In the wake of the Trayvon Martin incident in Florida, MCs of all styles and calibers have come together in show of support by putting out songs in his honor. Although this was an American tragedy it showed how we as MCs can put asde our “stylistic prejudices” and come together to the tune of one voice. But this isn’t the first time songs like these were made.
For years artists from many different genres of music have made songs addressing the hardships and tragedies of The our country and the entire world. From civil rights to the war in Vietnam, from Apartheid to 911 to Travon Martin its all been covered. These songs don’t bring awareness to the problems but brings more of a comfort to the pain, more of an awareness to the soul, I think. These songs reminds us of our humanity.
These songs can also be great songwriting trick that can be used when an artist needs a boost in their career or to get their career out of the hole cause its the only time when all music, hip hop, rock, country, R&B, POP, etc.; all sounds or more like means the same and the feelings are real, not fabricated or exaggerated. Its not to say the music isn’t sincere cause if its not believe me the people will know. Its just one of those things where you can truly say what you want and how you feel and this is the right time to do it.
I’ve used this before in a political song I did about my city and a lot of people reacted well to it cause the subject was what the people of the city was talking about at that time. Any other song I did after didn’t have the same impact as that one but nonetheless that song was real and sincere and my feelings and what was going on meshed at the perfect time and that’s how these songs come about. Great things often comes out of tragedy. If not physical, an emotional change will occur. But in order to catch that “Spark” you have to be active and when “It” comes and your sincere about the issue an actively creating music your song will write itself and YOU can possibly create change.
“I may not be the person who will create change but I can be the person that sparks the idea in the brain of the person who will!”-TUPAC
HERES A LIST OF RAP SONGS THAT TOUCHED OUR SOULS:
“MADE YOU DIE” Dead Prez, Yasim Bey & Mikeflo
“WE ARE TRAYVON” Plies
“WHY” JadaKiss
“SELF DESTRUCTION” Stop the Violence
“WE’RE ALL INN THE SAME GANG” West coast All stars
“FIGHT THE POWER” Public Enemy
These are just a couple I can think of at the moment. fee free to leave a comment if you remember some I didn’t mention!!!
iRAP 