By: Brianna Robles
“I think the genes for being an artist and being mentally ill aren’t just related, they are the same gene…”, a quote by Neil Hilborn which seems to be pretty evident in the music industry today. In the past months, rappers have been using their platform as a way to bring awareness to mental illness. Artists like Logic, with his song “1-800- 273-8255” and XXXTentacion’s “17” album have created conversation on the struggles of suicide.
In August, Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid took the stage at the MTV Music Awards for a heartwarming performance of his hit song “1800-273- 8255”. Despite coming out earlier in the year, the song has had the same overwhelming effect for those who listen to it. The song, although seeming like a random phone number to those who are unaware is actually the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Logic not being a stranger to anxiety and depression wanted to use his platform as a way of help for others. In an interview with Genius, he asks “What can happen if I took myself out of my comfort zone and made a whole album about everybody and everybody’s struggles including my own which is one I’ve never done,”. His performance of this song not only conveyed the message of suicide prevention but equality between genders, sexualities and races. In addition to scoring his first single in the Top 10 Billboard 100s, his single and performance at the award show has increased the amount of calls the prevention hotline has received. More people of all different age groups as a result of Logic’s single have been more comfortable with admitting to struggles with depression, anxiety and any other mental illness. In an effort to prevent suicide, Logic has also teamed up with “I’m Listening”, a suicide prevention campaign to bring awareness as well as destroy the stigma of depression and anxiety being a one person battle.
Another artist who has raised eyebrows with conversation regarding mental illness is XXXTentacion with the release of his debut album “17” on August 25th. When the album dropped, social media went on a rampage because this album and its lyrics are indeed different from a “normal” rap album you would hear. Many people argued that this album, being that it is XXXTentacion’s first studio album was a way to mock depression and receive sympathy in order to increase album sales. Being aware of the critics of the album, XXXTentacion began his album with a track entitled “The Explanation” which he uses to help clarify the true intentions for creating the album. He states on the track, “I put my all into this, in the hopes that it will help cure or at least numb your depression…” Both XXXTentacion and Logic have different sounds when using their platform to speak about mental illness. “17” is a more personal invite into the mind of XXXTentacion, for listeners because it focuses specifically on his life struggles, depression and suicide. Logic however, used a more general situation to promote mental health and mental help when necessary.
The artists both used their platform however to bring awareness to a touchy subject like mental illness despite critics and naysayers in order to help themselves and people struggling to continue to fight. Being able to express oneself and use personal struggles to help someone else,is what true artistry is.
