15 Powerful Songs About Police Brutality, Anti-Black Racism and Revolution

In 1988, Compton hip-hop group N.W.A. released "F--k tha Police," an urgent, powerful protest song that looked police brutality and racial profiling directly in the eye and demanded action.

Today, that song's message is, sadly, still as relevant as ever.

Since last Friday, "F--k tha Police" has seen a resurgence with a 272 per cent increase in on-demand streams, according to Rolling Stone. As demonstrations against the police killing of George Floyd, anti-Black racism and police brutality continue across the United States and around the world, people are turning to the music that speaks to that experience. 

Streams of Childish Gambino's "This is America" also jumped 149 per cent, while Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," which became a Black Lives Matter anthem when it was released in 2015, increased 71 per cent.

Below we picked 15 songs that are powerful, poignant reminders of what's going on right now.

N.W.A., “F*ck Tha Police” (1989)

Public Enemy, “Fight the Power” (1989)

Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Freedom” (2016)

Childish Gambino, “This is America” (2018)

Michael Jackson, “They Don't Care About Us” (1995)

Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation” (1989)

Nas, “Cops Shot the Kid” (2018)

2Pac, “Changes” (1998)

Lauryn Hill, "Black Rage" (2014)

The Game feat. Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Diddy, Fabolous, Wale, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, Yo Gotti, Currensy, Problem, King Pharaoh and TGT "Don't Shoot" (2014)

Jay-Z, "Spiritual" (2016)

Vic Mensa "16 Shots" (2016)

Beyoncé, "Formation" (2016)

Kendrick Lamar, "Alright" (2015)

James Brown, “Say It Loud — I’m Black And I’m Proud” (1968)

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