#dj laz

Elmo represents me...

Ian!! Ok, before I explain the song (which has an explanation, don't worry), I just want to say a few things about you that I think are very important to say (and I apologize for not saying them sooner). I consider Anais my family, my sister to be exact, which technically makes you my brother-in-law. As you know from experience, it is always a bit nerve-wracking and difficult when people become part of or marry into your family. You're immediately hit with barrage of questions about not only who the hell this person is but also about who they will be to YOU. When Anais first told me about you, I admit, I was a little a little skeptical about your greatness, about your kindness, about what exactly you wanted...not because I didn't believe you, just because I didn't know you and I'm protective of the ones I love. It didn't take very long to see that you truly cared about Anais and treated her with the respect and love she deserves, but that question of "What role does this person play in my life now?" was something that took a little longer to answer. As I got to know you and as I got to witness y'all's relationship, I not only started to hold you in high regard as a human being but you also became my friend and an essential part of this bizarro chosen family unit that means so much to me and is one of the most meaningful parts of my life. You easily (and quickly) earned one of the very limited and coveted spots among my small Pantheon of Good Cishet Men. Over the years, you've simply just proved this over and over again. You and Anais have gone through so much together, and I've learned a lot about being a kind and compassionate partner from watching you and hearing about what you do. You are strong when you need to be, you're not afraid to be vulnerable when the situation calls for it, you make us all laugh, and you put up with our dumb, childlike senses of humor and the ideas our corrupted minds think up out of nowhere. And beyond that, in the back of my mind, I know that when I share my secrets with Anais there is the potential that they might make it back to you, and honestly, there aren't many other people who make me feel as comfortable with that reality as you do. You're truly one of the smartest, most interesting, and most thoughtful human beings I've ever had the privilege to know. And I'm so glad you've become part of my family! 

All right, not to make a hard pivot but I do feel like I have to explain the song because it's probably not obvious at all. When I was thinking about song to include for you here, I wanted to give you something fun that was kind of connected to Anais and me but that also had some kind of significant substance that would mean something to you, as well. I don't know if you know, but one of the major radio stations in South Florida during our childhoods was called Power 96, and one of the most important DJs on Power 96 was DJ Laz. Laz was also one of the key pioneers of the sound of Miami Bass (which I know you are familiar with), and although I don't think he's the best Miami Bass artist, I do think he's most representative of the fact that Miami Bass was largely created by and influenced by the various Caribbean communities of South Florida (of which Anais is apart of). In my opinion, this fact is often overshadowed by critics and music historians who really want to situate Miami Bass directly within hip hop, an attempt that kind of ignores the sonic complexities and diversity of the sound. "Esa Morena" is probably the most beloved DJ Laz song out of all of them, and if you were the one who had immigrated here, it is a song you would hear at nearly every outing to a bar, party, major sports game, or in between sets at shows. It is simply just such an inescapable part of being in South Florida, and I wanted to make sure you heard it, too. I hope you enjoy it! 

In all seriousness...Happy Birthday to one of the absolute realest ones to ever do it!! I love you a lot!!!

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