Identity Crisis

Hi!...The Sequel

2011-08-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

After this, All my blogs (sorry that still sounds stupid)...all things written for Internet consumption will be posted else where. That said, keep ya eyes open and drink from the well Sheeople!!:

Hi!...The Sequel...

OK folks…long time no…um…write…I guess…anyways, I have been working on a blog…well it’s really more of an, shall we say, explanation of where I am in my life, my career and all sorts of other fun facts I’m sure no one will read until the moment is just right for them…but at the moment, let’s talk about Identity Crisis… First off, I just recently met with my other half and I’m in disbelief as to how far we’ve come as a writing duo and as a group consisting of an incredible beat smith by the name of Mike Paris, our constantly dope on the wheels of steel and part time instrumental gun-slinger/Lyricist Choice One, my partner in rhyme Sumatyme and then of course little ol me…I chime in every once and awhile on this album with some reasonably enjoyable soundtracks and a few somewhat memorable lines that are sure to SHAKETHEFUCKINGWORLDATIT’SCORE…that’s right too dope for space bar bitches!!!!!!!...any way just letting you know that we are going to deliver TPotC…probably before Dre releases his classic, but let’s face it we’re gonna out shadow that anyways (if asked, I would immediately throw those other 3 douches under the bus and get that Shady/Aftermath money-Cha Ch!ng bitche$$$) the stage show is gonna be dope and I would recommend hitting me up before Oct’s over…I just might have a surprise for everyone;-)

Signing off,

The Lyrical Tucker Max, fucking beats left and right and punching other rappers in their Vaginas while they’re doing lyrical keg stands*…aka X - check out the newness on Wednesdays...

*-don’t get the reference…read the book or just laugh because it’s funny either way…

P.S. Choice and Mike make up 2/3 of a sick group called Everyday Affiliates...check em out...

P.P.S. I have a sense of humor which might be too much for some to understand...for the record unless i specifically call someone out I'm joking...

You heard it first... kids SUCK!!!

2011-03-22T21:17:00.001-07:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

We submit for your approval...

2011-03-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

"My high school reunion is months from now, and I only have two dollars in my checking account"

2010-08-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

Conscious vs. Asleep Rap

2010-07-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

Friends: How many of us have them?F

2010-06-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

Our Blogmaster Demanded I Write This - Lucky For Her, Life Helped...

2010-06-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

So...um... Hey, whoever actually reads these blogs (aka ramblings of the dysfunctional misfits). Let’s talk...

This year has been a small piece of hell, for like everyone in the IDC Camp. Not getting in to details, but DAMN! A whole laundry list of things have changed since my brother and I have made the move to CA. I know this is where I would normally write something about how the music is gonna blow the fuck up and blah blah blah... Bravado aside, I believe we are working harder than ever to make this next album better than the last. But I’m not really sure if that will be enough. I've never doubted success, let’s make that clear right now.

The issue is: I've considered failure but never really had the balls to embrace its existence. And not just in music - I’m talking about life here. I really want to be happy - like damn near death-grip-choke-hold-every-last-bit-I-have-right-now want it. That’s bad because I have been so “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!!!” that I forgot that pushing too hard to succeed can lead to pushing success away.

Identity Crisis is made up of four pained individuals each using music as a way to escape what ails them at that time. I think that's also called an addiction. I can’t speak for my counterparts, but I will say that I am like every other addict. When I stop focusing on music, I put all that focus on something else. It's an insanely ridiculously over-the-limit amount of focus. I listen to how every drum beat of every snare drum in every song sounds on at least 8 different speaker configurations with at least 12 different EQ settings before the rest of the crew even gets a taste of the bass drum - let alone the guitars, bass or angel choir (which is ever so carefully mixed in the background and only audible on a HD Audio 39 speaker Surround Sound system). So it might be a bit much on the focus front. Needless to say, I again went into "failure is not an option" mode. Instead of enjoying it as a part of my life, I listened to every word and analyzed every tone and infliction; every silence meant doom and every word not used to build me up had to only be said to tear me down... I mean why else say it, right? Wrong!!!

Overall, I guess it’s my nature as an addict – I drink heavily, I over exercise, I used to take vitamins like candy, I latch on to people and expect too much and I over examine all of my music to the point that I never release it to the public. But the first step to overcoming addiction is admitting you have a problem...

James

P.S. if this left you with more questions than answers... welcome to life...

The Ghost of Fuck-ups Past

2010-05-04T21:08:00.001-07:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

Can't quit your day job if you don't have one

2010-02-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

The difference between Venus de Milo & the ceramic angels you get at Home Depot

2010-02-04T07:49:00.001-08:00

People always ask me why I say that nobody’s listening.

To break it down as quickly and as simply as I can, I will say four words: Radio. Killed. The. Music.

I’m sorry, but I refuse to believe that everyone wants to hear the same ten songs on the hour every hour every day…except Throwback Thursdays or Smooth Soul Sundays. Lame. I think that some people forget that music is an art. Art is supposed to be talked about, questioned, bother you, what have you. Look at the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, American Gothic. All of them make you wonder why. There are “masterpieces” like that and then there is the painting of strawberries you see at grandma’s house above the trash can or the “Mountains of No Place Particular” at your dentist. Yes they’re technically art, but no one gives a shit about them…they’re just there to look at. Both artist got paid and both can claim to be painters, but who the #^@! CARES about the latter?

I guess what I’m saying is, “Music TV” sucks. The “Station Where Hip Hop Lives” sucks. And, yeah, Miley Cyrus is nice to see while you read the newest issue of Dentist Office Waiting Room Weekly, but no one’s gonna plan a trip to Italy or France to see her…

As Always…Thanks for listening…

Blog

2010-01-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

People often say that I don't speak about real things...I offer you this...

Tuesday evening, as I was walking into a Jack in the Box, an assumingly homeless woman asked me for food. She did not ask for spare change or tell me some sad story with the goal of sympathy or guilt, just simply asked if I could get her a bite to eat. I replied, “I'll do my best”, as I try to never make promises I cannot keep. As I stood in line debating what I was going to order, I was also figuring out the best way to leave the building without her seeing me...I know, right?!? I ordered my food and waited for them to slide it through the gated door...As I watched them through bulletproof glass and thought "My, Aren't we humans clever...or maybe we could just stop trying to rob each other?!?"...

I was still figuring out my escape.

      I glanced outside and saw her standing there looking out towards the street…

                                                  Waiting.

                                                             Hoping.

      It was then I realized that I was in a "no win-lose/lose" situation. I could sneak out, eat my two tacos and Jr. Bacon, leave this woman hungry, be full and feel like a complete and utter douche bag sandwich or I could walk out, eat my taco and Jr. Bacon, give this woman a taco, not be full and feel like a douche for various other reasons...either way I lose/supposedly "gain" something...

                                                                   Conscience and Food.

      I tell you that to say this. I recently made a decision...honestly, I made it less than 20hrs before this damn near picture perfect example was given to me...Without any details, let's just say that either way I was going to get hurt. Either I hurt internally, hurt others indefinitely, try to live with unanswered questions and keep or I hurt internally, hurt others momentarily, try to live with more answers than I might want and let go...either way I suffer, but in one scenario...others get the help they need...

      I cannot give you details now...and I might not be able to give you details later...We will all just have to wait and see...but it is hard for me to breathe...it is hard for me to think...and this is a lot harder than I thought it would be and I knew it was gonna be hard...so I apologize...

I gave the lady my taco...

X

How writing a song is like having a relationship

2010-01-20T23:35:00.001-08:00

Sumatyme posted a new blog!

New Post from Sumatyme

2010-01-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

http://sumatyme.blogspot.com

Before I get into my weekend adventure, I will share a couple of thoughts I have about Arizona:

1. If it weren't for family, friends, and music I would never go back there.
2. There has never been a time that I have visited and not gotten myself into some sort of trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of fond memories of the roadrunner state. I learned amazing things about music. I forged bonds with unique people. I made horrific mistakes. However, I swear that AZ is competing with Texas for the top slot on the list of ass-backwards states.

So I started the weekend the way everyone should; good company and an alcoholic beverage. In my circle, "drinks with friends" usually means binge drinking while playing stupid games - then mercilessly ridiculing those who can't hold their liquor. I mean, what kind of friend invites you over, pays for the beer, then draws a penis on your face? Ain't love grand!

But the REAL reason for my trip to AZ was to pick up some beats and hear the greatest lyricist of the west coast: Crooked I. This brotha is extremely dope. He also scares the shit out of me. He came to the venue, ten deep with some vicious dudes. Now I have seen my fair share of shit, but these guys looked like they ate it for breakfast. I started thinking about my crew and had to laugh. Sumatyme, master wordsmith and avid comic collector. Damn, I'm fearsome.

Whatever. I suppose I'm just marveling how we treat those closest to us. I have a friend going through a rough divorce. How do I offer solace and show solidarity? By making fun of her for not getting any booty. "A true friend stabs you in the front." To all of mine near, far, lost, found, drunk, or sober... I love you all. Now fuck off.

Sumatyme

Chronicles of a Broke Rapper - Allow me to re-introduce myself

2010-01-05T00:29:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of change that this country of ours is desperately trying to hold onto, your favorite MC is also looking to revamp the way I do blogging.

With that in mind, may I present: the Chronicles of a Broke Rapper. This will be a weekly account of my life and travels as an MC. I hope that by painting a picture of my world, I be able to share my insights and also use the thoughts I share with you to make me a better artist. So, let's get started...

Allow me to re-introduce myself. I go by Sumatyme. I'm one-third of the super-charged group Identity Crisis. (Yes, the Identity Crisis) I hail from the Southside of Chicago, the suburbs of Arizona, and most recently downtown LA. I spent my whole life studying jazz and classical music and the first chance I got, I walked away from it to be a part of a movement that America doesn't fully embrace, yet has no problem exploiting. I'm no thug, but I still managed to land in jail for being stupid (and black). I don't fit the category of a "normal MC." Lyrically I'm on another planet anyway. I'm scared of success, but can't stop pushing myself. I've been called overly cheerful, difficult, and brooding. I've been considered caring to a fault and self-absorbed. (Aren't all artists?) Oh yeah, and I drink too much. I am Identity Crisis.

You will be hard-pressed to find another crew to match our passion during shows. Identity Crisis obessses with growth and mastery of the art form. Becoming one of the ranks of the dopest MCs is not a dream. For us, it is inevitable. Now, if I could only translate all that to dollar signs, life would be perfect.

So now that the "get-to-know-you" stage is over, I invite you all to come with us as we journey into sound. Hip-hop is easy, listening to the music of life is a whole lot harder.

Peace,
Sumatyme

You can find Sumatyme's weekly blog HERE

Homecoming

2009-12-08T22:06:00.000-08:00

A new state, a new vibe, new rhymes and a new school of thought. Martini Ranch, stand up!!!

Our shows have always spoken for themselves, but this time around I feel we all have something to prove. It truly is a lonely road that we walk and I finally understand why so many of us fall in this industry. This music requires so much from us and there are days where I feel shattered at the core.
Then I think of my DJ, raising two kids keeping his family together. My partner in rhyme working his ass off at his parents' crib. It goes without saying that we can't stop, won't stop.
(heh)

Come out on Thursday to witness the rebirth. Satisfaction guaranteed.......
and if not, well I hear the new Timbaland/Miley Cyrus jam is the shit.

-Sumatyme

In the Immortal Words of Our Last President... Tacos Rule!

2009-11-22T00:04:00.000-08:00

Ok, so our boy Emcee Criterion had a show friday night at a place called Stray Cats… I believe IDC has played there a time or two. ;-)

To cut the story short he ends his set early and invites the MCs (because at every underground hip hop show there’s one true spectator for every 300 MCs) to join him on stage for some freestyle fun and games. The infamous Mike Paris gets me to go on stage with him…I haven’t been on a stage in well over 2 ½ months, let alone not had my lifelines Sum and Choice. That was nerve wrecking people. Simply nail biting, hair pulling, bone chilling…nipple hardeningly scary.

And then I spit the illest shit ever been dropped to snares and kicks.

Ok, so there wasn’t that much drama, but it did remind me that performing is as much fun as I can have without a 30 pack, firecrackers, two 4lb balloons filled with salt and lemon juice, a box cutter and my fifth grade teacher bound to a cactus. (Sorry, she was a real bitch back then.) Anyway,it was yet another wake up call for what I’m here for. I know, I know. Broken fucking record! I don’t say it for you…I say it for me. (We artista are very touchy, ya know…) It’s just getting the ball rolling and watching the pins fall in the wake ladies and gents.

Anyway, Citizen Cope is dope, the new Rakim album is dope, Sons of Anarchy and FlashForward are TV dope, House makes me laugh (reminds me of me, but with a longer attention span) and Lie to Me makes me want to practice lying more. The Mentalist is just good ol' fashioned fun. And you still can’t name me one song, by any of the artists that are “hot” right now, that makes you think you might have actually learned something. (And no, the fucking stanky leg dance doesn’t count.)

I agree with my brother…Top 40 is getting lamer and dumber every second…
X

What happened to the music?

2009-11-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

Times are changing y'all. Okay, obvious cliché #1, but it doesn't make it any less true. When I started making music, there was nothing but my emotions and the sounds they generated. Right, wrong, good or bad, it didn't matter. I created it and put it out to the world and then walked away.

Now my mind is chock full of tour dates, press releases, radio, and convincing big-wigs to give my crew the time of day. And for what? So I can write a two-syllable song and ignite a new dance craze that everyone forgets ten seconds later. How am I supposed to even write so much as a stupid haiku?

It could be worse. I could be an extra on a Diddy reality show. Hearts heal, souls mend, chicks dig scars, top 40 still sucks. Hip-hop I will love you 'till the day I die. Peace.

Sumatyme

The Latest from X

2009-10-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

Holy $%^’n #$%...Ok, so I’ve decided to go PG for this blog kiddies…It’s been a minute. We’ve taken a break.Ok, so technically...we’re still on a break. But don’t bog me down with petty details. Things are still getting done and the Crisis is still going strong.

That said…Community is a fucking awesome show…shit… I just took a piss all over my PG rating. Fuck it. The FCC can lick my…never mind…moving on. Community is a great show and the fact that something could revive Chevy Chase’s career without the words “National Lampoon’s” in front of it or the use of an animatronic rodent is a feat in and of it self. I’ve been watching a lot of TV lately…possibly too much. Damn Hulu.

Either way, between that and starting a new job (which might possibly suck every piece of my soul out through my pores if I let it…Succubus!), I got the feeling that my writing might be suffering. I was…FUCKING WRONG BITCHES…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…Ok, sorry. Anyway…the music I’ve been working on the last few weeks has reminded me of why I do this. I don’t do it for money, fame or anything like that. I do it because it makes life a bit of a better place for me to walk around in. I want to write that song that makes someone’s day better…or gets them ready for the “hellish funk of Satan’s asshole after a three day bender of cheap beer, shitty tequila and day old Del Taco” feeling that they have right before they walk into a job they hate but go to because they love what they get to do when they get off. Not that I would know…heh. I want to give someone the feeling I get when I play music and it makes me feel better. I like what my brothers and I have started, as cheesy as it sounds. I love making music…of course the chicks, millions of dollars and parties at the playboy mansion wouldn’t hurt either…J…

Your friendly neighbor artist,

P.S. The episode of South Park where the boys are “pro wrestlers” is pretty funny too

Quick Blog from X

2009-08-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well folks, here we are… August is almost over and things are about to happen. I’ll try and keep this quick and just hit you with bullet points.

We performed in front of 50,000 plus… Amazing feeling... oddly though, it felt really calming. It was almost like that was how I felt the most comfortable. No need to get too deep in to that… but I could get used to do shit like that. (Can I say shit in the blog…?)

Been flying a bit in the last couple months… been busing a bit… and driving… I’m sensing a theme brewing. TOURS!!!!... Ok, so on our budget it’s more like tours… But that’s neither here nor there. It’s still a tour.

Changes are coming and not all are good, but such is life. However, ya boys with the Crisis Management* issues are growing stronger every minute and my alcohol enablers, The Wiley One, are really starting to gel. A lotta good shit is gonna start happening… when, I can’t tell you, but there’s always a storm before a… never mind…

One love ya’ll and keep ya eyes open for new music from me (X), Sum, and even the Silent Bob of our group: Choice One.

CTX of Identity Crisis

* - that’s right a cheap plug ;-)…

I love this frakking show!

2009-08-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

It's a well known fact that a lot of artists tend to procrastinate. Yours truly is no different.

This latest incarnation has taken the form of the Sci-Fi Channel's smash hit Battlestar Galactica. Now before all you non-geeks start laughing, check it out.
This nerd fest offers everything one could want in a show and a break from whichever reality show tv star is currently throwing up in the hot tub. You've got action, shit blowing up all the time, beautiful people getting it on, mystery, suspense, and my favorite part of it all: the made up curse word.
In a BRILLIANT middle finger to the FCC, the writers added to the show's vernacular "frak". (If you can't figure it out, stop listening to our music.) They then proceeded to use it like a Bernie Mac comedy show.

I swear to God, it's the little things in life...

All the frakking best,
Sumatyme

X-Games and Disney Kids

2009-08-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

So we just spent the last few days stuck in between two opposites. The hardcore of the X-Games and the complete goofiness and nauseating pep of Disney. Identity Crisis did get to walk its first movie premiere red carpet. Found myself caught between wanting to stalk Slash and strangle Shawn White. (True story.)

Side note: I'm sorry, LA... but $13.50 for a Corona! Are you out of your fucking minds?!?

Had a show in Redondo Beach with the Wiley One. Finally remembered all of my verse. Go team!
Not as much partying as I would have liked, but that's probably for the best.

That's it for now. We will see ya in Seattle!!!

Peace and Blessings,
Sumatyme

X's Blog

2009-06-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Well, this was an interesting weekend…a lot going on… Let’s see if I can get any kind of coherent thought out for you:

So the day before Identity Crisis unveils Battle Scars one of our biggest influences dies. He collapses while preparing for a tour. We each handle his death in our own way and on our own terms…then the next day comes. Not even 24 hours after his death people are making jokes made and there’s disrespect all over. I’m not here to get in to a “did he or didn’t he,” I’m just saying that Anna Nicole Smith received more respect when she died. Not saying she shouldn’t have had respect shown…but did she influence generations? Let me repeat that a little louder for the people that forgot he did anything other than what the news spouted out…generations. I just wonder if these people’s lives were spied on and held under a microscope how would they look, act, and feel.

All that aside, I can try to tell you how I felt/feel about his passing and the timing of it. I felt at first that the timing was horrible. I mean, the day before we release our album, a hero dies – talk about taking the wind out of your sails. But then I started to think that maybe this was, in a way, a sign. My brothers and I feel like we give a high energy show that leaves the crowd exhausted, but excited – exactly the way we feel when we watched our favorite musicians and performers. I don’t want anyone to read in to this too much, but I feel as though we can be next. Not as big…never as big…but I think the stage show has lost its flare these days and that there are very few artists out there who actually entertain their audiences. That being said - I think Identity Crisis can be a performing group where you hear music that you can vibe to and enjoy and at the same time you can walk away from the show feeling in awe at what you saw. The experience is one you won’t soon forget…

For those wondering…the album release went great. The show the following day was also dope and we hope to have some audio/video/pictures from the whole weekend up soon.

One Love,

R.I.P. to Ed. McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and one of the best to ever perform for a crowd - Michael Jackson. Thank you for everything all three of you have taught us as performers.

Three Days

2009-06-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

3 more days until we unleash Battle Scars in a world where Soldja Boy can sell thousands of copies of a song that he doesn't even spit on.

I'm not hating, the kid is savvy. And he's certainly stacking his paper.
How is it that even though this last year saw our first black president, I still feel like we might be marching backwards?

Every artist wants his work to be appreciated and I am no different, but I truly hope this album helps put us on the road to being recognized among the musicians we respect. Until then baby steps I guess......

Peace and Blessings,
Sumatyme

P.S. Choice it's good to have you home.

Mexico w/the Other Project (aka check out www.thewileyone.com)

2009-06-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting in a room full of passed out drunk people & I realize... these are my band mates and affiliates... Ok, I should say friends. I want to sound like a professional... Let me paint the scene: It's Mexico, everyone's drunk and the sole member of Identity Crisis present (me) is awake, alert, and alarmingly sober considering - this will change throughout the weekend... Saturday will be the climax of drunkenness - Here I get the brilliant idea to climb over to the neighbor's porch. Over jagged rocks and slippery walls. Surprisingly, I not only don't fall to my death, but actually get a better view of the moon's reflection off the ocean... at this point of the trip I plan to write at least every night...

*It should be noted that had I been able to, I would have written every night. But I got drunk... really drunk... Hey, I'm a drummer & rapper - don't judge :)

Ok, so I'm on my way home now... I was way too drunk to write during this trip.
(Note: Mexico is bad for my drinking habit.)

But let's do a list:
1 - number of broken drumsticks & of mothers trying to hook me up with her daughter (What's up mother-in-law, ha ha)
2 mornings waking up not knowing where I was, only to realize it was my room a few minutes later
3 days of drinking before 9 a.m.
Several pictures with fans... some sober... most not...
A ridiculous number of shots, beers, and 6 bottles of H2O (gotta stay hydrated, kids!)

So, I'm thinking that being the drummer in The Wiley One and one lyrical half of Identity Crisis might be bad for my liver. But Fan-Fucking-Tastic for my memories... at least the ones I can remember (heh)...

Not a household name yet, but working on it,
X

Sumatyme's Bugging Out

2009-06-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Shit.

Shit, Shit, Shit. Man, some days I feel like throwing out my rhyme notebooks and working at a Virgin Megastore. (Do they still even have those?)

Turning 27 this week kinda forces one to take a long look at his life.

Man, Identity Crisis has had some huge moments and we've taken our lumps, but we are still here mofos! I have no idea where the road ends for us, but I do know we are gonna ride it for all it's worth. I'm stressed, overwhelmed, spazzed, freaked, (pick your adjective), but I pity the people that don't have the courage to follow their passion.

For those not in the industry, the "8 Mile" moment doesn't happen at random. Eminem worked for years before Dre picked him up. How could we stop fighting? That's all I got. You will be seeing more of us. To all our bothers and sisters in arms, keep the faith. WE CAN DO THIS!!

Peace and Blessings,
Sumatyme