08.01.07 - Truce II Headrush on The Enigmatic

Today is the day. Seven years in the making, my long-awaited album, "The Enigmatic," is available, officially. You can order it or download individual tracks at http://www.pro-gravity.com.

It's a cliche to say, but after a couple false starts, this CD very nearly never happened. Like any burgeoning superstars, Midnight:30 -- Western Maryland's original hip-hop group -- had its share of clashing egos and powergrabs during our initial run from 1992 to 2000. We used to joke, "If we have these problems, imagine what Aerosmith must go through." I don't know why we chose Aerosmith.

Anyway, something happened in 2000; something major. For those who don't know, check track No. 2 on the CD. Lines were crossed. Feelings were hurt. Truth was denied. Allegiances were torn. After the incident, I pulled out of an impending show, then crashed said show and got on stage (without having practiced) to the chagrin of some group members. In the end, it was decided I was holding the group back, or causing too many problems, or whatever, and Midnight:30 broke up -- and with it went a hell of a name. The remaining members -- James and Jeff Frazier, Doug King, Gary Welch and Mike Yoder -- formed Plan:Be, minus me.

It sucked. I found myself essentially friendless. At first, only Mike -- who left Plan:Be shortly after its inception -- was still hanging out with me. I felt betrayed, because I wanted the members of the group who weren't involved in the incident to feel for me, and to speak out or take a stand against the member who was. But it didn't happen, and that killed me. Plan:Be moved on and released their album, "Antiform," in 2003.

However, De Dolor Viene El Art -- from pain comes art. In this case, my tribulations served as inspiration to create, drove poetic lyrics and brought out emotion. The incident itself served as the basis for the strongest track on "The Enigmatic." And dammit, if Plan:Be was going to do it, so was I. And so I did. I performed with other musicians, and Mike, Jeff and I even put on some shows as Midnight:30.

The greatest development from the group's breakup, though, was that it allowed me to grow as an individual and mingle with artists and friends I may've missed out on. Dan Stevens has proven invaluable in providing his blues-based riffs over many tracks, and translating and re-interpreting samples. Brendan Ekstrom and Cullen Tierney -- the two greatest musicians I've ever been around -- let me benefit by just witnessing their creative process and providing instrumentation, both on wax and at performances. 200 North and Distorted Penguins put me on their albums.

But my greatest influence came from Brian Twigg, the outcast of the outcasts. He took me under his wing, introduced me to the local music scene, taught me the ins and outs of songmaking. He was never afraid to offer his criticism, and thanks to him, I was able to look at my music not as a rap fan, but as a music fan; to learn how to make songs, not beats or tracks; and to grow from a rapper to an artist and a musician. Thanks to all the musicians I worked with, my sound evolved into the hybrid it is today. A little rock, plenty of alternative and indie, a dash of punk with a heavy does of hip-hop ... it's all in there.

Fast forward to 2005, and time heals all wounds. Midnight:30 reunited -- if not as a band, then at least as friends. My cousin James, who had founded Pro-Gravity Records, was ready to put out "The Enigmatic," and we came close twice -- even exchanging money for the transaction once. Two years later, we got it together.

Musically, I still work with Dan Stevens plenty, though I've picked up a guitar and play a little bit on some tracks. Doug, James and I spend hours in the basement, banging out songs as the refurbished Midnight:30, with an album of classics due out later this year. And while my solo debut took nigh a decade to hit the shelves, my sophomore album will be released next year. Pro-Gravity Records is making moves, y'all.

Enough thanks cannot be given to Kacey, my love, for putting up with all these musical fantasies I try to live out, and for giving me a reason to live. To Isaiah, Hayden and Olivia for being that reason. To my cousin James, for helping to make this happen. To Doug, Jeff, Gary and Mike for helping set it off. To Dan, Brian, Brendan and Cullen for lending their considerable talents. To Eli, Eli and Asa for being the coolest cats I know. To my parents for making me who I am. To Chico, Jay, Brooklyn, Sisler, Len, Bustin, Nick, Tara, Tiffany, Kari, Leroy and Gavin, just for some back-in-the-day shit.

Thanks to the artists who influenced me the most: 200 North, Grill Body Five, A Tribe Called Quest, Ani Difranco, Arrested Development, The Beastie Boys, Rage, DJ Shadow, the RZA, The Roots, Digable Planets and Variable Unit.

And thanks to all of you who support the album. It's worth checking out. I guarantee you'll find something on there you can appreciate.