Understanding the Way I Am by Eminem Part 2

I took a few notes while reading this book, and saw how Eminem’s journey applies to my own journey as a professional MC. Now I’m sharing that insight with you.
For part 1 of this article, click here



I didn’t post part 2 last month, due to shows for my own album release, as well as Hartford’s Zulu Nation and Temple of Hip-Hop as we celebrated Hip-Hop History Month... Happy 37th Birthday Zulu + Happy 36th Birthday Hip-Hop! But I didn’t forget about the blog, and neither have y'all. I saw this on twitter:

“This is the best blog i prolly ever read----its by Self Suffice RapOets: Understanding the Way I Am by Eminem Part 1 http://t.co/O5mcA2M” @KlokWizeCT

Yes, KlokWize is a good friend of mine (he performed at my album release) and No, I didn’t tell him to write that - lol! I didn’t even know he read my blog. Thanks Klok! As for everyone else who’s been waiting, heeeeeeeeeere we go...



3. Eminem respected his friend’s choice to quit a day job to rap full time
If you continue to do what you love, you will relate to other people who are doing the same thing. You will build relationships with them. You will start having to choose what kind of things you do to make money, what kind of people you hang around, and how you spend your time. If you’re business and social relationships are conflicting with your goals, you will either have to change them, or change your goals. Instead of hating his friend who quit the job to rap full time, Eminem respected his dedication to the goals they talked about, and looked for opportunities to do the same.

There are lots of people who don’t understand how I can make a living doing what I love. But I don’t spend a lot of time with those people; I spend time with others who are pursuing the life they feel called to live. Aside from the people close to me, I read books, listen to stories, and watch videos of people who find a way to create a fulfilling life. Even if I’ve never met them… I RESPECT THEM.



4. Eminem moved in with friends and kept recording
Even if it was awkward at times being a father and trying to maintain a relationship, while being around a crew of dudes battling and writing songs, he continued to team up with people in his community who shared his goals. I’ve been in a few crews, including Undarated, East River Connection, Monsta Island Czars, Khemistry, and Manhattanites, just to name a few. You don’t always agree with each other, you don’t always love every thing every one in your crew does. But when you work with a team, you learn HOW to DISAGREE without destroying each other’s dreams, and without letting them destroy your own dreams. Most importantly, you learn to respect a HIGHER PURPOSE that is bigger than you and every individual in the crew.

If you are part of a team, you don’t just criticize your teammates, you try to understand their perspective. You only offer valuable insight to make them better, because you’re both in the same boat, and if their boat starts sinking… guess who’s going down with it?



5. Eminem's full-time rap friend heard his demos and took him seriously
When Eminem’s friend told him that hearing his latest music inspired him to go back to the lab and work harder, Eminem knew that meant something. He was willing to get feedback from other people, and keep working. He knew that he was on the right track when someone who was rapping full time gave him a compliment.

The first time I performed with KRS-ONE, we spoke on the phone the next day. He told me how good my show was. Recently when DJ Kwame D. was interviewing Pharoahe Monche, he mentioned he was from CT. Pharoahe Monche replied, “do you know Self Suffice?” Both of these events humbled me for two reasons. First, KRS-ONE and Pharoahe Monche are not only two of the best lyricists to ever grab a mic, but they have also built a catalogue, a career, and a legacy out of continual dedication and work. They are certified authorities on what makes a wack MC or a dope MC, and they’ve seen many of both. Second, I’m an unsigned MC, I’m not on the same label as KRS or Pharoahe, I don’t have the same manager, and we’ve never even done a track together. So that means even though they are not making any money from me, and have nothing to gain by recognizing my talent, I’m doing something valuable enough for them to stop for a minute and put my name in a positive light. They’ve both ended many MCs careers, so it’s important to know the value of a compliment from someone who seriously knows what they’re talking about, as opposed to someone who doesn’t have a clue.



6. Eminem’s friend brought him in the end of a battle and people loved him
Even though he had felt embarrassed in the past, he’d continued practicing, improving, and preparing, so he got better results. Most people - after losing at something - find it too painful to try again, and even if they do try again they don’t improve, so they get the same results. Few people take the initiative to improve their strategy.

For every battle I won, and for every packed show where I had the crowd going crazy, I can recall an event where I didn’t do my best. What’s important is that I learned from those embarrassing moments and made my self better.



7. Eminem kept coming back weekly
Here’s another “even though”… EVEN though Eminem had finally won, he continued to enter the weekly battle. It’s easy to hate on those at the top of any contest. But it’s difficult to make it to the top. When you do, the only thing more difficult is to go back in the ring and risk losing the title. Firstly, you don’t have to, because in the public’s eyes you have nothing to gain. Secondly, the crowd who pays attention to the next battle is usually the same crowd from last time, so you’re not getting any new fans.

As simple as this point is… it just might be the key to success. When Eminem continued battling, it became clear he wasn’t just doing it for a self-esteem boost, but that he would be doing it regardless. He does this on a larger scale now by regularly collaborating with whoever’s considered the best in the mainstream. With KRS-1’s continuous releases, he let’s the world know that Hip-Hop is his way of life, not just a stepping stone to something else. When Jay-Z continues to put out records, he proves that even with all the wealth of the music industry, he doesn’t take his opportunity to share insight with the world for granted. This is why it’s good to hear Lauryn Hill coming out of retirement lately – we already know she’s “that chick” from acting, singing and rapping, not to mention winning numerous awards. But what’s the point of all that affirmation of talent, if you don’t continue to share it with the world? The recent “Black Friday” diss record by Lil Kim is refreshing, because it reminds people that when you’ve been proclaimed as one of the best, you have to continue to prove your supporters were right.

Barack Obama could’ve gone down in history as an extraordinary dude, from accomplishments at Columbia, Harvard, the Senate, the Grammies, the Presidency, the Nobel Peace prize, and so forth. Yet he continues to show up every day, facing opposition not only from students, professors, lawyers, Grammy contestants, senators, and would-be presidents, but also from anyone globally that has beef with the world’s number one “super power”. It’s easy to hate those in power; it’s harder to appreciate them when they put their skills to the test; but hardest of all is to be one of them… continually earning your title with an unwavering commitment.