The Ten Damn Commandments
Now anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE Notorious B.I.G. fan. And the ones who truly listen to me when I rant (if anyone does) know that I feel like Biggie’s Ten Crack Commandments can be properly applied to any aspect of life and if you follow these rules, you’ll have mad bread to break up!!!
And…there’s the face. I see the face your making as you read it like…really? No, I don’t have a camera on you…I’m a Jedi. I use the force.
Bottom line is most people don’t believe this to be true. They either smile and let me rant about this and abruptly change the subject or…well that’s it…that’s what they usually do.
So I have decided to put my money where my mouth is. Today, I formulate the Ten Damn Commandments (see what I did there…) by utilizing Biggie’s classic song.
*cracks knuckles*
You ready? Let’s go…
By the way, if you truly know this song you should be at least mildly entertained. If you don’t know this song, click below.
Rule Numero Uno…uh, I mean Rule Number One
Biggie’s Rule: Never let no one know how much dough you hold
Damn’s Rule: Never let no one know how much dough you hold
This one is easily adaptable. Don’t tell everyone what you make. Makes it easy for your enemies to plot on you. That cheddar breeds jealously…
Number Two
Biggie’s Rule: Never let ’em know your next move
Damn’s Rule: Never let ’em know your next move
Another easy one for me…believe me they get harder. This one is pretty self explanatory. You got an idea, you need the time to create it, develop it, market it, and profit from it. If you’re telling the world what you are going to do, someone else will steal it. Something I had to learn to stop doing.
Take it from your highness!!!
Number Three
Biggie’s Rule: Never Trust Nobody
Damn’s Rule: Limit Information to your Circle
This is where I start making some slight changes. Despite Christopher Wallace’s unique depiction of a mother’s treachery. No man is an island. So even though you can’t let them know you next move…them being the public, you got to be able to have a team to share things with.
A close circle of people, your crew, your clique…whatever you want to call them…your support system has your back and they are the only ones you can trust.
Number Four
Biggie’s Rule: Never Get High on Your Own Supply
Damn’s Rule: Never Buy Others Supply…of B.S.
Slight change based on the fact that I don’t sell drugs. But I’ve learned if it too good to be true, it probably is. That goes out to the people with 20,000 Instagram followers that randomly make 6 figures sitting at home and you can’t tell how they are doing it. There’s something about that.
I know you heard this before…Real G’s move in silence like lasagna, so usually if people are making moves like that, they aren’t broadcasting it. These people that are broadcasting it…well…*shrug*
Number Five
Biggie’s Rule: Never Sell No Crack Where You Rest At
Damn’s Rule: Don’t Shit Where You Eat
We are all humans, right? So let’s not pretend that we all don’t do some form of “dirt”. Some things that you do that people in your life or society would deem inappropriate.
Okay, now that we got that out of the way…
Do not engage in troublesome or dubious behavior at one’s home, place of business, or any location where one frequents, for it invites undesired consequences. (Courtesy of thefreedictionary.com)
I don’t care if they want an ounce, tell’em bounce!
Number Six
Biggie’s Rule: That Go*damn Credit? Dead it
Damn’s Rule: Give what you can afford
I used to be the guy that would give the shirt off his back in order to help someone in need. The problem is some people will come back for the pants, socks, and shoes. And if you think that type of person paying you back, shit forget it.
So if I have it to give, I will. And if I don’t…
Number Seven
Biggie’s Rule: Keep Your Family and Business Completely Separated
Damn’s Rule: When It Comes to My Business, It’s Not Who You Know…It’s What You Know
This rule is so underrated. Why? Well I know and love a lot of people in this world. There are few that I would trust to watch my kids. There are even fewer I would trust to watch my business.
The kids will tell me if something is wrong…my business won’t. I don’t care if you are family or we have been friends since Mrs. Godfrey’s class in second grade, I don’t trust you until I trust you.
Respect is earned…not given!!!
Number Eight
Biggie’s Rule: Never Keep No Weight on You
Damn’s Rule: Two Words, Plausible…Deniability
As we discussed in rule 5, we are human and everything we do is not always on the up and up. And what does people like more than anything these days…a scandal.
Hey, I’m not advocating doing anything unscrupulous, but if you don’t have a neon sign pointing at it.
Discretion is advised.
Number NIne
Biggie’s Rule: If You Ain’t Gettin’ Bagged Stay the F**k from Police
Damn’s Rule: If You Ain’t Gettin’ Income, Inspiration, or Orgasms from Them, Stay the F**k from People
Number 9 should have been number 1 for me.
I mean I covered this in a previous post. But it’s true. Nothing can derail you more before you get started than negative people and people who serve don’t serve any purpose.
Be a blessing for others but if they cannot be a blessing for you, there’s no rule saying you have to keep them in the forefront of your life.
Downgrade those people to someone that you know or just show them the door, either or…
Number Ten
Biggie’s Rule: If You Ain’t Got the Clientele, say “Hell No!”
Damn’s Rule: Don’t Let Your Mouth Write a Check Your Ass Can’t Cash
My Mom and Dad used to tell me this all the time. What can I say? They was right.
Nothing puts a strain on a relationship (business, friendship, romantic, etc.) than saying you can do something and not being able to do it. Most people are hesitant on trusting others.
Proving them right on their initial hesitation doesn’t do you any favors. If you promise me you’re gonna do something, do it.
Because I’m gonna want it done rain, sleet, hail, snow…
Look I’m not saying these ten commandments are perfect. But these ten commandments are perfect for me. Biggie left us what a lot of hidden gems. I just think that his Ten Crack Commandments were one of the gems that were slept on…
But those are just my thoughts…right or wrong…just what I was feeling at the time!!!
