Push the ball Nick coach Tinsiy said.
I need you to push the ball down the court faster pick your head up coach Tinsiy yelled
I’m trying damn Nickki said madly.
Trying is not good enough Tennessee is going to be trying to give you scholarship coach yelled.
*Locker slams
(Nickki sat on the bench thinking a lot about her future and what going in her life now feeling stressed)
Was up her best friend Ke-Ke said.
Man coach is working me to death and she putting these school on my back and its making it harder and I have to strive in life and basketball and then I have to go home to my child and then Que is never gone come home to help me and Kavion is at home with my mother for like the whole damn day while I am at school and practice and I know that its not her child and I am having a problem in British lit because I am always late to first period because I have to get kavion ready and he is only he cant go to school yet and with Que in college playing basketball trying to be the number 1 drat pick leaves so much on my life and I don’t know what to do Nickki said fast.
Damn girl look if anything I am always here for you and I been her since third grade and I am always gone be her this our last year lets do this Ke-Ke said smiling.
Your right Nickki said smiling
*Nickki makes it to her mother house late to pick up her son Kavion)
Hey mom aim so sorry it late Nickki said coming inside
Where’s kavi Nickki asked
He is in my room sleep Nick can I talk to you for a minuet Nickki mother asked
Yea mom sure what’s up nickki said
Look baby you need to get this together I am tired of this I have to go to work in the mooring and you sitting here waiting for his father to get famous you depending on this boy to take care of you and you need to be depending on Nickki her mother said quietly trying not to wake Kavion
Momma who am I depending you think i am depending on Que and for won I’m not waiting on him to do nothing because i got this yea I love him and I always will but you don’t know what your talking about that’s my son father Nickki said angrily
Yea his father that never seen him her mother said
And for a reason nickki yelled you act like he don’t wont to see him it just that his life is full just like mine i am not going to sit here in here this she said
Yes you are because I raised you and this is the outcome Nick her mother yelled
I am doing what I can o my god we did it without daddy what the problem you stuck now nickki said loudly
Nickki shut up because you sound stupid her mother said
No ma I don’t nickki said I am gone nickki said going to pick up kavion and walking out he door.
*Nickki cell phone rings
Dang its 4:30 in the morning who could this be Nickki said
Hello Nickki said tiredly
Was up baby a deep voice said
Hey Que nickki said sadly
You miss me and where my son at I know hwe getting big Que asked
He in his room Nickki said
You still didn’t answer my question Que said loudly
What Que I didn’t hear you you Nickki said
Do you miss me Que asked
Damn Que you should no the answer to that Nickki said
I guess Que said
Whateva Que why yo call me so early you know I got school tommrow nickki said
Because your man got some some real good news Que said
Was up baby Nickki asked
Guess who man is goig to be the number one drefat pick on Friday night Que said
O my godQue are you serious Nickki said
Hell yea I didn’t it baby Que yelled
Congradulation babi nickki said
Im going to be playing for the Chicago bulls Que said
That mean you coming home rite Nickki said loudly and happy
I don’t know I might ask for a trade Que said
Why would you do that Nickki asked
Just because Que said
Just because what so that you don’t have to see you son and deal with me Que what happened to us begin a family damn Kavion is 2 Que and you need to be here with him Nickki said
was up girl you ok ke-ke said
no i cant deal with this its really driving me crazy nickki said crying
look nickki everything nots ong to work like youwant it to and i understand wha you and Que is going threw but you have to suck it up and live you dont need nothing else but kavion tyou cat let hm see you down he need a strog mother and he got one with you so you need to keep your headup jut for him ke-ke said
i know nickk said crying
look davdhaving a party tonight an tyrome gone be there and you no he had a crush on you since freshman year so come ke ke asked
i dontno wht about kavon nickki said
my sister not going and you no she loves kavion so she could wacth him so you coming go home an get dressed ke ke said we go out to night
Words, illustrations, and thoughts from urban youth.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
"DOWN THE DRAIN"
“Down the Drain” By: Antenette Franklin
“Malik, Malik, open the door baby” she cried. Banging none stop, Malik finally open the door. “Girl what you want?” he said wiping eye boogers off his face. “Malik, bay, they got yo mama, Malik they got her!!” she cried harder. Finally realizing that she was crying he snapped to reality. “Who? Who got my mama, what you talking about?” he asked anxiously. “The hospital” she cried, “they got her and your brother, they got... They got hit by a … car, a hit and run, Malik, I’m sorry baby!” she pleaded through stumbled words. “WHAT!? Where she at… what hospital? Tell me now… wait why are you sorry?” he said puzzled. “I don’t know, I love your mom, your brother, and you, I’m feeling bad because something bad happen to ya’ll” she said. “Oh… well don’t worry just tell me what hospital!” he asked. “Thelma’s Critical Hospital, that’s where they took them” she answered. “Okay stay here, calm down, I’m on my way there” he said while grabbing the bus card off the table. “I want to go with you Malik don’t leave me with … you know…Theresa” she worried. “Don’t worry about her okay and try to keep her calm so she won’t do nothing stupid” he said quickly. “Okay…I love you…” she responded. “I got to go get my mama” refusing to respond back to her comment, he left out the house with a doo-rag white beater and pajama pants.
Forty-five minutes wasted riding the bootleg train, he arrived at the hospital. “Damn… why they put her in the dirtiest, bootleg hospital in the city?” he asked himself. “Hi, May I help you?” asked the clerk. “Um… yeah, my name is Malik Thompson and my mama is in this hospital” he answered. “Do you have a room number you can address so I can write you a pass?” asked the clerk. “Man I don’t know, they just brought her here a few hours ago…dang don’t yall automatically put her in the system or something?” he said angrily. “No, we don’t, now sit down and I’ll see if we can send you up there to see her” she replied rudely, smacking gum and then returning to the phone and asking for numbers and what not. “Whatever man, do whatever you go to do for I go up there myself” he said sitting down. “Aye! Lil boy I don’t know yo nappy headed ass so don’t come in here talking shit, now shut the hell up and do what I say” rolling her eyes. “Aye bitch, you do what the fuck I tell you and stop worrying about what comes out of my fucking mouth aight and that’s all I gots to say” and he sat peacefully. “Whatever” was all she could say. Ten minutes later a doctor came back down stairs to Malik reporting that Ms. Thompson was in bad condition but he could come see her if he liked. He got a pass and walked up to the floor where his mama was at. “Hey baby how are you?” she asked. “The question is how are you?” he smiled a little. “I’m fine… (coughing) baby (coughing)” she hardly said. “It don’t sound like it” he said. “You wearing pj’s?” she asked trying to crack a smile and also changing the subject. He laughed a little “yeah… I uh rushed to check on you as soon as I got the news.” “Oh” she smiled, knowing that her son cares for her. “Where is Joey?” he asked. “I don’t know… I think he is in another room” she said worried. The doctor came in to see if Malik could come along to hear about Joey Thompson. “What?”… Is he alright?” he wanted to know anxiously. “Well…I don’t know a easy way to tell you this but…” Malik already knew what happened to his brother, He died. Everything the doctor was talking about was at mute. “Code blue, cold blue, cold blue!!” yelled the doctors running to room A203. “That’s my mama, that’s my mama” he yelled. He rushed to A203 to see what was going on but the doctors forced him out and told him to go back in the waiting room. He couldn’t believe it. His heart raced, he started crying softly to himself, beating himself in the chest telling him to man up. “Don’t cry…they got my brother but not my mama too…nah nah it can’t be…GOD won’t this to me…I’m faithful at church.” He thought to himself trying to convince that everything was going good. Three hours later the doctor came with shameful eyes. “What happened?” Malik asked. “We tried everything but…” damn that goes that “but” again. “She had a massive heart-attack and passed away.” Said the shameful doctor. “Not MY MAMA, NOT MY MAMA TOO!!....DAMN YOU GOD, WHAT THE FUCK I DO SO FUCKING BAD TO YOU?!” he yelled across the awaiting room, screaming and jamming his body against the walls. “Sir, sir, sir please…SECURITY!!...calm down please, please…you will hurt yourself sir!!” he demanded kind of. After three body guards he finally settled down a little and walked out the hospital, he couldn’t take no more. His cell ring, it was know Tamela. He didn’t feel like talking but he knew how worried she was and answered anyways, “Hey babes, is everything good?” she asked. Sighing he responded “No.” “NO!? You short-answering me baby, what happened?” she asked. “What Theresa doing?” he asked. “She sitting here impatiently just as I, can you tell us what happened?” she asked. “I’ma explain when I get there aight” and he hung up. Another forty-five minutes he was home. He greeted both with a long hug. “Hey bay” he said spiritless. “Look um no easy way to say this but the car accident cause mama to have a heart-attack and her and Joey died.” He couldn’t speak the words. “WHAT!! OH MY GOD!” both girls shouted. Theresa looked kind of phony, like she didn’t care or either suspicious. On the other hand he took Tamela to his room and they both grieved. Theresa left out without a word.
Two O’clock the next morning Theresa came back home drunk. Must’ve had about 5 too many drinks. “Heeey ugly” she said. “Where you been?” looking at her disgusted and dry-eyed. “And when have YOU become daddy?” she asked. “Whatever” he responded. “Anyways, speaking of adults, I am you guardian now and since moms gone I’ma step up.” Couldn’t really tell what she was saying. “I got a new job at the $5 strip but I’ma still work at Hoochies too.” She was in it for real. He just stared at her. “That’s ashame…she just died, don’t you got any sympathy?” he said angrily. “All I gots to say is that good thing they got insurance” she belted out loud and that’s all she spoke.
Flashbacks always startled Malik. As he just reflected back on all that happened that night. He was sitting in the recliner watching SpongeBob. Its been about 2 years since that incident happened. These thoughts vanished as soon as he heard his sister’s voice. “What Theresa?” he answered annoyed. “Can you cook me something to eat?” she asked coming into the room rubbing her belly. “Man what I look like to you…yo…” interrupted Theresa responded “Aye aye none of that smartass” cleaning dirt out of her cuticles. “Who is paying the rent, bills huh? Well managing them too” she added. “Now go fix me something” she said pushing his head. “If you wasn’t so busy bussing around you a know how to cook!” he said softly. “What you say?” she said quizzically. “Nothing madam” he said sarcastically “SLUT!!” he whispered under his breath. The doorbell rang. “Who is it?” Theresa asked. “Tammy” she answered. “Aw” she opened the door. “Whatchu want?” she asked. “Um can I speak with Malik?” “You know he screwing some other chick right, you ain’t the only one girl, not no more” she said looking her up and down. She spoke loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, soon as Malik heard her he ran to the door from the kitchen. “Hey baby, ignore her comments” he said. “Well it’s true!” she yelled. “We ALL not like you” he smiled because he just settled the conflict. “Whatever, remember it pays the bills!” shameless of her booty shaking at the strip, she smiled and walked away. “So what sup” he said kissing her softly on the lips. To him her lips always tasted so good to him, he loved kissing her. Felt he was at best at the task, he smiled to himself. “Oh um I just wanted to help me with this homework problem…I know you good in math soo” she smiled a little. “Um, ok I guess” he said inviting her inside. They went up to his bedroom to do the study. “Dang it’s a lot of pictures of your family in here now” she said gazing at the photos. “Yeah I know, that slut tried to burn all our photos or throw them away. She used some of them for blunt paper too. Weird ass” he said angrily. She kissed him again. “Don’t worry, I don’t know what’s up with your sister but she need a reality check” she chuckled. “What she needs is an ass whooping. And a real ma cause that nigga she got now looks like the hair on my balls” they both laughed hearty. “So where’s that homework at so I can get back to the sponge” he asked. “I um, I don’t have it” she replied. “So you telling me...you walked four blocks to my crib with a fat ass book bag on your back for nothing?” he asked puzzled. “I just need to talk to you” she gave puppy eyes. “Aw, well okay just hope it ain’t about school cause I told you I ain’t coming back man!” “Naw, naw it ain’t about that though, it’s just that…” she paused. He laughed. “C’mon girl spill, you acting like you pregnant or something” the smile turned into a frown when she turned and looked away. “Aw shit naw” he said. “I told you we should use a condom” she spoke softly. “Damn, Damn, Damn! How you know? You took a test? “Naw” she said. “Naw? Then how the fuck you know you pregnant then, huh?” he was getting extremely mad. “Because I keep eating a lot and sleeping, my stomach feels different every now and then.” She said unsure. “That don’t mean shit girl, you always eating” referring to her weight, she was about 185 pounds. She got up and starts walking away. He held his head down and ran after her. “Wait, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t went there, my bad, it’s just confusing. You know you only 16 and me being 17, it’s just to damn soon.” He said calming down. “I know. I’ma go check with a doc to see if I am though, I just wanted to check wit you about it.” She sadly said. Still shocked, he asked her one more tome for forgiveness and then dismissed her. “A baby?” he asked himself. Mama always told him to wear protection. “You never know what these skanks got these days” he remembered her words and smiled.
Two hours later he got dresses. Not the usual way but casual today. He got a interview with this company “Shop and Stock”, yeah he thought a stupid name for a company but it was better then nothing. He left out the house feeling good as the door squeaked behind him. He felt super fresh with the black dickies, white button-up, black blazer and black ones. He was about to hop on the train but couldn’t cause he was disturbed by the drug dealer named Tony. He pulled up and walked outside his car door. Hey lil’ man” he smiled deviously. “What sup” he said still walking cause he really didn’t want to talk to him. Tony walked a little faster to catch up. “Aye wait up though” stopping Malik in his tracks. He slowly pulled out a wad of cash. “I heard you need help with the bills son” he chuckled. “Nah… we straight” he responded pushing the money aside. “You know you want some boy, stop being so damn stubborn, just like ya mama” he smiled again. Now Tony was a slim, tall, super crispy type of guy, as in he was super black. Malik swear he came straight out of Roots. “Nah I don’t, now let me go where I supposed to go” he said angrily. “Damn you nigga” yelled Tony and snapping his fingers at his body guards. They ran towards Malik
“Malik, Malik, open the door baby” she cried. Banging none stop, Malik finally open the door. “Girl what you want?” he said wiping eye boogers off his face. “Malik, bay, they got yo mama, Malik they got her!!” she cried harder. Finally realizing that she was crying he snapped to reality. “Who? Who got my mama, what you talking about?” he asked anxiously. “The hospital” she cried, “they got her and your brother, they got... They got hit by a … car, a hit and run, Malik, I’m sorry baby!” she pleaded through stumbled words. “WHAT!? Where she at… what hospital? Tell me now… wait why are you sorry?” he said puzzled. “I don’t know, I love your mom, your brother, and you, I’m feeling bad because something bad happen to ya’ll” she said. “Oh… well don’t worry just tell me what hospital!” he asked. “Thelma’s Critical Hospital, that’s where they took them” she answered. “Okay stay here, calm down, I’m on my way there” he said while grabbing the bus card off the table. “I want to go with you Malik don’t leave me with … you know…Theresa” she worried. “Don’t worry about her okay and try to keep her calm so she won’t do nothing stupid” he said quickly. “Okay…I love you…” she responded. “I got to go get my mama” refusing to respond back to her comment, he left out the house with a doo-rag white beater and pajama pants.
Forty-five minutes wasted riding the bootleg train, he arrived at the hospital. “Damn… why they put her in the dirtiest, bootleg hospital in the city?” he asked himself. “Hi, May I help you?” asked the clerk. “Um… yeah, my name is Malik Thompson and my mama is in this hospital” he answered. “Do you have a room number you can address so I can write you a pass?” asked the clerk. “Man I don’t know, they just brought her here a few hours ago…dang don’t yall automatically put her in the system or something?” he said angrily. “No, we don’t, now sit down and I’ll see if we can send you up there to see her” she replied rudely, smacking gum and then returning to the phone and asking for numbers and what not. “Whatever man, do whatever you go to do for I go up there myself” he said sitting down. “Aye! Lil boy I don’t know yo nappy headed ass so don’t come in here talking shit, now shut the hell up and do what I say” rolling her eyes. “Aye bitch, you do what the fuck I tell you and stop worrying about what comes out of my fucking mouth aight and that’s all I gots to say” and he sat peacefully. “Whatever” was all she could say. Ten minutes later a doctor came back down stairs to Malik reporting that Ms. Thompson was in bad condition but he could come see her if he liked. He got a pass and walked up to the floor where his mama was at. “Hey baby how are you?” she asked. “The question is how are you?” he smiled a little. “I’m fine… (coughing) baby (coughing)” she hardly said. “It don’t sound like it” he said. “You wearing pj’s?” she asked trying to crack a smile and also changing the subject. He laughed a little “yeah… I uh rushed to check on you as soon as I got the news.” “Oh” she smiled, knowing that her son cares for her. “Where is Joey?” he asked. “I don’t know… I think he is in another room” she said worried. The doctor came in to see if Malik could come along to hear about Joey Thompson. “What?”… Is he alright?” he wanted to know anxiously. “Well…I don’t know a easy way to tell you this but…” Malik already knew what happened to his brother, He died. Everything the doctor was talking about was at mute. “Code blue, cold blue, cold blue!!” yelled the doctors running to room A203. “That’s my mama, that’s my mama” he yelled. He rushed to A203 to see what was going on but the doctors forced him out and told him to go back in the waiting room. He couldn’t believe it. His heart raced, he started crying softly to himself, beating himself in the chest telling him to man up. “Don’t cry…they got my brother but not my mama too…nah nah it can’t be…GOD won’t this to me…I’m faithful at church.” He thought to himself trying to convince that everything was going good. Three hours later the doctor came with shameful eyes. “What happened?” Malik asked. “We tried everything but…” damn that goes that “but” again. “She had a massive heart-attack and passed away.” Said the shameful doctor. “Not MY MAMA, NOT MY MAMA TOO!!....DAMN YOU GOD, WHAT THE FUCK I DO SO FUCKING BAD TO YOU?!” he yelled across the awaiting room, screaming and jamming his body against the walls. “Sir, sir, sir please…SECURITY!!...calm down please, please…you will hurt yourself sir!!” he demanded kind of. After three body guards he finally settled down a little and walked out the hospital, he couldn’t take no more. His cell ring, it was know Tamela. He didn’t feel like talking but he knew how worried she was and answered anyways, “Hey babes, is everything good?” she asked. Sighing he responded “No.” “NO!? You short-answering me baby, what happened?” she asked. “What Theresa doing?” he asked. “She sitting here impatiently just as I, can you tell us what happened?” she asked. “I’ma explain when I get there aight” and he hung up. Another forty-five minutes he was home. He greeted both with a long hug. “Hey bay” he said spiritless. “Look um no easy way to say this but the car accident cause mama to have a heart-attack and her and Joey died.” He couldn’t speak the words. “WHAT!! OH MY GOD!” both girls shouted. Theresa looked kind of phony, like she didn’t care or either suspicious. On the other hand he took Tamela to his room and they both grieved. Theresa left out without a word.
Two O’clock the next morning Theresa came back home drunk. Must’ve had about 5 too many drinks. “Heeey ugly” she said. “Where you been?” looking at her disgusted and dry-eyed. “And when have YOU become daddy?” she asked. “Whatever” he responded. “Anyways, speaking of adults, I am you guardian now and since moms gone I’ma step up.” Couldn’t really tell what she was saying. “I got a new job at the $5 strip but I’ma still work at Hoochies too.” She was in it for real. He just stared at her. “That’s ashame…she just died, don’t you got any sympathy?” he said angrily. “All I gots to say is that good thing they got insurance” she belted out loud and that’s all she spoke.
Flashbacks always startled Malik. As he just reflected back on all that happened that night. He was sitting in the recliner watching SpongeBob. Its been about 2 years since that incident happened. These thoughts vanished as soon as he heard his sister’s voice. “What Theresa?” he answered annoyed. “Can you cook me something to eat?” she asked coming into the room rubbing her belly. “Man what I look like to you…yo…” interrupted Theresa responded “Aye aye none of that smartass” cleaning dirt out of her cuticles. “Who is paying the rent, bills huh? Well managing them too” she added. “Now go fix me something” she said pushing his head. “If you wasn’t so busy bussing around you a know how to cook!” he said softly. “What you say?” she said quizzically. “Nothing madam” he said sarcastically “SLUT!!” he whispered under his breath. The doorbell rang. “Who is it?” Theresa asked. “Tammy” she answered. “Aw” she opened the door. “Whatchu want?” she asked. “Um can I speak with Malik?” “You know he screwing some other chick right, you ain’t the only one girl, not no more” she said looking her up and down. She spoke loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, soon as Malik heard her he ran to the door from the kitchen. “Hey baby, ignore her comments” he said. “Well it’s true!” she yelled. “We ALL not like you” he smiled because he just settled the conflict. “Whatever, remember it pays the bills!” shameless of her booty shaking at the strip, she smiled and walked away. “So what sup” he said kissing her softly on the lips. To him her lips always tasted so good to him, he loved kissing her. Felt he was at best at the task, he smiled to himself. “Oh um I just wanted to help me with this homework problem…I know you good in math soo” she smiled a little. “Um, ok I guess” he said inviting her inside. They went up to his bedroom to do the study. “Dang it’s a lot of pictures of your family in here now” she said gazing at the photos. “Yeah I know, that slut tried to burn all our photos or throw them away. She used some of them for blunt paper too. Weird ass” he said angrily. She kissed him again. “Don’t worry, I don’t know what’s up with your sister but she need a reality check” she chuckled. “What she needs is an ass whooping. And a real ma cause that nigga she got now looks like the hair on my balls” they both laughed hearty. “So where’s that homework at so I can get back to the sponge” he asked. “I um, I don’t have it” she replied. “So you telling me...you walked four blocks to my crib with a fat ass book bag on your back for nothing?” he asked puzzled. “I just need to talk to you” she gave puppy eyes. “Aw, well okay just hope it ain’t about school cause I told you I ain’t coming back man!” “Naw, naw it ain’t about that though, it’s just that…” she paused. He laughed. “C’mon girl spill, you acting like you pregnant or something” the smile turned into a frown when she turned and looked away. “Aw shit naw” he said. “I told you we should use a condom” she spoke softly. “Damn, Damn, Damn! How you know? You took a test? “Naw” she said. “Naw? Then how the fuck you know you pregnant then, huh?” he was getting extremely mad. “Because I keep eating a lot and sleeping, my stomach feels different every now and then.” She said unsure. “That don’t mean shit girl, you always eating” referring to her weight, she was about 185 pounds. She got up and starts walking away. He held his head down and ran after her. “Wait, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t went there, my bad, it’s just confusing. You know you only 16 and me being 17, it’s just to damn soon.” He said calming down. “I know. I’ma go check with a doc to see if I am though, I just wanted to check wit you about it.” She sadly said. Still shocked, he asked her one more tome for forgiveness and then dismissed her. “A baby?” he asked himself. Mama always told him to wear protection. “You never know what these skanks got these days” he remembered her words and smiled.
Two hours later he got dresses. Not the usual way but casual today. He got a interview with this company “Shop and Stock”, yeah he thought a stupid name for a company but it was better then nothing. He left out the house feeling good as the door squeaked behind him. He felt super fresh with the black dickies, white button-up, black blazer and black ones. He was about to hop on the train but couldn’t cause he was disturbed by the drug dealer named Tony. He pulled up and walked outside his car door. Hey lil’ man” he smiled deviously. “What sup” he said still walking cause he really didn’t want to talk to him. Tony walked a little faster to catch up. “Aye wait up though” stopping Malik in his tracks. He slowly pulled out a wad of cash. “I heard you need help with the bills son” he chuckled. “Nah… we straight” he responded pushing the money aside. “You know you want some boy, stop being so damn stubborn, just like ya mama” he smiled again. Now Tony was a slim, tall, super crispy type of guy, as in he was super black. Malik swear he came straight out of Roots. “Nah I don’t, now let me go where I supposed to go” he said angrily. “Damn you nigga” yelled Tony and snapping his fingers at his body guards. They ran towards Malik
Thursday, November 5, 2009
L.A.S.T
This is the story of Leo Anthony Smith Taylor he is the last of his family to make something of himself. Just like the initials of his name he is the L.A.S.T. surviving member of his family besides his cousin. Leo lives in New York City and the only family he has left is his little cousin Kevin Quincy; Leo calls him “Q” and the ladies like to call him “Cutie Q” he didn’t like either of the names but he grew to like them. Leo originally resided in Chicago but he was given a scholarship from Syracuse University in New York. Leo had always dreamed of being a hip-hop artist and New York is the perfect place to search for that dream. Although nobody in his family approved besides Kevin who dreamt of being a music producer. Q also gained a scholarship in sound engineering; during their college experience both cousins lost their parent in a plane accident. Both of their parents were on their way to visit their children and both died on the same plane. Leo and Q easily thrived for success but it was time to thrive for what made them happy. Leo and Q then entered the music world because it is what made them blissful they are now embarking on their journey.
“I know this is a formal party but I left my slack and tie
I’m like high florescent light my flow is hurtin haters eyes
To be the winner of this game, and make sure that my score is high
Just like a spray of sweet perfume I leave my essence in your mind
Like a noble swordsman Leo’s bringing honor to the game
Please don’t find yourself an enemy cuz opponents will be slain
Turn every two V’s into W’s Leo’s going for the win
You can call Leo the best before his career even begins”
“Nigga you not hot, you might give a couple of sparks but you ain’t hot” said Kevin. “Nigga stop hating you know I got that shh like quiet” said Leo. “Naw nigga you need to shhh BE QUIET with yo lame ass” said Kevin as he starts to chuckle; “haha get off my jock nigga I spit that ridiculous flow which is surprising cuz I have to use your tired ass beats” said Leo. “Nigga now you speaking in riddles…RETARTED ones if you say my beats is tired” said Kevin. In the daytime Leo works as a PR agent for Bad Boy Reords and Kevin is a sound engineer for ESPN; the type of careers that any regular 23 or 24 year old man would settle for. But these two are different; at night Q dj’s for the 4040 club on Washington Street and Leo performs at the same place. They both promote the album the y just created call “The Sky’s Limit” but tonight Leo and Q are on a different mission. Mr. Sean Carter (Jay-Z) is performing at Madison Square Garden. Leo and Q have backstage passes and the plan is to catch Jay-Z after the show and freestyle for him and pray to God that he is interested. It’s been three hours, the show is over, and the boys have been waiting in the parking lot where Jay would be leaving out of…here he comes. “Mr. Carter I have this 16 from the top of the brain that you’ll love” said Leo; “Oh word…hold on let them go their alright, ok get it crackin then” said Jay.
“Jay asked what more can he say, well I have nothing to add
Because niggas think it’s breezy wait til Leo brings the draft
I’ll give a rough one; you can print the final ad
My name will be the main print the subtitle will say the best
I was ready to die like Biggie cuz the flow just staunk
Now my rhymes is wity I’m spittin that Machine Gun Funk
They say your, nobody til somebody kills you and all
The world stabbed my in the back praying for my downfall
Now I play Big Poppa as I kill inside the booth
Nothin to say to these labels but gimmie the loot, gimme the loot
Left a warning to the playa haters my peoples will shoot
Now what’s beef to a nigga when he drinkin chicken noodle soup
When I had suicidal thoughts music was the only friend of mine
So now I’m making sweet love to the bass and feeding these rhymes
“That’s enough….I love how you put all those Biggie songs in your verse here (Jay hands Leo a card) come here at noon tomorrow and who’s your friend?” Asks Jay; that’s my cousin Q he’s one the coldest producers you’ll ever meet just give him a chance” said Leo. “Alright bring him with you tomorrow with samples I’m feeling lucky tonight you better be something cold Mr….” said Jay; Mr. Leo sir answered Leo “and trust I’m not cold I’m the artic” said Leo; “Ok see you tomorrow” said Jay as he closes the door to his limo and drives off. For any regular men trying to get a record deal they would cry at this moment but for these two. “Ay nigga you move as slow as you rad hurry yo ass up” said Kevin; “Alright pull out your wedgie you feminine ass nigga I’m coming” said Leo. “I can’t believe Jay-Z is interested in yo weak ass you should’ve went to go freestyle for Master P someone you can relate too haha” said Kevin as he laughs at his own joke. “Nigga you always hatin you know you love me on hose dry ass Dracula beats you be makin” said Leo; “whatever nigga come on so we can go pick out the beats we want him to hear” said Kevin. The day arrives Leo and Q are standing in front of the address Jay-Z had given them their eyes pop out a little the title of the place seemed unreal for a moment….TOO BE CONTINUED
“I know this is a formal party but I left my slack and tie
I’m like high florescent light my flow is hurtin haters eyes
To be the winner of this game, and make sure that my score is high
Just like a spray of sweet perfume I leave my essence in your mind
Like a noble swordsman Leo’s bringing honor to the game
Please don’t find yourself an enemy cuz opponents will be slain
Turn every two V’s into W’s Leo’s going for the win
You can call Leo the best before his career even begins”
“Nigga you not hot, you might give a couple of sparks but you ain’t hot” said Kevin. “Nigga stop hating you know I got that shh like quiet” said Leo. “Naw nigga you need to shhh BE QUIET with yo lame ass” said Kevin as he starts to chuckle; “haha get off my jock nigga I spit that ridiculous flow which is surprising cuz I have to use your tired ass beats” said Leo. “Nigga now you speaking in riddles…RETARTED ones if you say my beats is tired” said Kevin. In the daytime Leo works as a PR agent for Bad Boy Reords and Kevin is a sound engineer for ESPN; the type of careers that any regular 23 or 24 year old man would settle for. But these two are different; at night Q dj’s for the 4040 club on Washington Street and Leo performs at the same place. They both promote the album the y just created call “The Sky’s Limit” but tonight Leo and Q are on a different mission. Mr. Sean Carter (Jay-Z) is performing at Madison Square Garden. Leo and Q have backstage passes and the plan is to catch Jay-Z after the show and freestyle for him and pray to God that he is interested. It’s been three hours, the show is over, and the boys have been waiting in the parking lot where Jay would be leaving out of…here he comes. “Mr. Carter I have this 16 from the top of the brain that you’ll love” said Leo; “Oh word…hold on let them go their alright, ok get it crackin then” said Jay.
“Jay asked what more can he say, well I have nothing to add
Because niggas think it’s breezy wait til Leo brings the draft
I’ll give a rough one; you can print the final ad
My name will be the main print the subtitle will say the best
I was ready to die like Biggie cuz the flow just staunk
Now my rhymes is wity I’m spittin that Machine Gun Funk
They say your, nobody til somebody kills you and all
The world stabbed my in the back praying for my downfall
Now I play Big Poppa as I kill inside the booth
Nothin to say to these labels but gimmie the loot, gimme the loot
Left a warning to the playa haters my peoples will shoot
Now what’s beef to a nigga when he drinkin chicken noodle soup
When I had suicidal thoughts music was the only friend of mine
So now I’m making sweet love to the bass and feeding these rhymes
“That’s enough….I love how you put all those Biggie songs in your verse here (Jay hands Leo a card) come here at noon tomorrow and who’s your friend?” Asks Jay; that’s my cousin Q he’s one the coldest producers you’ll ever meet just give him a chance” said Leo. “Alright bring him with you tomorrow with samples I’m feeling lucky tonight you better be something cold Mr….” said Jay; Mr. Leo sir answered Leo “and trust I’m not cold I’m the artic” said Leo; “Ok see you tomorrow” said Jay as he closes the door to his limo and drives off. For any regular men trying to get a record deal they would cry at this moment but for these two. “Ay nigga you move as slow as you rad hurry yo ass up” said Kevin; “Alright pull out your wedgie you feminine ass nigga I’m coming” said Leo. “I can’t believe Jay-Z is interested in yo weak ass you should’ve went to go freestyle for Master P someone you can relate too haha” said Kevin as he laughs at his own joke. “Nigga you always hatin you know you love me on hose dry ass Dracula beats you be makin” said Leo; “whatever nigga come on so we can go pick out the beats we want him to hear” said Kevin. The day arrives Leo and Q are standing in front of the address Jay-Z had given them their eyes pop out a little the title of the place seemed unreal for a moment….TOO BE CONTINUED
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Soul Searching Part I
"Dear Diary, I don't wanna keep s**t inside of me
I'd rather just speak to you privately
Maybe it's my mood as far as I can see
there's really no point in having this guy with me."
I'm confused...about us. I mean, we've done had this thing going on for a long ass time now and even though we always fall out sometimes, we end up back together. I can't take this anymore! One second it's, "I love you, baby." The next it's, "You treat me like shit." Well, now it's, "F*** you!". I'm tired of being the one who gets hurt. I'm tired of you and your "I love you's!" Nigga, you make me sick to my stomach! Yet, you make me feel all these damn emotions. I'm not trying to get hurt again, alright? I'm tired of you playing these mind games with me. You messing with me, man. Do you understand that?
I keep telling you this won't be easy the second time around, I hardened my heart, but you seem to be the only guy who can break me down and make me act like I lost my damn mind. Now, I can't even look you in the eyes. You happy? Hey, you spoiled me, I want too much in a guy. I have high standards. It's times where I miss the hell out of you, then it's times like now, where I wish you'd get out my life. I gave you the best of me and so many times you took that for granted. Yes, I know I take more than I give. That's just me!
What I'm really tired of is you and your lying. The sad part about it is, you think I don't know. How could you look me dead in the eye and say that? Is it really that easy? If so, than you must not "love me" as you say. You got me paranoid and I'm wondering if I should just end this right now. I really do. You know what? You ain't ever gonna find someone better than me! Never in your life! We had a connection! HAD! You destroyed us because you tried to turn me out. It didn't work and it's over now...
P.S. Sometimes, I wish my words didn't sound foriegn to my own ears and mind...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Grown Man B.I: Part One
It's dark as oil in this room. The floor is shaking boom boom boom " spending every night in the studio..." the walls are sweating. Daddy's in the darkest corner of the room, the girl jukin' on him had been hawking him since he walked in. I mean come on 6'2, hazel eyes, "good hair" and the boy was built. She had no choice right. He had no choice either star of the basketball team ad his mom is VP_ of Chicago’s top scouting agency. The Evisus are fit but this young lady is doing a job that has already been done by a little Asian kid in a sweat shop, wearing his jeans OUT! The young lady turns around when "DADDY! LETS GO! NOW NIGGA!" it was his homie Lil' Duke. They had been friend since second grade, Duke born Ashley wasn't the cutest dude out the bunch however, he had a Mississippi pimp tongue on him slicker than a whale with fish grease on his back. A fight had just broken out and if Daddy and Duke didn't run up there would hell to pay when Krell summoned from the pile up. The boys mouth got him into constant trouble in school and at home.
By the time they had run up Krell had already had the worst of it. Duke says in a monotone voice "Aye Jo ain't no point in fighting." pulls out his grandfathers wood-grained Taurus and fires two shots into the air. The crowd disperses as they expected. Krell emerges and through a swelling jaw "Where the hell was yall two at!" Duke opens up his mouth for an excuse when Daddy interjects "I was in there doin' what you should ah been doin' instead of runnin' yo mouth, I was choosin' when yo..." he muffs Duke who had a gun at the leftside of his waist -"ass interrupted me." Daddy shoot they should of called the boy fearless. It was clear the party was over them they decided to Duke's uncles spot on Madison. Walking down Madison is like a journey in a Indiana Jones Movie. There are two types of people on Madison the high and the lowly, luckily Daddy, Duke and Krell were high on the food chain of the west side streets. During the day it resembled a Mini-Time Square at night it was an entirely different story pitch black speckled with yellow streetlights. Loitered with Chicago's finest players and pimps on one side and their victims on the other. They walked Until they had reached Kostner. To the unsuspecting eye it appeared to be an abandoned mechanics garage, but Duke knew it s home since he was eight. It was the place he fled to when his momma was on one of her vacations code for her frequent drug binges. Daddy knew the place too, but you could hear the splatter of the sweat that drippped offf Krell's face hit the floor.
"Scared?"
"Naw what I'm scared of?"
He should have been church boy gone wanna be bad boy was at the door to Hell's Kitchen. What Krell didn't know was that Duke's Uncle was Mister "Shut It Down" a.k.a Mr. "Don't Say My Name" he was a notorious figure on the west side, was neck deep in the drug game and dabbled into quite a few business ventures in the suburbs. On top of that he was BFFs with the police chiefs. You could smell the death coming from underneath the door that led to basement. They walked up a narrow stairway you would think the doors in a place like this would be locked but they werent. Duke pushes the door open flops on the nearest coach and pushes the heel off of one shoe with the toe of the other.
"Man we at yo game tuhma Krell'
"Yeah jo its about to be very diverse"
"Aye Daddy you gone getchu an authentic blonde chick this time? none uh dat fresh out the bootle s#%t"
"Uh NO.. you know Zhay got cousins everywhere."
"You waunt worried bout thath s#%t in the corner wit shorty"
daddy shoots a look Duke with that infamous gleam in his eyes "Fam that was her cousin"
They all three burst out laughing
"You A DOG!!!"
Daddy smirks
"What can I say the young ladies like it rough rough, I'm just giving the public what they want."
They sit back on the couches and finish watching the last bit of State Property that was on TV.
"We in fa the night?"
Krell respond with "I gotta go home I have church in the mornin'."
Daddy pointing at him saying "This dude"
They walk Krell to Lake. On the way back, Duke finally speaks "That's my mans and all but he forever stuntin'." Daddy shakes his head and realizes this Timberland is not cutting it, pulse out his phone and text his mom [Ma ull tk me 2 da northface sto 2ma]. She text back the usual yes and are you coming home? Of course, he wasn't. Mr. Badside was on his way to Jhene's house, he turned into Mr. Playdoh at the door. The person he was walking up to it dissapeared completely. Jhene was a junior at Whitney Young, she was bad I mean Janet meet Halle in cat fight with Beyoncé bad. Jhene was the reason Daddy wasn't 100% jerk.
"Baye come to the door"
Jhene came to the door reppin' the dolphins to the fullest.
"Sweat pants hair tied chillin' wit no make up on..."
She throws her arms up around his neck and gives him a kiss.
"How do you smoke and play ball all in the same season?"
"Yo man got skills"
"My MAN has stank breathe"
"Where my toothbrush at?"
"Come on Brandon where is it always at."
The boy was the most functional lazy person on Earth. He reached down to the bottom drawer and pulled out his toothbrush, he pushed Jhene's birth control to the side and laughed. "Baye can I have one of these mints?" The boy had intention of living up to his name. He thought he was the man. It had been just him and his momma since he was 3. His dad had moved back to Decatur and his mom became a serial dater. Daddy damn near smashed the last prospects face into his own seven series before his mom saved dude. "Nigga you ain't my daddy! I'm Daddy Nigga!!" Sounding like a deep voiced toddler. "Brandon what's taking you so long?"
"Nothin'."
He tip-toed out the bathroom wearin Jhene's bathrobe, shower cap and house shoes.
"This is how you choose tocome out the closet?"
"Shut Up Girl."
He flops in the bed and starts reading her papers.[Spelman]. His heart sunk into his stomach, he knew that he could get a ball scholarship to anywhere and his grade weren't that bad. He wasn't leaving his momma and Jhene wasn't leaving him.
By the time they had run up Krell had already had the worst of it. Duke says in a monotone voice "Aye Jo ain't no point in fighting." pulls out his grandfathers wood-grained Taurus and fires two shots into the air. The crowd disperses as they expected. Krell emerges and through a swelling jaw "Where the hell was yall two at!" Duke opens up his mouth for an excuse when Daddy interjects "I was in there doin' what you should ah been doin' instead of runnin' yo mouth, I was choosin' when yo..." he muffs Duke who had a gun at the leftside of his waist -"ass interrupted me." Daddy shoot they should of called the boy fearless. It was clear the party was over them they decided to Duke's uncles spot on Madison. Walking down Madison is like a journey in a Indiana Jones Movie. There are two types of people on Madison the high and the lowly, luckily Daddy, Duke and Krell were high on the food chain of the west side streets. During the day it resembled a Mini-Time Square at night it was an entirely different story pitch black speckled with yellow streetlights. Loitered with Chicago's finest players and pimps on one side and their victims on the other. They walked Until they had reached Kostner. To the unsuspecting eye it appeared to be an abandoned mechanics garage, but Duke knew it s home since he was eight. It was the place he fled to when his momma was on one of her vacations code for her frequent drug binges. Daddy knew the place too, but you could hear the splatter of the sweat that drippped offf Krell's face hit the floor.
"Scared?"
"Naw what I'm scared of?"
He should have been church boy gone wanna be bad boy was at the door to Hell's Kitchen. What Krell didn't know was that Duke's Uncle was Mister "Shut It Down" a.k.a Mr. "Don't Say My Name" he was a notorious figure on the west side, was neck deep in the drug game and dabbled into quite a few business ventures in the suburbs. On top of that he was BFFs with the police chiefs. You could smell the death coming from underneath the door that led to basement. They walked up a narrow stairway you would think the doors in a place like this would be locked but they werent. Duke pushes the door open flops on the nearest coach and pushes the heel off of one shoe with the toe of the other.
"Man we at yo game tuhma Krell'
"Yeah jo its about to be very diverse"
"Aye Daddy you gone getchu an authentic blonde chick this time? none uh dat fresh out the bootle s#%t"
"Uh NO.. you know Zhay got cousins everywhere."
"You waunt worried bout thath s#%t in the corner wit shorty"
daddy shoots a look Duke with that infamous gleam in his eyes "Fam that was her cousin"
They all three burst out laughing
"You A DOG!!!"
Daddy smirks
"What can I say the young ladies like it rough rough, I'm just giving the public what they want."
They sit back on the couches and finish watching the last bit of State Property that was on TV.
"We in fa the night?"
Krell respond with "I gotta go home I have church in the mornin'."
Daddy pointing at him saying "This dude"
They walk Krell to Lake. On the way back, Duke finally speaks "That's my mans and all but he forever stuntin'." Daddy shakes his head and realizes this Timberland is not cutting it, pulse out his phone and text his mom [Ma ull tk me 2 da northface sto 2ma]. She text back the usual yes and are you coming home? Of course, he wasn't. Mr. Badside was on his way to Jhene's house, he turned into Mr. Playdoh at the door. The person he was walking up to it dissapeared completely. Jhene was a junior at Whitney Young, she was bad I mean Janet meet Halle in cat fight with Beyoncé bad. Jhene was the reason Daddy wasn't 100% jerk.
"Baye come to the door"
Jhene came to the door reppin' the dolphins to the fullest.
"Sweat pants hair tied chillin' wit no make up on..."
She throws her arms up around his neck and gives him a kiss.
"How do you smoke and play ball all in the same season?"
"Yo man got skills"
"My MAN has stank breathe"
"Where my toothbrush at?"
"Come on Brandon where is it always at."
The boy was the most functional lazy person on Earth. He reached down to the bottom drawer and pulled out his toothbrush, he pushed Jhene's birth control to the side and laughed. "Baye can I have one of these mints?" The boy had intention of living up to his name. He thought he was the man. It had been just him and his momma since he was 3. His dad had moved back to Decatur and his mom became a serial dater. Daddy damn near smashed the last prospects face into his own seven series before his mom saved dude. "Nigga you ain't my daddy! I'm Daddy Nigga!!" Sounding like a deep voiced toddler. "Brandon what's taking you so long?"
"Nothin'."
He tip-toed out the bathroom wearin Jhene's bathrobe, shower cap and house shoes.
"This is how you choose tocome out the closet?"
"Shut Up Girl."
He flops in the bed and starts reading her papers.[Spelman]. His heart sunk into his stomach, he knew that he could get a ball scholarship to anywhere and his grade weren't that bad. He wasn't leaving his momma and Jhene wasn't leaving him.