In my youth, I often heard the saying “word is bond.” This phrase relates to Numbers 30:2 which states, “If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
As an example of this adage, I may’ve said something to a friend in high school like, “If they have beef with you, they got beef with me. Word is bond!” Truly, I was prepared to live and die by those words. (Too bad for those with whom I had beef, word is bond.)
This saying remained relevant for a couple decades and then it mostly faded away, as all things shall pass in accordance with the concept of impermanence. Prior to flittering away into collective hip hop memory, I heard the saying on a track, stylized “Word Iz Bond.”
The song was performed and produced by lyricist Freddie Foxxx (also known as Bumpy Knuckles). Featured on the album Kolexxxion (2012), which was a collaborative effort with the legendary DJ Premier, “Word Iz Bond” was the only track not produced by DJ Premier.
Freddie Foxxx is one of those rhyme-spitters whose lyrics I listen to and think, “This man probably isn’t putting on a front.” For instance, I never believed that 2Pac was a gangster or thug. I valued him as an artist, though I always thought he was frontin’. He wasn’t chingón.
Alternatively, I didn’t question whether or not Freddibe Foxx was badass. During one period of my life, when I spoke differently than I do now, Bumpy Knuckles would’ve been what I’d affectionately term as a “real nigga.”
In any instance, regarding “Word Iz Bond,” a track that features vocals of the late hip hop promoter HeadQCourterz, Freddie Foxxx paid tribute to his deceased friend. In the intro of the track, the lyricist states:
Last time I saw HeadQCourterz was at a video shoot, and I was pullin’ off to leave and he said, “Head up, eyes and ears open.” Ya nah mean, and then he said, “Word is bond.” Yo, that was like his signature thing, ya nah mean?
And, every time he said it, you know, he always make sure he said he fightin’ for life. You ask him how he doin’, he fightin’ for life. He was a signature dude who was original and he always had his own style. He never changed for nobody, you know what I mean?
Ummm, I respected him for that, you know what I mean? Everybody call me a ‘real nigga,’ you know what I’m sayin? There’s more real niggas than me. He definitely was a real nigga. I miss him, and I love him.
I respect that someone whose raps I admire, who once had a reputation for alleged violence, and who presumably would back up what he rapped about, would take time to express affection for a fallen friend. Not a lot of rappers or lyricists will outright state that they miss or love people.
In my practice of care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health, I invite people to use similar open, honest, and vulnerable communication as Freddie Foxxx demonstrated. This isn’t always easy to do, especially when disturbing oneself with unhelpful beliefs about opening up.
Nevertheless, for those who are bold enough to use their remaining time left in life wisely, there is immense benefit in truthful expression. Word is bond!
Perhaps you’re at a place in life where you want to say something important to someone, though you keep getting in your own way. I invite you to use a shame attacking exercise in order to move from low frustration tolerance to high frustration tolerance.
This can be accomplished by doing the very thing you unfavorably believe will cause you some form of emotional harm, though in reality is merely a matter of a belief-consequence connection originating from the unhelpful assumptions you use. Will you push through discomfort?
If so, I encourage you to say that important something to someone while you still have time to do so, unlike HeadQCourterz who is no longer among the living. Perhaps by pushing through discomfort you will learn something about yourself.
Equally as important, that certain someone may learn whatever it is you wish to say. Are you willing to give it a try? It won’t necessarily be easy, yet it may be worth doing nonetheless. Word is bond.
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
References:
Balfour, J. (2014, November 23). Freddie Foxxx forced Birdman to apologize by gunpoint, according to Wendy Day. HipHopDX. Retrieved from https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.31518/title.freddie-foxxx-forced-birdman-to-apologize-by-gunpoint-according-to-wendy-day
Discogs. (n.d.). DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles – KoleXXXion [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/release/3500600-DJ-Premier-Bumpy-Knuckles-KoleXXXion
DJ Premier. (2010, November 2). R.I.P. Kenneth “Headqcourterz” Joseph Walker. Gone but never forgotten. Retrieved from https://www.djpremierblog.com/2010/11/02/r-i-p-kenneth-headqcourterz-joseph-walker-gone-but-never-forgotten/
DJ Premier. (2022, July 29). Word Iz Bond [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/jWyCYXesCGU?si=Qc-ckwvno1Se9YCF
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