COATESVILLE, PA — Focusing on the good and doing something great, Eddie Sincere Carb is a Coatesville resident and proud father of 4 children who uses his music to help educate people about the needs of the city and inspire them to be part of a positive change. Eddie currently owns his own studio and works hard, providing all of his studio’s services, including photography and videography. This interview provided by MyChesCo is courtesy of Eddie Caraballo aka rapper Eddie Sincere Carb and is dedicated to the city of Coatesville.
“Half my city’s hard workers and they dedicated;
With just enough love, we could elevate it.
Everybody focus on the bad and forget the good.
When you hear Coatesville, you think nothin’ good.”
(Excerpts like these throughout this article are from Eddie Sincere Carb’s “My City” song lyrics. Personal and parental discretion advised due to strong language. Please continue reading Eddie’s story below before or after viewing.)
“I want to make the future of Coatesville better than the current reality,” Eddie shared.
Things weren’t always good for Eddie. He was supposed to graduate from high school in 2004. He had ventured down a few wrong paths that landed him in prison during his senior year for various offenses. Eddie was fortunate to be able to graduate through participation in a jail program.
Eddie has regrets and is apologetic about what he did as a young man, but also he is proud that he grew the strength to stand up, to refocus, and to turn his life around. It wasn’t easy, but nothing worthwhile is.
“I came home from jail and did a complete ‘360’. Those are times I don’t really enjoy thinking or talking about it anymore,” he said. “Although I will tell you, I missed out on so many things. Being young and dumb – sometimes you just don’t think.”
It wasn’t too long before Eddie felt compelled to expand a bit about his story.
“When I was in jail, I was separated from my son. I had him at a young age. I was only able to call him twice the whole time I was there. His mother wouldn’t allow me to speak with him, because she didn’t want him knowing where I was. It was understandable, but it hurt.”
Equally painful for Eddie was seeing his girlfriend and family on the day of his sentencing and trying to comprehend their suffering.
“I don’t see how people can keep going back [to jail] again and again,” Eddie said. “It breaks you down physically, mentally, and emotionally.” He knew at that moment he was going to change and added, “Plus, a cage is no place for any man or woman. I wanted to prove that I could do better, but not if I was behind bars.”
After serving his time, Eddie wanted to make a difference. He started by cleaning up his life. Rapping became one of his true passions over the years, but a flame lit inside him over the past several months to finally produce his music.
“My city need a break;
All the young dying.
‘Cuz it’s more than just your life
When your mom’s crying.”
In September 2017, he enthusiastically wrote to Facebook friends and followers, “The wait is over!” What he shared was the debut of “My City” – it is a rap song with a mission to encourage people to support and uplift Coatesville’s citizens from drugs and violence.
When asked what inspired him most when crafting his message for “My City,” Eddie shared, “There are different motivations. For example, losing the Ash Park Pool where I grew up swimming was a big one. I also did it for all the mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters due to gun violence.” He added, “But there are a lot of reasons behind my words. If people truly listen to the song as they watch the video, they will take away meaning from some or all of it.”
Eddie’s vision is to have people recognize not only the challenges, but also the strengths of Coatesville.
“The song is about my city; our city. It’s about the majority who are out there, night and day, trying to help make it good. It’s really not about negativity, even if some are concerned about the words I use to convey my message. Keep an open mind when you listen.”
If this song resonates with people who know they need to make a change to better their lives for themselves, for their families and for the city of Coatesville, then Eddie will have met his purpose.
Eddie raps, “I switched lanes. I rearranged…” This wasn’t about driving on Lincoln Highway – these two small sentences are huge, because they are about his life. He changed directions.
“Talking about switching lanes in my lyrics was a breaking point. It’s like they say, they can take you out of ‘the Ville, but you can’t take ‘the Ville out of you.” It’s true. Eddie clearly admires his city, despite its challenges, and if he is that one voice to help another, he is happy.
With no disrespect to anyone and wearing his “Excuses Suck” t-shirt, Eddie raps, “Time for us to step up for our community.”
Eddie explained that since his “360” years ago, he has and will continue to spread positivity to the city.
He only asks for one thing: “Don’t treat me differently because I want better for me and my family. I chose to do better. Please don’t put me in a position where the old me has to mix with the new me, because it will break everything I have worked so hard to change.”
As the past is the past, who can argue with Eddie’s request?
“Right or wrong, wrong or right;
You can’t judge that man
Unless you walk in his shoes
Or see out his eyes.”
Along with his wife, children, family, friends and supporters, Eddie would like to thank NikkiThruTheLenz for his camera work, as well as Cabbvisuals for engineering, editing and videography, and #Sweatboxstudio where he records. Be sure to look out for #LLDE, their new up and coming independent label.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.
Great story!
Love this!
Coatesville’s also my hometown. Was born in the old Coatesville Hospital, and raised in the area. I went to Coatesville schools from k-12. From a young age, CASD schools provided me with an opportunity to experience cultural diversity.
I feel that having that exposure early on empowered me later in life as well because it instilled a confidence in me when it came to interacting or meeting new people because I wasn’t afraid of them if they were different from me. I had already developed an openness and acceptance of all kinds of diversity.
Had I not had the same experience and exposure, I may not have been molded and shaped into the same person I am today. I know that usually when people think or hear of our city it’s in a negative way. However, I’m very grateful to have come from Coatesville where I developed an open, loving, tolerant heart and spirit to match.
We need more Eddie’s and more stories like this, kudos!
I feel much the same way, Erin. I was born in the old Coatesville Hospital. I went to kindergarten at Terry Elementary School, walked to St Cecilia’s starting in First Grade until my parents moved to East Fallowfield Township. I ultimately graduated from CASH.
I remember a city that had its rough areas but was very walkable. When I was young, a big treat was when my Aunt would take me to Hennessy’s Pharmacy for milkshakes. I must really sound like an old fart.
Yet, everyone I know has basically moved out of the City, either out to the townships or to other areas altogether. There are many reasons why. But, I believe the flight of working-class and middle-class people, more than anything, is what has brought Coatesville to its knees. Maybe if the American steel industry didn’t shrink… maybe if the City had not accepted the projects back in the day… maybe this or maybe that. Regardless, the net result is a City with few opportunities, high crime and poverty, and in serious need of real investment.
I agree Erin and Tim. I remember being able to visit my Aunt as a little girl and she would actually allow me to walk “to town” alone. However, some of the best memories were walking with her to get grilled cheese sandwiches at, what was that, Woolworths? (Now I sound old, lol.) But my point is, I never had any fear. Years later, my dad would get upset if I drove my car down Lincoln Highway to get to school. I soon learned all the back ways to get to CASH. I think Eddie has something here. Nobody should be afraid of where they live. I hope for a day to return when kids can run around and not feel worried. Especially, I hope for a day when people realize how short life is to waste it away and embrace one another rather than hurt themselves and each other.
Oh yes, Woolworths! I always loved that place. My grandmother worked for years at a little restaurant right on Lincoln called Spring Garden back in those days. I think it was on the same side as Woolworths, too.
There were so many cool places in town, and still are and still can be if they could flourish and succeed by having the benefit of more patrons visiting their respective businesses instead of avoiding them because as, you mentioned, Tina, unfortunately, many people do avoid the city out of fear, which is really and truly sad to me.
My dad worked at Lukens for 34 years. So Tim, I heard you when you spoke about the changes the city has gone through which may have led to the exodus. Still I guess I’ve always been the type that marches to the beat of my own drummer, LOL. Because I, of course, have done the exact opposite of what it seems that everyone else has been doing. This doesn’t surprise me of course. Tee-hee-hee!
So when I was born we lived in South Coatesville but moved to Pomeroy before I turned 2. Then in my 8th grade year we moved from Pomeroy out to a small 8 house development in the Sadsburyville area in West Caln Township. That house was right across the road from an Amish farm.
So when I moved out of my parents home, I left the Coatesville area. I hadn’t lived in the area for about 18 years. I had been all over… in West Chester for about a year and a half, then Boothwyn in Delaware County for about a year and a half, then Wilmington, Delaware for 12 years, and then Norristown in Montgomery County for 3 years.
I knew for a long time that I wanted to come home to Coatesville and plant some roots. I just needed to save up some money to buy a home and then find a home in the area that I liked that was in my budget. I guess I’m either a little picky, my budget was crap, or both. Bwahahahaa! It took me 4 years of house hunting (my saint of a realtor, bless her heart) to finally find something I was ready to move forward with.
After growing up in the suburbs and more rural areas of Coatesville one would think that’s where I would end up, but my new (to me) home ended up being right on Lincoln in Coatesville. I’m actually just over the city line so my next door neighbor is still City of Coatesville but my property is considered Caln Township. It’s weird to be on the same block and half the block is the city and half is the next township over, but we’re all still Coatesville address.
I’ve heard about some break ins/theft from homes and cars in the area, but not too much though. I think a lot of the violent crime in the area is usually either domestic or drug related. In other words, if you’re not planning to be involved in a domestic dispute, or to be around those involved with drugs, then you should be about as safe in Coatesville as you’d be pretty much anywhere else.
I’m sorry but I’m just going to say it, I hate it, but I think it’s true. I think that a lot of Coatesville’s bad reputation is a bunch of bogus b.s. and based on racist bias. Intentional or not. I think it stems from a place of fear in some people who have either just not had enough close up exposure to and personal experiences and relationships with people of color, so they are just ignorant and believe all the stereotypes and judge people based on where they live rather then who they are. But that would require getting to know them first. Yeah, imagine that!
Look, I’m not trying to portray myself as some badass female Chuck Norris or something. I know there’s certain places and certain times I take extra caution, but in general, I honestly can’t say I could live my life in that kind of fear and ignorance. It’s kind of sad, actually.
I’ve never had a problem in the city of Coatesville, Philadelphia, or Wilmington, that I can think of. I’ve often been asked over the years, “aren’t you scared going to the city.” Scared of what? That was my usual reply, followed by, “is there something that can happen to me in the city that can’t happen to me here?”
Explain that one to me again? Because there tends to be more people of color in cities? Is that why? Hmmm…. I should fear having crimes committed against me by people of color, that’s it?!?! So I guess I don’t really have to worry about being raped and mutilated by the Ted Bundy’s of the world on P.O.F. or Craigslist when shopping for lawn and garden equipment. SMDH!
I’m going to walk down the street the same way no matter who may be standing on it. And that way is that I belong there as much as anyone does. That body language usually comes through loud and clear and people just figure you’re from the area or you’re cool. It’s really not that hard. I hate to say it, but if something bad is going to happen to you it is going to happen to you anywhere, and can happen to you anywhere.
Erin, I know exactly the area your living. My grandparents (in their 90s) live around there… not Coatesville proper, but just a bit over the line. When I moved out on my own, I rented in West End… S. Church St (aka Honky Hill). I had a beautiful view of Lukens. lol But, I moved to Parkesburg after a met my wife and we decided to buy a house.
Your assessment of Coatesville’s bad reputation is not too far off the mark. The mindset is not so bad in Parkesburg, but I have often described the more rural surrounding townships out here as a little too tribal and a little too white. In fact, not too long ago had a conversation with a person upset about teenagers just walking around… teens who “looked like they could be from Coatesville and up to no good.” If that is not coded language, I don’t know what is.
However, it doesn’t help that a busy month for the Parkesburg Police Department is a slow Tuesday for Coatesville. The City is a much rougher town than when I was coming up. It almost feels like the town is Chester County’s dumping ground. When I was a kid (I’m talking 6 and 7) I walked to my friends’ houses, to school, to the Steel City Deli and Smitty’s Store, and to my paternal Grandmother’s (which was right on main). I don’t think I would feel safe letting my kids do that today.