MiRaj

ABOUT THE ARTIST

MiRAJ is Pakistani American and an up-and-coming Chicago artist whose love for his city knows no bounds. Being ethnically Pakistani and born and raised on the north side of Chicago, the vibrancy of Uptown made it a second home during his upbringing. The music he makes in partnership with the Dis/Placements Project is a testament to the joys and struggles that he and many other Chicago residents experience on a daily basis.

Photo courtesy of MiRAJ

Nostalgia 99

By MiRAJ

From the artist: “Nostalgia 99 is a love letter to my past. I grew up in Edgewater, just a few blocks north of the rich history and culture of Uptown. Living in such a diverse area allowed me to see and experience all walks of life - the good and the bad. The song is a testament to struggle and endurance. It's an anthem for the marginalized fighting to preserve their identity in a world trying to strip it away.”

Lyrics

Revolutionary tactics, used to hate the polices before I was even active

No neighbors in my hood it was crackers always harassing

We didn't trust the bank it was money under the mattress

We pray for paradise cause this mortal life hold distractions

Everybody addicted to violence, sex or religion

Drugs was only addition to what the powers prescripted

If you ain’t got no food then the crack will dirty your dishes

Was smokin in my room Marijuana clouded my visions

We was hustling if you asked me

Mama sellin donuts and daddy workin that taxi

The post traumatic stresses, they robbin him out that backseat

I shoulda bought a vest when them bullets was blowin past me

Grew up pushing packages UPS or that postal

Or posted off of Sheridan, Shans was selling local

Was smokin on them corners them squares scratching my vocals

The city got me checkin for changes I'm going loco

What you know bout skipping on doctors cause you ain’t rich

Or borrowing your auntie's prescription and prayin it hits

And dirty water damn near made me into a martyr

Used to shower in up in my neighbors crib til it fixed

Cause where I'm from, we write our memories in graffiti

Or tape it on the TV or burn it straight through the CD

Gunnin for my spot but they really aint tryna be me

Its pain inside these walls and my people may never see me

And the masses are hypnotized,

While these vultures came up copping our cultures and selling lies

My homie told me stories immortal but people die

They tryna put my body in chains for freeing minds

Cause shit get scarier when you not free

We not in them areas where the cops be

Fuck all the presidents cause they [….]

Brown skin baby, they tryna drop me