Support, Love, and respect and knowing your worth!

Let's see... I've been writing this Blog for a little over 2 yrs now ( I think) and for the most part I have gotten 99% positive feedback.( this Blog may be part of that 1%) I started writing this simply because I felt we ( meaning both Chicago and Detroit) were not getting the nods that we so deserve. 

I see and have known DJs to play for free.. some do it to get their foot in the door, others do it to get their name out there.. others do it just for the love of it all. Above everything... KNOW YOUR WORTH!!!!!!!!!!

I write because I have a lot of shit on my mind! I write because I do believe. I write because I whole hardheartedly believe in everything that is this underground world we live in. Sometimes through musical rose colored glasses. 

I watched Karizma spin at the Sick party, watched his face and his every move. I understood the power a DJ has over the room. I, "get it" ! I see the sacrifices the people in this game make. Family friends, and loved ones sometimes feel left behind because they DO NOT get it. I saw the love in his eyes, the prowess in his turn-table skills, his selection of music.. taking the crowd into a frenzy.. I see this is most DJs. I didn't fully understand until I saw the look on that mans face. 

I watched Rick at the end of the night and alls I can say is..that Cat was feeling the music., I would have taken a picture but it would not have done justice the joy in his heart he was feeling at that very moment. Like a holy ghost type trance.. it was just Rick and the music!

I ran from... ok I walked from room to room between Norm's set and Karizma's set. Norm, sweetie.. I kinda cheated on your with Karizma, and once with Cary Chandler  ( ok THERE Ive admitted it)

Per his usual Norm came in with a smile on his face., ready for the kill, ready to destroy, ready to make us happy. I watch the pride on Kelli's face knowing she is married to a man that makes so many happy both here and abroad! She...supports him! 
It brought joy to my heart to hear Delano say, " his wife makes him a better person"!

Now, let's take it to another level...

Support, when you have someone who believes in you, who understands that what you do may not bring fame and fortune., who may be out to the wee hours of the night, you have a winner!
 DISCLAIMER: pussy is the most powerful tool/weapon on the planet! Wars have started and ended because of it! Its for that reason that I KNOW its so hard (pun intended) to turn it down... but real talk
You watch with pride and admiration as that the person you share your life with brings joy to so many.  Real men who do this understand.. boys do it for the pussy factor. So let me say this... most of you are in your mid 40's some even 50's and if you dont get your act together you will be a nothing with no one. Cause ya hands and ears will eventually give out and Viagra is $1000 a pill! So while you are on the hunt for the next piece of pussy you need to realize what you already have... but then again, that's what grown men do. Not boys who are still trying to make their place in the game.. 

But again, I get it! I don't get paid to do this. ( although I have been told I could) I do it cause I love it.  Someone made a pitch to me to write an article ( weekly) but the cheap motherfuckers ran like roaches when you turn on the lights when I ask about paying me. I still speak and hold them in high regards.. but if you are getting something out of this and you ask ME to do something then understand my time and skill is just as valuable as yours and if you can not support me the way I support you then please... have SEVERAL stadium size seats!

Ya see I'm so DONE supporting and believing in people who do not give the same level of friendship, love, and respect. Done supporting and defending people who do not afford me the same courtesy. Done running around looking foolish because I believe...because I get it! Done understanding that bullshit part of the game!! 

I have had so many tell me how good I am, how I have helped keep peoples names on the minds and tongues of others..but get NATHAN in return!!! So for that reason I gots to let go of that which is not good for me. Selfish, self-centered ego driven stupidity!

When you do what you love you have to give it 100%!!! I see this in most DJs, but the ones I respect are the ones who understand that the person they walk with side by side everyday is the one that makes them a better person. They play better because they are better! They give more because they get more.. all that starts in the home. ya know, the place where the heart is. 

DJs your heart is in the music, as fans our hearts are with you and the music. To the women that support you .. we BELIEVE in you. Hell some of us.. even "wife" ya asses.. ( dumb move) We do it because you move us motivate us, we take pride in you, you drive us crazy with what and how you play! THIS is what Karizma made me fully understand. 

We watch the DJ as he/she manipulates sound and instrument they just "do it" for us! ...and since we are all grown here, most often times based on whats played we wanna fuck y'all simple and plain! But again, if you have a person in your life who is your ride or die and you are too simple minded and selfish to respect it, then everything in your life is going to crumble. You will never be at the level of a Delano or a Norm or a Cedric or an Alan King or a Wayne Williams they can do these things with ease because they have support and they respect that support system.  If you have someone who supports you when most everyone, thinks nothing of you then you my friends are just living in a world inside your own head..one made up of days gone by, and all of your conquest are just good enough for a smoke and a stroke! 

...but I write, I write to tell people have some common decency, have something more to bring to the table.. stop using people. Be it free ANYTHING!( ok, let me pause here cause there have been more than a few times I needed to be on someones guest list)-hell times are hard!  I failed to realize my worth, as a person and a Blogger. I know that now, and I, Paula Michele Johnson am taking it to another level.  Some will be with me others will not! Those who support me.. thank you! Those who use and shelve me to take out only when needed ( well.. if the shoe fits) then lace that son of a bitch up and keep on walking! I've been lied on and too but I still believe. In the music and the DJs who play it. I will continue to support and write for those worth supporting and writing about!

Let The Music Play!!!

In the mean time.. enjoy Rennie Foster's new mix!

https://youtu.be/w-sP9wNP13c

Cedric Hesley.. the man, the move maker...The HEAT seeker!!

A few years ago I was introduced to a man by the name of Cedric Hesley. Bright smile all of 6'4" big dude with a grand personality. Always a smile on his face, except when he becomes the door man, ( don't ask, you're not getting in free... aka, "there is NO quest list tonight").

What I like about Ced is, he always has time for a person to pitch and idea for a party, and he can make it happen! I'm sure this does not come without headaches and attitude, but being who he is he can navigate the waters pretty smoothly.

Like most Ced began as a DJ., he along with Marius, Aaron Hart, Raynard Wells, Ron Cook, Joey Thomas, John Johnson, collectively known as, Audio Mix. Their competition... Direct Drive as both, party givers and DJ's. So Ced decided to go another direction..and that has paid off for him. His 1st big party was held at St. Andrews Hall. The line up included, Chip E, Lidell Townsell, Adonis, and Chosen Few's own Mr. Wayne Williams. The Cotton Club gave way to his other musical interest. (anyone remember the EU party) Ced is by no means new to this game. He was even instrumental in bringing out radio DJ Gary Chandler. He's not just House... he is music, he does this for the love of it all. 

Meeting up with Steve Butler and Bruce Bailey., at Lola's Ced opted to partner with Bruce and Steve and bring them into the HEAT family, it had already consisted of Marius, Aaron and, of course Ced. ( a little later they brought in a lil pistol starter named Tracey Marvin)- and the rest is history. That paid off by bringing the likes of Peven Everette, Monique Bingham, Dajai, and countless others. He even brought Chico DeBarge for my birthday. I mean, he didn't do it FOR me...but in my mind I'd like to think so.

Ced is a forward thinker. Already lining up newness for spring 2016..taking you back to where this all started. 

Ced, going back to his DJ roots came from the Ken Collier school of training. Was taught to DJ by Dewayne "In the Mix" Bradley, and like most others spent a good deal of his time getting to know other notable Detroit DJ's at Buy Rite music. 

  He knows who his biggest supporters are and appreciates them. He gave a mad shout's out to LaSonia Irving Link, Tomika Murry and Tamar Dunn.. who's support damn near every party he has ever thrown. 

Ced to this day is still the only promoter to have a radio spot for a House music event. That's saying something as we are an underground movement! 

I'd ask Ced, "why do you do this"? "Passion for the music, its a very expensive hobby". Ced has even been instrumental in music production for some of the hottest tracks you've heard. 

As I am writing this I now see that Ced had that I-94 connection, long before I coined the phrase and others started bringing Cat's in from the Chi. I was there both times Chosen Few's Mike Dunn has performed. You see what Ced does is, bring the face to the music we hear and love. I mean, yeah we bring in DJ's Ced brings in the music makers., and for that he must be given his props! Ced is the, behind the scenes "front man". He taught me the value of making sure all "I's were dotted and T's crossed.  Most importantly he taught me to be friendly, be personable but when you working that door... get yo money, friendship ( and I'm speaking for myself) does  not apply when you have acts and venues to pay for. Even though I've only had a few parties, NO DJ can EVER say they were NOT paid. Thank you for that lesson Cedric. 

I'd like to think that Ced can flow through this crazy insane world of ours without the person that makes him better... Tina Hesley, you see a woman that understands her man needs a hobby outside of the home, or has a passion for a life most do not understand then it makes it that much easier to have a clear mindset to get the job done. I even heard Delano Smith say, the best thing to happen to him was his marriage., and how his wife keeps him not only in line but also in check! Mad mad shout out to REAL men who understand that this life is nothing without the right person to share it with. 

Honest but not foolish... you deal with him on the up and up and he shall do the same. He keeps himself at arms length, but is also extremely approachable.  No ego, or self glory, no postings on everything that he's doing. He just get's the job done. 

Another thing I admire about Ced is.. he does NOT wait until he is having an event to make his presents known. He will show up at your party. Have a drink some light convo and then its on to his next stop. 

What does the future hold for Mr. Hesley, well I'm not for sure.. we ain't that cool for me to know all the mans business.. But I know enough to say., stay tuned and keep your eyes and ears open. 

In the meantime.... Check out the Sonic Natives 

http://www.traxsource.com/track/2827278/the-sonic-native-anthem-steve-miggedy-maestro-mortimer-snerd-iii-retouch  
Let The Music Play!!!

~P