1990s

Body Count – Cop Killer (1992)

Rapper Ice T was well along in his career when he formed the heavy metal band BodyCount. Their song, “Cop Killer,” criticizes corruption among police. Provoking more public attention and controversy than expected, even President George H.W. Bush denounced it.

KRS-One – Sound of Da Police (1993)

Though the LA Uprisings took place earlier in 1993, KRS-One claims that there was no particular event that led him to write the hit that revitalized his career. “Sound of Da Police” was inspired by a seemingly never-ending stream of police violence towards the Black community. In our present day, this song has become yet another anti-police anthem.

NAS - If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) (1996)

NAS is considered a brilliant mind in the Hip Hop world. Featuring singer Lauryn Hill, “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” paints a picture of what the world would look like if it were free of corruption. Its imaginative, anarchistic lyrics talk about shutting down prisons and being able to exist without being bothered by police. This song appears on the album It Was Written, which is one of Nas’s bestselling records to date.

OutKast – Rosa Parks (1998)

“Rosa Parks” was the most successful song on Outkast’s record Aquemini, but it still drew some controversy. When Parks learned that the song was titled after her despite its content having nothing to do with her or her experience, she felt that the group had exploited her name for personal gain and initiated a law suit. Outkast claimed that the title was their way of honoring her. The case was eventually settled out of court.