#withgodchallenge @iamlocksmith
see the video on youtube:
youtu.be/g9vdDN2Mrl8
(this track is being presented not-for-profit, because it is part of a freestyle-type challenge...if you wish to support me, please donate to one of the other albums, or just share and enjoy. this is for the people. also, please listen to the song before reading the lyrics if possible.)
This is my entry to Locksmith's "With God" challenge. I'm not gonna lie, I was pissed when I recorded this...at all the mistreatment going around. I recorded it first-take with a phone, music blasting over my speakers, mixed the instrumental back in, and added some reverb to the vocals because the sound quality needed something.
I am reading/scrolling the lyrics during the song, with my phone in my lap... hence the strange angle. I was trying to record a reference, but "god" (source) told me this was the one. Get a minute or two in, before making up your mind about me, please.
Please understand: I wish respect and solidarity to all people, especially those struggling (which is most of us honestly). We have all made mistakes in this world, and it's due to a lack of teachers, a lack of elders, that we're so damn alone. I'm sick of the divide/conquer BS, leaving us stranded. Don't despair if you've messed up, even if you've killed or raped or done something you can't forgive yourself for. You can heal, little by little, and just imagine how much good you can do... by teaching others to learn from your mistakes. As DPZ said, "You can make a choice now, how you wanna live."
What's ironic is I absolutely love the original song, I must have listened to it a hundred times, and consider Locksmith, Xzibit, and Ras Kass to be among the greatest poets to ever grace our Earth. Brevi's vocals are incredible, I can't touch the original. I actually wrote a few verses inspired by it early on, which became the basis of this song (thinking, wtf am I writing on somebody else's song for?). Then, as it turns out, Locksmith put out the call.
I do not advocate violence in any way whatsoever, but I do believe I speak for all of US when I say:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men/women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
With Liberty and Justice For All!
RIP Juice WRLD, one of our greatest, and a truly beautyful spirit, nipped in the bud so soon.
Let's protect each other, cultivate, grow.
As poets/artists, we have to tell the truth. I wish I didn't live in a world where I needed to make this song, I truly do. And perhaps tomorrow will be a different day!
Remember: "The darkest hour is always before the dawn."
Love y'all, truly. Forgive me if this message stirs up pain. These wounds go unacknowledged far too often. Healing hurts, but I want you to know I care.
released May 29, 2020
