HELLO PEOPLE! WELCOME back- and to my newfound listeners, THANK YOU for joining! I’m very stoked to be here with you again, sharing another piece of ME; my mind, my heart, my soul, my energy- all that good stuff. Not only because it has been over 2 months since the Dark Horse Double was outed, but also because this release marks a massive change to the approach I take towards the game.

With that, I’ve actually been fortunate enough to work with various talents these past few years, and I’m grateful to no end for every single one of those opportunities, as I would not be as far along as I am now had it not been for those said opportunities. However, I’ve recently become even more aware of myself, and realize that I have the capability to do even more on my own. It was an amazing feeling for me, personally, when I “woke” to that realization- an epiphany, I guess. Kinda like Archimedes’s “EUREKA!” moment, but on a much smaller scale in terms of world-changing.. more along the lines of “duh.”. So yes, much smaller indeed. I currently have a problem with being hesitant. I’m always second guessing myself. Even with every release, including this one, I tear through myself to find whether I should or should not continue. I ask myself questions like: Is the song good enough? Is it at its fullest potential? Should I make any changes? Will people understand what it’s about? Does it represent who I am? etc. With every song I put out, not all of these questions have clear answers, but after what seems like an immense risk, I do get a sense of collectiveness the moment they go live. Then I find I really had nothing to worry about. This might apply to more than just myself, but even those who may not know their own strength. Maybe we downplay ourselves a little more than we should. Of course there are many factors to our feelings of inadequacy, but we have to BELiEVE, despite having those feelings. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..”. RiGHT? I’m no pastor, so I don’t know the exact book, chapter and verse.. but I know they’re great words to live by, even if you’re not of any faith. Not only that, It’s been said in different ways by some of the GREATEST men on earth, so how could it not be TRUTH?

Speaking of “truth”, how funny is it that all of our favorite artists seem so flawless? They all carry this image of grandeur, a larger-than-life guise that suggests all they do is win. What’s even funnier is that we buy into all that without question. If I have ever come off the same way, let me assure you, I am NOT always winning. Don’t get me wrong, I win.. but I’ve lost a lot more than I’ve won. I’m almost 30 years old, balding, overweight, my wallet’s lighter than an iPod Touch and I’m still making music. I auditioned for Am. Idol when they came to Utah in 2008 (I think it was), didn’t even make it past the preliminary judges. I used to submit my music to various competitions, but never received recognition for a single submission. I’ve performed in front of 10 people at a show, and I was related to all 10 attendees. I've performed in front of hundreds of people and missed notes, forgotten words to MY OWN songs on stage. LOSING is WHO I AM, and I’m proud to say that- it’s part of who we all are, whether you admit it or not. My whole point is, for whatever reason, “artists” don’t want to show where they lack, or any kind of vulnerability. Why? Because they benefit more from your belief that they are “BIG TIME”. There’s a better chance that you will invest in something that SEEMS legit. It’s been the name-of-the-game for as long as I even care about- and it happens on almost ALL levels. Even artists who don’t have to front, still do it! Bow Wow out here posting pictures of jets that he ain’t flyin’ in, Iggy Azalea totally avoids her Australian accent when she raps and Drake can’t admit straight up that he uses ghostwriters (still up for debate). This wool-over-the-eyes behavior is pretty much guaranteed. I’ve been in this God-forsaken industry long enough to know that everybody here is full of shit.

You’re probably wondering how I’m going to tie what you’ve read so far to the subject of my release.. Well, for one, “Ketchup” is self-produced. I’ll be making my own productions from here on out. Any records that surface, that haven’t been produced by me, were all made prior to. Second, I’m in the process of creating my own website, which will enable me to be even more self-sufficient, and be even more engaged with YOU, my listeners. Also, I won’t be using soundcloud any longer, because the service is shiesty, greedy and doesn’t care for small artists like myself. So I’ll be utilizing every other platform, mainly Spotify & Bandcamp- all but soundcoud. In other words, I’ll be starting from scratch. Lastly, what appears to be, will be as it appears. I won’t let you into my life entirely, because I have boundaries of course, but when you listen to my music, you’ll know that it’s from and by ME, no one else- which is how its always been and how it always will be.. People try to send me their songs to sing, but I decline every time, sometimes don’t even respond. I must express this, as it has become more than common for my counterparts to take on their own façades and pay for words that aren’t their own. When you read these captions, rest assured it’s ME. Lyrics, ME. EVERYTHING ME, but ALL GLORY TO JAH.

You’ve probably already heard “Ketchup” by now, so you know that it actually has nothing to do with the condiment. It actually has to do more with attraction and not knowing that someone is attracted to you, which I guess is sweet and sour like ketchup..? I don’t know- The only reason I have the title as is, is because after recording the hook, it sounded like I was sayin’ “ketchup” and not “catch up”. Nothing more to it than that- then it’s just a classic case of I-do-what-the-f**k-I-want-because-I-can. Yeauh- I be overbearing with it, but it’s MY music at the end of the day haha. Anyhoot, THANK YOU again for stoppin’ by, friends and fam. Got nothin’ but LOVE and appreciation for you all. Just so you know, I do receive all your emails, but cannot reply to every one. However, I’m very grateful for your writing me, and I do take in what’s been written. Please stay with me as I continue to make more songs you may or may not enjoy. It’s all LOVE nonetheless. ’Til next release, be ye safe and BLESSAWP.

PS - RIP to brother Siaosi Brown. My deepest condolences to the family and friends who knew him. Though he was only an acquaintance to me, and we’ve spoke on a few occasions at most, it is very apparent that he had a great and positive influence on everyone around him, including our many mutual friends. UP n’ UP, toko. OFAS.