Back In The Shoe

I wanted someone to write this introduction because I don’t know how to introduce my work. I mean here it is read it is what I want to say, but that sounds so impersonal. I have asked many people to pen the introduction for my random thoughts & poetry. This volume is no different. I asked Carl Evan Yancy this summer to put some words together for me and he had two conditions. First I would have to move back to Brockton and second he would have to ‘be hip-hop!’ I agreed to both conditions and told him the first would be achievable by the end of 2014. In October I moved back to Brockton aka The Shoe City (before it was the city of champions) but unfortunately it was a week too late.
Carl was killed by a motorist while walking home from work the last week of September. As of this publication his killer has NOT been found. I have known Carl since the late 90s when we worked together for a few years. We kept in touch after I moved out of Brockton in 2008 and would catch up to talk all things hip-hop up until our last conversation this summer about writing the introduction you are reading now.
It saddens me that Carl is gone for so many reasons. His amazing attitude towards life is something that can never be forgotten. His family and all those who were closer to him than I ever was must feel an enormous loss, but with that loss know that their Carl inspired minds that will never forget him.

Hey Carl this one is for you…finally, Back in the Shoe.

Much love to the entire Yancy family

Ryan
1-5-2015