The San Francisco Chapter and the GRAMMY Foundation hosted GRAMMY SoundChecks, presented by Verizon, with four-time GRAMMY nominee Musiq Soulchild in the historic "Poster Room" of the Fillmore. GRAMMY University Network students and members of Oakland youth music group "BUMP" Records (Bay Area Music Project) attended to learn firsthand about how to make your way in the music business.
A charismatic and inspiring speaker, Musiq had many experiences to share with the students — from his times as a struggling artist in Philadelphia to his explosion onto the mainstream. Musiq painted a plain, yet imperative picture. He spoke about how his first experience in a studio showed him the value of his own songwriting. He encouraged the students, "Sometimes you, as the creative entity, may have something so valuable for other people — and you might not recognize it because you live with it every day."
Musiq further encouraged the students to foster a positive attitude and to make their dreams come to life. "You got to want it," he said. "If you don't want it, you're going to be very discouraged when something gets in your way.... If you just persevere through all the brick walls, you're gonna get better." He went on to add, "Some advice for up-and-coming artists: break out of the 'me-me-me' thing...pay your dues, learn from the people around you, and then try to take it to the next level. You got to put in mad years to be recognized and appreciated for what you do."