[PERSONAL] The Meaning Behind “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”….
Around this time last year, almost everything was falling apart in my life. My living situation was becoming unbearable, I ended an 8-year friendship, I was still going through the ringer with my ex while simultaneously going through it with my then-current, I wasn’t making good films and my job situation was becoming unstable. All this shit went down in like a month. And the one person I relied on went ghost – me.
I clocked out for a little bit and just began to coast. Began to live in this fantasy future where I had all the money, loyal friends, the love of my life and a stable living situation. This fantasy caught on in my circle and we began to drift off in this fantasy world together because it was nice to live there. To spend hours in Google images looking at the places we’d like to live, the food we’d like to try. It became a gross obsession at one point.
Weeks later, my ex took me to Bedford Ave and the place blew my mind. I never been to that part of Brooklyn before and I just felt the bubbling energy of creatives. I wanted part of that. I brought my friends the next weekend and we all felt the same. Brooklyn became apart of the fantasy, in fact, it became the centerpiece of the fantasy. As my living situation worsened, I continued to cling to the idea of one day living in a nice Brooklyn loft or apartment (I wasn’t too picky). To be apart of that energy, to contribute to it.
In the months later, my circle also fell apart. But as those friendships fell so did the fantasy world. Reality hit me hard as I stood in the wreckage that was 2013, and looked as far as the next day. The future wasn’t as important as making it through the next day.
Looking back, I needed that. Could’ve done without the messiness of it all, but I don’t think I would’ve trusted myself again had I not had to rely on 5 other people to be a safety net. They left. I couldn’t be ghost, I couldn’t hide in the fantasy world. I had to own whatever happened, learn and live. Move on to do what I feel God put me on this Earth to do.
“No Sleep Till Brooklyn” is a celebration of our post-demise. In the words of Jay-Z, “We ain’t e’en supposed to be here.” And we’re not. If you look at me and my team, we should’ve been given up. We shouldn’t be trying to attempt anything close to a meaningful life. We should’ve taken those “L’s” 2013 fed us and turned heel.
And yet, we live, love and fight.
Live with us this Thursday…
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/no-sleep-till-brooklyn-tickets-12173127151