Ambitious Man

Anybody who knows me knows I love music. Good music can be a catalyst for thought provoking conversation, an inspiration for change, or in this case motivation to write. I absolutely love Wale. If you're unfamiliar, Wale is a rapper from our nations capital, who was once signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation but is now with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group. His music is and has always been creative and poetic. && I'm a sucker for some good poetry! Last winter I heard his song Ambitious Girl for the first time and I was hooked. He was basically shouting out all women out their that were in college doing their thing and as a college senior I was like "Hell Yea..it's about time we get some recognition from somebody!" So I automatically fell in love with the song! To my surprise, Wale released a "sequel" to Ambitious Girl entitled Ambitious Girl II featuring R&B singer and fellow Washington D.C. native J.Holiday. Once again Mr. Folarin had me hooked! I was just so thrilled to see a rapper supporting and encouraging women in college because we're often overlooked. One day I was listening to both versions of Ambitious Girls as I was on the phone w/ my beau and he was expressing how he felt overwhelmed with school and all the pressure he went through maintaining good grades and working and I had an epiphany, a bright light bulb moment. I decided to create an ode to all the Ambitious Men out there, because as much as "college girls" are bypassed, African American college educated men are like a figment of someone's imagination, hardly ever acknowledged by the media. So here I am, I decided to share my little poem with you guys. By no means do I consider myself a talented poet, I'm just a girl who found inspiration in a song and tried to do something nice SO be easy with the criticisms. LOL In the words of Erykah Badu, "Keep in mind, I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit!" Sit back, relax, and hopefully enjoy... Here goes....((oh yea videos to both versions of Ambitious Girl will follow))

Ambitious Man....

Look at that man. That ambitious black man. Educated and highly motivated, ambitious man this corrupted world could never leave you jaded. Raised on the mean streets of Brooklyn NY or the West Side of the Chi, ambitious man, you know their plan, you know the only way out. They say you have to sell rock or have a wicked jump shot but you know those means usually come to one end. See most dudes around the way can ball and the one's who sell rock end up in the pen. Ambitious man you have the livest jump shot and never had a desire to sell rock. Your need to succeed resembles the dream of Dr. Martin King. Walking with your head held high, so fresh and so clean, ambitious man, your aura beams confidence and self esteem. Sure of your skills on the court and in the class, Lord knows how much kitten you're passed or pass up because every queen knows an educated African American king, with no kids, never been to jail, and never spit a 16 is something far from reality. Dedicated to furthering your career, ambitious man, I understand those early nights when you say "baby you know I love you, you know I care but between school and work I just can't be there."  We may put up a fight, roll our eyes, and suck our teeth but ambitious man, we admire the man you aspire to be. When the pressures of midterms and finals come around, excelling in school never makes you lose your cool. Mr. President of SGA, Mr. King, Mr. Junior.-- Mr. Que Psi Phi, Mr. Phi Nu Pi, Mr too cool to pledge a frat but you know that scholarship, community service and brotherhood is where its at. Mr. A phi A, Mr Royal Blue and Pure White, Student Teacher, Mr. Intern who stays up studying late at night. Mr. Advertising, Mr Graphic Design, I just wanted to take the time to let you know that your ambition blows my mind.