… it’s the day I get to wake up and realize that despite all the madness, drama and other bullshit that I’ve endured over the past 20-some odd years I’ve survived them long enough to see another born day. As per the norm until I hit 30 [1] (or so I say), I usually commemorate the occasion by having someone use a mechanical needle to permanently and sometimes painfully) etch ink into my skin (because I’m a lightweight and can’t handle my liquor like my partner in rhyme… he’s even seen that personally), and this year’s was no different (I’ve been asked to show pictures of it, but since that one is currently going through its “healing/peeling/itching like gangbusters” stage I’d rather not), as I now have an old Frederick Douglass motivational quote I learned in elementary school across my left forearm:
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
People who know me well enough know that each of my tattoos (all 8 of them) represent the many parts of me, whether it’s my love of hip hop (in the form of a shoulder-to-elbow length mural of the four elements), my heritage (an 8″x10″ of the Nigerian Coat Of Arms on my back) or my own personal beliefs (a Yin & Yang sign here, and Egyptian scroll of hieroglyphics there). The one in the picture above is a testament to my overcoming of the many struggles in my then-early life, from having to grow and mature fatherless in a family of women, to almost throwing my life away through illegal ventures and ultimately getting arrested after leading Long Beach cops on a 40-minute foot chase, to a good chunk of my friends and family inexplicably dying within a month’s time & other such events.
Wrapping this up (because I know most of you mucklucks don’t give a shit about us until we stop shilling free music), I’d just like to say thank you to everyone who’s assisted in making my journey at the very least less strenuous and at the very most more livable, whether it’s coming to this site and turning it into what it is today or even sharing small talk with me whenever I do come out of the Batcave. I may not come off like it sometimes, but I am extremely humbled and grateful for everything that’s came my way, and I give props to my partner here for riding with me for so long.
[1] Except that one period where I got four tattoos in about nine months, but I digress.
great post.
way to be born muhfucka!
keep up the good shit.. much respect comin from new york
I give a shit
do work meka
Hey man, its always good to get to know a fellow human being better. We need a little more love in this hateful world…great post!
that quote is awesome, i wanna steal that
Couldn’t agree more, congrats on all the shit you made it through man, keep up keeping up.
Glad you pulled through all the bullshit..
Good shit man, i’ve been goin’ through up & downs myself.
I love that quote, i have been thinkin’ of gettin’ “You only have on life, So love the one you got” tatted on me.. but haven’t decided where yet.
Keep the good posts comin’.. much respect comin’ from Canada.
I give shit, too !
I like that quote, it’s gonna be put in a rhyme of mines =] besides me biting I’d like to say I know just a little of what you went through, fatherless and house of women, shit like that makes you a better man I think if you stray away from what that dude did, thoughtful post mek, stay up.
Happy B-Day fam!
That tat sounds dope, I’m thinking of getting another one for my born day coming up in March.
Keep grindin!!
My birthday too, 22…great day to be born.
happy birthday to us.
“To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.”
Props Meka!
peace Meka. Very good post.
There is a gang of people out here who disagree with you sir…
Even though we dont show our gratitude all the time we care about the people who provide us with something we love (music duh!)…
Thank you (and dopeboy Shake) for dropping nothing but straight bombs/classics/fire/dopeness for like 2 years in a row and for becoming pretty much becoming the site that I get 85% of my music from…
Happy Birthday Meka!……
I give a shit dammit!..
There is a gang of people out here who disagree with you sir…
Even though we dont show our gratitude all the time we care about the people who provide us with something we love (music duh!)…
Thank you (and dopeboy Shake) for dropping nothing but straight bombs/classics/fire/dopeness for like 2 years in a row and for becoming pretty much becoming the site that I get 85% of my music from…
Happy Birthday Meka!……
I give a shit dammit!..
^^^
I 100% agree. Even though there are definitely some people who visit the site solely for the music, after checking the site every hour so when I’m home (and in school, for that matter), I’ve grown to really care about you guys and what’s going on in your lives. Happy Birthday Meka and those tattoos are doopee!!
happy birthday meka
i love mekaaaa =]
happy birthday baby ; i lovee when people open up like that .
it’s upliftinggg .
oh yeah through all my babble I forgot to tell ya happy birthday!
Happy birthday sir. Keep at it!
happy birthday meka.
honestly dude, i check this site at least twice a day.
keep doing you.
Happy Birthday Meka and by the way we do care this is coming from a fellow Nigerian, living IN Nigeriaa and both you and shake have reached me all the way here so u guys must be doing som’n right. Keep up the good work and continue life on the straight and narrow cause jail is a bitch…. i know
happy birthday
dont worry respect you and that all u should care about.
this is coming from a fellow Naija Boy. Ur reppin Naija to the fullest dog.
One love
thanks mek (and shake) for allowing me to get music from u and play it first for my boys. bragging that i got the low down hahaha. thanks boss! happy birthday day.
COMING LIVE FROM THE SHADIEST SIDE OF NY!!!
happy birthday
hayy born day meka
happy birthday meka, stay up!
Happy birthday!!!keep doin what you do
happy bornday meka. i come here everyday for the music. but the thing i like about 2dopeboyz is you know they are apart of their business. you both take pride in your work.
thanks for sharing a little bit more about yourself (if you went to my site, youll know thats what im all about). keep pushing. you got the right idea… progress
Happy birthday my dude.
happy bday meka, u got my respect
Happy Birthday kid.
We don’t say much- but we always here.
Be safe and blessed.
1
Happy Bday Meka.
And thanks for all of the posts, It’s nice that your blog has a human side to it.
Happy born day brotha..I took time to chime in on the nonesense during the day..So it should damn near be illegal not to comment on some real shit..Are are most definitley doing what u have been placed here to do and that mission is not be any means close to completion..09 is the year of real shit rising to the top..and this site as well as your other aspirations will not be left out of the equation..Thanks so much for supporting us..and by all means i look forward to bigger and greater things on the horizon from you Bro! Respect
A very touching, and refreshingly honest post, Meka. It’s nice to be reminded that we’re all much more alike than we think. Happy Birthday, man. We won’t forget this.
you should get a german flag to show your anti semitism
tatooed i mean
Happy born day, and many more playa.
*takes bite of 7-up cake*
This ones for you you homie…. :-) Happy Birthday….
–Yaya
a lil late, but happy bday man
yep…happy birthday!
..read this post soon as you had it up,but since no one wished you in the first 5 odd posts i thought maybe it was some inside joke i didn’t get,and held my tongue
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEKA AND MANY MORE TO COME! I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO ON 2DOPEBOYZ!!! ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, SHIT ENJOY IT THE WHOLE WEEK!
PEACE!
YOU KNOW I CAN DEFINETLY RELATE. EVERY YEAR COME MY BIRTHDAY PEOPLE FORGET OR ACT LIKE THEIR MAD THAT I DIDN’T TELL THEM (WHEN I TELL THEM B4 HAND EVERY YR.)
WHAT’S WORSE PEOPLE PRETEND TO KNOW AND MAKE UP EXCUSES. BEING BORN IS A GIFT AND WHEN NO ONE IS EXCITED FOR YOU OR WITH YOU IT MAKES YOU QUESTION YOUR PURPOSE, FOR WE ARE ALL PUT HERE FOR EACH OTHER. NOT OUR SELVES. SO IF YOU’RE NOT APPRECIATED FOR BEING HERE AND NOT APPRECIATED FOR BEING ONE OF THE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHER PEOPLES LIFE, WHY ENJOY LIFE.
WHETHER THE PERSON IS YOUR BEST FRIEND, ASSOCIATE ETC. ONE SHOW SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE FOR KNOWING THE PERSON. IT LITERALLY IS ALMOST INDIRECTLY SAYING YOU DON’T CARE THAT THEY EXIST. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT ONLY CARE WHEN SOMEONE DIES BUT REJOICE THAT THEY ARE LIVING AND ARE CONTINUING TO LIVE.
THAT’S WHAT A BIRTHDAY IS; REJOICING THAT YOU ARE ALIVE AND LIVING.
AND IT SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR THE PERSONS FRIENDS; REJOICING THAT THE PERSON IS ALIVE AND LIVES BEFORE YOUR EYES.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEKA!
**Correction
YOU KNOW I CAN DEFINITELY RELATE. EVERY YEAR COME MY BIRTHDAY PEOPLE FORGET OR ACT LIKE THEIR MAD THAT I DIDN’T TELL THEM (WHEN I TELL THEM B4 HAND EVERY YR.)
WHAT’S WORSE PEOPLE PRETEND TO KNOW AND MAKE UP EXCUSES. BEING BORN IS A GIFT AND WHEN NO ONE IS EXCITED FOR YOU OR WITH YOU IT MAKES YOU QUESTION YOUR PURPOSE, FOR WE ARE ALL PUT HERE FOR EACH OTHER. NOT OUR SELVES. SO IF YOU’RE NOT APPRECIATED FOR BEING HERE AND NOT APPRECIATED FOR BEING ONE OF THE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHER PEOPLES LIFE, WHY ENJOY LIFE.
WHETHER THE PERSON IS YOUR BEST FRIEND, ASSOCIATE ETC. ONE SHOULD SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE FOR KNOWING THE PERSON. IT LITERALLY IS ALMOST INDIRECTLY SAYING YOU DON’T CARE THAT THEY EXIST. PEOPLE SEEM TO ONLY CARE OR NOTICE WHEN SOMEONE DIES.
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT ONLY CARE WHEN SOMEONE DIES BUT REJOICE THAT THEY ARE LIVING AND ARE CONTINUING TO LIVE.
THAT’S WHAT A BIRTHDAY IS; REJOICING THAT YOU ARE ALIVE, LIVING AND THAT YOU ARE CHOSEN BY GOD TO BE HERE.
IT SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR THE PERSONS FRIENDS; REJOICING THAT THE PERSON IS ALIVE AND LIVES BEFORE YOUR EYES.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEKA!