SOLE TO SOUL

The Preview

” I didn’t expect anything – it’s just a project i’m into personally so that’s enough motivation for me” Tom Lambert

Tom emailed me the new logo for my website and I’m speechless. He talked about his inspiration being my name and how it has the power to become a brand- my brand. I spoke about the power of your name a little in Connections and I believe your name is your word. If you put your name on something such as a website, product, or self-titled album it means you stand by it, more than that you support it! It is a true reflection on you. Tom’s design epitomises this.

I read a post by Marcus Troy entitled The Co-sign where he talked about how people are to quick to throw their name behind something and support it. I think in the world of business it is an important thing as you are prepared to vouch for someone on your name – one that is obviously trusted and respected.

I’d co-sign Tom Lambert any day! I love his art work and his immense passion with his own projects and with building my movement.

Who knew that morning in Carnaby Street would lead to this and the great thing is… we haven’t truly yet started!

Check out www.tomlambert.me for more.

1000 Words

Via Complex: Don’t hate the player: A history of polictical statements in sport.

More coming soon.

Time to Go

For the past two years I have made my home Norwich.

I study here at the University of East Anglia, which believe it or not world is not that far from London – believe me! Whenever I say I go to the University of East Anglia the usual reaction is “Rahhh, that’s miles away”. Correction it’s not, I wouldn’t advise the drive but know that you can get here in 1 hour 52 minutes from Liverpool Street – direct train, easy, done!  It just sounds far!

The main reason I came to the University was the course here, for those that don’t know I study American History and English History but am more in love with the former rather than the latter. Another primary reason was believe it or not the location. I had lived in London a full 18 years before I realised I really didn’t like it. I have to be careful with my words here because there are some die hard Londoners out there but I believe we love that city for all the wrong reasons. I chose the University before I went away to live in and work in America for four months on the Camp America programme. When I came back from travelling around the states: New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii and more recently Grenada. I realised that there was much more to London! Do you realise that most Americans never leave the country and just travel state to state…? Where am I gonna go – North London and back.! I realised how small London was and at that moment embraced the reason to move away.

Now don’t get me wrong – I am not totally disowning London I will say this – it is the city that raised me, all my family live there and therefore and I can always call it home. I grew up in Fulham when it was much more nicer when the swimming pool wasn’t owned by Virgin, before they put the basketball court in Eel-brook common and before they pulled Clem Atlee down. That’s Fulham to me and I just don’t see that anymore. Every time I come home I like to play a little game and see what new buildings there are and what local business have closed down. London has changed so much. I don’t want to turn this into a piece about the knife and gun crime that goes on there, you get enough of that from the media. However, I will say this… I don’t feel safe no  more. I truly the believe the mentality of some in London is fearless, they are very focused on all the wrong things and are really not phased by the police, their parents and others.

To be honest, no where on this earth is safe and I can only comment on what I have experienced and that is London. It’s come to a point when I come home, and I feel like the outsider – the tourist.

I’m hoping my opinion on my hometown will change as this summer will be my first home in two years. We will see. I will let you know..

I went off on a tangent with this one, time to get back on.

So I live and study in Norwich but I am soon to be leaving the sanctity of the countryside for the big city – 3458 miles away in Philadelphia. My course requires that I spend a year abroad at an American University – who am I to disagree! So for me, it really is time to go.. I just booked my flight and everything is starting to sink in. Come August it will be more of a reality.

I’m looking forward to the experience no doubt as it’s always been something I wanted to accomplish. I don’t know what entirely to expect, the American school system very different and I think a step up than what I’m used to. I’m looking forward to the culture mostly and the clothes – lets be honest, I might as well go with an empty suitcase because the gear I’m hoping to buy… I’m working on a piece about some of the boutiques I want to visit when I’m out there – if my readers know of any places let me know via comment.

America, with all its faults has such a great culture. I’ve been four times in my life so far and I think the place especially New York is infectious. I leave my apartment in Brooklyn, hop on the 2 train and head into Manhattan. I like to think I blend in, in New York that is untill I open my mouth. The English accent has a power in America, the power to make everyone that hears it make you say talk some more and repeat words back after them like a machine. It’s crazy. I’m wondering whether I will come back with an American accent?

I’m ready for this experience to begin but know it’s not going to be an easy one, more than london I’m leaving a lot of people behind. You think I would be used to it working away each year for four months but the thing with camp is that you build a family out of the people around you. You can’t escape those kids or the staff so they become your support system. I know friends and family will be with me in a way while I’m over there but I am well and truly on my own. It’s going to be like starting University again, leaving home – Norwich and going to my new home Philly.

I’m excited at the prospect of all things new, I like new experiences and challenges.

It wont sink in till August but it really is time to go.

Thank You And You’re Welcome

According to Kanye West every moment in your life should be a thank you and you’re welcome moment and I most certainly agree.

This post is a HUGE THANK YOU to all that read what I have to say on here. I’m extremely humbled when people comment on my posts or when I get Facebook messages from friends who say they like my blog, they love the layout and on three occasions that lemelp.com has inspired them to start blogging. That stuff always makes me happy, it’s good to know that somewhere out there people are reading this. It doesn’t enhance my ego in anyway but more so makes me committed to be focused about this and keep supplying you with my words.

I love the new direction of my blog…. the cool sliding bar at the top and most of the look of the blog is dictated by me but done by the BF and I always owe him thanks!

There is no blueprint to this, there is no set way to blogging. It’s simply about what you want to do and showcase. I truly encourage it!

Thank you for your support and you are all welcome!

Connections

“This might offend my political connects” Jay-Z – Death Of Autotune

Question – Is it who you know or what you know?

Like me or anyone who aspires to do great things in their life and be successful, well known or need I say famous! You look at people out there doing what you desire to do and take note. Many young actors study the characteristics and moves of screen legends out there and those who MC or produce beats aim to imitate the style they see and hear. Just think how many people aim to make beats like Dilla or rhyme like Ye?

In my experience I try and get an insight to the minds of people who are leaders in what they do. I email magazines, people, companies, I follow on twitter and read a lot of articles. It’s a great way to get advice and gain and insight to how that person thinks and also learn how they got to be in the position they are today. It varies with how many responses I get and the steps I have to go through to get to the right person but I truly believe perseverance is key. That’s my personal philosophy, if you don’t try you don’t know – nothing ventured nothing gained but I have come to see how that may just apply to my personality. As for some being persistent can become being pesky, too needy, too desperate.

Yet, it does help to know someone to have those proverbial friends in high places. Therefore is it a case of what you know…. or who you know?

For all time spent at summer basketball events I got the nickname Hook Up Kid. I think it was just because I was in the right place at the right time, always managed to get my hands on an event t-shirt. More so, it was my ability to build connections and friendships. I always played basketball, but around the summer of 2005 I really started to spectate and go to a lot of events with my ‘crew’. The thing with UK basketball and more specifically London basketball is that everyone knows everyone or someone that you know, so just by being at a number of events you get seen. The next step is making yourself known, I always had something to say and that gave me the greatest ‘hook up’.  In the last interview with editor of Fadeaway magazine Greg Tanner, I mention his summer event, Street All Stars, but what I didn’t mention was that I used to host that event – for two years! I organised and lead my own basketball tournament for my club and was responsible for getting sponsorship from Hosana Sportswear. I made my own connections, but more than that I built relationships. I never knew that Greg would be leading his own magazine one day but I have the connection with him where I can call on him for an exclusive interview.

My movements are still that way inclined, I make myself known put myself in the right places, build relationships and with perseverance and luck get a good outcome. Intrigued with how, people used to ask me how did I get that or how do you know that person or how comes your lunch and pudding are bigger portions than anyone else! I just replied because I’m Lemara. Back then I was being arrogant in saying that, but now I think my name is my word, I’m my own brand and I work hard to have a reputable name.

But it is not that easy for some and it definitely isn’t as easy as it may read back on the page. What you know, not so much who you know should be what propels you into the forefront, but I will contradict myself when I say it kind of helps.

I watch Run’s House from time to time. Rev Run and his brother put Hollis Queens on the map for hip hop and urban street wear clothing. Through sheer hard work they made themselves icons in the music and fashion industry. Now, their kids look at them and want to achieve that same fame. I’m not saying Run shouldn’t help his children out but I think they get where they are purely off their fathers name. It’s who you know! I think their Uncle Russell is very aware of this as in the episodes I’ve seen, specifically when his nieces and nephews come and intern for him he let’s them know – what’s what! That they have to work hard, they’re are no handouts here. I follow Life of the Jet Setter which is Diggy Simmons blog and he’s talking about putting his own shoe out. I wish him well, because I think he’s aware of the fact that people will automatically say he got that because of his dad and while that in a sense could be true I believe he is committed to overturning that assumption. I can’t say that of Jojo Simmons though – I saw the kicks he put out with K1x.  Other’s like Aaron Reid, son of LA Reid is committed to making his own name and not relying on his fathers. He is heavily involved in the music industry co-signing artists, producing and putting them out there off his own back and through his own merit.

That’s what it should be down to – merit.

I’m not going to abuse the “connections” I have, I am going to maintain the reason why I got them in the first place – hard work!

That’s all that should be important.