One day...

For the last few days I've been researching 9th Wonder's work with David Banner and his involvement with Duke University. I got especially hype when I followed my sister's advice and looked up the clip of 9th and David Banner on 106 and Park. During their interview 9th referenced numerous spots in North Carolina including my hometown of WILSON. (Wide Awake received a shout out because the young lady who is featured in their new single hails from Insomnia City). So, yeah... that definitely had me hype. It's wonderful to see people getting out and pursuing their dreams as artists. God knows the world needs purposeful, committed poets and artists.

Later, I researched some information on 9th's class at Duke and found an excerpt of one of his classes where he was teaching students how to sample. I also saw a webcast from a panel discussion with Dr. Mark Anthony Neal and Dr. James Peterson about the impact of Illmatic. It was tight to see African American males passionately discuss a beloved topic like hip hop in an academic setting. I started imagining myself as a future professor teaching hip hop history classes. That would be a beautiful opportunity.

But, for now I must stay focused. I gotta handle business so that I can be hired at an area university. Then, maybe one day in the future, I'll be able to have academic conversations like 9th, Professor Neal, and Professor Peterson about one of my loves in life - hip hop music.

Maestro Knows - Episode 8 (Professor Wonder) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.