The Wisdom of eLZhi

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Photo credit, fair use

Personally, one of the hip hop artists which delineate the distinction between a mere rapper and a talented lyrist is the Detroit, Michigan emcee eLZhi. To provide a snippet of his work, consider the lyricist’s contribution to the track “Over Your Shoulder” on RSXGLD by Ro Spit and 14KT:

Never trust a man unless he show[s] his hand

Recognize your worth, and learn the only life you know is grand

Unfortunately, fallible human beings deceive one another. Rather than self-disturbing with irrational beliefs about this truthful matter, it appears as though eLZhi cautions people to think critically, recolonize one’s own value, and rely on one’s own abilities. This is a humanist view.

Stop pointing fingers when it’s concerning your issues

Read between the lines and find that signs

Can turn into missed clues

My interpretation of this advisement regards the lyricist stating that one recommendatorily should stop needless blame concerning one’s own problems. Alternatively, one can examine one’s own life for solutions to issues. This is a matter or rational living, not denunciation.

Words are whispers, actions speak loud

Never follow or seek crowds

Take every critique proud with your head up

And never let money change you

When it’s exchanged through

Transactions, ‘cause I’ve seen it rearrange few

eLZhi ostensibly advocates taking with a grain of salt criticisms offered by others, because people’s behavior sends a more meaningful message about intentions. Still, when being judged by others, the lyricist seems to recommend tolerance regarding whatever’s being expressed.

Also, the emcee cautions against following others. I appreciate this perspective, as well as his advisement regarding never allowing oneself to be changed by the influence of money. For decades, I’ve chosen to live by a similar approach to life. As such, money doesn’t motivate me.

Ignorance[’s] bliss, but knowledge is power

Sometimes you gotta stop

Just to acknowledge the flowers

“Ignorance” is merely a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. “Knowledge” is simply the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association. The former may be pleasing, yet the latter has the ability to produce a desired effect.

Regardless of whether or not one chooses to lack knowledge or use it to change oneself, eLZhi has the wisdom (good sense) of encouraging people to take account for the present. He expresses this through use of a preferential should statement (i.e., you gotta stop…).

Believe half of what you’re hearing

Peep out the whole scene

And keep ya piss while you on parole clean

That’s if you roll green and

Walk the straight and narrow

A “belief” is something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion. Regarding this cognitive experience, eLZhi recommends taking into account only a portion of what one hears from others. Additionally, he advises that it’s wise to consider the bigger picture.

Randomly, the lyricist counsels the audience to “walk the straight and narrow” in regard to urinalysis and the intake of marijuana when on parole. It seems like this is perhaps more of a personal reminder for him, though I’m uncertain. All the same, I think it’s a wise consideration.

Represent your town, state, and borough

Never thrown in the towel like crate and barrel

And keep ya eggs in one basket

The truth can also be ugly when you unmask it

In hip hop, there remains a recurring theme in regard to representing (describing or presenting in a specified way or as having a specified quality or character) one’s own territory. For instance, in the photo of eLZhi for this blog entry, the lyricist is representing Detroit by way of his hat.

Representing in this manner places personal responsibility and accountability upon an individual, as though one serves as an ambassador of the territory from whence one hails. Not only is this a matter of pride, it serves as a method of moral and ethical consideration (i.e., good, bad, etc.).

As an example, I’m from Bomb City (Amarillo, Texas) and currently live in Bat City (Austin, Texas). Choosing to conduct myself in a manner that reflects well of my place of origin, I don’t throw “in the towel like a crate and barrel” (i.e., quit) when times are tough.

Hailing from Bomb City as an adolescent in the ‘90s, this is what I was taught as representative of the better traits regarding Amarillo. Apparently, not everyone else in the United States maintained similar pride or ethics of being affiliated with their towns, states, and boroughs.

Similar to advice about not throwing in a towel, eLZhi recommends not putting all of one’s eggs into one basket (an idiomatic expression which relates to overreliance on one element for success, rather than diversifying efforts or investments). I, too, was taught this lesson about life.

Subjectively more important than this matter, the lyricist states that that “truth can also be ugly when you unmask it.” This is precisely the approach I take when using the ABC model technique of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

While disputing one’s irrational beliefs which cause self-disturbance, unmaking what illogical and unreasonable narratives one uses can be a somewhat ugly affair. However, looking at one’s unappealing beliefs allows one an opportunity to confront them. Thus, we don’t avoid ugliness.

Patience is key, decisions are doors

Windows are opportunities

That shut close

When contemplating a “patience is key” approach to life, I’m reminded of something I heard when training for competition shooting. A firearms instructor said, “Fast ain’t fast, bud. Smooth is fast.” In essence, I was taught that patience was the key not to become overly stressed.

In this way, a “decisions are doors” outlook relates to my choice to slow down my mind when engaging targets. Thus, a “windows are opportunities that shut close” perspective allowed me to miss fewer shots when focusing on the key that was patience. Slow…things…down. 

Follow your heart and your mind

Only if your gut knows

Often, I emphasize thinking that is rational (in accordance with either logic or reason). Yet, the criticism I receive from some people is that this standard of rational living is disconnected from what it is to be human – to emote, as one does when following the heart (e.g., compassion).

As well, it seems to disregard the component of one’s own intuition (i.e., the gut). I accept this critique and maintain that one can balance the heart, mind, and gut in order to live rationally. As long as an individual at least utilizes the mind, I think this sort of healthy balance is achievable.

Appreciate your highs, but lows

Are blessings in disguise

This relatively brief piece of advice could fill an entire blogpost of its own. All too often, I encounter people who chase the highs (i.e., joy, pleasure, etc.) while neglecting to understand that the lows (i.e., fear, anger, sorrow, disgust, etc.) retain value.

Without experiencing the lows, how would one ever come to appreciate the highs? Personally, more lows have manifested throughout life. Yet, my experience with this condition has led to resilience. Therefore, I’m able to remain flexible during the lows until the highs appear again.

Always take heed to the lessons and the wise man (what up)

Legitimize, plan, provide, praise

If you ain’t front, and turn your back on ‘em

Look at ‘em sideways

This slang-riddled extract presumably relates to awareness. If one remains prepared to receive teachings from wise people, then keeping a watchful eye on those who provide lessons of all sorts is seemingly advisable.

In closing, I appreciate the wisdom of eLZhi. While I generally steer clear of offering advice, because I then become personally responsible and accountable for the outcomes experienced from my input, I accept much of what the lyricist offers in “Over Your Shoulder”. And you?

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

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