Time Makes No Sense (Time Series - Part 1)

This week I’m going to write a 4-part series on “time” where I tackle the concept from different perspectives.

Here’s Part 1.


Consider the following statement:

Snoop Dogg used to make songs with the Supremes and was once signed to Motown.

It’s not true. But it didn’t feel like it was untrue. For a second it felt believable because Snoop Dogg has seemed like he’s been around since forever.

He’s actually 3 years YOUNGER than Jay-Z and only 1 year OLDER than Eminem.

In fact, Snoop Dogg is closer in age to 2 Chainz, Jadakiss, 50 Cent, Nelly, Plies, Ja Rule, Cam’ron, Kanye, Fabolous, and Ludacris than he is to Dr. Dre.

He’s also younger than Missy Elliot, Lil Jon, DMX, Method Man, Diddy, Master P, Wyclef Jean, and the RZA.

Go figure?


Consider this statement:

Dr. Dre was born without his full voting rights guaranteed.

This is a true statement. The Voting Rights Act wasn’t passed until 1965, a year after Dr. Dre was born. In fact, Dr. Dre was born when Malcolm X and MLK were still alive.

The Voting Rights Act seems like ancient history along with the legends of Malcolm and Martin, but they aren’t really that old.

For perspective, if Malcolm and Martin were alive today, they’d be younger than Bob Barker from The Price is Right and the famous actress Cicely Tyson.


Ok, last one — consider this:

Tina Turner was born closer to the Emancipation Proclamation than she is to today.

This is also a true statement. Tina Turner will turn 80 years old today. When she was born in 1939, only 76 years had passed since Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Mind-blowing, right?

For perspective, Tina Turn was born BEFORE the yield sign, twist ties, and deodorant were invented.

Big wheels keep on turning.


Sometimes “history” is just what our parents went through. Other times, it’s your favorite movie from childhood turning 30 unexpectedly. It’s all relative and will feel different to each person based on their experiences.

Twenty years can go by in the blink of an eye and at the same time, one week can feel like a decade.

In short, time makes no sense.


Correction: Cicely Tyson was incorrectly listed as a gospel singer instead of an actress. This has been updated.