When revolutionary rap duo Dead Prez released their classic 2000 opening salvo, Let’s Get Free, the outspoken hip-hop tandem of stic.man and M-1 were lauded and criticized for their two-fisted rebuke of systematic racism in all its forms. Nearly two decades later, Dead Prez is still fighting the good fight: stic is set to release the book The Art of War: Hip-Hop and Social Activism later this year, and M just dropped the track “Sacrifice” in celebration of the prison release of Black Liberation Army member Sekou Odinga. In the polarizing aftermath of the Ferguson, Missouri, grand jury’s decision to not indict a police officer for killing unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, OZY reached out to the pair to hear their views on a community and city on fire.
“What I think is even more constructive … is an economic strike aimed at some of the pressure points of the system.”
— stic.man
We here at the decryptedmatrix love these guys and their candor and message. We can only hope for more artists of all kinds to embrace the chance to speak truth to those who will listen to them. Model artists like this are what we need more of to inspire the next generation and to create content that we all enjoy. Without more guys like Dead Prez we fear that music industry will continue to be corrupted by the same corporate influences that have so far shaped what is on the radio and the top of the billboard charts.
Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17. Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.
Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17. Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.
Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17. Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.Bryce Case, Jr., otherwise known as YTCracker, is a “former” cracker most known for defacing the webpages of several federal and municipal government websites in the United States, as well as several in private industry at the age of 17.
Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. He was a major advocate of freedom and his music is still relevant to this day.Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Dewar JR, better known by his stage name Capital Steez, was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.Capital Steez Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Courtney “Jamal” Everald Dewar JR, better known by his stage name was an American hip hop recording artist and anarchist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York.
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
Mos Def Dante Terrell Smith
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I don’t believe it was bin Laden today. I don’t believe it was ever him…I’m sorry, I’m from the projects, I know danger. I don’t feel danger from that sh*t…Highly-educated people in all areas of science have spoken on the fishiness around the whole 9/11 theory…I’m a New Yorker, and it just doesn’t feel right.”
“In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.””In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.”
Lupe Fiasco Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
Rapper, Producer, Entrepreneur, Activist
“In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.””In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.”
Lupe Fiasco Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
Rapper, Producer, Entrepreneur, Activist
“In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.””In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America…I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen, and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s just some oil.”
“Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching”
NAS – Rapper Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching”
NAS – Rapper Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching””Watch what you’re watching, FOX keeps feeding us toxins, stop sleeping, start thinking outside of the box, and unplug from the matrix doctrine, but watch what you say big brother is watching”
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”
Tracy Marrow
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”
Tracy Marrow
Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”Rapper, Actor, Activist
“I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does…The right to bare arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny…not to hunt, it’s to protect yourself from the police.”
[Intro:]
This one is dedicated to the suit-wearing arms dealers
To the champagne-sipping depleted uranium droppers[Hook:]
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
[Verse 1:]
First in my scope is BAE Systems
Specialize in killing people from a distance
Power is a drug and they feed the addiction
Immediate deletion of people’s existence
Who says what is and what isn’t legitimate resistance
To push these buttons you don’t need a brave heart
State of the art darts leave more than your face scarred
You might impress an A&R with your fake bars
Cause you probably think Rolls Royce only make cars
This is for the colonizers turned bomb-providers
Take this beef all the way back to Oppenheimer
They call it warfare but your wars aren’t fair
If they were there’d be suicide bombers in Arms Fairs
On a scam for the funds, they will mangle your son
If you try to speak out they will stamp on your tongue
To your land they will come till you stand up as one
It’s begun
[Hook:]
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
[Verse 2:]
Next in my scope is Lockheed Martin
They will tell you when the bombs need blastin’
Don’t think, just listen to the songs, keep dancin’
Do they really want us to have our own brains
Who do you think is really running Guantanamo Bay
And it might be sensitive but I’ll mention it
Who do you think has got us filling out the censuses
Who do you think is handing out the sentences
This ain’t the BBC so there’s no censorship
Heard of many mercenaries gettin’ with the clever pimp
Not a gun seller but none’s better than Erik Prince
Make money off many things, mainly it’s crime
This one is dedicated to the Raytheon 9
On a scam for the funds, they will mangle your son
If you try to speak out they will stamp on your tongue
To your land they will come till you stand up as one
It’s begun
[Hook:]
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
Keep your hand on your gun
Don’t you trust anyone
