If there’s anyone in hip hop that’s been incredibly vocal about police brutality and systematic oppression by the government, it’s YG. Back in 2016, the Compton emcee dropped the Still Brazy cut “FDT (F*** Donald Trump)” alongside alongside the late Nipsey Hussle. He then followed that with “FDT Pt. 2,” which saw Bay Area star G-Eazy and Seattle’s Macklemore joining the fray, proving that hip hop has allies in the fight as well.
Earlier this month, he fired off again with “FTP,” which is produced by Larry June and DJ Swish and further proves just how much YG is dedicated to the cause:
“F*** the police, that’s how I feel, buy a Glock, break down the block, that’s how I feel/
Murder after murder after all these years, buy a strap, bust back after all these tears/
Mommas cryin’, how they gon’ heal? How you would feel? F*** silence, speak up b***h, this s*** ill/
Big stick on me, y’all kill, we kill, been tired, f*** cardboard signs, we in the field…/”
In the Denied Approval-directed black-and-white visual, YG takes us right into the middle of the recent L.A. protests, which spawned following the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, the last of whose passing quickly triggered protests and riots all over the country. Viewers can also see shots of police using force against civilians in various cities, further showing the reason behind YG’s message to law enforcement.
YG’s new video wasn’t without some criticism from within. Alabama rapper Chika took to social media under the concern that said clip’s creation during the demonstrations was “disingenuous”:
“yg said he here to shoot a video … this feels incredibly disingenuous. but im glad people showed up. shooting a music video while breonna taylor’s killers are still walking the streets is f***ing disgusting.”
Fans can press play on “FTP” below.