jaevonn
Most people think real improvement only happens through physical practice. But mental image training — vividly imagining yourself succeeding — can build real skills too. I saw it firsthand when my imaginary basketball drills led to me draining shots like Steph Curry without touching a ball for weeks. Here’s how powerful the mind really is.
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March 25, 2025
When I was younger, every time I finished a drawing, I would rush to show my family. Their reactions were always over the top—full of excitement and praise. It felt good, like I had done something truly special.
But over time, their responses became more routine. Instead of the enthusiasm I was used to, I started hearing quick, casual responses: "Oh, nice." That was when it hit me—I needed to stop seeking reactions and just create for myself.
I think about those early days, drawing picture after picture, long before social media existed. There was no one to post them for, no audience to impress. I would finish a piece, look at it in awe, and simply add it to my personal collection. It was pure. I drew because I loved it, not because I was waiting for someone to tell me it was good.
Now, when I post and create, my only real question is: Do I think it’s dope? Because if I like it, someone else will too. And even if only one person connects with it, chances are, five others will, and so on. But that’s secondary. The real win is that I don’t need approval from anyone for what I do.
Self-validation freed me from the pressure of chasing approval. I wake up, thank God, ask Him to order my steps, and then I move—creating, expressing, living. No permission needed.
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March 6, 2025
Lawyer Harry making sure the fam is good, lol.
There’s a reason every successful family—especially in Black wealth-building—needs a lawyer, accountant, and doctor. These aren’t just career choices; they’re pillars of sustainability, protection, and generational progress. When families have these roles covered, they don’t have to rely on outsiders who may not have their best interests at heart. Instead, they can move as a unit, ensuring that knowledge, resources, and power stay within the family.
I’ve seen firsthand how this plays out. Just recently, I was able to help my cousin for free with a legal issue that could’ve otherwise cost thousands. If I weren’t a lawyer, he might have been forced to settle for whatever public defense or overpriced legal services he could afford. But because I pursued law—strategically, not just for personal gain but as a family asset—I was able to step in. That’s wealth in action, not just in terms of money but in access and security.
Black families often struggle with wealth retention, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of a lack of infrastructure. Wealth isn’t just about making money; it’s about keeping it, growing it, and passing it down. Without the right people in place, families lose money to bad contracts, poor investments, unnecessary medical bills, and legal pitfalls.
We’ve seen other communities master this formula. The lawyer ensures no one gets taken advantage of. The accountant ensures money is managed and grown properly. The doctor ensures health remains a priority, keeping the family functioning at full capacity. This setup isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Now, here’s the caveat: children shouldn’t be forced into careers they hate. That’s how you end up with resentful, underperforming professionals who never reach their full potential. Instead, families should observe their kids early, see what they naturally gravitate toward, and nudge them into paths that align with both passion and practicality.
For me, I always had artistic talent. If I blindly chased that with no strategy, I could have ended up a starving artist, struggling to make ends meet. But I followed my passion with logic and strategy, choosing law as a stable foundation that could fund and empower my creative pursuits. Now, I can create without the pressure of desperation. Success in law makes pursuing art easier, not harder.
The solution isn’t about strict enforcement; it’s about intentionality. Families should sit down and discuss, “Okay, who’s going to take on what? Who’s best suited for law, finance, or medicine? What’s a sustainable way for each child to contribute to the family’s strength?”
This isn’t about limiting options—it’s about expanding them in a structured way. When every member plays their part, the family moves like a corporation, each person contributing to a greater vision.
The ultimate goal? Self-sufficiency, longevity, and generational power. Because when you build a family where the money stays, the knowledge stays, and the resources stay—Black wealth stops being a dream and starts being a reality.
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You Are Appreciated: The Rarity of a Clean Public Restroom
February 22, 2025
Public restrooms are one of life’s unavoidable experiences. Whether you’re at a gas station off the highway, a fast-food joint, or even a high-end shopping mall, you’ll eventually have to venture into the abyss. And let’s be real—most of them smell like open ass.
It’s almost as if there’s an unspoken agreement that public restrooms are meant to be disgusting. The scent of bodily functions lingers in the air like an unwanted guest, the floors are often sticky for reasons unknown, and there’s always that one stall with a toilet seat that looks like it barely survived an apocalypse. It’s a universal struggle.
That’s why, when I stumble upon a genuinely clean public restroom, I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. The level of appreciation I have for a spotless, well-maintained, odor-free bathroom is beyond words. It’s like finding an oasis in the desert, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim reality. A restroom that smells neutral—or dare I say, pleasant—deserves its flowers. A place where the soap dispensers actually have soap, the paper towels aren’t empty, and the toilet seats don’t look like they should be condemned? That’s a place of honor.
What’s wild is that maintaining a clean restroom isn’t rocket science. Regular cleaning, functioning ventilation, and basic courtesy from the people using it could go a long way. And yet, here we are, bracing ourselves every time we push open a stall door, preparing for the worst.
So, to the businesses, restaurants, and public spaces that prioritize keeping their restrooms clean: You are appreciated. You may not hear it enough, but those of us who truly value hygiene salute you. May your floors remain dry, your air stay fresh, and your toilets always flush properly. The world needs more of you.
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January 7, 2024
Hyper independence is often celebrated as a badge of honor in a world where self-reliance is seen as the ultimate marker of strength. The notion of "I’ve got it, I don’t need anyone" resonates deeply with many of us, especially those who’ve had to endure hardships and rely solely on their own abilities to push through. But what happens when hyper independence becomes less of a survival tool and more of a prison?
For those of us raised in environments where dependency was a weakness—where asking for help was met with ridicule, rejection, or simply no response—hyper independence can feel like the only way to move forward. It's a mindset born out of necessity, one that says, "If I don’t do it, nobody will." And while it can fuel ambition and resilience, it also builds walls so high that no one can climb over to help, even when you desperately need it.
Hyper independence thrives on the illusion of control. You feel accomplished when you handle things alone. You’re proud when you juggle multiple responsibilities without breaking a sweat—at least outwardly. But behind closed doors, hyper independence is lonely. It’s exhausting. It’s isolating. The very traits that others admire about you are the ones eating away at your soul.
I’ve been there—balancing ten different plates, refusing to let anyone so much as touch a single one. Whether it’s financial struggles, family burdens, or professional pressures, I’ve told myself countless times, I’ll figure it out. And in many cases, I have. But at what cost? Burnout, resentment, and the sinking realization that my refusal to lean on others has robbed me of deeper connections.
You see, hyper independence isn’t strength—it’s armor. It’s a shield we use to protect ourselves from disappointment. If no one helps, they can’t let you down. If you never depend on anyone, you don’t have to deal with betrayal. But in protecting ourselves from vulnerability, we’re also cutting ourselves off from the benefits of community, love, and shared burdens.
Think about the moments where you genuinely needed someone but kept silent. Think about the times you struggled and someone offered help, but you declined because you didn’t want to appear weak. Hyper independence convinces us that being vulnerable is synonymous with being powerless. In reality, vulnerability is a bridge—it connects us to others in ways that hyper independence never can.
So how do we break free? It starts with reframing our definition of strength. True strength isn’t about doing everything on your own; it’s about knowing when to ask for help. It’s about understanding that independence and interdependence can coexist. You can stand tall and still lean on others when necessary. You can be self-reliant and still invite people into your life to share the load.
For me, letting go of hyper independence has been a gradual process. It’s meant unlearning the idea that asking for help makes me weak. It’s meant recognizing that people who genuinely care about you want to help, not to diminish you but to stand beside you. And it’s meant forgiving myself for the years I spent thinking I had to do it all alone.
The downfall of hyper independence isn’t about abandoning self-reliance. It’s about finding balance. It’s about knowing when to carry the weight and when to pass it off. It’s about understanding that we’re not meant to live this life in solitary confinement, no matter how capable we are. Because in the end, the strongest people aren’t the ones who never need help—they’re the ones who know how to ask for it.
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Life Logs by Jaevonn Harris
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Creativity has two modes: creating for yourself and creating for others. Whether I’m making music, art, or merch, I lean toward staying true to my vision—but I know how to shift gears when needed. Let me break down how I balance these two approaches in my music, upcoming album, and brands like WELÇOME© and THE CORNER™."
Read MoreNo More Big 3! What's Cole's Next Move?!?!
July 11, 2024
If you haven’t read my previous article, scroll down on the freshthoughts2020 tab and check it out. In that article, we discussed whether Kendrick’s feud with Drake might be pointless if he doesn’t aim for the commercial number one spot. With a clear task ahead for Kendrick (whether he follows it or not), we’re left to ask: What is Cole’s next move?
Cole came into 2024 in a great position in the power rankings and was a strong front-runner to take the lead. He outperformed Drake on “First Person Shooter,” went bar to bar with him again on “Evil Ways” from the “Scary Hours Edition of For All The Dogs,” and just completed a successful national tour.
IMAGE VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES
Cole was set to answer the call when he released his “Might Delete Later” EP. However, moments later, his infamous apology came, leading many people to write him off and not wanting to hear from him for a while. Then he reappeared on the bubbling New York sensation Cash Cobain’s track “Grippy,” which has been regarded as one of Cole’s worst verses. The verse wasn’t even bad, but if it wasn’t mind-blowing post-apology, any verse he penned was going to get panned anyway.
The idea of the Big 3 has been dismantled. The world waits on a new K-dot album, ready to crown him as number one, while the Drizzy hive stands patient awaiting Drake’s inevitable return. Again, what is Cole to do?
I believe Cole has to do two things to ensure a great comeback and even get his name back into that front-runner conversation. We know he’s been hyping up his album The Fall Off, which is in a worse position post-beef. Here’s what he should do to make sure his album isn’t swept under the rug when it drops.
First, Cole has to address Symba. Why Symba? People may have forgotten about that freestyle he did on the “Control” beat, but it needs to be addressed. He sympathized with letting Nas down but went on to say he left Bas and Cozz down, the whole squad down. He slammed him for the apologies. Cole has to address how he didn’t have to clout beef with Kendrick, and most importantly, he has to spank Symba for even thinking he can say that. There are a few angles he can go with, but I probably shouldn’t reveal that. If Cole is capable like I know he is, he should know the angles too. There are plenty of lyricists who will probably make fun of that apology moving forward with general bars, but he needs to make Symba the poster child of what happens when you disrespect Cole.
He needs to do this because Symba has enough lyrical respect from peers and elder statesmen of hip-hop that he’s worth addressing, and because Symba doesn’t threaten Cole in popularity. It’s like Pusha T with Drake. Symba can scorch Cole until he’s blue in the face, but modern rap is a popularity contest, and Cole would never lose that. However, for this to be effective, Cole would have to scorch Symba as if he’s going up against JAY-Z himself—no mercy! If Cole does this, half of the two-part plan to dominance will be secured by everyone taking mental notes: “Maybe we shouldn’t mess with this guy; that apology stuff doesn’t really mean anything.”
The second thing Cole must do is very simple: hits on hits! He has to get into his Forest Hills bag. That’s far from my favorite project from him, but it’s his most commercially successful album, and his sound isn’t compromised! He should re-listen to that album hard while creating The Fall Off and study the singles from Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. He needs smashes—songs for the radio!
With these two things working in unison, we’ll quickly forget the same people saying they “...never want to hear him again,” “he’s soft,” blah blah, will be the same people saying “oh Cole’s the G.O.A.T., Cole’s the G.O.A.T.”
These are only suggestions, and he can take these suggestions and stuff them up Rubi Rose’s ass for all he cares. But if he still cares and wants to get back in that conversation, he’s got to do something along these lines. It’s not even much, but it’ll be more than enough. Trust!
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THE ACCOUNTABILITY SNOWBALL
I was thinking real quick on why people have such a difficult time with accountability. Specifically, people within my community/social sphere. I believe it stems from most people starting off in circumstances beyond their control. First, actually being born is a whole outside event in itself. You didn’t ask to be here, you had no idea you was coming (God Did lol) but you just showed up and until adolescence (young adulthood) your life is in someone else’s hands.
During this time. a period we’ll refer to as “Deferred Responsibility”; you’re being guided by someone’s morals, life experience, and financial stability, all which effects your overall childhood and has a huge impact on who you are to become.
Back in church we were taught about the age of accountability, while a verse may not explicitly states how old you are when you are considered “accountable”, we were generally taught at 12 years old you have reached the age of accountability. Which means you should know right from wrong and you have enough foundation to make solid decisions and if you make an unwise decision you should be able to own up to your decisions and face the music.
If we know there’s a certain threshold where accountability is “activated”, then why do many adults have difficulty being accountable? Its because trauma + a no responsibility period + a dramatic responsibility increase = adults who have difficulty being accountable. Its hard to own up to things when everything was so out of your control and now life is forcing you to be in control.
Some people are faced with raising children, building careers, overcoming heartache, health conditions, its always something to face. However, it gets to a certain point in life where you have to ask “When am I going to take responsibility for my life”, “when will I admit whatever is going on at this point is my fault”.
Me for example, I have so much I can hold onto and be a loser about. Nobody ever got me driver’s training, I grew up financially unstable, I never been to disneyworld as a kid lol. I got plenty stuff I can hold onto, be sad about, and allow it to stagnate me in life.
But screw that one day I sat down and said “Bro whatever I have in my life its my fault, and if I don’t have it now I’m going to work to get it!”. From that moment I went on a winning streak lmao. Still took L’s but man I refused to live handcuffed by childhood trauma because if you never get over it, it snowballs into adulthood and you’re chained to the past.Take control now if you haven’t and make that determination today, “Life is in my hands and I’m going to achieve with everything I desire!”! How can you move forward if you’re always looking behind? Think about it beloved..
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🎉 Exciting News! 🎨
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of art and inspiration at the Murphy Arts Center, Future Friends HMC Art Gallery.
🗓 Date: Friday, September 1, 2023 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM 📍 Location: 1043 Virginia Ave, Suite 213
Join me, Jaevonn Harris, and an incredible lineup of fellow artists for a captivating showcase. From my latest creations to the stunning works of other talented artists, you're in for an artistic journey like no other.
Indulge in the world of creativity, shop unique art merchandise, and connect with like-minded art enthusiasts. It's an evening designed to celebrate passion and imagination.
Your presence would be the perfect brushstroke to this canvas of creativity. I can't wait to share this experience with you.
See you there! 🎨🖼🥂
NOTHING LIKE A GOOD CAMEO
August 31, 2022
On this day, I was watching Latto’s video for her single, “It’s Givin”. It’s a standout track on her sophomore album, 777, and its produced by FNZ, JetsonMade, and Pooh Beatz. While I was watching the video, I saw several cameos from the likes of Angela Simmons, Chloe x Halle, Ella Mai, Flo Milli and more. That’s when I thought man its something about a good cameo that just make a video/film/track, etc hit harder. I believe its because of several things..
I.CAMEO SHOWS SUPPORT.
Cameo is defined as a small character part in a play or movie, played by a distinguished actor or a celebrity. Meaning that this is someone who doesn’t have to be apart of whatever their making a cameo in. Their role is minor and its probably free of charge, so its something about this project that is so respectable by the person making the cameo, that it makes the cameo worthwhile. I believe the audience can pick up on that and something goes off in their head like wow this person must believe in this things they’re in otherwise why are you here?
II.CAMEO CAN ALSO BE A SIGN OF RESPECT.
The main example of this are probably the Stan Lee cameos. Other than the fact he probably had a literal contract clause that required him to make a cameo in most Marvel movies, I’m sure most people would not be opposed to seeing a founding pillar of Marvel make an appearance for a few seconds. Stan Lee cameos were the living embodiment multiple years filled with sacrifice, failure, and triumph. You saw the movie’s vision as Stan Lee made his standard pop in. You think about the external things that I mentioned previously before you dive back into the deep comic world built by him and others.
A well placed cameo can take a simple video to moment in time. If you can create a moment and possibly create a timestamp in history then your piece of performative art accomplished everything it could be and more!
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MY JOURNEY TO NO WAY HOME
Yesterday, I finally saw the year’s most anticipated film, Spider-Man: No Way Home. After foolishly browsing the internet while the swarms of spoilers were released into the atmosphere, I actively avoided spoilers and got the experience I longed for.
Man It turned out to be worth every ounce of excitement I put into this damn movie. I purposely saw it in a big theatre, wore some WLCM, and brought in my favorite snack to enjoy this cinematic masterpiece.
But how about we start this from the beginning?
So when No Way Home news first started we knew Doctor Strange would be involved and would kind of play a Tony Stark-esque role to Peter. Which Peter desperately needed another mentor figure in his life after the death of Mr.Stark. (Damn R.I.P. Tony we miss you my boy).
Anyways that’s all we had until that trailer dropped. Oh my lord that first trailer dropped and I lost my muffin top beloved. Besides the usual spider action, we saw classic Spiderman villains, Doc-Ock and at the end we saw one of the Green Goblin’s bombs!
Holy smokes! That trailer impacted me so much I had to make a song about No Way Home. I even drew myself in a spider suit for the single cover. At this point I’m all in Spiderman.
So the anticipation builds and builds. I start hearing talks that Tobey McGuire and Andrew Garfield may make an appearance in the film. However both parties denied their appearances and I was left with nothing but speculation.
Anyways another trailer drops and now I realized the Jamie Foxx’s character will be returning which give me more hope for Multiverse Madness!!(no pun intended).
Finally, its release week! This movie is going so damn crazy people tried to sale opening day tickets for 10K beloved, 10K! If I ever spend 10K on movie tickets please slap me with the biggest Thor Hammer you can find in the multiverse.
Head to the merchandise tab for more.
Knowing this is the biggest premiere of the year my main mission was to avoid the damn spoilers at any costs! I couldn’t stop using the internet for business purposes so I just tried to avoid certain pages, although I probably could’ve muted certain words but I didn’t feel doing that.
Me and my girlfriend seeing the movie!
So I made it my mind, I’m seeing No Way Home opening week. I wanted my haircut, I wanted to wear a WLCM hoodie that featured the webslinger, and I wanted to watch it in a packed theatre for reactions to special scenes.
Lord and behold I got exactly what I wanted. My barber hooked me up to the heavens, my WLCM hoodie was nicely pressed, and the theatre reacted gloriously! *SPOILER WARNING!!!*
Especially when Andrew and Tobey was revealed, I literally screamed “Oh Shiiiiiiiiiitttt”. Man it was so hype beloved. I left the theatre so satisfied. I wanted to make a whole soundtrack but I didn’t have the time. I’ll still probably make one more song inspired by the film though.
But there it is loved one, my journey to No Way Home was like a kid’s. Nothing but excitement that didn’t even leave me disappointed. Zendaya’s character said “Expect disappointment not to be disappointed.”However, expected the exact opposite and got exactly what I wanted!
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YEEZY ACTIONS
April 25, 2021
Boy was at TMZ talking crazy lol.
Lately the boy Kanye West has been under hella scrutiny and I guess for good reason. He ran around supporting what some people consider public enemy number one, he said slavery was a choice (even though people knew what he meant they just chose to ignore that), and a host of other things that made people go “wtf kanye”. Regardless of Kanye’s crazy actions we should applaud these actions he’s taken lately.
I. DMX
Turn $200 into a Million!
First off rest in peace, Earl Simmons. You may know him as DMX, the polarizing Yonkers MC gave the world numerous classics and greater than his classics he provided the world with an ingenuity that few possess. DMX was filled with so much soul that radiated with the nation, all colors and creed. When DMX passed hit it us all hard and naturally those in the arts wanted to honor DMX with tangible art.
Kanye did that by partnering with Balenciaga to create a DMX memorial tee. What makes this collaboration special is Kanye could’ve easily released this on his own accord or DMX estate could’ve easily printed up $30 tees for the public to consume. However, Kanye used high fashion and used people love for designer to his advantage.
Adding the designer cache, using a non-hip platform to elevate a hip hop legend, all equals a winning strategy that ended up greatly benefitting DMX’s estate. A $200 shirt amassed over a $1 Million that went to DMX’s estate and will continue to help his family even after DMX’s unfortunate passing. Ye didn’t have to do this. But his love and respect for DMX, especially having early placements on DMX album, drove him to make sure he honored DMX in a way HE KNEW he could. That’s something to respect in my opinion.
II. GEORGE FLOYD
Also, rest in peace to George Floyd. I don’t even have to go into details here, we all sadly know that George Floyd’s life was unjustly taking and stirred up a smorgasbord of emotions across the world! Everyone reacted in different ways..some took to the streets to protest, some was driven to write, some was driven to create art, and some was even pushed to pray harder for change.
“I am one with the people” - Kanye West.
(c) Saint Pablo ft Sampha. The Life of Pablo.
Kanye took action as well by silently making one of the most commendable moves that a person with his stature can make in response to a situation such as this. Kanye donated $2 million to the estates of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.
Not only did he make a monetary donation to the estate, he started a college fund for George Floyd’s daughter! Say what you want but that’s huge! Unfortunately the unjust deaths of blacks & minorities bring out vultures and attention whores who want to use misfortune to their advantage. It serves as think-pieces, social commentary, and many other profit driven forms.
Nothing is wrong with speaking and writing about these situations, but if you claim to be a progenitor of change but you’re all talk and no action then what are you really doing? Ye was not obligated to do this, yes he’s wealthy but his wealth is not owed to society. He may be criticized if he chose to not use his wealth to make change but at the end of the day it is his choice! He didn’t make a big splash or come out screaming from the mountain tops, “Look at what me, Kanye West has done!!!”.
No he saw a great wrong and he did what he probably felt in his heart was right. For someone who’s life was cut without just cause, creating opportunity for their offspring is one of the most respectable things you can do. Its literally putting your money where your mouth is, which is more of what we need!
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WHEN I KNEW RADIO WAS RIGGED
We all know radio is trash when it comes to playing music, You’re going to hear the same six and seven songs because if you’re not on a major label you’re mostly not getting played. The radio have the potential to be so much more but it will never reach that because of the money and politics that is involved in radio. So when did I know radio was definitely rigged? Let’s take it back to 2003.
Back in 2003, Outkast released their more commercially successful album ever, the diamond-certified double disc, Speakerboxxx/TheLoveBelow. Speakerboxxx was a lyrical showcase and we know The Love Below helped set the foundation for much of today’s melodic hip hop. It was a true masterpiece. Till this day people still don’t know that Andre 3000 actually says “Happy Valentines Day, Everyday the 14th” not “February 14th”. People have argued me down about this but it was absolutely pointless I had the real cd, with the booklet that had the lyrics, so argue your mama.
Anyways, I can’t recall which song I wanted to hear on the radio but most likely it was Prototype. So one day we was in the car and I called into the radio to make a request. I couldn’t believe I actually got through! The dude said “ whats up man what you wanna hear” ? I was like “yo I wanna hear Protrotype by Outkast!” He said “Alr man we got that coming right up and take all that bass out your voice’. I believed he asked my age so thats why he said that.
Me and my mama was all excited like aw Vonnie you made the radio so cool. Then we waited and waited and waited and they never played my song!! But you know what they played? The same dang song we heard earlier!!!!!!! That’s when I knew the radio is trash and is rigged and don’t care about what people want to hear.
I never understood why people would call in and request the song they just heard played 30 times in 2 hours. It made me think man are these callers fake? What is the deal here !
But since that day I refused to call in again and I damn sure don’t listen to the radio anymore lol.
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WE MUST BE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT WE MAKE COOL
Its no secret that hip hop is the most influential genre/culture in the world. It impacts every aspect of living from fashion to the automobile industry and everything in between. I was watching the video for Jeezy’s “Almighty Black Dollar ft Rick Ross” and he had some bars slamming non-black owned lyrics. After seeing that it made me think about the connection of alcohol and hip hop and what made certain spirits so cool.
I. I’LL BE DAMNED IF I DRINK BELVEDERE WHILE PUFF GOT CÎROC
HOV said these lyrics from the standout track “Family Feud” from the 2017 release “4:44”. Its crazy to see Hov get to this point, if you know the history with him and the world of spirits. During the earlier days of his career, you could hear and see a constant unofficial endorsement of Cristal. It was Cristal this Cristal that, until the owner of Cristal said some disparaging racist remarks. After that HOV made a declaration to not support Cristal again.
Other people followed suit yet you still see some artists drink Cristal…to this day. The question is why? Especially if most of them is privy to the racist remarks made.
II. ARTISTS HAVE TO LIVE OUT WHAT THEY LOOKED UP TO
As I stated earlier, hip hop is the most influential thing in the world. So of course the influence permeates in upcoming hip hop acts. From the Lyrics to the Image, part of an artist come up is being to live out things they saw growing up. So it made me realized the new artists are gonna live out what they aspired to at least once.
The first thing I thought about was lyrics by local Detroit cult classic rap group, Doughboyz Cashout. Its no secret they were inspired by the even more classic rap group, Streetlordz and the streetlordz had hella lyrics referencing Cristal so its no surprise that DBC would pop up in their videos with Cristal as well.
To Bring it to a more national level, I even remember when Rocky first came out in 2011, I was seeing him in his video with Cristal and it was clear he had an extreme 90s influence on his music.
You can’t fault artists for promoting the Cristal image because it was associated with legendary moments in life. However once those moments are felt you do notice the artists quickly abandon that aspiration they had and move on to something different. You don’t see Rocky or DBC talking about no damn Cristal anymore. Its just don’t hit as hard once you already did it.
III. WHY WE MUST BE CONSCIOUS
A person can’t get over something they put on a pedestal until they experience what they put on a pedestal and realize that its not as hype as they thought it was. We have to be conscious of what we make cool from the beginning so we won’t start a cycle of b.s. Older experienced+respected street dudes can tell the youngins the streets isn’t worth it, but the youngins still want to have their own experiences and its hard to listen when the OG made the street life seems so appealing and worth the risk.
So if we start in the beginning to be conscious of what we elevate in the culture we can alleviate the dumb stuff at a much rapid rate and we can focus on elevating instead of waiting each generation to grow up and then proceed with the growth.
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A SINGLE MEAL
an interpretation of Jacob and Esau: img source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jconnectseattle.org%2Fevents%2Fjacob-and-esau-whos-really-the-good-twin-and-whos-the-evil-one%2F&psig=AOvVaw2lUW0Bkmgll5fii-euhSZH&ust=1610159382571000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJjtr66li-4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Whenever I speak with people going thru turbulent times, I always try to remind them do not make desperate decisions, even if it seems like there is no other option. Desperation leads to an impulsiveness that can be hard to rectify. Impulsive acts are often foolish choices that can have big blowbacks simply because we didn’t take time to think of things in the long run.
img source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chabad.org%2Fparshah%2Farticle_cdo%2Faid%2F2372639%2Fjewish%2FEsau-Sells-His-Birthright-for-a-Mess-of-Pottage.htm&psig=AOvVaw3PO95klGIlCayCPkVg2Rtv&ust=1610159497418000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCNjMld2li-4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
This made me think of the story of Esau and Jacob, the two sons of Abraham. Esau was entitled to Abraham’s blessing being that he was the first born. However, Esau was unaware about how much value his birthright had and his younger brother would soon take advantage of that.
One day after working in the fields, a hungry and fatigued Esau entered the home as Jacob was making a pot of stew. Stew that probably wasn’t that good, but would probably taste crazy delicious to a man who hasn’t ate a thing all day long. Especially back in those biblical days, man the heat probably hit so different and he was probably funky, he just needed a good meal and a bath lol.
Anyways, Jacob seized this moment (he was plotting on Esau’s birthright the whole time) and offered Esau the stew in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Esau made a foolish rationalization, declaring that a birthright will be worthless to a dead man so he swore off his birthright in exchange of food.
After learning he was tricked by his mother and Jacob ( go read the full story in Genesis and you’ll see how that came about), he tried to get his birthright back but to no avail.
Here’s a couple things that impulsiveness/desperation makes you do:
REASONS THAT DON’T MAKE NO SENSE
In a desperate measure you start trying to convince yourself that the dumb decision you is about to make is a good one, you can usually tell its a foolish rationalization because it will involve extremities. I.E. Esau saying a birthright is no good to a dead man. I mean I guess that’s true but that boy wasn’t about to die, he was just hungry, yeah we all been at that point of what feels like starvation but like I always say, “it ain’t that deep.”
2. SHORT TERM EARN, LONG TERM BURN
Esau’s birthright had so much attach to it. It’s a literal blessing from God, you have a whole lineage covered in God’s divine grace. God’s grace covers a multitude of things in your life from health to wealth and everything in between. His birthright was long term gain, something he wouldn’t immediately feel the affects from but it was a sure thing if you let it play out.
But that food it was right there, in that very moment. You knew the instant effects of that food. You was hungry, bones aching, you been in that hot pre-historic sun, ain’t no nikes back then you probably in sandals made from wood, man you just wanna eat. You can smell that food and you can even taste it. But you can only eat that one time, once Esau eats that food and his stomach is quieted bet he came back to reality like, “this fool done stole my whole birthright, naw imma need that back on god”.
However, it’s no getting that back. Once you make a dumb in the moment decision its gonna take the Grace of God Almighty himself to help you bounce back and that was something Esau didn’t have.
FINAL WORDS
Your mind can play some tricky sometimes sick games in your head cues Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks on Me , but you have to remember that if I make this decision in haste its 90% chance this isn’t going to go as well as I think it is. Remember to never trade your “birthright” for “a single meal”, its just never worth it.
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THEY SAID YOU COULDN’T FIND THIS IN THE BIBLE
I was scrolling twitter one day, reading my timeline and I seen a tweet from one of my favorite accounts to follow. He alleges the law of attraction and the law of responsibility couldn’t be found in school or the bible.
This tweeter is a smart young man and very entertaining but I found the statement he said false, well only the part where he says it can’t be found in the Bible. He’s right school isn’t teaching you all that extra spiritual stuff, they don’t wanna see you win foreall anyways lol.
I. LAW OF ATTRACTION.
First, twitter user, Guns & Crayons said “law of attraction you visualize what you want- energy harvesting you get people behind your vision use their energy.”
According to Proverbs 23:7, “for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..” Whatever you think and dwell on in your heart will manifest itself in your life. At this point, this is general knowledge to most people who have an ounce of spirituality but some are unaware of its biblical roots.
The other part to his law of attraction meaning states, “energy harvesting you get people behind your vision use their energy.” Growing up as a Christian, and a continuing practicing Christian, I was taught that blessings are always delivered through people. You can use this verse as a piece of evidence.
Proverbs 15:22 says “plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.” Abundant advisors are people getting behind your vision. When you listen to counsel you are effectively using their energy to help propel your plans forward.
II. LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY
Next, my mans said “law of responsibility — you show the universe you can handle it so it gives you more..” According to the word, we were always taught don’t despise small beginnings. Zechariah 4:10 says “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see work begin, to see the plumb in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
This excerpt from biblehub.com , explains this perfectly. “4:10 For who hath despised - In the work of God, the day of small things is not to be despised. God often chuses weak instruments, to bring about mighty things: and tho' the beginnings be small, he can make the latter end greatly to increase. For - Tho' they undervalued the meanness of the second temple, yet when finished, they shall rejoice in it.
The plummet - The perpendicular with which Zerubbabel shall try the finished work. With those seven - In subordination to the Divine Providence expressed by the seven eyes, which were on that stone.
And those that have the plummet in their hand, must look up to these eyes of the Lord, must have a constant regard to the Divine Providence, and as in dependence upon its conduct, and submission to its disposals.”
Christians always turn to this verse to explain to people do not give up in the beginning and the beginning has a purpose. The Lord is always interested in developing our character. Plenty of people in the Bible started lowly and weren’t elevated quickly. David was destined to be king as a young man, but he wasn’t proclaimed as king till much later.
Arguably his greatest feat, defeating Goliath the Giant, couldn’t had happened without first saving the sheeps from the Lion. David protecting the sheep from the Lion, showed the God of the universe that he would be able to protect the Lord’s sheep (the actual people) from an opponent as fierce as a Lion (Goliath).
If David couldn’t protect the sheep, how would he be able to protect a whole group of people, that’s why he had to show he could handle his responsibility before he was giving more.
III. SEARCH THE WORD
In conclusion, I know people are off put by institutionalized religion. We know slavery used religion against us and hypocritical preachers are deterring people left and right. However, the wrongdoing of the people does not take away from the truth in the word. Before we claim, something is not in the Bible or we can’t learn from it, let us first search the word first before we make such claims.
This article is not an attack on Guns & Crayons, I just wanted to use his tweet as a teaching moment. Love.
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AN UN-DRIVEABLE BENZ
One particular day I was getting my haircut and during the cut I was facing the window. Across the street was an autobody shop that had a couple cars out front and in the midst of those cars I noticed a benz. I said “man that Benz hard but it can’t even go nowhere.” That’s when it hit me, a lot of things in life can be like an un-driveable benz.
The Benz out front looked like nothing was wrong with it. It didn’t look too old, it still had a nice platinum finish, and at the end of the day it’s a benz for Christ sake! lol. However, no matter how good it looked I knew it was being wasted if its sitting out front not functioning.
An un-driveable benz can be like a seemingly healthy exterior(Slim, Nice Skin, etc.) but the insides are in peril. I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my cousin. We were at my aunty apartment and we just finished swimming. I don’t know what triggered it but I said to him “cuz just because you’re skinny don’t mean you’re healthy”.
That conversation always creeps me out because my cousin ended up passing several years later and he was skinny & tall, you would think he was a perfectly healthy kid(he played basketball and everything). But what outsiders wouldn’t be able to tell is that he had a vicious battle with asthma.
Being in shape or just appearing fine is nothing if you’re not actually fine. A new KIA is automatically better than a Benz, if the Benz doesn’t even operate. So to put this thought to an end, think about the classic phrase “its whats on the inside that counts” and continue forward from there!
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CARRIED BY YOUR WORKS
I. BUILD A CATALOG
Creating a lasting legacy should be at the top of everyone’s mind. No matter the field you are in, consistency and persistency will always help you reach your goal. The key to keeping your work is alive is by building a catalog.
If you do music, you can’t drop one song a year and expect to be Drake. (Don’t tell yourself the quality over quantity lie, something I touched on in a previous article, go find it beloved).
You have to add to your repertoire daily and give people a sort of never ending stream of your works. Let’s take a look at a few examples
II. PASTOR STEPHEN DARBY
Pastor Stephen Darby was a pastor out of Louisville, KY, who gained a lot of traction online for his prophetic and convicting messages. Truly his messages are life changing, they deeply pierces the soul. Unfortunately Pastor Darby, suddenly passed away and just like that there weren’t any new messages to look forward to, no new spiritual food to feast on.
However, Pastor Darby has so many videos already put up online, it’s almost as if he didn’t go anywhere, there is always a video to watch and his videos are so deep, you can rewatch the same videos and still receive something new from it.
Pastor Darby had the foresight to record and build up his works, now when a person discovers him, they may be upset that he died but they can always feel connected to him and his ministry because he did what he was supposed to do and built a catalog.
III. MY ARTWORK
The art game is a whole different beast. Playing this game takes time, effort, and a bit of money. Where people fail is at the time and effort, just like how making one song a year gets you nowhere so does making one piece a year or very seldom making pieces. Being inconsistent is absolute poison to your art career.
However, let’s explore how did the opposite of that.
A. BACK IN THE RHYTHM
Believe it or not, during my undergraduate years at UAPB (wooooooo) I did not spend much time drawing. Matter fact the only time I remember drawing is my freshmen year and the time I’m going to tell you about now.
In my senior year, I had to do summer school to finish my last semester timely, I refused to come back for the fall, I wanted out of there!!
To keep myself occupied during those dog days of the summer I started back sketching in my mini sketchbook. I rebranded my art page from (JHarryartcorner) to (the__corner) and I started uploaded sketches frequently, finding myself back in love with drawing.
B. 2016
2016, was the year I put the battery in my pack not to let up. It was the year I finally got to go to New York for the first time. This was a frustrating period because I graduated college with no opportunity, I lost my great paying job to go take a test to graduate and when I got back it was hell getting into the marketplace.
Literally applied to over a 1,000 jobs (no cap, I really mean over a thousand!!!) before I got back to it but that’s another story.
Anyways, I got to New York and it was a breath of fresh air, exactly what I needed. Everyday there I drew new pictures, constantly adding to the lore of the__corner. It was even times I had to choose between eating or getting new markers, of course I chose the markers!!
Even after my return from New York, I was able to continue my consistency into drawing, and I am still carried by those 2016 works today.
C. TYING IT ALL TOGETHER
Recently I started an archive page where I post daily, yes daily, previous works that I’ve done over the year. I’ve put in so much work I can flood the TL at any time. Even before my consistent 2016 year, I’ve been drawing all my life so I can post those as well.
It’s crazy some of those works are just getting the recognition they deserved. Even pics I did from two years ago are receiving the recognition like it just came out today. Products that I created in 2017, sitting on the floor of my apartment are now some of my highest grossing items.
D. PUTTING THAT WORK IN
First of all it is because of Christ I am able to flourish in any of this. In addition to that, this is what happens when you consistently put that work in. You can be carried by your work! You won’t even have to make new stuff if you don’t want, when you built up your catalog enough, (why do you think your music publishing and stuff like that is so important but thats another story).
So go out there and put in the work, so you too may be carried by your work!
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