Notes to Self

About the Book

This book is a compilation of thoughts and emotions. A scratch book of my story, dedicated to those who have influenced me…both positive and negative…

About the Author

Frank Medina III is a fresh, new face eager to make it in the entertainment industry. Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York by a Dominican mother and Puerto Rican father. Ever since he was young, he had aspirations of being a star. His love for music developed at a very young age. He was born to fairly young parents who had split up early in his birth, but always played an active role in his life. They would play recent R&B, Hip-Hop and Latin music, exposing him to his love. He excelled in school. His teachers told him had a gift for creative writing. This went hand and hand with his love for music as well. In 1994 groups like the Wu-Tang Clan, Tribe Called Quest, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. controlled the New York Hip-Hop scene. This period contributed Frankie’s greatest influences. His mother was married to a Latin Music producer, who he witnessed make some classic Salsa and Urban Latino records. He wondered how one day it would be great to fuse both these genres together. Making a new type of Latin American music, as once was created by Salsa. In 2002 Frank started Rutgers University, in Newark New Jersey. He always saw himself “in the lime-light,” and wanted to showcase this in school. Immediately he joined the Rutgers radio station (WRNU), and had his own radio show with his partner, He started getting his first taste of being part of the entertainment scene. He would later take the connections and experience to promote events and parties all over New York City. “The pure mentality of a hustler is getting it anyway possible” he says. His goal then became to be a radio personality, with all the parties he was hosting and promoting. Not to mention the promotions he did for upcoming artists in numerous record labels. But that wasn’t enough! He saw that by piecing all the different avenues he was attacking together, he would be able to make noise in many different areas of the industry. A key moment in Frankie’s life was when he was given an assignment by his English teacher. She asked if they can write a poem about life. So he just gave her something he wrote a long time ago that expressed growing up a Hispanic in this world, and the scene of Washington Heights. A short time after his professor pulled him to the side and told him how impressed she was with his work. She said “You write border-line genius, and you should consider being a writer.” This was a sign Frankie thought, maybe he was to be a writer and would combine that talent with music. By the middle of 2004 Frank was still struggling to make his dream come true. He had done a little bit of modeling, and considered acting as a second option if music doesn’t work out. Around this time is when he started his night life promotion endeavors, and spent most of his time hanging with artists and partying. Also promoting his music, he started performing in talent shows, birthday parties etc. In doing music, Frank discovered that his writing of songs could go way passed just Hip-Hop and Urban Latino music. He wrote ballads and love songs as well. He now felt he could pursue song writing for other artists. In 2007 he became a registered songwriter under BMI. Fast forward to 2009, Frankie went through a tragic experience that would forever change his life. During this time Frankie took a lot of time to reflect, and see really where he would take his life from this point. Truly seeing how precious life is, and if you want something you have to make it happen now! “Not talk or think, just do!” he says. Doing the only thing he knows best to do, he started writing his thoughts. Not just his thoughts; his emotions, fears, loves etc. The result of all this, was a compilation of poems and short writings from Frank Medina. “I just decided my only therapy has always been writing. It’s only natural for me to write them as songs. That’s how my mind works, songs with no melody.” Frank is completely focused, more than ever on achieving his many aspirations. “Life is all about utilizing your experiences (good or bad) to your progression and benefit.” He has solidified a position in the New York City night life community, and continues to promote and host parties. He has recently started recording new music after a couple of year’s hiatus. More for fun now he says, he still hopes one day to be a radio personality. Also wants to utilize his night life experiences to one day own a lounge or restaurant. I close with this statement said by him, “No one knows what is realistic and what isn’t. Where I’m from, there isn’t much expectation. If you live to be old and have a legit job, then you are successful. That might be ok for most, by I don’t live by the conventions or expectations set by society. The fact that I’m still here is to leave my mark. And I’m not so sure what that is yet, but I’m just taking all the things I know how to do and making a soup. Hopefully people like the taste!” “Life is all about utilizing your experiences (good or bad) to your progression and benefit. The book that I have written is a compilation of my thoughts and ideas. This was influenced by my experiences, trials and tribulations. Not so much a biography…but a form of therapy to get all my emotions out in the form I know best. No matter where you are from, everyone deals with LOVE, HATE, FEAR and PAIN...”