Subject: Peace!!! (Deeper Insight)
Ms. Tiku:
Peace Queen! Great morning…
This is Divine…I just recently came across an article you wrote where I was a co-subject (Why Does Andreessen Horowitz Have an Official Rapper)…
I was trying to figure out the angle of the article and purpose you had in writing it…I felt the undertones of it were based in sarcasm and an attempt to undermine the positive essence of my story relative to Ben Horowitz beyond the mere trivial aspect of me being told by Ben that I was now the official a16z rapper once I co-wrote a song for the firm's podcast…
My real life story of my criminal past and life struggles to eventually get the opportunity to be amongst a man of Ben's stature is much more deeper than simply Andreessen Horowitz having an official rapper…to highlight that minimal and irrelevant point of a mere statement Ben made to me is ridiculous…
I'm not an employee of Andreessen Horowitz, nor am I a paid in-house rapper…I'm simply a friend of Ben's and a friend of the firm…a real life flesh and blood human being who had an unfortunate life that put me on a negative path and who used spirituality and the love of Hip-Hop music as a means to persevere through a lengthy federal prison sentence while still a teenager…who only completed the 8th grade and got my GED to become self-taught…and so many other positive accomplishments I've made against the odds and won…
I'm a true and living inspiration and my relationship wit' Ben serves as a reminder that some of the greatest gifts of the human spirit are that of faith, hope, kindness, forgiveness and compa**ion…my life is no joking matter to be undermined and presented in media as mere sensational gossip wit' no deeper value beyond entertainment…
There are so many positive stories and social ills that can be addressed and brought out for dialog from my story…This isn't about Ben having billions of dollars and what that can afford him like he “bought” himself a rapper…this is about the dynamics of life on a higher level where the authentic love of Hip-Hop brought two totally different individuals together who would of never crossed paths otherwise…who were from two different walks of life and ends of the socio-economic spectrum…
And let's not forget that Ben is self-made…he worked and leveraged his intelligence, education and opportunities to be where he is today…Nothing was handed to him…he wasn't born rich…he understands poverty and furthermore the plight of black people, their culture and history, etc. And its not because his wife is black either…He's authentic in who he is…he doesn't have to reach for acceptance…he naturally embraces the black experience 'cause that's what he naturally feels…to be criticized for being successful and true to oneself is insanity on the part of the critical…Why??? ‘Cause its unfounded…but that's just what haters do…the written and spoken word affects and directs the people who effect the world around ‘em…its wise to be ever mindful of the ideas we manifest to give life in the written and/or spoken word and in deed…
No ill feelings, I just wanted to share some deeper insight on your article since I was a co-subject and my story was the foundation of it…I close how I opened…Bless! Peace!
Divine