I love music like many of you hear some of my first memories were sitting with
of my first memories were sitting with
of my first memories were sitting with my mom learning songs like the ABCs and
my mom learning songs like the ABCs and
my mom learning songs like the ABCs and twinkle twinkle little star but how many
twinkle twinkle little star but how many
twinkle twinkle little star but how many y’all knew that those two songs had the
y’all knew that those two songs had the
y’all knew that those two songs had the exact same melody you didn’t you did
exact same melody you didn’t you did
exact same melody you didn’t you did it’s okay if you didn’t because I didn’t
it’s okay if you didn’t because I didn’t
it’s okay if you didn’t because I didn’t either
either
either matter of fact I didn’t know that until
matter of fact I didn’t know that until
matter of fact I didn’t know that until probably very recent – a matter of fact
probably very recent – a matter of fact
probably very recent – a matter of fact – a point where I was almost embarrassed
– a point where I was almost embarrassed
– a point where I was almost embarrassed to tell you
to tell you
to tell you matter of fact I’ll tell you right
matter of fact I’ll tell you right
matter of fact I’ll tell you right before I wrote this speech okay music
before I wrote this speech okay music
before I wrote this speech okay music it’s been a powerful tool in my life
it’s been a powerful tool in my life
it’s been a powerful tool in my life I’ve loved music I love all genres of
I’ve loved music I love all genres of
I’ve loved music I love all genres of music of course as you could tell I love
music of course as you could tell I love
music of course as you could tell I love hip-hop of course I love R&B I love jazz
hip-hop of course I love R&B I love jazz
hip-hop of course I love R&B I love jazz I like 80s pop music I like 90s rock
I like 80s pop music I like 90s rock
I like 80s pop music I like 90s rock music country I’m still working on it
music country I’m still working on it
music country I’m still working on it you know like we’re dating right now
you know like we’re dating right now
you know like we’re dating right now we’re trying to figure out we like each
we’re trying to figure out we like each
we’re trying to figure out we like each other you know but I like all different
other you know but I like all different
other you know but I like all different types of music to fit my moves and
types of music to fit my moves and
types of music to fit my moves and styles and everything
styles and everything
styles and everything see music is this powerful tool this
see music is this powerful tool this
see music is this powerful tool this powerful tool that can be imaginative
powerful tool that can be imaginative
powerful tool that can be imaginative and matter of fact it’s so engrained in
and matter of fact it’s so engrained in
and matter of fact it’s so engrained in our day-to-day lives that I couldn’t
our day-to-day lives that I couldn’t
our day-to-day lives that I couldn’t imagine a life without it and I’m pretty
imagine a life without it and I’m pretty
imagine a life without it and I’m pretty sure you couldn’t either for instance by
sure you couldn’t either for instance by
sure you couldn’t either for instance by show of hands who here has sang with a
show of hands who here has sang with a
show of hands who here has sang with a group of their friends at the top of
group of their friends at the top of
group of their friends at the top of their lungs possibly kind of sorted in
their lungs possibly kind of sorted in
their lungs possibly kind of sorted in unison maybe Anki maybe not you might
unison maybe Anki maybe not you might
unison maybe Anki maybe not you might have been enumerated I don’t know not
have been enumerated I don’t know not
have been enumerated I don’t know not judging alright hands down second
judging alright hands down second
judging alright hands down second question how many guys here while you’re
question how many guys here while you’re
question how many guys here while you’re commuting back and forth to work maybe
commuting back and forth to work maybe
commuting back and forth to work maybe buying it while you’re in traffic you
buying it while you’re in traffic you
buying it while you’re in traffic you listen to some of your favorite albums
listen to some of your favorite albums
listen to some of your favorite albums to help make the time easier anybody
to help make the time easier anybody
to help make the time easier anybody nice okay keep your hands up if you’re
nice okay keep your hands up if you’re
nice okay keep your hands up if you’re one of those people who like dance in
one of those people who like dance in
one of those people who like dance in the cars if nobody’s watching I love
the cars if nobody’s watching I love
the cars if nobody’s watching I love y’all y’all like my form of
y’all y’all like my form of
y’all y’all like my form of entertainment when I ride faster lastly
entertainment when I ride faster lastly
entertainment when I ride faster lastly how many you guys here have ever played
how many you guys here have ever played
how many you guys here have ever played a sad sad love song
a sad sad love song
a sad sad love song you were heartbroken that’s part we also
you were heartbroken that’s part we also
you were heartbroken that’s part we also say uh you ministered it’s okay but see
say uh you ministered it’s okay but see
say uh you ministered it’s okay but see music is imaginative its creative it’s a
music is imaginative its creative it’s a
music is imaginative its creative it’s a powerful tool that enhances our
powerful tool that enhances our
powerful tool that enhances our emotional states see it’s so powerful
emotional states see it’s so powerful
emotional states see it’s so powerful that they can turn every day a brush or
that they can turn every day a brush or
that they can turn every day a brush or comb into a microphone matter of fact
comb into a microphone matter of fact
comb into a microphone matter of fact it’s such a powerful tool that if you
it’s such a powerful tool that if you
it’s such a powerful tool that if you play the right song at the right time it
play the right song at the right time it
play the right song at the right time it can make a whole room filled with
can make a whole room filled with
can make a whole room filled with strangers feel like a reunion between
strangers feel like a reunion between
strangers feel like a reunion between the best of friends like for instance if
the best of friends like for instance if
the best of friends like for instance if I turn around and saying just a small
I turn around and saying just a small
I turn around and saying just a small town girl living in a oh she took the
town girl living in a oh she took the
town girl living in a oh she took the midnight train going look at y’all oh my
midnight train going look at y’all oh my
midnight train going look at y’all oh my god the TED talk is done thank you okay
god the TED talk is done thank you okay
god the TED talk is done thank you okay but it can create this community this
but it can create this community this
but it can create this community this sister togetherness right I often felt
sister togetherness right I often felt
sister togetherness right I often felt like music was the closest thing that I
like music was the closest thing that I
like music was the closest thing that I had to playing God because with it you
had to playing God because with it you
had to playing God because with it you can change where a person thinks where a
can change where a person thinks where a
can change where a person thinks where a person acts and most importantly the way
person acts and most importantly the way
person acts and most importantly the way a person feels all in an instant
a person feels all in an instant
a person feels all in an instant I believe if we use this tool properly
I believe if we use this tool properly
I believe if we use this tool properly not only can we entertain but we can
not only can we entertain but we can
not only can we entertain but we can change people’s lives we can heal we can
change people’s lives we can heal we can
change people’s lives we can heal we can connect as well as possibly potentially
connect as well as possibly potentially
connect as well as possibly potentially save lives one of my favorite singers in
save lives one of my favorite singers in
save lives one of my favorite singers in the world Michael Jackson once said let
the world Michael Jackson once said let
the world Michael Jackson once said let the madness and the music get to you
the madness and the music get to you
the madness and the music get to you life ain’t so bad at all see I first
life ain’t so bad at all see I first
life ain’t so bad at all see I first learned how powerful music could be when
learned how powerful music could be when
learned how powerful music could be when I was about 17 18 years old at a concert
I was about 17 18 years old at a concert
I was about 17 18 years old at a concert not in the way you would think I just
not in the way you would think I just
not in the way you would think I just got two tickets to an R&B slow jam
got two tickets to an R&B slow jam
got two tickets to an R&B slow jam concert right and I plan on taking this
concert right and I plan on taking this
concert right and I plan on taking this girl I had a thing for right right
girl I had a thing for right right
girl I had a thing for right right before I went to go pick up she called
before I went to go pick up she called
before I went to go pick up she called me she told me she cancelled that was
me she told me she cancelled that was
me she told me she cancelled that was probably also say uh say you’re too late
probably also say uh say you’re too late
probably also say uh say you’re too late did you missed it you missed it
did you missed it you missed it
did you missed it you missed it but she canceled on me so I did what any
but she canceled on me so I did what any
but she canceled on me so I did what any young single kind of handsome depend on
young single kind of handsome depend on
young single kind of handsome depend on the angle that you look at him type of
the angle that you look at him type of
the angle that you look at him type of guy would do and I call I scroll through
guy would do and I call I scroll through
guy would do and I call I scroll through the numbers and names that I had tried
the numbers and names that I had tried
the numbers and names that I had tried to find a replacement I seen on these
to find a replacement I seen on these
to find a replacement I seen on these issues and quiches and leases and found
issues and quiches and leases and found
issues and quiches and leases and found out the Essure Keisha and Lisa didn’t
out the Essure Keisha and Lisa didn’t
out the Essure Keisha and Lisa didn’t want anything to do with me and so I did
want anything to do with me and so I did
want anything to do with me and so I did the next best thing actually wasn’t even
the next best thing actually wasn’t even
the next best thing actually wasn’t even the next best thing
the next best thing
the next best thing actually I just asked my dad if he’ll go
actually I just asked my dad if he’ll go
actually I just asked my dad if he’ll go with me I don’t know if anybody has ever
with me I don’t know if anybody has ever
with me I don’t know if anybody has ever been to an R&B slow jam concert with
been to an R&B slow jam concert with
been to an R&B slow jam concert with your dad but I will tell you firsthand
your dad but I will tell you firsthand
your dad but I will tell you firsthand it’s awkward okay
it’s awkward okay
it’s awkward okay extremely awkward but it ended up being
extremely awkward but it ended up being
extremely awkward but it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life
one of the best experiences of my life
one of the best experiences of my life because up until that point my dad was
because up until that point my dad was
because up until that point my dad was just my dad he was a army guy
just my dad he was a army guy
just my dad he was a army guy it’s very strict very stoic he always
it’s very strict very stoic he always
it’s very strict very stoic he always noticed every little thing I did wrong
noticed every little thing I did wrong
noticed every little thing I did wrong very seldom did he praise what I did
very seldom did he praise what I did
very seldom did he praise what I did right because I was supposed to do right
right because I was supposed to do right
right because I was supposed to do right because it is right but at the concert
because it is right but at the concert
because it is right but at the concert my dad became human we got she got a
my dad became human we got she got a
my dad became human we got she got a chance to talk like I learned stuff
chance to talk like I learned stuff
chance to talk like I learned stuff about my dad that I never knew like he
about my dad that I never knew like he
about my dad that I never knew like he knew all the words to the theme song of
knew all the words to the theme song of
knew all the words to the theme song of Fresh Prince of bel-air and that he
Fresh Prince of bel-air and that he
Fresh Prince of bel-air and that he actually had great advice when it came
actually had great advice when it came
actually had great advice when it came to relationships like what would he know
to relationships like what would he know
to relationships like what would he know he’s married right you know what he knew
he’s married right you know what he knew
he’s married right you know what he knew everything but then also one thing that
everything but then also one thing that
everything but then also one thing that crazy happened right
crazy happened right
crazy happened right I accidentally cursed in front of my dad
I accidentally cursed in front of my dad
I accidentally cursed in front of my dad I was like oh my god no now as if it’s
I was like oh my god no now as if it’s
I was like oh my god no now as if it’s not embarrassing enough that I’m at the
not embarrassing enough that I’m at the
not embarrassing enough that I’m at the concert with my dad my dad’s gonna pull
concert with my dad my dad’s gonna pull
concert with my dad my dad’s gonna pull up his belt and whoop me in front all
up his belt and whoop me in front all
up his belt and whoop me in front all these people
these people
these people but actually he didn’t say anything I
but actually he didn’t say anything I
but actually he didn’t say anything I was surprised see the music created this
was surprised see the music created this
was surprised see the music created this environment that allowed us to remove
environment that allowed us to remove
environment that allowed us to remove the pressures of being the perfect child
the pressures of being the perfect child
the pressures of being the perfect child and the perfect parent and allowed us to
and the perfect parent and allowed us to
and the perfect parent and allowed us to be ourselves something unique happened
be ourselves something unique happened
be ourselves something unique happened where my dad was able to look at the
where my dad was able to look at the
where my dad was able to look at the music that I was listening to and relate
music that I was listening to and relate
music that I was listening to and relate to where I was in life he was able to
to where I was in life he was able to
to where I was in life he was able to draw this connection and then I was able
draw this connection and then I was able
draw this connection and then I was able to in turn turn around and see all the
to in turn turn around and see all the
to in turn turn around and see all the sacrifices that he made for me and I
sacrifices that he made for me and I
sacrifices that he made for me and I seen that he genuinely loved me see
seen that he genuinely loved me see
seen that he genuinely loved me see music has this way of being this
music has this way of being this
music has this way of being this generational bridge and when it came
generational bridge and when it came
generational bridge and when it came together it created this bond now when
together it created this bond now when
together it created this bond now when making these bonds especially as parents
making these bonds especially as parents
making these bonds especially as parents with children there’s one key thing that
with children there’s one key thing that
with children there’s one key thing that we need to keep in mind of not to do do
we need to keep in mind of not to do do
we need to keep in mind of not to do do not pass judgment say with me not pass
not pass judgment say with me not pass
not pass judgment say with me not pass judgment give people the space to like
judgment give people the space to like
judgment give people the space to like what they like to make what they make to
what they like to make what they make to
what they like to make what they make to voice their opinions even if you don’t
voice their opinions even if you don’t
voice their opinions even if you don’t understand it even if you don’t agree
understand it even if you don’t agree
understand it even if you don’t agree with it see the goal is not to judge or
with it see the goal is not to judge or
with it see the goal is not to judge or to correct
to correct
to correct initially the goal is to empathize to
initially the goal is to empathize to
initially the goal is to empathize to create this understanding once someone
create this understanding once someone
create this understanding once someone sees that you can be trusted with
sees that you can be trusted with
sees that you can be trusted with something that they hold valuable
something that they hold valuable
something that they hold valuable they’ll be more willing to let go and to
they’ll be more willing to let go and to
they’ll be more willing to let go and to engage with things that they are more so
engage with things that they are more so
engage with things that they are more so like guarding deeper issues another
like guarding deeper issues another
like guarding deeper issues another thing that I always used to love one of
thing that I always used to love one of
thing that I always used to love one of my favorite songwriters man this guy
my favorite songwriters man this guy
my favorite songwriters man this guy could describe the world better than
could describe the world better than
could describe the world better than most people who could see Stevie Wonder
most people who could see Stevie Wonder
most people who could see Stevie Wonder he said music at its essence is what
he said music at its essence is what
he said music at its essence is what gives us memories the longer song has
gives us memories the longer song has
gives us memories the longer song has existed in our lives the more memories
existed in our lives the more memories
existed in our lives the more memories we have of it as a songwriter I started
we have of it as a songwriter I started
we have of it as a songwriter I started to learn firsthand how powerful music
to learn firsthand how powerful music
to learn firsthand how powerful music could be see there’s something freeing
could be see there’s something freeing
could be see there’s something freeing about being able to write your
about being able to write your
about being able to write your experiences down whether happy or sad or
experiences down whether happy or sad or
experiences down whether happy or sad or in between so you were able to write
in between so you were able to write
in between so you were able to write down your thoughts and capture these
down your thoughts and capture these
down your thoughts and capture these memories and and these feelings while at
memories and and these feelings while at
memories and and these feelings while at the same time simultaneously processing
the same time simultaneously processing
the same time simultaneously processing them often felt like writing music was
them often felt like writing music was
them often felt like writing music was like the therapy that my parents could
like the therapy that my parents could
like the therapy that my parents could never afford
never afford
never afford there was something amazing that used to
there was something amazing that used to
there was something amazing that used to happen when I used to make music I used
happen when I used to make music I used
happen when I used to make music I used to turn around and release into the
to turn around and release into the
to turn around and release into the world and then it somehow someway would
world and then it somehow someway would
world and then it somehow someway would get to people who never seen me didn’t
get to people who never seen me didn’t
get to people who never seen me didn’t know me didn’t walk on my block but felt
know me didn’t walk on my block but felt
know me didn’t walk on my block but felt the exact same way I did and let me know
the exact same way I did and let me know
the exact same way I did and let me know I wasn’t alone see this therapeutic
I wasn’t alone see this therapeutic
I wasn’t alone see this therapeutic writings had started to turn into
writings had started to turn into
writings had started to turn into therapeutic listening and it created a
therapeutic listening and it created a
therapeutic listening and it created a symbiotic relationship where me as the
symbiotic relationship where me as the
symbiotic relationship where me as the artist at first I was writing to help
artist at first I was writing to help
artist at first I was writing to help myself but then I started releasing it
myself but then I started releasing it
myself but then I started releasing it and I started figuring out that wow this
and I started figuring out that wow this
and I started figuring out that wow this is helping other people but there was a
is helping other people but there was a
is helping other people but there was a third step because my music at first I
third step because my music at first I
third step because my music at first I felt like I’m validating their
felt like I’m validating their
felt like I’m validating their experiences but I found out in the
experiences but I found out in the
experiences but I found out in the process that they were actually
process that they were actually
process that they were actually validating my existence
speaking of existence when it comes to
speaking of existence when it comes to music sometimes you got to go through a
music sometimes you got to go through a
music sometimes you got to go through a process where you even question your
process where you even question your
process where you even question your existence another one of my favorite
existence another one of my favorite
existence another one of my favorite songwriters Donny Hathaway Chicago
songwriters Donny Hathaway Chicago
songwriters Donny Hathaway Chicago native as well he said for all we know
native as well he said for all we know
native as well he said for all we know we may never meet again before you go
we may never meet again before you go
we may never meet again before you go make this moment sweet again one of the
make this moment sweet again one of the
make this moment sweet again one of the worst experiences that I had in my life
worst experiences that I had in my life
worst experiences that I had in my life was in 2013 I was watching the news and
was in 2013 I was watching the news and
was in 2013 I was watching the news and then they announced something that’s
then they announced something that’s
then they announced something that’s something that we as people from Chicago
something that we as people from Chicago
something that we as people from Chicago hear unfortunately far too often there
hear unfortunately far too often there
hear unfortunately far too often there had been a shooting three people were
had been a shooting three people were
had been a shooting three people were shot and one person was killed they
shot and one person was killed they
shot and one person was killed they didn’t say who it was but I remember I
didn’t say who it was but I remember I
didn’t say who it was but I remember I got this distinct feeling in the pit of
got this distinct feeling in the pit of
got this distinct feeling in the pit of my stomach that something wasn’t right
my stomach that something wasn’t right
my stomach that something wasn’t right the next day I got a phone call from one
the next day I got a phone call from one
the next day I got a phone call from one of my friends and he said did you watch
of my friends and he said did you watch
of my friends and he said did you watch the news yesterday and he proceeded to
the news yesterday and he proceeded to
the news yesterday and he proceeded to tell me that a kid that we once taught
tell me that a kid that we once taught
tell me that a kid that we once taught as camp counselors was shot and was
as camp counselors was shot and was
as camp counselors was shot and was killed
at that moment I felt this is pain
at that moment I felt this is pain there’s pain that even while I was
there’s pain that even while I was
there’s pain that even while I was writing the speech I have a hard time
writing the speech I have a hard time
writing the speech I have a hard time describing and to this day I have a hard
describing and to this day I have a hard
describing and to this day I have a hard time accepting to know that he’s gone
time accepting to know that he’s gone
time accepting to know that he’s gone that I won’t get a chance to talk to him
that I won’t get a chance to talk to him
that I won’t get a chance to talk to him again as I found myself feeling this
again as I found myself feeling this
again as I found myself feeling this this feel a feeling of defeat feel like
this feel a feeling of defeat feel like
this feel a feeling of defeat feel like I had fought against this city that
I had fought against this city that
I had fought against this city that seems to snatch the lives of these
seems to snatch the lives of these
seems to snatch the lives of these little boys and girls taking their
little boys and girls taking their
little boys and girls taking their innocence and their lives without any
innocence and their lives without any
innocence and their lives without any signs of remorse I felt like I failed
signs of remorse I felt like I failed
signs of remorse I felt like I failed him as I found myself fighting
him as I found myself fighting
him as I found myself fighting depression one of the things that seemed
depression one of the things that seemed
depression one of the things that seemed to help me the most was like listening
to help me the most was like listening
to help me the most was like listening to songs listening songs like Stevie
to songs listening songs like Stevie
to songs listening songs like Stevie Wonder’s I never dreamed you leaving
Wonder’s I never dreamed you leaving
Wonder’s I never dreamed you leaving some songs that seemed like they
some songs that seemed like they
some songs that seemed like they described what I was going through
described what I was going through
described what I was going through better than I ever could songs that
better than I ever could songs that
better than I ever could songs that allowed me to be vulnerable songs that
allowed me to be vulnerable songs that
allowed me to be vulnerable songs that allowed me to get out these feelings
allowed me to get out these feelings
allowed me to get out these feelings that I was internalizing it also
that I was internalizing it also
that I was internalizing it also reminded me of the good times it made me
reminded me of the good times it made me
reminded me of the good times it made me think about the last time I used to talk
think about the last time I used to talk
think about the last time I used to talk to him when he would ask me to rap while
to him when he would ask me to rap while
to him when he would ask me to rap while we were supposed to be doing other
we were supposed to be doing other
we were supposed to be doing other activities but to see the joy the joy on
activities but to see the joy the joy on
activities but to see the joy the joy on his face
his face
his face the happiness like music allowed him to
the happiness like music allowed him to
the happiness like music allowed him to escape his reality if only for a moment
escape his reality if only for a moment
escape his reality if only for a moment it allowed him to be the kid that the
it allowed him to be the kid that the
it allowed him to be the kid that the streets didn’t allow him to be I often
streets didn’t allow him to be I often
streets didn’t allow him to be I often think what his life would have been like
think what his life would have been like
think what his life would have been like had somebody gave him an outlet well if
had somebody gave him an outlet well if
had somebody gave him an outlet well if somebody would have gave him a
somebody would have gave him a
somebody would have gave him a microphone instead of a gun sorry song
microphone instead of a gun sorry song
microphone instead of a gun sorry song started echoing back in my head and one
started echoing back in my head and one
started echoing back in my head and one in particular was uh ironic by aligning
in particular was uh ironic by aligning
in particular was uh ironic by aligning one set and in it she said life has a
one set and in it she said life has a
one set and in it she said life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
funny way of sneaking up on you
funny way of sneaking up on you life has a funny funny way of helping
life has a funny funny way of helping
life has a funny funny way of helping you out
you out
you out I used that experience of loss as well
I used that experience of loss as well
I used that experience of loss as well as the things that I’ve been learning
as the things that I’ve been learning
as the things that I’ve been learning about music and I use it as a call to
about music and I use it as a call to
about music and I use it as a call to action
action
action last year in 2016 we created a free you
last year in 2016 we created a free you
last year in 2016 we created a free you studio called Haven studios Haven
studio called Haven studios Haven
studio called Haven studios Haven Studios is a partnership with guitars
Studios is a partnership with guitars
Studios is a partnership with guitars over guns and the Mount Pisgah
over guns and the Mount Pisgah
over guns and the Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church
Missionary Baptist Church
Missionary Baptist Church we built the studio in the basement of
we built the studio in the basement of
we built the studio in the basement of the church and we gave the kids a place
the church and we gave the kids a place
the church and we gave the kids a place to be Monday through Friday 10:00 until
to be Monday through Friday 10:00 until
to be Monday through Friday 10:00 until 6:00 I say six loosely because nobody
6:00 I say six loosely because nobody
6:00 I say six loosely because nobody ever leaves at six but the kids and the
ever leaves at six but the kids and the
ever leaves at six but the kids and the teenagers and young adults are able to
teenagers and young adults are able to
teenagers and young adults are able to come in and make the music that they
come in and make the music that they
come in and make the music that they want to make this freedom has led us to
want to make this freedom has led us to
want to make this freedom has led us to discussing deeper issues issues such as
discussing deeper issues issues such as
discussing deeper issues issues such as addiction gun violence depression
addiction gun violence depression
addiction gun violence depression suicide and even molestation the kids
suicide and even molestation the kids
suicide and even molestation the kids from recording around each other were
from recording around each other were
from recording around each other were able to see that they weren’t the only
able to see that they weren’t the only
able to see that they weren’t the only persons only people going through that
persons only people going through that
persons only people going through that it helps to create this community this
it helps to create this community this
it helps to create this community this sense of camaraderie to know that you
sense of camaraderie to know that you
sense of camaraderie to know that you had a safe space where you could vent
had a safe space where you could vent
had a safe space where you could vent both socially and creatively like we had
both socially and creatively like we had
both socially and creatively like we had so much success since we opened up our
so much success since we opened up our
so much success since we opened up our doors we’ve been on all these different
doors we’ve been on all these different
doors we’ve been on all these different outlets but one of the things I’m most
outlets but one of the things I’m most
outlets but one of the things I’m most proud of is saying that we were able to
proud of is saying that we were able to
proud of is saying that we were able to rectify relationships with kids and
rectify relationships with kids and
rectify relationships with kids and their families we’re able to improve
their families we’re able to improve
their families we’re able to improve attendance at school and even one of the
attendance at school and even one of the
attendance at school and even one of the greatest things that I’ve said I found
greatest things that I’ve said I found
greatest things that I’ve said I found was where we stop kids who used to sell
was where we stop kids who used to sell
was where we stop kids who used to sell drugs and rob people and help them find
drugs and rob people and help them find
drugs and rob people and help them find positive alternatives they came a moment
positive alternatives they came a moment
positive alternatives they came a moment when I felt like at least I thought that
when I felt like at least I thought that
when I felt like at least I thought that history was going to repeat itself two
history was going to repeat itself two
history was going to repeat itself two teens had issues with each other and I’m
teens had issues with each other and I’m
teens had issues with each other and I’m saying issues so deep that one of them
saying issues so deep that one of them
saying issues so deep that one of them wanted to kill the other and had the
wanted to kill the other and had the
wanted to kill the other and had the capabilities to do so they had just lost
capabilities to do so they had just lost
capabilities to do so they had just lost a friend of this to gun violence and one
a friend of this to gun violence and one
a friend of this to gun violence and one of them wanted to retaliate
of them wanted to retaliate
of them wanted to retaliate but the other one was tired of this
but the other one was tired of this
but the other one was tired of this never-ending cycle of violence their
never-ending cycle of violence their
never-ending cycle of violence their anger and their frustration led them to
anger and their frustration led them to
anger and their frustration led them to fight each other me knowing that what it
fight each other me knowing that what it
fight each other me knowing that what it feels like to lose a student as well as
feels like to lose a student as well as
feels like to lose a student as well as their history with guns I knew that time
their history with guns I knew that time
their history with guns I knew that time was of the essence luckily for me the
was of the essence luckily for me the
was of the essence luckily for me the students came in the very next day to
students came in the very next day to
students came in the very next day to the studio they walked in one of them
the studio they walked in one of them
the studio they walked in one of them seen the other and he said looked at me
seen the other and he said looked at me
seen the other and he said looked at me he said – out of respect for you I’m
he said – out of respect for you I’m
he said – out of respect for you I’m going to leave but when I see him again
going to leave but when I see him again
going to leave but when I see him again it’s a wrap I immediately told everybody
it’s a wrap I immediately told everybody
it’s a wrap I immediately told everybody else to leave the studio and I set the
else to leave the studio and I set the
else to leave the studio and I set the two down away from the naysayers and and
two down away from the naysayers and and
two down away from the naysayers and and the people who could interrupt and I let
the people who could interrupt and I let
the people who could interrupt and I let them have this conversation this very
them have this conversation this very
them have this conversation this very intense conversation but this
intense conversation but this
intense conversation but this conversation mirrored the music making
conversation mirrored the music making
conversation mirrored the music making process where the kids were able to be
process where the kids were able to be
process where the kids were able to be honest with each other
honest with each other
honest with each other they were able to be vulnerable they
they were able to be vulnerable they
they were able to be vulnerable they able to say the things that somebody
able to say the things that somebody
able to say the things that somebody else may not agree with they said things
else may not agree with they said things
else may not agree with they said things that I know I didn’t even agree with but
that I know I didn’t even agree with but
that I know I didn’t even agree with but they were able to get a better
they were able to get a better
they were able to get a better understanding about each other from
understanding about each other from
understanding about each other from listening with the intent of listening
listening with the intent of listening
listening with the intent of listening they got closer because of the
they got closer because of the
they got closer because of the experience I’m proud to say to this day
experience I’m proud to say to this day
experience I’m proud to say to this day these kids now are like the best of
these kids now are like the best of
these kids now are like the best of friends they record with each other they
friends they record with each other they
friends they record with each other they collaborate with each other they play
collaborate with each other they play
collaborate with each other they play video games with each other all day but
video games with each other all day but
video games with each other all day but they came so far had it not been for the
they came so far had it not been for the
they came so far had it not been for the fact that they had this mutual
fact that they had this mutual
fact that they had this mutual appreciation for music
appreciation for music
appreciation for music they wouldn’t have considered the studio
they wouldn’t have considered the studio
they wouldn’t have considered the studio to be this sacred ground
to be this sacred ground
to be this sacred ground they wouldn’t have been willing to have
they wouldn’t have been willing to have
they wouldn’t have been willing to have this conversation in this place had it
this conversation in this place had it
this conversation in this place had it been on the street it might have ended
been on the street it might have ended
been on the street it might have ended tragically see music can be one of the
tragically see music can be one of the
tragically see music can be one of the greatest foundations that we can build
greatest foundations that we can build
greatest foundations that we can build relationships on it has the ability to
relationships on it has the ability to
relationships on it has the ability to make a person feel confident special
make a person feel confident special
make a person feel confident special unique loved cherished if you do so much
unique loved cherished if you do so much
unique loved cherished if you do so much with music when we actually apply it as
with music when we actually apply it as
with music when we actually apply it as something bigger than just entertainment
something bigger than just entertainment
something bigger than just entertainment because music is not just entertainment
because music is not just entertainment
because music is not just entertainment it’s a form of communication if we can
it’s a form of communication if we can
it’s a form of communication if we can get thousands of people to come to a
get thousands of people to come to a
get thousands of people to come to a concert or to a TED talk to sing journey
concert or to a TED talk to sing journey
concert or to a TED talk to sing journey all in unison imagine what we could do
all in unison imagine what we could do
all in unison imagine what we could do when we use it as a tool for change
when we use it as a tool for change
when we use it as a tool for change thank you he’s loved
thank you he’s loved
thank you he’s loved [Applause]
”
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