‘Black Fatherhood’ is Here

Today, on the first day of the Year of our Lord 2021, True God, Shokus Apollo and I got together and dropped an album about the feelings we have as Black fathers over the past ten or so years. I, for one, know that, without being a Black father, I would’ve been out of here a while ago, either because of my poor decision-making early on or just an overall desire to give in. Kids change you for the better and make you want to do better for yourselves and for them.

Over the course of Black Fatherhood, the three DAR Daddies featured delve into a lot of feelings that come with being a Black father. From the uncertainties of our kids growing up Black to embracing what our children have given us over the years, it’s one of those projects that’s both deeply personal but also wide-reaching. I mean, there are a lot of Black fathers out here doing the damn thing in the face of insanity. It just so happens that three of them make up the core of what DAR and DAR Elite stands with and for.

As I mentioned on the DAR site, we joked about doing this project for years. However, when things came down to it, all the jokes stopped and we put it down. What we got was a collection of music that is equal parts appreciation of our children and a celebration of Black fatherhood. SImply put, it’s important–one of my most-important albums in a while, one that, for me, found its lyrical footing especially during my sessions for Caviar Dreams. As a father, you realize that your kids are, in some ways, your legacy. Regardless of what happens in your life, what happens because of you in their lives is more important in my opinion. You can be the President of the Universe, but if you don’t teach your kids (directly or indirectly) how to be strong, independent but still willing to get help? You done [messed] up.

Am I perfect? No. Do I have all the answers? Hell, no. However, I’ve come to realize that no one does. There’s no guide to being a perfect parent because the perfect parent doesn’t exist. You’ve just got to do the best you can with the weapons at your disposal and make sure your kids have a better life than you did. That’s the absolute bare minimum, though. To truly be an excellent parent, you’ve got to do that while also doing everything else I mentioned above. In short, check out Black Fatherhood above and remember to support dope music in all its forms.