In the wake of the grand jury’s decision in the case against Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson, Joey Bada$$ spoke on the current lack of civil rights leaders. According to the Brooklyn, New York rapper, in addition to there being more civil rights leaders present decades ago, they were also very well-known.
The Pro Era lyricist later revealed that the only people he feels have stature similar to that of civil rights leaders of the past are rappers.
“I think that it’s very important for artists to raise awareness in situations,” Joey said while speaking with MTV. “Especially worldwide situations. Because I feel like in today’s world and today’s society, we don’t have as much civil rights leaders as we used to back in the day. Back in the day, a civil rights leader would come on television and he’s well-known. Everyone knows him. He’s like the president. And now today it’s like we have very few. And the people of today who have that same stature are musicians. Now it’s rappers who have that stature. So, the fact that not enough people are coming out and talking about certain things that’s going on in the world. Or at least trying to raise awareness about it, I disagree with that.”
According to Joey Bada$$, as he continues to grow as an artist he hopes that he’ll be able to do his part in raising awareness on various issues. The rapper also called out artists who have “the most stature in the music game,” over their silence on civil rights issues in Ferguson and elsewhere.
“Me, as an artist I’m always gonna try to do my part,” he said. “I feel like the more and more I grow, the bigger voice that I become, so the more people that I can actually speak for. I’m gonna try to utilize that. Do nothing but positive things…I feel like the people who have the most money or the most stature in the music game right now they’re being really silent about this. And it’s kinda real. Cause right now we need leaders.”
Joey Bada$$’ interview with MTV can be found below.
wtf he talkin bout? “Police taking shots I ain’t talkin bout Ciroc” – P Diddy
i haven’t heard one of those dudes formerly from the streets say anything about Ferguson, although, nelly did march and I think jeezy or officer ricky may have said something. diddy, nas, jay-z, kanye west, weezy, game, fab (maybe he tweeted something) have said nothing. all they care about is lining their already bulging pockets. they are such COWARDS. they don’t want to do anything that might disturb their corporate partnerships
Or maybe they think that stealing from and then assaulting a store owner before trying to beat up an armed police officer was a stupid ass thing to do no matter what color of skin you have,
^^ this
@facts boy shut yo dumb ass up
clearly, some people are not interested in facts
fiddy cent too.
50 and g-unit put out that tribute song with proceeds going to mb’s fam
it’s a culture where people with the highst stature are not held responsible or accountable to their communities who made them what they are today, in the black communities. There should be certain penalties produced to curve certain social behaviours
i have more respect for artists who stay silent (especially the artists who stayed silent before all the evidence was presented). one casual tweet or instagram post can turn into a snowball of retardedness.
Whatever. Artists should’ve spoken out way more. There was more than enough probable cause to indict that cop. At least then we could see all the evidence and witness testimonies laid out and examined.
The rappers with the “most stature” didn’t say anything on Ferguson for the same reason Joey Bada$$ didn’t call the rappers out by name. It’s not good business.
Jay, Kanye, Diddy, etc have no way of monetizing their position on this matter and only risk damaging (however slightly) their connections with the people more powerful/wealthy than themselves in the millionaires club.
Joey Bada$$ will be hoping to work with those people, so calling them out on this topic is a bad business decision for him.
…..because they know the truth. And the truth hurts.
Dude’s right, they afraid of their business. But it can also help their business. People tend to overlook that fact. If you feel connected to an artist because you and him share a common enemy or belief. You’re more likely to buy his or her product. Same way as with environmentally friendly products.
So, they just cowards.
So fuck Kanye, Jay, Diddy, Beyonce, etc…….
So it’s “fuck these guys” because they didn’t make a fool of themselves by jumping on the bandwagon? News flash: The tax bracket these cats are in doesn’t get affected by events like this. You hate on em when they don’t follow the trend of what you believe, and you hate on them for pushing the envelope and breaking new ground in their business endeavors. Was your ass in Ferguson? And if you were, were you out there making black folks look bad like damn near everybody else did? No fam, its FUCK YOU
Much respect to joey an the pro era crew. Support the real hip hop. Peace
That is why, I feel, rappers need to promote a more positive and valuable message rather then promoting values of cash money,weed,hoes,violence. There is a shallow, totally materialistic message promoted and young people look to them as civil rights leader for lack of anyone else, it is know wonder there are these problems.