Music's Triplets Beat the Odds
Locally based music blog spotlights major talent.
By JOSHUA SESSOMS
Updated 6:49 AM EDT, Thu, Jan 21, 2010
The Clizbe brothers beat the odds to share their love of music with the world.
Life’s a one shot opportunity to live out your dreams. If anyone knows this, it’s the Clizbe triplets of Wilmington, Del.
Matt and Craig Clizbe -- with a little help from brother David -- founded Clizbeats.com, a Web site covering new and upcoming musicians. Stars ranging from Pharrel Williams (the Neptunes), Robin Thicke, Day 26 and Keri Hilson have been highlighted by the Clizbes.
The Clizbe’s story is a rather unique story. It is a story of inspiration, determination and undeniable hope. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Matt and Craig have faced numerous challenges throughout their lives. As children they underwent many surgeries and rehabilitation for their physical ailments, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Upon entering high school their counselor suggested that they pace themselves educationally and finish high school in five years. Matt and Craig refused the alternative route, deciding to be treated as normal students. Within a couple of months the Clizbe’s took up broadcasting at their high school radio station WMHS where they excelled and won awards.
General courses at Wilmington College weren’t quite enough for the Clizbe’s either. They wanted more focus -- after freshman year they entered Temple’s School of Communications and Theater.
The brothers tried to get their foot in the door wherever they could. Craig landed an internship with Q102 in Philly while Matt, having no internship but plenty of time on his hands, decided to construct a Web site for the pair.
Clizbeats.com was born inside the duo's dorm room. The Web site is an energetic, fresh and genuinely passionate music blog with a huge heart that stays ahead of the pop music curve.
Their first interview was with Newark, Del.-natives Omnisoul (now known as The Crash Motive). But, their big break came in 2006 with a chance meeting with up-and-coming R&B artist Thicke whose single “Lost Without U” was burning up the airwaves.
The Thicke interview alone more than doubled traffic to their site. From there, the brothers built an ongoing relationship with Thicke.
Thicke wasn't alone in giving some time to the Clizbes. Big names in pop music such as popular Bad Boy Records artists Day 26, Donnie Klang & Young Joc were featured. The brothers also got exclusive interviews with pop culture icon and entrepreneur Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Chester French, Jay Sean, O.A.R. and Asher Roth.
The Clizbes want to eventually venture into the world of music management and even film production.
“It’s amazing to see what our Web site has turned into after starting as a DJ company,” said Matt Clizbe in a video posted to vimeo.com. “We feel as though Clizbeats is a great tool to represent the disabled community.”
Strong will, focus, persistence and sheer courage can take you far in life. Just ask the Clizbe brothers.
First Published: Jan 20, 2010 2:35 PM EDT
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