All I see is positive things in his future
By David Paulio
Brownsville, Brooklyn. Listening to Big Daddy Kane, wanting to grow a high top. Artists like Black Sheep, Blackmoon, Special Ed and MC Lyte on heavy rotation. Recording tracks for fun and amusement, with his crew Children of the Ville, at his homeboy's studio. An activity to keep them off the harsh and brutal streets. Then 2000, 2001, the feedback was so tremendous, that the hobby and the culture he fell in love with became a viable career.John Sportin is not your typical rapper. He see's hip hop "financially at its best point," but as far as creativity is concerned "people can get a lot better." The element of love has been lost, as the majority of rappers and corporations are "motivated by money."
Will the unsigned phenom become another major label casualty? Will he allow record companies to change the direction of his music that's currently made for the non-Bentley driving, non-crystal drinking person? That's a dilemma he understands. "This is why I'm hot is such a simple song. But I bought the album, to give it a chance and I was surprised, it had banging songs." Record companies require pop songs on albums, trying to ensure a hit album because of all the money they invest in the artist. Mim's debut album had quality tracks, but pop songs are what sell's.
Will the unsigned phenom become another major label casualty? Will he allow record companies to change the direction of his music that's currently made for the non-Bentley driving, non-crystal drinking person? That's a dilemma he understands. "This is why I'm hot is such a simple song. But I bought the album, to give it a chance and I was surprised, it had banging songs." Record companies require pop songs on albums, trying to ensure a hit album because of all the money they invest in the artist. Mim's debut album had quality tracks, but pop songs are what sell's.
When asked if he would become one of the countless major label casualties, or even another Mims, he responded "The Music Industry is still a business. They're going to try to make me do it their way. But I'm going to pull them in with one song, then when they buy the album, hit them up with the real shit."
While the rest of the music world seems enamored and motivated by money, Sportin is motivated by the love for the music. He would travel to far rockaway to the studio, breaking his pockets to pay for the countless hours he spent recording. But the hustle and networking worked out, because "Now I don't need to pay for studio time." He went from having no manager, no PR, to having a team that networks and promotes his average man oriented music. The response, from the streets to myspace, has been so overwhelming, that Sportin states "All I see is positive things in the future."
While the rest of the music world seems enamored and motivated by money, Sportin is motivated by the love for the music. He would travel to far rockaway to the studio, breaking his pockets to pay for the countless hours he spent recording. But the hustle and networking worked out, because "Now I don't need to pay for studio time." He went from having no manager, no PR, to having a team that networks and promotes his average man oriented music. The response, from the streets to myspace, has been so overwhelming, that Sportin states "All I see is positive things in the future."
Speaking on myspace, it has been a resource of utmost importance to John Sportin. He states how "Myspace is great, but it depends on how you use it." Many artists use it simply to showcase their music. Sportin makes uses his page to also network with people across the globe. This has paid huge dividends, as he has worked with artists such as Bricks, a Germany rapper and a producer from Geneva, Switzerland on a track called "Not on my level." Sportin described the latter track as something for the haters that want to stun your progress. "You grow, your going to see people hate on you." However, he doesn't dedicate too much time to them, simply wanting his brand of positive music to reach people that can appreciate and learn from it.
We also spoke about the Virginia Tech shootings, as Sportin states "That was crazy. I send my prayers out to the families." He described the chaotic and tumultuous event as something unexpected. In a Brownsville perspective, he adds "A lot of people leave their neighborhoods to leave the shootings. They don't expect to leave the hood and get shot in school."
We also spoke about the Virginia Tech shootings, as Sportin states "That was crazy. I send my prayers out to the families." He described the chaotic and tumultuous event as something unexpected. In a Brownsville perspective, he adds "A lot of people leave their neighborhoods to leave the shootings. They don't expect to leave the hood and get shot in school."
That makes his music even more imperative. He describes the album in the making as a "Transition, from whatever negative stage a person is in, to a positive one. From being an Unsigned rapper to a superstar, from being unemployed to employed." The good movement is one that Sportin is currently experiencing, leaving the barricades of negativity to a future that looks as bright as a summer sun. Through motivational songs and personal tracks, he hopes the listener will be inspired to feel the same way.He doesn't want to be a duplicate or make music about the flash and bling prevalent in a lot of rappers lyrics.
He wants people to know that they can "Ball out on (they're) budget," and still be content. Above all, he wants people to "Stay Positive."
