As fans of music, poetry, film, television and art, we ask a lot of creatives. We ask them to be prolific at the rate at which they release new music. We also ask that they deliver something new and exciting each time. To top it all off, we ask that they open up their hearts and voices to the highest degree in order to build a connection with the viewer or listener. Putting it plainly, it’s a lot to ask of any creative to meet those standards, but we are thankful when they do. Not too long ago, an artist out of the city of Baltimore by the name of John Wells delivered an incredibly in-depth track called “No Drugs In Heaven” that will damn near leave you in tears when you hear it.
“No Drugs In Heaven” is the penultimate track of The Apprehension of John Wells. While the entire project is 25 minutes, this track takes up nearly a third of its runtime and it’s for good reason. Bar after bar, John Wells opens up about his father’s life and his tough battle with addiction and depression. As the track progresses, it becomes dishearteningly clear what the conclusion of this heartfelt story will be. Despite its inevitable conclusion, the older Wells’ father becomes, the clearer it becomes that he has only one goal to achieve before he passes. He wants his son to know that whatever happens, he’s loved.
“I promise this is not the end when I’m not here physically. I hope I’m an example because this is what withdrawal did to me. I spent my life running from a feeling I couldn’t swerve. My lady looked at me crazy because she didn’t want me in hers. On July 6th, my son picked up his girl, after he cried and that’s because that was the day that I died,” he raps.
If there’s anything you do with your day, hopefully, you’ll take about seven minutes out of your day to listen to “No Drugs In Heaven” by John Wells.