Q-Tip and Macklemore are among the American musicians reacting in the wake of the verdict not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for shooting black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri – a decision that has sparked a wave of violent protests.
Q-Tip, known for his success as a solo artist with A Tribe Called Quest, posted a series of tweets on 25 November, writing in one: “No value for black life. But they extrapolate our magic, sweat, our voice our fire … And leave us stripped of our right to exist.” He then proposed a protest march on Times Square in New York, with the Okay Africa website posting a pair of videos of his impassioned chanting of “Whose streets? Our streets!”
Macklemore, the rapper who won four Grammy awards this year with his musical partner Ryan Lewis, was filmed taking part in a protest in Ferguson, Missouri, by Seattle’s King5 News, telling the reporter: “Solidarity – it’s about Mike Brown, it’s not about me.”
WATCH: Macklemore tells KING 5: "It's about Mike Brown. It's not about me." #Ferguson https://t.co/kFvrnMQLIq
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) November 25, 2014
He also tweeted:
The system that instills & protects white supremacy wins again. Humanity loses...No justice. I pray for Mike Brown & his family. So sad.
— Macklemore (@macklemore) November 25, 2014
The rappers are not the only musical figures frustrated at the verdict. Rihanna posted a pair of Instagram photos:
Rapper Killer Mike, who has previously voiced his opinions about the events in Ferguson on CNN and Billboard, advocated that people “buy black only as protest” and adopt a non-violent strategy:
If u are on the streets of ferguson don't break, wait.....plot, plan, strategize, organize THEN MOBILIZE! #RevenegeIsaPlateBestServedCold
— Killer Mike (@KillerMikeGTO) November 25, 2014
Pharrell Williams, meanwhile, tweeted that he is “heartbroken over the news of no indictment in Ferguson. Let’s all pray for peace”, while rapper Big KRIT wrote: “Praying for all the people out there in Ferguson. No justice out here!!!” Producer Rick Ross wrote “Unarmed. Shot 6 times. #RIPMikeBrown”, while Nick Cannon tweeted: “No need for the gas, we already had tears.” Busta Rhymes praised Q-Tip for his protest, tweeting: “I’M PROUD OF MY BROTHER @QtipTheAbstract WE WILL NEVER STOP THE FIGHT!!! #MIKEBROWN REST IN POWER YOUNG KING!”
Talib Kweli wrote a string of impassioned tweets, saying he would return to Ferguson to protest:
Justice is NOT revenge. I do not condone violence or revenge. But justice must be DEMANDED.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) November 25, 2014
They called those getting bitten by dogs & sprayed by hoses in the 50s & 60s violent thugs too. May our memories be long tonight.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) November 25, 2014
Comment on the events in Ferguson and keep up with news updates by following the Guardian’s liveblog.
