Musicians on the Front Lines

Music stars hit the streets to protest police brutality.

Call to Action - Last week’s series of events that left Alton Sterling and Philando Castile dead by their local police have inspired some of our favorite musicians to react. T.I. peacefully took to the streets of Atlanta this past weekend to protest police brutality. He joins a long line of musicians who in the past (and present) have joined the front lines of protests and activism. Let’s check out how some of our favorites have joined in the fight this past week and in the past couple of years. – Jon Reyes and BET Staff(Photo: TI via Instagram) 

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Call to Action - Last week’s series of events that left Alton Sterling and Philando Castile dead by their local police have inspired some of our favorite musicians to react. T.I. peacefully took to the streets of Atlanta this past weekend to protest police brutality. He joins a long line of musicians who in the past (and present) have joined the front lines of protests and activism. Let’s check out how some of our favorites have joined in the fight this past week and in the past couple of years. – Jon Reyes and BET Staff(Photo: TI via Instagram) 

Photo by @tip via Photo: TI via Instagram/Instagram

August Alsina - August Alsina went out to Baton Rouge this past weekend to take part in the Black Lives Matter protests regarding Alton Sterling's killing at the hands of local cops. During the protests, Alsina led a prayer and talked to Baton Rouge residents and one of Sterling's family members.(Photo: Patrick Melon/@Melontao via Instagram)

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August Alsina - August Alsina went out to Baton Rouge this past weekend to take part in the Black Lives Matter protests regarding Alton Sterling's killing at the hands of local cops. During the protests, Alsina led a prayer and talked to Baton Rouge residents and one of Sterling's family members.(Photo: Patrick Melon/@Melontao via Instagram)

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Snoop Dogg and The Game - Rappers Snoop Dogg and The Game led a march that led to the LAPD headquarters this past weekend. It resulted in a meeting with the chief of police, Charlie Beck, and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. The meeting, which was largely impromptu, was definitely influenced by The Game’s initial message calling for a peaceful protest:“Do not: bring any weapons or anything illegal. Do not come high or belligerent ... We don’t need any HOT HEADS or anyone there for the wrong reasons… We will stand as we are, UNIFIED. I’m calling ALL GANGS, ALL RACES, ALL GROWN MEN affiliated or not & we will stand UNIFIED.”(Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

J. Cole - The Roc Nation artist also made a trip down to Ferguson in the wake of the tragedy to stand with the peaceful protesters and remember Michael Brown. He described the atmosphere he experienced as "a beautiful thing...everything is love." The singer also released a song called "Be Free" days after Brown's death, dedicated to every Black man murdered in America. (Photo: cruzxctrl via Instagram)

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J. Cole - The North Carolina MC has made his career by walking with the people and was one of the first stars to visit Ferguson soon after Mike Brown was killed.(Photo: cruzxctrl via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: cruzxctrl via Instagram

J. Cole - Further infuriated by the decision of the grand jury not to indict the officer, J. Cole was among the people marching in New York to protest in December 2014.(Photo: QuikWest via Twitter)

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J. Cole - Further infuriated by the decision of the grand jury not to indict the officer, J. Cole was among the people marching in New York to protest in December 2014.(Photo: QuikWest via Twitter)

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Janelle Monáe - Janelle Monáe rallied the crowd in December 2014 as she helped lead a march and spoke during a #BlackLivesMatter protest in Philly. Also joined by her label mate and "Classic Man" creator Jidenna, Monáe demanded the crowd yell the names of victims who had been killed by police. “They say a question lives forever, until it gets the answer it deserves. Won’t you say their names? Can we say their names right now? Can we speak their names, as long as we have breath in our bodies?”(Photo: Janelle Monae via Instagram)

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Janelle Monáe - Janelle Monáe rallied the crowd in December 2014 as she helped lead a march and spoke during a #BlackLivesMatter protest in Philly. Also joined by her label mate and "Classic Man" creator Jidenna, Monáe demanded the crowd yell the names of victims who had been killed by police. “They say a question lives forever, until it gets the answer it deserves. Won’t you say their names? Can we say their names right now? Can we speak their names, as long as we have breath in our bodies?”(Photo: Janelle Monae via Instagram)

Wale - Baltimore is right in Wale's backyard, and the D.C. repper took to the streets with the people to march against police brutality there. He also visited Frederick Douglass High School the day after the riots and encouraged the kids to continue to stand up and be the future leaders they are destined to be, and to not fall into believing they are just thugs, as portrayed by the media.He told D.C.'s FOX 5, “These are the young leaders of tomorrow. They have to look in the mirror and see something better than what they’re being perceived as on TV... We believe in them."(Photo: Sean Stout via Twitter)

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Wale - Baltimore is right in Wale's backyard, and the D.C. repper took to the streets with the people to march against police brutality there. He also visited Frederick Douglass High School the day after the riots and encouraged the kids to continue to stand up and be the future leaders they are destined to be, and to not fall into believing they are just thugs, as portrayed by the media.He told D.C.'s FOX 5, “These are the young leaders of tomorrow. They have to look in the mirror and see something better than what they’re being perceived as on TV... We believe in them."(Photo: Sean Stout via Twitter)

Joey Bada$ - Joey Bada$ has never been shy about addressing police brutality in his art, and in 2015, the Pro Era MC took to the streets of New York to march on behalf of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. He stood toe to toe on the front lines with the boys in blue. (Photos: Joey Bada$ via Instagram)

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Joey Bada$ - Joey Bada$ has never been shy about addressing police brutality in his art, and in 2015, the Pro Era MC took to the streets of New York to march on behalf of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. He stood toe to toe on the front lines with the boys in blue. (Photos: Joey Bada$ via Instagram)

Freeway - Freeway, Danny Glover and Jussie Smolett joined The New York Justice League during the conclusion of its nine-day march to D.C. to protest police brutality and demand an end to racial profiling. Freeway can be seen above participating in a die-in and he also spoke to the crowd that gathered at the National Mall.The Philly MC released a statement, saying, "Police brutality isn't new. All across this country, the 'hood has been at odds with the police for as long as there have been 'hoods. But in 2015, the issue has become an epidemic, and I feel it's only right that I use my voice and influence to help wake up the community and the leadership. Black lives matter. All lives matter."(Photos: Freeway via Instagram)

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Freeway - Freeway, Danny Glover and Jussie Smolett joined The New York Justice League during the conclusion of its nine-day march to D.C. to protest police brutality and demand an end to racial profiling. Freeway can be seen above participating in a die-in and he also spoke to the crowd that gathered at the National Mall.The Philly MC released a statement, saying, "Police brutality isn't new. All across this country, the 'hood has been at odds with the police for as long as there have been 'hoods. But in 2015, the issue has become an epidemic, and I feel it's only right that I use my voice and influence to help wake up the community and the leadership. Black lives matter. All lives matter."(Photos: Freeway via Instagram)

Tyga, DJ Mustard and Game - Game, Tyga and DJ Mustard were among the protesters who stood in solidarity as they participated in the “Millions March Protest” in December 2014. Several thousand people went out to take a stand in the march, which took place in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles.(Photo: DJ Mustard via Instagram)

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Tyga, DJ Mustard and Game - Game, Tyga and DJ Mustard were among the protesters who stood in solidarity as they participated in the “Millions March Protest” in December 2014. Several thousand people went out to take a stand in the march, which took place in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles.(Photo: DJ Mustard via Instagram)

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Nas and Russell Simmons - The fight against police brutality continued as Nas, Russell Simmons, and music executive Kevin Liles were among the 27,000 protesters who marched in December 2014 against the recent deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Akair Gurley and Tamir Rice, all by the hands of the police.The "Millions March NYC" went from Washington Square Park to NYPD headquarters and lasted four hours. Similar protests coincided this weekend in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Boston as well.(Photo: Michael Skolnik via Twitter)

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Nas and Russell Simmons - The fight against police brutality continued as Nas, Russell Simmons, and music executive Kevin Liles were among the 27,000 protesters who marched in December 2014 against the recent deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Akair Gurley and Tamir Rice, all by the hands of the police.The "Millions March NYC" went from Washington Square Park to NYPD headquarters and lasted four hours. Similar protests coincided this weekend in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Boston as well.(Photo: Michael Skolnik via Twitter)

Q-Tip - Hip hop statesman Q-Tip definitely felt some type of way when it was announced that police officer Darren Wilson would not be charged for the killing of unarmed teenager Mike Brown in Missouri. The Tribe Called Quest frontman was among the protesters on the front line who took over Times Square immediately to protest the decision peacefully. (Photo: Okayplayer via Instagram)

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Q-Tip - Hip hop statesman Q-Tip definitely felt some type of way when it was announced that police officer Darren Wilson would not be charged for the killing of unarmed teenager Mike Brown in Missouri. The Tribe Called Quest frontman was among the protesters on the front line who took over Times Square immediately to protest the decision peacefully. (Photo: Okayplayer via Instagram)

Photo By Photo: Okayplayer via Instagram

Killer Mike - Killer Mike has been speaking with several news outlets including CNN since the murders of Eric Garner and Michael Brown have been pretty much ruled justifiable homicides. The ATL MC was also in Ferguson the night when the decision to not file charges was announced. A tearful and emotional Mike told the crowd during his Run the Jewels show, “If I die when I walk off this stage tomorrow, I’ma let you know this. It is not about race, class, it is not about class it is about color. It is about what they killed him for. It is about poverty, it is about greed, and it is about a war machine. So I might go tomorrow, I might go the day after, but the one thing I want you to know. It is us against the motherf**g machine!”(Photo: Killer Mike via Intstagram)

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Killer Mike - Killer Mike has been speaking with several news outlets including CNN since the murders of Eric Garner and Michael Brown have been pretty much ruled justifiable homicides. The ATL MC was also in Ferguson the night when the decision to not file charges was announced. A tearful and emotional Mike told the crowd during his Run the Jewels show, “If I die when I walk off this stage tomorrow, I’ma let you know this. It is not about race, class, it is not about class it is about color. It is about what they killed him for. It is about poverty, it is about greed, and it is about a war machine. So I might go tomorrow, I might go the day after, but the one thing I want you to know. It is us against the motherf**g machine!”(Photo: Killer Mike via Intstagram)

Macklemore - Macklemore is known for addressing social topics in his music and expressed his frustrations with the Ferguson verdict via Twitter. Not just talking a good game, the "Thriftshop" rapper joined protesters in his native Seattle in November 2014 as they shut down Interstate 5 while marching in unison.(Photo: King 5/NBC Local News, Seattle)

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Macklemore - Macklemore is known for addressing social topics in his music and expressed his frustrations with the Ferguson verdict via Twitter. Not just talking a good game, the "Thriftshop" rapper joined protesters in his native Seattle in November 2014 as they shut down Interstate 5 while marching in unison.(Photo: King 5/NBC Local News, Seattle)

Lecrae - Lecrae took to the streets to march among protesters voicing their frustrations about Darren Wilson being acquitted for the murder of Michael Brown. Talking with reporters, Lecrae expressed that he was encouraging peaceful demonstrations. "I feel like I'm here to really help these young people that want to voice their anger and frustrations, offer wisdom where I can, and keep people from being arrested."(Photo: WSBTV 2, Atlanta)

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Lecrae - Lecrae took to the streets to march among protesters voicing their frustrations about Darren Wilson being acquitted for the murder of Michael Brown. Talking with reporters, Lecrae expressed that he was encouraging peaceful demonstrations. "I feel like I'm here to really help these young people that want to voice their anger and frustrations, offer wisdom where I can, and keep people from being arrested."(Photo: WSBTV 2, Atlanta)

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Tyrese - Tyrese brought his daughter, Shayla, along to protest police’s unapologetic use of force and the recent spate of the killing of Black males with no repercussion. Dressed in all black, the singer/actor took part in the Black Out Hollywood Rally, where they marched throughout the streets of Los Angeles and laid across Hollywood Boulevard to bring attention to this cause.  (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Landov) 

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Tyrese - Tyrese brought his daughter, Shayla, along to protest police’s unapologetic use of force and the recent spate of the killing of Black males with no repercussion. Dressed in all black, the singer/actor took part in the Black Out Hollywood Rally, where they marched throughout the streets of Los Angeles and laid across Hollywood Boulevard to bring attention to this cause.  (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Landov) 

Flavor Flav - Public Enemy hype-man Flavor Flav made a trek to Ferguson in December 2014 to join the sea of protesters in their peaceful stand against the murder of Mike Brown. Flav was among the freedom fighters chanting, “Fight back,” and, “If we don’t get no justice, you don’t get no peace,” and he told the crowd how heartbroken he was over Brown's murder and the decision made by the grand jury.(Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch)

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Flavor Flav - Public Enemy hype-man Flavor Flav made a trek to Ferguson in December 2014 to join the sea of protesters in their peaceful stand against the murder of Mike Brown. Flav was among the freedom fighters chanting, “Fight back,” and, “If we don’t get no justice, you don’t get no peace,” and he told the crowd how heartbroken he was over Brown's murder and the decision made by the grand jury.(Photo: St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Kevin McCall - Singer Kevin McCall came out to show his allegiance to the Blackout Hollywood Rally this past weekend and offered words of empowerment as his fellow protesters held up signs that read "I Can't Breathe," bringing further attention to the deaths of Eric Garner and Mike Brown. (Photo: Kevin McCall via Instagram)

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Kevin McCall - Singer Kevin McCall came out to show his allegiance to the Blackout Hollywood Rally this past weekend and offered words of empowerment as his fellow protesters held up signs that read "I Can't Breathe," bringing further attention to the deaths of Eric Garner and Mike Brown. (Photo: Kevin McCall via Instagram)

The Game - The spotlight is on America right now and how the police continue to show its disrespect for Black lives. Cali emcee Game helped take this message global in December 2014 by leading protests and staging mock deaths in countries like Germany and Italy while on his European tour to let the world know that #BlackLivesmatter. (Photo: The Game via Instagram)

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The Game - The spotlight is on America right now and how the police continue to show its disrespect for Black lives. Cali emcee Game helped take this message global in December 2014 by leading protests and staging mock deaths in countries like Germany and Italy while on his European tour to let the world know that #BlackLivesmatter. (Photo: The Game via Instagram)

John Legend - Soul crooner John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, hired a fleet of food trucks this weekend to feed the hungry protesters who had been out in the streets of NYC for days to express their disgust with the city for not pressing charges against the NYPD officer, Daniel Pantaleo, in the choking death of Eric Garner, which was videotaped.(Photo: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Samsung)

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John Legend - Soul crooner John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, hired a fleet of food trucks this weekend to feed the hungry protesters who had been out in the streets of NYC for days to express their disgust with the city for not pressing charges against the NYPD officer, Daniel Pantaleo, in the choking death of Eric Garner, which was videotaped.(Photo: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Samsung)