After the slaying of unarmed teen Michael Brown at the hands of police in Ferguson, Missouri, California rapper The Game has gathered some of hip hop’s heavy-hitters for the socially conscious track “Don’t Shoot.”
On the track, Diddy, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, Wale, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, Yo Gotti, Curren$y, Problem, King Pharaoh, and the R&B trio TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank) join forces for the political track. The song aims to raise awareness on the ever-growing epidemic of police violence and brutality. The voices also symbolize solidarity and brotherhood, as each artist represents various cities across the nation, including New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
The Game, real name Jayceon Taylor, explained that the song was borne from his witnessing of the tragedy unfolding in Ferguson. He told Rolling Stone, “I am a Black man with kids of my own that I love more than anything, and I cannot fathom a horrific tragedy like Michael Brown’s happening to them. This possibility has shaken me to my core. That is why this song must be made and why it was so easy for so many of my friends to come together and unite against the injustice.”
“Don’t Shoot” highlights the trend of racial injustice, mentioning the deaths of other young Black men like Emmett Till and Trayvon Martin, with lyrics like “They killing teens, they killing dreams” and “Shot down with his hands up, that’s what occurred.”
All proceeds from the song will go to the Justice for Mike Brown GoFundMe account. Purchase “Don’t Shoot” here.
Listen to “Don’t Shoot” below …