Eric B and Rakim - Paid In Full

ALBUM OF THE DAY: Eric B and Rakim’s “Paid In Full”

I threw a cartwheel today. !!! 🤸🏽‍♀️

This was a desire that’s been building for quite a minute. Somehow it came to mind last year when my old Disney World cast members were reunioning to produce a show for the purpose of raising funds for our charity.  As some of us discussed increasing our fitness to handle some 25-year-old choreography, some random Instagram challenge ensued to show who could “still hit it!” Totally random.

Alas, don’t all reunions prompt that sort of fury and anxiety? We try to hold on to the “us” of yesteryear rather than merely being the best versions of ourselves today. It’s really logical. And BIOLOGY. A ‘fit’ 20-year-old simply has a different build and makeup than a ‘fit’ 45-year-old.
That’s nothing to be ashamed of. All of this “trying to fit back into my prom dress/tux” is phoney and idealistic.

And why would you want to? Dude, if the best version of yourself was your 17-year-old self, there are OTHER issues that must be addressed beyond any sort of healthy or unhealthy weight gain.

Aight? #mentalhealthawareness

So, I threw this cartwheel today. Pointed feet. Stretch limbs. Velocity. Stuck the landing! My goofy smile couldn’t have been larger. Granted, it was partially relief that I would be saving money by not having to go to one of those weekend emergency care facilities. But the rest of the smile was a mixture of nostalgia and accomplishment.

As such, I was able to then enjoy this album more. Which, I have to go ahead and admit, was a struggle at times because Rakim's egocentric lyrics (are they called "lyrics" in Rap). I felt like I was being attacked by sopping wet car wash sponges as the bullied kid at a club fundraiser every time he dropped a personal pronoun.

Dude. Shut UP. You are NOT that fly. Even those of us on the perimeter of hip hop don't know your name. You are NOT a household name outside of your own household. Seriously, people who have been super instrumental in other people's journey never have to tell anyone; their proteges do it for them. Ugh! I felt like I was getting a flashback/forward to Kayne West. Totally not looking forward to that nonsense.

Eric B’s mixes were dope. He got a few sidewalk jigs busted out after the whole gymnastics championship. I’ve even noticed I’m beginning to care less if I’m spotted. I walk in a super White neighborhood adjacent to mine. I mean, even the street names are titled after Civil War battles for goodness sake. Saratoga. Antietam. Shenandoah. They’re fooling everyone and no one with that nonsense. Meanwhile, I like this walking path because between all the super gates communities because, of course, tax dollars maintain the heck out of the upkeep. And, as the folks walk their doggies to or from the dog park, I’m not bothered as long as I keep it super-apparently moving.

I also don’t have to cross any streets taking this route. Not to sound funny but, I have some horrible childhood memories lingering regarding street crossing. All involved my little brother and I was the sibling (there are two others) that was there for each of his tragedies. Yeah, thaaat's got to make a person feel like a lucky charm!

And, so, yeah, I know he finds it annoying, but when I have his son, I am obsessively extra careful and informative teaching that mini-him to cross a street. Of course, I've noticed our older sister does it with that nephew also. Perhaps providing Grief Counselors for kids back in our day would've been helpful, eh? PTSD comes in all forms.

Oh, speaking of subliminal... There was a song on this album that sounded a lot like DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Summertime". Anyone know which came first?