1. Themes
1.1. Police brutality
1.1.1. Sub theme
1.2. Resistance
1.2.1. Sub theme
1.3. Escaping systematic racism
1.3.1. Main theme
2. Production
2.1. Tempo
2.1.1. Around 120 bpm
2.2. Beat
2.2.1. 808s and baseline
2.2.1.1. 4/4 count
2.3. Samples
2.3.1. Old jazz swing music
2.3.1.1. Looking into a MF DOOM type of beat
2.3.1.2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSGHE2o06vg&t=46s
2.3.1.2.1. Melendez, Lisette. “Will You Ever Save Me.” YouTube. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSGHE2o06vg&t=46s .
2.3.2. European/Japanese style
2.4. Inspiration
2.4.1. Kendrick Lamar
2.4.1.1. Album - good kid, m.A.A.d. city
2.4.1.1.1. Song - The Art of Peer Pressure
2.4.2. Lil Baby
2.4.2.1. Song - The Bigger Picture
2.4.2.1.1. "It's bigger than black and white / It's a problem with the whole way of life"
2.4.3. Tee Grizzley
2.4.3.1. Song - Mr. Officer
2.4.3.1.1. Ties into the theme of police brutality
2.5. Flow
2.5.1. Introduce the setting
2.5.1.1. Cold streets of Bed-Stuy
2.5.2. Mix in background
2.5.2.1. Momma working many jobs to support
2.5.2.1.1. But I'm also tryna support with this song
2.5.3. Let the sample play out
2.5.4. Introduce theme of police brutality
2.5.4.1. Shoutout Tee Grizzley
2.5.5. Go back to background
2.5.6. Talk about resistance against racism
2.5.6.1. Shoutout Lil Baby
2.5.7. Background
2.5.8. Bring it back to racism
2.5.9. End song with a message
2.5.9.1. Believeing in yourself and trusting the process can take you far
2.5.9.1.1. Against all odds, racism, and obstacles
3. Background
3.1. Grew up in urban hell
3.2. Brooklyn, NY
3.3. 1 younger brother
3.4. Mom working 3 jobs
3.4.1. Dad is absent
3.5. Around 17 years old
3.6. Trying to rap to make money
4. Setting
4.1. Streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant
4.2. Modern day 2024
4.3. Cold weather
4.3.1. "3 pairs of pants worn bc the jeans torn"
5. References
5.1. https://www.salon.com/2017/10/28/the-25-best-hip-hop-protest-songs-ever/
5.1.1. Leah, Rachel. “The 25 Best Hip-Hop Protest Songs Ever.” Salon, June 2, 2020. https://www.salon.com/2017/10/28/the-25-best-hip-hop-protest-songs-ever/ .
5.2. https://www.thetoptens.com/rap/hood-storytelling-rap-songs/
5.2.1. Cleaver, Beaver. “Top 10 Greatest Hood Storytelling Rap Songs.” TheTopTens. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://www.thetoptens.com/rap/hood-storytelling-rap-songs/ .