BABY

This Gut-Wrenching VMA’s Performance Has Saved Countless Lives.

Published on Aug 30, 2017

This week, MTV hosted its 34th annual Video Music Awards present. Each yr, the VMA’s acknowledge excellence in music video launched from the previous yr and celebrates the artists behind them.

It’s a enjoyable evening full of lovely celebrities, rousing and generally humorous speeches, and show-stopping performances. But one efficiency from this yr’s VMA’s stood out from the remainder as essentially the most significant of all.

Facebook

27-year-old Logic, an American rapper and document producer carried out certainly one of his songs with the assistance of fellow artists Khalid and Alessia Cara. The identify of the tune? 1-800-273-8255.

Pretty uncommon identify for a tune, proper? But Logic picked it for an necessary purpose. That’s the variety of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Facebook

During the efficiency, Logic sang on a stage coated with the cellphone quantity, projected in large font.

Not solely that, individuals who have survived suicide makes an attempt flooded the stage on the finish of the efficiency– a lot of them in tears– sporting shirts with the quantity on the entrance and the phrases “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” on the again.

The tune’s lyrics are extremely poignant. The first verse is a cry for assist, straight from the mouth of somebody who sees no hope.

The second verse is a response. It’s a plea for anybody fighting suicidal ideas to maintain hanging on, to succeed in out for assist. At the identical time, it’s a robust reminder to the remainder of the world to succeed in out, to like, since you by no means know what the particular person subsequent to you goes via.

When Logic first launched the tune, he did so with a string of tweets, explaining his motivation behind writing 1-800-273-8255.

Over the years so a lot of you guys have instructed me that my music has helped you thru so many robust occasions.

— Bobby Tarantino (@Logic301) April 26, 2017

Many of you might have instructed me its even saved your life. I’m past humbled. But I felt I haven’t achieved sufficient.

— Bobby Tarantino (@Logic301) April 26, 2017

I made this tune for all of you who’re in a darkish place and might’t appear to seek out the sunshine.

— Bobby Tarantino (@Logic301) April 26, 2017

The response to Logic’s tune and efficiency has been overwhelming. John Draper, the director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline says calls to the hotline are up roughly 33% from this time final yr.

“The impact has been pretty extraordinary,” he mentioned. “On the day the song was released, we had the second-highest call volume in the history of our service.”

After the VMA efficiency, the lifeline reported a 50% improve in name quantity.

“Logic is generating calls with a song about getting help and finding hope. It’s not focusing on tragedy or suicide. In fact, he’s starting conversations about suicide prevention as opposed to suicide.”