the drought is over

Social media is the dominant communication platform for growing artistic notoriety. The corporate insistence for surefire, incremental benefit hamstrings cultural evolution to the snail’s pace of conflicting initiatives. If money yields power, might is right, and agents crave power, then agents with the most capital will cyclically hoard resources.

Fairness is an illusion, yet one is only a victim so far as they don’t have the understanding needed to tip scales in their favor. 

Economic theory suggests that resources are limited. The most advanced battleground occurs in the field of strategy, not the heat of the moment; all brands compete for attention. As companies grow, they become less agile–less capable of an innovative response to the cultural moment. 

By Nature

I’m a second generation hip-hop fan; my dad, with whom I share a name, is shouted out on Track 14 of legendary rap group Naughty By Nature’s sophomore album 19NaughtyIII. I don’t know if my dad rapped then, but I know I did when I was younger–and I was good, but that doesn’t really matter. I chased bars that didn’t fit me, just to fit in the moment. 

One day during my junior year of college, there was an open mic at Canopy Club in Urbana. For weeks, I sharpened my delivery and rehearsed my stage presence, but I mistakenly wrote for other people–to be a man of the moment–instead of expressing myself. I went with a friend named Ausar, who encouraged me to take the stage with him. For the first time, I froze on stage. The shame took nearly a decade to overcome, and while seeing him succeed filled me with joy, it also reminded me of my shortcomings. I let my emotions become a wedge for what could have been a brilliant partnership. 

Ausar is a recording artist, and he’s still incredible. I still write–differently now, and I will return to rap someday. 

I used to reject the idea that the genre has seen better days. In my wisdom, I understand that hip-hop lacks the creative force of past eras. When this was my dream, inspiration came from the greats. Musicians wanted to be the best. Now, I am unsure if this is true; I think most wish to be the richest. The culture of money is difficult to love. 

I’m a second generation basketball player, but a third-generation athlete. My grandfather, my namesake, once had his high school high jump record. My father played Division I basketball. I quit both sports with the potential of being a higher jumper and a better basketball player than my elders. The shame of not living up to my athletic potential clung to me like wet clothes, until I realized I could never be truly great at either pursuit. 

To be great is not theoretical; it’s realized. Only greatness has the power to redefine the imagination of what is to what will be. Creative direction is not born through stasis; it is created through action, and it’s found along the path. 

The power to define with the imagination is supreme. 

A peacock’s hubris lives in the mind, but is pulled from plumage. Underneath my lifelong desire to be accepted is an introspective spirit that loves connection–true connection that stems from knowledge of self and spiritual alignment to defined values. 

Feels good to be home. 

With truth, kindness, and diplomacy. 

-Apollo

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