Thank you, Haters! I'm Better Not Bitter!

DGK Skate company has found a way to make it cool to be hated on

"If you don't have any haters, than you are not very gifted..My enemies get me blessed and help me uncover my weaknesses"- Bishop Noel Jones

Nothing gets under our skin worst than hearing someone is talking bad about us. Most of our lives are spent trying to improve out station in life. Some of us do this by means of furthering our educations or exercising our bodies. It is never any fun for us when that work is marginalized by someone's words, who (more times than not) has no idea who we really are or what we are all about. Haters are often times defined as the antitheses of productivity and positivity. 

We, in California,  love to think in terms of  "positive energy". Though a great portion of it is merely suppression of reality, it allows us to cope with what is a highly competitive and treacherous economy. It becomes a means of guarding ourselves from the fiery darts that are thrown our way. Unfortunately, it is basically a form of self-repression that doesn't allow us to show our true feelings. This on the surface can be a valuable exercise in terms of avoiding suffering. However, when examined in depth, it hinders us from true expression and the release that comes with sharing, trusting and identifying with one another in a more intimate light. In layman's terms: "IT HINDERS OUR BLESSINGS".

Moreover, the psychological consequences of shielding ourselves leads us to generalize all forms of criticism as "hater-ism". This is contrary to the truth. Perception, in my opinion, is the greatest enemy of reality. We often times seek camaraderie and not authenticity. You have seen many memes on social media about watching, thrashing or pointing out haters. In our sensitivity we equate all forms of opinion contrary to our own as simply hate. 

Now, I grew up in the Midwest and anyone who has been there knows we shot from the hip. We aren't taught to mince words or dance around the truth. In a direct opposite of the West Coast, which has no love for the weary, we may cut with words, but, indeed, we are extremely more empathetic. I was raise to hear "what someone is saying, not how they say it". The present era is responsive more to the inflection of the words rather than the validity of the words. 

This paradigm has given way to more flattery in our psychological diets and less fulfillment. The lack of the latter is evident in the larger swath of people suffering from arrest development hindering growth. God allows us to grow through tribulation. This is the very definition of "growing pains". It's the natural order of life. You can never know how far you can go unless you are tested or prodded. The natural inclination of humanity is to look for the easy way out. God, knows that we are high and lazy minded. We equate love with being secure and comfortable. This is the excuse many use to justify why they don't believe in God. We, in our finite minds, don't see the love or benefit in being allowed to go through trials and tribulations. But is appeasement really love?

A mother may throw her scared child in a pool because that child could not get over her fears of drowning. In this era that could be considered child abuse. Mom's reason is to force that child to overcome the perception of that fear and push her to her destiny of conquering fear and realizing the joy of swimming. A father my not console his son when he falls off his bike and skins his knees. It may sound rather cruel, but it is has more value than you may notice at first glance. They father is using this to instill the familiarity of pain to help his son realize his threshold for it and thereby not allowing it to prohibit his future quest of mastering his craft. Parents show a hug amount of love by sometimes eliminating ego in their children and themselves. I used to hear my parents say: "This hurts me more than you". I thought that was preposterous at the time until I had children. But it takes an enormous amount of love for someone to let go of the impulse to nurture for the greater good of empowerment.

Many memes on social media make fun of haters

We all bear witness to the large amount of people in our society who have not been fully vetted and otherwise had their egos stroked and desires unchecked. They have left countless blood baths in schools, parent-less children throughout the globe and broken relationships abound. The "spoiled child" grows up to be the "unbearable adult" that is selfish and impulsive and for the most part counter-productive. The are the dregs of society that will rob, steal and kill to feed their impulses. Many inmates today can trace the inception of their criminal lives back to the lack of guidance and restraint as a child. Criticism and chastening breeds self-control.

Not all hate is bad hate. It is all merely how you take it. We all hate! I am not a fan of Kobe Bryant. I often criticism (hate on) him for his lack of self-control during his profane laced interviews or his selfishness toward teammates on and off the court. It is not that I "hate" Bryant, it is more that I have higher expectations of him. I feel that to be a Laker like Magic Johnson or Jerry West goes beyond the court. That aura has power to shape dialogue in politics and civil arenas. Kobe is extremely gifted. And being gifted means you are going to be criticized. It come with the territory. Criticism is sometimes directed at you because your personality and talents have a direct influence on people. For example, it hurt my feelings that people at my job, while saying that I was the nicest person they knew, often labeled me as arrogant and intimidating when I was not around. Only because the Holy Spirit revealed scripture to me did I take a righteous approach to this information.

James 1:2-5 declares: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various (trials); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given. 

So I took this wisdom ( I wonder if someone would call that hater-ism) and applied it. I came to the realization that they weren't actually mad at me, but more so down on themselves because I had received numerous accolades and my production numbers were exponentially higher. It was merely a vocal way of justifying their lack of performance. More importantly, I also failed to take in account that with being gifted requires being a blessing and I had not made myself open to being approachable. This is why they labeled my intimidating. Unlike them, when I saw a co-worker be highly lauded for his great performance, I merely asked him to come to his office and observe his methods. I applied those methods and become instantly successful. Where I was unsuccessful was in expecting others to find their way like I did. This is a form of arrogance. They were not wrong after all. 

I came from an environment that encouraged emulation of success and not the marginalization of it. But empathy allowed me to understand that we are all merely victims or victors of our environment, so I could not expect them to do it like me. Instead, I pretended not to know this information and treat those haters good! Under the direction of a co-worker and the tutelage of my boss, I asked questions about their lives, likes and  general welfare. They opened up to me and found that I wasn't a bad guy and began to ask about some of my methods. I obliged their inquires, but encouraged them to trust their training all the while being open to other ways. We bonded and it was more beneficial to me than I would have thought. Besides, I plan on leading these people soon. True wisdom is distinguishing between the words of a perceived adversary from the worthy critiques of a genuine counterpart. 

God uses adversity to strengthen our philosophy and reveal our weaknesses. Children are generally encouraged to try. Adults have to be thrust into their greatness by motivation. The greatest motivator is the idea that one cannot or will not succeed. Athletes call this "having a chip on your shoulder". Christians call this "being anointed". Whatever your faith or way of life, avoid being quick to shot down criticism. Perhaps, you are not as good a singer as you think or not as smart or well liked as you would have others believe. We all tend to think too highly of ourselves. A little humility can go along way in bridging the gap between our desires and our destiny. So before you feed off the desserts of flattery, try swallowing the nutrient rich pill of criticism. I, trust it will work out more to your benefit. It may not go down as smooth or taste as good, but the truth will always make you free. The truth can only make you better not bitter. 

Dedicated to three men who have suffered more hate yet showed more love: Jesus Christ, Barack Obama and LeBron James. 

The Tragedy of Too Much Freedom

- "We have to constantly be updated and calibrated in our Walk if we want to keep a fresh relationship with righteousness"- Pierre Johnson

I saw a video of a Arizona trucker and a young New Yorker go viral on the internet. It was a brutal beating the New Yorker received from the trucker. I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. Perhaps it is my age and my progressive walk with Christ, that gave me pause. I don't know. Whether the fact that it was two against one or big against small,  I do know I was disturb by it on so many levels. The main level of my disturbance was at the casual manner it was filmed and observed by onlookers. No one stepped in and no one tried to make peace. One man nearly committed manslaughter while his so-called friends looked on and cheered. Two precious lives could have been destroyed over foolish pride. The victim's life will definitely not be the same. His defeat has been plastered all over the internet. This brought to mind Proverbs 1: 10-18

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, "Let us lie in wait to shed blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause....we shall fill our house with spoils. Cast in your lot among us.....My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path. For their feet do evil. And they make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread....But they lie in wait for their own blood"

This world is chalked full of so many so-called "freedoms". Secret freedom to tweet what you want and videotape who you want. People are free to hide their racism, sexism, sarcasm and social ineptitude behind chat room talk and memes. There are public freedoms. Freedom to instigate riots and divide communities, freedom to degrade our leadership, our country and ourselves.

We poke fun of victims and praise the cowardice of bullies and perpetrators. We have the freedom to express so many opinions that we have lost all need for facts and all capacity for moral compassion. Perverse men brag that: "Ya'll respect the one that got shot. I respect the shooter". People, this should not be!!! Would we make memes of Martin Luther King laying wasted on a balcony floor and print t-shirts glorifying James Earl Ray as an original gangster? I hope not!

Even our children are freer to roam larger territories away from the watchful eye of guardians by way of social media. Regrettably, some even wander freely into chat rooms where waiting predators befriend them and lead them away captive through molestation or exploitation. They have the history of the world in their hands to discover and obtain pertinent information at the speed of 4G, but somehow remain as ignorant as ever to the deep things of the world. These children are being filled with trivial news feeds thus lacking the understanding of politics or spiritual matters that could mode them into the life changers of tomorrow.

Young Americans are being filled with trivial matters, lacking understanding of politics

Some separation and boundary must exist to sustain civility and retain morality. I view far too many Americans acting and busying themselves in foolish dress, conversation and philosophical cliche. What was once done in the dark is now on the web or cast as a topic on a television talk show.We have become far too amused by social issues like single parent teens, murder and relational instability. This is done not as an attempt to solve these problems more so than it is an attempt to capitalize financially off of them by glamorize the participants and excusing it as "reality" television. People subliminally like to see others fail because it deflects from the spotlight of their own personal shortcomings. As our society could use a broader moral compass so that we cease to navigate our minds and hearts towards such foolish and unprofitable things.

The Holy Scriptures implores us to "guard our hearts, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23). The foolishness in us allows us to places ourselves in high regard. A common personal description you hear or read declared by someone is that: "I am a good person". How conceited and inaccurate this is!! All of us could find major flaws in ourselves. If we really love ourselves as we profess, an inventory of our works and deeds is in order. Have you taken revenge or were you strong enough to forgive? Have you zealously assisted the downtrodden or have you walked over them in disgust? If we were to judge ourselves as we judge other we would be ashamed and embarrassed.

But, we don't have to reflect on ourselves, do we? Who has time for self-assessment when every website has a poll to take or a page to comment on about someone else? We are so free to judge the world that we have lost the freedom and desire of self improvement. This has lead us to be captive to our own desires and addictions unable to correct them and unwilling to review them. Could it be that collective despair and degradation in society is the result of the individual's lack of self-correct and examine? (Galatians 5:9).

We would all do well to temper ourselves and what we allow into our hearts and minds. We are an acquired species. Everything that we are is acquired. Our prejudices and fears and our success is based on the life experiences and relationships that mold and shape our beliefs. The tragedy of too much freedom is that it isn't free. To echo the words of my father: "Free stuff can cost to much"!! Moreover, it is not really freedom at all to be captivated by covetousness, violence and immorality. To have our thoughts programmed and manipulated by the illusion of cinema or the allure of consumables is SLAVERY!

The best exercise of freedom is to free ourselves from ourselves. We must create God-like boundaries in our lives, placing only that which is pure, loving, gentle, kind, praise worthy and of good report in our presents, so that you may live empowered with joy, faith and a peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:8). Only then will you be totally free!!

Your Life May Not Be Sound, But Your Doctrine Better Be!!

Appeasement has tarnished the legitmacy of the Gospel among those who may be sincerely curious about God.

The Holy Bible is more than a book. It is a organic guide to all the promises and perils of life. Though many think that being a Christian is being perfect, those who study God's Word know that this is far from truth and contrary to sound doctrine. We understand that without God we can do nothing (John 15:5). We realize that despite the modern culture of  promoting "gospel for prosperity" and "road to success" seminars, human beings are simply slaves to righteousness or sin. As a "slave" it is never been a requirement to think.

The truth of the matter is when it comes to spiritual living, it's best not to think, but to follow. I, personally, have gotten myself in tons of trouble "thinking" I knew what was right or believing that "maybe" this or that will work. Sometimes I got "lucky". Most times I made an error. God questions our so-called "thinking" skills and presents a poignant question to the outcomes of our "free will" endeavors in Romans 6:20-21

"When you were a slave to sin, your were free the control of righteousness. What benefits did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!"

He shows us his wisdom concerning our intentions and how they misled us in Proverbs 21:2:

"A person my think their way is right, but the Lord weights the heart".

I am sure many of us can attest to this scripture, I don't feel it is necessary to go into detail. We all have our stories.

God says we are all slaves to either sin or righteousness (Romans 1:1). The Devil tricks us to believe that we have the power to make the right decisions and to think our way into prosperity and out of trouble. This is contrary to Scripture and it leads to many of us tainting the Gospel and delivering false doctrine.

Though none of us are perfect, it is incumbent upon all followers of Christ to adhere to and minister sound doctrine. There is not room for our interpretations and justifications. The evidence of human justification and interpretation is seen in the plethora of governments, religious denominations and global unrest. Every sect thinks their way is the Way. Little credit is given to God and no solid explanation can be given to justify this in Scripture. As a result, the blood of wayward saints and sinners who resistance salvation is on our hands. The Bible warns of this in Ezekiel 3:16-21:

And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die", and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die from his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hands.......but if you warn the wicked....you will have delivered your soul."

It doesn't stop there:

Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and you lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hands."

This is serious business, folks. God is not playing with us. Unfortunately too many churches are looking to appease people as opposed to correcting them. They are fooled by those who really don't want the Gospel and complain that they don't want to be judged or condemned at church. Correction is not judgement, but rather an act of love to prevent a person from perishing. I equate the false logic of these excuses with someone wanting a job, but not wanting an interview; they must not really want a job then, right? American Christianity has made so many concession for the world to get them to come to church.

Examples like Easter, Christmas and Sunday service are all compromises with pagan religion and sun worshipers to get them to be a part of the church. We now support homosexuality in the pulpit and allow people to come to the Church dressed as harlots and thugs without exhortation. The phrase: COME AS YOU ARE is NOT in the BIBLE!! A sound minded person may ask: "Why would the Church do this"? Its simple: politics and profiteering. Both are in direct conflict with the sound doctrine of the Bible (Mark 12:17). This appeasement has tarnished the legitimacy of the Gospel among those who may be sincerely curious about God. The common word they use to describe us as is HYPOCRITE! Are they wrong?

The human way of defining success in any endeavor is by accumulation of wealth, popularity and the rise of social status. Too many churches think they are "blessed" by the number and type of members or the size of the temple. This is in direct conflict with the Word of God. For the scriptures say: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). The Lord tells us that anytime we are doing it our way or the way we think, it is not God's way. It is the way of Satan.

I was talking to a great friend who has a particular talent in music entertainment. They have been prayerful concerning God's direction in the matter. I have been encouraging as have others. My friend has spent years toiling in that endeavor. One day, I asked my friend if they thought that God's will was for them to pursue that dream. The friend told me they believed so because they were always put in situations to meet certain titans in that industry and had several meetings. My friend also went on to detail how they believed God sent them as a vessel for the industry, despite it being an obvious pit for immorality. My friend felt that God speaks to everyone differently and that they would be used to make a change in the industry.

Jay-Z and Kanye West are examples of why God does not want his children immersed in demonic industries

I, like many, doctrine following Christians, held my tongue on this for the longest time. The American Christian church waters down the sound doctrine of the Bible to appease non-believers to come to their meetings to "feel" good about themselves. Worse, they discourage other saints from being forthright about the Truth and dismiss them as being too judgmental and stern. God is not mocked. When a person comes to God, it is not to feel good about themselves, but to be good within themselves. The church thinks it is winning them over with catering to their fleshly desires of prosperity and career, but they are really losing them to salvation. People come into this kind of false doctrine readily, but when they get acquainted with the sound doctrine of the Gospel and come to some understanding of the Way they leave the church for far more legitimate reasons than those who resisted sound doctrine from the onset. Those people leave the church because they see the hypocrisy of what they allow from the saints in contrast to what God instructs.

And when they fall away, their blood is on the hands of the Church.

Now, I gently told my friend that I did not agree with their belief that God would set them in a satanic industry like secular music because it did not line up with scripture. My friend tried to use the example of Moses going into Pharaoh to demand the release of the slaves from Israel to justify their believe that God wants them in the secular music industry. To counter this "personal" belief, one must have sound doctrine and that comes only through prayer and reading the Word for oneself. I simply corrected my friend by explaining that God is the same God, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrew 13:8) and he shows no partiality (Acts 10: 34). So, God does not speak to anyone differently though he may use different mediums. His Word and Laws are the same for everyone. He would never justify one saint over another against his own Word.

Secondly, Jehovah did send Moses to Pharaoh, but not to collaborate with him as you would with Puffy, but to admonish him and declare God's will to him. It wasn't a cocktail party. It was a declaration of war! It wasn't a goodwill exhibition or Moses would have spent time with Pharaoh feasting and compromising on some kind of treaty like a G8 summit. The Word says that God cannot do evil so He is unable to compromise with evil. So, to think that God will allow you to compromise His Word for your desire is an act of trying to tempt God (Psalms 78:18), and God cannot be tempt (James 1:13).

Lastly, if Jesus Christ, who had all authority on Earth, obeyed the prophecy of the Word and laid on the cross (Luke 22:42), why would Jehovah allow us to live according to our own beliefs and allow us to seek refuge in a house (like the secular entertainment industry) that he plans to destroy (2 Peter 3:10)?

My friend did not agree, but no blood was on my hands.

I am not judging my friend, but as a follower of Christ, I declare Bible principles as fact. This is not a referendum on their dreams or desires, but a report of the Truth according to the Word. I am the most unrighteous of all Christians (Roman 3:10), but I think it imperative to tell the absolute unadulterated Truth concerning the scriptures. If anyone was to call me out on my sin, I could not in good spiritual conscience justify my sins as anything less than a total disobedience to God's will. Period! 

Too many Christians are sensitive to their own feelings and the secular value system they are raised in. They mistake exhortation with criticism and view flattery as encouragement. The Bible speaks against flattery (Proverbs 26:29). We live in a social media world that breeds narcissism in people. Instagram and Facebook are filled with "selfie" photos that are posted to achieve social validation through likes and comments.

If we follow Christ we know that he is not a fan of this behavior. It runs contrary to His Way. Jesus is the Son of God who Jehovah gave the Earth to as His footstool. Though he has dominion over the Earth, His quiet walk of humility and anti-materialism is what he wants us to strive for. Satan, according to the Bible, was very handsome and talented (Ezekiel 28:13-17), while Jesus appeared to us as lowly and unattractive (Philippians 2:5-8). Those of us who have some life experience can testify to times when we are beguiled by attractive people and things only to find that they are destructive or not what they appear to be. We also have found the beauty in people and things that may appear to be unattractive or difficult only to be blessed or made better by them. This is why it is so important for us to follow and minister sound Bible doctrine. It is the foundation onto which our life and faith can be built. God will shake our "buildings". Our relationships, adventures and philosophies will be tested and shaken at one time or another. It is best, not to build on the wavering ideas or the status quo of mankind, but to build on a rock.

The best rock is the Word of God!

How Andrew Luck Sacked Tim Tebow...Twice

In his second year as the heir apparent to possibly the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL, Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts is serving notice to the league and the general public. After the well- documented neck surgeries and eventual release from the Colts of Peyton Manning, Luck is starting to prove his doubters wrong, win over a jaded Colts fan base and add himself to the already impressive list of Colts quarterback legends of Johnny Unitas, Bert Jones, Jim Harbaugh and Manning.

Colts Quarterback Legacy Continues: Unitas, Manning and Luck

In just 21 professional games, Luck has amassed nine 4th quarter comebacks. He holds the rookie record for most passing yards in a season (4,374) and led the previous years 2-14 team to an impressive 11-5 playoff contender, all while head coach Chuck Pagano's battled leukemia in a supposed "rebuilding" year. Peyton Manning, the former rookie passing yards leader and 4-time MVP, had a dismal 3-13 rookie campaign. Is Andrew Luck better than Manning? Not even close! Manning has 20 TD's and 1 INT with 1,884 yards through 5 games this year. Oh yeah!... He's 37!  Moreover, it took Manning several years to be mentioned in the same breath as Colts legend, Johnny Unitas.

However, Andrew Luck has been impressive! Before he started carving up NFL defenses with his pinpoint deep ball and besting his new-era counterparts like Colin Kaepernick  and Russell Wilson (future QB greats in there own rights), Luck did the unthinkable: Andrew Luck sacked Tim Tebow.....twice!!!

Andrew Luck is the real Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow, the Heisman winning former Denver Broncos quarterback, was the most endearing football player in the NFL. Though his skill set is controversial, his character and ability to win games is not. Tebow is the prototypical quarterback standing 6'3", 245 lbs while running a 4.71 second 40 yard dash.The knock on Tebow has always been his throwing mechanics and slow release. But, that wasn't enough to knock him out of the hearts of the media and fans of reeling franchises in need of image makeovers. And, frankly, how could a 26 year old Christian, virgin superstar, not improve your image?
Ask Ray Lewis: God loves football!


And God has no respect of persons. So, God created Andrew Luck, too! 

Unfortunately, for Tim Tebow, God made Luck a better pro-version. Not only is Luck one inch taller and the same weight, but his is faster in the 40 yard dash (4.64) and equally as tenacious in delivering and taking contact. Luck rushed of  255 yards and 5 TD's as a rookie while Tebow rushed for 227 and 6 TD's. The main thing that Luck has over Tebow is the most important thing. In the words of his predecessor, Manning, Luck has a "laser rocket arm". In five games during this his sophomore campaign, Luck has improved his QBR over 17% to 94.1. That is nearly ten points higher than Tebow's best year. His rookie campaign saw him throw for 23 TD's while Tebow has thrown for only 17 career touchdowns (3 seasons). That's not gonna make the cut it in the NFL... or the CFL... or the AFL.

Not only did the arrival of Luck send Manning packing to Denver, it caused Tebow to fall from hero to afterthought with the club, despite an impressive playoff win versus Pittsburgh. More importantly Luck's performances have caused many analyst, scouts and fans to see Andrew Luck as the real Tebow. Luck performed like the Tebow everyone wanted and waited to see flourish for three years minus the Tebowing in the end zone. It hasn't happened. And it probably won't. I love the fact that Tebow is a God-fearing man and an marketable person. I wish him the best. But God works in mysterious ways. And if God reveals more that He explains, then the revelation is Andrew Luck is four-times better than Tim Tebow. This, my friends, is self-explanatory!

Nothing Is The Same: Can Drake Save Hip-Hop?

In the beginning rap was synonymous with a boom-boxes, light-post and a backpack. It’s existence beautifully begotten out of the imagination of disenfranchised youth and repressed, urban poets. For over 25 years, hip-hop has boastfully represented itself as the defining flash point of our time. It has expanded to levels incomprehensible, all the while turning in the back-packs for AK-47's and Colombian connections.

With the help of Steven Tyler and Run D.M.C, hip-hop gracefully replaced rock-n-roll as America’s music. It has united Italian couture and urban style as American culture and continues to define the present generation of selfies. Hip-Hop is larger than ever! But just like iconic American symbols such as the automobile, baseball and war, Hip-hop - on the verge of authentic bankruptcy - found its unlikely saviors abroad.

Nothing Was The Same, the third studio album by Jewish/ Canadian rapper, Aubrey “Drake” Graham, is another testament to the influences of American institution on the world stage and how those who are influenced pay homage with furtherance through innovation. It is his first official project of his OVO sound team. The album is primarily produced by fellow child actor-turned recording artist Noah “40” Shebib. Collaborators on the album include Jhene’Aiko, Sampha and the legendary Jay-Z.

Nothing is Drake’s attempt to “LeBron James” the rap game. Like LeBron, Drake plays the game his own way refusing to succumb to the stereotypes of what a rap artist should appear to be. His quest is for the “perfect game”- the beautiful game” of inclusivity and ingenious authenticity. Drake dispels these stereotypes of a “real” rapper being a thug or legendary street hustler on Wu-Tang Forever:  "I find peace knowing that it’s harder in the streets/I know, luckily I didn’t have to grow there/ I would only go there cause there’s niggas that I know there".

Drake, 26, has abandoned the self-loathing and uncertainty about his legacy in Take Care and puts all his true feelings about his current supremacy on the table with lines like: “Shit, niggas still playing my old shit/ But your shit is like the police asking us questions/ Nigga, we don’t know shit/ Flex, nigga I’m just flexing/ Nigga never loved us” on Worst Behavior. He even has a poignant moment of humble honesty when he comparing himself to Lil Wayne when he declares he is “just as famous as my mentor/ But, that’s still the boss/ Don’t get sent for” on Tuscan Leather.

But Drake’s influence goes deeper than rap. His music is risky, humanistic and honest. Unlike the bravado of murder and larceny expounded on by every wanna-be in the game, Drake dives head first into the most taboo and controversial subject matter of the male psyche: Love. Unlike most hip-hop artist, Drake is not professing to be a pimp or a super-player, but like most young men, he embodies a vulnerability and complexity between matters of the heart and manners of the streets. He speaks to the paradigm of youthful masculinity on Furthest Thing: "Somewhere between I'm sober and I'm lifted /Somewhere between a mistress and commitment".

Tracks like Come Thru and 305 To My City peel back the layers on the male-female relationship. Come serves as a anthem to off and on relationships that sometimes span years, while 305 is the most serious song to date on the revelation of compassion for the motives of the opposite sex even if those motives and tendencies leave much to be desired. Drake eloquently allows his homies a glimpse into understanding the modus operandi of the young female by continuously declaring: "I get it! I get it!"

Hip-Hop has been over saturated with misogyny and felony. It's ripple effects are felt throughout every neighborhood and city. The influence of this miseducation is too obvious. It reeks on the breathe of Drake's haters who say: "He is not hard enough" or "He is not real". The encapsulation of those of the pseudo-urban male example are the ones who have been denied there realness. No rapper is more real than Drake because he never hides who is was like Rick Ross. Instead, if those haters would be honest, they could trace their deviant behavior back to broken-hearts and their hostility to a longing to be loved and accepted.

Drake's offering is a profile in expansion of the hip-hop world with melodic dark beats that would impress MF Doom and New York inspired battle raps like his response to Kendrick Lamar on Language. However,  more homage is required if you ever use the words "Wu-Tang" in any rhyme or title. The interpersonal narratives of the club sub-culture is an obvious examples of his strong Southern rap-style influence and the braggadocio of wealth and status add the necessary "street cred" to rival his peers. But, Drake stands out, even from his gangster-founded label Cash Money, so much so that he could be considered the most influential artist in that camp. Yet, Drake stays true and if he doesn't go all Tupac and venture to far from his core ideology, he may be able to rival Jay-Z for greatness and longevity.