GENERAL

In a game full of soldiers GENERAL emerges as the one in charge. His name is larger than life and he emphasizes the importance of being confident; having the right attitude for success. My name is more than just a word,” He said. “It’s bigger than that. It has more emphasizes than just a name.” Growing up, this Scarborough native was often challenged by circumstances around him but he did not stray and remained on the right path. He found music as a savior for many of the troubles in his neighborhood and admits it always played a big part in his life. “My mom played records at home all the time and my dad would make me listen to the classics; The Manhattans, Bob Marley, Lionel Ritchie,” he said. “But my biggest influence was the hip-hop my brother brought with him from Jamaica.” At the age of 10, his older brother came to visit with hip-hop from the rock and he fell in love with the music from the islands. It was at this age when he realized what he wanted in life but knew he needed to do more than just free-style.

After surviving years of free-style battles in the school yards GENERAL soon developed a good understanding of what the music business in Canada had to offer those within the urban scene. He soon learned the music business is more ruthless than anything witnessed prior in his life. “I learned more about life in this business that I did in school,” he said. “You learn not to take things personally; be professional, be patient and you will persevere.
“You got to have a street mentality – look out for your best interests.” While many at a young age enter the business expecting spins and success after months of being in the game, GENERAL took what he learned and did what many forget to do: adapt. He continued his education alongside educating himself in the business of the Canadian music industry. GENERAL felt it necessary to allow his music to have more than just street creditability since most the Canadian industry are looking for more than street smarts.“I like hip-hop and I can relate to you if you do too,” he said. “But my music is based on authentication not fabrication so I [felt] it was important to be hitting at you from all angles.”
Successfully graduating with an honours degree in criminology, GENERAL turned to his original love of music. His resume speaks for itself and is extensive; a finalist in International Song Writing Competition, finalist of FLOW 93.5FM’s Soul Search, music video on Much Music, and part of DJ Premiere’s rotation on Power 105.5FM. Ask GENERAL what drives him and he will let you know with no hesitation it is the determination to succeed. “Everything starts at the bottom so you have nowhere to go but up,” he said. “2009 will be the year for Toronto artists and it will start with me – don’t come weak; come hungry.” GENERAL has survived through the storm and his new album, Long Time Coming, produced by Eternity Music and T Boogie is scheduled for release in the fall of 2008 is a tribute to the struggle: internal and external; individual and societal.
For more information on GENERAL be sure to check out www.myspace.com/bornhungry4life and www.bornhungry.net

Article by Peter ES . Email Peter
- www.dj411.ca

In a game full of soldiers GENERAL emerges as the one in charge. His name is larger than life and he emphasizes the importance of being confident; having the right attitude for success. My name is more than just a word,” He said. “It’s bigger than that. It has more emphasizes than just a name.” Growing up, this Scarborough native was often challenged by circumstances around him but he did not stray and remained on the right path. He found music as a savior for many of the troubles in his neighborhood and admits it always played a big part in his life. “My mom played records at home all the time and my dad would make me listen to the classics; The Manhattans, Bob Marley, Lionel Ritchie,” he said. “But my biggest influence was the hip-hop my brother brought with him from Jamaica.” At the age of 10, his older brother came to visit with hip-hop from the rock and he fell in love with the music from the islands. It was at this age when he realized what he wanted in life but knew he needed to do more than just free-style.

After surviving years of free-style battles in the school yards GENERAL soon developed a good understanding of what the music business in Canada had to offer those within the urban scene. He soon learned the music business is more ruthless than anything witnessed prior in his life. “I learned more about life in this business that I did in school,” he said. “You learn not to take things personally; be professional, be patient and you will persevere.
“You got to have a street mentality – look out for your best interests.” While many at a young age enter the business expecting spins and success after months of being in the game, GENERAL took what he learned and did what many forget to do: adapt. He continued his education alongside educating himself in the business of the Canadian music industry. GENERAL felt it necessary to allow his music to have more than just street creditability since most the Canadian industry are looking for more than street smarts.“I like hip-hop and I can relate to you if you do too,” he said. “But my music is based on authentication not fabrication so I [felt] it was important to be hitting at you from all angles.”
Successfully graduating with an honours degree in criminology, GENERAL turned to his original love of music. His resume speaks for itself and is extensive; a finalist in International Song Writing Competition, finalist of FLOW 93.5FM’s Soul Search, music video on Much Music, and part of DJ Premiere’s rotation on Power 105.5FM. Ask GENERAL what drives him and he will let you know with no hesitation it is the determination to succeed. “Everything starts at the bottom so you have nowhere to go but up,” he said. “2009 will be the year for Toronto artists and it will start with me – don’t come weak; come hungry.” GENERAL has survived through the storm and his new album, Long Time Coming, produced by Eternity Music and T Boogie is scheduled for release in the fall of 2008 is a tribute to the struggle: internal and external; individual and societal.
For more information on GENERAL be sure to check out www.myspace.com/bornhungry4life and www.bornhungry.net

Article by Peter ES . Email Peter
- www.dj411.ca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CB2V5sJtlc - The Score Television Network

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CB2V5sJtlc - The Score Television Network