Over a week after the police killing of George Floyd on May 25, charges have finally come down on all four officers involved. And while the Hip Hop community appreciates the decision, they’re still woefully aware the fight doesn’t end here.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Derek Chauvin, the former cop at the center of Floyd’s death, had his charge of third-degree murder upgraded to second-degree murder on Wednesday (June 3). The other fired officers — Thomas Lane, J.A. Keung and Tou Thao — were also arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
Protests and riots erupted around the world since Floyd’s death, pushing the state of Minnesota to bring down charges. Now that the first step has been taken, artists have been using their platforms to share their thoughts on the arrests.
“Shiiit roll up,” 2 Chainz wrote on Instagram with a graphic noting the officers’ charges.
Snoop shared a similar graphic, adding a prayer emoji, a peace emoji and a fist-bump emoji in his caption.
Bail for each of the four officers has been set at $1 million. The official charges against Chauvin are second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The state of Minnesota currently recommends a 12 and a half year sentence on the unintentional charge. An intentional charge carries a heavier sentence of 25 and a half years in prison, according to CBS Minnesota.
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Check out reactions from more artists below.
Hip Hop has not been silent during this crucial time in history. JAY-Z called MN Governor Walz to help get George Floyd’s case into the hands of Attorney General Keith Ellison, Russ raised over $150k for Black Lives Matter, The Weeknd donated $500k to various BLM causes, Drake donated $100k to a bail relief fund, and Killer Mike provided a powerful speech addressing Atlanta amid city wide protests. These efforts are only a few highlights among the many people who are doing what they can to help spread messaging and advance the Black Lives Matter movement.
i can just picture how that fat chinaman and his buddies look like right know. hope they fry
I don’t know if making racist comments towards the Asian police officer is a great idea. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of rioting for change no?
Rioting for changes defeats the purpose all together. Also, you should do research on who you’re being told to riot for. What happened was terrible no matter what. But everyone is acting like this person is a complete angel. His toxicology report shows he was on fentanyl and methamphetamines. Holding a gun to a pregnant woman’s stomach during a home invasion? This who the mainstream media trying to make a martyr. All these riots solved what? Nothing. Created more death. Two black men who served their lost there lives, and I’m sure most of you don’t even know their names. This instance is just as sad as every other one before it. Most never given the light because it doesn’t fit a narrative. Police brutality is a real thing for everyone. Not just a black problem. Those of you championing this senseless looting and violence are worse than the person that you are using as a martyr.
The asian dude is chauvins brother in law
It’s funny to watch these cRappers and celebrities telling the people on the streets to keep looting, rioting and “protesting” all from their ivory towers. People are too stupid to see they’re being played by the elites. Yes, destroy your neighborhoods….but stay out of Beverly Hills, you heathens. Destroy black owned businesses all because some washed up celeb or hip hop star told u to keep pushing. These people being manipulated will end up in jail over some stupid shit.
This whole thing (George Floyd’s death(?) and all the rioting and looting in almost every major city across the country) is a psyop orchestrated by George Soros and the Democrats who will stop at nothing to get Trump out of office in November.
Releasing cute statements on social media instead of protesting. Thank you, you leaders of hip hop culture for your selfless support. You truly are a testament to courage, you studio gangstas.