"For Those Who Do": My Entry to the Lenovo-Intel Blog U-Rap Contest

Last August of this year, Lenovo and Intel held the Lenovo-Intel Blog U-Rap Contest which was a rap making (lyrics, music and video) contest opened to bloggers and their theme was "For Those Who Do". When I first received an email invitation to join it I really did not give much attention to it because my first reaction was that the contest mechanics and requirements were too hard. It would entail a lot of work, I thought.

But as the registration deadline for Lenovo and Intel's Blog U Rap contest came closer I started to consider joining the contest. So, to make the long story short, I made my own lyrics using Lenovo's theme "For Those Who Do" and used it as the title of the rap I created. I cooked up some grooves and beats using the Garage Band app in my iPad and then went to the recording venue as scheduled.

There were actually three recordings of the video, one was before the contest where I used a slower tempo for the music I created. In that video, we wore head costumes; the back up did not wear a nurse uniform or some hip hop clothing. The second video was after I was notified that I won first place (the one embedded below) and the third was a live recording during Lenovo's celebration for being #2 globally.

So, enough of the introduction. Here are the lyrics and the video. Credits to Lenovo, Intel, the sweet ladies of Ardent Comm and my three back up vocalists (Tin Tin, Cla and Pochi).

For Those Who Do

By Jeffrey Aspacio for the Lenovo-Intel Blog U Rap Contest

Verse 1:

The world revolves, we’re all involved

In each other’s lives, that’s how we thrive and stay alive

But suffering is never ending

And all around, problems abound, the crying sounds

Poverty. Atrocity. Our apathy

Is no solution, cause of indignation

We have a choice to be a voice

Speak out for them, or just ignore ‘em.

Add to the problem

Pre-chorus:

Complainers, whiners, moaners or nit-pickers

You ain’t doin’ anything, so back off from the winners

For those who do, the catalyst and movers

Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers

Chorus 1:

Lean over, lean over (pronounced as Lenovo)

This is what I’ve got to say

Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over

Stop thinking that you don’t know how

Go make your move, the time is now

Verse 2:

Lend me your ears, volunteer, with your peers

Make a difference, don’t be indiff’rent

Realize, look with your heart, not just your eyes

It’s getting’ to ya’, this music moves ya’

As the sun gets higher, these words will catch fire

Our passion and desire to get up from the mire

We have hope, so look up and don’t mope

By loving and living and more than existing

The world that we live in, is gonna be changin’

Pre-chorus:

Complainers, whiners, moaners or nit-pickers

You ain’t doin’ anything, so back off from the winners

For those who do, the catalyst and movers

Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers

Chorus 1:

(pronounced as Lenovo) Lean over, lean over

This is what I’ve got to say

Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over

Stop thinking that you don’t know how

Go make your move, the time is now

Chorus 2:

Lean over, lean over

It’s your resolve to get involved

Your story’s yet to be told

Lean over, lean over

It’s not too late, to seal your fate

So get up now, and prove you’re great

Chorus 1:

Lean over, lean over

This is what I’ve got to say

Don’t wait too long, this is your day

Lean over, lean over

Stop thinking that you don’t know how

Go make your move, the time is now

By loving and living and more than existing

The world that we live in, is gonna be changin’

For those who do, the catalyst and movers

Show ‘em what you’re made of and keep on bein’ doers, Peace!

"For Those Who Do": Rap video - music and lyrics by Jeff Aspacio