Sound of da Police by KRS-One (1993)
Sound of da Police was released in December 1993 as the second and final track from KRS-One, Return of the Boom Bap. The American rapper criticizes police brutality and systemic racism in the song. This song peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [1] The song begins with the rapper whooping twice to evoke a police siren (the “sound of the police”), which refers to a protest against institutionalized racism, violence against back community, and oppression. [2]
Key Lyrics
Check out the message in a rough stylee
The real criminal are the C-O-P
You check for undercover and the one P.D
But just a mere Black man, them wan' check me
Them check out me car, for it shine like the sun
But them jealous or them vexed, ‘cause them can't afford one
Black people still slaves up 'til today
But the Black police officer nyah see it that way
Him want a salary, him want it
So he put on a badge and kill people for it
My grandfather had to deal with the cops
My great-grandfather dealt with the cops
My great-grandfather had to deal with the cops
And then my great, great, great, great—when it's gonna stop?! [3]
Black Empowerment
References
- ↑ Sound of da Police. wikipedia.org. Retrieved January 29, 2021
- ↑ Sound of da Police KRS-One. genius.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021
- ↑ Sound of da Police KRS-One. genius.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021
