9-year-old Brooklyn rapper memorializes Sandy Hook tragedy with his song ‘Stop Da Violence’

By Alexis Garrett Stodghill, theGrio

…Revealing a social concern far beyond his years, in “Stop Da Violence” and its accompanying video, Amor [“Lilman” Arteaga] recites thoughtful lyrics about the impact of abuse and the easy access to guns on our communities.

“People, people, we need to change our ways,” he sings on the hook of the track. “There’s too much violence in our world today.”

Between stanzas, Lilman raps, ”Put the guns down, put the guns down/Stop the violence/Stop the violence.” This linking theme led the emerging artist to sympathize with Newtown.

“I’m trying to stop all violence,” the talented tyke explained. “I hope that the result of people viewing my new video will be for people to just try to come together… just by trying to help each other out once in a while. …We also need to try to make it harder for people on the streets to get guns that easily,” Amor added.

Hoping to take his platform of change across the country in a school tour next year, and eventually to the White House, Lilman also has a message for President Obama. “I would talk to him about how I want to make it harder for people on the streets to get guns,” Amor said. “I [also] think in schools there should be counseling and help for each kid, the ones that are being bullied and the ones that are bullies.”

Where does he get his broad perspective and deep concern for both the victims and perpetrators of hurtful deeds? “I basically get all my thoughtfulness through the violence I see on the news, in newspapers, and in different places in my neighborhood,” Amor said.

Read more about young Amor and learn about his father’s fears for him here.

Discover another of Lilman’s songs.

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