Edit:

  • updated wording to: [Did bit more research on past post meaning]

Going back to the post of:

“What’s today’s Mathematics? [0:59] (Wu-Tang Clan Show clip)”

https://lemmy.world/post/14940619

    • @jimmydoreisaleftyOPM
      link
      14 months ago

      It is a culture, a way of life, from what I gather:

      The Five-Percent Nation, sometimes referred to as the Nation of Gods and Earths or the Five Percenters, is an Afro-American Nationalist movement influenced by Islam that was founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, New York City, by Clarence 13X, who was previously known as Clarence Edward Smith.

      1. Knowledge
      2. Wisdom
      3. Understanding
      4. Culture Freedom
      5. Power Refinement
      6. Equality
      7. God
      8. Build / Destroy
      9. Born
      10. Cipher

      Busta Rhymes on 5 Percenters & Nation of Islam [04:32 | May 29 09 | hardknocktv] https://youtu.be/4zjHRXeM8g4

      Who are the Five Percenters? (Atlantis Build) [09:01 | Aug 16 16 | Saladin Allah] https://youtu.be/Q8Ecem29Qs4

      • @[email protected]
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        fedilink
        14 months ago

        This is confusing, why are rappers explaining it? I mean musicians generally are dumb as fuck, why should I take them seriously?

        • @jimmydoreisaleftyOPM
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          04 months ago

          Yes, you are right, it can be confusing!

          As I understand it:

          The Five-Percent Nation, is a form of philosophy/culture. Its existence and reason for being was formed as a way to teach a type of disipline to the younger generations during that time, in that area.

          Busta Rhymes says, “he[Clarence 13X] went in a hood and he would see these kids on the corner gambling rolling dice selling drugs or whatever they was doing and he went to them and partook”.

          This means that Clarence 13X would gain the younger generations trust by partaking in their activities, as a way to gain trust and as a way to be taken more seriously, so when he tried to mentor/teacher they would be more willing to listen.

          This would give him enough credibility with the younger generations to start introducing them into a healthier philosophy/culture as they grow up.

          Many rappers and people that listen to them are a part of that younger generation, which it keeps being spread through the rappers lyrics.

          Busta Rhymes quote:

          01:41 “you know a lot of these kids in the urban community they ain’t had a discipline of the mindset or the condition they didn’t want to convert you know what I’m saying so that still didn’t mean that they didn’t deserve the science that still didn’t mean that they didn’t deserve the truth that still didn’t mean that they didn’t deserve the information that could help Empower them so what he did was he went in a hood and he would see these kids on the corner gambling rolling dice selling drugs or whatever they was doing and he went to them and partook he he he he felt it was necessary to sacrifice himself in a way where even if he had to partake in the activities that was improper to clean them up if they smoked he was he smoked with him if they rolled dice he rolled dice with them to make them feel comfortable enough to embrace him in their Circle and be willing to listen to the information you know what I’m saying and that’s what he did…”

          Summary by @mattsheezy5469 of Busta Rhymes video:

          Clarence 13X basically knew that the kids in the street weren’t trying to hear the religious aspects of the NOI, but the basic principles of self determination would still be extremely relevant to their lives. He incorporated mathematics, aspects of freemasonry to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, and the streets took it from there. I first met 5%ers in prison, they call themselves “Gods”, or “God Body”. I respect anyone who’s trying to hold themselves up to a higher moral standard.