Audio: Mikkey Halstead x Lupe Fiasco "Gone"

It's been sort of a minute since Mikkey Halsted had been much more than a name on a compilation round these blog-parts but the Chicago MC is almost certain to grab hold of the public consciousness with this thought-provoking song "Gone." Not only is it a collaboration with everywhere-man Lupe Fiasco but it tackles the most timely of issues in a unique and eye-opening way. Putting the tragic death of Trayvon Martin in the light of the grim life expectancies for urban black youth across the board--and particularly the recent upswing of gun violence in the duo's hometown of Chicago, which has apparently claimed two lives in Halsted's family alone--he forces us to realize our anger is not just at Zimmerman and the so-called "Stand Your Ground" law but the gun laws and the general abandonment of the inner city. In case you think I'm just reading too far into it, here's what Halsted himself had to say:

In light of “37 SHOOTINGS, 46 VICTIMS & 9 MURDERS” during Chicago’s first ‘warm’ weekend, the Trayvon travesty, 6-year old Aliyah Shell, and in honor of my cousins Ismail & Malik that were gunned down last summer…I felt as though this was the time to drop this song. Shouts to Lupe for helping me paint a vivid picture of what goes on everyday in Chicago and every other ghetto in America. Also, shouts to David ‘D.A.’ Doman & Jim LaVigne for providing us the perfect canvas to paint upon.

Special Dedication to Blair Holt and the hundreds of CPS students lost to senseless violence.

WE CAN NO LONGER WAIT FOR OTHERS, SEEMINGLY UNAFFECTED BY OUR ISSUES, TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS FOR US. SPEAK OUT AND SAY SOMETHING, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO SOMETHING.

And what can I really add to that, except: Listen or download below.

spotted at FSD