If people don't like each other's beats, that's fine. People may not like what I do, that's fine. There is a competitive edge, we all want to be the best producers and remixers, we want to be assigned to the best tasks.

I realize this forum came to be not because a lot of producers wanted it, but because Dilla died. But you know, we're all individual producers, wanting to make a name for ourselves. We want to work with major label artists, indie label artists, the unsigned, I want to work with (and work) your mom. I don't want to be in anyone's shadow, yet we are ALL bound by our influences. I remember a few years ago someone said that some of my stuff sounded like Cut Chemist, due to his use of spoken samples. I have used spoken word samples for years, before I heard Cut Chemist, but he was one of many people who became known because of it. I started changing my style and stopped using spoken samples. I then said to myself "you know, I like using spoken material in my music because I like how Pink Floyd used it." So I went back. I like to use dialogue as a way to create "text in a song" when there isn't one. I'd like for it to guide the listener, or perhaps I think it's some funny shit and I want to use it.

Comparisons are great, because it lets you know someone is listening to your work. The comparisons can be interesting, especially if it's someone whose music you are a fan of. However, the struggle is always to stand out on your own terms, to come up with something that will make people go "oh, so that's what he's about?"

I want to stand out for that reason, but my influences aren't too far away. Stand out for yourself, not to become the next Dilla, or the next Premier, or 9th Wonder, let your publicist handle that. Create something that will stand out for you, make that song yours even if a rapper is doing to drop some lyrics. I want people to hear Crut music, I want people to enter my world for a few minutes. More importantly, I want work.






http://www.myspace.com/crutmusic
http://www.musicforamerica.org/node/105529
http://jbookmusic.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=johmbolaya
http://www.cafepress.com/mufalaka
http://www.cduniverse.com/default.asp?style=music&frm=lk_johnbook