King Los Calls on Baltimore Protesters to ‘Be Strong, Be Smart’
All eyes are on Baltimore as the civil unrest continues. Many of the city’s current and former residents are speaking out via social media in hopes of inspiring some peace in the city currently embroiled in violent conflict over the death of Freddie Gray. One of those residents is King Los, who says he wants to mobilize a movement with some help from his fellow residents.
“I’m saddened naturally by watching what’s going on,” Los told BET.com in an exclusive interview. “I actually put out some phone calls to try and get some people together and see what we can do to help. I spoke to some NFL players from the area and I spoke with people there that live in the community. I saw Carmelo Anthony’s IG message and I’m going to reach out to him soon. That’s somebody I’m actually close to, I just haven’t been in touch with him in a minute. I spoke to people to find out what’s needed."
With so many tragic incidents of mostly unarmed Black men dying at the hands of the police, Los was inspired to write a song called “War” that he hoped would serve as the anthem of hope and perseverance. Little did he know the song, which was released last week, would serve as the soundtrack for his hometown.
“I released ‘War’ about three or four days before any of this took place and it was kind of like spot on, but when I actually made the record, it was more about just the ongoing neglect in America, the different injustices and the way people are reacting to them,” Los revealed. “The overall message is that with all the war that we’re seeing, the biggest war is the one for your soul, so let’s not lose that war with yourself. Through all of this, you still have to fight for who you are."
Despite all of the negativity that has inundated news feed over the last few days, Los says there is a silver lining if you look closer.
"Bloods and Crips coming together in peace to better the community, those things are happening as well,” Los noted. “People have to realize this started with something negative so we can’t expect everything to be peaceful.”
While the details concerning the death of Freddie Gray — the 25 year old who died on April 19 from injuries he suffered following his arrest — remain unanswered, Los has a message for the people of his city who are calling for justice.
"Be strong, be smart. Things will definitely get better," he urged. "Let’s show love to one another and let’s remember that God is greater than war, discrimination or racism or any of those things that hinder us from seeing the true value in life.”
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(Photo: Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET)
