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Be there for TradeMark’s FINAL performance THIS Saturday @ Raven Lounge!!!

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Yes, the rumors are true. After a 5 year career, I have decided that my performance this Saturday @ Raven Lounge will be my last show. Now, I know that I faked my retirement last year as an April Fool’s joke, so I’m trying to avoid the boy-that-cried-wolf skepticism that is bound to follow this announcement. I assure you, this is the real deal.

Why am I leaving the game? A number of reasons. When I graduated from college three years ago, I gave myself a deadline. If I was not where I wanted to be in my career by the age of 25, I made a promise to myself that I would walk away and try something else. I don’t want to end up as some 40-something never-was who is still chasing the dream and waiting for my record deal. The other reason is because I need to get my own personal situation in order right now, and those of you who know me on that level probably understand where I’m coming from. Finally… I’m just not having fun anymore. When I first started doing this, I had no real aspirations to be a famous musician. It was a hobby, it was a fun way to pass the time and blow off steam. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten more and more serious about pursuing this dream, and the more serious I got, the less fun I was having. Over the past year in particular, I’ve dealt with a lot of bullshit, frustration, and politics… and it’s making me hate music. I’ve become bitter, jaded. That’s not the kind of person I want to be. I’ve noticed that I don’t really smile anymore… I guess I’m just burnt-out. I’m tired. Music has become a full-time job that I hate and I don’t get paid for, so what’s the point?

I don’t mean for this to sound overly-negative. The truth is, I had a great run. For the past 5 years, I got to live my dream. How many people get to say that? I accomplished so much more than anybody thought I would (myself included), and I will look back on my career fondly. I suppose that’s why I want to get out now, before all the negativity of this business gets the best of me and I can no longer cherish the good times that I’ve had.

Thank you all for your love & support over the years. Thank you for downloading my mixtapes, watching my videos, and paying your hard-earned money to come to my shows. I’ll never be able to explain how grateful I am for that. I’ll even thank my haters, just because I’m feeling especially generous today :)

My final show is THIS Saturday @ Raven Lounge. The party starts at 8p.m., I will perform at 9, and we will be celebrating throughout the night. There is NO cover. If y’all can make it out, that would be awesome, because I can assure you, you’ll never see a show like this again.

TM

Ready For The Fight – The Young Punx ft. Count Bass D

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Here is the music video for the radio edit of the track

This is the Gramophonedzie remix of the record, which is actually the version of the song that I heard first. Suffice to say I was intrigued enough by this remix to look up the original. This remix is much more club/dance friendly, but it lacks the epic feel of the original.

The final remix is Wez Clarke’s “Big Room” Mix. This version combines the epic feel of the original with the club/dance vibe of the Gramophonedzie remix, but unfortunately it falls just short of perfect for not using the best part of the song, the autotuned vocals of Count Bass D on the hook… ah well. Solid nonetheless.

Cali Swag District – Teach Me How To Dougie

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

There is a much better version of this video on MTV right now, but EMI has disabled embedding. Apparently their artists don’t need any free publicity… *sigh*

Grovesnor – Nitemoves

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Unfortunately, I was not able to find the right version of this song on YouTube, so instead I will post the link to Grovesnor’s MySpace. While I have not had the chance to check out his other songs yet, I was absolutely blown away by Grovesnor’s “Nitemoves” when I heard it last night. Amazing track… smooth with a lot of soul. Oh yeah.

Freestyle Friday: Math vs Iron Solomon

Friday, May 14th, 2010



Apparently Math won this battle, which is bullshit in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, Math had some great punchlines, and overall he may have had the better flow, but he relied on played out white jokes way too much, and to me that just came across as desperate. Iron Solomon obviously can’t respond with black jokes, so it strikes me as a low blow on Math’s part. Not to mention, Solomon actually took what Math was saying and flipped it back on him, showing that he was actually coming up with punchlines off the top of his head, while Math was clearly spitting writtens. Either way, this battle is definitely worth your time, and that’s coming from someone who generally dislikes rap battles.

“Ecstasy Remix” on 100.3 The Beat TONIGHT! Tune in!

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Be sure to tune in to 100.3 The Beat tonight at 12AM for Philly Home Jamz! DJ Touchtone will be playing my single, “Ecstasy Remix ft. South Philly Sheed!” Please spread the word (tell a friend to tell a friend, so on and so forth, insert cliche here)! BE THERE!!!

TTRRAAADEMAAARRRKKK!!!

Listen to this record TONIGHT on Philly Home Jamz!

Listen to this record TONIGHT on Philly Home Jamz!

Spotlight On: MC Paul Barman

Saturday, May 8th, 2010



I was first introduced to MC Paul Barman on Masta Ace’s “Disposable Arts” album. Barman was featured in a few skits on the album as Masta Ace’s nerdy white Canadian wannabe-rapper roommate. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that MC Paul Barman actually WAS a nerdy white Canadian wannabe-rapper… well, except that he actually IS a rapper. He was the protegee of Prince Paul, and he’s collaborated with respected artists like MF Doom. Not bad for a nerdy white guy… it certainly gives me hope for my own career prospects.

Jay Lethal’s Tribute to Ric Flair

Friday, May 7th, 2010

I haven’t been a big fan of the TNA product since the Hogan/Bischoff regime came in to run the show, but man, this promo was GOLD… I haven’t laughed this hard while watching a wrestling promo in YEARS. I almost lost it when Lethal dropped the knee on his jacket. Awesome impression. The cadence, the swagger, the little mannerisms… he nailed it. Bonus points for the crowd chanting “double vision” when the real Nature Boy came out to confront his impersonator. Haha, great stuff.

The Disco Biscuits ft. Tu Phace – On Time

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

You’ve come a long way from the Connect Four games at Jake’s Crib, Tu Phace. Kudos!

Spotlight On: Big Pun

Saturday, May 1st, 2010



Why Big Pun’s name is not mentioned in the same breath with Biggie and Tupac among the greatest rappers of all time is beyond me. For my money, Pun is one of the greatest lyricists of all time (if not THE greatest), and his flow was second to none. This dude definitely deserves more recognition for how truly innovate he was with his rhymes. R.I.P. Pun.