Super Duty Tough Work Podcast

If you grew up in anywhere that's not a major city and have been active in your art scene for while, you will inevitably reach a point where you are thinking about relocating to a bigger city to "make it." We have seen dozens of artists fail at this and a handful succeed. In this episode, we break down why moving to a new city is rarely successful for artists. Lets go! Learn more about your ad cho...

No matter what your passion is, there will be times when you question whether the time you put into it is worth it. During those moments of doubt, it's best to revisit exactly what it is that drives your passion. In this episode, we break down the importance of having a "why" and how to figure out what yours is if you haven't already. Let's go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

Once upon a time, the term networking had a positive connotation. Now, when most people think about networking or attending "networking" events in the music industry, a feeling of cynicism and fills the air as they imagine a room full of thirsty people begging a couple of industry insiders to get "put on." It doesn't have to be that way. We recommend less networking and more relationship building....

We've come a long way on this podcast in the last two years. So far that sometimes we don't take a second back and reflect on what we've learned. Well, thankfully friend of the podcast and former guest, Hubert Sawyers, asked us to speak about what doing this podcast has changed our perspective on the music industry and what the long-term plan is for the podcast. We let a lot of cats out the bag in...

No matter what business you're in, you will inevitably run into people who aren't serious about supporting your product or service. These people waste your time, money, and energy. The solution is to develop a methodology for weeding them out, so that you can spend your valuable time with those who are serious. In this episode we breakdown four techniques for weeding out people who aren't serious....

There are not a lot of guaranteed things in life. In fact, much of what winds up working out can be attributed to trusting your instinct and just rolling with it. While following your gut sounds great, it's not always as easy as it seems. In this episode, Blueprint breaks down exactly why following your gut is one of the important things you can do creatively. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

No matter what medium you may express yourself on, writing is a skill at the core of it all. The better you can write, the more effective you will be in expressing yourself and your vision. In this episode, we share ten big lessons we've learned about writing that we wish someone would have told us when we started out. Dive in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak about working more effectively and professionally quite a bit on this podcast, but one aspect of that we haven't covered is what to do after you achieve your goals. While most driven people are no strangers to hard work, they are often strangers to taking the proper time to celebrate their successes. In this episode, we break down what prevents us from celebrating our successes and how to...

Even though Hip-hop is one of the most popular genres of music across the globe, it may be one of the least respected in terms of it's live performances. There are rappers who put on great shows and others who barely even try. This has led many to wonder why there isn't more live instrumentation at hip-hop shows. In this episode, we break down six reasons you don't see more live bands at hip-hop s...

When you're young, there tends to be a belief that you have all the time in the world to do what needs to be done to build a great life for yourself, but as you get older you start to realize that maybe that isn't the case. Even worse you have people popularizing phrases like "30 is the new twenty." In this episode, we break down some words from entrepreneur Jack Ma and speak about why certain thi...

Like it or not, at some point in your life you will have to deal with rude people. Whether they are a stranger or somebody that you know, there are times when they can seem like they're everywhere, constantly trying your patience. In this episode, we break down ten tips for dealing with rude and inconsiderate people so you don't end up smacking the crap out of somebody. Shout out to DJ Criminal fo...

In light of the passing of the queen of soul Aretha Franklin and some previous conversations, we thought this would be a perfect time to talk about respect. Some people have a lot of it, some people have none at all, and other people wish they were more respected. Why does this happen? Well, in this episode, we break down the real reasons you're having problems getting your proper respect and expl...

In the winter of 1996, Blueprint bought his first sampler and began his journey as a hip-op beat-maker. During the last twenty years, things have changed tremendously; some for the better and some for the worse. In this episode, we dive deep into what the landscape looked like 20 years ago and how much it's changed for the people who are making beats now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Due to previous conversations on this podcast, the topic of real estate has been one of the most requested topics in the history of the show. Well, the wait is over! The long-awaited Real Estate episode is here. In this episode, Blueprint breaks down his entire journey in real estate and the story behind him being able to pay off his home early. In addition, the most infamous podcast features not...

Now that the ten-week Two-Headed Monster tour has come to an end, we have decided to give all of our listeners a recap of what went on in the most interesting way possible--an awards show. In this episode, Blueprint and DJ Detox break down experiences on the tour and give out awards for the best and worst things they saw on the road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the huge benefits of the internet is that it has leveled the playing field for independent artists, as they attempt to compete with major label artists for attention in the crowded music marketplace. Along with this change has come more and more success stories from unsigned artists, as well as more artists using their independent platform to get signed to major labels. But, what are the be...

One benefit of having a touring career that has lasted almost two decades is that we've gotten to see many changes in the touring landscape first hand. From positive changes to negative changes, we've seen a lot. And while some may think these changes are all bad they've actually helped us become more adaptable in how we approach things. In this episode we break down how being on the road has chan...

Often times, one of the most difficult things for most creative people to master isn't creation itself, it's how to know when something they created is finished. If you've ever spent weeks, months, or years debating with yourself about whether or not something we made is ready for the public. In this episode of the most infamous podcast on planet earth, we break down nine ways to know when somethi...

In the early days of the music industry, artist development was one of the most important activities of a record label, often times allowing an artist to develop their artistry and image behind the scenes for years before finally emerging in the public's eye. However, the emergence of the internet has almost ended this practice. Instead, artists are now pushed to develop publicly and share everyth...

Although this podcast focuses primarily on topics centered around hip-hop and being better artists, we are also basketball fans. In this short episode, that was recorded before the NBA playoffs ended, we discuss our most unpopular and controversial opinions about basketball. The result is one of the funniest episodes we've recorded in a while, even if you aren't a basketball fan. Learn more about...

As artists who have both thrown events and been booked to play on events, we've been a part of a wide range of shows. From the most organized shows with amazing performances, to the most unorganized shows with terrible performers--we've seen it all. And from those experiences, we've identified some bulletproof ways to make sure the event you throw is successful on every level. If you've been think...

During last weeks intro, we briefly spoke about the huge benefits that simplifying your wardrobe can bring to a person's life. Although that conversation may have appeared to be just about clothing, it was really about the larger topic of minimalism and how it can be applied to our lives. In this episode, we break down the three areas of our lives that we can apply a minimalistic approach and talk...

We all know what it's like to completely procrastinate on important work until the last minute. And while normal people tend to have specific reasons why they put things off, creative people tend to occupy their time with activities that we tell ourselves are helping us get ready to create, but only waste time. In this episode, we dive into the top time-wasters creative people use as excuses for n...

One of the most controversial stories involving hip-hop on a global level was the country of China banning hip-hop culture from television and all mainstream outlets. What may seem unthinkable in a country like America has actually happened. Was it the right thing to do? In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic choose opposites sides and debate China's hip-hop ban. Let's go! Learn more about your ad...

If there's one thing you'll definitely come across on your path to elevate yourself in your career or passion, it's people who talk a good game, but aren't really serious about putting in work. At the beginning stages of your career, these people will easily fool you and cause you to waste valuable time that you can't get back. In this episode, we talk about the ten ways to tell if somebody you're...