How to stay on track

Oh, hi friends!

Drown out the noise today.

(You get to define “noise.”)

Just to give you an idea of how much a life can change in a year if you a) have a goal b) do your research c) get inspired d) stick with it e) SHARE YOUR WORK.

Here’s the story of how Lil Nas X made “Old Town Road,” which is now the longest-running #1 hit in Hot 100 history. Written below if emojis hurt your eyeballs. (h/t Mike Ayers)

Last year in October, as a struggling artist starting to lose faith in what I could be, I went looking for beats on YouTube. I remember clicking on so many generic sounding beats trying to find the right one for me. When suddenly I came across a country-trap sounding masterpiece. I immediately knew I would make something special out of it. My sister told me I had little time left before I had to leave her house after being there for months promoting my music online and not helping her out much. I was so upset! I used it as motivation for the song! 

I jokingly/seriously saw myself as a loner cowboy needing to run away from it all! I went out on my sister’s back porch and listened to the beat OVER and OVER and OVER. Then it came to me. In my best singing voice I sung, “YEAHHH I’M GONNA TAKE MY HORSE TO THE OLD TOWN ROAD I’M GONNA RIDEEEEE TIL’ I CAN’T NO MORE” I LOVED IT ALREADY! I started to work on it EVERY SINGLE DAY. It needed to be funny, it needed to be catchy, it needed to be hip hop, it needed to be country, and it needed to be short!! By the time I was finish setting it up, I was out of my sister’s crib and at my brother’s place. 

On December 2nd, I went into the studio and recorded Old Town Road and put it out the exact same day! Did I know it would become the longest running number 1 song of all time? No! But I am so thankful that this blessing has been placed upon me. This song has changed my life and the way I see the world around me in less than a year. Thank you to every single person who has been a part of this journey. As I said before, it’s just the beginning.

And finally, here are the 50 best Niles Crane burns. (You’re welcome!!)

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Thanks, as always, for reading.

Love, Kara