JustMe Scribbling

Convo with BigSto

2009-08-25T05:58:00.000-07:00

So I got a chance to interview the founder of The Scribbling Idiots JustMe and here it is!

BigSto: Ok JustMe, even though you’re the third Scribbling Idiot to come through here (Cas Metah & Wonder Brown being the others) it’s a great honor to be interviewing you and congrats on the albums you’ve released the and the success you’ve garnered over the years.
You’ve been part of many classic duos. You’ve been in duos with Sintax, Cas Metah and Capture (if there’s more let me know). What was it like working with these guys?

JustMe: A pain in the butt! LOL! Nah, it has been an honor to work with each one of these guys. Capture and I met in high school, so we knew each other for awhile before we started working together. It was a very good situation because we were both part of a very close-knit crew. We were young, and the guys in Future Shock were like mentors to us. Redbonz (now Ahred) was a spiritual mentor, and we learned a lot about the creative process from Ajax and Sojourn. So we really grew up in “the game” together.

Cas isn’t a lot younger than me, but he was a lot younger in Christ, and a lot less experienced in hip-hop when we hooked up. Cas is a work horse though! He’s a studio rat, for sure. He has a very good work ethic. It’s funny, we really click creatively, but we have knocked heads many times over the past 6 years. He’s like my little brother.

Sintax is the homie! He’s a very good guy, and I really appreciate his friendship. We did the Merciless EP in like two weeks! No lie! From conception to handing it in to be mixed. It was really thrown together, but we were happy with the outcome. I called him with the idea. He was like “if we’re going to do this we gotta do it quick.” I sent him the beats. We brainstormed on the concepts. He recorded his parts and sent them to me, and I finished it off.

BigSto: You’ve been a Tunnel Rat and now a Scribbling Idiot how did you get through all that without exploding?

JustMe: Well, SI wouldn’t be SI if it weren’t for my experience in TunnelRats. I was the baby when I was in TRz, so I got a lot of correction. I learned how to handle myself in the studio and on stage. I learned how to put songs together. I learned from my mistakes, and I think I learned from the mistakes of my elders too. It ain’t easy though. It’s a great responsibility to represent the kingdom of God in hip-hop. I could always tell you that the priorities were Christ, family, THEN hip-hop, but I didn’t always live that way. In fact, I would say that I’ve only truly owned that mantra for the last couple of years.

When you’re in a crew, everyone’s in different places as far as their walk with God. I’m reminded just how important the accountability is within the crew dynamic. It’s important to always keep the main thing (Christ), the main thing.

BigSto: One Man’s Trash was the first Christian Hip Hop album I bought after my cousin introduced me to it about three years ago, tell me what that process was like and what message you were trying to convey with your first LP?

JustMe: Props to your cousin! I started working on One Man’s Trash before Scribbling Idiots even existed. When I met Cas, and we started working on our first record, I made that the priority. After we put out Scribbling Idiots Presents JustMe & Cas Metah, we immediately started working on Idiomatic Volume 1. Once the mixtape dropped, I finished One Man’s Trash.
If you listen close, you can notice that the album is like a reality show. It’s like Ed TV. OMT is two days in the life of Justin Long. In other words, it’s just real life situations: day dreaming, a bad day at work, being a father and a husband, and seeing God working it all together for my good.

BigSto: I think JustMe and Cas Metah Are Unemployed is the epitome of a duo doing an album front to back. Everything was in that album, battle raps, serious raps, guests and most importantly the chemistry between the two of you shined in that album. How’d you guys do it?

JustMe: My family had just moved into a new house, and Cas was living with us. I lost my job, so I had a couple weeks off. We did the album during those two weeks. There is a lot of emotion on that record. We were both going through some junk, and God was breaking us. Recording the album was a great outlet.

BigSto: When the listener puts down a JustMe project what do you want the listener to feel or think when they’re done?

JustMe: Um, I want people to feel inspired after listening to my music. I want people to think about their purpose and what they’re doing to fulfill that purpose. BUT…sometimes I just want the listener to think I’m dope. LOL!

BigSto: You just released Before The Twilight which was entirely produced by Commissioner Gordon, how did you and Comgo come to make this project and why did you choose him to produce your album?

JustMe: We met ComGo on myspace when we were making Unemployed. He had two of the best beats on the record.

I knew that I wanted my next album to be one producer and one emcee. Initially I was going to do everything by myself, but it would have been too much for me, so I went to a dope producer that was fairly unknown. I think that way it is mutually beneficial. I got to make songs with dope beats, and he got his name out there some more.

BigSto: With this release behind you what’s next for you and the SI crew?

JustMe: We just dropped Idiomatic 2, which is like a hood album, part mixtape, part album, all grimey hip-hop.

We have some big plans for the immediate future. We’re going to be offering a subscription service that fits in great with today’s technology advances. Be on the lookout for that.
Personally, I think that you may see me moving into more of a teaching role. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do many of the things I dreamed of as a young hip-hop head. It’s time for me to help the next generation understand what it’s really all about.

BigSto: Speaking of SI you guys just added MuzeOne to the crew, how exactly did that go down and why did you guys recruit him to be on the team?

JustMe: Wonder Brown has been friends with muzeOne for a minute. He had mentioned him a couple times to me. We weren’t looking to recruit new members, we just thought if someone comes along that just belongs in the crew, we gotta let it happen. Then muze signed with Illect, then we got to spend some time with him during GMA week in Nashville. It was a no-brainer. He’s a dope emcee, a pretty good producer, and does his thing on web design stuff too. Most importantly, his heart is in the right place. He was already a Scribbling Idiot before we asked him. We just made it official.

BigSto: So when you’re not killing tracks what else does JustMe do in his downtime?

JustMe: What’s downtime?

I spend time with my family. I study and read a lot. I serve at my church. Stuff like that.

BigSto: One thing I’ve always wanted to ask a Christian Rapper is what is your true opinion of the mainstream hip hop business?

JustMe: I don’t differentiate between the “christian market” and the “secular market”. The business works the same way on both sides. I would say if you’re not good enough to rap in the local scene, then don’t rap anywhere. I know there’s a lot of cats out there that feel just fine rapping at there church for youth group kids, knowing darn well they wouldn’t take that weak stuff to an open mic. That’s unacceptable. I do the same songs at my church that I do at the bar the night before. The message is the same: love God and love your neighbor.

BigSto: Now the world isn’t in the best place right now, do you believe the world can get out of it even though the majority of the world aren’t exactly followers of Christ?

JustMe: No. The world is in a constant state of entropy. That means stuff is breaking down, falling apart, dying, etc. The only way to stop death is to start living. You start living by being born again. Jesus said that He is not of this world, and likewise His disciples are not of this world. This world will pass away.

BigSto: You obviously have the talent to make it in the mainstream have you ever considered it?

JustMe: I don’t think you choose whether to stay underground or not, it chooses you. I won’t compromise, I know that.

BigSto: We’re trying to do right in a world surrounded by wrong doing, what can we do to not only focus on doing right, but making sure that we share the gospel with as many people as possible?

JustMe: If you live your life to honor God, those opportunities will come. If you do not “do unto others”, then what you say to others is useless.

BigSto: This is more of question for my own benefit, but I think one of the hardest transitions in life is leaving home and still being able to stay focused on Christ when you don’t have parents on your back the whole time. How did you do it and what advice can you give to other teens about how to make that transition?

JustMe: I decided that I was going to serve Christ when I was about eighteen, so I’m glad you asked this. I was blessed to be part of a crew that kept me accountable. I think the best thing that a young adult Christian can do is surround themselves with like-minded followers, and wise counsellors.

BigSto: I think one problem that is thrown on the back burner is our problem with Confidence more specifically our lack of it. Why do you think a lot of us have a problem with Confidence and how do we solve it?

JustMe: I’m probably not the best person to ask about this. I’ve never really lacked in confidence. In fact, I had to be broken of my confidence in myself in order to put my confidence in The Holy Spirit. I do think that those who are in a position to lead need to put others in a position to succeed.

I promise you this: if you ask God to use you, He will.

BigSto: Abortion…a subject that causes controversy on all sides, some say it’s ok because the baby isn’t technically alive yet, others say it’s alive in the womb thus making it wrong, where do you stand? Why?

JustMe: I have a son. I was there for the first sonogram at ten weeks. My son had a heartbeat. He was alive. A new study was performed recently that showed that a baby, seven weeks in the womb, reacts to changes in the rhythm of a drum. That means they’re not only alive, but cognitive. I think abortion is murder. I think that when a young lady, or any lady for that matter, makes the decision to have an abortion, they’re usually trying to reverse the effects of a poor decision by making another poor decision. It doesn’t make sense. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

BigSto: OK JustMe thanks for stopping by, anything else you want your fans to know?

JustMe: Thank you, it was fun. I appreciate all your support. Peace and God bless.

Our Father

2009-06-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

As my family drove down the road the other day, my son said a very hurtful thing to me and my wife. He said, “I wish I lived with Nana and Papa instead.” Now, we understand that he was only saying this because he wanted to play a particular videogame at their house, and didn’t realize that his statement would hurt our feelings, but still stung a little. After all, we go out of our way everyday to make sure that not only are his needs met, but that he has many of the things he wants as well. I had to explain to him that by saying that he would rather have that videogame, than live with us, that he was saying that the videogame was more important than us. He quickly changed his tune.

How many times have I said “this is more important” to YHWH through my own actions?! How many times have I skipped prayer time to watch TV, read or even play videogames?! I’m guilty of the same thing that my son is! I am even worse, because I know better. I know first hand the honor and blessing that spending time in prayer is. I know that my relationship with Him is primary, and affects every other relationship in my life, and yet I still fall prey to my own self-centeredness. I thank God that He is infinitely more patient and gentle in His care and instruction for His children, than we are for ours.

Follow The Leader

2009-06-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

"The desire for virtue is frustrated in many men of good will by the distaste they instinctively feel for the false virtues of those who are supposed to be holy. Sinners have a very keen eye for false virtues and a very exacting idea of what virtue should be in a good man. If in the men who are supposed to be good they only see a "virtue" which is effectively less vital and less interesting than their own vices they will conclude that virtue has no meaning, and will cling to what they have although they hate it."

- excerpt from Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton

AMEN! I know many ministers (in all types of ministry) that have been effected by this at some point in their lives. Young and gifted men have their spirits and hearts broken by controlling and patronizing leaders everyday. This stifles the very growth that these leaders are praying for, and leads others to abuse the grace of God. It is a wicked cycle that must be broken!

Too many people in the body of Christ hide behind a mask of false virtue. Those of us who have been called to lead in some shape, form, or fashion, must be careful to lead the way Jesus does. With humility. With honesty. Not only teaching, but serving and sacrificing. It is important that leaders confess their sins and weaknesses to those whom they are leading! When we don't, we let on that we are above reproach, and those whom we are trying to lead, may just see their vices as more acceptable than our false virtues. I don't even want to give someone the chance to call me a hypocrite!

I have also learned from experience that we can't go around blaming another person's flaws for our lack of commitment. Jesus also teaches us not to hold others to a higher standard than we do ourselves (Matthew 7 & Luke 6).

We are all sinners. And to unbelievers, or even new believers, we are "those who are supposed to be holy." So...

...Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gal 6:9-10

I guess I could have just said "keep it real" but what's the fun in that?!

How I Met Your Mother

2009-05-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

ILLECT Recordings and JustMe want to share this track in celebration of this special Mother's Day holiday where we all remember our mother.

The first song recorded for my new album, Before The Twilight, was self-produced. As a matter of fact, "How I Met Your Mother" is the only song on the album not produced by North Carolina native Commissioner Gordon. With that said, it is all the more personal . Like "Latenight Lullaby" from my 2006 release, One Man's Trash, "How I Met Your Mother" is a song sung directly to my son Jake. It is a story about a man changed by love, in more ways than one. Enjoy!

Please find below the lyrics to the song and a link to the MP3

http://www.hiphopmp3downloads.com/illect/justme-how-i-met-your-mother.mp3

How I Met Your Mother

If you can't take the heat then get out the kiln
The ladies say "oh snap" like Men On Film
And if you don't get that then you're young for real
Because I used to get that for my tongue and grill
I hung and chilled with players, theives, and rhyme sayers
And impresed the women that dressed in less layers
I rocked Nautica, Polo, not to run solo was the mission
Not realizing for what I'm wishing
Hugging and kissing was all in the plans
My old man said "you don't go back to holding hands"
And I realize now, that's true
But that was way before I even thought about you
And I wasn't really

Frightened, I was doing my thang
Had game, got dames, wanted fame, and I wasn't really
Frightened, had no fear of God in me
I was looking up to ballers and rappers with envy, I was
Frightened of being aloneAnd living my life without spouse and home, I was
Frightened, and that's real for a brother
Here goes the story how I met your mother

When Tiger Woods was at Stanford getting pampered
Women threw their drawers at me like the Laker-girls hamper
But I wasn't doing their math, changed path
Calculated but debated, could it stay in the past?
It was crazy wasn't it? Cut-up wasn't cutting it
What up? to my cousin when I see him in the streets
Found love hidden written on these super-thin sheets
Not the kind that you sleep in, the kind that you read
It was no small feet like the NBA
For me to say "no" when they ask "please stay"
And I can see now, that's grace
I thank God everytime I look at your face 'cause back then I was

Frightened of being stuck with a girl
That didn't want the same things out of this world, I was
Frightened, Had the fear of God in me
I looked up to no other man with envy, I was
Frightened of being alone
And living my life without spouse and home, I was
Frightened, and that's real for a brother
Here goes the story how I met your mother

She worked at Blockbuster and I felt all flustered
For the first couple months, then I got that number
But, failed to use it for lack of a movement
Or transportation, I should say, anyway
Only the lonely relate 'cause when she phoned it was great
Even though I never gave her the digits
She looked it up at work and it made me smirk
The date was set in a matter of minutes
Flirtation, conversation in an IHOP booth
I could tell she's motivated because I sought truth
And you can tell it's all part of God's plan
To bring the right woman once he's made a man, but I was still

Frightened that she wouldn't believe
Take me the wrong way and be deceived, I was
Frightened that I would mess it up
And have to much pride to be fessing up, I was
Frightened of being alone
Even though, in my heart God made his home, I was
Frightened, and that's real for a brother
There goes the story how I met your mother

Before The Twilight

2009-04-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

There are two times, that I recall, during my rap career, when I have written something without fully comprehending what I have written. Thus was the case when I named my new album Before The Twilight. I had my reasons:

"Before the twilight is when the sun shines bright
and before your twilight is your prime"
- JustMe from "Twilight"

Recently though, as I studied the parallels between the Jewish Feasts and Jesus, God revealed to me a much greater meaning to this title. In chapter 23 of The Book of Leviticus, God instructs Moses on how the Israelites are to observe The Feasts of the LORD. These feasts are of great prophetic significance! I don't want this blog entry to become a full blown bible study, so I will just say that you should look into it more yourself, but check this out:

'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD'S Passover.
Leviticus 23:5

Passover is a feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. A lamb is sacrificed for each family to symbolize how the blood of the lamb saved them from God's wrath.

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
1 Corinthians 5:7

Jesus, The Lamb of God laid down His life to save us from God's judgment on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight! The suffering of Christ between The Last Supper and His death is commonly known as His passion, so His passion took place before the twilight! Okay, maybe it's a stretch, but Before The Twilight is my passion! The album is an expression of my passion in the relationships that define my life: my relationship with Christ, my relationships with my wife and son, and my relationships with my friends.

If you are interested in hearing some of the album, or maybe even buying it, check it out on i-tunes by clicking the link below.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=309381684&s=143441

2009-04-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

It has been said in the music industry and elsewhere that it's not what you know, but who you know, that makes one successful. Taylor "Cas Metah" Hogle may argue that who you know, has a great impact on what you know. A quick listen to the Ohio native's music reveals his understanding that life is about relationships. A glance at his discography reveals just how well he understands it, and how well he puts it into practice. Cas Metah is a friend to all true hip-hop heads, and he thinks it's about time you get acquainted.

Taylor Hogle fell in love with hip-hop as a teenager. Never one to shy away from commitment, Cas wrote raps for two years before ever touching a microphone! In 1997 he began recording homemade mixtapes and gaining a rep locally. In 2002 Cas pressed up Key Tah Life, his first album of all original material. A chance meeting with former SolSeeker/TunnelRat, JustMe in '03, led to a great friendship and the formation of Scribbling Idiots.

Once Scribbling Idiots got together, Cas Metah kicked it into high gear. In 2004 the crew released Scribbling Idiots Present JustMe & Cas Metah. In '05 Cas dropped his second solo effort Dimension Tide, and contributed to Episode 1: The Unification, a compilation album by Trans-Atlantic crew G-Force Alliance. He also left his mark on SI's now classic mixtape Idiomatic Volume One. All the while Cas and the crew performed throughout the Midwest. Landing gigs with Skillet, GRITS, LA Symphony, Mars Ill and others created a large buzz in hip-hop circles.

Due in large part to Cas' tireless work in the studio, Scribbling idiots landed a deal with Illect Recordings. In 2006 the crew teamed up with hip-hop legend Masta Ace to release their first 12" single, "Told You So" b/w "Through The Clouds". In 2007 Mr. Metah released his second solo album. An emo-hop masterpiece full of soul-baring confessionals, Providence Road has gained critical praise and helped to strengthen Cas' hardcore following. A following that would grow even larger with the 2008 release of The Have Nots by Scribbling Idiots. A special version of The Have Nots was recently re-released in Japan, and the crew's popularity continues to grow.

Perhaps more impressive than any of the credits listed above, is the countless guest appearances, cameos, and side-projects Cas has piled up throughout the past five years. Prolific doesn't begin to explain this young man's writing ability. Nor does it explain his magnetic personality and networking skills, but they all shine through on Cas' most recent effort Guest Room (Illect Recordings, 2009). Boasting over forty guests, Guest Room is a compilation of duets and posse-cuts that Cas orchestrated over the last few years. The album's all-star line-up reads like a who's-who of Bible-believing emcee's and producers. Any and every fan of good hip-hop should buy this album, and then they should thank Cas Metah for making it.

http://www.myspace.com/casmetah

More Than Crew

2009-03-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Scribbling Idiots have been very busy y'all! Last month our official debut album The Have Nots was re-released in Japan by Dunsin Donuts. The Japanese version of the album features two remixes, and a previously unreleased song.

This year, we will be releasing a new mixtape as well as several solo albums. Keep your eye out for those! Meanwhile check who is Dope Artist of the Week at Dasouth.com

http://www.dasouth.com/features/artists/781-scribbling-idiots-drawing-souls

Beat Rabbi

2009-01-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

Casey Birch grew up 1700 miles from the birthplace of hip-hop. Borger, TX is "the gateway to the Texas Plains", and is best known for hosting the world's largest fish fry each June. Every year kids in the Texas pan handle pick up the guitar and dream of becoming a country rock star, but in 1986 Casey heard the Fat Boys and fell in love. In the late 90's Mr. Birch began DJing and banging out beats on his MPC. Armed with a giant collection of dusty breaks and rare grooves, Casey created his own brand of boom-bap, and Beat Rabbi was born.
Beat Rabbi earned his first major production credit in 2000, when he provided the beat for "Divine Lines" on Dirt's sophomore LP A War To Restore. That same year Beat Rabbi was contacted by Manchild of Mars Ill, and invited to meet with members of the then fledgling Deepspace5 crew in Nashville. The meeting would lead to BR joining DS5 just in time to produce the lead single from the crew's label debut The Night We called It A Day. "Stick This In Your Ear" continues to be a fan favorite among DS5's ever-growing catalogue.
While Rabbi was making a name for himself with guest-spot production, he was also working on a full-length album with his group Circumcised Mind. The Real Battle showcased emcee Apologetic's lyricism over BR's rough, rugged, and raw beats. The self-released project has been compared to early Quannum Projects releases, and is considered to have been ahead of it's time since its release in 2001.
For years now the beat teacher has continued to provide bangers for an all-star list of emcees including Braille, Playdough, Sivion, Listener, Fred B, Sintax.the.terrific and others. In 2005, Deepspace5 released Unique, Like Everyone Else, and again Beat Rabbi delivered the singles in the form of "People Are People" and "Your Biggest Fan". It seemed like only a matter of time before fans would get to hear an entire DS5 album produced by the funk rabbit. Little did they know that the process had already been set into motion.
In the summer of 2003 Casey decided to create an album that would pay respect to the early 90's hip-hop sound. He began crafting beats fusing soul, jazz, funk, and breaks to make his own version of that Golden Era sound. The next step was to hit up his crew members, and get them to lace these tasty tracks with their witty rhymes. Nearly five years later the result is Deepspace5oul. The twenty-two track album features all of the Deepspace emcees but also offers tracks with each of the established groups within the large crew (something noticeably absent on other DS5 projects). Another unique feature is the presence of Illtrip, the long-time Deepspace member that was unable to participate on either of the DS5 crew albums. The highlight, of course, is Beat Rabbi's block-rocking beats, which are sure to please heads from the plains of Texas to the trains of New York.

http://www.myspace.com/beatrabbi

The Biography Channel

2009-01-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

I have written several artist Bios for Illect Recordings. During the next month I will share them with you and include a link to hear some of their music. The first one is Dert:

Dert may just be the most accomplished producer you've never heard of. The L.A. native first credits came in 1998, when he provided the bulk of the beats on LPG's sophomore album 360(Solar Music Group). Since then Dert has built up a catalog larger than JC Penney! As the in-house producer for Tunnelrats Music, D. Baker provided the sound on the vast majority of the crew's tracks for nearly a decade! During his tenure as TR's soul provider, Dert was able to collaborate with many of LA's finest emcees such as LMNO, 2Mex, Ahmad, and Mikah 9 to name a few.
Mr. Baker showed his fans a different side in 2004, releasing Fledgling on Illectronica. Like the Octavia E. Butler novel by the same name, the beat tape would turn out to be much more than one might expect. The all instrumental album was an eclectic mix of afro rhythm, synthy soul, and raw hip-hop. Of course this was just a glimpse into the genius to come from Dert's fingertips.
In 2006 Dert released the hounds on the underground! First he introduced the world to Derty Gonzales when he released Sometimes I Rhyme Slow, a remixtape featuring popular songs by Common, Kanye West, and many others. The twist was that all the beats were crafted by sampling Jose Gonzales' all acoustic work Veneer. The result was a beautifully arranged album that even earned the cosign of Jose himself! Next up was KRS-One's Life produced entirely by Dert and TunnelRat founder Dax Reynosa. Dert's music brought out the best in KRS, making Life one of The Blastmaster's greatest albums. Then showing off his versatility once more, Dert rounded off the year with the Footsoldiers' hardrocking debut LP Live This.
With all the critical acclaim that came in result of his tireless 2006, Dert Floyd still found time to treat fans to Westside Of The Moon as a free download in 2007. And when West Indian Girl was looking for a remix to "What Are You Afraid Of", Dert answered the call, and the answer received many plays on public and college radio. Even in this so-called downtime the man cooked up classics.
After laying low for a few months, the Dertiest of them all has blessed us with another beat tape. Picking up right where Fledgling left off, The Short List is another personal record filled with mellow headnodders, perfect to "just cool out and listen to". In acknowledgement of his many muses, Dert dedicates this album "to all the pretty girls, not the ugly ones." The music follows suit, blending soft synths and echoing drums to create easy listening for even the pickiest of music lovers.

Preview some of Dert's music:

http://www.illect.com/index3.htm

Saint Nicholas

2008-12-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time in the city, and in the sticks, and the world over, and I love it! The music, the decorations, the sweets, I love it all. While breaking out the good ol' pre-lit Christmas tree on Black Friday, I began to think of all the winter wonderfully strange traditions we participate in this time of year. I eventually turned my mind's eye to Santa Claus...Santi Claus...Saint Nich-o-las...Saint Nicholas. Yeah, that's the ticket! Though there is very little we can be sure of concerning the real-life Saint Nick, we do know that he was made Bishop of Myra(modern day Turkey) and that he became well known for his generosity and love for children. It has been written that he suffered for his faith under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Beyond that, things get a bit sketchy. Saint Nicholas' legend includes several miracles, and he became the favorite of all saints. There are innumerable churches named for the Fourth Century bishop, and he is one of the most popular subjects among Christian artists.

I'm not Catholic, and so I'm not real big on "celebrating the saints" per se(St. Nicholas Day is Dec. 6th), BUT I think that Saint Nicholas may need to be the exception. It isn't that this believer is any greater than another, but what this "Saint" has come to represent. By all accounts Nicholas became the embodiment of what our Lord's brother James may have called true religion.

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultlessis this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Jolly old St. Nick was famous for giving gifts anonymously TO THOSE IN NEED. May we all use this holiday season as another excuse to give generously TO THOSE IN NEED.

Here are some places where you can give:

http://www.gfa.org/gift

http://www.persecution.com/

http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/

For more info on St. Nicholas:

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/

Come out and see me!

2008-11-22T05:39:00.001-08:00

JustMe on the Radiooooo!

2008-11-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

If you're in the Lexington area on Friday between 4 and 6 pm, make sure you tune into 88.1 FM. I will be doing an interview as well as playing some tracks (maybe even some from the new album!). You may be able to peep it online as well. Check it out at http://www.wrfl.fm/

Cats Watch and Learn

2008-11-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

Today a small group of students from the University of Kentucky were invited to attend a seminar covering a new sport called "basketball". A group of instructors from The University of North Carolina schooled the young Kentuckians on the finer points of this new-fangled game. The curriculum was well thought out and thorough in its presentation. When the Kentucky students were asked to show what they had learned, they struggled mightily, bobbling the ball and missing the goal with regularity. The chaperon from UK was not as interested in how to play the game, as he was in finding out if the UNC instructors knew anyone who would mind playing the game in the bluegrass state. All-in-all, one can only hope that this exciting new sport catches on in Lexington.

Here We Go Again!

2008-11-15T05:52:00.000-08:00

My sincere apologies to both of the people that actually read this blog. I really have no excuse why I have been so lazy. I guess I have felt like I didn't have much to say, but I'm back!

The title of this entry applies three-fold:

1. Here we go again! I plan on keeping this bad boy updated on a much more regular basis. I have several new projects in the works and that should give me lots to talk about.

2. Here we go again! I have just received the masters for my second full-length solo release. Stay tuned in to the blog to hear a lot more about the process of making the album, and the progress that I have made as an artist that desires to glorify God with his gifts.

3. Here we go again! Last year I attended one of the most embarrassing losses in the history of Kentucky Basketball. The Gardner-Webb fiasco was supposed to be a fluke! Then we (yes, I consider the fans to be an integral part of The Wildcats) lost to San Diego! But that was last year, right? Apparently not! Billy G's crew displayed a dizzying lack of b-ball prowess in their loss to VMI!?! Looking more like a high school freshman team than a college basketball powerhouse, The Cats convinced us all that we may be in for another long season.

Happy Birthday Pops!

2008-10-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

There is a beautifully dark and musty little shop in Lexington, KY called Pop's Resale. It is filled with video games, vinyl, and everything vintage. Like many other purveyors of "previously loved records", the walls are lined with Herb Alpert's most famous album cover. The employees know entirely too much about everything having to do with popular media, past and present, and are willing to wax...well, wax for hours on end! I love everything about the place, and it all reminds me of my father.

My dad, known affectionately to his grandson as Pops (a name I gave him as a teenager), is an avid music collector. Of course he passed this expensive hobby down to me, which is why I frequent fine establishments such as Pop's. Like my friend Tyler aka The Vinyl Vulture, my dad is able to pass the time showing off rare tunes that he has collected, another habit I have been found guilty of. I won't go as far as to say that the smell of the place reminds me of my dad, but the first time I ever laid eyes on a whipped cream covered girl was my father's own personal copy of the Tijuana Brass classic.

The reason for this compilation of comparisons is to make one more. Like he music that fills the bins at Pop's, my pops has always been there for me, sympathizing with my plight, and sharing words of wisdom.

Thanks dad! Happy birthday!

I'm a fan!

2008-09-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan. I can't help it! It's like it chose me, instead of the other way around. I'm from San Diego, CA and therefore a long suffering Charger and Padre fan. I'm not a fair weather fan, or a bandwagon fan. I am a true blue, die hard fan. I don't leave the game early to beat the traffic. I don't change the channel when the game gets out of hand. Some would say that this makes me a glutton for punishment, but I'm keeping the faith!

Being a fan takes faith. A true fan is always hopeful. The word of God teaches us that hope never disappoints. When a true fan suffers through the lean years, the victories are that much sweeter! Fair weather fans don't understand the agony of defeat, so they can't feel the thrill of victory. The knowledge that you are part of the team...that's the best part! Coaches and players come and go, but fans are forever! So rock your rally caps and wear your throwback jerseys. Keep the faith when the critics count your team out. Be a fan!

Go Big Blue!

What you know?!

2008-09-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

I know that if I sit down in front of my MPC 2000XL, I can bang out a beat. I know that if the beat is correct, I can write a rhyme to it. I know that if I perform this rhyme on stage, I can move the crowd. I know these things because it is what I have done for over a decade now. From the west coast to the east coast, from the midwest to down south. I have performed my poetry in front of audiences. It has given me the opportunity to share the gospel with others, and I thank God for those opportunities, but sometimes the music "industry" makes me want to leave it all behind. God keeps nudging me though. Sometimes it is so clear that I feel like I've heard Him audibly! "Use what I have given you."

My mother-in-law likes to sew, So she started a quilting ministry. She makes quilts and the members of her church pray over them before they are given to the sick, the hurting, or the mourning. Now that's using your gifts for The Kingdom!

David took out Goliath with the only weapon he knew how to use. Jesus fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes. He can use whatever you give Him to bless others!

I know how to write. I know hip-hop. What you know?!

Adverse Effects

2008-09-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

Creativity is birthed through adversity. I have always been able to write better during, or directly following some great trial. Last year I lost my job. The creative result was JustMe and Cas Metah Are Unemployed. The financial struggles that we have had ever since, were also a huge inspiration during the writing of my newest album Before The Twilight.

Last night I was watching my favorite movie, Donnie Darko, and it prompted me to do some research on Graham Greene. Greene's short story, The Destructors, played a major role in the film. I was not surprised to find out that many of Greene's early writings had Christian themes, but I was even less surprised to find out that he suffered from Bipolar Disorder. Every woman Edgar Allen Poe ever loved, died young. Bram Stoker was bed-ridden until the age of seven. Flannery O'Connor had Lupus. I could go on for days!

Why are these writers so successful in touching our hearts? To quote R.E.M., "Everybody hurts sometimes." Pain makes us ask questions. Only God knows all the answers.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Touchdown Jesus

2008-09-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

No, I am not a Notre Dame fan! Nor do I think that God cares one iota about the outcome of sporting events. But as another football season begins, I find some great similarities between this All-American sport and our walk with Jesus.

1. In football your team is always pressing towards the goal, and your opponent is always trying to keep you from it. In life our enemy is Satan, and he and his cronies are always trying to keep us from our goal (The Kingdom of God). If we follow the game plan (Christ's teaching), then we will be victorious.

2. In football it always seems that your opponent is crying to the referee. Accusing your team of committing some foul. In the spiritual realm Satan is our accuser. We can't pay any attention to what the other team is crying about. We have to stay focused on the goal.

3. Football players have to have a short memory. They can't focus on the failings of the past. Dropped pass, missed block, whatever, it doesn't matter. Forgive and forget, you've got another down to play. The same goes for us! We must never focus on our sins. Confess them and move on. Jesus is less concerned with our stumbling than He is with us focusing on the goal.

Philippians 3:12-14

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Scribbling Idiots?!

2008-09-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know, the name of my rap group is Scribbling Idiots. People seem to like the name, but they always ask why we call ourselves that. We have given many different answers as to how and why we came up with the name, but let me tell you what it really stands for.

I’m a big fan of Mark Twain. The man also known as Samuel Clemens wrote many of my favorite stories including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Journalism in Tennessee . Twain often referred to himself as “a scribbler of books”. The lyricists in SI are scribblers of rhymes, thus the “Scribbling” part of the name. Of course, that’s not the interesting part of the name, is it? Why in the braggadocio’s world of hip-hop, would a rap group call themselves idiots?!

Jesus once said "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." For this reason, I have become fairly self-deprecating, but that's only partly why we named the crew Scribbling Idiots. You see, as followers of Christ, our approach to hip-hop (and life for that matter) seems idiotic by the standards of this world. We're not in it for the money or the fame. If we were in it for those reasons, we would have quit a long time ago. We believe in love. Not the uncaring one night stand "love" that you hear about on every-other song on the radio. We believe in the the kind of love that causes a person to "lay down his life for his friends". We believe that Almighty God became a lowly servant to teach us how to live, and died to teach us how to love. If following that example makes me an idiot, then in the words of Redman, "I'll beeeee dat!"

My Life = Musical Chairs

2008-09-01T12:32:00.001-07:00

Music has always played a major role in my life. In fact it runs in the family. My father's father played guitar with country music legend Hank Williams, and he wrote many of his own songs. My great-grandma Genta Rippee taught piano. My father is one of the most avid collectors of music I've ever met, and believe me when I say that I've met my fair share. I can remember back to my childhood when I used to admire the artwork of my dad's LPs and beg to wear the headphones when he played some classic rock record. I started deejaying at the age of twelve, and writing my own rap songs at fifteen. When I start reminiscing, I realize that my entire life has been like a game of musical chairs. That may seem like a strange statement, but I'll do my best to explain.

In musical chairs the game begins with the players standing in line around a circle of chairs. There is always one less chair than the number of players. While music is played, the players walk in line around the chairs. When the music abruptly stops, the players rush to sit down in a chair. The player without a chair to sit in is out of the game. The object of the game is to be the last one sitting. Now you may say "that's nothing like life!", but I beg to differ.

As I said before, music has always played a major role in my life. I used to listen to music all the time. I would even fall asleep listening to music. So for twelve years of my life the music played without any interruption, then I began junior high. I couldn't tell you one specific event that caused the music to stop the first time, but I'm sure there were many causes. See, around that time I realized that my parents weren't in love with each other. For the first time in my life, it seemed, not all was right with the world. The music stopped, and I searched for a chair.

We usually look for chairs to sit in them. We want to sit in them to rest our legs. We sit in them for comfort. I sought comfort in drinking. I sought rest in marijuana. The music started again, but now it was gangster rap. And after two years of constant fighting, my parents were divorced. I hoped that harder drugs and sex might give me the comfort and rest I needed, but instead they just made me paranoid. They left me wanting, unfulfilled, and guilty. So when my best friend drown to death later that year, I ran to those chairs with even greater frequency. Eventually those chairs broke under the weight of my burdens. See, while they may have offered some warped sense of temporary relief, those chairs weren't built to last.

See "playing musical chairs" is also a metaphorical way of describing any activity where items or people are repeatedly and usually pointlessly shuffled among various locations. This described my life, which had no point, no purpose, no final destination. And these broken chairs that I was leaving everywhere weren't helping. Like everyone else, I have a conscience, so the guilt that went along with these sins was mounting, and I didn't know how to get rid of it, so instead I just tried to dull it.

My sophomore year of high school, I moved in with my dad. My father had rededicated himself to Christ after the divorce. I began going to church with my dad and a new friend that I made at school was a Christian rapper. In both my father and my new friend, I saw a peace that I coveted. I wanted the rest and comfort that they had found in Jesus. In the book of Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28 Jesus is teaching and preaching in the towns of Galilee and he says
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

I finally found the chair I was looking for! What's more is, this chair was free! It didn't cost me money, good conscience, or good works. All it required was my faith, and I believe. Now I can rejoice at the words of Ephesians 2:6

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Patriotism

2008-08-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend of mine told me that she was upset at her pastor, and that she hadn’t attended Sunday service for a couple of weeks. When I asked her why, she explained to me that on July 4th some of the parishioners wanted to put red, white, and blue decorations on the communion table to remind the people to pray for our troops and thank God for the USA . The Pastor denied this request, saying that it sent a mixed message. I agree.

Jesus is not an American. He is neither conservative nor liberal. He is King and Lord of all! His kingdom is not of this world. As citizens of His kingdom, we must never elevate an earthly empire to the level of Heaven in our hearts. When we are “born again” as citizens of God’s kingdom our patriotism must change to reflect our new nation. Our brothers and sisters are those who do the will of God, and these siblings are scattered throughout the globe. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither Republican nor Democrat, neither Independent nor Communist. There are only royal subjects, kings, priests, and ambassadors of God’s great kingdom.

I am grateful for the freedoms I have as a US citizen, and I show my gratitude by using those freedoms to further God’s kingdom. As a Heavenly patriot I fight on my knees and struggle against the powers and principalities of this world. I study our constitution (The Holy Bible) so that I am ready with an answer when anyone inquires about the reason for my hope. Most importantly, I always try my best to honor my king in word and deed, never taking for granted the sacrifice that made my citizenship possible.

As we approach another presidential election here in the US, we must continue to seek first the kingdom of God. Because the causes of America are not the causes of God's kingdom, we must remember that "the hope that we cling to" is Jesus Christ and eternity with Him, and nothing less.