Protest song.

   For this Assignment we were asked to pick a song and write about. We were asked to do research and explain the meaning behind the song.

     Kortney McClure 

Mrs.Nall 

1311 English Comp 

6 November 2022 

Protest song: “The Bigger Picture by Lil Baby” 

There are many protests that have taken place throughout the years. Many artists spoke about those protests through music. What better way to reach somebody's mind than through a song to play on the radio? However, in the recent years,the problems have not come to light or been talked about. up until the 2020 death of George Floyd. This death made an impact on the millennials and opened many minds.  

The artist Lil Baby created a song to reach young minds speaking on this situation. However, he was not just talking about the tragic George Floyd incident. Lil Baby was talking about “The Bigger Picture” as the name of his song implies. According to Lil Baby in his interview, he “spoke through his art” (“Lil Baby on making ‘The Bigger Picture’”). Lil Baby also stated the song was “not just about George Floyd.” What is the bigger picture, you may ask? In the song there are many lyrics that tell you exactly what Lil Baby is talking about. “They know we have a problem together; they know we can storm any weather. It is bigger than black and white, it is a problem with the whole way of life", (“Lil Baby on making ‘The Bigger Picture’”). Lil Baby said honestly in his song. The message behind this song is deeper than the words you read on the screen. We all can form different meanings from these lyrics, but the message personally received from it was, there are issues that we must face together if we want to make change. We must end racism and come together if we want to make a change in America. Assuming they mean the problem with society, it is time for us to unite.  

Another lyric Lil Baby sung was “seem[s] like we are losing our country.” (“Lil Baby on making ‘The Bigger Picture’”). If you look at events that took place all the way to this year, Lil Baby may have been right. Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, we have faced problem after problem with formula shortages, war and now looking at a diesel shortage. As Americans, we must change something. Our country is falling apart. That is the point Lil baby was trying to get across in his song. This is the “bigger picture.” If, in society, we are against each other we can never make a change to other issues in our country. Racism is a huge issue in the United States, however, to fix society we must work together as a team putting an end to racism. Working together, not only can we trump the issue of racism, but we can also fix other problems that need change to better us as a country. Our generation has the power to change racism, and plenty of other issues for generations ahead. We stand strong together, as Americans. There are so many issues with the government and the power they have, along with police brutality. This needs to be changed. Although, things have calmed down since then. The movement and protests shouldn’t have stopped until there was change. We as Americans have the right to want to better our country. To change the way of life. To end the brutality of police, to live freely without fear. 

Lastly, the reason this song was inspired, police brutality. As people, we are supposed to be able to trust the people hired to protect our country. George Floyd was one of many that the system failed. A badge is handed to people with little training. The only thing you need to become a police officer is a GED. They put you through the police academy of course. You see plently of other jobs as well. Nursing, you need college. Teaching you also need college. These jobs are especially important because they affect life. Being a teacher may not seem important, but as a teacher you have a responsibility to shape the minds of young people and lead them to success. As a nurse you deal with numerous things from cases of disease, death and even people who may be mentally ill. You never know what will walk through the hospital doors. The point being you should need a degree to be a police officer. The badge has effect, and it is particularly important for us as Americans to be able to trust the people who are supposed to protect us. 

Music is a wonderful way to reach young minds. Rap has taken over young minds, and Lil Baby has made a name for himself these past couple of years. This protest song is the most recent one, and everybody in this generation can relate to it. This speaks to our generation of tragic events that have taken place since the year 2020. Lil baby took an approach to speak on the unfair death of George Floyd and reached many young minds.