I just received a letter from my buddy Emory (along with the photo) and I was brought to write this BLOG with respect to how important this man was in my life.
We were both locked up in Fort Dix, NJ and outside of his routine card games (and my routine writing) we spent much quality time together. It was a growing relationship even though I was mostly out of sight, buried in my writing somewhere. We’d grub together, walk and talk together, and eventually I learned that Emory was Jay Z’s cousin. Funny thing is, when “E” brought it up, that “I’m hooked up with one of the biggest clothing companies in the world,” I sort of shrugged it off. 1st of all, Emory wasn’t bragging, but his mentioning such a thing had no relevance insofar as our relationship was concerned. It took a lot to impress me during those tough times in prison. And 2nd, I was immune to cats telling me they knew this person and that person, and that they owned this ‘n that. Now, E didn’t come across that way; in fact, his mentioning this was a part of an ongoing conversation as he came to recognize my business savvy and discipline. But was I in for a surprise, because I thought that I was the biggest thing happening on “the compound” where it relates to talent and business combined, not to mention my helluva softball game. (More on that MUCH later) Meanwhile, E eventually whipped out a picture of him Dame, Jay, and Biggs. They were toasting at a dinner table, and by the looks of it they were ballin big time. Still, a nodded with that smidgen of doubt, since I knew hat most anyone can get a picture with a celeb, especially if you knew the right people, or if you happen to be part of the “in crowd.” What I didn’t know was how deep the E/Dame/Jay relationship was. And frankly, it still didn’t matter. E was my buddy, and we were experiencing TWS. (Time Well Spent.)
Furthermore, E was a philanthropist! He asked me what I needed to make my writing agenda comfortable. That meant commissary, money in my account, whatever. Emory did this with no strings attached, no contracts or binding agreements. He simply said to me, “I feel like you’re the Michael Jordan of this book game. And I wanna see you blow up.”
So week after week, E would use much of his “commissary spending limit” to accommodate me so that I was comfortable under the circumstances. He had that leap of faith that I’ve very rarely seen, but for my friends Steven Juliano, Tiny Wood and my sister. In my books you always see Emory Jones credited in the acknowledgements because he helped to make this possible. Just as (I’m sure) he had something to do with the early growth of Jay Z, E has also played a starring role in my life. So this BLOG I dedicate to Emory Jones who’s at the end of a long Federal Prison sentence. Thanks Emory. I’ll never forget you. WORD
JAY-Z LYRICS
“Do U Wanna Ride”
(feat. John Legend)[Intro]
This is the operator with a collect call from “Emory Jones”
To accept the charges, press one now
[Jay-Z]
Uhh, woo!
Emory whattup?
Told you I ain’t too good with writin letters and all
Shit I don’t even write rhymes
But what I will do
I’ma send you this opus scribed through the airwaves
Vibe with me
[Chorus: John Legend]
I knowwwww.. I knowwwwww
Some places we can go, some places we can go
I knowwwww.. I knowwwwww!
Some places we can go, some places we can go
Do you wanna riiiiiiide… with me
Do you wanna RIIIIIIIDE… with me
[Jay-Z - over Chorus]
Uh-huh, uh-huh
Yeah nigga I bet we was kids and had dreams of bein here
I said “we” cause I’m here, you here!
Uhh
Yeah, ride with me, your spot is reserved family
Cigarette boats, yachts, ain’t nowhere we can’t go
We in South Beach and the Hamptons too baby!
[Jay-Z]
You know why they call The Projects a project, because it’s a project!
An experiment, where in it, only it’s objects
And the object for us to explore our prospects
And sidestep cops on the way to the top - yes!
As kids we would daydream, sittin on our steps
Pointin at cars like yeah that’s our sex
Hustlers, prophets, made our eyes stretch
Swanson got the spot, shit we started our trek
Some of us made it, most of us digressed
In the name of those who ain’t made it my progress
Show success please live through me
See I’m the eyes for Emory, keep him alive
(This is a collect call) So everytime I press five
All he wanna hear is his boy talk fly
Up in the fed, and still holdin his head
So when he hits the streets he gon’ eat through this bread
Now let’s ride
[Chorus]
[Jay-Z - over Chorus]
Uh-huh, geah
I’m crushin ‘em all for Jones
MTV, BET, the Grammys, crushed linen, purple label
All that fly shit we talked about
Give him some nice pinky rings with the blue diamonds and e’rything
Hehehe, that’s what we talked about right?
Uh-huh… tried to told you, ride with me
[Jay-Z]
International Hov’, I told you so
Forty 40’s out in Tokyo
Singapore, all this from singin songs
Comin up though we thought slingin raw
was the end all be all of bein rich didn’t we
Little did I know my mo’ potent delivery
would deliver me, kingpin of the inkpen
Monster of the double entendre, Coke is still my sponsor
Heh, the Cola, yeah
Hova still gettin it in with soda
Diet, no sir, I ain’t lose no weight
Started from the crates now I’m sittin on a whole case
Since they got you sittin on that old case
Our dreams is on hold like Tivo
So I can’t wait ’til you get your date
I got some temp plates outside of the gate
We gon’ ride
[Chorus]
[Jay-Z - over Chorus]
Uh-huh, uh-huh
Geah
Don’t even worry about it though, you ain’t missed nuttin
It only gets better, they got the Maybach Coupe now
Look like the Batmobile, the Phantom the top just comes off that joint
It only gets better
They caught your body they can’t trap your mind
Keep your spirit alive read your books
Matter of fact, let me take you somewhere
Vibe with me, c’mon
[Jay-Z]
Now me and my lil’ mama, Kita and Tata
Juan and Dez out in San Tropez
Jay round in Gabana, sneakin marijuana
You know that Mary J. give you +No More Drama+
Lost a couple friends this whole shit got weird
But when you get home you know your spot’s reserved, ya heard?
I put my niggaz on, my niggaz put they niggaz on
Now we all somewhere fun, chillin in the sun
I ain’t forget you cousin, hehe
Yeah nigga y’all can wear sneakers on the beach if you want to
Y’all niggaz come and c’mon, playin money marathon
My young’n is LeBron, you know what that makes me baby
Big Homey! Hehe, Emory what’s up?
[Chorus - starts over last few lines of above]
[Jay - over Chorus]
Wan’ ride with us? You’re more than welcome
We ain’t on no bullshit, uhh
Put your feet up
Big Tye I see you boy
Guru, I don’t usually do this but
Roll me up son man
Let me get mellow on this shit right here
Uh-huh, yeah
Uh-huh, white paper though nigga
Can’t even fuck with those blunts
White paper baby, old school nigga gimme a joint
Smooth it out, Young H.O.
Emory Jones
Word to my momma we livin!
Fortunately, I have lived long enough and survived enough battles, to still have a family. My children are brilliant (as you can see on YouTube), they are skilled in one way or another, and I am blessed to be able to claim a talent, an audience and a crown. 
