Nas's song "I Can

Language and Nas Song "I Can"

Language forms the building blocks of all communication. In fact, language is so fundamental to human life that our internal dialogues, the way we think about ourselves and the world around us, are verbally constructed. Language pervades everything from marketing to music, and often it only takes a few strong words to pack a punch. For example, Nas' song "I Can" shows how language can convey a specific emotional intent. In "I Can," the songwriter expresses a message of hope and inspiration, encouraging the listener to rise above the traps of negativity that young people too often fall into. The songwriter uses first and second person to relay the message, thus engaging the listener in a personal conversation. The song becomes almost like a pop sermon, as it takes on an instructional yet lighthearted tone. Moreover, "I Can" makes powerful social commentary on issues of race and gender. The lyrics themselves are not complex; in fact, the diction used is simple and straightforward because the intended audience of the song is youth. However, the song progresses along a noticeable organizational structure. Beginning with a decisively personal message of "I know I can / Be what I wanna be," the song concludes on a much broader note: "Read more, learn more, change the globe / Ghetto children, do your thing." Because it is designed to persuade as well as to uplift and inspire, much of the language used is didactic. We are, consciously or not, influenced by messages such as these. When we listen to the radio, watch television, or read articles, the language seeps into our brains and alters the way we think, feel, and act. The Nas song "I Can" employs persuasive and didactic language to convey a message of personal empowerment and social justice that can potentially influence its listeners to "change the globe."

The Nas song "I Can" shows how language can be the driving force behind the impetus, motivation, and meaning of social service and transformation. Through emotionally charged diction and syntax, the songwriter urges listeners to make a difference in the world. The concept of changing the globe has become a complete cliche in many ways, as it seems totally meaningless in a world of six billion people. However, through direct action people do change the world, even if on a small scale. Direct action is in turn based on the underlying ideas, which are formulated though language and communication. Without the original thought, which is based on language, we would not know how to best channel our energies. Most social change occurs through the work of several people or a large group: a song like Nas' "I Can" has the potential to reach a large number of people and thus affect social change. The way the song manages to reach so many people is through the medium of the English language. However, if the song were to be translated into French or Swahili, the underlying meaning would still be contained within the lyrics. Different languages from around the world like clothing for our thoughts: they all serve the same purpose and are only different superficially, on the surface of things. Beneath our various linguistic and cultural expressions lies the common ground of our humanity. The Nas song emphasizes this common ground by referring to the disenfranchised people of the world, especially those in the United States. The instructional, didactic language used in the song urges social and political awareness and motivates change.

The problems associated with urban youth in our culture are delineated though powerful emotive diction in the Nas song "I Can": "You thinkin' life's all about smokin' weed and ice...Begging different women for a place to sleep at night..." Much of the imagery contained in the lyrics of the song evokes powerful feelings of anger, shame, and resentment. The songwriters implore their listeners to form mental pictures of these images so that they know what not to do. The first verse of the song addresses Lina Horn "sniffing up drugs, all in her nose / Coulda died, so young, now looks ugly and old." Language is used here as a powerful deterrent by allowing the listener to use his or her imagination, one of the ways language influences the central message and theme of the song. Furthermore, language as powerful as that used in the song can control or direct the actions of the listeners, by planting the initial thought. People often are motivated by negative reinforcement. Many of the lyrics in "I Can" use negative reinforcement to evoke a specific emotional response that will hopefully be carried out in deeds. The examples of drugs and rape create poignant images with emotionally-charged language. This use of frightening imagery suggests that many people need to know what they don't want in order to pursue their true dreams. Too often young people are influenced by poor role models; the Nas song attempts to correct this societal imbalance by serving as a positive role model for youth. The songwriters accomplish this through the use of imagery laden with messages, imagery that is formed with language.

Using directive, instructional language, the Nas song "I Can" encourages listeners to channel their energies into positive aspiration and the fulfillment of personal dreams. Therefore, the song has a distinctly personal message in addition to its theme of social justice. IN fact, the chorus of the song is written entirely in first person: 'I know I can / Be what I wanna be / If I work hard at it / I'll be where I wanna be." The verses of the song are written in second person and are more directive and instructional in nature. The use of first and second person emphasizes that the intent of the language is highly personal, designed to directly impact each listener. For example, when I listen to the lyrics, I feel they are aimed at me. I ascribe my own life experiences, my own thoughts and feelings onto the lyrics and interpret them as I see fit. If I am willing, I can allow myself to be carried by the song's message. I can take the advise of the songwriters to aspire toward my goals and dreams and not fall into the traps of drugs and violence. When songs are written in second person, each listener will hear something slightly different. Some might even react with rebellion and scoff at the words, while others will walk away feeling uplifted, potentially able to make changes in their lives. Even when the song's lyrics address broader social issues like the origins of slavery and racism in society, the message remains personal because the songwriters conclude their message by stating, "Read more, learn more, change the globe."