EDITORIAL: BAGGAGE
Last night I was thinking about all of us who grew up with drug-addict & alcoholic parents and had to deal with all of the craziness that came with it. Then, you had to take all of that, and figure out how to navigate being a successful adult, when you never really had a chance to be a child (or any good role models with regards to adulting). The stuff that goes on in your head every day. The pressure you put on yourself. The amount of concerted effort it takes to go against all the negative stuff you were taught growing up. Etc. Sometimes it's a handful. I know I could write a book about everything me and my brothers went through growing up. And I know we weren't the only ones. So I stayed up late last night and wrote this article, entitled "Baggage" to those who were raised in similar situations. Now published on Medium[dot]com. Please read if you have a minute. And share with someone who you think should read it. -Thank you.
MEETING: ALBUM LAUNCH PLANS
Manny D, recently sat down with his inner circle (Nes Morales of Ticnology Films and Jacqueline Rosa of Fambiz Marketing, LLC.) to discuss a new social media strategy. Album launch plans for his upcoming Instrumental Project, including another level of long-form visuals. His plans to think out-of-the-box with future endeavors, as he insists that execution be out-of-the-norm, and not what everybody else is doing. They also discuss several avenues of giving back, as being intertwined in every project. They then, go over plans with JAM3 Productions' merch moving forward, and how the line will soon be expanded.
SESSION: MIX-DOWNS AT THE ATTIC
As Manny D works on his Instrumental Project, he continually seeks out his go-to Engineer, D-Trackz Pierre. Anything important that Manny has produced in the last five years, D-Trackz has mixed. In fact, Mr. Pierre will be mixing Manny D’s entire Instrumental Project (title & artwork, to be released at a later date). Stay tuned. More information coming.
FILMWORK: INDIE FILM REHEARSAL
Another rehearsal for the Independent Film, “Take It From The Top”. A lot of the cast and crew were on hand to go over on-set details of specific scenes. It was a great run-through, from a preparation aspect. A good deal of progress was made, a ton of great energy in the room.
FILMWORK: MOVIE REHEARSAL
While casting is almost done, rehearsals are underway. Everyone is excited about this Indie Film project. Manny D will wear a few hats during this process. He will Co-Direct will his longtime friend Nes “Tic” Morales of Ticnology Films. Manny D will be Executive Producer and Producer for the movie’s soundtrack. And once the editing portion of this project is done, he will also be scoring the film as well.
FILMWORK: INDIE FILM MEETING
We had a small meet-up with some of the cast, and some of the production team of this Independent Film we’re working on. We needed to go over logistics and certain scenes. We understand the success of certain projects, lies in the details, so as many of these get-togethers as possible, will determine the outcome. So far, so good.
FILMWORK: PRODUCTION TEAM MEETING
The Production Team for the Independent Film, “Take It From The Top”, recently met to discuss logistics, budget, and locking down locations. You have no idea how much needs to get done before you can start shooting any scenes. But we’re getting there. Thanks to a solid team!
FILMWORK: CASTING
As casting continues, you can see the cast is beginning to fill out. All major roles are filled, and supporting roles are going fast. An extremely talented group is being assembled. Today we met to go over lines to some of the critical scenes. -Getting there!
FILMWORK: MEETING THE CAST
Manny D recently got called to work on an Independent Film. Today he met with some of the cast, and some of the Production Team. This will be a great journey. Manny D, among other things, will produce the soundtrack and score the film when editing is done. -Stay tuned!
SESSION: MORE INSTRUMENTALS
Manny D was recently at a mixing session at The Attic Studio in the Bronx, putting the final details on a couple of the Instrumentals for his upcoming project. Go-to Engineer D-Trackz Pierre, as usual, was on the mix. As with the first and second single, this one will also be available at all digital stores and major streaming sites. The release was pushed back a couple weeks because is planning something special with the release. Stay tuned. Announcement coming soon.
SESSION: INSTRUMENTAL PROJECT
SESSION: MANNY D FINALLY STARTED WORKING ON AN INSTRUMENTAL PROJECT THAT HE’S BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. HE HAS SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT ROOM TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS. HE ENDED UP DECIDING ON “NORTH END RECORDING” IN PASSAIC, NJ. THIS RECORDING SPACE OFFERED THE BEST OF BOTH, ANALOG AND DIGITAL, WORLDS. THE TONS OF OUTBOARD GEAR, AND A REBUILT 2-INCH TAPE MACHINE, ARE WHAT REALLY SEALED THE DEAL WITH MANNY D. WITH THIS INSTRUMENTAL SERIES, HE PLANS TO PUSH THE ENVELOP, AND TRY THINGS HE’S NEVER TRIED BEFORE MUSICALLY. HE ALSO INTENDS ON WORKING WITH SEVERAL MUSICIANS, TO GET MOST OF THIS WORK DONE. -STAY TUNED.
INTERVIEW: ON POINT RADIO SHOW
WHILE MAKING THE PROMO ROUNDS TO PUSH THE RECENT RELEASE OF THE “I GOTTA EAT” LONG-FORM MUSIC VIDEO, MANNY STOPS BY THE ON POINT RADIO SHOW. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT INTERVIEW. WHILE THEY DID SPEAK OF MANNY D’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE “I GOTTA EAT” PIECE (HE PRODUCED THE MUSIC FOR IT, AND CO-DIRECTED IT AS WELL), THEY MANAGED TO TOUCH ON HIS HISTORY IN HIP HOP, HIS PRODUCTION PROCESS, AND FUTURE PROJECTS. MANNY D’S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CO-HOSTS CURTIS SHERROD, WIL TOWNSON, AND JEFF BROME ENJOYED MANY HUMOROUS MOMENTS AS WELL. LIKE, WHEN THEY INVITED NAS ON-AIR, TO COME TO THE SHOW, TO RAP-BATTLE WITH MANNY D. A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. -CHECK IT OUT!