Review: Antagonist – Walk Hard

http://www.thesermonsdomain.com/2010/10/03/review-antagonist-walk-hard/

Review: Antagonist – Walk Hard

Categories: Reviews, West Coast

The production on Walk Hard is really above par. Anno Domini handles one of the more gutter street produced records, “Never Again”. The beat & chorus on “Chip On My Shoulder” are addicting, head nodding music. Some of the records are self-produced and those are really the stand out ones. It’s the eerie beat on “They’re Watching” that provides Antag to create his best and most creative rhymes.

Overall, this is one of those projects that hold an addicting feel because of a few records but doesn’t really live up to the standards. You’ll want to see what else Antagonist can do throughout Walk Hard due to good production and catchy records. You can see a lot of people enjoying this because simple music with infectious chorus and good beats is in during this period.

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CaliFlorida Productions Inc & Block Starz Music Present:

Antagonist

"Walk Hard - The Anthony Masters Story"

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Antagonist

ENGINEERED & MIXED BY: Antagonist

LABEL: CaliFlorida Productions Inc. / Billionaire Boys Club/ Ray Ping Yu Records

SPONSOR: Block Starz Music Inc.

RELEASE DATE: August 4, 2010

FORMAT: EP/Mixtape (Promotional Only)

PLAYTIME: 1:07:26

1. Welcome Back Intro (Produced by Hoodfamous)

2. Never Again (Produced by Anno Domini)

3. Hold My Hand (Produced by Adlib)

4. Pretty Ladies (Produced by JacoJack)

5. Chip on My Shoulder (Produced by Frontier)

6. Crazy Bitch (Produced by Kevin Rudolf)

7. Drank (Produced by Antagonist)

8. California Girl (Produced by Antagonist)

9. Pussy (Produced by Clinton Sparks)

10. The Natural (Produced by Antagonist)

11. They're Watchin (Produced by Antagonist)

12. Salami (Produced by Polow Da Don)

13. Happy Hour (Produced by Antagonist)

14. Yacht Money (Produced by Antagonist)

15. Where She Go (Produced by Antagonist)

16. A Reflection (Produced by Hi-Tek)

17. Roughneck (Produced by MoSS)

18. Tropical Depression (Produced by Antagonist)

19. Walk Hard (Produced by Antagonist)

No DJ, no guest appearances, and a slick level of production akin to a retail release, that's three things that you don't often see in a promotional mixtape nowadays. Antagonist has often walked against the grain on his rise through this industry, and this time around it's no different. A talented producer, artist, and song-writer, Antagonist let's his brightest assets shine on "Walk Hard" as his productions and lyrical prowess blend together in a mesh of self-produced orchestrations, independent soundscapes, and even some obscure industry gems. Antagonist has always come across as a person who has something to prove, and his projects have the feel of artful puzzles, put together with skill and precision. You can tell that these aren't the run of the mill tracks, just thrown together as a cheap ploy for attention and profit. This is a man who takes his craft, and the art of sound very seriously. "Walk Hard" starts off with a bang with the Hoodfamous produced intro "Welcome Back", an electro-southern banger which re-introduces Antagonist to those who may have forgot about him in his brief 10 month hiatus between projects. "Some of ya'll tried to shelf me, refused to sell me, this is dedicated to those who never felt me..." Antagonist belts out to all the doubters that he is here to stay, and by the sheer inflection of his voice, he obviously means it. The usual suspects, independent producer heavy-weights Anno Domini, Adlib, JacoJack, and Frontier have once again lent phenomenal instrumentals to this project as well, and have solidified themselves as a strong production team behind Antagonist.

Antagonist has always had a knack for blending genre's, and his stylistic voice sounds comfortable over anything you throw his way. He continues this tradition on "Walk Hard" by concocting a gem called "California Girl" over the instrumental for Three Doors Down song "Superman". A punk-hip-hop mishmash that echoes that golden California punk sound made famous by bands like NOFX & Bad Religion, it's amazing that Ant can make something like this sound at home on a hip hop record. I know he has talked in the past of releasing projects in other genre's, and I can only hope that we see some more work like this out of Ant as he matures, and continues to broaden his musical tentacles. Matter of fact he has often sited Greg Graffin of Bad Religion as an influence, and especially admires how Greg went beyond music and became a professor at UCLA.

Continuing onward through this stellar playlist, Antagonist continues to offer strong vocal performances over instrumentals by some industry vets While some artists come off as plagiarists when they do this, Antagonist somehow manages to demonstrate that both his productions and lyrics can stand behind those who command far bigger commissions than he. "Pussy" produced by Clinton Sparks, "Roughneck" produced by MoSS, and "A Reflection" produced by Hi-Tek, are three songs that illuminate Antagonist's ability to shine on instrumentals crafted by seasoned hit-makers. Producers take notice, give this man beats!!!

Not to be outdid by the few guest producers, the highlight is Antagonist's own self-crafted production on this project, which show that he's been working hard to elevate and reinvent his sound. The newest beats Antagonist has showcased here, ooze with style, and provide the backdrop for some of the purest music he has ever written. "The Natural" is exactly as the title suggests, a stripped-down Antagonist bearing his soul over a wailing orchestra soundtrack of horns, choir and dark synths. "Yacht Money" comes across as a tongue-in-cheek ode to the Fruity Loops type production that's dominating the airwaves nowadays, and makes a strong statement that whatever is in demand, Antagonist can supply. "Where She Go" is a poignant ode to the females that have come and gone through Ant's life, and the infectious vibe of "Happy Hour" plays out like the theme-song to a night at your favorite watering hole.

"Walk Hard" just might be the perfect EP. The project as a whole is wonderful, and with the brilliant use of the comedy by the same name, really plays out like a cinematic experience. There are songs for the mainstream, for the hip hop purist, there's songs for the women, matter of fact there's a little something for everybody. Topics jump around from the deep to the hilarious, and although he mentions them plenty, Antagonist never gets caught up in the cliche rhyme topics that cripple other emcees. One of the greatest things about this EP is that Antagonist has finally come into his own shoes so to speak, and developed his own voice and style. It's been great watching Antagonist's huge growth spurt over the past couple of years, and hopefully he'll soon reap the rewards that he is so deserving.

www.mrantagonist.com

www.twitter.com/mrantagonist

www.facebook.com/mrantagonist

www.myspace.com/officialantagonist

www.reverbnation.com/mrantagonist

www.califloridaproductions.com

FOR INFORMATION ON BOOKING/PRODUCTION/VERSES/ETC: ANTAGONIST DIRECT AT: califloridaproductions@gmail.com or call the business line (424) 354-0698

FOR ALL PRESS INQUIRIES: ANTAGONIST DIRECT AT: califloridaproductions@gmail.com

WALK HARD COMING AUGUST 4 2010

WALK HARD THE MIXTAPE COMING AUGUST 4, 2010

Random Antagonist Sightings

ANT, KIMBO, B-Rad
ANT & Lee Westwood

ANT & DJ LAZ
Port of Miami Baby
ANT, J.O., & J.B.
THE WORLD IS MINE

I have finalized the groundwork for two new ventures to add to the CaliFlorida Productions Inc media conglomerate.

First Up I'd like to announce that I've started a full-service creative development firm called The Billionaire Boys Club. If you need creative direction or artistic development regarding mixtapes, albums, logo's, clothing, branding/image, brainstorming sessions, etc. Feel free to contact califloridaproductions@gmail.com.

Secondly I've designed and formulated the label FINALLY. All future product will be released on "Ray Ping Yu Records" For information or to send presskits/music please contact raypingyurecords@gmail.com or califloridaproductions@gmail.com

NEW ARTICLE REGARDING MY SIDE PROJECT WITH THE MUTANT EMCEES! Shouts to Sean Wan.

www.mutantemcee.com

Antagonist - From Grass Roots to Big Trees

Sean_Wan

10

Jul 2010

The cliche' these days is to "Google It" but in fact if you have not heard of Antagonist or CaliFlorida Productions, you should really brush up on your search engine skills. A veteran producer, artist, song-writer, and mixing engineer Antagonist has definitely put his time in the industry, and his professionalism shine throughout. With a vast palette of melodic brushstrokes Antagonist can bless any studio session with a range of sing-songy hooks, a voracious rhyming ability, or his uncanny knack to craft instrumentals of the highest quality.

Antagonist's biggest asset is that he isn't afraid to take any chances, and the sheer sonic range of his song-catalog reads like a cinematic novel. Coming off a stellar 2009 with no less that a quarter million internet impressions, 5 critically acclaimed mixtapes, and media coverage in 96 countries, Antagonist is firmly positioning himself as an independent force to be reckoned with. Not too be satisfied with mediocrity, Ant has also formulated his own label: "Ray Ping Yu Records", and a full-service creative development company called "The Billionaire Boys Club". Can you say unstoppable? Major labels, media outlets, and the general population better take notice, because with a firm schedule of solo releases and side-projects coming in 2010 and 2011 this man is about to make a serious impact on the game. After years of independent mixtapes, promotional EP's, Maxi-Singles, and Indie LP's we are quickly approaching the monumental release of Antagonist's first full-length retail release. Information is tight at the present, but Ant assures us that it will be something special.

His quote, "When I can't stop listening to my OWN tracks and keep putting them on repeat, that tells me I have something really special at my fingertips. I have all the pieces and now I must put the final puzzle together. I promise to give my fans the blockbuster project that they've been waiting for."

Time is ticking, the anticipation is growing, and we cannot wait to see what Antagonist does next. From grass roots to big trees, this man continues to grow into something beautiful for the world to enjoy and be proud of.

www.mrantagonist.com

www.califloridaproductions.com

www.twitter.com/mrantagonist

www.reverbnation.com/mrantagonist

www.myspace.com/officialantagonist

califloridaproductions@gmail.com

NEW ARTICLE UP ON BLASCO'S BLOG!

http://blascosays.tumblr.com/post/748351683/antagonist-set-to-make-2010-debut-despite-cloudy-days

Antagonist’s retail CD for 2010 they year he made contact
By Jason Blasco

Of Blascosays.com

CaliFlorida Productions CEO Anthony “Antagonist” Masters knows owning an independent imprint is like having manual transmission in your car. It’s constantly shifting gears in an area of congestion like independent music.
Masters, a hip hop artist known as Antagonist, is trying to find the delicate balance between promoting himself as an artist, and being a businessman with a small imprint calledCaliFlorida Productions. Masters also coordinates all the workings that go with marketing and promotions on a limited budget.
Trying to keep up with emerging trends and technology can be daunting for this virtual one-man band as he continues to produce, mix, create beats, market, create graphic designs, and coordinate promotional materials and virtual marketing campaigns. Antagonist knows he can’t afford not to listen when he hears of popular new methods of distribution like streaming from sites such as Pandora, www.datpiff.com, Radio Tuna, Spotify, Lala.com, andTunecore. “You always have to listen to an idea and put your music in as many places as possible. My difficulty lies in the fact that not only am I a production company and label owner, but also an artist,” Masters said. “I have to wear many hats, and that doesn’t leave me as much time lately to dedicate to searching out new, blossoming ideas.”

Antagonizing what’s been dubbed “The Future of Music”
Masters, who began his music career in the late 90s, entered the business during a time of turmoil, litigation, and disorganized chaos spawned by new meduims such as Napster, Real Player, Real Audio, and others that emerged during the dot.com era. Antagonist saw this as an opportunity, not a deterrent, to catapulting his career initiatives. “I have three words, internet, internet, internet,” Masters said. “I have coverage in 90 countries worldwide, the attention of over 200 websites, and close to half a million web impressions. I did all of this without doing a show outside of California or Florida. Obviously, I’m looking to tour as soon as possible to propel my fanbase into overdrive. I want indie artists to know that just because you might live in a small town, it doesn’t mean you have to think small. With that being said, I’ve been blessed to reside in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Miami over the past 14 years. It doesn’t hurt growing up in some major music markets.”

Moving from “The Hood” to “The Cloud”
Antagonist understands the value of streaming and doesn’t see streaming as a here today, gone tomorrow trend, such as the mini discs in the late 90s and early 00s. Masters has paid close attention to Apple’s business model. He knows that, like many other ventures in the past, Apple has established themselves as trailblazers in the new territory of streaming, especially with their recent acquisition of www.lala.com.
“Like it or not, Apple has digital distribution on lock,” Masters said. “Other sites such as Amazon and Rhapsody are closing in, but right now it’s all about iTunes. New companies such as TuneCore (which I personally use) are single-handedly changing the music business. It’s up to the fans, or us as artists, if this is a good thing. On one side, ANYBODY can now make a record and have it immediately available to everybody in the world with an .mp3 player. I think that’s great for somebody like myself. On the other hand, at some point there is going to be SO MUCH music out there that finding music in the fray will be increasingly difficult. The companies who solve this problem, and the artists who find out how to make their “needle shine in the haystack,” will be the ones who survive.”

Pay to Play: Antagonist sees streaming music’s business model that simple
The revenue-sharing models of streaming music vary greatly from company to company, and organizations such as BMI, ASCAP, and Soundexchange.com are still in the process of developing a system of compensation so artists, labels, managers, and publishers get their due, monetarily.
“Streaming music is as simple of a business model as anything else, in my opinion. You have to find a company that brings major traffic to their media, and a company that has a firm worldwide foundation,” Masters said. “Once you find a company relationship you like, then you have to get a good deal as far as money per plays. If a site has a lot of traffic and you’re getting several cents per play, over time the money will add up. It’s simple internet economics. Great Site=Traffic=AdRevenue=Great Returns.”
Like any new medium, there is a transition period for consumers to adapt to the new devices in order for everything to convert. The majority of consumer retail outlets reflect that with the type of devices that are currently on the market in outlets such as Walmart, that still have MP3 players with AM/FM radio advertised as one of their features.
In hip hop, the transition will be even more difficult because this genre is still so dependent on physical marketing and promotional tools such as mixtapes and underground distribution to get the word out on the street.
“I believe it’s a perfect medium. It might take a minute for ANY fan, not just a hop hop fan, but ANY fan to warm up to paying a monthly fee to get streaming music,” Masters said. “ I think the way to market something like this is to make sure that the streaming content is purely customizable. For instance, I believe you will make more revenue if you charge $29.99 per month for unlimited plays, and the user could play any song on the site they want at any time. This is converse to something like Satellite Radio, where there are set programs and you’re at the will of the DJ. You also must have a GREAT library for fans to catch onto a streaming music site. I would not think people would pay for a streaming service if they couldn’t find the music/artists they want.”

Today’s forecast calls for flash flood warnings and cloudy skies
Making money in this long, but narrow, trench is difficult with the many different methods of recording, streaming, marketing, etc., and the constant flood of numerous acts spamming their material at consumers virtually every time they log on to their social networking site. “ Music is a strange animal right now. This won’t make sense without a 1000 hour thesis paper on it, but it’s easier to make money now, yet it’s harder to make money now,” Masters said. “The easiest way I can put it is like this. A multi-talented indie artist who works hard and gets his hands into a lot of different ventures will be able to make some great money. Yet an indie artist who doesn’t know how to approach the business of music and relies on “getting signed” by a label will suffer and probably go broke. My one piece of advice to anybody about to step into this sea of sharks is forge your own way, make your own path, and don’t let anybody stop you. Why should you rely on other people getting you ahead in this game, when these days you can literally put out a record around the world for less than $2000? Buy a computer, learn how to use Pro Tools/Logic/etc, write a song, put it online, and then spend all day every day telling people about your song. That’s how I started, and that’s still what I do today, only on a bigger scale.”
Masters will continue to adapt and hope he and his small imprint will not become too damaged by the flood of emerging artists in the current foggy conditions that have been created by the lack of regulations of the internet for both the corporate giant and the solo artist.

Jason Blasco is a music publicist, journalist, and aspiring author. Blasco has published stories on many celebrities including Lady Gaga, Robin Thicke, Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, Vanessa Carlton, and cello player Zoe Keating. Jason has promoted a number of independent and unsigned artists, and worked with Full Circle Entertainment CEO Roger Cobbs as a consultant on Jim Jonsin’s www.beatbakery.com . Blasco is currently working with Crush Recording, and their sister company as a research analyst to aid them in the development of their business initiatives with streaming media, an outlet they foresee is the future of music distribution.

RETAIL ALBUM COMING SOON!!!

After many years of demo's, ep's, underground LP's, mixtapes, etc. the "Debut" Antagonist Retail Album is finally upon us.   "2010 The Year He Made Contact" will be available 2nd Quarter 2010 at all major online retailers.  Stay tuned for more details as time draws near.   Also before the release of "2010 The Year He Made Contact" I will be releasing a promotional mixtape entitled, "CaliFlorida Productions Presents: Antagonist - Walk Hard"  This will be available as a free download approximately 2-3 weeks before the retail album goes on sale.   Thanks to all my fans for their support, and I look forward to giving  you this project.  I'm going to update the blog in the next few days with a glimpse into my feelings about the album. 

ANT