shoutout to Rich A. Benson and Mentor Newark for this opportunity to curate a museum experience in honor of Prince. it really all started 10 years ago when i was told, P was watching my Poetry videos and Album Discussions of his music on YouTube.

Later, we would soon meet at the SXSW festival. Throughout 2014, I was flown out to Minneapolis to meet up with Prince to discuss his new music on the way.

I then moved to Minneapolis in January 2015, working with Prince at Paisley Park shortly after arriving there.

My jobs included: reviewing the Paisley Park After Dark shows on video with my co-host Danny L’amour, Conducting the Studio Tours of Paisley Park, and running the teleprompter while he was in rehearsals (which was amongst my favorite gigs to do).

Working with the students of Newark Mentors, has reminded him of the importance of mentorship as Prince was a mentor to me in a lot of ways. I was only 21 when I started to really dive into a world, I had no idea would transform me. Prince had a way of reprimanding you with a look or a facial smirk.

HERE’S ONE HILARIOUS STORY ALIGNING TO THIS NOTION: it was November 7th, 2015 : after giving a studio tour of Paisley Park to the European journalists that were there. Prince came out walking with his guitar strapped onto his body and invited the journalists there to the stage – where he was playing the piano on the luv4oneanother sound stage. now i worked there, i had no reason joining the other journalists. however, because my fascination and curiosity – i joined them listening to what he had to say. he had spoken about 7 sentences until he pointed at me and said : “YOU ! WE’LL TALK LATER..” it was then i was brought back to reality, i’m here at the job while he does his job! i immediately went into the soundstage where i was able to listen with surround speakers without STARING him in his face. Before the night ended, he smiled & gave me a head nod – at me after we were leaving the theater to see 007 – Spectre (i totally went to sleep throughout the movie) i appreciated that nod because it was a cool reminder to be present and to get back to the task at hand.

Likewise, for the students this experience informs them on a musical and personal level. Working with the students taught me, that their grasp on music is constant, ever changing into reflections of mood, culture, identity, and expression. Through the remembrance of Prince – the lessons that were created out of our experiences demonstrate a legacy worthy of celebration and a life that is lived to the fullest dream, as made real by consistent action.

like bluetooth connectivity, you empower me
to continue even when in doubt
while blinking out :
the pairing of your earnestness to renew encourages me to pull through
the highlight of the buffered detail, incites exposed eyes to blackmail
internationally : the expansion of the youth brings truth
the unfold of this story is told by intense recognition.
the alliances made fire by a traded & bootlegged suspicion !
have you heard this? is the word a
a miss?
you can push against – the wall that’s separating you from the administration.
accept what is offered in the examination of the implied justification!
flavors crashing and colors dancing on the walls.
graffiti laced halls, in bathroom and dining stalls
the keenness is in ‘the try’
anticipating and knowing why
create explosions in the center piece
framed out destinations already mapped out with intentions unwilling to cease!
thinking 5 years from now!
s3t3mb3r 21, 2028! how?
what will be happening at that time in your life: what kind of things would be cut out with your proximity knife?
what hovers in between the grasp and the not yet attained?
what is already randomized or uniformly strained?
fairies in plain clothed fruited cherries, are dubbed a twain allure 🧚🏾‍♂️🍒
transformative expression and statue like progressions will not obscure
the necessary rhymes which are forces that orbits around the planet stage🌎
Plan IT : page by page!
vinn diagram your analysis, critique against the turbulent seas and wailing trees!
lay it out.
shout to and fro’ and all – about!
form the motion.
dive inside that ocean.
learn the will of the swim
sink in, float, switch, jab and win!
wave your days!
acknowledge the rightful praise!continuously be a student – learning from the shape shifting decor
and thus : therefore – forever, mentor!