@DOOMTHO 489

B-More Native + Hip-Hop Historian.

I’ll admit that I take some level of pride in my encyclopedic knowledge of Hip-Hop history, as well as my ability to analyze and articulate the technical aspects of rapping in a “casually academic” manner, combining literary & phonological elements to fully capture the “essence” of a rapped verse (i.e. the lexical & sonic qualities of vocalization).

And you are…? Who, Me? Obviously I’m talking to you – I am you. Well, if you must pry…

Hip-Hop has been the essence of my existence since I was…I dunno, like 8 or 9 years old? I do recall the genesis of my life, which was my absent-minded & impulsive selection of Talib Kweli & Mos Def Are… Black Star as the very first CD I ever had. Beginners Luck, or Universal Predestination? Yeah, Beginners Luck, I know. But still…

Whatever, anyway – Hip-Hop has gotten me through the darkest times in my life, including heroin/cocaine addiction and the associated wreckage (i.e. depression, anxiety, guilt, suicidal ideation, total detachment from life in every conceivable way and all that fun stuff, etc. etc.). But of equal importance is the backdrop and soundtrack Hip-Hop has provided during the highlights of life, as well (lolz @ “highlights of life” – an oxymoron, I’m aware). And also, of course, every single cot damn thing in between.