Mike Brown Shooting, Ferguson: Reactions From Frank Ocean, Questlove, John Legend, Nelly, Big Boi, And More

As previously reported, the Ferguson, Missouri police department identified Darren Wilson as the officer who shot Michael Brown, whose death ignited violent protests and chaos in the St. Louis suburb over the past week. This is one step in the full investigation that will hopefully lead to some answers and peace. In the wake of this tragedy, many rappers and musicians have voiced their condolences for Brown's family, their outrage at the situation, their desire for answers and prayers for peace. Here's what they had to say:

Frank Ocean

After seeing a photo taken a press conference that announced Missouri governor Jay Nixon's decision to put the state's highway patrol in charge of security in Ferguson, Ocean was prompted to post his thoughts on his Tumblr.

"You see that black woman standing up there? I wonder if she was called to stand behind the governor because she's black. I wonder if i'm supposed to think Missouri's gov't is pro-black because of her being stood up there with those other black men being all black and everything. I wonder if she was off the clock while she stood up there. If she was off the clock..then i wonder if she was getting paid for her time off like the guy who shot Michael 8 times. What's that guy's name by the way?"

J. Cole

Earlier today, Cole released a new song in honor of Brown called "Be Free." In it he sings, "All we want to do is take the chains off/All we want to do is be free. ...Can you tell me why, every time I step outside my house I see my n***as die?" He wrote his thoughts on the situation in a statement posted on the Dreamvillain website.

There was a time in my life when I gave a f**k. Every chance I got I was screaming about it. I was younger. It's so easy to try to save the world when you're in college. You got nothing but time and no responsibility. But soon life hits you. No more dorms, no more meal plan, no more refund check. Nigga need a job. Nigga got rent. Got car note. Cable bill. Girlfriend moves in and becomes wife. Baby on the way. Career advances. Instagram is poppin. Lebron leaves Miami. LIFE HITS. We become distracted. We become numb. I became numb. But not anymore. That coulda been me, easily. It could have been my best friend. I'm tired of being desensitized to the murder of black men. I don't give a f**k if it's by police or peers. This shit is not normal. I made a song. This is how we feel."

Killer Mike

The Atlanta rapper shared an emotional reaction to the Brown's death on Instagram earlier this week with an open letter attached to an Associated Press photo of Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, and her husband, Louis Head.

"We are human beings. We deserve to be buried by our children not the other way around. No matter how u felt about black people look at this mother and look at this father and tell me as a human being how u cannot feel empathy for them. How can u not feel sympathy for their pain and loss. These are not 'THOTS, niggas/niggers, hoes, Ballers, Divas.' These two people are parents. They are humans that produced a child and loved that child and that child was slaughtered like Game and left face down as public spectacle while his blood drained down the street.

Look at the pain of this mother; look into her eyes. Look at the man behind her. Look at that father made helpless and hurt that he cud not defend his seed. Don't debate. Don't insert your agenda. Save me the bullshit Black On Black Crime speech and look at these two Noble creatures called humans and look at what govt-sanctioned murder has done. It has robbed them of their humanity and replaced it with pain and shame, suffering and hurt.

I don't care if others rioted or why. I don't care that ballplayers and rappers are what they shud be. I care that we as humans care as much about one another more. I care we see past Class, race and culture and honor the humanity that unites our species. Stop talking and LOOK at these PEOPLE. LOOK at these HUMANS and stand with them against a system allows a Human PIG to slaughter their child. Forgive any typos love and respect u all."

Nelly

The St. Louis rapper, who hails from an area close to Ferguson, shared his thoughts in an Instagram post on Sunday, August 10. He posted a photo of Brown along with this message:

"First thing I wanna send my strength and blessing to the parents & family of Mike Brown...!! I can't imagine burying a child ...!! And the way he died..?? There's a lot of questions to be answered and folks held accountable so because I am receiving info in bits and pieces do to being out the country I'll say this for now "To be continued"...!!So Again my strength is for Brown family as this is truly tragic...!! #RIPMIKEBROWN"

David Banner

The Mississippi rapper took to Twitter throughout the week to address the skewed psychology behind these types of shootings as well as point followers to research and data he found. In a series of tweets (not all included here) he wrote:

Our situation is more psychological than people will admit. Black kids kill black kids for the same reason cops do. They see no value. We must start respecting and protecting our own. If Black people SEE themselves th[r]ough America's Eyes. They will value black life as much as America does. What are you willing to sacrifice for freedom? America allows comfort to breed apathy. Just because YOU don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Do we not treat ourselves the same way they do. We have never dealt with the psychological trauma of slavery. So it continues. Black hate was beat, raped, and evangelized into our grandparents and passed on through generations both to black and white children alike. Our kids don't know why they are so angry. And we just point our fingers and tell them to do better. Do what and how? We can't Change what we don't know. We are fighting against a system with no knowledge that the war exist. No instructions. None. Who was our God before they came? Who were we before they existed? What have we done but serve and build? Why do they hate us so? We helped build you for free. Then we are asked to pay taxes. Violence is what you taught us America. You are the aggressor historically. Why would the rich help you when they got rich with it being just the way it is. Only you can save you. We look to and for everything but self. Everything is my fault even if it isn't! We must take responsibility for us. We must defend us. We must love us. ... Cops are part of a fraternal order. That order is a derivative of the Justice system. It won't forsake it's own unless it saves the whole. The judges and cops are together. It's the same system. Why would they give you justice. I do however think that laws will help curb their desire for death. We defend their wrong doings more than they do. This is so sad. ...When cops are wrong we get a lawyer. When cops think we are wrong they get the national guard. America preaches peace on TV but has just shown the world how quick they pull out tanks. American you can make any excuse you want. There is no reason to kill an unarmed child with his hands in the air. I will not turn down..."

Big Boi

The OutKast rapper took to Twitter and retweeted a series of posts about the Brown shooting. He also noted the anniversary of another race riot.

Questlove The Roots drummer also used Twitter to call for peace and offer his condolences.

Chuck D

The Public Enemy rapper posted a series of links relating to race issues and education.

Lecrae Christian rapper Lecrae noted on Tuesday that Brown would've started college this week. He also called for people of all races to come together for peace and urged his followers to pray.

John Legend

The Grammy Award winner took to Twitter to voice his concern over the police in Ferguson.

"The fact that the small town Ferguson police dept has all this equipment should disturb us all. Apparently the equipment was brought in from other communities. But still... America is #1 at war and imprisoning. I wish were were #1 at building infrastructure and health care and educating our kids. I believe the cops are intentionally trying to inflame the situation. They want an excuse. Recall the local cop telling those 'animals' to 'bring it' on CNN... He wants a fight. Call us 'animals' has been the language to justify slavery, Jim Crow and all manner of injustice. Dehumanization and racism go together."

LL Cool J

Rapper and actor LL Cool J took to Twitter to ask President Obama to step in as well honor Brown's memory.

"Rest in peace Michael Brown. We won't forget you. #ThisMustStop. You could have been any one of my family members. Sleepwell Michael Brown. THIS MUST STOP!!!!"

Young Jeezy

Beyond dedicating his St. Louis performance to Brown, Jeezy also took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the incident.

"It's a shame in today's Society we have to protect our loved ones from those who are sworn to protect us. We have to stand strong together and let our voices be heard across the nation. We will not tolerate innocent children being slain. Michael Brown may you rest with the Angels! #saveourchildren #StLouisStandup"

Bun B

The Houston rapper has been vocal on Twitter about his thoughts on the situation.

"Rest in Peace Mike Brown. # Ferguson. ...May God have mercy on us all today. May He watch over you and keep you. Thank You Lord."

Tags

Frank Ocean, Killer Mike, Childish Gambino, J. Cole, Questlove, Nelly, Big Boi, Chuck D, John Legend, LL Cool J, Lecrae, Young Jeezy, Bun B