Momma, I Made It!

Besides it being one of the few shining points off "Kingdom Come", its exactly what I said once I got the news I've been waiting for... I was accepted to MLT! As I was sitting here wondering what I could write about, I remembered that I hadn't shared my news with the blogosphere (I did inform the twitterverse though). Now I embark on another journey, but I've realized I operate best when I have a goal and a clear path to get there. I expect my experiences to inspire me to write more and I'll be sure to share as much as I see fit. Told ya'll I'm selfish.

B.o.B. - Nothing on You

To be honest, I expected more from Grand Hustle when T.I. went away last March. I mean, they have a decent roster and you can always count on Dro for some comedy (the jury is still out on what "apple fruit" really is). But lowkey, the most talented up and coming artist on Grand Hustle is B.oB. He was intially brought to my attention with the mixtape "B.o.B. vs Bobby Ray" which reminds me of a mix between "The Love Below" and "So Far Gone". He has two personas; B.o.B. raps and Bobby Ray croons. I heard his new single on the radio and it immediately caught my ear. I think the young man is going places. Take a listen.

Did Ya Miss Me?! (c) Varnell Hill

Hello. Hola. Bonjour. What it is? What it Do?!

The first thing I noticed about my page was my new followers. Then I thought "if this is SPAM, I'ma feel real stupid". But regardless, Welcome. Let's jump right into this because I have a confession to make...I'm selfish. Well, a selfish writer. You see I'm selective about what I share. Even though everytime I begin to write my thoughts immediately go everywhere like spilled milk, I clean it up and make it presentable. I tell you what I want you to know and you like it. But I swear I have a Na'vi-esque connection with this thing called penmanship (if you haven't seen Avatar, #killyoself). I touch the keyboard and we become one & it's hard to filter emotions when writing is the very catharsis that's needed. So when I'm stressed, I don't write. I think. I ponder. I worry. I pray. I vent. But I don't write. Then I thought, what's the purpose of being able to articulate yourself when you save it for when its "perfect"? Better out than in, right? Right. So read this...

"Greetings…It’s been a minute. Hope you’ve been well. If you follow me on twitter you get a taste of what’s going on, but I haven’t all out BLOGGED in months. I’ve been preparing for my future. I’m on that adult shit. I never knew how much I wanted to move on until 1) I knew it was possible and 2) I had a plan. To say I’m bored at my current job would be an understatement. I’m rotting. I’m wasting talent. A talent that I once thought was reserved for an extracurricular activity. But now, I’m confident and assured that my creativity mixed with my penmanship can take me to the places I’ve only dreamed of. Sadly, my background is in finance and no matter how persuasive I think I am, no ones gonna hire me based on my mouthpiece…Pause. I need to be certified. So in comes the MBA piece. So far on my ride to the top, I wanted to take the elevator but lately it feels like that bitch is out of service and I’m stuck taking the steps…to the 50th floor. After two botched attempts @ the GMAT that were disheartening and gut wrenching, I was left discouraged more than anything. On top of that, I’ve been placed on a waiting list twice for MLT and now I’m scheduled to take the test a third time. I feel like I’m getting jerked with no lube. BUT despite it all I preserve. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, maybe I’m blindly persistent, I think I’m just ready to be great. I have dreams and visions…and they’re in HD."

If you know me, you know that I wouldn't have shared that if I had not already taken the test and gotten the score I needed. #BOW #BOW LOL And I will know in a week whether I'm accepted to MLT or not. Regardless of how that goes, I'm in a good place. I've learned the difference between a winner, a loser and a champion. And I'ma champion.

My brain is getting a much needed rest and I can write again. I have more music to share, more Self-Help to distribute to these foul beasts with my co-author the Arteest(@scallywaggin84), more commentary on the male/female dynamic, and a few other surprises.

I'm just gettin started bitches (c) Rick James

Music Monday - P$C

Every good rapper has a crew of less talented rappers that they believe in and vouche for. Eminem has D12, Nelly has St. Lunatics (wait...what Nelly isn't a good rapper), & T.I. has P$C. Now out of all the aforementioned, I'd much rather listen to P$C. Perhaps it's my affinity for ATL, Jawjah but whatever it is, they got some joints. Take a listen.

*Note I also wanted to post "Limelight" and "Set It Out" but the youtube videos were fucked up.

Music Monday - Gucci Mane La Flaire

When Gucci Mane emerged during my undergrad days, he was most definitely an acquired taste. So years later to hear him on the radio, in Chicago no less, was eh surprising to say the least (but then I remembered those niggaz are country too). However, the moment I saw that nigga in a video w/ Mariah Carey, all I could say was "Well Damn". Regardless of how you feel about his lyricism, his drawl, or his beloved ad-libs (Burrr!), I dare you to not nod your head in 5, 4, 3, 2, ...

Music Monday - Comeback Season

Thanks to Columbus 'ol thievin ass, I got a day off. BOW! Not feeling too wordy, but luckily these songs describe how I've been feeling lately. Drake has gone from obscure underdog to much hyped favorite, but it's always great to hear an artist at their hungriest. His 2nd mixtape, "Comeback Season" has a quite a few gems on it. Close your eyes and listen to him shine...

Battle of the Sexes - #whyyoualways

In honor of Hump Day, Wednesdays will be a day to voice your opinion on the opposite sex. Questions, Comments, or if you just generally feel like talkin' shit, hey, feel free to do it here.

One of the songs this year that got the ladies moist and giddy was "Best I Ever Had". I'm pretty confident that most women relished in the following verse: "Sweat pants/hair tied/chillin wit no make-up on/that's when you're the prettiest/hope that you don't take it wrong" (c) Drake. I agree with his sentiment BUT, it most definitely needs some clarification. When he talks about a woman being @ her "prettiest" when she's chillin, dare I say it's less about her appearance and more about her demeanor. A woman's aesthetic beauty is often times her #1 asset and when I think of the time, money & tactics y'all employ to stay on point...Clap for 'em, Clap for 'em (c) Hov. And let's face it, women need their self-esteem tank filled up with compliments everyday and fellas, it would behoove of you to use premium my friend.. That being said, when she is comfortable enough to take off her cool and lay around with those PINK sweatpants and "Just Say No" tee from back in the day, her comfort level is what makes her pretty because we all know how ugly low self-esteem is. HOWEVER, ladies, don't you, e-ver, get to, comfortable. Don't turn into Aunt Jemima as soon as you walk in the door and go searching for that scarf. Don't go from business professional to Cinderella fresh. I'm just saying, #whyyoualways gotta put on your sweatpants and birkenstocks?