Things of This World

I guess when it's all said and done I'm a simple person. I believe in having good morals, character, values, and honesty. Who a person is and what they stand for is more important to me than how much money or wealth a person has. That's the way I was raised and it's what I believe. More importantly, it's how I've lived my life.

A few years ago I got back into the music scene after being out of it for a few years prior. I had what I consider to be one of the best St. Louis rap albums made in the past several years recorded and ready to release. I had a CD release party at Blueberry Hill and I rocked the place. I mean it was a pretty full house and everyone was feelin' my set. It was the most amazing feeling to me because I had come full circle.

When I first moved out here to St. Louis I spent every Friday night at Blueberry Hill. Every week "The Science" Hip-Hop spin was in full effect. Local artists such as MC's, DJ's, break dancers, graff artists and the like would come down to the Duck Room and just vibe out to some excellent underground and classic rap. At the end of each Friday's Science there was an open mic where MC's could spit some freestyles. It was no small feat to get that mic and rip some rhymes let alone be invited to do a set of your own material at this weekly showcase. I went on to spit some freestyles and even did a few shows in The Duck Room. But I never had a CD release there.

After I did the Beats 2 The Rhymes CD release and everyone was feelin' me I felt complete. In fact, I remember telling my fiance Gail that if that was the last thing I ever did in music I would be fine with that. I accomplished my goals in music. See, my goal was never to become rich and famous off of my music. I just wanted to do it. Where I grew up there was no chance of finding places that would allow local artists to do rap shows. Not only was I able to do rap here in St. Louis but I also gained the respect of my peers. That wasn't exactly an easy thing to accomplish as a white rapper back in 2002-2005. It took a while for white rappers to become a more accepted part of the rap community in those days.

After that show at Blueberry Hill I did some back ups for my good friend Dug Holes at one of his shows in the Duck Room. As Gail and I were hanging out backstage we both had a strange feeling. We talked about it later. It didn't take long for me to realize that God was trying to tell me something. It was time to let the music thing go. I wasn't going to pursue it like I once did. I wasn't going to dedicate so much time and effort to it. I was no longer determined to make it a career. I didn't know exactly why until a few weeks later. That's when we found out Gail was pregnant. I was going to become a father.

I'm proud to say some of my peers and friend in the local rap scene are doing quite well for themselves. I have no doubt that if I would have stayed on the grind and kept doing new music, shows, promotions, etc. that I would be doing pretty well myself. You never know. Maybe I would have become rich and famous. But money doesn't buy a ticket into heaven. Money doesn't give love to my little girl. I do. And if I was out chasing that dream I wouldn't be around enough for my Chloe, my Gail, or my Tabby.

I'm not looking for a pat on the back or anything. I'm just proud of my accomplishments. And I should be. I worked extremely hard to achieve them. Even if some people won't acknowledge it. Even if some people put money above all else and equate money to success. My success is in my family. And I am quite successful.

God Bless,

Big Fletch

Times done changed

What's crackin' everybody? I've got a little something on my mind. I have a blogsite now.....so what the hell?

I've been doing rap since I was 12 years old. Growing up in a small farm town in Illinois was a great experience in many ways. You get to learn a lot about people who you barely know because well, it's a small town. You run into people you barely know or talk to on a semi-frequent basis. This is a story of one of those people in my life.

Now I don't want to name name's here because I have not wish to embarrass or shame this girl. Let's just call her Blondie. So I grew up with Blondie. She was in my class since preschool or kindergarten. I don't remember for sure. By the time we hit high school she was pretty much not liked by too many people....except for a few guys I guess. Use your imagination. Me personally, I had heard through a very close friend that she told him I did some things to an ex-girlfriend that were not so nice. Again, use your imagination. My friend laughed at her and said no way. Good man. He knows me better. I believe that was like our freshman or sophomore year. By the time our senior year was in swing I had really gotten over it. I mean, I didn't like the girl but I didn't have any problems with her. She tried to spread some lies about me but I mean she never did anything directly to me. This next incident with her was during my last year in Mason City.

I had been doing rap for a while. It was pretty well known. I had performed a song for a high school pep rally once. Rapped at the town fair. Stuff like that. So Blondie knows that I rap. One day I was putting gas in my truck. I was facing the street. All of the sudden Blondie drives by. She rolls down her window and yells "WIGGER!" I was actually pretty taken aback by this. For one, anyone who knows me knows I'm not a "wigger". For those of you who don't know the meaning of this semi- racial slur it means a white person who is trying to act like an African-American. For two, I really didn't think this chick had a problem with me. Outside of the nasty lies she tried to spread I'd never had any problems with her.

Oh the story is not over. The funniest part is yet to come. My wonderful girlfriend Gail convinced me to get a facebook page. I reconnected with a bunch of people from high school. I had no intention of talking to this girl. I still haven't. To my great surprise though, Blondie posted a note on one of my pics. She said "wat it do big pimpin? haven't seen you in 4-eva! drop me a line!"
I think I laughed out loud. I'm like "Is this the same girl who called me a wigger when I was in high school? Sayin' shit like "wat it do big pimpin'? 4-eva?" Priceless.

You see, people don't give a damn about you when you're nobody. And people sure will give you a hard time and make fun of you when you're different from everyone else. But as soon as they see that you're doing something with you life that is now considered "cool"......their tune sure changes in a hurry doesn't it?

Aww.....hope you're doing well Bandwagon Blondie! Just please don't ever come to St. Louis to see one of my shows. Cuz I'm afraid I couldn't resist calling you out and telling this story to the crowd.

God Bless Ya Life,

Big Fletch

Thank you my friends

So tomorrow night is the big night. Fletch at Blueberry Hill. Where it all began. I'm super excited about performing on the same stage as legends like Chuck Berry. I am also excited about the people who will be performing with me. Great MC's like Jia Davis, Nato Caliph, and the newest member of the "New" Rhyme Commission Dug Holes. When Jay Money and I started The Rhyme Commission some 8 years ago we had a vision. The vision was for the Commission to be almost a "revolving-door" concept, meaning that Jay Money and I would be the core of the group but all the people who work with us in music would also beome members. So, Dug Holes and I have decided to be each other's hype man at our respective shows. I respect Dug and his skills as a rapper. I've always been a big fan. We've also been friends for a number of years. I believe the friendship and respect that we share with each other will make for some great shows for both of us.

Other new Rhyme Commission members will be announced in the months to come! Hope to see you all there at Blueberry Hill, 2/27 at 10PM in the Duck Room!

God Bless,

Big Fletch