Kurtis
Kelly's life took a new and better direction once he heard Savage
Family.
That's
the music group - a collective movement, really - that uses hip-hop
and other art forms to express the challenges, heritage and pride
of American Indians.
"Their
CD changed our lives" Kelly said, referring to himself and
his rap-music partner Sindick Bura, a cousin.
The
two 18-year-olds have released two CDs and four music videos about
alcoholism, suicide, excessive gambling and other problems facing
American Indians, and the need to transcend them. The chorus of
one of their songs, "Rize Above," calls for a better life:
Our
existence is so sacred so I tell this to my Natives
Don't
let the sickness get you, don't let the sickness take it
We
can rise above from the drugs and spread the love
Instead
of the sickness we choose to rise above ....
A
member of the Nooksack Indian Tribe, Kelly said he once belonged
to a gang, and his school record showed it. By the time he was an
upperclassman at Nooksack Valley High School, he learned he wouldn't
graduate on schedule, and would need two more years of classes to
receive his diploma.
So
he enrolled in YouthBuild, a Nooksack tribal program, and earned
his GED certificate in four months, graduating in June. Ashley Sweeney,
Kelly's GED instructor, was impressed by his work ethic and by his
commitment to change, both personal and social.
"He
is not only a role model for Native youth, he is a role model for
all youth because he stands up against the status quo," she
wrote in an e-mail, "and, instead of just ranting against it,
he offers a solution and hope to disadvantaged and disenfranchised
youth."
Kelly
and Bura have written about 32 songs and performed at conferences,
schools, dances and powwows. In April, they sang and discussed song-writing
at a music academy for youths hosted by the Chehalis Tribe. For
the academy, the youths recorded a music CD about suicide prevention.
This
summer, Kelly, the son of Ed and Candace Kelly, is chaperoning kids
at a youth program run the Nooksacks. He hopes to attend Northwest
Indian College and perhaps study music or computers.
He
also wants to keep writing and singing songs, and keep participating
in canoe races. He has won numerous medals as a canoe puller.
"Kids
know who he is and look up to him," his father said.
Now
they have another reason to do so.
READ
THE LYRICS
Here
are the lyrics to "Rize Above," by Kurtis Kelly and Sindick
Bura:
I
had money in my pocket so I started rolling dice
My
pockets getting empty so I thought about it twice
Now
I'm driving home broke gas tank full of fumes
To
hear all the drama, getting hit with bad news
They'll
be waiting at my door for last month's rent
Kicked
out on the street with all my money spent
Sitting
on the curb asking people for some cash
To
get another fix cause the other didn't last
Walking
to the store waiting for my prescription
Wishing
for another high to forget my addiction
Starving
for some cash now I'm dealing all my pills
To
put money in my pocket but it never gets filled
I
switched my game, Texas Hold 'em I'll be playing
My
chips are getting low but now I stay in
Back
to the streets all because of my addiction
I
been told a lot of times but I chose not to listen
(CHORUS)
Our
existence is so sacred so I tell this to my Natives
Don't
let the sickness get you, don't let the sickness take it
We
can rise above from the drugs and spread the love
Instead
of the sickness we choose to rise above ....
(VERSE)
I
hear all the drama so I close my bedroom door
Cranking
up my music until it doesn't anymore
Light
another bull in my room I'll be blazing
Can't
deal with the drama, my life I be hating
Some
music drives by, ain't your typical rap
Talking
about change, never knew about that
Thinking
of my addiction that needle in my hand
Dealing
with drugs is what I never really planned
It
is what it is, my cards are on the table
Eyes
to the sky asking God if I'm able
(VERSE)
To
live a better life, a life that is stable
Counting
holes in my arms, I know it's fatal
Pain
in my veins my family I cannot lose
Blind
in my eyes myself I cannot choose
Which
way to go in the dark I am confused
Wake
up from this nightmare or forever I will snooze
(CHORUS)
Our
existence is so sacred so I tell this to my Natives
Don't
let the sickness get you, don't let the sickness take it
We
can rise above from the drugs and spread the love
Instead
of the sickness we choose to rise above ....
WATCH
THE VIDEOS
To
watch Kelly Kurtis and Sindick Bura's music videos, go to YouTube.com
and search for "Ancestors
Official Remix," "Flagz
In The Air," and "Natives
Throw it Up."
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