It seems we haven’t dealt with Police/Civilian relations on this large a scale since Rodney King, Amadou Diallo and the like years ago. Hip Hop was in the forefront when it was time to address it with groups like Public Enemy, NWA and other socially conscious MC’s. Though I hate to say it, it seems we’ve gotten comfortable with a certain level of police brutality since those days. The subject matter in Hip Hop has become saturated with money, cars, jewelry, clubs and strippers with no real attachment to what “real” people are dealing with on a daily basis. So even if there were instances after the ones involving King and Diallo, Hip Hop was either unwilling to address it, or the MC’s who were mentally equipped to address these issues were drowned out by the new breed of artist celebrating wealth and prosperity. And with the power shift, the music industry and the radio stations placed their money and support behind the “party and BS”, ultimately silencing the MC’s that were socially aware, forcing them to go underground.

My motivation for writing and recording “Enough is Enuff” came from the continued silence after the deaths of Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Jonathan Ferrell, Eric Garner and Mike Brown. Out of the 6 cases only 3 actually went to trial and out of those 3 only 2 resulted in convictions. One of those convictions was of a police officer. The other cases resulted in questionable verdicts and others never made it to trial due to questionable decisions from the Grand Jury not to bring charges against the suspects…who were police officers. Enough was enough!! For all these situations to be in front of our faces, on the TV and internet and for Hip Hop to be relatively silent didn’t sit well with me. I have 2 sons and I wouldn’t want to experience what the loved ones of those who have fallen are experiencing right now. Hip Hop needed to speak on it. Not just speak on it but be LOUD about it. It’s time out for the “party and BS” because our children are dying. Respect to artists like David Banner, Talib Kweli and J. Cole for their voices and participation, but more is needed. After a detailed discussion with Christina Hines, my Manager I decided to put pen to paper and as a result “Enough is Enuff” was created. I know my voice is only but so big, but I pray that it resonates enough to reach the minds of our youth, their parents and even law enforcement.