On August 17, 2017, the rapper known as Logic released a music video for his song 1-800-273-8255. The song features Alessia Cara and Khalid. Before getting into this video, I feel I need to talk about the song itself.
This song was released on April 28 of this year. Since the day it was released, I have personally been hooked on this song, like many of the people that have heard it. The song title itself is the number for the suicide prevention lifeline. This song touches hearts all over.
Whether someone has experienced suicidal thoughts, or knows of someone who has committed suicide, it is an extremely touchy subject in today’s world; TV shows try to shed a light on suicide and so do movies. But what Logic did is very different… for starters, he is a rapper who was brave enough to rap about this subject. In a world full of rapping that talks about girls, drugs, alcohol, money, etc… Logic took this opportunity to really go the extra mile and sing/rap about suicide.
The song takes you through the thoughts of someone who has felt alone and feels out of touch with their life. They start off with a mind set of not wanting to be alive and wanting to just die. It talks about the things they have been struggling with, feeling like their life is not important. As the song carries on, it goes into someone speaking to that person and telling them they want them to be alive.
Alessia Cara’s part comes in talking about the good things about being alive and how it is a permanent solution for a temporary situation. After which, the thoughts of the person come to “finally want(ing) to be alive.” The song wraps up with Khalid’s smooth vocals that talk about pushing through and making it through. It is a very strong song and holds so much in it.
Click the tweet below to open the music video this article is about
Now, on to the video. While Logic, his director, and his producers could have taken this video in many ways… they took it in a direction that not only touches on suicidal thoughts, but also on another touchy subject of homosexuality and bullying. The video walks us through a young African American teen going through his struggle with his sexuality while also showing the unacceptance of many, and the struggle at home and outside of home. It shows his wave of emotions with wanting to end his life and then finally getting help through the hotline and an ends with positivity and light.
This video is unexplainably moving and brings a roller coaster of emotions with it. It is a completely powerful story not only about suicide, but about those that struggle with their sexuality and the bullying that many try to act like doesn’t happen. While it ends on a very good note of acceptance of another’s sexuality, it really helps send a positive message in many areas.
Logic did an INCREDIBLE thing with this song and the video… now it’s up to the rest of us… to help with ending bullying, learning to accept one another regardless of sexuality, beliefs, etc., and raise awareness of suicide prevention. All of these things that are shared in this video are things that need to have awareness spread upon as much as possible. Sharing this message can make a difference in a life that you don't even realize needs it.
