real inspirationtastical, YO

Guys, it's not news that we live in a world of quotes. Everyone, it seems, loves to talk about how much certain quotes inspire them. Then they list some wonderful, flowery stuff about taking things day by day, and being patient, and loving yourself and those around you. All good things, and all great words to live by. Quotes of the inspirational nature usually come from pretty typical, and pretty reliable, sources--mommas and poets and Jesus and anonymous and political leaders and, lest we forget, Mary Schmich (via Baz Luhrmann). All trustworthy sources.

I happen to be a sucker, too.

But something's missing from our usual canon of quote language. Everyone, it seems, has forgotten that the MOST IMPORTANT inspirational, heart stopping words to live by OBVIOUSLY come from RAP AND HIP HOP SONGS. These singers and songwriters really know WHAT UP, so to speak. They really know how to, ah, get jiggy wid it.

So, accordingly, I have compiled a list of words to live by, to take with you on that long journey we know to be life. (I know, I know. You wish you thought of this before me. I'm a genius, PURE GENIUS.)  I started with my list of 6,000 FAVORITE quotes, and narrowed it down to the following uber inspirational set of lyric quotes, which I will dispense into your reading eyes right...meow.

1. If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. -Beyonce Knowles

If your man ain't puttin that icey on your finger, guuurl you better drop him fast. He just don't like you enough.

2. No, I don't want your number, no, I don't wanna give you mine, and no, I don't wanna meet you nowhere, no, I don't want none o' your time! NO, I DON'T WANT NO SCRUBS. -TLC

Don't EVER go slumming!

3. Blah, blah, blah. -Kesha

You don't have to listen to the HATERZ if you don't want to!

4. I'm hot 'cause I'm fly, you ain't 'cause you not. -Mims

Because everyone who is fly is, incidentally, also hot.

5. I keep a blue flag hanging out my backside, but only on the left side, yeah, that's the Crip side. -Snoop Dogg

Stay true to your 'hood, knowwhatimsayinnnn?

6. Superman ain't savin' shit. -Eminem

Yeah. He's not even real.

7. Fuck y'all, all y'all. Y'all don't like me? Blow me. -Dr. Dre

Who cares what anyone else thinks? You do you, I'll just continue to be awesome!

8. Yeahya! OOOOKay! Let's go! -Lil' Jon

PAHHHTY TIIIIME!

9. Babay, I know that chu like me. You my future wifey. -Soulja Boy Tell'em

Make sure to leave some room for romanticle things, like pretending to kiss your boyfriend when you call him and he's out scoping other chicks having a guys night.

10. It must be yo ass, 'cause it ain't yo face. -Nelly

We all have to work our best asset.

What are YOUR rapper-words-to-live-by??? Skeet Skeet!