Claim: E-mail offers an Oakland high school student's Ebonics competition-winning translations of rap lyrics.
Status: False.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 1997]
This paper was turned in by an Oakland high school student who received the highest honors at the school district's Ebonics translation competition. Assignment: Please translate the following Rap song lyrics from Ebonics to standard English. Artist: Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics: First things first, I poppa, freaks all the honeys TRANSLATION: As a general rule, I perform deviant sexual acts with women of all kinds, including but not limited to those with limited intellect, nude magazine models, and prostitutes. I particularly enjoy sexual encounters with the latter group as they are generally disappointed in the fact that they only receive penile intercourse and nothing more, unless of course, they douche on a consistent basis. Although I am extremely unattractive, I am able to engage in these types of sexual acts with some regularity. Perhaps my sexuality is somehow related to my fancy and expensive jewelry. Lyrics: And my jam knock in the Mitsubishi TRANSLATION: I enjoy playing my music loudly on my car stereo. Apparently, women enjoy this also because they become sexually aroused when they see me driving. Oddly enough, when I visit the Native American reservations, some of the more sexually promiscuous Indian women attempt to seduce me in their homes. Their intent is to divest me of my earnings. Such actions are unacceptable. Lyrics: Don’t see my ones, don't see my guns — get it TRANSLATION: Understand this fact: you can have neither my money, nor my weapons. I suggest that you inform your peers that we engaged in violent sexual acts. Currently, I am rapping with my associates, the Junior Mafia. I'm having some difficulty understanding why you refuse to approach me. I am attempting to make eye contact with you through my expensive glasses, and as soon as you respond with a smile, I will approach you. Lyrics: First I talk about how I dress and this TRANSLATION: I prefer to open the conversation with light banter about my wardrobe and jewelry, then I like to discuss my collection of expensive cars. This is more than enough to convince you to have sexual intercourse with me. I am able to insert my penis further into you when I enter you from behind. Furthermore, you will be able to reach orgasm. I understand this to be a problem with your current sexual partner. He needn't be concerned about your whereabouts. Please phone him and inform him that you won't be home for a while. By the way, please sing the chorus of the song for me also. Lyrics: She's sick of that song on how it's so long TRANSLATION: Your current love interest no longer wishes to hear your fabrications about the length of your member. After I had sexual intercourse with your woman, she became enlightened as to the proper way it is supposed to be performed; violently and immorally. It would be in your best interest to keep your woman away from me as my sexual prowess is very strong. If you are unconvinced, ask Puff Daddy. Lyrics: You — ringin' bells with bags from Chanel TRANSLATION: Despite the fact that you attempted to win her at her doorstep with bags full of expensive clothes and a car (the lower end model Mercedes Benz which you financed by signing over your current vehicle) containing an expensive stereo and a cellular phone, your woman has contacted me through my pager indicating that we should rendezvous at midnight. Lyrics: Where you at? Flippin' jobs, playin' car notes? TRANSLATION: You, on the other hand, jump from job to job, barely able to maintain payments on the Mercedes Benz you purchased for your woman. Meanwhile, I continue to engage in sexual intercourse and commit lewd osculatory acts with your women. My only remaining option is to request that she leave my home and return to you because I have reached orgasm and no longer have a need for her presence. Lyrics: So, what's it gonna be? Him or me? TRANSLATION: The ultimate decision rests with you. Whom do you choose as your sexual partner? I can take you on cruises around the world. I will dress you in the finest jewelry and footwear. You will be envied by women worldwide in your fine clothes and jewelry. There is a special place in my heart for beautiful women. I will defeat your man in an altercation because he is effeminate. Lyrics: High fashion — flyin' into all states. TRANSLATION: You will be dressed in finest clothes on the runways of Paris. I will fly you to every state to shop for fine clothes and jewelry. You will enjoy sexual intercourse with me and your man will be forced to pleasure himself through manual stimulation. What a life! I’ll return you to LaGuardia in time to catch your |
Origins: It's not uncommon for us to see urban legends transformed into jokes, or jokes rendered as urban legends. (The basic difference is that urban legends are told as true occurrences, while
jokes are understood to be humorous but fictional anecdotes.) The latter process doesn't generally result in much improvement, however
So, we're at a loss to know why someone saw fit to tack a spurious claim about an "Oakland high school Ebonics competition" onto this waggish piece offering translations of rap lyrics into a more standard form of English. The version quoted above has been bouncing around the Internet since 1997, and
Last updated: 4 August 2005