* HOW TO RELEASE A SINGLE * PT. 4

With the 12/29/2006 single release party/performance steadily approaching we have been working hard to ensure a great product, great promotions and finally a great show!

This week I was in the studio on Saturday afternoon with bass player Josh Papreck to begin work on the track "3 HOMBRES" produced by El Genio De Acero. Josh layed down the main bassline and 2 alternate basslines, giving Listen Vision engineer DJ Boom plenty of options to work with. I recorded the the chorus and the main vocals for the three verses. On Wednesday of this week I was back at Listen Vision with DJ E-Boogie at which time we were recorded by engineer Al Nitty and were accompanied by Ray from DC Music & Models who filmed the session. DJ E-Boogie layed down some vicious cuts that I think you will all enjoy when you hear the final version of "3 HOMBRES"! I recorded adlibs and some alternate chorus parts that end the song.

This coming Wed. I'll be back in the studio working on the lead single "THINK" which is also produced by El Genio de Acero. This is the only track on the single that will be entirely in English. This track may also feature some background harmonies from the R&B Hip-hop Rockstar "E" and additional percussion by Doug Christiansen.

On Monday of this week we met with the owner of JOJO BAR the location at which we are planning on having the single release party/performance, in order to talk about the details of the event and to review the contract, solidifying what both parties agree to offer. We will be meeting during the week in order to go over any contract revisions and (as I said last week) hopefully signing the contract so that the location for the event can be set in stone.

I began preparations on the promotional aspect of preparing the single release party/performance this week by contacting Juan Luis from KestaMedia on Monday in reference to designing the flyers. Juan worked with us on the "CALIENTE" flyers and did a great job, so it made sense to work with him on the new "THINK" single! We should have the first draft of the design today and have them ready to print by early next week. Marketing & promotional support for the single release party/performance will also be provided by longtime collaboraters Phatcats Ent. They have already been actively involved in the process by coordinating a feature on DC Music & Models and by being in contact with Indie Street Latino in relation to the upcoming single. Phatcats will also be providing online and street team support during the promotional phase of the single/release party performance.

Thank you for your support and for continously following our progress!

I look forward to seeing you next week -- God Bless & God Speed!

paz.

CRISTOPOLIS
Thinking Hip-hop Emcee
(202) 730-5012
hiphop@cristopolis.com
www.cristopolis.com
D.C. VISIONS, INC.

* HOW TO RELEASE A SINGLE * PT. 3

We have been making great progress, towards our goal of releasing a new single and having a single release party/performance!

This week we continued talks with the owner of JoJo Bar, and he has verbally confirmed that Friday, Dec. 29th, 2006 is available. We will be meeting with him this coming Monday to talk about the details and to (with a little luck) sign an agreement setting the date for the single release party/performance in stone.

On the recording side, this Saturday (tomorrow) I will be back in Listen Vision at 2pm listening to the DJ Boom engineered version of "EL DISTRITO LATINO" and working on a new track "3 HOMBRES", produced by El Genio de Acero. Tomorrow I will lay down vocals and Josh Papreck will be laying down live bass. We will be going back into the studio during the week in order for DJ E-Boogie to lay down his turntable magic.

This week some headway was also made in regards to marketing and promotions. Through a contact given to me by Head-Roc, I was contacted by the Washington Post 'Express' newspaper in regards to the single (potentially for a review of the single), also DC Drama Magizine will be preparing a future show that will feature some live performance footage of me, hopefully it will air right before the single release party/performance so that it can cross promote with the marketing effort we will be doing at that time.

Another great step forward that took place this week was that all of the final documents for creating a corporation in the District of Columbia have been processed by the D.C. Government and the legal creation of Dieguez Creative Visions, Inc. (t/a D.C. VISIONS, INC.), has gone through it's final phase and is now legally up and running!

Thank you for following our progress and I'll see you next week!

paz.

CRISTOPOLIS
Thinking Hip-hop Emcee
(202) 730-5012
hiphop@cristopolis.com
www.cristopolis.com
D.C. VISIONS, INC.

 

* HOW TO RELEASE A SINGLE * PT. 2

In order to realistically achieve my goal of having a 3-4 song single recorded and manufactured and to on top of that organize and promote a release party/performance, all by a deadline of Dec. 29, 2006 -- it was absolutely necessary to make some serious progress quickly.

Therefore this week was busy on two fronts; the first was to begin recording because you can't have a single release party without a single! And the second was finding a venue at which we could hold the single release party/performance.

Last week as soon as I finished writing PT. 1 of this blog series, I immediately contacted Mr. Forge and VMasta in reference to a track entitled "El Distrito Latino" to see what days would be best for them to go into the studio and record.

Once we were all on the same page I contacted Listen Vision and set up time for Thursday at 7pm. I then proceeded to contact Doug Christiansen a world class percussionist and DJ E-Boogie my right hand man and partner in rhyme, so that they could add their musical genius to the track.

The track itself was a concept that I had come up with a few months ago in which I wanted to pay homage to local latino emcee's that have been putting out great music for years. I not only wanted to give respect in my lyrics but also by including local talent to guest on the track. I invited Mei Mei, Camilo Cienfuegos, VMasta, and Mr. Forge to participate on the track. The musical composition of the track is a percussion heavy beat which I produced. Cienfuegos had already laid down the chorus at my home studio a few months ago, and Mei Mei recorded her verse at Real Sound Studios in Virginia and emailed me the MP3 of the acappella.

I brought the .wav files of everything that had been recorded to the studio with me last night, and we began the process of recording. It was magical, everyone was on point and it is always an amazing experience to watch creative minds contribute their own talent and persona to a project. We were accompanied by DC Music & Models who recorded the process and interviewed us afterwards. Be on the look for the interview on their website in upcoming weeks.

The final mix by DJ Boom should be ready early next week and if Boom's previous work is any reference it will sound right! To keep up with the deadline of recording I will need to be in the studio recording again late next week or early in the week that follows, I have contacted a long time friend and producer El Genio De Acero in reference to a track that I heard years ago and wrote a song over entitled "3 Hombres". The track consists of three characters each developed in their own verse and expressing their unique perspectives on ultimate truth, universal consciousness, god or their disbelief in any of the previously mentioned. It is an intellectual song that I feel will serve as a nice counter balance to the very fast paced "El Distrito Latino".


In regards, to finding a venue at which to hold the single release party/performance on Dec. 29, 2006, we were looking for a place that was classy, readily accessible by public transportation, and of a decent size. The first place that came to mind was JoJo Bar on U Street, and throughout this week we have been in contact with the owner. Talks have gone well and the owner seems keen to the idea of the event. I hope that between now and next weeks blog we can have something concrete in writing, because at that point we will be able to begin designing the marketing material and hitting the streets with promotions.

Thank you for reading and for your support -- see you next week with the latest update!

paz.

CRISTOPOLIS
Thinking Hip-hop Emcee
(202) 730-5012
hiphop@cristopolis.com
www.cristopolis.com
D.C. VISIONS, INC.