Nas nearly always captures so many people in awe with his insightful music, but when "I can" came out, it was revolutionary in terms of positive influence for youth. The song focuses on the idea that anyone can achieve what they want as long as they work hard for it. He delves into the negative influences on children today, and makes it the entire goal of the song to urge kids to not fall for the lies and manipulations of reality. The chorus can best summarize the song: "I know I can... be what I wanna be... if I work hard at it... I'll be where I wanna be". Kids who strictly listen to hip-hop need this message more than anything because of the many negative, and somewhat cheap, concepts that songs usually convey.
This song makes me feel extremely proud of Nas, that he can make songs like this and still have such a powerful standing in hip-hop today. If we're being honest, positive messages are not exactly what hip-hop has been built on, which is a bit sad. The direction Nas takes in this song should be one that every artist needs to consider, for the future of the youth who absolutely need positive role models in their lives. The idea of success by working hard and never giving up that Nas is communicating is certainly respectable to say the least. In the music video, he is surrounded by many young kids who symbolize the future. Looking at the kids surrounding Nas in the video elicits so many emotions because while they are so young, it makes the viewer wonder where they will be when they are adults.
Especially at such a young age, kids need to feel that they have the ability to do whatever they want when they truly apply themselves. With this generation becoming evermore clung on partying, drugs, being lazy, and using "you only live once" as the scapegoat for their detour on the path to reach success, it is reassuring to know that there are kids who listen to Nas and really do hope for a more positive future that involves determination and hard work to secure a fantastic future.
No comments:
Post a Comment