Vic Mensa debuts “16 Shots” video, Chicago police shut up video screening
Vic Mensa released his highly anticipated video for his single “16 Shots”. The record is off of his latest EP "There’s A lot Going On”.
Exclusively on Tidal, you can view the video below. It has become the unofficial anthem to the Laquan McDonald shooting. The shooting occurred when then Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killing McDonald. Shooting him 16 times.
Mensa was set to premiere his music video with those who joined him and the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CPAC) last night in Chicago. The protest and march was set to end with an exclusive viewing of the music video. Speaking with officials, CPD officers didn’t allow the LCD truck to pull up next to the demonstrators not allowing for the viewing. Another time and location was set for Mensa to screen the video with fans but that too also was prevented by the CPD.
“16 Shots” is bold telling of a single incident that the world is too familiar with. The gritty truth is captured by Mensa. Using the actually recording of the shooting (not the death) creates and highlights the shocking truth that many aren’t aware of. The beautifully crafted story amplifies its message against the police and it’s political repression.
Check out our photos of Mensa at last night’s march and protest for “Justice for Laquan! CPAC Now!”
Watch here!
Pussy Riot Members Attacked in Sochi
The backdrop to the entire 2014 Winter Olympics has been shrouded in controversy since the location of the games was announced the better side of a decade ago, making the most recent news to come out of Putin's games even less surprising: members of the punk girl revolutionary group, Pussy Riot, were attacked by roving government Cossacks yesterday as they left a restaurant in the town donning their trademark neon baclavas and clothing. Before the demonstration could begin, the members were accosted by the men, a guitar was smashed, but no arrests were made. A very certain check step in the showdown between Putin and his leftist, civil rights-fighting female demonstrators. It is also being reported that Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina, recently released from prison and fresh on Russian soil after a turn through American late night television lately, were among the protestors put down by the resurgent Cossacks who have been tapped to help bring order and reinforce and agenda. According to a recent New York Times story by Ellen Barry, ""Cossacks have emerged as a kind of mascot [for Putin's ideology]... These days men in Cossack uniforms are making appearances all over Russia, carrying out blustery raids of art exhibits, museums, and theaters as standard-bearers for a resurgent church." They are also compared to cowboys, or Chinese samurai and have become a pawn in Putin's push to continue pushing Russia back to the Soviet days. It is interesting that Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina were present at the protest, as they were hesitant to say they were still a part of Pussy Riot after their release in December.