Bring That Beat Black
What’s Next For ‘Old Man Cali’ Is Making The Music Process More Productive For Black Artists
By Tiffany Young
All Photos provided courtesy Old Man Cali. MAIN PHOTO: JULIUS STORY (LEFT) AND OLD MAN CALI
Old Man Cali in full gear
Musical contributions by African Americans are endless and have crossed different genres. Created by, inspired by, and fostered by black artists across the world. In Prince George’s County, musicianship can be found in local churches and events, and some artists are ready to take their talents to the next level and get airplay It will always be the creativity that will drive that passion, just like artist Abdul A. Ahmad, known as ‘Old Man Cali,’ who started creating music 12 years ago. He was encouraged to create music with the hopes of catching the attention of Sony Records.
“I produce R&B & Rap music. I write R&B songs to tug at people's feelings. When I'm writing a song I try to convey the emotions of the situation so the listeners have a vivid picture,” he said.
Abdul has created his path in music. Learning to record high-quality music and produce music tracks for wide release has been his focus for a long time. Not just the typical music lover or known as just a Rapper, he is passionate about being a successful artist who can do anything.
“When I write a Rap hook I try to make it as catchy as I can. Rap is about the new and the now. I try to write hooks that have not been touched. If the hook is something that has been written about, I try a different angle or viewpoint,” he said.
His love of writing and creating music has been compared to writing a book he expressed. “Most of the time I am writing a story. It turns into a game, how to make the song interesting,” he said.
Songs are also like a puzzle, how to fit the right words in the right places, Abdul takes his listeners on an emotional rollercoaster. He doesn't do it alone. He has been working with a producer by the name of "Low NewBreed" who shows artists how to create a song from beginning to end. There is a serious business side to the artist. He owns and operates Media Boys Music and the mission of the business still stands, making the music process more productive and less wasteful. He refers to this as the "The Assembly Line.” The typical music entertainment industry of signing artists is not what Media Boys is about. Artists simply will go into an agreement with their individual song. “That frees the artist to work on or with whomever they choose,” Abdul said.
Over the next 3 months, Media Boys Music has plans to release a massive amount of music and get more engaged with the community, find other artists, and make their music accessible on the web. Staying creative and allowing artists to grow is why Abdul created SoundCloud Battle Summer 2023. Two artists unload their music and fans vote on Twitter. Abdul is having a summer SoundCloud Battle against an artist named Richie Panelli. The first one to get one hundred votes on Twitter wins.
As far as the state of black music in Abdul’s opinion, there is always room for improvement. He describes the industry as being on a normal evolution path that is not necessarily heading in a good direction. He wants music to have meaning. As he gives examples of how music in the 1970s helped stop the Vietnam War and was vocal during the Civil Rights Era. “Music can determine the listener’s mood. Frame the mind of the person listening. Music is a powerful thing. The music industry is and has been what frames what most people listen to,” he said.
Abdul would say there is no difference between R&B and Rap, however, music does shift by the age of the person, and a few things contribute to that, like economics and access which has taken a toll on the industry over decades. “One reasons we look at music differently is that songs are not gravitating to people. Once people find the artist they are looking for, that is who they are listening to. Drake fans, Nikki fans, it has to be something that they can't deny to make them want something other than what they already listen to,” he said.
I just want to add there is a trend that some people will not listen to songs, if those songs have a 2015, 2005, or any times in the 90’s sound. Matter of fact, our culture is the quickest to recognize they don’t like something, especially music. It used to be trash was something you threw away. Now a person is trash, a song is trash, a culture is trash. Unlike Country, Rock or Pop music where positive music about love is created, our community has a problem with everything especially music.
Everyday on any social media or T.V. you see young people hurt for no reason, hard times in our own personal life and relationships. A love song might not be the mood these people are in. Unless there is a music video T.V is the enemy of Music. T.V. Is easy, it’s not your imagination it’s someone imagining for you. How important is music? It’s called a battle cry, our ancestors sung themselves free, our elders was singing during affirmative action. That is how important music is.
You have work, kids, relationships and friends. It used to be that music was on while you were handling all situations. Now you have to turn the music off so you don’t disturb the T.V. time. Music is a natural inspiration giver. It’s the only entertainment that can change your mood. There are two things they want you-to be too busy to do. Listen to music and vote.
To hear the latest music by Abdul and to keep up with "Media Boys Music, check them out at:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nDeA4O2Ic9ruFJawQWAA8?si=I2_xmy1KS1SY6BcJh7Jqhw
The SoundCloud Battle link: Check out Old Man Cali on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/fuczT
For underground Hip-Hop & R&B Internet Radio Black Owned:
