justeezy.

WORD!

“I’m addicted to this universal feelin’ called life..”

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Uprising, 1980 | Producers: Bob Marley, Chris Backwell | Studio version

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.”

“The reality of the other person is not in what he reveals to you, but in what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says but rather to what he does not say.”
– Kahlil Gibran

Overcoming obstacles. Creativity. Realizing life’s lessons. Change. Success. These are a few of my favourite things.

“head noddin til i melt into notes”

Let’s Get Free, 2000 | Producers: Dead Prez | Featuring: Umi, Becca’s Smoke, Candy Store, and Abiodun Oyewole

mmm hmm.

(source)

Illmatic, 1994 | Producer: Large Professor | Sample: “Walter L” by Gary Burton

“When I’m chillin I grab the buddha, get my crew to buy beers
And watch a flick, illin and root for the villian, huh”

Synchronicities! (RIP Guru)

“I have always had the fancy that if a man were really free, he would talk in rhythm and even in rhyme.”
G.K. Chesterton

(as long as it’s from the heart, yeah?)

Released: Recorded circa 1995, released in 2002 | Produced by: Rockwilder, Da Beatminerz

In Victoria, sunny days are rare during the winter season. After a week of non-stop rain, I took advantage of the +6 weather. I started my day with a long walk around campus grounds, and of course paid our dear lagoon a visit in the afternoon. I usually see the ocean at night time, so it was a nice treat to enjoy this beautiful day out by the ocean with Laura and her dog Shyla. I love my hood!!
Reminder of the day: Enjoy the present moment, and appreciate it with all that you have.

A week later, my childhood best friend’s wedding is still fresh on my mind. Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t seen these people in about 10 years, or because there were 650 guests… I dunno, probably both, and more. How important it is to remember your roots, and cherish those who were there at the beginning – your “first peoples.” Although we have all grown in our individual ways and are all on our own paths now, the love still remains – along with the reminder of what makes me, me. I am truly blessed to have all kinds of people in my life to keep me grounded. Love.

“Find your own truth… and follow it” -Oprah

Part 1

Part 2

In all honesty, I don’t think Jay-Z really says anything mind-blowing or new… but that’s the beauty of it, and the reason why I’m so stoked on this interview. Sometimes simplicity is complex as a mutha f*cka. Like Oprah said, “[Jay-Z's] material success isn’t actually the most impressive thing about him… he was able to transcend his environment and became someone who truly believes in himself and inspires others to do the same.” It’s simple, and it’s always been the same: “Belief in oneself, and knowing who you are.. that’s the foundation of everything great” (Jay-Z). His belief system and perception parallels my own outlook so much, that it amps me to continue down the path of following my dreams. I may not have grown up in the hood, but growing up as a middle-class family in a rich suburban neighborhood has its own form of struggles. Like he later says in the interview, as easy as it sounds, being true to yourself really isn’t… and as I continue to live my own life, in a world full of plastic people and things, I realize that I will never be able to ignore struggles or delete fear out of my life. But that’s aiite. I have realized my intention in life, and intend to carry it out with clarity and purpose. I know I can only live moment to moment, with my best foot forward, living my own version of truth. It is a scary thing to put your truth out there, but Jigga has always inspired me to see the beauty in vulnerability.

“It was all a dream…” Playing Def Jam’s Rapstar with some of my oldest friends ever