Life of Pablo – “Freestyle 4”

Less than a week after Beyonce released her controversial song “Formation,” Kanye West released his highly anticipated album Life of Pablo. One of the tracks in the album, “Freestyle 4,” makes clear reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. This made Kanye the second artist that week to reference the Black Lives Movement after Beyonce.

"Driving in the same car that they killed 'Pac in… Hands up, we're just doing what the cops taught us. Hands up, hands up, then the cops shot us."

This line is unmistakably a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement and their crusade to raise awareness of police brutality against African Americans. Additionally, it brings to mind the powerful shot in Beyonce’s “Formation” music video that depicts the words “Stop shooting us” boldly on the wall. The question these two songs bring about is why are these two high profile artists bringing up this movement twice within the same week, both in very high profile ways through large music releases. The obvious result of this is that the Black Lives Matter movement has been firmly planted at the forefront of public consciousness and attention.

What Beyonce and Kanye have done is use music and mainstream popular culture to reach those who do not consider themselves politically minded or politically conscious with a political message the artists deem as important enough it cannot be ignored any longer. The use of powerful lyrics in Kanye’s album, and the use of powerful images in Beyonce’s “Formation” video have created starting points for discussion that will remain in the public awareness.

These artists could have used their art to do anything, and they choose to deliberately promote the Black Lives Matter movement. This movement has existed for years, founded shortly after the murder of Treyvon Martin in 2012, and cannot be ignored much longer with this kind of star power backing it up. Beyonce and Kanye West are essentially telling the world that music and popular culture are all well and good, but there are real political issues being faced by African Americans across the country and these issues need to be faced. As we listen to their music, we are left no other option but to think and understand the message they are trying to convey. This year, being an election year, will be an important one to those across the country who face social injustice. Although it is quite a testament to the artistic ability of Beyonce and Kanye that they can create music that is very good on its own, but can also convey important political messages.