MUSIC || mighty.

I remember the first time I heard Mos Def. I feel like I may have heard the name before, but I'm not sure. But I do remember the day I heard Mos Def's music.

I was at a point where I could care less about rap. I wasn't a huge fan. I mean I danced to the popular songs and could hold a decent conversation about the rappers out at that time.

But this was something new.

He was talking about history. And music. And love. And race. And home. And rock and roll. You had to listen to the words, not just bob your head to the beat. It wasn't about catchy hooks. It was something that connected to my soul.

So in that crowded van, riding around DC, surrounded by classmates and thespians who had dreams like me, who chatted about auditions and life at Howard and stuff like that, I zoned out of the conversation to agree with Mos Def's statement that

"Elvis Presley ain't got no soul, Bo Diddly is rock and roll. You may dig on the Rolling Stones, but they ain't come up with that shit on they own."

There was music store in the train station. I thumbed through the M's in the Rap Section, laughing at the idea that I was actually in the Rap section, and picked up the only copy of Black on Both Sides. I was surrounded by words. Words that took me places. Words that made me think. Words that riled me up and words that lulled me to sleep. All spoken with love.

By the time I got home, I was in love.

Since then I've listened to as much of his work as I could get my hands on. I get excited for new album releases. I've fallen in love with his acting (which has nothing to do with the music part, but I just wanted to put it out there.)

But I'm here. I'm still listening.