By Takunda Mafundikwa
Aminé makes amazing music. “Burden” is currently the theme song of my life right now. “This the shit you pick your homie up from jail to” is the opening line that sets the stage. There’s so many things I can relate to in the song from the lyrics, the visualization, to the topics he’s speaking to. I’m a black man and have faced situations where I could’ve been incarcerated or know people who have been incarcerated. This song is freedom from those bonds. Freedom from all the situations that plague young black men on a daily basis. It’s a beautiful cry out that doesn’t ask for help, but speaks on the hardships of being a black man.
The opening line instantly hooks you in. “When your skin darker, shit gets harder,” Aminé croons over a soulful beat. Being a young black man this was something I could relate to and understand. All my life I’ve had to be better than the average person because of my skin. I’ve had to move knowing that what I do will be judged more than others. The rest of the verse reminds me of that exact feelings. Being black is hard, “And to top it off, my best friend had a baby (Woo)
We twenty-five, I told that nigga, “Boy, you fuckin’ crazy” I’m at the age where these lines I can relate to. It’s weird knowing that some people of color are terrified of having children because they feel ill prepared. However, a lot of white couples have babies early and it seems like their lives are generationally set up not to have so many obstacles or be so hard. I put myself to a higher standard and sometimes that pressure makes me look around and see what others are doing and that does make me feel crazy. Life’s pace is different for everyone and I feel that no matter the situation you’ll always be looking for that grass is greener type of feeling.
Visually, this song creates such powerful imagery for me. The scenes it paints are things I can relate to. The issues Aminé address are the ones I feel. It’s the imagery that at 25 and black you either feel stagnant or on top of the world. You begin to either realize that things are going your way or you feel like the world really isn’t in your corner.
This song really gives me hope in a sad way. “Bury me before I’m a burden (They stay the same)
Don’t bury me ’til niggas is certain” is melancholy, but I can relate. So badly I don’t want to be a burden and I want to be great. I know I can be great, but anxiety and a lot of other factors make me second guess myself. When I listen to this song I’m able to get back that nervous energy. I’m able to feel like I’m capable of accomplishing something even though I know the road is a harder one to travel. Being black a lot of music I listen to is rooted in fun and not really caring. It’s nice to see people I would consider my peers opening up about their pressures and struggles. “Burden” by Aminé is an amazing track and really puts me in the mood to do better and succeed. This is what I truly want out of life and this track helps me get there.
Bulldog Beat 