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I’ll always remember the primary voicemail message I obtained.
“Paul Rosenberg, hermano mío. Let’s do that! Fly me down from Puerto Rico to Miami top notch, let’s hit the recording studio and I’ll make you thousands and thousands!” How cool, I assumed after I realized somebody had confused me for Eminem’s longtime supervisor of the identical title.
The cool issue didn’t final.
The day after, I obtained one other voicemail message. “I used to be Eminem’s lover, and I impressed 10 of his songs, so I feel it is advisable to wire me one million {dollars} to my checking account, which is my 10%.” I questioned: Why 10%?
As if she was studying my thoughts, half-hour later she known as again and stated: “Make it $500,000. That’s solely truthful.” Seems like a plan. I’ll get my checkbook.
Since that fateful day, attributable to a change in a search engine algorithm that places my contact information within the prime outcomes when individuals seek for the music mogul of the identical title, I’ve obtained a whole lot of requests, mixtapes and fan letters meant for the different Paul Rosenberg. I’ve gotten every thing from requests for signed memorabilia to live performance gig affords to birthday needs from strangers all around the world.
I’m a enterprise coach and speaker by commerce. At first, my logical thoughts couldn’t make sense of all of it. If you concentrate on it, why would a music trade heavyweight like Paul Rosenberg have his electronic mail or mobile phone within the public area? However logic has nothing to do with it. The messages I obtain are fueled by pure emotion and hope. Possibly that’s what retains me from sending them straight to the trash folder unread.
I’m additionally an ex-comic, so my pure inclination was to search out all of this amusing. Each week, family and friends would ask to listen to the newest joke. I even posted a YouTube video on my newfound fame, ending it with an authentic rap full with a mic drop.
At first, it was enjoyable. The enjoyable didn’t final.
As soon as, after I made the error of answering a name from an unknown quantity, it was a child from Iowa who claimed to be the best white rapper ever. I imagined beats about corn and the literal type of hoeing.
After I instructed him I had no connection to the music biz, even apologizing and giving him some recommendations on different leads, I assumed that might be it. He then proceeded to name me eight instances within the subsequent two hours, insisting that I WAS the actual Paul Rosenberg and that each Eminem and I had been simply afraid of his expertise. He even challenged Eminem to a rap battle in honor of Eminem’s early years in Detroit.
Whereas my scenario had leisure worth earlier than, now it was simply plain annoying. I attempted monitoring down the “actual Paul Rosenberg” by Shady Data, Gotham music administration and Def Jam so I may begin forwarding the messages to them. I reached out to a number of search engines like google and yahoo as effectively to attempt to cease the barrage, with no response. Since individuals usually discover me by my enterprise web site, I can’t take it down with out additionally shedding potential shoppers. Likewise, I’ve been reluctant to alter my enterprise cellphone quantity.
However over time, a sluggish change in notion started to develop in me. I’ve at all times believed that whereas the world offers us many issues we can’t management, we are accountable for how we react to them. The vast majority of the messages I obtain are from the guts. Irrespective of how far-fetched they might appear to me, they symbolize somebody’s hopes and aspirations.
I started to craft kinder responses to these real requests. I began to see that I may let the callers and texters down simply, however nonetheless encourage them on no matter path they’re following. I take advantage of my humorousness, and I honor and acknowledge their dream. (Until they name me eight instances in a row.)
The entire thing got here to a head one night time when a WhatsApp message from Brazil at 2 a.m. left me chilled. It was a cry for assist and a risk of suicide from somebody who stated Eminem’s music was his “lifeboat.”
My coronary heart was in my throat. Frantically, I discovered some psychological well being assets the place he lived and handed them on. I don’t know if I used to be profitable in being this man’s lifeboat that night time, however I needed to attempt. I posted a video message about valuing who you’re, and the way obsession was not the wholesome alternative.
4 years later, I’m nonetheless not any nearer to discovering the suitable approach to steer the individuals who attain out to me each day. After I do reply, I allow them to know I’m not the suitable man, and encourage them of their journey. Particularly for the children with sickness, the anniversaries, the followers and the birthday needs, I get again to as many as I can over time. I simply can’t get to all of them, and I’m at peace with that now.
In his music “Lovely,” Eminem stated, “God gave you them footwear to fit your needs, so put them on and put on them. Be your self man, be happy with who you’re.”
I couldn’t agree extra. As I write this, there are 4 texts and emails ready for my consideration. That’s the message I hope to ship them.
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