If it wasn’t for writing songs I wouldn’t be here Rapper tells how music helped his depression
A BRAVE rapper who appears on tonight’s Ireland’s Got Talent told how hip-hop saved his life after he spent his childhood years homeless.
Viewers of the hit TV3 show will see Aaron J Hart perform his self-penned Show Pain track which is about his battle with depression and anxiety.
The 24-year-old said: “I’ve been a songwriter most of my life but I’ve only recently started performing music.
“I want to show people there’s a lot of power and passion in my songs, it’s not just an image.
“Show Pain is about depression and anxiety, it’s written from my own experiences. Growing up wasn’t the easiest, my mother was addicted to drugs for quite some time.
“That experience shaped and defined me – being homeless for years was a big issue.
“We stayed mostly in B&B’S, hostel to hostel, parks, anything at all.
“It was hard, writing for me was an escape, if I didn’t have writing I wouldn’t be here today.”
Aaron added he hopes his music can help others who are struggling. He said: “I want people to hear the song and maybe I can be a voice for people who are afraid to speak up.
“My only advice to anyone out there is don’t try and be someone you’re not, be yourself and talk to people, it works.” Speaking after his performance judge Michelle Visage revealed one of her two daughters suffers with depression.
The Rupaul’s Drag Race icon, who also has a history of anxiety, said: “This one hit me. I’m a mother of a kid with depression. It’s a brutal thing for anybody to have to go through, especially a child who thinks they’re alone.”
In 2016, Celebrity Big Brother star Michelle took Katie Hopkins to task over an article where she moaned about the rise in young people being diagnosed with mental health issues.
She tweeted: “Until you’re a parent of a seriously depressed child, then it’s a bloody celebration. You know not what you speak of.
“They are not to be looked down upon or made less of what they are.
“Kids are killing themselves, it’s a f ***** g epidemic that needs attention.”
Judge Michelle Visage