When Does Persistence Become Obsession?

When you first attempted or make up your mind to get in this industry at whatever level, the one piece of advice everyone receives is to be persistent, stick to your guns, never take no for an answer. But I see many people I know; really cool people who bust their butts and do the damn thing that never seem to get their break.

Some are now past their prime. Some are still waiting and praying for that big break. Some didn't have their business straight and other just don't know what to do to get to that next level. So I ask all of you this one question, when does persistence become obsession? When is it that you have past the point of being able to truly make your dreams come true and you just can't let go.

I see 35 damn near 40 year old emcees (and quite few a little bit older), still going to the studio and making hot tracks and still trying to get that deal that get them on the big stage. Cats that still trying to get their record company or whatever industry related company they have off the ground, still grinding, but may be way past their time.

But they are also past the point of no return and don't have anything else to go back to so they continue to grind, working 2 jobs to support their hobby or habit if you will. This business is addictive, the success and the climb to success is like a drug. being on stage with crowds (whether its 100's or 1000's) screaming your name and singing your songs word for word is a high that cant be replicated by any drug.

Many artists have tried after the limelight has died and the clock has run out in their 15 minutes. Many turn to drugs and liquor but never recreate that high. The dream of success is also a high as well.

When does persistence become an obsession, personally I have left the game at least 10 times and it keeps calling me back in. When do you throw in the towel and try something else. You are older now, have a family and grown man bills. But still have that love for the game and are addicted to it.

That may be why many have compared the rap game to the crack game. There will always be dealers (record companies, major corporations, managers etc) peddling dreams of getting paid in full to the youth. More kids want to be rappers or athletes than doctors or lawyers or want to go to college for that matter.

Hollywood is also full of individuals working a dead end job because their dreams have been deferred and delayed. The sports scene isn't that much different. Brothers be on the Ed-O.G tip, '˜I gotta have it!' Master P with all his success still tried for years to make it on a pro basketball team roster. Look at all the athletes that desperately want to be rappers or in this industry. They get all that paper to play a kids game, living many homies in the hood's dream, but they still want to be in the rap game.

But back to those who haven't had a chance to savor the sweet smell of success? The ones working at the local gas station, supermarket or whatever, still spending every awakening moment outside of their day job chasing a dream. Everyone must have dreams don't get me wrong and everyone should try their hardest to make that dream come true, but when its all said and done at what point does persistence become obsession?

Holla back at ya boy and let me know what you think