One of the standard definitions of swagger is as follows:
Swagger: to walk or behave in an arrogant or conceited manner.
The adjective of the word is described as: very chic; “groovy clothes”
Now if you check the Urban Dictionary online, they define it as such:
Swagger: Swagger is to move with confidence, sophistication, and to be cool. Swagger is to conduct your self in a way that would automatically earn respect. To Dress in a very stylish and quirkily fashionable way would suggest that one has swagger.
When I realized the term “Swag” was killing our culture is when I met legendary hip hop pioneer MC Shan. MC Shan is essential is bringing to light the origin of hip hop and has always stayed true to the roots of the art form. When MC Shan told me he was coming out with a new album and the title of his first single was going to be called “My Swagger Make My Chain Swing” I almost had a heart attack!
Today the word “swagger” is thrown around so loosely that it has begun to loose it’s true meaning. Look at the picture above. About 50 years ago, the young me on the left would have been seen as having swagger. Now look at today’s young hip hop icons, every other word on their songs is “swag” or “swag swag” and to be honest they barely show it in their appearance and attitude. In many ways they exude the exact opposite of what swagger represents.
While there are young men out there who truly possess the style associated with having swagger, the broad use of the word and saturation of the term in mainstream America takes away from the effort that dapper, stylish men put into their daily routines.
Let’s reclaim the word “Swagger” this year. Let’s use it only when necessary and stop claiming it for every little thing we do or allowing wack rappers to claim it knowing damn well they don’t. If the term is used right then we would rarely hear it instead of hearing it every time a hip hop song comes on.
