Better Options

by RHYME and Lilian Rashkis P371K

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about

Throughout the course of 12 weeks, students from P371K and teaching artist from Thrive Collective / RHYME, learned about hip-hop songwriting, production and audio recording. Better Options is a song about anti-violence where students express healthy alternatives to violent acts. During our course, current events outside the school community mentioned gun violence amongst teens. In class, we made space to speak about it and created a song to highlight healthy alternatives. Using hip-hop as a way to create something meaningful stemming from uncertain circumstances the school now has the song Better Options.

Full Music Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vAqtMZvCw

lyrics

HOOK

Just because your triggered you don’t have to pull the trigger
Even when offended you don’t have to be offensive
Try to talk about it let it out don’t keep it pent in
Always better options than to keep it all kept in

VERSE

Peace over violence I don’t wanna hear no sirens
Put them guns away I just wanna hear silence
No need to Kumbaya let’s all stay away from violence
It’s easier to solve it than to make a bigger problem

Momma’s crying in my head there’s no denying
I’m sad and disappointed I’m like mom I’m really trying
the world is really cold and this cycle getting old
The evil creeping in too much violence in my soul

I’m tryna graduate I’m tryna stay up out the streets
my friends keep telling me yo that stuff is weak
Still working on myself finding outlets that I need
Planting every single seed so that I can be seen

I’m never sweating running this race and you can bet I’m coming with pace
On drum and the base yeah I ain’t playing around I’m never numb in this space
One is my place that makes me an ace I’m living it fine and sticking with faith
The violence subside I’m giving it grace not dealing with hate so take it away

HOOK

credits

released June 20, 2023
NY Thrive Director: Randy Mason
Leading Teaching Artist: Kevin “Advice” Toledo
Project Manager: Jason “Conquest” Roberts
Video Director: Eric Mason
In Partnership With: Lilian Rashkis High School

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about

R.H.Y.M.E New York, New York

Thrive Collective's Hip Hop music and mentoring program. Our objective is to encourage, empower and equip students with mic skills and life skills by teaching the art of rap and the transferable skills and principles embedded within the art, such as communication, collaboration, creativity, cognitive & critical thinking and self confidence, all of which are critical to developing great character. ... more