From the years spanning from my youth through early adulthood, I was a fan of hip hop group Brand Nubian. Noteworthy, during the golden era of rap artists were required to present original styles, unique voices, or relevant subject matter.
As an example, lyricist Sadat X, of Brand Nubian, enveloped each of the three aforementioned markers of the golden era. Therefore, I’ve remained a fan of his music.
On his 2016 album Aqua, Sadat X released a song entitled “Maybe It’s Me,” featuring lyricist Dres of classic hip hop duo Black Sheep. The track explores the changing landscape of hip hop, as the older emcees provide their unique perspectives regarding this matter.
One of the factors I appreciate about the song is its chorus which states, “Crazy to say. Crazy to see. Maybe it’s me.” Assessing the track through the lens of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), I suspect that the lyricists are conducting self-analysis in regard to their observations.
In particular, I imagine that Sadat X and Dres make use of personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”) concerning displeasure associated with their beliefs about the state of hip hop. To better understand this matter, consider the ABC model.
REBT theory maintains that when an unexpected Activating event occurs and a person uses an irrational Belief about the situation, it’s one’s unhelpful attitude and not the undesirable circumstance that causes unpleasant emotional, bodily sensation, and behavioral Consequences.
Rather than remaining self-disturbed, an individual is invited to try Disputation which may lead to an Effective new belief that is used in place of an unproductive self-narrative. With the ABC model, a person learns to stop needless suffering which is caused by unhelpful assumptions.
In order to effectively practice the ABC model, personal ownership is required so that a person can challenge unhelpful beliefs rather than condemning oneself, others, and life for unpleasant reactions to events. Therefore, REBT teaches people not to blame others for one’s own experiences.
In the case of “Maybe It’s Me,” Sadat X and Dres observe what could be classified as stylistic decay of hip hop (Action) and ostensibly Believe, “It’s crazy to say and crazy to see, but maybe it’s me who’s disturbing myself with my assumptions about how things ought to be.”
With this helpful Belief-Consequence connection, the lyricists are able to reduce the level of self-disturbance which could understandably thereafter result in annoyance, frustration, or disappointment. I, too, have been disappointed with rap at various stages since the golden era.
Understanding how to use the ABC model so that one may form more adaptive or effective new beliefs can provide a significant benefit to an individual, because personal ownership of one’s own reaction to unproductive beliefs about undesirable events can be changed.
However, we can’t always alter the events themselves. This is due to the exceedingly low amount of control and influence we have in life. Personally, disappointment is a preferable outcome to disgust or anger. Therefore, I advocate use of the ABC model.
Presuming you understand and agree with the framework I’ve provided herein, I invite you to consider rejecting the impulse to blame others for your reactions in life. Taking personal ownership by using self-analysis may benefit you if you choose not to be a victim of your own assumptions.
If you’re looking for a provider who works 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 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 helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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