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Rap Battles and a Cuppa Tea
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Rap Battles
There’s something really inspiring about a rap battle.
…about the whole ghetto thing actually – the idea of coming up – the “I will make this happen no matter what” mentality.
The whole scene makes my ambition wanna bust a freestyle.
So my good friend Mike came by my house a couple of nights back to jam before we went out to party and own the night… and while we were hanging out, I remembered how excited I got while listening to a rap battle on the radio earlier in the day so I looked through my movies and put on ‘8 Mile’. Yip. The Eminem movie.
Threw on the battle scene, right at the end, where Eminem lyrically emulsifies his opponent and the whole crowd, along with me and Mike watching and cheering from other side of the t.v. screen, go completely bonkers.
“f*ck ya’ll if you doubt me”, Eminem says to the crowd with palatably austere passion and unapologetic grit.
There’s a lot to be said against the whole gangster thing. Gang banging and pimping hoes for instance. But there’s something overwhelmingly inspiring about it too. An attitude and maybe delusional self-confidence, magnetic, that can get even the most rigid posh toff proper gentleman’s soul ignited, and maybe even get him to lean from side to side in time to the beat.
Our soul’s ignited and our swagger imbibed with a little pep in our step, our jeans worn a little lower and looser than normal, we missioned into the night.
And a Cuppa Tea
Our destination was a low-key private jazz party in downtown Cape Town.
It was strangely similar to the rap battle we’d watched earlier in the night. A raw electric feel – passion and love for the moment oozing through stuttering drums, blue-faced trumpet melodies and smooth beebawoobhop non-lyrics instead of ghetto beats and rhyming raps.
The air was thick with uninhibited melodies, hushed conversation to the beat of unscripted jazz, and all kinds of smoke from the lips of all kinds of people. Hipsters were strewn across the small, dimly lit, warm room, all facing the wildly expressive jazz band.
We jammed for a little while, socialising and sharing the glory of the vibe with everyone around us.
…then the MC, who had been ad-libbing splendidly nonsensical jazz mumbles to the sexy dark melody, announced an opportunity for anyone in the (musically inclined hipster art-scene) crowd would like to come up and play an instrument or sing.
Mike jumps up and barrels through to the front of the stage. Mike’s an actor and aspiring singer by the way.
The jazzos start jamming, unpredictable drumming and lava-smooth, smouldering trumpet grooves fill the air while mike stands in front of a hundred-odd cool-kids, microphone in hand, getting ready to unleash.
He starts vibing and doing the jazz wordless mumble, and then starts singing.
Hipsters – shocked.
Mike – ignore, keep singing, shamelessly.
To my right, I see a short-haired emo model girl with her long-haired emo boyfriend giggling and ripping mike off. On the other side a big badass chuckles to his friend, joking about mike’s singing.
All over the place, people are ripping Mike off and laughing at him.
But he keeps going. And owns it. Completely sure of himself. In his own reality.
The “f*ck ya’ll if you doubt me” attitude.
And the criticisms start to fade. Soon everyone is cheering him on. The little Jewish white dude (Mike) that nobody knows is completely unleashing on stage. And they start to respect. Cheering. People walk up and give him hi-fives, offering drinks and respect.
He even got an encore.
What About The Cuppa Tea? …and What’s The Point?
Ah, yes…the cuppa tea.
…well, all those things that you’re worried to not do, those things that aren’t your “cuppa tea”… is it not your cuppa tea because you tried it and everybody started hating on you, telling you that you suck?
Because they will hate, and they will tell you that you suck. But if you keep going and stay true to yourself, they’ll stop hating. They’re hating because they’re trying to see if you’ll crack. If they’ll break you. But remember the ghetto mentality, “I will do this no matter what”.
I guess that of the many lessons I took and you can take from this whole thing – strong reality wins, own yourself, don’t care what people think, Mike can’t sing (joke), … I think the most important thing to take away is that people’s opinions are often really flimsy and subject to change.
And if their opinions are so flimsy and subject to change, then why stress about them? They’re irrelevant. Sure, take cues from others but don’t take others’ opinions too seriously.
Their opinions will change when your opinion of yourself doesn’t change.
Others doubt you to see if you will doubt yourself.
People see you how you see yourself. Maybe not right away (as with Mike where they hated when he first started singing) but stay true to yourself and who you are will shine through, and others will see that. Not that their opinion even matters.
People will always try to bring you down, stay true to yourself and unleash.
Shine on.
Unleash Reality
Alex
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B.Rabbit-
Ward
I think you were a little hard on the Beaver
So was Eddie Haskal
Wally and Ms. Cleaver
This guy keeps screamin, he’s paranoid
Quick, someone get his ass another steroid!
Blabbedy bloo blah, bloo blabbedy bloo blah
I ain’t hear a word you said, hibitity hoobla!
Is that a tanktop or a new bra?
look, Snoop Dogg, just got a fuckin boob job
Did you listen to the last round meathead?
Pay attention, ya sayin the same shit that he said (I’ma fuck you up)
Matter fact dog, here’s a pencil
Go home, write some shit, make it suspenseful
And don’t come back until somethin dope hits you
Fuck it
You can take the Mic home with you
Lookin like a cyclone hit you
Tanktop screamin, “Lotto I don’t fit you”
You see how far them white jokes get you
Boys like, how Vanilla Ice gone diss you?
My motto:
Fuck Lotto
I get the 7 digits from ya mother for a dollar tomorrow.
Yoooooooooooo, I dig that movies, I’ve watched the final rap battle tens of times, so awesome. You have to be lyrically gifted and a big vocab to think that stuff up on the fly:)
Hey Diggy!!!
haha. yip. sends shivers down me bones every time i see it. best part is watching eminem’s face as he’s about to clown poppadoc.
we such gang-stars. lolls.
armin van buuren was epic. cool to see you.
keep well bro
alex
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the great post here! I’ve always believed that people tend to judge you based on what you have achieved, but you have to judge yourself based on what you BELIEVE you can achieve.
Cheers~
Mark
Hey Mark!
Completely with you. Nice little sound byte you got there too :p
Busy working on the article for your ebook. super excited
Thanks for the comment.
talk to you soon
alex
Nice article. I think you are right that it is good to stick with what you believe in. It’s like when you are trying a new business adventure and everyone thinks your wacked in the head. But as you stick with it and it starts working out… well they are complaining anymore after they see your successes, right?
MoneyFunk you legend
really good example… always find that your kind of example always makes me feel super amazing
nope. no more complaining once they’re working for you :p
thanks for the comment
all the best
alex
yeaaaaa missioning out into the night with GREATER swaggger the inspiration…& a cup of tea is a cup of teaaaaa
hey p-dog.
seems like this whole article is turning ghetto with ghetto pseudonyms et al
a cup of tea should be a cup of coffee
thanks for the comment yo :p
see you round perla-booo
alex
It’s a delight to read this. A good story and lesson.
Take care,
Iván.
Hey Ivan!!
Thanks for that comment. really makes me feel good and like it’s worth it. and shows that you actually read it
talk to you soon.
All the best
alex
I think this is a really awesome article. I got that inspired tingly feeling reading it
I love how you managed to give it a quirky, humorous feel but still manage to get a solid point across.
Funny thing is, I didn’t know until reading this that there was any critisism what so ever from the audience. ( I’m assuming you added that for effect
As far as I was concerned I OWNED and that was it. 
I have learnt time and time again that your only true friend is yourself. That is not say that you should alianate yourself. It just means that you respect yourself. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to love yourself.To love yourself enough to honour your dreams and rise above adversity. If you want to do something… do it!
People can be fickle. Absolutely. Most people don’t want you to succeed because they are afraid of their own dreams.
Most people are followers. You can choose to be a leader or a follower.
As a leader: you value what YOU think.
As a follower: you value what everyone else thinks
You are a natural leader.Because this is YOUR life. Your dream. Go ahead take it!
Mike
“The whole scene makes my ambition wanna bust a freestyle.”
Mike!! …as in, THE Mike
so glad that’s how you felt man. that’s prolly one of the best things i can hear – what i’m doing this for – that tingly feeling of unleashing awesomeness
funny you say you didn’t notice any because that just reinforces my point. it’s not a bad thing that there was any – in fact makes it better. you know.
Really interesting and valuable to read about your mentality. think the readers here will def benefit. so cool and rare to get such a full look at somebody’s process.
maybe you’ll do a guest post in the future
“The whole scene makes my ambition wanna bust a freestyle.”
thanks for the comment bro, and glad you liked it :p
see you soon.
alex
I like to keep in mind what good ol Dr Seuss said, ‘Those that mind don’t matter; and those that matter don’t mind.’ Despite green eggs and ham,, the guy may have had some clue as to about what he was talking….
Hey fi-fi boo
Loving the Dr Seuss quote. i think the jokes on us with regards to good ‘ol Dr Seuss :p
thanks for the comment
later chick
alex
Kickass! Your writing’s improving with every
article and the message is undeniable too.
The next one will be flawless dude.
Never got round to 8 Mile…Eminem can be a bit of a douche…
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-csipe3TzMg
How’s things? You lose your phone?
Yoooo Wilding!!!
Thanks for the words man. appreciate it
eminem can be a bit of a douche but he’s a badass douche and he completely clowns the other guys in the last battle. can still appreciate, enjoy and learn – even if he is a douche :p
things be awwwwsome. lording Cape Town. on vacation for 6 weeks. must jam whenever, just drop me a buzz.
Later bro
alex
I have my own challenge right now that perfectly fits with this article. I’m currently writing a second book on a subject that some believe is ‘beyond’ me. However, I’ve come to the realization that even if it isn’t a good product for some it may be a great product for others. Plus if nobody else read it but me, but I truly enjoyed it, then I think that’s really all that matters.
Yo Methodman. gets more ghetto as we go
Funny that. thinking of doing a piece about using all that doubt of others as motivation. definitely helps me get things done. i love it when people think things are beyond me – adds some extra fire to make it happen.
i’ll read it. email it to me if you want somebody to proof read it
thanks for the comment
talk to you soon man
alex
My favorite post so far!
It’s taken me a long time to start cultivating that attitude and I am still getting there. there is so much genius and raw talent out there, but I think there are many people like me who allow inhibitions to take over sometimes. Particularly when it comes to creative endeavors, you really feel like you are taking such a chance, opening yourself up to criticism, when what you are putting out there is so personal and comes from your deepest being.
Well done, Mike, wish I could have experienced that!
Alexander, I love love love your style of writing and this post takes it to the next level.
Yay for Dr Seuss!
unleash
Tannie
Hallo tannie boo!! :p
Funny thing is that was talking to the yogiboss about this and we’re both super surprised and proud at how much you’re coming out of your own. making things happen at brave. doing what you want. being you and expressing who you are… you know, living
…especially your creative endeavours!!
you’re funking owning cape town!! Your designs are amazing, and such a unique style too – you just need to get it out there and make it happen.
Proud of you lynnie!
thanks for the comment
yay for dr seuss!!
alex
Ah dude, this site is gonna go far.
Well written.
Tweeted!
Glen!
Thanks man. great to hear that, specially from you.
and thanks for the tweet.
here’s to lording the net
ali
Stay true and unleash indeed!
Great article, stumbled!
Hey Kaushik!!
Thanks for the stumble… and the comment!
talk to you soon
alex
Nice post Alex. When I first started to read it I was like WTF does Eminem have to do wit this? But, the way you closed it out was great. I love the part about people’s opinions being flimsy. Very cool.
Hey srinirao-gee
yeah, was laughing to myself at how wacky this post must be if you don’t read the whole thing. getting back at the skim readers. aight
thanks for the comment bra
keep well
alex
This is a great article Alex!
I always tend to sing all the time, and I’m a really bad singer, but people don’t buy me drinks.. Yet.
I just love and keep on doing it!
You are so true with your message, keep on doing what you love. And what Mike added in the comments is one of my main ‘mantra’s’ in life, love yourself.
Thanks for this article!
Stefan,
http://StudySuccessful.com
Stefan you legend!!
I’m more of a rapping type – bust a freestyle. gets me drinks, but they aren’t given to me as much as thrown at me
lol.
keep owning it. i’m actually secretly a karaoke champ. funnest thing evar! there’s an old irish pub (of http://www.unleashreality.com/3am-speed-chess-focus fame) where we invariably land up after a night of partying to sing bob marley’s “no woman no cry”. glory times
love yourself. always. people often think that’s an ego thing but it’s not, it’s a core love of yourself – which translates into a love for all things. so subtle but so important.
thanks for adding and thanks for your comment!
keep in touch
alex
Important realization – to see that the doubts of others need be no reflection on you…
Hey Paul.
Spot on and thanks for your awesome comment. as always
talk to you soon
alex
Alex,
Great stuff. The statement about others doubting you is so true. We always feel the social pressure of things and give in, without realizing that people’s perspectives is a mere reflection of what we pretend to be.
Thanks for sharing
Tehseen
Hey Tesheen!!
so true. it’s easy to get drawn into it in the moment but there’s always perspective, and we can always remember that their opinions are… irrelevant! …and we might forget it every now and then but each time we remember, we build the habit of living for ourselves instead of for other people.
as always, thanks for contributing!!
all the best,
keep well man
alex
Hey Alex what a great lesson here! I also like very much you writing style. It makes the story more vivid. I felt I was there with you guys. Sounds great! And say hello to Mike
Hey Jean-P
glad you liked it and learned something.
told mike you say hello. was very pleased
keep well and in touch
alex
totally AWESOME or should i say GANGSTA,,,lol…this site is so def my new fav.
melly booo!!!
hello mella
glad you likes
keep well chick
alex aka your master aka the bowssss
Hey Hey (very large effort to resist making a ghetto chirp – staying true to myself :O haha)
Wow dude, truly awesome article. Very Very well articulated. Can totally picture the Mike just owning, really awesome lesson to be learnt here. Kudos to Mike for being the subject of this interesting observation too – always new the Mike was a rockstar.
Particularly like [The “f*ck ya’ll if you doubt me” attitude.] has a nice ring to it and “Others doubt you to see if you will doubt yourself.” – just so true, how your reality is constantly tested by others, but if you remain unreactive – total ownage results.
Done with exams finally!!! def keen to jam sumtime – Ill get my ppl to speak to your ppl – see if we can hook sumthing up =D
The strongest reality wins
Just
P.S. Just noticed your little-authenticity-secret-trademark-no-one-will-ever-notice-thingy
took me a while to get to this blog post.
LoL you were right AL its awesome!
I want to meet Mike.
people’s opinions are often really flimsy and subject to change.
too true
I want to meet Mike toooooo
Bad-ass break dancing battles between baking bread bombing baths but bundles break butter bepop bees banksy bold bended brass behind
what you captured there is pretty much the underground jazz velvet carpet. wish i was there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHdox0u00iA
Heres a link to the Jay Z video. Thought it was appropriate to post it here
I love the interview because Jay Z has such a stong reality. He knows who he is. I think that sorta encapsulates what this article is about…
Plus I founD it so funny!!
eNJOY
“Stay true to yourself and you will never lose.” -Ad-Rock, Beastie Boys
Hey Alex,
If you believe in yourself and do what makes you happy, you’ll always win.
Like you mentioned, people’s opinions are fickle and constantly change. The one thing that does stay constant is your happiness. If you live and do things that make you happy–believing in yourself–then you’ll always end up pleasing one person: YOU.
If anything, people respect confidence. They admire remarkable people that stick to their values so strongly, nothing will shake them.
So who cares what people think? They aren’t you. You’re not living for them. Live for yourself. Do what makes you happy.
Thanks for the story and a great reminder to not care what people think,
Oleg