Oakland emcee RGLND dedicates his song “Streets of Rage” to baby Hiram Lawrence, the one year old who is fighting for his life at Children’s Hospital, following a shooting in West Oakland. The song is bigger than this specific case too however. RGLND vocalizes the frustrations many feel about living in the the flats of East and West Oakland, in “Streets of Rage.” In a country where we are suckled at the teet of peace and freedom, we live in a city that sometimes makes us feel under attack. RGLND speaks on the inability to take out the trash without a bullett proof vest, and while this example is a tad extreme, the imagery is meant to convey the urgency of Oakland’s struggle with gun violence.
RGLND is one of many local rebels dedicated to introducing a different and peaceful way of representing our streets, because unfortunately our war zone mentality leaves casualties. Please keep baby Hiram in your prayers, join RGLND and other rebels in bringing attention to this community condition and take an action each day that makes your neighborhood and city a better place.
Below Ragland teams up with Adrian Per and Fresh Music to give the Bay’s take on a Drake song that blatantly swagger jacked our neck of the woods. Daps to Drizzy for filming “The Motto” vid in the Yay, but can a couple local luminaries bless a legit remix? Anywho, we’re used to being spurned. Let em know BGs!
