This Is Your Freestyle Blast #35
Until that final bell rings... Don't Stop!
In this Issue of The Blast, I want to talk about something a little different.
Sometimes my articles are not going to be directly about Freestyle music, but may be indirectly targeted to the Freestyle fans. Many of us don’t only have Freestyle music in common, but so many other things like our ages, and nationalities. Where we were born, and/or raised.
What we might’ve gone through in the past, such as broken homes, drugs, abuse, and prison. What our children have gone through, what we could and couldn’t have done for them, and now our grandchildren, aka, our second chances to try and make things right, and hopefully erase some of the regret we might’ve accumulated over the years.
The death of our parents and in some instances our spouses, partners, or other loved ones.
This is where I would like to see The Freestyle Blast go, because there’s a helluva lot more to life than just the music, and every time we’re going through some shit, no, we shouldn’t just turn up the volume and start dancing. We need to address it! Go head to head with it, and eventually defeat it!
The theme of this newsletter will always be music. Freestyle in particular. But music doesn’t always have to be in the center. Yes, we all love it, but we also need to love life… and each other!
So the question is; should we just stick to the music? The artists and the concerts? Or should we begin to venture into other areas that might also be affecting our community? Please share a few of your own ideas, and leave them in the comments below, I’ll love to read’em
Anyway, thank you for hanging in there with me, I appreciate you all. Now, let’s get into it!
THE ONLY THING GETTING OLD IS OUR THINKING.
So last month I hit my 58th run around the sun. What’s going through my mind? Trust me… a lot, and for most of you who are subscribed to this newsletter, well, you’re probably more or less around my age, and with a lot going through your mind as well…
I was speaking with someone pretty close to me the other day, and like all of us, she’s getting older. Thank God, is what I say because there are so many people who never get the privilege of getting older. Getting old isn’t a curse or something to be sad about. It’s a blessing and something we need to be grateful for.
This person is extremely talented, but in her mind she feels like she doesn’t have enough years left to get into anything new. She feels like she has to just make her way through life as comfortably as she possibly can until God calls her home.
I understand this feeling, but I fight hard for it to go away because the thought is terrifying. It’s like being in a cage that you can only get out of when you die.
Let me use this very odd analogy to get us all to think a little differently about getting older, and how we should never stop moving forward.
You see, approximately 300 million sperm cells are delivered by your father to your mother. From those 300 million cells, only about 200 will ever reach the site of fertilization. And I mean Two Hundred (not two hundred million) From this point, it’s practically a race to the death, as not only will these sperm cells still have a long way to swim, but they’ll also have to face a multitude of obstacles which one doctor described as death traps.
In many instances, no cells get to reach the egg, and therefore… no winners! That is until Pop decides to deliver another 300 million cells.
I use the image of the NYC Marathon which usually hosts over 50,000 runners, with an average of over 99% of its entrants actually finishing the race. Now imagine 300 million runners (or swimmers), and imagine if out of those 300 million, only ONE was allowed to win! Well, guess what? One did win… that one is You! Now let that sink in for a minute.
This isn’t me trying to preach to you folks, but rather me trying to embed this thought into my own head so that I too can continue to push forward, but if any of you feel like you might be too old to continue pursuing your dreams. Too old to dream new ones. Find new love, go back to school, buy a new house, or start a new career, listen here, we went up against over 300 million opponents just to be here and won… So let’s not stop!
GIFT IDEAS FOR THAT FREESTYLE FAN IN YOUR LIFE
Here we go once again, finding holiday gifts for our loved ones, and though I can’t really help you with everyone, here are a few ideas for that special Freestyler.
Giving the right gift goes beyond just fulfilling a holiday tradition; it’s a powerful way to show thoughtfulness and strengthen relationships. For the Freestyle fan in your life, this holds even more meaning, as a well-chosen gift celebrates the unique culture they cherish. A carefully selected gift shows a deep understanding of that person’s personality, interests, and most importantly, their passion for the music they love, letting them know you care and pay attention to what lights them up. For a true Freestyle lover, this thoughtfulness makes a gift feel deeply personal and memorable.
Finding a thoughtful gift for a Freestyle enthusiast—whether a family member, friend, or fellow fan, often requires more creativity than cost. But this effort will mean the world, making them feel valued and understood in a way that resonates within their musical community.
A Freestyle-themed gift that connects to a favorite song or artist becomes something to cherish forever, with a sentimental value that transcends the monetary. It’s a way of saying, “I see and appreciate you and your love for this music.”
Below are a few unique ideas to help inspire the perfect gift for that special Freestyle lover in your life, and if you have any other ideas, or even some links to Freestyle merchandise that you feel fans would love and appreciate, please add it in the comment section below.
Here are 15 Christmas gift ideas for that Freestyle fan in your life!:
Freestyle Lyric Coffee Mug – Start the day with a favorite Freestyle quote or saying right on a coffee mug.
Classic Freestyle Vinyl Records – Vintage vinyls from artists like Lil’ Suzy, Stevie B, or The Cover Girls will be gifts they’ll cherish.
Freestyle Compilation CDs or Playlists – Curated collections of Freestyle’s greatest hits.
Freestyle Mixes - A Thumbdrive of mixes from one of their favorite Freestyle DJs.
Concert Tickets – Give the gift of experience with tickets to an upcoming Freestyle club and/or concert event. Oh, and how about a little dinner afterwards?
Freestyle-Themed T-Shirts – Wearable tributes of Artists, with authentic autographs.
Freestyle Artist Autographed Memorabilia – Autographed records, posters, or even concert flyers from their favorite Freestyle artists.
A Personal Post - Try and reach out to their favorite Freestyle artist and see if they can post a personal message.
Freestyle Music Fan Tote Bag – A cool, everyday bag featuring Freestyle-inspired designs.
Vintage Freestyle Event Flyers or replicas – Whether it’s an original or Reproduced, a true fan will truly appreciate this thoughtful gift.
Freestyle-Themed Hoodie – Cozy and stylish, with nods to 80s/90s Freestyle culture. They’ll never take it off!
Stylin' Free Apparel – Items from a clothing line that represents the Freestyle community.
Freestyle Song Lyric Wall Art – Framed lyrics from classic Freestyle hits.
VIP Meet & Greet Packages – Premium experiences to meet their Freestyle icons. Just reach out to the event promoter.
The Freestyle Blast Yearbook Collection – The annual roundup of The Freestyle Blast Newsletters, complete with an autograph section.
Happy Holidays!
To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsors, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG, and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle-related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him Everywhere @LatifMercado
Uffff lots to absorb 👁️👁️ (my eyes from reading so much) 🤭🤭… HOWEVER, We all need this reminder sometimes. Growing older is a blessing, and it’s never too late to keep chasing what God has placed in our hearts, never giving up really hit home! Great issue!!! 🙏❤️ #nevereverquitonyourdreams
I'm in my early 40s now and while I feel relatively old at times, I've learned to view it as a blessing due what I've learned over the years. Also, I don't mind learning something new.