Don't Sweat the Technique

[DISCLAIMER]

A fairly common practice among ol’ school hip hop heads regards discussing who is or was the best lyricist since the inception of rap. Personally, that distinction goes to Rakim. In my opinion, not a single emcee could out-rap him during his prime. (I’ll wrastle you over this!)

Along with legendary hip hop producer Eric B., the historic duo Eric. B & Rakim released their fourth and final studio album Don’t Sweat the Technique in 1992. The anthology featured the track “Don’t Sweat the Technique”.

Notably, the song samples Kool & the Gang’s “Give It Up” (1969) and Young-Holt Unlimited’s “Queen of the Nile” (1979). Also, per one source, don’t sweat the technique is “slang of the black community, meaning ‘not to hate on the one who has the better skill than you.”

Of note, the American Psychological Association defines hate as “a hostile emotion combining intense feelings of detestation, anger, and often a desire to do harm.” Colloquially, one source describes a hater as “a person that simply cannot be happy for another person’s success.”

By my interpretation of Rakim’s lyrics from “Don’t Sweat the Technique”, the lyricist endorses braggadocio of the 80s and 90s hip hop era, whereby emcees were required to detail how and why they preferably should’ve been considered worthwhile. For instance, consider Rakim’s case:

[Verse 2]

They wanna know how many rhymes have I ripped and wrecked

But researchers never found all the pieces yet

Scientists try to solve the context

Philosophers are wondering what’s next

Pieces are took to labs to observe ‘em

They couldn’t absorb ‘em, they didn’t deserve ‘em

My ideas are only for the audience’s ears

For my opponents, it might take years

Pencils and pens are swords

Letters put together from a key to chords

I’m also a sculpture, formed with structure

Because of my culture, I’m equipped to construct the

Technical styles that’ll be full of technology

Complete sights and new heights after I get deep

You don’t have to speak, just seek

And peep the technique

[Hook]

Never sweat the technique

In my estimation, Rakim issued a persuasive argument about how no other rapper or lyricist of his time – and arguably thereafter – was better equipped to hold the title of “best lyricist” than one half of Eric B. & Rakim. (Again, we can get down and dirty with wrastlin’ over this!)

In any event, I relate “Don’t Sweat the Technique” to practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) regarding its two main techniques: the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA). Whether in my personal or professional life, I practice these techniques daily.

In consideration of the slang term regarding don’t sweat the technique (i.e., not to hate on the one who has the better skill than you), I invite people not to unnecessarily compare their use of the ABC model or UA to others who utilize these techniques. Such comparison is largely unhelpful.

Rather, I encourage people to apply the idiomatic meaning of the phrase don’t sweat it which relates to not worrying or being nervous about something. Thus, when practicing REBT, don’t sweat the techniques. What’s important when beginning use of these tools is to simply use them.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit (edited), fair use

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