Rockin' the Bells

Yo!

(The best way to begin this experience.)

Nothing, and nobody is holding me back now.

I kept yelling "Brooklyn"! I was hoping he would hear me. So many voices yelling and I felt mine the most. I felt it the most because I knew I was the only one yelling what I was yelling. It doesn't help to yell over a huge roaring crowd whom would soon chant a synchronized "Fuck Jay-Z". It was so hot, so crowded, there was sweat everywhere.

Darryl was taking it all in. Christina was helping the camera. I kept yelling out.

I was at my first concert and Mos Def was on stage. I knew about this guy since I was in elementary school. I remember saying his name since I was a little git in New York City. Mighty Mos, Black Dante, Flaco, yo I am all over the man's music.

About a month ago I went to my cousin's wedding. It was a good amount of fun I had there and I learned of this concert being done in New York called 'Rock the Bells'. I go, 'Rock the Bells?' to Daniel. He goes 'Yeah! Rock the Bells!' Being that I had no idea what it was, and I sincerely doubted it would come to Florida of all places, I shrugged it off.

Cut back to that moment of me on the barricades that separated us from the V.I.P. crowd. I'm screaming "Brooklyn!" holding notes and straining my throat. The man is walking back and forth. Then after yelling so much I see the man smile.

My first concert, my first star-struck encounter, there were so many firsts that day. I loved every second. What was nine hours seemed to pass mad quick!

Even after the concert, it still wasn't over. I was back into hip-hop after so many years. Not since High School was I such a hip-hop head. I was thrilled to be in my old self again. In fact, not only was I with Alex there, but I found two new friends with me, Mario and Danny. Just as deep as we were (and still are), and just as enthusiastic. Nostalgia hit hard.

(People wonder why I write so much? Hip-hop made me write so much. It was hip-hop taught me to use words more effectively. It was hip-hop that taught me to speak tact. To be honest, English teachers had it all wrong. I passed my FCAT with hip-hop. I went through two years of college because of hip-hop.)


That man brought it all to me.


And that man is my very honorable mention. (Excuse the blurriness..)

Thank you hip-hop. Thank you for the free ticket. Thank you for being there with me. Thank you for the pictures. Thank you for my firsts. Thank you. (You all know who you are.) Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, "Rock the Bells".
(On retrospect, it is kind of a lame name for a concert tour..)

I love you anyway baby.