Echoes of the Past: Honouring the Lost in a World That Disses the Dead.

August 13th, 2002, I spent the day “hanging on the block” (yeah, that was a thing) until I got into an unnecessary altercation that led to a young man losing his life that evening.

It’s now 2024, twenty-two years later, and I've had to overcome a whole bunch of ordeals. Unlike in years past, I now spend my time wisely. I chose to spend today with my children, doing nothing but being present. I also did a little gardening and exercise. We ended the evening watching my oldest son play baseball. I am grateful for the chance I was given.

Not often, but I think about that young man who lost his life twenty-two years ago. If he had survived the altercation, what would his life be like? Would he have his own family by now? Just as importantly, I think about his family and how much was taken from them when he transitioned.

I suffer from “survivor’s guilt.” I often wonder why my life was spared that night (I could have easily been the one who “died” twenty-two years ago). If you listen to what they call “drill music,” you’ll find rappers who, for some reason, think it’s okay to “diss the dead.” In my particular case, I did not know who the young man from the incident was, which made the altercation rare because, in most cases where people die as a result of a violent act, there’s usually a history between the two. But when these rappers have a history of back-and-forth between the two parties, I can see how it may be hard not to gloat when they happen to get the upper hand on their opposition. Especially in the social media age, once it’s out there on the internet, there’s no taking it back.

But with all that being said, dissing the dead, no matter the history between you two, needs to stop. Doing such things will only expedite your ending; no good karma will flourish from this. I personally believe every accomplishment I make is partly in honor of that young man who is no longer here in the physical. Salute to all the people that sacrificed for me/us to see today. I hope I am making your sacrifice worthwhile. This is dedicated to all the ones we lost in the field.

Rappers Known for "Dissing the Dead":

1. King Von

2. FBG Duck

3. Tadoe

4. Wooski

5. 6ix9ine

6. Lil Durk

7. Yungeen Ace