I’m The One

The Song: I’m The One

Main Point of Discussion: While pursuing excellence and success can be a valuable motivation, it can also lead to ungodly and destructive pride and boasting.

Vital Info Before You Get Started: The following info should help you contextualize this very popular song so you can have a great discussion about it with your kids.

• IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: We at The Source for Parents believe that certain elements in our youth culture can serve as good discussion jump starters with students. At the same time, we would never hope to introduce students to a negative influence that they haven’t already encountered. This balance is a delicate one. In our experience most students, churched and unchurched, keep pretty current with music and music videos. Thanks to YouTube, MTV.com, and iTunes, the most popular music videos and songs are free to access only a click away.

• Since this song is so popular, your kids have most likely heard it. When you sit down to discuss this song, make sure to have a copy of the lyrics available (below). We’ve provided a link for the video as well, but we don’t recommend you show it to the whole family, as it is full of racy imagery. It is here for you, just in case you want to be informed of the content yourself. But you should be able to have a good discussion with just the lyrics for this song.

• DJ Khaled has linked up with Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne and Quavo from Migos on his new track “I’m the One.” The video features executive production from Khaled’s son, Asahd. The video finds the crew stunting outside a lavish mansion, with fellow Migos members Offset and Takeoff also joining in the capers.

• “I’m the One” debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, earning DJ Khaled, Chance the Rapper, and Quavo (as a solo act) their first number one single in the US. It is the first hip hop song to do so since “Not Afraid” by Eminem in 2010.[1] It became Bieber’s fourth chart-topper, following the first three singles off Purpose. Lil Wayne topped the chart for the first time since 2008 and third time overall.[11] The song also entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, becoming DJ Khaled’s, Quavo’s, Lil Wayne’s, and Chance the Rapper’s first, and Bieber’s fifth chart-topping song.[12] It also entered at number one in Australia, Scotland, and Canada, and debuted in the top ten in various countries, including Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand (where it reached number one a week after its debut). (www.wikipedia.com)

• Above all, don’t appear as if you have a “canned” discussion in your head and rattle off questions like a teacher giving a pop quiz—your kids get enough of that in school. This is a guide, primarily—not a verbatim script. Just familiarize yourself with the content here and start a conversation in the most natural, unforced way you know how.

The Music Video:
WARNING: We are not recommending you show this music video as it is full of racy imagery. We recommend just passing out the lyrics.

Song Lyrics:

Q: When it comes to this song, what’s “I’m The One” about? 

A: I’m The One  is an interesting combination of celebrating success and pride in status and material possessions. The all-star line up makes for an influential message of happiness being equated with achievement.

Q: So many people in the culture believe in the message of this song- but is he right?

A: American culture is largely founded on the ideas of success, achievement and possessions, but the Bible warns against making even good things into ultimate things, because that can lead to idolatry.

Q: Why is the video/song so popular?

A: There are few teenagers in the world who haven’t bought into the idea that these rappers have it all, and so the song reinforces their ideas about success and achievement.

Where to Take It from Here:
Wherever it feels natural. If these questions lead to a longer discussion on the topic, wonderful! (There’s a guide just after this paragraph that helps you do just that.) If your kids are barely uttering grunts, don’t get discouraged—the next time it feels right, try out another song. Keep engaging them.

For Deeper Discussion:
If your kids seem into diving in deeper, the following discussion guide can help take you there.

Want help getting your teenager engaged in conversation? CLICK HERE for a helpful article from our “Parenting Help” page providing you with 3 Essentials to Talking with Today’s Teens.

Transitional Statement:
What’s that desire? To have the complete package of money, accomplishment, popularity, and possessions! When it comes to those categories, these guys have it all, which is why they can boldly proclaim “I’m the One” with brashness and bravado.

But are there any inherent negative outcomes to being “The One”? Let’s talk about it.

More Discussion Questions:

1. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: Before we dive in, let’s all answer this question—Do you have a favorite rap artist? Are any of the rappers in this video one your favorite and if so, why?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What are a few things that all these rappers have in common besides friendship?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: If you could trade places with any or all of the rappers, would you? Why or why not?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What are the guys saying specifically in these lyrics?

• Yeah, you’re lookin’ at the truth

• The money never lie, no

• I’m the one, yeah, I’m the one

• Early mornin’ in the dawn

• Know you wanna ride now (let’s ride)

• I’m the one, yeah (let’s ride), I’m the one, yeah

• Yeah, and you sick of all those other imitators

• Don’t let the only real one intimidate you

• See you watchin’, don’t run outta time now
• ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Do you think it’s OK for them to express pride in their success and accomplishments? Why or why not?

I’m the one, yeah

Read the following passage from the Bible:

1. 1. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘boast’?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Why does it seem like God is so against boasting?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Do you think “I’m the One” is an example of boasting or just an expression of accomplishment?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What is the difference between boasting and simply being proud of your accomplishments?
5. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What happens when we become too proud or boastful? Does anyone have a personal story regarding this?
6. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: If all boasting is wrong, then why does this passage say it’s OK to boast about understanding and knowing the Lord?
7. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: How might ‘taking pride’ in knowing the Lord help us not fall prey to the dangers of boasting in our own accomplishments?

Wrap Up:
The message of “I’m the One” is at face value a celebration of material success and popularity. But on a deeper level, it would be wise for us to be conscious of how our own success and accomplishments can lead to a boastful pride that can often lead to negative consequences. This week, let’s remember what an incredible privilege it is to know the God who spoke the universe into existence, and ‘boast’ about that to others!

Close in Prayer