August Alsina
Like I said before on many occasions, “There is a difference between being real and being rude.” Before I saw this interview clip circulating all over the web, I didn’t even know who August Alsina was. Unfortunately, I guess that I will never know him because after seeing this god-awful response he made AND after listening to him talk about this situation on the Sway in the Morning show, I became no longer interested in knowing what he was bringing to the table in regards to music.
I understand that people are not perfect. I also understand that many people come from rough upbringings and blah, blah, blah. I am definitely one of those individuals that came from a rough upbringing and had to deal with a lot in life. BUT I also know that I am not gonna let my crazy past ruin my future or be justification for doing dumb sh*t. Period. As far as I’m concerned, you may have a rough past but there are millions of others that have one just as well. It is up to YOU to rise above it and not carry that heavy load everywhere with you.
Okay, so this young lady on 106 & Park decided to ask him a question that apparently, he didn’t want her to ask. Word around town is that he asked the people on the show not to ask questions in regards to his issue with the r&b singer, Trey Songz. Okay, I get that. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him that question. I get that too. However, it is up to you as an artist to handle that situation correctly. Considering the fact that August is a new r&b artist, he needs every ounce of media outlet there is. In other words, don’t be the new kid on the block that’s burning bridges. You may not be able to control a person’s action but you can control your reaction.
As I was reading responses from people online in regards to his attitude on the show, a lot of people (including myself) felt like he was disrespectful and out of line. However, there were other people who felt like because he’s from New Orleans, he had every right to respond the way that he did because people from Louisiana “don’t play that”, as one idiot pointed out. I was rather appalled to see how so many individuals (mostly all Black) loved the way that he responded because he was “keepin’ it real” or “keepin’ it 100″ or “he’s a real n*gga”, phrases that are constantly used to justify ignorance.
So August Alsina, since you’re such a “real n*gga”, you shouldn’t have no problem with what I am about to express to you in regards to your conduct. So here it goes:
Considering the fact that you are very young, I’m not gonna be too hard on you. You’re just barely old enough to legally drink so therefore, I can’t expect for you to have a good amount of wisdom at your age. I also want to point out to you that although your behavior on 106 & Park was less than cute, I still hope that you have a great career and do abundantly well. However, having a PR rep is extremely fundamental to your career because had there been one present (or a good one), that person definitely wouldn’t be pleased with how you conducted yourself on this show.
Even if you’ve warned the people on the show to not ask you about Trey Songz, you still have to learn how to handle yourself as a professional when that camera is on. If you don’t believe me, take a good look at all the greats that were before you. Oh yeah, they may have been a**holes behind the scenes but they made sure to be on point when it came to their career. So with that being said, when you were put in this uncomfortable position and were asked a question that you didn’t feel comfortable answering, a better response could’ve been something along the lines of “That’s in the past and I’ve moved on since then. So I don’t even wanna talk about that anymore. I wish Trey Songz the best and that’s all I have to say about that. Right now, I’m focused on my career as an artist and moving forward.” See how simple that answer was? It was to the point and shade-free. The host would’ve gotten the point and let that be that.
When you were asked about the 106 & Park incident on the Sway in the Morning show, I expected for your attitude to be a just lil’ better but instead you kept ranting about how you’re not a p*ssy or a pushover along with the response of, “If anybody feels like I disrespected her, well, fuck you too.” Considering the fact that I think Sway is an awesome brotha and a professional at radio, I was rather disappointed that he was okay with how you were acting and seemed to be encouraging it. August, let me help you understand something: There was NOTHING okay with how you responded to that young lady on 106 & Park. If you want to be an underground artist, your nasty approach would’ve been perfect. But if you want an everlasting and remarkable music career, learn how to handle yourself when it comes to certain situations.
If you take a moment to at least try to change your attitude, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with people who can help take your career even further than you’ve ever imagine. You don’t have to change your personality in order to get to great levels in life but at the same time, no one like to deal with someone who’s known to be an a**hole or hard to get along with. Please know that had you been interviewed by Oprah or the hosts of Good Morning America and you responded to them the same way that you responded to this girl on 106 & Park, your career would’ve been damn near over by the time the camera crew went home.
And let me help you with something else: Being from Louisiana doesn’t mean a thing. It just simply means that you’re a brotha from Louisiana. Anyone with common sense is not gonna be intimidated by you just because you’re from Louisiana. Who cares that you’re from Louisiana and that you so-called “don’t play.” Honey, there are people from Wisconsin who also “don’t play.” Being from Louisiana doesn’t mean that you’re exempt from being put in your place when you’re wrong. Furthermore, if you want to claim that you’re not a p*ssy and a pushover, that fine. However, considering the fact that you chose to respond to this girl’s question in a ridiculous manner, you made your own self look like a p*ssy. Take heed to what I’m saying, my brotha: Ignorance and arrogance is a bad combination.
Please forgive me if I sound like I’m being harsh. If anything, I want you to win. I truly mean that. Handle things the right way so that you won’t have to pay for it later. If you can’t handle a simple question, how in the world are you going get thru all of the shadiness of the music business that’s gonna come your way? Maybe sista girl was indeed trying to play you by “going against the grain” to ask you that question but you had the opportunity to handle it the right way. It’s not her that needs that platform to promote music; it is YOU.
Don’t listen to the cheerleaders who thinks that it’s great to be rude. If your career was to come to an end and the money goes away, you can best believe that the cheerleaders won’t be around to lend you a dollar. They will be cheerleading for someone else while talking dirty about you behind your back. And no, I’m not judging you. People are so quick to use the “don’t judge” scripture as a crutch when actually they do need someone to call them out on their foolishness so that they can do better. If you are a good guy like you proclaimed on the Sway in the Morning show, let us see that side of you. Learn how to play the game before the game plays you. That’s all I’m saying.
Sonica
Copyright © 2014 by Sonica Jackson
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