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By Myself

Raju at the gathering

Sometimes I feel like I have to be superman
Then, I think
Well, be superman
I can’t not do what needs to be done
I guess that’s what it means to be a man
The ability to create a plan and dedicate yourself to something

Through execution

To believe in yourself
When you have to be something you’ve never seen in yourself

I know what it’s like to have triple-digit outstanding amounts, a dollar in your account, and less than a quarter in your tank
Driving down the street on E – Filling out applications in places that said they needed help over the phone
Then see you say they’ll call you, and never hit yo phone

Yeah, I’ve felt out of touch
Out of space
Out of love
And still, all out of hate

I’ve felt frustrated at times
I’ve cried while listening to never would of made it
At times
I don’t want to wear my cape

How can I save a city when I can’t save myself

That’s it
I gotta save myself

I may not have it made
Or be paid, myself
But I gotta million dollar mind and a Billion dollar grind
Everything I need to pay myself

To know you need help, and not know where to go
So you open the book on the shelf

Psalm 61:2 When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to a rock that is higher than I am

While reading I gain strength, confidence, and health

Then I realized the reason I feel by myself.

I need to feel loved, by myself.

– Raju

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Light

Raju Stop Violence

I’ve looked you in the face for hundreds of days
But today is my first time seeing you

I’ve laid next to you for hours
But today I felt you

Your glow is more of a Ray
Blinding me for the first time
Today

Shinning
You shine on me, even when I seek shade
Your Ray begins and ends my day

It may be the dimple in your chin when you smile
Or the way your upper live waves when you grin
Could it be the way joy jumps off your cheekbones
Or the curls of your afro?

I still remember your tiny toes and the arch of your feet
I still crave your hugs, wisdom, and critiques

Your ear from music, much better than mine
Your imagination and creativity goes places many search for but seldom find
Your love is a language I will never understand

Your love is a story too passionate to be written
So it’s more like a play
Never forgotten by those to whom it’s been given

Your mind holds the cure for cancer

The key to my heart is a complicated equation
You’ve created the algorithm and produced the answer
You are a radioactive dancer

Your Ray has more energy than the sun
Your features are more like world premiers
Your tears shed years of disappointment

Your laughter is selective and genuine
Your look has killed me and brought me back to life

You deserve better than me
So, being with me is settling
Identifying the potential in me
Loving me for the man I have potential to be

I realize I will never be perfect
But I know you make me better

I want to build ankhs with you
Then record it like the Huxtables

I don’t want to tell you I love you
I want you to hear it with your eyes
To see truth in my works and untold lies
To find happiness in our mutual sacrifice

Your heart is my greatest aspiration
Your satisfaction my number one priority
These things unknown before your Ray shun on me

I’ve been under dark clouds and spent long nights
Searching vigorously for light

Running from your Ray
Loosing synergy
Fighting fate
A battle I cannot win
Your Ray won’t allow me to wallow in shade

When I bask
Your Ray melts my pride and brings my solidarity to shame

Your Ray stimulates my cerebrum
With full control of my frontal lobe
Your Ray is in full control

Your light
The true author of this poem

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8 Pennies 1 Dime 1 Nickel Music Video -Raju ft. DJ BRICKROCK

8 Pennies 1 Dime 1 Nickel

Raju ft. DJ BRICKROCK – 8 Pennies 1 Dime 1 Nickel Music Video

A song for the city” – Rockford, IL “The 8-1-5.” We shot the video in several Rockford centric scenes – The goal is that when you see the video, you see Rockford. S/o to DJ Brickrock, for the production; Rachel Bohlin, the videographer; James Purifoy, owner of 15th&Chris; Zina, owner of Zammutos; Gabe Gizz; the BMO/Davis Park security guards and the entire city of Rockford. This video is a love child!

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Gone Album Release Show

Gone Album Release Flyer

The gone album release show goes behind the scenes with my first studio-recorded album. My journey as an artist has coincided with my on-going process of self-discovery. The GONE album is a reflection of who I am as an artist and where I have been at different points in my personal life. In western culture, so much of our identity is lost being politically correct it feels like we live in the matrix, and music is my only indigenous outlet. The order of the songs tells the story of the life cycle of a relationship that went from love to loneliness

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Raju’s First Album

Gone Album

The GONE album, Raju’s First Album is about relationship gaps, primarily inspired by intimate relationships but the content spans across several relationship types: friends, family and society as a whole. The project has a classic boom-bap lyrical consciousness with a modern sonic sound.

The gone album is my first studio-recorded album. My journey as an artist has coincided with my on-going process of self discovery. The GONE album is a reflection of who I am as an artist and where I have been at different points in my personal life. In western culture, so much of our identity is lost being politically correct it feels like we live in the matrix and music is my only indigenous outlet.

The order of the songs tells the story of the life cycle of a relationship that went from love to loneliness

Track List:
1. Intro (Snippet from Happy Birthday)
2. Serena
3. Think You Know
4. Between
5. Pressin’ Rewind
6. Not Over You
7. Pick One
8. Down
9. The Return
10. Happy Birthday (Poem)

Track Explanation:
1. Intro – Boy meets girl
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced, engineered, mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
1. Serena – A relationship begins
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Joe Salvador; Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
2. Think You Know – They begin to learning one another
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Jan Branicki (Dreamlife); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
3. Between – They experience growing pains
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Free Diesel (Darius Pearson); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
4. Pressin Rewind – Girl decides to move on
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Free Diesel (Darius Pearson); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
5. Not Over – Boy is lonely
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Free Diesel (Darius Pearson); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
6. Pick One – Boy realizes relationships can be a distraction
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Free Diesel (Darius Pearson); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
7. Down – Boy wonders if girl ever truly loved boy
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Jan Branicki (Dreamlife); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
8. The Return – Boy is over girl and back on the market
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced by: Free Diesel (Darius Pearson); Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)
9. Happy Birthday – Boy meets a beautiful girl
o Written by: Raju (A. Joshua Patterson) Produced, engineered, mixed & Mastered by: Tijo (THISISJAKEORTIZ)

There are an endless amount of people I have to thank for keeping me sane not only throughout the process of manufacturing this project, but on a daily basis. All the names will be in my first book. For now, I would like to thank:
•The Great Architect Of The Universe – You made me this way
•James H. Patterson, III “Legendary The Poet” – My professional professor. I do listen to you bro.
•Matthew J. Simpson “The Man Of Culture” – BEHOLD
•Justin Saichek “The Last Word Bender” – My music mentor
•DJ BrickRock – You show me so much love, you are on my “FIRST MILL LIST”
•Jake Ortiz “Tijo” – Bro, you are the best in the business – You brought this project to life!
•James Patterson, jr. – He told me, “If you’re the only one doing it, you’re blazing a trail.”
•Michelle Pillow – Without you I cease to exist
•Alan J. Patterson, jr. – My motivation
•Yazmin Y. Jones – My co-pilot
•Technology
•Paul Robeson – The ancestor. You showed us it is possible.

If you are reading this and or have purchased the album, I am humbled that you would take the time. Thank you.

I love you,

Raju

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How I got the name Raju

Raju

Where Raju came from.

I was in Chicago and it was raining. I and my brother (T-MAC) were walking and looking for a cab. When we found one it was an UBER cab, and the cab driver asked us what our names where. Then he refused to escort us because he was looking for someone named Roger. My brother and I found another cab, and when he asked what my name was I told him, “Roger,” he said, “Get in.” 5 minutes into the ride, the cab driver disclosed to us that he was born and raised in Timbuktu and he proceeded to educate us on what my name meant in his native tongue. He said, “Where I am from your name, RAJU, means a KING WITH NO KINGDOM.” Even though I said Roger, RAJU, spoke to my experience as an African born in America; and the rest is history.

My birth name is Alan Joshua Patterson, but most people call me Josh. My title at my W-2 job is Business Attraction Coordinator, I work for an economic development organization. I grew up in Zion, IL, a town of 25K, 45 minutes north of Chicago. I went to college at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Then moved to Rockford, IL; where I currently reside and grind. I love Rockford, and if you ever come this way you have to let me know, I guarantee you will have the best pizza you have ever tasted.

I wrote my first poem as a senior in high school for a project in my senior government class. Ever since then, writing has been therapeutic. I played football in college (Cornerback) and did not make much time for writing. My first job out of college was with a tobacco company, and I worked there for three years. In 2014 I quite without a job and decided to pursue my passion and purpose in life, to CHANGE THE WORLD. I realized that time is the most prized possession because you don’t know how much of it you have, so whatever you do with your time you are dedicating your life to it. For three months all I did was personal train and write. When I would write I could feel when a piece was a poem and when it was a song.

I write about everything, but mostly social justice and love.

I like to cook, and I play any instrument I can get my hands on.

I model and act as well.

I love to learn.

I admit my flaws because it allows me to see the greatness in others.

Thank you for sharing my journey with me. I pray that we continue to be constructive and productive assets to one another.