Embraced.
“Ma, I think I wanna pack up my car, move to L.A. and pursue music.”
Those simple words felt like a monumental moment for me, as I wandered around the living room of my 800 sqft. college apartment. My mom and I were on the phone for one of our daily talks when I finally realized my self-proclaimed calling. It was Spring of year 2015 and I was finishing up my last few semesters at Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL), where I would eventually earn my Bachelors of Science, majoring in Recording Arts. Music was and is my passion. It was music that helped me through breakups, sporting events, inspirational endeavors… Music was my fire to my charcoal, becoming ablaze the second I heard a catchy melody or rhythm. Yeah, I was that annoying kid beatboxing to the consistent cadence of a turning signal, while in the backseat of an otherwise, quiet vehicle. Music was embedded in my DNA.
While at Full Sail, I learned so much about the value of one’s process. You can’t forsake your journey. Skipping steps is an easy outlet to an expedited version of failure. Though failure isn’t always bad, unnecessary failure is never ideal. Therefore, I learned as a 21 year old college student that it’s okay to go through the storms. I mean honestly as confusing as it was, I was never afraid of jumping over hurdles. With my school schedule being hectic and being financially limited, I knew that the storm would eventually end. After all, rain is a refreshing signal of growth and newness. We may not usually like storms but in our lives, there are always seasons when they are completely necessary. Storms can definitely be survived. Besides… Umbrellas are cheap at Family Dollar, you’ll be alright.
I also learned how important it is to understand that your plan isn’t always THE Plan. As a spiritual person and Christian, I realized that my timing was often times inaccurate with the season I was in. Allow me to be specific. For a while, I wanted to move to L.A. and pursue music. After I had that dramatic phone conversation with my mother, I noticed that my mind and heart felt so courageous. I had the utmost confidence that this particular moment was MY moment… The pinnacle of my prolific passion for music had finally revealed itself. I was in the Genesis of my Revelation. I was unstoppable, a powerful force that had understood it’s true portentous potential…
Well….Yeah …bruh, I was just young & dumb lol.
Though music was certainly a gift of mine, I later realized it was only one of the avenues to direct me in my correct path. L.A. was not the move at that moment. However, I now understand why it wasn’t. It just wasn’t the proper season.
Detroit is a place of Triumph. It’s one of those spots where you just feel so empowered. You feel as though anything can be accomplished with hustle, grit and style. You feel as though once you become engulfed within the Culture, you become a superhero. You develop a superpower that is unique but recognizable by every other Detroiter. Detroit is a place of soldiers. We are all ready for whatever and will absolutely demolish anything in our path stopping us from getting to where we need to be. Detroit is me. I am Detroit. While I would’ve loved to be in L.A. rapping under some record label, Detroit needed me. I needed Detroit. Though Detroit bred and raised me, we were about to develop a unique relationship where I needed to be more than just a soldier. I just wasn’t sure about my battle.
So instead of L.A., I moved back to Detroit, where I found true Purpose. See, purpose and passion are two different things. One could speak passionately and move a conversation… but one could also speak within Purpose and inspire a generation. The latter chose me. My purpose was within my voice. I slowly discovered how to use my voice once I learned how to use my ears. A fool would speak before listening, while a wise man learned to listen before he learned to speak. Listening is a superpower to progress within Love and humanity. Often times voices go unheard and selfish ideas are prioritized. Unfortunately, that has been a thorn in the hips of our Communities for decades. I learned that part of my purpose is to be a haven, a platform, a sound board where the voices of The People can be amplified to articulate an accurate narrative, depicting the true stories of Our Community. My gifts are in service to the folk who miss out due to whatever reason.
Once I moved back to Detroit, I became infatuated with pursuing my purpose through Community Outreach, Community Development, Community Programming, Youth Voice, Education… and finally Music & Creative Expression. However, that took me developing a peace with being inaccurate with my timing. I finally understand that everything is seasonal. One’s season is not always in unison with clarity but one’s season can be revealed in moments of confusion. It is always important to understand that your process should not be forsaken, but embraced.