Black Lives Matter Archives

Activist DeRay McKesson Named Keynote Speaker For 2016 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Known for bringing some of the most historic and livest performances to New York City's Brooklyn borough, the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is not just a place to catch memorable moments in music. Now in its 12th season, BKHHF (and Brooklyn Bodega) continues to organize and host panels, workshops, exhibitions, and... Read more

July 6, 2016 Fresh

Kemba Argues a New Black Theory While Still Seeking Answers (Video)

As with any social-justice movement, there are cultural takeaways that come to represent the modern-day civil rights movement in searingly visual ways. For generations past, images of police dogs, water hoses, and segregated water fountains are markers signifying a time and place during which struggle for equality was forcibly constricted... Read more

July 5, 2016 Video

Minority Report: Babies of Color Officially Outnumber Whites Now

Several years ago, National Geographic made headlines for its cover story about what people of the future will look like. Far from a science-fiction based approach, the story rather examined the very real evolution of interracial coupling. Essentially, the thesis was that by 2050, the vast majority of people will... Read more

July 2, 2016 Lifestyle

Jesse Williams’ Blueprint for Revolution Is Chillingly Powerful (Video)

Best known for his portrayal of Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy, actor Jesse Williams took the stage at the BET Awards last night (June 26) for a reason unrelated to his on-screen performances. The Chicago, Illinois native has been deeply entrenched in political and social activism, working tirelessly to... Read more

June 27, 2016 Lifestyle

Masta Ace’s Latest Video Resonates Through Time & Shows Why He’s A Top MC

Masta Ace's latest studio album, The Falling Season, is making noise for the 30-year Brooklyn, New York rhyme veteran. From the era of 12" singles and un-skippable albums, Ace has deliberately kept his latest artistic baby away from the popular streaming platforms. The latest in a series of a concept... Read more

June 13, 2016 Video

Jamila Woods’ Blk Girl Soldier Is Sweet Soul For The Spirit (Video)

Chicago, Illinois singer/poet/activist Jamila Woods has appeared on two Top 10 albums in 2016. First she made noise (stemming back into last year) with "White Privilege II" on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' This Unruly Mess I've Made. More recently, she is among the ensemble cast on Chance The Rapper's celebrated... Read more

June 8, 2016 Video

Common Premieres 2 Powerful New Verses From His Upcoming Album (Video)

Today (May 31) Common was a guest on Sway In The Morning. In the last year and a half, Common has added Oscar awards, Golden Globe awards, and another Grammy to his stash of trophy accolades. Meanwhile, he put a beef to bed and made a blockbuster film and a... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

Tamir Rice’s Mother Shares Poignant Details About the Day Police Killed Her Son (Video)

On May 4, 1970, Kent State University in Ohio became a flashpoint in American politics. On that day, four unarmed students were killed and nine others wounded when the state's National Guard opened fire after a campus-wide protest ballooned into something else entirely. By no means the first instance of... Read more

May 6, 2016 Lifestyle

Jackie Robinson Made History Nearly 70 Years Ago, But His Story Is Far From Over (Video)

Next week will mark the 69th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's history-making entry into the Major League Baseball organization as the first Black player to ever do so, and a new documentary will serve as a reminder as to why that achievement was so important back in 1947, and why his... Read more

April 8, 2016 Lifestyle

Killer Mike Says “Jim Crow Is Still Very Much Alive” (Video)

By now, even casual fans of Killer Mike's music have likely become familiar with his robust proclamations in his daily life, whether on social media, political speeches, or media appearances. Along with his extensive work on the campaign trail for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Killer Mike has been fighting... Read more

April 5, 2016 Lifestyle

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Words In This Rare 1967 Interview Are Still Relevant Today (Video)

A recently found master tape of a 1967 interview featuring Martin Luther King, Jr. on the iconic Merv Griffin talk show surfaced earlier this year, and it is an awe inspiring look at a man who was rarely seen in casual conversation. The Civil Rights Era thought leader has always... Read more

March 2, 2016 Lifestyle

Facebook Stands Up for Black Lives Matter with Powerful Statement From Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg - the former wunderkind who founded Facebook more than ten years ago - has released a stern criticism of his employees, but it's not about something they did online. Rather, he is admonishing behavior taking place in a very rudimentary form of social media: A community chalkboard. Specifically,... Read more

February 26, 2016 Lifestyle

A Documentary on the Black Panthers Depicts Events That Are Still Happening Today (Video)

Last year, a documentary film on the earliest days of the Black Panther Party hit select theatres across the country. Directed by Stanley Nelson, the celebrated filmmaker behind such powerful social examinations as Freedom Riders and The Murder of Emmett Till, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution is an... Read more

February 18, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Nas & Usher’s Demand For Social Revolution Gets A Symbolic Video

Usher's single "Chains" is as heartfelt as anything ever released from the R&B/Pop icon. Joined by Nas and Bibi Bourelly, the record is a cry for not just change, but revolution. The 2015 song's intricate lyrics reference "The Pledge Of Allegiance," and some of the martyrs (Eric Garner, Tamir Rice,... Read more

February 2, 2016 Video

The White Privilege Conversation is Ongoing. Macklemore & Collaborators Weigh In.

This past week has been a very cerebral, thought-provoking time in Hip-Hop. Since releasing "White Privilege II," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been discussing at great length the implications of White supremacy, the racial politics within Hip-Hop, and how those listening to the song can help educate and engage others... Read more

January 30, 2016 News

Killer Mike & Iconic Olympian Tommie Smith Discuss the Past & Current Civil Rights Movements (Video)

In one of the most iconic sports photographs, American Olympian athlete Tommie Smith is seen raising his Black fist into the air in solidarity with his fellow medal winners in a stunning show of solidarity with those back home fighting for civil rights. Nearly 50 years later, and Americans are... Read more

January 28, 2016 Lifestyle

Activist DeRay McKesson Calls “All Lives Matter” A Distraction (Video)

DeRay McKesson has become a key voice in contemporary American race politics. The former teacher and current social activist began to amass a considerable Twitter following in the wake of the shooting death of Mike Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri in the summer of 2014, and as... Read more

January 27, 2016 TV/Film

J. Cole & Ryan Coogler Show Why They Are 2 of the Most Important Voices Of Their Generation (Video)

"This is just two young Black men having intelligent dialogue," summarized J. Cole at this week's #MLKNOW event (January 18) in New York City. The heralded MC/producer was interviewed by filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed). Together, the two artists engaged in a conversation about race, police brutality, and promoting... Read more

January 22, 2016 Video

Macklemore Releases a New Song About White Privilege And It’s a Powder Keg (Audio)

Recent events have made it exceptionally clear that we are living in a modern-day Civil Rights Era. Despite all the progress American society has made in many ways - a Black President, LGBTQ rights, allowing women to serve in the military, and so forth - there is still an untenable... Read more

January 22, 2016 Audio

RZA Responds To Critics Of His Remarks Surrounding Race & Police Brutality

Earlier this week, Wu-Tang Clan member RZA spoke in depth with Bloomberg in a multi-part video interview. The veteran MC/producer responded to the arrest of Martin Shkreli, who purchased Wu's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album for a reported $2 million. Speaking about the new possibilities for the single... Read more

January 9, 2016 News

RZA Says Blacks Need To Take Responsibility For The Images They Portray To Police (Video)

RZA recently spoke with Bloomberg Politics about a number of issues, including his recent back and forth with Martin Shkreli, the controversial pharamceutical executive who purchased the lone copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album, as well as his thoughts on Hilary Clinton and her candidacy... Read more

January 7, 2016 News

Why Are Armed Whites Getting Treated Better than Unarmed Black & Brown Americans?

Over the weekend, news broke of an unusual event taking place in Oregon, a state most commonly associated with nature, liberalism, and the television series Portlandia. As such, the revelation that armed ranchers had quite literally taken a federal building hostage on Saturday, January 2, struck an odd chord for most... Read more

January 4, 2016 Lifestyle

Skillz’s Rap Up Masterfully Covers The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of 2015 (Audio)

Like clockwork, Skillz serves up his annual summary of the year that was, with a masterful rap. There is nothing like his blow by blow rhyme to remind us all of the good, bad and often bizarre happenings of 2015. In his latest installment, Skillz covers seemingly everything that dominated... Read more

December 31, 2015 Audio

Quentin Tarantino Says Victims of Police Brutality Are Not Statistics & Murders Have to Stop (Video)

Quentin Tarantino has never been a film director shy of controversy. He has, however, been a steadfast proponent of his creative license and the freedom to use the silver screen to create not only some of the most iconic films of his generation, but also those which ruffle some feathers... Read more

December 18, 2015 Video

Nicki Minaj Sees Herself in Victims of Police Brutality & Says Sandra Bland “Could Have Been Me”

This year has been another history-making chapter of Nicki Minaj's career. Back in March, she became a Billboard chart darling, becoming the first female artist to land four simultaneously charting songs in the top ten positions of R&B/Hip-Hop. Several months later, she had a watershed night at the BET Awards,... Read more

December 11, 2015 Fresh

Time Magazine Could Name Black Lives Matter Activists as Person of the Year, But Will They?

Time magazine is a classic piece of American journalism, a long-standing publication that covers all aspects of social and political life and the annual selection of "Person of the Year" was first launched by the magazine in 1927 (the first being aviator and American icon Charles Lindbergh). It's hard to... Read more

December 8, 2015 Lifestyle

150 Years After Slavery Ended, Politicians Still Need a Reminder that Black Lives Matter

On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified with the sate of Georgia's approval of the legislation, bringing a formal end to slavery. The ratification meant that, at least on paper, human beings were no longer allowed to be viewed as property and that,... Read more

December 6, 2015 Lifestyle

Kxng Crooked’s “Dead Or In Jail” Verses Demand A Lyric Video

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Kxng Crooked (f/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah gave Heads some food for thought. "Dead Or In Jail," which features Jessica Quintero, examines the skewed justice system, and how institutional racism is very much around, in the United States and beyond. Less than one week later,... Read more

December 1, 2015 Video

Batman Returns To Do What Politicians Won’t: Fight Police Brutality

As 2015 nears its end, the year's biggest political stories include issues of race, from the ongoing instances of police brutality waged disproportionately on people of color to the racist undercurrents found on campuses like the University of Missouri and others across the country. The deaths of Sandra Bland, Freddie... Read more

December 1, 2015 Lifestyle

University of Missouri Students Fight the Power & Take Aim at the Media (Video)

Recent events that have transpired at the University of Missouri have turned the town of Columbia into a flashpoint of racial tension and political discourse surrounding what continues to become a standoff between school administrators and the student body. The university's football team made headlines when it walked away from... Read more

November 10, 2015 Lifestyle

Black Lives (& Bodies) Are Being Championed Through Song & Imagery From Supastition (Video)

In what may be the most recent example of the relationship between art and life, North Carolina MC Supastition has released an unflinchingly direct examination of race in America in the form of "Black Bodies," the latest single from June's The Gold Standard. The accompanying video's release comes just hours... Read more

October 27, 2015 Video

The Numbers Show Police Don’t Care About Dead Rappers

For millennia, mankind has been at war. Whether in the name of religion, territory, love, greed, revenge, or duty, human casualties have remained constant throughout civilization, and as society is said to progress, murder remains a dark spot on our collective report card. For many Americans, particularly those of color,... Read more

October 16, 2015 Lifestyle

Jadakiss & Swizz Beatz Speak Directly To The Badges Of Brutality (Video)

Just days after "Jason" released to audio, Jadakiss and Swizz Beatz drop the visual. The track captures the suspense associated with the Friday The 13th slasher franchise, where Jason Vorhees attacked Camp Crystal Lake, again and again. In Jada' and Swizz's version, it's not at the movies. Instead, the two... Read more

October 12, 2015 Video

Freddie Gray’s Family Potentially Awarded $6.4 Million By Baltimore, But Justice Can’t Be Bought.

Today (September 8), the family of Freddie Gray reached a settlement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The family and legal team will receive $6.4 million, according to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Tomorrow morning (September 9), the Board Of Estimates, a civic panel including Mayor Rawlings-Blake will be the final step,... Read more

September 8, 2015 Lifestyle, News

15 Years Ago, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common & More Used Hip-Hop for Justice. The Fight Continues.

Police officers (and law enforcement officials) murdering unarmed people of color has been a resounding issue, especially since the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. However, while mainstream media has not always looked at the issue that extends back throughout the United States' history, other media has. One of those sources... Read more

September 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Scarface’s Deeply Rooted Single Steer Gets A Dramatic Treatment (Video)

Scarface's "Steer" is both soulful and topical. In a first person narrative, the record looks at a particular circumstance that may be different than meets the eye. Although specific in the verse and video, perhaps it is designed to be universal. For the video, that subjective circumstance is exactly the... Read more

August 21, 2015 Video

Talib Kweli Shares Thoughts on Bernie Sanders & the Women Behind Black Lives Matter (Video)

Fresh off the release of a new single and a new (free) album, Talib Kweli has had a whirlwind 24-hours, and now the Brooklyn MC has brought his thoughts about today's socio-political climate outside the booth and onto television. As a guest on last night's episode of Real Time with... Read more

August 15, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Public Enemy Expect No Sympathy From The Devil In These Trying Times (Video)

Public Enemy's just-released Man Plans, GOD Laughs is a zeitgeist album—politically, socially, and sonically. Chuck D recently told Rolling Stone, "With the situation of unrest in society, and the police brutality issue and what happened in Baltimore, don’t expect no sympathy from the government on the people, especially in the... Read more

August 4, 2015 Video

King Los, Isaiah Rashad & Kent Jamz Bring Power To The Lyric Video Format

Lyric Videos, in theory are promotional devices. These videos tend to follow audio releases, and blaze a trail for eventual produced videos. They can effectively create an experience that brings attention to artistic intent, and quite clearly own the space and monetize a song for label and artist. But in... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

Bilal Portrays A Modern Day Healer In His Charged New Visual (Video)

Since the release of his debut 1st Born Second, Bilal garnered acclaim as a Soul singer. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native's compelling lyrics and beautifully crafted instrumentation, along with his infectious vocal range has made him a consistent crooner. Heads have seen the personal and societal themes of his 2010 LP, Airtight's Revenge.... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

Inspectah Deck, Kool Keith & Headkrack Demand Justice For Unarmed Black Men (Premiere)

Three Bronx, New York MCs unite to speak on very pressing and sensitive issues in American society. Kool Keith, Inspectah Deck, and Headkrack decry the excessive force used by some law enforcement. These incidents, particularly over the last five years, have resulted in the increased death-count of Black men and... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

Prince is Hosting a “Rally 4 Peace” in Baltimore This Weekend

Affected by the murder of Freddie Gray, and moved by the protests of the people in Baltimore, Maryland, Prince has announced "Rally 4 Peace." The Minnesota musical icon will host a performance for Sunday May 10 at Royal Farms Arena. Joined by his band 3rd Eye Girl, Prince publicized the... Read more

May 8, 2015 News

Joey Bada$$’s J Dilla & The Roots-Produced Cut Gets A DMX-Inspired Visual (Video)

With the Dilla Day spirit on high, Joey Bada$$ unleashes the visual for "Like Me." This is his B4.Da.$$ showpiece, boasting production by The Roots and a posthumous J Dilla credit. With the just-released video, it's especially interesting that Badman quite obviously presents his take on DMX's 1998 breakthrough video... Read more

February 11, 2015 The Bridge

Phonte & Oddisee Channel Pain Into Beautiful Art, Reacting To The World Today (Audio)

In the wake of the 2014 murders of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and so many other Black men at the hands of law enforcement, there was a large outcry for artists to react, reflect, and somehow find the words we, the people, could not. Those expressions are indeed... Read more

January 13, 2015 Audio

You Maybe Missed Ali Shaheed’s “Black Lives Matter” Commentary, But It Stands Tall (Video)

Earlier this month, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest, Lucy Pearl, NPR Hip-Hop) made a song in support of the Black Lives Matter protests. The highly-respected Queens, New Yorker works as he was portrayed in Beats, Rhymes & Life: quietly. However, in making "CPR" with Merna, JaPoet and David... Read more

December 31, 2014 Fresh, Video