Super Duty Tough Work Podcast

Every writer has things that they do to that help them write better and faster. Some of those habits are normal, but others would be classified as weird or crazy. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down their ten craziest writing hacks and explain how each one has helped them become a better writer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having the desire to write is one thing, but having the inspiration to write is completely different. So in this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down 25 amazing quotes about writing from some of the most famous writers of all time. If you're looking for inspiration to create, look no further than this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many amazing writers who go unknown because their output doesn't match their skill level. The words come easy to them but the productivity doesn't. So in this week's episode, Blueprint and Illogic speak about how to become a more productive writer and give 11 tips on increasing your writing output. Because being a skilled writer means nothing if you aren't sitting down to write often enough to get things done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As artists, we are firm believers in the power of writing. Across all mediums, the ability to express ourselves is key to executing our ideas effectively. Yet, very few academic curriculums express what it really takes to get better at writing. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down nine things that your english teacher never told you that you needed to do to become a better writer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most important attributes of successful people is their ability to adapt and consistently learn new things. Unfortunately, most adults fall into the trap of believing that learning ends when their time in school ends. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down seven reasons why people are so scared of learning new things and why you can't let these things hold you back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's an old saying that goes "he who fails to plan, plans to fail" that refers to how important planning is in achieving our goals. And even though we all know this saying is a fact, we often fail to plan, which opens the door for our failure. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down how their lack of planning in certain areas has caused delays in their art and discuss the subtle signs that indicate you haven't been organized or planned out enough. It's time to get those plans together, folks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although we've had several requests over the years to do an episode about mental health topics, we've always been hesitant to cover it since it's such an expansive topic. That changes this week as we invite Dr Alex MacNeil onto the show. Aside from being a hip-hop head and a fan of the podcast, Alex is a practicing clinical psychologist from Boston, MA. In this episode, Alex and Blueprint break down several topics related to mental health and creativity. From performance anxiety, to success anxiety, and everything in between, this is not the episode to miss as the doctor gives out specific steps for addressing the pains that artists and creatives find themselves in. Let's go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although we spend a lot of time speaking about how to be the best artist you can be, we have never touched on one of the consequences of putting your passion first, which is your health. In many instances, the most driven artists are the most susceptible to health problems due to the sedentary lifestyle and high demands of the field. We think it's time to start promoting good health as much as artistic excellence. So in this episode, Blueprint and Illogic dive deep into their struggles to keep the weight off during the pandemic and invite their listeners to join them in a new healthy challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although we spoke about procrastination in our Self-Sabotaging Behaviors episode a few weeks ago, we didn't have the time to dive as deeply into this topic that plagues almost everybody. So in this episode of the most infamous podcast on planet earth, Blueprint and Illogic have a conversation about the truth behind why artists procrastinate so much. Because there are a lot of valid reasons that it happens that most of us are unwilling to admit. But until we can admit some of the reasons behind our procrastination, fixing it will be very difficult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In last week's episode, while speaking about self-sabotaging behaviors, we touched on something that is ever present in the mind's of artists--perfectionism. The belief that our art can and must be "perfect" before we share it with anybody is one of the most prevalent beliefs in the creative field. It starts with good intentions--wanting to be the best version of yourself--but it often ends with a bunch of great art being shelved and never shared (or picked apart until we no longer like it). In this episode of the most infamous podcast on planet earth, Blueprint and Illogic break down ten ways to avoid perfectionism so you can take full advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While there are many artists who never reach their fullest potential due to outside forces, there are also a lot of artists who fail due to their own mismanagement of their career. Just when things start to look good for them, they make bad decision after bad decision to set themselves back. The culprit behind their failures is something that is rarely spoken about--self-sabotage. In this episode, we break down ten self-sabotaging behaviors that artists routinely fall victim to. It gets deep! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While every artist wants to be successful and famous, most have never given any thought to how it would change their lives. They think being a public figure is all sunshine until they are faced with the additional responsibility and expectations that they never imagined when they went down that path. That pressure can be a lot for some to take. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down things that people are never told about fame because if they knew ahead of time, they might go about things a little differently. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest benefits of being a touring artist is the number of interesting people artists meet from all over the world. That's certainly the case for this week's guest, Emily Keller, the mayor of Hagerstown, MD. Long before becoming the mayor, Emily was a singer and big supporter of Rhymesayers, forming friendships with them at the shows she attended. Little did we know that she would eventually try her hand in politics! In this episode, Blueprint and the newly-elected Mayor sit down for a chat about what got her into politics and how she ended up becoming the mayor of her hometown! There's plenty of inspiration to go around in this episode, folks! Let's go!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As two artists who have been a part of the music industry for the better part of twenty years, we've seen a lot. Along the way, we've seen a lot of artists get disappointed because they made assumptions about the industry that simply weren't true. We've even believed many of these myths at different points in time. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down ten big myths in the music industry in an attempt to help artists avoid some of the same pitfalls they have in their careers. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by hip-hop producer and label owner IMAKEMADBEATS of the Unapologetic crew. While his production credits are vast--he actually produced the song "Perspective" for Blueprint--it is his business acumen that has propelled his label and artists to the forefront of the Memphis music scene. One of their many forward thinking ideas is their own app that has thousands of fans tuned into what they're doing in a way that social media platforms can't duplicate. In this episode, we discuss the formulation of his crew, the creation of his app, and where he thinks things are going.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether we like it or not, classic movies like Good Fellas and Scarface have had a heavy impact on hip-hop culture. So much so that dozens of artists have borrowed their names, look, and slang from the drug dealing street characters in these movies. Unfortunately, most artists have ignored some of the most important aspects of these characters. In this episode, we break down ten things that artists can learn from drug dealers that will make them more successful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast we are joined by hip-hop artist and toy designer, Rocom. He and Blueprint sit down to talk about his journey from doing graphic design to designing his own toy line Rocom Toys that has seen massive support. He also breaks down the keys to launching several successful kickstarter campaigns where he far exceeded his goals. His story truly illustrates that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Lots of jewels in this one folks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As artists we often tell ourselves that the solution to our problems is money. And while money would definitely help us reach many of our goals faster, viewing things that way causes us to overlook the simple and cheap things that are right under our noses and can help us perform our jobs better. In this episode, Blueprint and Illogic break down 10 cheap things that every artist needs to have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the more common questions we get from our listeners is about dealing with the press. Whether it's how to get the press to cover their release, or how to prepare their releases for coverage, there isn't a lot of clear cut information. In this episode, we invite hip-hop journalist, publicist, and label manager Big Sto onto the podcast to help clarify what artists should be doing to get the press to cover them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we may speak often on this show about achieving goals and pushing forward, we rarely speak about what happens after you achieve those goals. Most people relax and get comfortable. In fact, the more success you have, the more opportunities you will have to get comfortable, which works against your future success. In this episode, we break down the unspoken downside of success and how you can make sure you don't get too comfortable after you've reached your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices