Living Colour have a new EP coming out September 9th entitled “Mixtape,” a collection of remixes for the band’s remake of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya.” The band says it was inspired to remake the song by both recent spikes in gun violence and ongoing police brutality towards African Americans in the United States. “Mixtape” includes a remix from producer Andre Betts, with guest verses from Public Enemy’s Chuck D, The Roots’ Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Prodigal Sunn and Kyle Mansa. In a statement released promoting the EP, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid said, “Our version of Who Shot Ya was initially an organic outgrowth of pure fandom for the work of the brilliant Christopher Wallace (aka “Notorious B.I.G.”). Corey would frequently sing the song during soundcheck, so we worked it up. But tragically Biggie’s question has taken on new and urgent significance over the last year. The amount of people who die on a daily basis because of gun violence is unacceptable in a civilized society. The disproportionate use of deadly force in communities of color is equally unacceptable in a civilized society. It inspired the idea to reach out to some of the most provocative voices in hip-hop to invite them to add their words to the track. We all feel paralyzed as to how we can meaningfully effect change, but at the least we can keep our voices raised in solidarity and not let this plight fade into the background until it happens again.”
Of course, we’re HustleTweeting about “Who Shot Ya” and you’re more than welcome to join the conversation on the Hustle Twitter HERE and also on our hyper-interactive Facebook page HERE!
