IDEA:
LYRICS: R. Kelly writes song for Virginia Tech
'Rise Up' is about healing in the aftermath of the shootings
The Associated Press
Originally published May 1, 2007, 10:52 AM EDT
NEW YORK // R. Kelly has written a new song, "Rise Up," about healing in the aftermath of the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech. A gunman killed 32 people and himself on the university's campus in Blacksburg, Va.

"Rise Up" will be available digitally May 15, and 100 percent of the net proceeds from its sale will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, said Jive Records, Kelly's record label.





Kelly, 40, wrote the inspirational ballad after watching the events unfold on television while he was on tour, Jive said.

The lyrics include the lines: "Rise up, when you feel you can't go on, rise up, and all of your hope is gone, rise up, when you're weak and you can't be strong."
The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund was created to provide assistance to the victims of the families, as well as grief counseling and other needs for those affected by the shootings.

It can't be as bad as "U Saved Me" or "Trapped In The Closet". Can it?

I'll say it again

R.Kelly is a bitch

Good move. Hopefully it's a good track.

Oh, well this makes up for that whole child molestation phase he went through.

that's hokie, alright.

I'll buy it.

Shouldn't MJ be hopping on this wagon also??

lazycrockett said:

No, because he doesn't want to contribute to the glorification of death and killing like the rest of the media.

ElCapitan said:

bboy87 said:

Preach.

He's STILL a fucking child molester

r kelly writes song for virginia tech

Really? amazing! Virg Tech wasn't an infant school as far as i know.

As if people getting murdered wasn't bad enough, now R Kelly wants to murder our ears with some more of his garbage.

Really tacky. Lets be real here, this gets his name out there again more than anything especially with his new album on the way and im sure they will find a way to get the song on his album after the single is out of print.

maybe a lot of young looknig people went there...

Militant said:

You know, we don't need a song for every tragedy and social failing. If you want to donate money, just donate money. Crappy charity songs should not be an incentive to give.

JackieBlue said:

I agree

JackieBlue said:

That's true, and it's not as if anyone doesn't see thru it. But no one will complain because the money goes to a worthy cause and because there's a chance that the song may actually bring comfort to the families.

It really helps to look past all that other stuff, if the song is good.

dats my niggah

Forgive me for asking, but has he written a song merely dedicated to the tragedy or is it a full on charity song? Why does money need to be raised?

Glad MJ didn't decide to do a song too. We'd never hear it, cuase he'd never get it done.

ElCapitan said:

This is supposed to make everybody forget about that.

JackieBlue said:

Exactly, i agree, i really dont like when Artists latch on to these tragedies either, and make it about a song or a concert. If you wanna do things like Live Aid or Live Earth, thats one thing. But these 9/11 concerts and Katrina songs and School shooting anthems are really not necessary, its like wallowing in tragedy, just put out the info and phone numbers for people to donate and save the songs.

Rhondab said:

yeah he's totally redeemed himself

Even though I question his motive, At least the money is going for a good cause. As for the song itself. If it sounds anything like "You Remind Me Of My Jeep" or " You Are Not Alone(The MJ song)". I will find him and deliver a MPLS @$$Whuppin.

What cause is the money going to? Who actually lost money from the tragedy?

At least Katrina victims actually needed monetary help.

Ellie said:

Good question Ellie...I mean I hope they are not planning to pay the families of victims any money, that would be insulting.