Ishmael Beah: Song Analysis

Although I have listened to this song a thousand times, this was the first time I really stopped to listen to the lyrics. Colicchie (real name Chas Smith) starts off the song saying “The pain is deep, i've been through hell… I'm here to be the voice for every friend i’ve ever lost.” (Smith). When hearing this I immediately thought of Ishmael Beah and how this line is probably similar to how he felt while writing A Long Way Gone. Colicchie goes on to talk about his struggle with cocaine and other drugs. I doubt Colicchie knows who Ishmael Beah is, but the things he was rapping about sounded so similar to how Ishmael describes his past. For example, Colicchie talks about not showering or changing his clothes for long periods of time, how his