Steven Willis - How the Hood Loves You Back

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  • Опубліковано 1 сер 2017
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    Steven Willis, performing at Rustbelt 2017 in Minneapolis, MN.
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    About Button:
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    We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 284

  • @CrudusViscus
    @CrudusViscus 6 років тому +2881

    "The hood will love you enough to murder for you, but never enough to snitch."

    • @joshuawatts9996
      @joshuawatts9996 5 років тому +9

      Snaps up

    • @kyramckenzie7556
      @kyramckenzie7556 5 років тому +12

      WORD

    • @PoetryandVlogging
      @PoetryandVlogging 5 років тому +12

      Watch first 48" they snitch too" smh

    • @Jay-jb2vr
      @Jay-jb2vr 5 років тому +5

      They snitch all the time....

    • @Sisko526
      @Sisko526 4 роки тому +6

      ofc not snitching means the cops that are the reason the hood exists in the first place come and kill someone else off the hood

  • @blvkrxseofisrael5215
    @blvkrxseofisrael5215 6 років тому +1201

    “This is no longer Jefferson Avenue, but where Twig got shot.”
    I’m crying 😭

    • @MannyTwice
      @MannyTwice 5 років тому +20

      Man....that hit hard

  • @rheamarcia
    @rheamarcia 6 років тому +1770

    "Ain't it funny how death becomes fashionable" deep

    • @sameriakha9627
      @sameriakha9627 6 років тому

      Rhea Dehaney oh yeah....welcome to the 21th century

    • @marichanil99
      @marichanil99 5 років тому

      Rhea Dehaney awwz zx asaaz

    • @mwmann
      @mwmann 5 років тому

      Only to fools who reject Christ.

    • @dhare07
      @dhare07 4 роки тому +3

      @@mwmann because he ain't what you claim him to be. Why would we love the massa's son when he's the reason for the pain we're in? Lie upon lie upon lie he ain't even the color you say he is. That god ain't ours. He just wish he was. Like those in Israel calling themselves us and ain't been through an inkling of what we're still going through. Dealing with people like you, for example.

    • @marissaburdock6550
      @marissaburdock6550 4 роки тому +6

      @@mwmann that makes no sense think again

  • @justanotherisekaiprotagoni7293
    @justanotherisekaiprotagoni7293 4 роки тому +404

    “If the hood loves you she’ll write it in tombstone text”.....dam g

  • @admedina1993
    @admedina1993 6 років тому +341

    “No matter the politics all black boys are doomed to die by bullets but how can you complain? When the hood loves you” damn 😓

  • @divalizzous
    @divalizzous 6 років тому +623

    "The hood will love you enough to murder for you but never enough to snitch".... "I will do it again, b/c I miss my brother so much. But that don't mean that I agree with what they did. That just means I've learned not to judge a people by how they grieve. Learn not to judge the hood for how it loves you back." Deep shit. Real shit.

  • @geraldine3058
    @geraldine3058 6 років тому +152

    "I've learned not to judge people by how they grieve" was your most impacting line. For me.

  • @asseater0077
    @asseater0077 6 років тому +482

    This was so powerful. When he mentioned his brother I got so emotional you could see the pain in his eyes

  • @raisworld1833
    @raisworld1833 5 років тому +180

    when he said "cuz I miss my brother SO much" I felt it I broke down g

    • @dianaenamorado3526
      @dianaenamorado3526 4 роки тому +6

      My heart broke for him. I've seen how the media and people talk about riots. How people will say "black lives matter" but dont remember the person they talkin bout. How they say "he will forever be remembered" but by next week you already onto the next "victim." They use their names to get publicity but that person that was killed is still dead, they family is still greivin, and they tombstone is still polished.

    • @salp.5882
      @salp.5882 3 роки тому +2

      @@dianaenamorado3526 that makes it all the more that they are so many victims. I don't think it's solely publicity but all victims names to be heard when people say "Say his/her name"

  • @jeihaynes7077
    @jeihaynes7077 3 роки тому +76

    As soon as someone says “what about black on black crime,” I send them here. Truly powerful and encompasses everything I’m too clumsy to say

    • @ButtonPoetry
      @ButtonPoetry  3 роки тому +23

      Wow. Thank you Jeilyn. That is such a great approach to a very difficult and often problematic statement and way of thinking. Also a humbling thing to hear this poem has done for you.

  • @shantshair2583
    @shantshair2583 6 років тому +109

    "The hood will love you enough to murder for you, but never enough to snitch." had to repeat

  • @awaitingaugust1681
    @awaitingaugust1681 6 років тому +484

    Does anyone else hear someone in the audience 'gasp'/inhale loudy right after he says he says "'cuz I miss my brother so much.."?? It sounds like an audience member crying...

    • @leilanidababe8146
      @leilanidababe8146 5 років тому +36

      Shit even I'm fucking crying

    • @raine7814
      @raine7814 3 роки тому +10

      @@leilanidababe8146 same I got really emotional watching this.

    • @MichaelOrMikey-Games
      @MichaelOrMikey-Games 28 днів тому

      I mean that line makes me choke up. I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if my brothers were dead

  • @sagel6225
    @sagel6225 10 місяців тому +3

    I’m responsible for atleast 50,000 of the views on this video. I’ve been coming back to this video over the last 5 years every now and then. Feels like I’m hearing it for the first time every time.

  • @davidking8744
    @davidking8744 Рік тому +16

    I revisit this poem whenever greif waves over me harsher than before, on the world, on my personal life, everything. I want this poet to know his poetry has changed my life

  • @quack5034
    @quack5034 5 років тому +105

    "After the gravel has swallowed your portion of the 40" .

  • @mo-mo9421
    @mo-mo9421 6 років тому +79

    "The hood well love you enough to murder for you but never enough to snitch " so true !! Praying for my fellow brothers and sisters . ❤️

  • @MzAmberJ
    @MzAmberJ 7 років тому +94

    "Ain't it funny how death becomes fashionable." That part.

  • @madisonxiong2662
    @madisonxiong2662 4 роки тому +240

    Rough Transcript:
    I'm not saying that I agree with what they did
    Just saying I've learned not to judge a people for they grieve
    Learned not to judge the hood for how it loves you back
    Love from the hood:
    An honor only bestowed on those who show the hood the most unwavering of loyalties
    I'm talking street n*
    Most literally from cradle to grave
    Most literally from corner to coroner
    Most literally n* who hopped the block in their last moments gasping for air
    Right before yellow tape makes a spectacle of their bodies sprawled on cement
    If the hood loves you, she'll make a monument of this location
    They will bring teddie bears, well wishes, and heavy hearts
    This is now sacred ground, to be renamed as memorial and landmark
    This is no longer Jefferson Avenue
    But where Twig(?) got shot
    For the next six nights you will see candles light this space only
    Until the wind blows it silent
    Until the amber is blown in the direction of the summer's(?) next casualty
    If the hood loves you, she'll write it in tombstone text
    A boy's face and childhood nickname will be written in script across a double XL white tee
    Ain't it funny,
    How quickly death becomes fashionable?
    A testament,
    To how tragic memories don't fade, even in a washing machine
    You can expect your cultures of kin to tattoo your name in the most visible of places
    Your birth date in roman numerals will kiss the left side of your little sister's collarbone, long before a boy ever does
    In grief, we graffiti mirrors
    That's how Biggie and Pac got faces in places that they never called home
    I know boys who bore the weight of pallbearer long before the rigors of college
    But the most famous of us will have streets named in our honor
    Martin Luther King Drive
    And Malcolm X Blvd
    Both debunk the myth of respectability and proves that no matter the politics,
    All black boys are doomed to die by bullets but,
    How can you complain?
    When the hood loves you?
    And we gon' keep lovin' you
    Long after the gravel has swallowed your portion of the 40,
    Long after they've packed that car with vengeance
    Long after another boy's life is taken in retaliation of yours,
    Continuing the cycle of trauma and street violence
    Yes yo'
    The hood will love you enough to murder for you,
    But never enough to snitch
    Yes yo'
    I know who did it, I was there when they brought the 4-50
    Yes yo'
    I watched the news, I listened as they emptied the clip
    And yes yo'
    I'll do it again
    Yes yo'
    I'll do it again!
    Damn motherfucking right, I will do it again
    'Cuz I miss my brother so much
    But that don't mean that I agree with what they did
    That just means I've learned not to judge a people for how they grieve
    Learned not judge the hood
    For how it loves you back

    • @samersuleman4523
      @samersuleman4523 2 роки тому +3

      Appreciate you for typing this out for one of my favorite poems! I noticed a couple wrong transcriptions and here are the corrections:
      •”In grief, we graffiti murals” - 1:40
      •”Yes y’all” - 2:25
      •”Yes y’all” -2:30
      •”Yes y’all” - 2:33

    • @rochellewarren6219
      @rochellewarren6219 2 роки тому +1

      By design our trauma.

  • @alexisgramlich273
    @alexisgramlich273 4 роки тому +36

    “ain’t it funny how quickly death becomes fashionable” i- wow

  • @abarzua21able
    @abarzua21able Рік тому +2

    The hood & streets will never love you back. My husband is an O.G. & he has bled, sweat, & tears for the streets in the hood. Everything u said is the truth. He has seen a bro's brains splattered, he has held dying bro's in their last breath, and he has helped a mother grieve for losing her kid to the streets.

  • @joefresh82
    @joefresh82 4 роки тому +25

    One of the realest poems about life . I got that lump in my throat, eyes all puffy , reliving the senseless murder of my 11 year old nephew and he has a building and baseball field named after him that hurts even deeper. Rest in Heaven Lloyd McCoy Jr

    • @BP-gl7zt
      @BP-gl7zt 4 роки тому +4

      My condolences. Strength to you, brother.

    • @j.w_la
      @j.w_la 3 роки тому +2

      Res n peace n paradise

    • @joefresh82
      @joefresh82 3 роки тому +1

      @@BP-gl7zt Thank you fam.
      It ain't easy , time heals some wounds, but not this one

    • @joefresh82
      @joefresh82 3 роки тому +1

      @@j.w_la Thank you fam, I miss him

  • @alliewonders117
    @alliewonders117 7 років тому +249

    omg I cried ❤ this was painfully true, sad, and beautiful all at the same time

  • @nelliebean84
    @nelliebean84 6 років тому +16

    “The hood will love you enough to murder for you but never enough to snitch.” Too true.

  • @jessica0321
    @jessica0321 Місяць тому +1

    "That just means I've learned not to judge a people by how they grieve." This is an entire education in one line. Thank you.

  • @KhamalIwuanyanwu
    @KhamalIwuanyanwu 7 років тому +289

    A minute in and I had to hit like already. Powerful.

  • @anthonydelgiudice5103
    @anthonydelgiudice5103 7 років тому +113

    the imagery was so on point, as well as the figures of speech. Its one of those things you would take a long time trying to find a flaw to, every word seems delebrite and holds meaning, like every word was a piece of his hesrt sprawled out onto this poem. Truly beautiful

  • @kevinbourgeois9528
    @kevinbourgeois9528 4 роки тому +5

    « We’re gonna still love you, long after the ground will have swallowed your portion of the 40 » that’s amazing

  • @stephaniecolangelo7004
    @stephaniecolangelo7004 5 років тому +17

    I can't even tell you how many times I've watched this performance. His tone is amazing.

  • @lalluna9460
    @lalluna9460 6 років тому +23

    does anybody else listen to this before going to bed and finds it INCREDIBLY comforting?

    • @shaniawilson9128
      @shaniawilson9128 5 років тому +2

      I am literally doing that now and saw your comment ❤️

    • @bsequichie3215
      @bsequichie3215 Рік тому

      i made a playlist of my favorites and will fall asleep listen to them

  • @offical.savedqueen
    @offical.savedqueen 2 роки тому +5

    “ your birthday will kiss the left side of your little sisters collarbone long before a boy ever does “ wow that’s good 👏🏾

  • @dianalong529
    @dianalong529 6 років тому +16

    "The hood will love you enough to murder for you but never enough to snitch." Damn. Speechless.😶

  • @BuffaLinds716
    @BuffaLinds716 Рік тому +2

    🥺💔
    Poetry has never moved me more...thank you

  • @jonakafunda6635
    @jonakafunda6635 3 роки тому +8

    The emotion he put into this piece!

  • @gia5802
    @gia5802 6 років тому +19

    I started to cry. The ending was so intense. He did amazing.

  • @deepnetanon504
    @deepnetanon504 4 роки тому +9

    This really speaks volumes for what's happening now in the nation..

  • @perladavus3893
    @perladavus3893 4 роки тому +7

    “ I Will Do It Again Cause I Miss My Brother So Much” Hearing That Put Nothing But Tears In My Eyes You Honestly Showed What Were Going Through In The Streets, Beautiful poem

  • @gregorysporleder4749
    @gregorysporleder4749 5 років тому +7

    Please don't ever stop. Ever. You got the gift young man, spread the word.

  • @TJ_6112
    @TJ_6112 4 роки тому +3

    Why did I burst out in literal tears when he said “because I miss my brother so much” my brother ain’t even dead 🥴😩😭

  • @jamiemuse3799
    @jamiemuse3799 7 років тому +79

    This was really powerful and extremely beautiful

  • @getmoney1st312
    @getmoney1st312 5 років тому +2

    That shit was deep. Gangster Crazy 🔱 💫. You know the hood loves when yo boy looks you in the eye n says.. I’ll kill for you dawg. Real shit.

  • @KhamalIwuanyanwu
    @KhamalIwuanyanwu 7 років тому +46

    Oh man and now I'm in tears, good lord that was great

  • @baileylantman1348
    @baileylantman1348 4 роки тому +3

    "Most literally from cradle to grave. Most literally from corner to coroner."
    when i tell you chills took over my entire body....

  • @chrisloveall971
    @chrisloveall971 4 роки тому +2

    Talent is what this beautiful black man has. I love all of it.

  • @ceny1196
    @ceny1196 7 років тому +44

    Wow this hit home... thank you

  • @toniharrington2851
    @toniharrington2851 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for sharing your passion and Art about my old home town, Chicago.

  • @Philosophat75
    @Philosophat75 4 роки тому +2

    From cradle to grave, from corner to coroner. Super dope line.

  • @tremeramcbean3719
    @tremeramcbean3719 7 років тому +3

    I got chills watching this

  • @callmekells802
    @callmekells802 3 роки тому +3

    God. Rattled me to my core. Steven, you have a gift.

  • @bbee4983
    @bbee4983 7 років тому +2

    This gave me chills, he was so passionate.

  • @Amina-il2nb
    @Amina-il2nb 6 років тому +2

    Amazingly beautiful... I'm crying

  • @alvinbuyinza4697
    @alvinbuyinza4697 7 років тому +65

    Steve Willis is amazing I love this poem

  • @wtf.iswrongwithella
    @wtf.iswrongwithella 4 роки тому +2

    Raw and pure emotion right here

  • @CM-wr3hf
    @CM-wr3hf 4 роки тому

    Chills and tears...

  • @KraziVokalz
    @KraziVokalz 6 років тому +1

    Have never seen him cry during a piece... that year made this piece so much deeper... great piece....

  • @riasandy8490
    @riasandy8490 7 років тому +2

    Wow... truly powerful. I'm speechless.

  • @aaronbell4004
    @aaronbell4004 6 років тому +1

    My mouth was wide open. Amazing

  • @fatoufrancescambow5876
    @fatoufrancescambow5876 3 роки тому

    Woooowww....thank you. In tears. Grateful. ❤️

  • @polohorse8262
    @polohorse8262 6 років тому +3

    I dead cried. This was beyond amazing

  • @mariaalejandrabrea5841
    @mariaalejandrabrea5841 4 роки тому +2

    I love his voice, it's like music

  • @akeemadams4255
    @akeemadams4255 7 років тому +2

    This gave me chills👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

  • @Saleena781
    @Saleena781 5 років тому +2

    I relate to this and I can see the imagery while he's performing it.

  • @sadeb9109
    @sadeb9109 5 років тому +3

    I got to see him perform in person incredibly

  • @madalynchavez4909
    @madalynchavez4909 6 років тому +1

    I love how he puts all emotion in and holds nothing back. truly amazing

  • @meganshanece
    @meganshanece 4 роки тому

    One of my favs of ALL time.

  • @morgancooper1524
    @morgancooper1524 7 років тому +20

    Love it 💖

  • @nec4471
    @nec4471 6 років тому +1

    40 secs in and I started to cry. This is why I love button poetry

  • @jayali8907
    @jayali8907 5 років тому +3

    He was my poetry teacher I miss him.

  • @beautifulAK82
    @beautifulAK82 7 років тому +13

    This is beautiful 💚

  • @lillymirembe4474
    @lillymirembe4474 2 роки тому

    Moved me near to tears...

  • @chamkym6920
    @chamkym6920 7 років тому +15

    Oh man tat was great and truly powerful.. I loved it.

  • @johnjacobs2812
    @johnjacobs2812 3 роки тому

    I love this piece anytime of the day it comes on in one of playlists I just have to listen it has my full focus as if it’s my time hearing it

  • @1dunno325
    @1dunno325 7 років тому +11

    That hit me , relatable asf bro

  • @nellybelle5378
    @nellybelle5378 6 років тому +2

    I felt every word in this poem 😞😞❣️ beautiful poem

  • @lailawhite2084
    @lailawhite2084 7 років тому +39

    This was amazing. Reduced me to tears

  • @liya5725
    @liya5725 7 років тому +10

    damn i am actually crying.

  • @EsotericElle
    @EsotericElle 7 років тому +9

    amazing!!

  • @lifeasbriel3015
    @lifeasbriel3015 4 роки тому

    His voice so strong n powerful 🙏🏽

  • @marcuservin9990
    @marcuservin9990 3 роки тому +3

    Powerful 🙌🏾🙌🏾

  • @scratchsquad7320
    @scratchsquad7320 6 років тому

    Soul is snatched!

  • @domvsjen150
    @domvsjen150 6 років тому +1

    Excellent. Flawless Victory

  • @MelMelx365
    @MelMelx365 4 роки тому +3

    Always hits the same no matter where I hear him do this poem.

  • @laurajob4532
    @laurajob4532 6 років тому

    im tearing up

  • @Manifestwithme777
    @Manifestwithme777 7 років тому +7

    Iconic

  • @julien5592
    @julien5592 7 років тому +13

    this was everything:)

  • @jamesjastrzebski1536
    @jamesjastrzebski1536 3 роки тому +2

    "From corner to coroner". Holy shit..

  • @ItsMoMoneyyy
    @ItsMoMoneyyy 4 роки тому

    this was spoken so beautifully.

  • @juwaria4262
    @juwaria4262 6 років тому +1

    This was so beautiful ❤

  • @zohangood2222
    @zohangood2222 5 років тому +8

    Damn homie you giving me chills

  • @lafaith111
    @lafaith111 Рік тому

    Wow Powerful!

  • @zebrasforlunch
    @zebrasforlunch 6 років тому

    This is so dang beautiful.

  • @angelinadelapaz6459
    @angelinadelapaz6459 6 років тому +3

    “Your name written in tombstone text” he is amazing honestly

  • @noiwantjamilah
    @noiwantjamilah 4 роки тому +1

    R.I.P Nipsey 😔🙏🏼💙💙💙💙💙

  • @lisha4104
    @lisha4104 6 років тому +1

    why am i crying wow 😔🖤

  • @seantryce7402
    @seantryce7402 5 років тому

    Love this!

  • @tianagarth7023
    @tianagarth7023 5 років тому

    Gave me chills 🙌🏽

  • @shanaibrade4498
    @shanaibrade4498 4 роки тому +2

    This is one of my top poems of all times and definitely one if my favourite slam poets, there’s something about his voice that makes you listen, and you can understand what he’s saying, he doesn’t lie he tells the truth and you can hear the emotion in his voice
    So because I can’t find it anywhere and lockdown got me bored as shit
    I wrote it up (so hear you go people)
    I’m not saying that I agreed with what they did
    Just saying I’ve learned not to judge a people for how they grieve
    Leant not to judge the hood, for how it loves you back
    Love from the hood, and I know only bestowed on those who showed the hood the most unwavering of loyalties m talks street n****s, most literally from cradle to grave, most literally from corner to coroner, most literally n****s who hugged the block in their last moments gasping for air
    Right before yellow tape makes a spectacle of their bodies sprawled on cement.
    If the hood loves you, should make a monument of this location.
    They will bring teddy bears well wishes and heavy hearts.
    This is now sacred ground to be renamed memorial and landmark
    This is no longer Jefferson avenue but were twig got shot
    For the next six nights you will see candles light this place holy (clap)
    Until the wind blows it silent
    Until the amber is blown in the direction of the summers next casualty
    If the hood loves you, should write it in tombstone text
    A boys face and childhood nickname should be written in script across a double xl white tee
    Ain’t it funny, how quickly death becomes fashionable, a testament to how tragic memories don’t fade, even in a washing machine, and you can expect your closet of kin to tattoo your name in the most visible of places
    Your birthday in Roman numerals will kiss the left side of your little sisters collarbone
    Long before a boy ever does
    In grief we graffiti murals
    That’s how biggie and pac got faces in places that they never called home
    I know boys who ????? Long before The riggers of college
    But the most famous of us will have streets named in our honour
    Martin Luther king drive, Malcolm x Boulevard
    Both debunked a myth of respectability improves that no matter the politics
    All black boys are doomed to die by bullets
    But how can you complain when the hood loves you
    And we gone keep loving you
    Long after the gravel has swallowed your portion of the forty
    Long after they packed that car with vengeance
    Long after another boys life is taken in retaliation of yours
    Continue in the cycle of trauma and street violence
    Yes yall the street will love you enough to murder for you but never enough to snitch
    Yes yall I know how did it I was there when they brought the four fifth
    Yes yall I watched the news I listened as they emptied the clip
    And yes yall I’ll do it again
    Yes yall I’ll do it again
    Damn motherfucking right I will do it again
    Cause I miss my brother so much
    But that don’t mean that I agree with what they did
    That just means I’ve learnt not to judge a people for how they grieve
    Learn not judge the hood for how it loves you back.

  • @cheywade7438
    @cheywade7438 3 роки тому

    I felt this one deep down.😢😢😢

  • @alinahudson8551
    @alinahudson8551 6 років тому +2

    GOLDEN🗣!

  • @antiash2643
    @antiash2643 4 роки тому

    Beautiful

  • @yalen3054
    @yalen3054 7 років тому +1

    This is powerful. Amazing 🙌