Originally the final track for a project I had in mind, "Dreams" was meant to be honest and open with my own short comings as well as seeing the world with an optimistic viewpoint. Powerful word use plays a huge role in this, before a soothing piano takes us away.

Dreams

"Happiness Is", is a wanting to find happiness, but realizing it takes work. Happiness is a force that needs to be tended to every minute.

Happiness Is

This track is a song to vibe to. Its full of tongue twisters, and backed by anirresistible beat.

Spesh

The opening track to a mixtape entitled "Before The Summer Ends." The lyrics are inspired by the many days of feeling lost and helpless, and learning how to grow from those same obstacles. "Been Good" reflects on the "blah, blah, blah" and offers a more positive outlook. The optimistic word choice encourages those who need it the most to #DoSomething. That means YOU!

Instrumental: Don't Be Jelly
Artist: Blu & Exile
Album: Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them (2012)

Mix and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Been Good

What would a mixtape called "Before The Summer Ends" be without a song dedicated to the beach? Pacific Vibrations is imagined from my real life love of the beach. It has always been the number one summer destination for me, and of course for many others. The song is written from the perspective of being stuck in the 110 degree weather of Las Vegas. Pacific Vibrations reminisces on all the wonders of the ocean and sings a song of longing to be near the hot sand, cool air, and never ending sunshine. As said in the second verse, "I've missed your tranquility, but soon we'll reconnect, cause seeing you again is the soul's nourishment."

Instrumental: Pacific Vibrations
Artist: The Sound Providers
Album: An Evening With The Sound Providers (2004)

"Hot Damn" sample came from MC Lyte's "10% Dis" off of her album "Lyte As A Rock" (1988) for all you MC sucka's!

Mixed and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Pacific Vibrations

"Reflections Of..." is the thoughtful, third track of "Before The Summer Ends." This track describes a story of coming across my dream girl with a consistent usage of artful language. "Reflections Of..." not only details her appearance, like her smile being "God's signature," but also dives into the subtlety of who she is with phrases like "your expressions tell a story pulled from lessons long before me." Similarly to one appreciating an art piece in a museum and noting the important details, the way she carried herself had a grasp on my attention.

Instrumental: Heart Throb
Artist: J. Rawls
Album: The Liquid Crystal Project (2006)

Mixed and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Before The Summer Ends

Reflections Of...

As the title suggests, "Bonita Stole My Wallet In El Segundo (An Ode To Tribe)," (intentionally long-winded) pays tribute to one of the most influential groups in Hip Hop. ATCQ played a significant role in how I approach songs, concepts and ideas when piecing together a project. 90% of the bars have a reference to ATCQ albums and songs, some more subtle and hard to catch than others. I tried to sew it pretty tight. The story is centered around 2 of my favorite songs in their catalog, "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" and "Bonita Applebum." Throughout the song I build up a tale of the time I was buying my "Lyrics To Go," and noticed my wallet was missing; from there I start retracing my steps and realize Bonita Applebum and I weren't exactly that "match made in heaven" as so previously thought. "She ain't nothing nice." Rest in power, Phife Dawg.

Instrumental: Electric Relaxation
Artist: A Tribe Called Quest
Album: Midnight Marauders (1993)

References:
Album- People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm (1990)
Songs- Push It Along, Luck Of Lucien, After Hours, Footprints, I Left My Wallet In El Segundo, Bonita Applebum, Can I Kick It?, Ham 'N' Eggs

Album- The Low End Theory (1991)
Songs- Buggin' Out, Rap Promoter, Show Business, Vibes And Stuff, Scenario

Album- Midnight Marauders (1993)
Songs- 8 Million Stories, Midnight, Electric Relaxation, The Chase, Part II, Lyrics To Go

Album- Beats, Rhymes & Life (1996)
Songs- 1nce Again

Album- The Love Movement (1998)
Songs- Find A Way, Hot Sex

Album- The Anthology (1999)
Songs- If The Papes Come

Mixed and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Anyways...............

Bonita Stole My Wallet In El Segundo (An Ode To Tribe)

"Dollar Speak (Interlude)" lives up to it's title; it is a track stacked with "money talk;" the minute long song also serves as an interlude. It is a sharp transition from the fun, story telling song just before it. "Dollar Speak" is an extremely focused song motivated by the want of a more secure financial situation.

Instrumental: Interlude
Artist: Bahamadia
Album: Kollage (1996)

Mixed and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Dollar Speak (Interlude)

In the spirit of working towards a better financial situation, "Everyday" ties in with the interlude right before. "Everyday" is a quick flashback to my days in retail. Working in customer service really led me to writing the realist words I've ever put together in a song: "putting up with the bullshit of a daily routine," cause there was A LOT of it. While writing this song I always kept in mind anyone who's ever dedicated themselves to a job that never reciprocated respect and value of time. "Each and every one of us got up for something today, for various reasons equaling up to our pay."

Instrumental: Everyday People
Artist: Oddisee
Album: Odd Seasons (2011)

Mix and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

Everyday

The idea behind "One Nine And Forever" is simple. I wanted to write something that not only represents a change in the way of how I approach a hardship, but also cements the idea that that that growth requires nurturing. #BeforeTheSummerEnds I wanted to share what took a long time to learn. That includes learning to accept the things I can't control, learning patience, learning to understand, and learning to stop being so hard on myself and comparing myself to others for whatever reason. I worked on it in 2019, but will continue to develop it for.. forever. I also thought a lot about my friends and family and those who have been trusting enough to share with me whatever issues they were facing. Not only do I want to keep that mindset for myself, but I want to help others through it too. From feeling stuck, to having my ego hurt, those constant "revaluation" moments really brought me back to reality. I hope all who listened continue to "conquer on" and "master their self-worth."

Instrumental: 2U4U
Artist: Slum Village
Album: Fantastic, Vol. 2

Mix and mastered by Chris Valdovinos
Cover photo by Eric Vazquez

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