Ferguson Supplement: Music Inspired by Ferguson
Musicians both locally and nationally responded to the killing of Michael Brown, whether through songs written immediately after the shooting, reworkings of earlier material to fit the social needs of the moment, or new projects reasserting the value of musical expression as an informal memory practice for marginalized communities. Hip-hop artists especially serve as what Ronnie Notch calls "street reporters."
Killer Mike Instagram Statement on Ferguson: instagram.com/p/rkrM8xS1Mk
Lauryn Hill, “Black Rage” http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lauryn-hill-black-rage-new-song-ferguson-20140821
JCole, “Be Free” rollingstone.com/music/news/j-cole-mourns-michael-brown-in-somber-new-song-be-free-20140815
Tef Poe, “War Cry” theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/nov/12/tef-poe-rapper-michael-brown-shooting-ferguson
Kendrick Lamar, “Untitled” genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-untitled-lyrics
Lil Herb aka G Herbo Feat. Chance The Rapper & Common, “Fight or Flight” thefader.com/2014/10/15/video-lil-herb-common-chance-the-rapper-fight-or-flight
OG Maco, “Breathe" hotnewhiphop.com/og-maco-drops-new-ep-breathe-stream-available-news.13285.html
KXNG CROOKED, “I Can’t Breathe” hotnewhiphop.com/crooked-i-i-can-t-breathe-new-song.1960483.html
Janelle Monáe & Wondaland Records, "Hell You Talmbout" npr.org/sections/allsongs/2015/08/18/385202798/janelle-mon-e-releases-visceral-protest-song-hell-you-talmbout
Starlito, "Theories" youtu.be/cNQhP1z9kV8
Run the Jewels, "Close your Eyes" rollingstone.com/music/videos/see-run-the-jewels-police-violence-themed-clip-close-your-eyes-20150326
Beyoncé, “Formation” beyonce.com/formation
WATCH: "Like Street Reporters:" Hip-Hop Artists on Ferguson:
VIDEO
Prepared by @yarimarbonilla and Max Hantel #Ferguson: Digital protest, hashtag ethnography, and the racial politics of social media in the United States , by Yarimar Bonilla and Jonathan Rosa . American Ethnologist, volume 42, number 1, pp. 4-17.