BrandonBurgess,AdamBeason,JesseHodges,JackByrne

TheRelevantBackgroundInformationisagreatpiecetoadd.IdonotwatchtheshowSherlock
enoughtounderstandmuchaboutit.Itgivesusgreatinformationtogetusstartedandhavea
littlebitofknowledgetounderstandwhatisgoingon.

Ilovehowyoudeeplydescribedyourartifactsandtheirrelevancetotheshow.Itisvery
importanttodescribeindepthaboutartifactsbecausemostofthemhaveadeeperorhidden
meaningthatyoudonotseebyjustsimplywatchingitintheshow.Itisverypersistentofyouto
dothatoneverydescriptionnotonlywithartifactsbuttheotherdefinedwords.

Thetimingoftheobservationsisawkward.Itgoesfrom3minutesto5minutesto11.Consider
havingitgoinaspecificordersuchasevery3minutesormaybeevery5.

TherelevantbackgroundinformationdoesnotcomparethenewcurrentSherlocktotheolder
bookseries.AsadummytothisshowIfeelthatIshouldknowthatthisversionofsherlockwas
nottheoriginal.TherearemanydifferencesbetweentheBBCseriesandthebookseries.

IsawyouruseofPTSDandiamawareofwhatitmeans.AlthoughIknowwhatitmeansand
standsforifeelasifyoucouldexplaintothereaderswhatitis.Forexampleinparenthesisput
whatitstandsfor.

AssignmentonediscourseObservation

JesseHodges,2015,p.1

Observationone
TuesdaySeptember15,2015
VH1AndYaDontStop,30YearsofHipHoppt.1

Note:Thisparticularobservationtookplaceoverthefirst30minutesofanhourlongepisode.In
ordertoprovideatrulydetailedaccountwithoutoverkill,Ihavechosentoonlyfocusmyobservation
notesonthissectionoftimehowever,examplesofthekeyvocabularyweregleanedfromtheepisode
asawholenotrestrictedwithinthetimeperiodallotted.Thespecifictimingofeventslistedhereis
basedonwhentheyoccurintheoriginalepisodeinsteadofafictionaltimeofday(example:3:27
standsforaspanofeventthatbeginat3minutesand27secondsintotheobservedaction).

RelevantBackgroundInformation:
Itisthe1980sandmanykidsinthestreetsofNewYorkcitywere
lookingforanoutlettoexpresstheirinnerfeelings.ThePartyscenewasverymuchliveandallpeople
neededwasanewsoundtogrooveto,thus,hiphopwasborn.

FiguredWorld:AfiguredworldisalargeSocialstructurewithrulesandconventionsforappropriate
behavior.

Intheworldofmusic,therearemanydifferentconventionsthatneedtobefollowedsoeverythingcan
flowcohesively.Manybeefsandhatredofonerappertowardsanothercanreallyhurtthecultureandthe
Music.Oneofthebiggestbeefsinhiphophistoryentailedtwoartistfromdifferentsidesoftheunited
statesandthesetworapperssinglehandedlymadeonecoastoftheunitedstateshatetheother.Iintendto
watchthedocumentarythemessagebecauseitpointsoutthesignificantmomentsinhiphophistory.It
triestoexplainhowhiphopcametowhatweknowitastodayandwhyittransformedsodrastically.Why
aresomanyyoungpeopletryingtopursuitthisindustrynowaday.Peoplearentdoingitbecauseof
passion,butratheritsatrendingfashion.Manyartistsfromthe80sand90sjoinedthisworldbecause
oftheirloveformusicratherthanpeoplenowdoingitforulteriormotives.Concertshavechangedfrom
peopleknowingandpayingattentiontotheartisttokidsjusttryingtohookupwithoneanother.The
trendofactinglikedopeboysandthugsisarecenttrendbecauserapperswanttoearnstreetcredas
wellaslovefromtheirfans.Thecommunitiesofpracticethatcanbeassociatedwithhiphopare:the
wannabedopedealers,thethirdeye/beastcoastmovement,thetrillguys,andthefemaleswhoaretrying
togetthemostattentionaspossiblethroughultimatefeminismorextremedisplaysofmasculinity.

Actors:apersonthatfillsaspecificroleorfunctionwithinacommunity.Actorscanbeviewedas
archetypalcharactersthatserveaspecificroleinthecommunityofpractice.

AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.2

GrandmasterFlash:OneoftheoriginalDJsinthehiphopculture.HedesignedthewholeDJsetupwith
theturntablesandthemixing.GrandmasterFlashusedtotakelocalparksbystormwithhisuniquenew
sound.

KurtisBlow:OneofthefirstrealMCrappersinhiphophistory,KurtisBlowhadmanyhitswhichlead
himtobethefirstMCtoeverbesignedbyarecordlabel.Kurtiswasoneofthefirstrapperstoevertake
atouraroundtheUnitedStates.Blowpavedthewayformanyrapperstosigntorecordlabelsandreveal
theirtalentstotheworld.

RussellSimmons:CofounderoftheinfamousraprecordlabelDefJam,RussellSimmonsisknownto
beoneofthegreatestmanagersofalltime.HisyoungerbrotherJosephSimmonshadformedanupand
comingrapgroupcalledRunDMC.Withthelittlemoneyhehad,Russellinvestedeverythinginhis
brothersgroupandhelpedthemrisetothetopinnotonlytherapindustry,butalsothepopandrockand
rollindustriesrespectively.Russellbecameaninstanthitgatheringmoretalentintheprocess.Russell
Simmonsgrewtobeoneofthebiggestrapmogulsinhiphophistory

Artifacts:Physicalobjects,emotions,orideaswithculturalsignificancewithinaspecificcommunity.

Turntables:Withouttheturntables,noneofthiswillbepossible.ItsknownastheDJsbestfriend
becauseitallowsthemtocreatethesoundofhiphop.Takingoldrecordsandcreatingthebreaksinthem
iswhatgotpeopletofallinlovewiththesound.DJsusedtheturntablesaspilotequipmenttolaterget
useofdifferentthingssuchassoundboardsandtheelectrickeyboard.

Microphone:themicrophoneisahugedealfortheMC.Itallowsthemtoexpresstheirvoicesloudand
cleartotheaudienceandgetthepartyoreventasliveaspossible.Thisisverysignificantbecausethe
microphoneisatoolgiventojusttheMCandoccasionallytheDJ.Thisallowsbothpartiestoexpress
theircreativityandimaginationtoalargemassofpeopleallowthemtoexpandtheculture.

Boombox:Aboomboxisalargestereosystemthatallowspeopletolistentocassettetapes.AsDJsand
MCsgrew,morepeoplewhocouldntattendtheseeventswantedtolistentowhattheyhadtosay,thus
theBoomboxwascreated.ManyDJsandMCswouldrecordtheirmostpopularsongsandhavethem
soldinlocalmusicstoressopeoplearoundthecitycouldpurchasethem.Thisalsohelpedexpandhiphop
asaculturebecausenowitwasntlimitedtojustoneplace.Kidswouldwalkdownthestreetwithahuge
Boomboxontheirshouldersorintheirhand.

Walkman:AWalkmanwasthefirstformofpersonalmusiclistening.BeforeIPodsandMP3s,Walkman
wereindividualcassetteplayersthatallowedyoutolistentomusicwithoutanyoneelsehearing.Withhip
hopnowcontainingexplicitcontentwasfrowneduponandlookedatascriminaltoplaypublicallyona
Boombox,Walkmancreatedahappymediumthatpeoplecanlistentotheirmusicpublicallywithout
anyoneelsehearingit.

AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.3

Anger:anemotionartifactthatcanbepresentedistheangerinwhichhiphopartistrappedwith.With
socialissuesgoingoninNewYorkCityandaroundtheworld,groupslikepublicenemyandN.W.Aused
rapasatooltoletAmericaknowthatthereareissueswiththestuffthatgoesoninourcountry.Racial
violenceaswellaspovertywereexplainedtoAmericansacrossthenationlettingthemknowthat
everywhereisntaparty.Peopleareactuallystrugglingandwehavethepowertoraiseawareness.

SocialChange:Socially,AfricanAmericansfelttheywerefarlesssuperiorasaraceinAmerica.Many
HipHopartistwantedtochangethatbymakingmusicthatreflectedthesuccessofAfricanAmericans.
Specifically,PublicEnemy,agroupwhopridedonsocialchangeinthelate1980sspokeaboutproblems
thatotherswereafraidtoexpress.Theytooktheiropinionsandusedhiphoptogeneratethispictureand
exploittruthsthatmanywhiteAmericansdidntwanttoberecognized.

Communitiesofpractice:Thecommunityareallofthepeoplethatsharethesamedomain.The
communitycanconsistofpeoplewhodoordonotknowoneanotherandthecommunitydoesnthave
tobelimitedtoacertainregion.Membersofthecommunitybuildofoneanothersideasandresearch
toformopinionsandfurthertheirquestinreallytryingtounderstandtheirdomain.

DJ:TheDJistheonethatcreatesthemusic.Theycreatethebreaksinthemusicwhichweknowasthe
beat.TheDJistheearlyformofaproducer,who,inallactualityisthemostimportantsegmentinthe
processofmakinghiphopmusic.

MC:TheMCorMasterodCeremonyistheonewhoisactuallyattainingtotheaudience.TheMCor
whatweknowthemastodayrappers,aretheoneswhorhymewordstogethertomakeanactualsong.
Atfirst,theMCwasthebackuptotheDJ.NowPeoplepraisetheMCmoreanddontgiveDJsor
producersthecreditthattheyaredue.

Managers:Managersaretheoneswhodoalloftheeventbookings.TheycreategigsfortheDJandthe
MCtomakeappearancesatclubsandparties.Theyalsoscheduletoursandgetthemdealsfor
endorsementsiftheyblowupandbecomebig.

Observationone:AndYaDontStop30YearsOfHipHopPart1

2:10minsTwominutesintothevideo,FabFiveFreddy,oneoftheraplegendcommentators,expresses
thatpowerwassuchasymbolofuniqueness.WhenDJshadlocalpartiesandgatheringintheparksthey
neededpowertoenableuseoftheirequipment.Theconceptoftakingthepowerfromthecitymadeita
scenariowhichitwasthehoodlumsintheparkagainsttheworld.HipHopbeganfromalowerclassof
peoplewhowantedtofindasenseofpridethattheycancontributeasignificantthingtothisworld.

AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.4

6:24minsThenextcoupleofminutesexpressedtheuniquenessoftheDJandhoweachProjectinthe
SouthBronxhadtheirownDJandtookprideinthatDJ.TheDJoftheprojectgainedsomuchpowerin
thecommunitybecauseallofthefellowcommunitymembershadfaithandbackedthatDJ.
GrandwizzardTheodoreexpressedthatifthecommunitywasntbehindhim,heprobablywouldnthave
hadthemotivationtocontinueandbeapioneerinthehiphopculture.

11:00minsTheybegintospeakabouttheSugarhillgangandthecontroversyoftheirfirstraprecord
rappersdelight.ThecontroversyisthatGrandmasterCazandthecoldcrushbrothersactuallywrotethat
songfortheSugarhillgang.AftertheSugarhillganggotarecorddealwithSugarhillrecordsand
recordedthesong,itbecameaninstanthitnotonlyintheUnitedstatesbutaroundtheworld.Thecold
crushbrothersneverreceivedthecreditthatwasduetothemforwritingthatwholesong.Thiswould
provetobeadetrimentalpointinhiphopbecauseitwasthefirstrealbeefanddarksideoftheindustry.

21:23minsRunDMCcameoutwithapurpose.Theirpurposewastointegraterapwithrockandroll.At
thispointinraphistory,hiphopwasknownasanAfricanAmericanformofmusicandmanyCaucasian
peoplereallywerentdiggingit.RunDMCsmissionwastochangethat.Althoughtheywererapping,
theyutilizedtheguitarandthedrumsinwaysthattherockandrollgroupsdidit.Aftertheywerefirstput
onMTVin1984,RunDMCfinallygottheexposertowhitepeoplethattheywanted.Thiscrossover
finallygavehiphopexposertotheothersideofAmericaandithelpedelevatethegenreofmusicasa
whole.

28:09Inthesummerof1989,filmdirectorSpikeLeewroteanddirectedamoviecalledDoTheRight
ThingThismoviesolepurposewastowakeblackAmericaofthecontinuousracialviolencethatwas
stillpresentinAmerica.SpikeLeeturnedtoradicalrapgroupPublicEnemytoCreatearecordthatcan
betheofficialsongtothemovie.PublicEnemytookthattaskbystormcreatingarguablythegreatesthip
hopsongofalltime,FightthePower.Thissongpavedthewayforhiphopbeinganoutletforpolitical,
radicalandsocialchange.

Observation2:AndYaDontStop30YearsOfHipHopPart2

2:07HipHopStartedtoexpandtothewestcoastinthelate1980s.Theirinterpretationonthewestcoast
wasamorereallifeintakeofrap.Gangsandillegalactivitystartedtobemoreprevalentinthelyricsof
rappersandmoreimagesofstreetviolencewasputonscreeninmusicvideos.ManypeopleinAmerica
werenotreadyforthistransitionfromhavingagreattimeraptorealityrapthatdepictedgangsand
violence.

4:33IceTwasoneofthefirstifnotthefirstrapperfromthewestcoasttodisplayhislifestyleona
nationallevel.IceTwasagangsterandapimpwhojuststartedtowritedownhisdailyexperienceson
paperandcreatesongsoutofthem.IceTwasstilldoingthisactivitywhilerappingwhichmadeitreal.In
hismusicvideoforhishotsongcolors,IceTbroughtwomen,cars,drugsandgunsontothesetofhis

shootandthedirectorallowedhimtoputallofthesepropsinthevideobecauseitwasrealstuff.Itreally
depictedadayinthelifeofIceT
AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.5

8:55N.W.AwasagroupfromCompton,CAwhotookgangsterrapandcombineditwiththePublic
EnemygistofgettingpeopletorealizetheracialviolencethatwasstillaroundinAmericanculture.
N.W.Awrotesongsthatinsultedpoliceandlawenforcementinformingthemthattheyarenotas
powerfulastheythink.Theirmusicwasloudanditwokepeopleupontheeastcoastofwhatwasgoing
downonthewestcoast.AftertheunlawfulbeatingofRodneyKing,N.W.Acapitalizedontheterrible
timebymakingrecordsthatblatantlytargetedLAPDofficersandPoliceofficersaroundAmerica.N.W.A
wasfearedbymanyandcelebratedbymany.Theygottheirreputationofbeingtheworldsmost
dangerousgroup.

16:41Inthemid1990s,westcoastrecordlabelDeathRowrecordshad3solidartistfeaturingSnoop
DoggyDogg,Dr.Dre,andTupacShakur.Theeastcoastwaswaitingforsomeonetobreakoutandsecure
theirspotbackontopofthehiphopgamegrantedNewYorkCitywasthemeccaofrapculture.Theeast
gotwhattheyneededinanartistknownasTheNotoriousB.I.GAKABiggieSmallswhoroseto
stardomthankstothehelpofSeanPuffyCombsandUptownrecords.SeanCombswouldeventually
breakofffromUptownrecordsandtookhisstarrapperwithhimformingBadBoyrecords.An
establishedTupacShakurmetBiggieSmallsinNewYorkCityandbecameamentorfiguretoBiggie,
showinghimtheropesandtheuglysideofthebusinessworld.AshootinginNewYorkCitywhichleft
TupacwoundedbrokeoffthefriendshipbetweenthetwoartistbecauseTupacdidnottrustBiggie
anymore.ThisFeudedaneastcoastvswestcoastbattlewheninactualityitwasjustamisunderstanding
betweentwohiphopartist.Bothoftheseartistwouldfallvictimtomurderbecauseofthissillybeefthat
thestreettookseriously.Itissadtothinkwelosttwoofthebestevertotouchamicrophonebecauseof
sillyviolenceandThosetwoaretrulymissedinthehiphopcommunity.Thehiphopcommunitywas
haltedafterthesetwoincidentsandGangstarapwasstartingtofadeaway.

Observation3:WhatisBeef?HipHopDocumentary

10:32N.W.AwasaneliteradicalhiphopgroupoutofCompton,California.EricEasyEWrightwas
thefirstartistoutofN.W.Atoputoutarecord.JerryHellersignedEasyEtoarecorddealwithRuthless
recordsbutdidntoffertherestofN.W.AarecorddealtheexactsametimeashedidEasyE.Itwasa
tourin1990thatsentN.W.AmemberIceCubeovertheedgebecausehefeltthatEasyEwascollecting
allofthefundsandtherestoftheN.W.Amemberswerecollectingpocketchangefortheirequallyas
hardwork.Afterthetour,IceCubedecidingtobreakofffromRuthlessrecordsandgetpaidwhathefelt
hewasowedformthetour.N.W.AhatedIceCubefroleavingthegroup,callinghimaBenedictArnold
forbetrayingthem.N.W.AcameoutwithtracksthatdissedCubeandabeefwascreated.IceCube
respondedwithasinglecalledNoVaselinethatsquashedthewholebeefandstartsthedismantleof
N.W.A.

14:23AfterthedeathoftheNotoriousB.I.Gin1997,therewasnorealhiphopmusicbeingproducedin
NewYorkCitytothecapacityasitwasinyearspast.JayZwasthefrontrunnertotakethethroneasking

ofNewYorkwhilehewasworkingonhisalbumHardKnockLifeVol.2.NasirJones,arapperknown
asNasfromQueens,NewYorkwasanoutstandinglyricistandfelthedidnotreceivemuchloveforhis
albumillmaticthathadreleasedin1995whenBiggiewasstillalive.PeoplethoughtthatNaswasgood,
butBiggieandJayZweregreat.Thiscreated
AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.6

abeefbetweenNasandJayZbecauseofthevacantthroneandbecauseofNasshardfeelingsofJayZs
stardom.Theirbeefwouldlastfouryearswithmanysongsmadetodisoneanother.EtherbyNasand
SuperUglybyJayZwouldbetheirmostfamousdisrecords.

19:09Inthefallof2005,TheGame,arapperoutofLosAngeles,California,wasdiscoveredbyGUnit
founderandCEOCurtis50CentJackson.50CentwasmentoringTheGameandwasevenallowing
himtotourwithGUnitinthesummerofthefollowingyear.TheGamestartedrecordinghisfirstalbum
entitledTheDocumentary,Whichhadquiteafew50CentandGUnitfeatures.TheGamethen
betrayedGUnitand50Centbecausehefeltthat50hadliedtohimabouthisstardomandGUnit
contract.Thisrapbeefwasshortandsweetbecause,unlike50Cent,TheGamedidntunderstandthe
businesssideofrapandnoneofthecontractsstatedthatTheGamewasguaranteedaspotinGUnitand
theluxuryofcollectingGUnitfunds.Acoupledisrecordsweremadebutultimatelythebeefwasone
sidedleaningtoward50CentandGUnitsway.

InterviewwithVicBank$

Q:Tellmeaboutthefirsttimeyouheardthesoundofhiphop/rapmusic?

A:Irememberlisteningtohiphopinmydadscaronthewaytoschoolandlikingthebeatsandhooksof
thesongs.ThefirstalbumIthinkIheardwastheblackouttapebyRedmanandMethodMan.Thesetwo
guyswouldscreamonthesongsanditwasalittlescaryatfirstbecauseoftheirvoicesbutthenasIgot
olderIjustrealizeditwastheirpassionforthegenrethatwasthereasoningfortheirscreaming

Q:Whatwasthefirsthiphopsongthatyoufeelinlovewith?

nd
A:GUnitStunt101wasmyfavoritesongin2
grade.AfterthatsongIprettymuchlovedanythingthat
GUnitputoutasagroup.Ireallylovedtheirflowandtheirstyleinmusicvideos.Theyweremyfirst
inspirationtorapwhenIgotolder.

Q:Whendidyouknowthatyouwantedtotakerappingseriously?

A:MysenioryeariswhenIfinallyrealizedIcangofarwithrap.Ivebeenwritinglyricssincemy
sophomoreyearofhighschoolandpeoplestartedtellingmethatmylyricsweregoodandmeaningful.I
tookadvantageofthatandstartedrecordingheavilymysenioryearofhighschool.

Q:Asanartist,whodogetyourinspirationfrom?Discusshowthatdrivesyoutoproducerecords?


A:Igetmyinspirationfrompastexperiencesinlife.Ivegonethroughalotinmy18yearsonearthandI
usethattodrivemeinrecordingmymusic.Ihaveaspirationsand
AssignmentonediscourseObservation
JesseHodges,2015,p.7

goalsinlifethatIwanttoaccomplishandIwanttotalkaboutitthroughmymusic.Ilistentorecords
producedbyotherrappersandIusethattocreatemyownstyleofmusicusingalittleoftheirflowand
howtheyrappedinyearspass.

Q:Doyouhaveaspecificpurposeofrapping?

A:Mypurposeistoexpressmythoughtsandfeelingsontodayssocietyandthesocialissuesthatgoon
inAmericaandtheworld.IfeelthatIcanspeakoutmyopinionandspeakforallofthepeoplewhoare
shytospeakupabouttheirownopinions.

Q:Explainhowdoyoufeelabouttherapgamechangingsomuchinyearspast?

A:Atfirst,rapperstookrapseriouslyanduseditasatooltoexpressthemselves.Asyearsprogressed,
rappersstartedusinghiphoptoflauntthemselvesandasagatewaytoquickstardom.Asforme,Ilikerap
becauseIvegotpassionandImnotworriedthatitsthetrendingfashion.Ifeellikerappersnowaday
likeKendrickLamar,JCole,KanyeWestandJoeyBada$$actuallyhavemusicalgeniusandcareabout
theartofhiphopbutotherswhoIwanttoremainnamelessjustdoitbecausetheycangetrichquick.

Q:Doyouhaveaselfcomparisontoanyrapperinthegamenoworinthepast?

A:IdonthaveaselfcomparisonbutpeopletellmesometimesthatIhaveflowlikeNasbecausehewas
verypersistentinhisflowandasalyricistheputalotofthoughtintohisrapsandIdothesamething.
NasisoneofmyfavoriterappersofalltimeandIlistentohismusictogetinspirationformysongsallof
thetime.

Q:Reflectonifyoufeelthatyougetasmuchoutofrapasyouputin?

A:WiththephasethatIamatnow,noIdontfeellikeIgetasmuchoutasIputinbutifIcontinueto
perfectmycraftthenIfeelliketheoutcomewillpayoff.Ihopetotakeoffinthenextfewyearswiththis
andhopefullyIgetabreakandsomeonelistenstomymusicandseessomethingspecialinit.Ilovethe
factthatIcandoitforfunnowandnothaveanyworriesbutImreallyhopingthatsomeonelistenshard
enoughtoseemyrawtalents.

JackByrne
AshlynWalden
UWRT1104
September292015
Assignment1
250WordSummary:
IwillbeobservingmyfraternitySigmaPhiEpsilonasmyfiguredworld.Thepurposeof
thisgroupistobuildbettermenduringtheircollegecareersandbeyond.Manythingscanbe
donewiththisasfarasthepurpose.InmyearlyyearsthatIamabouttoundertakeIwillget
friendlywiththebrothersandbuildbondsthatwilllastalifetime.Multipleactivitiescantake
placewiththisfiguredworld,ManytimesIwillbeatabusinesslikeevent,othertimesitwillbe
philanthropy,studying,partying,etc.SotherearemanydifferentwaysIcanlookatthis
fraternity.Thereareappropriateandinappropriatebehaviorswithinthefraternity.Iam
responsibletogotochaptereverysundaynight,docertainrituals,andholdmyselfaccountable
todowellinschool.DisregardinganyofthoseorviolatinganyofthenationalIFCruleswould
beregardedasinappropriate.Loudvolumeisoftenacceptedunlessyouareinaplacewhere
suchathingwouldbeinappropriate.Communicationcanbefoundinmanyways,through
facebook,schooladvertisementsofgreeklife,texting,connections,phonecalls,etc.The
communitiesofpracticewithinFraternitiesaremainlyaboutbrotherhoodandrespectingone
another,itisimportanttomethatIfindalotoffriendshipsinmyfraternitybrothersandthatI
enjoymytimeasaSigEp.

Definitions/Examplesthatfitthecategory:
LiteracyPractices:
Whathappensconstantlyiseachmembercommunicatingwithoneanother,
beitonthefacebookpageorbytext,thusresultinginreadingandwriting.Thiscanmakelarge
orsmallcontributions,butwithoutthesepracticestheSigEporganizationwouldnotbe.Being
abletocommunicateisimperativetoanyorganization.
Artifacts:
ImportantArtifactsconsistofSymbols,becausetheyshowwhereabrotherstandsin
thefraternity.Computers,becausetheyareusedateverymeetingtodisplayortakenotes.
Clothes,manyfraternitymenhavetowearniceclothestocertaineventsbecausetheyarein
SigEp.Gavel,Usedateverychapterbythepresident.
TheDomain:
TheCommitmentofSigEPistoformBalancedmenwithSoundMindsand
SoundBodies.Everybrotherisvaluabletosomeonewhoisnew,theyareanopportunitytolearn
moreabouttheorganizationandmakeclosefriendships.Welearnhowtoperformdifferent
ritualsandwhatitmeanstobeabrotherofSigEp.
TheCommunity/TheCommunities:
MembersinSigEplearnfromeachotheronadailybasis,
itiswhatinstillsthelifelongbondthateverybrothershareswithhisfriends.ThroughSigEp
peoplebuildrelationshipswithbusinesses,otherorganizationsandmanymorepeople,theseare

veryhelpfulinfindingjobsaftercollege.Theserelationshipsthatwehavemakesharing
informationwiththeentirefraternitygoveryeasilythroughchapterandcommitteemeetings.
ThePracticesoftheCommunity:
HavingtheoffCampushouseisagreatresourcebecauseit
allowsthebrotherstogosomewherewheretheycanminglewitheachotherandwatchsports
whilegettingawayfromtheirstressfulacademiclife.TheUNCCSigEpalumniownthisand
rentitouttothecurrentbrothers,anybrothercancreateaspaceforbrotherstomeetwiththem,
whichiswhyhavingthiscommunityisveryimportanttoeverymember.TheSigEphouseis
experiencedbasedbecausenewmemberscannotliveinit.
Actors:
Eachmemberofthefraternityhastheirownrole,stemmingfromtheleadersofthe
Eboard,BrotherMentors,andCommitteemembers.Thereare62membersinthefraternityand
everysingleonehassomethingtocontribute.
FiguredWorld:
SigmaPhiEpsilonFraternityisafiguredworldbecauseitisrecognizedasa
groupandhasitsownpurpose.

InterviewQs:DanielFellenzer
Q:HowdoesaSigEpdefineBrotherhood?
A:ASigEpdefinesbrotherhoodbybeingthebestyoucanbeinhavingasoundbody,sound
mind,andlivingbyourmottoofvirtue,diligence,andbrotherlylove.
Q:GiveanExampleofwhataSigEpdoestocontributetosociety.
A:SigEpcontributesthousandsofdollarsayeartovariouscharitableorganizationssuchasour
nationalphilanthropy,BigBrothers,BigSisters,andtheAmericanCancerSocietyinhonorof
ourbrotherJackBretz.
Q:TellmewhatstandsouttoyouaboutaSigEpversusotherFraternities?
A:Theywantyoutobeastudentfirst,Fraternitymansecond.
Q:TellmewhatyoulikeaboutbeingaSigEp?
A:Thebondswiththebrothersthatwilllastforever.
Q:WhatisacceptablebehaviorwithinaFraternity?
A:5.Justbeingyourself.

Observations:
1. (Chapter)
SundaySeptember20th,
0:00:
ChapterBeginsat7pmeverysunday.RyanBennett,thePresidentoftheUNCCSigEp
ChapteropenschapterwithEvanMoore,theVPofprogramming.Ryanasksallthemembersto
standandbowtheirheadsandwesayaprayer.

5:00:
ThefirstorderofbusinessatchapterisgoingovertheEBoardsreports,TheEboard
ConsistsofRyanBennett(President),ColinAbercrombie(VPofFinance),EvanMoore(VPof

Programming),AlexHafner(VPofRecruitment),AlexRasch(VPofCommunications),Zach
Chartraw(VPofMemberDevelopment),andHobieHelbich(Chaplain).Eachmemberofthe
Eboardgoesthroughwhattheyhavedonerecentlyandwhattheyplanondoingsoon.Evan
discusseshisplansondoingmixersandotherevents.Alexdiscussesavolunteerworkactivity
andasksforvolunteers,Colinletspeopleknowwhethereventscanbedonebasedonthemoney
flow,andAlexdiscussesotherfraternitiesthatwantustoparticipateintheirevents.each
memberoftheEboardhasacommitteegivingeverymemberofthefraternityachancetodo
somethingandsotherearenoslackersinthefraternity.

20:00:
ThenextphaseofchapteriscalledNewandOldBusiness,firstMembersdiscussNew
Business.DuringthistimemembersdiscusstheplanningofourSemiFormalandweallvoteon
theDateforit.ThenwediscussaMondayNightFootballeventwithasororitythatwedecided
todo.Thenwediscusstoseeifthereisanythingelseweneedtotakecareof,whenwefindthat
thereisnothingmorewemoveontooldBusiness.Thisiswhenwetalkaboutthingsthatwere
accomplishedandbrotherswhowereinchargeoftheeventsthanksthebrothersthathelpedout.
lastsaturday,the12th,Wasourfirsthomefootballgame,EthanTurners(Brother)Parents
volunteeredtocookforthetailgateandtheyhadalotofgreatforthankstothefraternityraising
$345forsuppliesforthetailgate.

35:00:
NextontheagendaisBrotherthanksfollowedbyRegardsforthesick,andregardsfor
thegood,Duringbrotherthanks,Brothersstandupandthankotherbrothersforsomethingthey
didduringthepastweek.DuringRegardsforthesickBrothersaskthefraternitytokeep
someoneintheirprayersbecausetheyaresick,injuredorgoingthrougharoughtime.Regards
forthegoodiswhenbrothersstandupandtellthefraternityaboutsomethingtheyareproudof
andhappyabout.Forexample,Someoneisnolongersick,Someonedidwellonanexam,Or
theyhaveothergoodnewstoshare.

50:00:
Closing,Ryanasksforeveryonesattentionandvangoesbackuptothepodiumwithhim
andtheyreadanexcerpt.theythenhaveallthebrothersstandandbowtheirheadsforaclosing
prayer.afterthatwecircleupandSingourfraternitysong.ThatendsChapter,howevermany
peoplestayaftertomeetthecommitteesanddiscusswhattheycandointhecomingweekto
preparefornextmeeting.

2. (Volunteershipevent)
SaturdaySeptember26th.
0:00:
SeveralmembersofSigEparevolunteeringtohelpcleanupaftertheFighttoEnd
AlzheimersWalkwhichwasheldatsouthparkmallinCharlotte.DavidGonzalez(Brother)

drovemeand3otherMemberstothelocationsothatwecouldhelpout.Thewalkendedat
12pm,whichiswhenweshoweduptocleanup.TheDirectormetusandwetalkedforalittlebit
thenwegotstarted.

5:00:
The7ofuswereinstructedtocarrywaterbottlesovertoatentandpickupalltheleftover
garbageonthefields.Wedidthisforanhouranditwentbyrelativelyfastbecausewehadalot
ofhands.Afterwardweneededtoloadupabudgettruckwithmanysuppliessuchastshirtsand
pinwheels.Thepeoplewhowereinchargewereverygratefulthatwecametohelpout.

1:00:00:
Thenextstepwehadtodowasfollowthebudgettrucktoastoragefacilitywherewe
unloadeditandputeverythinginthestoragecomplex.Italkedtoanolderbrotheraboutthe
importanceofvolunteerworkwithinthefraternityandIwastolditisisveryimportantbecause
itallowsustoshowNationals(TheheadquartersofSigEp)thatweworkhardandarenotjust
partyingfratboys.AfterthisthepersoninchargeoftheAlzheimerswalkcreditedour
fraternitieswith40hoursofCommunityService(20guys,2Hrseach)andwasvery
appreciativeofourhelp.

3. (SigmaMeeting)
SundaySeptember27th
0:00:
SigmaMeetingsareeverySundayat5:30(Tentativeuntilwevoteonanewtime).These
aremeetingsthatareRunbytwoOlderbrothers,AlexHafnerandEthanParham.Allnew
MembersofSigmaPhiEpsilongotoSigmaMeetings.thisistodevelopanunderstandingofthe
fraternity.BeingthatSigEpdoesnotpledge,allofusarealreadybrothers,wearejustinthe
Sigmastageofourbrotherhood,whichisbasicallythelowestonthetotempole.Thereare15
guysintheSigmaClass,9ofwhicharefreshman.

5:00:
AlexandEthantakeattendance,Itisrequiredthatthesigmascannotmissasigmaclass.
Wethendiscussafewthingsaboutthefraternity,AlexandEthanhaveapowerpoint
presentationforustotakenotesoffof.EverySigmamustpassaSigmatestafter5weeksto
moveontoPhi.toprepareforthistestweneedtoknowtheoriginationofthefraternityand
otherthingssuchasthegreekalphabetandallthefraternitiesandsororitiesonourcampus.

20:00:
AlexandEthangiveusafairlyeasyquizontheEBoardandStandardsBoard,The
Standardsboardismadeupof5meninthefraternityandthesemenhaveparticularrolesduring
ourrituals.EthanParhamistheGuide,MichaelTranistheGuard,NickFuciniistheSenior
Marshall,andRyanFertakosistheJuniorMarshall.Thesebrotherstakepartintheritualsby
doingparticularjobs.

30:00:
AfterthequizwediscussnewtopicsforourSigmaClass,eachSigmaclasshastodoa
projectthatwillbenefitthefraternityasawhole,thisyearitappearswewillbebuildingafirepit
inthebackyardofthefraternityhouse.AfterwardweareinformedaboutourBrotherMentors,
eachmemberoftheSigmaclassisgivenamentorinthefraternitythattheycantalktoand
connectwith,MybrothermentorisMattiasTillman,hegavemeabookthatisreferredtoasthe
LROBthisbookistolearnmoreaboutbrotherhoodwithinthefraternity.Thebrothermentoris
notaBig,BigsarechosenattheendofSigma.

45:00:
AlexandEthanhaveusstandandcircleupandwelearnhowtodothetoastandthenwe
singthefraternitysong.afterwhichweclosethemeetingandprepareforchapterwhichisright
aftertheSigmameeting.

AdamBeason
9/29/15
UWRIT1104

Backgroundinfoforseason3episode12:WalterWhiteandhisdrugaddictsidekickmadeadeal
withadruglord(GustavoFring)becausetheywerehavingtroublesellingtheirproductthe

infamousbluemeth.Sotheymakeabusinessdealwiththesenewpeopleandassoonasthey
startdoingbusinesswiththesethugstheyimmediatelyrealizetheymadethewrongdecision.
Themantheyworkforusesgangstersasdistributorsandthesespecificdistributorsaretheworst
oftheworst.Thegangmembersarebrutalandmeantoanyoneandeveryonewhethertheyhave
areasontobeornot.Intheepisodesleadinguptothisonetheyhadafriendgetbrutally
murderedbyan11yearoldboyonabicycle.IntheepisodebeforethisJesseobtainedthe
informationofwhichcrewwasresponsible.Thisganguseskidstodothedirtyworkbecause
theydontcareforanyonebutthemselves.Theyclaimtousekidsbecausetheyareeasily
manipulatedandworthnothing.

Actors:Actorsarepeople/charactersamongstafiguredworldthatbringthefiguredworld
togetherthroughtheirinterestsandpurposes.

WalterWhite:WalterWhiteisaphenominalchemistryteacheratasmallruralhigh
school.Heisastrugglingfatherwhoworkshardtoprovideforhisfamilyandisbarelybringing
enoughintomakeitby.Hehasalwaysstruggledandneverhadenoughmoneytohavehimand
hisfamilylivecomfortably.Hesoonsgetscancerandrealizesheisterminal.Knowinghedoesnt
havelongtoliveheputshischemistryskillstothetestsohecanmakemethamphetamine.He
doesntwanttomakethisproductbutheseesittobethefastestandeasiestwaytomakemoney
beforeheleaveshisfamilybehind.

JessePinkman:Jessewasakidthatalwayswantedtofitinandalwayswantedattention.
Heturnedtodrugs,sexandmoredrugsthroughouthislifeifhewaspresentedwithanissue.
JessewasahighschooldropoutandschoolwaswherehemetWalter.WalterhadtaughtJesse
beforehedroppedoutofhighschool.Jesseisquitedifferentinthesensethatheonlywantsto
helpWalterbecausehewantsthemoneyforhimself.Intheendthetwoteamuptomakethebest
andpurestmethevermade.AlthoughthemainreasonJessecooksmethisbecauseheismoney
hungryhedoesshowinmanywayshedoescareforotherpeopleandhewillprotecttheoneshe
caresabout.


Observation1

Season1episode1:9minutesintothefirstepisodeweseeWalterWhiteworkinga
secondjobwashingcars.Hedoesnotmakeenoughmoneytosupporthisfamilysoheisforced
toworkanotherjob.Heiscalledtowashacarandwhileheisonhishandsandkneeswashing
thecarstrugglinghelookedupandsawastudentofhisdrivingthecarhewaswashing.Theboy
lookeddownuponhisteacherbecausethisboyobviouslyhadmoremoneythanhisteacherand
itwasntfair.Thismanisinhislateryearsstrugglingtomakeendsmeetforhisfamilyyeta
youngboyalreadyhasitmade.Thescenecutsawayandgoestothenextone.

10minutesand40secondsintotheepisodeWalterwalksintoaclusterofpeopleand
smilescoveringtheirfaces.Eachoneyellingoutthewordsurprise.Itshisbirthday.Everybodyis
socializingandthenwemeetthebrotherinlawHank.HeisaDEAagentwhoisnotabove
gloatingandtalkingabouthisprofessionatall.Heshowseveryonehissidearmandbeginsto
talkofhisjobalittle.Hankmakesaspeachandattheendhesaysyourheartisintheright
place.TheytoastandabrubtlythecelebrationcomestoanendbecauseHankbeingtheproud
agentheiswantseverybodytowatchthenews.TheychangetoChannel3andimmediatelyyou
seeHank.Heistalkingtoareporterabouthowheapprehended3individualsthatwereapartofa
methlab.Walttunesend.ImagesofthemoneyareflashedonChannel3.Millionsandmillions
wereseizedfromtheoperationandyouseeWaltergetclosertothetv.Heisamazedbythe
amountofcashsittingonthetable.HetellsWalttheygot700,000dollarsfromthisbustand
witheverysecondWaltgetsmoreandmoreamazed.itseasymoneyHanksaysdescribingthe
methdistribution.

16minutesand20seconds:Walterisbackatthecarwashdoinghardlaboronceagain
foramanofhisageandheisstrugglingslightly.Hestopsandacoughcomesoverhim.Its
gettingworseandworseandthenhepassesout.Theambulancegetshimandtheytakehimto
thehospital.ThewholewayWalttriestotellthemthatheisfineandhethentellsthemhe
doesnthavetheinsuranceforatriptothehospital.Theparamedicsaskifheisasmoker(which

heisnot).Theygivehimmanytestsandtheytellhimhehascancer.Lungcancerthatis
inoperable.Bestcasewithtreatmenthewillliveacouplemoreyears.

19minutesand30seconds:Waltwalksinonlytohearhiswifehavingissueswithpaying
billsandstruggling.Thenshebeginstoaskaboutdifferentpurchasesanditseemstheyare
havingissueswithfinancing.Heneglectstotellherwhatswrongbecausehefearstheycant
affordtreatment.

22minutesand40seconds:WaltsinterestedsohegoesonaridealongwithHankjustto
seewhatitsallabout.HankandhispartnergotobustthemethlabandWalterwatchesfromthe
car.TohisamazementwhileheseesHankbustinginheseesaboyjumpingoutofthewindow.
Theboyisfamiliar.ItsanolddropoutthatWalterusedtoteach.JessePinkman.Hegetsaway
withoutanybodybutWalterseeing.JesseandWaltermakeeyecontactandthenheruns.Later
thatnightWaltgoestohishousetotalktoJesse.Hisaddresswasstillinthefilingsystem.He
makessomesmalltalkabouthisproductionandhisproduct.Jesselosthispartnerinthebustand
Walterbringsthattohisattention.WalterknowsthechemistryandJesseknowstherestheasks
topartnerup.

Observation2

Season3episode12:TenminutesintothisepisodeJessepresentsWalterwithabagof
theirpurestmeth.WalterisshockedthatJessewouldjustpullabagofmethoutinpublicand
waswonderingwhyhewasntbeingcautiouswithitbuthecouldseeJessehadareason.Jesse
wasmadandhisangerwasonlygettingstronger.JessebeginstotellWalterhowhegotthe
meth.Thesamecrewthatmanipulatedan11yearoldboyandmadetheboyshootCombo
theirclosefriendwassellinganddistributingtheirveryownproduct.Hehadheardtalkthatthe
guysweresellinghisproductsoJessewenttoseeforhimselfsoheboughtsomefromtheguys
thedaybefore.Whichmeantthattheywereworkingwiththemurderersthattheysodeeply
despised.Theyhadwentlongwithoutknowingthisbecausetheyworkedunderamanthat
providedthemwithgreatservicesandtheyaskednoquestionsaslongastheygotpaid.Nowthat
thetwohavetheinformationthattheydothingsgetalittlehairyfortheduo.Theirbossendsup

findingoutallaboutthetensionthathasgatheredinthemidstofbusinessandheisextremely
unpleased.HeordersJesseandPinkmantomeethimataconstructionyardwayoutoftownto
discusstheissues.BothJesseandWalterdidnottrustitbutnonethelessalltheydidwas
discusstheissuesurprisingly.Thensuddenlythegangstersarrivewhiletheyarediscussing
business.ThebossGusFringwasnotonlywantingtodiscusswithWalterandJessebuthe
wantedthethugstocometo.Gussatthembothdownandmadethemapologizeandneversnoop
ineitheronesbusinessagain.Notonlythatbuttheymadeadealtoneverusekidsinthe
operationsagain.Sothingswereontheupandupanditseemedthatthingswerelevelingout.
Jessestillofcoursewantedrevengebuthewasgoingtodropitbecausehefearedforhislifeand
forhispartners.LaterthatdayWalteriswatchingthenewswithhisfamilyandseeswherean11
yearoldboyonabikeisshotandkilled.Heturnsthetvupandintheshotofthetvheseesa
lifelessbody.Itwasthetheboythatthegangmembershadbeenmanipulating.Tocuttieswith
thekidstheyusedtheyendedupkillingtheboy.Jessefoundoutandbegantotakeactionsinto
hisownhands.Jessegetsextremelyhighandemotionalandbeginstomakeoneoftheworst
ideashecouldpossiblythinktodo.Hepullsuptothecornerwherethegangusuallyhangsout
smokessomemeth,criesandpullsoutagunfromunderhisseat.Jessewassickofitall.Hegets
outofthecarandgoestothemen.Hepointsthegunatthemtoshootthemandbeforehecana
familiarcarrunsrightintothetwogangmembers.ItsWalter.Walterrunsoverthetwoguys,
Jessegetsinandtheyspeedoff.

BackgroundInfotoobservation3:SothroughouttheseriesofBreakingBadMany
peopletrytofindoutwhocooksthebluemeth.Dayafterdaymoredangersandmoreenemies
arise.WhethertheywantWalterandhiscookingabilityalltothemselvesorwanttoputastopto
hiscookingeverybodywantshimandhispartnerJesse.Sincetheystartedtheyhaveblownup
druglordsrunovergangmembers,letpeopleoverdosingdrownintheirownthrowupand,done
evenmoreobscurethingstoprotectthemselvesandtheirfamily.Nomatterwhattherisks
Walteralwaysshowsthatfamilycomesfirst.Jesseaswell.ThatswhyJessewantedoutofit
allJessefinallymetagirlinarehabilitationclassthathereallyliked.Aspreviouslystated
thingswerenevereasyforthesetwoandnotonlythatbutfamilywasaboveitallfortheseguys.
Peoplewerealwaysafterthem.Jessewasgettingtiredofitallandwantedout.Walteronthe
otherhandwasnotquitereadytostophisbusinessjustyet.SojessewenttotheDEAandtold
themabouteverythingandinreturnhewasgrantedfullimmunity.Walterwasdoneandthecops

andgangstersandeveryoneelsewereclosinginquickonhim.Inthisobservationyouwillnotice
thattheportionbeingobservedisquiteshortbutinsayingthatithasrealtruemeaningbehind
thepiecethatisbeinglookedat.Sowhatdoesamandowhenheknowsheisdonefor?Notonly
arealotofoutsidepeoplefindingoutaboutthetrueWalterbutalongthewaySkylarfoundout
thetruthandstartedhelpinghideSOMEofthemoneyandsoshewasindangerjustasmuch
withtheDEAaseverybodyelse.

AlsoknowWaltersbrotherinlawisaDEAagent.NotonlythatbutheisontoWalterand
JesseintheepisodebeforetoldalltheinformationtoHank(thebrotherinlaw).Sotopopthis
casewideopenalltheyneededwassomehardcoreevidencebutthiswouldbehardbecause
walteralwayscoveredhistracks.Theonlyflawwashismoney.Walterhadsomuchthatthe
majorityofthemoneyhehadhadtobehidden.Jesseknewexactlywherethismoneywasbeing
hispartner.WalterwasontohimandhiredgoonstostopJesseandsotheyallendupgoingtoa
remotelocationwherethemoneyisandgunswerebroughtAlonggunfighttookplaceandso
thisiswheretheepisodepicksup.

Observation3

Season5episode14:5minutesand30secondsintothisepisodeandthethugsthat
Walterhadhiredwerestandingandwaitingtoseeiftheyhadanysurvivors.Thesmokeclears
andtheywalktowardtheDEAvehiclesandbehinditthegoonsfindashotandinjuredHank
tryingdesperatelytogettoaweapon.Theyobviouslystophimbeforehecangettoit.Walter
triestostopthemfromputtingabulletthroughhisbrotherinlawsheadandtriestoreasonwith
themwhentheyrealizeheisDEA.HegetsthemtolistenandtellsHanktorunandforgetwhat
hesawandtheyagreetheywillneverhurthimifhecomplies.Hankisenragedandpushesthe
buttonsofthemenandhetellsthemtokillhim.Themenaskhimonelasttimeifhewilltakethe
dealandHankturnstothemandsaysGofuckyourselves.Theleaderpointshisgunandpulls
thetrigger.Walterdropstohiskneeshenevermeantforanybodytodiehehadoriginallycalled
thesquadofguysandthiergunsoff.Allthevehiclesinvolvedinthegunfightareshotupand
undriveablesoWaltertakesthelastbitofmoneyhehasandwalksuntilhefindsamanoutside
standingbyanoldtruck.Walterhandsthemanamoundofcashandhetakesthecardrivingas

fastashecanbacktohishouse.HeknowsthatmoreDEAwillbecomingafterhimandheis
scaredtheymaygoforhisfamily.Heisascaredmanthatishorifiedforthefutureofhisfamily
andtheirpossiblefutureifheiscaught.

23minutesand30secondsintotheepisodeHankswife,MarieconfrontsSkylarhersister
atthecarwash.(HanktoldherthemajorityofwhatsgoingonandshesuspectsSkylarwasapart
ofit)MarietellshertheyneedtotalkandWalterandSkylarssonisstandingthere(heis
oblivioustothesituationathand)SkylartriestoblowoffwhatshesaysandMariegetsalittle
anxiousandtellsSkylaragaininamoresternvoicethattheyneedtotalk.Theyproceedtothe
backofficewhilehersonWalterJr.watchesthecarwash.AtfirstSkylartriestoactobliviousto
thesituationandinasensepleadthe5th.MariehadgottenacallfromHankbeforehedied
sayingthatWalterwasincustody.(Obviouslythisisnttrueanymoreandneitherareawareof
whatwentonjustearlier)ShetellsthemhowJesseratedoutWalterandhowWalterisdonefor.
Skylarsitsinshockandiscompletelysilent.Shehasnoideawhattosayandshejustsitsand
takesineverythingsheistold.Mariebeginstotellhertojustcomecleanneverythingsoshe
wonthaveitsobad(rememberMariejustwantstohelpouthersister)Sheputsittohervery
sternandbluntthatsheneedstocomecleanandsheisbeingsoloudandtalkingsofastSkylar
canbarelyutteraword.Shequestionsherloveforherfamilyandsaysmanydifferentstrong
statementstofollow.SheasksSkylartocomplyandSkylarintearsandshamenodstocome
clean.MariethenbringsherstilloblivioussoninsoshecantellWalterJroftheactivitiesthat
havebeengoingonwithhisfamily.Theybringhiminandatfirsthecannotbelievehisears.
Hisdadadrugdealer.Hetellsthemtheyareinsanenotonlyforwhathappenedbutforkeeping
itasecretfromhim.Hismomasidekicktothewholething.SkylarandWaltJr.goandpickup
HollyWhiteWalterinfantchildfromdaycareanddrivebackhomewithWaltJr.stillcryingwith
amixtureofangerandsadnessforwhathisfamilydid.Helooksathismotherandsaysyouare
justasbadashim.

30minutesand40secondsintotheshowthecameracutstodistraughtWalterWhite
runningthroughhishomegatheringandpackingclothesandessentials.Clearlyhedoesnothave
anyintentionsofreturningeveragain.Notonlyisheseenpackinghisstuffbutalsohisfamilies
things.Herunsthroughthehouselikeamadmanhurryingasfastashecanbecauseheknows
justhowlittleofawindowhehasbeforecopsareonhimandhisfamily.Hegatherstheluggage

quicklyintothehallwayandthecameracutsaway.Itshisfamilytheyareturningontohisroad.
Theyseetheoldbeatuptruckhepurchasedfromthatrandommansittinginthedriveway.
Skylarswingsthecarintothedrivewayblockingtheunknowncarin.Walterwalksoutsideas
theyparkandthrowstheluggageintheback.HissontriestoquestionhimandWalterassures
hisfamilynottoworryjustpackandmakeitquick.Skylarknowssomethingisupbecausehe
wassupposedlyincustodyearlierthisday.SowhereisHankshethinks?Hegetsthefamily
insidetotryandfinishthepackinghehasalreadydoneandSkylarenterswiththemostcaution
shehaseverhad.WalterJr.keepsaskingquestionsandWaltertellshimtoshutupandpackthe
essentials.Skylarlooksathimwiththedeepestconcernlookshimdeepintohiseyesandasks
whereHankis.SheknowsHankwouldnotjustletWaltergetaway.Walterisstunnedandtries
toworkoutananswerbutitwontcomeout.AllhecansayisWearefine.Sheasksagain.No
answer.Tearsfloodhereyesandsheasksonelasttime.Waltergoestoherandtellsaboutallthe
moneyhehasforthefamilyandsaystheycanmakeafreshstartandbasicallyblowsoffher
question.Moretearscometoherfaceandsherealizesit.Hankisdead.Sheautomatically
assumeshekilledHankandWaltercanonlyutterout.itriedtosavehime.Thefamilyis
stunned.Tearsspreadlikeavirusthroughthehomeandontoeveryfaceinthehouse.Walter
beginstopackagainbecausehebelievestheydontknowthedangerthatisabouttocometothe
family.Skylarslipsoutofsightintothekitchenandgrabsthebiggestknifeshecan.Shecoaxes
himtoleavebutyetstubbornWaltcantsimplytakenoforananswerhereachesforthemto
comewithhimandSkylarsliiceshishand.Thetwothenhaveahorriblealtercationoverthe
possessionoftheknifeandWaltJr.callsthecopsonhisdad.WaltergetsawayleavingWalter
Jr.andSkylarcrying.WhiletheyareinshockwithtearscoveringtheirfaceWaltertakesbaby
HollyputsherinthetruckslamsitinreversehittingSkylarscaranddrivesoff.Skylarrunsand
triestostophimbutsheisnomatchforavehicle.HegetsawaywithHolly.

38minutesand43seconds:Walterischanginghisdaughtersdiaperinarandomgas
stationbathroom.Asheispickingherupshespeaksherfirstwords.MommaMommaItwas
thenWaltrealizedwhathehadtodo.HemessedupwhenhetookHolly.Heknowshecantsplit
uphisfamilyanymorethanhealreadyhas.Youcanseeinhiseyeshejustwantswhatsbestfor
thefamily.Heholdshertightlybecauseheknowsthisistheend.Heknowswhattodonow.

39Minutesand42Seconds.ThecameracutstoahoardofcopsandDEAagentsissueing
outanamberalertforHollyintheWhitehousehold.Copslookingforcluesandwaitingtoseeif
Waltwillcomebackwithher.Thenithappens.Thephonerings.Thewholefamilyandsquadof
policeofficersturntolookatthephoneinsuredisbelief.Skylarpicksupthephone.Sheputsit
onspeakerandWaltbegins.Hegoesonarantactinglikethebadguyandseemstotakea
completeshiftincharacter.HegoesonandtalksabouthowSkylartriedtostophimfrom
makingmethandclearedhiswifesname.Heliedandtwisteditalluptosaveherfromthepolice
sothefamilywouldnthavetoseetheirmomgotoprison.HesaysIbuiltthisbymyself.He
throwshisownselfunderthebusanddestroyshiswholerelationshipwitheveryonewiththatone
phonecalltosavethem.HetakesHollytoanearbyfiredepartmentandleavesandthatsthelast
timeheeverseesanyoneinhisfamilyagain.

PracticesoftheCommunity:Practicesofacommunityiswhenpeoplehaveacommon/similar
interestsamongstagroup.Thegroupisorganizedtocompleteasharedgoalofatopiceveryone
istrulyinvestedin.Everybodypitchesinandeveryonehelpseachothersotheycansucceedin
whattheylove.

ProductionofMethamphetamine:ThemaincommunityinsidetheworldofBreakingBad
istheproductionofMeth.Everybodyisdeeplyinvestedwithinthecommunity.Fromthemakers
ofthedrug(Walter,andJesse)tothedistributorsanddruglordsoftheregion.Inthisworld
almosteveryoneyoumeetinthisshowhasdevotedaportionoftimetoturningAlbuquerque
NewMexicointotheMethamphetaminecapital.

HelpingFamily:ThewholereasonWalterWhitestartedcookingMethwasforfamily.
Hefoundouthewasterminalandwantedtoleavehisfamilyenoughmoneysotheycouldfinally
livecomfortably.Hewasinvolvedinthecrimeringallforthemheriskedhislifeallforthem.
NotonlythatbutJessealsoafterawhilebegantosharethesamegoaltoprotectfamily.Nothis
literalfamilybuthisclosefriends,Walter,Waltersfamilyaswell.Theybothshowinmany
situationsthattheywoulddoabsolutelyanythingforfamily.Evenifitmeansbreakingthelaw.

Summary:Throughoutthisintenseseriessomethingcrazyisalwayshappening.Tostartoffa
Chemistryteachergoesfromteachingkidsbasicperiodictableknowledgetobecomingthemost
wellknownMethcookeverknown.Everyonehastheiropinionsofwhyhedidthethingshedid
andeveryonehastheirownspecificviews.Inthese3shortepisodesandthese3short
observationsthecentralmechanicbehinditallissacrifice.Notarandomsacrificebutsacrifice
forfamilyandlovedones.ThroughouttheseasonsofBreakingBadWalterWhitehasproved
thathecaresdeeplyfortheonesaroundhim.InthebeginningweseeWalterasastruggling
schoolteacherthatistryinghisabsolutebesttoprovideasmuchashecanforhisfamily.He
workstwojobsandfromwhatwecantellitsbothphysicallyandmentallydemandingespecially
forsomeoneofhisage.He,likemanypeoplewasnotgiftedwithmoney.Hewassimplyadad
tryingtodohisverybest.Inthefirstepisodeweseehowheenvystheyoungadolescentthathas
itall.Heisseeninthefirstepisodeonhiskneesscrubbinghistiresstrugglingwhiletheboyand
allofhismoneyjustlooksdownuponWalter.ItsnotWaltersfaultthathedoesnthavemoney
butatthesametimehewisheshehadsomesohecoulddomoreforhisfamily.Hetrulycares
forthemandthatsexactlywhyIchosetoobservethesespecificepisodes.Inthefirstepisodeas
previouslystatedhisfamilysomewhatstrugglesandtheydonthaveawholelottotheirname.He
thenfindsoutlaterinepisode1abouthisterminallungcancer.Healreadystatedhedoesnthave
insurancetocoverahospitalvisitandtheirisnowayinhellitcouldcoversomethingas
expensiveascancertreatments.SoinsteadofbeingaburdenonhisfamilyweseeWaltershow
histruecolorsandheshowsjusthowfarhewillgotohelphisfamily.Familyiseverythingto
himsohedecidestousehisChemistryskillstohelphisfamilyoutfinancially.Sohestarts
cookingasweseeinthefirstobservation.InthesecondobservationweseeWalterinaconflict
withsomegangmembersandherealizesthemomenttheykilltheyoungboythatthesepeople
arenottobetrustedandheknewtheywereathreattohimandhisfamily.Sowhatdoes
someonedowhentheyfeeltheyareindanger?Theyfightback.Hecaressodeeplyforhis
familyheriskshislifetoputthesegoonsdown.Inthefinalobservationthelastexampleismore
subtle.Walterrealizesneartheendoftheepisodehehastornhisfamilyapartintryingtoprotect
them.HeknowsthebestcourseofactionistotakealltheblamefortheMethlabandclearhis
wifesnameinhopethatatleasttherestofhisfamilycanliveanormallife.Heknewagentswere
listeningtothephonecallsoheclearedhiswifesnameandsacrificedhisownselftoprotecther.
InrealityWaltersheartwasalwaysintherightplace.Maybehisactionswerearguabllyextreme
insomecasesbutwhenamancaresasmuchasWalterdoesthereisNOTHINGhewouldntdo
toinsurethebestforhisfamily.Sometimeswhenyoucaresomuchyouwouldgotoanylengths

toprotectandhelptheonesyoulove.Inconclusioniwouldhavetosaywithinthisfigured
worldwhenfamilyisthreatenedtherearenorulesandnoguidelinestofollow.Tothese
charactershelpingfamilyistheonlyrule.

BrandonBurgess
FiguredWorld:Afiguredworldisaformationthatvariesinsize,butismadeup
ofacertainsetofrulesthatdescribewhatbehaviorisappropriateornormaltobe
seeninthatworld.
Summary:
ThefiguredworldIamobservingisBigSeansmusiccareerfromthebeginningofhis
fameuntilnow.ThefiguredworldthatIchoseisatypeofbusiness.Hecreatesmusic
forhisfansandgetspaidfromitwhentheybuyCDs,ordownloaditfromonlinemusic
storessuchasiTunes.Thevariousactivitiesthattakeplacearestudiosessionswhere
alloftherecordingtakesplace,concertswherefanscomeouttolistentohimperform
hismusiclive,andworldtoursthatalsotakeplacesothatfansacrosstheglobegetthe

samechancetoseehimaswedointheU.S.ItisappropriateforBigSeantotake
photographswithhisfansafterconcerts.Itisalsoappropriateforhimtogiveout
autographsforhisfansthataskforone.Youshouldexpecttoseehimonstage
performinginfrontoflargecrowdsandmaybeevengettingalittlenervousbeforea
bigshow.Someformsofcommunicationthatwecanexpecttoseefromhimare
verbal,interviews,andoverthephone.Hemaytext,tweetorupdateastatuson
Facebook.HeuploadspicturesonhisInstagramaccountmainlyofhislife,but
occasionallyincludesapictureofhimandafan.Healsocommunicateswithafew
selectpeoplethroughhismusic.HisfamoussongIDontF***WithYouisdirected
towardsanexofhis.Aloudvolumeisnotconsideredadistractionandistobe
expectedinthiscareer.Itwouldbeinappropriateforhimtodenyafanapictureoran
autographiftheyweretoaskforone.Thecommunityofpracticeinthisfiguredworld
wouldbehisteamandfamilythatsupporthimfully.Theyallworktogethertosupport
himandhelphimbecomebiggertoreachgreaterheightsoffame.Hisfanswouldnot
beacommunityofpractice.Eventhoughtheyareallinterestedinhismusic,theydo
notlearnfromeachotherorteachanythingnewabouthismusicorhislife.

Domain:Adomainisthesubjectthatagroupofpeopleareallinterestedin.Theycommit
tothatinterestwhichinturnmeanstheycommittothatdomain.Someoneontheoutside
couldbeinterestedinthesubjectbutthatdoesntautomaticallymeanthattheyare
committedtothedomain.Eventhoughsomeoneisinterestedinthesamething,iftheydo

nottaketothetimeandefforttoworktogetherwithpeopleofthesameinterestandlearn
fromthemandpossiblyteachthemsomethingnewtheycannotbeapartofthecommunity.
Seansfamily,friends,andproducerssharethesamedomainbecausetheyallwanthimtobe
biggerandbetterthanwhatheis.Theyworkhardalongwithhimtogethismusicjustright,
promoteit,andmakesurethatitsells.TheyarenotdoingitforthemselvesbutactuallyforSean
becausetheysharethesameinterestofhimbecoming
FinallyFamous
.OneofSeansfanswould
notbeconsideredtosharethatdomain.Theyareinterestedinhismusicandtalentfortheir
entertainmentpurposesonly.Hisfansdonotworkwithhimtoproducehismusicorcritiquehis
lyrics.Iftheydocritiquehislyricsitishighlyunlikelyhewilleversee/hearthecommentsthat
arebeingmade.

CommunitiesofPractice:Thecommunityistheareathatthegroupnotonlyworks
togetherbutalsolearnfromeachother.Ifthepeopleinthegrouparentteachingand
learningfromeachotherthenitisnotconsideredacommunity.Employeesatmyjoblearn
somethingneweachday.Thereisalwayssomeonewhodoesntknowhowtodosomething
andsomeonethatdoeswillshowthem.Thereisbothteachingandlearninggoingon,and
weallshareacommongoalorinterestsomyworkplaceisconsideredacommunity.
Seanscommunityofpracticearehisrecordingstudiosandthestagesthatheperformson.His
lifeisallaboutmusic.Whileinthestudiosongsarerecordedandplayedoverandoveragain
untiltheyareperfect.Hemayhave14differentversionsofthesamesongandisgetting
feedbackonallofthemfromtheotherpeopleinthecommunitybecausetheyallsharethesame
commongoalofmakinggoodmusic.


PracticesoftheCommunity:Thepracticeistheactivitythateveryoneinthegroupdoes
together.Theyteachoneanotherandlearnfromeachother,eveniftheyarenottogether
everyday.Itiswhatreallybringseveryonetogethertofeelliketheyareapartof
somethingbiggerthanjustthemselvesacommunity.
ThepracticethateveryonedoestogetherislisteningtoSeansmusicandtellinghimwhatsounds
good,badandwhatalsocouldbebetter.Theymaysuggestlyricstouseorpunchlinesfora
certainsongbutatthesametimeunderstandthatheistheartistsoifhedoesnotagreethenthat
isperfectlyfine.Still,everyonecontributestothemusicthathemakesinonewayoranotherso
thisactivityofgivingfeedbackandmakingsuggestionsbringseveryonetogetherinthe
community.
Artifacts:Artifactsarecertainitemsthathaveaspecialmeaningwithinafiguredworld
andthecommunity.Itcanalsobefeelingsorideasthathavespecificmeaningwithinthe
community.
Seansstudios:Seanstartsoutwithahomestudiowhileinhighschoolbutbythetimeheis
famoushehasmoveduptoaprofessionalqualitystudioandhasprofessionalsproducinghis
musicforhim.
Seansdryeraseboard:thisboardissignificantbecauseforeachalbumittellstheorderofthe
songsthatwillbeonthealbum.Whenmakinganalbumoraprojectyouwanttotellastorywith
eachsong,butalsoyouwantthesongsinordertotellastoryoftheirown.Thisisveryimportant
sothattheorderisnotmessedupandisperfect.

Actors:Actorsinacommunityhaveaspecificpurposeormeaningthatcontributestothe
overallgoal.Actorscanvaryinage,sizeandgenderbutnomatterthevariancestheyget
theirjobtohelpoutthecommunitywhichsharesthesamegoals.
SeansMother:SheisaveryinfluentialwomantoSeanbecausebeforehewasfamousshestill
alwayssupportedhimandthedecisionshemade.Whenhedecidedtodropoutofschoolto
followhisdreamsofbeinganartistshestoodbehindhim.Sheknewthatnoteverydaywould
yougetacallfromKanyeWesttellingyouthatyouregoingtobethenextbigthing.
SeansFather:Hisfatherwasnotalwaysaroundforhismotherbuthewasalwaysaroundfor
Sean.Wheneverheneededhelpwithsomethingoradviceonasubject,hewastheretohelp.His
fathergavehimadviceonhismusic,moneyandwomen.Hetoldhimnottomakethesame
mistakesthathemadewithSeansmother.HewouldputupmoneyalongwithSeansmotherto
flyhimandhisfriendouttoChicagoeveryweektorecordinarecordingstudiotheywere
introducedtobyKanyeWest.
TheObservation:
BeforeFame:
BigSeanisseenfreestylingathishighschoolwithagroupoffriends.Theyhold
differentrapbattleseachdayafterclassletsout.Heandhisfriendshaveamusicgroupthatthey
puttogethercalledS.O.S.EveryFridaytheywouldgodowntotheradiostationinDetroit,
Michiganandperformonairfortheircity.OneFriday,oneoftheDJsmentionedtohimthat
KanyeWestwasrightdownthehall.HealsosuggestedthatSeangosaywhatsuptohim.
WhenSeansawKanyeheaskedifhecouldfreestyleforhim.Kanyerepliedthathewasinarush
butBigSeanpleadedwithhimandfinallyKanyesaidalright,yougot16meaning16barsor
linestorap.BigSeanrappedabout100bars,whichistheequivalenttoa2to3minutesong.He

wasonlyallowedtokeepgoingafterthefirst16becauseKanyeandhisentouragethathewas
withlikedSeanslyricssomuchtheydecidedtonotstophim.SeanthanksKanyeafterhetells
himhowgoodhislyricswere.Kanyeandhismanagershareabrieflookwitheachother
indicatingthattheyboththoughtthelyricsweregood.Knowingthattheycouldnotleavesucha
talentedpersonemptyhanded,theybothinvitedSeanandhisfriendtoKanyeslisteningparty
laterthatnight.Theytoldhimitwasatasecretlocationbuthecouldcomeoutandhaveagood
time.Seanwassuperexcitedashethankedthemwhiletheylefttherecordingstudio.Afew
momentslaterherealizesthathenevergottheactualaddressoftheparty.Herunsaroundthe
radiostationaskingeveryoneifanyoneknewwherethepartywasgoingtobeheld.Allreplied
itsasecretlocationhowwouldweknow?AsSeanwalkstohiscartogohomeheisstopped
byamanhedoesnotrecognize.Themanaskshimarentyouthedudethatjustrappedfor
Kanye?Seanrepliedyes.ThemanaskshimifheisgoingtothelisteningpartybutSeantells
himthathedoesnothavetheaddressoftheparty.Themanpullsapieceofpaperoutofhis
pocketwhichhastheaddressonitandgivesittoSean.Seanconsidersthismanhisguardian
angel.AtthelisteningpartyKanyeintroducesBigSeantoeveryonethatcameoutandletsthem
allknowthatSeanhadthecouragetorapforhimtoday.Hetellsthemthateventhoughheisone
ofthetoughestcriticsinthegame,Seancanreallyrap.Seanfeelsexcitedtohavealleyesonhim
andtobecheeredfor.Forthetime,Seanandhisfriendenjoytheparty.Laterthatnight,Kanye
sitsthemdownandtellsthemthattheyarenotreallylookingforanynewartistatthemoment.
Hedoes,however,wanttohookthemupwithafewproducersthatheknowsandsayswillhelp
themoutmoreinthegame.SeanstilltakesthisasablessingandthanksKanyeforit.Heandhis
friendreturnhomeafterthepartyanddiscussthenightsevents.AfewdayslaterBigSean

receivedaphonecallfromaprivatenumber.Whenheansweredhewassurprisedtofindoutthat
KanyeWestwasontheotherline.Kanyetoldhimthattheywerereadytodosomethingserious
withhimandwantedtosignhimandgetadealgoing.Seantalkedaboutitwithhismotherand
shetoldhimnoteverydaydoyouhavesomeonelikeKanyeWestcallyoupersonallytotellyou
thatyouaregoingtobethenextbigthing.Afterthatconversationwithhismother,Seandidnot
gotoschoolthenextday.Hegaveuponthescholarshipsforcollegethathewastryingtoattain.
FinallyhewasintroducedtotheteamthatisknownasG.O.O.D.Music.InOctober,BigSean
wassignedtoG.O.O.D.Music.Heknewfromthenon,hewasFinallyFamous.

HallofFame:
Seanisstartinghisnewalbum
HallofFame
butishavingsometrouble.He
knowsthathewantstotakeitentirelytoanotherplateau,oranotherlevel.Hecurrentlyhas269
daysuntiltheprojectedreleasedateforthealbum.Hestatesalotofideasstartasmumbles
literallymumbles.Seanisfreestylinginhisstudiowithhisproducerandgettingfeedbackwhile
workingonthenewsongsforhisalbum.Heisrecordingoverandoveragaintogeteverything
perfect.Heisnowatapointwherehehas310daysuntilthereleasedate.Ithasbeenpushed
backbecauseheisaperfectionist.Hehashisclosefriends,girlfriend,andproducersinthestudio
togettheirfeedback.Hebelievesthatheneedssometimeoutsideofhisstudioanddecidestogo
tohishomestudioforabitsohecanrelaxathome.Hehas298dayslefttofinishthealbum.
Seanfindsoutthathismomhasbreastcancerandisgoingthroughalotathomeanddecidesto
makeasongtalkingaboutitforhisalbum.Thesongistotellherthateverythingwillbealright.
Hismomiscryinganddescribinghowitstartedinherbreastandspreadtoherspineandmight
makeherblind.Itisasifherentireworldisablaze.Inhisstudio,Seanhasahugedryerase

boardwithgiantlettersatthetopthatread**DONOTERASE**.Thisboardcontainshis
tracklist,whichistheorderthatthesongswillgoinonthealbum.Hetapsontheboardashe
thinksabouttheordertheywillbein.396daysuntilHoF(
HallofFame)
.J.ColeandBigSean
areinthestudiotalkingaboutoneofSeanssongsthatJ.Colehadcriedover.Seanaddssome
lightstohisstudiotogethimselfintoabettermoodwhenrecordingsothathecanbemore
focused.SeansproducertellshimthatCommonisnextdoor,soSeandecidestoinvitehimover
togetfeedbackfromhimsincehelooksuptoCommon.Seanisgettingfrustratedanddecidesto
givehimselfabreak.HetakesatriptoParistoclearhismindandseethingsashesayswill
allowyoutobemorecreative.Anotherbreakissoontakensothathecandointerviewsand
photoshootsformagazinecovers.Seanisseenplayfightinghisdadafteroneofhisconcerts.His
fatherhasbeenabiginspirationinhislifeandhasofferedhimmanytipsonthesubjectsof
money,friends,andwomen.Thealbumnowhas446daysuntilitsreleasedate.Seanremembers
asmallnecklacehehadasalittlekidandhowmuchitmeanttohim.Heendsupmakingasong
calledFirstChainsothatpeoplecanrelatetosomethingspecialthattheyhadbefore.Sean
realizestowardstheendofthealbumthattherearenotmanypeoplefromDetroitthathavea
platformtobeheard.Hefeelsthathehasaresponsibilitytodeliverinformationthatneeds
attention.WithallthehelpthatSeangetsfromhisfriends,family,andproducer,thealbum
finallydropsanditsahit.Hecallsthealbum
HallofFame
becausehewantstoberemembered
andsetinstone.HallofFameisnotjustaplace,butalsoastateofmind.

Paradise:
Seanwalksintoabuildingwhereafewworkersarebuildinghisnewstudio.Thisis
signifyingthatheismovingupinhiscareermovingtoabiggerandbetterstudiotoproducehis

music.Hethinksthatthisisgoingtobetheperfectroomtoworkin.Seanhasnewproducersand
isinhisstudiofreestylingtobeginhisnewalbum
DarkSkyParadise.
Heisdoingmore
mumblingthanactuallyproducingwordsanddoesnotreallyknowwhattorapabout.Seanis
onceagainseenputtingtogetherthetracklistfortheorderofthenewsongsonhisnewalbum.
JheneAikoisabiginfluenceforSeanandshetellshimthatsomeofhislyricsinasongarelame
andconvinceshimtomakethembetter,whichhedoesforher.Seanstartstowriteanextended
versionforhissongParadise.Heisinthestudiojustyellingoffideaswithfriends.Finallyit
allcomestogetherfortheextendedversionofthesongandeveryonelovesit.DJKhaledis
speakingtoSeanaboutthequalityofhismusicandsaysthathelikesthemall.Seanthenplaysa
songforhismothertohearandshesaysthatitisphenomenal.ThesongisOneManCan
ChangetheWorldanditisabouthisfatherandhislifewhenhewasyounger.Seansfatherhas
notalwaysbeeninhismotherslifebuthasalwaysremainedapartofSeanslife.Seanishappy
withthealbumafteralloftherecordinghewentthroughandisthankfulforthesupportofhis
friends.

TheInterview:
1.

Describehowyoubecameinterestedinproducingmusic?

ItallstartedwhenIwasfive,andItookpianolessons.Ivebeeninlovewithmusiceversince.
rd
WhenIhitthe3
gradeItriedoutforchorus.Iwastheyoungestboyintheretomakeitafter

tryouts.AllofmyfriendsmadefunofmebutIdidnotcare.ThefollowingyearIjoinedthe
band.ItwasanextensiveworkloadjugglingthebandandthechorusbutImadeitwork.When

th
th
Iswitchedschoolsinthemiddleofthe7
grade.Inthemiddleofthe7
gradeIcontinuedwith

mymusicalescapades.BythetimeIgottohighschoolIwaswritinglyricsinmycomposition
notebook.ByJunioryearIwasfreestylingonthebuswithallofmyassociatesandImetanice
youngfellowwhosenamewasBrandonBurgess.WhenImetupwithhimithasbeenmusicever
since.Stayingupallnight,makinginstrumentals,andthecontinuationofwritinglyricsinmy
compositionnotebook.BytheendofmysenioryearIhadalegitimatehomestudio.Fromhigh
schooluntilnowIhavegrownasamusicalentrepreneur.

2.

TellmewhatstandsouttoyouaboutBigSeanthatdoesn'twithotherartists.

BigSeanhashisownstyleandlingothatheportrayswithhismusicartistry.Hisimageislikeno
oneothers.Boii,Doit,FinallyFamousandLilB****areafewexamplesofhislingo.
Hisfavoriteclothingstylesare10Deep,BillionaireBoysClub,andBape.

3.

TellmewhatyoulikeaboutthestoryofBigSeanbecomingFinallyFamous!

Theambition!Itteachespeoplethatifyouworkhardenoughyoucanmakeanyofyourwildest
dreamsandfantasiescometrue.Ittellsyouthatnomatterhowmanytimespeopletrytoputyou
downyoualwaysstandtall,trustinwhatyoubelievein,andhavefaithinyourabilities.Sodont
letanyonetellyouwhatyoucanorcannotdo.Unlessitsyourmom!

4.

HowhasBigSeanimpactedyourlookonyourownmusic?


Incomparison,anopinionbasedassumption,BigSeanwouldbeconsideredabetterartistthan
meandnotbecauseofhisstronglyricismbutbecauseheis
FinallyFamous!
But,hehashelped
megrowintoabetterartistbylisteningtostrongmetaphorsandpunchlinesandonomatopoeias.

5.

GivemeonesongofBigSean'sthatisimportanttoyouandwhy?

OnceBitten,TwiceShybecausethelyricsreallyspeaktome.Ifyoulistentothesonghesays
IknowwemademistakesbeforeandIcanrelatetothat,andIknowalotofotherpeoplecan
relatetothataswell.BecauseImean,comeone,weallmakemistakes.Weallgothroughthe
bestoftimesandtheworstoftimes,andthereisnoturningback.Sowejusthavetofacereality
andletthosemistakesteachyouinsteadofbreakyoubecauseinthisworldwerarelygetsecond
chances.Butwecantletthosemistakeslaydormantinourmindsandmanifest.Letbygonesbe
bygones,andliveandletgo.