2023, what a year you’ve been. It seriously feels like a blur right now, which may be because of all that was going on. Let’s see, where do I begin? Super Mario hit the big screen (or should I say returned), Lebron broke the scoring record, and Taylor Swift had a major impact too. It was an eventful year filled with many surprises.

For me, there were many things that characterized 2023. Sooo as I do every year around this time, I’d like to revisit my year and talk about what happened. From where I went to where I’m going, there’s a ton to talk about. So here we go, my 2023 year in review!

Highlights

It wasn’t that busy of a music year for me, especially in comparison to other years. Why’s that, you ask? Well, I had lots of obligations pulling me in other directions. I was also in my head a bunch, strategizing my next moves but wondering how to actually pull it all off lol. But yeah, I still had a lot going on.

I dropped my “Fresh Perspective (Acapella Rap)” song and video this year. I wanted to come into the year with a fresh perspective and renewed mindset. I felt like it was a great way to kick the year off. I didn’t follow it up with anything, though, as I had other things going on. That’s life though, right? Lol. But it’s all good!

Trip to Mexico

Earlier in the year, I traveled to Cancun for my cousin’s wedding. It was a big Indian wedding spanning multiple days that also felt like a family reunion. I had a lot of fun throughout the week seeing everyone and celebrating. From the parties to the hotel, we had a blast. Unfortunately, I got super sick towards the end of the trip and had to chill. It was pretty rough. Still though, we had a great time during our trip.

Running the Media Business

The main reason why I haven’t been working on music as much this year was because of the media business. This year, I continued designing new websites and graphics, exhibited at my first trade show for the biz (that was fun), and even presented about elevating your online presence to a room full of small businesses. I also spent time on self development in an effort to better myself and my skills. It was a busy time and a productive one too.

Reflections

As I look back upon 2023, I’m not sure where to even look. It seems like things moved super fast and there was no time to take a breath. But when I reallyyy think about it, I’m able to capture several things that made it the way it was. Here are some final reflections:

The Bat

Honestly, this topic consumed me way more than I can express. Earlier in the year, I had a close encounter with a bat inside my house. Yes, that’s right, a bat. It flew across my face. Anyway, after that we had animal control come out to the house several times to address the issue. I spent mad time researching about bats, what keeps them out, and how to clean after they’re out. They’re gone now, but I’m still recovering lol.

Lots of Business Building

Professionally, most of my time was spent on AJX Media. I made a list sometime ago about priorities and I wrote that I gotta get the business right before branching off and doing other things. So, that’s a lot of what I was up to this past year. I was able to launch a blog, make new connections, and create lots of new designs this year. It was a productive year, yet it definitely took up a great deal of my time. I’ll need to continue learning how to balance everything.

Family Time

And yes, I spent a lot of time with the family. We went to theme parks, festivals, and more. It was great making new memories with them. I know these years are important, so I’m doing what I can to prioritize them and, again, try to balance everything. But overall, this was the light that lit up my year.

What to expect for 2024

1. Lots More Music!

Ok, so I’ve made a calendar, wrote like 12 tracks, and already started recording. That means new music HAS to be on the way, right? RIGHT? Lol, well, that’s my thought too. I’m going to really focus on balancing my time so I can start sharing more music. The key is to continue to stay in a strategic mindset so I’m able to achieve my goals. Let’s do this.

2. Website Refresh

I’ve been talking about this for awhile, but the website is way overdue for a refresh. In fact, it’s something I’ve already started and put a great deal of work in. I really deprioritized this, as other projects were pulling me in a different direction. However, I’d like to update it this year. I have a few new items to add too, so it should be cool.

3. Behind the scenes

While creating new music is definitely one of my plans for this year, another thing I had in mind was sharing some behind-the-scenes footage and pictures. From how I record songs, to the writing process, I want to share what goes on behind the curtains when creating. I think this will be interesting as it will give a good picture of how songs come to life

Closing Thoughts

On the whole, 2023 was an up-and-down year for me. I spent many moments with the family while also trying to grow the media business too. I’m still trying to get onto solid footing, but with time…with time…

Honestly, I felt like this year moved at lightning speed that it was sometimes hard to process my thoughts. I’d typically use my rap notebook as my outlet to express my feelings. This year, I got away from that simply because my time was being pulled in 100 directions. I’d like to get back to that because it’s good for my mental health. And honestly, ‘cause I miss it.

Looking ahead, I don’t know what to expect. I’ve already written a bunch, and I’ve also created a release calendar. At the same time, I know how much time and effort it will take to execute on everything, and I’m trying to figure out a creative way to juggle everything. From the media biz to the music life, it’s a lot to work on. I’m trying to get clarity and improve upon my efficiency and project management, so I can pull everything off. I feel as long as I’m continuing to be productive, it’ll be good.

So yes, as we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, I’m happy for where I’ve been and optimistic for what lies ahead. As always, thank you for your continued support and rocking with me, especially through the years! Here’s to a great 2024. Happy New Year!!!!!

Back at it for 2023! With the new year in full swing, I’m thinking about a fresh perspective and healthy mindset. I wrote this verse at the beginning of the year to capture how I’m feeling and where my mind is at

In years past, I’ve been guilty of maybe thinking the wrong way or not always reacting the way I should. So this year, I’m focused on adjusting my mindset. Here’s to positive vibes for the new year, y’all!

2022, what a year. It seems like it flew by, but maybe that’s because there was so much going on. COVID seemed to dwindle from our daily lives as people slowly returned to normal. It felt weird at times, especially as the pandemic dominated so much for the last couple of years. But I can’t lie, it was refreshing to be able to see people again and return to daily activities like before.

For me personally, there was a lot that made up the year. As I do every year around this time, I want to revisit my year and talk about allllll that happened. From the ups to the downs, to what I’m looking forward to for next year, there’s lots and lots to cover. So let’s get into it! Here we go, y’all…here is my 2022 year in review!

Highlights

Overall, I wasn’t as active musically as I’ve been in years past. Perhaps this is adulting catching up? Lol. I’m not sure. I do know that there were other priorities in life that pulled me in many different directions which didn’t allow me to do music as often as possible. I also got comfortable in different areas, which had me questioning things.

Yes, I dropped the “Spider-Man: No way Home” Movie Rap Review at the beginning of the year, but that was pretty much all I released throughout the year. So tell me, ‘Jaxxx, what were you up to?

Parenthood

Much of this year was all about parenthood. As many parents can attest to, raising kids is a full-time job. I thought I was balancing everything well when there was one child, but now that we’ve got two it’s a little bit more complex lol. From juggling responsibilities to always learning, it definitely keeps me busy. I’m not complaining though, as it’s been an absolute joy watching these kids grow up. I’m extremely blessed.

Business building

One of the main reasons why I wasn’t working on music as much this year was because of my media business. While 2021 was a year for building, this year I really gained traction and connected with new clients. From managing projects, designing graphics, to self development, there was a lot on my plate this year. I’m finding that running a business doesn’t give me the freedom I initially thought it would, which pulls me away from some of the other passions that I have. It’s all good though…s’all about striking that balance, right?

Back to writing

Somewhere in the year, I realized I’d been neglecting writing and felt the need to get back to it. Perhaps it was an insightful conversation I had with Oddeo around my birthday, or just the feeling that I missed it. I’m not sure. But yeah, music has always been my outlet and it really felt like I needed to get some things off my chest. So, I buried myself in my notebook and wrote like krazy. It was really refreshing, and a reminder that I still love this.

Favorites

From music to movies to shows, there were lots of things that I enjoyed this year. Take a look at some of my favorite things from 2022.

Reflections

As I look back upon the year, it seems like a blur. I was so busy that things moved by so fast. But when I really reflect and think back upon the specifics, there were a ton of things that made the year what it was.

More Designs than Rhymes

Professionally, and as mentioned above, most of my time was spent on AJX Media. It was really exciting to watch the business flourish this year, as I built relationships and made real connections. While that’s great, it did pull me away from rhyming. I was constantly working on projects within the biz that took up a lot of my time. Since the business is still fairly new, I’m still learning how to balance everything.

Bought new equipment/software for the studio

It wasn’t all about the media biz though. Somewhere in the second half of 2022, I pivoted to music and installed new music software and bought new equipment for the studio too. I was reallyyy pushing to have a busy December, but I quickly realized that I was compromising quality for an arbitrary date. So, I took a step back, refocused, and concentrated on what I can put out for the new year.

Got sick

And yeah, I can’t forget about my health. I tested positive for you-know-what this past year, which really sidelined me. It ended up having a major impact on me, which I didn’t expect. I was out of commission for like ten days. Between losing energy and my appetite, it took a toll on me and affected birthday plans too. Perhaps this was a reminder not to get ahead of myself and to prioritize health.

What to Expect for 2023

2022 was quite the year for many reasons. And I’ll admit, one of the biggest takeaways was that I wasn’t as active musically as I’ve been in recent years. So for this upcoming year, I’m expecting big changes. Here’s some of the main things I expect to see for the upcoming year.

1. Lots more music!

Ok, so look. I know I keep talking about all this music I’m working on and then I don’t drop it. But this time around, I’ve been writing like krazyyy and it only makes sense to release this music. Somehow, somewhere, I became more of a strategic/in-my-head person instead of an execution-first guy. Ironically, it used to be the other way around lol. Not sure how that happened, but I realize I need to change it up. So as we look towards January, expect to hear much, much, much more Ajaxxx music!

2. Dabble in production

I began dabbling in music production this year, as I realized how important output was and many of my longtime producers aren’t as active as before. While I’ll continue to drop acapellas, freestyles, remixes, and more, I really want to get back to original music as well. So, as I look towards the future, I expect to continue working on music production.

3. More short-form videos

I know that it’s not enough to just release music and peace out. As a social media manager (among other things), it’s just as important to create context and share music in creative ways. So, I’ll be sharing my music, artwork, and short-form videos to help spread the music in new and different ways.

4. Website refresh

Another thing that’s been on my mind a great deal is a website refresh for Ajaxxx.com. This is something I started on last year, but never got around to finishing it. I’m not gonna lie, I kinda neglected the site this whole past year as I wasn’t even posting Opinions Columns. That’s insanity, as I’ve been very consistent with it for like the past fifteen years. So yeah, I’m planning on relaunching the site this year too.

5. An album

And yes, the album. Ah man, what can I say? “Something to Prove” the album has eluded me for years, as I continue to sit on so many dope songs. I’ve continued to restructure the album to include newer songs, mixed with older songs, while filtering out stuff that didn’t make sense anymore. I’ve created plans, taken on meetings, and lots more but still no album. Well anyway, with the momentum I’ve been building this year I feel like it’s more realistic than ever. So yeah, album coming soon!

Closing Thoughts

Overall, 2022 was a good year. I entered a new decade, shared great moments with fam, and grew my business too. It’s becoming a little trickier to juggle everything, but I’m doing what I can to manage it all.

As I get older, I am finding that time comes at a premium more and more. There are new responsibilities now, especially compared to when I was in my 20s. But that’s a part of life that I’m down to accept. It’s my job to figure it out, plan strategically, and learn how to balance it all. Of course, I’m always thinking about how to work more efficiently too so I’m able to get more done.

Looking towards the new year, I’m expecting it to be one of my busiest years for music in a while. I’ve already written a ton, with so many more ideas running in my head. I know it won’t all be easy, as I still need to figure out the beat situation (for original music), but it’ll be exciting to figure it out. I hope that more music leads to more connections and greater opportunities. I’m here for it.

So as we say bye to 2022 and embrace 2023, I’m grateful for where I’ve been and excited for where I’m going. Thank you for continuing to rock with me and supporting me throughout the years. Here’s wishing you a great 2023. Happy New Year!

After months of hype, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” finally arrived so did it live up to the hype?

Well, I’d say the movie delivered in a lottt of ways. From the action to the emotion, it was filled with so many great moments. It was exciting, it was ambitious, and it was powerful. Being in a theater with an energetic audience made the experience even better. It was def a great Peter Parker story.

Take a listen to my latest movie rap review to hear more about what I thought. So, what did you think of the movie?

2021…what a year you’ve been. While 2020 was the rollercoaster year where COVID changed our lives, 2021 felt like the year where we began adjusting to a new reality. People were divided, emotions ran high, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty as we go into the new year. If anything, this year felt like a transition year as we try to find our footing. Oh yeah, did I mention that vaccines rolled out this year too?

This year was shaped by many things. From the loss of DMX and Biz Markie, to the rise of Squid Game and Meta, 2021 had its share of big moments. We had a war end, inflation rise, and natural disasters rock the U.S. It was also the year where things began to “open up” again, only for us to go into another uncertain time. I feel exhausted just thinking about it.

There was a lot that made 2021 the year that it was. For me, there were also many things that characterized the year. As I do every year around this time, I want to revisit my year and talk about all that happened. From highlights, to fav things, to 2022 expectations, there’s a lot to cover. So sit back, relax, and let’s get into it. Here is my 2021 year in review!

Highlights

New baby – Hands down, the most significant thing that happened this year was the birth of my daughter. It seems like it was so long ago with how busy the year has been, but it wasn’t lol. It’s been an amazing time though, as I watch this little human grow up right before my eyes. Becoming a father AGAIN is an interesting experience, as I’m applying what I’ve learned yet still learning as I go. I’m sure other parents can relate haha. All in all though, I’m extremely blessed for this new addition.

Business building – I didn’t spend as much time on music this year, for good reason. I spent mad time working on building up my media business that I started in 2020. From creating content for social media, connecting with clients, to constant learning, it seems like I was always up to something. It was a very productive year though. I launched a new website, became active on social media, and printed business cards too. Growing the business will continue to be a big priority for me in the new year as well.

More re-releases – As a continuation of 2020, I continued to re-release singles that appeared on previous projects as part of my “Project Re-release” Series. This year, I released “Daydreamin'” feat. Oddeo (and produced by TypeNyce), one of my personal fav songs. It actually appeared on my first mixtape, “It’s About Time! The Mixtape.” Later in the year came “Field of Dreams” also feat. Oddeo (and also produced by TypeNyce) which was featured on my “Something to Prove Promo” mixtape. Additionally, I dropped “Do it 2 Me” feat. Jabi (produced by Digital Desi). Links to all three songs are below:

Set up recording space – Last but certainly not least, I FINALLY set up a new recording space. I now have a dedicated space where I can record music, from freestyles to remixes to original songs. It took me awhile to set up, since I had to do the majority of it on my own. I also hit a few roadblocks along the way which slowed me down (or even made me pause). It took some time to learn how to set things up too, but I wanted to make sure I was doing it right. I’m still learning, so it’ll continue to be a work-in-progress, but for now I can say that it’s set up. Hopefully I can release some vlog footage of the set-up process soon.

Favorites

I wasn’t creating the whole year, I was also consuming. Here are some of my favorite music and movies that came out this year.

The Wrap-Up

As we take a look back on 2021, we can say it was defined by lots of different things. For me personally, it continued to be a year of growth. It was also a challenge as I tried to find balance with everything I was doing.

I’d say the majority of my time was dedicated to my media business AJX Media. From everything that I was up to, it seemed like there wasn’t enough time in the day to do everything I wanted (I’ve heard that before, Ajaxxx). I think I talked about that last year in my 2020 year in review. Perhaps I’m thinking too ambitious? Or maybe I need help? Or I dunno, maybe I can do a better job of managing time? I’d say it’s likely the latter. It’s tough though, when there’s so many distractions and things pulling me in different directions. Despite the setbacks, I’m proud of what I accomplished this year…yet still unsatisfied because I know I could have done more. I do know that the more I create, the better and smarter I’ll get at it. So yeah, here’s to a successful 2022.

With the business taking up the majority of my time, I didn’t nearly spend as much time on music as I would’ve liked. Despite that, this was a really solid year on the music front. I grew my YouTube channel, I collaborated with other artists, and I even released several songs too. As I continue to get better with the media business, I hope to free up time to make more music. Also, I’m hoping to collaborate with more people this upcoming year which will help to take some of the load from me. With that said, it was still difficult because I had the urge to make music but couldn’t because of priorities.

Another thing that was impacted was the website. I mean, I dunno if you noticed, but I didn’t post one Opinions Column this entire year. And that’s after going like ten years without missing a month. I thought I’d relaunch the site which is why I didn’t update it, but I was pulled in other directions. It’s been tough to juggle it all…which seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life.

What to Expect for 2022

1. An album – With the recording booth now set up, I feel good about releasing an album. I still have to clean up a few things, refine some songs, and also review what I have. It’s important that the album tells a cohesive story, while still sounding fresh. I’ve been working on “Something to Prove” for awhile now, but I feel like it’s in a good place with all the planning I’ve been doing. I also have a good idea of what songs I need, which is really important. All in all, I’m hoping 2022 is the year that we finally get the album!

2. A new website – It’s now been ten years since this version of the website dropped. It’s time for a major overhaul from top to bottom. I began work on the new website this past year, and I plan to continue that work in 2022. Especially with the new business now (and new skills I’ve acquired), I feel good about getting the site done and launching it. It’s tough though, because I’m my own client lol. But yeah, I’ve got a lot of cool things planned for the site, now that I got a general layout put together. So yes, coming soon…the new Ajaxxx.com!

3. More videos – Since I’m able to record in a dedicated space now, I can record more. So, my goal for the upcoming year is to put out more videos, from freestyles to acapellas to vlogs. Of course, I’ll need to balance it out with everything else I’m doing, which will require a great deal of planning. I’ve already put together a calendar with planned music to release, along with what type of music I wanna share. So, I’m in a good place so far. It’ll be an exciting (and busy) adventure but I’m ready for it. Here’s to fun times ahead.

4. More designs – With the media business up and running, I’d like to create some new designs that I can use for music. From single artwork to t-shirt designs to a refreshed logo, I have a lot of things I’m working on and will continue to work on through 2022. This will likely tie into some of the website activities, so it will go hand in hand. But yeah, there should be lots more to come for 2022.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, 2021 has been a super busy year. From becoming a parent again to running a business, I’ve definitely had a lot going on. I’m hopeful that things kinda settle down next year, as I continue to nail processes down and establish workflows to use. I’ve been using my calendar a lot more, scheduling things and planning a ton. I’ve really focused on planning this year, especially with unexpected surprises that always seem to happen. By having a plan, I’ve been able to do a better job of navigating through it all to be productive.

With the way the internet is nowadays, I also feel like there are more opportunities than ever before and more places to make an impact. It’s an exciting time to be a creator, but it can also become overwhelming if not managed right. I’m looking forward to what the upcoming year brings, while also mindful of where to spend my time and what to focus on. It’s going to be important to block out distractions and time manage, while leaning into my strengths. Here’s to a successful upcoming year!

And that’ll do it for me, y’all. Thank you for reading up to this point and for rocking with me throughout the year (or years). Here’s to a great 2022. Happy New Year!!!!!

While I wasn’t initially going to do a movie rap review for “Black Widow”, I watched it again and thought there were a lot of great things about the movie. From the action sequences to the family moments, this movie delivered in many ways. It was definitely a fun time at the movies. Now, was it ALL good? Not quite Take a listen to my latest movie rap review to hear more about what I thought. So, what did you think of the movie?

As project re-release continues, here is “Do It 2 Me” featuring Jabi and produced by Digital Desi Productions. 

So a little history on this song. Some time back, producer Sureet of Digital Desi sent me a beat. I reallyyy loved the energy and uptempo-ness of it, but knew I needed the right hook too. I hit up my good friend and singer Jabi of Miami to jump on the song with me, since we both wanted to collabo on something. He laced it with a catchy hook, I did a backflip, and the rest is history. It’s hip hop with an Indian twist.

“Do it 2 Me’” is now available on all major streaming platforms. Click HERE or on the picture above to listen.