18. CyHi The Prynce - “Don’t Know Why (Feat. Jagged Edge)”

It makes sense, given the sort of artist and lyricist that CyHi is, that he would sample a forebear like Tupac. In fact, if one were to trace the evolutionary tree of Hip-Hop, I have little doubt that despite living upon separate coasts CyHi would be a direct descendant of Tupac’s. They both saw/see the world around them with unusual clarity. They were/are of the world they speak of, from it and within it, playing by its rules and suffering its consequences, and yet at the same time, transcending it, seeing through the traps, the hopelessness, and the blame. They gazed/gaze upon the strings pulling the puppets and the myriad of unseen forces blowing them about and were/are able to speak of them with force and conviction and display them in such a way that was/is simultaneously personal and universal.

Now before I move on, let me preface this by admitting my whiteness, and therefore my complete inability to relate to any of the endemic violence, pain, and resilience that runs through so many communities of color and that this song speaks of in depth. To even contemplate the sheer amount of generational trauma and the overwhelming sense of uncertainty and insecurity that exists is beyond me. I grew up in an unbelievably secure environment that was full of love and free of worry. I was given every opportunity to succeed and find acceptance within the dominant culture. In fact, I still have an overwhelming and unearned sense of security due to the support system of my family and the generational wealth that they have accrued and maintained over time. However, despite my inability to relate or understand, I know that trying to do so is necessary, and that is why I find Hip-Hop so necessary, and specific artists like CyHi so indispensable. They give us a glimpse into these communities and their unique sense of reality, and and in doing so force us white folks to actually listen for once, (hopefully) free of interference or appropriation.

This song is like a soulful dirge. It’s a powerful commemoration and excoriation of meaningless loss. The sheer amount of emotion is tangible, almost as if the pain of all of the open and repeatedly scarred wounds have finally been given a voice and are crying out into the abyss. It beautifully captures the sense of dissociation – the overwhelming and perpetually creeping sense of hopelessness that gives way to a pervasive cloud of confusion and uncertainty. However, while I recognize its perspective, and the distinction between an experienced sense of reality and a intellectual sense of reality, I feel the need to challenge the main refrain of this song. We do in fact know why, or at the very least can trace a series of pervasive and concrete systemic and historical trends, laws, and structures that cause and give way to this specific brand of reality and disenfranchisement.

Racism is real and it is endemic. It was enforced in the extremist sense of the word for close to 250 years and has only evolved and taken on new forms sense. It is enshrined in the constitution, in countless laws, and in a myriad of housing policies, but more than that, it hovers over society, intermingling with our collective subconscious, and it will remain so, so long as we refuse to acknowledge and dismantle it.