CHEERS FROM THE WASTELAND
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This whole project is a metaphor about my relationship with my first love and how she's changing, growing up and I'm questioning my future with her.  Inspired by the Common song, "I Used To Love H.E.R", in my case the girl is Silicon Valley or San Jose and I'm trying to preserve her past image and stories while exposing her inequities and inequalities.

Hey Josie

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Artwork drawing by: @yourhomeboy_harv
Hey Josie, I love the way you hold me
Hey Josie, I remember everything you showed me
Hey Josie, You'll always be my homie
Hey Josie, It won't be the same without me

Sometimes the ones we love get the coldest shoulders
Cus we been through so much, it's easier not to go there
Respect the past, reflect and laugh 
Both knew we outgrew that path, surprised how long it lasted
My inspiration for the first time I first rhymed
The one I seen through the window waiting for me outside
Funky style how you dressin' keep me guessin'
Rest of 'em playing catch-up, you casual just finesse'n 
Humble enough to still get your hustle up 
Showed me what it really means to network and sucka-duck
Taco truck shorty since we met you've been essential
Everybody got a story from that one time they was with you
Unforgettable, even on a bad night
She still looks good, I'm sorry you had to see us fight
This ain't the end 
It's just me being real, telling you where I am

Hey Josie, I love the way you hold me

Hey Josie, I remember everything you showed me
Hey Josie, You'll always be my homie
Hey Josie, It won't be the same without me

Kodak every frame down memory lane
Never used to stutter when I said your name
Told anyone who would listen what it is I claim
When I stepped out of bounds down South you came
And that weed you grew, bring enough for the gang 
I never knew your beauty from a distance
'Til you lose my love, now you wanna listen
She cut my hair in the backyard, let the wind blow
Now I'm apart of every nest in San Jo
The black crow that threw back the stone
Wasn't feeling status quo, had a hunger in my soul
Patrol the streets more than the police
I seen how you crumble and cover whats underneath
You barely gettin' by but you make it look fly
Smile like the sun, I just want you to shine

Hey Josie, I love the way you hold me
Hey Josie, I remember everything you showed me
Hey Josie, You'll always be my homie
Hey Josie, It won't be the same without me

You know how many dudes fell off chasing you?
How many won't admit it cus they hate to lose
Throw away 401k's and sleep under freeways
Take it for granted and can't handle when you change
Fight for love that might not fight for us
It's a fucked up feeling when you got no one to trust
Go down that road so many times
I could show you every bump when I close my eyes
Your new guy just wants to be seen with you 
He don't do a thing to build the dream behind the scenes with you
Switch you up, make you look like every girl in the club
I wrote this so you won't forget who you was...

Hey! ​ 
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Emcee, poet, photographer, Alex Estrada, found on stage or on the Internet as Thatfool AL. Born at Valley Medical 751 South Bascom Avenue, November 10, 1989. thehoodhistorian.com
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