If You Try

If You Try

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Exciting Stuff...

I am super pumped about the opporutunity I have to perform at this year's Freedom Fest. It is one of Washington State's largest music and arts festivals. This is the first year where they are making a big push to get more exposure for hip hop in the event because it has mainly been rock thus far. I feel blessed to be one of the artist representing the Northwest on this tremendous platform. It is a big deal. For those interested in more information about this concert, check out http://www.freedomfest.org.
Hope to see you there.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Life Goes On...

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that the Lakers lost the championship. And I take my hat off to Boston. They played their hind parts off. For those that know me, know that I am a die hard Laker fan even before the Kobe era. So I take the games a little personal. But I do have to still commend my team for having a monster season. It says a lot when a franchise can make that kind of turn around in one season. I'm not going to make excuses why the Lakers lost, though I have many. I'll just do what most champions do and say congrats to the winning team. I'm speaking prophetically now though. The Lakers will win the championship next year. Mark my words haters!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

New Chapter of Life

I am now an official college graduate. No more papers to turn in, tests to study for, or group projects to do. It's almost surreal. Even though I will always be a student(I plan to learn for the rest of my life), I feel that my school days have come to a close. I might pursue a masters degree in the future, but as of now I'm focusing on other things. It's exciting to know that I have more time on my hands to chase what I am truly passionate about. Now the trick is to find that new structure for my life now that school is no longer there to provide that for me. A lot of extra time on ones hands can be dangerous if not used wisely. It's going to be interesting to see how things play out in this life of mine.

Friday, June 6, 2008

One day from Graduation

I am on count down! Tomorrow is my graduation and man has it been a long time coming. I am so fortunate to be graduating with a bachelors degree in business administration. Even more than the formal education I recieved, I think I gained the most out of school by learning about myself. These past 4 years have helped me identify what direction I want to go in life and helped me to realize that it is okay to be unique. Most people that make great changes in society are the ones who don't fit into the sqaure pegs and round holes that the world designs for us. I am super excited and am glad that I get to share this moment with my family, friends, and those of you reading this blog. Please keep me in your prayers because I feel like the real hard work is ahead of me and I am ready for it!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

My feelings about Obama

I have a huge imagination, but there are some things that even I never imagined would happen in my lifetime. And I am talking about the possiblity of having a black president. Senator Obama is to be admired for many other traits besides his ethnicity. He is a visionary, articulate, a man of Christian faith, intelligent, smooth, and confident. Color aside, I would vote for him based on these traits wether he was black or white. But I must say that him being black is a big deal for me and I'm sure for many other young black men across the country. We have been oppressed for so long and treated like we are inferior even after slavery was abolished. People like Obama prove that we are more than the media and mainstream culture has painted us out to be. I thank God that my young eyes have witnessed this time in history, even if Obama doesn't win. Him getting this close shows that we are getting closer to a world that realizes that ALL men are created in God's image. I'm not trying to sway anyone's vote. These are just my thoughts. Take them or leave them.

Peace!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Diet Tip of the Day

My beautiful and gracious girlfriend hit me up with a great diet tip via text message this morning. The text message word for word is this " Don't eat fruit two hours before or after you eat. It will stop you up. Always eat fruit alone and never with nuts!"

Me and my girl are on this major health kick. We both want to live a long time and have a high quality of life in old age therefore we exercise regularly and do our best to eat healthy. I read an article that says that you are not active unless you are working out in the gym at least three times a week. No matter how much running around you do, you are considered inactive if you do not work out. Working out and eating healthy also gives you more energy and helps to fight off depression.

Do your research on the internet, there are so many studies that link eating right and regular work outs to being happy.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Growing Pains

Today I met with my mother at this restaurant called Paneras. If you've never been, you should really try it. They have great food. Not to get side tracked from my original topic, the reason I met with my mom was just to discuss all the transitions that are going on in my life as I'm growing as an adult. I know that this process has been extremely difficult for her because I am her youngest. I don't think I've ever had a heart to heart with her like we did today and it was a little painful. Not painful in the sense of us being harsh to one another, but painful in the sense of knowing that our relationship as mother and son is changing. I know that I will always be her child, but now I am a man and am fastly moving from under her wings. I almost had to hold back tears as she expressed her feelings to me about the current situation we are in. I was truly at a lost for words. I'm glad that we communicated though rather than letting our thoughts and feelings stay under the surface. It can be a little frightening when you decide to strike out on your own and leave the nest, but it is necessary in order to grow into who you are meant to be. So for any of you reading this who are going through the same thing, just know it will all work out, just be sure to keep your parents updated on what your plans are and don't shut them out of your new life.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Had an interesting conversation about Christian rap...

I had a very interesting conversation about Christian Rap with a good friend of mine yesterday. The whole conversation came about when this young lady who was in the same room as us asked me when I started doing "Christian Rap". I told her that I was not a Christian rapper and my friend seemed confused by my statement. "What do you mean your not a Christian Rapper?" he asked. So I had to break it down for him like this. The reason why I am not a Christian rapper is because my audience does not solely consist of Christians. If I were to take that title it would pigeon hole me into that particular genre demographic and keep me from reaching people outside of it. I asked the young lady what came to her mind when she heard the title "Christian Rapper". She said it sounds like it's going to be some cheesy preacher, rapper guy trying to convert me. Lol. I've heard this response on several occasions.This represents how the outside world views Christian Rap, rather the emcee with that title is weak or not. Now I'm not downing those emcees and rappers who wear this title with pride. It is obvious that you are in your lane and have found a home for your artistry. I think artist like me are a rarity because we have what I like to call convertible flows. I got this term from a business concept known as convertible bonds. These types of bonds can be changed into stocks when they need to be. The same goes for my music. I am able to rock the church as well as the club and with the same songs! I think young people, especially those in the church are happy to be able to show their friends who aren't in church, music that is good and also upholds their beliefs at the same time.

I think many(not all) Christian rappers use God and their higher moral cause as a crutch for thier lack of skills and artistry. I've heard some say I dont care if you think my music is garbage I'm preaching to you. What?! As a musician, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS. The funny thing is that most of these artist who said this were garbage and their music sucked. What's the point of doing music if people don't feel it? You might as well give up music all together and fulfill your true calling which is preaching. I think we in place to much emphasis on titles all toghether. What really matters is the message we deliver to our audience. Jesus often told his disciples to not tell anyone that he was the Son of God. Why did he do this? I think it's because he wanted the Father to reveal it to those he ministered to rather than toot his own horn to make it known that he was God. Jesus was definitely into the element of suprise.

I think that emcees need to get back to the art of just making good music again. Stop trying so hard to prove that you are a Christian Rapper or Secular rapper. Whatever is in your heart will come out in your music and God will use you if you just make yourself available to him. More times than not, he uses us when we don't even know that he is.