And To Whom Shall We Pass The Torch? — @LatifMercado

To know my books is to know me, and though none were meant to be autobiographical, there is enough of me in each to be able to string together a pretty good idea as to who I am, my thoughts and values.

Freestyle plays a pretty important role in all my writing, mainly because it’s played an important role in most of my life, and it’s not really about the music, but rather about the culture, the artists, fans. The personnel behind the scenes who have contributed to this absolute incredible genre.

If this pandemic did nothing else, it sure as hell made me see clearly what it might be like, if ever the music were to stop… and it terrifies me!

The difference between now and twenty years is that now, we can still make a change. We can secure the future of this genre for others to enjoy and benefit from, not to mention the legacy that many have worked so hard to aquire.

It hurts me when I speak to prominent figures in this market, and all they’re concern with is themselves, songs they’re trying to put out, and shows they’re hoping to book, and yes of course those things are still important, but so is the future of the Freestyle genre, and not being concerned with it, I feel is pretty selfish.

How can anyone who, whose life has been in the care of Freestyle, not be concerned with it’s future? Who are the torches being passed to? From what I see… No one! and therefore it’s only a matter of time before they burn out.

If anyone has any thoughts on this, I’d love to hear’em. Thanks everyone, for your time, and be safe out there!

Originally published at https://latifmercadoblog.wpcomstaging.com on February 4, 2021.