Everybody needs a Hype Man

The wiki-definition of a Hype Man is:
A hype man in hip hop music and rapping is a backup rapper and/or singer who supports the primary rappers with exclamations and interjections, and who attempts to increase the audience's excitement with call-and-response chants.
Music writer Mickey Hess expands the term as follows: "a hype man is a figure who plays a central but supporting role within a group, making his own interventions, generally aimed at hyping up the crowd while also drawing attention to the words of the MC". It's a really positive aspect to the music when you see this live. As the audience, you are required to participate, and the hype man forces you to be 'up' & engaged.

We are all the central figure in our own lives, but play a supporting role in the lives of many, many others. As such, we need to think about what we bring to the table in each relationship. Are we building the other person's confidence? Do we sing their praises to others? Do we point out their great qualities when they're focusing on their failures? Do we celebrate their successes without stealing their limelight? Are we urging people to be up & engaged in their lives, and the lives of others?

There is a quote from the book Eat, Pray, Love doing the rounds on Facebook which sums up the role of Hype man perfectly: “[Saint Anthony] said, in his solitude, he sometimes encountered devils who looked like angels, and other times he found angels who looked like devils. When asked how he could tell the difference, the saint said that you can only tell which is which by the way you feel after the creature has left your company.” It's not the kind of friend you appear to be, but do you leave the person in a better place when you spend time together?

I'm not saying you can't be down, nor even have days where your own problems overwhelm the interaction, but do you see the best in your friends? Do you let them know you appreciate them? Do you make them want to be the best they can be?

There was a post recently (and please link in the comments - I didn't note it down, thinking my memory was going to be up to the task) asking 'Who's on your cheer squad?'. While it's important to surround yourself with supportive people, it's equally important to lead the cheer squad for others.

Don't wait for disaster to rally around a friend. Lift them whenever possible. You never know when they're needing it most.

Now everybody put your hands up....

Linking up with #MischiefandMemories