“The Bigger Picture”

The song “The Bigger Picture” by hip hop artist Lil Baby, depicts the reality of the society that we all live in today. The song was released on June 12, 2020, which was in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. This was a powerful move by Lil Baby because didn’t only rap about the tragedy but he also encouraged the younger generation to get out and vote during election season and make their voices heard whether it was through social media or even protesting in the streets. This really made me want to go out there with a couple of my friends and protest for a change. The way Lil Baby used his platform was incredible and greatly appreciated by many. In the music video, there was no jewelry being worn or money being flashed by Lil Baby. It was just him alongside many other protestors in the streets of Atlanta marching for change. The solidarity Baby shows with the 2020 Black Lives Matter protest calling for justice against police brutality in the United States and systemic racism says a lot about him as an artist. Many celebrities will say that they are all for the movement but in hiding, will not act at all. Lil Baby knew that others had problems with getting their voices heard across the country and he stepped in to help with exactly that. I was not only impressed with Lil Baby, but I was inspired as well. This song gave me hope that I can make a change in my community and I can also bring my peers with me. The lyrics from the song “The Bigger Picture” details why we all need to look at the bigger picture. In the beginning he started off by saying “I find it crazy the police will shoot you and know that you dead but will still tell you to freeze”. This line really stood out to me because it’s the reality that we are currently living in and it feels like we will never be able to get out of it. There are countless cases across the United States about police killing unarmed people, particularly African Americans. There are too many mothers grieving because their son or daughter’s life was taken at the hands of a police officer. Another line that stood out to me was when Baby said “It’s bigger than black and white, it’s a problem with the whole way of life, it can’t change overnight, but we gotta start somewhere. This line speaks volumes and is what “The Bigger Picture” is all about. This issue of police brutality and systemic racism can’t be changed overnight but, it has to be something that we all must come together as a country. I personally believe that we must dismantle the system of this country and start a new one from the ground up if we REALLY want that change. If this change is going to happen, we must acknowledge that there actually is a problem and that others are suffering because of it.