Tube Ace

Having grown up in the New Orleans area and not identifying with most white boys for several reasons, I had a lot of influence from black males. I found myself getting more respect from black kids than white. I've lived in low-income housing for most of my life.

The first neighborhood I grew up in was predominantly black, where I got pretty good at sports - boxing, football, basketball.

My first cassette tapes purchased were MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice and Bell Biv DeVoe. First CD was Dr Dre's The Chronic.

I idolized athletes, drug dealers and pimps instead of squares with real jobs and marriages.

I have been accused of talking and dressing "like a N-----r" by white classmates, ironically while wearing Nautica/Polo, jeans and boat shoes and speaking with a southern drawl which I had to make a conscious effort to cease.

Instead of TRL on MTV, I watched 106 and Park and Comic View on BET.

Some of my black friends called me "white chocolate".

My first vehicle was a full-sized SUV (Ford Expedition, but really wanted a Cadillac Escalade) with obnoxiously loud bass.

Smoked blunts on the daily for years.

Smashed countless "thick" white chicks.