Free Southwest Block Xchange to be held for the local music industry today

by Edward "Pookie" Hall of Urban South

A lot of local industry people in DFW miss out on major networking events, workshops, summits, conferences and more because they say "It cost too much!" I understand some events rape artists of their funds but I never understood not investing into the ones providing true knowledge, networking and understanding about music industry formulas. Regardless to your budget size if any, you have to follow certain formulas in the game.

Well, today from 6-10 PM there is a FREE, yes FREE meeting held at Club Torch on lower Greenville Ave. (5631 Sears St.) providing local artists, producers, managers, DJ's, labels, promoters and even graphic design artists & photographers the chance to network and connect. This meeting, Southwest Block Xchange, will also provide music industry 101 information that you normally have to pay for anywhere else. Not to mention it is presented by Team Canon & the well known DJ Cannon of the Aphilliates.

I caught up with Aziz's of Slumpville for more information on the SWBX, their mixtape projects that are exposing local artists and more.

(Urban South:) What exactly is the Southwest Block Xchange (SWBX) and why is it important for the DFW music industry to attend?

(Aziz:) It's a networking platform for all those directly & indirectly involved in the music industry. Its where the rappers, writers & singers connect with the producers, managers, labels, graphic artists, DJ's, promoters and vice versa.

So is this like a music conference/ summit for locals in the music industry? What the admission more importantly? Lol. You know locals hate paying for knowledge and understanding formulas.

It's free. No charge. GRATIS!!!! It's not about the money..... It's about the information & opportunities. A lot of us need to be schooled on how to do what we proclaim to do. Like grammar school is free and college cost.

How did you get someone like Don Cannon to participate with this? Before you answer that, give people who do not know some history on Don Cannon and Slumpville.

Don Cannon is the founder of the world famous Aphilliates Dj crew along with DJ Drama & DJ Sense. He is also an accomplished producer and a household name in the Hip Hip world. As far as Slumpville is concerned, that's my brainchild. It's an offshoot of my original creation SLUMP. Slump was DFW's underground platform for unsigned artist that exploited the "Screwed & Chopped" style of music. Don Cannon got down with SWBX by way of Team Cannon, his 1st cousin that lives in the DFW Metroplex and is an active member of the SlumpMasters Crew.

Will you all be discussing different topics at different times? What should people do coming from work with the SWBX starting at 6pm today?

This SWBX is really designed to inform people exactly what the SWBX is all about. It's sort of a teaser or a launch event. The SWBX is nothing without the artist. What they should expect is what they always wanted. You tell us. We are here to facilitate your needs and want to assist you in achieving a level of success that would have been very difficult on your own.

You all are also helping local artists through mixtape series. Tell us more about that.

We are doing monthly compilations with unsigned & independent artists that will be hosted by Team Cannon & Don Cannon. These will be available for free download online. We will also be digitally distributing music to DJ's so they can use them for their mixtapes.

I hope they take advantage of that. How do local artists get their music to you for that opportunity and is there a certain type of style you are looking for besides GOOD music?

Music will be submitted at SWBX meetings. As far as styles of music are concerned, any is acceptable. We just want you to properly rep you product. If it sucks........ What do you think will happen to it?

You have a mixtape called the 'Bromitzva' that in the streets right now. Tell us about that one and explain the title behind it.

It's all about being a grown ass man. Not preaching, but telling the truth about life, money, my love for the ladies, my Baby Momma and all of the stupid things that we do in our daily life. It's dope.

What other projects are you currently working on?

We are working on the Texas Hold'em mix cd as well as Lex Lu's mix cd. The new SlumpMasters album is taking forever because my crew is so damn inconsistent. I don't even want to get into that right now.

We understand that all the way! Any shout outs and/or shameless promotions?

I love the South & everything associated with be Southern. So if that shoe fits you, that's your shout out!!!!!!