Dear WISY,
At night, I sit and cry because I have tried so hard to be a
successful reggae singer, but I can’t seem to get that one opportunity to show
my stuff. I graduated from school a
couple years ago and all my friends thought I would be successful with my singing. We used to have talent shows and everyone
asked me to help them write their songs.
I think I’m talented and I think I have what it takes to be an
international super star but I just can’t get anyone to take me seriously. I write songs that are true to me and reflect
my upbringing. I was raised in a
Rastafarian family, so I am conscious.
I’ve been told that I will not make it in this business
unless I sing about sex and slackness because that it what sells. I really want to be successful so lately I
have been contemplating changing my style of writing and singing. I’ve even started going to the dances where
these girls skin out on their head top and wine up on the men. The lyrics of the songs make me feel
uncomfortable, but I think if I continue to attend these types of parties, I
will get used to it and be able to transition.
I have already gone against my parents’ wishes and put a relaxer in my
hair. I don’t smoke herb and I eat
chicken every once in a while. So, I
have already started to stray from my upbringing. Would it be so bad if I just continued on my
path to gain what I want?
This really goes against everything I’ve been raised to
believe in but what am I supposed to do when that seems to be the only key to
success? But then again, I think about
my parents and the way they raised me and I would be such a disgrace to the
family if I were to ever go on stage and show my body and sing about what is
meant to be sacred for acceptance. As
you can guess I’m very confused and need direction.
Please help!
Signed,
Not So Rasta
Dear NSR,
ReplyDeleteWhat does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?
You are not confused; you are desperate. Desperation comes when we see no progress in our endeavors; it causes us to consider things that we would not normally consider, and that, my friend, is what you are doing – considering slackness to be seen.
My dear, there is a lane for everybody – slack and conscious alike. Audiences exist for both, and if you want to find true success, you must do 2 things: 1. Define what success means to you & 2. Be true to yourself in your pursuit of success (and in life in general).
Do not weep over not having “that one opportunity” to have your talent noticed. Your gift will make room for you. Start where you are. If you have internet access, build a YouTube page and start uploading music. There you will grow your audience. Send your music abroad. Also seek out venues for you to perform your music live. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Your day and time will come, but you must prepare for it.
Several women have paved the road you are now traveling, and I implore you to consider the likes of Judy Mowatt, Sister Carol, Etana, and Queen Ifrica. They did not sell their soul for bread.
Yes, slackness is burning up the top ten charts in just about every country right now, but those are songs from people who more often than not just want to be “artists”, not necessarily musicians. Popular songs last for a while, but real music is timeless. A decade from now I promise you, no one will be reminiscing to “Ramping Shop.” Bob Marley & The Wailers’ songs are not only timeless, but have crossed over the color and country boundaries.
By your letter, you don’t seem to be the type to take cues from girls who “skin out pon head top,” but rather, you seem the type to be an example to them. You say that lyrically, the music makes you uncomfortable, so I must ask you, why do you want to develop an appetite for what does not suit you?
You can make your slack record and it may even do well and garner you great attention for your talents. But I say peace over money anytime. So if you can’t sleep at night because you have betrayed yourself and your talents by stepping down instead of climbing up on the clouds to achieve your dreams, then you have not achieved success, you have achieved money, and the two are not the same. Think about the legacy you want to leave and let the truth of who you are and who you strive to be, guide you. Shoot for the moon; even if you don’t make it, at least you’ll land among the stars.
Walk good,
#TeamWISY