Full Circle- My First NC & VA Show

I was 17 when I did my first show. It wasn’t even my show, I was just doing a song with Endless Mic at some venue across from Cats Cradle (can’t remember the name). When I got to the front door I told the bouncer I was performing, but he didn’t believe me. After trying to convince him for a few minuets and getting no where, I decided to just pay him the 5 dollars and go into the club. It was my first show ever so I didn’t really think much of it. I didn’t know the rules… maybe you had to pay to perform. This was also the first night I met L in Japanese. After performing the song, and getting a good response, I told Zano that the door man had charged me to get in. He laughed, brought me to the front, and got my money back.

Fast forward 7 years…

Last night was my first show in Virginia. Much like my first show in NC, I did not have my own set, my boy Flex Mathews just let me come and perform a song during his. I went out there solo, and when I got to the door I told the bouncer I was there to perform with Flex. Let me try to break down the conversation:

 Me: Hey, I’m here to perform with Flex.

Bouncer: What are you his hype man?

Me: No, I just came to perform a few songs with him.

Bouncer: Well then you have to pay $10 to get in.

Me: (laughing) Look can I talk to whoever’s show this is.

                      Bouncer goes to get the headliner (Impulse)

Impulse: Who are you?

Me: I’m here to perform with Flex, and I’d rather not have to pay $10 to rap.

                     Flex Mathews coming out from the back…

Flex: Ohhhh, that’s my man. Yo this is Addictive Nature; he is rocking with me tonight.

Impulse: Ohh word, I thought he was someone else. I was going to have to push him out by his face. You’re good, come on in.

What am I supposed to say to that? Am I supposed to be happy that this guy isn’t going to push me out by my face anymore? Hmmmm, I decided to just swallow my pride and let the music talk. The show ended up being fun. We rocked out; I got rid of a few CD’s and met some new people.

The fact that I don’t look like a “rapper” has gotten me into a lot of these situations. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. It lets me move like a ninja through this hip hop world- no one ever sees me coming.