The grinding poverty of Opa-Locka, Fla., just outside Miami, is a jarring juxtaposition to the palm trees and balmy weather normally associated with paradise. Born and raised in the south Florida town, Carlin got involved in street life at a young age and eventually ended up doing time in jail. Now free, Carlin has changed his life and tells his story through song on his debut album, On My Way. –a.r.
Describe what it was like for you growing up in Opa-Locka.
They call Opa-Locka Baby Baghdad. When you go there, you might think that you are in Iraq. It’s a very tough place to grow up. I saw a lot of gunfights, drug dealing, drug addicts and it was just a lot of crime.
How did you end up in jail?
I was a teenager and I was running wild with the wrong crew. I ran into some spots and did a few armed robberies and I got caught. I did five years and I came home and had to start over.
How did you get into music?
When I was in jail, I started writing songs. But it was my mom who first inspired me to get into music when I was young. She was a music teacher and choir director. I was in the church at an early age. I also fell in love with my dad’s old soul records.
What was your first step toward getting your life back together after prison?
After I was released from jail, I hooked up with a few homies who were rapping. They had a studio and I would do hooks for them. … More people heard the hooks and a record label flew me to Oakland, [Calif.]. I did a few hooks for Too $hort and I’ve been rolling ever since.
What advice do you have for teenagers who are caught up in crime?
I always tell kids to love themselves and to love life. You have to value life. … These kids are wilding out and they don’t see the big picture. When they get behind those walls, they want to scream and holler but it’s too late. When I went to prison, it changed my way of thinking. I don’t have anything against hard-core rappers, but I don’t want kids to be misled because it’s a dead end.
Don’t miss Carlin’s listening party at Nancy’s Pizza in Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 11.
Image by Denise Gray
