In the opening sample of Kanye West’s 2013 hit song “Blood on the Leaves”, Nina Simone sings, “Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees. Blood on the leaves.” In the original song by Billie Holiday, the “strange fruit” in question are lynched black bodies hanging from trees. Her song was one of protest and outrage at the racial injustices that claimed the lives of many African-Americans.
While performing the song at the MTV Video Music Awards, West stood silhouetted in front of a “lynching tree” from Steve McQueen’s film “12 Years a Slave”.
West’s outspokenness when it comes to race issues has drawn attention both in and out of the recording studio. After Hurricane Katrina, West memorably proclaimed that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” on live television.
However, while unrest builds across the country over police killings of unarmed black men and boys in Ferguson, Cleveland and New York, many have wondered why the usually ubiquitous hip-hop star has been all but silent.
In the Huffington Post, Janessa E. Robinson penned an open letter to the star, writing, “Despite criticism of your “Kanye rants,” people listen when you speak. Regardless of your delivery, many of us find value in your statements on classism and institutionalized racism. Your voice elicits responses from fans and critics alike. Having said that, Ferguson is happening. Where are you?”
Not all celebrities have been so quiet about their take on the racial unrest of late.
Legendary “Do The Right Thing” filmmaker and frequent social critic Spike Lee attended protests in the wake of the grand jury’s decision not to indict a NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner. Meanwhile, Roc Nation rapper J.Cole was also spotted attending protests in New York City.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been particularly vocal in the wake of the death of Eric Garner. He took to Instagram to express his disappointment in the grand jury’s decision: “I can’t take it anymore! It’s Enough, and enough is enough!”
During Reverend Al Sharpton’s press conference with Garner’s mother and widow on Wednesday, Sharpton said he was holding meetings with Combs in the coming days to garner his help in rallying support from the hip-hop community for an upcoming march in Washington D.C. to protest police violence.
For some black musicians, the silence of white artists who are sometimes accused of appropriating black culture was telling.
After tweeting a slew of messages expressing dismay over the grand jury decision, Azealia Banks blasted Australian rapper Iggy Azalea for her lack of action on the issue, saying: “Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren’t huh?”
its funny to see people Like Igloo Australia silent when these things happen… Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't huh?
— CATTY NOIR (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
If you're down to ride with us bitch you gotta RIDE ALL THE WAY
— CATTY NOIR (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
Don't just be down to ride Black Dick….. If you with us you WITH US!!!!









