Hey producers selling beats online, bullshit.

Thats right. I call bullshit.

Whenever I buy a beat online, I sign an agreement for rights to it. Just to spare you, I'm gonna tell you right now that's its confusing as shit. But hey, some rights are better than no rights.

(exclusive rights vs non exclusive rights.. what I get = Exclusive means no one else can use the beat, Non-exclusive, anyone can use it) and the difference in price is huge. I get the beats for 30 bucks, exclusive rights can range from 200 to fuckin a millions bucks if they wanted to negotiate that. (even though I doubt someone would pay that much)

the part that really irks me tho; is that "non profit" part in all of em. Now I'm not gonna go too into detail, but I'm just gonna tell you what it feels like. It feels like control. They (producers) want control. Everyone in the music industry does, so I don't blame em.

But producers, you gotta understand there are certain things that are out of control of the artist and the producer. Like the amount of times a song gets streamed. If I'm distributing the song, and it gets streamed a millions times, that money (mind you it still isn't that much) goes directly into my account. That's out of my control.

Now you've been credited. On all the songs I distribute. So if you were smart, you would just hit me up after I've started profiting (after $30 for what I paid for the beat)... and split the funds with me. Win-win. But instead each producer will say the beats can be used, for promotional rights only, not for profit. Which in essence is like firing the first shot. My initial knee-jerk reaction is, SUE ME.

But going back, if you just think logically, its not up to you or me whether or not a profit is made. Its up to the listeners; the people. So although it's bullshit, for you to write an agreement that says I can't make profit; I'm just gonna request and suggest, you figure out who is making profit... and make sure to collect half your royalties.

That makes sense to me.

But my guess is you're not gonna do all that work; cuz you know how hard it is to make $30 on streaming services. It takes a lot a lot of streams just for that. So if you don't collect your half, it's not my fault you didn't do your job.

Relationship not advice

Yeah, if you need relationship advice, don't ask me for it.

I'm still trying to figure out how to communicate effectively and healthy with a romantic partner. Sometimes my tone isn't right... And rather than a normal conversation, a full on battle ensues. My biggest thing is its not what you say its how you say it. And I gotta say things with a calmer, not negative tone. I've heard this thing about making "I" statements instead of "You" statements. Because then you're actually sharing how you feel rather than saying a "you" statement which puts the other person immediately on the defensive. For example, "you always do this, you do that." Also, I gotta not ask "why" so much. "Why do you..." automatically sounds judgmental. So maybe saying something else. Idk. Like I said, I aint got the answers. I just know I got a lot of work to do myself, therefore, dont ask me for advice in that area. I have no ideaaaa.

Lesser talked about.. chapters from my story

So if you know me, you know I'm generally a pretty positive, optimistic person. But that doesn't mean I haven't went through my own share of tough times.

Now this isn't one of those sob stories that you hear on American Idol, but this is my attempt and being vulnerable, and letting some of you in on some things I rarely talk about.

I guess we all have defining moments in our life. Defining chapters even. We may not have realized it at the time, but when we look back... it has sort of made us who we are today.

I'll start by saying, I grew up with awesome parents. My dad was there a lot throughout my childhood. Pretty much everyday actually. He took me school in the mornings, he coached me in baseball, took me to pop warner football practices, and we really have a million memories together. Even my first job was with him; helping him with his vending machine business. Little Casino Vending believe it or not. (Partly influenced my choice in stage name). Off topic kinda, but there's also home video footage of him calling me Little Casino when I was just a baby. (I just found out about this not too long ago!) Either way, I was blessed to have him there. And my mom... or as I would call her "MA!"... was awesome too. You know how most little kids will talk about their idols... and say their mom and dad... well I was one of those kids.

Now for something you may or may not know, and its okay... please don't be sad... I just wanna share my full story. But they fought about money a lot. Like if my little 5 to 10 to 15 year old ass just had some money, I wouldn't have to be in the middle of their arguments. Either way... they ended up getting divorced. And it was for the best.. and they are both very happy now. I'm good too. But they say around 50% of marriages end in divorce... but if thats so... then why is it not more talked about? Possibly people are ashamed... or scared they will be seen as a failure. But thats not the case!

If anything, that is an incredibly difficult decision to make that takes a lot of maturity and courage. To realize that things would be better in a less applauded direction.

So yeah, if you had parents that went through that, just know I feel you.

What else?! Now this may seem like its connected to my previous chapter... maybe it is... maybe not... but depression. I have been there! I'm not now, but I sure do remember how tough it was... finding myself so to speak. There was a period in my life where I was absolutely LOST. I hit rock bottom at the full speed of gravity... and although it hurt like a b*&*#... I got up. And I'm cruisin now.

I guess the point is, there's a lot of things that happen over the course of ones human experience, that we aren't too proud to share. And that's fine. But at the same time, I want you to feel like you can share those things with me. Or at least don't be afraid to share it with someone.. anyone! When I ask how are you?.. you dont have to say "Good!" You can say man... this shit aint easy. haha. And if you are going through a sort of bummer time... I just wanna remind you it will get better. And if ur happy lovin life... then hell yeah. No matter what... I'm excited to hear about all the chapters in your life... just dont leave out the tough chapters... I like those ones too. And I can't wait to hear the part where you overcome all the stuff going on in those ones.

Peace & Love,

Billy