![Three Times Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” Has Been Used by Protesters](http://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2016/02/Kendrick-Lamar-at-Grammys-2016.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Three Times Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” Has Been Used by Protesters
Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" from his critically acclaimed masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly album is a special song. The jubilant outcry has become the anthem for protesters against injustices. The chorus is simple but brilliant, latching on onto the listener's mind as soon they hit play. Instead of sadness and doubt when faced with oppression, Kendrick proclaims hope and comfort.
The visual for the song sparked universal applause and once he started performing it on national shows, like at the BET Awards in Los Angeles last year, "Alright" began to grow legs on its own. Prince spoke on the song and said he loved it in a recent rare interview. “He just has something he has to say,” said the superstar artist. “It’s pure. And with Thundercat on the album? Come on. You’re not taking ‘Alright’ off my playlist!”
“Alright” took home the Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance award at this year's Grammy Awards. Kendrick's performance of the song at the Grammys was one for the books. After transitioning from "The Blacker The Berry," the stage turned back and markings covered the TDE artist's body while african dancers with drums appeared surrounding him. Kendrick performed in front of a monstrous bonfire and ended his set by standing in front of a picture of an outline of Africa with “Compton” written in it.
As news of people of color losing their lives to police shootings arise and with the Black Lives Matter movement heading the charge against injustices arose the States, "Alright" has become the battle cry. Here are the moments where "Alright" was used byprotesters.
Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" Chanted by Protesters During Cleveland Police Altercation
In July 2015, protesters in Cleveland were filmed chanting Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" during an altercation with police. The incident happened as a crowd of Cleveland State University students were leaving a Black Lives Matter conference. Protest broke up against police brutality and ended with police pepper-spraying several people.
Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" Inspires Donald Trump Protestors
When a Donald Trump rally on Mar. 11 in Chicago was postponed due to safety concerns, protesters showed up on the University of Illinois campus and went off.
Hundreds of protesters celebrated inside the school’s pavilion, while chanting the hook of K-Dot’s "Alright."
Activists During 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March Chant Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”
In October of 2015, thousands of activists gathered in Washington D.C. for the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March. During the walk, video was found of the protesters using Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” as a rally chant.
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