Killer Mike Says the Riots in Ferguson Worked

Killer Mike and El-P, the duo who have been crushing it lately as the politically-charged and socially active Run The Jewels, have been at the forefront in terms of rappers speaking about the civil unrest that has plagued the U.S. in the past few years, very particularly last summer when the protests in Ferguson, Missouri erupted after police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Black teenager Michael Brown in the middle of the street. Now, as the one-year anniversary of Brown's death arrives on Aug. 9, Mike and El have spoken out in an interview with the BBC about the effect the protests and riots have had on the narrative that has risen since Brown's unfortunate death.

"Riots work," Mike told BBC (via Rolling Stone). "And I've never said it in that way before. But I'm an American because of that riot. So when people say riots don't work: Ferguson was over 60 percent as a black community. They had less than 60 percent representation in politics, far less. Post-riots, they have two new black city council members, they have actual advocates in the community now, and the police chief retired. So if it was argued that riots worked for Ferguson, absolutely they did."

Riots near St. Louis were erupting all last summer, and by November a Grand Jury in that state officially declined to press charges against Wilson. Run The Jewels had a previously-scheduled show in the area the night afterwards, which they performed in an emotionally-charged environment. “I would like to say, Rest In Peace to Michael Brown, who will never get to see the next phase of his life,” Killer Mike told the assembled fans that night, noting that they usually start their sets by coming out to Queen’s “We Are The Champions,” but did away with due to the circumstances. “I would like to give all thoughts and prayers to all those out there peacefully protesting.” He then echoed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by adding, “I also give thoughts and prayers for the people who could not hold that anger in, because riots are only the language of the unheard.”

Check the rest of the interview right here.