No matter your mindstate or mood there is always a piece of music that speaks to you. Music is often the best remedy to any mental demon.

Last night I had one of the most intellectual and deep conversations in recent memory with a new friend. Hours into this continually stimulating conversation we came to realize similarities in our moods and actions. I shared this song and came to an actualization that our moods and issues are not solely restricted to us as individuals. Many people suffer the same trials and tribulations; we are never alone with our feelings and emotions. For anyone sharing mental anguish and pain I share this song with you. Remember- Life is like the seasons; after winter always comes spring.

Joe Budden-Whatever it Takes

Past collaborations between The Game and Nasir Jones have proven to be impressive. “Letter to the King” off of the upcoming LAX is no different. With production by Hi-Tek, the reflective and melodic flows create the perfect laid back mood music. If only I could have a blunt.

Amazing!!

“Director Philip Sportel oversaw the construction of a miniature world divided into 6 dioramas featuring little green army men interacting with one another in peace. The dioramas were built using everyday materials found in junk shops, dollar stores and dumpsters and were constructed in a Toronto apartment over a 3 week period and shot in a few hours late one night in July 2008.”

With regards to my feelings on the upcoming election I believe Kanye said it best: “I’m not political, I’m emotional, I’m social”. However, the campaign of Barack Obama has been able to merge the political and emotional mindframes of the world. Belief in change, not just within government but a significant dawning of a new era where skin colour becomes irrelevant and humanity unites all of us.

My family over at the Legends League has paid homage to this empowering movement in the newest Ideall Clothing release: Obama Time.

Please send pre-orders with “Obama Tee Preorder” in the subject line to:
be@thelegendsleague.com

Be sure to include your name, size, and email/cell number.
By the way, for those who don’t get the subhead, google “James Yancey”.

Check out www.thelegendsleague.com for more information.

Lupe Fiasco feat. Wale & Kardinal Offishal-Dope Boys(Greg Steet Remix),
Sorry for the DJ all over it. Usually wouldn’t post like this but it’s just that dope.

I know, it’s been a little while since the last update. But there was something I hadn’t equated into this project: Reality. As a heavy weed smoker a surrealistic state of highness often takes over your life. Sure, you are living your life, however it is often very care free and the smallest realities lie unnoticed. After 8 days of not smoking, these realities are increasing and many critical decision lie ahead of me.

This is not what this post is about however, I would like to dedicate this post to Mothers. At birth, we put you into one of the most terrifying positions in life; a parent. As human beings we are born alone, die alone, and even in a room full of friends we are truly alone. This becomes figuratively untrue if we are lucky enough to become parents. We become responsible for another living being, a piece of our flesh, and the legacy to our life.

Mama, I have become the heir to your legend. A woman able to care and love, no matter the circumstance. Any negative action or reaction always counteracted with your love. Whether it be a shoulder to cry on or tough love I always know you care. Frequently pride and ego hide my true feelings, but I understand you are only helping me to better myself. As I move closer to my dreams, I want you to know you are one of the greatest inspirations in my life. Your continuous support helps fuel my aspirations.

I love you beyond words.

Productivity: Over the last few days my productivity has been below expectations. My job has been extremely busy taking up much of the time I would like to be working on Redef projects.

Creativity: Again, work has seemingly exhausted my brain past it’s limits.

Mindstate: The mental dependency to the marijuana has created a confusing state of happy depression. If that is even possible. I remain overall more joyful but small issues seem to put me into a sad state very easily.

Temptation: I haven’t felt an overwhelming desire to succumb to any of my inner evils, however, Pineapple Express would have been even funnier high lol.

First Bernie Mac and now this? A crazy weekend for our legends of entertainment. You will be truly missed yet remembered through your amazing work.

Isaac Hayes-Look of Love

It’s been a long time coming since I’ve wanted to post this, go down to the bottom of the post, press play and follow what Lupe’s saying.

“My mindstate rewinds wakes/
And fast-forwards bullets makin’a B-line for my face/
Then they stop like Neo/
Laugh at me throw some cash at me then fly pass me/
But one ricochet off the wall to come ask me/
Am I scared of him or the “nigga that blast me”/
Or maybe just the hammer that goes to be a hole in an innocent bystander/
My eye’s a camera my ear’s a microphone/
My mind is Pro Tools my head is a stool/
Whats recorded in my dome gets reported when I zone/
My mouth is a speaker I’m anchoring the misery/
There’s no friends my enemy of my enemy is my enemy/
Beekers and test tubes full of memories/
In my laboratory I create stories/
Doze off then wake up surrounded by Forties/
Wit glocks tucked in they labels/
And they caps is baseball hats/
Playin poker at a table/
Cigarettesmassage they shoulders in belly tops showin off they navels/
A dime sack side bets, a tech is runnin’ for president/
Jesus pieces walk around with niggas hangin from they necks/
Monopolyis playin’ chess/
I just picked up an obituary of a bullet proof vest/
Put the headphone on my mouth speak into my ears/
Yea microphone check, check, check, check, check/
Check, a pair of Air Forces told me Rims been extinct for years/
Been ethnic cleansed by Jersey’s tryna take over the set/
And Television is on deathrow for killing BET and MTV over a dice game/
And paralyzing CNN for knifing him in the neck/
I hear Clear Channel’s been fightin him in the rec/
Who’s in for givin’ grape Kool-Aid laced wit STRYC 9 to Mixtapes and arm robbin cassettes/
Dope told me Weed was a crack fiend but Crack told me Dope was a base head/
Hi-hats told police he was just a soldier he did what the Bass said/
The Snare and the Kick didn’t make it out alive/
The Sample made it out with some money but he died in the ride/
The 808 got caught wit some work (He ain’t never comin’ home)/
So the MPC’s and the MP3’s is fightin over his turf/
Sean Don just gave birth/
But she’s thinkin’ bout leavin it on the doorstep of a church/
Cristal can’t have kids she plottin’ to kidnap it that she orchestrated with a purse/
But Gucci told Fendi and Fendi turned and around and told Henny/
And Henny is Moets baby’s father/
But she tried it anyway disguised as nurse/
In the newspapers it says “Hip-Hop called Rock n Roll racist”/
The Six ripped the Five and the Maybach taped it/
A Hundred dollar bill just signed a record deal/
But blew all his money on the Bracelets/
And givin’ the Gold Dollar a face lift/
A Button Up just drove by in a 6-4 Impalla/
All the Rolex’s is hatin’ you see the smirks on they faces/
The Havatampas is defending the Dutches they keep catchin cases/
But the judge is a Swisha he just give em iBonds and community service with the Papers/
so the Newport’s is gettin mad at the ZigZags then out come the razors/
See the Kool’s is killers on the creep/
Rush up on the Philly, leave his guts spillin on the street/
Some Gold Grills burned down a building of some teeth/
Some Sharpened Tooth Brushes is holding the trampoline cuz some children finna to leap/
I just seen Rocawear rock Sean John to sleep with the same heat that Baby Phat carried/
Sprint is pimpin Nextel she just gave head to a Black Berry…/
I heard she go two-ways/
But he was skeetin on her face as it was beepin on my waist/
This is the mind of Lupe/
Just make sure my mic’s on when I Twilight Zone, Zone, Zone, Zone”

Lupe Fiasco-”Twilight Zone”

Today I felt  dumbfounded and somewhat uninspired on what to write for this post. After a conversation with a friend who is beginning to blog himself, I began to wonder whether I was uninspired or unwilling to open up more. The topic of posting personal issues was a main piece of conversation. How much of myself am I willing to reveal to anyone and everyone reading this? The “My Greatest Enemy…” project is beginning to test how much I will share with literally everyone.

Beyond attempting to create a better understanding of myself by removing my inner evils I hope to divulge my true self to those I care about. This is not the first time I have attempted to remove these evils from my life. Often times I would last a couple days or weeks and succumb to temptation without creating an understanding of a better me. The last time I attempted to quit smoking weed I was lucky to meet someone who I connected to instantly. My mind was clear and I was able to develop a relationship with genuine emotions and feelings. Two weeks went by and we became infinitely closer. But then somewhere I slipped up and succumbed to “d’evils”. The smoke slowly clouded my judgment and affected how I was able to interact with not just this person but everyone I cared for and everything I did. My decision making skills deteriorated and confusion filled my brain yet again. My ineffectiveness to be productive became evident. I felt trapped in a figurative purgatory, where everything I had been working on became lost in translation. I displaced the feelings of entrapment onto the most natural and only thing right in my life at the time; the relationship. Without warning I became a person I was not. Ignoring my feelings, avoiding everything and focusing solely on my work attempting to regain the momentum I had before.

With this “My Greatest Enemy…” project I have become much more introspective into myself and my actions. Going on day 4 my mind has become much more clear. After reflecting on my actions I came to the realization that the problem never was the relationship at all, it was yet again the reflection in the mirror.

I’m sorry.

Productivity- Today wasn’t the most productive day I’ve had nor was it unproductive but I want to strive for more tomorrow.

Creativity- I’ve been writing a bit more and pretty happy with what I have been coming up with.

Mindstate- Continually more clear day by day.

Temptation- Went through a McDonald’s drive through(ordered nothing) and sat by while watching friends smoke today. The cravings were there but the introspective benefits I have been feeling from the project seem to be keeping me from succumbing to my evils.