Intern Chick

Kevin Liles is someone I hold near and dear to my heart. When I was trying to get my first internship, the only thing that stood in my way of getting hired at my 1st place was reading his book "Make It Happen" and writing an essay on it. I was up against another intern for the spot, and he had already read the book, so I knew I was behind before the race even started. I rushed to the bookstore, read the book, and wrote my essay, in less than 24 hours. I was hired for the job after that and almost a year later, my boss who had hired me was still talking about my essay. Even though I rushed to read that book, it has stayed with me and something I think everyone, not just interns and not just Hip-Hop heads, should read.

Not only do I hold Kevin Liles in high esteem because of that book but also because he started out as an intern, just like me. He worked really hard to climb his way from the very bottom and today he is the executive vice president of Warner Music Group (one of the few labels who have been able to stay on top). In 2002, as the executive vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group, he cultivated the careers of artists like Jay-Z, Ludacris, Ja Rule, and Kanye West.

I have so much respect for Kevin not only for what he's done in business, but what he's done for Hip-Hop. In the past few years, he's joined Russell Simmons in hosting Hip-Hop summits to teach young kids about the Hip-Hop movement and what that means for our political, social, and cultural future. He's also made it his job to speak about Hip-Hop as a positive force for today's youth and help correct some ugly stereotypes the culture has been plagued by.

The most important thing I've learned from Kevin Liles??

Embrace the Struggle

I think you can figure that one out for yourself ;-)

Check out Kevin Liles on Oprah's Hip Hop Town Hall Meeting....skip to 2 minutes in to hear his wisdom.