Jonylah Forever

"Jonylah Forever" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, first released on March 15, 2013, to his SoundCloud."Lupe Fiasco – Jonylah Forever". DJBooth. March 15, 2013. It was later added as the 15th track from his seventh studio album, Drogas Wave (2018). Produced by Soundtrakk, it samples Apparat's "Goodbye" and is in tribute to Jonylah Watkins, an infant at six months who was shot five times during open fire at her and her father Jonathan on March 11, 2013, in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Watkins died the next day on March 12; this brought to attention in the media about Chicago's prevalent gun violence."Jonylah Watkins Dies: 6-Month-Old Dead After Being Shot 5 Times in Chicago". HuffPost. March 12, 2013.
Fiasco creates another reality for Watkins on the track, where her father chooses to no longer be involved in gang activities and instead becomes a committed parent. Watkins grows up to become a successful doctor and ends up saving a bleeding baby from the same fate she suffered. She also meets Hadiya Pendleton, who has become an artist—their paths cross at King College Prep, the high school Pendleton attended.Rindner, Grant (September 22, 2018). "Lupe Fiasco Invents Alternate Realities on "Alan Forever" & "Jonylah Forever"". Genius. "Jonylah Forever" is known to be one of Fiasco's most emotive songs.
== Background ==
Fiasco expressed his anguish on Twitter over the devastating levels of violence in Chicago communities, writing, "A 6-Month old baby in Chicago was shot 5 times and killed while the father was changing its diaper. This is why I rant! This is why I speak out! This is why I sound preachy in my songs! I have no choice!" He later published "Jonylah Forever" to his SoundCloud, captioning, "She lives as long as we do. She will live forever. God bless your soul and the family you left behind. We Love You."Weiss, Sam (March 15, 2013). "Listen: Lupe Fiasco "Jonylah Forever"". Complex.Adams, Gregory (March 14, 2013). "Lupe Fiasco "Jonylah Forever"". Exclaim!
He told Vulture in 2020, "Every time that I'm making a 'Forever' [tribute song], I cry like a baby. It's like a strange affirmation that it's complete. When I finished 'Jonylah Forever,' I was a mess. 'Alan Forever,' I was a mess."Ketchum III, William E. (August 4, 2020). "Lupe Fiasco vs. Everybody (Even Himself)". Vulture.
== Trivia ==
* The 2013 version differs from the 2018 version, where it contains an echo.
* Because of the Apparat sample used, "Jonylah Forever" is sometimes erroneously credited to appear on Breaking Bad in "Face Off," its season four, finale episode.
* Jonylah Emani Watkins (September 16, 2012 – March 12, 2013) was killed by gunshots aimed at her father, who was parked in a minivan and changing her diaper. According to police reports, the shooting was in retaliation for a stolen video game system, which had been taken from Koman Willis' apartment and sold to someone else in the neighborhood. Willis was charged with first-degree murder and surrendered to the police on May 28, 2013."6-Month-Old Jonylah Watkins Killed Over Video Game System, Chicago Police Say". Chicago Tribune. May 28, 2013. He went on to plead "not guilty" and was eventually dropped of all charges on December 14, 2020, due to circumstantial evidence.Crepeau, Megan (December 22, 2020). "Prosecutors Drop Case Against Man Accused of Shooting 6-Month-Old Girl in 2013". Chicago Tribune.
* Hadiya Pendleton (June 2, 1997 – January 29, 2013) was a 15-year-old Black girl who was fatally shot in the back on January 29, 2013, after taking her final exams at the King College Prep High School. The shooters believed they were firing at rival gang members.Ortiz, Erik (July 20, 2021). "Man Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Teen Hadiya Pendleton Sentenced to 42 years in Prison". NBC News. In her memory, her friends founded Project Orange Tree, aiming to end structural violence. Fiasco supported the campaign through his charity organization, M.U.R.A.L., and hosted a community forum. Two suspects, Micheail Ward and Kenneth Williams, were arrested for first-degree murder and other charges: Ward was sentenced to 84 years in prison on January 14, 2019, and Williams received a 42-year prison sentence on July 20, 2021.
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
category:2013 songs
category:Drogas Wave
category:Lupe Fiasco songs
category:Songs