Hip-hop artist Memphis Jelks was inspired to write his newest track after speaking with comedian Bill Cosby. The rapper, who is currently signed to Chuck D’s SpitSlam Record Label, has released a new song titled “The 89th Day.”
Cosby himself took notice of Jelks’s previous viral hit song “The Cosby Dance,” and shared a statement hailing Jelks as a “prolific rapper” helping to restore the comedian’s legacy. The artist revealed that “The 89th Day” was driven by his experience of losing his job right before starting a new job.
In his words, Cosby recommended putting the narrative into a song, which led to the production of the new song. This followed a phone conversation arranged by the famous comedian’s representative, Andrew Wyatt.
“The 89th Day” attempts to communicate the value of education and qualifications in the contemporary workforce by fusing comedy and song.
“I salute everyone around the world involved in the education industry because I know how it feels to have a job that doesn’t appreciate my hard work and will terminate my employment at the drop of a dime,” Jelks expressed, according to The Washington Informer.
Jelks continues to look up to the now-disgraced comic for inspiration, although Cosby has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment by over 60 women, according to The Associated Press.
The 86-year-old was the first celebrity accused and convicted during the #MeToo era, serving nearly three years in a Pennsylvania state jail. Cosby has denied all claims of sexual offenses. A higher court overturned Cosby’s conviction, and he was released from prison in 2021.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Jelks hosts “The Memphis Jelks Show,” a podcast on which he aims to unify communities and build bridges across racial, religious, and political divides.
