December 5, 2009
Posted by nation
Guest Blog: Meka Udoh of 2dopeboyz.com (Part 3)
Editor’s Note: This is the third and final part of Meka’s guest blog. Read the first two parts here and here.
That summer of 2008 was one of the most memorable experiences I ever had. I could walk into parties and be recognized by fans of the side hustle. The work at the site and DX opened up other doors for me, and I was able to write for the likes of UR Magazine – a local ‘zine based in Canada – and XXL, the latter of which I consider to be one of the highlights of my life, as a dream of mine was to be the Editor-In-Chief of the magazine.
Of course, it wasn’t without its hardships as well. With no steady source of income and rapidly dwindling unemployment benefits, I was struggling to keep weight on my body and a roof over my head, having to sell clothes, shoes and electronics just to make the phone bill. I remember the times I had to ask my moms to spot me for the rent being some of my lowest points, as my pride and insistence on remaining independent from her kept me from doing so as soon as I left.
Finally, with funds low and desperation at an all-time high, I booked a flight to New York to spend a few weeks with my sisters during the holidays. I’ve visited the East a few times before, but primarily in the summer where I could experience the dirt, the grime, the music and the thick, cola-bottled shaped Dominican, Caribbean and Puerto Rock women dressed in the smallest of wears in the city. Coming in the middle of December, however, was a different story. Being raised in Southern California my entire life, I was accustomed to being able to drive to the beach for X-Mas. Having to be wrapped up in three layers of clothing to keep warm in under-30-degree temperatures while avoiding the many pan-handling bums, crackheads and performers on the A train was another story.
That trip to New York would be the turning factor for my career, for as soon as I went out to experience the industry nightlife I was surprised to receive the warmest of receptions from fellow artists, visitors and fans of this thing Shake and I did as virtually a hobby up until this point. I was also able to score an interview with Capone-N-Noreaga for XXL, and a freelance gig to be a music news writer for BET.Com.
“Fuck this shit,” I said, “I’m not coming back to California.”
Eventually I did, though, as I still was under lease at my apartment with most of my stuff there and had gotten tired of sleeping on my twin’s cheap, tiny couch. Returning back, I was even more determined to fix my future, and during one particular night I told my friends and mother that by hook or crook, I was moving to New York in six months.
Times were still rough, however, and by May I was unsure if I would even have enough money for bus fare, much less rent for an apartment out East. One day while I was filling out my unemployment form I found a job listing for an entry-level radio promotions gig for a boutique digital marketing agency in New York. “It never hurts to try,” I thought, and I sent them my résumé.
Here’s the kicker, though: a week prior to me finding their posting, the agency had invited me to one of their events out there, as they were well aware of the site Shake and I had. So when writing out my cover letter, I mentioned that I was the one of the site’s content editors.
Less than thirty minutes after I sent my stuff, I received an email from them suggesting that instead of working in radio promotions, I head up their new media department.
I called my mother right after and told her I was moving to Harlem in six weeks.
So here we are now, with nation allowing me to wax my poetics on how I was reared in the Internets game. I currently reside in the upper west side of Manhattan, where I still freelance, run the site with Shake on an almost 24-hour basis (as now there’s a West Coast and East Coast representative), have my new job and host/DJ three different online radio shows with, most importantly, my happiness – or at least a variation of it – back in tow. Thanks to my efforts in a few short months, my job’s website ended up in XXL’s top hip hop websites list (which really doesn’t mean shit to me, but whatever), and their online profile has boosted. I no longer need to push off a Playstation or pair of Dunks to make rent at the end of the month, and I finally seem to have a clearer path of my future.
I remember when an editor at my former benefactor interviewed me, and had asked if I have sacrificed anything to make the site a success. I don’t know what was going on in my mind at that moment, but I responded that I’ve not had to sacrifice anything. Thinking back, I couldn’t have been more wrong, as I’ve lost people whom I once considered close friends, weight that I’m still having trouble gaining back and God[dess] knows what other abuse I put on my body from the stress and pressure of having to maintain a insanely fast-paced lifestyle. But would I change anything? In two words, “fuck no.”
I still look back on my entries at “Slap-Boxing,” now collecting dust on my flash drive, and remember back to the days when I was filled with something that I now couldn’t even recognize if it walked up to me and spat in my face. Reason being, most of that anger I held inside was released through my posts, and it was essentially the fuel I used to power them each and every time. Alas I eventually ran out of gas, and on its second anniversary earlier this year I shut down “Slap-Boxing With Jesus,” having felt that I’d said everything I needed to say as I’ve now taken another path. I’m still a short-fused hothead, however, but now I just let most shit slide since I don’t need to prove anything to anybody anymore.
Also, if you’ve noticed, I’ve never said the word “blog” or “2DopeBoyz” once (excluding those) throughout this post. Why? Because due to the fact that wild people think that I’m somewhat of a big deal (am I?) those terms have been blurted in my face more than a money shot to the face of portly porno piece Pinky, I actually don’t like to say those words and I cringe each time I have to read, say or write them aloud. Such is life, I suppose.
How’s that for “website pundits” that talk shit about not having 200 words per post?
Oh, and fuck Urban Network.
“ARE YOU FINALLY ENTERTAINED?! WELL DANCE THEN, BITCH!”
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26 Comments
December 5, 2009
great posts. meka’s story and nations are moving to me. it’s amazing how you guys came up through it all to flourish proudly.
December 5, 2009
*Clap for him* Great post man.
December 5, 2009
Love it. Keep the good work up man.
December 5, 2009
TS when you gon’ talk yo’ shit bruh. As far as trust in music I look to your site first when listening to new artist. Nah Right doesn’t really give opinion on the material they post, which I respect. But you and the team over there let niggas know what there listening to and whether it’s worth a shit.
*thanks Meka for his time as he steps away from The Calm podium*
Would anyone else like to share?
December 5, 2009
The Aftermath chain is gone, the D’s is chrome, the frame is black. Now watch him lift up!
December 6, 2009
Good shit, Meka. I’m an up-and-coming writer myself so I appreciate seeing a fellow writer continue to make something of himself.
December 6, 2009
one again, great read meka
December 6, 2009
__________________________NATE! (hook up that VIP 4 a nigga) [ll]
December 6, 2009
Nice one..
December 6, 2009
How many damn parts are you gonna write Meka? I predict 8 parts. Plus a Bonus Short story… “a little protagonist, antagonist uh? climax , solution UH? “(C) -Stewie, Family Guy
December 6, 2009
very good read! reading that last qoute then play the Clipse song right after an it seems like credits to a movie hahaha…
December 6, 2009
Gotta give it up to dude. His hustle and determination brought him a long way. I’m inspired. Continued success to Meka.
December 6, 2009
TheCo!!inB i try to stay away from talking shit. I’m not here to make enemies, I’m here to support good music.
December 6, 2009
@TS
not talk shit like that fam, “Talk yo shit” as in tell your story. Arguing on the net is for squares and up and coming rappers.
December 6, 2009
TheCo!!insB i gotcha. i was surprised you knew about my site, it’s small and i don’t think many people know about it
December 6, 2009
nice read, i’ve always respected Meka as a writer ever since Slap-Box, he’s a good man
December 7, 2009
Good story Meka, and your wriing style keeps me intrigued. I plan to move to Chicago from Oklahoma once I graduate college in May, will keep emailing 2DB to maybe one day get a post, and keep working man. Very inspirational story.
December 7, 2009
Ayo Mek, whatup! Crazy that I was there for that holiday trip when you were swearing you were moving hahaha! Congrats on everything my dude, well deserved! Nation whatup!
E
December 7, 2009
Mek dot… Many thanks for your story. Inspiring. Thought provoking. I hope your journey continues positively. Thanks again for your words, they have given me much solace.
December 7, 2009
Good song at the end Meka,congrats dude and thnx
December 7, 2009
This was a great read, sometimes doing something just for the love can take you a long way.
December 7, 2009
great read! respect.
December 7, 2009
much respect, mek.
December 7, 2009
i look forward to reading more posts like these
December 7, 2009
Inspiration read, I love hearing about the backgrounds of these people who have influenced me.
December 8, 2009
Meka ur a dog man! Great story bro!
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