Singletary: Theme song for paying student loans

The ditty is by New Orleans native David Augustine Jr., known by his stage name Dee-1, and it should be the anthem for the millions collectively carrying $1.3 trillion in student loans on their backs. The song is called “Sallie Mae Back.” You can find the official video on YouTube or at dee1music.com. Sallie Mae is, of course, the giant student loan lender. 

“Needed tuition, needed room and board

Had to pay for books, so I took out loans to feed the boy”

But guess what Dee-1 did?

He eventually paid off his debt, and he can’t stop belting out four times over in the hook: 

“I finished paying Sallie Mae back, Mae back! 

I finished paying Sallie Mae back, Mae back!

I finished paying Sallie Mae back, Mae back!

I finished paying Sallie Mae back, Mae back!”

Turns out, after securing a record deal, the 27-year-old immediately took some of his advance and paid off all his student loans.

I talked to Dee-1, who taught middle school math before becoming a full-time performer, and Colin Pierce, the director of the song’s music video. These two artists stand, in different ways, as a powerhouse of wisdom and encouragement for all the people who are stuck in this burdensome situation.

Pierce has his own story. He says he’s got another 15 years before he pays off his $92,000 in student loans. 

As Dee-1 sings, “Look, is it $40,000, $50,000, $60,000, or maybe it’s more? Is it $80,000, $90,000, $100,000? How much do you owe her?”

When Pierce tells me his number, he takes a breath. And the kicker: He’s got the debt but no degree. 

“It hurts,” he said. “Every time that I tell the number, my heart dies a little. I was one of those people who got caught up in going to a for-profit school. But I’m not alone. “

Dee-1 wouldn’t disclose his number. And for good reason, I think. He doesn’t want people to focus on what his financial bondage was and perhaps dismiss his joy if the amount of his loans doesn’t trump what they’re still carrying. 

Dee-1 said he graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in business marketing. But he still couldn’t manage all his bills and student loans. 

“Graduated, wasn’t making quite enough to pay ’em back. 

Went in default. Messed my credit up. Check my Equifax.

I ain’t proud of that.”

This song is a hip-hop, rapping delight. (And thankfully there’s no profanity.) But what I like most about it is that, rather than focus on the negative, Dee-1 said he wanted this anthem to be about the joy of finally paying off the student loans. It’s a proclamation of freedom.

One scene in the video shows a festive toga party signaling his financial freedom. And, listening to the song’s uplifting message, you want to pump your arms up, too.

Regardless of how much he owed, Dee-1 is using his music to motivate you — no matter what you owe — to pay off your loans as soon as possible. He knows he got a break, but he wants you to jump for joy one day, too.

“It takes patience and sacrifice, but it’s definitely possible to pay off Sallie Mae and have a party,” the singer said.

You can get a free MP3 download of the song if you sign up for Dee-1’s newsletter. “I really wanted people to have the song for free. I didn’t want to sell it for $1.99, or whatever. I wanted people to use whatever money they have to get out of debt.”

“For those that doubted me, yeah, this is payback.

But guess what I did?

I finished paying Sallie Mae back, Mae back!”

Dee-1 said, as an artist, it feels great when you hit that sweet spot that sparks conversations and change.

“I really wanted to capture that celebratory vibe of getting over a hurdle in life,” Dee-1 said. “And student loan debt is a hurdle. Getting out of debt is the new American Dream.”

Listen to the song for yourself. And imagine the day that you get a letter saying you’ve finished your payback.  

Michelle Singletary welcomes comments and column ideas. Reach her in care of The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20071; or singletarym@washpost.com.