The above picture is of two of my heroes. Real men that fought racism, stood up for African American people in dark times, and helped create change we all benefit from today. Don’t get it twisted, these are what real men look like, and what is news worthy. No disrespect to Jason Collins, but I don’t agree with the media labeling him a hero. Nowadays someone coming out as being gay has become like getting shot in the hood, or dropping out of school, because it happens everyday b (Cam’ron Voice). Your business is just that, your business, and should be kept that way.

I don’t care who’s gay anymore than I care what is your preference when it comes to what kinda car you like to drive, or what dipping sauce you prefer with your chicken nuggets, who cares? Now, let’s dig a little deeper, why is it that the media always feels the need to broadcast “news” of African American males coming out the closet, going to jail for not paying taxes, killing each other, and etc. Last time I checked “news” is something actually worth discussing, and someone being gay at this point is a boring conversation piece.

It’s really a mental game to keep our heads filled with images of African American males as weak, pathetic, and keep our stature in question. Why can’t the “news” discuss black men achievements instead, such as feeding the homeless, saving lives and etc? Read between the lines and stop taking everything at face value. There’s way more in motion than you think, and these images are constantly fed to our communities in the “news” and music videos that girls should be with girls, and black men should be with black men.

So we have a bunch of confused young people that go along with the wave while being raised by false media images. Young girls talking about “that’s my boo/girlfriend” and they don’t even know what their sexual preference is because all they know is it sounds cool to say it. We gotta do better people. We need more real heroes.

Sup Fam, it’s about that time for another blog. I haven’t written one in a minute and I figured it’s long over due. Someone asked me the other day what gets on my nerves the most about the music industry. Well keeping it real I can go on and on for days about that topic like the Energizer Bunny. But one thing that gets on my nerves are people that don’t understand how this business works so they always want something, and unfortunately there are a lot of them. I get a lot of messages that start out like this “Hey K, how are you?”. Now that introduction seems perfectly harmless right? So I proceed to engage because I love building with people (I honestly do) and respond “I’m chilling, how are you?”. Then their response is always clock work and predictable so they say, hey I need a verse or I need you to write a collaboration for me; and I also need it for free of charge because I have no way of compensating you for studio time you will pay to do so…

Now, this really starts to get on you nerves when you get an average of 75-100 of these messages a week in your inbox. I guess my issue is that people no longer view artist as people anymore, they start to view us as people that are at their disposal and are at liberty to do whatever they want when they want. And when you don’t do it they get mad (really mad). But my question is simple, why are they mad tho? Really makes no sense, I got an email from a guy that I didn’t know from a hole in a wall and he wanted to collaborate. I respectfully declined and then he got mad and replied, so you’re telling me K. Sparks can’t collaborate for the love of Hip Hop…

Well since you asked…no buddy. K. Sparks cannot do a song with you for the love of Hip Hop, nor for the love of the Emceeing, nor for the love of Luke and the magical light saber force to save the galaxy, nor for the love of that glorious Doritos Taco at Taco Bell…

People feel a sense of entitlement because they went to a concert or bought a CD and somehow get it twisted that a collaboration is included with their $12.99 purchase.  So I repeat, why are they so mad tho? I always show love when I can to everyone, and I respond to every message that is sent to me because I ride for all my fans/supporters. Another thing that people have to be aware of is that as hard as a pill that it may be to swallow, you are not the only one that has asked your favorite artist for a verse. Chances are you are number 129 for the day. So don’t take it personal when an artist has a hectic show schedule, massive amounts of music obligations to meet, and he/she has no time to record a verse for you “for the love”. I repeat, why are they mad tho? Sometimes I don’t even feel like a person because that’s how people treat you. And it’s not just random people on the outside looking in, you also have to deal with this from artist as well. See, the music industry is very competitive, so everyone is trying to come up off of the next man. So artist that don’t have a strong buzz always want to collaborate with other artist they feel they can get their name to come up off of. In laymen terms we call those types opportunist…

I’m not mad at their hustle, it’s just that I’m too smart to go for their non sense. See, if Emcee Pookie D is not popping, but Emcee Supreme is buzzing; then Emcee Pookie D wants that collaboration because he feels the outlets that support Emcee Supreme will now check for him. But let’s press the rewind button to analyze this, what does Emcee Supreme gain from this…

So the life of an artist is always filled with a bunch of questions such as, who are these people, and what do they want from me. Because 99% of the time it’s the same hustle, somebody has a need and nothing to reciprocate. And the worse is when they use the line, brother you can’t do this for the love of God…

Listen, people need to stop using God as a crutch. And I find that some people love to do this. People need to stop putting their personal wants off on God, and using that to justify their non sense. If that’s the case and that’s how they choose to get down, next time they to go to McDonald’s they should go to the counter to order a number 1 (super size) and when the cashier tells them that comes to $5.49 plus tax; I want them to tell the cashier, brother, you can’t give me this Big Mac for the love of God…

So I digress to my point, the music industry is no different. If you want something you have to pay for it. This is not my hobby, this is my job; and I treat it as such. We are all here to make a difference and help people, but let’s keep our level of interaction intelligent, civil, and not insult each other with childish propositions, wants, and behavior. Respect my time and I will respect yours. However if you choose to do the opposite I will do the same. Until next time, props to all my true supporters aka street family, be encouraged and God Bless.