«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»
Boots Riley: F Bombs Not Cool in Norfolk
After dropping some variation of the F word at a live performance in Virginia with Galactic recently, Boots Riley, front man for Oakland's hip-hop/funk group The Coup, got slapped with abusive language charges from local police.
Riley, who Mother Jones profiled in our November/December 2007 issue, claimed the charges were racially motivated, part of a backlash from a recent Afr'Am Festival in Norfolk, at which gospel and R&B performances allegedly generated noise complaints.
The incident is not the first like it for Boots:
The openly communist, activist/performer has had run-ins with the law in the past.
As any fan knows, his politics are rarely separate from his music. Just prior to the incident, Riley interviewed Mumia Abu-Jamal about social justice and the Supreme Court.
But as Boots, the son of a labor organizer, openly told MoJo, "I'm advocating that people change the world that is around them. And that means direct conflict."
Here's a good example of Boots' dancier side:
And, his more political side, talking about intellectual property:
Comments
A real righteous MC right there. The Coup is what Hip Hop is supposed to be.
ARCHIVE
RECENT COMMENTS
First "Best of 2008" Album List Very Wrong, Very White (1)
dusty wrote:
Take a good listen to "Elephant Revival" from Colorado. Th...
[more]
These Men Are From Hell, not Mars (1)
earledj wrote:
Kay Hymowitz appeared...understanding..of the men she wrot...
[more]
Your Friday "Awwwww" (1)
Busty Dilettante wrote:
Thanks for the smile, DD. And ditto on the bubbe envy.;-)...
[more]
The Christmas Wars MMVIII: Attack of the Atheists (12)
Lightning Joe wrote:
I say "Merry Christmas" too -- but I don't believe in Gawd...
[more]
Paul McCartney Announces Unreleased Beatles Track (1)
Moskowitz wrote:
Release every musical doodle. That's my vote. Apparently, ...
[more]
Never-Nudes Rejoice: Arrested Development Movie In the Works? (2)
TimJ wrote:
If they need financing, there's always money in the banana...
[more]
TV on the Radio and Portishead Battle It Out for Album of the Year (1)
jesse wrote:
Are you kidding? Granted, I haven't heard Dear Science. Bu...
[more]
Melissa Etheridge Says "You Can Forget My Taxes" (1)
Derik wrote:
As a former Californian and heterosexual I would be honore...
[more]
Bush Appoints Lee Greenwood to National Arts Council (1)
smitisan wrote:
And you were worried about SCOTUS. Is impeachment still of...
[more]
The Hidden Cameras' Anti-Marriage Sentiments Way Ahead of Their Time (4)
hjpowell wrote:
CHICAGO - Coretta Scott King, speaking four days before th...
[more]
RSS
Feed
Movable Type 3.33
Posted by: nic on 07/01/08 at 2:42 PM Respond