The death of George Floyd sparked protests across the world that have lasted for two weeks and show no sign of slowing down. Whenever there are protests, there is the music that provides the score and numerous rappers have released songs that align with what is taking place. Once again, Hip-hop continues to be the voice of the people.
Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill has detailed conversations with billionaires, detailing how there are two sides to America. On the new track “Otherside of America,” Meek talks racism and the inequality that comes from it’s years of systematic oppression.
“Reporting live from the other side/Same corner where my brothers died”
Known for never holding his tongue, YG releases a new protest anthem that is aimed at the police after numerous instances of police brutality. Titled “FTP (Fuck the Police),” the song was set to drop before a hosted demonstration in Los Angeles, however, it was halted due to safety concerns of attending protestors.
“I’m not trying to get none of my people hurt or shot so I’mma cancel the date,” he said. “It’s fucked up but I’m gonna come back bigger and better. I’m partnering with Black Lives Matter and we gonna do this shit the right way. For the people, for the city, and for all the artists that wanna pop out and participate.”
You can hear the song below.
Plies also joined the run of rappers who is moved to shed light on the state of current America. His new song, “Equal,” brings the southern star to an impassioned plea to live and be treated equal.
Just got a text from my momma, said, ‘Babe, I hope you’re safe’
I text her back and told her I hope they don’t kill me by my race
Protests anthems go up north to Detroit where Tee Grizzley, connects with the Detroit Youth Choir and Queen Naija for “Mr. Officer.” Naija’s beautiful voice opens the song, paving the way for Grizzley to address the police brutality that is seemingly applied to Black people.
They put that badge on and feel like they better than us
Right now, it’s seemin’ like they job is to make it tragic for us
Crazy part about it, it only happen to us
They brought us here against our will, now they ain’t happy with us.
Conway the Machine is aiming to hit the protest streets with his song “Front Lines.” The song is true to the Griselda sound as he skates across the verses about police brutality and racial injustices.
“Enough is enough!” Conway wrote on Instagram. “F*ck the police! We had enough of the police brutality of black people and systemic racism!!!”
While everyone is looking for the album that will provide the sound of the times, Run the Jewels slyly slid it out in RTJ4. One of the standout singles from the album is “Walking In The Snow,” which was made before the killing of George Floyd but still resonates with the times.
And they predictin’ prison population by who scoring the lowest
And usually, the lowest scores the poorest and they look like me
And every day on evening news they feed you fear for free
And you so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me
The album dropped earlier in the week.
“Fuck it, why wait?” the duo asks in a joint statement. “The world is infested with bullshit so here’s something raw to listen to while you deal with it all. We hope it brings you some joy. Stay safe and hopeful out there and thank you for giving 2 friends the chance to be heard and do what they love.”