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.