I think it was around 1998…
I was in Year 10 at the time.

Didn’t rate this at all when it dropped.

Which is mad, really,
because I was raised on soul. 🎶

My mum had that playing constantly.

And now? Not even funny,
give me proper vocals… a real voice…
and I’m there straight away. 🎤🔥

It’s not even about the beat anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, it helps…
but sometimes a raw acapella does more. 👀

I suppose that’s just part of getting older…
your ear changes, naturally.

But back then… hip-hop had me.
Properly. 🎧🔥

Snoop. Missy.
That whole sound had a grip on me.

Everything felt different back then.
Like things were opening up…
like the world was shifting a bit.

R&B was starting to take over…
and looking back, it just felt like a better time.

There was a confidence in it.
A style.
A presence that felt strong.

So when this came in?

Too smooth.
Too polished.
Didn’t hit.

Then somehow… over time… it stuck.

By the end of that year,
I had it on repeat. No skipping. 🔁🔥

Funny thing is —
the song didn’t change.

I did. 👀

Sometimes it’s not that you don’t like something…
you’re just not ready for it yet. 😏

🔥🎧🧠