out on the net. Let's just say I got a phone call last tuesday saying I got the boot and I must move my stuff out when I go back home during spring break. That's quite unfortunate, because my whole musical history began in that studio. My evolution all occurred in that room - the vibe - the studio sessions - the songs/albums I worked on all happened in that room. People might not understand the attachment producers have with their beloved studios - think of it like your baby/security blanket. You had so many great times with it - but at one point you must give it up - and thats difficult times for anyone...(if I recalled being told, I named the corners of my blanket...or maybe that was my older bro? shoot one of us did haa). Anyways - yes... it's going to be a sad moment for all of us here the day i get back and move my ish out... I first will make a beat and document it as the final one in that room (i hope it's bomb - otherwise i'd feel let down), then the first thing to go out is my beloved triton studio... then - the turntables. We'll see where I can set up shop next - perhaps I'll move into the studio I'll be interning at - or lug it down to SC and officially have no space in my room to walk. Hey there we go - cuz we pay a crap load of money for a room that fits a ten year old kid and his lego collection. All I know my record collection cant even breathe in the room Im in haa...
     Alright- well you are up to date as to what's been up. No new music due to long week of school, midterms, and cousin stayin this past week. I did however make a mix for a dance crew at USC called Chaotic 3 (C3 for short). They used it this past week for the newly accepted High School seniors visiting SC to get a feel for it, and will use it again this coming week for an event. Hopefully more work will come from them (I havent done a mix in a year - and I miss doing them). But, I'll leave the mixing to my Dj friends - Shout out to DJ Ka$h, Dj Triple S (Steven Le - you still go by that?), Dj Blade, and DJ Alsius. Thanks for the love and support over the years - much appreciated!

Peace and Much love to ya fam

After Re-thinking

Hey fam, I just wrote out a huge long rant about how im feeling about this music industry what not. Clearly I had too much to say, wasnt being very concise or organized with my thoughts. Thus i decided to scratch it, and be more collected about this post. Few things to say:

1. Not feeling how everyone and their moms claims to be a producer or rapper (game over saturated) - im walking a thin line on this one, because I could easily be classified in this category - but I hope those that know me as a producer, know that I have some authenticity to me. They know I have a passion/love for what I do, and dont do it for any fame or fortune. I hope they also know that I carry alot of technical knowledge on my profession (thanks to my mentor, USC, and of course years and years of learning on my own - reading anything i can get my hands on, and just experimenting on my own).

2. What separates me from the rest? Thats the biggest question I've been facing for years now - and especially the past year and half. This is where doubt comes in - and where one must remove doubt to obtain truth. Kanye says it best "Dawgg, i was having nervous breakdowns - like man these guys that much better than me?!"...

3. Im working on a beat - my roommate claims it to be "one of [my] better works" - i semi agree. After Listenin to my beats tonight - i figured that - if i work at it - it could be, but i got alot of legit stuff that hasnt surfaced in years (look at number 4)

4. Since I have so much legit stuff that hasnt been released in years - Im going to be spending my spring break (besides movin my studio out of my current room :( - story in itself) re-making these old beats - build them up and make complete songs out of them. Alot of ideas that have potential, and alot of tracks that lost their potential in the execution of remaking them. So I'm going back to square one with those tracks and re-working them till I get them right. Current tracks out now - im just probably going to get them mastered and call them finished for now...I want to build up a catalogue of radio ready material (which is why Im going back to my older beats cuz if I dont now - i probably wont ever). Be nice to have 20 radio ready tracks that I feel are all major artist worthy.

5. Videos of beat making will be up soon i promise (spring break - 2 weeks cmon).

6. My cousin is over for the week - thus why havent done much updating. Been hosting him, and I have alot of work to get done before break - bear (or bare? never remembered which is correct for this phrase) with me.


Until next time - peace and much love to ya!

Couldn't Have Said It Better

Well, as I've stated multiple times, this blog is meant to show people that anything is possible. Just minutes ago, my roommate Jin sent me this link for a video that does a pretty good job at stating what I want to get across to my readers. So instead of me rambling off trying my best to get what I want out of my head (I suck at it - trust) - here's a video for your enjoyment.  

Everything is Possible - Watch the best video clips here

Memories Last A Lifetime: 51st Grammys (Feb. 8th 2009)

*I'm trying to make this blog as organized as possible, thus I'll be uploading under certain themes if my posts pertain to them. The first theme is called "Memories Last A Lifetime", which basically, will be me sharing memories of mine. (I did read in this book, that whenever someone says "basically" in the music business - they are lying. I promise I'm not lying about these memories). *       

For years, I've watched this grand awards ceremony/show called the Grammys (maybe you have heard of it), on tv. Every year, it's the same thought - "Dang... the ticket Jay-Z sent me must have gotten lost or stolen in the mail" haa. Na, really - I always wanted to walk the red carpet, be inside that building along side the most talented musicians and artists, and finally become part of the "Grammy Family". As music has become a greater part of my life, thoughts of being at the Grammys evolved to performing and winning a Grammy, as the thoughts went from being annually to now daily. Well ladies and gentlemen, these past few years, dreams have slowly became a reality. 

Last year for the 50th Grammys, I was lucky enough to be able to go behind the scenes, and witness the different performers rehearse days before the show. I witnessed Alicia Keys, John Mayer and the Foo Fighters practicing their sets. But, before I get ahead of myself - to be in that building just during rehearsals was incredible enough. I felt that I am slowly reaching my aspirations. But, watching the nominee's names on the LED screens across the Arena as they practiced, sent chills up my spine. The thought that one day, just one day, that can be my name up on that LED screen...How legit would that be?! My friend Amanda (who's an artists herself) and I both thought the same thing - we wanted to have our names on that LED screen, and we both said "next year, we're going to be at the Grammys!"In fact, I tried to buy tickets for the grammys right after, but they don't sell them online (explain later), and the ones that are online - cost a fortune. But my friend Elijah and I both made a pact that we'd be at the Grammys the following year (2009). 

Flash forward 10 months, December 2008, when I touched down back in the Bay for X-mas break, I saw a letter laying on my table, and decided to open it. There in that envelope, was an Invitation (from the Recording Academy itself) to the 51st Grammys. Now - if you dont know who the Recording Academy is - they are the ones who put on the Grammys, MusicCares foundation, etc. etc. (they the big guns in the music industry). Anyways - I was excited - but here's the kicker - They invite you to go, but you still have to pay for your tickets (lame!). The invitation is what allows someone to buy a ticket for the Grammys, but they are very strict about the tickets you buy. You can't re-sell them (you sign contracts when you pick them up), you have to show ID, sit down one on one with somebody from the academy and discuss all the rules etc. just to pick up your tickets (very strict rules - especially the no cameras policy). But as you can guess, I went ahead and bought 2 tickets - had to stay true to Elijah's and my pact. 

The Invitation

The Ticket Prices

Weeks before the show, Elijah unfortunately had to pull out of going for certain reasons, thus leaving me with an open ticket. That weekend I was heading up to Santa Barbara to surprise my friend Jessa for her 20th birthday, and it's then I decided I'd try to give her a priceless birthday present. She gladly accepted - and it was on! 

See what I had to Deal With?!

Jessa & I  - Tickets in Hand

Despite a rough start, making sure Jessa got down to LA on time - and she did, but not without a bit of stress and missed trains haa, we made it to the Grammys an hour before show time. Evander Holyfield walked right behind us while standing in line to get into the Staples Center, as Aziz Ansari (comedian/actor - the intern on the newest season of scrubs that Dr. Cox fired) walked right past us, and of course I cant go anywhere without seeing Ron Jeremy it seems (he sat behind me at the Grammy Nominations Live Television Concert that aired in November - thats another story in it's own). 

Continuing on - the show was amazing - and I stayed true to myself - I was at the Grammys the next year. Jessa and I definitely enjoyed ourselves - except for 3 1/2 hours sitting there starving (didnt eat before hand, and they shut the McDonald's window inside the arena as we were next in line - sayin we had to goto our seats the show was starting). But, the vibe and everything was amazing. It's definitely something worth experiencing, and it's a memory that's timeless. I cant fully explain it, definitely hard to explain such emotions and awestruck - granted it was surreal. Since its been weeks since the show - I'll just say the "Rap Pack", Radiohead, Coldplay, and U2's performances were straight legit. The winners could had been different in my opinion, but understand who the voters are, and it all makes sense. Well, the show ends, we met up with Amanda (one sat with at the 50th rehearsals, yeah we both went this year), then Jessa and I were on our way to pig out on some sushi (Fat Fish!), and then some pinkberry. 

During the Show (Had to use camera on phone)

The night ends as Jessa drove off back to Santa Barbara, and the Grammys end on the TV telecast (for west coast). The experience I anticipated for years, was now over, gone - just like that. I can only say that if Im invited again next year, I'm going to go even bigger, and hopefully taking more people along with me for the ride! haa. 

Last thing I want to say to you fam - nearly two years ago (just thinking senior year of high school) I would have never thought I'd be anywhere near the Grammys. A half year after I graduate I'm already at the rehearsals, and at that point it's like - man it'd be surreal to actually be at the Grammys. Well, a year later Im there at the Grammys. Now, what's going to happen the next year? Nominated? Year after - win? After that - rock the stage? I dont know, time will tell - but I want you all to know that Dreams do come true! I've already experienced it - and I know that if you work hard at it - you too will be where ya'll want to be. Aspirations will be attained, but always remember - it all happens in due time.  Thanks fam - keep striving for what you love!

Outside the Staple's Center Waiting in line to go inside

After the Show - inside Staples Center

Time to Embrace the Dot!

         Here is my intro video - sorry for it being lengthy, but understand this is my post to explain what's up, give more info bout myself, and for you to get to know me better. I wont be doing this again - so cherish it! haa - na im playin. I promise - future videos will be more entertaining - im new to this, so bare (that the right spelling?) with me in the beginning stages. With that said - enjoy - and I will be updating you guys again atleast once more this week about what the poll is for. Thanks fam - much love!

The Prelude

    And so it began - the year: 2003. After being given the recording program Acid and some Acid loops CD's from his mentor, R. Pizano, also known as R Dot, began his production career. One beat led to another, and then another. Soon he was making drum patterns on all objects around him while humming melodies. As a result, R. got his hands on a drum machine to start moving his ideas into realities. Little did he know that this drum machine would be the basis of his first produced track "Perseus" performed by P-Dawgg and Tha Mitch Masta on June 5th 2004. From there R Dot progressed his music, moving from loop based compositions to his own original compositions once he received a keyboard for his 16th birthday. Collaborating with others such as Will Watje and B. LaCara (guitarists), the producer was able to gain a knowledge and experiment with different types of genres. Although sticking mainly to Hip Hop & R&B, R. Pizano has made tracks of all sorts, which include techno/trance, Rock, and acoustic. In 2006, R Dot took his career a step forward and began to record/mix other people's tracks such as: Poetic Justice, L. J. Sharma, S. Lim, Rae Reilly, Matthew Trotter, and Jeff Corrado.

    Currently, R Dot has graduated from High School, and is now in College studying the Music Industry. This blog will be his story from this point forward on his struggle to make it into the industry. Occasionally you will get a glimpse of his early stages (such as the video below - at the end of his HS career), his thoughts on the industry, and opinions on current events. R Dot hopes that if you experience his journey of reaching his dreams, that you yourself will be inspired to give it your all and achieve your life long aspirations as well. Without further a due, here is a glimpse as to who R Dot is, and a discography of some of his earlier recordings. And now it begins. 

*This video was made my Senior Year of High School - for spirituality class - hence all the God talk - not meant to offend anyone*