Check him for a wire or an ear piece…Please: Be a Man!

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Precise

One time I was on the redline going wherever it was I was going and I ran into a young lady on the train. She was pretty and had an Erykah Baduesque vibe before anything like that even existed. We started talking and we found out that we knew some mutual people. This is pre-facebook, so she asks “Hey what school do you got to?” I say “I go to Olive Harvey.” She asks” Do you know such and such?” she then names one of my closest friends at the time and I say “Yeah that’s my boy I know him and his girlfriend, they are pretty cool.”

The next day I get to the lunchroom at Olive Harvey and our mutual friend pulls me to the side and asks me did I meet such and such on the train yesterday and why did I say I knew his girlfriend. The young lady I met was in fact his girlfriend and I just bust him out without even realizing it. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Chicago is really small and to never talk about your friends relationships with anyone else other than your friend. I internalize that as one of my man laws and that is one I will never violate.

This brings me to more recent times and this recent lack of tact when it comes to acknowledging and keeping any unwritten man law. D’Angelo Russell of the LA Lakers recorded a private conversation that he was having with Nick Young about women he has or hasn’t has sex with. It wouldn’t be a big deal if Nick Young was not engaged to the “Fancy” Iggy Izalea and if it didn’t get released. Then you have a dude who calls himself Partynextdoor posts a picture of himself in bed with a young lady Kehlani who was supposedly dating Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kehlani later posted a picture of herself in the hospital as a result of the backlash she received because of the picture she attempted suicide. Then Chris Brown decides he needs to share his commentary and say this woman didn’t attempt suicide she just wanted attention.

There is a different breed of man out here. He is hyper sensitive, petty and easily offended. It’s not a good look. It seems like men have lost their way. So allow me to remind men of a few rules.

1.Be a MAN!

2. You don’t sleep with your friends girl.

3. You do not get involved in gossip.

4. You do not dry snitch of your friend.

5. If no one asks you don’t volunteer information.

6. Don’t kiss and tell.

7. Keep your business to yourself.

8. Don’t be petty.

9. Do not engage yourself in a public argument with a woman (you will lose)

10. Mind your business.

I hope these reminders help. No one wants to be in a world full of suckers and snitches.

-Precise

Buy/Listen to “Speak Life”

Chicago vs. Chiraq it’s not Spike Lee’s fault

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Precise

The name Chiraq just kind of popped out of thin air. No one staked claim to it. Based on statistics as it relates to the deaths of soldiers in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it made sense. Chicago, which is compared to Iraq in the popular moniker, has always been riddled with violence. “Chiraq” is not some new phase that is happening because of the youth. It is in the nature of the city; it is in the nature of many cities across America.

When I first heard the term Chiraq, I didn’t like it. I knew what it meant to the city as a whole and what it means to the inner-city more specifically. The term promotes visuals of war, flying bullets, fire, fear and destruction. I was one of the individuals speaking against this moniker because I didn’t want people thinking those types of thoughts about my beloved city. Fast-forward and Chief Keef becomes the newest rap music sensation promoting a new genre of rap music called Drill. Drill comes off as a dark and eerie form of production with tales of murder, drug use and oddly enough celebration (“turnin’ up”). So, the marriage between the terms Chiraq and Drill seems natural, especially with rates of murders and shootings escalating everyday in Chicago. It truly is a war zone, not in the sense that you would say people are fighting for some political end, more in the sense that disenfranchised people and misguided and impoverished youth are at war with who they are with regards to their identity. They don’t know who they are at the core, so the thought of taking the life of someone else seems trivial and almost acceptable until it hits home.

Recently, Chicago’s violence has been especially polarizing. Tyshawn Lee, 9, was lured into an alley on his way to his grandmother’s house and killed. He was shot multiple times in the back and the head. Rumors are circulating that this is the result of something his father did. Tyshawn suffered the consequences. The same day, Kaylyn Pryor an aspiring model was shot and killed near the same neighborhood where Tyshawn was killed. The very next day, Spike Lee dropped the trailer of his newest film, Chi-raq. The internet caught fire. Many thought Spike was making light of the situation in Chicago. Spike has since made a public statement saying that this film is not making light of the current situation in Chicago. He also released an alternative, more serious trailer.

Chi-Raq movie poster – Photo credit: Lionsgate

I had to ask myself a few questions after witnessing all of the uproar directed toward Spike and the lack of action with regards to Tyshawn and Kaylyn. When is it time for us to take responsibility? When is it time for us to remove any thoughts of fear and reclaim our neighborhoods? When do we start exercising economic empowerment? These are real questions and really it’s up to us to make a move. The Black community can no longer point the finger at scapegoats and wait for saviors. It is up to us.

They call the neighborhood I grew up in “The Wild Hundreds.” There is another neighborhood called “Terror Town” and another called “Murder Town.” The list can go on. The point I’m making here is that no “name” is going to make us who we are. We make this choice as to who we are and how we are viewed.

I live in Chicago, affectionately known as Chi-town. Some people know it as Chiraq, because between the years of 2003-2012, 4,265 citizens were killed in Chicago, almost identical to the number of American soldiers who were lost at war during that time. We are at war in Chicago right now. It is a war of social standing, economics and equality. Spike Lee created a movie to shine a light on this battle zone. This battle zone exists, he did not create it, but we can fix it.

Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

That time Precise was on “Empire”

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Precise

Gail Rastorfer – Terrence Howard and Eddy “Precise” Lamarre – Photo by Chuck Hodes

Now here is the story. I just landed in Chicago after an epic trip to NY. I went to see Brandy in the Broadway production of Chicago and she was awesome. Anyway, I just landed in Chicago and I was invited to an event featuring a new artist by the name of Matt Legrande. He was doing a single release of song that featured Twista at the Vertigo lounge. I go and do my thing like taking pictures, posting to social media and networking. A few days later I get a call from a casting agency (I assume I handed my card to a casting agent) inviting me in to read for a role on Empire. For those of you who don’t know Empire is currently the hottest show on television now so imagine how excited I was. I immediately called my sister for some pointers for the audition; I was up for the role of Moses. Moses is locked up with Lucious and wants Lucious to give him a record deal. I went to the audition did the best I knew how to do and waited for a call back. I never got a call back.

Precise at Simon Casting

A few days later a friend of mine posts that Empire is looking for extras. Considering I didn’t get a call back I figure it couldn’t hurt to apply. I followed the instructions, shot an email to the casting agency and the next day they sent me an email saying I was accepted. POW!

So the day comes when I go do my extra work. I pack my black suit, white shirt shoes and tie in my K&G garment bag and head to set. Once I get there I immediately get nervous. This was my first time doing anything like this and I didn’t know what to expect. They round up all the extras put us through wardrobe where I get a tie then take us to where everything is being filmed.

My role as an extra was a Federal Marshall. We get propped up and taken over to the court room we walk to the back and Terrence Howard (Lucious) is there in an orange prison jumpsuit. It all gets so real in that moment. There are three Federal Marshalls. We are instructed to walk Lucious into the court room and stand him in front of the judge. His lawyers are there waiting on him. We walk him out and do as we instructed. The entire cast is there and Taraji is there looking just like Cookie…lol. Lee Daniels the creator of the show is there directing this specific episode. He looks at the scene then moves one of the Marshalls who is standing next to Luscious to the side and put me in his place with one of his lawyers on the other side of him. BOOM!!

Precise – Terrence Howard on Set

When we headed back to the extra gathering area, everyone was reminding me how I really lucked out to get that look. I knew I did, but I know how television goes and I had no expectation of even making the cut. We filmed the scene like 30 times. I was happy to have had the experience and ready to go home after a long day of filming.
Fast forward a month or so and I am a seasoned extra at this point. I’ve been called back twice and I’m looking forward to see if I have made the cut. I get an update to my Facebook page from one of my friends that says “Did I miss something?” So I go see what she is talking about and it’s a picture of me, Terrence Howard and Gail Rastorfer in a promotional picture for the upcoming season of Empire. I YELLED AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!! It was so surreal. A few days later I find out the same picture is in Entertainment Weekly (who got my name wrong by the way) and again in Rolling Stone and again in the New York Post and again in the NY Times and again on Spotify!!

Precise On Set of Empire

I want to taper my excitement and play it down a little because I didn’t have a speaking role and who knows how long I will even flash up on the screen, but I can’t. I feel so very fortunate and it feels like a sign for me to keep pushing forward and following my dreams. This is exactly what I intend to do. I want to thank God for this opportunity, I am so grateful. I would also like to thank the Academy in advance for my Oscar **wink**.
Hope you guys watch the season premier of Empire tonight and if you see me hit me up on twitter and instagram @Precise_chi or my Facebook fan page Precise.
Stay Focused Positive and Productive
-Precise

Listen/Buy my music at http://precise.bandcamp.com

GET MY APP! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/precise/id1020359167?mt=8

New Precise APP!! – GET IT!!

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Precise

I am so pleased to inform you that I HAVE AN APP!! You should get it. It’s FREE 99.

This app is powered by Blackvibes.com out of Atlanta and they did an awesome job. Share it with your people. You will love it!

Click the hyperlinks.

It’s on iTunes

It’s on Amazon

NEW MUSIC! – We ILL by Precise and G.R.A.C.E

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Precise

“We ILL” performed by Chicago emcee’s Precise and G.R.A.C.E. speaks to the social ills of society and offers solution with regard to looking within. ILL is a play on the state both rappers are from (Illinois) and the state or world is in and how amazing they are as rappers ILL. A triple entendre. Take a listen, buy and share. We ILL.

-Precise

Dr. King – Selma – Victor Benoit – Social Change – Happy Birthday

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Precise

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be 86 years old today, had he not been assassinated in April 4,1968. Dr. Kings life has been examined and studied extensively by academics, scholars, politicians and social activists around the world. The world speaks highly of Dr. King and his accomplishments. Today we celebrate his birth and his work on a nationally recognized holiday.

As I write this blog, my mother calls me and informs me that my uncle Victor Benoit has just been appointed as minister of Social Affairs and Labor in Haiti’s political cabinet. I am so very proud of him. He has worked hard for the Haitian people all of his life and this appointment is well deserved. This news immediately causes me to draw parallels.

There is a certain type of boldness and audacity that would allow someone to believe that the work that they do can affect change. Everyone does not have this type of courage; however when one does have this type of courage they can change the world.

I just watched Selma recently and what I appreciate most about the film is the human perspective that was given. From the time I was a child up until my adult years Dr. King always had this iconic persona that almost made him seem infallible. The director of the film Ava DuVernay showed Dr. King as a human being, someone who had faults and fears and doubts. Take a moment and think about what it took to challenge the status quo in the sixties. His life and the lives of others who were associated with him in any way were always in danger, but they stayed the course. The issue at hand at that time and even now is our FREEDOM. The ability to be who we are without any apologies.

Socially we are at a tipping point in the world. Uprisings worldwide have challenged political norms and changed lives. The United States is currently in the midst of this kind of change. Let us channel the spirit of Dr. King and others who had the courage to fight and bring about the necessary shift in our reality.

Congratulations Uncle Victor!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King and Thank You!

-Precise

How do you feel about Dr. King and our world today. Let me know in the comments.

Buy/Listen/Share “It’s On Me” by Precise produced by Tye Hill and D.J. Thunder

Precise – Man Of The Ages

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Precise

Today is January 7, 2015. I was born 43 years ago today. This isn’t particularly interesting; however if you think of the fact that I was born at 7 months premature to Haitian Immigrants who met on a plane on their way to America, I would say its pretty AWESOME!!!

I’m at an interesting place in my life right now. I am so grateful and full of life. I am surrounded by people who love me and support me. Im also at a place in my life where I feel like I should have accomplished so much more and sometimes it feels like Im getting too old.

You see, Im a rapper, an emcee and I rip mics for a living. If you ask anyone they would probably say I’m pretty dope. I’ve been doing this with a strong focus for about 5 years, but overall I’ve been rapping for about 20 years as a solo artist and with my group Nubearth. I bring this up because many say this rap thing is a young mans sport and by the looks of what is fed to the people in the mainstream I would almost have to agree. I remember when I was 27 I told my self I would not be a 30 year old rapper. HA!! That didn’t pan out like I thought. I almost quit a few times, but something keeps pulling me back in. I was never sure what it was, then I figured it out. This is MY PASSION!

You see the thing about being alive is that it affords you the opportunity to LIVE! When I say LIVE I mean live your life by your standards deliberately and intentionally driven by your PASSION. What I have found is that the universe aligns with you when you are bold enough to tap into who you are with no apologies. There are no limits to what we can accomplish. Our only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves.

So guess what…Im going to keep rapping till I can’t rap no more. I have something to say. I have something of substance to share with the world. My experience and life is unique to me and should be shared with people now and into the future.

I am A Man Of The Ages who understands who he is in this vast universe. I know who my source is. I am connected and powerful and I get stronger everyday.

Be your truest self and live your life to the fullest.

-Precise

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

If you want to hear some of this great music I provide check out my Bandcamp page, and if you want to do something nice for my birthday feel free to make a purchase.

Ladies Love Mixtapes by Precise was selected as one of the best releases of 2014 by the Chicago Reader.

Buy/Listen to Ladies Love Mixtapes by Precise produced by Tye Hill and D.J. Thunder

Precise Interview on The Beat Break Morning Show

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Precise

Had a great time on The Beat Break Morning Show. We touch on music, responsibility and being aware of who we are. Give it a listen…leave a comment

Buy/Listen to “It’s On Me” produced by Tye Hill and D.J. Thunder below.

TOP 10 REASONS LIFE WAS BETTER WITHOUT CELL PHONES

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Precise

In 2014 the thought of being “out of touch” is kind of strange. Think about it, everyone is a Facebook, Twitter, Google+ status update or text away from the latest and greatest news or breaking story. If you happened to miss the event there just might be audio or video of it. I guess from one perspective that can be viewed as progressive, however, I can think of a few reasons that life was better without cell phones. I have 10 reasons below. POW!

10. People had conversations at dinner parties.

How many times have you been out at a dinner party or even out for a bite with a friend and every time you look up from your phone they are hypnotized by theirs.

9. You didn’t have to worry about the “context” of your message

It seems like we are at the mercy of autocomplete and spell check these days. How many times have you been confused by a text, or even pissed off by a message you received just to be informed that it was “taken out of context”? Back in the “good ole days” you would pick up a phone and actually say what you mean.

8. Concerts were much better.

I have to say I have been guilty of snapping a few pics during a concert or two. Plus its easier holding your cell phone up when the lights go down in the stadium, and it doesn’t burn your hand like a lighter. However watching a show I paid $50 dollars for through the screen of the person in front of me is not my idea of a good time. Plus, all the mystery of the show is gone when you can see the footage of the show an hour later on your latest blog.

7. You could miss calls without the guilt.

These days you can block numbers, reroute calls, send them to voicemail or just flat out ignore the call. We are all free to choose. Sometimes our phones run out of juice and calls go straight to voicemail and on more than one occasion I have felt guilty for missing a call. I shouldn’t feel guilty because you know what? Sometimes I am busy! Some people are so attached to their phones that they feel slighted when you don’t answer yours every single time. The days when the phone rang indefinitely were classic.

6. You could remember phone numbers.

I have about 4000 contacts on my amazing iPhone 4s (don’t laugh at me, I’m upgrading soon). Anyway, the other day all the names disappeared from my contacts so I was only left with the numbers and I could only recognize a few of them. The only way I’ve been able to associate a name with a number is by reviewing old text messages. Years ago I could rattle off the numbers of my closest friends with no problem at all.

5. Getting a “number” was an accomplishment.

This one might be just for the fellas. I remember going to school dances with the intention of getting phone numbers from girls and at the end of the night we would have a tally of how many numbers we got…HA!! I know its childish, but I was a teenager. The excitement was calling the number the next day to determine if you got the right number and having a conversation with someone new. These days you might get the number just to be ignored when you call cause you have been named “thirsty” or “weirdo” when the call comes through on their phone….HA!!

4. Party Lines

Party lines were so much fun!! You could call an 800 number and talk all night with a group of people you knew or didn’t know. The only drawback was the ridiculous charges to your phone bill. The plus side was when you were done with the group you could just hang up the phone. These days when you become part of a group message its eternal whether you like it or not.

3. Meeting people face to face

Phones have become an extension of our lives. Sometimes we can carry on relationships via text messaging and video chats, however nothing beats the human touch.

2. We had privacy.

I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments. I’ve even had some fights where I didnt fare so well. NONE of those made it to World Star.These days if you hear the word “World Staaaaaaaaaaaaar” rest assured it will be shown to millions over the world wide web because someone is recording it via their cell phone. As of late, I understand that the NSA has been tracking the cell phone usage of American citizens providing the type of insight that was not involved before the advent of cell phones. MIND YOUR BUSINESS, YO!!!

1. WE HAD FUN IN THE MOMENT!!

There is something about being tethered to a phone. Taking pictures updating statuses, sharing news all take away from enjoying our time in the moment of what we are experiencing. Be present! Have Fun! PUT THE PHONES DOWN!!

-Precise

What do you think? Was life better before cell phones or not? Leave a comment and share.

Listen/Buy “Ladies Love Mixtapes The EP”

NYA WE LOVE YOU!!! – Prayers – Positive Energy

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Precise

I have never experienced this before and I hope that I never will have to again. The idea of one of your children being in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it is unbearable. The thought of loosing a child is unthinkable. Im not sure how I feel right now.

Yesterday my daughter Nya was admitted to ICU at Lurie’s Children’s hospital and has not been responsive for the past 24 hours. She has had these episodes before as a result of the cancer, however this time its different. We are worried and helpless.

I really dont know what to say or what to do. As a family we are asking that you take a moment and share some positive/healing energy with Nya. We are hoping for the best.

We are currently running a fundraiser for Nya via the give forward website.

Click HERE to donate anything you can. Please Share with as many people as you can.

We are truly blessed to be surrounded by individuals who have giving spirits and we are so grateful.

-Precise

Buy/Listen to “It’s On Me” produced by Tye Hill and D.J Thunder of The Produktionix