MC Trooth On Why It's So Important To Talk About Mental Health In Hip Hop

Since the last edition on mainstream media, it seemed right to transition to something a little more serious that affects all of us (on some level); mental health.

This week I was incredibly lucky to share a conversation with Perth emcee Trooth. Trooth has spent the last four years providing schools and youth organisations with a hip hop workshop called Reach1 Teach1, focussing primarily on literary and creative expression. The workshop engages students between years 8-12 by offering guidance, leadership, creative thinking and writing, all through the diverse nature of the genre of hip hop. It’s essentially an accessible platform of expression, free from judgement, whilst nurturing creativity in environments that don’t necessarily cater to all of our youth’s needs.

I wondered why a rapper of such lyrical prowess found himself in a classroom; was mental health of particular concern to you before Reach1 Teach1?

"HELL YEAH MAN! I suffered from drug addiction. I suffered from depression, anxiety and its many faces, all of which stemmed from fear... Fear of rejection, failure, judgement, fear of being alone… When I found that fear did not have to rule my life at it was only a state of mind, it made me want to help others."

Conquering something such as drug addiction is far different to conquering anxiety, as I’m sure chronic depression is from night terrors for example. The stigma that seems to attach itself to mental health has such a negative impact on our understanding of each individual’s experience. So let’s touch on your experience of drugs, how can we educate the hip hop community of their effects?

“Man, drug abuse is glorified in some parts of the culture. Tell you what, there is always going to be good and evil. This is what I do in Reach1 Teach 1 — changing adults are difficult as they have a lifetime of experience to argue with. If we can educate the youth we can change the world.

"I never tell people ‘Don’t do drugs.’ If you told me not to do something I’d do it twice!" Trooth laughs. “But I tell ‘em what happens when you do take drugs: Police, dodgy friends, paranoia, broken families, theft, crime, armed robbery, rehab… man I can go on! Showing them that then letting them choose, that’s growth through education."

Often the hardest part of mental health is speaking up about it. A year ago (almost to the day) rapper 360 shared a video of his excruciating story of his addiction to painkillers. I’m Sorry whilst controversial in its nature has almost reached 1.5 million views on YouTube, with little to no negative response in the hip hop community. Is 360 the only person to have this pain? Or was he perhaps the first person to speak of it? The powerful video undeniably set a trend, that even as a male covered in tattoos with a hell of a reputation, musicians are people after all.

Trooth makes an immediate murmur of agreement when I drop 360’s name. "Creative expression through hip hop was healing for me. Soemtimes I can have a racing mind, I can get worried and anxious like anyone. Writing is like a diary that allows me to escape that concern. What 360 did and continues to do is worthy of incredible respect.”

The untouchable American scene has recently seen its artists show vincibility, for example with Kanye West or Kid Cudi.

And while our big name MCs may not carry the same money clip, can we really compare individuals' hardships, let alone the way in which they’re dealt with? One can only fathom the pressure the public eye has on an artist in addition to their product, so perhaps we should be pushing a message of respect before understanding… That is, you can’t decide how other people feel, maybe you should respect that it’s not your issue to understand.

Now I’m by no means saying close your eyes and block your ears. Mental health doesn’t discriminate and often decisions can lead to poisonous environments… The “stand back and we’ll talk about it” approach in our genre is something that contradicts the arrogant self-assured bravado MCs preach. "I can tell you the pain of that lifestyle is far, far greater than the pain of leaving your friends… and when you do leave your friends, trust me, the real ones stay with you," says Trooth.

Look, I know when we have Turnbull in power (let’s be honest, he’s the better of two lame-ass house parties), a mass following in racism (ignorance is not an excuse), misogynistic leadership (particularly in healthcare and equal incomes), an unforgivable policy to refugees and the (unapologetic) ignorance to refute claims of glorifying genocide in our own history and heritage… IT GETS PRETTY HARD TO STAY POSITIVE! (Sorry, maybe that was for my own mental health…)

Rappers are confident in a spotlight sure, but creativity doesn’t always stem from light. Mindfulness is a practice in self-understanding and we both seem to agree even in something like gangster rap, the “I don’t care attitude” parallels with “please care” content.

"In hindsight, when I used to want fame I really wanted the world’s acceptance to become worthy… That need really only serviced my pride and ego... You can’t be selfish and happy at the same time. True happiness comes from selflessness and that is something that can be both learnt and taught.”

It’s with a heavy heart I tell Trooth the devastating facts taken from the end of 2015. That 1 in 4 young Australians (aged 16-24) currently have a mental health condition. Our country had over 3,000 deaths caused by suicide in a single year. What would your message be to Australia in regards to addressing and understanding mental health?

"Acknowledge that you, like everyone else, is not perfect. To get through things we need perseverance. People for centuries have achieved great things under incredibly dire circumstances. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s how I got where I am… Help is not a disempowering action, it’s empowering as you can actually get better. Australia is so lucky in the services on offer. Facilities, courses, psychologists, mental health care. There are SO MANY PEOPLE willing to help. The real answer to this is love and compassion, man."

Let’s hope even this article, as difficult as it may have been to get through did Reach1 and Teach1. 1 is a good place to start…

If you need to reach out to someone:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Headspace (03) 9417 0150

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636