A highlight from the VMA's this past Sunday was Logic's powerful performance of "1-800-273-8255." The video of it has been circulating around the internet heavily and being praised by many for raising awareness on mental health and suicide. Today, Billboard reports Lifeline's Director of Communications, Frances Gonzalez, has said they've received 50% increase in calls after the performance.
In a statement to Billboard, Gonzalez said "Logic’s performance of '1-800-273-8255' on the MTV VMAs last night delivered a positive message that has had and will continue to have a lasting impact," she continued by saying, "Sharing that healing and hope are possible helps individuals in crisis, [and] as changes the conversation around suicide from one of isolation to one of hope and connection."
Before Logic's performance, Kesha introduced him. In her speech she said, "The truth is, none of us are alone. It takes great courage to show the vulnerable side of being human," she continued by saying "We all have struggles, and as long as you never give up on yourself light will break through the darkness" before she plugged in Lifeline's phone number, which is also the title of Logic's song.
With an powerful introduction from Kesha and some help from Khalid and Alessia Cara, Logic performed the song and also had an uplifting speech before he left the stage. As he ended his performance, he was surrounded by suicide attempt survivors and said "I just want to take a moment right now to thank you all so much for a platform to talk about issues that that mainstream media doesn't want to talk about: mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression and so much more that I talk about on this album." Each person's shirt on stage had the suicide prevention number and on the back it read, "You Are Not Alone."
This year's VMA's had a strong emphasis on raising social awareness on pressing issues and fighting back against discrimination. Logic also addressed racism and inequality in his speech. He ended his performance by saying "I am here to fight for your equality, because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight."
Watch Kesha's speech and Logic's performance below:
