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A #Tokyo Opportunity with @JLie
UP DATE 2011.02.01
Some people let every opportunity pass them.
Others jump on every opportunity that comes by.
J-Lie recognizes the opportunity that is right for him.
Young but experienced, generous but ready to claim what is his, J-Lie has the look of an indie hipster and the buzz of a mainstream top Billboard artist. Is that what he's shaping into?
Division Music/Cash Money, LA based hip hop label label, certainly thinks so. While others tempted him only with money and unrealistic promises of overnight fame they've won over this artist through loyalty and persistence .
"I'm patient. I can be patient."
Although most young rappers are jumping on every chance coming their way in the race to get big quick J-Lie knows firsthand longevity in the business can't be achieved this way.
"I had a lot of people talk about bringing me out to Japan, make it seem like they were doing something but I waited until I felt I had the right person."
Many artists dream the "Japan Tour" and hop on the 14th hour flight from the US east coast or 8 hours from the west coast believing they'll play to packed clubs and lives houses but wind-up disappointed. Was this what happened to J-Lie?
"Tokyo was one of the best experiences I've had as an artists so far."
And no doubt it couldn't have been anything less with a hard working promotion team going hard to bring this rising star over to our side of the Pacific. Young booking manager Nati of F-Bar is hungry and did the legwork necessary to convince J-Lie he was out in Japan promoting him. He took J-Lie's CD to the clubs and DJs, standing next to their tables and laptops refusing to leave until they played him.
Though Nati had no idea whether or not his hard work would pay off he he put in work to show J-Lie how hard he was going in Tokyo for him. When J-Lie saw the video footage of DJs in Tokyo playing his music, testimony that Nati was out to promote, market and pound pavement to make things happen how could a fellow young entrepreneur say no?
"I saw the videos (he) sent to me of my music getting recognition from Japanese DJs. I saw this as the opportunity I wanted to go with."
Performing two nights to packed crowds, the first night at he was at the same spot Bobby Brown held his Billboard after party at and then the second night J-Lie entertained from Vanity Lounge, the same stage that big names like Ray-J, Far East Movement and Ne-Yo have also sung from.
Others jump on every opportunity that comes by.
J-Lie recognizes the opportunity that is right for him.
Young but experienced, generous but ready to claim what is his, J-Lie has the look of an indie hipster and the buzz of a mainstream top Billboard artist. Is that what he's shaping into?
Division Music/Cash Money, LA based hip hop label label, certainly thinks so. While others tempted him only with money and unrealistic promises of overnight fame they've won over this artist through loyalty and persistence .
"I'm patient. I can be patient."
Although most young rappers are jumping on every chance coming their way in the race to get big quick J-Lie knows firsthand longevity in the business can't be achieved this way.
"I had a lot of people talk about bringing me out to Japan, make it seem like they were doing something but I waited until I felt I had the right person."
Many artists dream the "Japan Tour" and hop on the 14th hour flight from the US east coast or 8 hours from the west coast believing they'll play to packed clubs and lives houses but wind-up disappointed. Was this what happened to J-Lie?
"Tokyo was one of the best experiences I've had as an artists so far."
And no doubt it couldn't have been anything less with a hard working promotion team going hard to bring this rising star over to our side of the Pacific. Young booking manager Nati of F-Bar is hungry and did the legwork necessary to convince J-Lie he was out in Japan promoting him. He took J-Lie's CD to the clubs and DJs, standing next to their tables and laptops refusing to leave until they played him.
Though Nati had no idea whether or not his hard work would pay off he he put in work to show J-Lie how hard he was going in Tokyo for him. When J-Lie saw the video footage of DJs in Tokyo playing his music, testimony that Nati was out to promote, market and pound pavement to make things happen how could a fellow young entrepreneur say no?
"I saw the videos (he) sent to me of my music getting recognition from Japanese DJs. I saw this as the opportunity I wanted to go with."
Performing two nights to packed crowds, the first night at he was at the same spot Bobby Brown held his Billboard after party at and then the second night J-Lie entertained from Vanity Lounge, the same stage that big names like Ray-J, Far East Movement and Ne-Yo have also sung from.
Fans fought for his CDs, girls stole his shirt and sunglasses and one desperate follower offered to buy my copy of the Local Tourist album for $14 or 1000yen.
@TokyoTwilighter "What do you like about Tokyo?"
@JLie "There's nothing I don't like about Tokyo."
Tokyo shows J-Lie love and he shows us love back.
J-Lie's music is available for download on iTunes. His music video "Champions" which was filmed in Tokyo will be available soon on WSHH and his new website. Keep up-to-date with J-Lie on Twitter @JLie He tweets back! :)
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