I don’t believe in the conventional.  I am constantly inspired by people who make their own way in the face of adversity. People who are told what they CAN’T do and not only do it but EXCEL at it. There’s a shift happening in my life and I’m not sure where it will lead but there is a storm brewin’.  As many of you know, music is my life line and there are two things that have come out recently that had me glued to my seat: one being HBO’s documentary “The Defiant Ones” which talks about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s music and business partnership, and the second being Jay-Z’s latest album “4:44.”

Let’s start with “4:44.” It’s a short album, less than 40 minutes long.  The content is for adults and not because of foul language but because he is talking  about being a grown up. He talks about credit, legacy, he expresses guilt and remorse, he talks about homeownership, about being a father to his children, and WEALTH. Now, I’m not giving him a gold star for knowing how important these things are. The reason why it’s such a big deal is because these issues haven’t been discussed in this way and in this format before. And because usually rappers aren’t still rapping at this age and let’s face it, some NEVER grow up. In the age of social media and the facade that people buy into, he’s removing the packaging and showing what’s real and true.  A drug dealer with no college degree is a billionaire and whether you can respect the path from whence he came or not, you HAVE to respect his drive and his vision.  He was smart enough to know that rap alone would never be enough to sustain him for the long term so he turned into a BUSINESS, MAN. Inspired.

Now on to ‘The Defiant Ones.”  Dr. Dre’s ascension from “World Class Wreckin’ Cru” to being able to sell his headphones to Apple for 3 billion dollars is remarkable.  I’ve always loved him as a music producer and his involvement with N.W.A, Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Aftermath was game changing. And then you have the ultimate wingman that is Jimmy Iovine who I didn’t know started out as a music man engineering and producing for other artists.  I always heard of him as a business man only.  He got his start working with John Lennon, Stevie Nicks and Bruce Springsteen for heaven’s sake.  Both men have an INSANE work ethic, both went down paths less travelled by, and both men liked to think outside the box.  I believe that most visionaries have a little crazy in them and I think you have to in order to keep pushing forward especially in the music business. Here’s the other thing that I take away from both stories, timing is EVERYTHING.  When that wave comes you have to ride it which brings me back to my initial thought. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING. I am being called to lead. I don’t know to what extent just yet, but I am laying the groundwork NOW.  I always tell people that what I may lack on paper, I make up for in imagination. My imagination keeps me working toward a higher goal.  It makes me throw my name into the hat for consideration when I know I’m entering the race as an underdog.  I think there’s something great in me that I’ve always known was there that now needs to be cultivated so I want to study the great, surround myself with greatness and  be mentored by greatness. And so it begins…