Top 10 Moments of 2017

Today is the last day of 2017 & I don’t want to sound cliche because I truly don’t know what 2018 will hold, but I do want to say that for the first time in my life I’m more confident than ever that dreams truly do come true.

2017 had to be the most difficult year to date & it’s just the beginning. I had the opportunity to learn so much from a handful of inspiring individuals & become friends with most of them. It’s been an amazing year being the ‘fly-on-the-wall’ watching their hard work unfold before my eyes.

This year has allowed me to do things I knew were possible but never truly believed would happen to someone like me. I’m grateful for every single tear, smile, heartache, headache, & everything in between! Here are my top 10 moments of 2017!

1. Launching my website.
As I’ve said many times before I had always dreamed of having my own website but never had the confidence to truly put myself out there. I didn’t know where to start, who would be interested, what my topics would be etc. At the beginning of 2017 I tuned out all the ‘what-ifs’ & created the site that you’re reading this on right now. Putting all my passions into one platform, with my blog posts, podcast, poetry, & photography; it’s all here. Which then leads me to my next moment..

2. Writing for LA’s illest hip-hop blog, RosecransAve.com
In mid-July I was thinking out loud & just so happened to Tweet that I would love to write for a hip-hop online magazine in the near future…

About 2 hours later, an article I had written on the Committed Show at Los Globos was shared via RosecransAve…

The creator (Vic) enjoyed the article, thought my website was dope, & asked if I’d like to write for them.  It was the middle of the year, I was frustrated about my goals, but just like that one of them was accomplished. Yes, I still had to prove myself but I can confidently say that I think I have & continue to do so. It’s been pretty epic since then being able to write & share projects from my favorite artists.. You can read all I’ve written for RosecransAve.com here.

3. Studio with my bosses.
This was an epic moment in 2017 that I won’t ever forget. After graduating from school for production & sound, I hadn’t been able to touch a board let alone be in the studio. I remember it was the middle of March, I had shown up to work & my boss says, “Have you ever been to the studio before?” I tell him no & his response was, “Well there’s a first time for everything.”
It was such a dope feeling of happiness with a bit of nervousness. I knew I wouldn’t be touching the board today, but the fact that I was given the opportunity to be a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ was unbelievable. It would become the first time of many, but that day I won’t ever forget. (Sidenote: I actually ran into Isaiah Rashad while leaving the studio. He smiled at me & I tried so hard not to freak out. I also had to get into my car from the passenger side that day because the wagon that parked next to me parked so damn close! Only to find out that it was SZA’s so since it was her, having to climb in through the passenger was no biggie. Hehe.)
*Also, this photo is not from the first time I accompanied them. Just fyi.

4. Day N Night Festival 2017
I was able to attend Day N Night Fest this year with my bosses & it was dope as hell. Just last year I was attending Day N Night Fest 2016 solely to watch Bas & Cozz perform, fast forward a year & I was there with the team! Watching from side stage, taking photos, recording little videos throughout the day… It was my first artist/VIP experience & I soaked up every minute of it. You can see the photos I took here.

 

5. J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” Show
Even though it was the most horrific morning I’ve ever had before a show, it was still an epic moment of 2017 for me. I hardly ever buy floor seats; I’m short, the venue is usually huge, & of course tickets are usually expensive.. But when your favorite rapper is going to be at your favorite venue, then miracles happen & you figure out a way to make it work. Hehe. It turned out to be an amazing evening with my concert buddy Jimmy. Turns out I’d end up seeing Cole one more time towards the end of the year, but his 4YEO show was truly an epic moment for me.

6. Getting my Dreamville jersey signed.
In the beginning of the year (Feburary-ish) I attended a show where Ari Lennox was the opener.. Being the Dreamville fan that I am I knew that almost everyone from the camp would be in attendance.. I was right! I had my jersey signed that night by Ari Lennox, Cozz, Bas, Lute, Ib, Omen, Ced, Elite, & Ron Gilmore Jr. A few months later I would end up getting it signed by J.I.D as well. Although I’m still missing Earthgang & Cole, I have no doubt that I’ll get them soon. *Fingers crossed, praying to the Lord man.*

7. Rosecrans Radio
Rosecrans is one of the key factors in the ‘domino pieces’ as I like to call them that helped make my 2017 epic.. Vic has given me many opportunities that have done wonders for my confidence; from being a guest host from time to time, scheduling guests, to taking photos. I went from intern to producer for Rosecrans in a matter of months, all while learning, meeting some inspiring people & amazing artists. It’s been an epic experience & one of the best parts of 2017. I’m really excited for what Rosecrans has in store for the team in the new year.

8. Visiting Potter World at Universal Studios
Okay, so this may not seem like such a huge deal to any of you.. But these are my top 10 moments remember?! Harry Potter has been such a huge part of my life since the 4th grade.. Around the same time I got my nickname ‘Giggles’ I began reading these books. The wizardry world has been something that I’ve always known is fantasy but would give almost anything to be a part of. Being able to have a piece of that (technically) in my backyard & waiting so long to visit gave me such heartache.. I know, I’m such a nerd but it’s truly an amazing memory for my 2017. You can view photos from my Potter World adventure here.

9. Voice Tracking for The Mix
I remember it like it was yesterday.. I was in the car with my boss in traffic & I got the e-mail that said something along the lines of, “Pick your time slot to begin voice track training.” I almost lost my shit. I had already begun board op training & the last thing I needed to accomplish was voice tracking… The year is at it’s end & training sessions are almost over! Hoping that my hard work pays off & soon you’ll be able to hear me on-air!

10. Becoming Meez’s Personal Assistant
Last, but definitely not least! In April of 2017 I began my journey of being a personal assistant to Meez of Committee Records. Meez hiring me was the huge ‘domino effect’ that started it all. I went to the Committed Los Globos show to meet him in person after chatting through e-mails for a few months.. (If you remember Rosecrans found me because of my Los Globos article, & that would’ve never happened if I hadn’t gone to meet Meez that night. See what I mean by domino effect?) Because of him & MitteeGang I’ve had some epic experiences, great laughs, & tons of inspiration to better my craft.  I’ll be forever indebted to Mittee Gang for taking a huge chance & welcoming me onto their team.
(Sidenote: I never told anyone or said anything for the ‘clout’ & such.. Only my siblings & 2 close friends knew because I didn’t want others treating me differently. Along with the possibility of being replaced in case things didn’t work out. Hehe.)

Although those are my 10 moments of 2017, here’s a recap of all I’ve experienced throughout the year.. It’s been one for the books & I truly can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store! Hope you enjoy! Have a safe & happy new year!