1) "These people really know where I'm coming from. They know exactly what I feel."

     Thrilling. Some guy or girl whom you've never met, may never meet, knows exactly what you're all about. The only thing these "entertainers" care about is money. Dr. Dre, when asked about being a role model, had stated: "Man, I'm here to get paid." You have to realize that it's easier to manipulate someone when you know what it is that that person needs. And for teenagers, that's easy. Talk about the pressures about being too young for real responsibilities yet too old to be told what to do, and you've pretty much described the universal dilemma. Once you know what a person needs, you feed into that. There are people who capitalize on others, those who feel the need to take advantage of someone. For such people, love and understanding is conditional. "Get to know more about me if you buy my records, see my concerts, rent my films, wear my t-shirts..." You need to relate to someone who doesn't ask anything from you in return except respect. You need a love that's unconditional: "It was We who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his)  jugular vein." Surah 50:16 Imagine that. Imagine someone knowing something about you because they actually know you!  Actually care about you!  And the one condition?  Respect.  That's easy enough, right?  The funny thing is, this Someone deserves respect.  "For what?!" you may ask.  "For creating records?"  No.  "For creating videos?"  No.  Try...for creating you.  And you are worth something, right?  You need to steer away from image and focus on substance.      

2) "These are my peeps. They gots my back and all."

     So let me get this straight. You'd rather belong to a GANG of fifty or so rather than an UMMAH of 1.5 BILLION? Nice odds, huh? Let's see. I'd have to go through some initiation, learn secret handshakes and/or just aqueous to trivial gossip about nonsense just so that I could flash a few "signs." That's down right ignorant. When you really think about it, there really is no basis for such trivial garbage. Realistically, most of your "peeps" are not going to get "your back and all" because they'll either be in jail, heading towards the penitentiary, dead or just wasting their life with no real chance for growth in the future. Is this the end all be all for such people? Of course not. 
     The problem lies when you place such a heavy responsibility on a person who (9 out of 10) can't even take care of themselves. "If they become Muslims they shall be rightly guided but if they turn back, you need not worry, because your sole responsibility is to convey the Message. Allah is watching all His servants very closely." (Surah 3:20)  Do you understand that? We have a responsibility to ourselves and our Creator. We're talking about a connection with anyone in the world based on faith! Not nationality. Not gender. Not regional area. Faith!  A faith that transcends time.  Your Islamic history goes back over 1400 years.  1400 years!  And you know what?  It's going to keep on growing.  So while you'll hearing about all of the gangs that have come and gone, ask yourself: "What mark have they left?  Who have they salvaged?"  Let me break something down for you.  You're going to die one day.  It's inevitable.  When it's your turn to stand before the Creator of the Universe, who's gonna get your back then?

3) "They be keepin' it real, yo. They 'bout it, 'bout it."

     How real is the pathetic acquisition of a car when Allah (swt) has promised you the world? The world!! The problem with a lot of people (adults included) is that they fall in love with things. Liking an object isn't so bad. We're human, after all. However, when your happiness is based on an object that can be destroyed, stolen or become obsolete, there is a problem.  The only thing that is worth investing time in is knowledge. Think about it; as you grow, so does your knowledge. No one can take away what you've learned, but it can be twisted. That's why you have to focus yourself on nourishing thoughts.  Keeping it real is being aware of your place in this world and the next.  It does not mean wearing big clothing!  You wanna be a man, and you can't fit into your own clothes.  You ain't even grown!  Explain your gear...one pant leg up, one pant leg down?!  Walkin' with a limp, tryin' to show people that you're "bad."  It's stupid!  The need to establish an identity is understandable. However, when your individuality is based on looking like others, it's degrading.  You're keeping up with the Jones' as opposed to keeping up with the Akhirah.

4) "This is the real me. They know my come from."

     For all of your cry for a sense of individuality, you look just like every other kid who shaves the sides of his head and wears big pants. There is no real individuality in the way one looks. If someone hasn't already come up with the idea, they're doing it some place else in another part of the world. That's the real you. Strip away your facade about being hip, and you have a boy or a girl who's, inshallah, trying to do the best with what Allah (swt) has dealt them. That's right: dealt you. You have a purpose in this world. There are many people in life who have no clue what they want to do with their lives. Be aware that as a Muslim you have a role to play. You have ready made jobs waiting for you. You can heal people: doctor, counselor.  You can guide people: teacher, a good parent, political leader.  You can make advances within science, technology, business, etc.  And your foundation?  The moral values and determination found in Islam.  Now, are you going to try your best in this "test," or are you going to struggle? Think about what's waiting for you: Paradise! The real you is the manner in which you handle, approach and use the life that Allah (swt) has given you, not the clothes you wear or the lyrics you repeat.

5) "Man, it's just plain fun. Straight up, son. No doubt."

     Hanging out with your "dogs" getting the "digits " from the "honey's" and running away from authority is "mad dope," right? If this is the case, you're just another hoodlum. Typical. Always trying to fit in with people who or may not accept you the next day. Your Creator will always except you. "And if he draws near to  Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a  fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking,  I go to him at speed." Hadith Qudsi 15. However, you have dues to pay. When you pass away, and you will, there are only three ways to continue to earn blessings: build a place where people can continue to learn (school, Masjid), write something that will teach people about living an Islamic life (novel, text book, computer program) or raise a good Muslim child who will pray for you. It doesn't get easier than this. If you have money and a good heart, build a school. If you're poor but have knowledge, educate others. If you have neither of those traits, at least raise a good Muslim child. Is that "plain fun"? It can be. When you know that you've accomplished something more in life than just "hanging out," it's worth it.