Leonardo DiCaprio once said, "If you can do what you do best and be happy, you are further along than most people."
I've been lucky to make what I love my job. Clockin' in to go on stage to perform my art for my fans has been the source of my joy for twenty years. But all that changed, not once, but twice.
You see, back in 2015, I had quadruple bypass heart surgery. If you followed the TV show, that's where it left off. What followed was a really hard road of recovery and reconstruction to get back out on the road. Surgery required me to stop...I had to stop the tour, I had to stop traveling, I had to stop rapping, and just heal. I poured all my energy into healing. In the process, I had to reassess a lot of the relationships around me. I had to change my life entirely, and most of all, I had to take time off touring. At that time of my career, I was at the height of the rollercoaster so to speak. Man, was I on fire. The heart surgery was humbling. I learned I wasn't invincible. That was the first time I learned the patience in sitting still.
Then came 2020. Who would have known that the entire year of touring (now nearly two) would be put on hold? For a time it felt like brand suicide to even speak about anything, so I was quiet for a spell. Sara Beth and I were newlyweds at the time, so we were overjoyed to have time home together, but it was stressful at times and we were anxious about our future. But during 2020, I became a new person. I stopped eating meat, dairy, and eggs. I got outside and planted a garden. I paused and gave gratitude for all I have.
Now it's 2022. Do I miss performing? EVERY DAY! Do I miss touring? Sure, it's fun. But what I miss most of all is sharing my art with you all, my awesome Kinfoke. Without you, none of this would be possible. I've had to find some other things that make me happy in the meantime, but know when it's time for me to be back on stage, I'll be so happy!