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Five lessons from the book of Yasiin Bey
Seven minutes into his presentation at Music Exchange 2014, Yasiin Bey is laying down the rhymes of Run DMC's It's like that, taking us back to the early 80s, when he was introduced to the magic of hip hop.
Raised in The Projects of Brooklyn, New York, this man's success wasn't served to him on a silver platter - but with a supportive family, and self-belief, Bey went from rapping on the playground to starring in his first movie at the age of fourteen.
At the age of 40, he's a fountain of knowledge on how to make it in the entertainment game, and believe it or not, it's easier than you think because it all starts with you.
Be yourself
Starting out as a rapper he tried emulating popular acts of the time, artists he admired, but it just didn't feel right.
"None of these voices were as clear as my own. Sometimes I did things because I thought, that's what you're supposed to do, it's what you do to have impact, to make people connect with what you're saying. But when I just left all that and started saying what I really felt in a way specific to me, then I was understood. I started to get way more joy out of what I was doing as opposed to waiting to be accepted by others and understood by others."
Believe in yourself
Bey told Music Exchange the story of how his little brother, DCQ was run over by a speeding car, spent six months in a coma - doctors said he would have severe brain damage - he woke up and wore a brace for many years, he was paralysed on his right side and he eventually taught himself to write with his left hand in grade four. He eventually went on to coach high school, and then varsity basketball.
"You can do anything you put your mind to," emphasised Bey at Music Exchange. His little brother is the perfect example of this.
Half the work is showing up
With an industry full of hopefuls looking to get noticed, sometimes all it requires is discipline and respect. To be fashionably late for a gig, a shoot, a recording session or an interview not only leaves you looking ill-mannered and egotistical, but it shows that maybe you don't want it as bad as the next band.
Bey's acting career started in 1987 in the movie God Bless the Child: "My career got started literally by, I don't want to say by accident, but no effort of my own other than showing up and being on time for drama class," explained Bey.
Since then his filmography has become extensive. Fans of Dexter will remember him in season six.
Embrace where you come from
Making it onto mainstream media in South Africa means making music to suit the medium - as well explained by Tim Renner in the presentation that followed at Music Exchange, art doesn't work like that. And since mainstream media embraces Western culture much more than its own, artists themselves look to the West for inspiration and musicians to emulate, in the process ignoring their African-ness.
"More than just the natural scenery, I've been encouraged by the artistry and, in my time here, the people that I've seen in this city and in this country... I see the same dynamic people, many of them doubtful or fearful, or feeling like what they have to offer is beautiful only to them and not to the rest of the world... The part that I find curious is that all this enthusiasm all the rest of the world has for Africa, and in particular South Africa, is not really shared by Africans themselves," said Bey.
Having travelled the world over, he praised our continent saying, "No place, not excluding any place, is like Africa... Be aware that you are in a special place in a unique time in history and be encouraged. Yes, it is crazy, but that's ok."
Keep hopeful
Bey ended his keynote speech with words of encouragement: "It is not always about having the best odds. If you focus on how good the odds are in your favour, you may never do anything of real value."
Needless to say, he received a standing ovation at Cape Town's City Hall.
Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def is a musician, actor and an activist.
For more information on Music Exchange 2014, go to www.musicexchange.co.za.
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