Broke-Ass of the Week – Rapper Haji P.
Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit — probably not.
Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week? Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.
You might have heard of this week’s broke-ass, Haji P.; if not, familiarize yourself immediately! Haji’s a member of Rec-League, one of Northern California’s preeminent hip-hop crews (Richie Cunning, anyone?) and released his own rap album, Neighborhood Kids. He also has a pretty sweet day job as a program director for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz. Check out Haji’s awesome website here and read on for his clever money-saving tip!
Name: Haji Pajamas
Age: 30
Occupation: Program Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz. I also moonlight as an extremely successful rap artist.
What neighborhood do you live in?: I live in a neighborhood that clearly doesn’t recognize the value of a Cracker Barrel.
What are you listening to these days?: I’ve recently kept the song “Deacon Jones” by Louis Jordan on super repeat. Other than that, a lot of Big Maybelle and TiRon.
Best money saving tip: Don’t date. If you do…don’t be ashamed of coupons and dollar menus. If they stick around for date #2, it’s true love.
What do you refuse to spend money on?: I absolutely abhor the idea of paying money for a sandwich. If I trade a singe dollar for some bread and meat, it better be made by the hands of Jesus himself. Furthermore, it better be stacked as high as the sandwiches on the Scooby Doo show.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: A college degree.
How’d that feel?: Like Calvin from the McDonald’s commercials.
Favorite cheap eat: Bo Jangles. $3.99 for a Cajun chicken biscuit, bo’rounds and large
sweet tea…and if you make friendly with the cashier you could probably finagle a couple of extra free biscuits.
Favorite dive bar: Blue Post, in Wilmington, NC. The booze, prices and company are great…but more importantly, they keep huge tubs of free Dum-Dums at the bar. They also keep my album on rotation in the jukebox…so that’s always a plus.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten: For the first two years I lived in California, the lady at the SF
Caltrain station would always hook me up on the ticket fare. At first I thought it was because she was trying to put the moves on me…which wouldve been totally fine cause I thought her gold tooth was adorable. But then, one day I paid with my credit card and she asked for my ID. She looked at my birthdate and said “WHAT!? You’re 29? I thought you were 15!?” She then started charging me the adult fare.
Favorite free thing to do: Inspiring youth.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: I’ve always said, “If I ever get rich, the first thing Im gonna do is pay my mom back for everything she’s done for me!” But in all honesty, I’ll probably just get a new pair of sneaks and finish my DVD collection of The Muppet Show.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: Without question! I’d like to think I have a Kid ‘n’ Play meets Parker Lewis thing going on.
Do you own my book?: Yep. I actually stole it from Rob Rush. I felt like it would’ve been in bad taste to spend money on it.
Best hangover cure: Chex Mix, Planters Heat Peanuts, and an Orangina. Booyah!
Are you a hipster?: Nope. I like the safety of having brakes on my bike…and the only thing I want vintage are my grandparents.
