WHOA! WHOA! "C" DID IT AGAIN. IMMA HAVE TO COP THAT. IM GOING LOOK OUT FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE CAUSE YOU GOING PLACES.
H0FFA!
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I was amazed at the range of topics Lil' Old C covered in his cd!  Everything from playing with his friends, to praying for world peace and all with great skills!!  This kid is doing it REAL B.I.G.!!!
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Lil'Old C, a rapper and 11-year-old student at Eaton Middle School in Hampton, has a new 10-track CD in local stores. "Play Ball!!" includes tunes such as "My Childhood," "Breaking 05," "My Life," and "A Kids Prayer." Lil'Old C- also known as C.J. Parker- created the disc with his dad, Carl Parker. He is understandably proud of his work. "After seven weeks of recording, I feel this CD is a complete success," the young rapper said. "I've never seen so many positive (yet hip-hop) songs on one CD."
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Father-son hustle is all about character, success

   Carl Parker and Lil’Old C are more than a father-and-son rap music team. They’re two hustlers. Sure, kids and even grandparents love their music, but they’re still hustlers.
   I found this out hanging with them on a Saturday morning before a show. The Parker’s were at their hub- Custom Cuts barbershop, 2710A Build America Drive in Hampton- where they hone shills between customers. “Rack ‘em up for him, C,” Parker says to his son as we stand around the pool table. “You know how to shoot pool?” he asks me. “I mean, he (Lil’Old C) can play a little, but he’s still learning.” Come on, now. I’m from New York and was just living in Chicago, remember? I know a little something about this game. I also know a hustle when I see one. “Yeah, you did say you’re from New York,” Parker says. A customer steps in at the shop. “What’s up Calhoun?” Parker asks and walks over to cut Calhoun’s hair. Lil’Old C and me start to shoot a few games and talk.
   Now in sixth grade, Lil’Old C (AKA Walter Carl “CJ” Parker Jr.) has been rapping since age 5, following his dad, who rapped back in the 1980s under the name “Cool Carl.” Dad now finances and manages his protégé’s career. Lil’Old C has three CD; the latest, “Play Ball,” was released this summer. At age 6, the young rapper became a local favorite and received national attention when he performed in a kids talent show on the former “Jenny Jones” show. This year, with his father at his side and backing from his mom Tishawna, Lil’Old C has been performing at community centers, festivals and group functions. Later that day, he would perform at the state PTA convention at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth.
   Anything special planned for the show? “We’re just going to do what we do,” Lil’Old C says. “Just do what we do best from the CD.” You and your dad are collaborating on the lyrics more now. “Yeah, he asks me what I want the song to be about, and we go through ideas,” Lil’Old C says. “He asks me a question, and I answer it. I write something, and he answers it.” And your message is all positive. “Kids listen to raps, and then they go around, rapping what they hear,” he says. “I just want them to talk about something positive. I’m too young to be talking about all that negative stuff.”
   He pauses to line up his shot. I’m going to hit that 10 in the corner pocket,” he says. Yeah, OK, let’s see what you’ve got. The shot is awkward, so Lil’Old C grabs the bridge to help guide his cue. He hits the cue ball, and it hits the 10, which drops in. The little hustler just smiles.
   The barbershop is where the father and son spend many of their hours refining a special bond. The walls are adorned with photos of Lil’Old C performing and pictures of local sports legends, like Allen Iverson, who have gotten haircuts there. As Parker cuts hair and shoots the breeze with regular patrons, Lil’Old C handles his business. He sweeps up and manages his own store in the shop, selling soda, snacks, ships and hair supplies. He also supervises his 6-year-old sister’s business, Zaria’s Fine Jewelry and Watches, and the hat shop of his 10-year-old brother, Nick. “He (Lil’Old C) makes money, and then what he does is spread the money around to different business ventures,” Parker said. “He sits on the floor on the 19th of every month, he tallies up all of the sales and what he has to pay in taxes. He take the Virginia form of taxes, tells me what I owe and I sign the check.
   A promotional flier describes Lil’Old C as more than a rapper. Along with being an entrepreneur, he’s also into martial arts. Most important, he’s an honor student. The Eaton Middle School sixth-grader recently received five A’s and a B on his report card. “I just try to teach them (his children) that you’ve go the chance to do whatever you want to do,” says Parker, who usually has at least one of his children with him when he’s out and about. “My goal for my kids is not to push them hard, but for them to end up four times what I am. I just want him to parlay what he has back down to his brother and sister.”
   So the father-and-son hustle is about character and being successful in life. “That’s my angle,” Parker says. “Just be what you need to be. At the same time, it would be nice to see him on TV, rapping and singing and dancing. But if rapping doesn’t work, we’re planning for bigger than that.”
   Back to the pool table, Lil’Old C sets up for a combination shot. He smacks the cue ball. Two balls roll in. “Good shot, C,” Dad says. The little hustler beats me two out of three games.

Wil LaVeist can be reached at 757-247-7840 or by e-mail at wlaveist@dailypress.com
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