Kendrick Lamar is the last person that people should be getting at for remaining silent during the recent protests for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and more. Throughout his career, he has released political statements in his music. His stance on such issues has been made abundantly clear and we all know he's the type of person to run plays behind the scenes without really announcing them. So, why are people coming for him on social media?
With all the social unrest happening, many expected Kendrick Lamar to have made a statement on social media, addressing where he stands on police violence and racial inequity. Some are surprised that he has not spoken up. However, his silence should not be taken as inactivity.
IDK used his own platform to stand up for the rap superstar, telling people to focus on bigger issues.
"People coming for Kendrick Lamar like we don’t know he’s a person that does alot but says little," said IDK. "I trust he’s making shit happen behind the scenes."
For the last several days, music fans have called on Kendrick, J. Cole, Kanye West, and others to make public statements about what's been going on. Kendrick and Kanye have been quiet throughout this all, while Cole was literally on the frontlines the other day, protesting in North Carolina.
Let's not shame somebody who has historically done so much for the black community just because he's silent right now when we already know he doesn't agree with how POCs are treated in America.
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Kanye West’s Silence Examined On Twitter During Protests
Everybody is wondering where Kanye West is as racial injustice and social unrest in America hit a high.
We can usually count on Kanye West to rant on in situations like this. Generally, he's not able to keep his mouth shut. The man has been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump for the last several years, even holding meetings with him at the White House. As social unrest and racial injustice hit new highs across the nation, West's silence is being examined from all corners.
Thus far, Kanye has said absolutely nothing about what is going on in the world. Not a zip. Nada.
People are wondering why he's been so silent about an issue that he has spoken about in his music in the past. Others are happy that he's decided to keep his mouth close, noting that he probably would have made things even worse. Regardless of where you stand on him, it's worth asking: "Where is Kanye?"
Radio host Ebro Darden brought up the question this morning, asking: "And furthermore why is Kanye so quiet?"
Former NBA star Kendrick Perkins also commented on the issue, saying: "I thought Kanye West and Trump were good friends?! NOW is the time for Kanye to pull up to the White House and have a sit down with old Donald Trump. Just saying......."
Do you think West is writing out a calculated reply or will he just remain silent for the next little while?
Noname Blasts "Top Selling Rappers" For Staying Silent On George Floyd’s Murder
Noname called out the hypocrisy of rappers whose "whole discographies be about black plight" but have failed to speak up on George Floyd's murder.
Noname is putting the spotlight on all the "top selling rappers" who have yet to speak on the police killing of George Floyd. Ever since footage of George's death, which shows a police officer kneeling on the 46-year-old black man's neck until he stopped breathing, spread like wildfire this past week, many have been rightfully outraged. For the past several days, protests have been taking place both in Minneapolis where the murder occurred, and in other cities across the country in an effort to fight for justice against police brutality. Petitions and donation links have been circulating on social media, as well, allowing people who cannot protest to help the cause with their money and signatures.
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While tons of important work is being done, rapper Noname, who had already called on her "celebrity" followers to match her $1,000 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, couldn't help but notice the radio silence coming from some of the voices one might expect would speak up on these injustices. On Friday (May 29th), she tweeted about who she feels is really showing up for the black community, and who isn't.
"Poor black folks all over the country are putting their bodies on the line in protest for our collective safety and y’all favorite top selling rappers not even willing to put a tweet up," she wrote. "N*ggas whole discographies be about black plight and they no where to be found."
While there are certainly some artists who have yet to speak up (at least on social media), many rappers have been using their platforms to shed light on the matter, such as Snoop Dogg, T.I., and more.