Yesterday, I got Robert Greene's book "48 laws of power". It seems to be geared towards War and Violence, but do you think the principles of the book can be utilized in other endeavors, such as Music Production?
Here's some observances I made...
Law 1: Never Outshine the Master
Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite— inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.
When working with artists Polow previously has (Pussycat Dolls), Hit-Boy & Chase tend to "tone it down" and "play it safe". But, when produceing new artists, like Tiffany Evans, they tend to go "all out"...
Law 4: Always Say Less than Necessary
When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open- ended, an sphinxlike . Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.
If you notice, Chase's posts are usually less than 2 sentences, with one of them being "Zone 4/Surf Club".
Law 7: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit
Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a godlike aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers will be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you.
Hit-Boy & Chase often utilize session musicians on their records. It's only been a year, but I don't think anyone remembers who Daniel Groover is, right?
Law 9: Win Through Your Actions, Never through Argument
Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate.
If you notice, whenever Chase gets into an argument, he sits back and laughs, while accumulating more wealth. In the aftermath, when his opponent says more, they typically look jealous, or appear to be "hating". Remember that Fat dude "Broken Friday"? lol...
Law 10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky *
You can die from someone else's misery— emotional states are as infectious as diseases. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.
Chase avoids "stagnant niggas", like the plague!
Law 17: Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people's actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be deliberately unpredictable. Behavior that seems to have no consistency or purpose will keep them off-balance, and they will wear themselves out trying to explain your moves. Taken to an extreme, this strategy can intimidate and terrorize.
A "trademark" of the Surf Club's production is to keep the drums regular for the verse, and throw them double time for the hook. They did the opposite for Tiffany Evans "Lay Back Chill & Be Free"...
Law 25: Re-Create Yourself *
Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define it for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions— your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life.
Chase is a "country boy" from a rural area in Louisiana, but has the swagger of a city boy. He incorporates East Coast slang like "Son" into his vocabulary.
Law 27: Play on People's Need to Believe to Create a CultLike Following
People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power.
Here's one of Chase's recent posts:
Surf Club is going to introduce Blacks who get money to how whites with money live..and whites with money will learn how blacks with money get down.
Its all fun and enjoyment.
We all have common bonds.
Its basically a subliminal to try something new. A lot of niggas be like "man I aint surfing..thats some white ****"
Plus Surfing is some cool ****.
We some cool ass niggas.
Law 32: Play to People's Fantasies
The truth is often avoided because it is ugly and unpleasant. Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes from disenchantment. Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up fantasy are like oases in the desert: Everyone flocks to them. There is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses.
Listen to Chase's song "Money Ain't A Thang"...he be sellin them hoes dreams lol. He knows women have that "Cinderella" Fantasy, and he plays it to his advantage.
Law 34: Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One
The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated: In the long run, appearing vulgar or common will make people disrespect you. For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others. By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown.
Self-Explanatory...
Law 41: Avoid Stepping into a Great Man's Shoes
What happens first always appears better and more original than what comes after. If you succeed a great man or have a famous parent, you will have to accomplish double their achievements to outshine them. Do not get lost in their shadow, or stuck in a past not of your own making: Establish your own name and identity by changing course. Slay the overbearing father, disparage his legacy, and gain power by shining in your own way.
With the "Surf Club" brand, Hit Boy and Chase have carved their own path. Surf Club represents a lifestyle, while Zone 4 is only an area in Atlanta.
The mere fact they are a duo makes it very easy for them to double Polow's achievements.
Law 45: Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once
Everyone understands the need for change in the abstract, but on the day-to-day level people are creatures of habit. Too much innovation is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. If you are new to a position of power, or an outsider trying to build a power base, make a show of respecting the old way of doing things. If change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past.
Chase often uses Swizz Beats' referee whistle in his tracks. Hit-Boy often uses the Bryan Michael Cox pitch bend on his sines.
The key to introducing a new style, is to blend it with elements of the past that people are already comfortable with...
Law 46: Never Appear Too Perfect
Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity.
Chase often mentions his marijuana habit...
Thoughts?
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