In one way or another, most every hip-hop star has responded to the shocking violence that has transpired over the past few days, beginning with the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and continuing last night with the killing of five police officers in downtown Dallas. Understandably, rage and despair have been among the initial reactions, and indeed, it's difficult to imagine any future progress amid the current chaos. However, there are a few rappers who have reflected upon the tragic turn of events with a sense of hope. Earlier today, The Game and Snoop Dogg led a large group of men in a peaceful march to the LAPD headquarters, where they expressed their hopes of putting a stop to violence between police and minorities from this day forward. Another emcee, Waka Flocka, believes that the current climate is ripe for positive change.
He was asked about last night's shooting by a TMZ reporter at LAX this morning. "It's fucked up" was his first response, but he went on to express his belief that the murders by police countered with the murders of police will eventually pave the way for people to unite. "We actin' like it's about to be chaos," said Wake while traveling up the escalator. "I think it's the first time people gon' really come together." When asked to clarify his statement, he continued, "I think we in the perfect state."
While the reporter kept pressing him, Waka approached a (white) bystander and asked him, "Bro, how you feel about that Dallas shit?" "It's crazy, man," he answered, prompting Waka to tell the camera, "You know what I'm sayin'? White, black guy -- we both feel the same way. This is the only time we all gon' come together."
Waka went on to explain that it's the perfect time for people to unite toward a common goal (or against a common enemy): "I think it's really time to start opening your eyes and really start forming as one. Who really oppressing us? We don't know who. It's time to expose those motherfuckers."
He ended his conversation with the reporter by voicing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and relaying how he feels that black people are being treated like "animals." He also said that police officers need to held accountable for their unlawful violence, offering a final rhetorical question: "If the law not punishing them, who else gonna punish them?"
