Music Discussions

I’m The One

May 22, 2017

Dynamic Image 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.

Introducing The 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)

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: “I’m The One”

(feat. Lil Wayne, Chance The Rapper, Quavo, Justin Bieber)

[Justin Bieber (DJ Khaled):]
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, you’re sick of all those other imitators
Don’t let the only real one intimidate you
See you watchin’, don’t run outta time now

[Justin Bieber:]
I’m the one, yeah, oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one

[Quavo:]
Yo, yo. Quavo
I’m the one that hit that same spot. Hit it.
She the one that bring them rain drops, rain drops.
We go back, remember criss-cross and hopscotch, hopscotch?
You the one that hold me down when the block’s hot, hot.
I make your dreams come true when you wake up. Dream.
And your look’s just the same without no make up, eh.
Had to pull up on your mama, see what you’re made of. Mama.
Ain’t gotta worry ’bout ’em commas ’cause my cake up, hey
You can run inside my life from that fame bus
‘Cause I promise when we step out you’ll be famous, yeah
Modern day Bonnie and Clyde what they named us. Why?
‘Cause when we pull up—prr prr—all angles

[Justin Bieber:]
I’m the one, yeah, oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one

[Chance The Rapper:]
Okay, though
She beat her face out with that new Chanel
She like the price, she see the ice, it make her c**chie melt
When I met her in the club I asked her who she felt
Then she went and put that booty on that Gucci belt
We don’t got no label
She say she want bottles, she ain’t got no table
She don’t got no bed frame, she don’t got no tables
We just watching Netflix, she ain’t got no cable. Okay, though.
Plug, plug, plug, I’m the plug for her
She want a nigga that pull her hair and hold the door for her
Baby, that’s only me, bitch, it okay with me
Baby, okay, okay though

[Justin Bieber:]
I’m the one, yeah, oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one

[Lil Wayne:]
Lookin’ for the one, well, bitch, you’re looking at the one
I’m the best yet and yet my best is yet to come
‘Cause I’ve been lookin’ for somebody, not just any-fu**in’-body
Don’t make me catch a body, that’s for any and everybody
Oh my God! She hit me up all day, get no response
Bitch you blow my high, that’s like turning gold to bronze
Roll my eyes
And when she on the molly she a zombie
She think we Clyde and Bonnie but it’s more like Whitney Bobby
God forgive me
Tunechi and finessin’, I’m a legend
Straight up out The Crescent, fly your bae down for the Essence
For the record I knew Khaled when that boy was spinnin’ records
Moolah gang winning record, I’m just flexing on my exes, oh, God

[Justin Bieber:]
I’m the one, yeah, oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I’m the only one

[Justin Bieber (DJ Khaled):]
(Another one)
Don’t you know, girl, don’t you know, girl
I am the one for you (I’m the one), yeah, I’m the one
Don’t you know, girl, don’t you know, girl
I am the one for you (I’m the one), yeah, I’m the one
Don’t you know, girl, don’t you know, girl
I am the one for you (I’m the one), yeah, I’m the one
Don’t you know, girl, don’t you know, girl
I am the one for you (I’m the one), yeah, I’m the one

Transitional Statement- You Say This:
Some called this compilation of rappers the ‘ultimate boy band’- and no wonder, since all of them have been very successful in the highly competitive music business. That’s probably why “I’m the One” is a wildly popular video, and also because it taps into a common desire that’s inside all of us.

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.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What do you like about this song? What do you not like?

ASK A FEW: What is the main message of “I’m the One”?

ASK A FEW: If you could trade places with any of these guys, would you? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: ? What are the guys saying specifically in these lyrics?

NOTE TO LEADER: Bieber is playing with double meaning when he says “early morning in the dawn, know you wanna ride now.” Dawn is a type of Rolls Royce, so “ride” could mean literally riding in a nice car, but in context like this it often means sex. As a leader I wouldn’t focus on this tangent (sex), but focus on the main point of them bragging about their success.

ASK A FEW: Do you think it’s OK for them to express their pride in their success and accomplishments? Why or why not?

Read the following passage from the Bible:

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,
24 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.

ASK A FEW: What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘boast’?

ASK A FEW: Why does it seem like God is so against boasting?

ASK A FEW: Do you think “I’m the One” is an example of boasting or just an expression of accomplishment?

ASK A FEW: What is the difference between boasting and simply being proud of your accomplishments?

ASK A FEW: What happens when we become too proud or boastful? Does anyone have a personal story regarding this?

ASK A FEW: If all boasting is wrong, then why does this passage say it’s OK to boast about understanding and knowing the Lord?

ASK A FEW: What might it look like to ‘boast in the Lord’?

ASK A FEW: What is the difference between taking pride in our accomplishments and taking pride in our relationship with Jesus?

ASK A FEW: How well do you think you would handle the level of success that these guys have achieved?

ASK A FEW: How might ‘taking pride’ in knowing the Lord help us not fall prey to the dangers of boasting in our own accomplishments?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one takeaway for you from our discussion?

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

Written by Lane Palmer