Sometimes you need a dose of articulate outrage. Here comes Public Enemy with their response to Hurricane Katrina and its disastrous aftermath: “Hell No, We Ain’t Alright.” Chuck D reportedly wrote the song over Labor Day weekend (a time when a lot of us were working up a heavy steam of rage) and read the lyrics on Sunday, Sept. 4, on his Air America radio show. Download the song here.
Mos Def is getting in on this issue too, with “Katrina Clap,” which uses an instrumental of Juvenile’s track “Nolia Clap.” Mos not only takes a swipe at President Bush, but also some famous rockers:
It’s enough to make ya holla out
Like, where the fuck is Sir Bono and his famous friends now
Don’t get it twisted, man, I dig you too
But if you ain’t about the ghetto, then fuck you too
Who care about rock and roll when babies can’t eat food
Stream the song here. (UPDATE: Download it here, courtesy of Soul Sides.)
Rapper Juvenile, whose New Orleans home was destroyed by the storm, has been conducting relief efforts.