It is a collection of lessons that, if heeded, will make you the emcee you think you are, LOL! Being an emcee means a carefully monitored balance of humililty and arrogance, however we emcees tend to be heavier on the latter. This gives way to a vicious cycle of poor habits supporting a know-it-all mentality, coupled with the fact that emcees are constantly preaching to a choir of yes-men who think they're helping by giving the nod to everything you do (see Lesson 8: EVERYTHING YOU DO ISNT DOPE?)....and they ARE NOT!
In fact, unbiased opinion, useful advice, and selfless guidance are three things the average emcee WILL NOT receive with any frequecy, if at all; as a matter of fact you may see mechanical royalties first, LMAO! (mechanical royalties are profits derived from the sale of tangible units, paid out AFTER you recoup the costs associated with your project....yeah, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT)
Sooooooooooo....this is basically my attempt to offer the selfless guidance and useful advice that will HELP YOU, whether my tone and sarcasm convey that or not.
If I offend you, I meant to. Hopefully, you will channel that in to some positive changes. ("Thank me later" -Drake)
LESSON 2: THIS IS NOT POP-WARNER!
Pop-Warner football, for those who dont know, is like little league football. EVERYBODY GETS TO PLAY! Regardless of skill, stature, or competency each child is thrown into a game that lightly resembles a simulated, tactical, full-contact war of some sort....all so Mom can sit flinching nervously as Dad proudly watches little Timmy live out an excruciatingly vivid nightmare!
Little Timmy just isn't built for football....get it?
That's not to say that he isn't "the shit" at something else or maybe a couple of things, but we ALL know, me, Dad, Mom, and even deep down Timmy himself, that it is not rappin' AHEM OOPS I MEAN.... football.
(follow me)
Now some of you may know Joey instead of Timmy. Joey is genuinely a great kid. Problem is Joey sucks balls at football, but nobody told him. Consequently he plays and plays, ruining game after game for his team and because everyone is worried about his fragile little ego.
TELL HIM. TELL HIM NO!
Your friends....NO, your TRUE friends will still be exactly that whether you cater to their egos or not. That's not to say they won't be sore; bruised egos need a second to heal as all bruises do. You have got to make the decisions involving your career with only YOU in mind. (trust me on this one)
That means, when your entourage wants to jump on stage and pose, transforming your opportunity to promote your self and brand in to a clusterfuck of loud, sweaty rappers swirling about the stage....SAY NO!
When your homeboy who is, "...eh....okay" on the mic, comes with a mediocre verse that might not even necessarily bring your song down, but doesn't lift it up....comes to you and lobbys for a position on your joint....SAY NO!
When your girlfriend, who can carry a tune but only with a handle, a dolly, or a crane....wants to come and screech out something awful on your show or in your seesion....SAY NO!
These opprtunities are direct representations of YOU, no one else. Of course they'll be seen for the mediocre talents they are, but more importantly your judgement will come into question, which leads to similar issues with your credibility.
When you refuse them their moment of humiliation you are actually being the true friend. Remember, "a smack is a hug that stings." It's tough love, give with a clear conscious and keep it moving. If you get to far into explaining and shit you can only make matters worse, as there are fewer good points to emphasize than bad. This is why you're saying no in the first place.
In the pro's, NOT EVERYBODY GETS TO PLAY NOR ARE THEY ENTITLED TO A SHOT EVER IF THEY DONT IMPROVE.
Are you a pro?...Then why would you play with amateurs?
If they wanna play, they'll do what it takes to start....or they won't, and they weren't the one for the job anyway.
DEUCES
Almost forgot....
Your required listening is "My Philosophy", BDP- By All Means Necessary. Pay attention to one of my teachers. RESPECT to KRS ONE.
Everyone wins because everyone improves (I had to say that, lol!)
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DezzyBaby