Jackson Free Press

Baby New Year has ushered Old Man 2007 out to pasture. As we begin to focus on a new beginning and resolutions that we will surely abandon before Valentine's Day, let us be thankful for making it through another year. But let us also resolve to make improvements in '08—personally, professionally and politically.

This past year was filled with ups and downs for me. I started the year off getting over the numbness of breaking off a six-year relationship. I emerged from that funk, becoming a part of the rebirth of Jubilee!Jam. Then I saw the infrastructure of Mississippi Artists and Producers almost crumble amid members' creative differences, and witnessed a $1 million record deal slip through my hands like sand in an hourglass. Space Mountain had nothing on me. I experienced the most life-changing trip of my life touring the Czech Republic in August, performing in front of thousands of dedicated hip-hop fans. I returned home only to be kicked off a radio show for making "unfriendly" comments about President Bush on my JFP blog.

One day, I awoke to find that my music had ironically taken a backseat to my community endeavors. I found myself sitting at the table with major city players, plotting the future of Farish Street. I even met new like-minded allies, who share the same passion to better our fair city. From that, a new brain trust of young progressive minds has emerged, and I'm very excited about that.

But what did I learn from 2007? Change is good sometimes; it happens for a reason. And though we sometimes prefer things to remain the same, change is the natural order of the world. Nothing lasts forever. It's the realization that maybe you don't know everything. It's the realization that the only career you have known for a decade may not be what God intended for you to do, but a mere segue way into what He wants. It's the moment you realize that maybe the way that you've done things up to this point haven't worked, and perhaps you should step aside and let some new blood steer the ship. It's those moments of clarity, like the one that a new year always brings, that shape our future.

It's a new morning in Jackson. We can sit in bed all day on the phone and gossip about what's wrong with our city, or we can arise, wipe the sleep from our eyes and attack the new day with a passion unrivaled in years past. We can't be afraid of change. We can't be afraid to try something new. We can't be afraid to think outside the box.

So, along with losing weight and watching my cholesterol, I resolve to try some new things. Meet some new people. Get out of my comfort zone. Maybe I shouldn't always be mad. The rapper scowl that I've made famous is retired. And it's thanks to the mystery lady who recently approached me in Rainbow Grocery and told me out of the blue that I needed to change my column picture. She said she could tell I was a gentle soul and that my headshot didn't do me justice. I don't know who she was and haven't seen her since. But I do know we crossed paths for a reason and, ma'am, your wisdom has not gone without note. Some of my homies say I look cheesy, but listening to them is what I've always done. For at least a while, I'm gonna try something different in all aspects of my life and see how that works.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

75789

Comment

Kamikaze gone soft! Whaaat!? Good luck though. I wish you God's speed, grace and mercy in your new endeavors.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-02T17:00:22-06:00

ID

75790

Comment

Send in your players card though!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-02T17:08:26-06:00

ID

75791

Comment

Now see..lol..thats why I really struggled with the issue of whether or not to be revealing with the readers. First thing they say is that Kaze's going soft...That's why I cant cut you guys any slack..You'll start thinking you can get away with stuff. The kid aint changed..Just gonna do a couple of things differently. Its wise still NOT to try me :-)

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-01-02T18:05:23-06:00

ID

75792

Comment

Kaze-I'm strongly with you on the "get out and do something about it" vibe. I'm finding a reawakening of good ole fashioned Social Work Grassroots that I had oodles of at 25 when I got out of grad school. I thinking I'm getting my fiesty back after falling in love and going all "clouds and roses" for the past six months. Brain chemicals are FUN! Don't forget to email me again about the next meeting.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-01-02T18:50:25-06:00

ID

75793

Comment

Thanks for sharing, Kaze. I think that it is wise for everyone to step back and reevaluate their lives - you know, just to make sure you are living out your purpose and not just living. Also, it is so easy to get so caught up in our to-do lists and what everyone else says you should be doing that we neglect our own needs. I've been doing an overhaul on myself since 2002 after my suicide attempt, and I'm still not done. It may not take you six years, but however long it takes, as long as you start the journey...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-01-02T18:55:23-06:00

ID

75794

Comment

Kaze, Thanks for making yourself vulnerable. You've made me think.

Author

msgrits

Date

2008-01-02T19:59:37-06:00

ID

75795

Comment

If we don't change something is wrong. I continue to try to improve myself even after 35! The keyt word is life long learning which helps keep our brains young! Your column reminds me of a poem by an Indian mystic that I ran across 25 years ago: May the evil man become good. May the good man find peace. May he who finds peace become free. May he who is free help to free others. ("Misunderstood" by Common plays in the background.) All four of those fazes are a mother% to achieve in this confusing world. Power and Peace brother.

Author

FreeClif

Date

2008-01-03T09:04:38-06:00

ID

75796

Comment

Does anyone wonder what happened to the socially consious beginnings of hip hop with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five bringing serious social commentary, to Public Enemy... Gil Scott Heron, a pioneer of rap in the early seventies, summed it up best in Bicentennial Blues thirty-one years ago: It’s a Bicentennial year and the blues is celebrating a birthday, And it’s a bicentennial blues. "The blues view may amuse you, But make no mistake, it’s a bicentennial year, A year of hysterical importance, A year of historical importance, Ripped off like donated moments from the past: …The country has been ripped off! Ripped off like the Indians, Ripped off like jazz, Ripped off like nature, Ripped off like Christmas! Manhandled by media overkill, Violated by commercial corporations..." Hip hop has also been violated and coopted by the same commercial corporations that have given us war without end and $100 a barrel oil. I don't agree with Kaze 100%, the real artists in the genre need to step up and consumers need to police what there children listen to, but sometimes it seems like people want to pile on after the play is over (to use a sports analogy).

Author

FreeClif

Date

2008-01-03T10:03:38-06:00

ID

75797

Comment

I was kidding Kaze. I think you're growing and headed toward being all you can be.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-03T10:51:23-06:00

ID

75798

Comment

Nice column, Kamikaze. Can't wait to see what happens next. You wrote "Maybe I shouldn't always be mad." You may find that you have more energy to spend on making things better, if you're not spending it all on being mad all the time. (though the joys of righteous anger never go away...) Good luck with the transformation, and maybe we'll see you at the yoga studio before too long ;-).

Author

kate

Date

2008-01-04T10:59:12-06:00

ID

75799

Comment

This is your best article yet Kaze. As a JFP fan and supporter, I've followed your columns closely. I've even been fortunate enough to have conversations with you while you've embraced your souls yearning for change. So, I too look forward to 2008 to see how you do...what'll happen. 2007 was a rollercoaster ride for me as well. And right now, I'm basking in confusion. So many props to you for accepting and allowing change. I look forward to being able to do the same. Starting with THE NEW PROGRESSIVES....I'm certain that we can make changes happen in the city as well as in our personal lives. Peace and Power to you and yours! YOUR #1 FAN, forever - Queen....out!

Author

Queen601

Date

2008-01-04T17:25:39-06:00

ID

75800

Comment

kate, tell me about the yoga....that's on my to do list -- like immediate to do list....i need yoga in my life....

Author

Queen601

Date

2008-01-04T17:31:02-06:00

ID

75801

Comment

WOW! I never knew rappers had hearts. It'll really WILL be interesting to see what you do in the new year.

Author

willwork4food

Date

2008-01-06T22:10:29-06:00

ID

75802

Comment

Queen, since you asked, check out www.butterflyyoga.net It's in Fondren, and great. There's other yoga studios in Jackson, but you're on your own for finding those. Hope to see you (and Kamikaze) there soon.

Author

kate

Date

2008-01-07T08:38:57-06:00

ID

75803

Comment

I, too, loved this column a lot. Very open, very honest. It's nice to see how someone can change over time, reflecting, learning. I liked the new photo in the print edition, too. Kaze, thanks for hosting the show on women's issues on radio JFP, too. For someone who took a lot of heat on these issues on the blogs, it shows a lot of class to turn around and say, ok, here I am, educate me, let me learn about this stuff.

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-01-07T10:34:31-06:00

ID

75804

Comment

Thanks Izzy..Communication rules the nation!! We often fear and loathe that which we don't know much about. As I said, Its easy to not talk about an issue or refuse to learn about an issue because it allows you to continue to hold on to animosity. We are all fueled by an anger of some sort in this country. Its a good motivator but its also the cause of longstanding schizms in America. The same with Hip Hop. Instead of doing like folks on THAT side of the issue I simply came to the table and had women break it down for me. Doesnt mean Ill get it right off. Hell, I may never "get it" but I understand at least where it comes from. That's what I pledge more folks do in '08 especially on this site. We can disagree...STRONGLY, but that shouldnt mean that you hate me or want to come to my house and strangle my dog LOL.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-01-07T11:39:11-06:00

ID

75805

Comment

Yet, all I can say, is the president of the players club called and said the players card requested to be returned is not yet received. It's too valuable to waste or be in the wrong hands.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-07T11:39:31-06:00

ID

75806

Comment

Im a lifetime member Ray..my card can't be revoked! :-)

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-01-07T11:49:20-06:00

ID

75807

Comment

Get off the fence, Kaze. That ain't no place for a real man to live! You can't be a player and this new creature who women rule and tell what to do. You can't serve 2 masters, else you hate one and love the other, or you'll have sore limbs and a soft middle.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-07T11:54:53-06:00

ID

75808

Comment

Ray, face it. You're just jealous. Kamikaze's gettin' all the attention from the women, and you can't handle it.

Author

kate

Date

2008-01-07T12:09:30-06:00

ID

75809

Comment

As I said my brother, Im a crad carrying lifetime member odf the players club. And as of 2008 graduated to a new level or respect and understanding that few players ever really attain. A closeness with the ONE true master upstairs..GOD and an undertanding that women neither rule us nor do we rule them. We rule together. And that Ray, is what makes women think Im so damn HOT! LOL

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-01-07T12:13:33-06:00

ID

75810

Comment

meant "card carrying" not crad..my bad

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-01-07T12:14:35-06:00

ID

75811

Comment

I got to lave for the rest of the day. I ain't jealous Kate. I simply hate to see an ex-player go down in smoke like that. Where is the pride, et al?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-07T12:16:16-06:00

ID

75812

Comment

yeah, yeah, Ray....you're the one riding both sides of the fence, dude ;-)

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-01-07T13:20:47-06:00

ID

75813

Comment

See what I'm saying, "Lil Boys are crying and everthang!" One thing about women, though, when you let them emasculate and tell you what to do, they will then fight your battles for you (Kate and Laurel now. Probably, Donna, Ali, Emily, LW, Grits and more later). I fight my own battle because I'm a real player and hustler. Again, good luck, Kaze. I hope we recognize you when they're finished with you.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-07T15:16:47-06:00

ID

75814

Comment

My last comment. I bet these women got you eating ice cream and cookies and using a spoon instead of your hands, reading poetry and attending book clubs, doing yoga, getting handicure/feetacures, washing dishes and brushing your teeth and taking a bath every day. I'll never believe Snoop Dog, Lil Wayne, Baby and other gansta rappers waste this much water. I know ain't no woman gonna make me do all this! I'm hardcore!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-07T15:38:08-06:00

ID

75815

Comment

I agree. Your player card is officially revoked. You can't be sensitive and be a player, just don't mix. Figure out what you want for 2008 cause you seem confused.

Author

willwork4food

Date

2008-01-07T18:01:55-06:00

ID

75816

Comment

wait, is a player automatically an insensitive fella, can he not be suave yet astute and attuned? or a player on a stage that matters, not a player in the inordinately fascinating but ultimately inconsequential repetitive games of love, power, money, whattever. All you hip hop fans out there, and I ask it honestly, just what IS a player and did it change somewhere along the line

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-01-07T22:21:38-06:00

ID

75817

Comment

according to the online slang dictionary a player someone who dates more than one person at a time, usually just for sex or other perks. Will typically do anything to have sex with someone. Carries a heavy negative connotation. Usually used to describe males, but could be used to describe females who act in this manner. Often pronounced "playa." I'd hate be accused of being a hater, but wouldn't a player move on to the next woman instead of reliving a relationship that ended more than a year ago?

Author

willwork4food

Date

2008-01-07T22:36:12-06:00

ID

75818

Comment

A player is one who recognizes the game and adapts to conquer victory. Which is exactly what Kaze is saying he's done. You can be a player and only have one woman. Geesh, where have you guys been. Suppose you are getting player mixed up with pimp. Maybe if you are not sure how to use these terms, then you should not make this attempt.

Author

Queen601

Date

2008-01-17T13:02:14-06:00

ID

75819

Comment

I am so slow...I need to start keeping up with these more. It's a new year, a new you, and a new beginning. A greater sense of understanding is very powerful. It has the strength to turn the coldest of hearts into something warm and soft. So close your eyes and picture this.....Old kamikaze heart - a vessel/muscle used to pump blood through his body, but surrounded by ice.... anger, frustration, etc. Now for the New Kamikaze heart - A vessel/muscle used to pump blood through his body that is now warm, soft, and receptive. I personally think you're just being the "REAL" Kamikaze now and That's the Truth...Sho-Nuff...lol!!!

Author

blaque butterfly

Date

2008-01-30T15:27:46-06:00