You know what I like about working for myself? No dress code.

You wear what you want every day of the week and nobody much cares. Frankly, it's gotten to the point where if I've got long pants on between Memorial Day and Labor Day, my kids want to know who I'm meeting with. (If I'm wearing a tie, they want to know who died.)

And so yesterday evening, when I arrived home wearing pants that weren't jeans and shoes that weren't sneakers, my family knew that something was up.

"Where'd you go today?," my ten-year-old son Brayden asked over dinner. I told him that I drove to see someone in Pickerington (pronounced "Pink-er-ington" for those of you not-raised in normal-speaking parts of the world), a city about 20 miles away.

"How long did it take you to drive there?," he asked.

"About an hour each way," I said. "Rounding-up the time and not explaining that there was heavy traffic while I was on the road.

I could see that the wheels were now turning inside Brayden's fourth-grade brain.

"Wait a second," he said. "Why did it take you one hour to drive just 20 miles, when we drove to New York City in 8 hours… and that's a thousand miles away?"

Now I was confused. Even ignoring the implication that my Ford Explorer could ever reach 250 miles per hour – something I doubt it could do if you dropped it out of an airplane – we live in Columbus, Ohio; New York City is only about 600 miles away.

So I asked him, "What makes you think New York is a thousand miles from here?"

"Easy. In that song Hey There Delilah, the guys sings: 'What's it like in New York City? I'm a thousand miles away, but girl tonight you look so pretty.'"

His reasoning was based on a bad assumption, of course, but I had to admit, in a kind of topsy-turvy, me-centric way, it almost made sense. (The thought crossed my mind that he may play an important media relations role in some future White House administration.)

For an eight-year-old, it's pretty normal to assume that the world revolves around you and everybody else shares your same perspective. Unfortunately, for musicians of any age, the same (flawed) assumption is often at work.

Here's what I mean. Many musicians – whether they say it out loud or even consciously realize it – work from the belief that the way they're organized, the people they've got on board, and the products and services they sell, are of keen interest to their fan-base.

It's a bad assumption. Here are some examples of how it often plays out:

• Your musical content formula matches the structure of your band. Time, Inc. publishes Sports Illustrated for Kids, Woman's Weekly and Land Rover World. And yet I think you'd agree that if they ever tried to combine the three into one magazine, they'd be very successful in appealing to nobody.

By the same token, and while it's fine to have a company that sells auto insurance to consumers, health insurance to small businesses, and financial aid advice to college students, if you try to cover all those topics for all those audiences in the same publication – simply because it's what you do – you'll be wasting your time.

Pick a narrow content focus and stick to it time after time. How narrow? As narrow as you think possible, and then a few steps more narrow than that.

• Your music is influenced by several different sources that you're probably not even aware of. Some musicians even rotate contributors with the idea of "getting input from everybody possible and letting our fans get to know us." That's a nice way to get buy-in and participation from within your organization, but again, it's a capital-L-Loser from the point of view of your fan-base, who don't much care about any of that.

Settle on a clear, consistent, recognizable sound and stick to it time after time. Be willing to ignore certain groups of potential fans in the name of building a loyal following among others.

• Your music's topics and content all point back to you. As a marketing person myself, I appreciate the urge to keep citing your experience, pointing out your capabilities and gushing over your own wonderfulness when writing your music. After all, you may be thinking, isn't the promotion of our music  the point of all of this in the first place?

Yes it is. The problem, however, is that the minute your fans see you wander from the bright and cheery land of useful, unbiased information into the cold and calculating campaign bus of self-promoting half-truths, you'll lose them (sorry about the metaphors; I think I'm watching too much political coverage).

Remember, you're building relationships, not closing today's sale – and relationship building is a strategy which in the long run is easier, more profitable and more long-lasting than trying to work the room at every turn.

Here's the bottom line. If you want people to anticipate, open, read and pass along your music (and I'm guessing that you do), you need to put yourself in the shoes of your readers. Try to offer music that will help them live their lives better or will influence them in a way that you may never know, and your next fan will never be more than a few miles away.

P-Duble has been selected as one of the new featured artists on Audio Street.net; one of the premier internet music websites.

     You can see P-Duble as a featured artist by going to the following link:

http://www.audiostreet.net/

     This selection is riding on the back of the immediate success and popularity of his new single, "Respect," released on May 1, which debuted as high as #9 on the Christian Rap Charts and currently sits at #2.  You can see the top 200 Christian Rap Charts by going to the following link:

http://www.audiostreet.net/charts.aspx?genreid=163

     "Kromed Up," also one of the singles from P-Duble's upcoming full-length release is sitting at #11 (debuting at #6) and "No Trouble," one of the singles from P-Duble's EP release, "My Album About Me," which came out over a year ago, is still on the charts; currently at #18 (debuted at #30).

     Besides reaching #2 on the Christian Rap Chart, the singles potential to cross-over into the mainstream market is becoming prevalent, as it also is currently sitting at #14 on the Overall Rap Charts.  This chart can be found by going to the following link:

http://www.audiostreet.net/charts.aspx?genreid=148

     With the success of these three tracks, P-Duble has risen up the overall music charts and is currently siting at #44 overall.  That chart can be found at the following link:

http://www.audiostreet.net/topartists.aspx?page=2

--
Pike Street Music - Colossians 3:17
http://pduble.bravehost.com
http://www.myspace.com/pikestreetmusicpduble

P-Duble's newest release "If I Die..." - 6/1/08!!!!!!

A brand new P-DUBLE track, entitled "Respect" , is available for streaming on his MySpace page . The song comes off P-DUBLE's new solo album, "IF I DIE..." , which is scheduled for release on June 1 via Pike Street Music .

     Commented P-Duble : "[ 'Respect' is] a street anthem and signals what kind of record 'If I Die...' is all about.

     He added, "I'm ever so proud of this record. I wanted to make a record that I can live with for the next 20 years, a record that is timeless."

     If you're going to buy one P-Duble record or if you've never heard of P-Duble before, this is the one to jump on board with.

     Produced by P-Duble for Kaulipepper Klik Productions and Co-Produced by Quite Stankable Productions in conjunction with Stay Beat Music in Columbus, Ohio, after countless hours spent writing in his home, "If I Die..." is a magnificent statement from P-Duble . "It is a roots album, it is a true account of my life but also fearless and multi-dimensional," said P-Duble .

     P-Duble has reinvented something, being able to offer a new album which is truly emotional and picturing his own observations of today's world.

     "The beauty of makin' music, for me", explained P-Duble , "is to have a vast blank canvas. To completely open myself up to the Lord and the Holy-Spirit, that these days, guide me day and night. I am no longer in fear of the dark, or what lurks behind door number 13. The songs on my new album were written in, and around my Columbus, Ohio home, sometimes late at night... sometimes, while falling asleep, sometimes fully awake, as I'm driving around town... these new songs are a true vindication. And realization, of the gift of Eternal Life."

     The result is a brilliant balance of the diverse influences that have always been present in P-dub's life, but with an incredible and very addictive mood that helps creating a feeling of joy and true enjoyment all over the album. "I believe that the hard work has been worth waitin' for, this is for all of those whom need it, and beyond: a deep spiritual statement," concludes P-dub .

     This project if full of cameos, but not so many that they take away from the message P-Duble is trying to convey. Bridget Winterman, T-Huzzie, Ty Wills, Heavyweight, BW + LX, Mims and Luppy all throw their collective talents into the mix.

"If I Die..." track listing:

01. Gangsta' Praya' (If I die...) featuring Bridget Winterman
02. Salvation featuring T-Huzzie
03. Kromed Up
04. Respect featuring Ty Wills...beat by Heavyweight
05. Beatin Down tha' Block
06. Bootshakles 4 da' Shorteez; Part 1 w/T-Huzzie
07. If I Die... (...cry no pity)
08. I Hope... w/Ty Wills
09. Untouchable
10. Testimony w/T-Huzzie
11. Mafia Style
12. Bootshakles 4 da' Shorteez; Part 2 w/T-Huzzie
13. Who's U'r Pappy featuring BW + LX
14. This Is Why... featuring Mims
15. Knightmare
16. Snap 2 This featuring Luppy
17. Suicide Letter
18. Bootshakles 4 da' Shorteez; Part 3 w/T-Huzzie
19. Spiritual Intelligence
20. ...Cry No Pity (Bury my soul...) w/Bridget Winterman

P-Duble's new single "Respect," debuts at #9 on the Audio Street Christian Rap charts.

    The link to the charts is as follows:

http://www.audiostreet.net/charts.aspx?genreid=163

     The link to P-Duble's AudioStreet page is:

http://www.audiostreet.net/charts.aspx?genreid=163

--
Pike Street Music - Colossians 3:17
http://pduble.bravehost.com
http://www.myspace.com/pikestreetmusicpduble

P-Duble's newest release "If I Die..." - 6/1/08!!!!!!

Greetings,

     There are some changes about to hit the music world soon and we want you to be the first to know.  On June 1st, one of the more unique and edgier albums to hit the streets will drop.

     So what does this mean for you?

     Well, most importantly, you'll be able to download the entire project for free for a limited-time.  You'll be able to access ringtones, photos and wall-paper; all for free and only for a limited time window..  Just keep your eyes open and watching not only your e-mail, but also checking the website:

http://pduble.bravehost.com

     ...for more information.

     This is all in celebration of an album project more than a year in the making and what may be the final release from a veteran MC who has been spreading the gospel for more than 15 years.  P-Duble's newest full-length release, titled: "If I Die..." is all set and ready to drop..  This Christian rap project is hard and rolls with a significant edge with a strong foundation in the scripture.  Easy, right?   Wrong!  With many hours of writing, rewriting, recording, rerecording, etc....the project is strapped for those caught deep in the street game and may just be one of the edgier and harder Christian rap projects to have been released since the early 1990's releases from S. S. Mob, the CMC's and the Gospel Gangsters.

     This project includes 20 tracks and features cameos from the likes of Bridget Winterman, T-Huzzie, Ty Wills, Heavyweight, BW + LX, Mims and Luppy.  Produced by the Kaulipepper Klik and co-produced by Quite Stankable Productions in conjunction with Stay Beat Music, the tracks are not only bangin', but the hooks are catchy and the delivery is on-point and constructed.  This new release is not for the faint of heart, as it delves deep into subject matter than many turn their heads away from and may not even know exists, especially existing for the those whom have been saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ.

     We're really excited about the changes that we feel the Lord is planning to bring with this new project and we hope you are too.  Remember, the Lord works in mysterious ways and even those trapped in the deepest of the concrete jungles need to hear the gospel and in a way they can relate to.

In Him,

Keith Scarlett

P-Duble and the entire Pike Street Music ministry team

Only 45 days remaining until IF I DIE ...hits the streets!

     That's Right . ..just a month and a half, until the long-anticipated new project from P-Duble is available!

     Until then, the first single form the project, "Kromed Up," has been uploaded on many websites, including P-Duble's Official Website:

http://pduble.bravehost.com

...and P-Duble's MySpace page:

http://www.myspace.com/pikestreetmusicpduble

     This new project, a year in the making, features more than 20 tracks and is produced by the Kaulipepper Klik and Co-Produced by Quite Stankable Productions (the same crew that produced P-Duble's last release, "My Album About Me." ) .

     "If I Die..." features guest appearances from Ty Wills, T-Huzzie, Luppy, BW + LX, Bridget Wintermann and Heavyweight .

P-Duble

As one of the hottest up-n-coming artists in the industry…and more than 10 years older than most of his comrades, P-Duble has experience and maturity to bring to the table.

     P-Duble is thirty-four and was almost 10 years removed from his last release, "Birth Uv A G," in 1999.  The record, and P-dub's voice—classics in the now popular, but still young, Christian Hip-Hop World—set the stage for his hiatus and allowed him to learn some important life-lessons until the time was right for him to step back behind the microphone.

     Thanks to the persistence of such cultural icons as Sup C, Mr. Solo and T-Bone and reinforced by a mainstream culture that loves to occasionally dust off classic adages, P-dub has never really left the game, or missed a meal.  He couldn't be happier that the Lord has continued to fuel his calling into the hip-hop ministry.

     "I appreciate that the Lord has allowed me to still stay in this game and I thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed upon me," P-dub says. "Not talking financially, just talking about my family, life and being relevant in His scheme."  P-dub hasn't relied on samples alone to stay and get back into the game.  He came-back on the scene with a vengeance with his 2006 release, "No One."  This self-produced project tossed itself into more than 10,000 heads and set the stage for what has been a spiritual re-awakening on a major hip-hop scale.

     As for the rest of his history, P-dub first formed a group with some of his boys called "Dead On Arrival," back in 1990.  P-Duble dropped himself from the group and saw the remaining duo sign with Philadelphia-based Bodybag Records and release an album…and then…saw it collapse on the shelves.  P-Duble (known as Lil' Pookie at the time) then proceeded to drop his own underground projects, such as "Blak + Wyte" in 1992, "Bottom of my Boot" in 1994, "Pooc OG: tha' gangsta' chronicles" in 1995 and then "Birth Uv A G" in 1999.

     In between these individual releases, he combined with Michigan-based Luppy to form the "Outsiders."  They worked together and collaborated on one-project that was released in 1996 and opened-up the door for Luppy to jump onto the scene with his own group, "LPOutsiders."

     Lup and P-dub saw a future together, but the business and differing aspirations ultimately took a toll on their relationship.  "That relationship got really messed-up for awhile," P-dub says.  "I was so immature that I wouldn't allow myself to see eye-to-eye with him, which was a mistake, because he was right and he was so talented and was really the heart and soul of what we were doing. The music business is notorious for breaking up relationships because of everything that it entails. Ego, money.  Those are usually things that are pieces of the problem, but it never should've been, especially with where we were both coming-up from and the fact that we were both Christian artists."

     P-Duble laughs matter-of-factly at the situation, and then turns his attention to today.  He's preparing to enter the game with a thump through his reincarnated Pike Street music, the same company that released the final three of his previous releases back in the day.

     "One of the singles off this one is called 'This Is Why…' and features Mims and is based on the concept of the old records and MC's."  The album is titled "If I Die…," but P-dub believes that hip-hop is ready for someone to push the music forward creatively.  "These topics they talkin' about. We already covered that in the 80's and 90's.  You know, 'I Get Money?'  Why hasn't the artist progressed conceptually?  They're not diggin' deep enough.  I wanted to dig deep and come up with neat concepts and things that haven't been done before."

     The high-pitched excitement that characterized his delivery as an MC also shows up in his speaking voice.  In discussing his whereabouts, he's honest to a possible fault.  He admits that he was and still is hesitant to pick up the mic as a mature adult because many may not want to hear a grown man rap.

     However that hasn't been the case at all.  The public's reaction has surprised even P-dub himself.