Melbourne rapper 360 (real name Matt Colwell) has taken a stand against domestic violence in a poignant new song.
Dubbed If You Love Them You Never Hit Them, the track features ’60 laying some heartfelt rhymes over a sorrowful piano line, and addressing the perpetrators of domestic violence directly through his passionate lyrics.
“Thought she married a goodie / but she married a bully / fuck that, yo she married a pussy / a real man never puts his hands on a woman / no way is it OK,” he raps.
Sharing the video to Facebook, 360 also urged any victims of domestic violence to call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
His initial post earned him a stack of respect from fans, generating almost 10K likes, over 5K shares and over 1K comments less than a day after it went up online, with one punter commenting: “Holy hell you have me in tears. That sent shivers down my spine. I’ve been in that position and I left someone I thought I lived cos I wanted to break the cycle as it had steeped down from his parents and I didn’t want my kids growing up thinking it was okay! Best decision I ever made!!! On point 360xxxx respect man!!! Huge respect.”
It also prompted many other fans to share stories of their own experiences dealing with domestic violence.
360 has since penned a follow-up post in response to some fans’ criticisms that “men cop it too” and that he’s “made it harder for them to come forward cos of this song”, saying:
“That gets to me, if you listen to my words i clearly say “it doesn’t matter who’s the higher rate/ you never touch somebody in a violent way” and “it doesn’t matter if you’re men or women/ if you love em then you never hit em” – Domestic abuse is not okay regardless of who’s the abuser and the abused… It just so happens the inspiration for this song came from a case where the female was the abused but the whole point of this song is to say its never okay to hit someone, thats it. Whether you’re a male or female if you’re a victim of domestic violence, speak up and get some help – call lifeline 13 11 14 just make that first step.. <3“
Preach.
In January, 360 opened up about his drug addiction and mental health issues in a moving confessional rap called I’m Sorry.
Check out his latest offering, If You Love Them You Never Hit Them, below.
For those needing assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732, while Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
Watch: 360 – If You Love Them You Never Hit Them
