New Year New Beginnings

What's up world ?!?

It's been awhile since my last post here, I know. As I've said before, when y'all don't see ya man blogging, just know that I am very busy indeed!!

Tomorrow is the anniversary of my birth. I don't call it my birthday, since technically we only have one birthday. However, tomorrow is the day that I it happened for me. Now, usually I don't celebrate mines, but this year I think I will. I've been through a lot & have grown considerably as a human being as well as an artist. I have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for. I appreciate the blessings and the knowledge I've gained over the past year. I've put in a lot of work and it's because of that, I'm looking very forward to what this year will yield for me! 

Since it's been awhile since I've given y'all a personal update on my music, poetry and my Artistic Visionz Productions imprint, allow me to do so now...

Alwayz Therro Magazine December 2012

I was approached by Alwayz Therro magazine back in November for an interview to be published in their December issue. This was such a wonderful opportunity for me and a great way to end off the year! They were so professional and I enjoyed doing the interview with them. You can hit them up and subscribe to check out the above issue that I'm in, along with all the other incredible issues they have released. In the interview I discuss my humble beginnings as a musician/artist, give my commentary on music today and so much more! Check them out today and see what they are all about, truly great journalism indeed. 

Ceteris Paribus EP

As of right now, I'm almost complete with the first project I'm releasing this year, an EP entitled Ceteris Paribus. The title is Latin and comes from a term that I learned in Economics class. It basically means nothing else is changing or that everything else remains constant. This inspired the title and theme for this album. 

The songs on this album are cathartic and find me expressing that even though life is a constant   cycle of different changes, I will remain steadfast in my quest to be an unique artist.The album art is a bee on a brick wall. The brick wall symbolizes the walls or obstacles life can place in front of you. However we know that the bee is a busy & hardworking creature, prepared and determined to handle their business one way or another. 

Even though life yields me obstacles that can throw me off my path, I will remain constant & become who I intend to be. I will look to release the album over the next 2 weeks, from which point I will move onto to the other projects I have in store for the people. 2013 will be a very prolific year for D-Natural & Artistic Visionz. Stay tuned!!

I want to thank everyone for their support of me!! 

You guys have no idea how you motivate & inspire me to keep this movement going. I intend to begin this year off in grand fashion, with the release of many unique projects & prose! 

Until the next time, keep the faith & keep chasing your dreams. 

One Love

D-Natural

AVP

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

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!

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

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

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.

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