Rap Is A Powerful Postwar Weapon (VIDEOS)

Former Army tank gunner Jeff Barillaro has an interesting approach to dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Under the stage name Soldier Hard, Barillaro has decided to declare war on PTSD though his studio-recorded hip-hop songs. (You can listen to all his work on his official Soldier Hard website.)

As reported by MSNBC, he decided last year to break up with PTSD:

“I thought: If I could write a letter to PTSD, what would I say to PTSD? Then I thought: Oh, wow, this is going to be powerful,” said Barillaro, an Iraq War veteran, out of the service since 2010, who has steadily gained fame among active-duty troops, young veterans and their families for his bare, often-bleak music about the daily demons of living with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Last May, “Dear PTSD,” streamed from his busy mind to his scribbling fingers and, ultimately into a microphone: “Did you listen good when I said, Leave me be? PTSD, get the hell away from me. Cuz you held me down, didn’t even let me sleep, didn’t even let me breathe, didn’t let me live in peace.”

Barillo has gone on to record 14 albums so far and has launched a nonprofit record label called Redcon-1 Music Group. Of the project he notes:

“I wanted to give other military artists and veterans a chance to tell their stories because I know how much music has saved my life. Maybe it can save their life, too. I want them to know that same feeling I get when it comes to music, when I’m writing it, and when I’m done and I’m listening to it. I forget where I’m at, any problems I’m having, any bills I can’t pay. It keeps my mind clear. It keeps me sane. That’s why I believe music can really heal people.”

You can view a couple of his videos below followed by a short piece about him posted today on MSNBC.

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