The Conflicting Passions Problem

People are complicated and many times, so might be their dreams and passions. We live in a weird world where you might be expected to act a certain way or like certain things depending on what room you’re in. You might feel like your passion would be looked down on, or laughed at. You might feel like it would put you on the outside.

I’ve felt that way for a long time. I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur in the tech space since forever. I idolized Steve Jobs and Apple, and I thought it was so cool when my cousin got to go work for him in California (He’s still there, by the way), but I also have other passions. One that might surprise you.

I’m a Rapper.

And a pretty good one if I do say so myself. In my life I’ve been blessed to be in rooms with people you might know from the radio and they’ve always been surprised at how good I actually am. This is a passion I’ve mostly kept to myself my entire life. I don’t anyone in my family has ever heard any of my songs and even most of my friends probably haven’t.

I’ve always been weird about sharing my music. I never wanted it to get shot down. It was something I did more for myself and I really wanted to keep it sacred. I was happy keeping it with me and the close knit group of friends that I have that also make music.

That changed about a year and a half ago.

I opened a professional, state-of-the-art recording studio with a friend of mine. He’s a record producer, and he’s always pushed me to release my music, share it with people, and continue to work on my craft. In 2025, I am going to do just that.

I’m not trying to get rich, or famous. I actually have terrible stage fright, and can’t even imagine doing shows. That being said, my music is generally attached to my experiences in life. If just one person likes my music, if just one person puts it in their playlist, I think that’s a win.

All of this is to say, don’t hide your light from the world. Whether you’re holding onto your music, you’re drawings, your acting passions, or whatever. Just get out there and do it. We really only go through this life one time and we don’t know when it’s going to be over. Not pursuing your passions because you’re afraid of what people with say is silly.

For those interested, here’s a link to my music. 

Enjoy it, or don’t. That said, I can’t look back and say I didn’t share it.

Never let your dreams die. Never.

Your friend,

James