DJ Khaled released a track, featuring Chance The Rapper, titled, “I Love You So Much.” Wrapped in a New Orleans bounce beat, the song is a never-ending proclamation of a father’s love and responsibility to affirm, both, son and or daughter.   

It reflects the omnipresent power and joy that an active father can experience just by being present.   

Though basic, the song’s content made me take a step back and consider how my early life experiences have made it difficult for me to show unconditional love to my heir—Young Chancellor the Prince.

It wasn’t until I heard the song that I considered how not knowing my father truly hurt my ability to respect titles and see the good in people.

It wasn’t until I heard the song that I considered how being raised by a 15-year-old child impacted my ability to see myself as anything other than a survivor.

It wasn’t until I heard the song that I realized how my well-intentioned uncle shaped my concept of love, life, woman and manhood—perpetuating a cycle of unaccountability.

Paradoxically, it wasn’t until I heard the song that I reflectively considered how those early life lessons geared toward titles, accountability, survival, love, life, women and manhood contributed to my personal shortcomings with fatherhood.

Who I came to know as “me” and the guiding principles of my life, were immediately challenged by my son—the tangibility of a black father’s love; the power and purpose of tears; the responsibility, accountability and integrity needed to love his mother.

It will take a substantial and consistent amount of personal accountability, on my behalf, to ensure that I don’t pass “my hurt" on to my son. It will take an even weightier amount of purpose to consciously build, teach and love my son in the ways of the Jedi.

So, son, starting now, I promise to blast “I Love You So Much” over blaring speakers, as an excuse to affirm my love and your right achieve black excellence.