ALEX ALWAYS AND ALWAYS WRITES LIKE THE RENT IS DUE!!
because even a place that feels like home has a price.
still unbelievable how you make me interested in subjects i would be uninterested in by default. If you were my lecturer back in college—you’d easily be my favorite. The way you passionately talk about people and moments that shaped you is magical and does something to me every time.
The artistes & player’s stories you shared was just a way for you to tell us what goes on behind this stack; behind the writer. And i truly felt seen for that because i can relate so much .
"even a place that feels like home has a price" nahhh you spittin!
Tobi, thank you bro! You get me excited about writing essays like these. Weaving together these connections and knowing how deeply personal they are to me but believing that they could mean something to someone else. It's special. Thank you for showing me what's possible. I'm so grateful for your thoughtfulness, energy, and generosity.
I grew up in a family of educators. My grandma Gwen, who used to drive me to school, was a teacher for 40+ years. For a little bit in college, I thought about switching to major in education but ultimately decided against it. I enjoy teaching though and could see myself exploring it again in the future!
alex! your writing always hits like a gut punch — the pressure, the fear of being forgotten, dwindling followers, losing that momentum but still returning to your creativity nonetheless. knew when i saw this was about dijon's new album (which i loved), i was going to resonate with this piece.
I always appreciate you reading my work with such a generous heart, it means the world!! And I actually can’t stop listening to that album lol it’s becoming a problem
This essay resonates with the alt-Black kid in me and that’s is what ultimately draws me to Dijon, not necessarily the music. Have we ever heard a sound like his? Yeah sure, BUT in his sound/voice/lyrics…have we ever HEARD someone work so HARD at a sound like his?? I say that to say I hear his hard work in his music. Take as much time as you need if that is what we’re gonna get—I’m talking to you, Alex ❤️
Yesss bro. There's tangible effort. He lets his voice crumble. He tinkers at it, reaching to meet the level of the artists who inspired him. More than anything, he CARES. There's no worrying about looking weird or being cringe. He's just putting his soul on display. I'm grateful we get to bare our souls together. I love you, brother.
Thanks for asking! I'm on all the streaming apps as The Wakeup Call. Here's a YouTube link to my latest, but you can find it on Spotify, Apple, or whatever you use:
Gorgeous gorgeous keep taking your damn time my friend 🤩
Gramps is moving slower these days 👴🏽
Also of note to me: almost no promo / posting / press once the record did arrive. There isn’t even a new photograph of Dijon out there.
True! Outside of the Zane Lowe interview and a few tweets, there’s really been nothing
such a great read!!
Thank you so much for reading!
As a writer and a UMD alumna, this really hit for me. Terps take their time!
Thank you so much for making time to read this essay, and I’m so glad you connected with it! Happy to meet a fellow Marylander!
Not sure how I landed here but I'm glad I did! Really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more.
Glad you’re here, Christian. Thanks for the love!
permission slip for every artist who feels the external pressure to produce on a schedule not their own 🩵
I’m so glad you connected with these words and received them as a permission slip. That was my hope 🤞🏽
Very relatable, my friend.
Thank you 🙏🏽
Great piece , Alex! Happy to have stumbled across it :)
Thanks so much, Zach! I appreciate you giving it a chance!
ALEX ALWAYS AND ALWAYS WRITES LIKE THE RENT IS DUE!!
because even a place that feels like home has a price.
still unbelievable how you make me interested in subjects i would be uninterested in by default. If you were my lecturer back in college—you’d easily be my favorite. The way you passionately talk about people and moments that shaped you is magical and does something to me every time.
The artistes & player’s stories you shared was just a way for you to tell us what goes on behind this stack; behind the writer. And i truly felt seen for that because i can relate so much .
this was such a brave article bro.
"even a place that feels like home has a price" nahhh you spittin!
Tobi, thank you bro! You get me excited about writing essays like these. Weaving together these connections and knowing how deeply personal they are to me but believing that they could mean something to someone else. It's special. Thank you for showing me what's possible. I'm so grateful for your thoughtfulness, energy, and generosity.
you ever taken up teaching or considered it?
I grew up in a family of educators. My grandma Gwen, who used to drive me to school, was a teacher for 40+ years. For a little bit in college, I thought about switching to major in education but ultimately decided against it. I enjoy teaching though and could see myself exploring it again in the future!
alex! your writing always hits like a gut punch — the pressure, the fear of being forgotten, dwindling followers, losing that momentum but still returning to your creativity nonetheless. knew when i saw this was about dijon's new album (which i loved), i was going to resonate with this piece.
I always appreciate you reading my work with such a generous heart, it means the world!! And I actually can’t stop listening to that album lol it’s becoming a problem
absolutely, keep killing it dude. and hey, never too much dijon!!
Just what I needed to hear right when I needed to hear it—another beautiful piece Alex.
Also adding that Hovvdy and Dijon convo to my reading list asap !!
Thanks, Natalie! And 10/10 would recommend - it’s very music nerdy lol
Fantastic read on what has quickly become my favorite album of the year.
Thanks, Marty! Just saw you’re a state over. I’m in Ohio!
Absolutely amazing bro! 🫂👏🏽
Giving myself permission to be slow is going to sit with me.
Thank you!!! That “it’s okay” goes a long way
I learnt a lot through this piece but the one thing that stood out for me is your passion.
I appreciate that, Lawrence. Thank you!
You're welcome, Alex.
This essay resonates with the alt-Black kid in me and that’s is what ultimately draws me to Dijon, not necessarily the music. Have we ever heard a sound like his? Yeah sure, BUT in his sound/voice/lyrics…have we ever HEARD someone work so HARD at a sound like his?? I say that to say I hear his hard work in his music. Take as much time as you need if that is what we’re gonna get—I’m talking to you, Alex ❤️
Yesss bro. There's tangible effort. He lets his voice crumble. He tinkers at it, reaching to meet the level of the artists who inspired him. More than anything, he CARES. There's no worrying about looking weird or being cringe. He's just putting his soul on display. I'm grateful we get to bare our souls together. I love you, brother.
I love you 🫶🏽
I feel this. I take forever to make and release music, but I have zero recognition so no worries about being forgotten, haha... still
Where can I listen to your music?
Thanks for asking! I'm on all the streaming apps as The Wakeup Call. Here's a YouTube link to my latest, but you can find it on Spotify, Apple, or whatever you use:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mE9BeCo6vqdjS4O4HfQV-C_ohSfGWs5dU&si=3V73_2UlqIz01lhR
“Hope and History” seems to be a favorite of the few who have listened that far