I am writing this before I depart for the New York State of Mind Concert featuring Wu-tang and Nas. I have not seen either for years and never Nas live. I’m getting up there in years, which argues they too are approaching their fifties. With so many of the hip hop stars I grew up following passing away, I feel like this concert is a moment in time. Coolio died just the other day, and while he wasn’t peak rap, he did sell the crossover and pave the way for guys like Nelly and make rap more mainstream, which led to this huge concert here in the desert tonight.
Rap is a state of mind as is NY. That state of mind has changed over the years and I feel like this is an opportunity to step back in time and, in a sense, remember the face of my father. I haven’t been my best self and perhaps this moment of joy and history will serve to help me remember who I was trying to be.