Sleepwalker Showcase: MIDIMarc

This showcase is so easy to write that I almost might not give it the justice it deserves. I mean MIDIMarc is Wal-Mart when it comes to producers making a name for themselves. He’s a one stop shop. Beats…got em…marketing and self promotion…on it…winning resume…got it…personality…got it. The guy even raps! The list goes on, but I need to slow down and fill you in on the back story.

I met MIDI for the first time around that 2003 era when us Columbia, SC cats were trying to put together albums. Anyone that knows MIDI knows that if you hang around him long enough you’re gonna lose quite a few calories from laughing! From our first meeting he’s always been a great person to be around and call your friend, but even then I could see his drive and determination just in his name. MIDI (space) Marc! He got his name after the human interface component of a traditional instrument redesigned as a MIDI control device. Such a device provides a musical keyboard and perhaps other actuators (pitch bend and modulation wheels, for example) but produces no sound on its own. I know I had to school you real quick, but we’re back now. (lol) I had to respect him from the get go as a manipulator of tunes from his name, and his beats back him up.

Hustler is defined as an enterprising person determined to succeed; go-getter. Indeed that’s basically what a Sleepwalker is, and MIDIMarc has proven himself over and over to be one! Just a week and a half ago I was back home in Columbia where I witnessed him win his 3rd SC Beat Battle! His remixes of Jay-Z, and Nas albums have brought him strong buzz and fans all over the globe (no joke). What sets MIDI apart though is that he markets himself and his products so wisely you’d think he went to school for it. Whether it’s a comic character of himself on a flyer, carrying BEETS on stage at a BEAT BATTLE, blogging, or collaborating on mixtapes…MIDI will find a way to get his name out there and make you remember it. Although he may associate himself with other entertainment groups, MIDI really pushes on his own dime and his own steam. When other people would give up, he keeps pushing. When we sleep, he’s being productive! That’s why I’m 100% sure that the only thing that will stop this Sleepwalker is himself! If you haven’t already, you’ll definitely be hearing about him soon enough!

I asked MIDI the top 5 Sleepwalker questions and here’s what he said:

When did you first start Sleepwalking?
I've been doing things that gave people a glimpse of my interest in music my entire life. The memory that always stands out to me is the summer that Wu-Tang Forever came out. I was still too young for a summer job so I spent everyday listening to the album. I was already a fan of their music, but The RZA switched his style completely on that one. It sounded so good to me that I made up my mind that I wanted to make music forever. In short...I started Sleepwalking on June 3, 1997

What motivates you to keep going after your dream?
The thought of changing my life for the better, and the lives of the people that are Sleepwalking with me.

Wake up: What have been some of the biggest challenges in going after your dream?
Honestly, the biggest challenges I've had have involved me trying to motivate my friends to continue to Sleepwalk. I'm usually the one that people in my circle call for insight and inspiring words to keep going.

Don’t sleep on this: What’s one thing you have learned in your craft that fellow sleepwalkers shouldn’t sleep on?
I've learned that "Who You Know" and "What You Can Do" are very important factors. Its important to get out there and meet the right folks, and its important to be good at what you do. Some people say its all "Who You Know", but trust me....being good at your craft will keep you around.

Top 5 accomplished sleepwalkers you admire in your craft and why?
1. 9th Wonder - For succeeding and keeping it Carolina since day one.
2. RZA - For taking sampling and song arrangement to a new level
3. Mannie Fresh - For really incorporating musicianship into his beats
4. DJ Paul and Juicy J - For continuing the Memphis sound and turning it into a pillar of southern production
5. Pete Rock, J Dilla, DJ Premier - i had to make 1 spot into 3..haha. But I admire these three for crafting styles that are synonymous with HipHop.

If you’re looking for beats, or miss the refreshing boom bap in Hip Hop beats then check this Sleepwalker out here:

http://www.myspacebeatsbymidimarc.com/
http://midimarc.blogspot.com/

Sleepwalker Hall of Fame Showcase: Michael Jackson Tribute

How do you do a tribute to the greatest entertainer of our time, and perhaps all time? How do you say all the things that should be said, that you want to say, or must be said? It could take too long. The truth is, on June 25, 2009 an icon passed. Whether you’re one of the billions that loved him or one of the few that didn’t…his talent is undeniable! His art is timeless! His performances were magical! His heart was filled with love!

My Memories of Mike
For me, like most young black kids, I grew up listening to Michael on vinyl, then tape, then CD! My parents started blasting it, but eventually I was taking their tapes to blast it on my own time. Some of my fondest memories involve doing the “Michael Jackson” for family at a young age. I remember every Halloween one of the music video channels would play “Thriller”, and on his birthday there would be video tributes all day!

One of my big memories was doing "Billie Jean" as a talent for my high school's male contest. My freshman year of high school I participated in the Mr. Richland Northeast contest. What was I thinking? I guess I thought I would win as a “nobody” freshman doing a self written monologue! After that loss, I promised myself I would participate again…and I did in my senior year! I knew I had to go for the gusto if I really wanted to win. There were a lot of talented guys who were participating in the contest. My mom actually came up with the idea of me taking my childhood entertaining performance to the stage! Time was short when I decided to do it. I remember getting help from my mom’s friend to learn how to moonwalk. I watched tapes and the “American Dream” film over and over. My mom had one of her friends make the sequined black jacket. I remember hating to have to wear those Bubblegum tight black jeans. I remember my soccer coach making fun of me for doing a “pageant” at practice the day before the contest! But nothing beats the memory of taking the stage, the curtain opening and hearing the people scream. It was electric! The oversized glove, tight jacket and pants were all worth it. The screaming wasn’t really for me so much as it was for the music, for Mike, for the Moonwalk. It was the fact that we could all identify with the music and the moves, and we've all had great memories from them! Even when I watch the video now I cringe because I was so nervous that I moonwalked in the beginning of the routine. Regardless of how much I hate watching the video, it’s a great memory that I can hold on to and that's what Mike was great at...creating pleasant memories.

Lessons from Mike’s Life
So what can we Sleepwalkers learn from Michael Jackson’s life? There’s more than a few things but I’ve tried to narrow them down.

One, he worked hard to be the best. He practiced countless hours and pushed himself creatively to do things no one else was doing or thought of. Two, he surrounded himself with the best! I used to love MJ videos (I still do, and in part think it’s why I got interested in film) but looking at them from an older perspective I see that he had Martin Scorsese do “Bad”, John Landis “Thriller, Spike Lee “They Don’t Care About Us”, David Fincher “Who is It”, and the list goes on. We all know how many hits he made with Quincy in the studio! He collaborated with Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder…I mean “We Are the World” is just one all star cast on just one song that proves my point. He was a genius in surrounding himself with people in the top of their craft and trusting their knowledge and creativity as well. Perhaps his biggest contribution was that he gave back to the world. He was a humanitarian. So many of his songs were about loving other people, caring for your fellow man, and healing the world. Not one of them was lame! He made “Kumbaya” cool, and helped us to analyze ourselves and be the change we wanted to see in the world. He gave millions to charity, and still gave from the grave!

Ultimately, he made timeless music that everyone could feel good to from the bottom of their soul. The funny thing is that earlier I said that like most young black kids growing up I listened to MJ. Yet I’m finding out in talking to co-workers of other races, they shared the same experiences! They grew up listening to the same music and making some of the same memories with their family huddled around a record player. He broke down barriers and brought people together at the same time. He touched the world with his gifts by giving us his soul in the music!

I was one of the many people watching CNN Live on head phones at my cubicle today. I had to catch the memorial service of one of my childhood heroes! The final prayer really struck a chord with me when the pastor said “the King of Pop must now bow before the King of kings”. In the end I see that Michael Jackson didn’t take a thing with him. Mark 8:36, what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Now I don’t know Mike’s status and I'm not making a call on that), but to me…this is a huge lesson. I could shut down the internet with my death, be known worldwide, sitting on stacks of old money but at the end I can’t take it with me! So I better get it right on this end, and make a positive impact. Something to think about! His death has inspired me to do the great things that I’ve always felt I am destined to do, but I want to do it humbly knowing who’s Boss.

Closing Thoughts
All in all. I loved MJ! I’m sure you did too if you took the time to read all of this! So let’s blast his music, remember the memories we may have from his music/videos/performances, and celebrate his artistic impact on the world. Michael Jackson was an ultimate Sleepwalker! So he is my first inductee into the Sleepwalker Hall of Fame! May he Rest In Peace.



Kevin