I'm Gonna Be A Rapper...

...after watching the bio-pic of Notorious B.I.G., Notorious, I've been inspired... and I've decided...

I'm gonna be a rapper

...in fact, I've already been signed... Kanye West has been an avid fan of my blog and he sees the talent I have to put words together... so he sent me an e-mail, we exchanged numbers and it's OFFICIAL!!!

Spring 2009...

G.O.O.D. Music presents...

"A WAY WITH WORDS"

Executive Producer: Kanye West

1. "The English Major" (2:28)

featuring Kanye West

produced by Kanye West

The introduction to the album, and ultimately to me, is your average 'Kanye-to-the' beat with an above-average verse on the track. I spit a cool 16 that keeps up with his wordplay by telling tales of my days at East Carolina, where I plan to receive my bachelor's later this year, and Shaw University, where I'm pretty sure I was the only English major on campus.

2. "Outrageous & Ridiculous" (3:56)

produced by Kanye West

My two favorite words provide the hook for my first single as I effortlessly weave witty wordplay together over a symphony of drums and horns. With Kanye on production, you know it's guaranteed to be a banger.

THE VIDEO: Directed by Hype Williams in vintage form, this video provides vibrant visuals to match the bouncy track. Though not overladen with half-dressed women, it does have Bria Myles as the feature model. Think of a "Good Life"-"Big Pimpin'"-"Crush On You" fusion. G.O.O.D. Music labelmates Common, GLC, John Legend, Consequence and Bentley Farnsworth are showcased throughout the montage of music. Lupe Fiasco, Angel Lola Luv, Wale, Little Brother, Joe Budden, Twista, Alicia Keys, The Game, Swizz Beatz, The Cool Kids and a newly-released Shyne also make guest appearances in the video.

3. "A Strange Fascination with Violence" (5:39)

featuring Eminem

produced by Dr. Dre

On a mostly fun and vibrant opus of music, this is the only dark track. With Dr. Dre's production providing an haunting drum pattern, Eminem and I relate our own violent pasts as well as some murderous fantasies we have yet to live out.

4. "Text Messenger" (4:16)

produced by Cool & Dre

This was a song aimed at the ladies but also at cheating. It describes a certain young male, who will remain nameless, who cheats on his girl but she never realizes because he always texts her when he's with his other chick to assure her of his whereabouts... that is until one day, the other girl goes through his texts and sees what he's been saying to his main girl and confronts him. It's just a humorous song about relationships, trust and too much of a good thing.

5. "Hopeless Romantic" (3:59)

featuring John Legend

produced by Kanye West

With John Legend crooning over a melodic "Killin' Me Softly" sample, this is scheduled to be the album's second single. I relay some of the funniest and saddest moments of my love life thus far and my hopes to find the future Mrs. Hard Work.

THE VIDEO: Directed by Little X and shot in Atlanta, this video is in black and white throughout the entire video until the very end where I meet the woman of my dreams, played by the lovely Meagan Good, and then becomes vibrant color as we walk off into the sunset.

6. "My Addictions" (4:41)

produced by Kanye West

With another dope production by Mr. West, I glide over the beat with lyrics about sneakers, food, women, tattoos and fashion.

7. "The Robbery Song (Petty Theft)" (4:49)

produced by Kanye West

This record relays some of my days back when I was younger and involved with petty theft. It was never anything over $10 and most likely was just something I wanted. I didn't even realize I was doing anything wrong. I would just tell my mom I "found" stuff ala James Evans Jr.

8. "MLK & Grantland" (5:01)

produced by DJ Premier

Over Premier's signature sound, my last single describes life growing up in North Carolina, good times with my family and some of my struggles to stay positive in a world that tries to ethically destroy me everyday.

THE VIDEO: Directed by Kanye West, "MLK & Grantland" provides stunning visuals of Raleigh and Greensboro. Doo-Wop makes an appearance as well as Jamal in his Army uniform giving our signature handshake-salute (we had it before "Roc Boys" came out!)

9. "Silly Rabbit (Tricks R For Kids)" (4:04)

produced by Kanye West

The album's lone "raunchy" track, "Silly Rabbit (Tricks R For Kids)" relays old sexcapades throughout the years and how, sometimes, I would confuse the physical relations with emotional attachments. Thus, making me a "silly rabbit." This joint is more "One More Drink" than "Put It In Your Mouth" however.

10. "A Way With Words" (10:36)

featuring Joe Budden & Joell Ortiz

produced by Kanye West

Probably my favorite joint on the album, and thus, why I named the album "A Way With Words." This record features two of my favorite artists of all time: Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz. We go on for more than ten minutes, switching every eight bars, just simply trying to outdo each other. In the end, we decide to call it a three-way tie.

11. "Ms. Lisa" (9:19)

featuring Ne-Yo

produced by Ne-Yo

This song is dedicated to my mother with Ne-Yo on the hook singing a sweet melody to and about the woman affectionately known as "Ms. Lisa." My mother also features on the track by telling some funny stories from my younger days like when we would play basketball every Sunday night after dinner and how, because she's so used to people calling her Ms. Lisa, she often times doesn't respond to me calling her mom. Yelling out "Ms. Lisa!" will usually garner a response though.

12. "The Slumber" (4:55)

produced by Kanye West

Featuring an incredible alarm-clock sample by Kanye, this record is dedicated to all the people who have hated and slept on me throughout my life. This record becomes the wake-up call for everyone to take notice that I'm here and not going anywhere.

13. "Tippin' the Scales" (3:08)

produced by Kanye West

This record is about my struggles with weight-gain and weight loss (a common problem) as well as my affinity for my extra-thick females.

14. "Meeting of the Minds" (7:52)

featuring Little Brother, Andre' 3000, Lupe Fiasco & Nas

produced by 9th Wonder

The finale of the album is a cypher type session consisting of five of the most compelling and intelligent artists of our time. Lupe starts things off with a dope 16 while Rapper Big Pooh and Andre' 3000 follow up with memorable verses as well. Nas comes next with a scathing diss of Bill O'Reilly while I'm next to drop knowledge. The last verse belongs to Phonte who absolutely destroys 9th Wonder's production providing a very fitting end to the album.

***BONUS TRACKS***

"Lights Out" (6:24)

produced by Cool & Dre

Cool & Dre sent me this beat before I decided to use another beat for "Text Messenger" and I instantly loved it. I'd already written about 100 bars for the song when suddenly the electricity went out in the building. I had to write the rest of the bars in the dark. Thus, "Lights Out" was created.

"Fuckin' Genius" (4:31)

produced by Kanye West

This record describes my penchant for always having to be right. The title comes from an old friend who says that since I argue to the death and I (sarcastically) always have to be right, that I must be a fucking genius.

LMAO...

Ok, maybe not... my days of trying to be a rapper are over, homie... back when I was at Southeast High, me and my partner-in-crime tried the rap thing (WHADDUP TY!!) but I've put that far, far, FAR behind me... but ya'll can't front... this would be a dope fucking album... I'd buy that shit...