The 5.
What artist/athlete has influenced me the most?
There's a few.. Sean Taylor, Marvin Gaye, John Randle, Big K.R.I.T, and Pimp C have to be at the top of my list. All five of these guys have influenced me with their work. All were dedicated, hardworking, and innovative. Traits I believe are important in a man.
I'm a huge oldies music type of guy. I'd have to blame my mom for this. When I was a child she had an Isley Brothers cd she would play back to back in her car. I would be sitting in the back seat listening and falling in love with the melodies and the flows of the music that was playing through the speakers.
Marvin Gaye is one of the most influential musicians to me. His music always has a message to take and learn from. I started to listen to his music when I was in high school. I would walk around singing his lyrics and older people would look at me and say "what you know about that song?" Little did they know, Marvin Gaye was someone I listened to as much as any other artist. I was kid, and of course I couldn't connect to what he was singing about at that time, but as I grew older, more and more examples of his music was shown in my life. I learned to appreciate good music that had good messages that could help me grow.
There is a mural of Marvin Gaye about two minutes away from my house that I have been passing all my life that I love to see. When I was younger the picture reminded me of my Uncle Derrin who's incarcerated. I tell my mother all the time that I believe that the reason I like Marvin Gaye's music so much is because he reminds me of my Uncle. Uncle Derrin to me is a Marvin Gaye track, smooth and laid back.
The southern style, trunk shaking music will forever be on of my favorite genres of music. Pimp C is a pioneer of the down south rap music genre. His music was a true reflection of who he was, and the way he portrayed himself in interviews created an image like none other. What makes Pimp C so influential to me was how he stayed true to where he was from, he stayed true to the ones he came up with, and most importantly he stayed true to himself. He motivated me to make money as well.
Pimp C not only influenced me, he also was a huge influence on one of my favorite rappers, Big K.R.I.T from Mississippi, who is known to reference Pimp C in a majority of his music. K.R.I.T's music has always inspired me by how positive his messages are. He tells stories in his music that you could sit back and visualize. His music has helped me get through many tough times. You can hear the passion from his voice as he is rapping which helps me connect to his music on a personal level because I have been in similar situations as he has involving faith, woman, etc. Not many artist care about connecting with their audience, K.R.I.T has been the same type of rapper since he began. His music touches lives, which in my opinion is more valuable than any trophy or award.
"Thinkin' back when my grandma used to give me all those lectures
Now that I'm older I can see from her perspective
That money don't buy love, happiness, or heaven, blessings
I hope my tone convey that I'm serious and that you feel it
If these my last words let them be more than lyrics
,Krizzle." - Big K.R.I.T
John Randle is a former defensive lineman who played for the Minnesota Vikings in the late 90's. He was an underdog to say the least. After barely making it into the NFL, the undersized defensive lineman put on a Hall of Fame career. He was one of the most ferocious defenders the NFL has ever seen, he was also arguably the best trash talker the NFL has ever seen, I used to use a few of his famous lines on my opponents as well. John Randle influenced me by how much of a hard worker he was and how he never took no for the answer. I try to mold my game and work ethic after John Randle.
I always played the game of football with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I stepped onto the field I felt like I had something to prove. I knew that I had to work harder than the man next to me if I wanted to be successful. I was influenced by my all time favorite player, the late great, Sean Taylor. Taylor was the type of athlete that didn't just show up on game days, he earned everything. As my time as an athlete I tried my best to be like him. He was obsessed with greatness, his work ethic was unmatched. Watching him play the game of football was inspirational because he played with so much true love and passion. After his death I was devastated as if a close family member of mine had passed away. The hardest hitting safety, Sean Taylor was a man a few words, he chose to do a majority of his conversations in between the lines with his shoulder pads and helmet.
Its easy to be influenced, its up to you to decide who and what you will let influence you the most. I am thankful for the five I mentioned, their influences have truly affected my life in the most positive way.