Happy sweet 16 to the song and video that single-handedly tanked my major label debut!

Somebody at EMI Records / Caroline Music (or maybe it was John McCain’s daughter, who was on my team at the time lol) decided that Bottom Your Way To The Top was what the mainstream was ready for in 2009, so we led with that.

Reader: Bottom Your Way To The Top was not what the mainstream was ready for.

Anyway, I’m proud that I took this level of f-slur swing way back then, and that this video aired on MTV, VH1, Logo TV and a bunch of other spots. It was controversial at the time, had one hell of a journey getting past the TV censors, and def was a career killer — but we been dancing on her grave ever since! All’s well that ends well. ❤️

The music video that got me signed to a major label was released 19 years ago today (in 2006!)

I have no idea why this worked at the time, but it did. You probably had to be there to understand except I was there and I still don’t.

TO BE CRINGE IS TO BE FREE.

It should be said that I was still on very bad drugs in 2006. My songs were weird and dark and I had all kinds of ideas that seem super edgelord to me when I watch now. I really was trying to say something at the time and I guess I said it? But LOL cocaine makes people stupid and bad. I’m 18 years in recovery from this exact time.

Some pretty OK songs from that time though and I do forgive myself for being such a mess back then because like what else am I gonna do? Stay mad at a 25 year old raver forever?! Can’t be me.