At the End of the Day

- Prophetic Ink, Yaizo 92

Sat, 15/06/24 15:14

The year is 2019, and I live in a modest part of Randfontein called Homelake. I had been there for about 2 years, and my primary company was my girlfriend and a group of high schoolers who lived nearby.

One of these high schooler is David - who goes by the name Yaizo 92. I became much closer to him as compared to the rest of the group - not only because we lived one house away from each other… It was his inquisitiveness and general consideration for other human beings that I could relate to much better.

Whenever we hung out, we’d talk a lot about music, art, and spirituality. Sometimes we play beats and freestyle together. He’s a very talented young man. Full of creative energy and willingness to entertain the obscure at times.

Hang on for a minute… I have to go back a little further.

In 2018, I set out to do a trilogy of shows, the project was called - A New Begging. An intimate experience of music & poetry hosted in my very small bedroom at the comune where I lived. The shows also streamed live on IG. The last show was meant to kick the experience up by a notch - I decided that it would be an acoustic experience and sound. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a guitarist, but I have some nice guitar beats playing. And that’s where the brilliance of this young man came to my aid.

We collaborated on some of the songs I performed that day… and one of the songs was - you guessed it - At the End of the Day.

Now… back to 2019. We had managed to record the song. I remember David had just finished his final exams for the year, and he came by around 6pm. We got into it right away, and we kept going until he had to go home in time for his curfew.

The song was never touched again until this year, this weekend… I decided to use my newly developed skills to mix and master the track. Mostly as a long-overdue gift to David.

At The End of the DayProphetic Ink, Yaizo 92

4:06

So, what is the song about… it’s about hope, steadfastness, and keeping a strong conviction even under tough circumstances. I was frustrated as a creative. It felt like there was no path for me to walk my creative journey the way I wanted to. Years of disapproval from my parents, pressure from society to “become something”, and the nonexistence of creative platforms in Randfontein had stacked up on my shoulder…

Regardless of all of it… I still believed in what I was doing with my art and creativity. If anything, I was doubling down on writing poetry and making music.

The hot spot in the song is the first few lines in my second verse. It was actually written first before everything else. I was busy preparing a sandwich one evening, and I heard a John Legend song come on. I can’t remember what song it was, but I instantly stopped making food and made “Food”. The song was so rhythmical, and strong… it inspired me to write a “soldier-on” anthem for myself.

I been struggling, but this ain't for long/ As long as my heart beats, my hope ain't gone/ As long/ as I breathe, I stay strong/ I’ve been cultivating my mind like Eden/ inside me, there's a greener lawn/ I take small steps like a pawn/ Small steps until I'm bigger than King Kong/ Even when it’s mad difficult, I keep on/ Keeping on/

It’s irreverence for the norm. I refused to put my pen down and pick up a tie. Even without much evidence, I knew that my art was valuable. The lyrics are written for my past self as both a celebration of my resilience, and an encouragement to follow my heart. When David got involved, he brought in his magic. Maybe you’ll get to hear this story from his perspective one day.

For now, I hope you are looking into a bright sunset, listening to this song… leaning in towards all the imperfections, and realising that it took sheer strength to make it and share it with you. I hope you are also reminded that the same kind of strength resides within you.

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At the End of The Day

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