Don Lupe.

Dear Don Lupe,

I didn't know you that well or long but I did know that you helped and touched a lot of people. All of which are saddened by your departure along with hundreds more. I am amongst the hundreds. You've been gone a week and the funeral is today. I wish I could do more but I can't. I'm not even half the man you were. I've heard so many stories about you that I felt as if I knew you. I didn't have to know or see you to know and see the impact you had on others lives. Especially mine. See, I didn't have my father in my life and he passed away a few years ago. I never really knew what one was or what he was expected to do. To be honest the same thing could be said of my twisted definition of manhood.

You were a man. Correction, you were THE man. The very definition of what a man is supposed to be. You were strong, stubborn, understanding, outgoing but always loving and would listen. You worked hard, provided for your family and helped all you could with what you had.

I remember meeting you on Liz's birthday and thinking 'Oh boy..' I remember it like it was yesterday. Your hat, all the family there and you just sitting and watching cracking the occasional smile or joke but mostly just enjoying all the family together. Bill dropped, you paid, no biggie. You made me feel like I was family. I will never forget that.

You were a fighter. fought this cancer, fought the odds, fought off doctors "expert" opinions and did what you wanted up until the end. But all that fighting leaves one tired and I can only imagine how you felt. My moms had cancer and chrones and I know about the kidney and liver failing as hers is too. I heard of how you checked yourself out of the hospital and me thinking 'What type of man is this?! who does that and gets to work right after as if nothing has happened?' You do, thats who.

I remember seeing you in that hospital and you joked with me about coming to one of my shows and me telling you my jokes. You looked like a man who had finally found peace right before your dialysis procedure. You had your hands clasped behind your head, feet elevated and you said 'I'm ready. I'll be ok. it'll all be ok'

The appeal that you had was almost mythical. EVERYBODY revered, respected and loved you. Period. regardless of what the relationship was your passing is doing what you wanted all along I think bringing everyone together to relax, remember the good times and put all now petty gripes to the side. even if it is just for today. You made EVERYONE feel like it would be ok. no matter how busy the world got or how stressed we got you listened and came up with a plan. You made everyone feel like they all had little secrets/inside jokes with every individual. it was amazing to watch you and I still am amazed.

We lay you to rest today. I write this as mass draws closer knowing I should be on the road but I had to get it out. I'll feel out of place and like everybody else will be an emotional wreck. You were THE man in my eyes. you were MY father as well as a thousand others that you made feel like you were theirs as well.

R.I.P. Don Lupe

I'll see you on the other side.

1 love.

Quincy

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Plans, goals, dreams and hard work..

Hey guys, A lot has been on my mind the last few. Mainly the things in the title of this post. It's 3:11 am and my mind is racing as if it's 9am. I have so many things I want to do and I feel like time is running out for me. It could be the stigma of me getting older or a few of my family members and me grappling with my mortality. It could also be me feeling like I'm treading water here in LA. But I remember I have a plan.

It's the first of April and I'm at set 240. I feel myself slacking a bit but I got a lot on my mind. I'm trying to dry out for a bit. This month. Maybe more. I want to be 100% for whatever comes my way. Can't allow any distractions to come in between me and my dreams especially myself. So since I know I have a problem with the bottle I gotta put it down for a while.

I want a lot and am steadily working towards it yet I feel like something eludes me still. Maybe I want it too bad and that's why? I plan out my mics and am 33 behind. I have goals. I want comedy central presents, I want Bridgetown, Just For Laughs, Laughing skull, SICC, Boston Comedy Competition etc. I want Ferguson, and Conan, Letterman, Fallon, Kimmel, and Leno. I write and I get up 3+ times a day. Yet I still feel like I could do more. I want to tour and have specials and I want that for all my friends who work as hard as I do. I have a podcast and I finally got an episode up on itunes (ChillinwithQuincy) the blog, the writing, mics with which to try out the material, and all this while trying to maintain sobriety and work a new job. I'm also flying home to see my moms and sister and to hopefully get a car. I checked my finances after I pay rent and I should be good with some help hopefully.

All in all Im so excited for what's to come that I'm almost anxious and I need to calm down. I quit my job and am looking for another one but not until I have a bit more of a cushion. I'm going to go apply for food stamps down here so that should help but more importantly a car and a new job would do wonders! I would still bus it but ill have that option and options seem to be everything in these days and time.

I think I got it all wrong in the title though maybe I should Dream of Plans to my goals all the while working hard. Yeah, maybe that's it.

Until next time guys!

Q

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Lately..

Hey guys I know it's been a while since I've posted in here but I have been busy/tired of grinding all this time! In case you don't know I'm trying to do a 1000 sets this year. I must get up 3x a night every night for this to be. I'm currently 24 behind schedule but am working harder everyday. I also have been working 30-35 hours a week up until the past two days. I finally took those off and rested. My job is stressful and I have felt myself almost walking out a few times until I realized: I don't have a back up plan. So here I am at 8:38 in the am emailing out resumes and networking my ass of trying to find something better that I feel is more up to my standards.

Bridgetown came and went. I didn't get in. Again. No love lost but I do look at the list and think 'Hmmm so and so was on there last year- last three years.' or 'Hmmm I KNOW I'm funnier than such and such' Then I have to slap myself and remember 'I don't know what my future holds! I'll probably get something bigger and better!' If I got Conan would I really give two pumps about a Bridgetown?! No. I KNOW I wouldn't. So I just keep on working and keep focused on writing these jokes that work most of the time.

Planning a trip home in April. May do some shows but mainly focus on moms birthday which is the 21st. I'm blessed to have her in my life and that she is still alive and well.

Signing up for a gym membership and trying to get food stamps down here as well. need to eat healthier and work out to tone up. 24 here I come!

Other than that as of today I'm at 210 sets and a few days dry. I've been doing a month or so and then a week on or two weeks off of drinking but in the end I'll just probably quit it altogether. It's an expensive habit and needs to be eliminated.

I have another post that I've been mentally working through called, 'Race, Gender and getting paid'

Well guy's until next time!

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Comedy, Comics and Money

The topic of whether comics should get paid has been going on for years. Not sure why it is still but it is. Nothing has changed needless to say. but there's been a few instances that certainly haven't helped the comics case for getting paid mainly being the comics acceptance of these disrespectful circumstances. I'm a comic and believe that comics should get paid for services rendered ESPECIALLY if the venue is making money and charging for tickets and food and drinks.

Disrespect #1 The Audience

Comedy is the least respected of the art forms. It's the only one that EVERY single person in the world looks at and thinks to themselves 'I can do THAT..' so they believe when their friends tell them they are funny and then go to an open mic, get drunk or high and then go on stage to perform. Some learn from this and others don't and still don't get the complexities of the art of stand up comedy and leave that experience thinking that "they could do this if they 'seriously tried'"


Disrespect #2 The Clubs

Clubs don't respect comics because they know that the comics need stage time to get better and sometimes provide an audience so some clubs have ridiculous selection processes and pick and choose their favorites to perform in the club. "lottery" selection processess  favoritism, people who can pack it out (the last one understandably so) but this is the general attitude of clubs to comics 'We are doing you a favor so you'll accept whatever we decide to give you'

Disrespect #3 The "alt" scene

Some comics didn't like the way the clubs treated the comics and decided to be proactive and DO something about it. Hence the birth of the "alt" scene. Mics and shows started popping up everywhere! Coffee shops, Thai Food restaurants, back of bars, a mic even existed in a Laundromat! But then came restrictions and the logistics of business. "If there is a demand for our venue then we should get something out of it.. lets charge or make them buy something so it's worth our time' and the comics obliged. Sure it was a mutually beneficial partnership before on a slow night for both the business and comics but then the comics caved and figured 'Why not it's only...' that's the third level of disrespect but segue way seamlessly into the last and greatest level of disrespect

Disrespect #4 The Comics

This is the worst kind of disrespect the one from inside the scene and the movement. The comics who are scabs and leaches for stage time and will accept any old offer to perform anywhere at anytime for free! One of the main reasons why comics will never unionize. Some have no principles and are using the thin excuse of 'Well I need the stage time..' Yes, we all do. but how about not caving so quick. WE ARE PROVIDING A SERVICE THAT THEY THEMSELVES CAN'T DO!! WE SHOULD GET PAID! IF IT WAS EASY EVERYBODY WOULD DO IT AND WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL! now obviously I'm not saying comics should get paid for practice but if a venue is charging for tickets and has food and/or liquor sales then ALL comics on that show should get paid. THAT'S why comics go to open mics to practice to make sure that when the opportunity presents itself to do a show that is charging they can get paid.

I run a show in LA and I don't charge normally but I will charge 1-3 to prove my point. everybody will get paid.

This blog is one of many addressing this topic, I hope something changes and I will do my part to lead by example but if not at least folks now know WHY it's the least respected.

Comics, let's get a backbone and start the process of us getting paid. let's write our material with getting paid in mind and not just dick, rape, race or masturbation jokes.

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2013 (So far)

Well the first post is coming almost a month into the new year so that should tell you how busy I've been! I have so many things going on that I find myself excited and tired all at the same time. But no complaints out of me! Here are some of the projects that I've been working on and supporting.

Captain Planet!

This is my weekly show featuring some of the cities best comedians and comics that I think could use some longer sets. It's every thursday 930-1130 at the best alternative comedy club in LA Echoes Under Sunset. 1310 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles CA. Come support and I'll try to get you up!

'Chillin With Quincy!'- My weekly Podcast that has yet to air because I'm trying to find the best site of which to align with. But trust I have a lot of episodes that will blow some of your guy's minds! Suggestions are welcome preferably the cheaper ones.

1000 shows in 2013!- What more needs to be said? This is my goal and am putting 100% of my energy and effort into writing and performing. why 1000? It's a lofty number but for some reason it makes me tingle thinking of me doing it. I count shows and mics. All it means is I get up 3x a night. Not too much in theory but I'm behind schedule already! Damn new years resolution comics. In any case I am at 64 sets thus far and should be at 87 giving me 23 behind schedule.  Can I do it? Did I bite off more than I can chew? Will I get caught up? Will I get burnt out? I was thinking of all these things and yet I continue to go. I'll cross that bridge when i get there. I'm not worried though im sure i'll catch up. I do a weekly update video which I release and will put up on my FB page and youtube page.

Perro Sucio Productions- I'm working closely in a joint venture with Sam Jae who is one of the best videographers in the game and a professional gentleman! Look closely for our projects.

These four things and going to shows and entertaining a relationship and supporting my friends is tough but I do and will continue to do so. I don't know how to quit!

Check back here for updates folks! Thanks for your support!

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Gerald Walker 'Believers Never Die'

'Who's Gerald Walker?!' is I'm sure what everybody who reads this was wondering. I'll tell you right now, He's somebody you NEED to know. He's from Milwaukee and yes Hip-Hop and black people are there. It's not a likely place known for either but he most definitely makes a damn good claim for both.

His first effort 'Believers Never Die' caught my eye with the title alone and as another artist who's following his dreams it resonated with me. So I clicked on it and figured 'Why not?' best click on my internet history so far this year. Here we have a young man who's LITERALLY trying to put on for his city and starts IN immediately with none of the normal preamble we hear on mix tapes.

But enough of my rambling let's get into it.

'Milwaukee'- His opening track is short and aggressive and produced by Jlbs. The beat is dark and haunts with a very creepy synth and mixes in the delicate plinking of piano key's. Coming across as not an angry artist rather an artist who is hungry and tired of almost everything but hard work. memorable lines like 'I'm apart of a chosen few/been watching things work out like they supposed to do/they say they want it but they don't work for it/but you gotta climb the mountain before you sit and can enjoy the view'

'Believers Never Die'- Wasn't my favorite track the beat seemed to have too much going on which isn't normal for the producer (Kuddie Fresh) looking past that I like the verses and the hook has Walker harmonizing while using the auto tune lightly saying believers never die. This track is a feel good one that gets you amped. Nice lines like 'I bare it all im sumn like a nudist/my niggaz tight and close but yet im still focused on the judas/but far from jewish but they say he is real' Liked the track but it honestly isn't even comparing to other tracks and I was ready to get to the next track. I would play this as the third track if I was trying to hip somebody to him.

'Zero-60'- The beat is smooth. Felt myself nodding my head tough and relating. He's from Milwaukee not NY, or Cali, or Atl, or Florida or wherever it's hot to be from. He states off top where he's from and reps it hard. This track is the only traditional 'Haters where I'm from but I don't sweat it' track. all in all decent track but no memorable lines to me. On to the next, that beat and his proof was what got me to listen to it.

'Bulletproof Soul'- Dope title, smooth beat, lyrically solid. 'Excellence is not a skill it's a mothafucking attitude' I find myself liking his hooks as it's a contrast from his voice as he raps he harmonizes well. Also shouts to Cardo for that beat AND for paying homage to Sade so we know where he sampled from. Props.

'87 Corvette wishes'- Best track hands down. 'While you was in the sandbox with playdough/I was reading Phaedo by Plato' beat fit, verses were perfect length, features everybody got off individually more importantly I never saw this collabo coming either! He got XV, Phil Ade, and Skeme?! All of these guys are problems individually and rather than get aggressive and show off all that lyrical prowess that they all have they chose a smooth beat and did their things respectively. THIS track is what i would play to hip cats to Walker.

'Um Excuse Me'- Produced my DJ Mr Rogers good beat, solid hook, nothing extraordinary. song about problems with success. moved on quickly.

'Girl oh no he didn't'-produced by Ric and thaddeaus Track had me literally laughing out loud with the random sample of 'virgil the fowl' and immediately says he has no need for it. This song is a sleeper but catchy as hell had me singing the hook too! "He got them bitches saying 'Girl oh no he didn't! he always shut it down every time he come around.. but on the other hand them niggaz be like 'This nigga must be kidding I swear he is a clown and he think he run this town.. and we on it.. we just trying to seize the moment.' Just a refreshing song with a great hook! well done.

'Theme Music'-Took a while for this song to grow on me. I think this went as hard as the opening song. He's hungry. His feature XV didn't outshine him which is something that XV usually does. Solid feature from XV.

After The Kendrick Lamar Show- Ehhhh traditional chick song girl singing on the hook with an airy voice. I'm not here for all that. reminds me of 2004-2006 when mad rappers was getting away with murder cause the girl SOUNDED cute! Hell, Cassie made a career out of that. Next track.

Some Things Never Wash Out- I tuned out until the 2nd verse and he got back to that real honesty that I discovered him for. 'Not every priest is a saint/Not every girl is dumb/I feel like I'm fighting in a battle I've already won.' Nice stride, smooth beat. featured a singer called Scolla. Good feature but song overall was decent. No rewind feature except for that 2nd verse.

Scream- He truly embodied A Joe Budden 'ventilation' like verse mixed with Drake's 'Fear' What I mean is every now and then an artist stops rapping about haters, bitches, liquor, and cars and guns or how hard their hood is. This is one of those tracks where he spits and you feel/relate to those problems. It's worth a listen and a rewind.

That Thing in your chest doesn't beat it counts down- Longest song title and track in time but it would've been best saved for the outro track. The long yet smooth saxophone solo would've faded perfectly out. I liked it, but had to move on. worth a listen when you want to chill and unwind.

Get Your While You Can- I liked this track. He truly shines as an artist and a lyricist on this one. He stands adamantly out as a rapper who makes music he wants to make that he likes and his fans dig. I'm happy. He rhymes real smooth with the 'okur' I know it sounds weird but it's good especially if you're a sports fan.

A Part of Me- seemed really reminiscent of his earlier track 'Uhhmm excuse me' just him rhyming about conflicting feelings. smooth beat though. Once again he spits what I call 'Honesty Music'

Clear- Didn't move me. Wasn't liking the singer Bryant Stewart hook as it seemed cliche. hard to stay focused.

I'd rather make mistakes- producer Jlbs gave him a high energy bouncing track. Bonus track honestly could've replaced 'Clear' but I liked it. Outro braggy 'I told you so' song

All in All this CD is worth a listen from a artist you should watch. I can't help but wonder; When he blows, what's he going to rap about next? Guess like the rest of the world I'll have to wait and see.

Good Job, Welcome Gerald Walker, The game has been waiting for you.

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Comedy Etiquette 101; The Art of Getting Booked

Hello, my name is Quincy and I'm here to show you how to get booked or at least get closer to getting booked.

There are ways to get booked but please don't rely solely on your 'talent' there are TONS of talented people out there trying to get booked/discovered so what makes you any different?

If you want to get booked then follow these simple steps and it will help tremendously and if it doesn't get you there you'll at least be closer.

Step 1 'Hang Out'

Nothing is worse than somebody who wants to get booked on a show but hasn't even been to the venue, or a show, or even supported. Go to a show, watch, tell a friend, support the show, support the venue meet the booker, offer assistance, hell promote even but HANG OUT! THIS IS ESSENTIAL! It helps the booker put a name with a face and it shows you're taking initiative and willing to work or help out to get a spot or just to help make the show a better ran show. I'm sure every booker agrees with this one.

Step 2  Support

I can't tell you how many times whenever someone offers to help support it bumps them up to the front of my mind. Remember that bookers have lives and sometimes forget who has hit them up, or sent a clip, or which comic has vouched for who so just support. yes, I said it in the past step but this one is strong enough to be noted on it's own. Support can come in multiple forms, whether it's by promoting, or actually going, or sharing the invite on FB, or telling a friend, support the show, support the booker, support the venue. Support goes a long way in this field. Remember Comedy is bigger than you and we all need help sometimes.

Step 3 Have a clip.

The first two are essential but let's be honest, they now know who you are. have seen you around town and at shows have heard your name and have accepted your support. what's next? Sending them a clip. I have talked to bookers and 9/10 people who receive a contact or email won't even send a clip! That's just laziness. Lazy people don't get booked or get better. Have a clip, send the clip, wait and repeat all these steps.

Step 4 Ask

I say this as the last step because most people will forget the other three and you just need to ask to remind them of it. Also most people don't say 'No' directly. I will but some won't. I know quite a few comics who got on simply by asking. Doesn't hurt and if you did all of the other steps then I honestly think your answer will be 'yes' rather than a 'no'

There you go folks! I've done my part to help the rest is on you! NOW YOU'RE ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE AND COURTESY! Go out there and get booked!

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