When I promised to premiere this new rap, Black Beethoven, it didnt exist, yet. So what! EMERGE ALREADY! Friday Fix: Set Your Own Darn Bar! On my SXSW application I did something daring, I promised to premiere a new piece that would have me playing piano, working live electronics and rapping...at the same time. The catch was at the time, the piece didnt even remotely exist. I didnt even know which electronics to buy, let alone own them! And most importantly, I hadnt written a new rap. But I had a vision and even though I also had a new baby and an ever rambunctious 6 yr-old, as much as I love them, my vision is my baby, too. So starting about a month ahead of SXSW I set to work, using 10 minute practice sessions to create the beats and learn the hardware and using spurts of inspiration to jot a line or two down. Bit by bit, my vision came to life. But lets back up a bit before that to when I revealed my vision. People (including my loving family) had serious doubts. Some thought my vision was unrealistic. I dont blame them, surely it sounded crazy, but little did they know unrealistic is my trigger word. When someone slings it at me, thats my cue to get to work. I once had a manager who said the fact that I wanted to do so many things was problematic and unrealistic. Why couldnt I just be happy with what I was already doing? I was already performing more than others at my level. I was once told going after a performance career in this day and age was unrealistic, why bother? Because it would bother me not to go after my vision, not to stick to my own standards, no matter how seemingly unrealistic. Youve got to set your bar. Dont let anybody fat-shame you and dont let anyone fit-shame you! Dont let anyone shame you about your blind ambition, in fact youre not blind at all, the only thing youre blind to is status quo, youre seeing things very clearly. Often, when someone says to you that something is unrealistic, theyre usually thinking about their own chutzpah level. What theyre really saying is, Hmm, I cant imagine ever being able to do that, the obstacles are going to take way too much work to overcome, it would be easier to just stay where Im at. (I know that preposition is dangling btw). Anyway, no shame in settling if thats your thing, its just not how WE do things, right? So take a peek, youll see my vision. I even knew exactly what Id be wearing from the striped leggings to the red hair and the killer heels. My vision was complete in my head first before I could make it a reality. Now go, close your eyes, see the vision and get after it...bit by bit. Stay Fiery, Jade
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 19:16:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015