Detailed Breakdown
Opening declaration of purpose:
“Don’t hate, congratulate. We’re building institutions around here. Is anybody else building institutions? Is anybody else building institutions? Is there anybody else in the conscious community building a relevant institution? Let me know where they at, but I don’t see them.”
This opening sets the tone for an unapologetic assertion of purpose and vision. The speaker is making a direct call to action for others, challenging them to show where they are creating something substantial and lasting. The repetition of “building institutions” emphasizes the focus on legacy and long-term impact rather than fleeting efforts or individual accolades. The mention of the conscious community ties this call to a larger movement that seeks to uplift and educate a people, particularly in the context of African American empowerment.
Relevance and necessity of their work:
“I said relevant institution, RELEVANT. Where they at? See, they might not like me, but I am too necessary for the race.”
Here, the speaker underscores the importance of relevance. This is not about building something for the sake of recognition or popularity. It’s about creating something meaningful and impactful for the community. The bold statement about being “too necessary for the race” serves as a clarification of purpose—the work is for the collective good and aims at addressing deep-seated issues that affect the race as a whole, rather than catering to personal gain or ego.
The reference to Ogoon:
“I’m like Ogoon, you can’t live without Ogoon cause Ogoon is iron, Ogoon is energy. What you going to do without iron and energy?”
This analogy draws on the figure of Ogun, a deity from the Yoruba religion and African diasporic traditions, representing iron, strength, energy, and transformation. The comparison is symbolic—just as Ogun is a vital force in the universe, the speaker’s work is presented as indispensable for the well-being and progress of their community. The imagery of iron and energy speaks to the foundational power that this work represents, suggesting that it’s essential for the survival and growth of the people it serves.
The shift from popularity to necessity:
“This is not a popularity contest. This is not a popular. I’m not #1 because you love me. I’m #1 because you need me.”
The speaker rejects the notion of seeking validation or approval from others. The focus is not on popularity or external praise but on fulfilling a deeper necessity for the community. This is a statement about purpose-driven leadership—the individual’s value comes from the work they do, not from how they are perceived or loved by others. This line asserts that the person’s importance is rooted in the impact they have, rather than in superficial metrics of success like fame or approval.
Final reinforcement of necessity:
“My ninja ain’t #1 because you love me, you need me, you need.”
The speaker finishes by reinforcing the idea that their significance doesn’t come from popularity, but from the vital role they play. The use of “my ninja” reinforces the familial, community-oriented nature of this assertion. The idea is that the speaker is not just an individual leader but is part of a collective movement that is indispensable for the community to thrive.
At its core, this quote addresses the intersection of purpose, leadership, and the concept of relevance in the context of community-building. The speaker is rejecting the celebrity culture that often permeates the media and public life, suggesting that true leadership is about more than just recognition—it’s about being necessary and making a lasting difference.
By emphasizing the creation of institutions, the speaker is pointing to the importance of sustainable change. Institutions are not fleeting efforts—they are lasting entities that shape the lives of individuals, communities, and societies over time. In this case, the institution represents more than just physical structures—it symbolizes the movement for empowerment, growth, and self-sufficiency that the speaker believes is missing in many contemporary efforts within the conscious community.
The comparison to Ogun, a symbol of strength and transformation, speaks to the speaker’s belief that their efforts are not only necessary but fundamental to the community’s survival and prosperity. This aligns with the speaker’s perspective that institutions, like Ogun’s iron, are the foundational structures that allow the community to withstand challenges and continue evolving.
The rejection of popularity contests highlights a mature perspective on leadership—true leaders are not those who seek adoration or status, but those who focus on real needs and lasting impact. The quote challenges the listener or reader to think about what really matters in terms of leadership and influence. It’s not about being loved; it’s about being needed and doing the work that benefits the greater good.
In a larger context, this message could be extended to all aspects of leadership—whether in family, community, business, or social movements. The speaker is laying the groundwork for a legacy of impact, and suggesting that true leaders are defined by their capacity to be indispensable rather than their capacity to be liked.
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