#amauryislam

[futuremusicmoguls]

#Farewell

Wow, where to begin. Coming in especially after the orientation where I met Abhita and Marat for the first time, I was expected big things from the program and can say they were exceeded in every respect. I don't think I could have been given a clear perspective into the industry, while having actual experience added to it. The program really helped with figuring a lot about myself, and also giving me an idea of what to do in the future. I was inspired everyday to try and come back better every week with the amazing fellow future music moguls I was with, and the pressure I put on myself to make sure I took advantage of this program. My conversations with my fellow members of the program, the TA's, and Marat and Abhita were life changing. Seeing how much everyone else was doing for their development, and then getting honest/great feedback from the TA's and facility was crucial to the growth I had from being in the program. I've never been in an environment where there was such a level of competitiveness and yet overall support for one another. Alfredo, you're definitely going to make an impact on the industry and you were really helpful with talking business and then also giving me your perspective on how you got into Clive. In addition I thought your passion/hunger was so inspiring, make sure you never lose that. I also can't wait to see what happens with your artist! Topaz, yeah there was that day were you helped me with delivery in the studio when I was messing but you helped with much more than that. You brought out my competitive nature, and desire to be a much better rapper/artist. I hope you take off with this next project, and I better see some funky shit there haha. Sedona, the minute you said you were into St.Vincent too I knew you had to be awesome. I relate to you a lot, and your support was so crucial to me not letting any of my growing pains with rap deter me from sticking with it. Also your music is awesome, keep getting it with that I can't wait to hear more from you. Marat you were awesome with your lessons about the business, and that time you gave me the g talk about me as a rapper was incredibly helpful thank you for always keeping it real. Abhita you're beyond awesome! The talks about production in class, and in our off time were really helpful. I didn't think it was possible for me to be more interested in production, but my time in the program made it clear that's something I want to look into thank you so much for that. To my fellow Future Music Moguls, you guys were beyond helpful. From the times where y'all inspired me because of how talented you guys are and how much work you all put in, to your support I couldn't think of a better group for this. I know you all have the tools to be successful with music, and know if we all stick to the paths we're currently on we'll be working together in the industry! Overall I'm going to miss this program so much, it was an incredible opportunity and such a blessing. If I ever make it, I don't think I'll be able to point out something more crucial to me doing that then this program. So this isn't farewell for good, July 19th we're all going to kill it and obviously we're going to stay in contact. I feel like I'm cutting the thank you's to the faculty too short, but I hope I made it clear how grateful I was to meet all of you and gain so much from everyone. I hope we all keep the same fire, and passion that brought us to the program and go on to do big things.

[futuremusicmoguls]

#Writing

Kanye West is one of the most influential artists, and has successfully maintained that influence through innovation and perseverance.  Kanye West entered the industry in a time where in hip-hop it was considered essential to have a street image and be able to be seen as having street credibility. In a billboard article covering the 10 year anniversary of “The College Dropout” Devo Springsteen is quoted as saying “There was not really interest in Kanye. People liked his beats but they saw hip-hop as 50 Cent, Ja Rule, streets and if he didn’t fit into that perception then he wasn’t really hip-hop.”.  Kanye would eventually stick to his vision, due to how he felt after the accident that inspired his first single “Through the Wire” as mentioned in the article by No I.D. The impact of the “The College Dropout” was felt right away, J Ivy was quoted in the same article as saying “The album got people through school, through depression, through death in the family, through relationships, through bad jobs, through career decisions – the album changed lives... It called forth a huge ripple effect.” Kanye’s success would go on to indicate a major change in direction for hip-hop when his album “Graduation” outsold 50 Cent’s “Curtis” which paved the way for artists who did not fit into that gangster persona. He would also influence a new wave of artists with his experimental album “808s and Heartbreak” such as; Drake, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd. and Childish Gambino. Kanye’s success and influence brings an important idea to artists and society in general that so long as you stay true to your vision, you don’t need to stay within the norm and that there is a place for those who choose to be innovators and follow their vision.

[futuremusicmoguls]

Songwriting Amaury Islam 2/28

Song Format: Verse, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus Song

Information/Credits: Written, performed, and produced by Annie Clark. From her self titled album “St Vincent” (2014)

Arrangement Notes: There’s these drums that are off-beat throughout the entirety of the song. This is a really airy and hazy track with a laid-back groove that compliment St Vincent’s vocals really well. There’s also a guitar section that’s heard in the background behind the drums, but comes alive for the chorus and really matches up with St Vincent’s vocals for the chorus. I think St Vincent does a great job with this track as far creating the atmosphere and tone that matches up with her lyrics. The creative use of the off-beat drums, and then the sick guitar during the chorus all compliments her vocals.

Lyrical notes: There is a heavy theme throughout the song of finding yourself as a person, and being tired of following the crowd/ being afraid of being different. I think where this really strikes out at the listener is with some of her lyrics throughout the verses, such as “You wanna be a son of someone”, “By now I know just when to stand clear.When all your friends and acolytes are holding court in bathroom stalls.” With wanting to be a son of someone, she’s saying “Prince Johnny” wishes to be accepted by his family. With the use of the word of acolytes and holding court, you get the sense of followers and a mass gathering for a discussion. Then by saying in bathroom stalls it could mean a variety of things, it could be a callback to the mention of doing drugs in the first verse or possibly just providing an image of this figure Prince Johnny speaking in the bathroom possibly gossiping and speaking in secrecy with his “friends and acolytes”. I think the most crucial aspect of the song is in the chorus with her saying “So you pray to all, to make you a real boy” which brings the Pinocchio comparison, and adds tremendously to the theme of wishing to be accepted and wanting to just be real.

I love this song, I was blown away once I first heard it due to what I mentioned before St Vincent made great use of her lyrics to enhance the theme. I loved how for the last verse and chorus she spun the perspective onto her, bringing new meaning to the song. Alluding to the fact that what she criticizes “Prince Johnny” for could be said for her as well. I thought that tied things together perfectly, putting a fitting end to what takes you on a trip through very atmospheric production and great songwriting. I also like the message of wanting to be yourself, and tired of putting on a front due to fear of not being accepted. There’s also a sense of sympathy for Prince Johnny for him feeling this way and it’s really effective in making the theme powerful.

Key Production Moves: The off-beat drums, the background guitars leading up to the chorus during the verse, the guitars coming to the front of the action during the chorus along with St Vincent’s powerful chorus.

Key Songwriting success: Referencing becoming a real boy, which brings up the themes of Pinocchio which relate to the song. Bringing the song back to being about herself after focusing on Prince Johnny. Great use of vocabulary with lyrics like “holding court in bathroom stalls”, using friends and acolytes, and then the way she raises her voice for the chorus for what is a mostly soothing, laid-back song really adds to the powerful effect on not only this being so important that he is praying for this, but the Pinocchio real boy reference is also enhanced through this.

[futuremusicmoguls]

Introduction

Hey guys, my name is Amaury Islam. I'm 16 years old and I am an aspiring rapper/producer from Queens. I'm a junior at Francis Lewis High School.

I'm really into hip-hop especially, but am always looking to expand on what genres I listen to. From an artist standpoint I look up to Kanye West, as he was what got me into hip-hop and has made some of my favorite projects. I also look up to Tupac for his overall impact and influence on the people, and hope to be able to deliver a positive message as effectively as he did.

As of now I put a lot of time in towards writing verses everyday, and continue to work on getting better as an artist. Although I lack experience, I am very interested in production as a lot of my favorite artists are also producers on their own projects. I also love thinking about sampling records, and really go into studying how a lot of my favorite artists go about producing and tying together their lyrics by capturing emotion through their production. I don't have a video of me with Vanilla Ice, however here is a video of Frank Ocean performing Bad Religion on Jimmy Fallon. I really dig the live instrumentation here, and also Frank's songwriting ability and passion on this record. Overall I am very excited to work with all of you, as I have much to learn and am eager to be around people as passionate about music as I am.