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The Moment I Fell in Love with Hip Hop…..Thx U B.I.G.

Summer of ’94….. I was working in the NYC Summer Youth Program sweeping leaves in the park. Most of the time instead of working we hooped, played pitty pat & listened 2 music until we saw that green Park’s Dept truck coming over the hill. That’s when it was time 2 get back 2 work… 😉 I recall hearing “Juicy” on my dude Tony’s “Ghetto Blaster” a.k.a “Boombox” & was blown away by how raw the lyrics were. It was like listening 2 music 4 the first time. I used some money from my first Summer Youth check 2 cop the “Juicy” single on cassette. Mind U at the time Ice Cube was my favorite artist… I was rockin’ Chuck Taylors and Khaki Suits…..lol! (I won’t mention the fro)

When Biggie’s voice boomed into my headphones…. That’s the Moment I fell in Love with Hip Hop. Growing up in the South Bronx, Hip Hop was a part of my everyday life & I never looked at it as a culture… it just was. Breakin’ & taggin’ is what all the kids on the ave did 2 stay out of trouble.

Biggie’s articulation of life in the ghetto painted colorful works of art with words that created a life altering paradigm shift in my mind. When my friends were talking about Illmatic (I didn’t listen 2 this album until college), I was like f*@k that I’m rockin’ with this cat from BK. That summer I bought 3 copies of the single due 2 the fact that the tape popped several times.

When I saw the video on Video Music Box (before the Negro Channel), it just took the experience 2 new heights 4 me. Biggie showed me that u can make a powerful impact by using your God given talents & shining your inner light on the world. “Juicy” sparked the flame within me & others from my generation that shines brightly til this day.

Biggie made it ok 2 dress fly (Coogi sweaters & Jesus Pieces) and mack the ladies even if u didn’t look like Al B. Sure….. Biggie made ok 2 be angry and frustrated with life in the ghetto… Biggie made it ok 4 intelligence and personality 2 be the “New Sexy”….. Biggie made it ok 2 chase your dreams & create a better life for yourself.

Biggie is an illustration that Dreams Are Attainable. Anytime I hear this record or see the video I think back 2 that Summer of ’94 where my life changed forever. Thank You B.I.G!