Just some lessons I've learned and some advice I'd like to pass on to my own kids.

Fathers Advice Ft Lakeith Rashad (Prod By DJ Pain)

Thought You Should Know

Need Your Love (Prod.  i of the Storm)

My good friend Lourin and I got a chance to hang out after not seeing each other for a while and for the first hours of catching up we just talked about how blessed we were.  When we met way back in the day we were younger and had different perspectives on life.  Now as men, husbands and fathers those perspectives have change based life experiences. It was good to catch up and still look forward to what’s on the horizon for both of us and our families.  We were able to squeeze a recording session in before he headed back out to Cali. This track is 3 things. #1 it’s a reflection of that conversation.  #2 it’s a reunion (we spent a lot of time making music together back in the day).  #3 An opportunity to stop and realize how blessed you are.  The sounds in the background (rain, thunder, kids playing) is intended to play on a phrase that Lourin used “watering my seeds”.  Seeds being our children and water those experiences in life that help us grow.  If we pray for rain we can’t be upset when we get a thunderstorm.  The image I used for this cover comes from a Sudanese refugee camp.  The children pictured were finally free of all the fighting and refused to let a little thing like rain stop them from playing. #Blessed #VSOP

Take a Moment feat. L (Prod. B.Mac)

VSOP;  It's my belief that one day we will all meet our maker and that salvation is a Grace that you must accept

VSOP

Meet Your Maker

The obvious source of influence for a song like this one is the loss of loved ones.  In particular my Grandparents whose words and actions continue to shape my life; My uncle Chris who was more like a big brother; My man Mike Roof who was one of the first people to tell me I had talent;  The homie & USAF vet Greg Ellis, who had the biggest brightest smile when I’d put a track on and helped me start to prioritize the important things in life; Shonda who gave me my first positive and negative critiques after my first two times on stage but gave it all from the heart.  There are others but those names were on my mind as I penned this.  Aside from that I was inspired by a place in Japan where those mourning the loss of loved ones use a disconnected phone booth to “talk” to loved ones on last time.  It’s called “kaze no denwa” (wind telephone) and people from all over Japan use this as an outlet for their grief.  I wanted to make a song where I could talk to family or friends that I’ve lost and let them know that I love & miss them but everything is Ok.  On the last verse I wanted to flip the script and encourage my loved ones (wife and kids) to carry on without me if I should be the one to die.  It’s my hope that if anyone listening or reading is in a similar need of encouragement that this song can provide some. 
The cover art is Funeral Procession a painting by Ellis Wilson

Carry On (Prod. Max Rxgh)

I wanted the track to be more thinking out loud with rhythm than an actual song.  I know at times I'm a bit much for my kids.  I try to turn each event into a teachable moment.  So admittedly I need to chill out and let them be kids instead attempting to cram so many life lessons into each instance.    Art imitates life and I crammed 32 bars into one verse. I know i can't sing...lol.   Hope you like it.  Painting is from  cbabibayoc.com

Thought You SHould Know

Thought You Should Know (Produced by Accent)

When younger I'd pressure myself to come up with products that were similar to what someone else was doing.  That wasn't being authentic.   Be it great or terrible I'm just making the music I feel.  Just being me.  JUSN8

Not According To Everyone (N.A.T.E.) Prod by J. Roes

Thoughts during the initial days  following the death of Botham Jean who was murdered while in his own apartment.  The Cop who killed him was convicted.  More importantly the victims  (Botham Jean)family forgave her.  If they can, I can.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2019/12/03/i-am-not-a-threat-botham-jeans-brother-says-as-he-accepts-award-from-police-training-group/

#Chill #Black Lives matter #Botham Jean

Get it together

Get It Together (Prod. By Bliss)

When I'm on the road, this track echoes how homesick I become, and how eager I am to get back to my fam. Verse one is dedicated to wifey.  Verse two is for my daughter and my son.

Home 2 U Feat. Parson James (sims beats)

I started writing rap verses way back in elementary school.  I never even realized what I was doing.  I just wrote because I enjoyed it.   I went to an Open Mic night (unintentionally) with some friends just after high school and someone offered me the Mic.  There was a moment where I could've played it safe and not grabbed that microphone, but I went for it.  When I did I unleashed years of writing on an unsuspecting crowd.  I was probably really horrible,  but I found something I enjoyed. That moment inspired me to continue writing.  I began performing with a group called F.I.P.  We had lots of initial success, winning talent shows, performing as an opening act, and even headlining a time or two.  I realized while I was sitting in the VIP section of a night club in Tokyo (Yokohama Bayhall, or Club Heaven can't remember) doing college homework that  I wasn't having fun.  That part of the music industry wasn't for me.  Hanging out and creating something meaningful (music) was all I wanted.  That was my joy.   I joined the military to help pay for the rest of my college degree .  I enjoyed what I did while in the military so I stayed in after completing my degrees.  I continued to make music on the side, mostly with a group we called V.S.O.P.  I got married and had two kids and with those changes in my life many of my views of the world have have also changed. My views on what my music is and should be have changed as well.  I’ve grown up.  My music has grown up with me.    My audience is my family.   I made these songs for them.  Thanks for taking the time to check it out.  Be Blessed.   
JUSN8

JUSN8

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