Feature: Are Artists Responsible To Speak Out Against Social Injustices?

With the outrage of the Mike Brown and the Eric Garner situations, many are looking at their  favorite artists for their opinions. The nation is in an uproar, with riots going on all over the nation with J.Cole, Macklemore, and P.Diddy joining in. Young Thug had many disgusted with his thoughts on the Mike Brown situation, but the question remains, is it an artists' responsibility to speak up?

Joey Bada$$ thinks it is an artist's responsibility to step in and finds it 'kinda weird' that more rappers aren't speaking out over the Ferguson situation. In an interview with MTV UK, Joey Bada$$ gave his perspective on the situation.

“I think that it’s very important for artists to raise awareness in situations, especially worldwide situations,” the Brooklyn native told MTV UK while overseas in London. “Because I feel like, in today’s world, in today’s society, we don’t have as much civil rights leaders as we used to."

        



Atlanta rapper, B.o.B and Azelia Banks took to Twitter to share their opinions:

It's so discouraging, just as a young black person, to know that people like me can be murdered and have there be no real justice.(ctnd)
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) November 25, 2014

But something seriously has to be done about this shit. I don't want to hear about another unarmed black kid being shot by the damn cops.
— AZEALIA ⚓️ BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) November 25, 2014

Now, many are looking at white rappers to step up as well, with Iggy Azalea getting flack for not speaking out against the recent social injustices. While white rappers are taking an aspect of the Black culture, are they too responsible for the injustices many blacks face in society? Azelia Banks had her say tweeting, "its funny to see people Like Igloo Australia (Iggy) silent when these things happen ..Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't huh?"

What are your thoughts on this issue? Leave a comment below: