Vic Mensa's new EP, "There's Alot Going On," was released earlier yesterday, and the former Kids These Days rapper is already garnering a lot of attention for "16 Shots," a track that direct addresses the shooting of Laquan McDonald, a Chicago teen who was killed by police officers in 2014.
McDonald was shot a total of 16 times, including a number of shots that were reportedly fired after McDonald had already collapsed to the ground. The City of Chicago later offered McDonald's family a five million dollar settlement deal. A police officer who was involved with the shooting, Jason Van Dyke, is currently on trial for McDonald's murder.
"I was inspired to make this song by my time down on the ground floor, in the street, when we were revolting against that shit," Mensa said on Beats 1 radio this morning. Besides direct references to the McDonald shooting, Mensa also raps about the long standing, antagonistic relationship between the Chicago PD and the black community. “They threw a little girl down on the pavement … bleeding on the ground through her braces,” Mensa raps. You can listen to the song here (via iTunes.)
"There's Alot Going On" is available for free through Hip Hop Caucus' "Respect My Vote" campaign, which offers free music and other rewards in exchange for a promise to vote in the upcoming election. The promotion ends July 4th.
By Michael Lacerna for RAPstation
