Music

Dj Roots Queen and Khandee Brown

Dj Roots Queen at Atlanta City Hall

Lil Baby chats with Council Man Antonio Brown

by Carisha J.

Hip-Hop pioneer, DJ Roots Queen has been very vocal about her feelings toward the biggest topic trending in the world right now. #BlackLivesMatter

As the mother of a black son, and a major pioneer in the Hip-Hop community DJ Roots Queen has not only been diligent on social media with highlighting much needed awareness to the situations going on in the world, she has made her voice heard at the Atlanta protest with the HBCU’s and strong women who led the march over the weekend. The ‘New Black Panther Party’ made it’s stop in Atlanta, Georgia with the HBCU’s committee to march for justice, an end to racism, and more awareness to the growing issue that has plagued the Black community for decades, police brutality. The peaceful protest was organized by Mary Pat Hector , an advocate against Hunger in America and youth director at the National Action Network. Mary Pat had a strong team of women who helped her with the protest. Thank you to Yasheena Zachary, Lila Morrison and Rose Davis who helped orchestrate this powerful and successful movement.

As of now, everyone from America to Korea has made it a mission to speak out on the outrage regarding the murder of  George Floyd. His death has sparked riots, protests, and opinions from all around the world. George Floyd’s life was stolen from him by former police officer now incarcerated murderer, Derek Chauvin  in broad daylight on Memorial Day. As 3 other police officers stood around as an accomplice to his murder, many people have taken their anger out in America by looting, rioting, and vilifying the entire police.

Black Americans are tired, upset, and beaten down with just the recent deaths alone of Ahmaud Arberry in Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and George Floyd in Minneapolis. The video of his death went viral in a matter of hours, and the sight of it all is heartbreaking to watch. Millions of people have seen the footage and heard his agonizing cries. Now is the hard part of putting an end to something that should have been enforced decades ago, racism. Several high-profile Republicans have even spoken out about an end to racism, and a better future for the youth. Radio personality and proud Republican Rush Limbaugh called into the ‘Breakfast Club’ to discuss the entire situation and his support for an end to racism amongst the police. Since President Donald Trump has taken office there has been an alarming increase in racism throughout the country. With a disregard for anyone other than the people who look like him with money, it has been a depressing 4 years in the Black community. The death of George Floyd was the final straw in igniting the flame for people to get out and have their voices heard. From Paris, to the White House gates many people have joined the fight to make it known that the Black community will no longer be tolerating racial injustice at the hands of police officers.

DJ Roots Queen who is very influential in the Hip-Hop community is the founder of Rude Girl Radio, official DJ for the Grammy award winning producer Zaytoven Beatz, and has had helped several now successful artists make a name for themselves in the music industry. Her Rude Girl Radio platform has been working overtime on social media sharing important information to the masses. An all-female radio show, Rude Girl Radio airs every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Digital Dope Radio app. As a mother and someone very passionate in equality for all, we wanted to speak with her firsthand on her thoughts of being a part of history and being so vocal at a time when many non-black people are just starting to wake up to the injustices going on in America. We want to make it adamant that everyone is aware of the power of their voice and go out to VOTE in this year’s upcoming election.

1. As the mother of a biracial son how do you feel regarding the Black Lives Matter Movement?

Anyone who is biracial is black, period. People like to pick and choose who is black and it does not work that way. Barack Obama is a perfect example of that. Right now, is not a time for colorism within our community. We need to be unified. No time is a time for colorism of course, lol!

2. Talk to us about the speech during the protest and who was on the forefront of it all?

Rapper Lil Baby was with humanitarian/  Councilman Antonio Brown . Comedian Desi Banks was there, and we also marched with Ludacris, Eazy E’s daughter ReeMarkable, and Lily Gatins. T.I. spoke with his wife Tiny by his side and rapper Young Dro was there as well. Most importantly Monteria Robinson, mother of Jamarion Robinson spoke, and so did Jimmy Atchison’s father, Jimmy Hill. Jamarion Robinson was shot 76 times by members of the federal task force who arrived at his then girlfriend’s East Point apartment to serve a warrant. Jimmy Atchison was an unarmed black man who died at the age of 21 as a result to being shot in the face during an apartment invasion by Atlanta police. Although a transparent and thorough investigation was requested by Attorney Tanya Miller in 2019 regarding Atchison’s death, no justice was handed to his family. Jimmy Hill and other leaders in the community spoke out about the police brutality problem that Atlanta has, and how Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has failed to do the right thing by ensuring the DA prosecuted those involved in the cases regarding the deaths of unarmed black men. Jimmy Atchison was killed right before the Super Bowl, which was held in Atlanta, and that was more important than his murder, so Mayor Bottoms kept it quiet. The officer responsible for the death of Jimmy Atchison also retired from the force with no charges or punishment brought against him. The problem is with the District Attorney in the state. The DA hides these crimes from the public and we have no idea of what is going on. 195 people have been murdered by the police since 2016 some of them, I have known personally. Desi Banks, Council member Antonio Brown, rapper Lil Baby, rapper/ activist Ludacris and more all marched with us from City Hall. The protest was put together by Mary Pat Hector, Morehouse graduate/ public figure Prince Jauan, and Shar Bates. It was peaceful and well organized! Also, on the front line during the protest was Atlanta’s own DJ Calvin.

3. We saw rapper Lil Baby on the frontline with you at the protests. Has the artists in the industry been vocal or hands on with using their platforms to speak out about Black Lives Matter and why do you think some are silent?

I think the artists are afraid of being black balled by the labels.

4. Has our President handled the situation and murder of George Floyd in good taste?

F&*^ Donald Trump! He is not qualified to run a country and that is noticeably clear.

5. If you could play any song for the world right now what would it be?

Michael Jackson ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’.

6. What message can you give to the youth?

Black Panthers and members of the Republic of New Afrika fought tirelessly for Black freedom and many pay the cost by serving lengthy and unjust sentences. Researching these leaders and writing letters to show your support is one way to honor their sacrifice. http://lettersforfreedom.com

7. As a parent are you speaking to your child about what is happening in America?

I am incredibly open and honest with my child about what is happening with the new Civil Rights Movement and I plan to bring him to a protest, so he experiences history in the making.

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I just want to say that I am PROUD of my city. #sayhername Me and @zobambara are humbled appreciate you for uplifting the voices of black women.

A post shared by Mary-Pat Hector (@marypathector) on Jun 7, 2020 at 4:09pm PDT