Chuck D broke his silence about the misuse of Public Enemy‘s song “Burn Hollywood Burn” on social media amidst wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.
Posting Instagram on Thursday (January 10.) In a joint post with Flavor Flav, the hip-hop legend set the record straight about the song.
“‘Burn Hollywood Burn’ is a protest song extracted from the Watts rebellion, coined by the magnificent Montague in 1965 against inequality when he said ‘burn baby burn’ across the air,” Chuck D wrote. “We made mind-revolution songs aimed at a one-sided exploitation by an industry.”
“It has nothing to do with families losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss.”
In the comments section, Chuck D added: “PRAY 4 LA.”
“Please don’t use our song on your reels and pictures of this horrifying natural disaster,” he continued.
Released in 1990, “Burn Hollywood Burn” was a single from Fear of a Black Planet. Featuring Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane, the song spotlighted the practice of Hollywood executives casting Black actors in stereotypical roles in TV and film. The video shows images of actors in Blackface and playing subservient roles.
Chuck D rapped,” Burn Hollywood burn, I smell a riot/Goin’ on, first they’re guilty, now they’re gone/Yeah, I’ll check out a movie/But it’ll take a Black one to move me/Get me the hell away from this T.V/All this news and views are beneath me/So all I hear about is shots ringing out/About gangs putting each other’s head out.”
As a result of the wildfires, many have lost their homes including Jhene Aiko.
“Me and my children’s home is gone. Burned to the ground with all of our things inside. Lord have mercy,” Aiko shared on Instagram. “Thankful we still have each other. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy.”
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