Introduction: Hi, I’m Narottama Panitz, also known as LeoNaro, a member of The Freeloadas. We recently released our album "Broken Memes," a project that captures our unique journey and experiences in the music industry. Today, I want to share a pivotal moment in our career and how it has influenced my current project, The Entropy Code.
The Baltimore Audition: Years ago, The Freeloadas and I went to Baltimore to audition for "Making the Band." The line was incredibly long, and after waiting for hours, we decided to leave. In hindsight, I'm grateful we did. The stories of Diddy's harsh treatment of the contestants, including the infamous cheesecake walk, were just the tip of the iceberg. Recent revelations about Diddy's behavior behind the scenes, including disturbing footage from a hotel incident, confirmed that we dodged a bullet.
Diddy's Recent Controversy: Recent footage from a hotel incident involving Diddy has surfaced, highlighting the toxic environment that some of the biggest names in the music industry operate in. This incident is a stark reminder of the negative dynamics we avoided by not participating in "Making the Band." For more details, you can check out the coverage on HipHopDX.
Frustration in the Music Industry: My frustration with the music industry is deeply embedded in the plot of The Entropy Code. Big record labels often cheat to win, with producers stealing soulful samples and not crediting the original artists. The richest and most famous artists sometimes perform material that was essentially stolen. This theme is echoed in The Entropy Code, where a greedy record label simulates life to steal musical ideas.
Ghostwriting Scandals: The scandal of Quentin Miller ghostwriting for Drake, including hits like "God's Plan," and not being properly compensated, further illustrates the industry's dark side. Knowing that artists like Mase could have delivered the verses he wrote for Puff Daddy much better adds to the frustration. My favorite quote about Diddy is that he makes a horrible rapper and singer but an amazing supervillain. You can read more about Quentin Miller's experience on HipHopDX.
Reflections: Would I have liked to become a millionaire in the music industry? Absolutely. But not at the cost of enduring the kind of exploitation that artists like Cassie have faced. Despite Diddy's hits, knowing the true stories behind them taints their value for me.
The Entropy Code: The Entropy Code channels all this frustration and disillusionment. It's a narrative where a record label's greed drives them to exploit and manipulate for success. It's my way of addressing the injustices I've seen and experienced in the industry.
Conclusion: My journey in the music industry, from near-misses with toxic environments to releasing "Broken Memes" with The Freeloadas, has been a rollercoaster. Through The Entropy Code, I’m able to express my frustrations and tell a story that resonates with many who have faced similar struggles. While the path hasn’t been easy, it has shaped my creativity and perspective, fueling my passion for storytelling through music and animation.
For a deeper dive into these topics, check out these articles:
Quentin Miller on Ghostwriting for Drake
Diddy's Recent Controversy
Review of The Freeloadas' Album "Broken Memes" on Jukebox Time
Review of The Freeloadas' Album "Broken Memes" on Music Authentic
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