“Once Upon A Time In America,” DNA
“Once Upon A Time In America” is a song that actualizes Black pain, Black fear and the helplessness of oppressed people. Every day, a Black mother wonders if her child will return — not only because of the dangers of the streets but because of the present dangers of deathly race-based police-violence.
Tired of watching innocent Black people be shot and kid, battle rap champion puts pen to pad to reimagine what it would be like if Eric Garner, George Floyd, but Sandra Bland, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor.
Within this song, he dramatized each tragic scenario of police-involved killing with an ironic twist in the end. Instead of these individuals — all who have played unwilling roles in the Black Lives Matter movement — make it out alive.
With one gun, passed on to another, each victim finds justice. The first verse connects Sandra Bland to Eric Garner with scenarios where they successfully fought for their lives.
“A woman pulls over in a ride … accused of doing 55 … state trooper waves his flashlight but it ain’t sh*t inside … She starts to get this vibe … its sad to watch … he grabs her locks … then beats her with a gun just for a traffic stop … said she assaulted him … knowing she don’t stand a chance … she takes her cell phone and becomes her own cameraman. She’s recording as his stance changes … his hands shaking … no more motion she makes Bland statement … This is an act of justice, not an act of violence … she gives her gun to her boy up in Staten Island … He sells cigarettes … got cartons and cases … the cops got an issue trying to garner his wages … they start swinging throwing low blows … bruise ribs … a broke nose … got him pinned down he can’t breathe in a choke hold … lifts his head up … pushes him off and says ‘f**ck the cops’ … reaches for the gun and hits both of them with a stomach shot … the impact is like the COVID virus times two … try who? You should have saw the way that swine flew (flu) …”
Many criticized this song, believing it advocated the murder of police. However, the song was a simple “what if” the power to defend one’s self (as guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment) really could be applied to Black people profiled by itchy fingered and bigoted police. It is a “wish,” it is a re-imagined reality where these Black people would have come home.