Rap Video Of Viral Anti-Trump Anthem Unites Black, Brown, Crips, Bloods
LOS ANGELES (CBS SF) -- Rappers YG and Nipsey Hussle's new video for their anti-Donald Trump anthem 'FDT' unites black and brown, Crips and Bloods under a common banner: Don't let Trump become President of the United States.
Using close-ups, camera shake, graffiti art, and stylized black and white and colorized images, director Austin Simkins (Salty State) delivers a strong, visual 'get out the vote' message on the part of the youth who came together in this clip. He even edited in the police helicopters overhead and the LAPD who showed up in riot gear to break up the shoot. Simpkins turns a hopeful lens on the people who live in the part of Los Angeles most people never see, unless they've gotten lost. In doing so, he captures the certain beauty and poignancy of their rage, and their fear.
The video opens with a black screen and a message: "As young people with an interest in the future of America... We have to exercise our intelligence and choose who leads us into wisely. 2016 will be a turning point in this country's history... the question is... in which direction will we go?"
After waxing on the progressive strides made over the last 8 years the preamble ends, "Our opinion is that in the age of a technologically empowered and nuclear armed planet... separation is the enemy. The next leader of America will be a most pivotal President for these reasons... Register ASAP and choose wisely. #FDT - YG & Nipsey Hussle"
The first words in the clip are a pair of voiceovers. One explains the shoot was shut down by the police. The other is a woman who was among African American students removed from the Trump rally at Valdosta State University in Georgia. According to reports, the students at were standing quietly in the bleachers and the GOP presidential hopeful asked that they be removed. In the video she laments, "to get kicked out because we're a group of black people is really crazy. It shows how racist our own school is that we can't even go to our own school conference."
And so it begins... "F* Donald Trump" ...over and over and over.
"I like white folks, but I don't like you..." says YG, just in case anyone mistakes his anti-Trump message as racist. Born, Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, this Blood from 'Bompton' is from a new generation bangers. He told FADER, "This s— been going on for so long, half a n—-'s family be Crip members."
Which is exactly what Nipsey is. Born Ermias Asghedom, the 30-year-old Eritrean from L.A.'s Crenshaw district was a member of the notorious Rollin' 60s. In an interview with HipHop DX, he describes his generation as the one that put the Crips on the map in terms of hustling and business. "Not necessarily gangbanging, but taking the legacy of our area to like the corporate level."
Crips and Bloods take it to a political level in this video. And if there was ever any beef between black and brown on the streets, it's not happening here.
"Hold up, I f* with Mexicans, got a plug with Mexicans --Want a little, need a switch, who I call? A Mexican," says the last refrain.
And so for the final scenes of the clip, Simkins incorporated Trump's infamous "I will build a wall" speech aimed at Mexico and "illegals" and intercuts it with African-Americans waving Mexican flags, and black and Latino bros showing each other much love and respect.
The lyrics: "It wouldn't be the USA without Mexicans, and if it's time to team up, S##T, lets begin. Black love, Brown pride in the sets again. White people feel the same as my next of kin."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO: 'FDT' (Warning: Explicit language)
CBSSF.com writer, producer Jan Mabry is also executive producer and host of The Bronze Report. She lives in Northern California. Follow her on Twitter @janmabr.
