Making Milestones and Memories with a Trip Down Memory Lane

 Today is my kiddo's 18th birthday and this momma has mixed feelings. It's hard to believe that 18 years ago, I was only 19 and suddenly responsible for another human being. Like wtf are we thinking to send these small creatures home with "adults" who have zero experience knowing what they're doing? 

Like, I couldn't imagine my kid having his own child at this age? Was I really more mature or did I grow up as I raised a child? How am I old enough to have a child that is not only now a legal "adult" but will also be graduating next month? WTF did the time go?

Getting Back to Normal After a Traumatic Month

Last week, we went through what experts are calling "once of a lifetime" tornadoes that demolished my hometown county. We are still trying to get back to some semblance of normal. So, when the kids asked to go to their grandparents early this week, we didn't object. 

There's been a lot of traumatic news lately, especially for kids in Tennessee. Two weeks ago, they were having to do emergency intruder drills to learn how to act if an armed suspect gets into the school after the horrors of the Nashville elementary school shooting. 

This week, my children have been practicing tornado drills and hearing the horror stories of close friends, family, and neighbors who lost everything as four tornadoes emerged from one storm cell and left destruction in its wake. Be sure you're following me on YouTube to see footage of the aftermath in all its ugly horror, along with some amateur videos.

 

Are you interested in watching stupid videos of random stuff? My social is full of fun videos, inspiring clips, life hacks, awesome music, and lots of cute animals. And if you're into watching video games, go check out my hub's Twitch channel, where he live-streams his video game playing. 

We all about them side hustles in this house!

How We Celebrating the Big 1-8 In the "G" House 

 

Get your copy of 25 printable birthday cards to have on hand for all celebrations at Sarandipity's.

So, while the three youngins' went to their grandparents on Thursday, the teen had to stay home so he could work. 

He's starting to realize that this is his last year of experiences, like "spring break," "four-day weekends," and going to school. As of May, he'll be able to go to work full-time until he's able to enroll in the Union with his dad and attend trade school. 

Normally, he spends holidays, vacations, and weekends at his friend's house so he can go to work with his friend's dad and make some extra cash laying floors. We're really drilling a good work ethic into him. 

So, today is his 18th birthday and out of all the things he could have chosen to do, he decided to stay home with his dad and I. His birthday wish - to spend the night gaming! 

Get this and other gaming graphics for your gamer!

Y'all, to have the peace of mind to know where my kid is on his first day into adulthood and not have to worry that he gon get a criminal record or get hurt on his first night as an "adult" is amazing. 

In true awesome xennial mom fashion, I conceded to skooling my kid in some Gen-X ass-whoopings. Sorry kiddo, but my generation created Mortal Kombat. I grew up playing on the big ass arcade games and SEGA. Don't test my OG status. 

My favorite characters tonight:  

Jade (4-1)

Kitanna (5-2)

Khan (3-0)

 

We're streaming it live and loud on Twitch if you want to hear how we haze our kids in this house while watching some major competitions while hearing a kick-ass soundtrack. 

On our 90s hip-hop playlist - cause we gangsta parents like that and raise kids with good music taste - includes:

• The Next Episode - Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
  
• Thuggish Ruggish Bone - Bone Thugs and Harmony
• Crossroads - BT & H
• Rump Shaker - Wreckx-n-Effect
  
• Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio 
• Who I Am (What's My Name?) - Snoop Dogg

Anger - It's Been the Undertone of My Music Inspiration

The older I get - maybe it's because my kids are growing up in a world that absolutely terrifies me - the angrier I become. No matter how hard I try, I cannot comprehend the mindset and complete backwards thinking of so many people in the world today. 

My kids do not get to enjoy an innocent childhood like we experienced as the last true generation of free-thinking, hardworking, no-fucks-given bliss. IDK if the world is more sick or if people are just less caring about hiding their form of twisted. 

The shape of the world and all the horrors we hear about on the daily fills me with rage. And from the sounds of my playlist, I'm not the only one. I totally agree Aaron Lewis. 

Other songs that I'm seriously feeling these days and is on our playlist for us and the kids includes:

• Pain - Three Doors Grace
• Headstrong - Trapt
• Broken - Amy Lee and Seether
• Someone - Aaron Lewis
• Same Asshole - Jelly Roll
• Black Clouds - Kevin Gates
• No Option - Kevin Gates
• High Cost of Living - Jamey Johnson

Show Me Some Love to Get a Goodie

Y'all, I'm seriously struggling to build my email list. It's to the desperation point to where I'm offering several freebies just for joining! Sign up today and then email me your interests. And I'll let you pick a FREEBIE from my shop! Your choice. 

Up for a challenge? Comment to the prompt below for a freebie! And I'll choose my favorite answer to get a bundle prize.

Local Artists Feature

Getting your name out there is one of the most important, and hardest, things an artist has to do. If you're self-promoting, it's even harder because there's so much. Website. Social media. Blog. Concert schedule. Fan response. Updates. It goes on and on.

Since I know what it's like to self promote, I'm always helping promote others in my own way, even when they'll never even know because they have so many loyal fans out there. But if I can bring even one new fan their way, then I have succeeded. I believe music should be shared. It should be appreciated. That's what this blog is all about. Sharing music.

Memphis Bridge, spanning the Mighty Mississippi River
#photooftheday

I was listening to my Spotify playlist today when a song came on that gave me the inspiration for this post. Lil Wyte said it best when he said, "I can't even count how many legends my city's made ..." It got me to thinking, just how many artists do I know that is from my area? For those of you who don't know, my area is about 30 miles north of the city of Blues, Memphis. Guess you might be able to see why I'm such a music lover, huh? I grew up going to concerts on Beale Street. So let's see who hails from here, shall we?

Beale Street, Memphis, TN

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake (Image: GQ)

Who doesn't know this household name? This famous singer came from the same podunk area I'm located and it's not hard to find someone who remembers growing up with Justin, pre-Nsync (for you younger generations, this was a boy band he belonged to in the '90s to early 2000s).

He's certainly come a long way from appearing alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and is now one of the most known singers in the world. This just goes to show that you don't have to be from a big city to make it in showbiz.

Three 6 Mafia

Nothing brings back the nostalgia of my youth like Three 6 Mafia. Living in a small town meant we spent Friday and Saturday nights cruising the strip, bumping Two Way Freak or Baby Momma. Yeanknow? Some members of this group have broken out on their own and found success, while others might not be as well known. But you know what they say ... it's hard out here for a pimp. That's right. If you've seen Hustle and Flow, you've heard Three 6 Mafia.

Three 6 Mafia

• DJ Paul

DJ Paul is one of the founding members of Three 6 and one of the only two original members left. He's also the producer of all of their albums. He's tried his hand at a solo career and is one of the more well-known members.

• Juicy J

Juicy J is another founding member of Three 6 and is also still active. He is one of the members that went beyond the group and really found success. My kids love his remix with Katy Perry "Dark Horse". He's also collaborated with well-known artists like Kevin Gates, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, and Lil Wayne, just to name a few. Not bad for someone who started out in one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

• Lord Infamous

Lord Infamous is another one of the co-founders of Three 6 Mafia and was also born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the half brother of DJ Paul. Lord Infamous wasn't able to become as successful as some of the other group members and ended his partnership with Three 6 after getting arrested. Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack in 2013.

• Koopsta Knicca

Koopsta Knicca also isn't very well known. He was with Three 6 Mafia from 1991-2000, when he had to leave the band due to incarceration. He released multiple albums was never able to gain much of a fan base, outside of Memphians and loyal Three 6 fans. He passed away in 2015 after complications with a stroke that left him unresponsive and on life support.

• Crunky Black

Crunky Black joined Three 6 in 1993 and continued to collaborate until 2006. At that time, he dissolved his role in the group, citing a desire to branch out as a solo artist. There were some disputes between him and group members, Juicy J and DJ Paul, which also contributed to the breakup. Since being solo, he hasn't released anything since 2015.

• Gangsta Boo

Gangsta Boo was the only female to ever be an official member of Three 6. She's had a bit of moderate success on her own but she's collaborated with tons of folks. To me, she is the Queen of Hip Hop and helped pave the way for artists like Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj.

Lil Wyte:

Lil Wyte (Image: Lil Wyte)

If you listened to Three 6 back in the day, you've no doubt heard some collabs between them and this rapper. Nowadays, you'll most likely hear him with Jelly Roll. Lil Wyte is at the top of my favorite artists from my area and my kids love him too. He raps about what life is like around here. Some of his songs are about the hardships of life and growing up in Frayser, a very dangerous place, and some are about living it up country style. The song Come Ride was actually filmed right next door to my best friend's house. His line, "80 acres in Tipton County is where I be kicking ..." Yep. That's my area!

Leebo:

Leebo Music (Image: Leebo Music)

Since I've mentioned Tipton County, let me introduce you to a new up and coming hick-hop artist Leebo. He's from the same stomping grounds as me and I've seen him perform a few times at local bars. He keeps the raps real about country living. If you've never experienced backwoods country, give this man a listen and learn how it's done.

Part 2: Coming Soon
These are just a few artists that emerged from the infamous land of Blues. Keep an eye because part two will be coming soon with even more artists.  Do you know a local band or artist that's trying to get their name out there? Comment in the links for your chance to win a free promotional piece featuring them.