“We be the illest in here. I know you feel us, we be the illest in here” (“The Illest Lyrics”). The sweeper of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, Far East Movement wants to be ill, in fact, the ‘illest’. “I’m 1% effort, 99% ill” (“Top Gun Lyrics”). In addition, the well renowned Korean-born Canadian rapper, Tablo believes he is mostly comprised of ill. Why are these rappers dying to be ill?
As one already knows, ‘ill’, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is defined as “not good . . . defective, poor, imperfect, erroneous, [and] inefficient” (“Ill”). It is evident that this word should not be describing a healthy subject. However, rappers still boast about their illness despite the fact that it has a negative connotation to everyone else. Since they would not boast about their imperfections or diseases, they must be defining this word ‘ill’ in an entirely different way.
Before further explanation, here is an essential background one should know on this topic of conversation. The usage of the word ‘ill’ is actually quite minimal today, or at least compared to the past. With the words: evil, sick, and diseased, ill has become an old fashioned vocabulary. Although the word was used frequently in 1560 to 1700, the declination on the usage of the word is quite evident from the year 1700 to the present (“Ill”). Then why are hip hop rappers using this word to this present day?
To them, the word ‘ill’ is equivalent to possessing an incredible skill or just plain attraction. Although to others the word contains a negative connotation, to these specific groups of people, the word is nothing more than a compliment. This word, in fact, is a fine example of what Gloria Naylor was trying to describe in her piece, The Meanings of a Word (“Meanings Of A Word Gloria Naylor Essays and Term Papers."). Naylor explains of her experience of how a word so familiar to her became so foreign overnight. Her family has always used and always described one as a ‘nigger’ in a respectful yet homey way. However, once she was insulted with the identical label, she knew right away that it was a word she had never heard or knew of. Naylor continues to emphasize the importance in the setting of where the word is placed and how it is used in communication. Her point ties in excellently with the original point. If ‘ill’ is to describe a defect, it will be viewed negatively. However, if the word is used as a compliment, it will be a pleasant statement.
The copious examples do not stop with just the rappers. Ill is used to describe many different types of defection, including those pertaining to people. Therefore, just like the example above, one must take great care in how this word is used when dealing with human characteristics. Although one may not put great deal being labeled ill for temporary sickness, the problem lies in those that are, to say, disabled. As described before, ill is another word for imperfection or defection. Therefore, to call one ill out of carelessness for his or her disability may be an insult.
As one already knows, ‘ill’, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is defined as “not good . . . defective, poor, imperfect, erroneous, [and] inefficient” (“Ill”). It is evident that this word should not be describing a healthy subject. However, rappers still boast about their illness despite the fact that it has a negative connotation to everyone else. Since they would not boast about their imperfections or diseases, they must be defining this word ‘ill’ in an entirely different way.
Before further explanation, here is an essential background one should know on this topic of conversation. The usage of the word ‘ill’ is actually quite minimal today, or at least compared to the past. With the words: evil, sick, and diseased, ill has become an old fashioned vocabulary. Although the word was used frequently in 1560 to 1700, the declination on the usage of the word is quite evident from the year 1700 to the present (“Ill”). Then why are hip hop rappers using this word to this present day?
To them, the word ‘ill’ is equivalent to possessing an incredible skill or just plain attraction. Although to others the word contains a negative connotation, to these specific groups of people, the word is nothing more than a compliment. This word, in fact, is a fine example of what Gloria Naylor was trying to describe in her piece, The Meanings of a Word (“Meanings Of A Word Gloria Naylor Essays and Term Papers."). Naylor explains of her experience of how a word so familiar to her became so foreign overnight. Her family has always used and always described one as a ‘nigger’ in a respectful yet homey way. However, once she was insulted with the identical label, she knew right away that it was a word she had never heard or knew of. Naylor continues to emphasize the importance in the setting of where the word is placed and how it is used in communication. Her point ties in excellently with the original point. If ‘ill’ is to describe a defect, it will be viewed negatively. However, if the word is used as a compliment, it will be a pleasant statement.
The copious examples do not stop with just the rappers. Ill is used to describe many different types of defection, including those pertaining to people. Therefore, just like the example above, one must take great care in how this word is used when dealing with human characteristics. Although one may not put great deal being labeled ill for temporary sickness, the problem lies in those that are, to say, disabled. As described before, ill is another word for imperfection or defection. Therefore, to call one ill out of carelessness for his or her disability may be an insult.
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