Rising artist, SilaS is putting his hometown of Jackson, Miss. on the map with a powerful, urgent single that’s become a viral sensation since its release this past November. Inspired by the Nickelodeon kids’ show of the same name, “Gullah Gullah Island” is decisively entertaining, but equally significant to the issues of police brutality, racism, and oppression that plague our country.

To date, the tune is quickly approaching a million plays across various platforms, and it’s even become a global phenomenon. As you can see here, it’s sparked new dance trend, amassing well over 22 million plays via Facebook. Back in the States, it’s gained SilaS national and local attention, with central Mississippi’s WAPT reporting on the artist’s ascent.

Above all the attention, though, “the most important thing is that the issue’s being talked about,” SilaS told WAPT. And today, that issue is brought to the forefront as the “Gullah Gullah Island” video has finally arrived.

Directed by the Dark Brothers, the video highlights the social commentary heard within the track by bringing it front and center. That’s clear from the jump, as we see the rapper portraying a young man slain by a police officer who mistook his phone for a handgun. But is it all a dream? Maybe so, but the reality of the situation hits immediately as SilaS gears up for his day amid voiceovers from news anchors discussing the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, and those lost in the Charlestown, S.C. massacre.

It’s a harrowing, albeit hopeful, outlook from the Jackson native. And it seems like he’s only just getting started. “Gullah Gullah Island” is off SilaS’ new project, The Day I Died, which dropped Feb. 16, and is available for free download, courtesy of AudioMack.

Buy-Links: 

• iTunes: http://bit.ly/SilasGGI

• Spotify: http://bit.ly/GGISpotify

SilaS Online: 

• Website: http://www.dear-silas.com

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/_dearsilas

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dearsilas

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearsilas

• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dearsilas

The post Peep That Visual: SilaS – ‘Gullah Gullah Island’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

To say that K.R.I.T was in Jackson, Mississippi  just to do a show is an understatement. The truth is that when K.R.I.T. comes home, it’s a celebration. Originally from Meridian, MS, K.R.I.T’s Pay Attention Tour brought him to Hal & Mal’s bar and venue located in downtown Jackson. The cold wintry air couldn’t keep the loyal fan base from paying attention to the 3rd coast representer. The lined formed around the building in the midst of predicted bad weather, which included black ice and freezing rain. Nevertheless, the show continued and K.R.I.T. performed better than ever. His agenda began with “King Without A Crown,”as he adorned a black snapback with the word “KING.”   K.R.I.T. did something right by taking the crowd back with his underground staples “County Sh*t” from Krit Wuz Here and “Rotation” from R4. The deeply rooted lyricist performed songs from his 2nd studio album, Cadillactica,released at the end of 2014. Making sure his vibe was felt, he brought along his sub while putting his rap skills to test on “Mt. Olympus” and “King of the South.” Multi Alumni artist Big Sant made an appearance on stage to hype the crowd up a notch while  the Atlanta based DJ Dibiase held down the turn tables. K.R.I.T.’s tour served up a delicious plate of soul food for the city of Jackson just to show them that the king was home.

Check out a few photos from the show below. Photos by Robin M. Johnson.

The post Big K.R.I.T. Serves Up A Plate of Soul Food In Jackson, Mississippi appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.