Nicki Minaj Chooses to Show People Rather Than Tell Em!

In Go for Yours I talk about showing people your talents instead of sitting around talking about how talented you are. I use WNBA Los Angeles Sparks, player Candace Parker as an example of this phrase. In addition, I add a Nicki Minaj lyric from the Ludacris song, My Chick is Bad. “Trash talk em, then I put em in a hefty, running down the court, I’m dunkin on em–Lisa Leslie.” I love this verse because it makes me think about how so many people criticized Nicki Minaj at the beginning of her career (including myself) but she did not bow down to any negative comments, she chose to show people her talents rather than sit around talking about them.

I heard her name before I actually really sat down and listened to her lyrics. I have to admit, I was one of the people who jumped on the Nicki Minaj bandwagon after she made her mark in the Hip Hop industry. I became more aware of her while I was mentoring a group of young ladies. All of who looked up to her. By that time I only knew of the Young Money song she was featured in, “Bed Rock.” I wasn’t too fond of the fact that young girls were singing her lyrics and wanting to be like her. I remember telling them, “she ain’t nothing but Lil Kim in my day!” One of the girls quickly corrected me. “Miss McCall.” She argued. "You don’t understand, Nicki Minaj is good! Everyone is saying she’s a Little Kim wanna be, but she actually has a story of her own you need to listen to her!” I let the young girl argue her case, but I was not convinced. Soon after, I was on the phone with my home girl Sheedz having the same conversation I had with the young girls. With her being my peer, I thought she would agree with me. She was the exact opposite. “Man, people need to stop hatin on Nicki Minaj.” She said it with a lot of passion. “People accepted Missy Elliot when she was in a garbage bag yelling, heheheha, heheheha!” I laughed at her but I still wasn’t convinced.

When I watched a special on BET about female rappers, I felt someone finally agreed with me. There were numerous women who didn’t understand where Nicki Minaj was coming from and in so many words they were saying they didn’t understand her purpose in the hip-hop industry. Yes, it is true Nicki’s style was unusual and most people expected her to be raunchy but instead of wasting time telling people she was a force not to be reckoned with, she PROVED it!

I started to change my opinion of Nicki and when she spit her verse on the Ludacris song, My Chick is Bad, I had a new respect for her lyrical content. I was impressed with her witty verse and creative energy. I loved every part of it and would get mad at any DJ who didn’t play the entire song when they played it at a party. When she spit her 16 on Drake’s debut album, So far So Gone, I was sold. I even recall driving in my car spittin the verses as hard as she did on the track, and noticing people who were standing at the bus stop applauding me for my performance and singing along. By the time she was featured on the Kanye West track, “Monster” I had no choice but to respect her. Not only was her verse cold but, she was on a song with one of the most respected rap artists and my personal favorite, Kanye West. Yea, I was trippin, that chick is bad! I thought to myself. She’s authentic and has her own style.

When Nicki’s album Pink Friday debuted, I was one of the first people in line at Best Buy to purchase a copy. I laugh at the thought of not liking her when I first heard her. I was so quick to judge her with out even giving her a real chance. But she said it best in her song Fly featuring Rihanna, "I hear the criticism loud and clear, that’s how I know that the time is near" Nicki didn’t allow any negativity to block her from flying and in return she sold over one million copies of her first album and became the first female rapper since the rapper Eve, to have a number one hip hop album in the country, something hip-hop hadn’t seen in 12 years. Since she chose to ignore the haters she now possesses a variety of Image Awards, BET Awards and Billboard Awars. After I became a fan of Nicki’s I went back and listened to “Bed Rock” and had a new respect for her delivery in the song. I mean, any girl can relate to being pressed like button downs on a Friday night! The fact that I criticized her before giving her a chance made me feel bad that I didn’t take out the time to learn about Onika Tanya Miraj, who followed her passion despite the adversity she faced in her personal life and her career.

When you Go for Yours you will approach time when you are criticized by people who don’t see your vision. Allow the haters to give you more fuel to do what you are aspiring to do. Make sure you think about Nicki Minaj who didn’t care what people thought of her and continued to do her thing telling people, Yes, I’m a beast and I feast when I conquer!

Nicki's interview with billboard.com

Like Tyrese, Go for Yours with a Mustard Seed of Faith

While I was in the process of developing a story for Tyrese to serve as an example in “Go for Yours” I found out he was writing a book of his own, How to Get Out of Your Own Way.” After reading his book, I decided instead of writing about him, I would like to use his book as a recommended read along with other books I find helpful when talking about success like, Think and Grow Rich a Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Do You by Russell Simmons.

I read the book once then skimmed through it again after it was selected by my book club. I remember telling my mom how much his book encouraged me to finish my book and get rid of some old habits in my life. More importantly, this book makes me proud of Tyrese because to me, he made a career out of a commercial. Whenever I think about it I get chills because it shows what happens when you are passionate enough to step out on faith and trust God with your plan.

Before I knew his name, I refered to him as the guy from the Coca-Cola commercial who could sang! In a little under 30 seconds, Tyrese proved he had a voice that was as crisp and refreshing as the Coca-Cola beverage he was singing about. It was like opening a bottle of Coke, taking your first sip, and mouthing “ah” because it’s so stimulating. After that commercial, I am sure he convinced many people to join the Coca-Cola movement. I remember going to school asking my friends if they saw the fine chocolate boy with pretty teeth in the newest Coca-Cola commercial. I was in 7th grade at the time and later saw him in a few advertisements and a couple of television shows, but since I didn’t know his name, I still referenced him as the guy in the Coca-Cola commercial who could sing really well.

I didn’t learn his name until my junior year in high school. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was at home on the phone one evening after school with my latest crush. This crush happened to be a white boy who was the new boy at school. He told me he had a song he wanted me to listen to. He put his phone up to the radio and all I heard was a unique, soulful voice singing “Sweet lady, would you be mine…” I immediately fell in love with the R&B melody coming through my phone.

“Who is that?” I was intrigued. “That’s Tyrese.” he answered “Who” I asked. “Tyrese, you know the guy in the Tommy Hilfiger ads.” “What?” I was still confused. “You know, he was in that Coca-Cola commercial” “Aw! That’s him?” I don’t know if I was more surprised by the fact that I finally knew the name of the guy from the Coca-Cola commercial or that a white boy was putting me on to such a hot R&B song! Whatever the case, that’s the day I fell in love with the voice of Tyrese Gibson. Soon after, I convinced my parents to buy me his debut album, Tyrese for me.

During my sophomore year in college, the movie “Baby Boy” came out. By then, I knew Tyrese by name and I was excited to support him. Now that I think about it, although everyone knew Tyrese by the time Baby Boy came out, after it was released, Taraji P. Henson was then referred to as, “The girl in Baby Boy” which quickly changed after her talents showed the world she was in her career for the long haul. Look at the irony in that. Anyway, when his album 2000 Watts came out, I was a broke college student and we used Napster at the time to download songs (sorry Tyrese). However, I remember how much I loved his song “What am I Gonna Do.” That song had the same affect on me as Sweet Lady did. I remember asking someone to make a CD. Despite the fact it was filled with my favorite college party songs from artists like Ying Yang Twins and Ludacris, I had to have that song on my CD so I could play it while walking to class! Yes, it was that serious.

By the time his third album came out, I was hooked. I don’t remember the first time I heard his song, “How you gonna act like that” which peaked as number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. But I do remember listening to the song over and over again after a break up. I felt exactly what he was singing about and wondered what type of situation he encountered that led to making that song. Today, I enjoy listening to Tyrese’s music as much as I enjoy watching his career flourish as he went from commercials, to modeling, to singing and acting¬¬—starring in movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers, Waist Deep and Transformers.

To me, the Coca-Cola commercial is Tyrese’s mustard seed that moved mountains, showing him and the people around him that when you have faith, nothing is impossible. If you want to read about the trials and tribulations Tyrese faced on his journey, and would like to overcome some trials and tribulations on your own make sure you pick up his latest book, How to Get Out of Your Own Way. Not only will you take a glance at some of the events leading to his success, you will be left with some valuable life lessons. Also, Go for Yours and check out his latest album, Open Invitation which can be purchased on Amazon, iTunes, Best Buy and Target.

Me with Tyrese at during All-Star 2008 in New Orleans.


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Tyrese Coca-Cola Video…This was one of the first videos I downloaded when I discovered YouTube!!! I love it!

Lavelle "V-Dot" Sykes Takes a Shot at Succezz

If it’s anyone who knows about success, it’s Chicago fashion mogul, Lavelle “V-Dot” Sykes. During the process of writing Go for Yours, I had the opportunity to hear his story that will be shared in the book. Through his story you will learn that success is obtainable but it doesn’t come with out faith in yourself, hard work, adversity, trials and tribulations.

If you happen to be a sneakerhead, who resides in the city of Chicago, then you should already be familiar with Lavelle who is the co-owner of the sneaker boutique Succezz along with professional basketball player, Bobby Simmons. Lavelle shared with me the events that led to him and Bobby opening the boutique, which has been open for about three years. Lavelle has confidence in himself and his work that can easily be mistaken for arrogance if you don’t really know him. But if you are ever blessed with the opportunity to talk to him, you will find that he is everything but arrogant. You can learn a lot from him through his story and I was most inspired by Lavelle because he allowed his love for fashion—specifically sneakers, lead to success.

Together, Lavelle and Bobby opened a lifestyle boutique where they treat their customers more like clients. They have shown Chicago residents that you don’t have to fly to the East Coast to find innovative shoe designs. Lavelle’s fashion sense and Bobby’s experience as an athlete, makes them a step above everyone else. This proves to be true since Succezz is the only clothing boutique in Chicago that allows you to design your own shoe.

When you buy your shoes from Succezz, you don’t have to worry about going out and seeing 4 or 5 people rocking the same shoes you have on. Their creativity is not limited to shoes. You can also find high-end fashion in the form of limited edition Christian Audigier shirts and Yoropiko Jeans. What I like most is that they didn’t leave the ladies out. I can thank Succezz for my red converse sandals that left many stylish ladies inquiring where I found them. In addition, they have created their own brand, which is named after the store.

I asked Lavelle about the z’s on the end of their store name. He explained that he and Bobby came up with the z’s because when you work towards success, sometimes you lose sleep. Their logic behind the name of the store inspired me in many ways and added value to my late nights and early mornings which led to the completion of my book. If you want a store that creates positive energy and gives you individualized service, visit Succezz at 1329 S. Michigan Avenue.

Check out the clip of Lavelle sharing with me how he went for his

Bobby Simmons and Lavelle talk about their store