Biography
First impressions are the most important as it is when people make their evaluations and how they ultimately perceive you. With that said, a meticulous artist has been patiently waiting for the right moment to present himself to the world. Deciding that the time is right, Meta-4 makes his entrance to the circus we call the "music industry." With several underground mixtapes under his belt, appearances on music dvd's, an endless amount of show performances, and even a brief appearance on 106 & Park's Freestyle Friday in 2006, Meta-4 is well aware that more has to be done on his part to break into the competitive entertainment business.
He states "When you see a Hollywood actor on the big screen you don't think about everything he had to do to get there, you just see what he's doing at that point. Same thing here. Everything I did in the past isn't as important as what I'm doing now. I was honing my craft and it was a learning experience. The spotlight is on me now so it's time to grind."
The cliche word "grind" is typically used by hip hop artists with no drive to back their statement but not in Meta-4's case. As of 2010, it's not too many hats that he doesn't wear. He is an artist/performer, ghost-writer for several Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop artists, video director, model, owner of his own imprint Foreign Ave, and 1/4 of the brains behind the rising music empire LAD Society. Sky is no longer the limit for him. The word "Grind" isn't powerful enough to describe the young entrepreneur.
Raised in the slow-paced slums of Asbury Park, NJ and fast city-life in Brooklyn, NY, Meta-4 was forced to adapt to two very different lifestyles. "My mom lived in the projects in Jersey on low income and my pops lived in New York with a good job. So basically, I saw how it was to be broke while trying to survive with my mom and appreciate having money while living decent with my pops."
Evidently, witnessing the "hood life" and the "good life" is what fuels the passion behind Meta-4's music. He takes you on a journey through his flamboyant lifestyle that can motivate the laziest person. Even more important is how lyrical he is without being preachy which can possibly build him a fanbase from all walks of life. Realizing early on that he cannot please everyone, he focuses solely on pleasing anyone who respects and supports his craft. With several singles from the forthcoming album spreading across the internet and club scenes like an epidemic, Meta-4's notion that the time is right for an introduction isn't too far fetched.
"The world is awaiting a new face who makes music that people want to listen to tomorrow. It's nothing wrong with being a contemporary artist and being poppin' right now, but it's more to the culture than that. The labels are slowly destroying the craft by signing a flock of ringtone artists that get stale quicker than an opened bag of chips. I'm here for the marathon, the 100-meter dash ends too quick."
Along with the "ringtone artist" theory comes the fact that entertainment, especially music, has become viral. The double edged sword, also known as the internet, has become the biggest scapegoat to the declining sales in music. If it isn't used accordingly, it can greatly damage an artist's career. This isn't news to Meta-4 as he is using it to his advantage. His album, which will be available for digital download on January 1, shows that he is fully aware of how convenient it is to purchase an album without having to leave home. In addition to providing the album in digital format, several music videos and interviews will be broadcasted to the world via the internet. However, what's more intriguing than the fact that a multi-talented artist is entering the industry is how he is introducing himself. The title of his first supported project is "Don't Sign Me." This phrase is undoubtedly aimed at record companies but the question to ask is "Why?"
"It's counter-intuitive because most artists end up signing with a label, whether it's a major, independent, or their own. So I'm just making a bold statement that's going to raise eyebrows. That's exactly what I want it to do. And while they're questioning the motive behind it, they're getting hit with powerful, undeniable music. So at the end of the day they're not going to have a choice but to want to sign me. Ha!"
This ingenious way of thinking, as well as the quality of music he produces will soon take him over the top and build a loyal following that will last until he's ready to retire. From the looks of things, that time is far from now. The best is yet to come and he is just getting started.
Instrumentation
Meta-4 - Artist/Songwriter
Discography
Don't Sign Me (The Mixtape) - Coming Winter 09
Rap Ramadon - Released 2008
META-4-ICALLY SPEAKING - Released 2006
Commited to the Hood - Released 2004
ORDER "RAP RAMADON" @ www.cdbaby.com/cd/meta4hiphop
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/metacuatro |