I can't even see me wasting my time or my talent to disrespect

The words of The Notorious B.I.G., “I can’t even see me wasting my time or my talent to disrespect another black man,” carry a power far beyond the realm of music. They are the cry of a man who, though forged in the fires of hardship and struggle, recognized the sacredness of unity among brothers. In a world that often pits man against man, these words shine as a reminder that true greatness does not come from tearing others down, but from building oneself and one’s community up.

At their core, these words speak of respect and the wise stewardship of time and talent. Time is finite, fleeting like sand slipping through the fingers. Talent is precious, a gift not meant to be squandered on bitterness or conflict. Biggie declares that to waste these sacred resources on disrespect is to rob oneself and to rob the community of what could have been built. His statement calls us to a higher vision of purpose: to rise above the temptation of rivalry and instead invest one’s energy into creation, not destruction.

The origin of these words lies in the hip-hop world of the 1990s, where rivalries between artists often turned into open hostility. In the midst of that volatile environment, Biggie’s refusal to disrespect another black man is striking. It is as if he saw through the surface conflicts and recognized the deeper truth: that in communities already burdened by poverty, violence, and systemic oppression, infighting only served the hand of division. His wisdom, clothed in street-born authenticity, was a call for solidarity in the face of forces that sought to weaken collective strength.

History gives us many echoes of this truth. Consider the story of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, two great black leaders of the early twentieth century. Though they often disagreed on strategies for uplifting African Americans, both understood that their disagreements must not devolve into destruction of one another’s dignity. They knew the greater enemy was not each other, but the injustice and oppression they were both fighting to overcome. Biggie’s words, in their own way, repeat this lesson: to spend energy on tearing down a brother is to waste the very tools of liberation.

The deeper wisdom here is not just about music or race—it is about the universal principle of unity. Every community, every people, is stronger when its members refuse to waste themselves on disrespect. The act of uplifting another is itself a form of resistance against the powers of division. By contrast, to give into rivalry and disrespect is to weaken the whole. Biggie’s words remind us that greatness comes not through comparison, but through creation—through building something that lasts.

To those who seek wisdom, take this as guidance: guard your time and talent with vigilance. Do not squander them on pettiness, jealousy, or empty conflict. Invest them instead in growth, in art, in community, in the pursuit of justice and love. When tempted to disrespect another, remember that the energy you spend in contempt could have been used to build something enduring. The wise soul chooses creation over destruction, respect over rivalry, growth over waste.

The practical lesson is this: before you speak or act against another, ask yourself—Is this worthy of my time? Is this worthy of my talent? Will this make my community stronger, or weaker? If the answer is no, turn your energy to higher pursuits. Lift others when you can, and walk away from disrespect when you must. For your time is a treasure, and your talent a weapon of light—let neither be dulled by negativity.

Thus, let the teaching of The Notorious B.I.G. endure: do not waste your gifts on tearing down your brother. Rise above the cycles of division, and use your time and talent as instruments of creation. In doing so, you honor not only yourself, but the lineage of those who came before you and the generations who will follow. For unity is strength, and respect is power, and a man who knows this cannot be shaken.