How Metta World Peace’s Daughter, Diamond, Inspires Me

FIRST LISTEN HERE: Diamond Artest – “Fighter” [KHANversations.com Exclusive]

I’d never been inspired by an eight-year-old until I got an email from Metta World Peace (yes, the basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest.)

Sure, I had been inspired by the tweenage Justin Bieber when watching “Never Say Never” – but never someone under the age of 10 (at least, at any point while being older than the age of 10.)

So what was so inspiring? His daughter Diamond Artest’s first single, “Fighter” feat. Sade.

I listened to it, not really knowing what to expect (because well, when I was eight, I had a squeaky high-pitched voice… I may still have same voice actually) and actually discovered that it lyrically is quite relatable.

Here’s the backstory. At age four, Diamond had cancer. She overcame it. Now she’s a “Fighter” (yes, an inspiring fighter who battles life-threatening issues… not the literal kind that jumps into the stands after a Pistons fan throws a beer at her and causes a massive NBA suspension. Confused? It’s a reference to a time when Metta was still Ron. Thankfully, everything is better now that we have World Peace.)

So yeah, back to the lyrics. From struggles to wanting to give up to surviving… even if you’re not dealing with something as life-altering as cancer, I’m sure you can relate to some part of the song. Plus it’s quite catchy. I actually woke up singing the tune “I’m a fighter (yeaaahh)” this morning.

So listen to the clip above. Read the lyrics below. And um. Buy Diamond’s single on Sept 27th on iTunes. Even if you’re not a fan of the song, the proceeds go to cancer research, and if you say no to cancer research, you’re a bad person. And not a fighter.

LYRICS: “Fighter” feat. Sade

I need to get some things off my chest

I may be young but I still go through things

If you could see through my eyes, you would probably be surprised

I know that Im just a young girl, but I still have problems in this world

I wake up just like you

I walk miles in my shoes

And I wanna give up too, but I learned

What doesn’t kill me, it makes me stronger

And I wont give up until its over

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

Nobody knows my struggles

And how it would be much easier to just let go

‘Cause I could see the pain and hurt in their eyes

It’s the same pain and hurt that helps me to survive

I wake up just like you

I walk miles in my shoes

And I wanna give up too, but I learned

What doesn’t kill me, it makes me stronger

And I wont give up until its over

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

I know, sometimes, there seems that there’s no light

But if you keep on believing

Hold on, be strong, believe in you

We’ll see that you will be free, ’cause…

What doesn’t kill me, it makes me stronger

And I wont give up until its over

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m ready for a fight (1, 2 – 1, 2 knock out – punch)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (yeah)

I’m a fighter (I’ma keep fighting)

[youtube id=”aFtYgmOSMkA” width=”600″ height=”350″]

 

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