| Go back to previous topic | | Forum name | The Lesson | | Topic subject | Revisiting the musical tributes to Amadou Diallo | | Topic URL | http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=5&topic_id=3025467 |
3025467, Revisiting the musical tributes to Amadou Diallo
Posted by aScribe, Tue Jun-30-20 10:10 AM
In the wake of the current reckoning on police violence against African Americans; the resultant protests and calls to action; and even the recent rounds of protest songs being released (Keedron Bryant, H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, Beyonce, etc.), I was reminded of how the killing of Amadou Diallo prompted a number of musical tributes.
I remember realizing years ago that several artists – some of my favorite artists in fact – had made songs specifically in tribute to Diallo. Not about police violence or police murders writ large, but in specific tribute to Diallo the man. And that they varied in tone, soundscape, structure, and theme.
Obviously, no musical tribute could fully comfort his family or erase his loss. And I know these artists weren’t personal friends of his, but to see him regarded by public figures – even in some small way – as a fully realized human being whose life was senselessly and tragically taken made him seem larger than just a statistic, news headline, or “latest victim.”
The songs I’m familiar with are:
Wyclef Jean – "Diallo"
https://youtu.be/oWK81up-DMY
Bruce Springsteen – “American Skin (41 Shots)"
https://youtu.be/aQMqWAiWPMs
Erykah Badu – "A.D. 2000"
https://youtu.be/s5g-yVykeIk
Lauryn Hill – "I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel)"
https://youtu.be/43niOeHfXKk
But I see that other artists have also paid musical tribute to Diallo, either in whole songs or lyrical references – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Amadou_Diallo#Music
Obviously, Clef’s and Springsteen’s tributes were a bit more direct in reference.
Erykah made mention of her song’s connection during press for ‘Mama’s Gun,’ which made the already achingly beautiful song resonate that much more (with co-piloting from the late Betty Wright).
And Lauryn gives the origins of her song in the interlude leading up to the track on her 'MTV Unplugged 2.0' album: https://youtu.be/KWNpbmdbYWc
No real agenda here other than reflection and remembrance. Of the man, Amadou Diallo, and the musical tributes to his lost life.
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3025468, Hip Hop for Respect - A Tree Never Grown
Posted by Teknontheou, Tue Jun-30-20 10:23 AM
https://youtu.be/1fbjpVaofqI
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3025470, ^^^^ beat me to it. Such a beautiful song.
Posted by Brew, Tue Jun-30-20 11:16 AM
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3025471, Wow, completely missed this project altogether.
Posted by aScribe, Tue Jun-30-20 12:04 PM
Thanks for this.
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3025505, RE: Hip Hop for Respect - A Tree Never Grown
Posted by thebigfunk, Wed Jul-01-20 11:33 AM
Definitely the best from that project. Haven't thought about it in a while, should give it a full listen.
-thebigfunk
~ i could still snort you under the table ~
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3025572, Didn't Rage Against the Machine create a tribute?
Posted by obsidianchrysalis, Sat Jul-04-20 06:54 PM
My memory escapes me but at the least, the band referenced Diallou at times.
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