thirstythong

“But the most significant derivation from the meaning of as ‘water’ is the concept of people who have gathered near a body of water to grow rice for one another, and founding a stable community, sharing rain and drought, plenty and famine, peace and war: from ‘water,’ its basic meaning, has come to designate ‘the homeland, the country, the nation.’ It is in this ultimate exception that the monosyllable nuoc reverberates throught the deepest and farthest recesses of the Vietnamese collective unconscious and stirs there the most potent feelings. The nation’s fateful course, marked by ups and downs, is figuratively rendered as a ‘tide of water’ (van nuoc) with its ebb and flow. The highest virtue demanded of a Vietnamese is that he or she ‘love the nuoc‘ (yeu nuoc).” –Huynh Sanh Thong (no relation)

Choose your (Hiphop) Role Models Wisely

A conversation last night touched on the topic of role models, within the scope of hiphop artists.

 

A friend said I am trying to be like P. Diddy.

 

I replied, “actually, I’m aiming to be more like Mos Def.”

 

I thought about this more at home later and realized there were elements of truth to both claims.

 

Yes, I do want to be like Mos Def: I want Mos Def’s artistry.

 

Also, I want P. Diddy’s business acumen

 

And Jay-Z’s delivery

 

And Kanye West’s conceptualization ability

 

2Pac’s politics and passion

 

Nas’ lyricism


Eazy E’s vulgarity


E-40’s linguistics


Snoop Dogg’s aura

 

Biz Markie’s amiability

 

LL Cool J’s career endurance and gym discipline

 

Eminem’s determination

 

Andre 3000’s imagination

 

Tribe Called Quest’s inner-Chi

 

DMX’s bark


B.I.G.’s food expense account


Wu-Tang’s limousine


Ice Cube’s flannel shirts 

 

Ice T’s goat-tee


I can think of many role models because I want to learn their most defining characteristic.

 

I can’t think of one role model who I want to be wholly.


Or perhaps, I am working to one day be called U-God.

 

In figuring it out, I’ll end up myself.