Meet DJ DS

 

My new #mixtape is now on @mixcloud. #BackToSchool 2nd Year: 1987 is packed full of #80s #hiphop and #80smovies samples. https://t.co/exW8I76KOg I’ve also added a link to @DelSoulcondor’s #savethewax and @gofundme too so if you can visit both, that would be amazing. #Hiphopmusic pic.twitter.com/hv2YrR3TN3

— DJ DS (@DJDS79743329) November 1, 2020

My Thoughts on MacBooks

 I really need to write more. Recently, I have felt like I have so much to say but that no one is listening. So I'm planning to share some thoughts on a few things related to music, audio and technology over the next couple days and I hope you enjoy them.

So, I've never really had a forum to share my thoughts on the two MacBooks I've had since becoming a college student.

Backtrack to 2018, two weeks before Christmas. FedEx delivered four huge boxes of equipment that I would be using during my quest to get my degree in audio production.

A lot of amazing things in those boxes, but the most important of them is the one thing that powers your entire studio. A shiny new MacBook Pro.

Keep in mind that I had never used a Mac in my entire life. My wife had one and let me use it a few times, but I was thoroughly intimidated.

A couple months later, I got that same MacBook and there was quite a learning curve because I used Windows and never gave Macs a second look. But the more I used it, the more I realized why Macs have a devoted following. Sure, you can't add parts or other things to it but the thing is you don't really need to.

Because a MacBook is everything you need to be creative. And while they toute the iPad Pro as a suitable laptop replacement, I don't see it. Can't burn CD's. No Logic Pro or Pro Tools. No Final Cut Pro.

I'm not one of those users who blows my own horn about technology, because the fact is that if I wasn't in school there's no way I could even afford a MacBook Air, let alone this machine that I'm semi-reviewing.

I've had that MacBook for nearly two years. And while it has a few hiccups from time to time, it's been a really solid computer. And now that I'm back in school to finish my degree, they sent a new one since two years is forever in tech, so I use the old one to goof around on and Callista uses it to write and do homework.

The point of all this is that I am really blessed to be able to go to school and experience things that I never imagined in a million years. I'm grateful that I have a solid way to express my creativity.

Love all of you.

Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant

I literally have no words for how I felt when I heard the news that Kobe had been killed in a helicopter crash earlier today. Then I saw a tweet a short while later that said not to be sad, but instead to remember all the joy he brought us.

I could not move. Just kept scrolling Twitter because it was like we were all deep in our feelings when we heard about it.

I truly loved Kobe Bean Bryant. I remember getting NBA League Pass back in 07 and I literally didn't miss a Laker game for several years. Always enjoyed watching him play. I always think of his legendary battles with Allen Iverson and the other great guards that were in the league at the time.

I can't write much because I'm still in shock. I cried real tears today. I had so much time invested in watching him play and enjoying his great passion and intensity for the game that I never thought of him as being a mere mortal like the rest of us.

I watched his 81 point game many times over the years and never quite processed his superhuman ability at scoring the basketball. It's quite a sight to watch and I'm glad that I was able to see it.

Kobe was drafted in 96, three years after I graduated high school. He was only 41. He had so much to give in his second career and to his family that this is just beyond tragic.

I have no more words right now.

R.I.P. Kobe Bean Bryant. Forever immortal in my eyes.

It's Been a Hot Minute

Happy Saturday to all of you.

I haven't posted anything in a month because life's been really hectic and my routine is totally fucked up at the moment and I can't seem to get it together. I definitely appreciate all the support from you guys. Isa from Twitter said she noticed for about 2 weeks that I wasn't active except for the morning thread. AmberDawn has offered support, as have a lot of others when they found out that I have been suffering from seasonal depression and my anxiety has been through the roof.

It has been hard even though all of you have been supportive to admit when I'm not doing well. I still have manic spells occasionally and they're so hard to bounce back from. I had a panic attack when I was alone on Wednesday and I nearly stopped breathing for a minute. Honestly had to remember to breathe and talk myself out of it.

I know that so many of us struggle with depression or some form of mental illness. I'd like to in some way start a support group online for those of us that do, so we can talk about what we're feeling and give each other support, compassion, and understanding.

I mentioned to my mother the other night that it's been hard to adjust to being alone, since I've always had someone around for the last 10+ years. I tend to overthink a lot and it's really hard to stay out of my own head when I'm left to my own devices. Literally couldn't even enjoy music or my pets because I was so overwhelmed.

I personally encourage all of you that when you struggle it's best to talk to someone. My mother has told me for years that people can't help you if you don't speak up. I try to reach out, but sometimes it's so hard in difficult situations to talk about it. It's easier when you've got through it.

It's also difficult to enjoy things when you're feeling sad or down. You feel so overwhelmed by things that when you try to force it, it becomes even worse. So you just sit there, feeling sad with no real plan of getting yourself out of it. Then when it passes, you're down on yourself and feel nothing but guilt and shame for letting the sadness reach that point.

I encourage all of you to reach out to me in the comments or on Twitter. Let's be here to support one another in these trying times.

Much love and positive vibes going out to all of you.

Between Christmas And The New Year

Hey there peeps.

Hope everyone had a super Christmas.

Now 2020 is less than a week ago.

I can honestly say looking back on 2019, that it was a tough but rewarding year.

Christmas really made me realize how much I have to be thankful for.

It's been tough financially with us moving out of Grandma's house and into our new apartment, but Callista and I finally have the freedom that we both lacked for quite a long time. And all of you guys that support this blog and my mixing have not gone unnoticed.

I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that Callista, my family, and all of you have been a consistent source of positive energy and good vibes this year.

Whether it was Shorty reaching out and inspiring me to purge myself of my mental health struggles, Isa checking on us everyday, McAmberDawn being a positive light, or Porscha sharing her love of hip hop, its been quite a year.

Erik and D!mpz donating to the blog.

ScwanaP and J. Preme with their epic morning humor.

Drew inspiring me to keep writing.

KeyUTiful sending money for gas and oil for my car.

Boomer for always being positive.

You guys really are the lights of my life.

Thank you.

I will continue to write and mix regularly. The support has made me realize that I do things that make people happy, and I'm happy to continue doing them.

Much love to you all.

Happy Start To A New Week

Good Monday to all of you.

Just a quick post here to start off your week.

With Christmas being the day after tomorrow, I wanted to drop a post letting you know how blessed and thankful I am for each one of you.

I've been told by a few of you that you wanted to donate but couldn't find the link to do so.
If you're on a computer, you'll see it in the upper right hand corner of the page. Same on tablets. However, if you're on a mobile phone, you'll have to scroll to the bottom of the mobile website and click where it says "view web version" and then the link will appear.

For those of you who are new here, I've wrote a lot of recent posts about mental health and the struggles I've had with mine over the years. Those posts have helped me to resolve a lot of issues related to the mental health aspect of my life. I appreciate all of you for reading them and always being around to give me support and encouragement.

However, I have decided, as I stated last week, to get back to the basics and post about what I love, and that is music. I'll still post things related to mental health from time to time when the occasion calls for it.

My good friend Erik (follow him here) suggested I do at least two mixes a week, so I jumped in last night and made this one. Hope you all enjoy it. I've gotten positive feedback already, and it's greatly appreciated.

Peace.

Hip Hop Weekend Playlist

So I just threw this one together by culling all the great stuff from my Spotify daily mixes. It's about four hours so just throw it on shuffle and enjoy the ride guys!!!

The weekend is here!!!

Much love and peace to all of you.