Words by Nadia Shakur
Slaughterhouse MC Kxng Crooked has expressed he is one of the greatest lyricist of all time. His recent song release in dedication to Eric Garner titled ” I Can’t Breathe”, shows the lyrical prowess and depth of the artist.
The 4 minute song starts with live audio of the New York protest after the grand jury decision to Not indict officer Pantelo in the chokehold related death of 43-year old Eric Garner.
Spitting over Tupac’s Pain instrumental Kxng Crooked’s lyrics reflect frustration and disgust at the blatant disregard for African American life, the apparent immunity police officers have from prosecution when killing unarmed suspects and the treatment of Black males in particular by the judicial system. The first verse ends with audio of Eric Garner’s last tragic words ” I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe”.
Eric Garner was accused of selling single cigarettes on the street when officers surrounded him and tackled him to the ground. Officer Pantelo put Garner into an NYPD forbidden chokehold later claiming that he grabbed him in that manner so he would not hit his head on a glass door according a statement released by his attorney days after the grand jury returned their decision. Live video footage showed Garner was standing with his hands up talking to the officer about the situation.
Kxng Crooked says in his lyrics “system is broken” and ” cops kill instead of capturing”. With the over abundance of cases when unarmed African-American men are gunned down instead of arrested this statement is far from an exaggeration. With nation protest happening many have questioned the roles of black artist a nd celebrities in their support of community issues. This song serves, as a powerful voice and soundtrack to the anguish African-Americans are feeling nationwide.
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