Wednesday, August 02, 2006

I was an English major in college, I graduated with honors, and I've always thought that I had a gift for not only writing words, but connecting them in a way that was both entertaining and thought provoking. I haven't really struggled with my writing style, since I was a freshman in school, and even then it didn't take me very long to right my wrongs. So it blows my mind that despite all of my "credentials", I still can't freestyle. Not even close man. Yesterday I was listening to a CD full of instrumentals, and one of the beats struck a chord with me so I attempted to bust a rhyme or two or three. It was horrible. I sounded like straight garbage, and this rule that everything has to rhyme is clearly holding me back. My brother said to me that one time like 7 years ago at a club, I was drunk, and flowed effortlessly. That may very well have been my peak performance. Given that I'm 31 years old, a father, and a working man, you'd think that something as frivolous as not having freestyle skills wouldn't matter. But it does..so much that I felt the need to write about it.

It is no secret that I sent the link to my blog to any and everyone, in an effort to get some feedback whether it is good or bad. Sometimes I regret that shit, because as I write what is on my mind, I find myself wondering if people will "like" my entry today. That is all wrong. It's like the classic argument that musicians/artists go thru(not that im either one, but i'm just using this as a reference point..bear with me). Do you write what you want and hope the people feel it, or do you write what the people want to hear in an effort to be "liked"? In the short amount of time I"ve been doing this, I've done both. That makes me a sellout to some degree. So I think from now on, I'm going to type what I feel regardless of how it makes me look. Starting tomorrow of course.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You write what you feel...and invite folks into your thoughts..when u start writing for an audience you lose focus and over think things..way too much..just write freely.. folks will appreciate it more

Anonymous said...

The same as when you write music..You have to decide that this is what you want to say and be done with it. If you are concerned with feedback when you write it holds back your craft.

Anonymous said...

Honesty is in you and I cant wait to see you blossom...

Anonymous said...

you could be the best rapper that never rhymed son!

Brandon aka Shortcut said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brandon aka Shortcut said...

I commend you on your open book philosophy though. 3D people keep me honest.
You get more girls that way anyway... (aww he's so interesting and sweet) BAH

"HE'S ACTING! YOU AINT KNOW HE WRITES FICTION NOVELS?"

nuff respect tho

soft and subtle said...

That's funny R.; I thought you were being quite real and honest from the beginning. You may not have “Rashad” out there totally but you're not far from it. We bloggers have seen you express yourself sentimentally, perversely, & opinionatedly. I would say that’s pretty damn good. If you desire to put yourself out there more, go ahead, knock yourself out. I’ll be checking you out along the way. Oh, and the blog regarding the urinals was f*%king hilarious; I laughed all the way home.

Anonymous said...

The art of written expression is definitely your "it", so fiction or fact - I'm always impressed! Keep it up Rash-Id.