Don’t Doubt Dallas is somewhat of a mantra that I’m
currently using to remind myself that Dallas has much more to offer than what
appears on the surface. With anything,
we must look below the exterior to unearth the beauty and depth that lies
buried beneath.
I was born and raised here; South Oak Cliff Represent! So my
roots lie in a city that I began to despise around 2002. Ironically, this was
the same time I took on my name, Khem Na’khi, and began to open myself up to
Afrikan culture, Eastern religion, and conspiracy theories. Even though I was
heavy on the underground music scene; going to Caribbean Grill every Monday
night for the Emcee battles hosted by HeadKrack, making my rounds to the
Sandbar/Homebar to support the local Hip Hop acts, and lounging in Reciprocity
on Fridays for spoken word and performing myself, the scene became redundant, I
wanted more, and I would soon back my bags and move to Atlanta.
As I began to settle into Atlanta, another shift took place
in the winter of 2004. I had celebrated my 22nd birthday, cut off my
dreads, and had my mind blown going to see “What the Bleep Do We Know?” at an
indie film theatre in Midtown. Event after event, I began meeting new people,
which led to more events and learning. I became an activist, a student of
Afrikan spirituality (Ausar Auset Society), an advocate for the New Black
Panther Party and P.I.C (Prison Industrial Complex), a vegetarian, and began
building with Nuwaupians and Hebrew Israelites seemingly overnight. It was
definitely a lot to take in, but I enjoyed every moment.
I would return to Dallas in the summer of 2005 in an attempt
to recreate what I experienced in Atlanta.
I was given ideals from Atlanta to manifest in my hometown. However, to
my disappointment I didn’t find much to my surprise. As I look back, I was
hoping for an experience of the same magnitude to present itself, but the supply
and demand wasn’t there. An opportunity to do a podcast, yes! A podcast in
2005, failed to take off with someone who had connects and a project with
K104.5. A chance to receive free training and to become certified in Pro Tools
didn’t materialize due to my work schedule. I started a blog, which is what
this blog was suppose to be in 2005, which was scrapped due to my attempts at
wanting everything perfect. After things
began to crumble and the jobs I held became unsustainable, I once again packed
my bags and moved back to Atlanta.
It was a short stint in Atlanta this time around. I only
stayed for 3 months and quietly moved back to Dallas disappointed.
I would put myself in a tough spot to force myself to rise. From
being homeless to living in a hotel to getting my own apartment, I thought I
had overcome the adversity. However I was #DOINGTOOMUCH as I worked two jobs,
was enrolled in two schools, and my expenses nearly exceeded my income. The
end result….. Everything came crashing down. So what did I do? Packed my bags
and moved; YET AGAIN!
In fear of being evicted from my apartment and having my car
repossessed, I decided to take a major risk and move to the Boogie Down Bronx.
I knew one person there, but my intentions were to start over and be around 24
hour transit. Plus NYC was the epitome of creativity, culture, and
diversity. Complete culture shock as
soon as I passed the New York state line. It was the winter of 2007. I had a
grand in my pocket and my Honda Civic was stuffed with all of my belongings. I
knew I was going to make it in NY. After being homeless for a month, working 2
full time jobs for a year and a half, I was back to the normal routine. I
attempted to create a plan that would allow me to secure income on my own in
the streets, but I waited too late to transition. It was time to pack my bags
once again and move down south.
I’m back in Atlanta and it’s the end of 2008. In short, the
same pattern occurred and I would move back home to DALLAS. I let go off my apartment in Atlanta, moved
back in with fam, let my truck go after two months of moving back, and lost
several jobs. I had to stop myself from moving to L.A. and forced myself to
stay in Dallas to open up new doors.
Needless to say, after 9 months of being here (conception to
birth) I’m beginning to explore and sense the beauty of a city that I
constantly trashed. Was it the city or was it me? I choose the latter. In the
back of mind was always the thought that I need to be the one to usher the
change that I want to see. I have the mind power and creativity to bring that
to the forefront. With that said, ‘DON’T DOUBT DALLAS” is an account of what’s
EQUISITE in Dallas from ART, CULTURE, AND TRANSEXPRESSION. This is an attempt
to show appreciation to my hometown and acknowledge the beauty that lies
beneath.
