--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Keeping it real ain't about carrying a…" description: "\"Keeping it real ain't about carrying a gun or smoking blunts. It's about being true to yourself and those around you.\" — LL Cool J" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/ll-cool-j-2389_carrying_keeping-it-real-ain-t-about-carrying-a-g_241904.png" --- # Keeping it real ain't about carrying a gun or smoking… ![“Keeping it real ain't about carrying a gun or smoking blunts. It's about being true to yourself and those around you.” quote by LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/ll-cool-j-2389_carrying_keeping-it-real-ain-t-about-carrying-a-g_241904.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/ll-cool-j-2389_carrying_keeping-it-real-ain-t-about-carrying-a-g_241904.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/ll-cool-j-2389_carrying_keeping-it-real-ain-t-about-carrying-a-g_241904.png) > “Keeping it real ain't about carrying a gun or smoking blunts. It's about being true to yourself and those around you.” [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authenticity means staying true to oneself and others, not adopting harmful stereotypes. **In simple terms:** Being real is about honesty, not guns or drugs. Key Takeaway Live authentically and respect others. Themes integrity self‑acceptance community Mood inspirational reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal branding - leadership - social media presence - peer relationships Key Concepts Cultural authenticity social values Questions to Reflect On - What does being real mean to you? - How do you maintain authenticity under pressure? A Different Perspective Societal pressure can distort authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [True to yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-to-yourself/) ## Related quotes > [Keeping it real aint about carrying a gun or smoking blunts. Its about being true to yourself and those around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/keeping-it-real-aint-about-carrying-a-gun-or-smoking-blunts-its-about/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [“It ain’t about keeping real, it’s about keeping it right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-chain-in-can-t-stop-won-t-stop-a-history-of-the-hip-hop-generation/it-ain-t-about-keeping-real-it-s-about-keeping-it-right/) Jeff Chain in "Can't Stop Won't Stop A History of the Hip-Hop Generation > ['Keeping it real' doesn't mean get loud and 'call people out' it means being accountable for your actions and learning from your faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/keeping-it-real-doesn-t-mean-get-loud-and-call-people-out-it-means/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Keeping it real must be a staple of all that we do! What's anything minus integrity!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/keeping-it-real-must-be-a-staple-of-all-that-we-do-what-s-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm a documentary image maker, still and moving, because keeping the real world on the agenda is really important at a time when we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-hetherington/i-m-a-documentary-image-maker-still-and-moving-because-keeping-the/) [Tim Hetherington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-hetherington/) > [Ted is keeping it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted/ted-is-keeping-it-real/) [Ted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted/) > [Keeping it real in real estate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-allan/keeping-it-real-in-real-estate/) Marc Allan > [People say keeping it real is a hard thing to do. Keeping it real is easy. Being fake and being soft is hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trick-daddy/people-say-keeping-it-real-is-a-hard-thing-to-do-keeping-it-real-is/) [Trick Daddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trick-daddy/) > [“I vacillate well between the ghetto and the private sector, but only in small doses. I'm too much of a "keeping it real" kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-v-lewis/i-vacillate-well-between-the-ghetto-and-the-private-sector-but-only/) L.V. Lewis > [“While the patriarchal boys in hip-hop crew may talk about keeping it real, there has been no musical culture with black men at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/while-the-patriarchal-boys-in-hip-hop-crew-may-talk-about-keeping-it/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [People look up to me, like my music, and even follow me on Instagram because they know I'm keeping it real with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-cyrus/people-look-up-to-me-like-my-music-and-even-follow-me-on-instagram/) [Noah Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-cyrus/) > [People need to start keeping it real and stop pretending to be someone they're not!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simplinae/people-need-to-start-keeping-it-real-and-stop-pretending-to-be/) [SimpliNae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simplinae/) > [I wish people were like money so I could hold them to the light to see which ones are real,Keeping it real must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minichikiia-love/i-wish-people-were-like-money-so-i-could-hold-them-to-the-light-to/) MiniChikiia Love > [I got caught up on drugs for a few years, I'm off it, I'm very happy, got two kids and a family and everything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanilla-ice/i-got-caught-up-on-drugs-for-a-few-years-i-m-off-it-i-m-very-happy/) [Vanilla Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanilla-ice/) > [To all da haters:You think youre hot,but you know the deal...well its me and you know who be keeping it real!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-all-da-haters-you-think-youre-hot-but-you-know-the-deal-well-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by LL Cool J > [I think when you move past your fear and you go after your dreams wholeheartedly, you become free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/i-think-when-you-move-past-your-fear-and-you-go-after-your-dreams/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [You have to always continue to strive no matter how hard things get, no matter how troubled you feel. No matter how tough things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/you-have-to-always-continue-to-strive-no-matter-how-hard-things-get/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [Me and Frosted went to get a drink. But she ordered somethin' bugged, and I ain't know what to think. She ordered potassium, calcium,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/me-and-frosted-went-to-get-a-drink-but-she-ordered-somethin-bugged/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [I think when you move past your fear and you go after your dreams wholeheartedly, you become free. Know what Im saying? Move past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/i-think-when-you-move-past-your-fear-and-you-go-after-your-dreams-2/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [You've got to stay focused without being boring - because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Skinny, but dull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/you-ve-got-to-stay-focused-without-being-boring-because-all-work-and/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [Like your booty don't stink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/like-your-booty-don-t-stink/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [It's hard being the king, but somebody's got to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/it-s-hard-being-the-king-but-somebody-s-got-to-do-it/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [How dare you ever in ya life walk past me without acknowledging their man as God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/how-dare-you-ever-in-ya-life-walk-past-me-without-acknowledging-their/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [Im happy to be black. I am what I am, Im doing very well in my life, and Im thankful to God for that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/im-happy-to-be-black-i-am-what-i-am-im-doing-very-well-in-my-life-and/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [I think fitness is important. I think a healthy lifestyle is important. I think putting positive energy out there is important and just staying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/i-think-fitness-is-important-i-think-a-healthy-lifestyle-is-important/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [When I’m alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall, and in the back of my mind I hear my conscience call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/when-i-m-alone-in-my-room-sometimes-i-stare-at-the-wall-and-in-the/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [“Mama said knock you out!!??!!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/mama-said-knock-you-out/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [Sometimes altering your position is the right thing. Sometimes it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/sometimes-altering-your-position-is-the-right-thing-sometimes-it-s-not/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [Do something that gets you closer to your dream today!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/do-something-that-gets-you-closer-to-your-dream-today/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) > [I do about 90 percent of my own stunts, and the things I can't do for insurance reasons, like swinging out of a flying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ll-cool-j/i-do-about-90-percent-of-my-own-stunts-and-the-things-i-can-t-do-for/) [LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) [Explore all 169 LL Cool J quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/) ## More Carrying quotes > [I had to get to the point where I just had to embrace carrying the torch for the traditional girls out there. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamera-mowry/i-had-to-get-to-the-point-where-i-just-had-to-embrace-carrying-the/) [Tamera Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamera-mowry/) > [I've always found a cure for the blues is wandering into something unknown, and resting there, before coming back to whatever weight you were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-sawyer/i-ve-always-found-a-cure-for-the-blues-is-wandering-into-something/) [Diane Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-sawyer/) > [I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of sticks, far too large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/i-compare-the-troubles-which-we-have-to-undergo-in-the-course-of-the/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I don't believe in carrying a weapon. If somebody wants to shoot me, he'll have to bring his own gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinky-friedman/i-don-t-believe-in-carrying-a-weapon-if-somebody-wants-to-shoot-me-he/) [Kinky Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinky-friedman/) > [“I was taught never to make a threat unless you are prepared to carry it out and I am not a fan of carrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thorne/i-was-taught-never-to-make-a-threat-unless-you-are-prepared-to-carry/) [David Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thorne/) > [I started carrying blank books like this one around, which I would fill with all the things I couldn't say...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-started-carrying-blank-books-like-this-one-around-which-i-would/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [I think we need to be very wary of systems where it's the public that is carrying the burden of doing cleanup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-khan/i-think-we-need-to-be-very-wary-of-systems-where-it-s-the-public-that/) [Lina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-khan/) > [I certainly feel I'm carrying the flag for Britain. I feel an honour in that but, at the same time, knowing my roots are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-froome/i-certainly-feel-i-m-carrying-the-flag-for-britain-i-feel-an-honour/) [Chris Froome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-froome/) > [She said PICK UP WHAT'S YOURS & GET OUT! So I picked her up & started walking & She said, WHY ARE YOU CARRYING…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/she-said-pick-up-what-s-yours-get-out-so-i-picked-her-up-started/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“It would be much too difficult for anyone to get in and out of this area, especially if they were carrying questionable loads of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-would-be-much-too-difficult-for-anyone-to-get-in-and-out-of-this/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [It's my strength for holding on, every minute that I have to be gone. I'll have everything I'll ever need, I'm carrying your love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce/it-s-my-strength-for-holding-on-every-minute-that-i-have-to-be-gone-i/) [Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce/) > [To be on the world stage carrying our flag and representing the U.S. Paralympic Team is a huge honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-schultz/to-be-on-the-world-stage-carrying-our-flag-and-representing-the-u-s/) [Mike Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-schultz/) > [I have no problem putting on a kit, carrying a big sniper rifle, and running a few thousand meters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-have-no-problem-putting-on-a-kit-carrying-a-big-sniper-rifle-and/) [Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/) > [You stand out in the crowd only because you have these many, many carrying you on their shoulders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/you-stand-out-in-the-crowd-only-because-you-have-these-many-many/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [President Obama has a good sense not just of the economic requisites for financial crisis firefighting but also how you build political support for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lael-brainard/president-obama-has-a-good-sense-not-just-of-the-economic-requisites/) [Lael Brainard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lael-brainard/) Browse all 302 Carrying quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Keeping it real ain't about carrying a gun or smoking blunts. 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