Jason Hadshian, better known as J Hatch, truly embodied the spirit of living life to the fullest. Despite juggling numerous projects, he had an extraordinary ability to connect with people, making each individual feel valued. Through his influential work with iStandard, Creative Spaces, and the RnB Playlists, Hatch left an indelible mark on the global music community, building a network that empowered countless artists to grow and thrive. Photo Courtesy of Monty "WRIGGZ" Burks | @SHOTBYWRIGGZ Experiencing firsthand the three day Creative Space Camp in Manhattan back in October of 2023 it was nothing short of epic, The energy in New York that weekend was electric as fifty emerging artists, writers, and producers from across the country came together to connect, create, and collaborate.   Day 1: Honoring Legends and Building Community The camp kicked off with Hatch giving out his flowers, honoring industry icons Benny Boom, Buckwild,and others celebrating their achievements and providing us all the opportunity to hear their stories and network directly. Photos Courtesy of: Monty "WRIGGZ" Burks | @SHOTBYWRIGGZ Day 2: Music, Collaboration, and Creation On the second day, the focus shifted to making music. We all listened to the records each other produced that best represented ones sound. This is what helped Hatch and team form pairings of writers and producers to create new records over the weekend. These collaborations opened doors for potential sync and artist placements. There are too many to name but this night was insane, you walked into any of the studios you felt like you were hearing the future of music. Photos Courtesy of: Christien Gerrick Day 3: Feedback and Growth The final day brought everything together as guest judges gave us constructive feedback on our creations. They pushed us to refine our tracks and inspired us to the possibilities of where music can take you. A really fun moment came when it was @keyzdamogulllc chance to play his records. He literally had the whole studio jumping along with the judges! I swear the whole camp almost fought Hatch because he was joking around and cut Keyz track right before the drop! Truly by the end of the camp, although you walked in as strangers, you had no choice by to leave as family and friends. A Legacy Beyond Music Now a year later, looking back on this moment you would have never known that Hatch was battling stage 4 colon and liver cancer and doing chemo therapy every 2 weeks. The only way you found this out from Hatch was for motivational purposes only to inspire you. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, so when you look back on your life, will you be able to say you took every chance you could? Photo Courtesy of Monty "WRIGGZ" Burks | @SHOTBYWRIGGZ Hatch's legacy goes beyond the music he helped create. His influence lives on in the countless lives he touched, encouraging us all to live with purpose and passion. Although he’s no longer with us, his spirit continues to inspire us to embrace life without regrets. Rest in power, Hatch. May we all continue to strive to live as you did—full throttle, embracing every moment, full of purpose and passion. Honour Jason's memory by donating in his name to The American Cancer Society (Donate)

Protect your mind, respect my time, and value this money, Never shy away from the lessons life throws at you. The latest record, " PR3Y" by Gatormoney featuring Rick Hyde and produced by Maserati Sparks , leaves you wanting a part two. It also goes without saying that music producer Maserati Sparks got “another one” with this beat. He gave both artists the perfect canvas to go crazy and just paint. We don’t know what it is about New Yorkers but it just feels like everyone born or raised in the concrete jungle seems to embody this relentless hustle and constant pursuit of dreams despite the odds. In a world where distractions are plenty and opportunities are few, keeping your mind sharp, your time well-spent, and your money in tact isn't just smart—it’s survival. A message that comes through on the record PR3Y. The mind, time, and money are three of the most valuable assets anyone has, and in the fast-paced world of hip-hop, squandering any of these can be the difference between success and failure. How Hyde ends his verse with, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste. ..so is time, so is money…” is like a modern day hustlers proverb and with Gatormoney closing his verse with, “Had to learn some lessons from the demons I was reppin.” a raw reflection of his own personal journey. Tough times don't last always when you learn to recognize what has been holding you back. But don’t just take our word for it—go listen, download, and stream " PR3Y. " After we got hooked on this single, we couldn’t help but dive deeper into Gatormoney’s discography. If you have some time, check out our team’s favorite tracks and add them to your playlist. Here are a few to get you started: " Life After Death " " Flaws " " Decisions (Forever Hollywood) " Some highlights of Gatormoney’s career include opening for Snoop Dogg and collaborating with Grammy winner 808 Ray. Stay connected to Gatormoney by giving him a follow @gatormoney and visiting https://gatormoney.bigcartel.com/ .

Creator: Mike Coppola | Credit: Getty Images| Copyright: 2019 Getty Images Much like how Johnny Carson revolutionized interviews and introduced new comedians to the world, Sway Calloway has become synonymous with authentic music discovery through his segment '5 Fingers of Death' on the popular show 'Sway in the Morning' on Sirius XM Radio. While the concept of inviting artists to freestyle over random beats isn't novel, Sway has elevated it to an art form, setting an unparalleled standard in the industry. Comparing this phenomenon to Michael Jackson's moonwalk, it's safe to assume that other hosts might have attempted a similar approach in the past. However, Sway stands out as the best, a fact attested not just by my opinion but also by the YouTube community. To gauge the authenticity of any content, one only needs to read the honest and passionate opinions shared in the YouTube comments section of popular videos featuring Sway's interviews. His unique style and genuine passion for music have truly set a gold standard in the realm of musical discovery. The 5 fingers of death will make or break an artist or fraud. Not everyone can handle it. I remember watching an interview where I wish he would call out the frauds by name where he would bring artists on and they themselves would say I am cool with the interview but I am not trying to come in there and rap. That’s like me having a show on TV where I interview basketball players where people tune in to here me talk to athletes about the fundamentals of basketball and them telling me I’ll talk but don’t ask me to dribble, shoot, or dunk though. If consider yourself to be a lover of music regardless of genre, love a real MC, can appreciate hip-hop check out King Los. Literally one of my favorite artists that Sway introduced me to via the 5 fingers of death. Check out the below video below of the epic true freestyle flow of a real MC destroying the mic. This is real talent, real music. For more music and culture check out the SwayUniverse For the latest and greatest from King Los check out his latest work God, Money, War on iTunes #SWAYINTHEMORNING #HIPHOP #KINGLOS #REALMUSIC #REALHIPHOP #swayuniver

With the number of times people have said that hip-hop has died and come back to life, it could be a cat named Jesus. And as hip-hop has evolved d, it has begun to resemble something we all know closely and some of us love: fast-food chains. What are we talking about? Let us explain. Do you remember when you were a kid, and you’d be with y our parents driving home from school or an after-school program, and you’d see the red hair of the Wendy’s girl or the beautiful glow of the Golden Arches come into your view? It was almost like you could hear those juicy burgers and fries calling your name. But more times than not, your parents probably shot down your fast food dreams, saying,” Do you have McDonald’s money?” or even the infamous “There’s food at home!” Heartbreaking, we know, we were there. But our parents often didn’t let us fulfill our kid-like fast food cravings because fast food was never meant to be a daily dietary staple. As we all now know, it’s NOT the healthiest option. But somehow, now that we DO have that McDonald’s money, we’re all probably eating it too regularly instead of taking the time and energy to cook higher quality and healthier options at home. Do you see where we’re going with this? Fast food is like today’s hip-hop, and today’s hip-hop is like fast food. Yikes. The thing about fast-food chains is that they are expert influencers, targeting communities with solid purchasing power through meticulously planned advertising strategies. Everything from their menu choices to the locations they select is carefully calculated to create a daily demand for a product meant to be consumed sparingly. But do ya’ll hear us? You can't reap the rewards of manipulated consumption without acknowledging the consequences. And the music industry is the same way, particularly in hip-hop. What once was meaningful packed lyrics, rallying anthems and ciphers about fighting back against racism, injustices, and truth, has turned into water downed mumble raps, repetitive club beats, and rappers with no skin in the game flashing cars they can’t afford to buy, chains they didn’t earn, and creating chaos and noise in a world already overloaded with bogus people famous for nothing but dumb antics. To harm the body is to sever the mind. Just as consumer advocates rally against the fast-food industry and hold it accountable for failing to inform consumers about their choices adequately, there are artists and platforms in the hip-hop world advocating for discerning consumers. And it’s about damn time. We see a transformation in the music industry, marked by a "woke" and conscious trend rooted in a grassroots movement to reintroduce authentic music. Like fast food, quick indulgence in shallow music can leave you empty, but a well-crafted, independent musical experience can keep you returning for more. It would be unfair to blame the entire industry for the state of hip-hop today or every artist, but the ones producing subpar music? We’re looking at you. We get it; you’re just capitalizing on opportunities. But it’s time for ya’ll to face the music ( no pun intended) and reap the repercussions of your actions. While the era of mumble rap and its inherent contradiction persists, we look forward to a shift and changing the guard in music toward a revival of genuine music. We’re ready for a departure from the fast-food-style music constantly shoved into the airwaves by the powers that be and look forward to reclaiming what makes music genuinely great. It’s time to stop eating fast food and start cooking at home.

From the creative minds of Joey “Stix” & Terrance “Mac” comes Move Something, a live music dance party / concert experience held at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia in partnership with Live Nation. Stix and Mac are really on to something special with this one. When coming to a Move Something dance party expect to encounter an elevated elevated club / concert experience, with a lineup personally curated by Stix and Mac featuring the best local DJs, Musicians and Artists alike ready to party. Hosted by Queen Jo who was just super fun the entire night and a great ball of energy. Sheddin was able to sit down with Queen Jo for a quick interview to give her thoughts on the event, you can check out or interview with Queen Jo and a few of the other featured acts that were on the main stage below. From covering a lot of events wether you’re an artist or DJ no one likes playing to a dead crowd full of wall flowers but with the structure of Move Something featuring DJs and not just as an interlude between bands setting up they were able to always keep the energy high and the people engaged and that was just so refreshing to see. Looking into the crowd we saw every shade in the crayon box represented, and its just something really fun about the power of music and how it can bring all types of people together. Here are our quick take aways from Move Something For artists / DJs Move Something great platform to showcase your talent at a notable venue to network and get new fans. Tired of the typical “club scene” but want to get dressed up to have a fun night of partying Move Something is your spot Get on the bandwagon now, it would be dope to see this event tour at all the other Brooklyn Bowl locations Theres always something entertaining going on, wether its talking to a vendor or just grabbing some shoes to go bowl there’s plenty to do for fun at Brooklyn Bowl. Cant wait for the next one! We didn’t get a chance to connect with everyone that took the stage but want to also shout out the co-sponsors of the event Soundroom and REC Philly. Special shout out to all the artists that stopped by our cameras to chat, be sure to follow them on instagram! Check out the videos below of the artists we were able to chat with during the event.

“You have the power to choose what season you are in every day you wake up…and if you want it to, it could be summer all year for you [too].” – Jesse According to Philadelphia’s hottest new duo, Dom and Jesse, summer should last all year. Fueled by their passion for spreading good vibes and creating a perpetual "Summer All Year" ambiance, Dom & Jesse excel as both a pop acoustic and a dynamic DJ duo. They recently played to a sold-out crowd at Milkboy, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of hanging out on a warm summer night with your favorite set of friends. With a well-curated lineup of opening acts, including A.N.T (now Anthony Winters), Brooke Falls, Steven Vizirov, and a crowd of die-hard fans, the night was electric, proving that the City of Brotherly Love knows how to show love, too.  The duo hail from Tellum, Connecticut, and West Palm Beach, Florida, but their love for the gritty Philadelphia music scene brought them to the city in 2019. Introduced by another duo, Dyshon Penn and Range Da Messenge of the Ring Music Collective, a chance meeting turned into a musical partnership. From what we’ve seen of the group, you better get your photo ops and autographs in now because it won’t be long until they truly hit their breakout moment, and they’ll be selling out areas in Philly and around the country.  Dom & Jesse truly captivated the audience at Milkboy, demonstrating a level of engagement that is increasingly rare in today's music scene. From seamlessly changing guitars to delivering the perfect melodies and riffs to energetically traversing the stage and encouraging the crowd to sing along enthusiastically, they curated an exceptional atmosphere filled with high notes. Their performance not only showcased their boundless energy but also highlighted their exceptional guitar skills, as they effortlessly switched between four guitars to suit each song, a feat that underscores their exceptional talent as musicians. While most artists may not even change guitars once during a set, the duo's four guitar switches exemplify their unparalleled dedication to their musical craft and ensure an unforgettable experience for their fans. From the first song to the last note, you could tell that they're dedicated to their craft in a way that makes fans feel special, and it’s that same feeling that had us walking out of the show truly believing that maybe summer does last as long as we create it. If you missed the show, you can experience it by streaming their latest EP release, "Summer 85," now on all streaming platforms. Combining modern and retro sounds, this album offers a nostalgic nod to classic feel-good music. While we can't pick a favorite track, "Love It" and "Soon You'll See" are currently tied for first place in our hearts and on our playlists. Be sure to check out their project and enjoy! Artist Feature: Dom & Jesse | Representation: The Ring Music Group | Genre: 80's Pop Follow Sheddin on Instagram  and TikTok  for more music and music reviews.

It's official. We've hit that time of year when we're all starting to curate our summer playlists, ready to roll down the windows and crank our favorite tunes as we cruise down Kelly Drive. And just in time, LA-based pop artist Bishop just released his second hit record " Fast" and just like that we have an indie pop record to put on repeat and in our hearts. Influenced by artists like Ben Platt, Troy Sivan, and sister band - Muna, Bishop teams up with pop producer, Leve to create a bop that you'll be singing nonstop. This record takes us on a too-familiar journey through a rendezvous that ends abruptly ( as they always seem to) and leaves Bishop ghosted, confused, and pissed. The outcome - A rhythmic ballad filled with beautiful croons and vocal prowess about the ridiculousness of being left in the middle of heartbreak to wrestle with your feelings of loss, almost love, and loneliness. Bishop has a way of making us want to sing. dance. cry, and drunk text all our failed side jawns all at once (we've done it all and we DO NOT recommend it). Whether you're listening to Bishop for the first time or you're an OG fan this song will make you feel seen and give us all the words to our ghosted relationships that we never knew we needed. You can stream "Fast" across all streaming platforms, follow Bishop on Instagram, and if you're lucky enough to be in LA tonight snag a ticket to his show LIVE at Breaking Sounds LA tonight. If you need us we'll be streaming Bishop's new bop and honestly, you probably will be too, ghosters be damned. TL;DR: LA's Bishop just dropped "Fast" – stream it now, follow him on socials, and catch his live show in LA tonight! HERE. Artist: Bishop | Producer: Leve | Mastering: Jonathan Berlin | Label: Mogul House | Genres; Indie Pop, Pop, Alt. Pop Follow Sheddin on Instagram and TikTok for more music and music reviews.

Let's be explicit: having none of the qualities listed below doesn't diminish your musical prowess. However, if you're hungry for growth, consider this checklist. It's not tailored for beginners but for seasoned musicians aiming for the next level. Take a moment to reflect and assess your journey. Where do you stand on this checklist? 1. Passport Imagine this scenario: you've honed your skills playing in various settings, from bands to church services and gigs as a freelance musician. Finally, the call you've been eagerly anticipating arrives – you've been offered a significant opportunity. You're well-versed in the music, and to top it off, it was a friend who recommended you for this gig. Everything seems perfect until the manager drops the bombshell: the first tour date is overseas. Suddenly, your dreams are dashed because the artist doesn't have the luxury of waiting for the three months it takes for you to acquire your passport. It's disheartening to realize that a seemingly simple task can stand between you and your dream opportunity. The good news? Obtaining a passport is one of the most straightforward items on this checklist, and once acquired, it's valid for a decade! 2. Own a vehicle Why is owning a vehicle crucial for serious musicians? It's a question often posed by those who don't own cars, but let us, fellow musicians with wheels, enlighten you. Having to rely on others for rides is far from ideal. If you were offered six gigs this month, chances are you missed out on at least four simply because you lack transportation. Don't let non-musical factors like this hinder your opportunities. Consider this: how comfortable are you relying on someone else to get to a rehearsal or a gig? Needing a ride is one thing; showing up late for your lift is an entirely different issue. Frankly, musicians who require a ride and then delay or take an eternity to join said ride should be paid less for the gig. While this topic can be explored further, we address this character concern later in this article. If you don't think having your own vehicle is a big deal, congratulations – you might be a talented musician or simply fortunate and indifferent. However, once you have your own wheels, you'll realize the incredible world of opportunities that opens up to you. 3. Own full gear If you find this topic perplexing, chances are you don't own complete gear. How can you truly discover your unique sound if you're always relying on someone else's equipment whenever you perform? Just like you can differentiate between the voices of Marvin Gaye and Al Green, your sound should stand out distinctly, surpassing mere technical skill. Elevate your musicianship by investing in your sound. Guitarists should possess a practice amp, pedals if that's their preference, and gear for live performances. Bass players should own a bass cabinet and a bass head. Drummers should invest in a full drum set, and so on. Having your own equipment allows you to explore your musical identity and reach new heights in your musical journey. 4. Paid gigs Understand your value; when others recognize your worth, they compensate you accordingly for your time and skills. It's crucial to be aware of the true value of your abilities and confidently set a price that reflects it. Many musicians might state their rates, like $300 for a Sunday service plus $50 per rehearsal, but the question is, do you actually receive that compensation? Have you ever been paid according to your worth? Furthermore, if you are getting paid for your gigs, what is the ratio in comparison to the value you bring to the table? Recognizing your worth empowers you to command fair compensation for your talent and effort. 5. Audio resume You've secured paid gigs, quality gear, own a car, and even possess a passport - all great achievements. But here's the real test: can you showcase your style without an audition? Do you have instrumental tracks that truly capture your essence, where it's not you contributing to someone else's album? I'm curious to hear your solo work, your take on funk, R&B, rock, and Latin genres. Can you send me a file in 30 minutes featuring these diverse styles? If not, it's time to fire up GarageBand and start recording. 6. Social media presence When researching an artist who has approached you to collaborate, the common approach is to unleash your search engine skills, checking YouTube clips, Instagram, Twitter followers, and the like. But have you ever considered what your own social media presence conveys about you? Imagine someone scrolling through your social media feed, including Facebook—would they instantly recognize you as a dedicated musician? While selfies and sharing culinary adventures are enjoyable, for serious musicians, producers, or artists, social media acts as their resume. It's imperative to maintain a clean and relevant online presence that clearly reflects your passion and dedication to your craft. 7. Own/Play multiple instruments This task is quite straightforward. Consider your most significant musical influence, and I assure you, they not only own multiple instruments but also delve into and appreciate instruments beyond their primary one to refine their unique sound. From my observations, the most exceptional musicians are proficient in playing multiple instruments. I'm not suggesting you reach the level of versatility displayed by Prince, but as a bass player, mastering keys for playing key bass, or as a drummer, acquiring percussion skills, can significantly enhance your musical repertoire. Similarly, a keyboardist who can handle the complexity of the organ (which is more challenging than it appears, especially without transpose functions) would broaden their musical horizons. 8. Musician friends It might astonish you to know that many musicians struggle to assemble their own band for a performance. Picture this: an artist or a contact approaches you for a gig and is willing to pay you to put together a house band. Who do you reach out to? If you don't have a network of reliable musicians at your disposal, it's time to expand your circle. Having exceptional skills is essential, but if most of your musical connections are limited to YouTube video clips, you're severely limiting your opportunities, regardless of how polished your guitar sweeping technique may be. 9. Reading skills Many musicians possess the talent to play by ear, yet true mastery of your instrument requires learning how to read music. This skill becomes invaluable when you're tasked with learning multiple songs. Imagine being an actor who must memorize lines solely by hearing them read aloud, complete with all the pauses and transitions. That would be quite challenging, right? It's far easier to read the lines, practice, and commit them to memory. Now, envision having a safety net: if you forget a line, all you need to do is glance at cue cards to get back on track. The same principle applies to reading music. If you forget the starting key, a break, or a particular riff, you can simply look up and read the "cue cards." Moreover, knowing how to read music opens the door to more opportunities. Want to secure a regular gig where they frequently switch up the repertoire? My friend, you need to learn how to read. 10. Character In conclusion, having a passport, car, quality gear, and the ability to play multiple instruments are valuable assets, but poor character can hinder your progress. Anyone can play a few notes, but what happens after the gig? Are you a pleasant person to be around, or do you become a liability, especially when alcohol is involved? Can you be trusted? Do you have a habit of being late, even for rides that are arranged for you? Rest assured, these traits do not go unnoticed. Many opportunities slip through the cracks because of character concerns. If you find yourself criticizing other musicians on stage, questioning their authenticity, or feeling competitive, it's essential to reflect on your own behavior. Sometimes, it's not about your skills, but how you carry yourself. Experienced touring musicians will attest that your character can propel you much further than sheer technical prowess in the music industry. Unless you're a true prodigy, there will always be someone technically better than you on your instrument. The key is to embrace your uniqueness and authenticity, as those qualities can be replicated and are what truly sell in the industry.

Split sheets are essential documents for musicians, especially in situations where multiple individuals collaborate on creating a musical work. Here are several reasons why musicians need split sheets: 1. Clear Documentation of Contributions: Split sheets provide a clear and written record of who contributed to the creation of a song. This includes songwriters, composers, lyricists, and anyone else involved in the creative process. 2. Ownership and Copyright Information: They specify the percentage of the song owned by each contributor. This is crucial for establishing ownership rights and determining how royalties will be divided in the future. 3. Avoids Disputes and Misunderstandings: Having a written agreement prevents disagreements and misunderstandings among collaborators regarding their respective contributions and entitlements to royalties. 4. Simplifies Royalty Distribution: Split sheets simplify the process of distributing royalties. Performance rights organizations and other royalty collection agencies rely on these agreements to distribute payments accurately. 5. Facilitates Future Dealings: When a song becomes successful, there might be future opportunities for licensing, covers, or collaborations. Having a clear record of ownership makes negotiations with third parties much smoother. . 6. Preserves Creative Relationships: By clearly defining each person's contribution and ownership stake, split sheets can prevent disputes from arising, preserving creative relationships between collaborators. 7. Reference for Credits: Split sheets serve as a reference for album credits, ensuring that all contributors are properly acknowledged for their work. In summary, split sheets are crucial because they provide transparency, prevent conflicts, ensure fair compensation, and help maintain positive and professional relationships among musicians and collaborators. They are a fundamental tool for establishing a clear understanding of the business aspects of music creation.

At sheddin.com, our passion lies in providing a platform for talented creatives to reach a broader audience, and one artist who undeniably stands out is John Evola, known as EVO. In the realm of producers, where the term is often misused, EVO shines as a true gem. His exceptional talent has been validated in a powerful way – there's a legendary clip of Zaytoven hearing one of EVO's beats for the first time and being so impressed that he flew EVO to Atlanta to meet him in person. This kind of recognition solidifies that EVO is on the right path and that the quality of his work is outstanding. In a world where many producers are merely beat-makers, EVO stands tall with a genuine artistic prowess and an acute ear for relevance. It's crucial for both artists and producers not to succumb to trends. It's easy to follow the crowd, but occasionally, we must turn off Waze and GoogleMaps and blaze our own trail, trusting our instincts. Let me be clear – mainstream media attention, Twitter and Instagram followers, or even viral moments don't define true talent. Instead, trust your ears and intuition. While exposure helps, it doesn't guarantee success. There are countless immensely talented artists out there wondering why they haven't hit the big time yet. This is where sheddin.com steps in, discovering hidden gems like EVO before they explode onto the mainstream scene. EVO, with his charismatic aura and undeniable talent, is bound to become a household name in the music industry very soon. He doesn't just look famous; he has the credentials to back it up. EVO has collaborated with various independent and mainstream artists and producers, earning his stripes in the industry. Just like you can distinguish between a home-cooked meal from your grandmother and a hastily assembled dish from a grocery store buffet, you can recognize the notable difference in a high-quality beat. Working with EVO in the studio offers a unique sonic experience. One of his trademarks is his use of live instrumentation, combined with his exceptional drum work that truly packs a punch. EVO's mastery of the MPC is awe-inspiring; watching him manipulate it in the studio is akin to observing a world-class surgeon delicately operating on a patient. If you're an artist seeking an exceptional collaborator, catch EVO hopping around studios in Philly and NYC. If you're on the East Coast and you want to work with this musical genius in person, don't wait – collaborate with him ASAP. You can experience his brilliance by checking out his custom sample packs, available on his Instagram @evoproducer. EVO isn't just a producer; he's a musical virtuoso, and collaborating with him promises an unparalleled creative journey.