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For the life of me, I’ve never understood why 98% of people make New Year’s resolutions. They’re virtually obsolete by January 15 anyway. That being said, the prospect of entering a new decade is amazing and potentially successful pending the right mindset and work ethic. By the time December 31, 2019, arrives, I’ll be, God willing, 33 years old with hopefully an admirable and ever-evolving legacy etched to my name. Whether it’s dealing with music or a world-class shrimp boat captain, it really makes me no difference. I just want to be great.

Throughout my first semester at Georgetown, I found myself revisiting a track I’ve always held in a high regard and the album even higher. The intro to Common‘s Be (my favorite album from the guy) serves as that record. Starting with the beat, Kanye laced him with a foundation which reflected my mindstate and the concept of the song. It was reflective, yet progressive. Motivational and lyrically beautiful. Yeah, all that wordy stuff. Com blessed the beat with wisdom like only the Chi-Town wordsmith could. It was the perfect intro. It got right to the point with no hook, just lyrics which would begin to cement the album as a classic from the moment I pressed play. You see, he was looking towards the future when he spoke about gazing into his daughter’s eyes. He even criticized “his people” for not attempting to grasp their true potential. All stuff that remains relevant some four years later as we embark on a new decade. That’s why I love music. Shit is timeless.

“The chosen one from the land of the frozen sun
Where drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones
Walk like warriors, we were never taught to run
Explored the world to return to where my soul begun
Never looking back, or too far in front of me
The present is a gift…and I just wanna be…”

So whatever party I’m at tonight, I’ll be sure to put my drink in the air, with these bars serving as the soundtrack for the moment, and look forward to the next 3,652 days. A legend is coming.

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Download — Common – “Be (Intro)” (Prod. by Kanye West)

Related — Common – “Be (Original Version)”