Father's Day with Clif Soulo & Bambu

Happy Father's Day to all the daddys out there and Happy Fatherhood Awareness to all those that could be some day. I have been blessed with a great father who has been there at every turn and I have been lucky to see many close to me do the same for their children. But in a society and city like ours it's all too apparent that this isn't the norm–that there are a lot of baby daddys but not enough fathers.

I understand that being a father is scary. I know that it turns your life on its head. I know its not easy. But you have to do it. And if you stick around, chances are you will find that being a father is not just a job, but also a joy and something to take pride in.

The divide between sex and fatherhood is possibly no more evident than in hip-hop. It seems like every other record is about smashing any thick-bottomed beezie who looks your way, but there are very few that deal with the morning after or nine months later, or 18 years after when a single mother sits by herself watching her son or daughter graduate (or not).

Thankfully some do the right thing, and many of them learn that there are few greater gifts than bringing a child into the world with loving arms. One such person is Oakland emcee Clif Soulo. I had the privilege of checking out an advance copy of his forthcoming mixtape Forever Be Hip-Hop and was immediately taken with "My Best Freind," his ode to his daughter Mckayla. She even hops in the booth to talk with him at the end of the record and I haven't heard anything cuter in a loooong time.

DL: "My Best Fried"- Clif Soulo feat McKayla

I would also like to share an ode to fatherhood by 38thNotes favorite Bambu. His song "Seven Months" captures the fear, uncertainty and excitement that dominates his girl's pregnancy and his preparation for fatherhood. It is a reminder for us men that we need to do the right thing, but it's also a celebration of those who already have.