A new study from the BMJ has shown that Logic’s anti-suicide song, ‘1-800-273-8255’, saved hundreds of lives.
The song’s title is the number of the US National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and on the track, Logic talks a friend down from the ledge. He sings on the chorus, “I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive, You don’t gotta die today, you don’t gotta die, I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive, You don’t gotta die, now let me tell you why.”
The new study has discovered that in the wake of the rapper’s performance in August 2017, calls to the lifeline increased by 50%. Furthermore, the medical organisation also discovered a decrease in suicide rates during this period.
They also noted a drop off when the song was initially released in April 2017, and following Logic’s performance of ‘1-800-273-8255’ at the Grammy Awards the next year. During this time frame, the BMJ noted a 5.5% reduction in suicide rates among 10-19 year olds which is 245 fewer deaths than usual.
“To know that my music was actually affecting people’s lives, truly, that’s what inspired me to make the song,” Logic told CNN. “We did it from a really warm place in our hearts to try to help people. And the fact that it actually did, that blows my mind.”
Watch Logic perform the track at the Grammy’s below.
