WE DID IT!! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED AND SUPPORTED!!
Chamillionaire crowns C-TRU freestyle champion!!
UPDATESSorry its been takin forever to update, so much stuff has been happening its been crazy but good. So here's the update . . . I entered a national freestyle contest a couple of weeks ago majorly sponsored by Energizer . . . out of tha thousands of contestants, a panel of judges chose 5 semi-finalists from all over the U.S. They're was dude reppin NY, some1 from tha South, and me the lone representative from the West. To advance to the next round their was a four day online voting period where the top two vote getters would move on. y'all did you're part by voting (honestly, i feel blessed to have such great and supportive family and friends and fans, thank you all again!). . . and being a top vote getter got me into the final round where Chamillionaire had to pick the grand prize winner. He chose me, and they flew me, all expenses paid to ATL for the weekend!
Long story short, first night was dinner and the celebrity party exclusive VIP, tha next day was the show. Kicked it backstage wit Jim Jones, G-Unit's Lil Scrappy, Crime Mob, Lloyd, and of course Chamillionaire. Chopped it up wit him, and he gave me sum advice on tha music industry, about how to make money off of ring tones, and that choosing me was tha easiest choice he had to make and that on tha real, my rap style and lyricism was top notch! Honestly, that comment alone made my weekend especially coming from Cham who's one of tha few hiphop artists i got respect for. We then tore it up onstage, me performing wit Chamillionaire for a capactiy 14,000+ crowd!!
Lastly, none of this would have been possible without God. Dreams can come true if you have faith and believe. peace & God bless
Check out my DUB show/Chamillionaire BLOG on the top of tha page for full details!And click tha link below see to an article on the contest and event coverage from the Rap News Network:
BIO: C-Tru has quickly emerged as one of Hip Hop's rising new talents. Hailing from the Bay Area, among the years he has perfomed in countless venues and events, and accumulated wins in rap contests, and spoken word competitions. A dynamic lyricist and poet, with his magnetic charisma and dramatic vocals he wows audiences with his musical prowess and commanding stage presence. Placed 1st in the Long Beach Regional Semifinals, and as a part of the 2006 UCD Slam Team, competed in the Slam Nationals at Texas finishing with a rank of 5th in the nation. He moved onto the music industry, garnering praises from Grammy winner Chamillionaire and Ludacris, and has his sights set on his major label debut coming soon.
Working with hit making producers, among which is DJ Swissivory (credits include 2pac's Outlawz, Wu-tang clan, Dmx) C-Tru is definitely an artist to watch out for in the future. Thank you for all the support and please continue to spread the word on the music and message! TRU HIP HOP LIVES ON!For bookings and inquires email: [email protected]
EXCERPT OF C-TRU INTERVIEW
Fully prepared to take the world by storm, C-Tru stands out amongst Hip Hop's elite with his ingenuity, clever wordplay, and complex lyrical structures. Proud of his Filipino heritage, he charges defiantly into the Hip Hop music scene where Asian-American artists are a minority. Nevertheless, this has not discouraged him; instead it has challenged him to rise higher. Says C-Tru: "Its like I'm climbing a mountain, and each time I grab hold of rock ledge, I feel like it could be my last cuz those stones can crumble at any minute. And I parallel that wit my struggle . . . I don't get 3 strikes like everybody else, its one and i'm out. So thats why in everything I do, every show I do, every song I write, every track I bang out . . . I give a 110% cuz 100% isn't good enough for me to make it wit. And thats fine, I accept that. These obstacles have only made me better. 'Cuz I knew I could never make it just being a dope emcee, I had to push myself beyond that to be tha freshest lyricist so no one could say anything about my skills. I mean, they could always bring out the race card, but if my rhymes, flow, and delivery was untouchable, then they'd have to recognize. As fuel to my fire, it made me work harder and as a result made me the artist I am today."
But what is truly important to C-Tru is getting the message in his music out. In what many consider a declining state of hip hop, C-Tru strives to bring about a revival of its TRU essence. When asked about the issues he addresses and his message, C-Tru had this to say: "I'm here to shake up the stereotypes society has made for us. And I hope that what i'm doing, is gonna change things. I mean, if America claims to be a melting pot then why don't I see that? Its more like a pie divided into many pieces. So if youre a certain race, you're expected to do certain things and play a certain role. If you're Caucasian, you do this, if Black then this, if Asian than that, Latino than that . . etc etc. We become pigeonholded into our little section of pie. Thats why i'm hoping, through my music, that people goin' say 'hey, if this guy can do hiphop and be good at it, why can't anyone else do what they really want?' Maybe in time they'll get used to seeing that and then people will start moving out of their own self-defined roles. Thats why i'm hoping that me trying to do wat i'm doin', will help change roles . . . cuz if people stuck in their roles, were just a slave to what society thinks were supposed to be. And thats no way to live. I don't want my kids living in a world like that! And I dont think you want your future seeds living like that too. NO! . . . cuz, I mean, me as a person, when I look around me, the sun, the sky, the stars, all the people around . . . I see an endless world of possibility for everyone . . and what saddens me, is that all these possibilities I see may not happen . . . because of us . . . and how we play into societies norms . . . and its just a waste . . . a waste for those people who want to step out of their roles to do something else, and maybe can do that something else greater and better, but they don't have the opportunity, they can't, cuz society brings them down . . . and I can't help but want to change that. And even if I can't make the change, i'm hoping I can at least inspire someone who will."