Colab

The Colab – Who You Running With?
Back in the days when I was a teenager
Before I had status and before I had a pager
You could find the abstract listening to hip hop
My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop
I said, well daddy don’t you know that things go in cycles, just like Bobby was ampin’ like Micheals.
Excursions – A Tribe Called Quest

In life it’s important know ‘that things go in cycles; circles are powerful. As the world turns, so do our lives. Take this to relationships, if their alive, and you’re alive then it’s never to late to reconnect with family & friends in new & meaningful ways. In the last few months I’ve started to re-connect with important people, people who are part of the roots to who I am.

When I was a teenager I found FREEDOM with the help from two things. First, I found hip hop culture (my culture) and second I found my crew. These two ‘finds’ opened me to possibility and discovery. Each step of the way became more exciting then the next! At 36, that excitement continues to bring light to my life.

The biggest component of these to freedom elements was the collaboration. Hip Hop has always been about bringing people & skill sets together to create art. In my crew it was about collaboration & support. I always knew that I had inspiration and back up us I used this freedom to explore lifes riches.

Life goes in cycles, and now with the help of hip hop culture & my crew I am collaborating on a new youth speech on teaching leadership through hip hop.

The colab comes via Facebook groups as me and my old crew (BJ Massive) started to re-connect. Many of them are still vibin’ together, but I found my way back and each friend has opened their arms to me and said, “Welcome home brotha’.”.

For our crew hip hop was a mainstay and for many of us its still in our viens, especially with my boy Djen Choo. So Djen & i started bouncin’ ideas off each other; some deep shit. One night I threw down some a brainstorm I had and right away Djen was on it & immediately started EXPANDING it. I knew a Colab was in order. Check his vibe on his BLOG.

Born is a new workshop: “ReBirth of Skool” (leadership lessons through hip hop culture). A lot of work is to be done as we prep to debut it NOV 2011 at OSLC with 2500 student leaders. It’s time to get our grind on.

I’m working looking at the 4 main elements of Hip Hop: Breaking, Grafitti, MCing, and DJing – and how these elements relate to leadership.  I would love to here your thoughts, your feedback and your ideas.  COMMENT b.low