Gone

"**Gone**" is a song by Mikkey Halsted and Lupe Fiasco, released on April 4, 2012, to raise awareness of gun violence. It features vocals from Jim Lavigne on the the hook, with production handled by David "D.A. Got That Dope" Doman.

In a statement, Halsted said:

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> In light of "37 SHOOTINGS, 46 VICTIMS & 9 MURDERS” during Chicago's first 'warm' weekend, the Trayvon travesty, 6-year old Aliyah Shell, and in honor of my cousins Ismail & Malik that were gunned down last summer…I felt as though this was the time to drop this song. Shouts to Lupe for helping me paint a vivid picture of what goes on everyday in Chicago and every other ghetto in America. Also, shouts to David 'D.A.' Doman & Jim LaVigne for providing us the perfect canvas to paint upon.Special Dedication to Blair Holt and the hundreds of CPS students lost to senseless violence.
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> WE CAN NO LONGER WAIT FOR OTHERS, SEEMINGLY UNAFFECTED BY OUR ISSUES, TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS FOR US. SPEAK OUT AND SAY SOMETHING, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO SOMETHING.
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## Synopsis

Chicago's reputation as a war zone paints the city with tears, blood and hopelessness to those in and outside city limits. The easy way out leads "entertainers" to endear themselves to the city's ills. Mikkey Halsted and Lupe Fiasco take the road less traveled and uncover the consequences of senseless gun violence on "Gone." Mikkey leads and deftly carries the record with tales of young lives cut short. Then Lupe's anchoring verse finds him as a paramedic desperately trying to save a victim from becoming a statistic. There will be no Lupester jokes here folks. You'll hear signs of the Food & Liquor and The Cool here lyrically and the song's better for it.

Rappers, on another note, have been riding the social commentary wave as soon Trayvon's demise made headlines. It's a change from the usual party & bullshit. Yet these movements, much like activism from the streets to social networks, have a habit of subsiding when justice is served, denied or the story trails from public consciousness. I'll enjoy solid efforts like this when they come and I'm sure the artists involved had the best intentions in mind. Time will still tell if, on a greater scale, like-minded attempts manifest into an actual shift in rap music or reserve themselves to flavor of the month status.

## Background

While this was their first collaboration, Fiasco and Halsted go way back. According to *Fake Shore Drive*, Chicago producer SC had a beat that both rappers used. Fiasco was the first to pay for it, which was used on his song "Lupe the Killer" from his 2006 mixtape, *Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge of the Nerds*. Halsted's "Homicide" remained in the vaults until 2008. SC said of the two songs, "I loved both versions! Although, I never actually owned a copy of Mikkey's version, I was aware of it because he played it for me at United Technique studio. From what I remember it was dope as shit. Lupe's version threw me off when I first heard it—his wordplay was bananas. However, I didn't understand what the hell he was talkin' about. My buddy explained to me that he was 'murderin' the beat.' So, really, I like them both."

On October 29, 2009, Fiasco held a homecoming concert, Remember 2 Smile, in Chicago. Halsted was brought out for the performance of "Liquor Store".

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Hook: Jim Lavigne]

When them bullets come out of the gun

And you're standing where there's nowhere to run

You're gone, you're gone, you're gone

You're gone, you're gone

[Verse 1: Mikkey Halsted]

Famous warriors on Peoria, mean on Green

Strangling men on Sangamon cannot intervene

Blood stay pouring on Morgan I'm stuck in between

Rock and hard place forced to keep the Glock by the spleen

This is rag-town wild 100 section

You could hear a pin drop when the when the folks is in a session

Only 13 when the G first blessed 'em

Gave him all of his slit and a black Smith and Wesson

He reppin', feeling like a veteran

High school, feeling like a king amongst the peasants

Four corner hustlers making sure he feel threatened

He ain't into wrestlin', shorty got a weapon

They keep sayin' what they gone do when they catch him

Not knowing what he snuck past the metal detectors, he reckless

Damn, they caught him on the bus

Shorty ain't think, shorty just bust

[Hook: Jim Lavigne]

When them bullets come out of the gun

And you're standing where there's nowhere to run

You're gone, you're gone, you're gone

You're gone, you're gone

[Verse 2: Mikkey Halsted]

On the corner, crack spot, hat cocked

To the left, selling death out of black tops

Over East, Kofax, that block

Off the five, terror town, it's that hot

That n\*\*\*a, right there, [?]

Sipping lean, sizzurp and that pop

Baby cryin', cop sirens in the backdrop

Opposition keeps up, damn you heard that shot

(Shawty duck!)

He was stuck, blood spilled on the ground like his Crush

He's feeling cold to the touch, n\*\*\*a hush

Don't speak, it's looking bleak for 'em

Looking like the Grim Reaper finna reach for 'em

Jesus Christ, we need you to intercede for 'em

After father couldn't [?] for 'em

[Hook: Jim Lavigne]

When them bullets come out of the gun

And you're standing where there's nowhere to run

You're gone, you're gone, you're gone

You're gone, you're gone

[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]

Now I got 'em, back of the ambulance tryna to stop 'em

From stoppin', but he's shockin'

No other choice but to shock him, blood pressure droppin'

But he's a fighter, he's a boxer

Unless he wants to leave Ali's his only option

He sees the butterflies but tryna keep him conscience

His oxygen flow constant, it's just a consequence

And I've chauferred many and barely saved any

And I say he's about 20, not a bad paramedic they just good with the semis

So I don't feel bad, I gave everything in me

To bring him back to life, now I see his light dimming

Feel his soul slipping, he's all done

Turn the sirens off, we just lost one

## References

1. ↑ "Mikkey Halsted & Lupe Fiasco ft. Jim Lavigne – Gone". *Uproxx*. April 4, 2012.
2. ↑ "(Mikkey Halsted & Lupe Fiasco) Gone ft.Jim Lavigne by theofficialchicago". *SoundCloud*. April 6, 2012.
3. ↑ Barber, Andrew (June 12, 2008). "Mikkey Halsted's - "Homicide" vs. Lupe Fiasco's - "Lupe the Killer"". *Fake Shore Drive*.
4. ↑ "Lupe Fiasco Brings out Mikkey Halsted for "Liquor Store"". *YouTube*. October 30, 2009.