Dre of the tenured production duo Cool & Dre recently dropped a solo single called “Captured On An iPhone,” a genuine response to the current civil unrest in America.
Shortly before the video’s release, Killer Mike delivered an impassioned speech in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent riots erupting in his hometown of Atlanta. With tears in his eyes, he implored his fellow ATL citizens to protect their great city while still speaking up against police brutality.
The Run The Jewels MC’s speech was covered by numerous publications and shared across all social media platforms, evidence Mike’s words really resonated with those who share a similar vision. During an interview with HipHopDX last week, Dre praised Mike and made a prediction.
“We’re so blessed to have someone like him because he’s well versed in everything that’s going on, and he speaks so eloquently,” Dre tells DX. “People are paying attention. We always look for a silver lining in the clouds and I feel as though we’re going to have some tremendous voices that’s going to assume the position of leadership roles. Killer Mike is going to be one of those guys that’s going to be a force of good and positivity moving forward.”
One of Mike’s most inspiring traits is his consistency. He’s been speaking out about racial injustices for years, something Dre clearly remembers.
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“Me and Cool worked with him years ago with Outkast,” he adds. “We was all kids and he was talking the same shit back then, that he talked about, you know what I’m saying? He’s been on it. So, I’m really proud of what Killer Mike’s doing.”
During Mike’s speech, the verbose rapper explained the impossible position he’s in as both a black man and the son of an Atlanta police officer.
“I got a lot of love and respect for police officers down to the original eight police officers in Atlanta that even after becoming police, had to dress in a YMCA because white officers didn’t want to get dressed with n*ggers,” he said. “Here we are 80 years later, I watched a white officer assassinate a black man and I know that tore your heart out. I have nothing positive to say in this moment, because I don’t want to be here.”
He continued, “I am duty-bound to be here to simply say it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house, so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization. And now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize and mobilize.”
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Killer Mike Tears Up Addressing Atlanta Riots: 'It's Your Duty Not To Burn Your Own House Down'
Floyd died on May 25 after former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on the 46-year-old black man’s neck for almost nine minutes. A second, independent autopsy ruled Floyd’s death a homicide by asphyxia.
Although Chauvin was ultimately arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday (June 3) his charge had been upgraded to second-degree murder. Meanwhile, the three other officers involved in the incident were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree.
Revisit Mike’s speech below.
