The Pursuit of Happyness

I've decided to take an entry I had made initially for everyone back home in the South and make it available for everyone to check out. After watching the Glow In The Dark Tour for the first time back in May, it really inspired me and got my mind racing again. Something that hasn't really happened much this year. I'm not going to ramble on any more with this, since there is plenty to read below, but I hope you're able to take something out of what I have to say.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for what I'm not". - Kanye West

Throughout my life, I've always seemed to be different than anyone else around me. Mainly because I never tried to put on this facade of being someone that I'm not. Too many people conform to what is "cool" or what is "in". Whether it be during their high school years, in the office, or in everyday life. When that one person steps up and brings a different outlook on the world, or just straight up speaks their minds, for the most part the "cool" or "in" crowd shows reluctance in accepting them into their circle. I honestly couldn't care any less if someone does not agree with my views/opinions, if that's how I feel on a particular subject, then that's how I feel. I'm not going to conform my thoughts or hold back on my words for the sake of trying to salvage some type of 'relationship' with any particular group of people.

BE YOURSELF.

For the love of God, be yourself. You only have one life to live, so why live it trying to impress others who will come and go throughout the years?

Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. If you have a goal, a dream, or even a personal resolution, go out and PURSUE IT.

THE BIGGEST RISK YOU COULD EVER TAKE IS NOT TAKING ONE.

I've encountered many people who said that I would not last in New York. They said I would be back within months and go back to working the same job I was stuck in before I left. People laughed at me because I dropped out of college, they said I would regret it. I guess because having that piece of paper to hang on your wall really holds a lot of weight...especially when you don't even put it to use, right?

I had a dream. I pursued that dream....and I didn't give a shit what anyone else thought. It's been a long, hard road through Hell and back but whatever it takes, I'm going to make it. No matter the cost.

Fast foward to the present day, I've been living in New York two years strong...I've traveled across the country...and I've met a lot of interesting people along the way. You know what else? Those same people back home are still stuck in that same job they were in two years ago when they said I couldn't make it. Although this time around when I come home people try to show me love and support. It's funny how people's opinions/outlooks change and they just expect you to roll with it and accept it now. You weren't on board when this ship took off, so why should I let you on deck now? You try to hop on and I'm throwing you overboard...simple as that. I can see right through you. Fuck You. Plain and simple.

As harsh as those two words may seem, that's exactly how I feel. I'm not going to bite my tongue.

If you have a dream, please PURSUE IT. Why settle for less than what you are capable of? To get what you truly want in life, you have to STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND TAKE RISKS.

Yes, you may fail and fall right on your face. But get right back up, dust yourself off, and get back at it again. You may have so called friends turn on you and not agree with the choices/decisions that you make...and you may receive a lot of backlash, but ignore that negativity and do something for YOURSELF and not for someone else for once. Don't live your life for someone else...whether it be your parents, your best friend, your boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance/wife. Whoever it may be. Don't ever let their influence get into your head to the point where you feel like you HAVE to be what they want you to be.

For all my people back home with big dreams, get out and pursue them. See the world. Life is too short to be scared of testing the water. Sometimes it takes a little push, sometimes people jump in with both feet. Whatever it takes, get out and do it. You may very well wind up back in that small town somewhere down the line....a month, a year, ten years....you may fail...and you may have people give you the "I told you so". But at least you can look them in the face and say I TRIED. I chased a dream, I learned from it and became a stronger person, what have you done?


I'm going to cut this entry off here. So stop reading, get off your ass, and live life.

T.I,, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay-z- Swagger Like Us

Tip, Weezy, Mr.West & Hova teamed up to drop a track sampling M.I.A.'s Paper Planes.
Alot of people are having conflicting opinions about this song. Can this be the next big hit, or just a mediocre song put together by some of the greatest in the industry?
post your opinions.

New !! T.i ft kanye west,lil wayne,jay-z - swagger like us
Uploaded by da-carter

Skillz Breaks Down Why Things Don't Change In Rap

This is one of the most thorough and accurate conversations about Rap business I've heard in a long time. Not the same ol' same ol' whining about why Rapper X isn't on. This is Skillz talking about how the seniors of Rap today aren't bringing in and developing new acts in the way that they themselves were brought into the business. This is a must see for true Hip-Hop heads!

Harlem Week - Legends

So, y'all already know I'm exhausted. Today, I followed up with a family outing to 135th street in Harlem for a dose of Harlem Week. We got there at around 2 pm and we didn't leave until 7:30 or so. We walked around and did a little bit of everything. We bought a couple of things, ate some great food, did some children's activities and then capped it all off with some incredible music.

While we were waiting in line to get something to eat, we saw the most gangsta kid ever! He was cool as a fan and, of course, everybody that passed him had the, "WTF!?" face on. It was so funny.



Back at the main stage the Harlem Chamber of Commerce gave recognition to legends DJ Red Alert and Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box fame for 25 years of community service. It was great to see Red Alert get the award. He's always out in the streets representing at public events in Harlem.


After they cleared the stage, the DJ spun some oldies and the whole crowd was dancing and singing along. It was so much fun! On a side note: I saw the man with the crustiest feet of all-time while I was sitting on the curb in front of the stage taking a much needed rest. Look at this sea of people. The best thing about Harlem Week though is even with this many people out, it doesn't feel cramped. I had a good 2 feet of space on every side of me when I took this picture.



As I'm standing there listening to the DJ spin, out comes another Hip-Hop legend. None other than Grandmaster Caz from the Cold Crush Brothers comes out onto the stage! He talked to the crowd for a little while and told us how he first herd Kool Herc play and knew he wanted to DJ. It so dope to see him in person. He was real chill and just came to hang out.



Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. "The Teacher" a.k.a "The Blastmaster" KRS-One blessed the stage. He was CREW THICK! The stage was just swamped with people. Of course, he killed it! Freestyles, classic songs and knowledge drops. He had the whole of 135th street rockin'. The people in the next block even had their hands up in the air. I went into a frenzy when he did "MC's Act Like They Don't Know". Probably my favorite KRS-One track ever. After he rocked for about 20 minutes, he told the DJ to drop some breaks and started a cypher. They started to lose the crowd so he grabbed the mic back and brought on Lil' Vicious. Needless to say, he's not "little" anymore. He did "Freaks" and everybody livened back up. At that point, my feet were furious with me for torturing them so we started for home.



I had such a good time and I always do at Harlem Week. I can't wait for Harlem Week '09 and this one isn't even finished yet!