‘Thong Song’s’ Sisqo Talks Baltimore Riots, Has Surprisingly Profound Comments
As the city of Baltimore comes to grips with the violence, protests and turmoil that has enveloped the area following the mysterious death of Freddie Gray in police custody, those in the city are looking for inspiration and advice from all angles. And maybe the most surprising and enlightening piece of advice has come from one of the city’s most famous sons in the person of pop star Sisqo.
Sisqo, who sang the monster hit track “Thong Song” back in 1999, spoke to Billboard about his thoughts regarding the controversy surrounding Baltimore. And his remarks were truly profound.
“Seems like the chips are stacked against us in every inner city in America, especially Baltimore. I only say ‘especially’ because I’m from Baltimore, but I encourage my brothers and sisters in Baltimore to use their intellect over their emotions during these very trying and emotional times. R.I.P. Freddie Gray hopefully your death will not go in vain.”
“Thong Song” originally appeared on Sisqo’s album Unleash The Dragon and reached the top ten in the UK, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, while it also received 4 Grammy nominations.
Celebrities have been taking to their various social media accounts to register their disdain with both the police’s original actions and the subsequent violent protests.
The Wire actor Wendell Pierce, who played Detective Bunk Moreland in the lauded HBO crime drama, took to his Twitter account to voice his opinion.
Baltimore. These are not protestors. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 27, 2015
He was joined by his co-star Andre Royo, who played Reginald “Bubbles” Cousins in David Simon’s drama, who wrote:
To my Beloved city Baltimore..I feel your pain. Stand up..rise UP without breaking down! Discipline not Destruction. #VictorynotVictims
— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) April 27, 2015
David Simon, who created The Wire, also took to his personal blog on Monday night to try and convince the rioters to “go home,” while he also praised the peaceful protests that had initially followed the death of Freddie Gray.
“There was real power and potential in the peaceful protests that spoke in Mr. Gray’s name initially, and there was real unity at his home going today.
But this, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man’s memory and a diminution of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death. If you can’t seek redress and demand reform without a brick in your hand, you risk losing this moment for all of us in Baltimore.”
[Image via ThatsMags]
