War on Drugs vs. War Zone
- Sep 16, 2016
- 1 min read
#JayZ produced and narrated this short special featuring the artwork of #Molly Crabapple which drops some truths about the failed #warondrugs. It is brief, succinct, and evocative. A good think piece to accompany it:http://theundefeated.com/…/the-rest-of-story-black-women-a…/
In related news, I saw T.I.'s latest video for "War Zone" but found the race reversal of police brutality and targeted violence less affecting than this short. Part of the problem lies in my own skepticism of T.I. (the same can be said of Jay Z), and his sudden interest in #blacklivesmatter came across as disingenuous to me...where were you when you were pushing #IggyAzalea so hard?
This is where the contradiction lies between Jay Z and #TI: why do I find one work more moving than the other? In my opinion, "Warzone" doesn't make a novel artistic commentary on police brutality and systemic racism. It is timely and perhaps sincere, but what else can be said when the brutality is reversed? It reminds me of the Wooster Group's HORRIBLE production "Route 1 and 9" and "Emporer Jones" in which they showcase blackface (as a white ensemble) and faithfully replicate Pigmeat Markham's vaudeville skit without any further deconstruction.
Jay Z-produced "War on Drugs" Clip
T.I.'s "War Zone"
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