Super Duty Tough Work Podcast

Over the last year, we've discussed Blueprint's decision to get a regular job due to the fallout from covid shutting down the music industry, but things took a big turn this week when he announced that he had purchased his own semi-truck. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic discuss everything that went into his decision to purchase his own truck and become an owner-operator. And how that decision will ultimately give him more freedom to put more into his art again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent survey found that 75% of artists lose money on their music releases. And while those numbers are pretty discouraging, you don't have to be among the majority that lose money this way. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down eight strategies that will help you stop losing money on your releases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With this season's NBA playoffs being more wild and unpredictable than ever, there has been a lot of action but more importantly, a lot of lessons. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic, break down five big lessons that artists could learn from the NBA playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The long-awaited results show for Blueprint and Illogic's latest fitness challenge. Did they reach their goals? Tune in and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the last six months we've been bombarded with stories about the positive impact AI can have on our lives, with very little conversations about the downsides of it. Things have changed a bit over the last few weeks as stories started to surface about the music and film industry's fight against the rapid adoption of AI. This week, Blueprint and Illogic break down three stories about different segments of the entertainment industry whose fight against AI appears to be a clear sign of trouble ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On your journey to be the best version of yourself, there comes a time when it seems like the more money you make, the less healthy you are. This is what we like to call The Money Health Paradox. In this week's episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down the four different levels of the Money Health Paradox and give advice on how to avoid it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As artists who have been releasing music for over 20 years, Blueprint and Illogic are used to going against the grain. In this episode, they take going against the grain further than ever by listing their most unpopular opinions about production.  If you've ever made beats, there is a lot to laugh at and get pissed off about in this episode.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recently published study has determined that it's incredibly difficult for people to learn about new music as they get older, a grim diagnosis for music lovers. In this episode, we break down the results of the study and what you can do to ensure you remain as passionate about music in your later years as you were when you were younger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An article recently surfaced that spoke about the impact that the emerging Artificial Intelligence tools are having on sampling, revealing how Google's AI engine has been used to correctly identify sample sources. And while this may not have an immediate impact on sampling producers, there may be a time when getting away with uncleared sampling becomes much more difficult. In this episode, we break down the article and give suggestions on how to approach sampling moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the recent passing of Dave (aka Trugoy) and the streaming release of De La Soul's catalog to streaming services, the group's name has been abuzz for the several weeks. Since music fans are finally able to listen to their catalog again, we thought it would be a great time to discuss what makes De La Soul so great. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic breakdown the traits that made De La Soul a generational talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As more and more artists contemplate becoming full-time artists, they realize that it may difficult to pursue their craft fully and have a real professional career. However, there are many jobs that lend themselves to artists who are trying to make decent money but not have their jobs run their lives. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic discuss ten jobs they think are ideal for people who are trying to pursue their artistic dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the first health is wealth challenge in 2021, Blueprint and Illogic both got into great shape. Unfortunately, both of them fell off in 2022 and gained most of that weight back. In this episode, they explain why they are fed up with being out of shape and start a brand new 90-Day Health is Wealth Challenge for themselves and invite their listeners to participate as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most rewarding feelings an artist can having is the moment when you finish making an album. Unfortunately, there are a lot more unfinished albums than finished. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down ten reasons artists have a hard time finishing their albums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although we push our listeners to be as ambitious as possible, we understand that there are downsides to always going above and beyond. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down eight real reasons why some people choose to not be ambitious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Blueprint sits down with his former Greenhouse Effect partner in rhyme, Ron "Buster" Cunningham, aka Mr. Inkwel about his new book "Unwrapped Gifts" and what it took to write and publish it.   If you've ever considered writing a book, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first live call in show in celebration of our 300th episode. Live Q&A, Hood Tales, and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In last week's episode with special guest Cryptic One, he stated that he didn't believe in inspiration anymore and instead practiced discipline. And although agree with him, we know there are many artists who still cling to inspiration to power their creative output. In this episode, we break down the issues with inspiration and why being disciplined is the better approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As one of the founding members of the legendary NYC underground hip-hop crew The Atoms Family, MC/Producer Cryptic One has been a part of a lot of classic material. From his guest appearance on Cannibal Ox’s “Cold Vein” to engineering Aesop Rock’s “Labor Days” he was primed to take a big leap as a solo artist. But a series of bad breaks shut down his label and caused him to disappear for six years. Cryptic One has returned, but with a different focus on production, reinventing himself in a completely different lane. In this episode, Blueprint sits down with old friend Cryptic One to talk about his reinvention and newfound happiness in music.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Twitter laid off thousands of employees this week, rumors started to circulate about whether the website would survive or go out of business. As a result, many artists, who spent years creating content and cultivating their followings on the platform started to panic, wondering what to do if twitter was no more. In this episode, we speak about the chaos at twitter and why having your own website is more important than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You would have to be living under a rock to have not heard about Kanye West's controversial comments that led to the termination of several brand deals and have likely cost him tens of millions of dollars. As they say, loose lips sink ships. In this episode, we break down how this entire situation could have been avoided if Kanye would have followed a principle we speak about frequently, which is to stay on topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices