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Do What T.I. Does: Live Your Life

Never mind what haters say,
Ignore them ’til they fade away.
Amazing they ungrateful after all the game I gave away.

Safe to say I paved the way for you cats to get paid today.
You still be wasting days away, nah had I never saved the day.
Consider them my protégé, homage I think they should pay.
Instead of being gracious, they violate in a major way.

I never been a hater still I love them in a crazy way.
Some say they sold the yay and no they couldn’t even work on Labor Day.
It ain’t that black and white, it has an area that’s shaded grey.

I’m Westside anyway, even if I left today and stayed away.
Some move away to make a way not move away ’cause they afraid.
I brought back to the hood and all you ever did was take away.

I pray for patience but they make me wanna melt their face away.
Like I once made them spray, now I could make them plead their case away.
Been thuggin’ all my life, can’t say I don’t deserve to take a break.
You’d rather see me catch a case and watch my future fade away.

From Live Your Life by T.I.

Dear Net Buddies,

Seems like T.I. has a few thoughts about “sticking with his stripes” and doing his thing no matter what the haters shout.

What emotions do you think he was feeling when he wrote this song?

How does he respond to people who are stoking negativity?

What do you think he means by the last line – “You’d rather see me catch a case and watch my future fade away”?

You know what to do – triple credit if you try to write down your thoughts to a rap beat.

9 Comments on “Do What T.I. Does: Live Your Life

Bernard Makhanya
July 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm

1.In my own opinion I think T.I was angry and sad, because the words have a deeper meaning to them.
2.I think he responded well.
3.I think the last sentence means that people rather see him in bars and they want to see his future ruined.

Reply
Amy Stokes
August 27, 2020 at 4:10 pm

Nicely said Bernard, thanks.

Timothy O'Mara
September 12, 2020 at 4:59 pm

Hello, Bernard.

For #1, I agree with you that T.I. was angry and sad. His words truly have a deeper meaning to them. Can you expand on that? What parts of “Live Your Life” affected you the most? What words or phrases meant something “deeper” to you?

For #2, again, I agree, but how did he respond well? By giving the reader an example to support your opinion, you are letting the reader see a little bit of you. I’d like to see that, please.

For #3, you showed that you truly understood his words. I added the word “would” before the word “rather.”

1. In my own opinion I think T.I was angry and sad, because the words have a deeper meaning to them.
2. I think he responded well.
3. I think the last sentence means that people (would) rather see him in bars and they want to see his future ruined.

It’s clear you can write well, Bernard. I’d like to see you expand more on your answers. Let your ideas come through your words.

Tim

Elizabeth Makhanya
July 29, 2020 at 3:18 pm

1.I think he felt angry because of all people out there who think that he will not make it in life.
2.He doesn’t care.
3.I think he meant that he wouldn’t want to throw away his future.

Reply
Amy Stokes
August 27, 2020 at 4:10 pm

Well put response Elizabeth, thank you.

Timothy O'Mara
September 12, 2020 at 5:08 pm

Hello, Elizabeth. You definitely know how to write in standard English form. I just want to hear more from you. I’ve put some comments below each of your sentences.

1. I think he felt angry because of all people out there who think that he will not make it in life.
Yes, anger is one of the emotions I felt. Did you notice any other emotions? Would you be angry if people felt this way about you? Why?

2. He doesn’t care.
I am going to respectfully disagree with you here. If he didn’t care, would he have written this piece? There are a few sections that show us he does care; I’d like you to try and find them when you get the chance.

3. I think he meant that he wouldn’t want to throw away his future.
Absolutely, but what does he think about other people’s thoughts about him and his future?

Nice work, Elizabeth. Don’t be afraid to let more of your thoughts out in your writing. I know you have those thoughts and we readers want to hear them.

Tim

Angela Bernard
July 29, 2020 at 11:57 am

Well I think he is saying that no matter how people try to pull me down, I will always find away to get up again. Because everything they say about me builds me up.
Makes me a better person.

Reply
Amy Stokes
August 27, 2020 at 4:11 pm

Very thoughtful Angela, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Timothy O'Mara
September 12, 2020 at 5:16 pm

Hey, Angela. I can tell two things from your responses: You read T.I.’s piece carefully and you write clearly. Just below your piece, I’ve done a little rewrite. I’m still using your words, just in a slightly different way. See if you can spot the differences.

Well I think he is saying that no matter how people try to pull me down, I will always find away to get up again. Because everything they say about me builds me up.
Makes me a better person.

(TIM) I think T.I. is saying that no matter how people try to pull me down, I will always find a way to get up again. Everything negative they say about me builds me up and makes me a better person.

I only made a few changes. I think you can spot them. Next time–because you do write so nicely–I’d like you to expand on your answers. I can tell you have a lot of your own ideas inside your head. Let those ideas travel down through your fingers and get them written down. They’re too good to not share them!

Tim

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