The Power of Words

The basis of Hip Hop is poetically using words. The very word "word" is part of Hip Hop vernacular, which includes phrases such as Word up, Word is Born, Word is Bond, That's My Word, Word Life, and Word to the Mother.

Hip Hop has been flipping words since day one. Emcees have mesmerized us with the gift of gab and fly vocab for years. Rappers have spit the most illest of lines and counted them as just a rhyme...but spoken words are so much more than most give them credit for.

How much credence do you give to the words that you are listening to and repeating? Do the words go in one ear and out of the other? Do you analyze the lines of each rhyme? Are the words embedded in your subconscious mind?

We have all heard:
"Choose your words wisely."
"Be careful what you ask for."
"Think before you speak."

The reason these sayings are so commonly known and recognized is because our words are powerful. It does not matter if we are repeating, singing, or rapping someone else's words, when they come out of our mouths they carry the same weight and power.

It may sound crazy, but the fact of the matter is our words actually invoke universal laws that work to manifest what we speak. This is what KRS-One was alluding to when he said:

"...as an MC you will study verbal magic
but watch what you say cuz you'll attract it
control your subconscious magnet from pullin in havoc"

VERBAL MAGIC is using the power of words. While some may view Verbal Magic as being similar to casting spells and incantations, blessing and cursing, or binding and loosing, the bottom line is: our words attract and therefore create and shape real life circumstances; positive, negative, or neutral.

Verbal Magic is directly linked to The Law of Attraction, which states: "people experience the corresponding manifestations of their predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions..."

Tupac said:
"...no need to worry
I expect retaliation in a hurry
I see death around the- corner, anyday..."

Notorious B.I.G. said:
"...I'm ready to die and nobody can save me
F--- the world, f--- my moms and my girl
My life is played out like a jheri curl,
I'm ready to die..."

Controlling the "subconscious magnet from pullin in havoc" is critical. Words plant themselves in our subconscious minds. Therefore, we must be cognizant of the words we are using and empowering.

Not all emcees recognize, know about, or study the power of words (verbal magic). Sadly, some of the greatest emcees have exercised the power of words perhaps to their own demise.

In not understanding Verbal Magic, many faithful fans and Hip Hop lovers have co-signed and affirmed their favorite rappers words by singing along with their songs.

I remember when "Hard Knock Life" came out. I would sing along and recite the chorus over and over. It was one of those songs that had a catchy hook that I couldn't get out of my head. Now looking back on that time in my life and how much stress and havoc that was happening around me I see that it didn't help matters by me constantly affirming:

"It's the hard knock life for us
It's the hard knock life for us
Instead of treated we get tricked
Instead of kisses we get kicked."

I could personally identify with the chorus of the song but I had also subconsciously internalized it. I believed it and literally achieved it. 1998 was truly the epitome of a hard knocked life for me just as I'd sang over and over again. (Interesting that Jay-Z's voice was not used in the hook. I'm certain he studies verbal magic evidenced by his career and longevity).

Now I understand, study, and practice the power of words and I control my "subconscious magnet." Do you?