My cultural studies have brought me to the migration from the Islands to the States.

I am quite concerned actually, there is a major cultural clash amongst my own people.

In continuing my studies, I am happy to share what I learn along the way.

My wishes are that music and the arts be put back in our inner-city schools, for now I must write.

Have you ever been inspired?

Have you ever thought of yourself as an inspiration to others?

What inspires you?

Music inspires me, words inspire me, and people intrigue me.

One of the greatest things to happen during the migration to the States was the creation of Salsa music!

Very much like my beautiful blend of Arawak, African and Spaniard; Salsa is also a beautiful blend… or Sauce.

Salsa means Sauce in English

If you listen to Salsa music, you can hear Africa in the drums.

You can hear the jazzy notes and keys also, swing like fashion that was popular during the 1950’s-60’s.

As many times as I have seen the movie; El Cantante, I do wonder what inspired Johnny Pacheco to create this beautiful style of music.

How did he gather all these amazing people?

Great minds like Celia Cruz from Cuba, Ruben Blades from Panama, Hector Lavoe from Puerto Rico and Willie Colon from The Bronx NY?

Epic piece of history!

Johnny Pacheco is originally from the Dominican Republic, but Salsa was created in the Bronx, New York.

As a music lover this is epic for me to share, as a New Yorker… I say damned right!

Years later Rap music would be created in the Bronx as well.

I am inspired knowing that amazing piece of history came out of the gutter and as a writer, this is a beautiful story I wish to see on the big screen.

Diamond in the rough… beauty in the hood… yes indeed!

They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere… this is why many migrate to New York… money… fast and a lot of it.

This is why a 17-year-old Hector Lavoe would move to New York, and he made it big but just as big as he made it, he lost it.

This is where I am stuck on my cultural studies… what happened during the migration?

I choose to focus on the good, like the beautiful music Fania All Stars created.

I wonder how much fun that must have been? Hector Lavoe is the famous singer of the song- El Cantante.

This classic hit song was written for him by Ruben Blades

What an honor, to be an inspiration for others.

Sadly, El Cantante’s life would end tragically due to years of drug use and eventually died of Aids on June 29th, 1993.

Hector Lavoe knew how to make everyone else happy except himself.

Lots of tragedies since the migration to the states but I choose to remember the good.

“Nadie pregunta si sufro si lloro” Lyric to the song; El Cantante

We live in a world where we tell others not to judge but we consistently judge each other?

We assume someone is good, because they look good.

We don’t care to ask how someone is doing and genuinely care about how the next man is doing?

This is exactly what I love about music and inspiration.

I love how Hector Lavoe inspired Ruben Blades to write such an amazing song.

Fania All Stars would create beautiful music and travel the world from the late 60’s to present!

I am grateful for such talent and knowing this derived from the Bronx, NY keeps me motivated and inspired.

What inspires you?

Never doubt yourself, someone is always watching, and you may be an inspiration without even knowing.

Regardless of your circumstances, always put your best foot forward.

If we can come out the gutter and make something of ourselves with minimal resources, so can you!