Yesterday I was at my aunt’s house, her young 19 year old neighbor was saying how she broke up with her boyfriend because he had this dream of becoming a rapper but refused to support himself with a “real” job… I laughed out loud while listening.
I wasn’t laughing at her boyfriend’s dream or her frustration with him being unwilling to work… I was laughing because there are so many people that want to be rappers, singers, models, actors etc… but don’t want to work.
I’m married to an extremely talented artist with very ambitious dreams and goals… in addition to keeping a roof over our head, food in our mouths, and clothes on our backs, he works in order to pursue his dreams… One of my dreams is to see his dreams come true, so I work with him and support his efforts 100%.
I am not sure where this idea of not working came from… perhaps the Hip Hop culture is partly responsible. When I was growing up we had songs like Paid In Full which reminded us of the importance of work:
But now I learned to earn cos I’m righteous
I feel great! so maybe I might just
Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Then maybe I’ll stay alive
So I walk up the street whistlin this
Feelin out of place cos, man, do I miss
A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Me and eric b, and a nice big plate of
Fish, which is my favorite dish
But without no money it’s still a wish
Cos I don’t like to dream about gettin paid
So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
To now test to see if I got pull
Hit the studio, cos I’m paid in full
It’s ok to dream about being a rapper, an underwater basket weaver, or whatever else you want to be… I am a strong believer that all things are possible. But as Rakim said without money it’s still a wish. Everybody has to put in work! Anything worth having is worth working for…
I know some rappers get offended when people say rapping is not work. That is not what I’m saying. I am very old school Hip Hop and I remember ever so clearly I Go To Work by Kool Moe Dee:
To say rap is not work
Is ludicrous
Whoever said it
Must be new to this
When you hear me
Youll compare me
To a prophet for profit
Not merely
Putting words together for
Recreation
Each rhymes a dissertation
You wanna know my occupation
I get paid to rock the nation
I go to work
My point is simply, until you are getting paid to rock the nation, you need to have a source or sources of income to not only pay the bills, but to create the music, and to pro-actively pursue the dream! having talent ain’t enough, if it were I’d be in the company of lots of rockstars.
There is no record deal fairy handing out cash, giving away studio time, magically mixing mastering or mass producing cds, or guaranteeing distribution and marketing… The music industry is a business and to partake in the business, you must handle your business.
It has taken us years to complete our 1st project to our satisfaction. Why? Because while pursuing our dreams we still have to live.
In the words of the Late Great Gwen Guthrie, Ain’t Nothing Going On But The Rent!
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1st Love,
same with my younger brother, his dream is singer
Amen! The good things in life aren’t always free – most often they require hard work, sacrifice and discipline.
Though I’m one to talk I guess. I seem to spend a lot of time dreaming about what could be…
This reminds me of my good friend’s husband. He wants to be the next Eminem yet he does not even rap. Any man who thinks he can become rich and famous without even doing anything needs a serious reality check.
And kudos for the girl for dumping him! No girl should support a lazy man who does not think he has to pay his dues to get his rewards. All the real rappers paid a high price to get where they are and luckily for them they had that talent to use.
LOL what a funny incidence at your aunt’s home some I saw boys like your neighbors’ boy friend. Wow there was very funny incidence.
Very true, we need to work to fulfill our dreams…we need to earn for our goal to be a reality. It is sad to think that there are some people who just keep on dreaming and do not want to open their eyes to the realities of living.
Oh Iam sure HipHop ist a very hard business. And Iam sure that everyone who has really this dream will manage to keep it.
What you have said is exactly right one of the incident happened to me. You have said some of my feelings in your blog. you had done a great gob. thank u for excellent posting.
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It´s a bit optimistic to say that everybody who has a dream will make it. Especially in the musicbusiness. I tried to make it as a rapper for 6 years, and I did everything! Traveled around the world, sang on streets, wrote to every production company, entered talent competition. Now I have given up and dedicated my life to IT, not as exciting, but it pays my bills.
I actually have met several rappers and artists. I know Black Jesus, AGR, Wil Power, Young Man, Khily Mo, and Shawn Sparks pretty well. I've known them for half a year and they have been telling me of their struggle to be steady. If you don't want to sell out to big money people, then you'll have to start your own company or at least have the knowledge not to sell out. People do it all the time, but if you have a good head on your shoulders, you can do anything you want. You don't have to be a good rapper, just the people around you, that way, you can be on stage and have your part and sell out major crowds.
please help me
send me a cd, 100 institute rd worcester ma 01609 box# 3438. ill show your stuff to my boss. only he can decide whether or not you would benefit the alliance. check out my hubpages pages stuff and learn a little bit about us before you try and create anything. as far as i know, all you need to do to make good music is be passionate about what you rap/sing/write/paint about. put your whole body, your whole self, your life, your experience, your hate, your love, your sadness, your balls into your art. if you do that, you cannot go wrong. look deep inside yourself and make art. harlem 6 doesnt make music, they make art, they are making a movement. do that. lemme see what you create.
i im marcus my dream is to become a rapper and its been a lil difficult ive beeen rappin since the age of eight and this is my dream and basically my only talent wat should i do? im 17 now heres my number 773816-1770 text me
I agree.
There aint no such thing as money for nothing & tricks for free…….
There is nothing wrong to dream but just because artist sometimes makes it looked so easy doesn't mean successful artists reach their status overnight. Just like with any profession, it takes perseverance, dedication and hard work to get there.
I agree with you Edwin. Before reaching success, you will go through a lot of challenges and failures. But what is the beauty with experiencing these is that it makes you stronger and strengthen your goal of achieving success.
Marenda, your husband is lucky to have you as a partner because you are supportive of him. Someone aiming for a dream should receive a 100% support so that it will be much easier to climb up the ladder and move forward to reach the top.
I am really hoping to be an opera singer. I tried it out at a talent show. Let's see what happens.
Anyone can make it in this business if you are connected and have a money source. Talent alone is a crap shoot.
Just like with any profession, it takes perseverance, dedication and hard work to get there.
dream will not come true without it's support… money earn from job, is one of the support… your story make a point!!
Agree with you completely. It's important to have a job while you pursue your dreams.
Scholarships for Women
Typical of the youth now days, they all think they can be big stars and forget to live in the real world
People crave celebrity these days… Due to the ease that some people get there via reality TV. Isn't being a business person a better goal anyway? Get the money, and no hassle?
I believe that all things surely started from a dream
Nice lyrics. Keep posting.
Go for your dream…