Uncle Murda’s Anti-Cop Lyrics Lead District Attorney to Increase Police Presence at Pennsylvania Show

[Stephan Bobb]

Uncle Murda’s Anti-Cop Lyrics Lead District Attorney to Increase Police Presence at Pennsylvania Show

By Lindsey India May 18, 2017 1:25 PM

Brad Barket, Getty Images

Uncle Murda is gearing up to hit the stage in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. this Friday (May 18) for a concert, and the event is turning out to be a cause for concern with authorities due to the rapper’s anti-police lyrics.

His 2014 track “Hands Up” is particularly causing alarm with the District Attorney and law enforcement. The “Statute of Limitations” rapper, who’s slated to perform at Ali Baba Liquor Lounge on South Main Street, details the killing of unarmed Black men at the hands of police in the track. The song was released as a tribute to the late Mike Brown.

ABC News’ WNEP reports that Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis issued a statement detailing an increase in law enforcement at the show, as she wants to assure the safety of everyone at the venue.

“Although I believe in First Amendment rights, free speech, we just want to make sure that law enforcement and the community remain safe. So we are providing extra resources,” she told the news outlet.

On the “Hands Up” record, Murda addresses police killing unarmed Black men over the years, while also rhyming the controversial line that it’s “time to start killing these coppers.” Murda also refers back to the Mike Brown incident, as the 18-year-old was shot in the back and killed by a police officer while his hands were in the air.

“Officer, please don’t shoot ’cause my hands up,” he spits on the song.

While the General Manager of Ali Baba, Ali Abualburak, is happy to work with law enforcement for the show, he did comment that it was hypocritical for some to find the lyrics offensive, while others have been praised, such as Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff.”

“The Bob Marley song, ‘I shot the sheriff, I didn’t shoot the deputy,’ (it’s a) very popular song, all folks, all walks of life like the song… there’s no difference between Bob Marley’s lyrics… and this guy,” he stated.

The site also states that Abualburak plans to give a portion of the concert’s proceeds to a non-profit that honors fallen officers.

Read More: Uncle Murda's Anti-Cop Lyrics Lead to Police Presence at Show - XXL | http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/05/uncle-murda-anti-cop-lyrics-dist...