Call me crazy but maybe things aren’t as bad as we thought. I’m talking about everything that we worried about (the negative effects of technology, our careers and social lives, the state of music, etc.)
I’m an old soul. Been one since I was born. If I had my way I’d probably have been born in the 70′s or something.
But, maybe this isn’t so bad after all. I started writing this because I was reflecting on how a lot of my peers and close friends are living their dreams and doing so many positive and exciting things as they figure themselves out in this world. In the process, these people are advancing culture, making a better world and building careers and legacies.
They are designing clothes, creating and performing music, writing blogs, capturing moments on camera, organizing great events; the list of things is endless. Some, like yours truly, are even daring to do all of the above. If I see a need for something and I’m capable of doing it, I’m probably gonna do it. A lot of my friends feel the same, some are just at different stages or have yet to figure out how to allow their circumstances to work for them. But as long as the intent and effort is there, it’s going to come with time.
At one point, most of us were just out for fame and fortune. We just wanted money and shiny things, and to be known. We wanted what we saw on TV during the golden era. The golden era, for those not in the know, is that era most of us 80′s babies came up in when it seemed money was being handed out to whoever wanted it. Ferrari’s, Lambo’s, MTV Cribs and such is what we went to bed thinking about and discussed the next morning at school. Then the video chick got introduced to us and all of us guys wanted one, or two, or three.
Somewhere along the line though, we may have not completely lost those desires, but I think they’ve given way to realer things. The happiest we see Jay-Z is when he’s with his wife. Puff’s last album, Last Train To Paris, was front to back about how life without love is nothing. His Twitter page is half promotion, half positive energy. Kanye West unfortunately lost his mother and split with his girlfriend and welcomed all of us to heartbreak.
We’ve seen a lot of the other guys who had it and put too much stock in it, lose it. Gravity has caught up to most of them and the re-po man has towed away the vehicles they would’ve used to escape. The big ass jewelry now not only looks silly but it’s been sold a long time ago to keep up with house payments. That one house. The blogger chick who walks around with a camera and uses her creativity to direct videos now seems more appealing than the video chick who gets $500 per, and that’s when she can find work.
Not only has the appeal for such things died down but so has the cost of things. Some of the dopest fashion now can be put together for under a grand. A quality music video can be shot for a lot cheaper than you think (shout out Fresco and Matt). VIP ain’t the same no more. There’s more people there than in general population. A photo with a celebrity? We all have them now. Still cool but not the monumental thing we once thought it was.
On the flip side, have you listened to music lately? It’s awesome. And most of it we’re getting as gifts; not having to pay a thing. Have you seen some of the photos these kids in SoHo take, or the words some of these aspiring writers put together? True inspiring and thought provoking work is being handed out for free. Guys who used to risk life and limb on the street are now able to apply that same hustle and savvy to build legal empires. Girls who thought hoeing was the only way to get attention are realizing that letting the diamond in their head shine is how you get real quality attention.
If you told anyone that a boy from Riverdale Rd would be 24 now and still yet to sip a drink or use drugs, they would have said “impossible.” I’m not supposed to be vegetarian. I’m not supposed to go to bed early and wake up early to workout. I’m supposed to at best, be 300lbs driving a Navigator, dropping off some whatever to such and such then coming home to play playstation while shorty heats up the wings and fries. That was the life we aspired for and to anyone living that life, I salute them. Can’t even knock it. But I now know there is better.
At worse, I’m supposed to be in the grave like all the ones we lost or the countless others who are staring out a small window wishing they were free. Either that or living a life molded for me by a society that never took my measurements. But I’m not. Exposure has allowed us to see our worth and the endless possibilities we have.
Please don’t call me a hypocrite next time you see me in VIP or if a Ferrari drives past and I say I want one. Or if ever you see me smoking or drinking (which you probably won’t). I’m not knocking anything, I’m all for it actually. Matter of fact, a popular video model stared me down viciously at Whole Foods the other day and it was the highlight of my day.
What I am talking about here is value. I may have enjoyed her stare but took it no further and didn’t place any real value on it. If this had been some years back, I woulda done anything to get her to give me some play so I could talk about it. Now that such things hold no real value, at least not to me, I put my hat down lower and continued scooping my pineapple rice and samosas.
The value of real has gone up. People living truths and telling truths are at a premium. It’s cool to be who you are and do what you want. No pressure to do anything harmful or negative. Change if you want. Stay the same if you want. And I believe that is the essence of freedom.
But call me crazy.
