In addition to the first place contest winner, Jose, there were several other A Minute contestants who wrote fresh, original lyrics about the importance of getting tested for HIV.
Below, check out some of these top finalists that Common selected among the contests best of the best. Get to know these talented writers, why they got involved and check out their lyrics!
Then, leave us a note and tell us what you think about the importance of getting tested for HIV.
NAME: Mia Milton
HOMETOWN: Plano, TX
AGE: 25
I decided to enter the “A Minute Contest” because it was a fun and creative way to spread information about HIV/AIDS. It was also a great opportunity to encourage more people, especially people in my age group, to get tested. With Common relaying the message, I thought it would grasp everyone’s attention to do what is right, to get tested. It’s highly important to be tested for HIV so you can know your status. This knowledge will enable you to make decisions to protect your health as well as the health of others.
LYRICS
Less Than A Minute
Less than 1 minute to be active in your life
A short collection of seconds
All it takes to do what’s right
You may be nervous or even scared
Don’t worry many of us have been there
Get tested and release the ambiguity
Of not knowing
Choose now to protect your health
It’s up to you
No, no one else
Fast and painless tests are available
We can’t turn our backs on ourselves, for whom we are responsible
So face your unknown
Treatments for HIV have grown
Help others & yourself
Get tested
NAME: Benjamin Silva
HOMETOWN: San Jose, CA
AGE: 26
I am a student at San Jose State University, and one day in between my classes while watching videos, I saw an advertisement for the contest and decided to write something. I think what really compelled me to enter the contest was the fact that I have found myself in the precarious situation of having had unprotected sex. The dilemma that follows is usually the ndesirable feeling that I have made a big mistake and potentially gambled with my health and life. After pondering the possible gravity of my situation for some time, I come to the conclusions that I might have exposed myself to a disease, and that this disease could harm me, but more importantly potentially harm others who are innocent of the circumstance. The mere thought of the unfairness of the latter conclusion is always enough to drive me to take the time to ascertain the true and actual state of the matter. Knowing the outcome of the test allows me to make the best decision as what to do next. Having had this experience has altered my perception of myself, society, and how personal decisions individuals make can impact others. For these reasons I thought the minute contest was a way to potentially empower teens and young adults, and i wanted to contribute, if even just a few lines.
LYRICS
a split second choice can effect you for ever/conflicting feelings with the force of a river/the strongest principle of growth lies in human choice/let your actions speak louder than your voice/it only takes a minute, to make that commitment/and be an example to the rest...take that test/take solace in knowing, as a person your growing/ and righteous acts are like carvings on stone.
NAME: Charity Tran
HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA
AGE: 25
I believe that bringing continuous awareness to HIV testing is an important social action. It should be seen as a preventative measure as well as part of a fundamental basis in making life decisions that can have crucial consequences. HIV/AIDS is a disease that not only effects the standard of living of the individual that has contracted it, but also of those people in that person's life. I would also hope that with better awareness related to testing for HIV, there could also be greater education - alleviating the myth that might surround it, the global consequences related to it, and the ways that people can bring enlightenment, cure, and hope.
LYRICS
A minute, a minute, a minute
It only takes a minute
To do so many things
To make passionate decisions
That could mean anything
A minute could mean a lifetime
So shouldn't that be a sign…to…
Check 1 – to be sure (to)
Check 2 – to be smart and secure (to)
Check 3 – to make sure that the
lovin' that you give
Is all that will be received
So find out your status
Make it a part of your status quo
'Cause you want to live a good life
And it's good to take the time
To know
So find out your status
It's not only just for you
And it only takes a minute
A minute, a minute, a minute
NAME: Elizabeth Bayne
HOMETOWN: Washington, DC
AGE: 25
My background is in public health, but I've recently been tapping into my creative side since finishing school. The contest was an excellent opportunity to do that, with a little added incentive.
Just before entering the contest, I learned that here in Washington, DC, we have the highest prevalence [of HIV infection] in the country. There are so many free services available for District residents, but they largely go unused. I think if more people knew about the services available to them, they'd make better decisions about what to do next. A lot of times, people get caught up in the stigma of being HIV positive and are afraid to get tested, when really they should be rushing to do it, because early treatment means living longer.
LYRICS
There’s a spot
Near my place
Where I can get it for free
I heard the message
Answered the call
I saw it on TV
Of course at first
I never knew
That they were talking to me
But everyone
Should get the test
For H-I-V
No excuses
Common sense
Easy as 1-2-3
And it only
Takes a minute-
Plus the test is free
I know we all get scared
And we just don’t want to know
But there are drugs to keep you healthy
Just need to know where to go
So call, text, or visit
To locate
A clinic
Near your spot
Like I did
Save a life
Save your own
Get tested
Get treatment
Live your life and move on
No excuses
Common sense
Easy as 1-2-3
And it only
Takes a minute-
To choose to get tested for HIV
NAME: Michael Brown
HOMETOWN: Worcester, MA
AGE: 22
I decided to enter the A Minute lyric contest because writing lyrics is something I enjoy doing and combining that with creating awareness on something so prevalent with other people my age was a win-win. Using pro-active lyrics with a voice like Common is a great way to spread information and consciousness on the HIV/AIDS issue. People may be afraid of going to the doctor or think getting tested doesn't affect them, but why wouldn't you? It's safe, free, and takes no time. I'm a big Common fan and I know this topic is important to him and I'm glad I got to be a part of it.
LYRICS
One
One thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in one day,
You only need one to help yourself in a way,
That’s affecting others, men women and children,
Affecting close to 33 million,
One minute, to decide that you should get tested,
If you've never been asked consider yourself suggested,
One in four Americans infected,
Living with HIV and don’t know it,
It’s time to make a change, to yourself you owe it,
Excuses they surface:
I’m safer then that,
I have control of my life,
It ain’t cool to do that,
The fact of the matter is testing saves lives,
Live above the hype and in turn you will thrive,
One test is all you need, fast, easy, and painless,
Help yourself, help your lover, help your brother, help the nameless,
One minute to log on to hivtest.org,
Type your zip code, find a location, prevent the spread, be the cure,
One minute it took, for you to listen and understand,
Fight HIV, get tested, be safe, make YOUR stand.