“Music has the power to heal. It gave me a voice when I felt silenced and helped me turn my pain into something beautiful.”
What’s the Word, Nerd? If there’s one track that really captures a turning point in my life, it is “Poetry.” This song isn’t just another track on the album—it’s a piece of me, a reflection of everything I’ve been through. From my time behind bars to getting my life back on track, “Poetry” represents that personal transformation. It’s also the first time I got to collaborate with family in a real way—my wife’s stepfather played bass on the track, which made it even more special. Let me take y’all behind the scenes on how this song came to life.
From Paper to Studio
I started writing “Poetry” not long after I came home from prison. At that point in my life, I was trying to make sense of everything I’d been through. I had all these emotions—anger, pain, gratitude, relief—and I didn’t know how to process it all. That’s when the words for “Poetry” started flowing. It was like everything I couldn’t say out loud, I put into those verses.
We didn’t have much at the time. I was recording around the house, trying to piece everything together with bootleg equipment. But the message was there. The lyrics were real, and I knew I had something special. It wasn’t just about making a song—it was about capturing my journey. And as I worked on it, I knew I needed to take it to the next level.
Man, we were recording with whatever we could find. One time, the mic stand was literally held up with duct tape. But hey, the vibe was real, and that’s what mattered.
“We took that song from writing it on paper, to recording around the house with bootleg equipment, to finally investing in a professional studio.”
Family Collaboration
One of the things that makes “Poetry” so close to my heart is that it was a family effort. My wife’s stepfather played the bass guitar on the track. I remember the day we laid down the bassline—there was this energy in the room. We were taking something raw and unpolished, and turning it into something powerful.
Music has always been a way for me to connect with the people I love, and having him on the track made that connection even stronger. It wasn’t just about me telling my story anymore—it became a shared experience.
It’s like cooking a meal with your family—you’re bringing all your different ingredients and skills together to create something special. That’s what music is all about. It’s about bringing people together, creating something bigger than yourself.
A Moment of Healing
For me, “Poetry” was more than just another song. It was healing. I had gone through some dark times, and putting those experiences into music helped me make peace with everything I had been through. Every time I performed it, I felt like I was releasing a piece of the pain I had been holding onto.
It was also my way of showing my daughter that no matter how tough life gets, you can always turn your struggles into something beautiful. That’s the message I wanted to leave behind. Life’s not easy, but if you can channel your pain into something creative, it can become your way to heal.
And I know I’m not alone in this. Over the past few years, many people have turned to music or art as a way to cope with the challenges we’ve all been facing. Whether it’s the pandemic or social unrest, music has become a tool for healing and connection. That’s what “Poetry” represents—healing, growth, and hope.
Have you ever turned to music or art to help you through tough times? What was that experience like for you?
Listen to Poetry here and let the music speak to you.
Final Thoughts
“Poetry” is one of the most personal tracks I’ve ever written. It’s a reflection of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. From recording it at home with the bare minimum to bringing it to a professional studio, it’s a song that marks a turning point in my life. And the fact that I got to share that experience with my family makes it even more meaningful.
Call to Action
If you’ve got a track that means the world to you, I want to hear about it. What song did you write that changed your life? Drop a comment below and tell me your story. Let’s keep the conversation going about how music helps us heal.
Share this post with your fellow musicians, friends, or anyone who’s been healed by music. Let’s spread the message that music helps us grow and heal together.
Poll: Have you ever used music or art to heal during tough times? [Yes] [No]