As I began to piece the dream back together, still recovering from my exhaustion cold, I reflected back on my life with newfound appreciation. I've had an amazing run of it so far, I'm so thankful I'm still here to experience more. Amazingly I've been able to hang out and rub elbows with many who would be considered Hip Hop royalty at the beginning, peak and ending of their careers. My new purpose gave these experiences a much deeper context. When I was barely a teenager, I met Crazy Legs of the "Rock Steady Crew" during a promotional tour for the movie Beat Street. In my early twenties, I met Tupac Shakur and promoted a show for him on New Year's Eve 1991, just a few months after he dropped his first solo record "2Pacalypse Now". Then in my early thirties, I met KRS-ONE, who has had the most influence on me as an artist. Although I didn't think of these experiences as a spiritual experience at the time. I realize that who these people were spiritually had as much impact on me as who they were as innovators of the culture of Hip Hop. Equally influential to me were the social justice leaders of my community in Denver who I had the privilege to have in my life as mentors. Dr. Paul Hamilton, author of "Shattering the Myths: African People's Contributions to World Civilizations". Another mentor of mine is Dr. Vincent Harding, author, and colleague, classmate and friend of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Finally the person who had the greatest effect on me as person was Brother Jeff Fard. He taught me that the first rule of empowering self and others was to "know thy self". This influenced my spirituality, politics and professional life. I have truly been blessed with an incredible amount of guidance, it would've been a shame to have it all go to waste because of something that could've been prevented. Even still, my work as a youth service provider to over 8,000 youth in over 70 schools with over 50 fellow Colorado artists is quite a satisfying and fulfilling accomplishment. As well as being able to rock crowds of thousands of people with my former band. I am grateful for this incredible life I've had, and the chance to experience more. What I have yet to experience will be even more incredible still. What I've been through and what I'e achieved was only boot camp. Now I am ready for spiritual combat with the enemy.

I spent about 3 days just remembering the dream alone. I wasn't sure if I had remembered everything or if I had added anything in from trying to hard to recall. Had my imagination filled in the gaps? Did the cold medicine have an effect my dream? Once I had it all written down, I began a 4 day research escapade on google like a cyber-space Indiana Jones searching for everything I could remember. The number 7. Tariq, What is Alumbra? Is it even a word? Turns out there is no meaning in english but in spanish it means "to illuminate" or "enlighten". I found that to be strange since I don't speak spanish. The name Tariq means "messenger" or "one who leads the way". Ironically enough so does "Apostle". I always knew the number 7 held special significance to me. Since my birthday, date and time of birth all equal 7 when adding the sum of the numbers together until you reach a single digit. It was always my lucky number. I always saw it randomly in my employee numbers, telephone numbers, addresses, mailboxes, serial numbers. I've always had sevens around me. In a number of spiritual texts and cultural traditions around the world, it's symbolic meaning is very interesting, as well as in all of the world divinations. I always thought of myself as a teacher, or a "messenger" of some kind. I always wanted to say something thought provoking at the very least in my poetry. Could it be that it's in my nature to do so by some divine course written in the stars and planets? I have begun to believe in just that even more. I was always told when I was a kid, I would be a "preacher". That used to always make me cringe because I saw preachers and politicians as one of the same. I didn't really trust them. The funny thing about that is, many people often tell me coming to my performance is like going to church. How could I possibly thought I would avoid that comparison with a stage name like Apostle? I don't know. At this point, I felt there was no turning back. I was given yet another chance to live and there is no better explanation than it is because of some divine purpose. I must use the talents I have been given faithfully for the invocation of the spirit of my ancestors.

So now what I am about to say may stun you. I will probably lose friends over this. Others will say I have gone crazy. I don't care. The reason is what I have told you about my life thus far is completely true and the undeniable incredibleness of these events, whether they be traumatizing or inspiring, they were not by chance. For over these past 7 days, I have finally discovered my self. I am a vessel for a spirit whose time has come to ascend to mastership. The work I do from this point on must affect this world in a dynamic way. My lyrics are not zoned out THC enhanced rants of randomness, but divine words of inspiration from my soul in ascension. I have so much more work inside of me. I am a servant to humanity through the will of my ancestors. I will create experiences of enlightenment for those who find bliss on the dance-floor. The intention is to create powerful music. Music as powerful as the drum circles of West Africa, that crossed the ocean in slave ships, resurfacing on plantations and igniting the passion that led to the revolts that overthrew the "Master" long before the civil war. Music as powerful as the music Ray Charles created which gave him enough influence to desegregate the chitlin' circuit of the deep south in the 60's with the threat of a boycott. As powerful as the music of Bob Marley, who brought two heads of state together of opposing nations on stage to embrace. As powerful as the music of the mid 70's that brought two gangs in the Bronx together, and fostered a world-wide youth culture that crosses racial, political, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic boundaries. I know this kind of talk turns some people off. I don't care. My work is far more important than a popularity contest. No matter how precarious the path is for me, I will traverse forward. I will stay on course. The truth about my dream is it was not a dream. I was visited by my ancestor. Some people will say it was the fatigue or the cold medicine or whatever, but I know what happened. I have accepted their gift. For a very long time I've been a proponent of the idea that we choose our own reality. I still believe that, but I did not choose this path. I was chosen. Now is the time for me to step up, go forward and do the impossible. Experience the ritual, and move your body to this.