“First off great video. This is awesome- Think the vibe of the song matches the video. The visuals are fantastic- The moment of Truth Phone Call, The Church, and the Desert, Mountain visuals/concepts really caught our eye the most. We think this video shows not only progression, but exploration, as you are from Maryland- this shows your exploration in the music. - Where was this video shot at? How did you come up with the concept- for Finding Cierre- What led you there? “ - RareFlavr
C.U.L.T.U.R.E.- - “Awesome I am glad you enjoyed it a lot of thought and work went into it. The funny thing is the execution didn’t take long about 3 days to film, a month to get the travel arrangements, and 2 weeks to edit. This time around God blessed me to pull this one off 100. Honestly I don’t know where to begin LoL!!! So for about three years now I have been playing around with trap, new boom bap, and soul trap instrumentals, but didn’t feel confident or comfortable on those recordings. But a quick flashback to 21 days To Glory, (see artist snapshot) the song Learning Day Pt. 2 showcased a different sound from the traditional boom bap music I had been doing. This particular song had been in the making for over a year now. Honestly it started last fall when I had to sever ties and distance myself form some unhealthy situations and relationships. All this was brewing while I was trying to complete and promote 21 Days To Glory, at the same time trying to focus on a new project. Yeah busy right hahaha. But at 34 years old, I been in that place before, I wanted escape I wanted revenge I wanted freedom. Although not a thug it’s a certain way cats from Bmore (Baltimore) handles things. I also knew from the same Bmore streets there are consequences for every action. So I knew violence was not the answer, again violence is what Bmore does, not glorifying it but that’s our first instinct and that ain’t a black white or Latin thing. So approaching the situation I wanted to elevate, I wanted to make my family, supporters, and new fans that as a man of God you gotta handle this with the gift and talents you have. My pops told me via a phone conversation around the time all this was playing out in my life, was “boy you need a break thru, you need to go get it, he continued and said (inhale) I watched you search for a job a career that identifies with you for over 10 years, continuing he told me your dream job, your dream career is inside of you. You can’t be the average working man. You have to work for what you want, but this art this hip-hop is a part of you”. This was coming from a 78 year old man. But after that phone conversation about a day or so I was job searching and trying to promote the then new visual “A Soldier’s Story” when I stumbled across a new to me producer with a very unique sound. This was about October 2017, I found an instrumental I liked laid the track and decided to make that song a future release. Fast forward about 7 months later I reached out to the producer with cash in hand looking to purchase that instrumental so I could use it the professional level. I think I DM’d him like four times on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, no answer so I then decided to email him like two more times. No response, I was blown but not disappointed, truthfully it’s music and art so in this career most times you just gotta keep it moving. So I kept working on my next full length project the one that’s coming after The 22nd Day. In the midst of mixing I decided to get some inspiration and listen to some new music and instrumentals. I came across Thai Beats I knew who they were for a long time but never gave them a serious listen. After vibing to their work I came across the track that is now , “Finding Cierre” . I laid it down and didn’t let anyone hear it but myself. Around June of this year 2018 I was working with bv1103 (Beyond Voices) on visuals for the video for another track when we took a break from filming. Big Jon from bv1103 (Beyond Voices) was like play me something else from the upcoming project. Not sure of the mix but confident in the overall production i decided to lay it on them with “Finding Cierre”. It was dope, I never got that reaction before when I played my music for people. Everyone stopped and just took in what they was hearing, then the questions started is that you, is that you on the hook who produced it what are your plans so it started from there. Onto the visual about early July Big Jon reached out to me and stated he wanted bv1103 (Beyond Voices) to work exclusively with me on the visuals for “The 22nd Day” I said cool. Naw not really it was more like a nerd or geek in high school getting a new computer a high pitched voice displaying a weird smile hahaha!!! But I broke the songs meaning and title down and his next question was like give me a theme and scenery. I said its gotta be in the desert. Sunset, sunrise and at night to capture the neon lights and glow of the west coast. So after a few days of searching destinations from Texas to Nevada to New Mexico, to the final filming sight of Tucson Arizona because of the unique desert terrain there. I must say one day I will make it back to the great Pueblo to call it home. I never fell in love with a place as much as I did. I always loved the west coast main reason I moved to Cali but Arizona really grabbed me. Second the love respect and admiration for the Hispanic and Latino community really shaped the title the vibe and overall concept, even filming at the locations we did. Mainly “Finding Cierre” is a song about forgiveness closure and moving on from heartbreak let down and anger. It starts with contemplating as you see me thru a pit. That’s when I’m in my low place in the desert. A place where things go to die, a place of desperation neglect and death. The desert where things are not expected to make it, in the wilderness. A place where only God can help you get out. But for those who are meant to achieve something of significance it is a place of solitude healing growth and prosperity. Not even one can go thru a dry place in life and come out stronger than they were before they entered into the wilderness. And everyone must have a wilderness experience to go to the next level. Everyone must face their moment of truth. And no matter what the entertainer, artist, rich or poor young or old spiritual or atheist must learn this; you cannot and will not grow prosper until you find cierre, until they find closure. Blessings and thank y’all for allowing me to share this very critical piece of art. Love Y’all talk soon peace”. - C.U.L.T.U.R.E.
“This is phenomenal very well said thank you! “- Rareflavr
It is not everyday you get such a vivid and descriptive response from an artist. We are extremely impressed with the work ethic and thought that went into this project. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with rare artists everyday. This was an amazing opportunity for all of us to take a walk IN C.U.L.T.U.R.E.’S shoes and learn more about his upcoming work and the 22ND DAY!!!!!! COMING SOON!!!!! Honestly thank you to everyone who has contributed to every blog post and more importantly C.U.L.T.U.R.E. Stay tuned, and as artists, make sure you not only share YOUR work, but others respectfully. Thank you for following!!!!!! @RareFlavr