… All of us in Hip Hop and the business in general have known, admired, loved, looked up to, is a friend to, family to, colleague of, business man, pioneer…. Chris Lighty. Bless to his family. May his soul rest.

I won’t write a lengthy post about how or why, nor will I speculate or say any negative things about what was being dealt with internally by Chris. All I DO KNOW is that his family, kids, friends, colleagues, others etc - have lost a piece of us today with this tragic news. 

The Rolling Stones link is below:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hip-hop-manager-chris-lighty-found-dead-20120830

I hope and wish that this tragic event helps open the eyes of people in this world to the importance of the mentality of black men.  Black men are raised to be strong and by default tend to never ask for help, an ear or anything for that matter. Please tell those who you love, that you love them.  No matter the status, we have to be able to make it okay to allow men to talk to us, let us help them, love them, give them an ear, guidance, anything we can.  

WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS OKAY.  Because right now we are losing great men to things that can be potentially avoided.  

Pain & hurt is real… 

@TheRealRahDigga - Chris Lighty was everything to me in my Flipmode years. So busy rescuing others sorry we couldn’t rescue you. You will be missed brother…

@RealSway - RIP Chris Lighty

@IamJennifer - Very sad news about Chris Lighty… You never know someone’s inner struggles… #RIP

@TalibKweli - Rest in peace Chris Lighty. Your words and your vision are constant inspiration to me. Forever.

@Rihanna - Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy

@MrChuckD - R I P Chris Lighty SMH to the mongrels that have made the BLACKmusic industry a depressing game to drag such good cats into a pit of bullsht

@FatJoe - R.I.P CHRIS LIGHTY THE MAN THAT SAVED MY LIFE!!!

Chris Lighty’s 5 Tips for Success in Business - Black Enterprise:

http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/chris-lighty-5-tips-for-success-in-business/#.UD-i8vNAROI.twitter

Such a loss. Bless his kids and family.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but 
shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, 
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and 
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees 
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more 
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, 
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too 
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our 
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and 
hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to 
life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but 
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer 
space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, 
but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but 
accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more 
computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we 
communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small 
character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but 
broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway 
morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything 
from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the 
showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can 
bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share 
this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember, to spend time with your loved ones, because they are not 
going to be around forever! Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks 
up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave 
your side!

Remember, keep your promises, be loyal, stand up for what is right, practice what you preach, be a person of your word, follow your own advice, don’t gossip, be thoughtful, dream big! be passionate!, learn from criticism, be POSITIVE, do a kind deed a day, dont live with regrets, fall in love!, dont settle!, be open minded, give more than you recieve, live in the moment, embrace gratitude, take risks, embrace disappoinments, challange fear, love animals, love people, love life!

Last but not least! cherish every moment with the ones you love…tomorrow is not promised.

There is always a time in all of our lives that comes when we have to ask ourselves is it worth it to continue, or do I “just leave the pieces on the floor and move the fck on” like Tupac said.

I can’t answer for anyone but self.  For me, I am leaving the pieces on the floor and moving on.  Simply because, I am all tried out.  I KNOW I have done my very best by the person, there is nothing else I could possibly do to make sense or make a mends with the person.  Unless they come to me with a reason and not an excuse on why they did what they did, our friendship from here on out is non existent.  

You have to, in life, get to a point where you realize that everyone is not going to be as loyal as you, as faithful as you, or even act in the manor you do to them, for you.  Will I always love you, of course.  Will I continue to sit around and wonder what happened anymore after finally getting this out in this post?  Nope.  

After this, I will no longer even think of this situation because I KNOW I have done my very best and I cannot control any one else’s actions towards me.  

So, in closing….think about the way you affect people by the things you do whether in impulse or your “don’t care” mode, cause one of those times when you might want to come back and need them, they may be gone and no longer know you.  Que se joda… 

KREAM was true to YOU.

True strength is being able to hold it together when no one would blame you for falling apart.

Thank you ALL for the wait…..

the book is on it’s way to completion…

I will be adding information here as I get ready to release the book.  Please stay current with IamKream.com for the information!!

Thank you to ALL who have contributed to the book.  I will still be reaching out to some others for additions, as I wrap up the book!!

- Xx KREAM

PDS EXCLUSIVE: Notorious B.I.G. – Think B.I.G. (Tribute Video)

PDS EXCLUSIVE: Notorious B.I.G. - Think B.I.G. (Tribute Video) from pleasedontstare.com on Vimeo.

Credits:

Produced by The High Flyers Club

Written and Directed by Sekayi “Tahoe” Guy (@RealityyBites)

Special ShoutOuts To @Pleasedontstare.com, Money In The Bank / MIB LIVE N*ggas, CTE World

Cast:

@Bardastar as Biggie
PUSH! (@PUSHonDEMAND) as Sing
LB The Mayor as Jason
WinkLoc (@Winkloc) as C-Roc
Kiyah (@KiyahBubbles) as Big’s girl #1
Sarayha (@_Sarayha) as Big’s girl #2
@Yoncee as Jason’s Wife
@Vokarondon as Black
@Mandalay_Jay as Supreme
and @AntLavaNYC as …goon

http://pleasedontstare.com/2012/03/09/pds-exclusive-notorious-b-i-g-think-b-i-g-tribute-video/

There’s a lot of times where you think you’ve really arrived at the fully “grown” up stage. Then you realize you always go back to the times right before you said “this is the last time” - once you get to the point where you no longer “go back” to before the “last time” and giving the past extra chances, you finally arrived at the “grown up” door. Dusting the past for the last time and moving on is really a sign that you have finally reached a point where only certain things, people and situations matter to you and you aren’t going back anymore.

In a sense you just “wake up” one day and realize, you’re different. You’ve changed, the things that used to matter, no longer do. Life has to be broken down into the simplest of forms now. Be about those who are genuinely about you. Look at the love in your life and evaluate how much it means to you, handle that either way. Stop giving your good energy to negative situations. Stop entertaining things that aren’t benefiting you or those you love. Realize your worth and who isn’t worth your time, energy or love.

The blame game comes in from those who have now become your past indefinetly but when you are at the “grown door” you can let this roll off your back - they will get over it. I’ve had many times I’ve “thought” I was at the point where I was completing starting a new, but always ended up going back to the past, so I clearly wasn’t ready.

But, this time…its different. All the urges to entertain my past, do things I used to do and ask questions I used to ask about friendships that probably should have never existed, have ended.

When you reach a point of real Peace, serenity and calm, things make sense and life actually means more to you and is more worth it than its ever been. This new found growth, positivity, good energy and innerG - tells you…..one thing….

YOU FINALLY MADE IT - growth has nothing to do with age….but ALL to do with Wisdom.

When you get here…. It feels amazing, it is the best feeling to be sure of where you are, and that you are suppose to be here.

Strength, Courage & Wisdom
Peace, Light & Love.

Somewhere in between 10/22 until now 12/28, I have neglected to update my blog as I promised myself I would.  October was a rough month, 10 years since my mother passing was tough to get through.  Then I fasted from 11/28-12/20 - I’ve NEVER felt better mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  If you are able to fast I recommend doing so.  It has DEFINITELY changed my life.  Shoutout to L A/K/A @TopDraftPick for the influence. 

Lots of ups and downs have came and went within these months.  As usual im still standing, sometimes I don’t know how though.  Others seem to wonder too “Yo, Kream how do you just keep going?” - I HAVE NO CHOICE.  I just NOW finally know how to do all I do, correct.  

Moving away from music wasn’t completely intentional, basketball and client modeling gigs took over more than music.  We all have to eat so money is important.  Music wasn’t doing it for me.  But, tv, print ads, commercials, basketball and writing does it for me.  I’m thankful.  Hopefully in the next few months a move to FL will be in effect and all this NY living will be done.  Ready for the next chapter completely and that chapter is really ready for a new KREAM!  

Health, wealth & Knowledge of Self. 

its never too late to work on your health, pay attention to your body, take care of your mind, nourish your soul with the correct energy.  Everything is ENERGY but, all energy isnt good energy.  Be careful what you let in.  That energy becomes YOU.  Everyone doesn’t deserve your time or space, long as you KNOW that, you’ll be alright.  Until next time….Sooner than later…Just BE….

LIFE is a game of chess….

if you play it right….You’ll be on the winning side.

Kisses.

Kream

I co-sign this strongly, this is a piece written by Saleem about online “personalities” aka fractured self images - as follows:

“Peace & Light my people. I’m not a blogger or nothing of the sort. I’m just a regular dude who works 9 to 5 who likes to partake in this “social network” thing. Which leads me to this subject matter…HA! “Twitter Stars”. The nerve I tell you…this thing is for real; the Matrix. My reasoning is because you have a chance to meet some beautiful souls but choose to act the opposite. Whats wrong in this day & age to just be yourself? I swear & usually I dont, but for the life of me why would you front for someone knowing good & well its not who you are or who you portray. I guess some people feel they need their ego massaged or to be put on a soapbox, but TRUST & BELIEVE you can get knocked off too. Oh yea another thing, when you get that opportunity to actually meet that beautiful soul, dont take it for granted. Because for one you have NO CLUE who rides for that soul & best believe they are true soldiers for the cause they see fit.

These are just my personal feelings and it helps that I have Knowledge of Self…maybe you should get some too, it works. Until next time… Peace & Light.

Saleem”

Now, to build on what the King spoke on, I could not agree more on knowing who you are speaking to and how you speak.  Although, they usually have a fractured self image, so they don’t know much else.  Saleem said it all.

Peace.

The way I crave you sometimes is like a drug, I just need one more hit to last a few hours.

Now I know how people become addicts. To be without that high, is so tough.

You are the drug in my veins, you numb all the pain - yet you bring your own set of drugs into my veins, which I gladly welcome as I deny I am already an addict. 

Denial is really the first step, but who wants rehab when this addiction feels so intense?

Its bad as I feel your needle injecting me slowly, that initial pain in unbareable but, I do it because I know i’m just a few seconds away from serene ecstasy. As you inject me, I can feel your drug running through me, knowing all I want is you to fully release IN me. 

As I start to feel the high from your release you tell me “dont move, enjoy that right there” as you slowly pull the needle out. I smile as I am now sure you have released all that drug inside me. 

With the kiss of your lips to mine, I hear your accent whisper into my ear “This means yuh belong to mi” as I shake my head yes, we make eye contact and you say “mi mean it” - Yes, this I know. Giving me one last kiss before the next hit….