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Jonathan Clever
Don't quit. Easier said than done in an industry so cutthroat. Sometimes we question the validity of today's music, if it deserves to be a part of our mainstream music medium. What kind of integrity do some of these artists truely possess? Unfortunately, we as fans and creators/producers have to leave it to the professionals in the entertainment field to provide for our versatile musical preferences. Like it or not, the artists we listen to have never given up. If they did, then who would we be listening too. Regardless, if their talents don't appeal to our musical standards, they did what was necessary to get his/her voice heard. Maybe at some point along their path to stardom, they almost gave up. Their life was going nowhere because of all the effort put forth towards making it in the business. Money became scarce, their dedication wasn't receiving the right amount of praise and support and so they almost gave up. Not everyone has true talent, but the right amount of tenacity can sometimes overcome that. Which is unfortunate for those struggling artists who can sing like Aretha Franklin or even Lady Gaga and end up going nowhere. Me? I believe I have talent and a passion to create music. I know I have a unique style that people can enjoy.
Nowadays, sharing your music has become so much more simple. In the age of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, you can easily market yourself to the public. However, getting a few "Likes" on your profile page doesn't reward a record deal. I love music, preferably Hip-Hop, and understand how competitive the industry is. Talent is essentially everywhere and everyone (whether they'd like to admit it or not) has that dream of making it to the top. I can't deny it either, but I'd also be perfectly happy by simply making enough to support myself without the fame. I've got an experimental style with a lot of Hip-Hop influence and everyday I strive to improve my craft and teach myself as well as stay prepared for any opportunities whenever they may arise. At the same time, I'm stripping myself of any self-destructing ego that may compromise my goals. Personally, my ego was never a real concern. I consider myself to be a rather humble artist that accepts criticism. Learning from my mistakes helps me to evolve and further establish my particular style of beat making.
I go by the alias Be Clever Beats (middle initial B, followed by my last name). With an experimental style like mine, much thought is put into every beat I make to give it that inventive and ingenious outcome. I like to think of myself as a perfectionist, but having that trait can make things downright frustrating. To ease my aggravation, I'll listen to some of my favorite producers to revitalize my motivation. Pete Rock, Alchemist, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Jake One, and Hi-Tek are just a few of the many producers that inspire me. My beats tell a story and don't necessarily need lyrics to add substance or meaning. That is the concept I try to spread and as long as I don't give up, Be Clever will continue to grow even after my talent becomes legitimately noticed. Check out some of my work on Reverbnation, Soundcloud, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
