Fuck the Police (J Dilla song)

Infobox Single
Name = Fuck The Police


Artist = Jay Dee
from Album = Exclusive Collection "by DJ Rhettmatic'
B-side = "Move"
Released = September 18, 2001
Format = Digital download
12" maxi single
Recorded =
Genre = Hip-hop
Length =
Label = Up Above
Writer =
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =
Last single = "Raise It Up"
(with Slum Village)
(2001)
This single = "Fuck The Police"
(2001)
Next single = "Pause"
(2001):"This article is about the J Dilla song. For the N.W.A. song of the same name, see Fuck tha Police."

"Fuck The Police" is a single by the late rapper/producer, J Dilla. In the song, Dilla chastises corrupt policemen who conduct illegal searches and plant evidence on blacks. In 1989, N.W.A.'s song by the same name, and about the same subject was followed by a letter from the F.B.I. condeming the group for the song's content. The 12" sleeve cover includes pictures of Mumia Abu-Jamal and Rodney King. Both men are known for their runs ins with the law. The song contains a sample of "Scrabble", by Rene Costy as well as "Dimension No. 9" by Jacques Delon and "Damn Right I Am Somebody" by Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s.

Content

The song begins with an introduction by J Dilla which is as follows:

:The views expressed on this recording are solely those of the artist, and by no means do we encourage or condone violence against law officials.

This disclaimer was likely added to prevent any backlash against Up Above Records for some of the song's incendiary lyrics, such as:

:Applaud any nigga that bucked them:Cause we could lose a few of 'em:We got enough of 'em...

:They thought he had a gun:Made-a-mistake-cops, I hate cops...

:Now tell me who protects me from you?:I got people who buy TECs and weed from you

Insight

In an interview with Groove Attack, taken after the record's release, J Dilla revealed his motivations behind the song:

:Interviewer: I gotta ask you about "Fuck The Police", how did that cover come about?

:J: That's a song I been wanting to do for a long-ass time. I need to do a Part 2 actually. It's getting so crazy in Detroit now with the police, man. I just felt like I wanted to speak on it. People knew it from N.W.A., but I just wanted to touch it on a more underground level so the people that I fuck with can relate too and people know that it's still going on.

:Interviewer: It's real.

:J: It's real, yeah! It's like you can go through life and act like it's not but I deal with it everyday, for real, just riding in a nice car they'll fuck with you. Just being a black person in Detroit, it's so stupid.

:Interviewer: What made you decide to take it upon yourself to get the message out there?

:J: I don't think nobody's even saying it, saying enough about it. Like you see it on the news everyday, but it's like it goes right over their heads. People know that there's corrupt cops and cops do bullshit all the time and mothafuckas get pulled over 'cause of the colour of their skin, but it just seems to go over their heads. So I think it helps out a lot if you've got a little voice and somebody can hear it. Like I said, in Toronto people hear that and it puts them on some other shit like 'Damn, this gonna be some shit!' I just hope that gets across to the masses. [http://www.grooveattack.de/distribution/artist_add.php3?artistid=85&interpret=Jay+Dee&title=Jay+Dee+Interview&label=]

"Fuck The Police" subsequently became one of Dilla's most well-known songs as a solo MC. It was a favorite at his live shows and DJ sets.

The B-Side to "Fuck The Police" is the futuristic club-banger "Move", featuring Frank-N-Dank.

Track listing

#Fuck The Police (Dirty)
#Fuck The Police (Radio)
#Fuck The Police (Instrumental)
#Move (feat. Frank-N-Dank) (Dirty)
#Move (feat. Frank-N-Dank) (Radio)
#Move (feat. Frank-N-Dank) (Instrumental)

References