Friday, October 26, 2012

Chick Corea - The Great Pumpkin Waltz



What's up everyone ?! Your man D-Natural coming at you once again !

Being that this is the month of October, the beginnings of Fall, I thought it would be only right to share this piece with you. 

It is my favorite version of "The Great Pumpkin Waltz", which was originally composed by Vince Guaraldi. Mr. Guaraldi composed the classic "Peanuts" songs that we will always love. I can listen to this rendition of his song all day, which is played by the great Chick Corea along with a great band of musicians!

I've had the opportunity to see some pumpkins which are blooming so beautifully this time of the year, down here in beautiful rural Virginia. This Fall season looks to be my busiest time of the year. My brand is expanding and there is lots happening. I really don't know how I manage to stay on top of it all but somehow I do. Halfway through this semester of school successfully, finishing my third EP for the year entitled "Ceteris Paribus", with another EP lined up for release right behind it, things are crazy!!! But for some reason I like it like this, it's what I was made for. This is what I chose or should I say it chose me.. 

Until the next time, enjoy & I'll be back with more updates along with more new original music & poetry! One Love

D-Natural
Artistic Visionz Productions





Thursday, October 11, 2012

Elle Varner



When I see extremely talented, beautiful artists such as Ms. Varner, I get all warm inside. This is because music seems to be going back to what it used to be. Back to when everybody had their own sound, wrote & produced their own music. The person you knew that lived next to you on the block with MAD talent, is getting their shine on in today's music world. The labels are slowly starting to look deeper into the artists emerging with that one of a kind sound, instead of merely signing artist to compete with other artists specifically.

To me Ms. Varner is a perfect example of a very humble, very talented, yet confident artist. I try to be an example of such myself, but my hat goes off to my incredible contemporaries out here doing their thing! These are the ones that are paving the way just right in front of me.

When I first heard Ms. Varner on the radio I was blown away. I fell in love with her voice first. As a music producer, one of the things that perks our ears up is the tone of one's voice. Then we start to conjure up how it would sound over certain tracks in our imagination. I also liked how her music had that classic R&B feel yet with hip-hop undertones. I wasn't surprised to learn she wanted to do just that on her debut record "Perfectly Imperfect". (Hear it here)

I'm very happy for her. I could definitely relate to some of what she has been through in life and it's an inspiration when I see an artist such as herself transcend and become who they were meant to be.

It's a honor to have Ms. Varner as the subject of today's post! Rock on queen!



Monday, October 8, 2012

Poetry Slam October 3rd . .



What's good beautiful people? D-Natural here with another page out the chronicles of my life !

October has been very fun indeed, as I expected ! My album the Sigh of Relief EP has been out just about 2 months & has been thrilling me with great feedback ! Plus the icing on the cake so far as been that I somehow won a poetry slam among so many talented poets here in the Virginia area !! The above photo is of the MC for the event . It was an awesome evening and I still can't believe I won 1st prize !!!

Special Guest Poets & Slam Judges of Evening, Breeze "ILifeThis" & Roscoe B.
These gentleman pictured above killed it !!! They were some extremely talented poets from the Richmond, Virginia Area , Breeze & Roscoe B. ! Check them out on Bandcamp.com !! You won't be disappointed ! They also acted as part of the group judging the competition for the evening .

I was glad to be amongst such talent in the Virginia area ! I of course was representing for the Maryland area   , but still glad to be amongst gifted people in the DMV period !! We are some of the most talented individuals in the world, in my opinion !

The poetry slam took place at one of the campuses of the college that I am attending. It was fun indeed ! Over a dozen poets competed & there were 3 rounds of each poet delivering an original piece .

The slam was in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month .






The Lovely Audience 



Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of myself when I got on the mic to perform . I will next time . But I did get video of myself reciting my poems & accepting my prize along with the other very talented winners of the evening !! I look forward to sharing that with you all very soon . !!

So as you can see October has been fun for me indeed ! I am currently working on my next EP entitled "Ceteris Paribus" , which I hope to have out within the next week or 2 !! Once again I change my production style up from playing the instruments & sampling myself to chopping up records ! So on this record you guys can expect to hear how I sound diggin in the creates & coming with my words in rhyme of course .

The usual passionate workaholic I am when it comes to my music, I'm also creating & releasing another EP which is a darker type of record from me yet with a very party type of feel . This EP is untitled as of now .

Along with more releases of my poetry & music, October looks to be a very fun productive month for me as usual !!

Stay Tuned for my next blogs which will feature selections from my upcoming EPs, original poetry, & much more !!

I just want to thank everyone for their support !! The love & results I have been getting are just simple amazing !!

Much love & peace & blessings to everyone ... Til the next time , keep the faith & keep chasing your dreams ..

D-natural, Artistic Visionz Productions





Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Self-Portrait . . .

What's up world !?! D-Natural back again & this time with another brand new original poem written by yours truly !! 

This morning , while looking at myself in the mirror, I was inspired to compose a self-portrait of myself, but in  written form . 

Usually when you think of an artist creating a self-portrait, you think of a painting, like what Da Vinci or other great artists have done of themselves . Since I'm not a painter or an illustrator of any sort (though I would like to be) I decided to write my self-portrait , since that's what I do !

As I looked upon myself & reflected on the person that I am , fully present in the moment , the words just started pouring out of me . I think I came up with a pretty accurate view of myself for this time . Perhaps I'll write more continuations on this subject as I continue to evolve as a person . But for now , here's ME in written form . . Enjoy ! Peace & Blessings !


"Daniyel Christopher Artis"
(Self-Portrait)

By: D-Natural

His very name means
"God has judged the carrier of Christ the artist"

His name bares his destiny
Pride in representing himself with great modesty
With the natural ability 
Of humility

He seeks to enlighten the world confident
Of his essence

Though at times in his life treated like an unworthy peasant
misunderstood by those
wishing to fulfill their own self-interest

He is the culmination 
Of past generations

Of a great heritage
Neglected as a child he raised himself
to exhibit what he's inherited

Beyond his youthful years in maturity
His mind composed classical & jazz compositions
While daydreaming during class in elementary
Never ignoring the voice of God in him
Translating it to his poetry

Teased for being unique, bullied for being different
While deep down he understood of being envied for his presence

Creativity was his gift & curse
From birth
He's practiced his craft for his mission on Earth

To heal & inspire people

Through extracting beauty
From everything he sees
In abundance
Allowing his audience
To harmonize with his existence

Equipped with Aquarian
Intuition
Knowing others will bring opposition
To his difference
Comprising opinions
To substitute what isn't appreciated of his
He ignores
Their ignorance

His purpose
Transfixed
Upon his renaissance 

He finds solace
In Jesus
Who he relates to from evidence
Of a person who transcended
With what he is dealing with

He proudly carries his own cross

Internalizing salvation through his creations
His art is pieces of his soul sculpted into physical manifestations

Humble genius

& he's forever in debt to the women
Who have fallen in love with him
For truly actually appreciating him for him
& though he desires relationship
With one
To love 
It's a challenge
To share space with His muse he's exclusively in love with

That being his music & prose

He's afflicted
By his talent

For creation
Having faith in this occupation
By this his art will be his redemption

As he watches the world open up to him
Decoding observed truths through his compositions
Choosing to walk around inside out exposing his inner visionz

He accepts the lifestyle of an artist

For it is his true nature

God has knighted him
Befitted
With a keen sense
He's content
From seeing evidence
Of others inspired & entertained by his relevance

Relying on His intelligence

His enterprise boldly goes
Where other souls
Overlook
A star on trek
To beautiful enlightenment

His life will be the epitome of it
His name 
Daniyel Christoper Artis



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Freedom At Random EP

Freedom At Random EP By D-Natural
 
The Freedom At Random EP is the second installment in a series of EPs that will be released by D-Natural. Inspired by the tradegy that took place on September 11, 2001, D-Natural's intent was to inject some positive vibes into the universe during a tragic day in history. Released on the 11th anniversary of the event, D-Natural gives us here, four random instrumentals to enjoy.

This EP is dedicated to all those who lost their lives, as well as those affected by the events of September 11, 2001.

This album is for free, however donations are welcome.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Be Free - Moonchild



These group of individuals are talented ! I totally love this song ! This is my kind of music ! Their whole albums is fantastic ! Hear the rest of the album here: Moonchild

Peace

My Universe


What's good everyone ? Back again with another original poem of mines ! This one is dedicated to all my ladies out there ! Enjoy

"My Universe"

By: D-Natural


She is my universe

eyes like the brightest stars

hair flowing like the milky way

her arms a solar system

surrounding me

feeling the gravitational pull of her heart

my cosmic fantasy

her embrace

an endless voyage

taking me beyond reality

to a realm where

we only exist

and our unity

forms one complete constellation

and our movements

create the seasons

and all of nature

responds to our romance

the radiance of her smile

ignites the sun

and causes all life to bloom