Hi Ari. Great article. I grew up with 4 male siblings. Opportunity was rare in the hood, so there was sports (mostly basketball) and music. And this was great, even if you were not a star and made goo-gobs of money you could cheer and enjoy. No one played rap louder than us nor watched as many games as we could some time at the garden.
I love b-ball. I love music. I love dancing. I love singing (even without much of a voice). Thanks for offering a change of pace from daily, (heart)breaking news. As I tweeted on your page late Friday PM: "...One can spend a seeming lifetime seeking opportunities. What is most needed, however, along with preparation, is alignment. I personally wish it for everyone and anyone who indeed find themselves stuck." NA
Hi! I read this 3 times, it was so rich in content. I’m a basketball fan but never thought about the connection with rappers, growing up “ in the hood” and looking for a way out. And the influence as well as practicality of drugs in the mix. Enlightening. Also painful that so many never get a helping hand out. Great writing and analysis.
There is so much to be learned from one another. From all aspects of life. I think life tells us to learn from doctors & lawyers. Putting certain on a petal stool, and yet the lessons from the hood are now being brought to the forefront in business and more. Good Friday to ya Ari!
As a non sports junkie myself, I thank you for opening up this dialogue. I’m thinking about Dave East’s comment that “everyone who can’t rap, they play ball. Or if you can’t play ball, you rap, or you’re hustling. You only got a couple options in the hood.” I’m not sure how that connection works between sports and art, but I’ve bumped into it many times. Moving to a county where there is such stark inequity from one town to the next, I see how children in the poorer communities use their athletic talents as a ticket out. In the past, I saw amazing arts programs offered in public schools to either complement their athletic talents or expand children’s options beyond football or basketball, with professional dance companies, painters, musicians and film makers teaching semesters, then offering scholarships. Those programs are far and few between these days. Coincidently, I will be attending a dance performance this weekend that benefits Arts Education in NJ! Let’s keep those options open!!
I didn’t grow up in the hood so it is hard for me to understand being “stuck” in the hood. I grew up in a small country one Main Street town down by the river. What I knew was that I wasn’t going to be “stuck”in that town nor was I ever going back. Where the similarities come in play are the opportunities afforded to some and not others. That dynamic doesn’t just happen in the hood. I was always taught fair is to the giver so I was determined to be the giver or have some influence on the giver.
BTW- had a black/white TV and those basketball uniform shorts were way too short back in the day!😂 Stay safe stay well😷🥰
Wow, Ari, talk about taking me back to learning from my elders and all their stories how they grew up. Being the youngest of 5 kids (and the only girl) I was often with my parents when they went visiting and I loved hearing all the stories. I often find myself searching the elders when at parties or even in my case horse shows etc to learn how things were done when they were young. As my mom used to tell me "You can't learn any younger" .. Have a great weekend & see you in about 40 minutes. BFN QT
I haven’t finished reading because of time…..love the intro and marriage of hip-hop and sports. I am also shocked that anyone would choose Black and white when colored is an affordable options! In general hop-hop helped me understand my life experiences in poverty and with a single mom. No matter what, you love your mom and keep a relationship that god trusted to bring you into this world. Until Eminem, my life was so happy with hip-hop and knowing there was always something to fight for and happy times to enjoy with a partner.
Sports showed me team work and how many different types of people could work together for a common goal that wasn’t permanent. Not permanent because you may not be representing your city, team or team mates if your choice. That could always change but knowing how to be one on a team, priceless. You could win even if you loose by the score board, fan appreciation or possibility of being traded. Growing up the Broncos became my team and soda like lil Wayne deals with “mascots” in his songs. We lost big sometimes but until the clock runs out and there isn’t any chance of playing, smile and play hard! Making Elway chuckle on an elevator at a car show is still a memory and feeling I carry in my back pocket….and meeting two of his children!! For a moment, I felt like I was part of his family.
Can’t wait to read the rest of your thoughts on sports and maybe see if you ever wore a uniform and played a team sport? 🙋♀️🙏😇
Music is such an important part of so many aspects of our lives. The combination of rappers and sports athletes coming together one way or another, is very interesting. It's been such a pleasure reading your newsletters and reading the comments. You give your viewers a different view of so many topics. Thanks for sharing that you had no color TV growing up and could only watch for one hour. Your parents knew what they were doing.😉 Have a good weekend!!!🎹🎤🎼
“This is my first newsletter edition touching on sport! OMG!”…🤣 Too funny😃 No worries, I am not a sports junkie except during Olympic Games or any special sports event like Super Bowl or NBA playoffs…Ha! 🤣
Like you, I am one of those that watched black and white TV back in the day…I watched every cartoon and Sesame Street you can imagine😃
I am also Team Drake…I became a Drake fan after listening to “Unthinkable” with Alicia Keys. The few times that I watch basketball during the NBA playoffs, I see how excited Drake gets when the Toronto Raptors are either playing or winning.
This statement, “over the years, some athletes have tried to rap (usually without great success),…” reminds me of the late Kobe Bryant (RIP) and Shaquille O’Neil. I remember that that there was a time they dabbled into rap.
I didn’t know that Dave East played basketball at Towson. He is truly very talented.
You are on point with this statement, “Some pursuits draw an audience and inspire people; sports and music have done that for centuries.”
I grew up in flyover country, and while there are stark differences between the hood and the sticks, the similarities are disheartening. Economic myopia doesn’t just destroy hope—it prevents it from even taking root.
Very interesting, I have not really connected sports with rap, but did listen to some rap music, from neighbours close by, and do see some connection in the words, mostly wanting to escape the hood, away from crime and drugs, which for many, impossible, thank you for the insight
I have a wonderful full-length video for you, never-before-seen, that combines your love of rap music and basketball. How do I get it to you, that I can trust that it arrived safely (on line) and you can get in touch with me afterward to see the rest.
I find that the best thing about hip hop is the storytelling. Sure I love the beats, but a good storytelling goes a long way. Hip hop is similar to daily news, but instead told about a forgotten community, where the one with the pen (or mic) has the control. And as mentioned, many spoke about the hood and the lack of opportunities to get out. Not everyone was a talented ball player or rapper. I love Tupac's, "The Rose that Grew from Concrete" because it shows the miracle it is for anyone to come out if the hood and be successful. I remember the change from black and white to colored tv. I was thilled when we made the change and sadly I watched a lot of tv until my parents came back from work. It might not have felt like it then, but your parents did the right thing limiting your screen time.
We were taken. The AZ recount said Biden gained votes. ha ha. But the republicans walked away with the voter list and can control the election outcome in the swing AZ county now.
Hi Ari. Great article. I grew up with 4 male siblings. Opportunity was rare in the hood, so there was sports (mostly basketball) and music. And this was great, even if you were not a star and made goo-gobs of money you could cheer and enjoy. No one played rap louder than us nor watched as many games as we could some time at the garden.
I love b-ball. I love music. I love dancing. I love singing (even without much of a voice). Thanks for offering a change of pace from daily, (heart)breaking news. As I tweeted on your page late Friday PM: "...One can spend a seeming lifetime seeking opportunities. What is most needed, however, along with preparation, is alignment. I personally wish it for everyone and anyone who indeed find themselves stuck." NA
Hi! I read this 3 times, it was so rich in content. I’m a basketball fan but never thought about the connection with rappers, growing up “ in the hood” and looking for a way out. And the influence as well as practicality of drugs in the mix. Enlightening. Also painful that so many never get a helping hand out. Great writing and analysis.
There is so much to be learned from one another. From all aspects of life. I think life tells us to learn from doctors & lawyers. Putting certain on a petal stool, and yet the lessons from the hood are now being brought to the forefront in business and more. Good Friday to ya Ari!
As a non sports junkie myself, I thank you for opening up this dialogue. I’m thinking about Dave East’s comment that “everyone who can’t rap, they play ball. Or if you can’t play ball, you rap, or you’re hustling. You only got a couple options in the hood.” I’m not sure how that connection works between sports and art, but I’ve bumped into it many times. Moving to a county where there is such stark inequity from one town to the next, I see how children in the poorer communities use their athletic talents as a ticket out. In the past, I saw amazing arts programs offered in public schools to either complement their athletic talents or expand children’s options beyond football or basketball, with professional dance companies, painters, musicians and film makers teaching semesters, then offering scholarships. Those programs are far and few between these days. Coincidently, I will be attending a dance performance this weekend that benefits Arts Education in NJ! Let’s keep those options open!!
Have a great weekend Ari.
I didn’t grow up in the hood so it is hard for me to understand being “stuck” in the hood. I grew up in a small country one Main Street town down by the river. What I knew was that I wasn’t going to be “stuck”in that town nor was I ever going back. Where the similarities come in play are the opportunities afforded to some and not others. That dynamic doesn’t just happen in the hood. I was always taught fair is to the giver so I was determined to be the giver or have some influence on the giver.
BTW- had a black/white TV and those basketball uniform shorts were way too short back in the day!😂 Stay safe stay well😷🥰
Wow, Ari, talk about taking me back to learning from my elders and all their stories how they grew up. Being the youngest of 5 kids (and the only girl) I was often with my parents when they went visiting and I loved hearing all the stories. I often find myself searching the elders when at parties or even in my case horse shows etc to learn how things were done when they were young. As my mom used to tell me "You can't learn any younger" .. Have a great weekend & see you in about 40 minutes. BFN QT
I haven’t finished reading because of time…..love the intro and marriage of hip-hop and sports. I am also shocked that anyone would choose Black and white when colored is an affordable options! In general hop-hop helped me understand my life experiences in poverty and with a single mom. No matter what, you love your mom and keep a relationship that god trusted to bring you into this world. Until Eminem, my life was so happy with hip-hop and knowing there was always something to fight for and happy times to enjoy with a partner.
Sports showed me team work and how many different types of people could work together for a common goal that wasn’t permanent. Not permanent because you may not be representing your city, team or team mates if your choice. That could always change but knowing how to be one on a team, priceless. You could win even if you loose by the score board, fan appreciation or possibility of being traded. Growing up the Broncos became my team and soda like lil Wayne deals with “mascots” in his songs. We lost big sometimes but until the clock runs out and there isn’t any chance of playing, smile and play hard! Making Elway chuckle on an elevator at a car show is still a memory and feeling I carry in my back pocket….and meeting two of his children!! For a moment, I felt like I was part of his family.
Can’t wait to read the rest of your thoughts on sports and maybe see if you ever wore a uniform and played a team sport? 🙋♀️🙏😇
Music is such an important part of so many aspects of our lives. The combination of rappers and sports athletes coming together one way or another, is very interesting. It's been such a pleasure reading your newsletters and reading the comments. You give your viewers a different view of so many topics. Thanks for sharing that you had no color TV growing up and could only watch for one hour. Your parents knew what they were doing.😉 Have a good weekend!!!🎹🎤🎼
Happy Fri-YAY, Ari!
“This is my first newsletter edition touching on sport! OMG!”…🤣 Too funny😃 No worries, I am not a sports junkie except during Olympic Games or any special sports event like Super Bowl or NBA playoffs…Ha! 🤣
Like you, I am one of those that watched black and white TV back in the day…I watched every cartoon and Sesame Street you can imagine😃
I am also Team Drake…I became a Drake fan after listening to “Unthinkable” with Alicia Keys. The few times that I watch basketball during the NBA playoffs, I see how excited Drake gets when the Toronto Raptors are either playing or winning.
This statement, “over the years, some athletes have tried to rap (usually without great success),…” reminds me of the late Kobe Bryant (RIP) and Shaquille O’Neil. I remember that that there was a time they dabbled into rap.
I didn’t know that Dave East played basketball at Towson. He is truly very talented.
You are on point with this statement, “Some pursuits draw an audience and inspire people; sports and music have done that for centuries.”
Unrelated to anything: I gotta know where you spent that precious hour of screen time! Yo MTV Raps? Home Shopping? Alive From Off Center?
I grew up in flyover country, and while there are stark differences between the hood and the sticks, the similarities are disheartening. Economic myopia doesn’t just destroy hope—it prevents it from even taking root.
Very interesting, I have not really connected sports with rap, but did listen to some rap music, from neighbours close by, and do see some connection in the words, mostly wanting to escape the hood, away from crime and drugs, which for many, impossible, thank you for the insight
I have a wonderful full-length video for you, never-before-seen, that combines your love of rap music and basketball. How do I get it to you, that I can trust that it arrived safely (on line) and you can get in touch with me afterward to see the rest.
I find that the best thing about hip hop is the storytelling. Sure I love the beats, but a good storytelling goes a long way. Hip hop is similar to daily news, but instead told about a forgotten community, where the one with the pen (or mic) has the control. And as mentioned, many spoke about the hood and the lack of opportunities to get out. Not everyone was a talented ball player or rapper. I love Tupac's, "The Rose that Grew from Concrete" because it shows the miracle it is for anyone to come out if the hood and be successful. I remember the change from black and white to colored tv. I was thilled when we made the change and sadly I watched a lot of tv until my parents came back from work. It might not have felt like it then, but your parents did the right thing limiting your screen time.
We were taken. The AZ recount said Biden gained votes. ha ha. But the republicans walked away with the voter list and can control the election outcome in the swing AZ county now.