Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Word Is Bond? Integrity 101

The Gospel of John in the Bible,speaking of the creation of the universe, says, "In the beginning there was the word, and the word was with God, and the word is God" -John the Baptist

In The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, the first and most important Agreement is Be impeccable with your word. According to the book, being impeccable with your word means to "speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love."

In relation to the word integrity I automatically thought of the phrase that is commonly heard in rap lyrics, "Word is bond." What does this really mean? In hip hop we constantly make promises to ourselves as consumers, the MC's and their crews all make agreements about trust and loyalty.

 So I went to Webster's dictionary and looked up the meaning of integrity:
Integrity 
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided


Then I went to the Urban Dictionary and looked up word is bond:
Word is Bond 
1 : Shortened version of "My word is my bond". You're saying that what you're saying is true and without reproach.
2 : Late 80's early 90's term...in the bible it is said not to swear, let your word be your bond..hence word is bond; this was at first used by 
members of the 5 Percent Nation AkA 5%ers. 


"The R" -Eric B & Rakim
Pull up in the park and then pop the trunk
Turn up the bass and let the system thump
A block party starts to form, people start to swarm
Loud as a ghetto blaster, word is bond
"Gimme The Loot" -Notorious BIG
And I'm stressed, yo Biggie let me get the vest
No need for that, just grab the fucking fat
The first pocket that's fat the tec is to his back
Word is bond, I'm smoke him yo don't fake no moves
"Nas Will Prevail" -Nas
I catch wreck with my intellect, suckers are incorrect
I'm gonna win cause you slept
on Nas, word is bond, I leave the microphone torn
False rappers, you need to write your own song
"Moment of Clarity" -Jay Z
My balls and my word is all I have
What you gonna do to me?
Nigga scars'll scab
What you gonna box me homie?

If our word is our bond why aren't we using it intentionally to bring what we are doing up a whole new level?