Hip Hop’s Legacy of Speaking Up Continues in Response to George Floyd’s Murder

Music is said to reflect the times and also predict where society is heading. Hip Hop, introduced by Black youth as an outlet in neglected neighborhoods, emerged as the ashes from two decades of the Bronx burning were still in the air. Having these origins, it’s expected that artists would be vocal about injustices like police brutality.

As the Bronx tried to rebuild, Melle Mel penned The Message (1982) and right after LA hosted the 1984 Olympics Toddy Tee dropped The Batterram. Melle Mel and Toddy…