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Getting Old and Telling Stories (G.O.A.T.S) Vol.1: A Modern Hip-Hop Revival

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In an era where hip hop and rap are often lost amid genre meshing and experimental sounds, Chad Armes and Blind Fury’s collaborative album, "Getting Old and Telling Stories (G.O.A.T.S) Vol.1," is a refreshing return to the roots of pure hip hop and rap. Despite the album’s title hinting at their status as elder statesmen in the industry, the music here is anything but old school. Instead, it stands as a testament to the timeless nature of authentic hip hop. Pure Hip-Hop Vibes in a Modern Era With the modern hip-hop scene dominated by pop rap and melodic influences, it’s both surprising and delightful to experience an album that unapologetically embraces the essence of traditional rap. Even the tracks that contain a hint of country rap influences are firmly rooted in rap foundations, making them resonant and impactful rather than contrived. The declaration of this being Volume 1 suggests an exciting continuation, promising more high-quality music in the future. C...
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Bold Step into Ethical Ai Music

The music industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Every day, thousands of new tracks flood streaming platforms, and AI-generated music is quickly becoming a significant force in that wave. But within this digital deluge, one project stands out— Crowded Corridor by Ai.DRGN. More than just another AI-assisted album, it’s a deliberate, artist-driven creation that challenges industry norms while embracing the potential of technology. The Vision Behind Crowded Corridor At its core, Crowded Corridor is a punk/hip-hop fusion album that refuses to be just another data-driven AI experiment. Unlike generic AI-generated music, every aspect of this album—lyrics, composition, and curation—was meticulously crafted by a traditional musician committed to ethical AI use. This isn’t about letting AI take over the creative process; it’s about using it as a tool to enhance artistic vision while maintaining full creative control. The name Crowded Corridor reflects the overwhelming flood of AI-...
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Rebranding after 15 years of Music Creation... The Journey

Dear Fans, Every artist has their own story on how they discovered their stage or artist name. This is mine story. I think more people can be learned from a story, instead of a formula on how to create their own name and branding. On the surface, DRGN might seem like just a unique grouping of letters. To me, however, it is the name under which I write, record, and release my music. This name represents the final iteration of over 15 years of music creation. When I first started making music, I took on the persona of my favorite TV series character, “ Prynce Fresh .” Initially, the songs I created using this persona were shared around my school, and none of it was serious. After a short period, I retired this name because I knew from an early stage that I couldn’t adopt another person’s persona and make it mine. Inspired by my birth name, Dominique, I went through a few iterations, including “ King Dom,” “Unique,” and “Mr. U. ” Eventually, I decided to get some help from my friends in a...
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How I Write a Hook for a New Song (6 Steps)

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Writing a memorable hook is essential for creating a song that resonates with listeners. Here's my step-by-step process to ensure my hooks are catchy and stand out: Assumptions:  You have a Beat or Instrumental Potential Idea or direction you'd like to take the track The Ability to activity write and record. Key Factor: Ability to hear my voice live. Eliminated my personal head voice from the equation.  Why is this a key? I found that if I write without hearing how it sounds through a mic it doesn’t  sound great when I go to record, I become less inspired due to the song not sounding how I  anticipated… Step 1: Skatting/Freestyle/Mumbling/Humming The first step is to let your creativity work its magic. Skat, freestyle, mumble, or hum along with the beat. This phase is about experimentation, so nothing is set in stone. Try unique phrasing , tonal changes, key changes, use your voice as the instrument and get weird and enjoy the experience.  Step 2: Documenting/B...
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