Sound of da Police by KRS-One (1993)

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Sound of da Police by KRS-One

Sound of da Police was released in December 1993 as the second and final track from KRS-One, Return of the Boom Bap. The American rapper criticizes police brutality and systemic racism in the song. This song peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [1] The song begins with the rapper whooping twice to evoke a police siren (the “sound of the police”), which refers to a protest against institutionalized racism, violence against back community, and oppression. [2]

Key Lyrics

Check out the message in a rough stylee

The real criminal are the C-O-P

You check for undercover and the one P.D

But just a mere Black man, them wan' check me

Them check out me car, for it shine like the sun

But them jealous or them vexed, ‘cause them can't afford one

Black people still slaves up 'til today

But the Black police officer nyah see it that way

Him want a salary, him want it

So he put on a badge and kill people for it

My grandfather had to deal with the cops

My great-grandfather dealt with the cops

My great-grandfather had to deal with the cops

And then my great, great, great, great—when it's gonna stop?! [3]

Black Empowerment

This was not KRS 'first time writing a song about police harassment and criminality. [4]

One of the fundamental messages of the 1993’s song is in the line, “Black people still slaves up till today,” it depicts current-day police to slave overseers of the past, as well as accuses police of profiling.

The song may relevant that the Civil Rights movement need to work harder towards racial equality and legally abolished Jim Crow laws, as well as racial discrimination in public institutions or places. Throughout the 1970s, specifically 1980s, the biggest problems were drugs growing in the inner cities. And it is known as War on Drugs as the government’s response, which focused on law enforcement and increased policing.

KRS-One became a pioneer as a founder of the Stop the Violence Movement, which is a movement of hip hop artists that encourages alternatives to violence in black communities. This movement also voice out against police brutality and racial profiling. [5]

References

  1. Sound of da Police. wikipedia.org. Retrieved January 29, 2021
  2. Sound of da Police KRS-One. genius.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021
  3. Sound of da Police KRS-One. genius.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021
  4. Ducker, Eric. Inside the Complicated History of Anti-Cop Anthem ‘Sound of Da Police’. July 17, 2020. level.medium.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021
  5. Sound of Da Police Meaning. shmoop.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021