Hip Hop With Meaning

In February 1999 Amadou Diallo, a West African immigrant, was shot at 41 times by four New York City police officers. The officers were conducting a door-to-door search for a rape suspect. When Diallo answered the door, he began to reach into his pocket for his identification. At that point the policemen opened fire and hit the 22 year old with 19 bullets, killing him almost instantly. A year later, the four officers were acquitted of all charges.

Amidst the outrage that followed, Rawkus Records released the "Hip Hop For Respect" EP. It was recorded over 12 hours in a downtown New York studio. The artists had one clear goal: to communicate the injustices that African Americans endure on a regular basis. The tracks have more meaning and credibility than other such efforts, including Bruce Springsteen's laughable American Skin: 41 Bullets. Featuring a multitude of incredible artists, all of whom are from NYC, the effort stands as a fitting tribute to Diallo.



Hip Hop for Respect