endurer1

Dad

Life came out today
In the worst way
Voice raised, daughter crying
Wife pleading
No heeding to anyone

Hit 100, wreckless, gone
Chest burning, on fire
Called by homie, got corrected
Sent text, got prayer

What’s up people?  Well, I have been in school and hosting a Monday Night show on Facebook called Message Monday where two Christian brothers come together and talk about faith, life, fatherhood, marriage, and politics.  What’s major in my world? My second album, My Ode to Hip Hop has been released. There’s seven tracks, two of which had been released as singles previously. Enjoy a synopsis of the album

MY ODE TO HIP HOP

  1. My City
    • Lifting up the City of Chicago, my home, and highlighting the positives in the city. We do have a lot going on negatively and positively in this city but you know the media and people love drama. I partnered with one of Chicago’s most known and influential spoken word artists, Jeronimo, so the old skool (me) could have some young flavor (him) as representative of our uniqueness as local artists. Videography was done by Caliko Films.
  2. The Gospel
    • This track is produced by Leland Philpot. It’s me keeping Yeshua at the center of all that I do and engaging no matter what I am speaking on. No hooks, just flow and one of my favorites.
  3. Dream Too
    • This track is me having fun. On the hook is my man Double G, one of the coldest spoken word artists in Chicago. A great brother in Christ and was grateful to have him on the hook. Dream Too speaks for itself. We have a vision of what we desire for our lives and the work we do to make it all possible. Keep pushing family.
  4. No Trap
    • Leland Philpot is featured on this track. His energy is not only kinetic but off the charts. Duke Digital shot the video and its awareness of police brutality and Black-on-Black crime and innocent victims like Tayshawn Lee and Hadiya Pendleton who were murdered by the merciless in our communities.
  5. For the Heads
    • Yeah, this is just straight #Barz. Hip Hop to the core and what it means to battle rap back in the day. Battle rapping is still very popular but it crosses the line of my generation. If you battle today you’d better be careful. People are pulling out pictures, background checks, and family history to battles these days.
  6. Ode to Hip Hop
    • This track features Rhamell El, a 30 year friend, who I couldn’t wait to collaborate with. We wanted to do it in our  younger years but it was time now. We’re older, seasoned, and have a different respect for the craft and talk God has given us. It’s a tribute to some hip hop greats and to local Chicago artists who have paved the way.
  7. Slow Flow
    • A title with irony as life is a Slow Flow but these barz are not. No hooks, straight through, standing in who I am and who I’ve grown to be as a man, a Christian, a husband, a father, and an humanitarian.

People ask why at 51 I am rapping. It’s what I do along with spoken word. Nope, not famous, not rocking any shows but it’s a gift that I used to engage young people at church, at work, and on the poetry scene. I’ll always right and create. I’ll never stop. I hope you take this journey with me and explore my craft that is all positive, N word, non-women bashing, no profanity, project. Artistry is always the goal and I’m a hip hop head for life, this is my contribution to the genre, to the people, and #fortheculture.

 

Facebook Post Gone Wrong

I have seen several Black men, FBF, and associates post the featured image. They caption it “A Black Woman’s Worst …

Living While Black

The eerie feeling when a police officer pulls up behind you. He was behind me for about 6 blocks. I …

Where Did I Go Wrong?

My son
Where did I go wrong
What song didn’t I sing of love
What gift didn’t I give from the heart
What birthday did I miss
What event didn’t I attend

PTSD: Present Traumatic Stress Disorder

We’ve been taught to fight each other, steal from one another, kill one another, reign down terror and rage on our children, leave our women, leave our kids, hustle illegally to get by because we knew America has always been devoid of humanity.

The End of Possibility

I have never cared for most board meetings. If there is no willful intent to actively listen and address parental concerns regarding administrative changes then don’t open board meetings to the public. Parents were not heard and that corporate adage of “the board of directors knows what’s best” is arrogant.

The minority in the room

I learned not to judge, walk out, or be rash; translated, not walk away because anger at my child which won’t allow me see how deep she’s hurting.

Memories

I am a message, a call, a text away! I don’t have all the answers but I do have the resources. You don’t have to live life burdened anymore.

Year of Da King: Positive Images of Black Men

I think the movement is important to Chicago because currently men are being demonized and all thrown into a bag there is no balance in the narrative that is being put out.  I personally don’t think there is an attack on masculinity.

Morning

I am awake, again Unable to sleep, restless No words to pray, seeking No thoughts developing, silence Fatigued with energy, …

Justice is not Equal

How is it that a Black or Brown citizen can be punished for growing up in an impoverished environment, but white people can use privilege as a defense to escape murder charges and walk free?  Is this how we make American great again?

Spoken Word Legend Blaq Ice

Despite attempts to boycott my shows, by some in the poetry community, they continued to be sold out. I have one philosophy, counter hate with love.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By the time I was seven and my brother was nine, we had been exposed to so much trauma with sex, drugs, violence, and murder, our life was destined for the gutter of repeating the cycle of violence in our adult lives.

My Journey: The Album

Well, folks, it’s here.  After all these years I have finally completed my first Hip Hope CD.  How did I …

Longevity in the Workplace

“I’ve always been an opportunist over money.  Money grants access, opportunity grants expansion.” ALB