American Dreamin'.

i look at Jay-Z now & its like, all you can really do is photograph that man. the man took nothing & turned it into something.. he literally went from rags to riches & he did it on HIS money. it was drug money but he knew the consequences behind getting that money but he was smart enough to make that money work more FOR him than against him.

i look at all the music he put out (some i liked, some i didn't) & you can just see him tell nothing but a story. when he put out the "American Gangster" album & each song went with the movie, i start thinking about how my life is right now & where I'M at in that movie & album. i'm looking at who's around me, who's NOT around & who imma have to watch when i get to the point that i'm working towards.

there's alotta things that i don't wanna see happen - just like Jay. he aint wanna see his cousin get locked up. he didn't really wanna see the split of Rocafella. he didn't wanna really see the day where he OFFICIALLY LEFT MUSIC.. in a way, i'm like that - i don't wanna see the fall of anything that i've put my hard work & dedication into. i aint tryna see nothing get snatched from up under me, so i try & make sure my feet are as planted as they can be on solid ground.

i look at Jay & a few others in the entertainment/fashion world as markers.. as motivation. i've always had people wonder how i keep going & stay up so long, trying not to lose my mind or how i carry what i carry & still get things accomplished (or at least get halfway there).. i think its just because i'm a natural fighter.. or maybe its because i'm not suppose to be stopped; slowed down maybe - but never stopped.

*Ace