Will You Grow With Me?

An invitation we should all RSVP to

I recently tuned into the The Breakfast Club’s Clipse interview as part of the press run for their new album, Let God Sort Em Out. In the hour-long interview, Pusha T and Malice fielded questions about everything from motivations for their album and family dynamics, to relationships with other artists in the industry. I enjoyed many parts of the discussion, and learned a lot about who they want to show up as in this season of their lives. One exchange in particular that has stuck with me since I watched the interview came towards the end of the dialogue, where Charlamagne transitioned the conversation to ask:

“How do you reconcile the nostalgia fans will feel for the old Clipse being that y’all are totally different men?”

Before either of them provided a response, I had a brief moment to just appreciate the question alone. I admired Charlamagne’s word choice in layering reconciliation — an act of making peace — with nostalgia — a sentimental longing for the past. Together, they provided a poetic approach to reflecting on an experience I know many of us navigate ourselves.

After a brief pause, Pusha responded by saying:

“I’d like to think that they’ve grown with us”.

image: Clipse on The Breakfast Club

Pusha T didn’t hesitate. Nor was he defensive in his response. To me, it was more of an invitation — a proposal or perspective he’d hope his fans would take up, if they hadn’t already.

The way he answered also leads me to believe he was prepared, not only for the question, but for the many ways his fans could respond to a refined version of their art, and how the two of them would show up as contributors to the culture.

For Malice especially, his return to rap is layered with intention and evidence of a changed mind. Over time, he’s redefined what matters to him, what he believes, and what he wants his message to be.

The entire discourse felt very validating because it underscored a belief that I try and champion in my own life — that we have the right to change our mind. And beyond that, we should all have faith that the people we once connected with are capable of evolving alongside us.

That faith comes with a price though, and it’s called vulnerability. It openly acknowledges that not everyone will understand or grow with you, but it presents an opportunity for a deeper connection with those who do.

As I find myself in the middle of my own evolution, I’ve come to expect change. I expect that the way we think, act, and make decisions today, may look entirely different tomorrow. My hope is that we celebrate new approaches and solutions to how we decide to live our lives, and honor the growth that carries us towards those new truths.

If nothing at all, the right to change our mind is a freedom — one that we should all exercise and welcome if we want to conquer all that life has for us. That freedom is what makes growth possible.

Let this be our invitation.

Thank you so much for reading.

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