TABLES TURN by Baby Money is a song that exhibits how rags can turn into riches, the struggles, the streets, and relations. In other words, how the tables can turn meaning the reversal of a situation to gain the upper hand. He done experience the odds being against him, people being against him, and losing close friends in the process. However, he persevered through hardships and grind until he became the boss. He is the one on top putting people into position now. This is motivation music, music that makes you want to rise and prosper further.

According to a interview done by Kahn Santori Davison, Baby Money originally wrote this song in jail. One verse he raps: “I done watched the odds change, guess the tables really turned/ I done watched the vibes change, but it’s turned up my earnings/ I’m the teacher and the student, ’cause ain’t nothin’ wrong with learning/ I could smell the opps burning, streets cold with three thermals.“

The word play here is different. Here he displays imagery, figurative language, and voice. He does all this while rhyming, everything goes together. When you dive into his past, you discover what’s under the iceberg. You discover he grew up in a rough area of detroit. His father was murdered when he was 5 years old, leaving him to navigate the streets and adulthood on his own. Baby Money first name was ‘Dollar,’ because he used to always ask people for dollars. He would go around his hood and have a bankroll in his pocket, get a dollar from everybody, and then go shoot dice with the older people. He had a hustling mindset since a kid and eventually turned to music. The road wasn’t smooth but eventually, he got signed to QC and is now making Hundreds of thousands. In the process, he loss some of his close friends to the streets, showing how the streets can get cold. The further you go into his life, you see the authenticity of his lyrics.

For Baby Money to be authentic and relatable causes his music to be 100x better. Just off the hook I can relate to “I‘m the teacher and the student, ’cause ain’t nothin’ wrong with learning,” because it reveals you may be an expert on a particular topic, though you might lack knowledge on something you can learn. Implying hiding your pride and staying open minded indirectly. Overall, Baby Money is a role-model to me. He motivates you to hustle, do what you gotta do, and follow your ambitions. He shows me that a black male from poor community can make it big because I also come from a marginalized neighborhood.

I used Hong’s writing as a model in my first draft. I liked how she used sensory details, metaphors, and imagery through her story. She used a lot dialogue which I incorporated in my draft. Her voice also is present, it’s like as if the story is alive, especially with the use of humor she used. I mimicked this to make my story engaging. Everything from introduction, characters, setting, and conflict is clear so that is something I can make sure my narrative does too.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or Breast
• 2 tablespoons green seasoning
• 2 teaspoons grated garlic
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or canola oil
• 3 tablespoons cane sugar, or brown sugar
• 2 cups parboiled rice, washed and drained
• 2 cups canned pigeon peas
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 2 cups fresh coconut milk
• 2 cups chicken stock (Maggi)
• 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, place the chicken, green seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and ketchup, along with salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss to mix and coat the chicken with the seasonings. Set aside and let marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Pour the oil into a large pot and place over medium-high heat. Let it heat until hot but not smoking.
• Make the burnt sugar by sprinkling the cane sugar into the hot oil in an even layer.
• Let the sugar melt until it starts to froth and bubble.
• As soon as the edges of the froth/bubbles start to turn a slight shade darker, immediately add the seasoned chicken. Stir to mix and coat with the burnt sugar.
• Let cook for 7 to 10 minutes.
• Add pigeon peas, and carrots (if using) and cook for 1 minute.
• Pour in the coconut milk and the chicken stock or water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss in the whole Scotch bonnet pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and cover the pot.
• Once it reaches a boil, partially remove the lid and continue to boil for an additional 7 to 8 minutes.
• Cover the pot fully, reduce the heat to low, and let cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Serve hot or at room temperature and enjoy.

Pelau doesn’t have a precise pinpoint of where it originated. This can be due to that there’s many variations to make it because different cultures make it in different ways. However, I am accustomed to the Trinidadian way because my mother is Trinidadian, resulting the pelau to be made the Trinidadian way. My mom often makes this dish because how accessible the ingredients are and its easy to cook, especially in large amount. Also, my mom is at work for days at a time, so she would cook me this dish to last me by the time she comes back. I honestly believe this the only dish I can repetitively eat without getting tired of it, it taste amazing every single. time. This is a recipe that constantly saves me the hassle of spending money on food because in the back of my mind, I know that pelau is in the fridge. Or even wanting to eat something new because it nourished me by being great food, I don’t get tired of eating it. Overall, pelau is a food that puts me at peace and a memorable dish to eat.