I JUST WANT TO LIVE: A 12-YEAR-OLD’S VIRAL ANTHEM AGAINST RACISM

IN THIS (PANDEMIC) TIME is a Kurated series informed by COVID-19. Racism is as deadly as any virus.

“I JUST WANT TO LIVE. GOD PROTECT ME.”

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”
– Nina Simone / Musician and black activist

12-year-old Keedron Bryant’s short, powerful song, I Just Want To Live – composed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police – makes a poignant and telling cultural statement.

The passionate, 51-second lament sums up reality for black males in the United States – their lives are in danger. Always.

Bryant’s knowing performance displays a strong vocal gift, emotional insight and a peculiar awareness (if you’re white). How many 12-year-olds do you know who count surviving police harassment alive as a necessary part of their skillset?

Praise for the piece has come from former US President Barack Obama, plus a host of musicians and celebrities while generating a lot of media attention on the talented Bryant. 

The Lyrics

Here’s what Bryant sings:

I’m a young black man doing all that I can to stand 
Oh, but when I look around and I see what’s being done to my kind 
Everyday, I’m being hunted as prey 
My people don’t want no trouble We’ve had enough struggle 
I just wanna live
God protect me!

There are no wasted words in this sad and direct narrative.

PLAYLIST

Two versions follow the original. The first features a rap by will-i-am – founder of the Black Eyed Peas, songwriter, dj and producer.

The second features Bryant singing a new – and superior –  live version of his song starting at 3:30.

There are numerous other virtual collaborations on YouTube.

Kurated and Black History Month

For the past two years Kurated has marked February’s annual Black History Month by focusing exclusively on black musicians. Read this year’s lead column, and listen to two more playlists here.

Kurated is a music sharing project.
Stay tuned,

03 June 2020