Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

“What kind of hip hop artist are you?”

“I’m a rapper.”

I bite back a moan of disappointment. Of course, you are. I should’ve known he was too good to be true. All the traveling he does, and the number of women he must see allowed him to perfect his pick-up game.

“That look on your face is why I don’t like to talk about my job right away. I promise you, whatever you’re thinking about me, my life, or my job is wrong.”

“Oh, really?” I say skeptically.

“I’m a Christian rapper.”

And the mic drops.

“Wait. How does that even work?”

His lips twitch up into a smile. “Same concept, same beats, different delivery, and content.”

“Wow.” I did not see that coming.

“I’m the only Christian rapper signed to a major label right now.”

“That’s … I honestly don’t know what to say.” Major label? How famous is this guy?

He laughs. “It’s all right.”

“What’s your name?”

“You’re going to be disappointed. I don’t have a fancy moniker. I go by A.H.”

“A.H. I like it. Sometimes less is more.”

He grins. “Exactly.”

“What do you rap about?”

“Things that have happened to me. Issues I’ve worked through, or I’m working through. Things I wish people had told me when I was younger. In so many ways our youth are in crisis mode, dealing with things daily we never had to. They need to hear they’re not alone. That someone has been there and come out on the other side. When you’re that young, things seem so final and all-consuming. They need a reminder that the teen years are just the tip of the iceberg.”

The passion in his voice tells me this cause is important to him. I admire that. If he puts this into his music, I’m not surprised he ended up with a deal. “How long have you been rapping?”

“Since high school. It was an outlet for me. I had some tough situations to deal with, and this helped me find my way through all that.”

There’s a novel-worthy story behind that statement, and what’s more important, I want to read the book.

“Now that you know what I do, will we be talking again?”

His face has become devoid of emotions.

“Is this the point where you and most women part ways?” I ask, genuinely surprised. In a world where women claim they can’t find a good man, they’d overlook a sexy, passionate man bringing a positive message.

“They don’t understand what I’m doing, or why I live my life the way I do. Every job has its pros and cons. I happen to be under scrutiny from time to time, and it can add pressure.”

“I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be watched and judged.”

“Not easy. No one on this earth is perfect, and I would never claim to be. Yet, people want to treat you as if you should be.”

“That’s deep.”

“It’s true, unfortunately. I try to live my life in a way that keeps me true to what I believe.”