Akashdeep Singh | Contributor
Featured image: Logic’s track “1-800-273-8255” raises much-needed awareness on suicide. | Courtesy of Pitchfork.com
With the release of his latest album Everybody this past May, 27-year-old rapper Logic (born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) touched upon a variety of issues such as politics, social media, race, and most importantly, suicide. His song “1-800-273-8255,” the title itself being the phone number for America’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), portrays a conversation between an individual who has called the lifeline and the operator on the other end, who tries to convince the former why they shouldn’t take their own life.
Such sensitive topics such as suicide must be approached carefully, and it’s rare to hear mainstream songs grappling with the issue. However, Logic has attempted to promote awareness and create discussion regarding the struggle between life and death due to feelings of isolation.
Inspired by conversations that he’s had with fans who have told him that his music has saved their lives, the rapper created a song specifically for that purpose, which has had a tremendous effect on mainstream music’s landscape. With assistance from two other talented artists, Alessia Cara and Khalid, “1-800-273-8255” quickly became his most influential track to date.
The track has seen incredible success, with over 100 million views on the official music video, and nearly 350 million streams on Spotify. Combined sales and streaming numbers for the track gave Logic his first-ever platinum record, which would later become triple platinum, and would then go on to break into the Top Three on Billboard’s Hot 100. It was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards, for Song of the Year and Best Music Video.
But this isn’t the only impact that the song has had. In the weeks following it’s release, the NSPL saw a 27 per cent rise in calls and an additional 400,000 visits to their website over the following months. During the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), Logic performed the song live and had many survivors of suicide join him on stage for what became an emotional and powerful display of unity and hope. It showed us that we aren’t alone, and that unity is crucial for someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues. Soon after this performance, the NSPL saw a 50 per cent surge in calls.
Logic has proved that music doesn’t need to sound a certain way to grab the attention of its listeners, that it can simply be a positive message that can go a long way with others. This song alone is an excellent example of who the rapper is as a person. He’s best known for his motto: “Peace, Love, and Positivity,” as he strives to use music as a platform to show others that they aren’t the only ones struggling, and that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel—remember: “It can be hard, It can be so hard, But you gotta live right now, You got everything to give right now.”
