JACQUES: Over the last few months, COVID-19 aka coronavirus has rapidly spread around
the world.
JACQUES: But while it's taken its toll on the health and economy of the globe, hip-hop
has managed to address the virus in its own way.
GMAC: It’s been going good for me so far.
As long as I got my studio, my game, my wifi, we good.
JACQUES: That’s Detroit rapper Gmaccash, who spoke with Genius news to break down the
literal viral success of his hit, “Coronavirus” amidst a global crisis.
GMAC: It’s actually perfect timing.
I waited until we got a lot of cases in the United States to be like, okay, it’s time
to do a song.
GMAC: It blew up everybody was sharing it because in the song I’m giving tips on staying
in the house, washing your hands.
JACQUES: With over 1000 confirmed cases in his home state of Michigan.
Gmac’s lyrics tie in with the real anxiety that battling a hidden enemy like a viral
flu can bring.
GMAC: A lady actually coughed by me in the store.
We walking, I’m coming this way, she’s walking this way, she said “cough”
the first thing that come to my head is 'move, bitch you got coronavirus.'
JACQUES: This germaphobic antagonism is something Ohio rapper Trippie Redd also agrees with.
JACQUES: And even though Trippie didn't say it explicitly, coughing is actually one of
the earliest symptoms...
REPORTER: COVID-19 can cause flu-like symptoms that range from mild to severe, including cough, fever and
shortness of breath.
JACQUES: Ohio as a state has more than 300 confirmed cases and Trippie begins his verse
with possibly one of the simplest and most important defenses against catching the disease
- washing your hands.
JACQUES: But Gmac & Trippie weren’t the first artists to make a Coronavirus song - that
goes to Domincan rapper Yofrangel 911 - where in it he jokingly points out the importance
of covering your mouth to prevent it from spreading.
JACQUES: This lines up with a recommendation from the World Health Organization that you
should *only* wear a mask if you are showing symptoms of the disease.
JACQUES: It’s not just hip-hop either - singer JoJo’s “Chill (Stay In),” a remix of
her 2004 single “Leave (Get Out)” hammers on social distancing.
JACQUES: And social distancing is an important tactic to keep the disease in check mainly
to keep the outbreak from getting worse.
FAUCI: Not going to bars, not going to restaurants, it all just means physical separation so that
you have a space between you and others JACQUES: Toronto’s Tory Lanez, who’s hometown
just declared a state of emergency in response to the virus, cut up a song based on having
‘fun’ while social distancing.
JACQUES: Philadelphia’s Cassidy hit this on the head on his freestyle.
JACQUES: Like Cass pointed out, you could have the virus and share it and not even know
it.
OSTERHOLM: We now have conclusive evidence that this disease is also being transmitted
through asymptomatic carriers or people who show no symptoms and trying to stop that transmission
is like trying to stop the wind.
JACQUES: And Papoose, whose hometown of Brooklyn has over a thousand confirmed cases, hit that
fact on the nose.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant announced his positive test last week and the NBA was
one of the first sports leagues to shut down after Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive
for the virus.
In the UK, the premier league is experiencing its own hiatus - something lamented in the
opening verse of drill rapper Psych’s awareness track “Spreadin’” who shouts out Arsenal
manager, Mikel Arteta.
London has hundreds of cases of it’s own and is another hotspot for the disease.
On his chorus, Psychs implores everyone to smarten up about Covid19
JACQUES: I'm Jacques Morel with Genius News bringing you the meaning and the knowledge
behind the music from my living room.
Yes, we at Genius are lucky to be able to work from home, but there are many who can't. So please keep
them in your thoughts. Wash your hands, stay inside and try not to touch your face.
We'll get through this, peace!