Hey, everyone what's good... Labrinth here once again.
Hope everyone is having a good one.... not going to lie it's been a bit of a stressful week for me. I'm on the verge of releasing an album, which is a mixture of sheer excitement mixed with complete fear...
I've been told that this is a phase every artist goes through and I should know about it, I've worked with countless amounts of them! I've been analysing and observing lots of different artists for years and always thought that some of them become a bit over dramatic and a bit self obsessed when releasing a record, and become so channelled into their 'musical vision' that they see the world only through their eyes.
However, now the tables have turned and the shoe is on the other foot so to speak - it makes me see that I kinda got it wrong. I was a little too hard on the artists I'd been observing. Now I'm at that crucial stage of experiencing what they go through and there are so many issues and challenges I feel like I have to face. I have learned that while your putting your record together you can get so caught up in making what you want that you forget what you wanted in the first place.
You feel the importance of trying to stay relevant amongst your peers and keeping your game face on, when actually sometimes you feel like you are heading the wrong way...
Then there is the challenge of 'marketing' and selling the product, which is my music, which I have spent years crafting and shaping into something that I feel reflects me and what I want to stand for. Doing all of this whilst trying to focused in a business that can drop you at anytime. It makes me realise it's not as easy as I once thought!
Although I must point out that with everything I have said I do not I want to sound like I am complaining or taking what I have for granted... I feel very privileged to be in this position, I know these opportunities come few and far between. I think I just wanted to highlight that it has been a really important learning curve for me and the whole journey from becoming a producer to an artist has shaped me and changed my outlook on the process of making music. I guess it's kinda natural that you would go through this process when the product you are selling is you, ya know?
But then I look at how well British music is doing at the moment and I feel so proud. Although, The Brits nominees in my opinion overlook some of our hottest talent at the moment, Wretch 32 had a No.1 album and 2 No.1 singles and he didn't get a nomination which doesn't make sense to me. However, we really are flying the flag for homegrown talent with artists such as Emeli, Ed and Jessie. Lets hope we take home some gongs!
Meanwhile, I'm trying to get all of these artists I know to turn up to my pre-Brits dinner that I'm hosting in my restaurant this week - now who's plugging away! I'm just so pleased to see such a good crop of British talent nominated this year and flying the flag for UK music - that in itself is something to celebrate.
Hopefully a little bit of food for thought for you all for the day....so until next time, take it easy.
Lab x