In the recent MTV Video Music Awards, one of the most talked about performances was of the rapper named Logic. The rapper, who’s real name is Bobby Tarantino, performed a song that was entitled “1-800-273-8255”. It was named after a real suicide prevention hotline. In the song, Logic talks about his own struggles with depression and his own thoughts of taking his own life. His performance went viral and prompted a 50 percent increase in calls to the official suicide prevention hotlines.
Logic performed the song with the number displayed on the screen above the stage. He was also accompanied by suicide attempt survivors to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. The hotline is not only for people who are contemplating suicide, but it is also for friends and family members who don’t know what to do in situations where they are dealing with loved ones who have suicidal tendencies.
“It’s not just about the calls,” said John Draper, director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline “It’s about increasing awareness about suicide, and suicide prevention in particular. The calls don’t even begin to count the number of people who, just by listening to the song and hearing the lyrics, feel more hopeful and less alone.”
“When I jumped on a tour bus that started in Los Angeles, California and I ended in New York City and did a fan tour where I went to fan’s houses and shared meals with them, hung out with them, played them my album before it came out.” said Logic in an interview, Â “Them along with other people on tour, just fans that I met randomly, they’ve said things like, ‘Your music has saved my life. You’ve saved my life.’ And I was always like, ‘Aw so nice of you. Thanks.’ And then it hit me, the power that I have as an artist with a voice. I wasn’t even trying to save your life. Now what can happen if I actually did?”