Detroit's Own 'Lyricist' Raps to Save Lives in National Competition

By Monica Sabella

Amid dozens of singers competing for center stage at Audacy’s 10 annual We Can Survive concert, one of Detroit’s own is fighting for the chance to contribute to its cause: suicide prevention.

“For me, doing this competition is big because it aligns with my values and reconnects me with the artist I’ve always been,” said hip-hop artist and music producer David ‘Lyricist’ Young who joined the race after discovering donations would go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP.)

“I think people overlook (suicide) and don’t see it as a real challenge. Mental health as a whole is something that needs to be talked about more,” the native west Detroiter said, adding he’s raised money for a number of charities in the past including the Children’s Hospital for Michigan, the American Red Cross, and Thanksgiving food drives.

“It’s just part of who I am. I believe in giving and giving without expectation,” Lyricist said, recounting the thousands of artists he supported in the early 2000’s with his music label, Sur Jay Music Group, guiding them as independent artists in a saturated industry.

“Whether it was on a stage performing at the local bars, night clubs and venues,” or lessons in business management, he said, “(Sur Jay Music Group) showed them there is a way to still be successful without having to chase the record labels. We were the blueprint for a lot of artists. I’ve been happy to see them take it to the next level,” the hip-hop artist said.

Since joining the competition this year, Lyricist has risen to the top, surviving the first three elimination rounds and is now facing artists from a wide range of genres from mariachi to metal.

For a decade, the Open Act competition has challenged hundreds of independent U.S. singers to flex their fan base and rake in as many votes as possible to win the prize: a chance to perform with international talent like Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and a $10,000 cash prize.

Fans are asked to cast a free daily vote for their favorite artist on the competition’s website, while any additional votes can be made via a monetary donation, which translates to an equal amount of votes. All donations go to the voluntary health organization.

“Music is indisputably the greatest art form of connection to the human spirit… Mental health and music can go hand in hand… And to have artists that are bringing it to the table for that cause is a big deal.

“I believe from a performance stand point, it would be one of the most impactful, important performances. But it also gives me the ability to connect with others in something that I personally believe in and elevates me as an artist,” said Lyricist. “That’s the power of music.”

To vote for Lyricist go HERE:

Lyricist (David Young) is Hip Hop artist from Detroit, MI. Lyricist 1st earned his stripes in the early 2000s on the Detroit’s local hip hop scene battle rapping, performing & promoting concerts/shows while building his own brand and recording label Sur Jay Records (now Sur Jay Music Group). Lyricist continues his journey as an independent artist and entrepreneur.

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