No Longer Voiceless
“The +Positive” is a Latin-infused hip-hop song that speaks to the heart, courage and discrimination of living with HIV. The rapper, Tom Cosgrove, free-styled his rhymes, telling his truths, his hopes and how he faces his fears. This song is set atop a flowing groove that was created by two One Love participants. The first artist was the sound engineer, beat-maker and producer for the vocals, while the second artist crafted the unique “breath beats” and vital punctuations as hype man. Both of these One Love artists crafted the hook, basing the design on the statements, “I Am… HIV Is… One Love is… It don’t really matter as long as we gonna live, LIVE.” Tom considers the relevant life themes of his responsibility to himself and his HIV+ community, outliving his parents who had both passed away by age 26, his Civil Rights, and the message he looks to impart. He recognizes how through his music he can step towards his future, and testifies to how he will choose to handle discrimination:
“I been given a gift so I’m not gonna stop
I know these haters are not gonna stop -They gonna flock
But listen, I’m about to teach’em
Instead of hatin’ on them – I’m about to receive’em
I know they hate me by my atmosphere
But man, in my heart I don’t hold no fear – ONE LOVE!”
Artist Statement
Tom’s Letter to the World… “What If…?!”
Picture the day all the questions of the past are finally answered
Picture a world where hunger ends and doctor’s find cure for cancer
Where dreams come true with my face on a country banner
Where schools take better part in fundamentals and country grammar
Where we as a generation are mature enough to raise our children in a proper manner
Where kids grow up with both parents
And for the one’s who never had any I acknowledge them for their survival and perseverance
Where adolescents don’t get judged by their physical appearance
Where racism is frowned upon and looked on as interference
Where love is still shown even after a troublesome experience
Through seconds, through minutes, through hours – there are choices
And through these days, these months, these years – I stand No Longer Voiceless
The +Positive
Written By: Tom Cosgrove
HOOK +
I am… HIV is… One Love is…
It don’t really matter as long as we gon live, live
VERSE +1
Uh, I get on mics to tell my story
I walk & step ‘til I get the glory
Man, I don’t make up stuff
I don’t tell that bluff
I know life is tough
Yeah, One Love is supportin’ it
We takin’ it out
Livin’ with HIV
Man I gotta open the mouth
And talk the words
To get to the people
Gotta stand up for your rights
Just like the hero
HOOK +
I am… HIV is… One Love is…
It don’t really matter as long as we gon live, live
VERSE +2
See I’m livin’ for my purpose
I hope people don’t hurt me
Because, man, I’m tryin’ to tell my story
I’m tryin’ to reach success
But man, it’s like, you have to strip yourself
And then undress
I mean my heart no confess
I hope my light carries millions to their best
This is the MOVEMENT…
Outlive my parents is my goal
So man it’s not weighin’ down by that toll, One LOVE, Yes
Not about money, it’s more about what you feelin’
Yeah, and it’s known as spiritual healing
HOOK +
I am… HIV is… One Love is…
It don’t really matter as long as we gon live, live
VERSE +3
HIV is what I live with – Listen
I live with the disease and yes it was a mission
NOT Impossible
In & out the hospital
I’m steppin’ toward my future with this rap
I said I live tomorrow
Told the Doctor’s I would live tomorrow
I stand & fight for somethin’ I believe in
Like my civil rights
I’m still breathin’
I stand on the mic – as a free man
VERSE +4
I been given a gift so I’m not gonna stop
I know these haters are not gonna stop
They gonna flock
But listen, I’m about to teach’em
Instead of hatin’ on them
I’m about to receive’em, yeah
I know they hate me by my atmosphere
But man, in my heart I don’t hold no fear
One LOVE How we live
One LOVE How we give
One LOVE That’s the +Positive
One LOVE
HOOK +
I am… HIV is… One Love is…
It don’t really matter as long as we gon live, live
Listen to More Original Songs From the Studio
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