Veteran's Day (Middle age crisis)

So I’m reading this write up on a seminal rhyme veteran by the name of Jaz-O. As a youngster coming up in the 80’s and early 90’s in NYC, I remember watching Video Music Box. I’d see a few videos showing the many facets of this guy; the smooth rhyme crooner alongside The O’Jays (Have you had your love…today?). The more pro-black nationalist side in another joint (the name eludes me but I’ll edited in) and as a murderous mic molester on the signature cut Hawaiian Sophie with than unknown rhyme slinger Jay-Z.

This is all common knowledge and it’s reiterated for those not in the know until the interview goes off in a way of putting other rappers on blast. He goes off and berates the current state of NY hip-hop, legends (alive and dead), and the whole movement of the South; how they dominate the scene with their brand of music. The saddest part of the interview was how he would get off into Jay-Z. Jaz is a staple in the history of New York hip-hop, those in the know hold this to be true (yours truly). The fact that his underling (Jay-Z) has hustled his way to millions with what Jaz taught him, seems to have left him rightfully bitter. Here’s a guy who’s just as talented as Hov yet nowhere near as famous. Admittedly 41 years of age and still out to get what is “rightfully his”, it’s like…c’mon, man.

It pained me as I was coming up on the closing of the interview. Not so much for him wanting to pursue his ambition, there’s never an age limit on that. It’s how he goes about it that sucks. I’m ten years younger than this dude, I too enjoy recording (no…I don’t have lofty dreams of being a rap star, just enjoy doing it). But to hear him tell it…it casts a bad look on the rest of us who still enjoy rhyming even being 27 and older. My thing is enjoy what you’re doing, know that you won’t be on MTV cribs from doing this. The way you or someone else defines “talent” has over time proven to be subjective. Do you and live, big man…let your talent speak for you.

blizzy