Conway Gives Advice To Young Rappers About Street Life

BYErika Marie7.1K Views
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: Conway the Machine of Griselda performs onstage at the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
He tells young stars on the rise that they need to protect the bag, protect the brand, and to create generational wealth.

As someone familiar with balancing street life and music aspirations, Conway The Machine is sharing opinions about Hip Hop culture. The Buffalo native is a veteran in the industry, not to mention a respected lyrical giant. Conway has endured hardships and setbacks, and he wants to make sure the street life isn't keeping young artists from their potential.

In a chat with 99Jamz, famed radio host Supa Cindy spoke about her efforts in highlighting local Florida artists. However, when those artists reach new levels of success, they still find that they are battling the same issues from the hood. They find it difficult to abandon longtime friends who may not be the greatest influences and get further entangled in street drama. Conway replied, "It's tough."

(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
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"It's definitely harder than it seem," Conway continued. "It seem easy, like, you famous, you gettin' money. Some of these guys, a lot of these guys, man, they're really outside. Really tapped in. You gotta respect the code if you know what that life about. It's codes and they live by it and stand by it. So, my advice to the young bros that's doing they thing is just, when you gettin' in this business, you just gotta know—you comin' from the streets. You gotta know what to take with you and what to leave behind."

"You gotta know what to bring with you and what to leave out. You're doin' business now. You becoming a brand, you becoming bigger than the hood."

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Conway also reminded these young stars that they've been allowed to create generational wealth. "Changing lives whether you know it or not," he continued. "So, we gotta keep you here." He also spoke about artists' entourages, including "the homies."

"We as the homies, man, we gotta protect the brand," said Conway. "Protect the bag. That means, even if we gotta switch up how we move and everything just to prevent a lot of this. It's just things we can do a lot different, but we gotta change the mentality first."

Check out a clip of the conversation above.

About The Author
Erika Marie
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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