#recap rap

Rescuing the Dream.

There are many things we take for granted when we live in an insulated world. There is a tendency not to look too far beyond the immediate neighbourhood.  I first heard about SaulPaul at TedXYouth@Austin hosted by high school students last month. He was introduced as the musician who moved beyond incarceration to find inspiration. His story was not the typical rags to riches tale.  He grew up as Adam Neal in a life filled with violence and drugs. Many members of his family served time in prison. He served at the Texas State Penitentiary and in a life changing turn of events, went back to college and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Today, he tours the country inspiring audiences through his particular brand of hip hop music and talking about his story to the youth of America.

Tell me about your early years?

I was born and raised in Houston. My grandmother raised me after my mother died in a car accident when I was only three years old. I never knew my father.  But I was extremely lucky that my grandmother loved me unconditionally.  She had fifteen grown up children but I was the only child at her home.  But her home was the family home where everyone gathered so I was also the family baby. In a way everyone played a part in raising me.  I grew up poor and in a bad environment. My relatives were in and out of prison.  My grandmother tried to give me everything. She always encouraged me to read. She would buy encyclopedias, second hand books so I would keep improving my mind. I was in the gifted and talented program in school.  So on one hand I was in science fairs and participating in academic events and on the other hand there was plenty of drug activity in the neighborhood. 

 That must have been very difficult and confusing.

Yes. I was living in two worlds. When I was sixteen, I got arrested for the first time. I thought I was very smart but I was foolish. I wanted money and what it could buy. I was arrested for selling counterfeit money.  My grandmother passed away when I was seventeen years old and it broke my heart. The one person in the world who loved me was no longer there for me. I managed to graduate from school and I was accepted at the University of Texas with a scholarship. In Austin, I dove right into the party scene. I didn’t attend classes. I didn’t get involved in any activity on campus. I wasted the scholarship money.  I flunked out of school and I went back to my life of crime. I was arrested on four felonies and was sent to the penitentiary to serve ten years.

What was the turning point that brought you back to college?

The funny thing about prison is suddenly you have all the time in the world to reflect. You are going nowhere. I realized I wasn’t in prison because my dad disappeared or my mother’s death or that my grandmother passed away. I was in prison because of my own choices. I had to take ownership of my decisions. I believe everyone is born on purpose with a purpose.  I also didn’t want to climb the ladder of success and find it leaning against the wrong wall. I also found my faith. I was very lucky and consider it a miracle that I was released in two years. I started applying to colleges while in prison and got readmitted to the University. I discovered a love for music and communication, so I went back to study Radio, Film and Television. This time I attended my classes, got involved in activities on campus. I started a youth program which would later become the foundation for my company. I got off parole in 2001 and graduated from college in 2002.

How has the journey been so far?

Through my love for music and speaking, I realized that I want to be a musician with a message. Someone who can help the youth understand their potential.  My shows are very engaging. I invite the audience to be a part of the music. It is called recap rap. I used improv rap skills to engage with the youth.  A documentary film, Tower to Tower was made of my life and also released as a CD and a book. I was at South By SouthWest and partnered with cool brands like Prezi and Spotify and I am looking forward to my gig with Google. This year, I am excited about releasing the sequel to Tower to Tower. Dream in 3D is an album, a mobile gaming app, a book and a national and international tour. The Book has been available for purchase and the mobile gaming app is a free download available at the iTunes app store. I want to change the world and I want to do it through media.  

 (Shaku Selvakumar is a US based marketing and digital communications expert; and founder of Coeuredge, a digital experience company)