As the days of protest wear on, many artists and musicians are using their platforms to help spread the message of what’s going on around them — from the increasingly over racism to the violence dealt upon them by men and women who were sworn to protect and serve. For his latest release, Terrace Martin has teamed up with saxophonist Kamasi Washington, along with emcees Denzel Curry, Daylyt, and G Perico, for the hard-hitting track “Pig Feet.” The song creates chill upon each listen, with Denzel and Daylyt handling verse duties while Kamasi adds to the sonic landscape around their lyrics:
“Helicopters over my balcony, if the police can’t harass, they wanna smoke every ounce of me/
Breath is alchemy, see how the life converted, you tell me life’s a female dog, well I’m perverted, go to jail and get murdered/
Murder was the case they gave us, manipulate the system so the prison could save us, nothin’ can save us/
Foot Locker, liquor stores, undercovers bringin’ hordes, ten years plus four, little kids die at war, mama wants me baptized, swimmin’ in this blood shore…/”
G Perico appears in a mid-song skit, as a distraught woman reveals that police just took the life of one of his homies before he heads off to retaliate. Needless to say, it’s a raw, powerful statement about what’s going on in every city right now. The accompanying video features footage of the various battles between protestors and law enforcement, and uses almost two minutes after to display many of the African-Americans who are no longer with us as a result.
The clip’s description also contains a quote from Martin, who briefly explains how and why “Pig Feet” came to fruition:
“Someone asked, how do I feel? I told them hurt, fearless, angry, aware and fully ready to protect me, my family & my people at all cost. I got together with Black men that felt the same way and created a work of truth.”
Press play on “Pig Feet” below.