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If it is one thing that I have learned throughout the process of creating an album is that it takes a lot of effort. Generally, things that are of high quality are typically not that easy to create/come across whether it is art, ability or luxury goods. Aside from that, I now truly understand the difference between talent and skill because, there is a distinct difference between the two.

Now, talent is something that is typically innate; people are born with it and the ability seems like it has been integrated within an individual’s dna. However, talent can only take you so far, this is where skill takes the spotlight. Kobe Bryant is skilled. Tiger Woods was skilled. Rodger Federer is skilled. Beyonce is skilled. Tony Hawk is skilled.

About a year ago, I read a book entitled the “Outliers”, where the author discussed the various parameters which were crucial to the success of many prominent individuals. By parameters, the author’s main point was that while talent was able to get people noticed, it was skill that allowed them to shine. With that, the author discussed Bill Gates and how it was a combination of his talent, the era that he grew up in (where computers were beginning to pick up steam), the area that he lived in as well as his 10K hours that led him to the position that he holds today.

Through my journey or my “career” – whichever that you feels fits the most appropriately, I have seen myself blossom from being talented to becoming skilled. Now, I am not saying I am the best rapper (because I know, I am not) but through the five years that I have been rapping, I have seen myself grow each and every year that I have continued. From this growth, I have seen how I have improved in my songwriting, being able to pick up the skill of producing and understanding the components that need to fall in line in creating an amazing song. As I look back and listen to some of my first songs, I realized I have truly came a long way from when I first started.

This self reflection is very humbling because personally, I feel that rap has changed from when I grew up to the era that it is now. While I can say there are good changes, in my opinion, I feel that there has been some changes that I am not appreciate of. Things such as lyrical ability, substance and message does not have the same standard as it once did many years ago. Because of that, I became very discouraged with rapping because I felt for a long time no one cared what I had to say while I saw other people (who I knew were less talented) continue to strive and prosper. This past March, I got the idea to do an album because I was walking back to class listenting to one of my songs and realized that it was in fact, amazing. At first, I was very inspired so I began to write another song and I made the entire thing on one day. After playing the song for my friends, I realized I was able jump over a hurdle that stood in my path for many years; making meaningful music that would appeal to the masses and that people would like. After I figured this formula out, I knew that if I continued to develop and perfect my craft, the music will take me somewhere one day.

Another reason why I did this album was to finally get rid of the “what ifs” in my life. After thinking about it, I realized that this is the perfect time to release a project; I am young, I am in college (which means it is easy to share and network with my music) and well as I have the time. Like I said before, aside from being skilled and talented releasing music is all about your execution. I plan to release my music video within the next week to get people interested in me and see what else I have to offer.