Kevin Liles (formerly VP at Def Jam, now now EVP of Warner Music Group) wrote a book called, "Make it Happen: From Intern to President." The book was about his years at Def Jam (he left after L.A. Reid came in and forced him out).
In the intro, Kevin talks about growing up in West Baltimore:
I love where I'm from, but I wasn't going to let myself become another statistic. I didn't just want to survive. I wanted to be a success. That's what hip hop is all about. Despite what you read about the bling, the Bentleys, the Benzes and the beefs, those are trappings that have nothing to do with the true spirit of the culture.
We are all about overcoming the odds and making success happen for ourselves by being ourselves, only better. Whatever our detractors say, we pulled ourselves out of the ghetto the old-fashioned way - through hard work.
Every real success story in hip hop comes down to the same thing: someone who finds the will, focus and drive to achieve. It doesn't matter if you are male or female. It doesn't matter what race or religion you are. It doesn't even matter what hustle you choose.
You could be a firefighter, a rapper, a banker, an athlete or a nurse. If you fight against the odds to realize a dream and be the best that you can be at whatever industry you choose, you are doing it the hip-hop way.
What do you think - and what does hip hop mean to you?
Comments (1)
Good read, thx for posting
gaming