LIFE as I see it

I’m sure those of us that reside within the 285 circle and are frequent to Wally-World (Wal-Mart) have been approached by someone with this inquisition.  It’s normally followed by a rehearsed dialogue about this persons artistry and passion for “spreading the gospel.”  I found myself caught in this crossfire of questions and information yesterday during a routine Sunday visit to America’s favorite supermarket.  It had been a while since I’d encountered one of these gospel spreading, non-bible-toting, street evangelists, and it was obvious by how different the exchange was between us too.  Something like:

HIM: Excuse me brother and sister, do you like gospel music?

ME: Yeah man

HIM:(Hands out cd) I’m an artist myself, just out here tryna spread the word of God, all I ask is…

ME: I don’t have any money for your cd can I have it, I’ll definitely listen to it

HIM: We are accepting donations for the cd. (gestures for cd back)

ME: I don’t have any money. I can’t have the cd? (hands cd back) I’m an artist too and I give my music away, but I would definitely listen if I could have it

HIM: sorry, we do ask for donations…what kind of artist are you? do you make gospel music?

ME: I wouldn’t call it traditional gospel music. I rap, butI do glorify God in my music.

HIM: You should make gospel music, if you say you glorify him

ME: Eh, I make my music as a flawed man, and try to relate to people that may not be into gospel…is your music on a website, where I can check it out for free??

HIM:___________.com 

we exchange a few more random words and part

AWKWARD…not quite…I found the encounter humorous in the following mintes as I ventured into Sam Walton’s dungeon, but grew frustrated as I continued to give the exchange thought.  I felt judged.  I felt ripped off.  To have been told by someone that aint heard a lick of my music, that I SHOULD make gospel music.  To have been told the way I offer my talents to my heavenly father was not good enough.  Even further, to have been DENIED THE GOSPEL because I did not have a DONATION TO OFFER FOR THE CD.  In that moment my world inverted.  The line between right and wrong, gospel and secular, religion and atheism, church and business, grew too thin for my astigmatism having ass eyes to see.  Who are YOU to put a price on your “gospel”?  Didn’t Jesus get pissed off and flip over tables and shit cuz people were making money off of his Pops name?  Who are YOU to tell ME the type of music I should make.  I obviously don’t make any tracks you would hear on a NOW Gospel compilation, but what you do get when you listen to song from is someone rooted in his beliefs, beyond his wildest mistakes, and who always bring it back to the God inside (“now they recognize the God, it’s that divine DNA”).  Who would I be DRAWING BACK TO GOD’S KINGDOM making gospel music?  I’m not completely sure but I would guess the demographic of people that buy gospel albums don’t need any guidance to the straight and narrow (let them tell it).  Count me out man, I’d much rather be the guy showing up to the pearly gates with a band of pot smokers, college dropouts, jack boys, addicts, with hearts open and ready to receive God, than a group of wolves in sheep clothing, CLAIMING to know God and he don’t recognize them.  I doubt Jesus woulda denied me his music cuz I aint have a donation.  I doubt Jesus woulda told me “you should make Gospel music.”  

I got till Friday to WIN a chance to open the Juicy J, Dom Kennedy, and Freddie Gibbs show in Atlanta February 2nd.  ALL I NEED IS YOUR VOTE!!!! Be sure to use a valid email address(es)!! http://www.a3cfestival.com/vote-for-your-favorite-artist-to-open-for-juicy-j-dom-kennedy-freddie-gibbs-on-feb-2nd/

Sooooooooooooooo Juicy J, Dom Kennedy,and Freddie Gibbs have a show in Atlanta, GA on February 2nd.  They need someone to open the show and I happen to be in the mix with 9 other artists trying to do just that.  If you goin to the show or just FUCK wit me the strong way click the link and vote!!! http://www.a3cfestival.com/vote-for-your-favorite-artist-to-open-for-juicy-j-dom-kennedy-freddie-gibbs-on-feb-2nd/ follow directions on site to vote!! Thank You! Thumbs Up Forever!