Mic drop memmories

The Story Behind "Memories" by Coolhand Cal and TMM Cash Mani

There are plenty of times when a record speaks to me, but Joyner Lucas' "Sticks and Stones"—hit somewhere different. From the first listen, I knew I had to respond. When I saw the instrumental posted, it was a wrap. I couldn’t even make it through the whole song before reaching for my pen.

This wasn't just another freestyle or remix. I wanted to have a conversation with the song itself. So, I took a different approach. First, I deconstructed the original verse, breaking down the core themes and concepts that had caught my ear. Then, I reflected on those ideas and wrote my verse as if I were talking back—having a dialogue with the track.

My bro, TMM Ca$h Mani, was in the room while I was writing. He came through with the hook, and that was it—it turned into a full song. His addition shifted the vibe from something I was ready to throw out to something that truly resonated. Every time I hear that hook, it’s hard not to drift off, thinking of some painfully pleasant memories or moments from the past.

Not only was this track meaningful to create, but it was also fun to cook up. Big love to my man reem for recording the mic Drop video If you want to hear the full song early, be sure to join our email list.

This a essentially a cover. Take a second to check out the original record. I Love Hip Hop!