A little Hip Hop help for the Up Street Gangsta

As a child of a military family Herbert traveled across Canada changing schools seven times by age nine.

“My music gave me a purpose when I didn’t feel like I had much respect from my peers,” explained Herbert.

Now with the help from the Community Business Development Corporation Herbert has acquired a loan to advance his music production and enable him to put his foot in the door of the music industry.

His most recent CD entitled Up Street Gangsta is inspired from his solitude in late night Lockeport and his time growing up.

With the money from loans and one grant Herbert was able to purchase the equipment necessary to properly record and market his relaxed Hip Hop style music.

He recently began promoting his music on Myspace and has submitted his work to Hardpress publicity for review, a publicity company who once worked for Johnny Cash.

Up to now Herbert has recorded 15 albums from home using a home recording studio.

“My biggest challenge is getting it hot every time,” explains Herbert, “making something new every time.”

Although Herbert admits he is not yet making money on his music it is not from a lack of effort.

“It’s pretty much all I’ve dedicated myself to do,” he says.

His music is electronically mixed using a combination of computers, a motif keyboard, Cool Edit, Fruity Loops, a mixer and microphone all applied in digital layers to produce his original sound.

“I create the beat in my songs all by ear,” explains Herbert.

Herbert is one of many young entrepreneurs in the county to receive low-interest personal loans from the Community Business Development Corporation.

“It helps in a big way in terms of exposure and getting my music out there,” Herbert says.