J-17
Overnight
sensations - The story about how two young teenagers shared their
message with the world
It
was only 5 months ago when these two boys took to the stage on the
hit television show ' Britain’s Got Talent' and amazed the world
with their powerful original song “Hopeful”. The British
singing/rapping duo comprises of fourteen year old Leondre Devries,
and sixteen year old Charlie Lenehan, better known as Bars and
Melody. They literally became overnight sensations and were seen as
courageous to the general public, because they shared such a personal
story that held such a powerful message. I had the fortunate
opportunity to sit down with these two extraordinary boys this summer
and interview them, getting the scoop on their journey and everything
that has happened over the past 5 months.
So
boys, firstly I must begin by telling you both that I think you are
amazing, your song made me feel very emotional the first time I heard
it, the lyrics, your voices, simply incredible. Please explain your
motivation for writing this song...
Well
since I was in primary school I was always being bullied heavily , I
used to always get beat up walking home from school and it just
seemed that I always kept moving schools and I felt like everywhere I
went I seemed to get bullied, and I felt so trapped. I didn't know
how to break free of it all, so I just started writing poems and my
emotions out on paper, and one day I just heard this beat and I
thought to myself wow this is a good beat and so I just started
writing the poem to it and it eventually turned into a song. I also
started rapping around that time and I always used to and still do
listen to a lot of Tupac Shakur, so that basically was my motivation
behind the song “ Hopeful”. ( Leondre)
Wow,
you have come such a long way from then. The other day I read that
after singing your song that a lot of bullies actually apologised to
their victims, what's your take on that ?
Well
to see that we could leave such a positive impact after singing our
song is just completely insane. To actually see and know that a lot
of people are actually owning up to what they have done and are
apologising is just amazing, I mean no one should ever go through
such a horrible experience and feel like they are constantly needing
to look over their shoulder or not attend school because they are
afraid. So knowing that it is all slowly fading away is remarkable. (
Charlie)
Coming
from personal experience I am so thrilled that this has actually
begun to happen. The fact that people are realizing that their
actions are actually hurtful and can cause someone a lot of pain and
suffering and are owning up to it as Charlie said, is just mind
blowing. It also means that people are starting to get the message of
ant-bullying and are beginning to take this matter seriously just
makes me want to continue on spreading such positivity and
enlightenment around the world. ( Leondre)
This
is the last question for today and before I say it I just want to
thank you two for taking the time to sit down with me, and that I am
such a fan and can not wait till you boys release your first album.
How did you feel after being able to share your song with the world?
Thank you for having us it's been great. I just feel so
privileged and blessed that I was able to go up on stage and just
share my story with the world , and to know that it created such a
positive effect on many is just spectacular. ( Leondre)
First
off thank you for having us today, I am just so happy that I am able
to share awareness of anti-bullying and that whilst doing that I am
also being given the opportunity to fulfil my dreams and it's just an
enormous blessing. ( Charlie)
"Hopeful"
Oh-oh-oh
Check
it out
Oh,
no
Here
we go
Please
help me God, I feel so alone
I'm
just a kid, how can I take it on my own?
I've
cried too many tears, yeah, writing this song
Trying
to fit in. Where do I belong?
I
wake up every day, don't wanna leave my home
My
mamma's askin' me why I'm always alone
Too
scared to say, too scared to holler
I'm
walking to school with sweat around my collar
I'm
just a kid, I don't want no stress
My
nerves are bad, my life's a mess
The
names you call me, they hurt real bad
I
want to tell my Mom
She's
havin' trouble with my Dad
I
feel so trapped, there's nowhere to turn
Come
to school
Don't
wanna fight I wanna learn
So
please mister Bully
Tell
me what I've done
You
know I have no Dad
I'm
livin' with my Mom
Just
be hopeful, yes, I am
Hopeful
for today
Take
this music and use it
Let
it take you away
And
be hopeful, hopeful
And
He'll make a way
I
know it ain't easy but that's okay
Just
be hopeful
Why
do you trip every single day?
I
didn't ask to be born but now I have to pay
I
ain't got no money, you take all I have
When
I give it to you, I search through my bags
I
feel so scared when you shut me down
You
kick me, punch me, throw me to the ground
When
I ask you, yo, what have I done?
You
hit me again, and make fun of my Mom!
I'm
hopeful, yes, I am
Hopeful
for today
Take
this music and use it
Let
it take you away
And
be hopeful, hopeful
And
He'll make a way
I
know it ain't easy, but that's okay
Just
be hopeful
What
I wear is all I have
We
lost our home, I'm livin' from a bag
Yo
mister Bully, help me please
I'm
flesh and blood, accept me please
Hey
mister Bully, I don't know what to do
My
mind, it can't explain what I did to you
Mister
Bully, take in all my please
Every
single day you bring me to my knees
Hopeful,
yes, I am
Hopeful
for today
Take
this music and use it
Let
it take you away
And
be hopeful, hopeful
And
He'll make a way
I
know it ain't easy, but, that's okay
Just
be hopeful.
To watch Bars and Melody's new single click the link below:
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