Cyrus Langhorne
Roc Nation's J. Cole is the latest hip-hop artist to speak up on the fatal shooting of Missouri teenager Mike Brown last weekend with the release of his tribute, "Be Free."
Cole directly addresses Brown’s death and rallies behind the fight for justice.
In the wake of the police shooting that left African-American teenager Michael Brown dead, J. Cole responds by penning a powerful and emotional plea. Over a bare bones beat, the Roc Nation MC cries out for freedom and justice. “All we wanna do is take the chains off / All we wanna do is be free,” sings a grief-stricken Cole. “Rest in Peace to Michael Brown and to every young black man murdered in America, whether by the hands of white or black,” said Cole. “I pray that one day the world will be filled with peace and rid of injustice. Only then will we all Be Free.” (Rap-Up)
Along with performing with a Mike Brown shirt, rap star Jeezy has relied on social media to to speak out on the teen’s death.
“It’s a shame in today’s Society we have to protect our loved ones from those who are sworn to protect us. We have to stand strong together and let our voices be heard across the nation. We will not tolerate innocent children being slain. Michael Brown may you rest with the Angels!!! #saveourchildren #St.Louisstandup,” Jeezy captioned to a photo of Mike Brown.
“St.Louis was Luv!! #justiceformichaelbrown #saveourchildren”
“I had to see it for myself!! The answer is not tearing down our own neighborhoods and communities, the answer is goin to the source of the problem in numbers. So many numbers that they know they don’t have a chance. We want justice not chaos!! #ferguson #st.louis #saveourchildren #justiceformichaelbrown,” Jeezy captioned August 13. (Jeezy’s Instagram)
President Barack Obama spoke on behalf of himself and First Lady Michelle and acknowledged the widespread attention Brown’s death caused Tuesday (August 12).
“The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time. As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed. I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding. We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve.” (Statement)
Atlanta rapper Killer Mike posted a photo of Brown’s parents and asked for people to resist personal prejudices to demand justice this week.
“We are human beings. We deserve to be buried by our children not the other way around. No matter how u felt about black people look at this mother and look at this father and tell me as a human being how u cannot feel empathy for them. How can u not feel sympathy for their pain and loss. These are not ‘THOTS, n*ggas/n*ggers, h*es, Ballers, Divas.’ These two people are parents. They are humans that produced a child and loved that child and that child was slaughtered like Game and left face down as public spectacle while his blood drained down the street.” (Killer Mike’s Instagram)
The now-publicized fatal shooting went down this past weekend.
The incident happened in a roadway Saturday afternoon near the Canfield Green Apartments in the 2900 block of Canfield. Witnesses tell News 4 that Brown was unarmed and had his hands in the air when he was shot multiple times by a Ferguson police officer. According to Dorin Johnson, a friend of Michael Brown, the officer told the two of them not to walk on the street, reached out and grabbed Brown. “[The officer] shot again and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air,” said Johnson. “He started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots.” (KMOV)
Check out “Be Free”:
