Blood splatters like the sun spread shining on me," raps Mz Blaque in the recording studio, a friend's bedroom, in North Philadelphia. "I never imagined I'd be actually rapping my own bars. I have a fear of public speaking," she said. When she first moved to Philadelphia she only had $65 to her name. "I was leaving everything with a determination to do me and be happy doing it."

Philadelphia Police investigate a crime scene on West Cumberland Street after a 23-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were shot on July 16, 2014. On that day seven people were shot, 3 critically. Philadelphia had the highest rate of homicide per capita in 2012-14. In 2014 248 people were slain - one above 2013 - and a 25 percent drop from 2012. Despite this 1,047 were shot in Philadelphia in 2014. As of October 1, 2015 201 people have been killed in Philadelphia, 12 more than this time in 2014. Approximately for every person that is shot and killed 3-4 people are shot, but survive.

The Cox family mourn over the loss of their brother Terrance “Bird” Cox. Bird, 25, who had no police record, was shot and killed by a Chinese takeout down the street from his house in North Philadelphia. Police described the murder as an “execution-style” ambush.

Nysir Anderson, grandson of Kama Anderson, walks through an open field at 16th and York Sts in North Philadelphia. Kama's son, Larry, was shot and killed at the same field by three different gunmen in 2002. Kama said Nysir reminds her of Larry because of their similar facial features. "There are good days and bad days," said Kammie. "Nothing, nothing can bring him back."

Kama and Steve: The couple met 15 years ago. Steve is 59 and Kammie is 51. "I found the perfect man. He had no wife and no kids," Kammie joked. They both grew up on Susquehanna Ave in North Philadelphia. 13 years ago today Steve got "Kammie" tattooed on his chest. "He's a great man, he always cared about me." Larry, Kammie's son, was shot and killed on June 23, 2002. In April 2015, Steve began getting bad headaches. A doctor diagnosed it as brain cancer. It's the third time he has had cancer. He has been given 6 months to live. Kammie, a certified nursing assistant takes care of Steve. "It's 24/7/365," she said. "but we've been through it all together." Although they've never been married they've always been "husband and wife." Before Steve got sick he bought her two rings including a butterfly ring. "Maybe this is his way of saying he was going to fly away." Kammie was recently given a large donation to start her own assisted living facility inside of a 4-bedroom house. She'll call it Kama's Kare. Steve passed away in August 2015.

Nate lost his left leg after a gunfight over a drug deal gone bad. After his shooting, he fell into a deep depression. He rarely leaves the house and often has friends run errands for him. Nate does a workout in his room. He works out several times a day as a way to battle his illness. “It gives me a natural high,” he said about working out. He begins with weights on the ground floor and heads up the stairs as he continues his routine.

Emerging rap artist Lindsay (rap name Fusion) practices new lyrics while taking care of his one-year-old daughter, Journee, in North Philly. Fusion would often write songs while in the presence of his daughter and (now ex) girlfriend, Journee's mother. Having them around would help him write more meaningful songs.

Balla Black, a North Philadelphia underground rap artist, celebrates his birthday with fellow rapper Legend. Black was shot five times in the back during an altercation with Philadelphia police officers. Now paralyzed, he relies on his mother to get in and out of bed. “I just remember running from the cops...and then I fell to the ground,” he said of the day he was shot. He was on house arrest for three years because he had a illegal gun on him during the shooting. "I'm moving on the best I can," he said.

Terry of North Philly was shot five times over a drug deal gone bad. He had open heart surgery. He now does community outreach in Philadelphia's most violent neighborhoods.

A T-shirt vigil in Northeast Philadelphia had the names of the 203 vicitim’s of gun violence in Philadelphia in 2013. Over the last 25 years, at least one person is murdered every day in Philadelphia, and more than 75% of those victims were killed with a gun.

A member of the Northeast High School football team waits in his car before a game. Northeast Philly is one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods.

Diane, an employee at Fabric Care Laundromat, watched as police investigated a crime scene in Brewerytown, a gentrified section of North Philadelphia, August 2015. "We are supposed to be the City of Brotherly Love. This is the City of Brotherly Hate," she said. Police say an unidentified man shot a 48-year-old man in the chest and arm inside an auto repair garage on the 2700 block of West Cabot Street around 5:30 p.m. The victim, who was a mechanic at the garage, was pronounced dead shortly after.

The HEAVY Basketball League in North Philadelphia was created to keep children and teens busy during the summer and off the streets. The league is located in the city’s 22nd district. In some parts of the district, more than 50% of the residents live in poverty.

Kapus’ father died of AIDS when he was 12. Six months later his family house burned down. Kapus, a life long North Philadelphian is now 37. “Some days I thought the only way out was homicide or suicide. But I’m alive and well.” He was shot several times during an altercation, but survived. He is currently writing his autobiography, “Love changes, thug changes and best friends become strangers.

Charles, 17, gets his hair cut at Uptown Legacies in North Philadelphia. His father Michael, a barber, who was murdered in 2007, used to run the shop when it was called Hair Infatuation. It was his first trip back since his father owned the barbershop. "Its important for me to remember who he was and where he came from," Charles said after visiting his father's headstone.

Whoop, 24, a native of Southwest Philly has been rapping since 10. "It's an indescribable feeling," he said about performing. He says he writes his music about situations he's encountered in life. "I rap about what's real and things I think matter. I make my music based around emotion," he said.