I Am A Recovering Artist

I am a recovering artist
Recovering from an addiction to things that are seen but not seen
Attracted to the beauty of things like trees and sunbeams
There’s no AA for an artist
This addiction is something I have to beat in isolation
Struggling to get by day by day
Working for some man in some corporation
No more wandering the streets being inspired by the air I breathe
No more writing countless hours about the things that make me seethe
No more of my proverbial land of make believe
But every time I hear a song or a beat
Or just a kid playing in the street
I start to jonesing again
regaining that itch
veins start to twitch
Oh God, I’m slipping again
Looking for that white for one more hit
But the white I use helps me write this hot shit
*breathe*
Lyrically inclined to rhyme anytime I hear something so sublime
My mind is like a timebomb ticking
Slight rhythm tick tick boom...
And the firestorm that’s caused by my words unheard by the masses
But read by the passive soon to be masters
Inspiring those souls to revolution through art and spoken word
Sleeping giants being awaken from their slumber from the silent movement they heard.
*breathe*
I haven’t kicked this addiction just yet
Might be the hardest fight to win I bet
Because I’m inspired by the simplest things like the beat of my son’s heart
Because even in the most basic things, there’s something called ART

*They tried to make me go to Rehab but I said NO! NO! NO!*

Love No Limit

I wanna show you that universe type love
The kind that has no limits
That love that takes eons to find the end of
That love that has no gimmicks
Can I show you that timeless type of love?
That will be talked about for generations
The type that women dream of
That gives them that warm sensation
I'd like to show you that priceless type of love
A love that can't be sold
A love you'll never give up
Not even for fortunes untold
Would you like that infinite type of love
A love that knows no bounds
One that never seems to end
No edges can be found
For this love unlimited
I'd give you the world
But the world isn't enough
For you as my girl
Giving you love like no other
Is all I desire
So lady, won't you be my everything
Because my every dream you inspire

My Observant Mind: My Sin=Your Sin

I've seen a lot of people taking shots at each other recently and honestly it's a disturbing trend. People are taking offense to words that are meant to build up and praising words that are meant to tear down. It's sad that people won't accept the words of their brothers and sisters and learn from the lessons they are being taught, especially because of prior transgressions.

The bottom line is this, I am no greater than Jimmy who is no greater than Sue. We are all sinners, whether we lie, covet each other's possessions, have slothful or greedy tendencies or lust carnally. No one's sin is greater than the next. We all will have to face judgement at some point for our earthly doings, but who are we to judge each other's actions? Are we playing God toward one another? Or are we shining the spotlight on each others issues to dim the glaring light on our own? There are a lot of cliches to use for this problem, the pot and the kettle, stones in a glass house, etc. But the problem is not identifying the issue, it is fixing the issue. The thing is, do the people even want this issue fixed?

As much as we complain about the hypocritical nature of man, it is something that it seems will never fade. People have a lack of willingness to check themselves these days, especially in a forum where they have an audience whom will hang on to their every word. Instead of understanding the power of the words they speak, most become drunk with power and intoxicated by their momentary stardom and will rant and rave like lunatics to keep that attention. It's a sad but all too familiar sight.

Don't feel as if I'm taking shots at anyone in particular because I'd be just as big of a hypocrite if I said I have never had this issue and I have to keep a constant check on myself because, honestly, I'm no better than anyone else. Let's be honest, none of us are really better than someone else because we all come in this earth and leave the same way, butt naked and alone. But we all are different in our thought processes and in the events that shape us to be the people we are and the problems we deal with. So instead of extending one finger to point, extend 5 to lend a hand and lift each other up and out of whatever darkness we may encounter.

#savecoventry: From Polished Cleveland Magazine

For those who didn't know, the Coventry area in Cleveland Heights is in dire straits. Check out my editorial on it from Polished Cleveland Magazine. Let's do our part to preserve something special and #savecoventry.

Big shout outs to Robin Thomas, Chris Taylor, Varsity Squad and everyone who appreciates the arts.

She Loves Hip-Hop

There’s this chick that keeps compelling me
I cal her Rhythm Melody
The reason she makes my heart stop
She loves Hip-Hop
While most chicks dream of a wedding dress
She’s debating with the fellas about which MC is best
When most ladies sit home watching Bridezilla
She’s probably listening to the mixtape tribute for J. Dilla
Most girls are concerned with wedding bands
She’s nodding her head to the Wu-Tang Clan
See she loves hip-hop
And that’s what I love about her
Whether rocking to Wale
Or just vibin to Murs
She prefers shell toe Adidas
Over Nine West boots
She don’t want to her Beyonce
She’d rather listen to The Roots
She’s my favorite kind of chick
Likes to vibin and chill
No need for facades
She just keeps it real
She loves hip-hop
And I appreciate her so
Got me feeling like Fab
I can’t let her go...

November 4, 2008

The view on the TV was so surreal
I had to call a friend
To ask if it was real
The first time I ever cried
From the doing of a man
Was the first time an African-American
Was voted President of this Land
My faith in a nation was restored
And now I understand that
Years of Hard work does have a reward
So I vowed from that day
To build a legacy
Not only for myself
But for my current and future family
To be a better man everyday
And to work hard
And never let my mind go astray
To work toward my goals
And never ever quit
To build up my community
And to make a difference none will forget
So I thank you America
For helping me to believe
Because Obama is President
There isn’t anything we can’t achieve

Is the Death of Autotune imminent?

Last night was a defining moment in Hip-Hop as Jay-Z declared in his new record The Death of Autotune. The record has already generated a lot of buzz and has yet to be heard by the entire Hip-Hop community. Sean Carter has been dubbed the unofficial Barack of Hip-Hop, so when he motions for something to cease, it should right? Not so fast. It appears that some of the Hip-Hop faithful have challenged Jay's authority on this record, saying that it's garbage and that Jay is dissing artists that make their living off of ringtone raps and autotune sound. Is it really a diss or is it a challenge to these artists to do something more creative than to piggyback off of the previous man's success? I mean we all know as Hip-Hop fans that paying homage shows that you respect the grind of another artist and have a love for his craft, which is why you hear so many lines repeated in Hip-Hop. However, there is a difference in paying homage and being, to quote Ghostface, a shark nigga (a.k.a. Biter). I mean, let's call it for what it is. You can't cover shit in chocolate and call it candy, it's still shit, just in a different package. I reminisce on the days where Hip-Hop was pure and you could tell artists apart. If Leaders of the New School was on, you didn't get them confused with EPMD. Now you can turn on the radio and here the same song three times in a row sung by three different artists (ref. GS Boys - Stanky Leg, Hurricane Chris - She Fine, and whoever made that Ricky Bobby track). Jay is basically stating that artists aren't showing true talent anymore for the sake of trying to sell what's hot at the time. Whatever happened to trying to make a timeless album in Hip-Hop? There are a few artists who still make good albums but classics are few and far between these days. Honestly, I see a rash of backlash coming for Jay-Z over this track, although I personally loved it and not just for the fact that it's a new Jay-Z track. He actually is saying something that is being talked about in Hip-Hop blogs and is the buzz in Hip-Hop already. But trust that all the autotuned diss tracks and cookie cutter rappers will be taking popshots at Jay and rest assured that when the Blueprint 3 drops that he will address these artists with a few "I heard you talking but I can't see you" metaphors. All I can hope for as a Hip-Hop fan is that some artist hears this track for what it is, takes Jay-Z up on the challenge and creates a masterpiece that will undeniably redefine Hip-Hop. {Bring Back Classic Albums}