Support System

I’ve come a long way since late last year. I’m really getting into this music ‘thing’ I’ve been involved with. I call it a thing because sometimes I’m not sure what to call it. I guess the best way to describe it is marketing and promotion but to me, it’s more supporting good music especially the music of independent artists and spreading the word of their work. I’ve written on some blogs, got a couple of the artists features on radio and music websites, promoted shows, run Facebook groups for them etc and I hope to expand on that a bit. Most times, I don’t think of it as a big deal. I’m just passionate about the music and about the artists I’ve gotten to know. It doesn’t really hit me until I get feedback from people whether it be a fan, the artists themselves, managers and other promoters. Apparently, I’ve given the impression that I am someone of importance but yet I don’t feel it within me. Recently, I spoke to someone that wants me to join their team in entertainment marketing and promoting. At that time, they even asked me if I was a manager. It really floored me and made me proud…yet there’s a little part of me that’s sad. The reason for this is the fact that some people that are close to me aren’t there to support me; as if I can’t share my excitement with them because either they don’t realize what a big thing it is for me or they haven’t really paid attention to what I’ve been doing, really showing no interest. Perhaps I’m looking for support in the wrong places from the wrong people but at times, these people are loved ones that I want to impress with my accomplishments and make them proud.

It makes me smile when someone asks my opinion on something or shows me love. It especially surprises me when it’s someone that I admire and/or respect. It’s happened time and time again where I’ve gotten messages from or spoken to someone saying ‘yes, I’ve heard of you’, ‘I know of you’ or ‘I’ve seen your name/picture somewhere’. A while back, I was introduced by a promoter to another one. He said, “You know Vee?” and the other guy was like, “Yeah, I know Vee! We’ve never officially met ‘til now though.” Earlier last week, a guy that goes by the name of Big Dho who is the mastermind of the HOJ (Hall of Justus) which is responsible for bring out artists like my boy, Darien, Little Brother, Chaundon, Joe Scudda etc…wrote on my wall on Facebook calling me “One of the most trusted and respected fans of HOJ/LB/D-Brock”. That was really WOW to me. Even this passed Friday, I was at a birthday party and a guy that’s a DJ on one of my fave radio shows here, The Real Frequency came up to me and said hi. I was surprised. We’ve only wrote on each other’s Facebook walls a couple of times. I honestly didn’t think he’d recognize me. I mean, I was trippin’ back in October when Darien and Little Brother were here. Pooh and I never really corresponded much and when I approached him to finally get a pic with him, he had this big smile on his face and was like, “Vee…right?” I’ve spoken to a couple of my closest male friends about all this, telling them how surprised and shocked I am. They told me the same thing…they said that I’m almost too humble. I was encouraged to really recognize what I’m doing but at times that’s hard to do when I don’t have many people to share my excitement with that understand what I am actually doing. I suppose when I really look at it, it is a big deal for me. I went from being painfully shy to actually networking and meeting people. I basically backed myself into a corner so that I had no choice but to come out of my shell. Don’t get me wrong, I still am shy especially when approaching people but I’ve gotten a bit better at it.

Honestly, I think I lost my point in writing this but it was good to let this out. I guess the whole support thing bothers me more than I think…

Tell me something….Do I have your support??

I Heart Hip Hop!!!!

Rock The Bells = The best hip hop show on earth!

Jay Electronica, Murs, The Cool Kids, Supernatural, De La Soul, Mos Def, Redman & Method Man, Nas, Rakim, Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest all performed at the Rock The Bells concert Sunday, July 20 @ Arrow Hall. As I list them, I’m still baffled at the fact that I saw all of them. My best friend, Linh aka Boogi and I went VIP and even though I was still struggling with a bout of bronchitis that started the week before (and I still am!), I was extremely excited and hype! The next day at work, I was sitting at my desk tired as hell with sore feet and legs from standing, jumping around and dancing from about 2pm all the way ‘til after 11 pm but the hype from the show had kept me smiling and in good spirits.

The good thing of paying extra to being a VIP was a few freebies we got. We each received a Rock The Bells shirt and backpack and 2 drink tickets. The VIPs had their own section with easy access to the bar and refreshments. Boogi & I liked the fact we were sectioned off from the rest because there was less crowding but what we didn’t like was we thought we’d be a lot closer to the stage than where we were. I did see some of the artists come out to hang out in the VIP lounge. I saw Fat Lip & Tre from Pharcyde and I really got to talk to Jay Electronica who was sweet as hell and really cool. I’m actually pretty proud of myself because I wasn’t that shy! One of the other perks was a meet and greet with ATCQ. This was the piss off of the whole night. When the time came, a whole crowd of us bunched up to meet them. This is where the pushing and shoving started. Boog and I were smushed right in the middle of all these dudes, it was almost claustrophobic! We were almost to the front when they announced that it was over and they had left to get ready for their performance! They were there for about half an hour to 45 mins! Not even half of us were able to go in. It was so fucked up! I was really disappointed about that. I was so looking forward to meeting them, Q-Tip especially.

The show was an experience in itself! Most of the time, I was standing there, watching in awe. In between acts, I looked around at all the different people in the crowd. You can really feel that you were at something special. The energy was crazy and I’m happy to say that there was no violence whatsoever. I read somewhere that the organizers had trouble finding a venue here. Originally it was supposed to be held right in Toronto and it was going to be outdoors; somewhere like the Amphitheatre but apparently the city board had a problem with it. It seemed like they didn’t want a big hip hop show like Rock The Bells in the heart of the city and speculation is that it was because of the possible risk of violence involved with hip hop. A few years back, 50 Cent had a show out here and there was a shooting associated with the concert. Obviously, no one on the board had any idea that there is a difference between 50 and the cats that came for RTB. The show was held at a place out by the airport indoors which actually turned out well because it was pouring rain that day.

The performances were amazing for the most part. There were some sound problems. The worst was with Rakim. He almost walked off the stage because of the sound. When he did perform he was great but you can tell his performance was cut short because of it. I managed to sneak my camera in and took some pictures and videos. While some may think I took a lot, I really didn’t. I was too busy enjoying myself. In a way, I kind of regret not filming Jay Electronica, Murs, Mos Def and Naz though. The vids I did take are probably no more than 3 mins long each because I did get caught filming a couple of times and I was too hype to film anymore! It was so hard to keep still and I’m actually surprised that you don’t hear me rapping along! LOL! I will post a vid or two here but the rest you can see on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ladyvee76. I have a few pictures too but I'd have to resize them to post them here and if I did that, they would look tiny so hopefully your my friend on facebook or myspace...you can find my links to your right!


While the whole show was great, my high points were:

1. Meeting Jay Electronica. Dude was just so cool and easy to talk too! Very affectionate as well…got a lot of hugs and kisses. LOL. Check out my pic with him!






2. The Pharcyde. Nuff said. Pharcyde, Pharcyde, Pharcyde! I’m still in awe that I saw them! The fact that all 4 original members reunited for the tour was amazing. Seeing Fat Lip and Tre when they were mingling around the VIP area was really cool too.


3. A Tribe Called Quest. Even though I didn’t get to meet them like the VIPs were supposed to, seeing them live is unexplainable. Having Q-Tip come out and do his solo stuff first was crazy. Plus having Phife, Ali and Jarobi there with him was great. I am so proud that I saw my favorite hip hop group off all time LIVE!

It’s been about a month now and I still smile every time I think about it. I’m still heavily listening to Murs, Jay, Tribe, Pharcyde and the rest of the performers that I saw. It’s a habit of mine that every time I go to a concert after, I’d be listening to nothing but that artist for at least a week after but I have a feeling after this…it’ll be awhile!



The Pharcyde ~ Runnin'



A Tribe Called Quest ~ Bonita Applebum

Dwele Concert 06/26/08

I’m lagging just a bit behind and I haven’t posted about the Dwele show. I have not stopped listening to his newest album, Sketches of a Man, since I got it! It’s a create CD straight through. Dwele came to Toronto the day after the album was released, June 25 and I went to check him out with my friend, Tracey. The show was the premiere of a series called Suite 884 which vows to bring some of the finest artists to the city in a more intimate setting. Big ups to Nate London and the rest of the crew that hand in making this happen!

The show was amazing and Dwele did not disappoint. He sounded great and he was pretty playful with the crowd. In fact, at one point while he was singing he came and crouched down in front of Tracey and I. Next thing we knew, Dwele took Tracey’s camera away from her and proceeded to sing to it! I’ll be posting that video. The rest of them can be seen on my youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/ladyvee76. The only problem I had was seeing that he just released a new album, I wished he would’ve performed more of the new music. He just performed his lead single, I’m Cheatin’ and another song, Feels So Good. I was blessed to meet him again. The first time I met him was in ’06. He’s such a sweetie and was all smiles. It was fairly quick but I did manage to talk to him a bit. I was commissioned by my friend, Vonnie aka Honey from Honeysoul.com to give him a hug and kiss…which I did gladly! LOL! I told him she said hi and he was all happy saying that he just checked out their interview together which she just posted a few days before the show.

Overall, it was a great night even though I was dragging my butt the next day at work because the show was on a Wednesday. Can’t wait to see who’s up next for Suite 884.

Dwele Singing, I Think I Love You, To Tracey's Camera!! Don't Forget To Pause The MP3 Player To The Right!!



Here's A Pic Of Dwele With Trace's Cam



My 2 Best Shots Of The Night!






Dwele & I