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If you saw Flex and I on our tour through NC last year you know how talented and how nice of a person he is. He can freestyle better than anyone I’ve ever seen, and knows how to rock a crowd equally as well. Once in Wilmington he asked the crowd what they wanted him to rap about, and then made up an entire song about… I think it was a purple shark named Jerry. Wild

He helped me become part of the DC hip-hop scene when I first moved there taking me to different shows and parties and letting me get up on the mic. He even got me a few girls numbers. They never called me back, but in DC just getting the number is a win.

Voting for him literally only takes 5 seconds. All you have to do is click this link and type in your email. Please support him for being such a talented rapper, nice person, and for supporting me:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofpoll/nominations/vote/425

Here are some of the highlights of my trip back to NC for Christmas and NYE…

Mama Dip’s southern cooking. Anyone who knows me well knows my life revolves around two things, music and food.

Watching Carolina basketball win… from terrible seats. If you look closely you can see LG and Jova in the front row drowning in their luck.

We packed out 157 East with old friends for the holiday show. Was anyone there sober enough to remember the top shelf of the bar falling?! Thanks for coming out people.

LG, N-Ron, and I played some soccer in the snow. It was nice to get snowed in again at LG’s house. Sleeping on the floor of his basement, playing NBA Hangtime all day, tearing his moms fridge apart late night. Good times. 

Jason’s NYE hat!!!

…no man is a failure who has friends

I found a little Carolina love here in Barranquilla!

Yesterday was my first beach run. I jumped on a bus which took me to Puerto Colombia, about a 30 minute ride. It has been raining a lot here and there are many roads that are flooded. On our adventure out to the beach we drove through a few pools, being splashed a number of times by cars going in the opposite direction. The beach was wonderful. Dogs running around everywhere, very relaxed people sharing beers and stories (that I couldn’t understand), and a number of people walking down the beach selling fruit and merchandise. I ran across a guy selling boats for 3 mil (about one USD). I took a close look at the boat and had to buy it:

I also tutored my first student in English today. It’s crazy how much you know but really don’t understand… as in just because you know something is right doesn’t mean you know WHY it is right. I think it is easier to teach a language when you are trying to learn one yourself. I think I’m going to ask the University if I can join a spanish class in return for tutoring students for free while I’m here.

I am performing with my friend Juilan’s band this Friday!! First show in another country. I also recently found out about a beach hidden in a jungle. You have to drive 45 minutes and then park and walk 30 minutes through the woods to get to it. It’s supposed to be heaven and I have a few questions for God. I’ll let you know when I find it.

PEACE -Mic

Synister John from Trinidad and Tobago hit me up and asked if I wanted to get on a track for his groups new project. This is actually the second artist in T&T (the other being St. Ans) I have worked with. I have no clue how they found me but I’m glad they did! Similarly, there is a group of people in Colorado (most of which are in high school) that support my music really hard, and I’ve never been there and only know one person that has.

It’s awesome how music can build bridges and how internet can make the impossible happen. I was talking to my friend online the other night and he was on a plane… I wonder how much is too much??

Check the Synister and Addictive Nature track “Love of the Game” out on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/video/video.php?v=481044583133

I am at a crossroads in my life right now. Today is the first day of my companies fiscal year. I have opportunities to take up an administrative position for this next year which would be the “safe” move. I also have opportunities to get field experience. One scenario puts me in Juba, southern Sudan to do filming and run a FM radio station for three months. Another lands me in Barranquilla, Colombia where I would assist studio engineers in the production of educational radio programs… and most likely teach english on the side.

I am the only person in my office that has not had field experience (be it Peace Corps or working for a project). So I’m thinking about taking the risk, turning down the “safe” position, and seeing where life takes me. This month will undoubtedly be one to remember…

DJ Complete just put out his latest mixtape. The concept behind the joint is basically highlighting dope songs from national and regional artists that haven’t found their way into the mainstream media outlets. I’m featured on two songs on this project, which you can download for free at http://www.djcomplete.com

This mixetape was made to feature music from the roster of artists that will be forming at Signal Fest 2010. Signal is a music festival primarily dedicated to electronic music which occurs annually in the chapel hill / carrboro area of North Carolina.  For four days you can walk the streets and attend shows and parties at all of the best venues in the area. KO Kid was one of the artist performing this year, and we did a song together for his last project that was featured on here. Download this mixtape here: http://weareyourheroes.com/index.php/2010/09/the-official-signal-fest-2010-mixes/

Growing up I was always afraid to have a girl… well I still a little am haa. I was afraid of not being able to relate to her, not being able to teach her the things I know like I would a boy, and of course having to deal with her getting to know guys. Then I met Leighton, my little 3 year old cousin, who changed my life. She loves me unconditionally, is supportive of anything I do, and always wants to know whats going on in my life. I’ve spent a lot of time with her and realized that when I do settle down and have children it would be a a blessing to have a girl.

Leighton is my number one fan and can actually sing a few songs on my last album. She gets really upset when she is in the car on the way to school and my aunt and uncle don’t play my cd haaaa. She actually gets upset when my cd is on and one of my features starts rapping, because it’s not me. She has my heart… and anyone she doesn’t like doesn’t have a chance of sharing it with her. I will be making a song about Leighton so she can sing about herself very soon. Watch out for it!

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This video changed my life. It showed me how to tell a story that people aren’t ready to hear, yet can’t help but love. Be honest, nothing is easier to relate to than humanity… we all feel helpless, we all want justice, and at the end of the day we all have to fight for ourselves. The key is, once we start fighting together things might change. Find something worth fighting for, someone worth fighting with, and watch your life change for the better.

“lets change the way we eat, lets change the way we live, and lets change the way we treat each other. See the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to do what we got to do to survive.”

The first time I met Mike Lights we got in a fight on a basketball court. That was four years ago at UNCW. It’s irnoic that the same competitive spirit that made us clash now brings us together. A year ago I ran into Lights at an In-Store 9^th wonder was doing in DC. We briefly talked music, exchanged numbers, and I went home. The next day we were in the studio working on music.

After touring NC together, shutting down shows from the Cats Cradle to the Soapbox, I could tell his future was bright. His stage presence matched his work ethic, both phenomenal.  When we returned to DC Lights became a monster.  He always had the drive in him, but all of the sudden he started going double time. The studio became his home.

It’s time for Mike Lights to be introduced to the world.  His debut mix tape, “Brights On”, is dropping August 30^th under 855 Music Group. This Sunday there is a private listening party to kick it all off.

Check out the promo video for the mix tape: http://vimeo.com/14020476

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Black Milk performed last night in Chinatown in the Gibson Guitar Center. This small loft had guitars hanging from the walls, old school jukeboxes lighting up the floor, and a pretty lady in the back giving away free Heineken. Add one of the best producer/rappers out right now and a crowd of only 50 people and you have one hell of a night.

Mike Lights was asked to film this event and brought Stephen Greenwood and myself in before the show started, so we got to see everyone warm up and act extra important as people came in. Remember, the best way to make people think you are a “somebody” at a hip-hop show is to never smile or look impressed. Forget that noise, I was having a good time.