DEDICATIONS
THIS MIXTAPE (EVERYTHING EXCEPT TRACK #4) IS DEDICATED TO:
MY FOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN:
NISA MARGARITA BRAGG
BRIAN ANDRE BRAGG JR.
ALAN BRANDON BRAGG
ALANA BRIEL BRAGG
(Y’ALL KEPT DADDY FROM LOSIN’ IT OUT HERE A FEW TIMES)
THIS PROJECT IS ALSO DEDICATED TO:
EDWIN (“REAL”) MORALES
R.I.P.
(I KNOW YOU STILL WATCHIN’ HOMIE.)
THIS PROJECT IS ALSO DEDICATED TO:
ANYONE WHO TOLD ME TO KEEP ON…. ANYONE WHO TRIED TO HELP ME ALONG THE WAY… ANYBODY WITH A DREAM… ANYONE IN A FUCKED UP SITUATION, FIGHTIN’ TO TURN IT AROUND. IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU… IT’S GONNA TAKE SOME WORK, BUT DON’T MAKE A BUNCH OF EXCUSES… JUST GET IT DONE… THERE’S ALWAYS GONNA BE SOME CLOWN THAT’S BOTHERED BY WHAT YOU DO… SOMEBODY THAT HATES YOU… FUCK ‘EM THOUGH… FUCK ‘EM ALL… DO NOT BE DISTRACTED… DO NOT LOSE FOCUS… MAKE IT HAPPEN.
SHOUTS
N-A-M-E-S WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
GOD
(FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE & EVERYTHING I WILL HAVE… IT’S A MIRACLE THAT I’M EVEN STILL HERE.)
MY CHILDREN
NISA
BRIAN,
ALAN, & ALANA
I LOVE Y’ALL …
Y’ALL HAVE BEEN MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION & I COULDN’T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT Y’ALL.
(NISA…I’LL BE BACK.)
LULU
YOU COULD’VE MADE SHIT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME OVER THE YEARS BUT INSTEAD YOU HELPED WHEN YOU COULD… I LOVE YOU FOR THAT & I WON’T FORGET.
ALLISON
FOR THE GOOD TIMES
CHANEL & JADA
Y’ALL BETTER KNOW I LOVE Y’ALL TOO.
PRODUCTION
D.J. “REAL DEAL”
R.I.P
RECORDED MY 1ST EVER MIXTAPE “ME VS. ME” (NEVER OFFICIALLY RELEASED)
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW IT WAS A MIXTAPE BEFORE IT WAS A SONG ON A MIXTAPE. “REAL” PUT IN HOURS WIT ME WORKIN’ ON THAT SHIT & PUT “CRACKIN’ OFF” ON ONE OF HIS MIXTAPES AWHILE AGO “READY ROCK COMPILATION”
JON FOX
THREW ME THE TRACK FOR “CRACKIN’ OFF”
EVERYBODY SPEAKS WELL OF THAT SONG.
SCREAM AT ME JON.
RED BANDIT
THREW ME THE “LIFE” TRACK. EVERYONE LOVES IT.
HOLLA AT ME RED BANDIT. IF IGET IN TOUCH WIT’ EYES, I’LL ASK ABOUT YOU.
WALTER “V.I.” RANDALL
ONE OF THE REALEST DUDES I KNOW. YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS WOULD ‘VE TOOK ME A LOT LONGER WITHOUT YOUR HELP &SUPPORT. SKY’S THE LIMIT. THANK YOU FOR HAVIN’ FAITH IN ME & MY PROJECT. BY THE WAY YOUR MIXTAPE HAD ME FEELIN’ LIKE I WAS WAS FROM CLEVELAND. YOU A ILL DUDE WALT. SO-SICK.
“ANTERA”
PRODUCED TRACKS LIKE “SERIOUS”, “WHAT IT IS” & ALSO HELPED PRODUCE “F.YOU”
YOU ALREADY KNOW WE BROTHERS MY NIGGA. EVERYTHING ELSE IS EXTRA. BY THE WAY ANT WAS JUST LEARNIN’ WHEN HE MADE THOSE BEATS… DID I MENTION HE SPITS FIRE. THAT’S A WHOLE NOTHER STORY THOUGH… LET’S GET THIS SHIT OVER WIT’!
“BLUE” THE ENGINEER
THE ILLEST ENGINEER I KNOW. YOU BE GOIN’ THE EXTRA MILE FOR THE KID… OR IS THAT JUST WHAT YOU DO? … ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE THAT. I’M ‘A LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW ‘BOUT YOU MY DUDE.
KROW
THE ONLY JAPANESE “BLACK” MAN I’VE EVER MET. EVERYBODY’S FEELIN’ YOUR WORK. I’M A BLOW UP YOUR STUDIO IN ALL I DO. THANKS FOR THE WORK & TIME INVESTED IN MY PROJECT.
40 BELOW
YOU TOOK A CHANCE THROWIN’ ME THOSE TRACKS MY NIGGA . GREATLY APPRECIATED. EVERYBODY’S TALKIN’ ‘BOUT THAT “COMIC BOOK” SONG.
MELISSA DUNCAN
I DON’T REALLY NEED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU HELPED MAKE THE MOST “POP”-ULAR SONG ON MY JOINT DO I? WELL I’M ‘A TELL YOU ANYWAY… YOU HELPED MAKE THE MOST “POP”-ULAR SONG ON MY JOINT
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVIN’ IN MY SHIT MELISSA. CAN’T WAIT TO WORK WIT’ YOU AGAIN. MELISSA DUNCAN IS A PROBLEM.
SORRY IF I MISSED ANYONE IN PRODUCTION. BLAME IT ON A 15 YEAR WEED-SMOKIN’ CAREER
LULU
YOU COULD’VE MADE SHIT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME OVER THE YEARS BUT INSTEAD YOU HELPED WHEN YOU COULD… I LOVE YOU FOR THAT & I WON’T FORGET.
THE BRAGG FAMILY
MA
THANKS FOR NOT HAVIN’ THAT ABORTION. YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU… WE JUST GOTTA DO THE LONG DISTANCE THING UNTIL WE CAN GET ALONG FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.
GRANDMA
THANKS FOR HELPIN’ WHEN YOU COULD. YOU’RE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST PEOPLE I KNOW.
UNCLE SHAWN
THE COOLEST DUDE IN THE HOOD. DEFINITELY A MAJOR INSPIRATION. IF I GOT IT… YOU GOT IT.
COUSIN TAY
I’M PROUD O’ THOSE MOVES YOU’RE MAKIN’ AS A NEW MOTHER. YOUCAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO.
LATAYVIA
BE GOOD &LISTEN TO MOMMY & DADDY
MUMBA
HOLD DOWN THE FORT. (I MIGHT NEED SECURITY…HA HA!)
AUNT GLORIA
EVEN THOUGH WE BUMPED HEADS HERE &THERE, YOU ARE DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE. YOU’RE ALMOST AS CRAZY AS ME. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE FOR ME OVER THE YEARS.
COUSIN GINA
YOU STAY HOLDIN’ THE KID DOWN CUZ-O! THANKS FOR THE LOVE. PROMISE I’LL TRY HARDER TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
COUSIN SHAWNKELL
STAY IN SCHOOL. STAY FOCUSED. YOU’LL DO BIG THINGS. LISTEN TO YOUR FATHER. HE’S A GENIUS.
COUSIN GEORGE
SCREAM AT ME! YOU ALREADY KNOW I’M WAITN’ ON YOU.
COUSIN CHRISTIAN
WE NEVER MET BUT YOU KNOW YOU FAMILY SO HOLLA…
COUSIN MELVINA
I ALREADY KNOW YOU’RE GONNA DO BIG THINGS WHEN YOU GROW UP. KEEP IN TOUCH.
AUNT VANESSA
LOVE YOUE &HOPE ALL IS WELL
UNCLE GEORGE
SURPRISE! I TOLD YOU I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE MUSIC THING.
GREAT COUSIN ALICE
R.I.P.
I ONLY MET YOU ONCE (SINCE I’VE BEEN GROWN) BUT I STILL REMEMBER HOW YOU HAD YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR IN TACT EVEN AFTER YOUR DAUGHTER PASSED. THAT’S WHAT I CALL TOUGH. YOU REMIND ME OF HOW I’D LIKE TO BE. I KNOW YOU’RE WATCHIN’. LOVE YOU.
THE GRIMES FAMILY
POP
YOU COULD’VE DONE ALOT BETTER WIT’ RAISIN’ US BUT YOU ALSO COULD’VE DONE ALOT WORSE. FOCUS ON JR. & KEESH FOR NOW. ME & GINGER CAN HANDLE OURSELVES. THANKS FOR OPENING MY MIND TO THE IDEA OF LIVING ABOVE AVERAGE. I AIN’T JOIN THE NAVY BUT I DAMNED SURE “LET THE MOTHERFUCKIN’ JOURNEY BEGIN”.
GRANDMA
THANKS FOR ALWAYS HAVIN’ SOMETHIN’ POSITIVE TO SAY TO ME &ALWAYS LETTIN’ ME KNOW I WAS WELCOME . MUCH LOVE.
LAKESHA
DAAAAAMMMMNNNN!!!! WE DOIN’ IT EXTRA BIG IN ’07. LOVE YOU SIS’ & I’M VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU, SO KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK & KEEP IN TOUCH.
MARK JR.
SUP LIL’ BRO? YOU KNOW YOU’RE GONNA BE A BOSS WHEN YOU GET BIG RIGHT? MUCH LOVE. BE GOOD. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.
UNCLE BILL &FAMILY
LONG TIME NO SEE. HOPE ALL IS WELL. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.
UNCLE RODNEY, COUSIN RODNEY JR. & COUSIN LESLIE
SUP Y’ALL? TOLD YOU I WAS WORKIN’ RIGHT LESLIE? TALK TO Y’ALL SOON.
AUNT NANCY, COUSIN SKYLER & FAMILY
LONG TIME NO SEE. HOPE ALL IS WELL. TALK TO Y’ALL SOON.
AUNT NADINE & FAMILY
LONG TIME NO SEE. HOPE ALL IS WELL. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.
COUSIN RICHARD
I AIN’T MAD AT YOU HOMIE… YOU COULDN’T DO IT… NO BIG DEAL. SHIT HAPPENS. HOLLA @ ME
COUSIN KENNEATHA
TOLD YOU I WAS FOR REAL. SCREAM @ ME.
AUNT TONYA & FAMILY
MAD LOVE & CONGRATS ON THE WEDDING. I’M WRITING THIS BEFORE THE ACTUAL CEREMONY, SO I DON’T KNOW IF I’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT OR NOT, BUT I DEFINITELY WISH YOU THE BEST EITHER WAY. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL MY COUSINS… DON’T REMAMBER THEIR NAMES (BLAME IT ON THE WEED) .
STAY IN TOUCH.
UNCLE JAMES, AUNT TANISHA, AUNT JOY & UNCLE ROYCE
Y’ALL ARE MY AUNTS & UNCLES &I’M OLDER THAN Y’ALL… HOW THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN?
ANYWAY, Y’ALL BE GOOD & TAKE IT EASY ON GRANDMA DOWN THERE.
GINGER
SUP SIS? I TOLD YOU I WAS THE TRUTH. HA!
GOOD LUCK WIT’ YOUR THING.
MY NEPHEWS ISRAEL &JAMIKE
HOLD Y’ALL HEADS UP REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU’RE GOIN’ THROUGH. WE’RE ROYALTY. THAT’S WHAT WE DO. STAY IN TOUCH Y’ALL. KEEP TRYIN’ IF Y’ALL DON’T GET ME AT FIRST.
THE BAILEY/ MOORE FAMILY
JATTIK
SUP BIG BROTHER? YOU SHOULD BE INVOLVED. HOLLA BACK.
BOOBY
LONG TIME NO SEE. HOPE ALL IS WELL. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.
MS. YVETTE
THOUGH WE HAD OUR DISAGREEMENTS, YOU ALWAYS LOOKED OUT FOR ME IN THE LONG RUN. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. MAD LOVE & RESPECT. YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH KEESH. THANKS FOR HOLDIN’ HER DOWN.
GRANDMA
MY THIRD GRANDMA. I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE LOVE. GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS.
LAKESHA
HOW MANY DAMN SHOUTOUTS CAN ONE GIRL GET? LOVE YOU LIL’ SIS.
THE KIRKLAND FAMILY
ANTHONY “ANTERA” KIRKLAND
MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER. SEEMS LIKE I BEEN WORKIN’ ON THIS SHIT FOREVER. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I WISH YOU VICTORY IN ALL YOU DO. THE WORLD IS OURS… LET’S GET IT OVER WITH.
SHEENA & FAMILY
SUP JAELIN? PISCES IN THS BITCH ALL DAY!
MICHELLE, QUENTIN, MICHAI, NAYA & NAJEE
Y’ALL KNOW WE FAMILY. Y’ALL CAN USE MY BATHROOM EVEN IF IT’S FOR NUMBER TWO. HA HA!
RED & FAMILY
WISHIN’ YOU & YOURS THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR. STAY IN TOUCH BOY.
STRESS & FAMILY
MET YOU ONE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH GOTTI A WHILE BACK. ASK ANT ABOUT IT ‘CAUSE I DON’T REMEMBER WHAT YEAR, BUT I THINK IT WAS ‘00. ANYWAY… HOPE ALL IS WELL. HOLLA.
MRS. GREEN
TURNS OUT ME &YOUR SON AIN’T CRAZY AFTER ALL. WEIRD? DEFINITELY. CRAZY? NOT YET…
THE JONES FAMILY
LULU
THANKS FOR PUTTIN’ UP WIT’ MY MADNESS FOR ALL THESE YEARS. THROUGH ALL WE BEEN THROUGH… YOU’RE STILL ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS & I CAN HONESTLY SAY I LOVE YOU. THANKS FOR THREE WONDERFUL CHILDREN. MAY YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED & MUCH OF WHAT YOU WANT FROM LIFE. BY THE WAY… HOW’S YOUR BOOK COMIN’ ALONG?
TONY
WHAT UP MY NIGGA? I HOPE WE CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE. BY THE WAY… HOW’S YOUR BOOK COMIN’ ALONG? SCREAM AT ME.
AUNT VAL, AUNT EMILY & KEITH, BARRY, UNCLE SHAW, AUNT MARYANN, SHALEEK, SHAMEEK, BITSY, SAQUAAN (BRONSON), MEKEBA, LOVELL, LEROY, TEARS, BOY-BOY, MAN, DAQUAN & THE BABY
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP & SUPPORT THROUGH THE YEARS. HOPE ALL IS WELL. SEE Y’ALL AT THE TOP.
EBONY (R.I.P.)
MY 3/11 ANGEL
SIMONE
(YOU COOL WIT LULU SO U COOL WIT ME. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.)
NORMAL STREET, PA
PITO& FAMILY, SHELLY& FAMILY, B, CJ, BARBARA, LEROY, DANELLE & FAMILY
Y’ALL BE COOL.
READY ROCK
EDWIN “REAL” MORALES & FAMILY, DIGI, EYES, A-YZ, CYKOTIC & ANYONE I MISSED
(THANKS FOR Y’ALL SUPPORT. SCREAM AT ME.)
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S STAFF
(THAT GAVE A FUCK)
BROOKS, DIXON, ELL MUHAMMAD, JONES, SMITH, CLAIR (FROM THE INFIRMARY), MS. PETERKIN, MS. JOHNSON (MISS J.), MR. E. , CRUZ, BROWN, CHARLES CAMPBELL (R.I.P.), & ANYONE I MIGHTA MISSED.
THE STREETS
I NEVER REALLY HAD THE LUXURY OF LIVIN’ SOMEWHERE LONG ENOUGH TO REALLY CALL IT HOME. YOU KNOW HOW PEOPLE BE LIKE, “THIS IS MY BLOCK”
OR “THIS IS MY HOOD… I BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE…I KNOW EVERYBODY OVER HERE.”
MY LIFE BEEN KINDA LIKE A TOUR SO FAR.
BORN IN MT. SINAI IN MANHATTAN, TAKEN HOME TO THE BRONX, TO A FOSTER FAMILY
( I THINK IN THE BRONX)
BACK & FORTH FROM MY BIRTH MOTHER, TO MY GRANDMOTHER, &TO MY FATHER FOR SOME YEARS.
THEN TO THIS WHITE FAMILY (THE PRESTONS) IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK (THROUGH THE FRESH AIR FUND) FOR A WHILE. THEN BACK TO MY MOTHER ‘TIL I WAS LIKE ELEVEN YEARS OLD., THEN TO ST. JOHN’S GROUP HOME IN FAR ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK FOUNDLING IN STATEN ISLAND, BACK TO THE BRONX FOR A WHILE, THEN TO ST. CHRISTOPHER’S IN DOBBS FERRY, WESTCHESTER.
THEN TO BONAVENTURA GROUP HOME IN TARRYTOWN A.K.A . SLEEPY HOLLOW IN WESTCHESTER, TO THE STREETS IN SLEEPY HOLLOW (HOMELESS FOR A FEW MONTHS) TO THE COVENANT HOUSE IN MANHATTAN TO THE BRONX TO THE POCONOS TO EAST STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, TO BEDFORD-ATLANTIC MEN’S SHELTER IN BROOKLYN BACK TO EAST STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA & FINALLY BACK TO THE BRONX, NEW YORK (BUT I BE ALL OVER NEW YORK SO, LIKE THE SONG GOES,
“U MIGHTA SEEN ME”…
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF MY MUSIC & HAVE JUST BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN GENERAL SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPOPRTUNITY TO SHOUT THE FOLLOWING:
THE BRONX
BROOKLYN
MANHATTAN
QUEENS
STATEN ISLAND
ANTHONY “ANTERA” KIRKLAND, WALT, BLUE, FIYA, STREETS, LIVE, SLINK, RAH, DATA, STORM, MECE, MEL, H, TONY JONES, PITO, DUTCH, JAH, BOP, RUDEBOY,LONA, FU BANGFA, RAH, MAZE, NILZ NOBLE, MIKE, JIZ, G.P.I.C., MOOSE, TAY, FOUL, STRESS ,CHRONZ, LEROY, MIKE (BUDDAH) JOHNSON, RED, AKADEMIK, SMITTY, KNUCKLES, BASH, DOLLA BILL, JERMAINE SMITH, YOMAR, KROW, SO-SICK, MD, M. BARS, MONICA RUSH, GHOST, 40 BELOW, RELL, DJ BIG O, HONEY DIP, DON SAWYER PRINCE, DON P., POLO, JIGGA, JASON THOMPSON, ROB WHITE, ERIC SHELDON, TROY & FAMILY, HOLMES SR & JR, MS. IRIS RUIZ & FAMILY, ZARK, RACHEL, GARY, SMITTY, HOTBOY, TONE JIMINEZ, MONIQUE (THE PORTUGUESE ONE… NOT THE FILTHY ONE) MELISSA SARAN, ALEX & LUIS ROSA,
WALTER FIELDS, SAM WATSON,
DEVON GROOM (TRY IT NOW… BITCH. HA, HA!)
ASA, RASHEEDA & FAMILY & EVERYONE (RESIDENTS & STAFF ) I FUCKED WIT’ ON
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S, ST. JOHN’S, BONAVENTURA, & NEW YORK FOUNDLING
SHOUT TO MY 1ST FOSTER PARENTS
(DON’T REMEMBER Y’ALL NAME BUT I’M TOLD Y’ALL ARE SPANISH. ANYWAY GRACIAS FOR TAKIN’ GOOD CARE OF THE KID WHILE Y’ALL HAD ME.
THE PRESTON FAMILY
PHIL, BONNIE, NATHAN & ??????
(MY MEMORY IS WORN…BEAR WITH ME.)
ANYWAY THANKS FOR A COUPLE GREAT SUMMERS & MORE IMPORTANTLY, A BROADER PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AS A WHOLE. THOSE WERE SOME OF THE BEST TIMES I HAD AS A YOUNGIN’. STAYIN’ UP THERE WITH Y’ALL ALLOWED ME TO SEE THAT COOL WHITE PEOPLE ACTUALLY EXIST & MADE LOOK PAST SKIN COLOR FROM THAT POINT ON. GOD BLESS Y’ALL. SCREAM AT ME.
(TRANSLATION: KEEP IN TOUCH ,YOU GUYS. HA HA!)
CELEBRITY SHOUTS
I DECIDED TO SHOUT ALL THE CELEBS
(I MET PERSONALLY OR WERE AROUND FOR BUSINESS)
THAT WERE COOL & AIN’T ACT LIKE THEY WERE ABOVE REGULAR FOLKS
ALICIA KEYS, JEFF ROBINSON, M.BARS, CLIVE DAVIS,
KATHERINE ? (Y’ALL KNOW MONA, THE MOMMA FROM WHO’S THE BOSS) ,
SPIKE LEE, RON ARTEST, M.D. THE DOCTOR, V.I. , BRAND NUBIAN, DEAD PREZ, BUCKSHOT,
NICE & SMOOTH, FORREST WHITTAKER, MAZE, RAKIM, BLACK ROB, COMMON SENSE, D12
BLUE THE ENGINEER, KROW, & ALL MY CELEBRITY MYSPACERS.
KEEP DOIN’ WHAT Y’ALL DO….
Sup Alicia? you prolly don't even have time to check these messages but i'm 'a send one anyway. I actually recorded a song with you back in '96 called "Lovely Things". A dude named El Muhammad introduced us. we even had bbq's together once. this was right before you let the world know who you are. I just wanted to tell you that your success always made me believe in my music a little bit more than I would've had you not have become who you are today. I got the highest respect for you as an artist & a person in general. Seeing you stay "grounded" & achieve superstardom at the same time let me know it is possible to be successful without sellin' your soul. In short. I am becomin' better & more successful as an artist everyday & some of that is due to your influence. I hope to work with you again in the future & hope to see you at the All-star weekend in vegas or maybe bump into you again in the future. thanks for the add.
with love & respect
N-A-M-E-S
