Logic recently weighed in on the continuing debate regarding mainstream artists failing to speak out in protest following 2014’s string of cases concerning police brutality in America.
During an interview with VladTV, the Maryland rapper first revealed why he doesn’t consider himself an activist.
“I feel like if I go in that direction I will give up Rap,” Logic says. “I go all the way. If I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna go all the way. If I’m gonna fight for not Black rights, White, Brown — for the rights of human beings, I’m gonna go all the way. I’m gonna drop everything I’m doing and I’m gonna dedicate my entire life and know that I could be killed for the things that I’m gonna say and the things that I wanna stand up for. That’s the type of person I am.”
Logic continued by referring back to comments tweeted by Childish Gambino in August of last year regarding Twitter activism.
“I think it was Donald Glover, Childish Gambino, a good homie of mine,” Logic says. “Really awesome fucking person. He said, ‘We got a bunch of Twitter activists.’ #PrayForThem. #DoSomething. That’s real shit [laughs]. I don’t take to Twitter. I don’t talk about shit on Twitter. I don’t talk about equality amongst men. You know why? Because that’s not my fucking job. That’s not my job. I think my job is to discuss certain things that I believe in on my music and then have that bleed over in to this.”
Later on in the conversation, Logic recalled a time when he was asked by a fan why he wasn’t commenting on the protests in Ferguson, Missouri following the death of Mike Brown. Logic subsequently reveals that he finds it disrespectful to “rant” about something when he’s unaware of the entirety of the situation.
“A kid asked me when the whole Ferguson thing just popped — because that’s how the Internet is, some shit happens and then two minutes later it’s trending, which I think is also cool though at the same time because it does bring awareness to the world,” Logic says. “But then I think, ‘Okay, the world is aware but then the world doesn’t do anything about it.’ That’s the annoying part. A kid said, ‘Hey, how come you haven’t said anything about Ferguson?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, I guess it’s real cool to talk about shit like that now, huh?’ I guess that’s the thing, we just talk about it. People like Killer Mike. Amazing, incredible Black men who understand the culture of not only Hip Hop but fucking human beings, they get it.
“I said, ‘I think for me to get on Twitter and fucking rant about something that I don’t fully understand, comprehend and have all the facts on is disrespectful to not only the people that have unfortunately passed away, but it is disrespectful to the cause,” Logic continues. “To the people that actually do — not saying that I don’t care — but that have the time to make that their everything. To go out their and march and fight.’ So for me and my home in L.A. working on my album to just [pull out my phone] and be like, ‘Yeah, Ferguson. That’s fucked up. Oh man, yeah for sure. Equality.’ [Laughs]. Nah, that’s bullshit. For me, I think that’s fucked up.”
Logic’s full interview with VladTV can be viewed below:
For additional Logic coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
Hey good lookin
That`s real.
People go into stuff way too often, without knowing shit about what has actually happaned.
And the hilarious truth `bout #PrayFor[pick a name].
Word.
then rap about it. rap about something else other than being mixed, section 8 and cigarettes bro.
If people don’t voice what they observe within their environment regardless of the knowledge they currently have then we will never know what is going on in our communities & the world we all share. There is nothing negative about freely speaking your mind, releasing stress & expressing feelings via any outlet. Twitter is a social network. Logging on & expressing how you feel is the purpose of a social network. Logic literally is talking about himself in this situation because he seems to not understand enough about psychology or sociology to be speaking on it.
Well said…this dudes parents should be slapped for raising such an ignorant young man.
ONLINE “ACTIVISM” DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE ACTUAL ACT KNOWN AS ACTIVISM, THE ROOT WORD BEING “ACTIVE”. MAYBE IF YOUR READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS WERE UP TO PAR WITH YOUR REASONING, THEN MAYBE YOU’D UNDERSTAND AND DIG DEEPER AS TO WHAT LOGIC IS SAYING. HE’S SAYING THAT TYPING A PARAGRAPH THAT CONSISTS OF 140 CHARACTERS VS ACTUALLY PICKETING AND MARCHING DOES NOT HELP ANYONE’S CAUSE. IN FACT, A SIMPLE TWEET AND EMOTICONS MAKES YOU SOUND VAGUE AND UNCARING. HAVE YOU HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE AND ALL THEY DO IS TEXT YOU BACK AND FORTH? NO CALLS? YOU CAN’T CONNECT WITH THAT PERSON ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL IF YOU GUYS NEVER FUCKING TALK. THAT’S KIND OF WHAT ONLINE ACTIVISM IS IN A NUTSHELL. IF YOU’RE REALLY ABOUT SOMETHING AND YOU STAND FOR THAT CAUSE ALL THE WAY, THEN YOU BETTER DAMN WELL PROVE IT WITH YOUR ACTIONS AND NOT SOME SILLY KEYBOARD.
He is speaking for himself… that’s kinda the point.
Beyond that he’s also saying that yeah awareness via social media is great but what’s the point if the people who post all this don’t even understand the situation much less do anything besides post something on social media.
“To ONLY go on social media and talk about it…” is disrespectful. To use conversations on social media and in real life to formulate opinions and then act on those opinions…that’s a beautiful tribute.
This kid trys so hard. Starting to annoy me. He’s ranting about people that have an opinion and want to spread the word. There’s a thing called free speech if you don’t like it. GTFO Twitter and out of America. At least what they’re speaking on is something important I’m sorry you don’t have the facts cuz you’re making an album but there’s more important things in the world than a white kid acting black in 2015. Wish someone would slap some sense into that skinny lil bitch.
Logic is half black genius… this is the exact shit he was talking about. you get on HipHopDX and fucking rant about something that you don’t fully understand, comprehend and have all the facts on, just disrespectful… .haha lmao
Oh but judging someone on their skin colour in 2015 equates to conciousness? You’re ass backwards.
Wow the more this dude speaks up the more I respect him .. This is a JAB straight at Macklemore’s jugular — that MF’er literally sits on Twitter waiting for the next Trending Topic that he can speak on, give props to or make a song about .. It’s DIRTY because at the end of the day he’s just a JUNKY — no one wants to hear his opinion on it
All I read is “I’m not gonna be 100 percent committed to it so why even do anything?” Great message. I get what he’s going for, but it’s just more stupid youthful idiocracy.
This dude is an idiot
Who is this person?!?!?
With Logic being half black I can understand what he is saying … people online speak on a cause just because it’s trending but have no idea about the real issue. If you are an entertainer its your right to not have an opinion in social/political issues, especially if you have no idea what you are talking about.
FYI – for all those asking who this dude is … I was asking myself the same question a few weeks ago and then I downloaded his album Under Pressure. This dude be rapping his ass off and the album is one of the best of 2014 trust me.
What he is really saying here is that he is a fuckin coward and doesn’t want to speak up in the fear that he may lose his life. That is cowardice at its core.
ONLINE “ACTIVISM” DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE ACTUAL ACT KNOWN AS ACTIVISM, THE ROOT WORD BEING “ACTIVE”. MAYBE IF YOUR READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS WERE UP TO PAR WITH YOUR REASONING (ASSUMING YOU HAVE ANY REASONING SKILLS TO BEGIN WITH), THEN MAYBE YOU’D UNDERSTAND AND DIG DEEPER AS TO WHAT LOGIC IS SAYING. HE’S SAYING THAT TYPING A PARAGRAPH THAT CONSISTS OF 140 CHARACTERS VS ACTUALLY PICKETING AND MARCHING DOES NOT HELP ANYONE’S CAUSE.
thats for starters. it’s not about being a coward, its about common fucking sense. second, just because he raps does not mean hes obligated to be an activist or be political. if you want rappers who are political and active, go to immortal technique. you don’t need logic for that.
So he is basically saying that he is scared.
The information is out there, so there is no excuse to be ignorant. Whether you are speaking about online and spreading the information or in the streets talking with people and touching folks, you are doing something. It kills me that these rappers will not speak on situations that affect them or others they know directly. I try not to knock folks that don’t want to say things political, thats your choice. But I feel like if you have the platform, why not?
the fuck is with you guys? because he is a rapper, hes obligated to be an activist or political? he doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to. its rather sad that you fools actually look to rappers for social change and social movements
Isn’t this the kid who entirely bit off of Kendrick’s good kid maad city? Not surprised in the least he doesn’t have an opinion on social matters that matter – he’s too busy waiting on the next big rapper’s sound to bite off of.
he bit off of good kid maad city? citation needed or you’re just making things up
I don’t necessarily agree completely with Logic but I do fully understand him, as my mentality works in more or less the same way…
I hate speaking on a subject unless I can fully comprehend it from multiple point of views likewise I need to do research and dedicate myself to that and would most likely drop other things I’m doing to pursue that goal…
But problem is that mentality does have it’s perks but it has serious downfalls as well. For example “efficient” multitasking and laziness aren’t really options..So really very little things would get done if this was a common way of thinking.
Yes they have the platform but artists are not always politicians or activists. They don’t always have the mindset. So I rather hear an opinion from an artist who is actively involved like a Killer Mike or a Immortal Tech. then someone who is completely ignorant on the subject.
if more thought like you we could converse fluidly instead of constantly attacking emotional folly on these boards. respect.
fuck off white boys. All these new white rappers trying to come up us niggas will stay shooting them down
This is the most damning comment I’ve ever seen on this site and I have seen some damn horrible comments. Your anonymity is not protected when saying such things so I’d be careful if I were you. You are inherently evil, wicked, a degenerate of the highest order. You seem to be portraying power (albeit in the wrong way) but where is your love? Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Grow up!
So he wants to make rap music, be part of the rap/hip-hop culture, but wants no part of the movement of Black rights that is so closely intertwined with said rap/hip-hop culture. Okay. Can any of these Logic stans please tell me how he is ANY DIFFERENT from Macklemore or Iggy Azalea?
I’ll wait.
I don’t know this guy but I know Mack and close homies dealt with that chick. Mack official, Iggy a jezebel. At least this cat know his lane. deal accordingly. one
Can you tell me how equality is achieved when you preach hatred? You can’t defeat oppression and systematic racism with absolute racism. With your first question and I’m only playing devils advocate here – why should black people be part of white culture as you now are? Do you see the hypocrisy? Open your hands and stop clenching them.
Also, and I don’t want to take away from the black rights movement as it was just and it was about time it happened. The same in this day and age as it still needs to progress, especially through the power structure. The movement was about civil rights (and once again I emphasise the black civil rights) but civil rights are there for everyone. It is a right that anyone can make any form of expression that they like as long as it isn’t hate based. You have hate in what you are saying. The expression also conforms to musical expression, it is an open road for everyone and something that should unite and not divide as all culture should.
rappers have diverse fans. different upbringings, different sociopolitical beliefs, etc. if a rapper speaks out about something, they’re always going to alienate (and maybe even insult) a portion of their fan base. everyone has different opinions. the facts are out there and people can make decisions for themselves. if a rapper wants to speak out about something, i respect that, but if they want to stay silent, i respect that too.
GTF off the internet, Banks. TI bout to throw you off the Empire State.
bitch does Bobby Shmurda or Chief Keef want any part of the black rights movement? nah they busy rapping about killing off their own race but i dont hear you bitching about them…
This dude is the Obama of the rap and game and he is super smart, white and black.. It’s sad that this dude is black and white and also has the ability to use white privilege and he won’t, now that’s power.. But one day he will have to because the his black side won’t allow it to happen and this has to do with his mother calling him the N word.. I will patiently wait for this dude to mature..
#FUTURE-G.O.A.T
Interesting to see a well considered and articulated concept both from the author and logic. If logic can keep the discipline while he matures and evolves he got the perspective to be interesting and relevant.. time will tell.