For Your Inspiration: An Open Letter To Bow Legged Lou

MUSIC and CHARACTER APPRECIATION

By Raymond Tyler

During the 4 years I spent in High School Music was a major part of my life. My fellow students knew me as a LAKERS FAN, a visual artist, sometimes A BRAINIAC, and teen deeply entrenched in hip hop culture.

One of the most exciting things to happen in music and hip hop during my time in school was the success of the hip hop group UTFO. My crew loved UTFO because they were so innovative and so different from anyone else at the time. UTFO were also extremely a wonderful celebration of humor and intellect that fit the personalty of myself and the people I hung out with.

I can tell you who was in the car with me the last day of school as we blasted CALLING HER A CRAB. I can tell you who I referred to as LISA LIP and how hard she punched me after she heard the song later that month.

I never in my wildest high school dreams would imagine that years later I would be paid to interview one of UTFO's producers Bow Legged Lou from Full Force. To this day I recall every conversation I have had with Lou from breaking down his recordings with UTFO and Real Roxanne and hearing stories I can't repeat to his concern when my father passed to his crank calls and my prayers going up for his family.

I have learned a lot about myself and music and the role it plays in my life and fame vs. kindness from the years I have known Lou. This is an open letter not because I think Lou will be blessed anymore by my meager word but because I hope you the reader will be and because it is not crime to let people know that they matter.

Lou and I at a United Way fundraiser in Atlantic City

Dear Lou,

Brother I can say I was not surprised to see your photo with my dear departed colleague in radio Stan The Man Wilson. You are living proof that God Is Love.

Let me explain.

During my time as a journalist I have met all kinds of people the world and the hood would call celebrities.
People that have been blessed enough to receive a fair amount of notice for their hard work and talent.

One thing I learned early is that successful people sacrifice, work hard and sometimes make their own luck and are prepared when luck smiles on them. None of those things means they will be a good person in anyway.

At the risk of sounding snobbish, I have met many famous people and the ringing though in my mind was..."I COULD NEVER EVER SPEAK WITH THEM AGAIN AND BE OKAY WITH THAT."

I remember being very anxious before our first conversation because I enjoyed your music so much and I was praying that I would not come off as a over hyped fan and that you would not be a crumb.

The reality was you made me feel like family and I thought during that conversation I heard every Full Force/UTFO/Krush Groove story that you had.

If I had any doubt about how real you are? You crank called me later that week and put me on the phone with Kangol Kid and the 3 of us talked for another 2 hours.

This is just a note to say thanks Lou.

As a producer and performer you have given the world exactly what you owe it, which is to produce hit records. You have given hip hop a wealth of innovation and great samples and breaks and beats.

However as a man. You have laid down a hard road to follow my brother.

Hard, because in a world where most people are always "Me, Me, Me" and they have never been on Soul Train or hung out with The Cosby Kids. No one could fault you for living your life, collecting your checks, and kicking everything to your secretary.

What makes you outstanding in my mind is that you field the personal calls, get on my case when I don't invite you to my events, and direct me to the secretary for the business stuff.

Earlier I said you were living proof that God IS LOVE.

Let me tell you why.

Only a loving God would create a brother as dope as you are musically and creatively (Temporary Bow Legged Theater...MY DUDE!) but also give that man the heart that you have to enjoy being a bigger part of peoples lives beyond the music. I do know about many great things you do for people not in music or entertainment at all but I will respect our friendship and not put them on blast here.

If I were to ever think that some one was too small or below me...I would feel you spiritually smack me in the head. And if you ever catch me acting that way...you have my permission to smack me literally.

LOU.... Lucien George Jr....Thanks.

I wish I had the wit to say it so it sounds cool....but thanks for the music and I thank you more for the honest to goodness...goodness.

And most of all thank you for not attempting to bring the gherri curl back.

I LOVE YOU MY BROTHER.

Raymond Tyler

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