On Monday (November 24), a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri decided to not press charges against police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing 18-year old Michael Brown. The announcement was met with an outcry from several Hip Hop artists. Some expressed frustration while others weren’t surprised by the decision.
Billboard reports that Macklemore took to Twitter to speak out.
“The system that instills & protects white supremacy wins again. Humanity loses…No justice. I pray for Mike Brown & his family. So sad,” the Seattle rapper says.
He also joined a march in his hometown to protest the grand jury’s decision.
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Billboard also reports that Will.I.Am responded with a series of posts via Twitter after hearing the announcement that no charges will be filed.
“My heart goes out to the family of #MikeBrown, the people of #Ferguson and #america as a whole…” he says.
9th Wonder took to Twitter to express his frustration.
“Nations around the world…are laughing at the United States and its idea of ‘Human Rights’ …as always,” the producer says.
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Ty Dolla $ign used his new single to pay tribute to Mike Brown.
“#StandFor Mike Brown,” he says on Twitter.
Ace Hood took to various social media platforms to make his thoughts known.
“’The funny thing is.. it could’ve been me .. it Could’ve been u’! #FDW #RipMikeBrown,” he says via Twitter, quoting his song “Fuck Da World” off his most recent album, Trials and Tribulations.
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And on Instagram, he posted a series of photos including one with the lyrics from “Seen It All” from Body Bag 3, which pays tribute to Mike Brown. Another post featured the lyrics from “Fuck Da World.” Both had captions about the teenager and Ferguson. A third post featured Officer Wilson with the saying, “We don’t fuck with you,” written across the image.
Kendrick Lamar referenced his single “i” in a post on Twitter that calls out the justice system.
“Didn’t we say LOVE yourself? They don’t LOVE u. The world don’t LOVE u. Worldly things don’t LOVE u. The master will serve justice,” he says.
Fellow Top Dawg rapper Jay Rock posted a screen shot of the broadcast of the announcement on Instagram and quoted Tupac in the caption.
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“’Cops don’t give a damn about a negro, pull the trigger kill a nigga he’s a hero’ smh ‘I
wonder if Heaven gotta Ghetto,’” he says.
Lecrae joined a protest in Atlanta yesterday (November 25), WSBTV reports.
“This is about fighting against hurt, systemic oppression, but not about meeting violence with violence or criminal activities,” he says.
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On the night of the announcement, he and affiliates of his Reach Records label posted a black and white image on Instagram that said, “Praying for Ferguson.” The “Nuthin” rapper posted his own series of Tweets and a lengthy Facebook message to express his opinion on the decision.
“If you are disappointed in me. Well you clearly can’t understand my pain. This Ferguson case was a mascot for something much bigger. Something people want to hope for,” part of the Facebook message reads.
Mick Jenkins also took to Twitter to respond to the announcement.
“This does not anger me. This is not surprising. And I don’t feel like it should be. But I do understand those who are angry/surprised,” he says.
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Dee-1 gave play-by-play of the CNN coverage of the announcement.
“Wow. Sad, but not surprising non-indictment announcement. #Ferguson,” he says.
Pell called for people to be smart in their responses to the decision.
“The smartest plan of action, is the best plan of action. Don’t react off emotions, we’ve been here before,” the New Orleans rapper says.
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King Mez took to Twitter with a series of posts.
“Prayers to the Brown family and prayers to calm the storms inside us are at the forefront of my mind,” he says.
The posts from Macklemore, will.i.am, 9th Wonder and others are as follows:
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