A Lesson Taught By a Rapper
By TexanTornado
@TexanTornado (5573)
United States
October 18, 2015 4:33pm CST
So many people are not into 'rap' music. I for one, and one of those people. I prefer my music to be something I can relate to, be able to understand the words, and carry some meaning.
However after a comment on a discussion, I was impelled to write this.
Most who have interacted with me, know that I have a habit of joking about myself. Using comments about being 'brain dead' or other such things. For the record I am not truly putting myself down, for I suffer from low self esteem or what not. I do that, cause I have no problem in being able to laugh at myself. Which @purplealabaster was able to comprehend and help explain it further.
Which brings me to the topic of this discussion. Have you ever seen the movie, '8 Mile' with Eminem? Yes, it is a movie about rappers and battles. At the end of the movie, Eminem, teaches a lesson while in a battle. The lesson taught was; if you state all the things in with yourself that others could possible use as ammunition against you, you are pretty much taking their ammunition away.
(A battle means going back and forth with their raps against each other)
Can you laugh at yourself? Can you point out your faults/flaws?
14 people like this
15 responses
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
18 Oct 15
I like rap music, and there are actually quite a few rap songs that teach lessons if you actually take the time to listen to them. I think that it happens more with the "old school" rap, but there are more modern ones that do the same thing. I also like how different genres of music are including some rap into the music, although admittedly it does not always sound good.
3 people like this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Yeah, the ones that are full of swearing I do not care for. There are some that have explicit lyrics that do not bother me, but if that is all the song is about, then it really is not something that I care to listen to, either.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
18 Oct 15
@topffer LOL - yes, I believe that we did have a similar discussion several years ago. I liked some of the French rap as well, even though I could not understand the words the music and rhythmic flow was nice.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
18 Oct 15
What I like with rap, is that it also assimilates easily any kind of music. I think we talked about this a few years ago. Here a rap with Beethoven's Letter to Elise in the background.
Nas' official music video for 'I Can'. Click to listen to Nas on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/NasSpotify?IQid=NasIC As featured on Greatest Hits. Click to buy...
3 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
18 Oct 15
Gee, thought it would be about rap music and I could interject that I do tend to enjoy some rap music... not all of it mind you, but some, and I have listened to many Eminem songs, though I wasn't fond of that particular movie.
However, the discussion is not actually about music.. alas..
I do actually suffer from low self esteem and I do put myself down a lot.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
18 Oct 15
I like a few of Eminem's songs too. I think the most popular is 'Cowboy', but I really like the one he wrote about/for his daughter. I can't recall the name of it now. I haven't listened to it in many of years. I wouldn't say I was fond of the movie, but I do like the ending when he shows that he could dis himself no problem and it took away the power of the other guy doing it.
I am sorry to hear that about your issues. I'm sure you have your reasons for it, and I won't pry. I doubt you are alone with the one you have.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado @katsmeow1213 I also like rap music. I did like the movie, but my favorite part was the end battle. At one point, I could even pretty much do the song along with the movie.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
18 Oct 15
@purplealabaster See that is what I said. The end made the whole movie for me. I guess our posts crossed, I was typing mine when you submitted yours.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111263)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Oct 15
Yep, I love making jokes at my own expense, that way when everyone starts laughing I know I haven't insulted or hurt anyone else. Besides, as you pointed out, if there are those who like to point fingers they'd have a hard time gettin a reaction cuz I do a good job pointin at meself, and here I thought that was arrogence, cheeeeze 
2 people like this
@rebelann (111263)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Oct 15
Soooooo @TexanTornado you're just waitin for someone to lower the boom eh? 
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
@rebelann Boom? As in the 'boom box'? 
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
I am so with you there. 
I don't think it's arrogance at all, to be able to point things out about yourself, so others can't. Or in this case beat them to it.
I don't think it's arrogance at all, to be able to point things out about yourself, so others can't. Or in this case beat them to it. 2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
21 Oct 15
You got that right. Or that has always been my experience with such. I also find when one can laugh at themselves they tend to be more enjoyable people, for they aren't so uptight.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
21 Oct 15
@sofssu I guess in some instances it might. In others it just takes a little insight into one's self to come to terms with things and just simply let them go. There is a saying, I don't know if you ever heard it, 'It's like water off a ducks back'? Meaning you can just let things slide on by.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
21 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Actaully it takes courage to laugh at yourself.. I couldn't do it initially but once I started I have been immune to a lot of stuff which would otherwise hurt me.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
You get offended if others laugh at you? Even if they only joking around?
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
@LadyDuck I understand. You just don't like to be the 'bunt' of their jokes.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (459212)
• Switzerland
19 Oct 15
@TexanTornado It depends how they joke, I accept some jokes if they stay funny.
1 person likes this
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
19 Oct 15
I think everyone can do this but will they? That's the question. Nobody that I know of can admit they are at fault for their own actions. Especially here on the islands. People here would rather blame another person than take the blame themselves. I think if yuor wrong stand up to it and move forward this is the only way you will gain in life.
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
19 Oct 15
@TexanTornado @poehere I feel that the more I can accept about myself and my flaws and joke about them, the less likely I am to take offense if someone else brings it up about me. Of course, some things are just going to hurt, because they are said and intended to be mean and hurtful, but even then sometimes being able to laugh and accept things about yourself can take the sting out of those words as well.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
No, you do have a point. Not everyone is capable of seeing the faults in themselves, much less admit to them or even broadcast such. I myself have no problem in doing just that.
1 person likes this
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
19 Oct 15
@purplealabaster I do agree with you on this one. Everyone of us has flaws. It's just how we handle them and take the criticism other offer. The only thing I sort of don't like here on the islands is that some people think they're perfect. You see what they have done and if you say something about it you might get an answer back that basically states it isn't them it's you. That's what I don't like. I think if you do it then own up to it. That's what I'm trying to say. Don't blame another person for what your have done or your fault - own up to it and try to work on it and fix it.
2 people like this
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
19 Oct 15
Yeah I can laugh at myself and point out my flaws but sometimes I'd rather not because it's no fun showing all your weaknesses to people who would abuse it.
I don't point out my strengths too much too but I share what I like/love with the online world. Whatever makes me happy or anything that would help other people I share to my online/offline friends.
Sometimes I can get too serious to a fault too.
I like some of Eminems songs as most are full of angst. When I'm angry I play some of his "angry" songs and sing along. 
He has songs that are fun too.
Whatever makes me happy or anything that would help other people I share to my online/offline friends.
Sometimes I can get too serious to a fault too.
I like some of Eminems songs as most are full of angst. When I'm angry I play some of his "angry" songs and sing along. He has songs that are fun too.1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
Yes, that can be said about anything you might point out about yourself. If you give too much information, etc. There is sometimes a fine line between it all. Yes, you should do the things in which make you happy/content.
I like more of his upbeat music.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130134)
• India
19 Oct 15
What difference does it make if I point out my faults. People have their own opinion anyway and so why add more?
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
True people will form their own opinion of you. However, for me, I can point them out, and the opinion of others make me no difference. It's sort of like saying I know exactly what I am, who I am, etc.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
19 Oct 15
I have not seen the movie you mention. In fact this is probably the first time I heard that name.
As for laughs at my own self, I do that many a times. I know I am clumsy and almost insane when I see the other "normal" souls around. I even know a lot of my faults, but I do almost nothing to fix them most of the time.
As for laughs at my own self, I do that many a times. I know I am clumsy and almost insane when I see the other "normal" souls around. I even know a lot of my faults, but I do almost nothing to fix them most of the time.1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
It's an old move, it came out back in 2002. The end is the best part and can be found on youtube.
To me it says that you aren't uptight. It is not a bad thing to be able to recognize your own faults, and acknowledge them. No need to live in denial.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
I think it helps in not taking life so seriously. For life is just too short for that.
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
30 Oct 15
I do have to agree with you there. I also thinks it means you don't always have your defenses up.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Oct 15
There are a few bits of rap I like, but it's pretty rare, most of the time I hate the hatred (heh, funny) and bias and subject matters.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
See that is me. There are a few songs that say something that has meaning, the rest just isn't for me.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
21 Oct 15
That is great. Ok, I am not sure who Gil-Scott Heron is.
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
19 Oct 15
I haven't seen that movie. I wish I could laugh more and at myself more.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
The movie isn't for everyone, but it does deliver a valuable lesson.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
18 Oct 15
i aint seen the movie. dislike rap 'n schtuff that seems to mostly pertain to violence 'n belittlin' gals. i also like to know what the heck singers're singin' 'n like a story laid out. so, country's fer myself.
i laugh't myself all the dang time 'n've more flaws 'n most pups've fleas.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
19 Oct 15
The movie is about a white rapper(If you know who Eminem is) who lives on the wrong side of the tracks, and would be labeled 'White trash' or 'trailer park trash'. It is not a bad movie. As I said the end is the best, because he knows the guy he is battling with bring up all this, so he does it himself, taking the power away from the other guy. I am content in just watching the end of the movie. And have to cheer for the guy.
Yes, you and me and alike when it comes to such. There are so many folks that can't and tend to look down on those that can.
1 person likes this
