I was performing at a show. To keep this discrete I’m going to keep names and locations out of this but this is just your typical open mic/showcase event that typically attracts the local artists this week a newly-signed but unknown rapper (looked like he was wearing his whole recording budget in his jewelry).
After I got off the stage he came up to me to tell me how much he liked my style . . not to be cocky but I’m use to this, I’m usually very out of place at these events, I’m underage and I’ve been doing these in various regions throughout the country for over a year now and I’m willing to go to areas that may be known for violence - I don’t always want a drink but most bartenders usually serve me when I do. What I’m trying to say is . . I’m white, well my skin tone is I’m biologically half Mediterranean and Caribbean (vague to keep with the theme of undisclosed locations) .. this which would qualify me as hispanic on some applications.
A girl from another group (style reminiscent of Rick James ‘Mary Jane Girls’) came up to me and began to compliment my style and specifically the first song from my set list. Noticing that she was about to start discussing collaborations/networking I put my iPhone’s dial pad on the screen and had her call her phone off mine to exchange numbers. She kept talking . . I was seeing IOI’s which is a PUA term for ‘indicator of interest’ . . you’d be surprised what dedicated artist will say to you when they’re in the moment. This was during another rappers performance . . the sound was loud and not suitable for a conversation, had I been interested in her I would’ve taken her somewhere more quiet to elaborate on the conversation .. Maybe I hold my presence in high regard but at this point I felt like me leaving the room in the middle of another rappers performance wouldn’t go unnoticed, a level of awareness that might seem overly self-conscious or highly-considerate (depending on how you look at it) but I avoid the potential of causing another person to feel disrespected << this is all thought in retrospect as I reflect on it (I review moments of time like game footage in preparation for the next one) . . I hand her my phone with Facebook on it and have her add herself from my account. Told her we’ll stay in contact.
Now also there that night, was a non-performing guest rapper from a former well-known rap group from the 90s and early 00s, one of the members of the group went on to a solo career that spawned a hit single … this guy on the other hand, turned to (or began to embrace) God, he might be doing Christian music now but I’m not sure
So on with the night. I go outside behind the venue where people are smoking. The recently signed-rapper who greeted me after my performance is about to light a blunt, I ask him if I can put 5 on it (major hint to location), obviously reluctant to accept my petty change he hands me it to me and tells me to do the honors (of sparking it up) - (…
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- this is contrary to the customs of cannabis culture, he who rolls it shall bring light to the pastures .. I did not roll it).
Anyway the distinguished man in the room (the rapper who turned to God) walks past us and shakes the other guys hand … he says “I like what you’re doing out there”. As he steps in front of me .. he extends his hand, shakes my hand … and says “wigger” as he walks away . . the bluntness (no pun) combined with his status made for an immediate reaction from at least two of the females in the smoking section, and also the newly-signed rapper who was probably still feeling the effects of the compliment in that star struck moment .. I looked like 
and I didn’t make an attempt to say anything as he was walking away .. honestly I didn’t have the right to based off his status and accolades. Even though that word hasn’t been culturally relevant since his career was .. you’ll notice from my past threads I’m usually caught off guard by how strong some of these hits can be which is also why I kept my mouth shut.
How have you responded to some of the sharper reactions that you’ve gotten?