Watch Vic Mensa’s Powerful Statement About Police Brutality on ‘Kimmel’
Vic Mensa used his performance of “16 Shots” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a political platform the night before Election Day. Joined by Travis Barker on drums, the rapper railed strikingly portrayed police brutality in one of his most visceral live statements yet.
During the set, dancers wearing riot police uniforms tackled Mensa to the ground. He continued to rap while a set of the riot police stood behind him, guarding him. Then, Mensa abruptly stopped the song mid-way as if breaking character, to remind the audience that he is rapping about Chicago teenager Laquan McDonald, who was shot by a police officer.
Speaking directly to the camera, the rapper urges everyone to vote against Donald Trump given the candidate’s history with supporting stop-and-frisk and increased law and order. “Donald Trump is a racist, and if you don’t vote, racism wins,” he said to applause.
“16 Shots” appears on Mensa’s politically charged EP released last summer, There’s A Lot Going On.