Highlights of CTR2, Part 6: Caleb & Chyna

Check The Recipe 2 is my latest mixtape which features 18 musical talents from the 781 area and beyond. I'll be giving some background info on some of the people involved in CTR2 in this entry. Sit back and take in some insight on the Recipe.

Chyna appeared on CTR 2 on Still Raw, holding her own as the only female emcee on the song. Chyna brings a style that's allows her to bring more of a hardcore style to her delivery, while still being able to use wordplay in a clever way. I've had the privilege of working with Chyna while she was still developing and discovering what her sound was, as she worked on mixtapes and other hip-hop projects.

Many of you know Caleb from the music group Fame or Juliet. The group has taken the underground hip-hop world and turned it upside down with the meaningful messages and eclectic rhythms in their music. Caleb made two appearances on CTR 2. He was featured on Still Raw as a part of the Elite Eight, along with Chyna. Caleb also released a track, a duet with Thright Hook, entitled Pot of Gold, which also saw a collaboration with Seth Chaos and I on the production side of things.

Both Chyna and Caleb have been featured on BET's 106 & Park; Chyna, as a participant of the Freestyle Friday rap battles, and Caleb, with Fame or Juliet, on the Wild Out Wednesday talent competition. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside both acts, and hope to do so again in the future.

2012: Most of the Year In Review

This is the time of year where everyone takes time to reflect on the past calendar year. What was good? What wasn't so good? How many epic fails did I commit? How many Facebook pictures did I like/share because if I "ignored" them it showed that I didn't care? (That one's for you, Thai.)

I figured I'd take the time to give my opinion on some of the things Sunspot has been a part of in the last year. I should have time to bang this out before this week's show.

February 21 - July 31
The Photo Shoot and Making of "Check The Recipe 2" This is actually could've been two different sections. "The Making of" started in February while "The Photo Shoot" started in the last week of July... but they're intertwined. So there you go.

If you've Liked my Facebook page (and if you haven't, you're really missing out on some (high?) quality quips), you noticed a series of photographs featuring the Sunspot crew and other musicians that promoted my second mixtape. The photo shoot was a lot of fun. It's one thing to put in work to promote your work, but when you're surrounded by friends and family, it really doesn't seem like work at the end of the day. It was also a bonus that I knew the photographer from my previous job and the graphic designer from high school. I can't thank them enough for all their hard work, especially when they had to race against the clock!
If you need photography or videography, hit up KKS Photography.
For graphic design of any kind, Wendy Carmona-Florencio - Illustration & Design.

As far as the making of the actual mixtape, I couldn't possibly fit every detail in one entry, which is why I started this. However, I will say that Check The Recipe 2 was more successful than I ever thought. To everyone who was involved in the making of it: artists, producers, writers, loved ones, fans, affiliates, associates and anyone else that doesn't fit into one of those categories, I say THANK YOU.

August 22
KAYA Lynn Out Loud Talent Show (or as I call it, The LAWL Show) Sunspot staples G. Jonz and The Right Hook assisted KAYA behind the scenes in putting together this 2nd annual showcase. Runna also helped in making the show a huge success as ITM's Step Squad and Dance Team both performed that night. The entire process was something I wouldn't trade. The youth involved were so inspiring and incredibly gifted. During practices, they supported each other and gave helpful tips. The other advisers, Lynda and Lyna, offered great insights to the performers. The pressure was on for many reasons, but once the music hit and the lights were on bright, it was showtime and positive energy overpowered everyone in attendance. New friendships were definitely made that night. KAYA Crew, if you're reading this, thank you for the opportunity. I can not WAIT to do it again!

The good people at LynnHappens.com has the entire show on video. Here's the link: http://lynnhappens.com/?p=5932

I looked at my list at what I wanted to write about. I realized that, while I didn't plan to make this a mini-series of blogs, that's ultimately what this will become. All 3 parts will be done before the new year. And possibly before Sunspot's show this Friday.