Memo to Aubrey

Dear Aubrey Drake Rogers,

I gave up using the "n" word in my posts long ago, but in this case it seems appropriate. After watching your performance on the BET Awards last night, I felt the need to impart these three words of advice on you for the sake of your career.

Run, nigga. Run.

That's right. You need to pen the most heartfelt "Dear Wayne" letter you can come up with, get in Wheelchair Jimmy's chair and haul ass as quickly as possible.

And you know why. We all saw the uncomfortable look on your face as Wayne's pre-teen daughter and her crew jumped on the stage to get their boogie on as you and your comrades sang "I wish I could [eff] every girl in the world." You can fake your gangsta as much as you like. Sing your soulful "soo-woos" all over the world if you wish. (But for real where they do that at? Are there Bloods in the T-Dot?) Whatever makes you feel like a G is alright by me. But last night? Boo, your Degrassi was showing. Badly.

Or perhaps I should say thankfully. Your obvious disgust by the coonery you subjected yourself to gives me faith in you as a person. It lets me know that despite your best effort, you have yet to completely transform into whatever R&B thug stereotype the folks at Young Money are creating for you. It lets me know that it may not be too late to save you from the destructive path your career will take if you continue under the professional tutelage of a man who (and I quote) "sounds like he's been free basing Vicks Vapor Rub" and thinks it's kosher to kiss another grown man on the lips. No disrespect to the creative talents of Weezy F. Baby, but he couldn't direct me to a damn Sunoco, let alone stardom.

I've heard your music. I personally found "So Far Gone" to be one of the most well put together mixtapes I've heard in years. Album quality, truthfully. And you don't have to try that hard. Your vanilla complexion and green (or are they hazel) eyes are marketing gold. Add to that the fact that you've got some talent, are well-spoken (bilingual at that) and have acting chops, you can go pretty damn far without the assistance of the most Overhyped Rapper of All Time. Let's be real. You know good and damn well that you do not mesh with those other Young Money folks. You and your cute little cardigan had no place on that stage last night.

And for the love of the Sweet 8 lbs Baby Jesus, please find a label that will invest in teaching you how to perform. You're cute and charismatic as hell, but your live show? Hmm. Leaves a little something to be desired from what I've heard. And it has nothing to do with the Autotunes. I've seen T-Pain and Teddy Riley before him do some pretty entertaining shows with auto tune-assisted vocals. The whole standing on stage, waving your hand from left to right and "resting on pretty" as Tyra Banks would call it are a no go, Jimmy.

Please understand that I'm not hating. I'm actually a fan. And for that reason, I'm very concerned. You've got potential that if well guided, can result in a great career. But in the hands of Weezy's Effin Baby, well, I fear for you Aubrey. I really do.

Robin Monique aka "Mrs. Hip-Hop"