Mauldin dreamed of a career in racing. His would be more than just a fast-paced life: It was to be a life with speed just like that of his father Lightning, a truck driver who raced cars at tracks such as Cleveland Speedway around the region.

Michael is there. Finally.

Mauldin, who in 1998 became the first black president of Columbia Records, is working with NASCAR and Atlanta Motor Speedway to expand its reach and connection with younger fans.

Coincidentally, Mauldin got his big break because of a car. Well, it was a van, actually — a Ford Econoline “with a couch in the back.”

After moving to Atlanta in the early 1970s, Mauldin was the lead singer for “The Other Side.” One weekend, members of the group Brick needed help getting equipment to their next gig. Enter Mauldin, who hauled the gear and became a fixture behind the scenes.

“I got 10 or 15 bucks and a cheeseburger,” Mauldin recalled of that first trip to Savannah. “Who knew it would become this?”

He quickly went from transporting equipment to setting up shows and managing acts. He spoke proudly of his ascent and not surprisingly used racing terms to describe it.

“We didn’t have a lot of roadies or people like that,” Mauldin said. “And that was one of the things I took pride in. We were fast. If someone broke a string, we’d have it replaced before the next song. We wore black T-shirts and tried to move from one group to the next faster than anyone.

“We were like a pit crew setting up stages.”

He was managing a Diana Ross show at the Omni in 1982 when a group of kids were invited on stage to dance. Mauldin’s 10-year-old son — Jermaine Dupri — was among the group and stole the spotlight. Dupri followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming one of hip hop’s biggest icons after founding So So Def Records in Atlanta. Between them, Mauldin and Dupri have been instrumental in the careers of some of music’s biggest stars, ranging from Mariah Carey to Usher to Destiny’s Child to Alicia Keys.

“There’s something to be said for that,” Mauldin said about the father-son connection. “Look at the Mannings. Their dad was Archie, and they were a family of quarterbacks. Jermaine and I have been blessed.”

Music success is not the only bond between Michael and Dupri.

“Jermaine definitely loves cars — he has a slew of cars,” Mauldin said. “He’s not really into NASCAR, though. Kids today would rather see the fastest Ferrari than just look at NASCAR. We have to cast a wider net for the youth in a certain way. That’s what I’m trying to do now with the programs I’m doing.

“NASCAR fans are great and they’re young at heart, but the sport needs to embrace new fans and let them grow up with it like I did.”

That early love for cars in general and NASCAR in particular was given to Mauldin by his father.

Lightning Mauldin drove a truck by day and was known on occasion to run moonshine on the weekend, and in Murphy being Lightning Mauldin’s eldest son meant something. Being Lightning’s boy meant speed. It meant a respectful reverence of automobiles. It meant NASCAR.

“I’ve been going to NASCAR races since I was 5 or 6 years old pretty regularly,” Michael said. “If we weren’t at the track, we were listening to it on the radio.

“Considering where we grew up and who my dad was, it didn’t surprise a lot of folks.”

Mauldin has settled into the branding and management side of the entertainment industry. He has a music management company and Mauldin Brand Agency. His latest venture with Atlanta Motor Speedway — which includes a new Web site (www.fastlife360.com) and this summer’s debut of FastLife Fridays at the track that will feature an array of activities and attractions designed for all ages and audiences — is part of his circular journey.

Much like a race track, life is speeding back to the start for Mauldin. He fulfilled his childhood dream and is part of the racing world. He spends a lot of time on his farm back in Murphy — in part to spend time with his dad, who is battling lung cancer — and commutes to Atlanta. He’s still striving to go as fast as possible as his life comes full circle.

This next time around, though, can be at a little slower pace. Call it a victory lap.

- Jay Greeson

Knock Knock!!!!! ………………………………….Who’s There? COME IN, but “wipe your feet”.

Defy the false, twist the truth, change the outcome, but always “BE HONEST”:  By: Michael T Mauldin/@mikemauldinmtm (twitter)

If ever; when are you fed up with the system, relationships, partnerships and the Bull**it, that most of the time comes along with it? Do you find that the belief & need to make certain decisions, has you puzzled or confused?  You do know you have to do something about this, right?  So what are you doing? If your answer is nothing, what are you waiting for? JUST DO IT!

So often we let things slide; particularly things effecting family, business, relationships or a partner of love.  Which in many cases, we are not prepared or designed to expose, because of what we feel we may loose, along the way. What we have to do, is find the way to make our lives work, for all concerned, especially ourselves. It’s called HAPPINESS! Live for today but make sure you can still breathe tomorrow!

What is happiness? What does it take to get there? Listen: I have discovered that it is always best, to open up to YOURSELF, 1st!  You don’t have to tell anyone, anything that you don’t want to tell, or do anything you don’t want to do. However; if that’s is the case, you have to be ready to bare the circumstances.  Honestly; most of the time, I never feel like I wanna share anything, that may cause ill will, distrust or doubt with anyone, regardless or not if I’m in the right or the wrong. One thing I do know:  if GOD intends for it to be so, it will always work out in the end! Just as my friend @thejeffrobinson (on twitter) says: “it ain’t over, cause the Blood will never lose its power.” If it does lose it, then its over, cause it OVER! U dig?

Happiness is the oxygen that we need for the survival of life & Love. I say “live your life, take a deep breath and let the love flow” Be HAPPY!

Till next week; “keep the faith & live the Fast Life”!  Check out @BraggOnIt, @djnabsinthelab & @mikemauldinmtm, not only on twitter but also FAST LIFE 360 on Global Grind and more!

So it looks like quite a few people checked out my blog last week about “Making It Happen.” In reading all the comments and tweets, many of you will be putting Kevin Liles 10 rules for success to the test! Hopefully, combined with your own talent, drive and ambition they will help guide you straight to the top.

Now this week I wanna touch on the POWER OF MYSTERY. I’ll go ahead and warn you now…this one is kinda long, but if you don’t have 5 minutes to read then you probably aren’t looking for helpful advice in the first place. So last night I read a tweet from Perez Hilton and he was supposedly welcoming @Rihanna to Twitter but he was upset because she hadn’t sent any tweets. I immediately responded back to him and said “If she’s smart, she won’t.” Ever since then, I’ve been thinking about something I’ve professed for years…there’s just no mystery about today’s generation of pop-stars. Whether its Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Ustream, SayNow or MySpace…not to mention the countless gossip blogs like TMZ…young artists and celebrities in general are broadcasting their entire lives for the world to see. In their defense, I will say that it all looks good up front and can be quite prosperous in the short term since many of these social networking services are now sharing ad revenue with the artists that use their services…but how long can it be maintained??? Is anyone that interesting to be able to whore out every aspect of their personal and professional life and still be idolized after 10 years….I guess we’ll see, but I doubt it.

Mystery, obviously, is everywhere. Is there a God? Mystery. What about life after death? Mystery. Excuse me, what material is the ShamWow made of? Mystery. Stonehenge? Big Foot? Loch Ness? Mystery mystery mystery. McDonald’s Special Sauce? I don’t care how many bottles of Thousand Island Dressing you show me, it’s Special Sauce. Mystery.

And yet: For all that mystery, why does it feel like the world has been ripped open, all parts exposed? Why does so much seem absolutely and thoroughly demystified? These days we can leap, all of us, from a casual curiosity about anything to a sense of satisfying understanding. Instantly. Want to fold origami? There are more than 200,000 Google results on that subject available to you, now. Need to know the capital of Mauritania? A recipe for sticky buns? How to pick a bicycle lock? You could answer all these questions in less time than it will take you to finish reading this article.

Which brings me back to Rihanna…her and a handful of others have managed to maintain their status without the aid of Twitter, YouTube or any other number of social networks. Rihanna specifically is in a unique position to become something of an idol…she has exotic beauty, she’s backed by the biggest names in the business, she’s relatively quiet in public, she has questionable talent, high profile relationships & peculiar fashion sense. But what if she does join Twitter…what will her fans think after 5,000 tweets full of insider talk with Teyana Taylor, Ciara or GASP!!! Chris Brown…How long will it be before she’s just as ordinary as every other cookie cutter artist on the radio today?

As a fan, it seem like the most amazing thing in the world for their favorite stars to be on services like Twitter….but most fans aren’t very loyal and right now some new artist is signing up for Twitter as I type that will one day steal the attention of another, and another artist will eventually steal it from them and on and on.

So whats the point??? The point is, as an entertainment professional that studies music and artists, I have not encountered one single artist or person that I have liked more b/c 200 times a day they updated me on what they were doing. But for 40 years Michael Jackson was cloaked in mystery…and he’s without a doubt one of the greatest entertainers of all-time. Could you have even imagined him on Twitter or giving the world weekly Ustream vidoes??? Ummm….NOPE!!! Michael Jackson understood the power of mystery and he worked it to his advantage for his entire career.

I’m not saying technology like Twitter isn’t useful or beneficial because it is. But strategy is everything in this business…it’s all about how you play the game; you cannot be careless. So Rihanna, with your Twitterless Twitter account….I say, leave it just the way it is, don’t give us one single tweet. You will still receive millions of followers and in 6 months CNN talking about your power. How one person could do nothing and still hold the entire world in their hands…and it’s all because you kept us wondering; because we wanted so bad to know all about you and you wouldn’t tell us….proving that mystery IS more powerful than knowledge!!!

Until next time…Bragg

By the way…follow me on Twitter HAHAHA @BraggOnIt

I can tell you; in my case; out of my 30 years in the business, after helping to make millions of dollars for some of the biggest acts and producers in the world, it would seem that if I asked anything of these people, I mean like; to do me a favor or help do something that I needed, they should come running!  Unfortunately that’s hardly ever the case.  Most actually say:  ”I’ll get back with you, or let me check on a few things and we will see.  Very seldom do they turn me down right away, it’s usually long and drawn out, then they turn me down!  I’m not talking about borrowing money from them, buying me a car, or buying me a house but usually more simple things; like making a donation for a cause that I’m passionate about, or doing a special engagement, or showing up some where for me or just talking with someone on my behalf, so that I can have an advantage in something else I’m trying to do; just like I had given them an advantage!  Honestly; why not? Its not like I come asking or begging everyday, but I just know that when the tables are turned and often they are, I will bend over backwards to help out.

Check this out!  There has been a few times in my career where I was mentioned on the Grammy stage or a special awards ceremony but even when I was, it was usually just in the middle of a bunch of other people being mentioned.  Even with that, I can probably count the actual number of times on one hand!  Why? Don’t get me wrong; I recognize that some artist goes out of their way to thank certain people and for those that do, “I applaud you”.  I personally don’t trip about not getting mentioned or when someone turns me down, for something I ask of them.  Honestly; I never did, but lately I have had a reason to ask a few things of certain people and they act like they don’t have time, like they can’t re-arrange their tentative schedule to make it happen, when in reality they change sh*t everyday, just because they don’t feel like doing one thing or the other.  So why not help me out?  If it wasn’t for me, your career would have definitely taken a different route or you would not have came out when you did, or made the kind of money you have.  You may not would even be having your fans call and scream your name the way that they do!!!!!!

By me addressing this, I’m sure that many of you will know people that are on one side or the other.  As a matter of fact, many of you that will read this, will realize I’m actually talking about YOU, whether you are the one that don’t GIVE the love or the one like me; that seems to hardly ever GET the love!  If you are that person; I am also sure that when you really think about it, you will agree with me! As far as my situation, Its not like I’m pissed @ anyone in particular but sometimes, some of you or some of the closest people to you; those that call you their friend, their mentor, their discoverer, their manager, their mom, their dad, their daughter or even their son, will pass on you and not even think about it.  Not because they are mean, or deliberately trying to hurt you but it would appear that somehow they must have gotten amnesia, because they seem to treat you just like they would anybody else, just as if they just met you or like you have asked them to do something for you, 1000 times before and they did.  Could it be that they don’t realize how much it actually hurts you; when they don’t give back the love, to those that once gave to it to them; why?

So if you are that individual and I had helped you make your dream come true; the next time I ask you to do SOMETHING for me, as I have done for you, SAY: YES I WILL OR THANK YOU!  Then Know in your heart; THAT’S WAY GOD PLANNED IT!!

SEE YA NEXT WEEK!

So I studied this book from cover to cover like it was the bible….Now I won’t say this book alone or just knowing the rules that Kevin laid out are the reason I’m sitting here writing about it today, in fact its far from it, but what it did was show me that if I was to ever be successful…if I ever wanted to live the Fast Life, then I was gonna have to outwork, outwit and outlast the competition (cue the Survivor theme music LOL). Just doing what your told won’t get you to the top…you have to do what your told and everything else that you’re not!

I recently found that piece of paper that I used to carry with me everywhere and I started studying it all over again and asking myself if I was still following the rules…So for those that don’t know or anyone looking for the same answers I was 5 years ago; here is “the hip-hop generations guide to success.” Hope it helps you as much as it helped me!

Rule # 1 Find Your Will
Look deep inside to discover the things you really love to do. You will need that passion to drive you to make it happen despite all the hard knocks along the way.

Rule # 2 Do You
Discover your flavor, then package it and present it to the world. From the way you tie your shoelaces to how you get down to business, YOU are your best brand.

Rule # 3 Walk This Way
Get Educated. Whether it’s in college or the school of life, find a mentor, read and research. Knowledge will give you the tools to make it happen.

Rule # 4 Create A Blueprint
Create a vision of what you want from life and draw a roadmap to success. Make planning and attention to detail part of the way you live your life.

Rule # 5 Play Your Position
Don’t act like your too good for it. Have the humility to do your job and then some. Whether it’s answering the phone or digging ditches, doing something to the best of your ability is a reflection of who you are.

Rule # 6 Embrace Struggle
Love the hard times because they make you stronger, wiser, and more willing to take risks. Hard times breed tolerance and compassion. Failure teaches you how to do it better.

Rule # 7 Get Connected
Build relationships to last forever. Success in business is built on personal networks. Kindness, tolerance and service will bring business.

Rule # 8 Step Outside Your Box
Be open to people from all walks of life. Reach out to those who are different from the usual crowd on your corner. Going global will help you blow it up even bigger.

Rule # 9 Don’t Let Cash Rule
Greed will only trip you up. Understand that money matters, but only as a means to freedom, access, options and security for the future. Learn how to make money work for you.

Rule # 10 Flex Purpose, Not Power.
It’s never too early to learn how to lead. Set the example. When you manage a team it’s your job to inspire, motivate and empower people.

PS – I got to work with Kevin on a couple projects several years after reading his book, but never did let him know the impact it had on me…so if this gets around to him, THANK YOU!

If y’all have similar inspirational stories; I’d love to hear about them! And if there’s any knowledge or experience I can share with you…just let me know!

Until next time…Bragg

Follow me on Twitter @BraggOnIt

With your Host:  Mike “MTM” Mauldin

What is your perception of NASCAR? I have a friend that says that it is barbaric, racist and not for people of color!  Some says that it seems boring to watch cars go around and around and the only thing that really matters is the end.  What do you think?  Why R U not into it?  Have u ever been to a NASCAR race?

NASCAR is what many call an all American sport.  It is loved and watched mostly by white men, over the age of forty, who primarily live in the southeastern parts of the United States.  Many still wave the confederate flag and most drive pickup trucks and dare themselves to drive anything else but American made automobiles.  As a matter of fact; only in the last ten years has the sport grown be prominently recognized by people of all races and nationalities, especially since Ricky Bobby came to the movie screen; saying “if you aint first, you’re last”. Fans are now showing up @ the tracks driving Toyota’s, Mercedes Benz, BMW’s, Porsche’s and Bentley’s.  Check this out; the first time I rolled up to the Richmond International Speedway, riding in Mike’s all white Bentley, we got some serious looks and stares, not just because of the car but because we were black and driving the car.

Representing the Fast Life has awarded me the opportunity to be a part of this sport, they call NASCAR.  Where cars go around and around for sometimes as much as 500 laps or in the case of the Daytona Motor Speedway, 200 laps around, because the track itself is 2.5 miles around in length.  @ Daytona the cars get up to 220 miles per hour down the straight aways, with an average speed of 185 MPH>>> DAMN THAT’S FAST!!!  The Daytona track seats over 160,000 people and is pretty much always sold out.  In all honesty; like most sporting events these days NASCAR has had a drop in attendance, due to the invasion of the negative economy, but just about every week, there are still damn near 80,000 to 100,000 people in attendance, at any & all the tracks (38 wks out of a year).

You may wonder why I tell you all this; It’s just because I want you all to know that this sport can be shared by all of us, as long as you like cars, speed, noise, bright colors and have a love for excitement.  Trust me; this sport should be embraced by most hip hop & urban lifestyle enthusiasts!  Cars are a huge part of our culture and our culture is now spreading to all parts of the world, all races and all ages.  Let’s do this damn thang!  What are we waiting on?

Over the last five years, I have developed many relationships with drivers, team owners, pit crews and the senior management of the sport itself.  I hang out with Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, Kyle Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr.  One of my greatest awards has been the introduction to many corporate partners of the sport, many whom have desires to connect to an urban audience and the type of community involvement that caters to the Youth, Blacks, Asians, Latino’s and females.  Is that you?  Its time to step up and take notice!  Let’s embrace this culture by playing and sharing our music, our lifestyle and our ability to be leaders in anything we want to do.  At first it was baseball, then football, boxing, basketball, tennis and golf.  Now it’s motor sports and particularly NASCAR!  Don’t sleep ya’ll!  Just ask “DJ Nabs” and “BraggOnIt”!

As we go into the championship season of NASCAR, we have again stepped into history making.  With only 9 races left in the 2009 season, Juan Pablo Montoya #42 is one of the top 12 drivers who have a chance to be to be the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion.  That would be amazing; as he will be the first minority to have had this opportunity within the last 20 years.  So when you turn on your television set to watch part of the Pocono race this Sunday, go ahead and cheer for #42.  That’s a good way to get started………SEE U AT THE RACES!!!

If you really want to get involved, check out NASCAR in person!  Come join us:  FAST LIFE USA (Urban Speedway Association).  www.accessthefastlife.com

Every week; the crew for FAST LIFE 360 will give you your insight and tell you like it is: in music, motor sports, fashion, community and the arts!!!!!

http://globalgrind.com/content/1009850/HipHop-Honors-2020/

Welcome back to the Fast Life! Bragg here…I first wanna take a quick second and thank everyone that read and left comments on last week’s blog “Thank You Mr. West.” I know I took a pretty strong position on something the entire world it seemed had an opinion on, and whether you agreed with me or not, I hope you could at least appreciate the honesty in MY opinion. Just remember one thing…when you feel a certain way, don’t hesitate to speak up! My views on the Fast Life (or any other way of life) aren’t the end all be all…Everyone has a say. And the more people that speak out, the better conversation we can have!

But anyways…On to the topic (well almost, I gotta let y’all know that I’ve got the TV on this new show “Eastwick” on ABC and it is TERRIBLE! Who greenlights these shows??? I’ve seen my share of GREAT pilots that never made it to air and then something like this comes along and steals an hour long primetime spot. Oh well, the good thing is that the people still have a voice when it comes to television. No viewers = canceled show…and I guarantee this show will be off the network and forgotten in a month. However…both Modern Family and Cougar Town were pretty good and should stick around for a while.)….OK, now I’m focused, I promise. So right now as I’m typing, the 2009 Vh1 Hip Hop Honors are probably coming to a close, and this year Vh1 is paying tribute to Def Jam records and the people that laid the foundation for the label including Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. Now with the exception of Rubin, I’m proud to say that I’ve been in pretty close company with this amazing list of creative minds at some point or another in the past 5 years. And while I have no first hand insight into the past that got Def Jam off the ground and into the history books, I can tell you as a 25 year old guy looking back…it had to be something pretty special! And as I sat today thinking about it, I started wondering…almost worrying…who’s gonna carry the torch? Is there a team of people that can come together and make music magic and literally define a generation of new fans? I believe that we are coming to the end of an era for alot of these execs and artists (and I’m not speaking specifically about the ones named here). Sure, they’re relevant today, but what about in 10 years? So where do we go from here? Problem is, there just aren’t many great TEAMS any more…That’s what Def Jam had 25 years ago; TEAMWORK! Now I know they werent perfect, I know there were power struggles, Rubin left to form his own label, a whole bunch of sex, drugs & rock-n-roll and so on. But music was ALWAYS the foundation…And even today, many of the original Def Jam architects are still working together! I remember last year sitting in meetings at Atlantic Records where Kevin, Lyor, Julie, Kyser, Lighty all worked together. These people came up as a team, they worked as a team and they even switched labels as a team. I mean, its no wonder they saw so much success. Where else does that happen…95% of the time all you ever hear or see is ME ME ME. You got artists moonlighting as execs, taking the big paycheck and then being shown the door all in 12 months. How do you build a team around that? Or artist cliques with one or two talented people…and 20 friends that don’t deserve to be there…that ultimately bring the whole team down.

Can y’all imagine Hip Hop Honors 2020 paying tribute to the “Stacks On Deck Money Gang”??? LOL! I laugh as I say it, but aren’t they just what Def Jam started out to be in a way? Even if that statement was true, it doesnt mean the same thing today…music now is so secondary and personal celebrity is king. 25 years ago you didn’t mean anything without an amazing album. Today, you can mean everything before you even finish a song…the bar isn’t being lowered…it’s laying on the ground.

So I close by asking, do y’all believe there is a person, or group of people that can pick the bar back up? Who do you believe has the potential…Have we even met them yet, or maybe we have and just don’t know how great they will eventually be. Only time will tell. Right now the music business is just a messy canvas full of random ideas and its gonna take a TEAM of focused and passionate people to wipe it clean and redefine what we think and know. I’m hopeful this day is still coming.

So while Def Jam hasn’t been without its fair share of problems, I for one am damn glad there was/is a Def Jam…and I salute all those that had a hand in creating its legacy over the past 25 years! Now  when we watch the show on October 13, let’s take note and find a way to do something special with the next 25.

Want more? Follow me on Twitter! @BraggOnIt

Once again grinders, welcome to the Fast Life. My name is DJ Nabs and this is The Product & The Power.

 This is not what I originally planned for my blog this week but when I heard about the unfortunate passing of the incredible DJ Roc Raida on Sept 19, 2009, I knew then, this blog would be about him.

For those that don’t know, DJ Roc Raida is mostly known for being a killer competition style DJ….yes, I’m talking about my favorite thing to hear a DJ do well…..scratching & beat juggling. He was one of the best, he had style, originality and was even awarded the coveted title of “Grandmaster” Roc Raida. Most recently, he had been traveling with the hip hop show stoppa Busta Rhymes on the road as his tour DJ.

I met Roc Raida and the other members of his DJ crew, The X-Ecutioners, thru a friend of mine named Wayne Briggs some years ago. I was promoting and spinning a hip hop night here in Atlanta GA called Old School Sundays at a club called Kaya. Wayne knew that I was looking for true hip hop talent, old school and new. “Yo, these cats would be perfect for the vibe you’ve created with this sunday night” he said. Needless to say, I booked them and the rest is history. Now believe me, some didn’t understand at first exactly what these DJs were going to do with 6 turntables on stage. My crowd was used to seeing myself, DJ Doc, Jaycee & Mars take turns rocking on 1 set of turntables. Why were 4 DJs on stage??  Well….I’ve been a fan of competition style DJing for years and have been in a few battles myself.. I knew exactly what they were going to do…tear the roof off the place!!  Please believe…Roc Raida, Total Eclipse, Mr. Sinister & Rob Swift did not disappoint!

For those that follow me, you know that I archive everything so in honor of the great Grandmaster Roc Raida, here is a short video excerpt from my personal vault of that great night!

Roc Raida was 37 years young and will be missed by family, friends and fans all over the world!

Peace
DJ Nabs
Follow me on Twitter

Knock knock!!!!!  Who’s there? What’s the password?  Welcome to the Speakeasy!!  I’m your host Mike Mauldin a/k/a MTM, where u have to know somebody that knows somebody to be admitted!

Last week as part of Fast Life 360, I introduced you to my world, my crew, and opened up a little bit about what to expect every week from the Fast Life, by taking a brief look @ our world through the peep hole, located in the front door of the SpeakEasy.

Earlier this week you heard from DJ Nabs as he called out the imitation & celebrity DJ’s that are faking the funk. (CLICK HERE to read “Are Real DJ’s Jealous)  Nabs will be with you every Monday, delivering his weekly sermon of PRODUCT & THE POWER.

Then on Wednesday u heard from Billy “the kid” Bragg, and some of ya’ll even “hated” on him later when his BRAGG ON IT column basicly said; “we salute you Mr. Kanye West”. (CLICK HERE to read “Thank You Mr. West) What y’all didn’t agree?  LOL!  Billy just took a page from our client, friend and associate, Da Brat, when she says “Always Be Brutally Honest”.

Speaking of DaBrat; ya’ll shouldn’t believe everything u hear or read.  Just so ya’ll know everybody in the MBA camp, Fast Life USA and The SoSoDef crew are supportive, believe and love her.  I know you’ve heard otherwise but we will ride or die wit her  and you can expect to hear from her real soon, as part of FAST LIFE 360. She will come to you with her Brutally Honest column from “Behind 16 Bars Of Music & Injustice”.  U wanna read that, huh? 

Ok, here’s the deal!  We have to stop putting each other down or hating on those that appear to be on the top of their game; just because we feel its our right to do so.  There is room in the success column of life for everybody.  Sometimes in the urban lifestyle, particularly music, we act like only one person can lead when it comes to music, fashion, media or television and when that is threatened, or is felt by the general public, we feel we have to hate just to represent.  This is obviously the case with a lot of new young upstart rap & r&b music artist (those of u who came out less than 8 yrs ago) and some of ya’ll in the general public as well.  For instance; as it relates to the Jigga Man.  Why did so many of ya’ll want to see him fail?  Are u crazy?  He is one of the best things going on right now, for the urban culture!  By exploiting his brand the way he has, he is making the whole world continue to pay attention to Hip Hop and its culture.  So don’t hate, just get on your on grind and step up legitimately and not look to get a pass based on a default.  It’s unfortunate that we have the crab in a barrel mindset, when it comes to getting ahead.  Think about it, u don’t see that s**t in rock or country music.  I mean, you may see Tommy Lee and Kid Rock fighting over a woman but in general, when it comes to music; most of these cats live by the moto “Live and let live.”  Let’s stop putting out so much garbage when it comes to music and lets get back to making records and songs that will stand the test of time and make the whole world sing & rap..

As a final piece for thia weeks column, let me say to some of y’all young cats, under the age of 35 and a few under 40; show some RESPECT to those that have came before you.  Experience is the best teacher and some of your elders are still in the game and worthy of partnering with or just sitting down to chop it up and have a real conversation and get checks with..  Cat’s such  as: Russell Simmons, Andre Harrell, Nelson George, Earnie Singleton, Miller London and of course, YOURS TRULY!!  Thank God that Sylvia Rhone, LA Reid & Lyor Cohen are still in the big music houses, cause without them there wud be no urban flavor heading up this music business, which is such a part of our back yard,  heritage and culture.. Yeah, u heard right; I said Lyor. I know he’s white but he is definitely urban, in so many ways. Don’t get me wrong, for what they do; I respect Clive Davis, Doug Morris Jimmy Iovine & Barry Weiss but they aint the only older one’s in this game thats still considered to have their finger on the pulse!  What’s wrong? Is it the color of my skin?  WAKE UP PEOPLE!

One ‘N Peace!!!!  MTM