It’s powerful to see young Black men rise from struggle to success. That’s God.
I am 35 from East Palo Alto, California, with the ability to rhyme. Since being locked up, I really don’t have anyone supporting me, but I use poetry to express myself. People always say my brother is making money in the music industry and should put money on my books. I laugh and say that’s true, but it’s not his responsibility. He has kids of his own, and I’m just proud that one of us made it out of the streets, keeping his head on straight and being a real father to the next generation.
Ray Vaughn, my stepbrother, is signed to a major record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. He has the ability to change lives now. I guess you can say I’m a fan of my bro, because I know what it took for him to get where he is today. I remember paying for an app on my tablet and scrolling past the headlines when I saw my brother wearing a Top Dawg jacket. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It’s powerful to see young Black men rise from struggle to success. That’s God.
I thought it would be good to write a poem that honors my blood brother Nathaniel, who I lost, while also acknowledging my stepbrother Ray’s blossoming career. Ray has shown me a lot in the past about music, back when he recorded with Tariq Beats. Shout out to Ray Vaughn and Top Dawg Entertainment for showing what’s possible.
Poem: “Gotta Hold It Down”
Each and every day
From a small town in E.P.A.
Hella young on the block
Feeling like a stray
Lost in these streets with no love
Trying to make a way
My brother lost his life at an early age
Broke my mama’s heart so bad
That she moved away
It felt like they took the best thing I ever had
I looked up to my bro like he was my dad
It hurt so bad that I cried
Had me questioning God
Screaming at the sky
Had me feeling like God really hates me
My mom crying, saying, “Why’d they take my baby?”
He played sports and did what he had to do
With big dreams and a great attitude
But just know that we love you forever more
Sincerely yours, your little bro
RIP Nathaniel Walker
For those who want to hear more, please check out my song on YouTube: Shawty ft. K-Jewls by Key5 da Sav. I sing the hook and rap the second verse.
