As a prospective writer, I tend to find a mental haven in the music of many artists, Nas in particular. The accompanied ease with which the words ebb from the bridges of my mind is buoyed in the lush melody and depth of the song “Doo Rags,” in the background. The piano seems to spurn my soul, and the zone of focus dares to capture the serenity encapsulated in the rhyme.

Personally, I find that one of the biggest highlights in the modern day era that is the hip-hop movement was the release of the book, “Ruminations,” by KRS-One. One would be hard pressed to discredit the value and truth in the statement that he represents hip-hop, and do so to the point where its majesty is best personified in his embodiment. While its subject matter is versatile, covering current affairs(the war in Iraq), the touted reasoning of famed philosophers and ageless sense and sensibility(i.e. Aristotle and Socrates school of logic, the benefits of kindness and initial seeking the labor of one’s life free of desire for profit, and the reaped awards of it), the fact that he is a hip-hop artist takes second stage, and the validity(whether one agrees or not---he covers so many topics and states a myriad of opinions that an iota of conflict or difference as an onlooking audience member would be nothing short of undeniable) of his viewpoints and thoughts takes the forefront. He’s done speeches at facilities of education and enlightenment nationwide, and been an international representative of a relatively young music form since his BDP inception, and carried himself with an intellectual soundness and firmness of belief that truly alienates him from his contemporaries. Needless to say, I subscribe very openly to his activism, and it’s truly a trait that makes him take place within the circle of movers and shakers in this day and age.

While I’ve long been enamored with hip-hop’s visual appeal (the graffiti, wicked B-Boys and B-Girls from every corner of the world, the music production, the cornucopia of emcees, the ferocious wizardry of the DJs, etc), I have found something special in the aspects of the writing art. Nowadays, as a burgeoning writer, I am becoming fully aware of the opportunities in this craft (journalism via articles, interviews, novelizations, biographical projects, etc). The opportunities for expression through hip-hop that are available for seasoned writers (or more importantly, for enthusiastic writers just wanting to get their thoughts out) is unbelievably tangible at heart. More specifically, many an artist have taken up projects which have given more leeway to the inner voice of reason and contemplation. For example, a favorite MC of mine, MC Lyte, put out a book of poetry last summer, which was called “Just My Take.” While I don’t have the book in my possession, I have a gem of a factoid about the compilation. Back in 2002, she was presented with a purple book that had the word “CREATE” on its cover. Taking the message of the title to heart, she would go on to write about things that moved her or drove her to contemplation each morning. When all is said and done, when she leaves this earth, her records from “I Cram 2 Understand U” to “The Wonder Years” will play on, with words full of braggadocio, wit, humor and that will leave many like myself in awe and wondering about the very forces that sparked Lana Moorer to take the microphone with such aggression. In her career, there have been keen moments of insight gained through experience in her life and the life of those close to her. In interacting with these moments, one could say that “Just My Take” had its inception. As someone who was imbued with the notion to write, it is nothing short of an inspiration.

It was almost a decade ago, that a fire was set forth to the remains of one Tupac Shakur. His undeniable status of controversial legend is a vivid tale full of many visually stirring interludes (the “Changes” video captures a number of the moments very poignantly). But the “storm and drung” with which he lived his life, recorded his music(the damn near endless supply of “lost tapes” are proof positive that he worked like the devil in the studio), and laid forth a highly touted yet brief acting career are rivaled perhaps by the blaze with which he captured his innermost thoughts on paper. His clarity and power are shown unfiltered in the content of the book, “The Rose That Grew From Concrete,” which compiles his works of poetry from 1989 to 1991. This article could have been based on his contributions alone. One thing that I have noticed is that he, as a writer who penned some of the most universally praised songs in hip-hop (songs which have won the singular praise of even people who have a distaste for rap music), and a poet with a grace and vision that perhaps the departed greats would admire, would go on to inspire other writers. When he gave a damn himself to give voice to his ponderings, the world would follow in his stead, particularly after his early works were uncovered. His work was so prolific, that other compilations have been made of them. In fact, an old girlfriend of his named Angela Ardis collected some letters he exchanged with her during his time in Rikers in “Inside A Thug’s Heart.” Many readers, Ardis included, have since been drawn to the sentimental wealth and multifaceted personality that Mr. Shakur best demonstrated in his writing and poetry (some of the ones he did with Ardis are included in the book).

Most notably, there is former “Real World” alum, Kevin Powell, who’s responsible for the famed Rikers Island interview with him in “VIBE” magazine. As a senior writer of the publication, he’s taken his knowledge of the history of the music to public speaking engagements at colleges, served as an editor for numerous books, and written a share of his own books. He’s personally an inspiration to me as a writer, in how he’s kept with his craft and set a path in his life with his unique ability to write. What should also be mentioned is that he has a book of poems, called “Recognize: Poems,” which came out back in 1995.

With many a magazine, book, liner note, and such being made available in our music nowadays, the capability to capture the mood, thought, and essence(perhaps of an artist, or of oneself) is a ticket to a bonafide vocation. I look at sites like this MVRemix, Y2Hiphop.com Forums, the former Source Discussion Boards, TruThugs.com, and SOHH.com, which offer people like and unlike me to join in congregation as heads, to speak your mind, by just writing on a screen to the day you can’t write any longer. Whether it’s to give info on a concert, offer your opinion on an album, or tell your support of your favorite artist, the World Wide Web has offered more freedom to let your thoughts make print of sorts. DJ Low Key, one of the hardest working, talented and proficient online journalists, put me onto MVRemix based on the confidence he had in my writing ability (and the early forum days on Y2). I can never put into words how much that means, and how beneficial his trust has been. Hugo Lunny has made quite the name for himself by gathering a group of dedicated writers(my rate of output pales in comparison to a lot of the other folks here, and I admire anyone who takes to the online path or any path of writing in general) who share the same love(and concerns) about this hip-hop. The freedom to write is a wonderful one, and if you can’t see the truth in that as a music lover, you need look no further than your favorite artists. Whether it’s on paper or off the top of the head, the very act of mentally scripting a dialogue, be it of outdoing every other person in a war of lyrical battle(Eric B. and Rakim’s “I Ain’t No Joke”), dedicating some time to a person of importance(2Pac’s “Dear Mama,” Common’s “A Song for Assata”) or debating an injustice in society(Rawkus’ “Hip-Hop For Respect/One For Love” project, “Self-Destruction” by the Stop The Violence Movement) is a testament to the power of writing. To end this piece, I’ll use a line from one of my favorite wordsmiths of rap, LL Cool J. In his song “The Truth” from DJ Kay Slay’s “The Streetsweeper Volume 2,” he says the following:

“Before I take my bow and finally allow
my love affair with rap to fade, I'll sink into the page”