Redemption 1

“The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”

— Aristotle

I came to music a child — untrained, shaky, weak — but with one key strength: conviction.

I was met with everything: applause, silence, laughs, and hate.

...the last two never sat right with me.

Redemption 2 wasn't part of the plan, but now, there's no retreat.

“This ain't the same Shawn that you knew once.
I don't shine shoes, uh,
This ain't what you want, no.
All that back and forth on the internet
Brotha, we don't tennis that,
Y'all gotta do something, yeah.”

— Jay Z.