I know I haven't listened to really anything you've offered at all lately.  I wholly admit I've been going around, catching up on early decade rock-and-roll and wondering what I missed over there, and probably feeling too gentrified to still relish your grit and drive.  And yes, I very rarely rock my Wu-Tang hoodie or watch BET anymore.

Bottom line, though, I used to love hip-hop, and I still debate the fling every now and again.


Then when I hear something like the song below, or a really tough Jay-Z or Ghostface track, it's like I'm 17 again, living in the hood, going across town to go to school, working downtown and finding my way in the world all over again.

Am I a prodigal son?  Or a turncoat?  Or a sellout?  I'm pretty sure my falling out with hip-hop is pretty clearly related to my moves to better neighborhoods and away from the hardships I used to have to live with.  Nowadays it's pretty odd to imagine living out the lyrics to your average hip-hop song, but a decade ago, that's pretty much what I was doing. The highs and the lows and the pie-in-the-sky optimism were elements that narrated my regular circles. 

I don't really know that this is a question with any better answer than to just enjoy a song.