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These religious lines are repeated at the end of each verse and serve to constantly restate the basis of the song. Through music, Common has become a star and his legacy is being immortalized, just as the Lord intended for him.

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He can barely see the dreams of a better life he used to have as a kid, and now, in hindsight, the hard times he and his mother went through don’t seem as bad.

This can also be a shout-out to Kanye and his trademark “Huh” used in many of his songs.

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“Hood elegance” is Common’s Kanye West-esque ability to be both elegantly dressed and still rep the hood.

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Reference to the Biblical phrase “child of the most high God”; Common has expressed similar sentiments before. Also, continuing the imagery from the previous line, Common is up in the sky shining down on the people with his music and message.

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Common and people like him will get their guidance and inspiration from God in the sky, and even when they’re as high as they are now, they’ll keep reaching higher.

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Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of the world and was resurrected three days later. Similarly, Common’s second and acclaimed album was named Resurrection, a great step up from his debut. His second resurrection occurred when after the poor acceptance of the experimental Electric Circus, he returned with the classic album Be.

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His flow overflows boundaries and limits like water at the rim of a glass or bowl. Also, “to the rim” sets up a reference to the D. Wade/D. Rose hard in the paint basketball line that appears later in the verse.

In continuing with the religious references, this line alludes to Psalms 23:4-23:5, which say,

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

The line, “O to the M, dreams were spoken to him” could be a reference to one of the following:

  • Otis Moss III, a preacher on the south-side of Chicago. Common would be very familiar with him, having attended and freestyled at his church – the same church President Obama attended.
  • God Himself (being a play on the abbreviation “OMG”).
  • Common’s name is often shortened to Com. The C would in this case come from the previous line: “… upon the MC, O, to the M”.

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Eminem’s chorus is a call to action for the listener, encouraging them to be present and seize opportunities.

This is something he did when he first worked with Dr. Dre in 1998. They recorded three (or four) songs in their debut recording session, including his breakout 1999 single, “My Name Is.” Eminem spoke about that moment to MTV, sharing:

The point where I actually knew that I made it was the first day I went to Dre’s house, and we recorded […] I was really out to […] show him what I could do […] When I saw Dre nodding his head and laughing at some of the things that I was saying, I was like, ‘I’m in. I made it.’ That’s finally when I realized, ‘This is my big break.’

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Fame is a drug to many. When some people get a dose of it, all the fans cheering, groupies and whatnot lead them to think they’re in the big leagues already. It’s a far way to the top tier though.

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Reference to a Chappelle Show skit which stars Charlie Murphy going against Prince in a basketball match. Prince was wearing a blouse and heels with an attitude to match. Watch the video here to get a better understanding.

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