>so i got into it last night in portland.
>
>i was rushing to this outdoor sports store to cop a jacket.
>
>i saw some cats at the backstage gates holding some posters
>and magazines, etc. so i figured that despite my rush i
>would stop and sign some things.
>
>an urb here
>a poster there
>a poster there
>an urb here
>a drumhead there
>a poster there
>here an urb...
>there an urb...
>there an ur...
>
>wait a minute?!!!!!!!
>
>these aren't fans these are autograph collectors who will
>just sell this shit on ebay. i didn't want to go out my ass
>for sure, but none of them mentioned being an okayplayer
>(one was calling me ahmir--so i knew he aint on the
>boards)....and then they asked for autographs from my
>soundguy (artless)--sheeeit one cat even though rashid
>wallace was ben kenney's replacement.
>
>so i stopped and walked away. got in the van and headed to
>my hotel only for the same cats to rush they ass off on some
>ronin car chase shit and beat me to my hotel. i told them
>respectfully that i am declining autographs. for i had
>already signed one dudes 6 urb mags. i mean shouldn't that
>be enough?
>
>my whole steeze is i am all about extending some time and
>talk to people who i feel are really supportive of the
>group. and i just can't feel the whole selling my signature
>(for startes, is it even worth anything? no hip hopper alive
>that i know of is worth anything--damn that looks cold--but
>fudge it) on ebay.
>
>i dont know how to end this. not looking for permission or
>approval. or some sort of hip hop priest to confess my sins
>to. i just feel some way about that.
>

Hmm...if i was you i'd feel less irritated and more shocked and happy about this. think about it...these people think enough of you and have enough confidence in your musical abilities that they want autographs from you to sell years from now. that's assuming that they will be worth a lot down the road, which would mean that they believe that you have a lot of musical success ahead of you.

my guitar teacher always used to tell me that the moment you start thinking you deserve where you are in the music business is the moment of your decline.


and i dunno what the deal is with the "don't say my name" shit...that's seriously some Prince-esque shit right there.