R.I.P. Chad Butler pka Pimp C of UGK

A lot can happen in a week. Within a two day span, I learned that Spice 1 was shot and almost killed. And then I learned that Pimp C had passed away two days later. I am praying for both families, because, I can only imagine what they are going through. God is good. I know Spice 1 will make a full comeback, because he has always been grounded in the faith and in prayer. I also feel the same way about Pimp C. I really came to like Pimp C more and more as I read everyone of his articles in Ozone Magazine. The name of his column was called "The Chronicles of PIMP C". Since I promote the magazine here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I really felt an allegiance to what he was doing, and he did it very well! His column became the first thing that I would look to in the magazine, and the first thing that I would promote about the magazine. He was a true believer in himself and what he had to say, and a role model in that regard. Pimp C was able to come out of prison, and take advantage of all of the opportunities that lay before him. And whatever he did, he did it to the fullest, not worrying about what others would think. And what I really appreciated about him was his ability to admit to his mistakes and apologize and keep it moving. Many people love to take people's words out of context and make it bigger than it is, and this was the case many times with PIMP C's Ozone Articles. But he definitely stood behind what he was saying, and when he knew people could not understand what he was really saying, he was diplomatic and smooth enough to acquiesce a little bit and keep it pushing. PIMP C and Bun B exemplify loyalty that is rarely seen in the music industry today. You cannot think about PIMP C without thinking of BUN B. You never heard Bun B or PIMP C speak ill of each other. They only supported and encouraged each other to do and be better while representing people of the world who chose UGK to be their voice. So I feel that Bun B should be surrounded in prayer and given the proper respect that is due to him for the example that he and PIMP C set for every rap artist new and old!I could continue to speak on this, because I see so much good, even in the midst of this hard time for The Butler family. But I will say Rest in Peace PIMP C. I know you are among the best that the earth has ever seen and looking for a studio to record in in heaven. May you continue to look and offer guidance to our generation from a better place. You said you had a pocket full of stones…! You turned those stones into diamonds and rubies for all of us to us. Thank you brother! Job well done!
Respectfully and Prayerfully Submitted,

Beno-other, M.B.A.

Song: Closet Freak Artist: Canary Sterling

What's up family. I just wanted to drop a link to songwriter/singer Canary Sterling's song Closet Freak. It has been getting good feedback, but I would like to know what you think.

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving. And for those who were brave enough to get up at four in the morning and go shopping, that is mad impressive.

It snowed here last night and is snowing right now, so I am headed out to go home, cause a Cali boy ain't used to that snow! Fa sho!

Click on the link below, and hear what I was talking about.
http://www.isound.com/canary_sterling/

One Love,


Beno

Truth Clark's Art on www.eadymusicgroup.com

Just wanted to let you know that we now have East Coast Artist Truth Clark's Artwork posted on our website. Truth Clark, grew up in the hey days and beginnings of rap and hip hop culture on the streets of New Jersey. This brother is a great brother who not only is positive, motivational, and influential, but the brother can flat out draw.

On the page you will see his drawings of today's music artists, such as 50 Cent, Game, Missy, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg and more. Don't wait, click on http://www.eadymusicgroup.com/TruthClark now and see what I am talking about.


One Love,

Beno

Thankful for another Thanksgiving

Happy holidays for the people that celebrate them. And for those that do not, not a big problem. My message today, is whether you celebrate this particular holiday or not, is that we can and should still be thankful. A lot of times, we forget the "reason for the season". We must admit, that we have come along way from where we were. Many things have improved. Better technology, bigger, flyer automobiles and greater freedom to act a fool. Yet and still many of us are not thankful for the many blessings that we have for dolo and the blessings that we have to share.

So on that Thanksgiving day, as you sit with your favorite drink in hand after stuffing yourselves silly, be thankful at this moment. Be thankful that you are in a warm home, surrounded by people who love you and cared enough about you to share this particular day with you.

Being thankful should not just end with the end of Thanksgiving. Make everyday a day to be thankful, even in the times of trouble. For you know where your strength comes. Be thankful for the good and the bad, because there are lessons to be learned and strength to be gained in your experiences.

I pray that you have a joyous and wonderful thanksgiving day and that you remain thankful for the year that is passing and the year to come.

One Love,


Beno

Hitbreaking DJ's

Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to listen to some of the most successful radio, club and mixtape dj's of our time. The likes of DJ Jelly (Atlanta), DJ Pharris (Chicago), DJ Irie (Miami), Nick V (Los Angeles), DJ Supa Mike (Baton Rouge), DJ AJ (St. Louis), DJ E Rock (San Francisco) were all on the call. Typically when I am on these industry type calls, I like to keep a pen and pad handy so that I can write down contact information, new ideas that may pop into my head and nuggets of information that people spit while they talk. Before I share some of the things that I picked up, I want to give a big congratulations and shout out to DJ Wrekk 1 and The Hitbreakers.com for all of the hard work that they do to further hip hop music and the networking and information sharing that they foster.

I just want to drop a few points that were brought up.

1. Your success is contingent on your location, city, market, credibility and your mouth-piece. However, you can become a success right where you are if you have a vision and can follow through on it.

2. Tell Record Promoters the truth about their records and they will ultimately respect you and come to you again. Sometimes, good promoters have to try to push weak songs. It's not their fault, but it is their job. Just give a simple yes or no.

3. Street DJ's are the strongest right now, do to their ability to play records and break them in the club. Additionally, some street dj's are great marketers who can do more for an artists' music than maybe radio can sometimes.

4. Not all dj's can do everything. Some dj's have different strengths. One dj might be good at keeping the program director happy. Another might be good at going from the radio to the club and grinding, turning the party out with every record they play. Another may be stronger at creating mixtapes.

5. Dj's know what works in their market and what doesn't. (But if you believe in your song, keep pushing on!)

6. Dj's are people to. They want to know that you care not just about them playing your record, but that you care how they are doing. Build real and sincere relationships with dj's if you can and you may get that love back when you need it.

These are just a few of the jewels that I picked up. When I get on a hitbreaker.com conference call, I am always impressed with the caliber of people on the call and the information and candidness with which the artists speak. Until the next call, stay in the studio.


Hip-Hopfully Yours,

Beno-other, M.B.A.

Hip Hop in Albuquerque on Thursday Night. What did I find?

As I wrote in my first blog, I was headed downtown to represent and watch some up and coming local artists do their thing and meet some more music people. What I found, was a group of young people that have a dream to make it big in music and a group of haters who do not want them to make anything out of their dreams. These haters, happened to be security guards. Man that is a tough one. How are you supposed to rock at a club when you know security wants to beef with you?

With almost every club in Albuquerque being free, the place wasn't packed like it could have been. Especially to support the local artists. But the groups performed and the night looked like it would end on a positive note. However, here come the guards trying to goad a young emcee to fight. Man, I can't stand a hater like that. Why can't you just let that man be? Cause' he got an athletic jersey on? Pick anything!

My message to those young aspiring emcees and just to people with a dream period is to stay focused and undeterred. Don't let nobody, family, friends and especially strangers keep you from working your hardest to make something happen for yourself. People will ignore Jay-Z's decree, and try to knock your hustle. Maybe they are knocking it, because they just don't feel your style. That's okay. Maybe they are jealous. That's okay. But you have a responsibility to pursue your dreams and goals until you cannot breathe anymore. At the end of the day, you will look back and have a good laugh at the obstacles that dared to stop you but could only serve as stairs to get you to the top.

Until I go in search of Hip-Hop again in Albuquerque, you all stay focused, dedicated, and prayed up.

Hip-Hopfully Yours,

Beno-other M.B.A.

What is Beno's Basslines and Bylines?

Beno's Basslines and Bylines is a blog that will ultimately include photos, video, artwork, interviews, commentaries and random musings from me. Although I like to write, I am struggling with what to write and publish in this blog. Some stuff is easy to decide on. Interviews, no problems. Comments on things that I think are good, not an issue. But there are some topics that for me are sensitive and people may not necessarily see it how I see it. However, I feel more comfortable tackling some of these same subjects in a rap. You see, this whole blogging and website and any other entertainment vehicle I use, all comes from the artist side of me. And being an artist we have the ability to reach a broader audience faster than many other people would dare to dream.

Although, I have had my share of victory in the music industry, I still am not where I want to be. My ultimate goal is to become a philanthropist. I want to be able to fund educations, buildings, programs and anything else that I feel will help the community. I know that it is possible for me to reach this stage, because I believe in the blessings of God. I know that he can take my life and bless it in an instant that I cannot even fathom. Admittedly so, I am already blessed. I have a beautiful wife who is successful, I have my own equipment that I can record music on, I have a great career ahead of me, and I can still play baseball on the weekends, (as of this writing, Beno's baseball team won the championship for the Mexicana/Americana baseball league in Albuquerque, New Mexico). And I have the desire and knowledge to help other people and that is where I know I am most valuable.

In the future I hope to use my writing to pursue other goals. I would like to write a book about the music industry and how to do it yourself. I also have a mean idea for a movie that I hope to make a reality one day. Until then, I keep on writing my own raps and recording them and writing for OZONE Magazine’s Rap Quest Section (Big Up to JB and OZONE Mag, for giving me that chance).

May God continue to bless you and keep you as you strive to make your dreams a reality. If you need help dreaming, holla at me, cause I dream all day, every day!

Hip-Hopfully Yours,

Beno

Hip Hop in Albuquerque on a Thursday Night.

What's up. I am headed out the door to go to Ned's in Downtown Albuquerque, NM. I know you are saying, "Albuquerque? What goes on in Albuquerque?" Well the answer for me is Hip Hop.