When people hear the title Only Dead Men Can Relate Vol. 1, their first reaction might be shock. That’s intentional. The title isn’t about glorifying death — it’s about reflecting on the wisdom, vision, and legacy left behind by men who were taken too soon. Legends like Nipsey Hussle and Young Dolph used their music not just to entertain, but to lay down blueprints for independence, hustle, and resilience in a world that often celebrates the wrong things.
This project is my way of honoring that legacy while building something bigger than myself.
How the Idea Was Born
For years, I’ve been working through JustINSPIRE Mentoring, creating safe spaces for boys and young men in Baltimore City. From meeting them on my porch and in my backyard, to hosting community BBQs in the park, to now expanding into tutoring and a digital mentorship platform — the work is hands-on, personal, and deeply necessary.
But keeping this work alive takes resources. I had to find a creative way to raise funds that not only supports the mission but also reflects who I am. That’s when I thought: Why not create a mixtape?
I’ve been DJing for years, sometimes paid, sometimes just for the love. But this project feels different. This is the first time I’m selling a mixtape, and it’s not just about the music — it’s about the mission.
The Mixtape as Art
Only Dead Men Can Relate Vol. 1 is more than 12 tracks blended into one project. It’s a piece of art. From the carefully chosen mixes to the high-resolution posters that accompany the release, every part of this project carries meaning. Each poster connects to the energy of the tracks, turning this into not just something you listen to — but something you can also see and feel.
It’s my way of saying: the culture we inherit is art. The voices we lost are art. And mentorship itself is art — shaping lives, inspiring growth, and guiding young men into leadership.
Why the Title Matters
Somebody asked me, “Who wants to relate to dead people?”
Here’s my answer: It’s not about wanting to relate to death — it’s about relating to the minds of men gone too soon. The ones who left wisdom, vision, and legacy in a world too often run by fools.
That’s the real heart of this mixtape. Nipsey represented The Marathon. Dolph represented Paper Route. They both stood for vision, ownership, and resilience — qualities we desperately need to pass down to the next generation.
The Bigger Picture
I stand by this mixtape as a creative work. I think I captured something special — voices we haven’t heard in a while, presented in a way that feels fresh but true to who they were. But even beyond the music, I hope people will see the bigger benefit:
👉 100% of proceeds go to JustINSPIRE Mentoring.
- Covering subscriptions and tech for online mentorship.
- Printing outreach material to connect with more boys and young men.
- Buying groceries to keep monthly BBQs alive.
Every purchase is an investment in young men who deserve guidance, brotherhood, and opportunity.
What’s Next?
This may just be Vol. 1. Perhaps I’ll continue this concept — using mixtapes as art, as memory, and as fuel for mentorship. Each one a tribute, each one a fundraiser, each one an act of legacy-building.
Because at the end of the day, music has always been more than music. It’s connection, it’s culture, it’s teaching. And with Only Dead Men Can Relate Vol. 1, I hope to prove that art can also be mentorship.
💐 Long Live Nip. Long Live Dolph.
✊🏽 Long Live the Mentorship Movement.
🎶 Get your copy (only 150 available) → Only Dead Men Can Relate Vol. 1 Mixtape
