From Beatboxing to Beat Machines: My Unexpected Journey Into Music Production By Paul Perez I originally set out to record a simple comparison—looking at devices like the SP-404 MKII, the Koala Sampler app, and MPC units like the MPC One and MPC Live 3. But somewhere in the editing process, this article shifted into something more personal. It became less about the gear—and more about the journey. Because the truth is, I don’t really consider myself a music producer. But over time, I’ve found myself using the same tools that producers use, slowly building skills and curiosity through different phases of my life. Looking back, this didn’t just happen overnight. It’s been building for decades. Growing Up Around Music My introduction to music started early, through my older brother. He was a DJ when I was a kid, and music was always around—records spinning, parties happening, sounds constantly filling the space. I looked up to him and naturally wanted to follow in his footsteps. Thi...

  A Night with Michael: My Take on the New Biopic Last night I went to see the new  Michael Jackson  film, and it got me thinking about how long Michael Jackson has been a presence in my life. I was born in 1975, so I didn’t grow up with the early Jackson 5 years in real time, but I came up right as he exploded as a solo artist in the 1980s. That  Thriller  era wasn’t just popular—it was global, unavoidable, and unforgettable. Over the years, I’ve checked in on just about everything tied to him:  This Is It ,  Moonwalker , even the video game. When I finally had money, I bought some of the albums. He’s never been the center of my world, but he’s always been there—a constant. So when I heard about this film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and featuring a family member in the lead role, I was immediately interested. Going in, I already knew the critics weren’t impressed. The RottenTomatoes score was low, while audience reactions were overwhelmingly positive. ...

L isten to the review here.   Jason and I are back on the podcast, this time diving into one of 2026’s first major blockbuster releases,  Project Hail Mary . After a brief delay due to me being under the weather, we caught the film during its opening weekend—just as it was already proving to be a massive success at the global box office. Despite missing the usual “pre-box office” timing for our review, the energy surrounding the film was impossible to ignore, with packed theaters and buzzing conversations that made it clear this sci-fi epic had struck a chord with audiences. YouTube Review At the heart of our discussion is what we both agree is the film’s biggest strength: the relationship between Ryan Gosling’s character and the alien known as “Rocky.” Their dynamic brings a surprising level of warmth and sincerity to a high-concept story about saving planets and navigating the unknown. I highlight how refreshing it is to see a sci-fi film where humans and aliens are on more ...

Check out this episode! In October 2019, I had the opportunity to sit down with DJ Gringo for a conversation that, at the time, was simply about music, DJing, and the culture surrounding it. I had been attending his parties for a while—first discovering him at Bar 13 in New York City during a Sunday event promoted by Lady Tia, and later at his Tune In Tuesdays party at Kinfolk. From the moment I first heard him play, I knew he had something special. His ability to blend roots reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats while keeping the crowd fully engaged stood out immediately. Over time, I irregularly attended his events, not just for the music but for the overall vibe and the community that formed around them.     Here's a video I shot back in July 2018, while attending DJ Gringo's 'Tune In Tuesdays' party.   That community was a big part of the experience. Through nights at Kinfolk and Bar 13, I met people who started as “party friends” and became lasting connections—people I ...

     YouTube Version  Listen to the podcast here   How I Make Vegan Gluten-Free Bread at Home With a Bread Machine By Paul Perez I enjoy making fresh bread at home. Lately, I’ve been baking a  vegan, gluten-free loaf  with a bread machine, and it’s surprisingly simple. My bread machine is the  Cuisinart CBK-110 Bread Maker, which makes small, warm loaves with minimal effort. Just  add ingredients, choose the program, and the machine handles everything. The gluten-free recipe takes about 2  hours and 15 minutes , giving me fresh, homemade bread. Why I Make Vegan, Gluten-Free Bread My diet is primarily  vegan , at least in terms of the foods I eat. I follow this diet mainly for  health and longevity , not necessarily for lifestyle reasons like clothing or other products. I also try to eat  gluten-free foods  whenever possible. I don’t have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, but I’ve noticed that avoiding gluten hel...

This is the podcast version https://youtube.com/shorts/fzM024NM4wo?si=P66hqKpS5hrjhiTS Click this link for the YouTube Shorts version of this article   These are the 9 items I’ve sold on eBay since January 1, 2026. Most of these items are things I’ve owned and now getting rid of. Some of the clothes have holes or stains. They can still sell at a lower price. The sleeveless Harley-Davidson shirt with a small hole sold for $10. The smaller pizza bag that I’ve held onto since COVID sold for $20, as examples. The sleeveless Harley Davidson shirt which sold. I'm publishing this to reinforce what I’ve said before about eBay. Sell the stuff you no longer use. Make space for the new stuff you will buy. I, too, am a consumer and will be buying new stuff that I'll eventually sell when I’ve run out of use for them. One of the items sold was a smaller air fryer for $25. Helping me make space for a larger air fryer with a ceramic basket, which is supposed to be healthier than the p...