Jackson Free Press

Faithful fans of my column knew of my now-infamous trek to the Czech Republic last summer. When I returned from what was, for me, a life-changing experience as an artist and a man, I discovered that station excecutives from my radio show had summarily removed me. My mouth had gotten me in trouble ... again-and from another country, no less. However, I gained a wealth of new fans across the Atlantic (and at home) and a better appreciation for other cultures. I even found myself re-invented and re-invigorated as an artist. Rap stateside had become trite, and the "businessҒ of music had me going in proverbial circles. The hunger and respect I saw Czech artists put into this craft called hip-hop inspired me. So, to put it simply, I'm sprung on traveling abroad now. Not because it's profitable, but because I now realize you should never stop learning. The fear that preceded my first overseas trip has been replaced by eagerness for my second.

As you read this, DJ Phingaprint, a small contingent and I are headed across the pond together. This time we'll be in Ghana, West Africa. My childhood dream of visiting the cradle of civilization will be fulfilled. I'm excited and anticipating the new things that I'm going to learn and the new people I'm going to meet. We've booked two shows-one in Accra and another in the capital, Cape Coast; for their Republic Day (the equivalent of Independence Day in the States). This is all part of the Rhyme or Reason Foundation annual conference, which hopes to nurture Ghana's aspiring hip-life artists (hip-life is a Ghanaian mix of hip-hop and calypso). Eventually, the plan is to develop an exchange program where Ghanaian artists can visit Mississippi and absorb some of our musical heritage as well.

Two years, a bout of jet-lag and a yellow-fever shot ago, I never dreamed of performing for thousands in Prague and be able to do the same in the very Ghana arena where Jay-Z performed. That's pretty good company and not too shabby for a loudmouth who's not even sure if this "rapping thing" is what he's supposed to be doing. I'm blessed. I'm also honored, as my colleagues are, to be ambassadors for our state abroad. And no worries; George Bush is a lame-duck president so I'm going to take it easy on him this trip (smile). Sorry, no Youtube scandal this time.

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