“One you never heard of I,
Push it hard to further the
Grind, I feel like murder but,
Hip Hop just saved me..”

- Nikki Jean

Like a kid on Christmas.

I’m sure only a few people will be able to relate to this post, but fuck it. Here it goes:

With an industry where swagger ego often outweighs talent, its almost a rarity to see something like the clip above (shouts to the homie D. Billz). One of the things that upsets me about aspiring artists/musicians (myself included @ times) is their lack of appreciation for “small” success. Sure, singer Nikki Jean isn’t going to go platinum based on her guest spot on “The Cool” (which I’m listening to now), and her hook on “Hip Hop Saved My Life” wasn’t groundbreaking (which I’m listening to now), but dammit — it’s a good song. Although my Lupe stannism has been reduced to just being a fan based on certain events, I’m diggin’ this joint (nun).

Throughout this clip, you can see anticipation, happiness, excitement, all of that. She is simply overwhelmed near the end, and begins to tear up….all because of a few bars on Wasalu’s album.

I ain’t gettin’ all “emo” on ya’ll (Chicken Wings is thataway —–>), but that is almost….refreshing to me. To see an artist be so happy because of one small (albeit important) step in their career gives us hope that not everyone is just in it for the big house, 12 cars, and ridiculous amounts of shit they don’t really need — at the cost of ruining what’s left of every urban genre. I may be preaching to the choir when I say this, but EXcess is not SUCcess. No amount of advance money these TIs (or anyone) offer you can change that, because in the end all you’ll ever want is more. Mama ain’t raise no fool.

But I digress.

I guess it’s just that nowadays it seems as though too many artists just expect to be successful in the entertainment industry (on some magic wand shit (nun again)) — and while chasing this fairytale fantasy they lose sight of what’s really important: the journey. Getting there. Little things like having your first song played on the local radio station on a Sunday @ 11:37pm while only you and 5 of your friends are listening, or (to my fellow aspiring producers) hearing or reading your first artist’s interview and having him shout you out. In the end, if you are “successful”, your biggest memories will be getting there. The struggle. Appreciate and embrace it.

Seriously — enjoy that shit. Not many people will make it as far as you have….and if they do, it will most likely be for all the wrong reasons.