Lyrics containing the phrase “I can’t breathe” have changed overnight. After the senseless murder of George Floyd, a black man, while in custody under the Minneapolis police, on May 25, the symbolism of suffocation literally became literal in music. Darrell Kelley, a rapper well-versed in gritty songs forcing the listener to look at harsh realities, uses those same words in his newest release “Police Brutality”.
The song doesn’t use profanity, but some listeners that have suffered trauma, should be aware of the graphic words used. Kelley doesn’t use anything that hasn’t already been show on the viral video of Floyd’s neck being pressed down by the knee of a white police officer. Lying face down, handcuffed, the officer pressed his knee on Floyd for just under nine minutes. Kelley, does give the listener his thoughts and viewpoints throughout the track, in-between dramatic and very powerful lyrics like “we want justice”.
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When the vocals for “we want justice” are sung, the listener feels a part of the movement. The words gain steam, gain power as the song progresses. Kelley incorporates the lyrics “I don’t think any black American is safe from racist police,” leaving the listener in agreement. “I can’t breathe,” a phrase that in some songs could be interpreted as feeling like one’s voice isn’t heard, or that one’s relationship is overbearing, stings. The words hurt. Frankly, this song hurts in a way that is indescribable. Kelley is a true artist for challenging the listener. At first I thought that maybe Kelley was writing this for himself. And that he was using this song as a vehicle to help make sense of what happened. I don’t think that now. I think Kelley is writing this to the people that need to hear it, and he wrote this song for future generations. Everyone needs to hear “Police Brutality”.
Kelley lives in Boston, Massachusetts. His previous released music includes songs “Because Of You”, a biting track aimed at the National Rifle Association and their cowardice actions against gun violence, “Turn It Up”, “The Coronavirus”, “Love And Need You” and “Ahmaud”. “Ahmaud” is about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old black man on a run in Glynn County, Georgia on February 23, 2020. These songs, these pleads cannot be suppressed. My review isn’t about suggesting similar bands or artists that one might enjoy as a reference point to Kelley; this review is about imploring everyone to listen to this song and listen closely. It’s not about whether or not the beat is fun, or the percussion is tight. Or whether or not it holds up to Ice T or N.W.A. Screw that. This review is about letting you know that the reality is we can’t escape the words “I can’t breathe” any more than we can escape that we live on Planet Earth. Open your mind and your hearts and listen to Kelley’s “Police Brutality”. Open your mind and your hearts – now there’s two things that needs to change overnight pretty quickly.
Jodi Marxbury
The music of DARRELL KELLEY has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division. Learn more https://musikandfilm.com