He says raising a child with autism has helped him see the world differently, helped him to see the beauty in all of it. He's also laughing and smiling a lot more these days. Tough times have given him a can't-keep-me-down attitude, which is really the meaning behind the album title Airtight's Revenge. "Airtight" is an old nickname he's had for years from the Iceberg Slim novel, Airtight Willie and Me. The "revenge" part speaks to how his music is still reaching masses despite the label issues and setbacks he has had. He's enjoying himself again.

"I really don't worry about what people expect me to do. I don't. I know I have to make good music and that's what I focus on. I got real-life stuff to worry about, man. This music stuff is just fun."

At 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, with DJ Rich Medina, Suai and DJ Minx at St. Andrew's Hall, 431 Congress St., Detroit; 313-961-6358.

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