It feels as though the never-ending cycle of violence in the United States is threatening to swallow the country whole. The unconscionable combination of the Alton Sterling and Philando Castile shootings within a 24-hour window this week has already sparked several protest songs in the realm of hip hop.
If there is a silver lining to times like these, it is that they produce a high volume of protest music. Since George Zimmerman gunned down 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012, hip hop has responded with an abundance of songs castigating police brutality and unending oppression of minorities at the hands of The Man. From YG's "Police Get Away Away Wit Murder" to J Cole's "Be Free," here are the 10 best hip hop protest songs released in that time period.
YG - "Police Get Away Wit Murder"
Quotables
Black males in a hoodie that’s a target to them
They say he oversized and choked him out that was harmless to them
They’ll hit us and try to blame it like I ain’t owe this to them
But fuck it, I’m waking my people making it harder for them
We’ll put our hands up and they’ll still shoot motherfucker
And post on trial for one to two motherfucker
They give us years for guns and we can buy em off the shelf
But you’ll get life in the coffin if you don’t protect yourself
Vince Staples - "Hands Up"
Quotables
Deangelo Lopez and Tyler Woods
Just a couple they gunned down around the hood
I guess the pigs split wigs for the greater good
Cause I ain't seen them lock a swine up yet
At the most they reassign 'em to prevent protest
Just your color is enough to get you under arrest
Strong hand of the law got me feelin' oppressed
If you flippin', kill a fifty, then you get in a chair
Quotables
I am Sugar Ray Robinson, Booker T. Washington
W. E. B. Du Bois, I'm the modern one
Yelling at Senators, Presidents, Congressmen
We got a problem that needs some acknowledgement
I am no prison commodity, not just a body you throw in a cell
For any reason, just to bother me
Just for your quota, so it's rest in peace to Sean Bell
Dr. Dre - "Animals" feat. Anderson .Paak
Quotables
Damn, why the fuck are they after me? Maybe cause I'm a bastard
Or maybe cause of the way my hair grow naturally
Still tryna figure out, why the fuck I'm full of rage
I think I noticed this bullshit right around the fifth grade
Paraphernalia in my locker right next to the switch blade
Nothing but pussy on my mind and some plans of getting paid
But I'm a product of the system raised on government aid
And I knew just how to react when it was time for that raid
Vic Mensa - "16 Shots"
Quotables
They threw a little girl down on the pavement
Pushed her with the bike and said, "Stay out the way, bitch"
She was bleedin' on the ground through her braces
This is what happens when niggas don't stay in their places
The mayor duckin' when he fired the superintendent
But resignation come with bonuses and recognition
So we gon' break in the stores on Magnificent Mile
And if we gotta go, let's go to prison in style
D'Angelo - "The Charade"
Quotables
All we wanted was a chance to talk
'Stead we only got outlined in chalk
Feet have bled a million miles we've walked
Revealing at the end of the day, the charade
Beyonce - "Freedom" feat. Kendrick Lamar
Quotable Lyrics:
"Ten Hail Marys, I meditate for practice
Channel 9 news tell me I'm movin' backwards
Eight blocks left, death is around the corner
Seven misleadin' statements 'bout my persona
Six headlights wavin' in my direction
Five-O askin' me what's in my possession"
-Kendrick
Run The Jewels - "Early" feat. Boots
Quotables
It be feelin' like the life that I’m livin' man out of control
Like every day I’m in a fight for my soul
Could it be that my medicine’s the evidence
For pigs to stop and frisk me when they rollin' round on patrol?
And ask “why you’re here?”
I just tell 'em cause it is what it is
I live here and that’s what it is
He chimed “you got a dime?
I said “Man, I’m tryin' to smoke and chill
Please don’t lock me up in front of my kids
Kendrick Lamar - "The Blacker the Berry"
Quotables
You hate me don't you?
You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture
You're fuckin' evil I want you to recognize that I'm a proud monkey
You vandalize my perception but can't take style from me
And this is more than confession
I mean I might press the button just so you know my discretion
I'm guardin' my feelings, I know that you feel it
You sabotage my community, makin' a killin'
You made me a killer, emancipation of a real nigga
J Cole - "Be Free"
Quotables
Can you tell me why
Every time I step outside I see my niggas die
I'm lettin' you know
That there ain't no gun they make that can kill my soul