Today I can honestly say I rapped the first freestyle of mine that I can fully appreciate. No “da da da’s,” no pointless phrases, just pure and utter beauty. When I was done with the first verse, I leaned back into my chair, looked up at my one man audience and waited for a reply. He looked at me and said, “Wow. that was good. I mean like I’d buy that song. I’m serious” When I heard that I smiled.

I’ve wanted to be a rapper for almost as long as I’ve liked rap music, which, as it would happen, is only a couple of years. Now I know, I know, everyone wants to be a rapper, but when you think about it, how many “aspiring rappers” will actually take the steps they need to in order to become one. If I had to guess, I’d say less than 15 percent. The rest, that less than 15%, have to have a lot of luck.

Well, I don’t know if actually becoming a rapper is in my cards, or if it’ll just sort of die off, but for the time being, it’s a real goal. Now I’m betting you’re wondering how spitting one good freestyle validates anything, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t. But for the moment, it’s proof that, yes, I can in fact create a song that I’m proud of.

Not to say this is my first song, because it isn’t in the slightest. Nor is it to say that I haven’t made verses that I’ve been proud of before (I’ve made at least a few that I would use in a song and be proud of). It’s more about the idea that this one’s for real, which basically means I’d put it on an album and feel confident showcasing it as a single.

For me, rap is more than music. It’s a direct link to the rawest form of the human soul. It has almost limitless possibilities and no requirement for the type of instruments used or the style in which they are played. It doesn’t even require you to actually rap, or even sing, or even speak discernible words. In some cases songs have only a few lines, and some of those may be complete gibberish. It only requires that you share who you are and what you want to be. Even so called “thugs” or more “gangsta” rappers meet this requirement, with what they are and what they want to be exactly that, thug, hardcore, gangsta, anything.

Music is my outlet for anything and everything, and rap is the most fulfilling musical outlet that I have. It will take dedication and it will take a lot of hardship, but if the opportunity ever comes anywhere close, you can bet I’ll be scrambling with the rest of them to chase my dream of becoming a rapper.