dead prez

dead prez

The combination of stic.man and M-1 led to the creation of dead prez, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. The two men rap about current issues in society, protesting the misuse of corporate control over the media in their song "Propaganda". Since 1996, dead prez has gained support from listeners through their abnormal performance techniques, involving the burning of dollar bills. 

 

A common belief conveyed by dead prez is the anti-censorship mindset followed by stic.man and M-1.

"They Schools" protests the education system, claiming that the government is controlling and censoring the material taught in the schools. In the opening lines, dead prez states 

"Man that school shit is a joke

The same people who control the school system control

The prison system, and the whole social system

Ever since slavery, naw I'm saying?" 

telling the people not to trust the education system because it is controlled by the government who also controls the prisons. Stic.man attacks the education system in the first verse when he states, "I went to school with some redneck crackers" and "I took a history class serious Front row, every day of the week, 3rd period". In these lines, stic.man argues that the low academic achievement levels of poor African-American students are not related to lack of motivation, as stic.man expressed interest in his studies. In the second verse, M-1 discusses that although many students do no graduate from high school because of the high standards, the drop outs can still work to create themselves into respected intellectuals. 

You either get paid or locked up, the principal is like a warden
In a four year sentence, mad niggas never finish
But that doesn't mean I couldn't be a doctor or a dentist

 Additionally, M-1 discusses the role of education in a person's life. M-1 states, "School is like a 12 step brainwash camp. They make you think if you drop out you ain't got a chance", claiming that the government is manipulating students who succeed in school in preparation for their entrance into the workforce. According to dead prez, those students who do not graduate or cannot make it through grades K-12 are established as failures by the government and the rest of society. However, the people who did not graduate or dropped out are not failures but are believed to be, because of the failing education system controlled by the government.

Fed Up

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus takes a different approach to protesting domestic violence by creating the song "Face Down". The messaged conveyed through the song comes from the perspective of a friend or outsider not involved in the abusive relationship. In the opening verse, the line refers to the outsider or friend speaking to the girl, questioning why she stays with this man if he continues to follow the pattern of abusing her then lying and promising her it would never happen again. 

Hey girl, you know, you drive me crazy
One look puts the rhythm in my hand
Still I'll never understand why you hang around
I see what's goin' down

 

Additional to the song, the music video portrays the reality of domestic violence. The song shows a woman with all of her surroundings falling apart and breaking. As her life begins to crash from the abuse, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus's repeating chorus suggests that the woman will leave this man and overcome the abusive relationship

Do you feel like a man, when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well, I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found

 

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus wants listeners to bring their attention to this issue. Furthermore, the song addresses those victim to domestic violence, asking them to seek help if necessary. The problem with domestic violence is that those suffering from them continue to take the abuse and don't leave or get help.

 

The verse below addresses the abuser in the abusive relationship, stating "Every action in this world will bear a consequence." Because the man in this relationship has abused the woman, he will have to suffer by losing her when she breaks up with him and leaves.

 

A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect
Every action in this world will bear a consequence
If you wade around forever you will surely drown
I see what's going down