CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

“I’ma groove to my own drums, sunlight in my shadow, baby
Move ’til my soul comes, let them serpents rattle, baby”

As I write my weekly reflection , I am listening to this verse.

American rapper Tyler, the Creator wrote a song titled “MANIFESTO” featuring Domo Genesis that touches topics like incarcerations amongst the black community, gun violence, the lynching of black Americans, protests, and peace and freedom. Personally, this song is one of my favorites on the album (not only because it’s such a vibe), because it feels like a protest through poetic and artistic words and sounds. The song truly is Tyler’s manifesto.

This song is a perfect example hip-hop as civic media. Tyler is speaking of not only problems we see in America today, but from earlier in the country’s history. He is able to pass down a story and knowledge in this artistic and ear pleasing way. Not only just sharing a story, but educating those who didn’t already know.

I love the topic of music and civic engagement. Why? Well, because I love music and I want to learn more about civic media. If you know me at all, I’m almost always listening to music with my headphones. Music is a big part of my life. The concept of digging deeper into music and messages and the community really sparks my interest. This subject makes me question the meaning and message of every song I listen to.

What I like about his music in general is how he’s able to bring people together. “You like Tyler, the Creator? Cool, me too!” Something I’ve heard a lot at school. By shining a light on these issues, he’s sharing his view point to his listeners, who then make connections this way. He also shares experiences that many other people may have experienced before as well.

I also find this song inspiring. I hear all these horrible and sad things that happen in our world, yet he mentions we are the all the same and we need to stick together. And the thing is, Tyler’s main audience is young people, and if they get the right message from his song, they will too feel inspired. The feeling of inspiration drives us to take action, whether its create art like his, or to do something on the issues being discussed.

I believe that musicians that spread powerful messages can influence their audiences to be more civically engaged with their community.

I hope you understood my view on this artist and their way of influencing their audience with their words.

On a more personal note, the song RUNIT UP is a personal favorite of mine. Again, not only because it’s a song to jam out to, but because its such an inspiring song. It pumps you up. It’s not only a song where Tyler pumps himself up, but the listeners as well. For example:

“When you in your room, then you starin’ at the ceilin’
Dreamin’, I want you to know it’s no ceilings
I want you to notice that feelin’
I want you to leave and go for it
I want you to reach with no fearin’
Throat clearin’, scream it, let ’em hear”

Another example I want to use is the wise words of DJ Drama,

“See for y’all, the sky is the limit
For us, the sky is just what we stand on to reach the beyond
High above the clouds as you see us”

What I want you to take away from this blog is that whether you’re a creator or a listener, you have a voice, and you can change the world, one step at a time.

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST