While some of you may only recognize him from the "Whadda Ya Want from Me" music video, Chestnificent has played a significant role in the course of my development as an artist.
Upon my attendance at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Chestnificent was among the first to not only embrace my artistry and listen to my music religiously during his intense workouts, he has also impacted my career on and off the mic whether creating my lyric videos or providing inspiration for song ideas. He even gave me the name, "One who May Ascend". Previously, I was just "OMA". I write all of my own material, but he has helped me with edits in the past, so it's debatable whether or not I owe him some writing credits
When I was considering giving up on music only 3 years ago, Chestnificent told me to keep going, because he believed in my potential, no different than how I believe in you.
I watched a man break this weekend.
Already fatigued and cramping from this week's previous work outs, Chestnificent entered the meet with low expectations. As the meet progressed, his condition only worsened, and we were concerned as to whether or not he'd be able to finish. It became increasingly difficult to watch my friend suffer. I only found sanction in reminding myself repeatedly that the suffering served a purpose. You've got to pay the cost to be the boss. What more is life than a continuous cycle of suffering? The thing that makes it all worth it is the reason you endure your suffering for.
In the end, strength prevailed, and several ice packs, gallons of water, and 6000mg of salt tablets later, Chestnificent found himself the record holder of several intercollegiate state records, nearly breaking his personal record of a 700 pound deadlift before collapsing from exhaustion, tying his score with a fellow competitor for "Best of meet" in his division, only losing because of his weight.
I tell you this because the struggle I witnessed this past weekend is not unlike my own personal struggle within myself as an independent artist. It is that very struggle that I depict in our new music video, "Inferno", which will be released tomorrow, September 20th, at 12pm noon, CST.
"Inferno" serves as a reminder that with a little faith and a lot of hard work, one day, you may ascend...
So keep your head up, and stay the path, but whatever you do, do you, after all, it is what you do best.
Congratulations to Boss Habihirwe for your spectacular performance
Enjoy your week off, Champ
Oh, and did I mention he's all natural? Haha
How's that for some major #MondayMotivation?
#ASCENDING