There’s always something so, epic when looking back on the genesis of great writers, musicians, and artists. Theres a pureness in it, seeing the former image of a kid, not dressed in diamonds and pearls, but in jeans and a tshirt. It always gives me hope. It always communicates that its okay to be so focused on something, that everything else seems to be secondary; affirmation. Something about this day in our technological age, that emphasized image over substance, and we all play into it, with instagram and social media.
It helps me to understand, why every time I wear something a little on the extravagant side, or even speak to arrogantly, I feel a wave of discomfort wash over me. In an interview with John Mayer for msnbc, a picture of him winning a Grammy was displayed on screen to aid the context of the discussion between himself and the interviewer, and it was, in a sense, so strange to see because he was wearing a plain burnt orange henley, and a pair of cargo pants and that image sparked something in my mind– a question. Why? Why, with everything he’s accomplished, was it cool to accept an award in that? But I quickly came to the conclusion that, maybe he wasn’t concerned about how he looked. Maybe he was more amazed with his work and music that he wasnt into his appearance, and then it all made sense.
I also sat and compared that prior image with the image of him currently sitting in the chair and the stark difference between the two. One where he is immaculately dressed, and designer frames on, and an artsy twist on the classical colonial style military jacket, I flirted with the idea of affordance. Is it the case that now, he can afford to worry about aesthetics and accessory, because he is already established as an artist, or is he famous enough to pay a stylist to do that?
I couldn’t help but apply this to my life, and how backward I was approaching my journey. I was– and in a way still am– worried about the superficial nature of my being rather than working so that one day, I can do what I came here to do. Clothes and shoes, and image are fine, when you have the right to worry about them. But what is a well dressed hobo? Simply a well dressed hobo. Not sure if anyone else ever finds themselves so focused on the condition of their instagram page. J.Cole once said “don’t be sleeping on your level, cause there’s beauty in the struggle," and I can look at myself, and say "maybe I’ve been struggling with the wrong things.” John Mayer, for instance, might have already paid his dues in the bedroom of his home listening to Eric Clapton or John Cultrane, attempting to emulate them and build their own.
So now and forever, I’ll work on substance, and not image, because what is image without substance– Gilded.
Yours Truly,
J. Taylor